Author Rita Gerlach - Surrender the Wind ~ FREE Book!

Posted by Tina Dee Books | Labels: , | Posted On at 12:02 AM


Today, we're visiting with Rita Gerlach, she's a wonderful lady I know from a European historical writers group I lurk around, LOL. I'd love for you to meet Rita and she's here to chat with us about her recent release Surrender the Wind.

Surrender the Wind takes place post Revolutionary War in the Georgian period. How did you go about researching for this book?
For a historical, it took quite a bit. I cannot give you an amount of time, but I can tell you that I had to research facts concerning the American Revolution, military protocols, landownership, clothing, uniforms, weaponry, marriage customs, peerage, etc. I also studied locations such as Devonshire, England and the village of Clovelly, Yorktown, Virginia, and Annapolis, Maryland.
I didn’t take any trips to England...just internet journeys. However, I am familiar with Annapolis, western Maryland and Virginia, and the area along the Potomac River that I wrote about in the novel. I live in central Maryland and visited all of these places.


Surrender the Wind has intrigue, romance, murder plots, triumph and great loss, betrayal.--you covered it all in one great story. What did you really enjoy in particular when writing this story?
 
What I enjoyed most was seeing the story unfold, mysteries revealed, hearts won, and justice served as I was writing the book. I also enjoyed moments when a new character would pop up in the story and I had the chance to delve into this person. And then there were those ‘eureka’ moments, when an idea for moving the story along would pop into my head. One of the joys of writing a novel is creating a story that did not exist before.

Tell us about Seth's relationship with his grandfather. And, what are Seth's intentions in traveling as so far from the America he fought for in the war to his grandfather's estate, Ten Width, in England?  

Strained. That sums it up in one word. Seth and his grandfather did not see eye-to-eye politically, as far as the Revolution goes. Benjamin was loyal to the King and to Britain having sovereignty over the Colonies. Seth and his father were patriots. Seth is uninterested in inheriting the family estate in England. But because Benjamin raised Seth’s sister (Caroline) there in order to shield her from the war in America, this is the incentive for him to journey there.

How would the heroine, Juleah, describe Seth Braxton?
 
When she first meets Seth, he is nothing like she had imagined he’d be. She would describe him as being strong spiritually and mentally. That he is courageous and willing to help others at a moment’s notice. She would say he is the handsomest man she had ever laid eyes on.

What quality does Seth most admire about Juleah?
 
There are so many good qualities about Juleah. But to narrow them down, Seth would say he admires most her loyalty to her family and friends.

What sort of stories are you working on now?
I am writing a 3-book series set in England and Colonial Maryland along the Potomac River beginning in 1775. You can expect much of it will be from the female characters’ points of view. Adultery, betrayal, and blackmail will challenge the main characters. But keep in mind light dispels darkness. You can expect love will triumph over all these, in three stirring tales of fidelity and forgiveness.
 

Do you have a question you'd like to pose to our readers?

I’d like to know what character, or what fictional couple, from fiction readers would like to have over to their house for dinner.




For a chance to win a copy of
please leave your answer & email
in the comments
(contest ends Tue, Feb, 02 2010)
37 comments

The Confidential Life of Eugenia Cooper by Kathleen Y'Barbo ~ Book Giveaway!

Posted by Tina Dee Books | Labels: , | Posted On at 9:33 PM


One of my favorite reads is set in the old west and written by Kathleen Y'Barbo.

I loved reading The Confidential Life of Eugenia Cooper, full of adventure, sass, and those wonderful embarrassing moments that are the prelude to romance. I can't wait for Kathleen's next book in the series, Anna Finch and the Hired Gun (Waterbrook June 2010). 

If you haven't read it yet, and you're waiting for a good read to pull you into adventure and romance, I highly recommend The Confidential Life of Eugenia Cooper (HIGHLY recommend!)

Here's a word from Kathleen on her most recent release and her upcoming title:



What if a nineteenth century city girl with dreams of stepping into a scene from her favorite dime novels finds a way to do just that? This was the starting point for what would become The Confidential Life of Eugenia Cooper (Waterbrook, June 2009). Eugenia “Gennie” Cooper was a New York socialite with a reading habit she hid from everyone but the help.



Daniel Beck, however, was far too busy tending his fortune and running Beck Mining to find time to read. With no interest in any sort of adventure, the Englishman turned Colorado resident needed help – as in someone to tame his adorable but allegedly out-of-control ten-year-old daughter. Thus, as fate and the Lord would have it, Gennie gets her chance to exchange train tickets with the woman headed out West and lands on Daniel’s doorstep. Unfortunately, he’s not home, which sets her off on a tirade about her opinion of a man who would so poorly esteem his duties as a parent.



With two opposite personalities about to attract, how could anything but a love story follow? What readers of The Confidential Life of Eugenia Cooper don’t know is that until Gennie galloped her way into Daniel’s life and heart, he was dangerously close to giving in to logic and marrying the girl next door, the lovesick Anna Finch.


So, what of Anna? Will she meet her match? Of course! If she can just get rid of the pesky Pinkerton bent on ruining all the fun. But that’s a story for another day. A story called Anna Finch and the Hired Gun (Waterbrook, June 2010).

Want a chance to win a copy of  

Just go to Kathleen's website 
find her web page of books &

browse the summaries


Leave a comment here 

on which sounds like a great read & why


(Ask your library to order a copy of that book!)
20 comments

Anne Rice Interview and Prayer for Haiti

Posted by Tina Dee Books | Labels: , , | Posted On at 6:09 PM


Hi again, today! I wanted to share an interview with Anne Rice. You remember her--she wrote all those vampire novels, at least one of them being made into a movie, Interview With A Vampire.

My posts are short because I'm writing another chapter for Love's Gamble. I'm really trying to get back into the swing of things. We do have author interviews coming up again, but I'm not posting the interview dates until I actually have the interviews back from the authors and musicians, they have deadlines move or come due faster than they can shake a stick at and we want to support them, but at the same time I don't want to disappoint you.

I'll write more later, but for now I want to thank you for partnering with me in prayer for the people of Haiti and for those rushing to love them with aid. If you're able to make a contribution and would like to, here are trustworthy ministries you can visit to find out more:

Compassion International
Samaritan's Purse
World Vision

NEWLY ADDED FRIDAY NIGHT: This video from Compassion International. Please do not feel pressured to give, God loves a cheerful giver, but if you cannot give and want to do something, pray with me for these precious people who so need God's comfort.


My cyber church, Cross Point Church will be partnering with Samaritan's Purse initially. They have a church they planted down in the Dominican Republic and Pastor Pete Wilson, last I heard/read, was unable to reach anyone, not even the pastor there. If you have family or friends there and you need or want prayer [prayer for anything really] you can email me privately at Tina [at] TinaDeeBooks [dot] com  - Jesus is our hope.

Here's Anne Rice's interview, just click on: Anne Rice Interview
2 comments

Pete Wilson - Follow Friday

Posted by Tina Dee Books | Labels: | Posted On at 8:37 AM

I'm so glad you've come for a visit today. It's Friday and we're following Pete Wilson today.


I can't add anything to what you will see or read on this blog post, but I'm asking you to join in prayer as Pete requested.


Here's the link for Pete's blog, Without Wax.


Later today, I'll have another post for you, so drop by again if you get a chance.
0 comments

Goodbye to an old friend & Billy Coffey's novel SNOW DAY

Posted by Tina Dee Books | Labels: , | Posted On at 5:14 PM


First, I owe you an apology for being quiet for so long. Like everyone else, our holidays were filled with fun and excitement, added to that an anniversary, a handful of birthdays, and just plain old down-time with the family.

But, we also had to say goodbye to our little friend, a dear member of our family. We'll love and miss you, Sara-dog.

Thank you, Lord, for the fun, the memories, and all the cute ways she pranced through our lives. She was a gift and we'll treasure the time we had with her.


On a cheerier note...

I'm working through the week and weekend to get back on schedule with regular visits with you here. Two things we'll have start this week are Billy Coffey Tuesdays and Pete Wilson Fridays.


Today, let's take a look at Billy's site overall. The previous link will land us on the Snow Day page of his site where you can read more about the novel. I'd love for you to get to know Billy. He's a down-to-earth, real guy whose heart is golden. He's the only author on Bustles And Spurs (my other blog, you have been there, right?) who doesn't write historical. But boy, can he write!

Billy's debut novel will be released this year. I'm really excited to get my little paws on it. If you're interested in reading it, and you really should, I suggest we have a book club and read it together. Sound like fun?







So, how about it? Want to know more about SNOW DAY?
Let's go!
4 comments

The Story of Christmas by Gwen Ellis - Thomas Nelson Publishing

Posted by Tina Dee Books | Labels: , | Posted On at 9:17 PM


The Story of Christmas
by Gwen Ellis
Thomas Nelson Publishers


The Story of Christmas by Gwen Ellis is great in telling about the Christmas story, starting with the angels message to Zechariah in the Gospel of Luke. The stories are well-written and kept simple for younger children, the older children can move on with deeper study and discussion using the verse reference given for each story.

We enjoyed reading through this book and will continue to not just during the Christmas season, but a few weeks before Easter, as it would work wonderfully as a springboard into the life of Christ and His goal of the cross. This is also a wonderful book to work through as a devotional in the weeks leading up to Christmas. The only thing I didn't care for was the cartoon type characters. My son was distracted by their noses, said they look like they stole them from muppets. Other than that, a great book! I highly recommend it. And, there's a DVD with the story animated and coloring pages to enhance your child's experience.

This book was provided to me by Thomas Nelson Publishing for their Book Review Bloggers. There was no remuneration involved. My review is based strictly on my own thoughts and opinions.


Click on the book cover above to order from Amazon.

I review for Thomas Nelson Book Review Bloggers
1 comments

Did You Take Pete's Challenge?

Posted by Tina Dee Books | Labels: , | Posted On at 12:29 AM


Just a reminder ~ we're following along with Pete Wilson and reading through a chapter a day of Proverbs. If you want to join us, there's still time. Let me know if you're participating, and if you want to join in the discussion/community, see yesterday's post and click on The 31 Day Challenge.


Happy New Year!


xo,
Tina
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