THE COURIER OF CASWELL HALL - Melanie Dobson - One Free Book On This Blog, Plus More

Bio: Melanie Dobson is the author of twelve novels; her writing has received numerous accolades including two Carol Awards. Melanie worked in public relations for fifteen years before she began writing fiction full-time. Born and raised in the Midwest, she now resides with her husband and two daughters in Oregon.

Welcome back, Melanie. What are some of the spiritual themes you like to write about?

Every novel has a different spiritual theme, but I love to write about characters who sacrifice their lives for other people and those who have a sense of wonder and awe about God and His creation.

What other books of yours are coming out soon?

Last March I headed to Normandy to research for my next book, a novel called Château of Secrets that slips between World War II and the present day. Château of Secrets comes out in May and I’m also working on a novella for a Christmas collection that releases next fall.

If you could spend an evening with one contemporary person (not a family member of yours), who would it be and why?

 My dear friend, Tosha Williams. Tosha and I met in college almost twenty-five years ago, and her friendship is a treasure to me. We live more than a thousand miles away now, and it would be such a treat to spend an entire evening with her, talking about our writing and families and all that God is teaching us.

What historical person would you like to meet (besides Jesus) and why?

I would love to meet Mary, the mother of Jesus, and hear the story of his life and death and ultimately resurrection from her perspective. Also, as the mom of two girls, I really want to know what it was like to parent the Son of God!

How can you encourage authors who have been receiving only rejections from publishers?

When I first began writing fiction, I wrote four novels in seven years. During those seven years, I received consistent rejections from both publishers and agents, but I felt like God had called me to write. Because of my love of writing and out of pure obedience to this call, I continued pursuing it in spite of all the rejections (which were super hard to read). This season was hard, but it was also really good as I learned the craft. Those seven years in the desert prepared me well for the later years of writing novels on short deadlines. God often uses our writing in ways we can’t imagine, and I would encourage unpublished writers to pray for guidance and direction (i.e. James 1). I love to learn, and the beauty of novel writing is that there is always something new to learn. I also would encourage those wanting to be published to keep writing as they continue growing in their skills as a novelist.

Tell us about the featured book.

The Courier of Caswell Hall is about a woman who becomes a courier and ultimately a spy for the Patriots during the American Revolution. Lydia Caswell comes from a family of staunch Loyalists, but when she rescues a wounded man on the riverbank near her family’s plantation, she begins to question her loyalties. As both armies gather near Williamsburg for a pivotal battle, both Lydia and her dear friend Sarah must decide how high a price they are willing to pay for freedom—and to help the men they love.

Please give us the first page of the book.

Prologue

July 4, 1826

Glittering trails of firelight illuminated the champagne in Lydia’s glass. Leaning back against a sandstone column, her stiff fingers curled over the worn crook of her cane, Lydia sipped the Veuve Clicquot from its gold-encrusted pool. The warmth from her drink fought off the coolness that stole through her silk gown and gloves.

Hundreds of guests gathered on the north lawn of the white President’s Palace as another round of red-and-blue fireworks rocketed through the night, but only one of the guests interested her. Lydia scanned the shadowed faces of cabinet members and representatives from across the States, searching in vain for their country’s secretary of state.

The echoing boom rattled her bones, and the crowd cheered as shards of light cascaded over the grass.

“Jubilee of Freedom”—that’s what John Quincy Adams, president of their United States, called this day, but the celebration in Lydia’s heart blended with her memories, jubilation fading away like the fireworks in the darkness.

Would their country remember the sacrifices the men and women of the colonies had made as well as their triumphs?

She took another sip, looking again for the distinguished secretary.

Fifty years had passed since their country had declared its independence from Great Britain—and almost fifty years since the man who became the country’s secretary of state turned her and her family upside down.

How can readers find you on the Internet?

I love to connect with my readers! My website is www.melaniedobson.com.

Melanie Dobson's latest release, The Courier of Caswell Hall, is a riveting story you won't want to miss. The newest offering in the American Tapestries™ series, it follows an unlikely spy who discovers freedom and love in the midst of the American Revolution.

Enter to win 1 of 5 copies of the book!

  Five winners will receive:

• The Courier of Caswell Hall by Melanie Dobson

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on October 5th. All winners will be announced October 7th at the Litfuse blog.

Don't miss a moment of the fun; enter today and be sure to visit the Litfuse blog on the 7th to see if you won one of the books!

Thank you, Melanie, for sharing this new book with us.

Readers, here are links to the book. By using one when you order, you help support this blog.

The Courier of Caswell Hall - Christianbook.com
The Courier of Caswell Hall (American Tapestries series) (American Tapestry) - Amazon.com
The Courier of Caswell Hall (American tapestries) - Kindle

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