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Tuesday, December 16, 2014

A LADY AT WILLOWGROVE HALL - Sarah E Ladd - One Free Book

Bio: Sarah E. Ladd has always loved the Regency period—the clothes, the music, the literature, and the art. A college trip to England and Scotland confirmed her interest in the time period and gave her idea of what life would’ve looked like in that era. However, it wasn’t until 2010 that she started writing seriously. Her latest release, A Lady at Willowgrove Hall is the third and final release in the Whispers on the Moors series.

Dear Readers, I haven’t received my copy of this book, but I loved the first two in the series. Her writing is fresh, and she grabbed me on the very first page.

Welcome back, Sarah. God has really been moving in your writing life. What do you see on the horizon?
I feel really blessed to be able to write and do what I love! I am currently working on a series titled Treasures of Surrey for Thomas Nelson/Harper Collins Christian Publishing. It is another Regency series, and then once this series is complete, I will be writing a stand-alone novel.

Has your writing changed your reading habits? If so, how?
Without a doubt, writing has changed my reading habits! Writing has made me a much more of an observant reader–I notice things that I would never have noticed prior to writing and editing a novel.

What are you working on right now?
Right now I am working on the final edits for The Curiosity Keeper, which will release next July. It is the first of three books in the new series.

I would love to schedule the new series on my blog. What outside interests do you have?
I love spending time with family and friends, reading, gardening, and sewing/stitching.

How do you choose your settings for each book?
Regencies take place in England, so my setting is pretty much pre-determined! But I do tend to set my stories in the English countryside as opposed to a major city such as London.

If you could spend an evening with one historical person, who would it be and why?
I would have to say Jane Austen! She has always been one of my favorite authors, and I would love chat with her about her view on Regency society and the craft of writing–I think it would be fascinating.

What is the one thing you wish you had known before you started writing novels?
I wish I had known that it is all right to not get it perfect the first time. When I first started writing, I tried to make each chapter perfect. But now, I find I am much more productive if I get all of my thoughts down and write the story and then go back and fix the details!

What are the three best things you can tell other authors to do to be successful?
Write every day–even if it is just a couple hundred words.
Make “writer” friends! They understand the journey and can support and encourage you.
Enjoy the journey–don’t lose sight of why you love writing. It is easy to get caught up in the details–give yourself permission to just write–you can always go back and edit later!

Tell us about the featured book.
When sitting down to write each of the books in the Whispers on the Moors series, I asked myself the following question: What would a lady during the Regency NOT do? So in the very beginning of A Lady at Willowgrove Hall, the heroine, Cecily, makes a BIG mistake—one that as the power to ruin her. The novel then takes her on a journey. Initially, she does whatever she can to hide her secret and keep it from the world, but through a very specific turn of events she learns to rise above her past and eventually find peace and love.

Please give us the first page of the book.
Blacksmith’s Cottage at Aradelle Park
Detham, England, 1814
Is it always a sin to tell a lie?

Sixteen-year-old Cecily Faire rolled over to glance at Leah, who slumbered in the narrow bed they shared. A worn, wool blanket was tucked tightly under her sister’s chin, and her long, auburn braid lay limply against the pillow.

For weeks she had kept a secret from her sister. Hear dearest friend. Her closest confidante.

Cecily swallowed the emotion that welled within her.

Each little lie that she had told haunted her.

But had there been any alternative? Secrecy was imperative.

Cecily relaxed her head against her own pillow and stared at the rough, wooden beams running the length of their bedchamber and struggled to make out their uneven shape in the night’s shifting darkness. Outside their room’s only window, unremitting rain battered their family’s modest cottage, clattering against the thatched roof and disturbing the shutters.

(Barnes & Noble has a great preview of the book on their website. You can read a sample of the book here.)

How can readers find you on the Internet?
I love to connect with readers online. Here is where I can be found–I hope you all will stop and say hello!
Facebook:        www.facebook.com/SarahLaddAuthor
Pinterest:         http://www.pinterest.com/SarahLaddAuthor/
Twitter:           @SarahLaddAuthor
Goodreads:     www.goodreads.com/Sarah_Ladd
Website:          www.sarahladd.com

Thank you, Sarah, for sharing your book with us today.

Readers, here are links to the book. By using one when you order, you help support this blog.
A Lady at Willowgrove Hall - Christianbook.com
A Lady at Willowgrove Hall (Whispers On The Moors) - Amazon
A Lady at Willowgrove Hall (Whispers On The Moors Book 3) - 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 Goodreads, Google+, Feedblitz, Facebook, Twitter, 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

17 comments:

  1. Hello Lena, I enjoyed your interview with Sarah. I would love to read A Lady at Willowgrove Hall.

    Thanks so much...
    Caryl in TEXAS

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  2. Thank you for sharing this delightful interview! I would love to win a copy of A Lady at Willowgrove and appreciate the giveaway opportunity!

    Britney Adams, TX

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  3. The first page sounds like a good beginning. Looking forward to reading this book.
    Tennessee

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  4. I enjoyed reading the post today, would enjoy reading this book...
    dee s from NEBR

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  5. Anonymous5:25 PM

    I've seen this book! Enter me!
    J.C. -Indiana-

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  6. Anonymous5:29 PM

    Thank you so much for hosting me -- and thanks to everyone for stopping by! Happy holidays!

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  7. Lena, Thank you for the wonderful interview! I would love this one.
    Melanie Backus, TX

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  8. I am most curious as to the secret in question.

    Mary P

    QLD AUSTRALIA

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  9. What a beautiful cover. I would love to win a copy of Sarah's book.

    I live in Indiana.

    Smiles & Blessings,
    Cindy W.

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  10. Thank you for the writing tips. My middle daughter aspires to be a published author one day so I am always looking for tips to share with her. Thank you for the interview, the giveaway and the chance to win.
    Blessings,
    Kelly in central VA

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  11. Sharon Richmond Bryant7:35 AM

    Enter me!!
    Conway, SC.

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  12. I've not read any of Sarah's books, but this sounds very good!

    Patty in SC

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  13. Bonnie Roof8:30 PM

    Have read many wonderful reviews of Sarah's books - would love to read "A Lady At Willowgrove Hall"!!

    Thanks for the great interview, Sarah and Lena!!

    bonnieroof60(at)yahoo(dot)com

    Kentucky

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  14. Hi Sarah & Lena! Thank you so much for the chance to win a copy of LaWH! I have the first two in the series but am waiting to get Lady so I can read all three in a row!
    Kristen in OK
    kam110476 at gmail dot com

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  15. What a gripping beginning! I simply MUST know what Cecily's secret is!!

    Kandi in Montana

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  16. I love the cover! I have been wanting to read this book. Thanks for the chance!
    Beth in Montana

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  17. I love Regency stories and I'm so curious about the "big mistake". Please add me, A Lady at Willowgrove Hall sounds wonderful!
    Merry in MN

    ReplyDelete