Dear Readers, I
recently finished reading Because of the
Rain on my Kindle. It’s
a book that deals with an unthinkable event that changes the lives of a whole
family. Deborah has written a number of books that when I first read the
premise, I can’t
imagine how the story can end in a way that I will find satisfying. This was
one of those books. One thing about Deborah’s
stories is that she finds the fine line to the end that can satisfy the reader.
Her characters leap off the pages and the reader feels all their pain and journeys
with them to the end. You won’t
want to miss this powerful story.
Welcome back, Deborah.
You have a lot of books out now. What is your favorite setting to use in your
books?
I’ve written quite a few books set in southeast Missouri , including my
new Chicory Inn Novels series. I first got to know this beautiful area of the
state when our daughter both attended Southeast Missouri
State . They ended up both
marrying area men and are now both elementary teachers in southeast Missouri . And thus, I
have three grandsons there, and a new grandbaby on the way. It’s
fun to get to see my grandkids when I go on research trips. :)
What do you look for
when you’re shopping
for a book to buy for yourself?
I want something that will be entertaining—even
page-turning—while also being thought-provoking. I prefer
contemporary books that explore issues I might find myself dealing with in
life. (Which is also why I love to write contemporary women’s
fiction.)
There are only a few
authors of contemporary women’s
fiction that I read, because I often prefer reading historicals. Of course, you
were the first person on that list. Give us a little tour of the setting for
this book.
Because of the Rain is set in a fictional suburb of Illinois , Chicago
area. I chose this area for my first two novels because I thought it would be
boring to write about my home state of Kansas ,
but I wanted some place in the midwest that would be fairly similar culturally
and dialect-wise as well. I soon learned that it was a blast to write stories
set in Kansas ,
and who knew the setting better than someone who lives there?
What other books do
you have coming out soon?
My Chicory Inn Novels series, beginning with Home to Chicory Lane, is going strong.
The first book in the series was a Christy Award finalist, won the Gayle Wilson
Award of Excellence, a Silver Scroll award from AWSA, a bronze award in
Foreword Magazine’s INDIEFAB Award, and was a finalist for Christian
Retailing’s Best Award. The second book in the series, Two Roads Home, just released in June,
and book 3, Another Way Home will be
out in October. There are two more books to complete the series.
Please give us a
glimpse inside your home.
These photos of my office show how my office is located
where the builders of our home intended the formal dining room to be. But we
are not formal people and so I nabbed this space at the front of the house for
my office. It’s a bright, cheery place to be and I love having the
coffee bar in my office—especially so I can smell that wonderful aroma all
morning long!
Is this novel part of
a series or a stand-alone book?
Because of the Rain is a stand-alone novel. It was first
published by Bethany House in 1997 under the title In the Still of Night. When I got the rights back to the book and
re-issued it through Greenbrier Press, we learned that in the ensuing years,
more than a dozen books with that same title, and many others with similar
titles, had been published. So to avoid confusion we chose a new title, which I
think is appropriate since my update of the novel (mostly to bring the story
into the 21st Century and give my characters cell phones and computers!) has
made it almost a whole new—and much better, I think!—story.
My favorite thing about this new version is the gorgeous cover, which was
designed by my husband, Ken Raney!
It is a lovely cover.
Tell us about the story.
Anna Marquette has everything to live for. Her daughters are
in college and, with the support of Paul, her loving husband, she is pursuing
her dream of a career in counseling. Then one night, while on a trip to Orlando , the unimaginable
happens. She takes a “short cut” to an evening out with Paul
and is brutally assaulted.
When Anna suspects the attack has left her pregnant, her
faith is put to the test. As Anna and her family confront the heart-wrenching
decisions that lie ahead, Anna gradually comes to realize that God has a plan
for her and that she must trust Him. But will her family accept the choice she
makes? Will her husband’s love for her prevail? And will her marriage
survive this ultimate test?
Please give us the
first page of the book for my blog readers.
Anna Marquette stepped into the quiet
of the carpeted hallway and closed the door to the hotel room behind her.
Checking the lock, she tucked the key card into her large leather handbag and
headed across the hall toward the bank of elevators. The doors at the far end
of the row slid open silently, and she entered the empty car. The air inside smelled
of stale cigarette smoke and air conditioning. Anna pressed the button for the
lobby and leaned back against the handrail as the elevator began its descent.
The elevator shaft was encased in glass, affording Anna a sweeping view of Orlando ’s skyline as the
cage crept slowly down the sleek face of the towering building and ground to a
halt on the lobby level.
It was March, and they’d flown out of Chicago ’s O’Hare
yesterday morning in below freezing temperatures. But March in Orlando meant ninety degrees. The late
afternoon sun beat down on the glass, warming Anna’s bare arms. It always
amazed her that the weather could be so drastically different just a few hours’
flight away.
Paul had laughed at Anna as she packed
sweaters and wool jackets alongside her summer dresses.
“Anna, we’re going to Florida ,
not the Yukon .”
“I know, but I’m not taking any
chances. You know I can’t stand to be cold.”
“Suit yourself. But I’m only carrying
one suitcase.” He gave her the grin that had won her heart twenty-three years
ago and continued folding golf shirts and summer dress shirts, adeptly packing
them into one half of the large suitcase that lay open on their bed.
An executive with a large advertising
agency in Chicago, Paul Marquette was a seasoned traveler. His business trips
were usually overnight—two or three days at the most—but he traveled several
times a month. Whenever he had to be gone longer than that, he liked Anna to
come with him.
When their daughters were younger, Anna
had relished the chance to get away with Paul and take a break from being a
full-time mom. Her parents lived an hour west of Chicago and were always anxious for a chance
to spoil their granddaughters. But now that the girls were grown and on their
own, and Anna’s days were more her own to orchestrate, the days spent lounging
in a hotel room or shopping the malls of whatever city they happened to be in
had lost some of their appeal. Yet the evenings with Paul, exploring the city
together and sampling the local cuisine, made the days of solitude worthwhile.
How can readers find
you on the Internet?
I love meeting my readers on social media! I don’t
know how I’d survive the life of solitude an author leads
without my breaks for Facebook and e-mail interaction! Here are just a few
places you can find me online:
Thank you, Deborah, for sharing this book with us. I know my readers will like reading it as much as I did.
Readers, here’s a link to the book. By using it when you order, you help support this blog.
Because of the Rain
Leave a comment for a chance to win a free copy of the ebook. 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
14 comments:
North Platte Nebraska is where i live.
This sounds like another good story. I'd love to read it.
California
lkish77123 at gmail dot com
I love Deb's stories and am eager to read Because of the Rain! Thanks so much for sharing this lovely interview and giveaway.
Britney Adams, TX
Can't wait to read this one. Deborah is one of my favorite authors.
Brenda in VA.
Thank you for the wonderful first page.
Mary P
QLD AUSTRALIA
Please do enter me! This sounds like an intense book with a lot of substance and I enjoy Deborah Raney's books. Thanks for the interview, the beautiful pics, and the opportunity to win this book!
Diana in SC
dianalflowers(at)aol(dot)com
thanks for the chance to read this novel.
karenk...from PA
kmkuka at yahoo dot com
I love anything Deborah Raney writes. It would be nice to win.
This sounds like an interesting book. I have enjoyed several of Deborah's other books and would love to read this one.
Edward A in VA
I've only read a few of Deborah's books, but have always enjoyed them!
Patty in SC
I enjoyed seeing Deborah's work area.
Connie from KY
cps1950 at gmail dot com
Sounds like a great story!
-Melissa M. in TN
Congrats, Karen! I'm sending you the link to your e-book this evening!
I so appreciate all the encouraging comments! And thank you, Lena, as always, for being such a wonderful host on your blog! I appreciate you!
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