K. Dawn Byrd's Blog, page 51

Register to win Suzanne Hartmann's "Write This Way: Take Your Writing to the Next Level"

There are five giveaways this week. Be sure to scroll down and check them all out! We're happy to have Suzanne Hartmann with us today talking about her book, "Write This Way: Take Your Writing to the Next Level." To register to win a copy, leave Suzanne a comment with your email address and if you've not done so, place your email address in my feedburner box to the right to receive weekly emails about giveaways. To learn more about Suzanne and her book, read on!

***Note from Suzanne:
The winner of the give-away can choose either a PDF edition (this uploads well to the Kindle) or the 109 pg. comb-bound print edition. I would also like to offer all commenters a copy of the Revision Checklist from Write This Way: Take Your Writing to a New Level.
Title: Write This Way: Take Your Writing to the Next Level
Publisher: I published this book myself because I wanted to give my readers a low-cost compilation of all the posts on my blog, Write This Way, regarding the craft of writing.


Cover blurb: Write This Way will lead new authors through the forest of grammatical rules, stylistic guidelines, and story structure as they write, and help them polish their novel to the point where it is ready to show to agents and editors.

1) How did the idea for this book come to you?
Because so many people helped me along my writing journey, I wanted to give back to the writing community. So I passed along the many lessons I learned along my writing journey in the form of blog posts. Over time, I posted over a hundred articles on my blog, Write This Way. But because there are so many and they're scattered throughout the blog under a wide variety of categories, it takes effort to sift through them and find everything available about a specific topic. This realization birthed the idea to consolidate the articles into an easy-to-use e-book so authors could have all of the information at their fingertips as they write and revise.

2) Tell us about the journey to getting this book published.
It took several years to accumulate enough articles to make into a book. Once I decided that I wanted to compile the articles, I created an outline for everything I wanted to cover. I still hadn't written about a number of the topics yet, so I laid out a schedule to post them over the next year. Health issues slowed down the process, but a year later I finally had all the articles I needed to make a book that covered every step in writing a novel from creating an outline to the last revision pass.

3) Tell me three things about yourself that would surprise your readers.
a) I haven't always wanted to be an author.
b) Both of my knees have been replaced.
c) I had pneumonia and bronchitis numerous times each as a child, but never had the chicken pox, measles, or mumps.

4) What are you working on now and what's next for you?
My first novel, PERIL: A Fast Track Thriller releases on Nov. 18, so I have been busy learning how to market a novel. I'm looking forward to celebrating with on-line friends at a Cyber-Party on my Facebook Author page on the release date, and with my friends and family at home a couple of weeks later. Once things calm down after the release, I will begin posting articles on my blog about things I learned regarding marketing a book, and plan to compile those articles into a follow-up book to Write This Way.

5) Parting comments?
My desire behind compiling this book is to help writers take their writing to a new level. There is a great deal to learn in the world of writing, but it is all learnable. If you have a story, you can rework it, tweak it, and polish it. Be persistent and willing to learn, and you will eventually make it to publication.

6) Where can fans find you on the internet?
My Website – FastTrackThrillers (http://fasttrackthrillers.blogspot.com/)
My Blog - Write This Way (http://suzanne-hartmann2.blogspot.com/)
Facebook – Suzanne Hartmann – Author http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Suzanne-Hartmann-Author/45955180933
Twitter - @SuzInIL (http://twitter.com/#!/SuzInIL)

Cynthia Hickey's Fudge-Laced Felonies, Candy-Coated Secrets, & Chocolate-Covered Crime

Title: Fudge-Laced Felonies, Candy-Coated Secrets, Chocolate-Covered Crime.

Publisher: These three books were originally published through Barbour and are now available as ebooks on www.Amazon.com and www.smashwords.com

Cover blurb: Summer Meadows walked into church on Sunday, not to find God but to search for a killer. While transplanting the rosebush her church's handsome greeter, Ethan Banning, inadvertently killed, Summer and Ethan discover a hidden stash of diamonds, a rusty can full of cash, and a bloody-gardening glove. This discovery sets Summer and her candy-making aunt on a search for a killer.

As Summer gets closer to the truth-not only of the theft but of her true feelings for Ethan-the diamond thief hatches a plan to hush the feisty sleuth.

1) How did this story come to you?
When Barbour announced they were opening their cozy mystery line, a friend told me I should try writing for it. I didn't know what a cozy was and told her no. She dared me, and the rest is history.

2) Tell us about the journey to getting this book published.
Fudge-Laced Felonies was originally titled Buried Beneath the Midnight Blue and won first place in a contest where I acquired an agent, who sold the book to Barbour in less than a month. Books two and three followed in the consecutive years.

3) Tell me three things about yourself that would surprise your readers.
I'm shy, I'm the detention monitor at my local school, and I have seven children.

4) What are you working on now and what's next for you?
My agent has asked me to write historical romance and I have several proposals awaiting answers. Of course, they all hold a mystery of some kind.

5) Parting comments?
NEVER give up. Perseverance wins in this game.

6) Where can fans find you on the internet?
http://www.cynthiahickey.com/

Register to win your choice of books by Cynthia Hickey

There are three giveaways this week. Be sure to scroll down and check them all out! We're happy to have Cynthia Hickey with us today talking about her book, "Fudge-Laced Felonies." To register to win a copy, leave Cynthia a comment with your email address and if you've not done so, place your email address in my feedburner box to the right to receive weekly emails about giveaways. To learn more about Cynthia and her book, read on!

Note from Cynthia: I can either give away a hard copy of Fudge-Laced Felonies or Candy-Coated Secrets or email a pdf file of any of the three.

Title: Fudge-Laced Felonies, Candy-Coated Secrets, Chocolate-Covered Crime.

Publisher: These three books were originally published through Barbour and are now available as ebooks on www.Amazon.com and www.smashwords.com

Cover blurb: Summer Meadows walked into church on Sunday, not to find God but to search for a killer. While transplanting the rosebush her church's handsome greeter, Ethan Banning, inadvertently killed, Summer and Ethan discover a hidden stash of diamonds, a rusty can full of cash, and a bloody-gardening glove. This discovery sets Summer and her candy-making aunt on a search for a killer.

As Summer gets closer to the truth-not only of the theft but of her true feelings for Ethan-the diamond thief hatches a plan to hush the feisty sleuth.

1) How did this story come to you?
When Barbour announced they were opening their cozy mystery line, a friend told me I should try writing for it. I didn't know what a cozy was and told her no. She dared me, and the rest is history.

2) Tell us about the journey to getting this book published.
Fudge-Laced Felonies was originally titled Buried Beneath the Midnight Blue and won first place in a contest where I acquired an agent, who sold the book to Barbour in less than a month. Books two and three followed in the consecutive years.

3) Tell me three things about yourself that would surprise your readers.
I'm shy, I'm the detention monitor at my local school, and I have seven children.

4) What are you working on now and what's next for you?
My agent has asked me to write historical romance and I have several proposals awaiting answers. Of course, they all hold a mystery of some kind.

5) Parting comments?
NEVER give up. Perseverance wins in this game.

6) Where can fans find you on the internet?
http://www.cynthiahickey.com/

Dana Pratola's "The Covering"

Title: The Covering
Publisher: White Rose Publishing

Cover blurb: What do a woman of faith and a heathen biker have in common? The devil of course.

1) How did this story come to you?
I've always been fascinated by glimpses into the spirit realm, whether through God's Word, testimonies, or fiction, like Frank Peretti's Darkness series. I wanted to illustrate that forces for Good and evil are always at work around us and the lengths God will go to to show us the Truth.

2) Tell us about the journey to getting this book published.
As I tell everyone, it was only God. I couldn't afford to attend a writer's conference, so God led me to a free online conference where I pitched the book to Nicola Martinez. In five minutes I had a request for the entire manuscript and signed the contract shortly thereafter.

3) Tell me three things about yourself that would surprise your readers.
1. This year marks the first time I've read the entire Bible, cover to cover. I always intended to but this year I actually did it, lol.
2. I know many women won't agree, but I DO NOT find Brad Pitt sexy. I just don't get what the big deal is. 3. I can get almost any knot out of anything.

4) What are you working on now and what's next for you?
My next book is about a young woman who is suddenly gifted with an extraordinary singing voice, how she uses her gift, and the consequences of her choices. Of course there is a love interest – an autobiographer doing her story.

5) Parting comments?
Thanks for having me, it was a blast =-)

6) Where can fans find you on the internet?
http://www.danapratola.webs.com/  or facebook at: http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/pages/Dana-Pratola-Author/221067454600043

Deanna Klingel's "Avery's Crossroad"

[image error] Title: Avery's Crossroad

Avery's skills as a doctor and his dog Gunner's friendly personality make the pair a welcome sight to the soldiers in the Civil War hospitals. But mending wounds is not the only challenge Avery faces. Dwindling supplies, insufficient medical facilities, and local troublemakers add to the stress of the war. Avery realizes that the real wounds of the war—the wounds of the soul—will take years to heal. But he finds hope for the future in his deepening friendship with Claire, a girl from back home who shares his passion for helping the wounded. Together they pray for the long war to end.

1) How did this story come to you?
The Avery & Gunner stories came to me from Avery himself as he wiggled into my heart and my writing soul. He's fictional, but not to him and me.

2)Tell us about the journey to getting this book published.
The journey to getting this book published was almost as long as Avery's journey. In 2006 the book was in the hands of Brubaker Ford Agency in UK. They loved the story and their editor worked intensely with me. It was a wonderful learning experience. In 2008 Avery & Gunner's Civil War Chronicles, as it was then all 5 years in one big book, went to the International Children's Book Fair in Bologna and apparently created a stir. The agents & editor were very excited. A couple of large publishers in NY were interested, one talked about film rights. They gave us specific "to do's" which we did post haste. In 2009 we were close to closing a deal when the request came to make it "edgier." They wanted Avery and Claire to have "more realistic sexual behavior toward each other." I gagged. I'd been totally cooperative to this point, but I know this boy Avery and he wouldn't do what they were suggesting. It was 1861; Avery was a 14 year-old Quaker, a farmer, homeschooled by two well-educated Quakers. We aren't talking about 21st century behavior. I said I could do anything they asked except compromise my character. Avery could live out my life in the drawer. They walked. I had a consultation with God. Is this what you want me to do? If not, tell me what you want. I can do other things. I don't have to write. I was really wondering if I could write for today's market based on what these publishers said. The agents said they'd done all they could do, and we parted ways. Then one morning I was hurrying out the door, saw this strange logo on my screen, hit print, shut down the computer and left. I discovered this odd poster dangling off my printer later, practically waving to get my attention. I'd never seen it before, had no idea who sent it; I still don't. It was an invitation to Write2Ignite, a Christian Writers' Conference. Christian Writers? Really? I never knew. It was close, inexpensive; what did I have to lose? The speaker was dynamic and said everything I needed to hear: there IS a market for my work. My first workshop facilitator convinced me. I stopped into her room later to thank her for her words of conviction, how important it was to me to hear those words. She asked me to come in and talk to her. She wanted to know what my experience had been to elicit this kind of response. I told her about Avery and Gunner. She said she'd like to have a look at that. I didn't know then what I know now. She was the aquisitions editor for Journey Forth Publishing, BJU Press. Avery's Battlefield, 1861-1862 was released in March 2011, and Avery's Crossroad, 1863-1865 in September, 2011.

3)Tell me three things about yourself tht would surprise your readers.
Three things that would surprise readers about me? I'm married almost 50 years, have 7 children, like to travel, garden, golf, read, write. None of that is very surprising. I'm pretty wide open, and I think reading my books probably tells you all you need or want to know about me. You might be surprised that I'm really rather shy! Really!

4)What are you working on and what is next for you?
Between Thanksgiving and Christmas Rafka Press will release my next YA nonfiction, Bread Upon the Water. I'm currently rewriting Rebecca & Heart, a short ebook story, into a YA length. I've got two finished manuscripts, Cracks in the Ice and Waiting With Elmer, that I hope a publisher will want, and I'm currently writing a nonfiction YA, Rock and a Hard Place. Your question was what is next for me? Only God knows.

5)Parting comments?
I'm passionate about literacy. I hope everything I write inspires someone to want to read more books.

6)Where can fans find you on the internet?
You can find me at http://www.booksbydeanna.com/. If you google my name you can also find me on other blogspots.

Register to win a PDF copy of Dana Pratola's "The Covering"

There are two giveaways this week. Be sure to scroll down and check them the other one out! We're happy to have Dana Pratola with us today talking about her book, "The Covering." To register to win a PDF copy, leave Dana a comment with your email address and if you've not done so, place your email address in my feedburner box to the right to receive weekly emails about giveaways. To learn more about Dana and her book, read on!


Title: The Covering
Publisher: White Rose Publishing

Cover blurb: What do a woman of faith and a heathen biker have in common? The devil of course.

1) How did this story come to you?
I've always been fascinated by glimpses into the spirit realm, whether through God's Word, testimonies, or fiction, like Frank Peretti's Darkness series. I wanted to illustrate that forces for Good and evil are always at work around us and the lengths God will go to to show us the Truth.

2) Tell us about the journey to getting this book published.
As I tell everyone, it was only God. I couldn't afford to attend a writer's conference, so God led me to a free online conference where I pitched the book to Nicola Martinez. In five minutes I had a request for the entire manuscript and signed the contract shortly thereafter.

3) Tell me three things about yourself that would surprise your readers.
1. This year marks the first time I've read the entire Bible, cover to cover. I always intended to but this year I actually did it, lol.
2. I know many women won't agree, but I DO NOT find Brad Pitt sexy. I just don't get what the big deal is. 3. I can get almost any knot out of anything.

4) What are you working on now and what's next for you?
My next book is about a young woman who is suddenly gifted with an extraordinary singing voice, how she uses her gift, and the consequences of her choices. Of course there is a love interest – an autobiographer doing her story.

5) Parting comments?
Thanks for having me, it was a blast =-)

6) Where can fans find you on the internet?
http://www.danapratola.webs.com/  or facebook at: http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/pages/Dana-Pratola-Author/221067454600043

Register to win Deanna Klingel's "Avery's Crossroad"

[image error] There are two giveaways this week. We're happy to have Deanna Klingel with us today talking about her book, "Avery's Crossroad." To register to win a copy, leave Deanna a comment with your email address and if you've not done so, place your email address in my feedburner box to the right to receive weekly emails about giveaways. To learn more about Deanna and her book, read on!

Title: Avery's Crossroad

Avery's skills as a doctor and his dog Gunner's friendly personality make the pair a welcome sight to the soldiers in the Civil War hospitals. But mending wounds is not the only challenge Avery faces. Dwindling supplies, insufficient medical facilities, and local troublemakers add to the stress of the war. Avery realizes that the real wounds of the war—the wounds of the soul—will take years to heal. But he finds hope for the future in his deepening friendship with Claire, a girl from back home who shares his passion for helping the wounded. Together they pray for the long war to end.

1) How did this story come to you?
The Avery & Gunner stories came to me from Avery himself as he wiggled into my heart and my writing soul. He's fictional, but not to him and me.

2)Tell us about the journey to getting this book published.
The journey to getting this book published was almost as long as Avery's journey. In 2006 the book was in the hands of Brubaker Ford Agency in UK. They loved the story and their editor worked intensely with me. It was a wonderful learning experience. In 2008 Avery & Gunner's Civil War Chronicles, as it was then all 5 years in one big book, went to the International Children's Book Fair in Bologna and apparently created a stir. The agents & editor were very excited. A couple of large publishers in NY were interested, one talked about film rights. They gave us specific "to do's" which we did post haste. In 2009 we were close to closing a deal when the request came to make it "edgier." They wanted Avery and Claire to have "more realistic sexual behavior toward each other." I gagged. I'd been totally cooperative to this point, but I know this boy Avery and he wouldn't do what they were suggesting. It was 1861; Avery was a 14 year-old Quaker, a farmer, homeschooled by two well-educated Quakers. We aren't talking about 21st century behavior. I said I could do anything they asked except compromise my character. Avery could live out my life in the drawer. They walked. I had a consultation with God. Is this what you want me to do? If not, tell me what you want. I can do other things. I don't have to write. I was really wondering if I could write for today's market based on what these publishers said. The agents said they'd done all they could do, and we parted ways. Then one morning I was hurrying out the door, saw this strange logo on my screen, hit print, shut down the computer and left. I discovered this odd poster dangling off my printer later, practically waving to get my attention. I'd never seen it before, had no idea who sent it; I still don't. It was an invitation to Write2Ignite, a Christian Writers' Conference. Christian Writers? Really? I never knew. It was close, inexpensive; what did I have to lose? The speaker was dynamic and said everything I needed to hear: there IS a market for my work. My first workshop facilitator convinced me. I stopped into her room later to thank her for her words of conviction, how important it was to me to hear those words. She asked me to come in and talk to her. She wanted to know what my experience had been to elicit this kind of response. I told her about Avery and Gunner. She said she'd like to have a look at that. I didn't know then what I know now. She was the aquisitions editor for Journey Forth Publishing, BJU Press. Avery's Battlefield, 1861-1862 was released in March 2011, and Avery's Crossroad, 1863-1865 in September, 2011.

3)Tell me three things about yourself tht would surprise your readers.
Three things that would surprise readers about me? I'm married almost 50 years, have 7 children, like to travel, garden, golf, read, write. None of that is very surprising. I'm pretty wide open, and I think reading my books probably tells you all you need or want to know about me. You might be surprised that I'm really rather shy! Really!

4)What are you working on and what is next for you?
Between Thanksgiving and Christmas Rafka Press will release my next YA nonfiction, Bread Upon the Water. I'm currently rewriting Rebecca & Heart, a short ebook story, into a YA length. I've got two finished manuscripts, Cracks in the Ice and Waiting With Elmer, that I hope a publisher will want, and I'm currently writing a nonfiction YA, Rock and a Hard Place. Your question was what is next for me? Only God knows.

5)Parting comments?
I'm passionate about literacy. I hope everything I write inspires someone to want to read more books.

6)Where can fans find you on the internet?
You can find me at http://www.booksbydeanna.com/. If you google my name you can also find me on other blogspots.

Donita K. Paul's "Dragons of the Watch"

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Title: Dragons of the Watch
 Publisher: WaterBrook Multnomah

 Cover blurb: Trapped in a forgotten city, bound by secrets, Ellie and Bealomondore must enlist the dragons of the watch to find freedom.


Ellie knows exactly where she is going. She just wants to experience the pomp and circumstance of a royal wedding, then settle into a simple life with a country husband.


With too many choices, Bealomondore's future is a tangle of possibilities. He is respected, well-known, and admired among the elite of Chiril, but Wulder demands he narrow his focus and follow his Creator, one step at a time.
Both Ellie and Bealomondore's plans are thwarted when they find themselves lost in an isolated city. As they discern the needs of a group of wild children and a very old man, clues began to surface and a bigger picture is revealed. With the help of the dragons of the watch, can the two tumanhofers find the way out—and perhaps discover their connection to something greater than themselves?
1.      How did this story come to you?
My son is a literature nut. This is a good thing, because he is getting his doctorate in medieval English with an emphasis on theatre. He and I were talking one day, and he mentioned bottle cities. These are enchanted places where the inhabitants are more or less stuck inside the boundaries. The two that come to my mind are Brigadoon and Shangri-la. Modern readers are more familiar with Kandor, a bottled city in the Superman series. 


2.      Tell us about the journey to getting this book published.
This is the third book in the Chronicles of Chiril. Bealomondore had made a good impression on my readers and many of them were disgruntled that he didn't "get the girl" at the end of the first book. As I read the letters from readers, I realized I had a hero worth developing for the last book. That required a new heroine and a unique problem for them to solve.

3
.      Tell me three things about yourself that would surprise your readers.
I make jewelry. I have a very decent voice, but can never remember the lyrics to the songs I belt out while vacuuming. I've never been to Europe.


4.      What are you working on now and what's next for you? I'm taking a couple of old manuscripts from my Christian romance writing days and putting them out as e-books. Taming the Wild Wind was a story I wrote for my mom right before she died. She had always been fascinated by Native Americans. We are part Cherokee. Wild Wind is a story about a free spirit in a very restrictive society, who goes to the Indian Territory to open a mission school. I love the message of that story. The heroine discovers so much about herself and God as she experiences some fun and exciting adventures.  You can find it here:


Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Taming-the-Wild-Wind-ebook/dp/B005IIRB1K/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1316188102&sr=1-1


Barnes and Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/taming-the-wild-wind-donita-kathleen-paul/1105099654?ean=2940013046665&itm=1&usri=taming%2bthe%2bwild%2bwind


Smashwords: http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/84838


Lulu.com: http://www.lulu.com/spotlight/donitakpaulatmsndotcom



I'm still writing fantasy. I have five books planned for the Sage Street Wizards. These are characters from the Christmas novella, Two Ticket to the Christmas Ball. My daughter and I have two new Roger and Padraig picture books that are looking for a publishing home. And I am working on a new story world that has dragons and quests, two of my favorite things.


 6
.      Where can fans find you on the internet?
http://www.donitakpaul.com/; and for my children's books: http://www.dragonandturtle.com/


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5.
      Parting comments?

Register to win Donita K. Paul's "Dragons of the Watch"

[image error] There are four giveaways this week. Be sure to scroll down and check them all out! We're happy to have Donita K. Paul with us today talking about her book, "Dragons of the Watch." To register to win a copy, leave Donita a comment with your email address and if you've not done so, place your email address in my feedburner box to the right to receive weekly emails about giveaways. To learn more about Donita and her book, read on!
 Title: Dragons of the Watch
 Publisher: WaterBrook Multnomah

 Cover blurb: Trapped in a forgotten city, bound by secrets, Ellie and Bealomondore must enlist the dragons of the watch to find freedom.

Ellie knows exactly where she is going. She just wants to experience the pomp and circumstance of a royal wedding, then settle into a simple life with a country husband.

With too many choices, Bealomondore's future is a tangle of possibilities. He is respected, well-known, and admired among the elite of Chiril, but Wulder demands he narrow his focus and follow his Creator, one step at a time.
Both Ellie and Bealomondore's plans are thwarted when they find themselves lost in an isolated city. As they discern the needs of a group of wild children and a very old man, clues began to surface and a bigger picture is revealed. With the help of the dragons of the watch, can the two tumanhofers find the way out—and perhaps discover their connection to something greater than themselves?
1.      How did this story come to you?
My son is a literature nut. This is a good thing, because he is getting his doctorate in medieval English with an emphasis on theatre. He and I were talking one day, and he mentioned bottle cities. These are enchanted places where the inhabitants are more or less stuck inside the boundaries. The two that come to my mind are Brigadoon and Shangri-la. Modern readers are more familiar with Kandor, a bottled city in the Superman series. 

2.      Tell us about the journey to getting this book published.
 This is the third book in the Chronicles of Chiril. Bealomondore had made a good impression on my readers and many of them were disgruntled that he didn't "get the girl" at the end of the first book. As I read the letters from readers, I realized I had a hero worth developing for the last book. That required a new heroine and a unique problem for them to solve.
3.      Tell me three things about yourself that would surprise your readers.
I make jewelry. I have a very decent voice, but can never remember the lyrics to the songs I belt out while vacuuming. I've never been to Europe.

4.      What are you working on now and what's next for you? I'm taking a couple of old manuscripts from my Christian romance writing days and putting them out as e-books. Taming the Wild Wind was a story I wrote for my mom right before she died. She had always been fascinated by Native Americans. We are part Cherokee. Wild Wind is a story about a free spirit in a very restrictive society, who goes to the Indian Territory to open a mission school. I love the message of that story. The heroine discovers so much about herself and God as she experiences some fun and exciting adventures.  You can find it here:

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Taming-the-Wild-Wind-ebook/dp/B005IIRB1K/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1316188102&sr=1-1

Barnes and Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/taming-the-wild-wind-donita-kathleen-paul/1105099654?ean=2940013046665&itm=1&usri=taming%2bthe%2bwild%2bwind

Smashwords: http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/84838

Lulu.com: http://www.lulu.com/spotlight/donitakpaulatmsndotcom

5.      Parting comments?
I'm still writing fantasy. I have five books planned for the Sage Street Wizards. These are characters from the Christmas novella, Two Ticket to the Christmas Ball. My daughter and I have two new Roger and Padraig picture books that are looking for a publishing home. And I am working on a new story world that has dragons and quests, two of my favorite things.

 6.      Where can fans find you on the internet?
www.donitakpaul.com; and for my children's books: www.dragonandturtle.com

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Dina Sleiman's "Dance of the Dandelion"

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 Title: Dance of the Dandelion

 Publisher: WhiteFire Publishing


Cover blurb: Love's quest leads her the world over.

Dandelion Dering was born a peasant in the English village of Arun, but her soul yearned for another life, another world. One filled with color and music, with adventure and passion  . . . with more. Haunted by childhood memories, Dandelion determines to find a better existence than the life every peasant in the village contents themselves with. Even if her sweetheart William's predictions prove true, and her journey leads straight to heartache.

From her sleepy hamlet to the intrigue of castle life, from the heart of London to the adventurous seas, Dandelion flees from the mistakes of her past, always seeking that something, that someone who will satisfy her longings.

Will Dandelion ever find the rhythm to her life's dance . . . or did she leave her chance for true love at home in Arun village?
1) How did this story come to you?
I first had the idea for this book in 2001. It was based roughly on a plot from an old Eugene O'Neil play where the heroine loses her true love in a war and spends the rest of the story looking for a man who can take his place. I combined this idea with the Biblical Greek definitions of love. Then I set it in medieval England to remove it from our current religious mindset and schisms. Et voila…Dance of the Dandelion was born.


2) Tell us about the journey to getting this book published.
This book was a hard sell because of the medieval setting. Of course, when I wrote it I had no idea the time period would create a problem. Lots of agents and editors turned it down for this reason alone. However, they all seemed to agree that the writing was strong, so I didn't give up. WhiteFire Publishing is a small press that specializes in hard to market books, so it was a perfect fit.


3) Tell me three things about yourself that would surprise your readers.
1) For one thing, my nose is pierced. I wear a small crystal stud and a lot of people don't even notice it.
2) My daughter is the cover model for my book. I had based the childhood version of the heroine on her years ago, so it was a wonderful blessing to get to use her for the photo shoot.
3) I've lead worship dance ministries for the better part of seventeen years.


4) What are you working on now and what's next for you?
Early next year I'll have an inspirational nonfiction book coming out with WhiteFire that will take a deeper look into many of the subjects I cover in Dandelion, including freedom in Christ, intimacy with Christ, worship, and inner healing. The book is an unconventional mix of memoir, essay, poetry, even some short stories.


Currently, my agent is shopping a contemporary series I've written. This one is women's fiction with a heaping helping of romance and a sprinkle of comedy. It features a veiled Muslim, a blonde ballerina, and a bi-racial hippie chick who search together for meaning and truth.
5) Parting comments?
I would say that while I'm still finding my genre niche as an author, there are some things you can always expect from me like authentic Christianity, inner healing themes, a focus on intimacy with Christ, and a lyrical style. My tagline is "Dance with Passion," and I hope that comes through in all my writing.


6) Where can fans find you on the internet?
http://dinasleiman.com – blog and website
http://inkwellinspirations.com – group website
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1573808600 - facebook