Interview & Giveaway! Virginia Carmichael ~ Author of All the Blue of Heaven!

Welcome to Christian Bookshelf Reviews, Virginia! What is your book, All The Blue of Heaven, about? 

Eight years ago, Allie Hathaway scandalized the wealthy elite of Chicago when she ran away to San Francisco. Now a world-renowned portrait painter, her life is filled with laughter and friendship, including being a mother to her orphaned niece. Life is perfect, so why can’t she forget her first love?

Thomas Bradford has come a long way from being the Hathaway family’s carriage boy. A veterinary degree, ambition and hard work have made him one of Chicago’s most sought-after bachelors. If only he could forget those stolen moments with Allie, Thomas might be able to enjoy his success.

The Great Quake of 1906 stuns the nation and Allie’s art studio burns to the ground, destroying years of valuable work. She’s forced to return to Chicago with little Janey, the only spark of hope in a life reduced to ashes. Her faith is crushed by her tragic reversal of fortune.

Thomas knows better than to fall for the beautiful young painter again, but he’s never been very wise around Allie Hathaway.

The carriage man’s son is all grown up and Allie doesn’t expect a second chance at a love that was refused eight years ago. Her life is in shambles and she has a child to support, so why won’t her heart accept the truth?

Once their love was torn apart by circumstance, but Thomas and Allie must decide whether to forge a future of hope together.

What is something the average reader wouldn't know about you? 

I have six kids under 13 and our house is a ZOO!

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

I always loved to read, but around 2009 I got an idea for a story and just had to write it out.

How many books have you written/published and do you have a favorite? 

I'm finishing my 7th and my favorite is always the one I JUST WROTE. :D But I do love 'Pride, Prejudice, and Cheese Grits'. It's my ugly baby nobody loved.

What would you say is your most interesting writing quirk? 

Hm. Writing quirk? I write in the wee smalls because I have to have silence. So I usually write between midnight and 3.

Where do you like to write? 

At my desk. I don't like change. Every now and then I go to the library but it feels odd.

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

Best? I get to tell my story! Worst? I don't really have co-workers to bring me chocolate cake on my birthday!

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

I really love to paint, refurbish old furniture, and read, read, read.

What is your favorite genre to read and why?

I read everything, truly. But I gravitate toward books with romance and history. A story just doesn't feel complete to me without a bit of romance. I think historicals appeal to me because I always learn something new.

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

Oh boy! many, many places! I'd love to see Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia, the fjords of Norway. Hm, those all sound very cold. But I know a warmer climate means BUGS and I don't really care for large insects.

Do you have a favorite Bible verse? 

I have a few but one I love is
Romans 8:38-39

For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,[a] neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Do you have a favorite song and/or movie? 

I love historicals, like Mrs. Gaskells North and South. I think I must have watched that movie twenty times!

What is your favorite holiday? 

Christmas! You can't help but love Christmas.

A few this-or-that questions:

Snowstorms or Thunderstorms?  Thunderstorms.
Chocolate or Vanilla? Vanilla
Tea or Coffee? Coffee
Call or Text? hm. I don't like either one. maybe e-mail?
Early-bird or Night-owl? night owl
Facebook or Twitter? I still don't get twitter. Where is the rest of it??

Are you currently working on any new novels? If so, could you give us a hint? 

yes! the second book of the Colors of Faith series will be out this fall, called 'Pockets Full of Gold'. It's titled after this poem, I'd Love To Be a Fairy's Child by Robert Graves:

Children born of fairy stock
Never need for shirt or frock,
Never want for food or fire,
Always get their heart's desire:
Jingle pockets full of gold,
Marry when they're seven years old.
Every fairy child may keep
Two strong ponies and ten sheep;
All have houses, each his own,
Built of brick or granite stone;
They live on cherries, they run wild—
I'd love to be a Fairy's child.

The heroine of this story has grown up without much materially and emotionally, so she's really starting out from a place of dreams and impossible wishes. Of course, she has to become strong enough to take charge of her own life, rather than just wish it better. God's grace gets her there, but it's a painful road. Our hero has had everything he ever wanted, but never felt at home after his parents died and he went to live with distant relatives. These two find their way, together.

Thank you so much for being here! Is there anything else you’d like to tell readers and where can we find you on the web?

Thank you for having me! I love this blog! Readers can find me at my author page https://www.facebook.com/VirginiaCarmichaelAuthor?ref=hl or at my contemporary series page https://www.facebook.com/PridePrejudiceAndCheeseGrits?ref=hl or at our cyber cooking blog at http://yankeebellecafe.blogspot.com/ on Wednesdays!

Giveaway!

Enter to win a copy of All the Blue of Heaven by Virginia Carmichael! Virginia is giving away two copies - one print and one Kindle. Giveaway is open Internationally, but only a US winner can win the print copy. Ends 6/25.

To enter, be sure to sign into the Rafflecopter form and click “enter” on each entry you complete. Commenting alone will not get you entered – you must click enter on the form. Happy entering!

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