Saturday, November 20, 2010

Day 16 Holiday Shopping Event Donna Winters!

DAY 16
HOLIDAY SHOPPING EVENT
PART 1
DONNA WINTERS

Hey ya'll, well, I had this set up with Donna a long time before I planned my Holiday Event but I decided to just add it to the list:) I have an interview with author Donna Winters and she will be giving away books to everyone who comments!! Yep, you heard right:) Anyone who comments will win 3 books. I have won two of her books previously and I love them. Very Victorian looking and the stories are well written. So, get ready to read this interview and make sure to comment at the end.
Thank you for being with us today, Donna! I know that you have been writing for a long time. With Thanksgiving Day around the corner, what are you most thankful for as a writer?

As a writer, I’m most thankful for the body of work the Lord has allowed me to author and put into print. I began writing romances in 1982 and was published in 1985 by Thomas Nelson, and in 1986 and 1988 by Zondervan. Then the Christian romance market disappeared for a time. After research and prayer, my husband and I developed our Great Lakes Romances® Series. This allowed me to continue writing in the genre I love, and gave me more control over my work. As a writer, I have produced one contemporary romance and fifteen historicals. As a small publisher, I have released a total of 21 titles. My historical romances are all in print at http://www.greatlakesromances.com. There, you will also find reprints of historical fiction by authors of the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. My most recent publications are a trilogy about the 19th century company town near my home. There, iron workers smelted pig iron from 1867-1891, and then the company dismantled the furnaces and pulled out. I wrote one romance about each of three phases of the company town era. Fayette—A Time to Love takes place during the first year of the town’s history when uncultured single men dominated the population and no school or church existed for the few families that came to stay. Fayette—A Time to Laugh moves forward by eleven years to a boom time when business was good, baseball games and sulky races dominated the sports scene, and cultural societies held lectures, recitations, and concerts. Fayette—A Time to Leave tackles the years when business fell off, jobs gradually disappeared, and the community faced the painful parting of friends and family members for greener pastures.

When a reader gets done with your book, what do you want them to come away with?
I would like my reader to come away with a better sense of Michigan’s history. Perhaps they will even want to go and visit a place that they have only read about in my book. I would like readers to look back on the reading experience as one of escape from daily cares to a time and place where life slows down and seems more civil and courteous. And I would like them to wonder, “Which Donna Winters book will I read next?”

What one event would you love to be at? Historical or future?
I’m going to put a historical twist on all of these questions and answer through the filter of “Thanksgiving”. The event I would like to attend would be the first Thanksgiving feast at Plymouth in 1621. Present at this event would be far more than two people. Forty Pilgrims in cut-cloth clothing and 89 Indians dressed in animal skins and gaily colored turkey feathers would gather for the celebration. I would like to sit beside the most helpful of the Indians, Squanto, who had met the Pilgrims one year earlier and taught them how to make use of corn, how to find wild greens in spring, and how to fish for eels and other seafood. And did you know that the Pilgrims had actually stolen corn from the Indians? It’s true! Soon after their arrival on the Mayflower, they trekked inland for several miles and came across:
A heap of sand . . . newly done, we might see how they (the Indians) had paddled it with their hands—which we digged up . . . and found a fine great basket full of fair Indian corn; and digged further, and found a fine great basket full of very fair corn of this year, and with some six and thirty goodly ears of corn . . .
This stolen corn enabled the Pilgrims to survive the first winter and later to plant a crop so plentiful that they had reason to hold the Thanksgiving feast the next fall. I’ll be very interested to sample the geese, ducks, turkey, lobsters, oysters, clams, venison, rabbit, corn (roasted, parched, or soaked in maple syrup), cornmeal, Johnnycakes, beans, squash, and spicy chowders. (Pumpkin pie grew to popularity in a much later era.) And when the feast is over (three days later, perhaps?) I will be happy to pop back into the 21st Century and write all about it!

Do you have a favorite hobby?
I couldn’t pick a favorite hobby because there are several that I like equally well: walking with my husband and my dogs, kayaking, RV-ing, cross-country skiing, and downhill skiing.

Is there something about you most people wouldn't know?
I am so glad you asked! Most people don’t know that I am currently donating some of my overstocked titles to libraries. This donation program costs libraries absolutely nothing! Librarians should visit my website, http://www.greatlakesromances.com, click on Books for Libraries, and follow the instructions to get some or all of the books listed on that page. So readers, please tell your librarian to take advantage of this offer to put historical inspirational romances on their shelves at no cost!

Do you have any suggestions for the aspiring writer?
Keep the faith, pray for guidance, and listen to your inner voice.

Any last thoughts for your readers?
I am feeling so thankful that I would like to give three books to each person who comments on this interview. Pick your three books from the following list:
The Captain and the Widow
Aurora of North Manitou Island
Bridget of Cat's Head Point
Rosalie of Grand Traverse Bay
Elizabeth of Saginaw Bay
Jenny of L'Anse Bay
Isabelle's Inning
Unlikely Duet
Butterfly Come Home
Sweet Clover, A Romance of the White City

And how can they connect with you?
My website contains contact information on the About Us page:
http://www.greatlakesromances.com
Visit my blog at
http://greatlakesromances.blogspot.com
Find me on facebook

Have a blessed Thanksgiving Day!

Now, did you get that? You can pick three books out of that list above. I am only going to do one comment per person because everyone who comments will get books. And, I will make the mandatory entry something related to Thanksgiving:) It is hard to believe that is coming up so fast. Anyways, read below for your way to enter.

MANDATORY ENTRY-Leave a comment about what you are thankful for this Thanksgiving. Again, only one comment per person. Everyone wins!!

ONLY LOWER 48 STATES!!
Ends 12/3.

24 comments:

Victor R. Volkman said...

I'm thankful for a roof over my head, my job, but most of all my family and friends

Linda said...

I'm thankful my husband got a raise we didn't expect for another year. And didn't get docked for an accident, which would have costs us a big chunk of his salary, as we are already living tight! PTL!

My pick of three books:

The Captain and the Widow
Rosalie
Elizabeth of Saginaw Bay

Thank you for your generosity!
desertrose5173 at gmail dot com

jacque said...

I'm thankful for the great friends I've met recently online! And of course my wonderful family!

Well...I'd take any of the books...but I guess I'd pick..
Butterfly Come Home
Rosalie of Grand Traverse Bay
Elizabeth of Saginaw Bay

We visit Michigan every so often and I love the area!
jacque

Karla Akins said...

I'm thankful for family and health and just everything. I have so much to be thankful for!

My three choices:
The Captain and the Widow
Rosalie of Grand Traverse Bay
Elizabeth of Saginaw Bay

My family and I used to live in Michigan and Michigan is one of our favorite places to visit -- especially anywhere near the lakes!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Jen U. said...

Wow Donna! Thank you so much for your generosity!

I am thankful this Thanksgiving for my beautiful and amazing children and my husband. I feel blessed beyond measure that God gave them to me.

As for the books that I would enjoy reading, I have not read any of your books yet. I love romance and historical Christian fiction so please just chose whatever 3 books you think I would enjoy the most. I look forward to being surprised. I love that your books teach about Michigan. I look forward greatly to reading them!

Thank you so much,
~Jen Unsell
unsells{at}yahoo{dot}com

Anonymous said...

I'm thankful for what God has done for me by sending my Savior Jesus Christ. I'm thankful for my husband and family. I'm thankful for my job and stability during these trying times.

The three books I choose:
Bridget fo Cat's Head Point
Aurora fo North Manitou
Rosalie of Grand Traverse Bay

Thanks for your generosity. I've read Charlotte and enjoyed it greatly.
Connie Cortright
ccortright@wi.rr.com

Michele said...

I'm thankful for my family and that we've been able to pay all our bills so far in this terrible economy. I love Thanksgiving - it's the only holiday we get to spend at home and my daughter and I spend a couple days cooking together!
My choices:
Rosalie of Grand Traverse Bay
Aurora of North Manitou Island
Sweet Clover a Romance of the White City

Thank you!!
rlawrence110(at)yahoo.com

Sylvia said...

Hey! I enjoyed reading this interview. Since I have never read any of your books I am looking forward to this opportunity.

This Thanksgiving I am thankful for Jesus. I've been a Christian most of my life, but I don't want to ever get over His death on the cross and resurrection.

After looking over the list and reading the descriptions of the books I think these are the three that I would choose.

The Captain and the Widow
Unlikely Duet
Butterfly Come Home

nina4sm/at/gmail/dot/com

Sally said...

Thanks so much for this opportunity. I am thankful for the freedom we enjoy in the US, no matter our failings I wouldn't want to live anywhere else. I would welcome any three books you send.
sdlbishop2(at)att(dot)net

Michelle said...

I'm thankful I'll be able to see my mom for Thanksgiving.
My dad died January 2010 and this is the first time I've seen her since January.
moma3homeschool(at)gmail(dot)com

Kristie said...

I'm thankful for my new husband, my job, and my lovely home. kristiedonelson(at)gmail(dot)com

Katie Marie said...

I am thankful for my family and friends. Since I am a bookworm, I am also VERY thankful for the time authors take to bring us wonderful books for our enjoyment and edification! Thanks!

legacy1992(at)gmail(dot)com

MaureenT said...

Wow what a generous giveaway!
I am so thankful for my Lord, he is my rock. To think what I would have to look forward to without him.
I am also thankful for the support of my family. They are there for their Dad who is now in late stage Parkinsons.

I would like
Unlikely Duet
Butterfly Come Home
Sweet Clover, A Romance of the White City

alekee02[at]yahoo[dot]com

Kait said...

Oh WOW! What a generous giveaway! I am exceedingly thankful for my 7 younger siblings, my wonderful parents, incredible friends, the gift of grace, and a blessed life. :-)

I'd love to win The Captain and the Widow, Butterfly Come Home, and Isabelle's Inning! Thanks!

Kait
momiswayweird(at)gmail(dot)com

Garilyn S said...

I'm thankful for my family...my great husband, my 3 sons, and 1 daughter. They fill my life with such joy.
blessed.mama4 at yahoo.com

Kathleen Rouser said...

Thank you for the opportunity of this give away. How generous!

I am thankful for a wonderful Savior, who loves and
redeems me, for my dear husband, who is such a blessing, and that he has been able to stay employed.
For abundant provisions, a lovely home, a precious,
supportive sister and dear friends. I'm also thankful
for three healthy, grown sons.

kerouser[at]gmail[dot]com

Kristie said...

I'm thankful that my husband was not mad when I dropped the raspberry cheesecake out of the oven all over the floor and drawers tonight. Oops! kristiedonelson(at)gmail(dot)com. Also I'm a librarian so I'll follow up with those donations. Merci beaucoup!

Eileen said...

I am grateful and thankful for the love I feel towards so many friends and the love they return in so many ways. I have reached a point in my life where I am totally at peace with the world.

Eileen
wiseowlreviews@aol dot com

♡♥♬ Raven In A Blue Room ♬♥♡ said...

I am thankful for my healthy family

Thank you for hosting this giveaway

Louis
schnitzomage {at} gmail {dot} com

Nancye said...

I am most thankful for my awesome family who are always there for me!

I'd be happy with any of the books offered! Thanks for the giveaway!

nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net

Hope said...

I am thankful for salvation through Jesus Christ, and for the freedom we have here in America!
onepilgrim86[at]yahoo.com

Anonymous said...

I am thankful for my husband and kids, that everyone is healthy and happy.
galyettina(at)yahoo(dot)com

Anonymous said...

I am thankful for my family (wife and kids), for my work and my friends
devotus(at)yahoo(dot)com

Tori said...

I am thankful for my husband and sweet baby girl!!

my three picks are:

Isabelle Inning
Butterfy come home
unlikely duet

vrtheriot@gmail.com

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