Interview & Giveaway! Ann Shorey ~ Author of Where Wildflowers Bloom!

Welcome to Christian Bookshelf Reviews, Ann! Will you tell us a little about yourself? 


I've been a full-time writer for over twenty years. Before I turned to fiction, my writing appeared in Chicken Soup for the Grandma’s Soul, and in the Adams Media Cup of Comfort series. I made my fiction debut in 2009 with The Edge of Light, Book One in the At Home in Beldon Grove series for Revell. I'm tempted to thank Peet’s coffee and Dove chocolates when I write acknowledgments for my books. J

What is Where Wildflowers Bloom about? 


Here's a peek at the back cover blurb:

The War Between the States stole a father and brother from Faith Lindberg—as well as Royal Baxter, the man she wanted to marry. With only her grandfather left, she dreams of leaving Noble Springs, Missouri, and traveling west to Oregon to start a new life, away from the memories that haunt her. But first she must convince her grandfather to sell the family's mercantile and leave a town their family has called home for generations.

 

When Royal Baxter suddenly returns, Faith allows herself to hope that she and Royal will finally wed. But does he truly love her? Or will another man claim her heart?

When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?


I've been told since I was in high school that I should be a writer, but the need to earn a living kept me working in an office until a major emotional trauma left me with the choice of what I wanted to do with the rest of my life. I chose writing!

How many books have you written? Which is your favorite? 


Counting Where Wildflowers Bloom, I’ve written four novels that have been released and one nonfiction family history. I just finished the second book in the Sisters at Heart series, tentatively titled When the Heart Heals. This book features Rosemary Saxon (Faith’s best friend) as the main character.  Each time I finish a new novel, that one is my favorite.

What would you say is the best and/or worst part about being a writer? 


The best part definitely is having the privilege of doing what I love best. The worst part is the time that marketing can take from my writing hours. But they’re intertwined, aren’t they? If I weren’t writing, I wouldn’t have anything to market.  J

What was one of the most surprising things you learned in creating your books? 


Currently, the biggest surprise was learning how female nurses were regarded during the War Between the States. When I created Rosemary’s character, I assumed nurses were as respected then as they are now, but that wasn’t the case.

Photo Credit

What do you like to do when you're not writing? 


I love to read, and always have. I used to get in trouble in school for hiding a novel behind a textbook and reading instead of doing assignments. I also enjoy walks with my husband and our dog on the beach or around our rural neighborhood here in Oregon.

What are three things you wouldn't want to do without (besides the Bible, food, and family)? 


Friends, first of all. Life would be bleak without good friends, which was one of the reasons behind the creation of the Sisters at Heart series. Second, books! Third, I think a sense of humor makes life much more enjoyable. It would be terrible to be serious all the time.

Is there a place you’d like to visit, but haven’t yet? 


I love to travel, so I could give you a long list. To choose a place I haven’t been, I’d pick Scotland. It would be fun to visit the town where my great-grandfather was born.

Do you have a favorite song and/or movie? 


My favorite song is the hymn “And Can It Be?”. I never grow tired of singing that one. Now my favorite movie is going to be 180 degrees opposite: I loved “Close Encounters of the Third Kind.” I don’t get tired of that one, either.

Do you have any favorite authors? 


Too many to list. Barbara Kingsolver is my favorite author for her brilliant use of the English language. In the Christian fiction genre, Liz Curtis Higgs, Laura Frantz, and Julie Klassen are among my top favorites. You’ll notice they each write historical fiction, with is my favorite genre to read, although I enjoy mystery/suspense fiction also.

Do you have a favorite Bible verse? 


Isaiah 41:13 (NIV) “For I am the Lord, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you.”

Are you currently working on any new novels? If so, could you tell us a little about it? 


I just turned in my latest novel to the publisher. It’s the second one in the Sisters at Heart series. The main character is Rosemary Saxon, Faith’s friend in Where Wildflowers Bloom.

            I’ve begun a novella to be part of a collection that Revell will release next year. I’m very excited about this project! The other three authors in the collection are Laurie Alice Eakes, Amanda Cabot, and Jane Kirkpatrick. Great company!

Thank you so much for being here! Where can we find you on the web?

Thank you for inviting me to your blog. I’ve enjoyed the interview questions.

 My web address is www.annshorey.com. Readers can also find me on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/AnnShorey.

Book Giveaway!


 

Enter to win a copy of Where Wildflowers Bloom! I loved this book (you can find my review here) and highly recommend it! :D This giveaway is only open to the US and Canada!

Enter by filling out the Rafflecopter below (here is a tutorial, if you aren't familiar with Rafflecopter). The mandatory entry is to leave a blog post comment on this blog post - after you do that, the other entries will become available.

a Rafflecopter giveaway