Monday, December 5, 2011

Giveaway and Author Interview: Pearl in the Sand by Tessa Afshar

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

Thank you so much, Casey. It’s wonderful to be here with you and your readers.

     One of the things that most readers might not know is that I have a slight accent. I was born in the Middle East and moved to England when I was almost fourteen. I learned to speak English while attending a boarding school for girls named Princess Helena College in Hertfordshire. Half of my family still lives in England. So although I’ve lived most of my life in America and this is my home, my accent has shades of the Queen’s influence. That, and a bit of Persian. Americans usually ask me if I’m Irish. The Irish ask me if I’m American. The real answer is that I’m a citizen of heaven.



Do you have a favorite genre to read/write?

     I love a good historical. Suspense can also make my day. Put them together and you are my friend. Give me a Brother Cadfael mystery by Ellis Peters, for example, and I can spend the day lost in Twelfth Century Shrewsbury. Add a steak and fries and a bit of chocolate and I might never leave.



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

     I’ve just started writing my third book, so this world is still new to me, and I have a lot to learn. The one thing I have to remember is the importance of perseverance. In my life, there are good writing days when words flow without interruption; but there are also some hard days when the concepts don’t come together. When one is facing the pressures of deadlines and the reality that other people are depending on you, it is easy to feel stressed. I am learning that if I persist, I can eventually turn that corner.



5 things you love?

     Jesus. My family, my closest friends, whipped cream, books, movies, the writing world. Oh, wait. Sorry. I got carried away and lost count. But I can’t bring myself to delete anything. Sign of a bad self-editor, that!



What do you enjoy most about being a published author?

     Letters from the readers.



Places for readers to learn more about you?

Thank you so much for inviting me to hang out with you. It’s been an absolute pleasure. If you would like to visit me on my website, the address is http://www.tessaafshar.com/ or visit me on my Facebook author page where there is always some new discussion going on: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Tessa-Afshar/337761827820?ref=ts


Readers here is your chance to enter to win Tessa's novel!
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



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 16th.

54 comments:

  1. This book looks really good!

    frequentreader19 (at) gmail (dot) com

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  2. Subscriber

    frequentreader19 (at) gmail (dot) com

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  3. Follower

    frequentreader19 (at) gmail (dot) com

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  4. I've heard nothing but great reviews! Please enter me.

    desertrose5173 at gmail dot com

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  5. Follower.

    desertrose5173 at gmail dot com

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  6. And subscriber.

    desertrose5173 at gmail dot com

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  7. Thanks Melanie and Linda. I hope you'll get a copy!

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  8. I am now following and subscribed!!! My email is : mrslippo@hotmail.com

    would love to be entered in your giveaway please.

    thanks

    julie

    mrslippo@hotmail.com

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  9. Lovely interview :)I've heard many wonderful things about thins book :)
    I'm a follower

    crazi.swans at gmail dot com

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  10. This book looks so interesting. I would really enjoy reading it.
    Alicia
    Alibaby374@gmail.com

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  11. Looks like a great book!
    ~Marissa

    marissamehresman(at)aol(dot)com

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  12. It would be interesting to read Tessa's book. The cover looks intriguing.

    pmk56[at]sbcglobal[dot]net

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  13. I'm a subscriber.

    pmk56[at]sbcglobal[dot]net

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  14. I'm a follower.

    pmk56[at]sbcglobal[dot]net

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  15. Just want to say I loved this book and can't wait for Tessa's second book. no need to enter me in the contest I already have the book. Readers are in for a treat.

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  16. I have never tried a Biblical fiction book and would love to try one out- beginning with this one:-) Please enter me in this giveaway!

    yecenia@optonline.net

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  17. Hey, Case and Tessa -- this cover absolutely mesmerizes me, so I can't wait to see what's inside ... :)

    I am both a follower and a subscriber, so please toss my name in the hat and THANK YOU for this opportunity!

    Hugs,
    Julie

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  18. Hey ladies...thanks for the interview...and Tessa I love love your book...it is just awesome!! Don't enter me in the drawing because I already have this book. Just wanted to comment on how wonderful it is!
    Blessings.....Joy
    ibjoy1953{at]yahoo[dot]com

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  19. Great post! I look forward to reading your work. Blessings :-)

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  20. This is so exciting! Can't wait to see who gets the book. I wished I had enough to give each of you ladies who have written in a complimentary copy. Carissa, Joy, and Julie, thanks for making my week. I now have a HUGE smile on my face.

    Tessa

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  21. both a follower and subscriber. I would love to own a actual copy of this book . I had a netgalley copy but would love nothing more than to actually hold the book to read it . it was a truly wonderful read.

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  22. lol forgot to put my email .. mrstcalnan@gmail.com

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  23. I am happy to read of Tessa and her background. I checked out her blog and found it to be full of interesting things of which I was unaware. I think from reading her blog that I would very much enjoy the novel and her style of writing.

    It is a treat to come to this website and see the interesting books and authors you feature, Casey.

    jsmithg@hotmail(dot)com

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  24. I also love the Brother Cadfael mysteries!

    Please enter me in the contest:

    anngaylia@hotmail.com

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  25. I enjoyed the interview. It makes a book more interesting when you know something about the author.
    Thanks for doing the interview and for the book giveaway.
    Shirley
    abeekeeper5(at)bellsouth(dot)net

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  26. Hi Casey and Tessa!
    I'm so excited to get to "know" Tessa through this interview, and I'm planning to read this book! It's high on my TBR pile! ha! Like many of the others have said, I've heard all good things about Pearl in the Sand and can't wait to read it. Blessings on you both for the ministry you provide!

    email is: mesu(at)mesuandrews(dot)com

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  27. Just signed up as a follower! Woot!

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  28. And a subscriber!

    email:
    mesu(at)mesuandrews(dot)com

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  29. That is a stunning book cover. I be the story itself is just as compelling.
    And, oh yes, I thoroughly enjoyed Tessa's list of things she loved -- she could have kept right on going!

    beth@bethvogt.com

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  30. Great interview. I always love reading about new to me authors.

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

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  31. I'm a subscriber

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

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  32. I'm a follower

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

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  33. I am a follower and email subscriber. Please enter me in contest. Tore923@aol.com

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  34. I have wanted to read this book for so long!! And the cover really is gorgeous. Please enter me :)

    I'm a follower and a subscriber.

    Beth
    bharbin07[at]gmail[dot]com

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  35. Such a beautiful cover! Looks like a great read.
    kandrajane@bellsouth.net

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  36. I'm an e-mail subscriber, too!
    kandrajane@bellsouth.net

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  37. I'm an email subscriber. I would love a chance to win Tessa's book, it sounds wonderful. Thank you for the entry.

    Have a blessed day!
    Sandee61

    Muzzley56[at]aol[dot]com

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  38. This looks like a great book! Thanks for the opportunity! I'm a GFC follower and email subscriber.

    gwen[dot]gage[at]gmail[dot]com

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  39. This book has been on my TBR list. It intrigues me.
    wsmarple/at/gmail/dot/com

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  40. I am a follower.
    wsmarple/at/gmail/dot/com

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  41. I am a subscriber
    wsmarple/at/gmail/dot/com

    ReplyDelete
  42. thanks for the opportunity to read this beautiful story...

    i'm a follower
    i'm an email subscriber, too

    karenk
    kmkuka at yahoo dot com

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  43. I love your answer, "I am a citizen of heaven."
    United States
    lanehillhouse[at]centurylink[dot]net

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  44. Historical Fiction is my favorite.
    United States
    lanehillhouse[at]centurylink[dot]net

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  45. I am a follower.
    United States
    lanehillhouse[at]centurylink[dot]net

    ReplyDelete
  46. I too am a subscriber.
    United States
    lanehillhouse[at]centurylink[dot]net

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  47. As an insider in my public library, Tessa's second book is on order. The copies of the first book are becoming worn. More and more people want words written for Him. Thanks again Tessa for leading my heart! candacefrostsmiley@gmail.com

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  48. I am a follower and would enjoy receiving a copy!
    Alicia
    Alibaby374@gmail.com

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  49. Please enter me! The cover on this books is AMAZING!

    katiegalyean (at) yahoo (dot) com

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  50. I'm a follower

    katiegalyean (at) yahoo (dot) com

    ReplyDelete
  51. I'm a subscriber

    katiegalyean (at) yahoo (dot) com

    ReplyDelete
  52. Thank you so much, Casey, for the opportunity to be a guest on your blog. I have loved the comments of your guests. What a fun bunch of folks. I can't wait to find out which of these ladies will win a copy of Pearl in the Sand.

    All the best to you and your precious guests. May God give you the desires of your heart.

    Merry Christmas,

    Tessa

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  53. Came upon your site due to your interview with Tessa. She is several of truly interesting Christian authors. Enter me in the contest. Thanks. Blanche.

    thelivingfactor(at)yahoo(dot)com

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