Bio: Amanda Cabot
is the bestselling author of more than thirty novels including the Texas Dreams
trilogy, the Westward Winds series, the Texas Crossroad trilogy, and Christmas
Roses. A former director of Information Technology, she has written everything
from technical books and articles for IT professionals to mysteries for teenagers
and romances for all ages. Amanda is delighted to now be a fulltime writer of
Christian romances, living happily ever after with her husband in Wyoming .
Welcome back, Amanda.
I know you used to write for the secular market. What made you decide to write
Christian novels?
It was literally a matter of life and death. Though I’d
thought I was happy writing for the secular market, I was also frustrated by
some of the things my editors wanted in my books, notably explicit love scenes,
and what they wouldn’t let me include, namely any references to God. Only once
was I allowed to include a scene with a character praying and discovering the
power of God’s love. The sole reason that escaped the editor’s delete key was
that it was a pivotal scene and vital to the plot. Despite my frustration and
the fact that readers kept urging me to write Christian novels, I kept writing
for the secular market.
The turning point came the summer that a dear friend from
college entered the final stages of leukemia. Though we were separated by
thousands of miles, that summer brought us closer than we’d ever been. Knowing
we had only a few months left together, we spoke of many things. For the first
time in the more than thirty-five years we’d known each other, we spoke of what
was truly important: faith, love, and hope. In our lighter moments, we spoke of
the final gift she had for me. Though she was referring to a piece of French
porcelain, what she gave me was of far greater value, for her last months on
Earth brought me a stronger faith and the realization that it was time for me
to write about God’s love.
I love it when things
like that happen. You’re planning a writing retreat where you can only have
four other authors. Who would they be and why?
I’d invite Stephanie Grace Whitson, Delia Parr, Kathleen
Morgan, and Ann Gabhart. They’re all writers I admire tremendously, and I know
it would be fun to brainstorm plot ideas and talk shop with them.
Do you have a
ministry other than writing? If so, tell us about that.
Like you, I feel called to help other writers achieve their
goal of seeing their stories in print. That’s the reason I organized and still
lead Front Range Christian Fiction Writers. The group, which meets in Loveland,
Colorado, one Saturday of each month, has evolved since it was established in
2007, but what hasn’t changed is the fact that we’re more than writers, more
even than Christian writers. We’re a group of people who genuinely care about
each other. That’s why when one of our members was diagnosed with a very rare,
incurable disease of the brain, I had no trouble pulling together a team to
make her dream of becoming a published author come true. I’ve told a bit of the
story in a post on my own blog. http://bit.ly/2gQdAUD
Although there was a tremendous amount of work involved, no one complained. It
was truly heartwarming to watch so many of our members put aside their own
writing, even when they were on deadline, to help.
People are always
telling me that they’d like to write a book someday. I’m sure they do to you,
too. What would you tell someone who came up to you and said that?
Do your homework and never give up. By homework, I mean the
same things you probably tell them – read extensively in the genre you want to
write, join a writers’ group, attend conferences, find a critique partner who
understands and enjoys the genre you’ve chosen, and – most importantly – write!
It takes a lot of hard work to write a book, but the rewards are immeasurable.
Tell us about the
featured book.
A Stolen Heart, the first in my new historical trilogy, is set
in the fictional Texas Hill Country town of Cimarron Creek in 1880. It’s been fifteen
years since Appomattox ,
and while many of the wounds inflicted by the War Between the States and
Reconstruction have been healed, the town’s idyllic appearance hides secrets,
some of which threaten lives and livelihoods.
The last thing
Sheriff Travis Whitfield needs is a woman in his life, especially a Northerner.
As if his ordinary duties weren’t enough, he’s coping with his ornery father’s
anti-Northern sentiment, and now he has to deal with a missing man. But, like
it or not, Cimarron Creek has a new resident, a lovely young woman who touches
Travis’s heart despite his intentions.
Have I
intrigued you? I hope so.
I hope so, too. I am almost finished
reading A Stolen Heart, and loving
it. Please give us the first page of the book for my readers.
May 1880
No matter what anyone said, she wouldn’t believe this was a
mistake. Lydia Crawford glanced at the other passengers, wondering whether her
hours of sitting here, remaining silent but keeping a smile firmly fixed on her
face had done anything to lessen their hostility. She had considered pulling a
book from her bag and spending the day lost in one of Jane Austen’s tales but
had feared that would only rile her companions more.
Though Lydia
wanted nothing beyond a peaceful journey and some pleasant conversation, she
suspected that was impossible. The two sisters who were traveling together and
the mother and son had given her friendly smiles when they’d boarded the
stagecoach in Dallas ,
but the moment she’d opened her mouth, those smiles had turned to frowns, the
friendliness to hostility.
“She’s a Yankee,” the older of the sisters had announced. “Mebbe
a sister to one of them Carpetbaggers. She’s sure makin’ a mistake coming to Texas .” They both glared
at Lydia
for a moment, then turned away, refusing to even look in her direction.
The mother had taken more drastic action. Though she and her
son had chosen seats next to Lydia
when they boarded the stagecoach, once Lydia had spoken and they’d
realized she was a Northerner, they’d moved to the less comfortable backless
bench in the center of the coach rather than risk being tainted by her
presence.
“Silas, you stay right here. I don’t want you talkin’ to
that person.” She spat the final word as if it were an epithet. Lydia
refused to cringe. She’d been called worse, especially once she’d crossed the Mason-Dixon line . Though the war had been over for more
than fifteen years, the enmity caused by four years of bloodshed and the
disastrous era known as Reconstruction remained, at least in some hearts.
“But, Ma,” the boy protested, “she’s real purty. I nebber
seen hair like that.”
This time Lydia
did cringe, wishing she’d been Silas’s teacher. The boy was clearly old enough
to attend school, but his poor grammar told her that if he was being taught, it
wasn’t well.
Silas’s mother continued to frown. “You do as I say, young
man, or I’ll tan your hide.”
“Yes, Ma.” But, despite his mother’s admonitions, Silas
smiled at Lydia .
“Silas!”
He looked up at his mother, his expression one of feigned
innocence. “I ain’t talkin’.”
Though Lydia
was tempted to grin at the boy’s cheeky response, she didn’t want to get him in
any more trouble, and so she turned to look out the window. At least the
scenery would not protest a Northerner’s gaze.
How can readers find
you on the Internet?
I love hearing from readers and encourage them to connect
with me either on social media or – if they want a more personal connection –
via email. Here are links to my web site and social media accounts.
Thank you, Amanda,
for sharing this book with us today. I’ve always loved reading your stories.
Readers, here are links to the book. By
using one when you order, you help support this blog.
A Stolen Heart - Christianbook.comA Stolen Heart (Cimarron Creek Trilogy) - Amazon paperback
A Stolen Heart (Cimarron Creek Trilogy Book 1) - Kindle
Leave a comment for a chance to win a free copy of the book.
You must follow these instructions to be in the drawing. Please tell us
where you live, at least the state or territory or country if outside North America . (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:
22 comments:
Love Amanda's books, thank you for the chance to win this one.
Wendy back in Nebraska!
wfnren at aol dot com
Amanda Cabot's writing is so great and I want to read her book. Thank you for allowing the opportunity of this special giveaway.
Barbara Thompson - Louisiana
419 Morning Meadow Circle
West Monroe, LA 71292
barbmaci61@yahoo.com
I would love to win a copy.
Blessings,
Cindy W. from Indiana
Ha! I was intrigued the minute I saw Amanda Cabot's name on the book cover! I loved her Texas Dreams trilogy and look forward to starting a new trilogy with her as the author. Would love to win this one!
Pam in OH
intrigued I am!
Deanna in Nebraska
Great first page! Sounds like a wonderful book. Have a great day!
Beth in Montana
Sounds like a good read. north platte nebraska.
Your books look soooo good! Can't wait to read them! God bless.
Abigail in VA
Love her books...always SO good! DownEast Maine!
This book sounds lovely and Amanda's friend and her influence on Amanda's writing is a wonderful testimony to love, faith and following God!
Thanks for sharing and Blessings!
Connie from KY
cps1950(at)gmail(dot)com
Ladies -- Your comments are making me smile. Thanks so much for your kind words and your faith in my writing. And, if you were curious about how Revell created such a gorgeous cover, you might enjoy my blog post about the cover design process. http://amandajoycabot.blogspot.com/2017/01/behind-cover-for-stolen-heart.html
Sounds like a good book for my to read list.
BJM Upstate SC
This book sounds so wonderful. I love the cover--it grabs my interest and intrigues me! I haven't read any of Amanda Cabot's books yet, but I'm hoping to remedy that soon! This book needs to go on my wish list. Thanks for the chance to win a copy.
Winnie T from Utah
Sounds like a great book and has a beautiful cover. Thank you for the giveaway opportunity .
Melanie Backus, TX
This sounds intriguing! A period in US history that I especially appreciate. Thank you for the interview and opportunity to win!
Jeanie in Arizona
This sounds like a book I would enjoy reading. Amanda is a new author to me. Thanks for the chance and loved the interview Lena!
marypopmom (at) yahoo (dot) com
Maryann
oops, forgot to add my state - New York!
marypopmom (at) yahoo (dot) com
Maryann
Christmas Roses by Amanda Cabot is one of my favorite Christmas novellas. I would love to read more by her.
Patty in SC
Thank you for the chance to win!
Melody B from Quebec, Canada
Enter me in your awesome giveaway!!
Conway SC.
I remember reading Paper Roses long ago and loved Amanda's writing. Looking forward to this book. Thank you both!
Amanda J. from FL
I'm looking forward to this new trilogy.
Beth from IA
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