While I travel home (YEAH!) I thought I'd leave you all with a fun book giveaway. My first historical collection was with Heartsong Presents, so I'm always happy to tell you about books from other Heartsong authors. Today, I'd like to welcome Erica Vetsch!
Lisa: Tell us a little about yourself, Erica.
Erica: Hi, Lisa. Thank you for having me here at Heart of Africa blog. I’m a home schooling mother of two teenagers, married to my beloved husband Peter, and I spend my days writing, reading, teaching, and doing the bookkeeping for our family business. I’ve been a librarian, a receptionist, a high school history teacher, and a McDonald’s burger-babe. By far, my favorite jobs are being a homeschool mom and an author.
Lisa: How long have you been writing, and how many books do you have published?
Erica: I started writing for publication in the fall of 2004. The Bartered Bride is my debut novel, and I have five more coming out between now and November, 2010.
Lisa: Congratulations! Tell me about the book you’re featuring today.
Erica: The Bartered Bride is an historical romance set in 1905 Duluth, MN. Two powerful families enter into an agreement to marry off their children in order to consolidate their fortunes and gain control of the shipping industry of Duluth. Both Jonathan and Melissa want out of the arrangement, and each is keeping a secret from the other. When the secrets are revealed, they must decide if they will allow the truth to draw them together or force them apart forever.
Lisa: What made you want to write this story?
Erica: I read the true story of The Mataafa, a ship that wrecked just outside Duluth Harbor during a terrible storm in the fall of 1905. The descriptions fired my imagination and the story came to life.
Lisa: What research did you have to do for this book?
Erica: I visited several places in and around Duluth, including the Lake Superior Maritime Museum, as well as the Minnesota State Historical Society Library in St. Paul. I read several books on the subject of the Mataafa, the history of Duluth, and the shipping industry on the Great Lakes. I really enjoy research, and eventually I have to call a halt to it and write the book.
Lisa: What was your favorite part of writing this book?
Erica: Definitely the research.
Lisa: And the hardest?
Erica: Keeping the story within the word count guidelines. The publisher is strict about the length of the stories they print.
Lisa: That can be tough. What are you working on now or going to write next?
Erica: I’m currently working on my sixth novel, due to come out about a year from now.
Lisa: What are you currently reading?
Erica: I’m working on research for a new series set in 1860’s Kansas at Fort Larned. I’m reading diaries and memoirs of military wives during the Indian Wars. Fascinating stuff.
Lisa: Tell us something fun about yourself that readers may not know.
Erica: I have a cat that I really love. When I got her, I thought and thought about what to name her. I had lots of names picked out from literature. Characters, authors, even historical figures. And I picked up the kitten and nuzzled her head and whispered, “You’re such a cute little Pookie.” And it stuck. My literary cat rejoices in the name of Pookie.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Duluth, Minnesota in 1905 boasts more millionaires than any other U.S. city. Tycoon Abraham Kennebrae intends to marry his grandsons off to three of the wealthiest heiresses in town and allow Kennebrae Shipping to gain control of Duluth Harbor.
Tempests rage, in the board room, the ball room, and on treacherous Lake Superior. Will hearts and helms survive? Will God prove Himself sovereign over wind, waves, and weddings?
Jonathan Kennebrae, oldest of the three Kennebrae brothers, finds himself backed into a corner. Marry heiress Melissa Brooke or lose his own considerable inheritance. Can he find a legitimate reason to avoid the wedding and still keep his fortune? But as the wedding day approaches, does he want to escape?
Melissa Brooke, only heir to her father’s empire, is bartered by her parents into a marriage contract to a man she’s never met. Can she trust him with her deepest secret? Can she trust him with her heart?
Link to Order The Book:
OR:
call (740) 922-7280 to order directly from the publisher.
Leave a comment for a chance to win a free copy of the book! I'll draw a winner on the 23rd (if I have internet :-))
Thanks for stopping by!
Lisa
Void where prohibited; the odds of winning depend on the number of entrants. Entering the giveaway is considered a confirmation of eligibility on behalf of the enterer in accord with these rules and any pertaining local/federal/international laws. US ADDRESSES ONLY PLEASE
