Thursday, April 12, 2012

SPECIAL POST!! Giveaway! Sanctuary for a Lady by Naomi Rawlings


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

Oh, I’ve got a great one. I play the harp. Yep, really. The harp.

Okay, it’s not that I play the harp so much as I know how to play one, and yes, I own one too. But I haven’t played much over the past few years as I’ve started writing more. The last time I played was for my cousin’s wedding in 2010.

Do you have a favorite genre to read/write?

Romance. Romance. Historical Romance, and um, more Romance. I rarely find myself finishing a book that isn’t a romance novel. I have all these good intentions, like “I should read The Help or Girl with the Dragon Tattoo or The Marriage Plot or some other bestselling book by some famous author. So I’ll get the book and read about the first 50 pages before I see some romance novel on sale and get distracted by a love story.

As far as writing romances goes, I don’t ever see myself writing a book without a romantic thread of some sort in it or getting tired of writing romances. Human love is rooted in God’s love. And God’s love is so rich and deep, with endless facets and dimensions. As a writer, I see myself exploring the theme of “love” for a very long time.

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

I don’t know that I’m brilliant enough to come up with a single “nugget” like that, but I will say the two books that have helped me the most are Writing the Breakout Novel Workbook and The Moral Premise. I’d recommend every writer nearing publication read both of those. Personally, I follow the steps laid out at the end of The Moral Premise. Then once I’ve solidified where my story is going and why, I go back through the Breakout Novel Workbook and apply some of the exercises in there to make sure my story has things like characters with gripping inner conflict and a plot that keeps escalating.

5 things you love?

My husband.
My kids.
Reading a book . . .
      at night . . .
      while I’m sitting by our woodstove . . .
      and drinking hot chocolate . . .
      and it’s snowing outside, those big fluffy flakes that slowly drift to the ground and blanket everything in white.

Okay, that’s seven things, but it makes a cozy picture, doesn’t it?

What do you enjoy most about being a published author?

I’m too new to the publishing world to say for certain, but so far, holding my book in my hands for the first time has probably been my favorite moment.

Places for readers to learn more about you?


My facebook page, which I keep up to date on giveaways, my blog, and funny writing facts. http://www.facebook.com/author.naomirawlings

My blog: www.makinghomeworkblog.blogspot.com  My blog is an interesting combination of home-life, writing, and mothering. A lot of moms seem to find it encouraging.

Actually, if you want to read about how I messed up that great first moment where I should have been holding my published novel in my hand but wasn’t, I have a fun blog post about that. http://makinghomeworkblog.blogspot.com/2012/02/unforgetable-moments-perfect-or-bungled.html

Thank you for being with us today!

Thanks for having me, Casey. It was fun to be here!

Readers, here is your chance to enter to win Naomi's DEBUT novel!

Please leave an email adddress! 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 April 27th.
Attn Readers! If you're struggling to leave a comment on my blog, please email your comment entries (in ONE email) and I will submit it for you. But PLEASE only do this after you've failed to leave a comment. My email is: caseym.writer(@)gmail.com 


68 comments:

  1. great questions, Casey!

    A harp-how wonderful. One of my best friends played piano all her life and excelled and just started harp lessons a couple years ago and loves it.

    I happen to own Sanctuary for a Lady and have finished it, and loved it.
    I hope tho see many more books from you, Naomi!

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  2. Thanks for the giveaway. I would love to read this book. It sounds very good. Please enter me in contest. Tore923@aol.com

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  3. I'd love to be entered!

    Godsforlife@gmail.com

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  4. I'm a follower.

    Godsforlife@gmail.com

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  5. I've heard wonderful things about this book. How you start it and can't put it down. I would love to win a copy. Naomi I wish you the best of luck on this debut romance novel (I love romance!) and God's Blessings!

    I am a follower and a subscriber to this blog!

    God Bless!
    Judy
    sweetpea.judy(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  6. This sounds like another great new one! I'm definitely going to check out Naomi's blog, too.
    kandrajane@bellsouth.net

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  7. I'm an email subscriber, too!
    kandrajane@bellsouth.net

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  8. Naomi,

    Great interview Naomi and Casey! And Writing the Breakout Novel is just AMAZING! So much great information!

    I already have Naomi’s wonderful novel, so no need to enter me in the drawing.

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  9. Hi! Great post! Please enter me. I would live to win this one!

    Also, I am a follower and a subscriber.

    Thanks!
    Katie g.
    Katiegalyean (at) yahoo (dot) com

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  10. Sounds like a great novel from a super author. Thank you for the opportunity to win. i am a follower and a subscriber.

    Marianne Barkman

    mitzi underscore wanham at gmail dot com

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  11. I think it's so cool that you play the harp, Naomi. A lovely woman at my church who's been one of the staunchest supporters on my writing journey does, and I love hearing her perform. I'm sure your cousin was thrilled to have you play at her wedding.

    I popped over to read your bungled book arrival post. Cute!

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    1. Oh, whoops, I just realized I should be replying after reader comments instead of at the bottom of the page. So sorry to the earlier ladies!

      Keli, harp music is one of the most soothing, beautiful sounds on the planet. I can see why you love to hear your friend play. And praise the Lord she's been such an encouragement to you.

      Glad you liked my bungled book post. Sadly, I tend to bungle far too much in my life!

      Delete
  12. Enter me, please~! I would like to read Sanctuary for a Lady. The cover is awesome. Speaks to me and wonder where they are going at such a slow pace. Blending in, instead of running!
    lanehillhouse[at]centurylink[dot]net

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  13. I am a subscriber!
    lanehillhouse[at]centurylink[dot]net

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  14. I am a follower.
    lanehillhouse[at]centurylink[dot]net

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  15. Thank you for hosting this giveaway and for doing this interview with Naomi.

    wfnren(at)aol(dot)com

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    1. Wendy! How fun to see you here. You keep popping up at all these wonderful places on my blog tour. I really hope you get your hands on a copy of the novel, in one way or another, soon. :-)

      Delete
  16. I am a follower on GFC, wfnren or Wendy Newcomb

    wfnren(at)aol(dot)com

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  17. I am a subscriber.

    wfnren(at)aol(dot)com

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  18. Great interview! I've heard really good things about this book and can't wait to read it. Thanks for another great giveaway!

    ecriggs1990(at)aol(dot)com

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    Replies
    1. Thanks Liz! Hopefully the great things you read about will live up to your expectations, if you get a chance to read the book. I appreciate your support!

      Delete
  19. Great interview! Please enter me! I'm a follower and subscriber.

    Julie@My Favorite Pastime

    gravesok(at)gmail(dot)com

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  20. I'm a follower.

    ecriggs1990(at)aol(dot)com

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  21. I'm a subscriber too.

    ecriggs1990(at)aol(dot)com

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  22. Deb, I'm afraid I made the mistake of taking harp lessons and thinking they would be simple since I already knew how to play the piano. Nothing could have been further from the truth!

    Actually, the worst part is tuning it. Mine is double strung, so I have to tune 66 strings before I even start to practice! Needless to say, I never get around to tuning it, which is why I never practice. Especially when I can just sit down that the piano and practice without working first!

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  23. Judy, well aren't you just the sweetest thing! I sure hope you can't put my book down. At least that's how I tried to write it. But as to whether or not I was successful in keeping readers glued to the page, well, I supposed time will tell. :-)

    Thanks for your encouragement!

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  24. Thanks for stopping by, Amanda. Do you know, I'm plotting a sequel to Sanctuary for a Lady right now, and as always, I've pulled out my copy of the Breakout Novel Workbook to to help me come up with a good plot. :-)

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  25. Thanks to everyone who has stopped by so far today. It's been a pleasure meeting all of you. And thanks Casey, for having me!

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  26. Hey, I'm Ashley and I think this book would be an amazing read!!
    violintwins@gmail.com

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  27. Hey, Ashley Again, I am also a subscriber and I follow this blog too.

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  28. Naomi, I'm with you. I love romance novels, or at least for the book I'm reading to have a romance thread woven into the story. Would love to read your book. terimetts@gmail.com

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    Replies
    1. So fun to find yet another romance fan out there. I must admit, I'm pretty die hard about the romance.

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  29. This book looks really good - would love a chance to win! :)

    Naomi, your list of 5 (or 7!) things you love is so poetic! Nicely done. :)

    ~Amber

    amberstokes[at]corban[dot]edu

    P.S. I'm a follower!

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    Replies
    1. Poetic? I'm trying not to snort in laughter. I love writing novels. Poetry? Well, you probably couldn't find a worse poet on the planet.

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  30. I'm the same way about romance books. All I read are Christian romance stories. The cover of yours is intriguing:) please enter me. Clp1777(at)aol(dot)com
    And I'm also a follower.

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    1. Ah, yet another romance die hard. It's so fun to meet people who are just as fanatic as I am.

      Most people think I'm insane when I say I've never read a James Patterson novel, and I'm just like "But people don't fall in love in those, so why would I want to read it?" :-)

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    2. Exactly.one lady told me she likes to read, but doesn't like love stories...I was like, "what else is there?!?

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    3. Too funny! But I'm in complete agreement.

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  31. I heard aboutthis book on Seekerville and I've seen it pop up a couple of places since then. I just finished a unit on neoclassic art in my art history class, which occured around the French revolution, so this would bean interesting read! Historicals are so much more fun to head than textbooks, even though it's fiction. :)

    Jafuchi7(at)Hawaii(dot)edu

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    Replies
    1. Yes, I was on Seekerville last week. Glad you heard about the book, and I hope that you're able to find a copy and enjoy it!

      Delete
  32. I'm an email subscriber

    Jafuchi7(at)Hawaii(dot)edu

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  33. I believe I'm a gfc follower -it doesn't show up on the mobile d
    Jafuchi7(at)Hawaii(dot)edu

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  34. Gfc follower.
    Jafuchi7(at)Hawaii(dot)edu

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  35. thanks for the chance to read this novel :)

    i'm a follower & email subscriber, too.

    karenk
    kmkuka at yahoo dot com

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  36. I love the cover it makes you want to read the book. Thanks for the chance to win. ybutler@oppcatv.com

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  37. I am an email subscriber. Thanks ybutler@oppcatv.com

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  38. I follow on GFC. Thanks. ybutler@oppcatv.com

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  39. The cover alone is intriguing to me. I want to read this book. This is a really interesting and helpful interview. Thanks for the writing pointers. :)

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  40. Whoops, I am a subscriber and follower. Justmeshf@hotmail.com

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  41. this book sounds wonderful thanks
    ABreading4fun [at] gmail [dot] com

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  42. follower

    ABreading4fun [at] gmail [dot] com

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  43. email subscriber

    ABreading4fun [at] gmail [dot] com

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  44. Please enter me in the contest crowns4queens@att.net

    Cherie

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  45. Thanks to those of you who like the book cover! It was rather difficult coming up with a cover for a book set in France that still needed to appeal to an American readership. I feel like the art department achieved a good balance. :-)

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  46. I love this line of books. I agree about the cover, it looks great!
    tressa dot sherman at hotmail dot com

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  47. GFC-Tressa
    tressa dot sherman at hotmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  48. Email subscriber.
    tressa dot sherman at hotmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  49. Would love to win this - I love "Love Inspired" novels! Thanks for the chance! :)

    frequentreader19 (at) gmail (dot) com
    Christian Bookshelf Reviews

    ReplyDelete
  50. I'm a GFC follower

    frequentreader19 (at) gmail (dot) com
    Christian Bookshelf Reviews

    ReplyDelete
  51. I'm an email subscriber.

    frequentreader19 (at) gmail (dot) com
    Christian Bookshelf Reviews

    ReplyDelete
  52. Great interview!Sanctuary for a Lady by Naomi Rawlings sounds wonderful.Please add me to the drawing!thanks for the chance!augustlily06(at)aim(dot)com.

    ReplyDelete
  53. email subscriber.augustlily06(at)aim(dot)com.)com.

    ReplyDelete
  54. Gfc follower.augustlily06(at)aim(dot)com.)com.

    ReplyDelete
  55. Casey, With all my computer problems I almost missed the opportunity to enter this giveaway.
    Hi Naomi, I enjoyed your interview and have already added your book to my wish list. Congratulations on your first book and hope there will be many more to follow. I hope there was someone at your home to accept your books.

    misskallie2000 at yahoo dot com

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    1. We had a neighbor with a house key move them inside and out of the snow.

      So glad my book interests you! And thanks for stopping by. :-)

      Delete
  56. I am an old email subscriber

    misskallie2000 at yahoo dot com

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  57. Old GFC follower

    misskallie2000 at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  58. Thank you, thank you, thank you!! I am excited to win! I have wanted to read Sanctuary for a Lady!!
    lanehillhouse[at]centurylink[dot]net

    ReplyDelete

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

FTC Rules

According to new FTC rules I must let you, the reader know, that all views shared on this blog are strictly my own. Books to review are either provided for me by the author, publisher or ones I have purchased and I am under no obligation whatsoever to present anything, but my true opinion on any product. I receive no monetary compensation for anything written on this blog. Any giveaways on this blog are provided by the author/ publisher and I am not responsible for any views they express in their work or on this site. Giveaways are void were prohibited and chances of winnng are based on the number of applicants. A random winner is draw when a book is given away.

 
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