WHAT'S IT GOING TO BE?

What book should you read next? What words should you write next? Whether you're a reader, a writer, or both, you need look no further for ideas and pointers to help you make up your mind. You might even get your next book for free!

Sometimes I even give away my own novels. My Inspirational romances and devotionals are pictured below and are detailed on my Books page. You can always count on a trace of humor in my novels and nonfiction. Whether you're a teen or a woman mature in years, I think these stories will ring true.

Read on, and discover some of today's most appealing Inspirational novelists, their latest books, and their words of wisdom and imagination. Enjoy!

Monday, September 10, 2018

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. 

Only United States residents are eligible for the drawing, but anyone can subscribe to the blog posts via the GDPA-compliant Feedblitz box above my list of books, at right.

Also readers, I'd love it if you'd connect with me on Facebook. Just click on my name at the right of today's post title.

Remember, if you'd like information on additional new releases, check out Christian Book Heaven, a new email newsletter for Christian book deals in whatever genres you select. You can subscribe here: ChristianBookHeaven

Annoying legal disclaimer: drawings void where prohibited; open only to U.S. residents; the odds of winning depend upon the number of participants. See full disclaimer, GDPA notice, and my Disclosure of Material Connection HERE

14 comments:

kim hansen said...

Storyline. cheetahthecat1986ATgmailDOTcom

Caryl Kane said...

Author. psalm103and138atgmaildotcom

Pam K. said...

I often recommend books to my book club friends. These are books that stay in my memory long after I've read them so I just have to let others know about them. It might be the characters or the storyline. Sometimes it's just an aspect of history I find interesting and want to share. Sometimes it's a new to me author I've discovered and want others to know about. All of these came into play when I recommended our book club read and discuss Melanie's book The Merchant's Daughter several years ago.

pmkellogg56[at]gmail[dot]com

Unknown said...

I recommend books that suck me in. Ones that i can't seem to put down for a minute. So far everyone of Melanie's books has been one of those.

MommaBear said...

There are several factors. If it created an emotional response, if was encouraging, did it challenge or strengthen my faith, did I learn something new. I certainly have my favorite authors that I love to recommend but that is because they usually do all the factors listed above. 😄 I do take into account the person’s life happenings or situation and recommend a book that fits their season of life.
bmrawlins@liberty.edu

Jessica Fortenberry said...

I often recommend books based on how well the author gripped me. If I couldn't put the book down, or if I experienced a wide range of emotions (particularly laughing out loud or actual tears), or if I learned something fantastic (like a book I recently read on the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire or Miss Melanie's Beauty and the Beast story with the town trial)--all these are reasons I have recommended books to others.

jcoandwsf[at]yahoo[dot]com

Unknown said...

I recommend a book if it captures my heart from the beginning. I absolutely love a book that you can connect with the character's and live their life along side them. I have not foi d a book yet by Melanie Dickerson that has not done this for me. I absolutely love her books and highly recommend them to all my friends!

Lori Smanski said...

this is a wonderful interview. usually a book that moves me and teaches something is one that I will recommend. Especially if I know a friend will love it also. quilting-lady@comcast.net

Unknown said...

Most often when I recommend a book to a friend it's because I fell in love with it first, and hope they will too. I love fairy tale retellings so much, and have recommended probably all of Melanie's books to a couple of my friends. They love them too! So excited to read something a little different from her and see where these beautiful characters take me.
lmccaugh@gmaildotcom

Trish Perry said...

I find myself recommending books that I want to discuss with someone. When I love a book, I hate having the experience end. A book discussion keeps that pleasure alive a little longer, and it's wonderful to hear someone else's take on the same work of art.

Katie Andersen said...

I recommend books that I have read and love myself, or sometimes if I know I love most everything the author writes, I will recommend their books that I have not read yet by saying I love everything else of theirs. I love books that make me feel... laugh, cry and like I made friends within the story. katie07edgar(at)gmail(dot)com

Anonymous said...

I recommend books based on genre, story line and author. Also I review all the books I read on Goodreads so others can see what I thought of the book.
marypopmom (at) yahoo (dot) com
Maryann

Brenda W said...

I would recommend a book because it was very interesting to me, realistic and clean and wholesome. Also if I knew the other person enjoyed the genre of the book. lemonade 0 5 0 (at) (hot mail) (dot) (com)

Melanie Backus said...

If a book has a great storyline and wonderful characters, then I am going to recommend it. mauback55 at gmail dot com

 

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