Interview & #Giveaway with Author Amy Sorrells
I'm (Jaime) pleased to host Amy Sorrells today! I love LOVE LOVE introducing you all to new authors and I don't believe you'll be disappoint here at all :) Not to mention, Amy is giving away a copy of her novel too, so don't miss out on that!
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You’ve had a new release! Can you share a little bit about it and how you first hatched the idea for this story?
This story was inspired by the story of King David’s daughter Tamar, whose devastating story is told in II Samuel 13. I had a conversation with God about why, after Tamar was raped by her brother, all the Bible says afterwards is that she “went on to live in desolation.”
I know God doesn’t want broken people to live in desolation, and that He wants—indeed, promises—we can live in joy and freedom. And so, while careful to say I am in no way “adding to the Bible,” I wanted to imagine what Tamar’s life might have been like, if she could experience the freedom and loving-kindness offered by Jesus. I set the story in more modern times to make it more relatable, and that’s how my novel was born.
What special research did you need to do for this novel and did you enjoy it or find it laborious?
I have reams of research I did for this story, yes! In fact, research is probably my favorite part of writing novels.
First of all, I knew nothing about pecans or pecan farming, except that I have always been enamored with the pecan farms we drive past when we vacation along the Alabama gulf coast. So I studied pecan books and farming blogs, watched tons of YouTube videos on pecan farming and cultivating and harvesting, and even befriended a family of pecan farmers in Southwest Alabama. They were graceful enough to read and early version and endorse it for me.
But pecans weren’t the only thing I researched. I had to make sure I had the right makes and models of cars that would be around in 1979; who was on the cover of magazines for scenes at the beauty shop; songs that were popular during that era; clothing; cotillion rules; square dance moves and songs; the oceanic biology of a jubilee; area tornado events and patterns; Hurricaine Frederic details (including phone interviews with area residents), plants and birds and fossils common to the area, and more. I had about five times as many pages of research as I did story by the time it was all said and done.
What is the primary spiritual theme of your book, and if that’s not applicable, what do you hope readers take away from reading your novel?
The primary spiritual theme of How Sweet the Sound is definitely redemption. In the story, two terribly wounded women choose to react to their pain in two completely opposite ways. One “does everything right” on the outside but remains miserable on the inside. The second woman finds ways to embrace her pain and listen for Abba. The good news is, there’s grace overflowing for both of them, but whether or not they realize that grace determines the positive or negative impact they have on family and friends around them.
Though I didn’t set out for them to be, by the end of the book I realized the Harlan family is everyone’s family. They’re respectable, even admirable on the outside. But behind closed doors, great wounds and secrets fester, running deep and unchanging through generations unwilling to acknowledge the need to change and heal. But like the pecan trees in the Harlan family orchards, eventually the seasons call us to change and grow, and we all can, with Abba’s grace, if we’re willing.
Here’s a synopsis:
Wealth and etiquette can hide a lot of things in the South, as the esteemed Harlan family of sleepy Bay Spring, Alabama, knows. But behind the gentle facade of white pillared porches and acres of cultivated pecan orchards, family secrets smolder.
Young Anniston Harlan cares little for high society and the rigid rules and expectations of her grandmother, Princella. She finds solace working the orchards alongside her father and grandfather, and relief in the cool waters of Mobile Bay.
Anniston’s aunt, Comfort Harlan, has never quite lived up to the family name, or so her mother Princella’s ever-apparent scowl implies. When she gleefully accepts the proposal of her longtime boyfriend, Solly, a flood tide of tragedy ensues that strips Comfort of her innocence and unleashes generations of family secrets, changing the Harlan family forever.
While Comfort struggles to recover, Anniston discovers an unlikely new friend from the seedy part of town who helps her try to make sense of the chaos. Together, they and the whole town of Bay Spring discover how true love is a risk, but one worth taking.
Moving on from your story, tell us a little about yourself. We’ll help! What literary character is most like you and why?
I’m not sure whether this is good to admit, but I definitely feel most like Scarlett O’Hara. She was brave but broken, did a lot of dumb things but also a lot of heroic things, had a lot of passion that did a lot of good when she focused it on the right things, and she wasn’t afraid to fight for what was right.
What hobby do you enjoy in your “free” time (‘cause we know you have tons of free time!)
I am crazy about DIY projects around the house. In particular, I am head-over-heels about the farmhouse-style craze. I live in the suburbs, but I’ve always longed to live on a farm. Since that’s not a possibility, I decided I can pretend I live on a farm by making the inside look like one. I’m working on our master bathroom right now. It’s been going pretty well, except for the other day when we accidently sawed a hole into the hot water main. (Thankfully, the plumber was scheduled to come the next day.)
Tell us about your pets (if you have some)!
We have three golden retrievers who are absolutely delightful. Zoe, who is 12, and Jaxson and Buddy, who are both six (although from different litters). Somewhere along the line, my husband and I lost our minds and convinced ourselves each of our three sons needed their own dog. Although crazy to outsiders, this has actually turned out to be a blessing. Few things make a disastrous day better than three, eighty-pound creatures thinking and behaving as if you’ve hung the moon just for them.
And for some extra fun . . .
If you could guest star in one TV show, what would be and what would your ideal role be?
I would love to play the role of Laura Ingalls on Little House on the Prairie.
Name one significant heirloom or keepsake you have and why it’s important to you:
I am a packrat, so I have many. But I have to say it is a blue topaz stone cut by my grandfather, who was a hobby lapidarist. The stone is actually featured on the cover of my novel, Then Sings My Soul.
· Readers can get to all my social media sites, including Pinterest, Instagram, Facebook and twitter, by visiting amyksorrells.com
The following link provides readers with a way to find How Sweet the Sound at all their favorite retailers: https://www.tyndale.com/p/how-sweet-the-sound/9781496426130
AND! Don't forget to enter the giveaway! :)
a Rafflecopter giveaway
___________________________________________________
You’ve had a new release! Can you share a little bit about it and how you first hatched the idea for this story?This story was inspired by the story of King David’s daughter Tamar, whose devastating story is told in II Samuel 13. I had a conversation with God about why, after Tamar was raped by her brother, all the Bible says afterwards is that she “went on to live in desolation.”
I know God doesn’t want broken people to live in desolation, and that He wants—indeed, promises—we can live in joy and freedom. And so, while careful to say I am in no way “adding to the Bible,” I wanted to imagine what Tamar’s life might have been like, if she could experience the freedom and loving-kindness offered by Jesus. I set the story in more modern times to make it more relatable, and that’s how my novel was born.
What special research did you need to do for this novel and did you enjoy it or find it laborious?
I have reams of research I did for this story, yes! In fact, research is probably my favorite part of writing novels.
First of all, I knew nothing about pecans or pecan farming, except that I have always been enamored with the pecan farms we drive past when we vacation along the Alabama gulf coast. So I studied pecan books and farming blogs, watched tons of YouTube videos on pecan farming and cultivating and harvesting, and even befriended a family of pecan farmers in Southwest Alabama. They were graceful enough to read and early version and endorse it for me.
But pecans weren’t the only thing I researched. I had to make sure I had the right makes and models of cars that would be around in 1979; who was on the cover of magazines for scenes at the beauty shop; songs that were popular during that era; clothing; cotillion rules; square dance moves and songs; the oceanic biology of a jubilee; area tornado events and patterns; Hurricaine Frederic details (including phone interviews with area residents), plants and birds and fossils common to the area, and more. I had about five times as many pages of research as I did story by the time it was all said and done.
What is the primary spiritual theme of your book, and if that’s not applicable, what do you hope readers take away from reading your novel?
The primary spiritual theme of How Sweet the Sound is definitely redemption. In the story, two terribly wounded women choose to react to their pain in two completely opposite ways. One “does everything right” on the outside but remains miserable on the inside. The second woman finds ways to embrace her pain and listen for Abba. The good news is, there’s grace overflowing for both of them, but whether or not they realize that grace determines the positive or negative impact they have on family and friends around them.
Though I didn’t set out for them to be, by the end of the book I realized the Harlan family is everyone’s family. They’re respectable, even admirable on the outside. But behind closed doors, great wounds and secrets fester, running deep and unchanging through generations unwilling to acknowledge the need to change and heal. But like the pecan trees in the Harlan family orchards, eventually the seasons call us to change and grow, and we all can, with Abba’s grace, if we’re willing.
Here’s a synopsis:
Wealth and etiquette can hide a lot of things in the South, as the esteemed Harlan family of sleepy Bay Spring, Alabama, knows. But behind the gentle facade of white pillared porches and acres of cultivated pecan orchards, family secrets smolder.
Young Anniston Harlan cares little for high society and the rigid rules and expectations of her grandmother, Princella. She finds solace working the orchards alongside her father and grandfather, and relief in the cool waters of Mobile Bay.
Anniston’s aunt, Comfort Harlan, has never quite lived up to the family name, or so her mother Princella’s ever-apparent scowl implies. When she gleefully accepts the proposal of her longtime boyfriend, Solly, a flood tide of tragedy ensues that strips Comfort of her innocence and unleashes generations of family secrets, changing the Harlan family forever.
While Comfort struggles to recover, Anniston discovers an unlikely new friend from the seedy part of town who helps her try to make sense of the chaos. Together, they and the whole town of Bay Spring discover how true love is a risk, but one worth taking.
Moving on from your story, tell us a little about yourself. We’ll help! What literary character is most like you and why?
I’m not sure whether this is good to admit, but I definitely feel most like Scarlett O’Hara. She was brave but broken, did a lot of dumb things but also a lot of heroic things, had a lot of passion that did a lot of good when she focused it on the right things, and she wasn’t afraid to fight for what was right.
What hobby do you enjoy in your “free” time (‘cause we know you have tons of free time!)
I am crazy about DIY projects around the house. In particular, I am head-over-heels about the farmhouse-style craze. I live in the suburbs, but I’ve always longed to live on a farm. Since that’s not a possibility, I decided I can pretend I live on a farm by making the inside look like one. I’m working on our master bathroom right now. It’s been going pretty well, except for the other day when we accidently sawed a hole into the hot water main. (Thankfully, the plumber was scheduled to come the next day.)
Tell us about your pets (if you have some)!
We have three golden retrievers who are absolutely delightful. Zoe, who is 12, and Jaxson and Buddy, who are both six (although from different litters). Somewhere along the line, my husband and I lost our minds and convinced ourselves each of our three sons needed their own dog. Although crazy to outsiders, this has actually turned out to be a blessing. Few things make a disastrous day better than three, eighty-pound creatures thinking and behaving as if you’ve hung the moon just for them.
And for some extra fun . . .
If you could guest star in one TV show, what would be and what would your ideal role be?
I would love to play the role of Laura Ingalls on Little House on the Prairie.
Name one significant heirloom or keepsake you have and why it’s important to you:
I am a packrat, so I have many. But I have to say it is a blue topaz stone cut by my grandfather, who was a hobby lapidarist. The stone is actually featured on the cover of my novel, Then Sings My Soul.
· Readers can get to all my social media sites, including Pinterest, Instagram, Facebook and twitter, by visiting amyksorrells.com
The following link provides readers with a way to find How Sweet the Sound at all their favorite retailers: https://www.tyndale.com/p/how-sweet-the-sound/9781496426130
AND! Don't forget to enter the giveaway! :)
a Rafflecopter giveaway
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