Monday, October 3, 2011

Susan Page Davis' "The Lady's Maid"


Title: The Lady’s Maid
Publisher: Barbour Publishing

Cover blurb: The Lady’s Maid features Elise Finster, who accompanies her young mistress, Lady Anne Stone, on a voyage to America in 1855. Lady Anne’s father has died, and her Uncle David is the new Earl of Stoneford—if he steps forward and claims the title. But David disappeared into the American West when Anne was a baby. Now it’s up to her and Elise to find him. Obstacles abound. Mules to tend, a lazy hired man, rugged mountains, unexpected romance, and a sinister stranger stand in their way. The Lady’s Maid is the first book in the Prairie Dreams series, and released October 1, 2011.

1) How did this story come to you?
My editor asked for a prairie story, and I was working at the time on a different book that involved royalty (Love Finds You in Prince Edward Island). I read a lot about the customs and protocol of the day. The idea of aristocrats on a wagon train struck me as a fun way to bring the Victorian period to the West.

2) Tell us about the journey to getting this book published.
Although this book was requested by the editor, I did have a false start. At first I had suggested another idea. She liked it “all right” but wasn’t crazy about it. I certainly wanted to give her a story she was crazy about, so I did some brainstorming and came up with my elegant ladies crossing the plains.

Once that was settled, it was a matter of fleshing out the plot, writing the book, rewriting, doing edits and revisions, and so on—the usual journey of about eighteen months from idea to publication.

3) Tell me three things about yourself that would surprise your readers.
It’s really hard to surprise people these days, but I’ll try. I am a Mayflower descendant and a stroke survivor, and I have no sense of fashion whatsoever. Oops, for anyone who knows me, that is no surprise.

4) What are you working on now and what's next for you?
I am working on the third book in this series, A Lady in the Making. (Lady Anne’s Quest comes in between). After that, I’ll be writing a contemporary mystery.

5) Parting comments?
Thanks for having me over, Dawn. This series is a lot of fun to write, and I hope the readers love the characters and their adventures as much as I do.

6) Where can fans find you on the internet?
My website is at http://www.susanpagedavis.com/.

Purchase links:
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/161626439X/suspagdav-20
Barnes & Noble: http://search.barnesandnoble.com/Ladys-Maid/Susan-Page-Davis/e/9781616264390?itm=1&usri=the%20lady%20s%20maid
CBD:
http://www.christianbook.com/ladys-maid-prairie-dreams/susan-davis/9781616264390/pd/264390?item_code=WW&netp_id=881498&event=ESRCN&view=details

20 comments:

  1. I have come to really like and enjoy historical Christian Fiction , This sounds like a great book , would love a chance to win it ! God Bless and have a great day

    ReplyDelete
  2. Thank you so much for the chance to win this. This looks like a great book. I would love to win this. Thanks again.

    agent_beckster(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  3. This is a book I haven't wanted to read from the first moment I heard about it. Susan is a wonderful author. Thank you.
    carlyberd[at]yahoo[dot]com

    I'm already a subscriber.

    ReplyDelete
  4. This sounds like just my kind of book! Thanks!

    Margaret
    singitm@hotmail.com

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  5. What a great setting ad time period her
    story line is set in...
    Thanks very much!
    Cindi
    jchoppes[at]hotmail[dot]com

    ReplyDelete
  6. Elegant ladies, wild west, and sinister strangers?! Oh yes, please count me in! Thank you for the opportunity to win, I appreciate having a chance to meet authors of good books.

    amanda38401 at gmail dot com

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  7. Aristocrats on a wagon train sounds like a brilliant match up to me. A must read.

    marypres(AT)gmail(DOT)com

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  8. I've enjoyed Mrs. Davis's "Ladies' Shooting Club" series --this book sounds like it has an interesting storyline. Thanks for the chance to win!

    I'm an e-mail subscriber: jafuchi7[at]hawaii[dot]edu

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  9. I'd love to win this book. It sounds like a great story.

    rysalias-anything[at)yahoo(dot]com

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  10. Hello Susan Davis, I am learning about so many wonderful authors through K.Dawn Byrds blog & about books that I've not heard of before. Your previous book 'Love Finds You in Prince Edward Island' will be a must buy for two of my family members that have dreamed of visiting the Island. And your current book 'The Lady's Maid' sounds like a very interesting book also!! Thank you!!

    Daisy Adams
    daisyflower.adams@gmail.com

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  11. This series really does look amazing! Thanks for the opportunity to win your wonderful book! ihhcheryl(at)comcast(dot)net

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  12. Interesting to focus on the maid rather than the lady. I'd love to read it!
    twinwillowsfarm at gmail dot com

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  13. I always expect a great story from Susan and "The Lady's Maid" sounds like a great twist on a prairie story. I look forward to traveling west with the ladies!
    worthy2bpraised at gmail dot com

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  14. Hey, guys! Susan is having trouble posting and asked me to post this for her:

    Thank you all so much! I've been struggling to get on here and tell you how much I appreciate your encouragement. This series was great fun to write. I am still writing the third book, and I have my hero in quite a pickle, so now I have to get him out.
    ---Susan

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  15. I am a huge fan of Christian Historical fiction and this book sounds really great! Thanks for the chance to win it! Really love Susan's writing!!

    Courtney
    kcmelone at yahoo dot com

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  16. When you say that you have no Fashion sense whatsoever I wondered "How do you dress to do your job of writing?" Do you wear your old sloppy , comfy clothes or do you dress up as thought you were going to an office job downtown? I think the more comfy I dressed the less work I'd get done.Interesting question.
    JFWisherd(at)aol(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  17. thanks for the interview. love to win this book

    ABreading4fun [at] gmail [dot] com

    ReplyDelete
  18. I enjoyed the interview.
    Thanks for the chance to win this book.

    Charlotte Kay
    charlovesmark at gmail dot com

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  19. Hey, guys! Susan still can't post, so she asked me to post this for her.
    Susan says, "When I say 'no sense of fashion,' I mean it! I dress very casually for work at home. Usually I'm barefoot or in sneakers, and I dress comfortably--in jeans or shorts and a T-shirt or long-sleeved top, depending on the temperature. It's nice to have no pressure about a work wardrode."
    ---Susan

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  20. Great reviews on Amazon.. When I saw this "..greenhorns Elise and Anne secure livestock and supplies to join a wagon train." I knew it would be a grand adventure for sure. Another book on my wish list.

    ReplyDelete

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