Wednesday, June 8, 2011

Interview with Dorothy Love ++ Giveaway!!

Howdy ya'll:) Today I have an interview/giveaway with an author you don't want to miss. She is very entertaining and I know you will enjoy it. I have to tell you, it is really nice to have author's approach me about interviewing them and featuring them on my blog. I LOVE it! Having different authors as guests on my blog is a joy and I hope all my readers like it too:) I also received a copy of her book, Beyond All Measures that I am reviewing. I will be posting my review soon so you know what a good book it is. But let me tell you, I am loving it! Dorothy has told me she will send a signed copy to one of my readers so read through to the end for the giveaway rules.

Thank you for being with us today, Dorothy!!
Thanks for having me.

How long have you known you wanted to be an author?
Since third grade when I wrote a story about magic tigers for my geography class. My teacher said I was a good writer and from then on, a writer is what I always wanted to be.

CAN YOU TELL ME A LITTLE BIT ABOUT YOUR NEW BOOK?
BEYOND ALL MEASURE is the first of the Hickory Ridge novels, a series of historical romances set in the beautiful Smoky Mountains region of eastern Tennessee. Its the story of Ada, a young Bostonian who, after losing her family, her fiance, and her fortune, journeys to Tennessee to take a job as a lady's companion while she saves money to establish a millinery business back east. But then she meets Wyatt Caldwell, the owner of the local lumber mill, and Sophie, a beautiful little mulatto orphan. Wyatt and Sophie change both Ada's heart and her plans for her future.

When a reader gets done with your book, what do you want them to come away with?
I want them to be hopeful and inspired. Hopeful about their own lives, about the power of faith to change lives--- and inspired to go for their dreams. Ada dreamed of owning a business against all odds, and she never let go of her determination.

And I hope readers will appreciate the history that goes into each book and will be inspired to make a personal connection with their own history, to find out about their own ancestors' role in shaping our country. My great great grandfather was not a famous general, just an ordinary Southern farmer who answered the call to battle and lost his leg at Shiloh. His story was and is an inspiration to me. Every family has a story to tell. And every story has value.

Is there a place you have always wanted to visit? A vacation spot, historical monument, overseas, etc?
I've been able to travel a great deal in my life--New Zealand, Panama, the Caribbean, the Pacific islands, but two places on my "bucket list" are South Africa and Italy. I've been in love with Tuscany ever since I read Frances Mayes' wonderful book, Under the Tuscan Sun. South Africa's tortured history and breathtaking physical beauty present an interesting dichotomy I'm eager to experience for myself.

If you could have dinner with 2 people, who would they be?
Robert E Lee--- a man of courage and compassion, faith, love of family. I own 20 biographies of him. I'd love to have dinner with him, but I 'd probably be so awestruck I wouldn't be able to say a word. I blogged about him back in April on the 150th anniversary of the beginning of the Civil war. The photo of him on that post, taken just days after the surrender at Appomattox, is one of my favorites. Such dignity! In his younger days he was called "the handsomest man in the army." Swoon. Jenny Craig---- I'd like to ask her how to get rid of this pesky twenty pounds that just won't go away no matter how many breakfast bars I eat ( or don't eat.) Arrgh.
What one event would you love to be at? Historical or future?
I'd love to have been there for the Sermon on the Mount. Futurewise, I wish I could be around the day the science people announce a cure for cancers of all types.

Do you have a favorite hobby?
I love travel, obviously, Ron and I love to hike. Last spring, we hiked Enchanted Rock here in the hill country. We've hiked in Colorado, Hawaii, New Zealand. Every place we visit, we try to find some place to be outdoors and explore on foot.
Is there something about you most people wouldn't know?
I once sang with a local rock and roll band.

Do you have any suggestions for the aspiring writer?
Read everything, and write every day. Even if the writing is only a journal entry, a poem, a short story. Everything you write teaches you to write better. Dean Koontz says writing is like a muscle that gets stronger the more you exercise it. Take a class in creative writing.

Any last thoughts for your readers?
Thanks to each and every reader for choosing my books. I hope you love reading them as much as I love researching and writing them.
And how can the connect with you?
Either at my website: www.DorothyLoveBooks.com, or on Facebook, or by snail mail to my publishing house, Thomas Nelson. I love hearing from readers, especially the stories they uncover about their own ancestors. Right now on the website, I'm inviting readers to send in a story about an ancestor they'd like to see as a character in a future novel. Was your great great ancestor a teacher in Massachusetts or on the western frontier? A plantation owner in Georgia? A freight driver in Nebraska? Let me know. I'm waiting to hear your stories. She (or he) might just wind up in the pages of a book. And like, how cool would that be?

So, I am sure you see why you want to enter the giveaway below. I am almost done with the book and I am loving the rich history and the characters. Dorothy is giving away one signed copy of her book, Beyond All Measures, to one of my readers. Get your entries in below and make sure to follow the rules:)

MANDATORY ENTRY-
Go to Dorothy's website and tell me something you learned about her or her books. You must tell me something that is not mentioned here in this post. This must be done or the extra entries do not count. You must leave an email with your first comment.

US ONLY!!

EXTRA ENTRIES-Please leave a comment for each entry.

1.Blog or post about this on Facebook. Get 3 entries for each.
2.Follow my blog via GFC, subscribe through RSS Feed or email or follow me on Twitter. Get one entry for each you do.
3.Enter any of my other currently running giveaways. Let me know which ones.
4.Leave a comment on any of my review only posts. This must be for reviews only! Leave a comment for each.
5.Tweet about this giveaway. Can be done three times a day

6.Leave a comment on Dorothy's blog. Get 2 entries for this so leave 2 comments.
7.Sign up for Dorothy's Contest for her new book. Get 2 entries for this.
8.Follow Dorothy on Facebook. Get 2 entries for this.
9.This is a quick, odd question here:) Kind of like seek and find:D Search on Dorothy's website for when her anniversary is. It is in an odd place. If you find it and post here, you get 5 extra entries in this giveaway.
10.Now this one is the big one. Above Dorothy talked about how she loves to hear stories about ancestors from her readers. She wants short bios(300 words max) and if you send her one of these(the info is here on her page) you get 10 entries in this giveaway!! I will be checking with her to make sure she received the info:)

This giveaway will end 6/22. Winner will be chosen through Random.org. They will have 48 hours to respond or another winner will be chosen.

54 comments:

Anonymous said...

I would love to read this.gardnerad@juno.com

karenk said...

june 8th is dorothy's 37th anniversary...congratulations :)

karenk
kmkuka at yahoo dot com

karenk said...

i'm a follower...and email subscriber, too :)

karenk
kmkuka at yahoo dot com

Kristie said...

Dorothy has a masters and PhD in English literature and her and her husband collect antique maps. Neato! Sounds like a great book. kristiedonelson(at)gmail(dot)com Thank you.

Rebecca said...

Dorothy went to college in Texas. Thank you so much for the chance to win this. This book looks amazing. I would love to read it. Thanks again.

agent_beckster(at)yahoo(dot)com

Rebecca said...

I am a follower via GFC.

agent_beckster(at)yahoo(dot)com

Tori said...

She is from McNairy County, Tennessee
vrtheriot@gmail.com

Tori said...

I posted on facebook
vrtheriot@gmail.com

Tori said...

I posted on facebook
vrtheriot@gmail.com
2

Tori said...

I posted on facebook
vrtheriot@gmail.com
3

Tori said...

I follow via GFC
vrtheriot@gmail.com

Tori said...

Left a comment on her blog -
vrtheriot@gmail.com

Tori said...

Left a comment on her blog -
vrtheriot@gmail.com

Tori said...

I entered her contest to win a copy of the book.
vrtheriot@gmail.com

Tori said...

I entered her contest to win a copy of the book.
vrtheriot@gmail.com

Tori said...

Posted on my blog - http://thriftytori.blogspot.com/2011/06/book-giveaway-over-at-giveaway-gal.html
vrtheriot@gmail.com

Tori said...

Posted on my blog - http://thriftytori.blogspot.com/2011/06/book-giveaway-over-at-giveaway-gal.html
vrtheriot@gmail.com

Tori said...

Posted on my blog - http://thriftytori.blogspot.com/2011/06/book-giveaway-over-at-giveaway-gal.html
vrtheriot@gmail.com

Tori said...

Following Dorthy on facebook -
vrtheriot@gmail.com

Tori said...

Following Dorthy on facebook -
vrtheriot@gmail.com

Tori said...

Anniversary - june 8th
vrtheriot@gmail.com

Tori said...

Anniversary - june 8th
vrtheriot@gmail.com

Tori said...

Anniversary - june 8th
vrtheriot@gmail.com

Tori said...

Anniversary - june 8th
vrtheriot@gmail.com

Tori said...

Anniversary - june 8th
vrtheriot@gmail.com

Sylvia said...

I think it's wonderful that Dorothy has earned her Ph.D. There's so much hard work that goes into that kind of thing that my respect doubles.

nina4sm/at/gmail/dot/com

Joni said...

Dorothy as two golden retrievers--Major and Jake.

o2oole(at)verizon(dot)net

Joni said...

I am a follower on GFC.

o2oole(at)verizon(dot)net

mamabunny13 said...

Dorothy has two golden retrievers, Major and Jake.
mamabunny13 at gmail dot com

mamabunny13 said...

I follow you via gfc (mamabunny13)
mamabunny13 at gmail dot com

mamabunny13 said...

#1 I Follow Dorothy on Facebook-mamabunny shelor
mamabunny13 at gmail dot com

mamabunny13 said...

#2 I Follow Dorothy on Facebook-mamabunny shelor
mamabunny13 at gmail dot com

mamabunny13 said...

#1 Her wedding anniversary was Wednesday, June 8th.
mamabunny13 at gmail dot com

mamabunny13 said...

#2 Her wedding anniversary was Wednesday, June 8th.
mamabunny13 at gmail dot com

mamabunny13 said...

#3 Her wedding anniversary was Wednesday, June 8th.
mamabunny13 at gmail dot com

mamabunny13 said...

#4 Her wedding anniversary was Wednesday, June 8th.
mamabunny13 at gmail dot com

mamabunny13 said...

#5 Her wedding anniversary was Wednesday, June 8th.
mamabunny13 at gmail dot com

Megan said...

Dorothy has two golden retrievers, Major and Jake.

lovetoread205 [at] gmail [dot] com

Megan said...

I enter your giveaway to win a copy of Susan Sleeman's book and $50 Amazon GC Contest.

lovetoread205 [at] gmail [dot] com

Megan said...

I enter Dorothy's contest (1 of 2)

lovetoread205 [at] gmail [dot] com

Megan said...

I enter Dorothy's contest (2 of 2)

lovetoread205 [at] gmail [dot] com

Megan said...

Dorothy's wedding anniversary is June 8th. (1 of 5)

lovetoread205 [at] gmail [dot] com

Megan said...

Dorothy's wedding anniversary is June 8th. (2 of 5)

lovetoread205 [at] gmail [dot] com

Megan said...

Dorothy's wedding anniversary is June 8th. (3 of 5)

lovetoread205 [at] gmail [dot] com

Megan said...

Dorothy's wedding anniversary is June 8th. (4 of 5)

lovetoread205 [at] gmail [dot] com

Megan said...

Dorothy's wedding anniversary is June 8th. (5 of 5)

lovetoread205 [at] gmail [dot] com

Megan said...

I follow this blog via GFC.

lovetoread205 [at] gmail [dot] com

Megan said...

I follow this blog via email.

lovetoread205 [at] gmail [dot] com

Megan said...

I follow @kingsdaughter24 on Twitter (@Celtic_Girl)

lovetoread205 [at] gmail [dot] com

Megan said...

I posted about this giveaway on my blog. Here is the URL:
http://hardcoverfeedback.blogspot.com/2011/06/beyond-all-measure-giveaway.html (1 of 3)

lovetoread205 [at] gmail [dot] com

Megan said...

I posted about this giveaway on my blog. Here is the URL:
http://hardcoverfeedback.blogspot.com/2011/06/beyond-all-measure-giveaway.html (2 of 3)

lovetoread205 [at] gmail [dot] com

Megan said...

I posted about this giveaway on my blog. Here is the URL:
http://hardcoverfeedback.blogspot.com/2011/06/beyond-all-measure-giveaway.html (3 of 3)

lovetoread205 [at] gmail [dot] com

Megan said...

I left a comment on Dorothy's blog (1 of 2)

lovetoread205 [at] gmail [dot] com

Megan said...

I left a comment on Dorothy's blog (2 of 2)

lovetoread205 [at] gmail [dot] com

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