Giveaway and Author Interview: Great Lakes Romance Set of 4 (5 winners!!)

Welcome to Writing for Christ, Donna Winters! Thank you for being with us today.

Thanks for inviting me!  I’m excited about the opportunity to meet your readers!

How long did you write before you were published?

I began writing in April 1982 and my first book was released by Thomas Nelson on February 14, 1985.

When you held that first book in your hands, what was your first thought?

I wished that my father had lived long enough to see it, and at the same time, I realized the irony of that thought.  My father had passed away from a heart attack in October 1983.  When I returned to my hometown for his funeral, I did some research that allowed me to write my first published romance, a contemporary entitled For the Love of Roses. My father was a retired florist, and I went to the shop he had owned and interviewed the couple who had taken over his business. A year and four months later, the story came into print. I hoped he was proud of my accomplishment, and I believe he was.

What are you working on now?

I’m researching material for a historical story that will be set during the canal era in either my home state of New York or in Ohio, or perhaps both. This is a departure for me from the Michigan settings I have used for all my other historical romances.  I grew up about a quarter mile from the Erie Canal in Brockport, New York, but I don’t remember learning much about its history when I was living there, only a few facts such as when the canal was started and when it was completed.  This past September my husband and I visited Grand Rapids, Ohio, where you can ride a reconstructed historic canal boat. That was a great experience!  We had an awesome costumed interpreter along with a costumed steersman (woman), mule skinner, and captain.  We bought loads of reference material.  The history of Ohio canals is well documented.  We have also bought several books on the Erie Canal and taken a look at a contemporary DVD about travel on that waterway. We plan to go back to my hometown area next spring to learn more of the Erie Canal history.  Meanwhile, this winter, I will be steeping myself in the books we already have, developing ideas, and maybe even starting a story!

Where can readers find out more about your books?

Please visit my website, http://www.greatlakesromances.com, to learn about my 15 historical romances and other titles that I have compiled or reprinted.

What message(s) do you want to be clear to your readers?

When I develop my stories, I want to make clear what is acceptable and what is unacceptable in the way main characters treat one another.  We all reach adulthood carrying a certain amount of baggage and sometimes that leads to inappropriate behavior toward the person you love most. Often, we don’t even recognize these flaws in ourselves.  I like to show characters growing through these difficulties to become the persons they should be in relationship to loved ones.

What are two things that people wouldn't normally know about you as a writer and or person?

My favorite movies are the musicals from the 1940’s through the 1960’s.  I have a box full of them on VHS tapes, and I play them while I lift weights!

Thank you for being with us today.  Any final words for readers?

I have a book giveaway at my website, http://www.greatlakesromances.com/  every two weeks.  Stop by to learn how to enter the book drawing via an email message.  I give a book to about 20 percent of those who enter.  Sometimes, I give a book to everyone!

 For five readers of this interview, I would like to give away a set of four books: Elizabeth of Saginaw Bay, Jenny of L’Anse Bay, Isabelle’s Inning, and Great Lakes Christmas Classics.

 I wish you all a blessed Christmas filled with joy, peace, and love!

WOW, you heard that right! 5 winners will received a set of FOUR books! Just the perfect antidote to the cold weather and the holiday season. :-)

Please leave an email adddress! If I draw your name and there is no email, you will not win.


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Contest is only open in the U.S. and void where prohibited. Chances of winning are based on the number of entries and winner is draw from a non-biased third party- Random.org. I am not responsible for any lost or damaged items for said prize.


Thanks for coming by to enter! Contest ends on December 24th.