Thursday, April 24, 2014

ONE CHOICE - Ginger Solomon - One Free PDF Copy of the Book

Welcome, Ginger. Tell us how much of yourself you write into your characters.
They always tell writers to write what they know, so I do. I know me. A lot of me is sprinkled into my characters, especially my love of flowers, roses in particular. I also include a lot of my family’s characteristics. There are nine of us, so I have a lot to work with.

What is the quirkiest thing you have ever done?
Wow… this took a great deal of thought. I’m not a particularly quirky person.

When I was a teenager, I took a temporary job as the body inside a full-sized animal costume. We went to a local fair. I think it was in September. I remember it was super-hot inside the costume. We were only allowed to stay in them for thirty minutes at a time. See, told you. I’m not a quirky person.

When did you first discover that you were a writer?
I’ve liked to write since I was a child. Sappy, awful poetry was my choice back then. I started writing novel-length fiction about five years ago. I discovered I was a writer when I requested a friend read one of my manuscripts, and she actually liked it.

Tell us the range of the kinds of books you enjoy reading.
I really like reading romance of all kinds—Amish, fantasy, historical, contemporary, etc. I also enjoy supernatural fiction, and some sci-fi. These last two have to have a really compelling story line for me to finish them.

How do you keep your sanity in our run, run, run world?
Sanity? What’s sanity? I lost that many moons ago. No, really, I did. I think it was along about the time my fourth or fifth child was born. LOL

In reality, I’m not much of a runner. I’m a home-body. If I have to go out, I try to shove as many errands as possible into the one outing, and I make sure it’s a day I can remain patient.

In recent years, since my children don’t need my undivided attention, I make sure I treat myself to a day alone, usually spent writing, at least once a month. I recharge in private.

My children are grown and married, and I have grandchildren and great grandchildren, but I have all the privacy I need when I’m writing. How do you choose your characters’ names?
Sometimes the characters tell me their names, but just as often I have to do a search on the internet. I usually start with names that have a certain meaning and go from there.

My current heroine’s name is made up. Her father was of Scotch/Irish descent, so I started with Gaelic names. The name Cari means love. Her mother was of Turkish descent, and they live in the area around the middle-east, so I wanted the name to reflect that culture a little. I didn’t want Cari to be pronounced with an /a/ sound, so I added the “h” to make it more of the /ah/ sound. Thus the name Cahri was born. Josiah named himself.

What is the accomplishment that you are most proud of?
I’ve homeschooled my children since the beginning of their schooling career. Sometimes I wondered if I was doing all that I could to prepare them for the future. A few years ago, my second son graduated from high school and was offered a full scholarship to a local university. I was proud of my son, and proud that I had indeed done a good job.

If you were an animal, which one would you be, and why?
A horse. I have always loved horses. They are such majestic, athletic animals. I could sit and watch a well-trained horse for hours—or even a wild one. They look so happy as they run with their tails extended and their manes flowing behind them.

What is your favorite food?
I’m not sure I have a favorite food. There are so many that I enjoy. I guess if I have to choose I’d say New England Clam Chowder. It’s my go to comfort food—warm and creamy goodness.

My husband loves New England Clam Chowder. What is the problem with writing that was your greatest roadblock, and how did you overcome it?
My greatest roadblock is putting myself out there for rejection. I’m not sure I’ve overcome it fully, yet, but it’s getting a little easier. I just have to remember that what I write is not who I am, and the rejection is not aimed at me but at the words on the page.

Tell us about the featured book.
Cahri Michaels is American by birth, but Belikarian by choice. Being selected to participate in the Bridal March forces her to give up the independent life she’s created for herself. She’s not ready to be anyone’s wife, much less to a man she doesn’t know.

Prince Josiah Vallis despises the centuries old tradition—the Bridal March—that is forcing him to choose a wife from fifty women. Why does it matter that he’s twenty-five and still single?

When Cahri and Josiah meet, sparks fly. Will it ignite a godly love that can see them through or will they be burned, never to be the same?

Please give us the first page of the book.
Prologue
Proverbs 31:10 “Who can find a virtuous and capable wife?”
Kral Sarayi, The King’s Palace
South Belikara
March 2011

“Father, must I do this?” Josiah Vallis stood rigid, feet spread in a soldier’s stance, in front of his father’s large, antique oak desk. His hands fisted behind his back as his mind reeled with the humiliation of having to find a wife in this manner.
He had tried, but every woman he'd met, both on his own and those his father had arranged, were money-hungry, power-hungry, unattractive, or all three. The one woman he thought perfect for him had betrayed him. She’d had him fooled, and now he doubted his own judgment when it came to the fairer sex.

He didn't want a wife just to produce heirs and to hang on his arm like a showpiece. His ideal mate would be much like his mother—a woman who could love him for who God intended him to be, not for his family name and position. His desired wife would be kind and considerate, would care for others more than herself, would be giving, loving, and attractive. Most important to him, and even harder to find, was for his wife to have a personal relationship with God.

He gazed around his father’s immense office. All the furnishings, made of quality materials, were fit for a king. One day it would be his, though he’d never wanted it. As the remaining male heir, he had no choice. He peered back at the man behind the desk.

His father's eyes, a shade lighter than his own dark brown, moved away from the computer screen with a spark of irritation. He leaned back in the chair. “Yes, Josiah.

How can readers find you on the Internet?

Thank you, Ginger, for visiting with us.

Readers, here’s a link to the book. By using it when you order, you help support this blog.
One Choice - Kindle

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16 comments:

Anonymous said...

Thanks for the giveaway!
Sydney GA

Ginger Solomon said...

Thanks for stopping by and reading about One Choice.

Mary L. Hamilton said...

Sounds like an interesting book, Ginger. I admire anyone who can homeschool their kids. I always wanted to but didn't have the discipline to carry it out.

Ginger Solomon said...

Thanks, Mary. Homeschooling isn't for everyone. Just like some are called to be pastors, and others to be teachers or doctors - God gives each the grace he or she needs to accomplish what his necessary on any given day.

You have been called to do something else, and God will give you the grace to fulfill that call as you need it.

Diana Gardner said...

Portsmouth, VA

Ginger Solomon said...

Welcome, Diana. Thanks for commenting - short though it be. You're right where I grew up, relatively (Suffolk).

Anonymous said...

Sounds like a GREAT romance, Ginger! I do my running around the same as you, pack in all the necessary stops to avoid getting out again. Doesn't always work, but it's sweet when it does, isn't it!

Jennifer Slattery said...

Fun interview! Congrats on homeschooling! That's a lot of work and perseverance!

Lill said...

Can't wait to read the book Ginger. And I think being the body in an animal suit is unique. . .what kind of animal?

sm said...

Sounds like The Bachelor TV show with the Bridal March! Love the combination of 2 different nationalities and origin of the name you chose. sharon, CA wileygreen1(at)yahoo(dot)com

Charlotte Kay said...

Another new author for me, how exciting!
I loved the interview! It's so exciting to learn more about each author.
Thanks for the chance to win!!

Charlotte Kay
Ohio

Ginger Solomon said...

Marji, it is indeed sweet when all the errands come together on the same day. Sometimes it makes for one LONG day, but so worth it not to have to go out again.

Ginger Solomon said...

Jennifer, homeschooling is a lot of work, but in the end it is so worth it. I only do it by the DAILY grace of God.

Ginger Solomon said...

Lil, I can't remember. I think I was a chicken. I remember having a tail because some kid came up and pulled and almost made me fall. Not fun in an outfit like that. :)

Ginger Solomon said...

SM, thanks for commenting. I've never seen The Bachelor, so I'll have to take your word for it. :) Thanks for the encouragement.

Ginger Solomon said...

Charlotte, thanks for stopping by. I am also an avid reader and find it exciting to stumble across a new author (whether new to me or new in general).