Friday, October 7, 2011

Interview with Victoria Bylin + Giveaway!!

Today I have an author interview with Victoria Bylin and she has also offered a giveaway for her book, Marrying the Major. I also received a copy for review and I am telling you, this is a great book!

INTERVIEW WITH VICTORIA-
Thank you for being with us today, Victoria!!! How long have you known you wanted to be an author?
I'm delighted to be here, and I love your fist question. I've wanted to write as long as I can remember. I used to buy Flair felt-tip pens at the local drugstore. I filled dozens of spiral notebooks with poems, stories and essays-stuff that seemed so dramatic and important at the time. That's "writing." Being an author, I discovered later, is very different. It involves submitting manuscripts, facing rejection, writing proposals, having a website, working to a deadline, etc. I write for the joy of it. Being an author means being professional about it.I'm truly honored to do both.

Can you tell me a little bit about your newest book? I've been anxiously awaiting this one:)

Marrying the Major is the fourth book in the "Women of Swan's Nest" Series. It was pure joy to give Caroline Bradley, the heroine, the man of her dreams. In the earlier books, she's the woman whose always overlooked. This time she gets her guy, and he's pretty amazing. A retired British Army Officer, Tristan Willoughby Smith is a widower with two children. He's also suffering from malaria and is desperate to protect his children. Add in a threat from his father, the Duke of Willoughby, and you have all sorts of conflict.
When a reader gets done with your book, what do you want them to come away with?
Great question! All my books have themes of forgiveness. This one is no different, but it looks at forgiveness from a different angle. It's about forgiving people who don't deserve it, people who have hurt us and don't realize it, or who don't care. I most want readers to know that it's possible to forgive even the deepest hurts.
Is there a place you have always wanted to visit? A vacation spot, historical monument, overseas, etc?
My dream trip is having three weeks to bum around the American west. I'd love to fly to Denver, visit family, then rent a car and drive all over Colorado, Wyoming, parts of Nevada and New Mexico. No hurries! No worries! Just my husband and me and the dog taking in the history and the scenery.

If you could have dinner with 2 people, who would they be?
This is such a bittersweet question. I don't want to be maudlin, but I'd have dinner with parents. They're both gone now. It would be pure joy to talk to them for even five minutes.

What one event would you love to be at? Historical or future?
May I give this question to my husband? He's more adventurous than I am. If it were his call, we'd be at an Apollo space launch, feeling the vibration of the rockets, seeing the flames and breathing in the heavy air.

Do you have a favorite hobby?
I wish I did. I'm the most un-crafty person on the planet. Mostly I write, walk for exercise, read and play all kinds of games. I listen to a lot of music. Right now I've got Adele, Gary Allen and Greg Buchanan's harp music in the CD player.

Is there something about you most people wouldn't know?
Excuse a bad pun, but I'm pretty much an open book. Here are a few tidbits: I hate eye surgery at the age of two. My favorite candy is Almond Roca. And last, my favorite hymn is, "Be Thou My Vision."
Do you have any suggestions for the aspiring writer?
Here's my three-part approach to writing: Inspiration is a gift. You can't manufacture it. You want to write or you don't. Discipline is a choice. You can choose to put your fingers on the keyboard, or you can simply want to have written. Technique can be learned. If you're serious about writing a book, study the craft. Read Jack Bickham's "how to" books. Discover the logic of Dwight Swain. Go to workshops and conferences and glean whatever you can. This is where writing turns into work. But it's worth it... I love what I do.

Any last thoughts for your readers?
Just one...I am grateful for each and every one of you. Without readers, books serve no purpose. In many respects, the reader is the person who completes the story. I might type, "The End," but the story isn't over until it's been read. It's a privilege to write Christian fiction. Thank you all for making it possible.

And how can they connect with you?
Here's my contact info:
My Website- http://www.victoriabylin.com/index.html
My Facebook- https://www.facebook.com/people/Victoria-Bylin/100001287093699
My Email-Victoria.Bylin@gmail.com

Thanks for having me Charity! It's been fun.
Thank you for coming over, Victoria! I really enjoyed the interview and getting to know more about you:)


MY REVIEW OF MARRYING THE MAJOR-
I have read one of the other books in this series but my mother has read them all. And they are really good books! So you know how it is when the last book is waiting to be read? That is how I felt:) This book started out a little bit slow but I know from experience how good Victoria writes so I knew I just had to read a little bit farther. And boy was it worth it! This book tells the story of Caroline and Tristan. I LOVE his name:) There were several surprises in this book and I won't spoil it for you. All the other characters from the previous Swan's Nest series show up, and in a wonderful way! I liked how the romance was woven into the story and that throughout Caroline and Tristan's story, there is also a back story with her sister, Elizabeth and Jon. Wonderful addition to the story!

There are several very good parts in this book and I won't mention them all. But my favorite was near the end with the Dowager and Caroline. This is very funny but also helps to get Caroline's courage and fight up. I personally liked how this was done and that she finds out Tristan is worth fighting for. I really loved the children, even when Freddie acts like such a brat. We see throughout this how much damage can be done in a child's life with the way we act and the example we set before them. And don't get me started on Louisa. She is such a sweetheart yet so downtrodden. She finally gets the courage to do what needs to be done but I felt so sorry for her.

Overall this was a great historical novel! This does end the series and I am sad to see them go. Looking forward to what Victoria comes out with next though:) Great book!!

BOOK GIVEAWAY OF MARRYING THE MAJOR-
Readers, Victoria has offered a copy of Marrying the Major for giveaway. You will not want to miss this book:) It is a lovely read. So follow directions below and get your entries in.

MANDATORY ENTRY-
Head over to Victoria's website and tell me another title she has written. Please leave an email in one of your comments so I can contact you if you are the winner.

US ONLY!!

EXTRA ENTRIES!!

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.Friend Victoria on Facebook. Get 3 entries for this.


This giveaway will end 10/21. Winner will be chosen through Random.org and they will have 48 hours to respond or another winner will be chosen.
I received a copy of this book for review purposes. I did not receive any monetary compensation.

46 comments:

Patsy said...

I love me some Love Inspired books. A friend of mine at church got me started on them and now I'm additced!

Would love to read Marrying the Major. Victoria also wrote The Maverick Preacher.

plhouston(at)bellsouth(dot)net

Patsy said...

I subscribe by email.

plhouston(at)bellsouth(dot)net

Patsy said...

I also entered Dr.'s Remedy Nail Polish 2 Colors contest.

plhouston(at)bellsouth(dot)net

Victoria Bylin said...

HI Patsy, It's a pleasure to meet a fan of Love Inspired :)

Best,
Vicki
www.victoriabylin.com

mamabunny13 said...

Another book Victoria wrote is The Bounty Hunter's Bride.
mamabunny13 at gmail dot com

mamabunny13 said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
mamabunny13 said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
mamabunny13 said...

I follow via gfc - mamabunny13
mamabunny13 at gmail dot com

mamabunny13 said...

I entered A Wedding Invitation giveaway.
mamabunny13 at gmail dot com

mamabunny13 said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
mamabunny13 said...

I commented on your review at Blog Tour for Hello Hollywood by Janice Thompson post.
mamabunny13 at gmail dot com

mamabunny13 said...

review comment on Deeply Devoted By Maggie Brendan post.
mamabunny13 at gmail dot com

mamabunny13 said...

review comment on Dangerous Mercy by Kathy Herman.
mamabunny13 at gmail dot com

mamabunny13 said...

review comment on The Captive Trail post.
mamabunny13 at gmail dot com

mamabunny13 said...

Left a comment on your review of
Deadly Pursuit by Irene Hannon post
mamabunny13 at gmail dot com

mamabunny13 said...

I commented on A Bride's Portrait of Dodge City Kansas Book Review
post.
mamabunny13 at gmail dot com

mamabunny13 said...

tweet https://twitter.com/#!/mamabunny13/status/122702603254628353
mamabunny13 at gmail dot com

mamabunny13 said...

I commented on A Lancaster County Christmas by Suzanne Fisher review post.
mamabunny13 at gmail dot com

ann said...

She also wrote the Maverick Preacher

amhengst at verizon dot net

ann said...

i added you as a friend on FB

amhengst
amhengst at verizon dot net

ann said...

2. added as a friend on FB
amhengst
amhengst at verizon dot net

ann said...

3. I added you as a friend on FB

amhengst
amhengst at verizon dot net

ann said...

GFC follower

amhengst
amhengst at verizon dot net

ann said...

Entered rally round green

amhengst at verizon dot net

ann said...

i said about the contest on my FB page. I hope I did it right ???

amhengst at verizon dot net

ann said...

2. posted about your giveaway on FB

amhengst
amhengst at verizon dot net

ann said...

3. posted about your giveaway on FB

amhengst
amhengst at verizon dot net

mamabunny13 said...

I commented on A Heart Revealed by Julie Lessman Blog Tour post.
mamabunny13 at gmail dot com

Judy said...

I would love to win a copy of Marrying the Major. This book sounds like it would be a good read.

Blessings!
Judy B

judyjohn2004[at]yahoo[dot]com

Judy said...

I subscribe by e-mail.


Judy B

judyjohn2004[at]yahoo[dot]com

Judy said...

Another book that Victoria wrote is, The Maverick Preacher.

Judy B

judyjohn2004[at]yahoo[dot]com

Judy said...

I am a friend of Victoria's on FB.

Judy B

judyjohn2004[at]yahoo[dot]com

Hope said...

Great interview, and sounds like a great book. Victoria has also written The Outlaw's Return.
onepilgrim86[at]yahoo.com

mamabunny13 said...

#1 Sent friend request to Victoria on fb-mamabunny shelor
mamabunny13 at gmail dot com

mamabunny13 said...

#2 Sent friend request to Victoria on fb-mamabunny shelor
mamabunny13 at gmail dot com

mamabunny13 said...

#3 Sent friend request to Victoria on fb-mamabunny shelor
mamabunny13 at gmail dot com

mamabunny13 said...

#1 I shared this giveaway on
fb-mamabunny shelor
http://www.facebook.com/home.php?ref=home#!/permalink.php?story_fbid=170538246364452&id=100001199655476
mamabunny13 at gmail dot com

mamabunny13 said...

#2 I shared this giveaway on
fb-mamabunny shelor
http://www.facebook.com/home.php?ref=home#!/permalink.php?story_fbid=170538246364452&id=100001199655476
mamabunny13 at gmail dot com

mamabunny13 said...

#3 I shared this giveaway on
fb-mamabunny shelor
http://www.facebook.com/home.php?ref=home#!/permalink.php?story_fbid=170538246364452&id=100001199655476
mamabunny13 at gmail dot com

mamabunny13 said...

I entered Freschetta Prize Pack giveaway
mamabunny13 at gmail dot com

mamabunny13 said...

I entered UNLAWFULLY WEDDED BRIDE giveaway.
mamabunny13 at gmail dot com

rubynreba said...

One of the books is The Outlaws Return.
pbclark(at)netins(dot)net

rubynreba said...

email subscriber
pbclark(at)netins(dot)net

rubynreba said...

entered Unlawfully Wedded Bride

rubynreba said...

Entered Bar Method DVD

rubynreba said...

Entered The Healing Place

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