Monday, February 7, 2011

Donna F. Crow's "A Very Private Grave"

We're happy to have Donna Fletcher Crow with us today talking about her book A Very Private Grave. To learn more about Donna and her book, read on!

Title: A VERY PRIVATE GRAVE, Book 1 The Monastery Murders
Publisher: Monarch Books

Cover blurb:
Felicity Howard, a young American studying at the College of the Transfiguration in Yorkshire, is devastated when she finds her beloved Fr. Dominic bludgeoned to death and Fr. Antony, her church history lecturer, soaked in his blood. . .
A VERY PRIVATE GRAVE is a contemporary novel with a thoroughly modern heroine who must learn some ancient truths in order to solve the mystery and save her own life, as she and Fr. Antony flee a murderer and follow clues that take them to out-of-the-way sites across northern England and southern Scotland. The narrative deftly mixes detection, intellectual puzzles, spiritual aspiration, romance and the solving of clues ancient and modern.

1) How did this story come to you?
I have wanted to tell St. Cuthbert’s story every since I encountered him at Durham Cathedral some twenty years ago. When my daughter went to study in a monastery in Yorkshire the story came together for me.

2) Tell us about the journey to getting this book published.
And what a journey it’s been! I had been offered three previous contracts for this book but something always got in the way, such as another story seeming more urgent. Then, after publishing 30 novels, My career flat-lined and I was out of the publishing loop for 10 years, although I was still writing. Things came together for me when I finished this book and my agent Janet Benrey took it to Tony Collins at Monarch Books. Truly a case of “all things working together for good.”

3) Tell me three things about yourself that would surprise your readers.
I am a former rodeo queen and runner-up for Miss Rodeo America.
I will do anything for research, including rappelling into a lava cave.
I have no sense of direction and maintain that I should be allowed to park in handicapped spaces because it’s a form of internal blindness.

4) What are you working on now and what's next for you?
I am organizing the research for Book 3 in the Monastery Murders while my publisher prepares Book 2, A DARKLY HIDDEN TRUTH for publication. Book 3 will be set in Wales and involves Antony and Felicity directing a Youth Walk to Welsh pilgrimage sites. For preparation I will visit these sites in Wales, then join a Youth Walk from London to Walsingham (126 miles) as an overage pilgrim.

5) Parting comments?
I am so thankful to be able to live out my passion by telling stories of the Christian history of Britain. I pray that my readers will catch a new vision of the treasured heritage that is ours to live and to share.

6) Where can fans find you on the internet?
My webpage: http://www.donnafletchercrow.com/ to see my book trailer and pictures of my research trips and my garden; http://ning.it/ia9SMY for my Amazon page; or http://ning.it/eLjgYp  on Facebook for Donna Fletcher Crow, Novelist of British History.

27 comments:

  1. Thank you for hosting me, K. Dawn, I'm so pleased for the opportunity to meet your readers and to send a copy of A VERY PRIVATE GRAVE to one lucky entrant.

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  2. I can't wait to read this book!
    ~Randi

    autumnlaughs17@snet.net

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  3. This looks lke such a wonderful book. I love England, Scotland and Monasteries! Please enter me in the drawing!
    Linda Cacaci
    LinCaca3@aol.com

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  4. I like contemporary novels set in the UK, so this looks to be one I'd enjoy. I really enjoyed looking at the pictures of your garden on your blog! You have made the winter garden look very beautiful.

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  5. I love books set in Scotland, it's a place that I find fascinating and I first fell in love with Yorkshire when I "met" James Herriot. I'd love to read your book!

    twinwillowsfarm at gmail dot com

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  6. Randi and Linda, thank you for being first to enter! Good luck!

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  7. Donna, i've missed your books. Glad to find you again. I am looking forward to reading and blogging about this book...Thanks for the chance to win! mitzi_wanham[at]yahoo[com]

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  8. I love Donna Crowe's books!!! Would love a chance to win one!!!! margie@mijares.net

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  9. I love a great mystery. This one sounds wonderful with the mix of mystery, God and travel. Thanks!!!

    estrella8888 at roadrunner dot com

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  10. I have never read Donna Crowe's work but it sounds like something I would enjoy. If I win a copy I will give it a review on my mystery book blog, Mystery & Me.
    featherridge@yahoo.com

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  11. I love the setting and want to go there someday to see those plaes for myself. Also I love puzzles and mysteries and this one really sound intriguing.

    CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com

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  12. I have never read Donna Crowe! Sound interesting! Samwhit28 at yahoo dot com!

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  13. What wonderful comments! you make my day. Wish I could send each one of you a book!

    Pegg, you might be interest to know that our daughter actually met Robert Hardy in church in Oxford. She said, "Oh, Sigfried!" he said, "Well, yes, a long time ago." And took her out to lunch!

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  14. Thank you for the interview and for keeping on with the publication journey for this book. The setting and the story are both of great interest to me.
    Helen Kiker
    hdkiker@comcast.net

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  15. I love mystery stories that take place in England and Scotland. YOur books are new to me but not for long. I can't wait to read this one and I'm going to look for others. Thank you so much for sharing your book with me....
    Blessings,
    Heidi
    heidijohnjeff@verizon.net

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  16. This sounds really good! I really enjoy murder mysteries! I know I would enjoy this one!
    mittens0831 at aol dot com

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  17. I am really looking forward to reading this book! Thank you for the chance to win one!

    BrendaW.

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  18. I've seen quite a bit about this book already and I'd love to read and review it. I'm already a 'subscribed' follower :)

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  19. Donna: Sounds like another excellent British mystery novel! Would love to be entered in the drawing.

    janet(at)blybooks(dot)com

    http://BlyBooks.blogspot.com

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  20. I've been reading so many good comments about your book. I look forward to putting you on my list of favorite authors. From what I've read that is a sure thing.

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  21. I've enjoyed Donna's previous books and look forward to reading this one. Please enter my name in the drawing. Thank you.

    Penny
    pennyt at hotmail dot com

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  22. Pat, I'm honoured to be on your list!

    Thank you all. What a great groupof readers you have, K. Dawn.

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  23. Would love another copy for a friend!!! Thanks, enter me!!! I am on the 4th chapter, I believe.....my hands will not come clean now.....Ha Ha

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  24. I really enjoy Donna's books.
    wsmarple/at/gmail/dot/com

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  25. I have read Donna Crows books in the past, and have not read any new ones for years. This book sounds like a great book to read. Please enter me in the drawing. Thanks for the chance to win.
    Debbie
    debbiemcla[at]msn[dot]com

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  26. This sounds like a great mystery! Please include me!

    alekee02[at]yahoo[dot]com

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  27. And The Winner Is. . .

    Since it's Valentine's Day, I wrote each entrant's name on a slip of paper, put the papers in a heart-shaped pan and asked my Valentine to draw. He chose Pattie, who says she loves mysteries set in the UK. A VERY PRIVATE GRAVE will be on its way to you this week, Pattie. Hope you enjoy.

    Thank you all for entering and thank you K. Dawn for being a great hostess.

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