Monday, November 1, 2010

Diane Craver's "A Christmas Gift"

We're happy to have Diane Craver with us today talking about her book, A Christmas Gift. To learn more about Diane and her book, read on!


Publisher: Whimsical Publications

Cover blurb:  Justin Reeves is a man who has it all: a good job, a loving wife and children who are the center of his universe - or so it seems. Justin also has a secret he's hidden from everyone his entire life or so he thought. Quite innocently his small daughter, Debby, stumbles upon his secret and is shocked by what she finds. She confronts her father with the awful truth, and together they embark upon a journey which takes her father from the darkness of shame into the light of victory.

Drawing from true events in her own childhood, Diane Craver captivates the reader from page one to a stunning climax which will touch your heart and impact your life forever in this must-read story of love’s triumph over adversity.

1) How did this story come to you?
I had thought of writing a story about my father for a long time. His life was hard with his mother’s rejection and being raised by various relatives. Even though both parents deserted him, he had a deep faith in God, and was able to be a good father to me and my siblings.

2) Tell us about the journey to getting this book published.
A Christmas Gift was formerly published under the title, The Christmas of 1957. When I decided to make it longer and to change the title, I submitted it to a new publisher. The story has also been revised throughout the book. By the way, the main character, Debby, is a 60 year-old woman in the prologue and epilogue. Debby is a child in the rest of the story.

3) Tell me three things about yourself that would surprise your readers.
I was a carhop at a root beer stand for 3 years during high school. I’d love to learn how to play drums and be in a band. I met my husband while both of us were teaching at an orphanage.

4) What are you working on now and what's next for you?
I’m working on a story about a father and daughter, both teach at the same college in Virginia. The father is anxious for his daughter, Lexi, to get married and give him a grandchild. Lexi thinks her father needs to move on with his life. Her mother died three years ago on the way to the bridal shop to pick up Lexi’s wedding dress. I have two releases on November 15, A Christmas Gift and a sweet story, “The Proposal”, which is in A Christmas Collection. Both will be available in print and ebook format.

5) Parting comments?
Thank you so much for having me on your fantastic blog. Readers, if you haven’t read any of my books, I hope you do! I’m published through a variety of houses, including Desert Breeze, Whimsical Publications, Samhain, Victory Tales Press, and Booklocker.com. I write inspiring stories filled with memorable characters. I’m giving a signed print copy of A Christmas Gift to one lucky winner! If the winner should live outside of U.S., I’ll substitute the ebook format instead.

6) Where can fans find you on the internet?
Website: http://www.dianecraver.com Blog: http://www.dianecraver.com/blog  and my wonderful Jewels of the Quill group: http://www.angelfire.com/stars4/kswiesner/jewelsofthequill.html
I’m also on Facebook! A Christmas Gift can be purchased at http://www.whimsicalpublications.com/ or other online places.

35 comments:

  1. This book sounds sooooo good!!! Please enter me!

    pinkdaddysgirl[at]msn[dot]com

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  2. I love Christmas stories and try to buy 2-3 new each yr then go back and reread my favorites. I think this story line is very interesting and would love to win this book.
    Diane, thanks for stopping by to chat with us and I did enjoy your review.

    K.Dawn, thanks for hosting and the opportunity to enter giveaway.

    misskallie2000 at yahoo dot com

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  3. The book sounds wonderful. I love Christmas stories...and for some reason most of mine happen around then too. There is just something magical about Christmas.

    telsiacharis @ yahoo.co.uk

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  4. Diane, I love the cover of this book. It takes me back in time and totally puts me in a Christmasy mood. You're a talented writer!

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  5. Ariel, Miss Kallie, Clare, and Shawna,

    Thank you so much for stopping by and for your lovely comments. I have to admit that my Christmas book is my favorite one out of the books I have written. It reminds me of the beauty of the season and a time when Christmas wasn't as commercial as it is today.

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  6. This book sounds similar to the situation a friend of the family has been through. Would love to share it!
    julia(at)thouartjules(dot)com

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  7. I love Christmas stories and this book sounds sooo good! I really would love to read it. Please enter me in the giveaway.

    Blessings,
    Jo
    ladijo40(at)aol(dot)com

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  8. Sounds like a wonderful read, I'm always interested in reading books about the holidays as well!

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  9. Sounds wonderful!!This is one book I HAVE to read. I would love to win it. What a wonderful theme to read about at Christmastime.

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  10. Sounds like a great book and fit for the spirit of the holiday! I am a subscriber and GFC follower.

    freda.mans[at]sympatico.ca

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  11. This book sounds delightful and I would love to read it!

    edwina(dot)cowgill(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  12. Hi Diane, I made it this time. Persistence pays! Your book sounds perfect for a holiday story and I love the cover. In fact, I think all the Whimsical covers are great. I see we share some of the same publishers including Whimsical. I wish you much success with this and all your books. Linda (one of the many) Swift

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  13. I'm in the midst of reading Christmas books for possible selections for our book clubs. This one sounds like a good one to add to the list! Thanks for doing the interview and giving us a peak at it.

    Brandi
    vi2005@aol.com

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  14. I find inspirational stories are usually very powerful. That your's is based on childhood facts makes it intriguing, so yes x 2 I'd love to read it, and will add it to my wish list.
    Thanks for sharing.

    sherrygloag@gmail.com

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  15. Thanks for this--I do enjoy Christmas stories, year round :) Adding it to my TBB!

    f dot chen at comcast dot net

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  16. Hi Diane,
    Finally found my way over here. Great story. I can't wait to read it. Wishing you mega sales and fruitful writing time to come.
    rebeccajvickery@gmail.com

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  17. I love your cover...but the girl looks like she will get cold!
    This sounds like a nice read, sad that your Dad was rejected by his parents, but it seems he has found the right path and didn't follow his parents.

    alekee02[at]yahoo[dot]com

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  18. Any book with Christmas in the title, draws in me in!

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  19. Everyone,
    Thank you for all the wonderful comments. I just got home - we are helping my daughter move, and what a lovely surprise to see this response to my Christmas story. A Christmas Gift will always be one of my favorite books that I've written. I hope you each get an opportunity to read it. Even though most of it takes place in 1957, it has a timeless feel to it.

    If you shouldn't win this contest, I also have a Christmas Blog Contest with signed print copies of A Christmas Gift as giveaways for two drawings. You will be entered for K.Dawn's contest and after the drawing for this, you'll be entered for my own blog giveaways! More details are on my blog.

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  20. I'd love to win a copy of your book! Please enter my name into your drawing.

    jo.glenncarter@comcast.net

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  21. Great interview, Diane! Wishing you many sales! :)

    Hugs!

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  22. Hi Diane,

    The book sounds very interesting and I am curious - please sign me up for a chance to win!

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  23. Great interview, Diane. I wish you the best of luck with A Christmas Gift. It sounds like a wonderful story.

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  24. I just LOVE Christmas stories, and this one sounds very interesting!


    franalokas (at) yahoo (dot) com

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  25. Sounds like a good story.
    Please include me in the giveaway.

    A J Hawke
    ajhawke at aol dot com

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  26. Please enter me in this giveaway:)
    I'd love to win!
    chakasa58 at gmail dot com

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  27. Hello Diane and K. Dawn, what a great posting. This book has already put me in the Christmas spirit, and that tells me that wonderful Diane Craver has once again woven a tale of impeccable technique that will touch us, her lucky readers, in the emotional way asonly she is able to do! Bravo, Diane! Sincerely, Regina

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  28. I am enjoying reading each comment - thanks to everyone for your kind comments about A CHRISTMAS GIFT! All of you are entered in the drawing to win!

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  29. since I'm an almost Christmas baby, I love to read Chrismas books, love you cover too.

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  30. sorry forgot to leave my email addy, really tired, lol

    dlsmilad@yahoo.com

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  31. Hi Dina,
    I didn't know your b-day was close to Christmas. Mine is this month. I'm glad you like reading Christmas stories. Thanks for stopping by here - I appreciate your support a lot.

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  32. Sounds like a great book! Count me in! I'm an email subscriber.

    nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net

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  33. Karen and Nancy,
    Thanks for the comments. Both of you are entered. I'll draw a name tonight!

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  34. Sounds like a great book. Yes I am as email subscriber!

    dancealert at aol dot com

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  35. Diane's story touches the heart. I really like the cover. I wonder most of all what that little girl is doing out there without a coat. Makes the story curious to me. Thank you for the giveaway and the chance to win Diane's Christmas story. I hope I do.

    Blessings,
    Barb Shelton
    barbjan10 at tx dot rr dot com

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