Deborah Vogts' "Seeds of Summer"

We're happy to have Deborah Vogts with us today talking about her book, Seeds of Summer. To learn more about Deborah and her book, read on!

1) How did this story come to you?
Years ago, I took a Flint Hills Folklife course at Emporia State University. Along with classroom study, we took field trips into the heart of the Flint Hills and visited with old-time ranchers, schoolmarms and post-mistresses. It was such a delightful experience, especially our drives into the pastures. We would get on these back roads and drive over pasture guards into the open range. We would travel for miles without seeing another car or even an electric line—just pure, native prairie. That summer, I fell in love with the Flint Hills and it has stayed with me all this time.

For each of the seasonal books, I portray one aspect found in the Flint Hills—and I wanted to include one story about a female rancher. Also because I have three daughters who are spread out in age, I started wondering what it would be like if something happened to my husband and I, and our oldest daughter was left to care for her sisters. That’s where the plot originated for Seeds of Summer.

2) Tell us about the journey to getting this book published.
I met my first agent at the ACFW Nashville Conference in 2005. We hit it off at our meeting, and she gave me some tips on making my book series “bigger.” I did that and submitted my idea to her and she took me on. We shopped my Seasons of the Tallgrass series for a year and had a few bites (one of them Zondervan) but no sale. In the end, she released me, which was a real heart breaker. However, we don’t always see the big picture like God does, and six months later I signed with agent, Rachelle Gardner with WordServe Literary, and we had an offer from Zondervan three months after that in May 2008.

3) Tell me three things about yourself that would surprise your readers.
1 – I sold Princess House Crystal when I was in high school.
2 – I LOVE camping in the Rocky Mountains
3 – When I was a teenager, I wanted to be a concert pianist.

4) What are you working on now and what's next for you?
I’m currently finishing up the third book in the series, Blades of Autumn, which is the story about Clara, the owner of Clara’s Café.
(Blurb for Book #3) With a café to run and three children to raise, Clara Lambert doesn’t have time for men or loneliness, despite what her heart might tell her. When two handsome cowboys vie for her attention, one of the brothers proves to be her soul mate, but at what cost? Will it tear the brothers’ relationship apart or is blood really thicker than water?
After that, I’m hoping for another contract—on the fourth book in this series (Winters Frosty Path), or possibly another series.

5) Parting comments?
Keep smiling, stay faithful to God and to yourself, and enjoy the moments He gives you . . . Thanks so much for having me on your blog. I look forward to hearing from your readers.

6) Where can fans find you on the internet?
I’m on Facebook, Twitter or readers may visit my Web site: http://www.deborahvogts.com/ or my Country at Heart blog: http://www.deborahvogts.blogspot.com/

P.I. Barrington's "Miraculous Deception"

We're happy to have P. I. Barrington with us today talking about her book, Miraculous Deception. To learn more about P.I. and her book, read on!

1) How did this story come to you?
It’s the continuation from Book One, Crucifying Angel. I had one idea for the story yet when I began actually writing it, a whole other plot just fell into place. Luckily, I was able to stick the original idea in the compact form of a few interspersed scenes to tie it all together. I like this book even better than the first; more intrigue, more betrayal, more surprises. I hope the readers think so as well.

2) Tell us about the journey to getting this book published.
It’s not that I didn’t get involved in the first book, I did. I was in love with Gavin but this was a true “trust the process” situation; sometimes I think that I secretly know what’s going to happen in next book—I kind of decide on who’s staying, who’s going and whatever cliffhanger works best. This was a real labor of love for me because I got to develop lesser characters from the first book and I got to love them too. They come up with some funny if not endearing quirks and attitudes.

3) Tell me three things about yourself that would surprise your readers.
A.) I’m a terrible dancer; I dance like Elaine from Seinfeld.
B.) I’m artsy but not crafty. In fact I’m a rabid anti-craftite!
C.) A smart and funny guy is more likely to win my heart; especially if he can best me with one-liners as well as stand up to me and have a stronger personality than mine. I like a challenge!

4) What are you working on now and what's next for you?
Believe it or not, I’ve actually begun writing Book Three of the Future Imperfect series and I’ve mentioned a real surprise ending with Gail (Gail R. Delaney, Editor in Chief, Desert Breeze Publishing) that I really want to use and I think she likes it too! Also, I have a sci-fi novella in the works for a DBP anthology as well and a book I co-authored with my sister, Loni Emmert is out in August. I do have a couple of other things under wraps right now. I’m horribly superstitious and don’t talk about things before they happen.

5) Parting comments?
I hope everyone who enjoyed Crucifying Angel will like Miraculous Deception even more! As I said it was a labor of love for me.

6) Where can fans find you on the internet?
I finally have a real website that fans can visit (and we also now feature author interviews and the occasional music review—hear that authors?) for information on books, events, etc. They can go to: http://thewordmistresses.com/ and/or email us at wordmistresses@yahoo.com.

Anne Patrick's "Ties that Bind"

We're happy to have Anne Patrick with us today talking about her book, Ties That Bind. To learn more about Anne and her book, read on!

1) How did this story come to you?

I was huge fan of the old Profiler series and I like The Medium. I thought, hey what if I was to combine the two. My main heroine, Jo McDaniels, can’t see the spirits of the victims though she senses their pain and emotions at the time of death. In a sense, she becomes the victim.

2) Tell us about the journey to getting this book published.

After several self-edits I submitted it and, thankfully, Awe-Struck was interested and they offered me a contract.

3) Tell me three things about yourself that would surprise your readers.

I love RPG video games; I’m happily single; I’d love to live in Central America.

4) What are you working on now and what's next for you?

I’m working on a romantic suspense you can read online at: http://suspensebyannewips.blogspot.com and I’m also working on an inspirational romance.

5) Parting comments?

Throughout the month of May you can pick up both of my new releases, Ties That Bind and Out of the Darkness, at 15% off at the publishers. You can find buy links on my website.

6) Where can fans find you on the internet?

My blog: http://www.suspensebyanne.blogspot.com/ or my website: http://www.annepatrick.weebly.com/

Maggie Brendan's A Love of Her Own

We're happy to have Maggie Brendan with us today talking about her book, A Love of Her Own. To learn more about Maggie and her book, read on!

1) How did this story come to you?
April McBride is character from my first book, No Place for a Lady in the Heart of West series. My critique partners said they wanted to know what happened to her and April needed redeeming. Lol.

2) Tell us about the journey to getting this book published.
I’d already pitched a 3-book series and had a contract, so it was a matter of telling April’s story. I had a great time writing a fun adventure for her.

3) Tell me three things about yourself that would surprise your readers.
My brother, Jess McCreede was a western writer while he was alive and was my mentor. I love pretty dishes and have something for just about every holiday. I like antiques and have a small collection of antique head vases. (and a few not antiques ones, but pretty).

4) What are you working on now and what's next for you?
I’m working on Deeply Devoted, a series titled The Blue Willow Brides. It’s about a mail order bride from Holland who brings her two sisters with her to America.

5) Parting comments?
I was asked by LifeWay Christian Stores to sign at the Southern Baptist Convention on June 14th in Orlando. I’m so honored and excited. I feel so blessed to have Tamera Alexander, Kim Sawyer and Julie Lessman endorse my books. It couldn’t get any better thank that. Thanks for having me Dawn!

6) Where can fans find you on the internet?
http://www.southernbellewriter.blogspot.com/
http://www.bustlesandspurs.com/ Resident Blogger