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Tuesday, November 20, 2012

Interview & Giveaway! Serena B. Miller ~ Author of A Promise to Love!

Serena B. Miller is stopping by today with an interview and giveaway (details below)! I've read two of her books (The Measure of Katie Calloway & A Promise to Love) - both were fantastic! I definitely recommend them to fans of historical romance novels. :)



Welcome to Christian Bookshelf Reviews, Serena!! Will you tell us a little about yourself? 
I live in southern Ohio way out in the country. My husband and I have worked with the same church for over 18 years and love it. We have three grown sons, all of which are astonished that mom finally got that writing career going she was always talking about.

What inspired your new book, A Promise to Love?
My own grandmother's story. She was a hired girl who daily walked past this handsome widower house. She saw how overwhelmed he was, trying to raise five children alone. Her husband was still grieving when they married, but the kids adored her and she helped heal that family.

What is something the average reader wouldn't know about you?
How hard it is for me to talk to new people that I meet at book signings, even though I really fight to never show it.

When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer? 
I was seven and told my mother I wanted to write a love story.

How many books have you written/published and do you have a favorite? 
I've written six books, four are published, two will be published next year. My favorite so far is A Promise To Love.

What would you say is your most interesting writing quirk? 
I write with a timer. 45 minutes writing, 15 minutes doing something else that involves moving around.

Where do you like to write? 
Anywhere my lap top can go. I have a wonderful front porch and do a lot of writing out there.

What is the best and/or worst part about being a writer?
The best part? I get paid to tell myself stories. The worst? Trying to keep up with deadlines.

What do you like to do when you're not writing?
Take long walks, visit with friends, watch Mrs. Marple movies on Netflix, daydream about someday hitting the New York Times Bestselling lists.

Is there a place you’d like to visit, but haven’t yet? 
I'd love to see Alaska, Ireland, and Jerusalem.

Do you have a favorite song and/or movie?
Places in the Heart with Sally Fields is an all-time favorite. Favorite song? A hymn: How Deep The Father's Love For Us

What is your favorite holiday?
Easter!

Do you have a favorite Bible verse?
Matthew 11:13 "My yoke is easy and my burden is light. "

A few this-or-that questions:

Snowstorms or Thunderstorms?
Thunderstorms

Tea or Coffee? 
Tea

Print or eBook? 
Print

Early-bird or Night-owl?
Early-bird

Cats or Dogs? 
Dogs

Are you currently working on any new novels? If so, could you give us a hint? 
I'm working on another Amish romance for Howard Publishing that is due in a few months. Last week, I also worked through the plotting of an entirely new historical series during a white-hot brainstorming session with three other professional writers. It is early days, so I don't want to reveal too much, but I'm looking forward to getting started.

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?
www.serenabmiller.com  What would I like to tell readers? I've discovered that people who read Christian fiction are absolutely the nicest people in the world. I can't believe how kind and encouraging my reader mail is and I greatly appreciate it.

Book Giveaway!


Enter to win a copy of one of Serena Miller's books! Winner gets to choose between: Love Finds You In Sugarcreek, OhioThe Measure Of Katie CallowayAn Uncommon Grace, or A Promise to Love! Giveaway is only open to US residents.

Enter via the Rafflecopter below.


a Rafflecopter giveaway

54 comments:

  1. I have wanted to read A Promise To Love since I first read about this book and what inspired it. I would love to be the blessed winner of this "I have to read it" book. :)
    godblessamerica.jan(at)gmail(dot)com

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  2. Oh yay! When I started reading this post I thought "I bet I would like this author, I should try one." Then saw that you were doing a giveaway! My lucky day. It would be even better if i won! LOL

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  3. thanks for the chance to read serena's novel...a great posting ;)

    karenk
    kmkuka at yahoo dot com

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  4. Serena, I love your books and I love your zest for life. How do I know you have a zest for life? You've worked for the same church for 18 years. I love your strong Faith! Keep writing for the Lord!

    Blessings!
    Judy

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  5. Thank you for doing this book giveaway and the chance to win. I enjoy reading your reviews.

    griperang at embarqmail dot com

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  6. I have a copy of 'The Measure of Katie Calloway' but haven't read it yet, shame on me. Would love to win a copy of this newest release!

    Patty H

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  7. I am eagerly looking forward to a chance to win A Promise to Love! But I'm overseas working. Can I enter on my sister's behalf?

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    1. As long as your sister has a US mailing address and is fine with a book being mailed to her, I think that'd be fine.

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    2. Thanks! My sister is in the States and she'd love to get a book in the mail.

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  8. Great interview! The story line of this novel will be even more interesting as I read it, because I'll know that the same situation actually took place in the author's grandmother's life. Wow!

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  9. These books all sound wonderful! Definitely will be looking for them in the near future!

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  10. Would love to read any of these books.

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  11. Thanks for the interview and a chance to win a copy of her books! Looks good :)

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  12. Boy I'm going to have to do some thinking on which book I want. I already have one and there are two others that I really do want, decisions, decisions, lol. Thank your for hosting this giveaway.

    Wendy Newcomb
    wfnren(at)aol(dot)com

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  13. I have several of Serena Miller's books on my lengthy to-read list and would love to win one as it would go to the top of the list LOL:) Thanks for your wonderful interviews and giveaways.

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  14. Hello and Happy Thanksgiving to all, I love to read this author and all of these books look like great stories, so happy that "Mom" really did get that writing career in motion and now she swings along with some great stories for us to read. I too live in rural area of Ga and no better place to live-I am not a city woman.
    thanks for sharing
    Paula O(kyflo130@yahoo.com)

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  15. I have read two of her books and loved them. I would love to win I haven't read.

    vernetlh(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  16. A Promise to Love sounds like a lovely story, I am hearing wonderful reviews. Please add me!

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  17. I would pick The Measure of Katie if I win,Enter me!!
    Thanks for the giveaway and God Bless!!
    Sarah Richmond
    sarahrichmond.12@gmail.com

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  18. Read the Measure of Katie Calloway and absolutely loved it!! Would love to see some of her other works!
    E.Kate

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  19. I would love to read you books. Happy Thanksgiving

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  20. I too prefer thunderstorms. Thank you for the giveaway!

    lag110 at mchsi dot com

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  21. Enter me this book looks great and I do not mind what one I get if I win!! Because I do not have any of these books!!

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  22. I read the Love Finds You by Serena Miller and I loved it!!! She is one of my favorite authors!!! I want to read all these books. Good luck to everyone and Happy Thanksgiving :)

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  23. Thanks for the chance to win!

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  24. Wow! So fun reading the comments. BTW--the church we've been with for 18 years is the same one where I learned the stories of Jesus from flannel-graph pictures Miss Lilian used when I was little. When my husband and I moved back home after many years in Michigan, and he began preaching there full-time, we lived for awhile in the same little white-frame church building. It had been remodeled into a preacher's home the year our church outgrew it. It still had the two-seater outhouse and old cemetery in our back yard. My three boys thought all those headstones were really cool when Halloween came around but they did not enjoy mowing around them:-)

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  25. I have read two of Serena Miller's books. Excellent author. Thank you for the chance to win one of her books.

    Karen G.
    kmgervais(at)nycap(dot)rr(dot)com

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  26. When I saw you featured in Christian Woman magazine a few months back, I knew I had to get a hold of all your books! :)

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    1. Thanks for letting me know that, sister. I kinda wondered if anyone had bothered to read that article:-)

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  27. Each cover of Serena's books are so beautiful and magnetic. I don't thnk I've read any of your books Serena. That has to change very soon. God bless!
    Justme at hotmail.com

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  28. I absolutely LOVED A Promise to Love!!! Just incredible. :)

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  29. Yay, a new to me author & an early-bird. That's me all the way :) Thank you for the chance to win!

    Beth
    bharbin07[at]gmail[dot]com

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  30. Serena's books sounds wonderful. They are all on my wish list. Thank you so much for offering this insightful interview with Serena, and offering this giveaway!
    Nancee
    quiltcat26[at]sbcglobal[dot]net

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  31. thanks for the giveaway

    kmichellec87(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  32. Hello Serena,

    I have been REALLY wanting to read your books and review them on my new blog! So this opportunity is REALLY great! Thanks!

    I am SO happy you prefer Print books. I do also, and I think it's sad that when, especially young kids, use only ebooks. They miss out on what I love most about books. (The feel of the pages between my fingers and the moment when you first open a new book and the spine gives just ever so slightly! {contented sigh}) but I digress LOL! :D

    Happy Thanksgiving!

    ~Amada (pronounced: a.m.a.th.a) Chavez

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  33. All 4 books have such pretty covers!
    Ive started reading Love Finds You In Sugarcreek, Ohio, I think I would pick A Promise to Love. In your interview above..you said that "A Promise to Love" is your favorite so far. =) hmmm..Im going over to look at your website for more details.

    Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

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  34. I love your books Serena.Thanks so very much for writing great books.

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  35. I think it would be hard to talk to people at book signings too! I'm always on the other end of course and I never know what to say!
    vickie jean

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    1. I never thought of that, Vickie. Here's a suggestion, if you've read the book, its really helpful to the author for you to name something in particular that you especially like. It helps us judge what things are resonating with readers and gives us something to talk to you about. Frankly, unless there is a long line, I love it when readers tell me a little about themselves.

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  36. Serena it looks as if you can not go wrong on any of the books. It would be hard deciding exactly which book I would want if I won.
    Angela Ward Hartness
    awhartness@yahoo.com

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  37. These books sound wonderful, I've been getting into Amish fiction recently, and these sound right up my alley.

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  38. Thanks for the opportunity to win one of these wonderful books!

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  39. These books sound great! I love historical fiction and so does my mom. Thanks for the giveaway!

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  40. I love that this book was inspired by Serena's grandmother. Looks like a great read.
    marypopmom (at) yahoo (dot) com

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  41. I would like the Love finds you or Promise to Love

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  42. I would love to win one of the books....Maybe Promise TO Love.....nice interview. I love snowstorms myself! not a fan of thunderstorms!
    rhonda_nash_hall@comcast.net

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  43. Great interview! I would love to read A Promise to Love! Thanks for the chance to win it!

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  44. Thank you for the wonderful interview. I would really love to win this book! I love the cover!
    Blessings.....Joy
    ibjoy1953[at]yahoo[dot]com

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  45. Serena, I so would love to read all four of these books, but, book money is short for me. I have tried to win your ' Promise to Love." The cover is BEAUTIFUL. But, for this time I would love to win "Uncommon Grace." You have a wonderful profile. Loved the story about your grandmother, and that you wanted to write since you were seven. I always loved to write poems. Hoping to get my name drawn so I can get started on reading one of your books! Maxie (mac262@me.com )

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  46. Thank you for the interview and giveaway! I am itching to read Promise to Love!

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  47. I enjoyed the interview. I have "Promise to Love", which I will read right after the holidays--beautiful cover! I'd love to read one of your other books, Serena.

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  48. How special that A Promise to Love was inspired by your grandmother's story. :)

    Jes
    jswaks at gmail dot com

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