Dear Readers, we have a special treat today. A collection from a special group of authors that I really love their books.
Welcome to my blog. How did your story
for the collection come about?
Tamera: Savannah Darby is a
character we first meet in To Win Her
Favor, a Belle Meade Plantation novel. And I knew when writing that novel
that Savannah
had a deeper story to tell, and I’m grateful for the chance
to tell her entire story in To
Mend a Dream, my novella in the Among the Fair Magnolias collection.
Elizabeth: I was
actually doing research for a novel that takes place both in modern day and
during the late 1800s and had studied a lot about Reconstruction in
Georgia. When I was asked to contribute
to Among
the Fair Magnolias, inspired by my previous research, I wrote Love Beyond Limits, a story about a
young Southern white woman whose courage and convictions lead her to fight for
the rights of the freedmen.
Dorothy: I
fell in love with Pawleys
Island and the South
Carolina Lowcountry while writing Carolina
Gold. I'm fascinated by the history of the old rice plantations and
by the lives of 19th century women who managed to accomplish so much despite
the restrictions placed on them. My novella, A Heart So True, explores both the beauty of the Lowcountry and the
difficult choice my character Abby Clayton faces in determining her own future,
and it gives readers of Carolina Gold
and The Bracelet a glimpse of their
favorite characters from those books.
Shelley: Russell
Champion, the hero in An Outlaw's Heart,
was featured in a series of westerns I wrote a few years ago for Abingdon
Press. I jumped at the chance to finish his story.
Are these stories
connected in some way? If so, how?
They’re connected by the Southern locale and the
time period (1860-1878). And that we’re all writers passionate about sharing history and
the true love and hope found only in Christ.
What are you reading
right now?
Tamera: I’m
reading The Silencing: How the Left
is Killing Free Speech by Kristen Powers; Israelology: The Missing Link in Systematic Theology by Arnold
G Fruchtenbaum (in prep for an upcoming Revelations study); and Prayers that Changed History by
Tricia Goyer
Dorothy: The Signature of All Things by Elizabeth
Gilbert, author of Eat, Pray, Love.
Shelley: I'm
reading Eric Larson's Isaac's Storm
and Soaring by Kristen Ashley
How many other books
have you had published?
Tamera: Among
the Fair Magnolias is my twelfth publication. I’ve written eleven
novels to date, and one novella.
Dorothy: Fair
Magnolias is my nineteenth publication. Seventeen novels and two novellas.
Shelley: I think
I'm at 53 books. (Insert Tamera gasping here! Tamera says, I had no clue!
Shelley, babe, you’re ah-mazing.)
What is the hardest
thing about writing a part of a collection?
Tamera: Honestly,
it was a pleasure all around. I love how the four stories (and themes) blend
with each other and show the ever changing life in the South over those two
decades.
Dorothy: Since we
weren't required to mesh the stories, writing the novella was easy. I published
a novella, A Proper Marriage at
Thomas Nelson last year and enjoyed writing a complete story in a much
smaller space. So I jumped at the chance to write a second novella. It's
a nice break from the intense work of researching and writing a 95,000 word
novel.
Shelley: I have
to echo what Tamera said. I was so honored to be asked to write one of the
novellas in this collection. Though I'd long been a fan of Tamera's, Elizabeth 's, and
Dorothy's work, I never had the chance to get to work with them. Since writers
usually spend lots of time alone, it was wonderful to have “book friends.”
How did collaborating
with this team impact you?
Tamera: I’ve
known Dorothy and Elizabeth for a while now—both women are such
blessings. And I enjoyed the chance to
work with Shelley which was a real honor for me. Love all these women.
Dorothy: Tammy
has encouraged and blessed me in so many ways since my arrival in this market
and it was such an honor to coauthor with a writer whose work I absolutely love
(insert Tamera’s grateful tears here). I first met Elizabeth
in the pages of her wonderful novels, The
Swan House and The Sweetest Thing
and when my publisher was looking for another author for Among the Fair Magnolias,
I requested Elizabeth .
We were able to connect in Nashville
last fall and she is every bit as lovely as her books. Though Shelley lives in Ohio now, she is a Texas
girl like me. We were introduced by
a mutual friend at a writers' conference several years ago. I enjoyed Secrets of Sloane House so much,
and was thrilled to have Shelley as a coauthor for Among the Fair Magnolias.
Shelley: I've
honestly learned a lot. We each approach our novels in different ways. These
other authors are so talented! I should also mention that the team at Harper
Collins Christian Publishing have been so great to work with.
What did you want the
reader to take away from your story?
Tamera: Gain
a deeper appreciation for Southern history, for a start, as well as come
away encouraged in your faith as you’ve been swept away into another time
and place.
Dorothy: My hope
for all my stories is that they will act as windows and mirrors. Windows
that allow readers to peer into another time and place, and mirrors that
reflect a universal truth about ourselves.
Shelley: I always
simply hope that readers will feel that it was time well spent. There are a lot
of books to choose from, so it means a lot when someone gives one of my stories
a try.
Please give us a peek
into your story.
We have a treat for you! We got together and made a VIDEO introducing
our novella collection.
Tamera:
To Mend a Dream
Savannah Darby would do almost anything to revisit her
family home. So when new owner, Aidan Bedford, a Boston
attorney and former Union soldier, seeks to redecorate the house for his fiancée,
Savannah jumps
at the opportunity. But the clock is ticking. Can she find the
box her father supposedly hid there during the war before her assignment is
completed? And before she sees yet another battle lost on the home front. This
time, one of the heart.
Love Beyond Limits
Emily Derracott loves her childhood friend Thomas McGinnis,
but she cannot marry a man who doesn’t share her strong convictions about the
freedmen. Besides, she harbors a secret love for someone else. But the prospect
of becoming his wife is not improbable. It is completely impossible.
Dorothy:
A Heart So True
Abigail Clayton knows what is expected of her: to marry her distant cousin Charles Kittridge and take her place in society. But despite his many business successes, Charles is not the man her father thinks he is. Besides, her heart belongs to Dr. Wade Bennett, a brilliant young physician engaged in developing new medicines. When her father unexpectedly announces her engagement to Charles during the Clayton's annual barbecue onPawleys Island ,
Abby must decide whether to honor her father's wishes or to follow her
heart.
Abigail Clayton knows what is expected of her: to marry her distant cousin Charles Kittridge and take her place in society. But despite his many business successes, Charles is not the man her father thinks he is. Besides, her heart belongs to Dr. Wade Bennett, a brilliant young physician engaged in developing new medicines. When her father unexpectedly announces her engagement to Charles during the Clayton's annual barbecue on
Shelley:
An Outlaw’s Heart
Russell Champion returns to his smallTexas
hometown after seven years. He had been sent away when he was just fifteen and
suffered greatly. He returns to only give himself closure. Instead he discovers
his mother wants to make amends and Nora, the woman he once risked everything
for, is in need of him again.
Russell Champion returns to his small
What is the best
piece of advice you received as an author?
Tamera: Don’t
write for the market. Write the story God has placed on your heart,
the story you’re most passionate about. Because passion bleeds through on the
page. Unfortunately, boredom does too. So if you’re not passionate about
your characters and story, the reader will sense it and they won’t be either.
editing mode” and polish up. It doesn’t work to create and edit at the same time.
Dorothy: When I
was starting out, people told me to "write what you know." But after
seventeen books, I have come to believe it's more important to write about the
things that move you to anger or to compassion or to love. To write what you
are most curious about. Today it's easy to find out whatever you need to know.
Don't limit yourself to writing what you know.
Shelley: To
listen to advice. Many, many editors have helped me learn to be a better
writer. I'm thankful for them.
Where can my readers
find you on the Internet?
Tamera:
Tamera:
Dorothy:
www.DorothyLoveBooks.com
www.DorothyLoveBooks.com
Shelley:
Twitter@ShelleySGray
Thank you, ladies, for sharing this new book with my readers. I can hardly wait to read it, and I know my blog readers feel the same way.
Readers, here are links to the book. By using one when you order, you help support this blog.
Among the Fair Magnolias - Christianbook.com
Among the Fair Magnolias: Four Southern Love Stories - Amazon
(The paperback is on a special sale today on Amazon. I don't know how long that will last.)
Among the Fair Magnolias: Four Southern Love Stories - 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
Thank you, ladies, for sharing this new book with my readers. I can hardly wait to read it, and I know my blog readers feel the same way.
Readers, here are links to the book. By using one when you order, you help support this blog.
Among the Fair Magnolias - Christianbook.com
Among the Fair Magnolias: Four Southern Love Stories - Amazon
(The paperback is on a special sale today on Amazon. I don't know how long that will last.)
Among the Fair Magnolias: Four Southern Love Stories - 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
31 comments:
Great interview with these AMAZING ladies! I enjoyed the video. I learned some very interesting things about these authors. I would love to read AMONG THE FAIR MAGNOLIAS.
Caryl in TEXAS
Great, great ladies, great interviews, great books. What could be better! I am certainly keeping my fingers crossed! Thank you, Lena!
Melanie Backus, TX
Great interview! Loved the video. I love novella collections like this! Thanks for the chance to win!
Beth in Montana
I love the cover and what I've heard about the stories! Danielle in Indiana
I love the wonderful video and interview and am so excited to read Among the Fair Magnolias!!
Britney Adams, TX
This collections sounds like a lot of great reading ahead.
Mary P
QLD AUSTRALIA
Sounds like a wonderful collection by some talented authors. I would love to win.
I live in Indiana.
Smiles & Blessings,
Cindy W.
Love all these authors!
Jean in Florida
What a fabulous interview!
Thank you!
Amy C
VA
This book sounds interesting! Nice interview too. :)
Thanks for the give-away!
Raechel from MN
What a great line-up! Thanks for the opportunity...
-Cynthia in NY
What a great collection of authors! I especially look forward to Tamera's novella.
I enjoyed the video when Tamera posted it yesterday on FB.
Patty in SC
What a great interview with four fabulous authors! I enjoyed the video, too. Would love to read their novella collection.
Anne, rural NC
I love to read collections like this that have 4 wonderful authors all contributing. Thank you for the interview. Elaine in Iowa
How exciting! It is so much fun to read books in which several authors have collaborated. This sounds like a great one! Thank you for the insights in the interviews - Jeanie in Phoenix
Would really like to read this collection by favorite authors. Sm CA. wileygreen1(at)yahoo(dot)com
I would so love to win this for my wife who is an avid reader. It sounds like four great stories.
Edward A in VA
Very lovely interview, ladies.
I don't typically read novellas but with this great group of authors I believe I would truly enjoy this collection. Please throw my name in the hat to win a copy.
Thanks.
~Cindi Altman from Pennsylvania
It was nice to learn more about these four authors. I've read several books by both Tamera and Elizabeth. Dorothy and Shelley aren't as familiar to me. All the novellas sound very good and the cover of this book is quite lovely. Thanks for the chance to win Among the Fair Magnolias.
pmkellogg56[at]gmail[dot]com
Kansas
Enter me in this amazing giveaway!!!
Conway, SC.
wonderful interview! please Enter me in this giveaway!!!Thank you for the opportunity to win.
wonderful interview! please Enter me in this giveaway!!!Thank you for the opportunity to win.PA.
Would love to win a copy!
Thanks, Lientjie
QLD, Australia
Great set of authors, I love the beautiful cover!
Merry in MN
That cover though! Thanks for the chance to win!
Sierra
Indiana
These books have to be good - the authors are all wonderful!
Beth from IA
Oh my Lena. I loved this video so much I had to watch it twice. Was so neat seeing and hearing all of them. Thanks for the great interview. Would love to win this book. Thanks for the chance. Maxie (TX) > mac262(at)me(dot)com ,
Hi ladies! I have been anxiously (and really not so patiently) waiting for Among the Fair Magnolias to come out since I first read about it months ago!
Kristen in OK
kam110476 at gmail dot com
Awesome! Please enter me!
Blanch, NC
Wow! Four great authors! Thanks for a chance to win this book.
Connie from KY
What an excellent interview and video. Excellent authors all around. I lov e all these authors books. I am really looking forward to reading this ! Thank you for the opportunity !
Deanne in Pennsylvania
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