Melanie Dickerson and Free Books!

Magnolia Summer is a story of love, heroism, and secrets so dangerous they could change this sleepy Southern town forever.

Before we meet today's author, I want to announce that the winner of the free e-copy of the Christmas cozy mystery novel, A Caffeine Conundrum, by Angela Ruth Strong, is:

Myersalicem@...

Congratulations! I'll email you for your snail mail address, and we'll get your book right out to you. I encourage readers to keep commenting and/or subscribe at right (above my list of books) in order to learn about new releases! U.S. subscribers are entered in the drawings a second time when they comment.

And now let's meet novelist Melanie Dickerson, author of the Southern Historical Romance, Magnolia Summer (September 2018).

Melanie Dickerson is the New York Times bestselling author who writes Inspirational Historical Romance and Inspirational YA, including Regency Romance and Fairy Tale Retellings. And now she’s drawn upon her Southern heritage growing up in Alabama with her new book, Magnolia Summer.

She is a Christy Award winner, a two-time Maggie Award winner, and winner of The National Reader's Choice Award and the Carol Award in Young Adult fiction. She earned her bachelor's degree in special education from The University of Alabama and has taught children with special needs in Georgia and Tennessee, and English to adults in Germany and Ukraine.

Now she spends her time writing stories of love and adventure near Huntsville, Alabama.

Wow, not only prolific, but quite an award winner, as well. 

Please tell us one random thing we might not know about you.

I once killed a rattlesnake with a stick because my puppy was wandering up to it.

Brought out the mama bear in you, eh? It's amazing how that instinct kicks in when we have someone or something innocent to protect.

Please tell us a bit more about the plot of Magnolia Summer.

Truett Beverly’s hometown needed a doctor, so after finishing medical school, he returned to Bethel Springs, Alabama. Fighting a secret war with a corrupt lawman wasn’t in his plans, but Sheriff Suggs thinks he’s above the law and can lynch anyone who crosses him. When Suggs threatens his childhood friend, Truett dons a cape and hood and becomes the Hooded Horseman—becoming Sheriff Suggs’s enemy in the process.

Celia Wilcox arrives in Bethel Springs in June of 1880. She’s come from Nashville to help her sister care for their younger siblings. She must return to Nashville if she ever hopes to fulfill her dream of opening her own dress shop. Her attraction to Dr. Beverly terrifies her.

Celia catches Truett’s eye, and he finds himself wanting to impress her. But she flatly refuses to flirt with him or to fall for his—if he does say so himself—considerable charm. What will happen when Sheriff Suggs discovers Truett is the Hooded Horseman? Will Celia be able to prevent the sheriff from carrying out one last lynching?

What is it about Celia and Truett that will make your readers care about them?

Celia gave up her dream, perhaps forever, to help her family. And Truett risks his life to save people from the corrupt sheriff, and he takes care of Celia’s family when their father dies.

How do you restart the creative flow when you feel a block coming on?

It depends on what’s causing the block. When I’m just distracted by being at home, I go write at a coffee shop. When I don’t know what’s supposed to happen next in my story, I brainstorm, either by plotting in my head, or by talking out the story with a friend or one of my daughters.

What is the last novel you read that you would recommend?

One of the last novels I read was The Lacemaker by Laura Frantz. I recommend it because it is a thoughtful, well-written romance with authentic historical details. Go read it!

What are you working on now?

I’m writing a Pied Piper of Hamlin fairy tale retelling, which will be the 10th book in my Hagenheim/Fairy Tale Romance series.

Where else can readers find you online?

My website is www.melaniedickerwson.com. I’m on Facebook and Instagram and you can follow me on Amazon or BookBub .

The book can be purchased online via the following button:



Finally, what question would you like to ask my readers?

What makes you recommend a book to a friend?

Thank you, Melanie, for visiting and telling us about yourself and your book. Readers, Melanie has offered to give away an e-copy of her novel. To enter, leave a comment and your email below in answer to Melanie's question, above. "Please enter me" won't get you entered. Remember that U.S. subscribers are entered an additional time in each drawing. The drawing is done by email, so leave your email address, like so: trish[at]trishperry[dot]com. 

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