We're happy to have Sandra Robbins with us today talking about her book, The Columns of Cottonwood. To learn more about Sandra and her book, read on!
1) How did this story come to you?I’ve always enjoyed reading and studying about the Civil War and its aftermath for the people who lived in the South. The paddle wheelers that plied the rivers and transported crops to market played an important part in reestablishing the agricultural heritage that had been damaged during the war. I thought it would be interesting to set a story in a fictional riverboat port town. The story involves two people—(1) a woman who lost everything she holds dear during the conflict but has a dream to raise her family’s plantation from the ashes of war; and (2) and a man, a stranger who never meant to put an end to her dream when he purchased her land for the back taxes. They both have plans for their futures, but they discover God’s plan is best for both of them.
2) Tell us about the journey to getting this book published?I knew that the Heartsong Presents Romance line at Barbour needed a three book historical romance series set in Mississippi, and I wrote a proposal and sent it in. I didn’t hear anything from the editor for a year and a half. One day I received an email from her that said she had two Mississippi proposals that she liked, mine and another, but she didn’t have an Alabama one. She asked if I could change my setting to the Alabama River. I quickly did some research and found that it would present no problem to change the setting. So I moved the story from the Mississippi River to the Alabama River.
3) Tell me three things about yourself that would surprise your readers.I hate to wash dishes. I love to cook, but the clean-up afterwards is something I always dread.
I am the mother of twins (a boy and a girl) who were born before my two older daughters started to school.
Although I’d always had a desire to write, I majored in music in college with piano as my instrument and taught music in the public schools for years.
4) What are you working on now and what's next for you?I have just finished the first of three romantic suspense books that are set on Ocracoke Island. I vacationed on that small barrier island off the coast of North Carolina several years ago and couldn’t wait to set a book there. The first one will release from Steeple Hill Love Inspired Suspense in July 2011.
5) Parting comments?Thanks for having me on your blog today. I hope readers will enjoy The Columns of Cottonwood. The two books to follow are Dinner at the St. James and Blues Along the River.
6) Where can fans find you on the internet?I always enjoy hearing from my fans. You can contact me on my website at http://sandrarobbins.net/ my blog at http://www.sandrarobb.blogspot.com/ or on Twitter and Facebook.
I also hope readers will go to my website or blog and sign up for newsletter.
1) How did this story come to you?I’ve always enjoyed reading and studying about the Civil War and its aftermath for the people who lived in the South. The paddle wheelers that plied the rivers and transported crops to market played an important part in reestablishing the agricultural heritage that had been damaged during the war. I thought it would be interesting to set a story in a fictional riverboat port town. The story involves two people—(1) a woman who lost everything she holds dear during the conflict but has a dream to raise her family’s plantation from the ashes of war; and (2) and a man, a stranger who never meant to put an end to her dream when he purchased her land for the back taxes. They both have plans for their futures, but they discover God’s plan is best for both of them.
2) Tell us about the journey to getting this book published?I knew that the Heartsong Presents Romance line at Barbour needed a three book historical romance series set in Mississippi, and I wrote a proposal and sent it in. I didn’t hear anything from the editor for a year and a half. One day I received an email from her that said she had two Mississippi proposals that she liked, mine and another, but she didn’t have an Alabama one. She asked if I could change my setting to the Alabama River. I quickly did some research and found that it would present no problem to change the setting. So I moved the story from the Mississippi River to the Alabama River.
3) Tell me three things about yourself that would surprise your readers.I hate to wash dishes. I love to cook, but the clean-up afterwards is something I always dread.
I am the mother of twins (a boy and a girl) who were born before my two older daughters started to school.
Although I’d always had a desire to write, I majored in music in college with piano as my instrument and taught music in the public schools for years.
4) What are you working on now and what's next for you?I have just finished the first of three romantic suspense books that are set on Ocracoke Island. I vacationed on that small barrier island off the coast of North Carolina several years ago and couldn’t wait to set a book there. The first one will release from Steeple Hill Love Inspired Suspense in July 2011.
5) Parting comments?Thanks for having me on your blog today. I hope readers will enjoy The Columns of Cottonwood. The two books to follow are Dinner at the St. James and Blues Along the River.
6) Where can fans find you on the internet?I always enjoy hearing from my fans. You can contact me on my website at http://sandrarobbins.net/ my blog at http://www.sandrarobb.blogspot.com/ or on Twitter and Facebook.
I also hope readers will go to my website or blog and sign up for newsletter.
I have to agree with you Sandra...I have always dreamed of having someone come in and clean up my mess. I love to cook, but really hate the cleanup!
ReplyDeleteThis book sounds really interesting, reading about post Civil War!
Please enter me!
alekee02[at]yahoo[dot]com
I would love to read your book, Sandra. Just found your blog last week! Thanks for entering me!!
ReplyDeletejackie.smithATdishmailDOTnet
Love Heartsong books
ReplyDeleteI'm a subscriber
ABreading4fun [at] gmail [dot] com
Hi Maureen. You are a woman after my own heart! I would love to have someone clean up after I've cooked. On the other hand, I keep reminding myself that God has blessed me greatly by letting me live in this great country and providing for my needs. The characters in my book had a tough time in the years following the Civil War, but they kept their faith in God. I would like to send you a copy if you win. Thank you so much for stopping by. You have blessed my day.
ReplyDeleteJackie, I'm thrilled that you found my blog. Today I have the winners of the awards given at the American Christian Fiction Writers Conference posted. I just returned last night from that wonderful conference in Indianapolis. It was an awesome experience being in a God-centered environment with so many Christian writers. I would love to send you a copy of my book if you win. I appreciate you letting me know you've been to my blog. You have brightened my day.
ReplyDeleteHi, Apple Blossom. I see from your profile that you are located in North Dakota. I would love to have some of your cooler temperatures here in Tennessee. We are expecting highs in the mid-90s today, and this is the last official day of summer. I'm so glad you stopped by and let me know that you read Heartsong books. I spent a lot of time with other Heartsong authors this weekend at the American Christian Fiction Writers Conference in Indianapolis. I thank you for being one of the readers who gives us the desire to keep writing the stories God's laid on our hearts. God bless you.
ReplyDeleteEver since GONE WITH THE WIND, I have enjoyed reading about the Civil War. The sentence "They both have plans for their futures, but they discover God’s plan is best for both of them." has me wanting to read The Columns of Cottonwood so bad.
ReplyDeleteThanks Sandra Robbins.
Congrads to all the winners at the American Christian Fiction Writers Conference.
Thanks to K. Dawn Byrd for keeping the readers up to date on the authors and their books.
rbooth43(at)yahoo(at)com
rbooth43, I loved Gone with the Wind, too. It's so sad that Margaret Mitchell the author died so young. I've often wondered what other books she might have written. Thank you for saying you'd like to read my book. I loved writing the story. I think as a lifelong southerner, I'm drawn to stories about the Civil War and the effect it had on the lives of the people. I would love to see you win it. Thanks for stopping by.
ReplyDeleteI love the South and this sounds like a nice story; please enter me in the draw.
ReplyDeletesbmarkle(at)eastlink(dot)ca
Hi Bobble. Thanks for stopping by. I love the South, too. Of course I've lived here all my life. I'm near quite a few Civil War Battlefields, and I've visited them through the years. That war left an impact on the people in the South. There is a story in my mother's family that's been passed down of two brothers who fought on opposite sides during that great conflict. They both survived and argued about the war all their lives. I would love for you to have my book about the trials of two fictional people who also lived through that time. Thanks for stopping by.
ReplyDeleteThe Civil War...I just love this time in our history. I love reading and writing about it also. I can't wait to read your book and look forward to the others coming. I'm not from the south but my heart has always been there. I have traveled many places and heard many stories of the war. they are all great.
ReplyDeleteEven my 4 yr old son loves to hear the stories of the civil war, so I think i created a little monster or a future history buff.
If I could get out of washing dishes, I would too. that has to be the one thing I really don't like to do.
God Bless,
Heidi
heidijohnjeff@verizon.net
Heidi, you and I are a lot alike. My son is much older than 4, but he's always loved to study Civil War history. He collects Civil War artifacts and enjoys visiting battlefields. I think you, too, have a future history buff. How blessed you are to have a sweet little boy. I would love to give you my book. Maybe you'll win. Thank you for stopping by and leaving me a comment. God bless you.
ReplyDeletethis book sounds really good, I really like the Civil War time period. please enter me in the contest.
ReplyDeleterebecca191@aol.com
Love Heartsong books
ReplyDeleteHi Rebecca. Thanks for stopping by and entering the contest. I would love to send you the book if you win. I enjoyed writing the story of Savannah and Dante so much. They both had dreams, but God had a better plan for both of them. It reminded me of the verse in Jeremiah that says, "I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. I think that's an awesome promise from God.
ReplyDeleteSandra Robbins
Hi nakiassgeorge. Thanks for stopping by. I am thrilled to see that you like Heartsong books. I had an opportunity last week to spend several days with Heartsong authors at the American Christian Fiction Writers Conference. It was wonderful being with all of them. There are lots of good books coming out in the future. Maybe you'll win this one.
ReplyDelete