LOVING LYDIA - Susan Pope Sloan - One Free Book

Welcome back to my blog, Susan. Why do you write the kind of books you do? I’m fascinated by real-life stories that aren’t well known or something that makes me wonder, “What brought this person to that place?” Most of those come from historical events, and being of a romantic nature, I have to put a “happy” spin on it.

Besides when you came to know the Lord, what is the happiest day in your life? What can compare with finding your mate and giving birth to your children? Those events live forever in our memories.

How has being published changed your life? I’m busier than ever, even though I’m retired. The need for research and marketing has me continually learning new things and sharing with others.

What are you reading right now? A collection of over-40 romances by Liwen Y. Ho—because a good portion of my newsletter subscribers are mature women, I try to balance out my book reviews with what might appeal to them.

What is your current work in progress? I have two: a freebie I plan to offer on my website and another sequel to my series. Both involve characters introduced in the series.

What would be your dream vacation? I’m about to take it—yay! We’re spending a few days in each of four locations—Ireland, Scotland, London, and Paris.

Wow! That sounds like fun. How do you choose your settings for each book? The general setting was part of the true story, so I didn’t have much choice in that.

If you could spend an evening with one person who is currently alive, who would it be and why? I’d probably choose an expert in some historical period—someone who could share valuable insights into the culture and everyday life in those times.

What are your hobbies, besides writing and reading? I was raised in a singing family, so music will always be part of my life. I also enjoy crocheting, riding my bicycle on our local bike trails, and walking in the park.

What is your most difficult writing obstacle, and how do you overcome it? Learning to navigate all the new technologies. I usually try to learn on my own first, with the help of instructional videos, then call for help when it’s too much.

What advice would you give to a beginning author? Don’t give up. Join critique groups, go to conferences, learn the craft and the industry as soon as you can. I wish I hadn’t stopped pursuing publication thirty years ago.

Tell us about the featured book. Loving Lydia runs concurrently with Rescuing Rose but focuses on the widow from the Sweetwater Mill and the Confederate soldier—Sergeant Seth Morgan—the women found hiding in the cellar in Marietta. Though attraction sparked between them then, circumstances forced them apart. Months later, they have an encounter in Louisville, Kentucky, and promise to keep in touch as each searches for a family member. Interesting twists bring them together again, but there are still barriers to their relationship.

Please give us the first page of the book.

Friday afternoon, July 8, 1864

New Manchester, Georgia

Hundreds of Union soldiers camped outside the village, their mere presence enough to set the locals on edge. The anxiety increased when small groups of them ventured into the outlying homes to seize food or whatever appealed to them.

            Fear pushed Lydia Gibson to the hilltop, where she could see the farm below. Rumors at the mill had whirred as noisily as the wooden shuttles clacking back and forth in the weaving room. Stories were spreading of Union soldiers preying on helpless women.

            I should’ve stayed home with Millie instead of going to work this morning. Their lack of funds had seemed the more immediate need. Lydia’s job was their only source of income, and she needed to keep it, but not at the cost of Millie’s safety. With all the family members she’d lost over the years, Lydia couldn’t face losing another.

How can readers find you on the Internet? My website is https://susanpsloan.com. I’m on LinkedIn, Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook. On Amazon, look for me as Susan Pope Sloan because there are other authors with similar names.

Thank you, Susan, for sharing this new book with my blog readers and me.

Readers, here’s a link to the book.

https://www.amazon.com/Loving-Lydia-Rescued-Hearts-Civil/dp/B0BLJ65VJB/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1686863072&sr=8-1 

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 2 weeks from the posting of the winners to claim your book.

If you’re reading this on Goodreads, 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 

RESCUING ROSE - Susan Pope Sloan - One Free Book

Welcome to my blog, Susan. Tell us how much of yourself you write into your characters. Probably more than I think! My family could answer that better than I, but I do think Noah’s tendency to be a rules-keeper and Rose’s intense love of learning come from me.

What is the quirkiest thing you have ever done? I don’t know that I’d call anything I’ve done quirky, but stupid? Yes. Embarrassing? Yes.

Like sitting through the wrong funeral service, mistaking one person for another—with an enthusiastic hug, hitting my elbow hard enough to pass out…the list goes on.

When did you first discover that you were a writer? I wrote a poem for the school newspaper in sixth grade and remember working all my spelling words into a story about the same time, so that’s the first inkling I had. In eleventh grade, I was given the opportunity to take creative writing as an elective, and that clinched it.

Tell us the range of the kinds of books you enjoy reading. Historical fiction is my favorite, of course, but I try to read a mix of contemporary romance, women’s fiction, and cozy mysteries. Within my critique groups, I was surprised to find that I also enjoy YA Dystopian and even an occasional thriller.

How do you keep your sanity in our run, run, run world? When weather permits, I enjoy bike riding or walking in our local parks. Being in nature is the best relaxation technique.

How do you choose your characters’ names? My best resource for names is U.S. Census records. A simple internet search brings up names popular for each decade. I also saved a couple of old corporate phone lists from my previous employer and look through those when I’m stumped.

What is the accomplishment that you are most proud of? Having three children who turned out to be wonderful adults. Second would be completing my novels (four so far).

If you were an animal, which one would you be, and why? A donkey because donkeys are low-key, domesticated work animals that are usually docile but can be stubborn.

What is your favorite food? That’s a hard one. I eat a lot of chicken, so I’ll stop with that.

What is the problem with writing that was your greatest roadblock, and how did you overcome it? Learning about how to get published. I tried with my first novel years ago but grew discouraged. I also went to a few conferences over the years—all before the Internet. When I found the North Georgia Christian Writers Conference and learned about Word Weavers, I realized I had to learn about the marketing side of writing before I could get published.

Tell us about the featured book. I first heard about the real incident that’s covered in Rescuing Rose from a coworker who was a Civil War Reenactor. When I researched the event, I found only one novel which was 30 years old and one scholarly work, which became my primary resource. Knowing most of the women (who were arrested and sent north by Sherman) had no education and no way of contacting their men, I felt strongly that their story needed to be shared. In this book and the two sequels, I follow a group of women and explore what their lives might have been like.

Please give us the first page of the book.

Thursday, July 7, 1864

Roswell, Georgia

Something foul was afoot, and this time it was more than a few mice chewing on the machine belts.

Her loom slowed without warning, and Rose Carrigan clutched at the cotton threads tangled in her fingers. The customary high-pitched whine in the room plummeted to a deep growl as all the machines shuddered to a stop. Shuttles paused mid-sweep, setting the bobbins that fed them to dancing on their spindles. Puffs of cotton drifted like falling snowflakes in the still air.           

The wide-eyed faces of her co-workers mirrored Rose’s bewilderment. A glance at the narrow window to her left revealed the hazy blue of a summer sky. Hours until quitting time.

Whispered questions buzzed but dropped like swatted mosquitoes at a sudden commotion.

A column of blue-clad soldiers burst through the door.

The bearded leader glowered at the workers. “Out! Everyone outside, now!”         

The order bounced from wall to wall. Pointing their rifled muskets, the Union soldiers swept down the aisles and prodded the workers away from their stations.

Dear God, the war had arrived at Roswell’s door. Men with fierce expressions crowded closer. The odor of sweat and filth on their wool uniforms robbed her breath. Memories threatened, but she forced them back.

How can readers find you on the Internet? I’m on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn. My website is https://susanpsloan.com

Thank you, Susan, for sharing Rescuing Rose with my blog readers and me. My copy has arrived, and I’m eager to read it.

Readers, here’s a link to the book.

https://www.amazon.com/Rescuing-Rose-Rescued-Hearts-Civil/dp/194226562X/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1682524012&sr=1-1

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 2 weeks from the posting of the winners to claim your book.

If you’re reading this on Goodreads, 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