Monday, February 03, 2014

WISHING ON BUTTERCUPS - Miralee Ferrell - One Free Book

Readers, I Miralee Ferrell's books. I am so sorry for being so late posting this interview. My husband and I have been very sick today. This is the first time I've felt like sitting up today.

Welcome back, Miralee. As an author, I know it takes a lot of people to birth each book. Who were the people involved in the birthing of this book, and what were their contributions?
Oh, my … that’s a long list. First and foremost, my family and friends who have encouraged and prayed for me as I write each book. Then all the people at David C Cook, from the acquisitions editor, to the proofreaders to the graphics designers, marketing department and more—it’s amazing how many people it takes to bring a book to press. My small critique group is comprised of three other authors, Vickie McDonough, Margaret Daley, and Kimberly Johnson, who each help strengthen my books with their suggestions. Then of course, there’s my advance readers (too many to mention, but I thank them all!), my agent, who represents me on each contract, my Street Team (brand new with this book), my publicist and influencers, who each help spread the word prior to and after the release. I’m sure I’ve forgotten more than one person, and I hope they’ll forgive me!

If you teach or speak. What’s coming up on your calendar?
Yes, I do, occasionally, and I’d like to do even a bit more, if the Lord opens the door. I’ll be speaking briefly at a women’s conference in Battleground, WA, sometime in April, and signing books and teaching a workshop at the Oregon Christian Writer’s conference Feb. 22 in Salem, Oregon.

If you had to completely start over in another place, where would you move, and why?
Somewhere that probably doesn’t exist, LOL! I want mild to warm weather in the winter, with no snow, but I still want the lush greenery we have here in the Pacific NW, plenty of water, along with sunny, warm weather in the spring, summer and fall. But if I had to pick and had unlimited money, and I could move all my extended family with me, I think somewhere in Colorado or Wyoming—ranch country, but surrounded by high mountains, and I’d live in the middle of about a thousand acres for the privacy, but still within no more than an hour’s drive from decent shopping. Anyone know if that actually exists? If not, I’m VERY happy right where I am!

If you could only tell aspiring novelists one thing, what would it be?
Be willing to take advice—if you don’t have a thick skin and aren’t willing to change, learn and grow, you won’t succeed in this business. It’s truly imperative that an aspiring novelist is willing to listen to others where their work is concerned. When we started, we all thought that what we’d written was brilliant, and we didn’t want to cut or change a thing. Then we learned that we knew very little and that most of it needed work. That’s a hard lesson, but one that will take you far if you’ll embrace it.                       

You’ve been asked to be in charge of a celebrity cruise. Who would you ask to take part, and why? (AS in what program, singers, etc. [it doesn’t have to be writing related])
Oh, fun!! First of all, I’d invite Christian singer Chris Tomlin to put on a concert, along with Third Day, as I enjoy them both, then I’d ask K-Love to keep the music going throughout the cruise. I’d like to have a variety of inspirational speakers, from ones who would challenge our faith like Beth Moore, to ones who challenge with humor like Patsy Clairmont.

Sounds like a fun cruise. Tell us about the featured book.
Wishing on Buttercups is the second book in my historical romance series, Love Blossoms in Oregon, and it continues on with all the characters from book one, Blowing on Dandelions, as well as introducing a couple more. Here’s a brief summary of what you can expect:

Can Love Survive When Secrets Collide?

She’d kept her secrets safely hidden—those from her past, and those in the present. Some things, Beth Roberts knows, a lady simply doesn’t share, even in the 1880’s West. The townspeople would never understand. No one ever has.

Jeffery Tucker, a handsome young writer, has kept his own secrets. He doesn’t have a right to pry into Beth’s affairs but finds himself strangely drawn to her and intrigued by the hint of mystery surrounding her.

Beth knows that one day someone will unravel the threads of her past. And when two men from her past arrive, the truth might just hurt ... Beth’s future and her heart.

As shadowy memories surface, Beth sketches the scenes she sees and is shocked by what—and who—her illustrations reveal. Dare she risk her heart again?

Please give us the first page of the book.
Baker City, Oregon
Late August, 1880
Beth Roberts willed her hands to stop shaking as they gripped the cream-colored envelope. She hadn’t heard from her magazine editor in months and had about given up.

Stepping toward a corner, Beth licked her dry lips. Dare she open it here? No one lingered in the lobby of the small post office tucked into the corner of the general store, and the clerk was working on the far side of the alcove stuffing mail into the slots. Glancing out the window at the bustling street of the small city that became her home a few months ago, she scrubbed at the fabric covering her arm and wished her scars hadn’t chosen this moment to itch. Only a handful of people knew her, so she shouldn’t fear discovery.

Beth sucked in a quick breath and slid her finger under the flap.

A folded page fluttered to the floor, opening as it landed. Her heart rate increased as a second piece of paper, long and slender, drifted several feet across the hardwood. They’d sent her another check. Seconds passed while she stood frozen, unable to take in the renewal of her dream. She stepped forward, then crouched low to pick up her treasure.

Masculine fingers gripped the end of the check before she could snatch it up. Beth found herself staring into the twinkling brown eyes of Jeffery Tucker, a fellow boarder at Mrs. Jacobs’s home. She bit back a gasp, fumbled for the nearby letter, and plucked it off the floor, praying he wouldn’t ask questions.

Where can we find you on the Internet?
Several places, but here are some of my favorites:
Website: www.miraleeferrell.com (you can access my blog there, as well)
Facebook Author page: www.facebook.com/miraleeferrell
My Newsletter: Sign up on my blog, by visiting my website and clicking the blog tab

Thank you, Miralee, 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.
Wishing on Buttercups - Christianbook.com
Wishing on Buttercups: A Novel (Love Blossoms in Oregon Series) - Amazon
Wishing on Buttercups: A Novel (Love Blossoms in Oregon Series) - Kindle

Deeper Shopping
Christian Books

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

21 comments:

Cyndi said...

Great interview! I would love that cruise line-up! Thanks for the giveaway!

Cyndi W. in AL

Unknown said...

I live in Maumelle, ARKANSAS

Anonymous said...

Great interview! I live in MS!!Shelia Hall sheliarha64@yahoo.com

Melanie Backus said...

I loved the interview with Miralee and what a wonderful book ! I can't wait to read it. Thank you for the giveaway.

Melanie Backus, TX

Judy Cooper said...

I am so sorry that you and your husband are ill. I certainly will say a prayer for you. I really enjoyed the interview, I have always enjoyed Miralee Ferrell's books. thank you. Judy C. in Louisiana.

Vera Godley said...

Sounds like a sweetly intriguing book. And who doesn't love secrets?

I live in North Carolina

Cindy W. said...

Great interview! I would love to win a copy of Wishing on Buttercups. Thank you for the opportunity.

I live in Indiana.

Blessings,
Cindy W.

countrybear52 AT yahoo DOT com

Unknown said...

I absolutely LOVED Blowing on Dandelions and look forward to reading this book very much. I would love to win a free copy!

Shannah McClamrock, NC

Susan Johnson said...

This book sounds interesting. I would love to read it.
Susan
Odessa, Texas

Sydney Harries said...

Sounds like a great book! Thanks for the give away, sydney harries Georgia

Patty said...

I really enjoyed Blowing on Dandelions and would to read this next book in the series!

Patty in SC

PriviesAndPrims said...

Love the title of this one! Just grabs me. and, it doesn't hurt that I love historical fiction. :)

Doreen
priviesandprims at yahoo dot com

From Lancaster County, PA

Miralee Ferrell said...

Cyndi, if I book that cruise, you're welcome to come!

Sharon, thanks for stopping by. Hope you're getting nice weather down your way.

Melanie, I hope you do get a chance to read wishing on Buttercups, I don't think you'll be sorry!

Judy, thank you! I'm so tickled to hear you've enjoyed my books. What a blessing.

Vera, I agree, secrets can be fun to untangle. I hope you get a chance to read my newest book. Thanks for stopping by!

Cindy W., I hope you get a chance, as well. Thank you!!

Shannah, I'm so glad to hear you enjoyed Blowing on Dandelions!! I have a novella following Pastor Seth (and his romance) releasing in mid to late March on Amazon as well as this newest book. I think you'll enjoy revisiting all the characters you met in book 1. There's a bit more humor in book 2, as well.

Susan and Sydney, thank you for your interest and for stopping by!

Patty, I'm tickled to hear you enjoyed Blowing on Dandelions. I think you'll enjoy the continuing characters in Wishing on Buttercups, as well as my novella releasing via Amazon in March, Forget Me Not. I hope you'll check them both out.

Doreen, thank you for the sweet compliment on the title! I love it too! I hope you get a chance to read this series.

sm said...

I will look forward to reading your Blowing On Dandelions about secrets we keep that may hold us back. Sounds very good.
sharon, wileygreen1(at)yahoo(dot)cmm

Miralee Ferrell said...

Hi Sharon, thank you for your comment! I want to make it clear though, that the book that contains the secrets that hold us back is Wishing on Buttercups, book 2, and it's the one being given away here. If you have a kindle or Nook or any other online reading device, book one, Blowing on Dandelions is free until midnight tonight.

Miralee Ferrell said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Anonymous said...

I loved reading Blowing on Dandelions. I would love to read Beth and Jeffrey's story. Loved Miralees interview. Hope you feel better. Love your celebrity cruise line-up.
marypopmom (at) yahoo (dot) com
Maryann in NY

Unknown said...

Wishing On Buttercups is high on my want to read list. I loved the characters and story line from Blowing on Dandelions and I can't wait to read the rest of the story !! Great writing!
thank you
Ohio
mcnuttjem0(at)gmail(dot)com

Emma said...

Wishing on Buttercups sounds wonderful. Please enter me in contest. Thank you for the opportunity to win.I enjoy reading your books.Have a wonderful weekend.PA.

rubynreba said...

What a wonderful title! Enjoyed the interview and the book looks wonderful!
Beth from IA

Sharon Richmond Bryant said...

Enter me!!
Sharon Richmond Bryant
Conway,SC.
sharonruth126@gmail.com