Tag Archives: Book

January 14, 2013 · 5:00 am

Snow Day With Julie Klassen (Meet and Greet Plus a Book Giveaway!)

Meet and Greet is a regular feature on my blog. Be forewarned…Unlike the typical interview, these brief questions will get to the true heart of my guests…or at least the heart of what’s in their kitchen. Grab a latte (or other beverage of your choice), find a comfy chair, and prepare to make a new friend.

Julie KlassenI’m so excited to welcome Julie Klassen as my first guest of 2013. Julie and I got to know each other at our agency retreat last fall, but the truth is I fell in love with her books before then. Let’s just say the London Olympics inspired me to read all her books within a two-week time span. Yes, they were that good. To learn how you can win a copy of her latest release, keep reading.  (The cover is gorgeous, by the way!)

Julie Klassen loves all things Jane—Jane Eyre and Jane Austen. A graduate of the University of Illinois, Julie worked in publishing for sixteen years and now writes full time. Three of her novels have won the Christy Award for excellence in Christian Fiction. Julie and her husband have two sons and live in St. Paul, Minnesota. You can reach her through her website www.julieklassen.com.

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Welcome, Julie! I have the teapot ready, so let’s chat…

Opener Question: What seven words best describe you?

Beyond basic words like writer, wife, and mom, I would go with: creative, moody, capable, messy, born-again, giving, and graceful.

Either/Or Questions:

1) Hike in the woods or Tour a museum?

I enjoy museums that help me research my books, but otherwise, I’d take a walk in the woods any day.  There’s something soothing to my soul about being among trees, and walking on crunchy leaves or a pine-needle path.

2) Chicken noodle soup or Chili?

Chili, unless I have a sore throat (I’m a big believer in the salty, medicinal goodness of chicken noodle soup). My Mom made the best chili–spicy and comforting. Mine isn’t up to her standards, but still a favorite on a chilly day–and there are lots of those here in Minnesota.

3) High heels or Cute flats?

I usually choose comfort over fashion. I like slide-on, cushy, comfy shoes for dashes to the store or to pick up the kids. But if I’m dressing up, I need a little heel to feel elegant.

4) Full steam ahead or Life in the slow lane?

In general, I am a laid back, type B person—except when I have a deadline looming. Then–look out!

5) Martha Stewart wannabe or Let someone else decorate?

Definitely NOT Martha Stewart.  We still have the framed “cats wearing cowboy hats” print that my husband had hanging over the mantel when I married him.  Decorating, crafts, etc. are not my thing.  But I admire others who have the eye for it—and the talent.

6) English countryside or French Riviera?

Do you have to ask??? English countryside all the way. :) Granted I’ve never been to the French Riviera, but neither have I any desire to go there. I am, however, already dreaming about returning to beautiful England.

7) Snowy winter or Dog days of summer?

I would choose spring or fall, given the choice. But of the two, I’d have to go with winter. I’m not a fan of sweltering. And I don’t mind snowy days so much now that I work from home and don’t have to tackle winter driving as often.

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Fun answers, Julie. And I agree…I’d rather be cooped up inside because of snow rather than sweltering heat. We’ve had lots of beautiful snow to enjoy here lately. My hubby and kids made a family of snowmen last weekend, but they’re starting to melt. (The snowmen…not the hubby and kids. ;) ) Without snow, who has the excuse to enjoy a cup of tea and a bowl of chili, right?

Thanks so much for being my guest today. It was an honor to have you.

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Tutors Daughter_cover_jpgThe Tutor’s Daughter

Determined to help her father when his boarding school fails, Emma Smallwood accompanies him into Cornwall to the manor of a baronet and his four sons. But soon after they arrive and begin teaching the younger boys, mysterious things begin to happen. Emma hears someone playing the pianoforte at night, but finds the music room empty. Then someone begins sneaking into her room, leaving behind strange mementoes. When the suspicious acts escalate into danger, can Emma figure out which brother to blame and which to trust with her heart?

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Blog Readers: Let’s talk…Did you get to enjoy a white Christmas this year? What’s your favorite wintertime activity? Or more importantly, what’s your favorite wintertime snack after you come in from the cold? :)

*Giveaway Details: Julie has offered to give away a copy of The Tutor’s Daughter! All you have to do is leave a comment. (For extra entries, you can Tweet or share this post on Facebook…I’ll add an extra entry for each. Just make sure to mention it in your comment.) Winner will be announced in next Monday’s post. Good luck!

**The winner of last week’s Amazon giveaway is Michelle Lim! I’ll contact you this week with details.

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November 19, 2012 · 5:00 am

For the Love of Garden Gnomes (Meet and Greet with Gail Sattler Plus a Book Giveaway!)

Meet and Greet is a regular feature on my blog. Be forewarned…Unlike the typical interview, these brief questions will get to the true heart of my guests…or at least the heart of what’s in their kitchen. Grab a latte (or other beverage of your choice), find a comfy chair, and prepare to make a new friend.

I’m so excited to welcome Gail Sattler as my final Meet-and-Greet guest of 2012! (I’ve got something fun up my sleeve for the holidays…Author interviews will return in January. :) ) I first discovered Gail’s writing when I read her book, The Narrow Path. It was such a fun read, and her newest release sounds just as fun. Any book that coins the term “gnomegnapping” is a winner in my mind. (To learn more about this famous garden gnome and how to win a copy of Gail’s book, keep reading below.)

Gail Sattler lives in Vancouver BC, where you don’t have to shovel rain, with her husband, three sons, two dogs, and a lizard, who is quite cuddly for a reptile. When she’s not busy writing, Gail is an active musician playing piano for the worship team at her church, electric bass for a local jazz band, and upright acoustic bass for a community orchestra. When she’s not reading, Gail loves to sit back with a hot coffee and a good book written by someone else. Please visit Gail’s website at www.gailsattler.com.

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Welcome, Gail! Let’s get to the questions, shall we?

Opener Question: What seven words best describe you?

Happy, Busy, Musician, Leader, Animal-lover (I hyphenated that, so it only counts as one word), Writer, Busy

Either/Or Questions:

1) Grand Canyon or Niagara Falls?

Niagara Falls – the Canadian side!!!!

2) Slave away in the kitchen or Call for take-out?

Take out. What kind of question is that?

3) On the go or Take it slow?

On the go, life doesn’t sit still, so neither do I.

4) Apple cider or Hot chocolate?

Depends, is it winter or summer?

5) Shopaholic or Shop-a-phobic?

Shop-a phobic. Give me eBay to a crushing mall trip any day!

6) Nat King Cole or Frederic Chopin?

I can’t answer that. I love all kinds of music except country and rap. Chopin is actually my least favorite composer, I prefer my music more planted in theory. I adore Bach and Schubert. Or if feeling more active, Gershwin. For jazz, give me a great bass line, and I’m there.

7) Creamy mashed potatoes or Sweet potato casserole?

Sweet potato casserole. Or sweet potato anything.

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Fun answers, Gail! As a fellow jazz fan, I’m with you on a good bass line. And I had to laugh at your take-out answer. Surely some people like to slave away in the kitchen, right? :) As for eBay, my husband is the king of finding vacation deals. I pat him on the back, say “Nice work, honey,” and start packing the suitcases. :)

Thanks so much for being here! I loved getting to know you.

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Take the Trophy & Run

Craft store owner Amber Weathersby wants to be a member of the Bloomfield garden club but has never received the blessing of a green thumb, and even Stan, her best friend, can only offer limited help. She’s only a member because her semi-famous garden gnome, Gnorman, holds the prized trophy each year in the Spring Fling contest’s winning garden.

But this year, instead of being the life of the party, her little star is gnomegnapped, and worse, the club’s irreplaceable trophy has gone missing with him. While Amber is chasing the gnome around town trying to win the trophy, Stan is chasing Amber, trying to win her heart.

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Blog Readers: Let’s talk…Are you an eBay shopper? What’s the most unique item you’ve ever bid on? Any fun deals to share?

*Giveaway Details: Gail has offered to give away a copy of Take the Trophy & Run! All you have to do is leave a comment. (For extra entries, you can Tweet or share this post on Facebook…I’ll add an extra entry for each. Just make sure to mention it in your comment.) Winner will be announced in next Monday’s post. Good luck!

**The winner of last week’s Joanne Bischof giveaway is Julie Jarnagin! I’ll contact you this week with details.

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November 12, 2012 · 5:00 am

Living Without Fast Food and Stoplights (Meet and Greet with Joanne Bischof Plus a Book Giveaway!)

Meet and Greet is a regular feature on my blog. Be forewarned…Unlike the typical interview, these brief questions will get to the true heart of my guests…or at least the heart of what’s in their kitchen. Grab a latte (or other beverage of your choice), find a comfy chair, and prepare to make a new friend.

I’m so excited to welcome Joanne Bischof here! I connected with her online and can’t wait to get to know her a little better today. I’ve heard nothing but rave reviews about her debut novel, Be Still My Soul. For details on how you can win yourself a copy, keep reading. :)

Married to her first sweetheart, Joanne Bischof lives in the mountains of Southern California where she keeps busy making messes with their home-schooled children. When she’s not weaving Appalachian romance, she’s blogging about faith, writing, and the adventures of country living that bring her stories to life.

You can connect with her on her website, Facebook, and Twitter.

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Welcome, Joanne! Let’s go straight to the questions so you can get back to home-schooling your kiddos. :)

Opener Question: What seven words best describe you?

Shy. Curious. Homespun. Clumsy. Messy. Dorky. Chocoholic.

Either/Or Questions:

1) Country mouse or City mouse?

Definitely country mouse. I live in a tiny town with no stop lights, no fast food restaurants, and we give one another directions by saying things like, “Head that way and when you get to the sleeping dog, take a left.” I tend to get lost and overwhelmed in the city…though I do love visiting for all the sights and sounds…and Trader Joes.

2) Gourmet chef or Chef Boyardee?

I have to confess that lately I’ve been a lazy chef, but that’s gotta be my pick. I love baking and discovering new recipes. We have a garden, so we’re always out there gathering fruits and vegetables. We also keep chickens which make the best fried eggs and quiches. With 3 little ones, including a 9 month old, I don’t find the time to cook as much homemade lately, but I’m hoping to get back in the swing of it.

3) Indoors or Outdoors?

Ooh that’s a hard one! I’m gonna say outdoors. Our house is only 900 square feet for 5 people, which is pretty cozy, but we picked it for the amazing back yard. I love the outdoors, especially up here in the mountains with all the trees and autumn colors. It’s worth having a smaller inside space, and a little more room to roam beneath the sky.

4) Fast and furious or Slow and methodical?

Can I say both? There’s times when I dive in head first without thinking, like my crafting life or a new story idea. But I’m learning to be slow and methodical. As a homeschooling mom of three, I’ve had to teach myself organizational skills, but we still have a ton of fun being spontaneous.

5) Sweet silence or Blessed noise?

Sweet silence sounds heavenly, but blessed noise is my normal. There’s always a little one underfoot and all the noise that three kiddos can make. Plus, when I write, I tend to listen to folk music which helps me get into my world and drown out the sound of the dryer, the dishwasher and all the other things calling my name.

6) Apple pie or Pumpkin pie?

Pumpkin hands down! Fall is my favorite time of year and just one more reason to indulge in all things pumpkiny.

7) Hike in the Alps or a day at the beach?

Day at the beach! Though we’re in the mountains, we’re just a few hours from the coast and a beach day is one of our favorite retreats. I’m a champion boogy boarder. Ok, I’m not really, but the kids and I have fun in the waves.

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Wow, a boogy boarder…I’m impressed, Joanne! I can relate to you on so many of your answers. Sweet silence does sound heavenly, but it’s a rarity in my house too. I’m also a gourmet chef wannabe who barely has time to fix grilled cheese sandwiches. Someday we’ll get our kitchens back, right? :) How fun to learn more about your household and the small town where you live. As a city dweller, I can only imagine how peaceful it must be to live away from the hustle and bustle.

Thanks for being my guest today! It was a treat to have you here.

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Be Still My Soul

Pretty Lonnie Sawyer is shy and innocent, used to fading into the background within her family, and among the creeks and hollows of the Appalachian hills. Though her family is poor and her father abusive, she clings to a quiet faith. But when handsome ladies’ man and bluegrass musician Gideon O’Riley steals a kiss, that one action seals her fate.

Her father forces her into a hasty marriage with Gideon—a man she barely knows and does not love. Equally frustrated and confused by his new responsibilities, Gideon yearns for a fresh start, forcing Lonnie on an arduous journey away from her home in Rocky Knob.

Her distant groom can’t seem to surrender his rage at the injustice of the forced matrimony or give Lonnie any claim in his life. What will it take for Gideon to give up his past, embrace Lonnie’s God, and discover a hope that can heal their two fractured hearts?

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Blog Readers: Let’s talk…Are you a city mouse or a country mouse? If you lived in a town with no stoplights and no fast food restaurants, how would you keep yourself entertained? (Cow tipping, anyone? :) )

*Giveaway Details: Joanne has offered to give away a copy of Be Still My Soul! All you have to do is leave a comment. (For extra entries, you can Tweet or share this post on Facebook…I’ll add an extra entry for each. Just make sure to mention it in your comment.) Winner will be announced in next Monday’s post. Good luck!

**The winner of last week’s Amazon giveaway is Vonilda! I’ll contact you this week with details.

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