Monday, February 21, 2011

Giveaway and Author Interview: Love Finds You in Tombstone, Arizona

 
Welcome to Writing for Christ Miralee Ferrell, it is great to have you here! Do you have an interesting fact about yourself the average reader probably doesn’t know?

I’ll toss out a couple, as it may depend on how many blog interviews your readers have seen on whether they’ve caught these little things or not. One, my husband and I owned and raised two cougars/mountain lions for a number of years. Neither was taken from the wild but were several generations in captivity. I do NOT recommend it for the average person. My husband spent hundreds of hrs studying and learning what was best on how to feed, house and handle the big cats. It was an awesome experience we’ll never forget.
Two, I used to love to oil paint—mostly scenery—but don’t have much time for it anymore.
Three, we lived in Alaska for a year and got to land on a glacier and in a plane on skis.

What surprised you the most about being a published author?

Everything, LOL! This isn’t something I’ve wanted to be all my life, or had any clue what it entailed prior to starting my own career. I went into it completely blind and every single thing I’ve learned has been a revelation. My husband has often asked me if I’d do it all over again if I knew in advance how much hard work it would be, and how much patience would be required and I answered a resounding YES! I love it all, even the hard things. They’ve stretched me and made me grow as a person, and helped me trust God even more.

Do you have a favorite genre to read/write?

My reading is all over the board. I love historical romance as long as the romance isn’t ‘in your face’ or over the top (it has to be believable). I love mystery and suspense, I love a well written fantasy or medieval story, and I love contemporary fiction with a light touch. Oh…and give me a good Western written by someone like Zane Grey and I’m in heaven. He was my inspiration for my own historical novels….three that are set in the old west. I’d have to say that’s my favorite genre to write.

When you aren’t writing or interacting with fans, what do you enjoy doing?

Hanging out in the spring and summer with my husband or daughter. Unfortunately our son & his wife don’t live close by, but our daughter and her husband own adjoining acreage. She and I often have lunch together and when the weather is good take our dogs on walks and ride our horses on the awesome logging trails nearby. My husband and I enjoy working in the garden together, and when we can find time, taking our boat out or going fishing. Our newest thing we like to do together is travel to the location of a new book and research the area. He’s always hoping I’ll set a book someplace we haven’t been that he’d enjoy visiting.

Do you have a nugget of writing advice that has completely changed how you view writing?

I’d have to say ‘enjoy the process and quit worrying about perfection’.  My son is trying to write and can’t seem to get the first chapter written. He wants it to be perfect and I’m encouraging him to just WRITE, and quit second guessing himself every sentence. Let the words flow, let the story develop—you can always go back and make changes when necessary.

What do you enjoy most about being a published author?

Hearing from readers who have been touched by my work. I got a letter from a young woman whose life was changed after reading my debut novel, The Other Daughter. SHE was the other daughter of her dad—a man she didn’t meet until she was over 30, and when she did she discovered a step mom who hadn’t known about her and found it difficult to accept her. The stepmom was given a copy of my book. She read it and passed it along to the girl. They ended up talking about the emotional points and how they related to their own situation, and before it was over they were hugging and crying. If a book can bring healing or joy to a reader’s life, then I’ve accomplished what I set out to do.

What do you like readers to take away from your books?

Something they can apply to their own lives. I try not to preach in my books, but they all have a solid spiritual thread woven throughout. It might be acceptance, redemption, forgiveness, trust—there’s always a theme and a message, as well as strong values and Godly principles. Of course I want the reader to be entertained by the story and to remember the characters, but I pray that even in a historical romance, they’ll end up gleaning something they can use as their own.

Places for readers to learn more about you?

A couple of places—my web site has the most personal info (family pictures, pics of the places we’ve visited to research my books, my journey into writing, etc) which is www.miraleeferrell.com  

My blog, where I occasionally feature other authors’ books and do a free book drawing, or just chat about my life. You can find me at www.miraleesdesk.blogspot.com

Or Facebook, where I have both a profile page and a reader’s group. The profile page is www.facebook.com/miralee   I’d love to meet any of your readers at any of those places!
Thank you for being with us today!             
Thank you for having me, Casey. I’ve enjoyed it!!!
Okay readers, here is your chance to enter to win Miralee's latest book!

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

For extra entries:
~Be a follower
~Be a subscriber

And an EXTRA one:
~Read and then rate this review. Please return to this post to leave a comment telling me you have done so. Thanks!


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 March 5th.

** Contest Now Closed**

126 comments:

  1. It looks like I am the first to sign here. Enjoyed the interview. I enjoy reading Miraelee's books and since I live in Southern Arizona, reading "Love Finds You in Tombstone" seems like a very appropriate read.

    Blessings,
    Jo
    ladijo40(at)aol(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  2. I am a follower

    Blessings,
    Jo
    ladijo40(at)aol(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  3. I am a subscriber

    Blessings,
    Jo
    ladijo40(at)aol(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  4. I am a follower. Tore923@aol.com

    ReplyDelete
  5. I am an email subscriber. Tore923@aol.com

    ReplyDelete
  6. Please enter me in contest. Sounds like a very good book. I would love to read it. Tore923@aol.com

    ReplyDelete
  7. Such an insightful interview! I will definitely be looking out for this author in the future. (Sadly I can't enter due to living in the UK, but I still really enjoyed this review!)

    On another note, I have a purity ring identical to the one in your picture :)

    ReplyDelete
  8. i would love to read this novel...thanks for the chance :)

    karenk
    kmkuka at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  9. i'm a follower :)

    karenk
    kmkuka at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  10. email subscriber, too

    karenk
    kmkuka at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  11. I am a follower and would love an opportunity to win this book!

    dianalflowers@aol.com

    ReplyDelete
  12. I am also a subscriber!

    dianalflowers@aol.com

    ReplyDelete
  13. I also read the interview and rated it on your blog. I loved reading about Miralee's adventurous life. I'll rate the interview here too: 5 *****! LOL

    dianalflowers@aol.com

    ReplyDelete
  14. Nice interview. I'm looking forward to reading this one. As yet, I haven't had the opportunity to read an LFY book. Amish fiction is a fav :)

    homesteading[at]charter[dot]net

    ReplyDelete
  15. I'm a subscriber.

    homesteading[at]charter[dot]net

    ReplyDelete
  16. I'm a follower, too.

    homesteading[at]charter[dot]net

    ReplyDelete
  17. i rated your review :)

    homesteading[at]charter[dot]net

    ReplyDelete
  18. I love the LFY series oh, I'd love to win thanks

    ABreading4fun [at] gmail [dot] com

    ReplyDelete
  19. follower

    ABreading4fun [at] gmail [dot] com

    ReplyDelete
  20. subscriber

    ABreading4fun [at] gmail [dot] com

    ReplyDelete
  21. Awesome interview! Thanks for the giveaway, I love LFY books!!
    Please enter me!

    Emreilly303(AT)gmail(DOT)com

    ReplyDelete
  22. I'm a follower!

    Emreilly303(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  23. rated the review thanks

    ABreading4fun [at] gmail [dot] com

    ReplyDelete
  24. I'm a subscriber!

    Emreilly303(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  25. Looks like a great book, can't wait to read it!
    Sign me up!

    Dreilly316(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  26. I'm a follower!

    Dreilly316(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  27. I'm a sbscriber!

    Dreilly316(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  28. Thanks for the interview and giveaway!

    Jreilly316(at)verizon(dot)net

    ReplyDelete
  29. Great interview! I'm a follower. I enjoy your blog.

    gravesok@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  30. Ooh, looks like a great book! I'd love a chance to win it!

    lubell1106(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  31. I'm a follower!

    lubell1106(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  32. I'm a subscriber.

    lubell1106(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  33. Great interview, and it looks like a great read!

    jennycohen104(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  34. I'm a follower!

    jennycohen104(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  35. Please enter me for a chance to win this book!
    I am looking forward to reading it!
    Thank you!
    Lisa Nelson
    story reader(at)gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  36. My email address is:
    storyreader617(@)gmail.com

    I enjoy following this blog!
    Thank you!

    ReplyDelete
  37. Hey Casey! I'd love a chance at winning this one - Something about that lady's beautiful dress and parasol intrigues me to read the book. :-)

    Thanks!

    ~ Katy
    legacy1992(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  38. I am a follower of your blog - and love it! :-D

    Katy
    legacy1992(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  39. I am also a subscriber!

    ~ Katy
    legacy1992(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  40. Read and rated your review of The Bridge of Peace - wonderful review, btw!!

    ~ Katy
    legacy1992(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  41. Been wanting to read this one! :)

    pinkdaddysgirl[at]msn[dot]com

    ReplyDelete
  42. I'm a follower.

    pinkdaddysgirl[at]msn[dot]com

    ReplyDelete
  43. I'm a subscriber.

    pinkdaddysgirl[at]msn[dot]com

    ReplyDelete
  44. That is really neat how the book changed someone's life! martha(at)lclink(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  45. I'd love to read this book!

    leanniegehrke at hotmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  46. I'm a follower.

    leanniegehrke at hotmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  47. I'm a subscriber.

    leanniegehrke at hotmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  48. I read and rated your review.

    leanniegehrke at hotmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  49. Thank you for this opportunity to win. Like the sound of the book, very intriguing. Juanita W
    whisper97304@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  50. Great interview Casey and Miralee! I enjoyed it very much! I love books set in this time period, so I'd love the chance to win. : )

    Thank you for entering me,
    Michelle
    scraphappy71 at sbcglobal dot net

    ReplyDelete
  51. I am a follower. : )

    Thanks,
    Michelle
    scraphappy71 at sbcglobal dot net

    ReplyDelete
  52. I am a subscriber.

    Thanks,
    Michelle
    scraphappy71 at sbcglobal dot net

    ReplyDelete
  53. Just read your review of The Bridge of Peace, and I rated it. Glad you enjoyed the book. : )

    Thanks for the extra entry!

    Michelle
    scraphappy71 at sbcglobal dot net

    ReplyDelete
  54. I really enjoy Miralee's books. Please include me.

    alekee02[at]yahoo[dot]com

    ReplyDelete
  55. I am a follower.

    alekee02[at]yahoo[dot]com

    ReplyDelete
  56. I am a subscriber!

    alekee02[at]yahoo[dot]com

    ReplyDelete
  57. I rated your great review with a 5!

    alekee02[at]yahoo[dot]com

    ReplyDelete
  58. I love these Love Finds You books.
    wsmarple/at/gmail/dot/com

    ReplyDelete
  59. I am a follower.
    wsmarple/at/gmail/dot/com

    ReplyDelete
  60. I am a subscriber.
    wsmarple/at/gmail/dot/com

    ReplyDelete
  61. Love historical novels...and this one looks great!
    lgm52@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  62. Thanks Casey for posting this interview and Miralee's "Love Finds You in Tombstone" sounds like a great read. By the way, my son's girlfriend is a firefighter in Arizona, so I am sure she would love to read this book, too.
    Thanks!
    Rebecca
    rbooth43 at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  63. Thanks for the interview. However, I did have to scroll down to the book cover to find the name of the author! I am a subscriber and a follower. I'd enjoy winning Love Finds You in Tombstone, Arizona.
    Thanks.
    pmk56[at]sbcglobal[dot]net

    ReplyDelete
  64. I would LOVE to win this book!
    Thanks for the chance to try!
    Charlotte Kay
    charlovesmark at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  65. I am an email subscriber:)
    Charlotte Kay
    charlovesmark at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  66. I am a GFC follower:)
    Charlotte Kay
    charlovesmark at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  67. I love the cover art for LFY in Tombstone, AZ. I would love to be entered to win. Thank you for the chance.

    Smiles,
    Cindy W.

    countrybear52[at]yahoo[dot]com

    ReplyDelete
  68. I am an email subscriber.

    Smiles,
    Cindy W.

    countrybear52[at]yahoo[dot]com

    ReplyDelete
  69. I am a GFC follower.

    Smiles,
    Cindy W.

    countrybear52[at]yahoo[dot]com

    ReplyDelete
  70. I love the LFY books and would like to be entered for this one!
    Thanks.
    jackie.smithATdishmailDOTnet

    ReplyDelete
  71. I subscribe via E Mail.
    jackie.smithATdishmailDOTnet

    ReplyDelete
  72. Looks like a good one!

    I'm a follower,
    subscriber,
    and love to read!

    Doreen
    priviesandprims at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  73. Oh my goodness! I was away from my computer most of the day yesterday, come home and find 74 comments for my new book! Wow!!!!

    Thanks gals, for all of your interest and support. I wish everyone of you could win a book, but for those that don't, I hope you'll pick up a copy of your own. You're the best!!!

    Miralee Ferrell

    ReplyDelete
  74. I would love to get a chance to read this book, please enter me in to the drawing.

    kcmelone@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  75. I read and rated your review of Cindy's book:)
    Charlotte Kay
    charlovesmark at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  76. I am a follower and subscriber, and I read and rated your review. I have a few of the Love Finds You books, and I love would love this one!

    lizzielaura17(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  77. Thank you so much for the great giveaway!!!
    I am a follower
    Thanks,
    Jennifer

    jmschwindt0306 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  78. Miralee's life doesn't lack for excitement, raising tigers, landing on the ice, living in Alaska! I don't need to guess that Love Finds you in Tombstone Arizona is exciting.

    Before I forget, Carmen sent me and I'm so glad she did. I enjoyed your interview, Miralee, and found quite interesting the paragraph about the woman not knowing her father until she was over 30. That is similar to my own experience - not as the daughter, but as the step-mother. I won't reveal any of the details now except to say that my reaction to her was open and compassionate. I have 3 adopted children and have a slight understanding of what she would feel toward strangers suddenly becoming her family. Thank you for suggesting the book, I intend to find it to read and give to my step-daughter. My husband has 4 other children older than she. Together, my husband and I have 8 children, one deceased, between us. His daughter was already born before I knew my husband. It's a long interesting story and God is in it.

    Thank you for giving your newest book as the giveaway, and thank you Casey for the chance to win it. I hope I'm the winner!

    Sharing His Faith,
    Barb Shelton
    barbjan10 at tx dot rr dot com

    ReplyDelete
  79. This looks like such a good book- I can't wait to read it! Thanks!
    jdjmcc@aol.com

    ReplyDelete
  80. I follow on GFC! And Carman sent me:) jdjmcc@aol.com

    ReplyDelete
  81. I rated your review- 5 stars! I love Cindy Woodsmall's books!
    jdjmcc@aol.com

    ReplyDelete
  82. mishi:
    love to read it
    vjpineda@sbcglobal.net

    ReplyDelete
  83. I'd love to read this.

    janemaritz at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  84. Mountain lions? How neat! Makes me think of one of my favorite movies, Bringing Up Baby. I love the pretty cover of this book.

    I'm a subscriber.

    Also a follower.

    julesreffner(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  85. Barb,
    Most of the comments are rather generic (which is fine), but I really appreciated your very specific one in regards to my debut novel, The Other Daughter. I, too, easily accepted my husband's daughter when she appeared in our lives, but the story I wrote is a bit different, in that the girl was conceived when Susanne and David were engaged, and Susanne was out of town for 3 months. So there were broken trust issues and hurt to deal with, that all got tangled up with the innocent child who appeared at the door. I hope you enjoy it (if you read it before you pass it along), and I'd love to hear from you if you do.

    Blessings and hugs,
    Miralee

    ReplyDelete
  86. Miralee is an interesting lady, I loved the interview. To touch and encourage a heart with your writing must be awesome. Please include me in the drawing for LFY in Tombstone, AZ. Thanks!
    worthy2bpraised at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  87. I'm a follower.
    worthy2bpraised at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  88. I'm a subscriber.
    worthy2bpraised at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  89. Oh, oh, oh! Me! This book looks awesome! Please enter me. :) The LFY series is great.

    booklovercb at yahoo dot com

    I'm a follower.
    I'm a subscriber. :)

    ReplyDelete
  90. Tombstone...a classic western setting! I'd love to read it.

    meredithfl at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  91. I'm a gfc follower.

    meredithfl at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  92. I'm an email subscriber.

    meredithfl at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  93. Miralee's story sounds like a real Western with good morals and Christian values....and some fun mixed with it. I'd love to read this book. Thanks for the giveaway and the chance to win it.

    Sharing His Faith,
    Barb Shelton
    barbjan10 at tx dot rr dot com

    ReplyDelete
  94. the interview was great and I would love to win this book


    mamat2730(at)charter(dot)net

    ReplyDelete
  95. follow


    mamat2730(at)charter(dot)net

    ReplyDelete
  96. rated the review


    mamat2730(at)charter(dot)net

    ReplyDelete
  97. I'm so tickled to see so many people saying they'd read and enjoy a western romance. Thanks, gals, for your awesome support. If you don't win this book, I hope you'll consider picking up a copy and giving it a try!!
    Miralee

    ReplyDelete
  98. Would love to read this!
    lgm52@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  99. I'm a follower
    lgm52@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  100. I am a follower. atouchofheaven2010a[at]gmail[dot]com
    MAry B.

    ReplyDelete
  101. I am a subscriber
    atouchofheaven2010[at]gmail[dot]com
    Mary B.

    ReplyDelete
  102. I would love to read this!
    atouchofheaven2010[at]gmail[dot]com

    ReplyDelete
  103. Please enter me to win, I am a follower

    wynter@wynteradelle.com

    ReplyDelete
  104. Thank you for the lovely interview & giveaway. Sounds like a very goos read. Please count me in. Thanks.

    aimee.gevin{at}gmail{dot}com

    ReplyDelete
  105. GFC follower

    aimee.gevin{at}|gmail{dot}com

    ReplyDelete
  106. Subscriber

    aimee.gevin{at}gmail{dot}com

    ReplyDelete
  107. Ooh, I love historical fiction ... what a great interview --you picked good questions. =) Thanks for the chance to win!

    jafuchi7[at]hawaii[dot]edu

    ReplyDelete
  108. I'm an e-mail subscriber. =)

    jafuchi7[at]hawaii[dot]edu

    ReplyDelete
  109. Rated your review Ms. Casey --well written (as usual!), but I just wanted to suggest you consider adding a summary of what the bok is about (even if it's just from the back of the book). I know it's easy for a reader to find that information, but I appreciate it when the blogger already has it included in the blog post ... Anyways, that's just my thoughts ... =)

    jafuchi7[at]hawaii[dot]edu

    ReplyDelete
  110. I'm an email subscriber :)Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  111. Thanks for the giveaway opportunity! Please enter me. I also rated your review. Thanks! :)

    iluvmusic.18@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  112. I love her! Thanks for interviewing her.

    Jedakiah@frontier.com

    ReplyDelete
  113. I am blown away by all the wonderful comments and support from this group! Thank you all, for taking the time to read my interview and leave a comment. I wish you all could have won a book!

    Blessings,
    Miralee

    ReplyDelete
  114. Thank you so much for this interview. I have this book on my list, and would love to add it to my collection of Love Finds You books.

    ReplyDelete
  115. Hi, I just heard about this blog, and I love it! I will most certainly be dropping by again!

    crazi.swans@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  116. I'd love to win this book! And I loved Miralee Ferrell's advice to "just write", because that's exactly what I had intended to do before my teacher told me "no." Thanks for the giveaway!

    CARMAN SENT ME.

    hsiu_an(at)hotmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  117. I'm a GFC follower!

    hsiu_an(at)hotmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  118. I've subscribed to this blog!

    hsiu_an(at)hotmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  119. I'm a follower.
    Ann_Lee_Miller@msn.com

    ReplyDelete
  120. I'd love to win.
    Ann_Lee_Miller@msn.com

    ReplyDelete
  121. I would like a chance to win this book. I also rated your review. Thanks.

    arsmelser6@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  122. Thanks for the chance to win this book. The Other Daughter sounded interesting too.
    mesreadsATgmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  123. I am an old follower - extra entry.
    mesreadsATgmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  124. I rated the other review - extra entry.
    mesreadsATgmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  125. Thanks! Sounds delightgful. joleehamlin [at] comcast [dot] net

    ReplyDelete
  126. follow on gfc joleehamlin [at] comcast [dot] net

    ReplyDelete

Thank you so much for stopping by, I love to hear from those who traffic my blog! Have a wonderful day. :)