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| Image courtesy of kongsky/ FreeDigitalPhotos.net |
Thanks to my friend Susan Mathis, I've been invited to participate in the Blog Hop Book Tour! The rules are to answer 9 questions about your current book or WIP and then tag 4 or 5 writers to get in on the fun.
I enjoyed answering these questions. Some of them gave me things to think about for upcoming projects!
What is/was the working title of your book?
The tentative title of my novel is The Preacher's Wife.
Where did the idea come from for the book?
When my husband and I first moved from Virginia to Oklahoma for the military, I became inspired by the wide expanse of plains and ever-present wind. I wanted to write a story from the perspective of someone new to that region of the country, someone from back east. That became the starting point for the hero of my story, Rowe Winford, a southern gentleman from Richmond.
What genre does your book fall under?
Historical romance, but I like to incorporate elements from different genres into my stories. The Preacher's Wife has supernatural elements in the form of the wind that speaks negative words to the protagonists and another voice, the positive, still small voice of the Lord gently prompting them to choose a better path.
What is the one-sentence synopsis of your book?
The Preacher's Wife follows a determined young woman’s quest to live a respectable life and discovers a chance at love in the most unlikely place.
Will your book be self-published, published by a traditional publishing house, and/or represented by an agency?
My book will be traditionally published by Charisma House. I'm represented by Kimberly Shumate of Living Word Literary Agency.
How long did it take you to write the first draft of your manuscript?
It took me three months. That sounds good, but because I didn't know much about plotting or structure, I ended up writing three more drafts! Not counting revisions.
What other books would you compare this work to within your genre?
This is my debut novel, so I am more than a little nervous comparing it to the more experienced author's works :-) However, I can say it centers on the themes of redemption and overcoming harsh adversity. Books like Francine Rivers' Redeeming Love and Margaret Brownley's A Lady Like Sarah feature strong female protagonists who have been damaged significantly and need to understand the love of God in order to truly be free. Similarly, my character Marissa must learn to trust God and believe what He says about her, not the prejudiced opinions of the townsfolk.
Who or what inspired you to write this book?
I became inspired by the pioneer women of the 19th century who bravely ventured out west and faced tremendous adversities in the forms of famine, disease, loneliness, and even death in order to gain a chance at a better life.
What else about your book might pique the reader's interest?
The book deals with the protagonists' journey of deep healing from guilt, and in the heroine's case, abuse from her former employer. I think it is empowering for women to read about this topic in a Christian light. Also, the book is part of a series that has a multicultural cast. I love to see diversity reflected in historical novels, especially within CBA.
My 4 "Hopper Friends" are:
Darlene Shortridge
Jessica Nelson
Michelle Griep
April Gardner
Check their sites periodically for info on their latest WIPs! Thanks for stopping by!
What stage are you in with your WIP?