Melanie Dobson and Free Books!

Hidden Among the Stars is a time-slip mystery about a young Austrian man and woman who hide heirlooms for their Jewish friends and a bookstore owner almost eighty years later who finds a cryptic list about this missing treasure.

Before we meet today's author, I want to announce that the winner of the free e-copy of the Inspirational Romance novel, The Call of Indian Summer, by Linda Hannah and Deborah Dulworth, is:

carrie@...

Congratulations! 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 chat with novelist Melanie Dobson, author of the time-slip novel, Hidden Among the Stars (Tyndale House Publishers, September 2018).

Writing fiction is Melanie Dobson’s excuse to explore abandoned houses, travel to unique places, and spend hours reading old books and journals. The award-winning author of almost twenty books, Melanie enjoys stitching together both time-slip and historical novels including Hidden Among the Stars, Catching the Wind, and Chateau of Secrets.

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

Dancing makes me happy! Every week, my daughters and I attend at least one dance class at the YMCA. Not only is it great exercise, it sparks a whole slew of ideas in my mind.

What a wonderful idea! I love the concept of such a creative way to exercise.

Please tell us a bit more about the plot of your novel.

In 1938, as Hitler’s troops sweep into Vienna, Austrian Max Dornbach promises to help his Jewish friends hide their most valuable possessions from the Nazis, smuggling them to his family’s summer estate near the picturesque village of Hallstatt. He enlists the help of Annika Knopf, his childhood friend and the caretaker’s daughter, who is eager to help the man she’s loved her entire life.

But when Max also brings Luzia Weiss, a young Jewish woman, to hide at the castle, it complicates Annika’s feelings and puts their entire plan―even their very lives―in jeopardy.

Eighty years later, Callie Randall is content with her quiet life, running a bookstore with her sister in Ohio and reaching out into the world through her blog. Then she finds a cryptic list in an old edition of Bambi that connects her to Annika’s story . . . and maybe to the long-buried story of a dear friend. As she digs into the past, Callie must risk venturing outside the safe world she’s built for a chance at answers, adventure, and maybe even love.

What is it about Annika that will make your readers care about her?

Annika Knopf lost her mother when she was young and has taken over the housekeeper role at Schloss Schwansee (Castle of Swan Lake). She’s loved Max Dornbach, the son of the estate owner, since she was a girl, and she will do almost anything to help him. When Max brings home Luzia Weiss, a Jewish violinist from Vienna, Annika must decide whether or not to help this woman that Max adores.

Those triangles! So intriguing.

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

Usually I push myself to write through the walls standing in my way. The words may not flow well at first, but the best way for me to overcome the affliction of writer’s block is to put something—anything—on paper. When the words begin to flow again, I’ll go back and edit my initial work.

As difficult as that can be, I've done that before and actually found in reviewing my work, I wasn't able to see where the block was. 

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

I really enjoyed reading Charles Martin’s novel Long Way Gone. It’s a beautifully written story about a prodigal son who runs far away and then slowly begins to find his way back home.

What are you working on now?

I recently returned from the Netherlands and am finishing up a time-slip novel based on an incredible rescue mission that happened in Amsterdam during World War II. The heart of this story is about forgiveness, and I hope it will capture again the power of seemingly ordinary people doing extraordinary things to fight evil and rescue those in need.

Where else can readers find you online?

The best places are on Facebook and @MelBDobson on Twitter.

The book can be purchased online via the following button:



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

I’d love to know: Where in Europe would you enjoy visiting on the pages of a novel?

Thanks so much, Trish!

Thank you, Melanie, for visiting and telling us about yourself and your book. Readers, Melanie has offered to give away a signed 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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