Welcome back. Karen. How
did you come up with the idea for this story?
There is usually a single spark that gets a book idea
started. For A Worthy Pursuit, that spark was the idea of incorporating gifted
children—child prodigies, each having a gift in a different field. And the one
who doesn't consider himself gifted ends up being the one who saves the day,
proving he is, in fact, remarkable.
I also wanted to play with the idea of opposites attracting.
So I chose a refined, educated headmistress who doesn't trust men and paired
her with a man of action and intrigue who practically walks off the pages of a
dime novel. Charlotte has to learn to trust the man who was sent to destroy her
in order to protect the children in her care, and Stone must dig deep to
unearth the patience it will take to win the heart of the plucky woman he comes
to admire.
If you were planning
a party with Christian authors of contemporary fiction, what six people would
you invite and why?
Well, parties are always so much more fun when you are with
people you know, so for my contemporary fiction party I'm going to invite some
of my closest author friends – Becky Wade, Dani Pettrey, Lisa Wingate, and
Kellie Coates Gilbert. Then I would also include a couple ladies who I know
would keep things lively – Rachel Hauck and Susan May Warren.
I’d love to peek into
that party. That’s a group of some of my favorite people. Now let’s do that for
a party for Christian authors of historical fiction, what six people would you
invite and why?
Again I would go with my closest friends. Regina Jennings
and I recently roomed together at the RT Booklovers Convention and had a
fabulous time. She even got me line dancing at one of the sessions. Ha! In
addition to Regina
I would invite Mary Connealy – always a hoot to have around. Jody Hedlund –
Jody and I started out at Bethany House together and have shared many facets of
our publishing journey. Kristi Hunter – she's about to debut her first book
with Bethany House. She and I met at the last ACFW conference and really hit it
off. Next, I would invite Lorna Seilstad, another great buddy. And finally the
irrepressible Jen Turano. There's going to be a lot of laughing at this
gathering.
That sounds like fun.
More of my favorite people. Many times, people (and other authors) think you
have it made with so many books published. What is your most difficult problem
with writing at this time in your career?
The most difficult part is finding the time to get
everything done. I still work a full-time job in addition to writing full-time.
I also have 3 teenagers at home. With all the marketing we are asked to do,
blog writing, and social media interactions on top of family, church, and work
responsibilities, it's hard to find the time needed to write the next project.
Yet that is the most important commodity an author has. If you throw together a
shoddy book, you're going to lose readers. Besides that, as Christians, we are
called to always work as if working for the Lord and not for man. That means
creating excellent work, which is something I continually strive to achieve. I
write slowly and really have to guard my time. Not an easy task.
Tell us about the
featured book.
Stone Hammond is the best tracker in Texas . He never comes home empty-handed. So
when a wealthy railroad investor hires him to find his abducted granddaughter,
Stone eagerly accepts.
Charlotte Atherton, former headmistress of Sullivan's Academy for Exceptional Youths, will do anything to keep her charges safe, especially the little girl entrusted to her care after her mother's death.Charlotte
promised Lily's mother she'd keep the girl away from her unscrupulous
grandfather, and nothing will stop Charlotte
from fulfilling that pledge. Not even the handsome bounty hunter with
surprisingly honest eyes who comes looking for them.
When the teacher he's after produces documentation that shows she's the little girl's legal guardian, Stone must reevaluate everything he's been led to believe. Is Miss Atherton villain or victim? She acts more like a loving mother than an abductress, and the children in her care clearly adore her.
Then a new danger threatens, andCharlotte
is forced to trust the man sent to destroy her. Stone becomes determined to
protect what he once sought to tear apart. Besides, he's ready to start a new
pursuit: winning Charlotte 's
heart.
Charlotte Atherton, former headmistress of Sullivan's Academy for Exceptional Youths, will do anything to keep her charges safe, especially the little girl entrusted to her care after her mother's death.
When the teacher he's after produces documentation that shows she's the little girl's legal guardian, Stone must reevaluate everything he's been led to believe. Is Miss Atherton villain or victim? She acts more like a loving mother than an abductress, and the children in her care clearly adore her.
Then a new danger threatens, and
Please give us the
first page of the book.
Prologue
February 1891 - Austin , TX
Sullivan's Academy for
Exceptional Youths
"I'm closing the school, Miss Atherton, and that's my
final word on the subject." Dr. Keith Sullivan closed the attendance
ledger on his desk with an ominous snap and pushed to his feet, forcing Charlotte to stand as
well. "I've sent wires to all the students' parents, informing them of the
closure and offering to reimburse a percentage of the tuition to compensate
them for the inconvenience of ending the school term earlier than
expected."
A reimbursement of funds? From the man who'd refused to
purchase a single new text in the last five years? It was all Charlotte could do to keep her jaw from
coming unhinged. There must be another source of income—one large enough to
overshadow the loss of tuition. Dr. Sullivan charged exorbitant fees for his
exclusive school. Only the most noteworthy students were accepted into the
small academy. Unless, of course, a particularly wealthy family sought entree
for one of their children. In that case, a well-placed donation seemed to make
up for any lack in giftedness. She could only imagine how large a donation
would have to be to convince him to close the school entirely.
Backing out of the way as her employer strode around his
desk, Charlotte
fiddled with the cameo at her neck then marched after him. "What of
Stephen Farley? His parents are in Europe .
They couldn't possibly collect him before we close the doors. And John Chang is
an orphan here on scholarship. He has no place to go."
I am looking forward
to reading this one. How can readers find you on the Internet?
The best way to find me is on my website. I have an
occasional newsletter that will keep you up-to-date on my newest releases, and
everyone who subscribes will be automatically entering in my monthly drawings
for 2 Christian Historical Romance Novels. I also love to connect on Facebook
and Goodreads. Please find me on the links listed below.
Website: www.karenwitemeyer.com
Thank you, Karen, for sharing this new book with us. You know how much I love reading your stories. I'm sure my readers do, too.
Readers, here are links to the book. By using one when you order, you help support this blog.
A Worthy Pursuit - Christiabook.comA Worthy Pursuit - Amazon
A Worthy Pursuit - 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
33 comments:
Thanks so much for the great interview, Lena! I appreciate being here and will try to check-in throughout the day.
~Karen
I didn't realize Karen still worked another full time job besides church and family. Of course I'm sure the teenagers keep up with all the laundry, cooking, shopping.... for you!
Donna, TX
Sounds like an interesting book!
-Melissa M. in TN
Ha! Good one, Melody. ;-) I've tried to train them, and they do help out with chores around the house, but all too often they are as busy as I am. Band, theater, tennis, soccer, math competitions, church activities. I'm just thankful my oldest can drive so I don't have to run the taxi service quite as often.
Thanks, Melissa. I hope you get a chance to try Stone and Charlotte's story. :-)
Angela in Ky would love to win.
OH, I've been dying to win a copy of this!!!!!!! I LOVE Karen's writing!!!!!
Blessings, Amada (pronounced: a.m.a.th.a), New Mexico
I would love to win this book! Karen is of those authors that you don't even have to read the blurb...you just know it will be a great book!
Rebecca in Oregon
What a fabulous story line.
Mary P
QLD AUSTRALIA
I would absolutely love to win this book. Thank you for the chance to win a copy!
I live in Indiana.
Blessings,
Cindy W.
Karen, You are one busy lady! Have you thought of hiring an assistant or asking for some volunteer help in the social media arena? This makes me realize how important it is for reviewers to get the word out about your books.
I'm sorry I missed the call-out for influencers on this one but I will be sure and talk it up and feature it on my blog. Who knows, maybe I'll even win a copy!
Thanks, Lena, for inviting Karen on as a guest. Enjoyed the interview, Ladies.
Anne, rural NC
Yessss, I've been waiting for this interview for ages! Can't wait to get this book. Please enter me. Y
Thanks for the awesomest of giveaways! :) God Bless.
Blanch NC
Yessss, I've been waiting for this interview for ages! Can't wait to get this book. Please enter me. Y
Thanks for the awesomest of giveaways! :) God Bless.
Blanch NC
I can really appreciate Karen's busyness. There just never seems to be enough time in the day... I am looking forward to reading this book. Thanks for the interview and giveaway!
Loraine in TX
Enjoyed the interview & Deanna in NEBR thanks you for the giveaway!
I'd love to win & read this book :)
What a lovely group of ladies! Thank you so much for all the kind comments.
Mary Preston - Love your avatar. Belle is my favorite Disney princess. Who wouldn't love a girl who falls in love with the hero because of his library? LOL.
Rebecca - Thanks for the HUGE compliment! I appreciate you so much.
Anne Payne - A personal assistant would be lovely, but I'm probably too much of a control freak to turn much over to her. I wouldn't mind having someone to create all those cute photo cards they use on FB these days. I can do it when I have time, but I have very rudimentary skills and it ends up taking me an hour or more to create something - an hour I could have used writing. So I guess my ideal assistance would be a graphic designer with an endless supply of images ready for me to deploy. :-)
Loraine - I couldn't agree more about the time just running out of the day before I can get everything accomplished. Whew! I'm planning to use this Friday (holiday from work for 4th of July) to get caught back up on my writing. Have a deadline coming up next month, so I need to get after it!
I always enjoy Karen's books because I can count on them to bring a smile to my face and maybe even laugh out loud!
Patty in SC
Great interview! I love Karen's books and look forward to reading this one! Thanks for the chance to win!
Beth in Montana
Thanks for the interview. Enjoyed it. I sure do hope I win your book. I live in VA. Email address: happygrammaof3@comcast.net
I have all of Karen's books and would love to win her latest!
cllyrics@gmail.com
Reading a Karen Witemeyer book is always "A Worthy Pursuit." Love the story line of this book - especially since I've worked in Christian schools for over 35 years. Would love to read this one!
Vera in North Carolina
Thanks, everyone!
Love Karen's books; am anxious to read this one!
Thanks!
Jackie in GA
Sounds like a very interesting book! I haven't read any by Karen but will have to check them out.
Edward Arrington, Martinsville, VA
Enter me in your great giveaway!!
Conway, SC.
I hear great things about your books!
susanlulu@yahoo.com
Susan in NC
This si the only book by Karen I don't own! Thanks for the chance to win!
Sierra
Indiana
Thanks Lena for having Karen here. I have some of her books and this one sounds like the kind I like. I would love to win it.
Maxie from Texas. > mac262(at)me(dot)com <
Can't wait to read this new book by Karen! Please enter me. : )
Cathy in BC Canada
I like that you have gifted children in your book and would love to win it. sm wileygreen1(at)yahoo(d0t)com CA
I always enjoy books by Karen.
Beth from IA
I would love to read Charlotte and Stone's story. I love the book cover. Thank you Lena for hosting Karen.
marypopmom (at) yahoo (dot) com
Maryann in NY
I am excited to read books by this author. They are great !
Deanne in Pennsylvania
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