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Monday, April 08, 2013

UNRIVALED - Siri Mitchell - One Free Book Plus Much More


Welcome back, Siri. Tell us about your salvation experience.
I would love to be able to give you an exciting conversion story, but the truth is that I grew up in a Christian home and came to a gradual knowledge of Christ and of his saving grace. When I was living in Paris from 1996 – 2000, I transitioned from my childhood faith to a faith I had processed and had come to possess in my own right.

You’re planning a writing retreat where you can only have four other authors. Who would they be and why?
I’d have all the writing friends I haven’t seen in forever: Lissa Halls Johnson who gave me such wonderful encouragement when I was starting out; the fabulous Ginger Garrett; my critique partner Maureen Lang; and Pepper Basham so that we could continue our conversation from the ACFW retreat back in 2010.

Do you have a speaking ministry? If so, tell us about that.
I do speak to women’s groups and writers groups, but I don’t actively pursue those opportunities. God seems to bring along just as many as I can comfortably handle. That said, I enjoy speaking and when I have the chance to address women’s groups, I like to talk about the concept of worth and God’s idea of women (exemplified by the concept of the word ‘ezer’).

What is the most embarrassing thing that has happened to you and how did you handle it?
You had to ask, didn’t you? I was haggling over the phone in French about buying an antique couch when we lived in Paris (two things I hate to do: haggle and talk on the phone to people I don’t know well). I’d written down a script for myself with key French words underlined. On the positive side, I used them all. On the negative side, I mispronounced one very important word. I meant to say, “Can you lower the price a little, Monsieur.” What actually came out was, “Can we sleep together a little for a better price, Monsieur.” There was a very shocked gasp on the other end of the phone line and then he said, “I think you’ve said something you didn’t mean to say, Madame.” How did I handle it? By hoping he’d just write me off as a stupid American…or forget about it altogether! Unfortunately, I had to take him the money we’d agreed to (…and I honestly can’t remember whether I actually got that price lowered or not…). When I showed up with my husband, he and his wife had a great laugh at my expense. What can you do? It makes a good response to a question like this one. (Most embarrassing moment? Well…there was that time when I offered myself as a prostitute…)

I had a similar event in college. This guy I had a crush on knew I was taking first-year French. We were both in Drama, and while all the cast was out sitting on the back porch of the theater, he said, “Voulez vous …” And you know what the rest of the question was. I had no idea, and I just popped off and said, “I don’t know what that means, but it sounds like fun.” Everyone in the cast burst out laughing. Now to get serious: People are always telling me that they’d like to write a book someday. I’m sure they do to you, too. What would you tell someone who came up to you and said that? “You should do it!”
I’ll give them a list of writers’ conferences if they want one. I’ll encourage them to get involved in writers’ organizations. I’ll recommend my favorite writing books. If they ask about editors and agents, I’ll tell them we can talk about that after they finish with the actual writing. So far, no one has ever come back with a completed novel.

Tell us about the featured book.
Lucy Kendall, hoping to earn her father’s respect, is trying her best to save his candy business from being destroyed by candy giant Standard Manufacturing. After being abandoned by his own father as a child, St. Louis newcomer Charlie Clarke is determined to help his father’s Standard Manufacturing dominate the nation’s candy industry. Compromise is not an option when the prize is a father’s approval. And falling in love with a business rival is a recipe for disaster when only one company can win. Will these two star-crossed lovers ever learn that love is sweeter than candy or will they let a competition that turns less-than-friendly sour their dreams?

Please give us the first page of the book.
“Soon, soon, soon.” My thoughts kept cadence to the horses’ hooves. It was all I could do not to stare as the carriage passed the sites of my beloved St. Louis, all in their places, just as they should be. The brown brick Cave Ballroom; the tall Morgens Brothers Building with its deep bay windows; Ford Motor Company. And all the shoe and boot stores lining the district. If I looked out the other side of the carriage, I knew I would see The St. Louis Club.

An advertisement for Royal Taffy candy caught my attention. Give the Queen of Your Heart a Royal Gift. The brazen red of its oblong wrapper was echoed in the border of the poster. It was the third of its kind that I had seen on our journey down Olive Street. I wondered how many more of them had been put up around the city. And I wondered too why I hadn’t seen any for my father’s candy, Fancy Crunch.

The carriage lurched to a stop again. My, but there were so many more automobiles on the streets than there had been when I’d left for Europe. And it had only been a little over a year! Such a bother they were.

And it was so hot! I’d forgotten about Missouri’s humidity. Though it had been made in the new open style, my white silk collar was sticking to my neck and I suspected my Denmark blue blouse-waist was already damp at the back. I shifted forward on the seat as the streetcars and automobiles sailed past us, reminding me of all the ships I had seen on the Mediterranean.
Awnings shaded shop windows while men and women hurried up and down the street. How tall all the buildings were! Pride bloomed in my breast: even Europe with all her splendors had nothing to rival my native city.

I had worried that I would find my home too dull and provincial, that it would be diminished by the grandeur of all the things I had seen and the places I had visited on the Continent. To the contrary! Dear, sweet home. I wanted to embrace it all. Every piece of it. There were dozens of things I couldn’t wait to do. And there were a hundred things I wanted to tell of: eating linzer torte in Austria; hiking the glaciers in Switzerland; drinking coffee at the cafes in Italy.

Soon, soon, soon.

I’d voyaged half way around the world, but this last journey from Union Station to the house was interminable.

Sounds intriguing. How can readers find you on the Internet?
I’m on Facebook as Siri Mitchell. I’m on Pinterest as SiriMitchell and on Twitter @SiriMitchell and I would love it if readers would visit my website at http://sirimitchell.com I’ve put up some special links there to share the story behind the story.

Celebrate Unrivaled with Siri Mitchell by entering to win a Kindle Fire and joining her on April 18th for a Facebook Author Chat Party!

Unrivaled-giveaway-300
 
One "swooning" winner will receive:
  • A Kindle Fire
  • Vintage Candy Kit
  • Unrivaled by Siri Mitchell (one for you and one for a friend!)
Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on April 17th. Winner will be announced at the "Unrivaled" Author Chat Facebook Party on 4/18. Connect with Siri, get a sneak peek of her next book, try your hand at a trivia contest, and chat with readers just like yourself. There will also be gift certificates, books, vintage candy kits, and more!

So grab your copy of Unrivaled and join Siri on the evening of the April 18th for a chance to connect with Siri and make some new friends. (If you haven't read the book - don't let that stop you from coming!)

Don't miss a moment of the fun, RSVP today. Tell your friends via FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning. Hope to see you on the 18th!

Thank you, Siri, for sharing your life, your new book, and your extra giveaway with us.

Readers, here are links to the book. By using one when you order, you help support this blog.
Unrivaled: a novel - paperback
Unrivaled: a novel - Kindle


Leave a comment for a chance to win a free copy of the book. Please tell us where you live, at least the state or territory. (Comments containing links may be subject to removal by blog owner.)

Void where prohibited; the odds of winning depend on the number of entrants. Entering the giveaway is considered a confirmation of eligibility on behalf of the enterer in accord with these rules and any pertaining local/federal/international laws.

The only notification you’ll receive is the winner post on this blog. So be sure to check back a week from Saturday to see if you won. You will have 4 weeks from the posting of the winners to claim your book.

If you’re reading this on Google +, Feedblitz, Facebook, Linkedin, or Amazon, please come to the blog to leave your comment if you want to be included in the drawing. Here’s a link.
Http://lenanelsondooley.blogspot.com

35 comments:

  1. I have been waiting what seems like forever for Siri's new release.
    Amy C
    VA

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  2. Anonymous6:07 AM

    Thanks for the chance to win this one.

    Katie J
    FL

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  3. Love the cover! Sounds like an interesting story. :)

    Rosie from OH

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  4. Oh SIRI!!!!
    I would LOVE to come to a writer's conference with you!
    ANY TIME!!!
    Add some caramel salted hot chocolate to the mix and it would be perfect!!!!

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  5. I've read and enjoyed several of Siri's recent books. I've been wanting to get my hands on a copy of this book.

    Patty in SC

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  6. Deborah D9:57 AM

    I would love to read this

    Deb D, from FL

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  7. Oh gosh, that embarrassing moment was priceless!! It is wonderful that you can laugh about it and make it into a hilarious story.
    Blessings!
    Jasmine A. in rainy Montana

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  8. Anonymous10:47 AM

    I would love to read Unrivaled.

    Bonnie Jean from Florida

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  9. I'd love to win this book!
    Hannah CA

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  10. Great interview! I'd like to read more of her books now.
    Heidi, CA

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  11. If you guys haven't read her books, they are fantastic. She Walks in Beauty and Kissing Adrien are my two favorites, but I'm reading Unrivaled right now and it's WONDERFUL!!!!

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  12. I would love to win your book. It sounds like a great book. Love your cover. God bless you.
    Norma S. from Ohio

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  13. Pam K.4:52 PM

    That's quite an embarrassing moment! I really enjoy Siri's books and am looking forward to reading Unrivaled. It would be wonderful to win a copy of it here. Thanks for the chance.

    pmk56[at]sbcglobal[dot]net
    Kansas

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  14. I love the cover also...first thing I look at!

    missionwife@hotmail.com

    Donna, TX

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  15. UNRIVALED does indeed sound like a sweet read. (I couldn't help it.) A book I know I will enjoy.

    Mary P

    QLD AUSTRALIA

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  16. That was a lovely interview. I had to chuckle over the embarrassing moment. I'm an Aussie who has read one book by Siri and would love to read more.
    Paula Vince
    Adelaide, South Australia

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  17. thanks for the chance to read siri's latest novel.

    karenk
    kmkuka at yahoo dot com
    ...from pa...

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  18. Looking forward to reading the next book of yours, I am envious you have lived in Paris, ohh la la.
    thanks for sharing your book.
    Paula O(kyflo130@yahoo.com)
    A Ga reader

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  19. Anonymous6:19 AM

    Please enter me in this contest. Sounds like a great book.
    Thanks!
    Brittany M.
    TX
    kbmceuen@yahoo.com

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  20. I would love to read this book. Please enter me.

    Blessings,
    Jo from Southern Arizona
    azladijo(at)aol(dot)com

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  21. Thanks for the opportunity to get this book.
    Lyndie Blevins
    Duncanville, Tx

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  22. Sounds wonderful!!! Please enter me! :) I'm from NC.

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  23. Enter me!!!
    Sarah Richmond
    N.C.

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  24. I have heard so much about Siri's book so I really want to read this one!!!!

    CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com

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  25. I can't wait to read this book!! I've loved all of Siri's books.

    Marissa from CO

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  26. I'm planning on going to the party.
    Rebekah TN

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  27. Thank you for this opportunity!

    Jean K
    West Palm Beach, FL

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  28. I also grew up in a Christian home. Priceless! I have not read any of Siri's books before. Love to read this.
    Beth from Iowa

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  29. Sharon Richmond11:52 AM

    Enter me this book looks great!!
    Sharon Richmond
    Blanch,NC
    sharonruth126@gmail.com

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  30. Unrivaled sounds so interesting, I'd love to be entered for this sweet novel. Thanks!
    Merry in TX

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  31. love to win Siri's book thanks
    live in ND

    ABreading4fun [at] gmail [dot] com

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  32. Thank you for the opportunity to win.
    I live in Tennessee.

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  33. A book by Siri is always a gem. Thanks for the chance to win a copy.

    I live in Indiana.

    Smiles,
    Cindy W.

    countrybear52 at yahoo dot com

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  34. Lisa E.7:53 PM

    Oh, I've been wanting to read this! I read She Walks in Beauty awhile back and it was amazing. I just love Siri's writing style.

    Lisa from Washington State

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  35. Siri's books are among my favorites! How exciting to greet her new release!
    Kandra from TN

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