A BRIDE'S SWEET SURPRISE IN SAUERS, INDIANA - Ramona K Cecil - Free Book

Welcome, Ramona. Why do you write the kind of books you do?

I’ve always loved history, especially the history of my state—Indiana. I also love stories of romance, and as a Christian I enjoy fiction with a spiritual theme. By writing Christian historical romance novels, I can combine all these interests.

Besides when you came to know the Lord, what is the happiest day in your life?

That would be a three-way tie; my wedding day 39 years ago, the day my first daughter was born, and the day my second daughter was born.

How has being published changed your life?

Now when I tell people I write books the response I get is more often a raised brow accompanied by an appreciatory-toned “Oh,” instead of the incredulous eye-roll I regularly got in my pre-pubbed days.

What are you reading right now?

Kim Vogel Sawyer’s new release, Song of My Heart.

What is your current work in progress?

Heart’s Heritage, a historical romance set in 1812 in my own southern Indiana county. Barbour Publishing will release the story later this year as a Heartsong.

What would be your dream vacation?

A trip to the British Isles.

How do you choose your settings for each book?

My settings tend to be relatively local i.e. my state, my county, even my town because that’s what I know. Usually, the setting chooses the story when I ask he proverbial author’s question “I wonder what would have happened if. . .” like to take local history and weave a fictional story around it. A Bride’s Sweet Surprise in Sauers, Indiana, is a perfect example. Sauers is a German farming community in my county. I can trace a branch of my family tree to the place. A Bride’s Sweet Surprise was actually inspired by a couple incidents in my own family history my uncle told me about.  

If you could spend an evening with one person who is currently alive, who would it be and why?

The oldest person in my state with a clear memory of what life was like here when they were young. I love hearing first-hand accounts of Indiana in simpler times.

What are your hobbies, besides writing and reading?

Visiting places of historical interest. Always looking for the next inspiration.

What is your most difficult writing obstacle, and how do you overcome it?

Deciding where to begin a story. I try to imagine the story I’m writing as a movie. I ask myself “What would be the perfect opening scene?”

What advice would you give to a beginning author?

Have a teachable heart, and despite discouragements—and there will be many—keep writing and never give up.

Tell us about the featured book.

As I mentioned before, A Bride’s Sweet Surprise in Sauers, Indiana, is set in my Southern Indiana county in 1849. An arranged marriage situation among German immigrants, the story features a reluctant bride and groom. Devout Christians, the young couple are forced to question what exactly is required of them in order keep the commandment  “Honour thy Father and Mother.”

Please give us the first page of the book.

Have you lost your senses? My Vater will shoot you!” Fear for the young man standing before her bubbled up in Regina Seitz’s chest.

A deep laugh rumbled from Eli Tanner, but the cacophony of his father’s horse-powered gristmill behind them quickly swallowed the sound. The nonchalant stretching across his handsome face told her he did not share her concern. “Your pa is a reasonable man. He may run me off his farm and give me a tongue-lashing in German, but I doubt he would shoot me for taking you to a box supper at Dudleytown.”

“He might if you take me without his consent and without a chaperone.” With all her heart, Regina wished her words were not true. In her seventeen years, she couldn’t remember a longer, colder winter than the one their little farming community had just endured. Now that the harsh weather had finally given way to a warm and glorious spring and with Lent and Easter behind them, she looked forward to occasions like this Saturday’s gathering at the Dudleytown School to socialize with friends her age. And of all the boys in the county, she could think of no other she would rather have squire her to the event than Eli. But Eli hadn’t seen the thundercloud form on Papa’s face last September after her sister Elsie’s marriage to her non-German husband, William. Eli hadn’t heard Papa’s voice ring like a death-knell, proclaiming that he would never again sanction the marriage of a daughter to a non-German.

How can readers find you on the Internet?

My web site is www.ramonakcecil.com. I’m also on Facebook and Twitter.

Thank you, Ramona, for this interesting peek into your life and your book.

Readers, here are links to the book. By using one when you order, you help support this blog.

A Bride's Sweet Surprise in Sauers, Indiana - paperback
A Bride's Sweet Surprise in Sauers, Indiana - 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.)

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A WOODLANDS CHRISTMAS - Ramona Cecil, Darlene Franklin, Janelle Mowry, Tamela Hancock Murray - 3 Free Books

Today, we're talking to the authors of another Christmas novella collection--A Woodlands Christmas. First we'll talk to Ramona Cecil. How did your story for the collection come about?

I actually wrote the basic story several years ago. In 2005, it won first place in a novel contest sponsored by the East Texas Writers’ Association of Longview, Texas.

What are you reading right now?

The Overton Window, the new political thriller by Glenn Beck. Though quite a departure from the Christian romance novels I usually read, I’m finding the book both riveting and informative.

What other books have you written, whether published or not?

(A.) Larkspur, a romance set in an Indiana prairie settlement in 1835. It was published in 2006 by Vintage Romance Publishing after winning first place in their 2005 Vintage Inspirations Contest.
(B) Brooksbury, an unpublished romance novel set in 1505 England.
(C) London Holiday and Train To Eden, two unpublished contemporary romance novellas set in England.
(D) Orion’s Daughter, an unpublished Christian historical novella set on an 1859 whaling ship out of New Bedford, Massachusetts.
(E) Sweet Forever, Christian historical novel published in 2008 by Barbour Publishings’ Heartsong Presents line.
(F) Everlasting Promise, Christian historical novel published in 2008 by Barbour Publishings’ Heartsong Presents line.
(G) Charity’s Heart, Christian historical novel published in 2008 by Barbour Publishings’ Heartsong Presents line.
(E), (F), and (G) comprise Freedom’s Crossroad, Barbour Publishing’s three-in-one collection of Indiana historical romances just released in May.
(H) The Heritage, an unpublished full length Christian historical romance novel.
(I) The Healing, an unpublished full length Christian historical romance novel.

I’m presently working on another full length Christian historical romance novel set in 1870 and inspired by the history of the southern Indiana town in which I live.

What is the hardest thing about writing a part of a novella collection?

In my case, it was rewriting my already written story to fit the theme of the collection. My story, which was originally set near Dallas, Texas, had to be rewritten to fit East Texas, which has a much different topography and history from the northern central part of the state. I also had to write into my story the character of Gabe Noell, the itinerate woodcarver/preacher who appears in all four stories of the collection and make sure my description of him coordinated with that of the other authors.

How did collaborating with this team impact you?

I really enjoyed it. It was fun to see how Darlene, Janelle, and Tamela wove their own Christmas stories around our common character, Gabe.

How do you choose your characters’ names?

My heroine’s name is Bridget O’Keefe. I knew I wanted her to be a petite red-head with green eyes and be of Irish heritage. I’ve always liked the Irish girl’s name, Bridget. I’m not sure how I came up with O’Keefe. I’m thinking I might have heard it on TV around the time I began plotting the story. My hero’s name is Seth. It’s a name from the Bible I have always liked, but had never used in one of my stories, so I thought this was a great place to use it. I wanted to give Seth a Germanic sounding surname because his backstory was inspired by the true story of the son of Goodleck Koozer of Henrietta, Texas.

What did you want the reader to take away from your story?

That holding grudges enslaves the heart and spirit, while forgiveness is freeing. Also, don’t fight against God’s will, because He always wants the best for us.

Are you a member of American Christian Fiction Writers? If so, why?

Yes. I joined in 2002 because I knew I needed help and support if I was to ever realize my dream of becoming a published writer. As a writer of Christian fiction, ACFW was a no-brainer. I’m quick to testify that joining this group of wonderful writers—many of whom are now dear friends—was key in helping me on my road to publication.

What is the best piece of advice you received as an author?

Two, really; have an open, teachable heart, and never, never, never give up.

Thank you, Ramona. Now we're going to talk to Darlene Franklin. How did your story for the collection come about?

I was intrigued by the idea of an artist searching for a woman with Mary’s face—and character (I had worked on earlier proposal with the same theme). So when we decided that each story would include an itinerant woodcarver, I knew he would carve a nativity set and my hero would paint Mary’s face.

What are you reading right now?

I’m reading the other Carol finalists in the mystery category (My books, A String of Murders, is a finalist as well). So I’m reading The Case of the Mystified M.D. by A.K. Arenz. I’m also reading The Crimson Cipher by Susan Page Davis, Dakota Cowboy by Linda Ford and Slightly Bad Girls of the Bible by Liz Curtis Higgs. I’d say that a fairly representative selection. I read mysteries for fun; romances for fun and business; and nonfiction for edification.

What other books have you written, whether published or not?

I have several unpublished books, since I wrote about one book a year while waiting for that elusive first sale.

Heartsong Presents has published 3 of my romances so far:

Romanian Rhapsody (with the sequels, Plainsong and Knight Music, due out next year), all contemporary romance
Beacon of Love (one of three stories in the newly released Seaside Romance), a historical romance set in a Rhode Island light house during a hurricane.
Prodigal Patriot, the first of three historical romances set in Vermont. Books 2 (Bridge to Love) and 3 (Love’s Raid) are on their way.

Like Janelle, I had the privilege of writing for Heartsong Presents Mysteries. Two of the books have already been released: Gunfight at Grace Gulch and A String of Murders (the Carol award finalist). I’m hopeful that the third book, Paint Me a Puzzle, will come out next year.

I’ve also been in two previous novella collections: Snowbound Colorado Christmas and Wild West Christmas.

And I was in both of the last two collections with Darlene. What is the hardest thing about writing a part of a novella collection?

Working with other writers always involves adjusting to everyone’s schedules and writing styles. But that’s part of what is wonderful about it. Together, we make a dynamic team!

How did collaborating with this team impact you?

I was awestruck when I read our stories. Together, we have created a collection that will touch lives. It’s such a great way to invest in the lives of other writers.

How do you choose your characters’ names?

Given my take on the story of Mary and Joseph, I chose rather obvious names. My hero is Joseph “Joey” Carpenter. I used the nickname Polly for my heroine, Mary Jessup.

What did you want the reader to take away from your story?

I hope the readers will learn to look for character over outer beauty, and to seek to develop the qualities that set Mary apart for themselves.

Are you a member of American Christian Fiction Writers? If so, why?

I joined ACFW in 2005. I guess I waited to see if this upstart organization was going to take off, and oh, boy, it did! (I’ve been writing since 1991.) It provides an international fellowship of writers who support each other. I learn, I fellowship, and I keep up with trends in my profession. If you’re a writer of Christian fiction, you should belong to ACFW. It’s as simple as that.

What is the best piece of advice you received as an author?

Perhaps it’s to grow tough skin. Rejection and bad reviews are part of every writer’s life.

Thank you, Darlene. Janelle Mowry is coming up next. How did your story for the collection come about?

I had a story idea sketched out but had yet to start writing it. When we decided on our story theme, I adjusted the story to make it fit.


What are you reading right now?

LOL. Believe it or not, I’m reading Dwight Swain’s Techniques of the Selling Writer. I feel it never hurts to refresh one’s memory about proper writing techniques.

What other books have you written, whether published or not?

I’ve written a three book series, The Colorado Runaways, for Harvest House, the first titled When All Your Dreams Come True to be released Feb. 1, 2011. Books 2 and 3 of this series will also be released in 2011. I’ve also written Love Finds You in Silver City, Idaho, for Summerside Press to be released Oct. 1, 2010. I’ve also co-authored a three book mystery series, Massachusetts Mayhem Mysteries, with Elizabeth Ludwig. The first book, titled Where the Truth Lies, was published in 2008. Books 2 and 3, titled Died in the Wool and A Black Die Affair, will release in 2011. I’ve written three other stories, two of which will probably never see the light of day. The other may find its way back to my computer screen one day.

What is the hardest thing about writing a part of a novella collection?

The hardest part for me was making sure the character who appears in each of our stories both looked and sounded the same. But the ladies I worked with are great and simplified the task.

How did collaborating with this team impact you?

They taught me how to write much tighter, how to find the sentences that weren’t necessary and delete them without too much pain. This was the first short story I’d ever written, so new lessons were involved for me. Tamela, Ramona, and Darlene were great to work with.

How do you choose your characters’ names?

Sometimes I use names I’ve always loved. Other times, I try to make them sound like the region they’ve come from. For my heroine in this story, I wanted a southern-sounding name, which led to Emma Rose Pickett. It just seemed to fit.

What did you want the reader to take away from your story?

I hope the readers will learn that anger and vengeance only hurts the one holding tightly to them. That walking in God’s will with a spirit of love and forgiveness brings freedom and healing.

Are you a member of American Christian Fiction Writers? If so, why?

I joined ACFW in 2002 after an author I’ve admired for years told me about the group. The authors taught me much and what I learned was a significant part of my journey to becoming a published author.

What is the best piece of advice you received as an author?

Besides the need to join ACFW? Never stop learning.

Thank you, Janelle. Now I'm going to talk Tamela Hancock Murray, one of my favorite people. How did your story for the collection come about?


I love how Gabe is present through the book, and I felt led to write about him as a long-lost grandfather. Often people inspired by great preachers don’t think about the fact that the ministers have family lives, too. Since Gabe is mysterious, I thought readers would be interested in learning more about Gabe and from whence he came, since for this set we had decided not to go with the “Is he really an angel?” route.

What are you reading right now?

In additional to my devotional reading, I’m one of those crazy people who reads several novels at once. I’m reading THE GLASSBLOWER by Laurie Alice Eakes, A PROMISE FOR SPRING by Kim Vogel Sawyer, and next on my list is BECOMING LUCY by Martha Rogers. I am proud to be a literary agent with Hartline Literary Agency, and I am blessed to represent all three of these authors.

What other books have you written, whether published or not?

My credits include many novels, novellas, and some Bible trivia bools. I invite you to find out about them at: http://www.tamelahancockmurray.com/. I am excited that two of my Bible trivia books, BIBLE SURVIVAL and LOST AND FOUND, have just been reissued as a set in one book. I am honored that my most recent Heartsong Presents novel, THE MASTER’S MATCH, was among readers’ top picks for the year. The cover also received recognition. I am grateful to the talented people who put together such beautiful artwork.

What is the hardest thing about writing a part of a novella collection?

Writing about settings other than where you grew up or where you have travelled often presents a challenge to me. I want to be sure to make the setting as authentic as I can, at the very least including landmarks and appropriate plants, birds, and temperature. I have enjoyed visiting Texas but for me, writing the setting wasn’t as organic as writing about my home state of Virginia. For example, I’m cold-natured so my impulse when writing about winter is to have everyone bundled in heavy coats, maybe even fur, but the part of Texas in question here meant people dressed for moderate winters.

How did collaborating with this team impact you?

I am so blessed to be friends with all my collaborators. The set went quite smoothly. It’s great to work with professionals such as Ramona Cecil, Darlene Franklin, and Janelle Mowery.

How do you choose your characters’ names?

We chose the last name to fit the Christmas theme, and Gabriella is named after her grandfather, Gabe. I try to stay with the time period for all my characters. For example, if I am writing a story set in 1880, I try to find popular baby names for the year 1850 or 1860. I have several books to help me.

What did you want the reader to take away from your story?

Gabe’s son wants to reconcile with him after years of unforgiveness. I hope that my story will encourage readers not to put off reconciliation, forgiveness, apologies, or simply contacting a long-lost person to be back in touch. All of us have someone in our lives we need to contact. As soon as you read the last two questions of this interview, please do so! :-)

Are you a member of American Christian Fiction Writers? If so, why?

Yes. They are a great organization comprised of many publishing professionals. I like that they welcome beginners as well as people who’ve been in the business for decades. Some organizations have such stringent rules for admission that gaining entry is next to impossible. Other organizations charge high fees for admission. Since so many CBA writers are in ministry, this can be a burden. I appreciate ACFW’s openness to all types of writers, and the fact that for most people, dues are affordable. I also appreciate that they run critique groups, a prayer loop, a main loop, and other loops and forums to help people who want to focus on a specific need or topic. They also run a top notch conference each year.

What is the best piece of advice you received as an author?

Write 1000 words a day. If you do, you will complete a trade-length novel in three months.


Leave a comment for a chance to win a free copy of the book. (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 6 weeks from the posting of the winners to claim your book.

If you’re reading this on Feedblitz, Facebook, or Amazon, please come to the blog to leave your comment. Here’s a link.

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Author Ramona Cecil - SWEET FOREVER - Free Book

I've known Ramona for a long time, and I'm happy to feature her with her newest novel.

Tell us how much of yourself you write into your characters.

Probably more than I’d like to admit. I don’t consciously set out to write character who are like me—especially my heroines. Just the opposite. I sometimes think; I’d like to be that spunky, brave, or smart. But on the other hand, an author’s life experiences as well as spiritual questions we struggle with do seep into our stories. I know many of mine do. They are just disguised in different personalities with different sets of problems in different eras.

What is the quirkiest thing you have ever done?

I’m dating myself, but when I was in high school a couple of my friends found an article about England’s Prince Charles. It mentioned that he liked poetry. Knowing I wrote a lot of poetry, they dared me to send him some. I did. Nothing mushy—just what would be classified as nature poetry. I actually got a reply from his “squadron leader” saying something to the effect that the Prince of Wales wanted to thank me for the poetry and that he liked it. Needless to say, I won the dare.

How fun! When did you first discover that you were a writer?

Writing has been part of my life since I was very young. Both my parents wrote poetry and my mother actually wrote a couple of books that were never published. I began composing poetry when I was about fours years old, I guess. I remember my mother writing down my little poems for me before I’d learned to write.

Tell us the range of the kinds of books you enjoy reading.

I enjoy reading anything that has to do with history, both fiction and non-fiction. I like classics like James Fenimore Cooper’s Leatherstocking Tales and Herman Melville’s Moby-Dick. As a young Hoosier I grew up on the works of Gene Stratton Porter such as Girl of the Limberlost, Freckles, and Laddie. Lately I enjoy the stories of many authors of historical Christian fiction including Janette Oke, Kim Sawyer, Louise Gouge, MaryLu Tyndall and DiAnn Mills.

What other books have you written, whether published or not?

My published works are Larkspur, a prairie romance, published by Vintage Romance Publishers, and Everlasting Promise, the second of my Heartsong Indiana series. Charity’s Heart, the third book of the series has been contracted, but not yet released. My unpublished works include two historical novellas, Daughter of Orion and To Hear the Angels Sing, two contemporary novellas, London Holiday and Train to Eden, and two more full length novels, Brooksbury and The Heritage.

How do you keep your sanity in our run, run, run world?

Prayer and keeping my priorities in order. It may be an old cliché, but I do find hemming my day with prayer calms me and helps me get through even the most stressful days. Whenever possible, I also try to set aside my weekends for relaxing and family time.

How do you choose your characters’ names?

A variety of ways. Since I mainly write historicals I’m careful to choose first names that are era appropriate, so I often go for biblical names. My heroine in Sweet Forever needed an Irish name, so I went to an Irish name web site. I found the name Rosaleen and just fell in love with it. Sometimes I get an image of the character in my mind and a name that just seems to fit pops into my head. I named my heroine in Larkspur Becky after Daniel Boone’s wife, Rebecca. I sometimes use old family names for both first and last names. That was the case with my hero Brock Martin in The Heritage. My maternal grandmother’s maiden name was Brock and her mother’s maiden name was Martin. Sutton, the surname of my hero in Everlasting Promise is a name from my father’s side of the family. But I often get surnames from the telephone book.

What is the accomplishment that you are most proud of?

Having raised two wonderful daughters who have grown into wonderful Christian women. Second to that would be having three of my historical romance novels chosen by Barbour Publishing’s Heartsong Presents line for their Indiana historical series.

If you were an animal, which one would you be, and why?

That’s a toughie. But I guess I’d have to choose a horse. I think they are beautiful animals and have always regarded horses as loyal and hardworking with big hearts.

What is your favorite food?

Born and raised in the rural Mid West I’m a meat and potatoes gal. Fried chicken is a favorite of mine, though for health reasons, I rarely allow myself to indulge.

What is the problem with writing that was your greatest roadblock, and how did you overcome it?

Everything seemed to be a roadblock from having to learn the computer to learning the nuts and bolts of good writing, both of which are still ongoing. I suppose a huge roadblock was finding editors interested in looking at my work. I overcame it by attending writing conferences. There, I had the opportunity to sit down and talk one on one with editors who might be interested in what I write. Several years ago, when I began getting serious about writing novels, I asked God to put people in my way who could help me. He has continually done that.

What advice would you give to an author just starting out?

To all aspiring authors who ask my advice, I tell them they cannot do this alone. I suggest they first ask God for His guidance. I then suggest for encouragement and learning, they join a good writing group like American Christian Fiction Writers and to take advantage of the online writing courses and workshops offered. In addition, I suggest they try to get into a critique group which includes at least a couple of veteran writers. But most importantly, I tell them to continually keep working to make your writing better, to always have a teachable heart, and to never, never, never give up.

What would you like to tell us about the featured book?

Sweet Forever is the first in my series of three Indiana historicals for Barbour Publishing’s Heartsong Presents line. It is set in a real place—Madison, Indiana, on the southern border of the state along the Ohio River. The story takes place in 1845, which was Madison’s heyday. The plot is replete with riverboats, riverboat gamblers, and the Underground Railroad, all of which were prominent features of Madison at that time. My heroine, Rosaleen, is desperate to flee the clutches of a notorious riverboat gambler. She gets her wish when the riverboat she is riding on explodes and she is subsequently washed up on the riverbank at Madison. Of the mind that God
hates her, Rosaleen is chagrinned to learn that the young man who rescues and befriends her is a minister of the gospel. While writing the book, I worked closely with Madison historians in my attempt to accurately portray the Madison, Indiana, of 1845.

How can readers find you on the Internet?

My web site is http://www.ramonakcecil.com/.

Thank you, Ramona, for spending this time with us.

Readers, leave a comment for a chance to win a free copy of the book. But be sure and check back a week from Saturday to see if you win.