Thursday, September 20, 2012

Special Giveaway! Hidden in the Heart by Cathy West!


Welcome back to Writing for Christ Cathy West, I am excited to have you here for a second time. :-)

What has changed in your writing life since you were last here?

Well, let’s see. The biggest news is that we celebrated our daughter’s engagement in May! She is marrying the man of her dreams, handpicked by God, and we couldn’t be happier! A May 2013 wedding is planned. In other news, which you’ll probably find more interesting…J…I’m also celebrating the release of my second novel, Hidden in the Heart! This story is very special to me, as it is about a young woman’s search for her birth family, and is loosely based on my own experiences as I searched and found my birth family over ten years ago.

What recent read stood out to you as truly spectacular?

Wow. Toughie. I’d have to say Julie Cantrell’s Into The Free. It was pretty outstanding and I’m not at all surprised it did so well. I really enjoyed her writing and can’t wait to read the next book. She’s also a pretty awesome person!

Do you have favorite authors?

I do. All my friends!! Well, okay…seriously, I love Susan Meissner and I’ll read any book of hers any time. Same with Susan May Warren. I blame her for my recent conversion to joining the Historical Romance fan club! I enjoy Rosslyn Elliott, Olivia Newport, Jody Hedlund to name a few. Of course there’s Lynn Austin, Dan Walsh, Deborah Raney, Julie Lessman…I could go on for hours really!

What do you find the most enjoyable part of writing or connecting with readers?

When I’m ‘in the zone’ without distractions, totally into the story and the characters, that’s when the magic happens. I find my characters suddenly take on a life of their own and off they go, sometimes surprising me with what they say or do. Unfortunately this doesn’t happen every day, but when it does, I bask in it.
I LOVE to hear from my readers. It’s so important to me to know that I’ve made a connection with someone through the words I’ve written. All my stories deal with forgiveness, healing, restoration and hope. If I hear that a reader has experienced even one of these as a result of my book, I’m so blessed. It’s why I do what I do.

What do you find the most ideal atmosphere for writing? Do you ever get those surroundings? :-)

I’m definitely NOT a coffee shop writer. I’m way too distracted for that kind of atmosphere. I prefer the quiet of my study, sometimes with music playing, most often not. I’m fortunate to have a spectacular view of the ocean, which I enjoy when I need to just stop and think about what I’m doing. I am spoiled by my surroundings, that’s for sure!

Okay, something fun for those writers out there: In what point of your writing career did you surprise yourself by writing the most words ever in the shortest amount of time?

Oh, wow. I’m not sure I’ve ever done that!! I’m a pretty fast writer though, so I can pop out a book in a few months, but then I take a long time with the editing process. As much as I’d like that first draft to be perfect, it never is. :-)

Thanks for being here again! It has been a joy and we wish the very best with your novels. 

Readers, here is your chance to enter to win Cathy's latest book!

Please leave an email adddress! If I draw your name and there is no email, you will not win.
Isn't this little girl ADORABLE??? I want
to sit and stare at her. ;-)
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 October 5th.
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 


34 comments:

  1. Hey, Cath --

    SUPER CONGRATS on the upcoming wedding and the new book, girl!!

    And you can "pop out a book in a few months"??? Okay, there went our friendship ... ;) Seriously, that blows me away, but you redeemed yourself with the long editing process, which is exactly what I do.

    Hidden in the Heart has an absolutely beautiful cover and I already know the inside will be beautiful too!!

    Thank you for the shout-out above -- you are a true blessing and if I don't get to endorse your next historical romance, you will be in BIG trouble, my friend!!

    Great interview, Case, as always!!

    Hugs,
    Julie

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    Replies
    1. Well thank you!! LOL! I have two books coming down the pike, but they're not historical. I think Yesterday's Tomorrow will be my only venture into that realm. Contemporary is much easier!! But I know you love romance, so don't worry, I will be hitting you up! :) Missed you at ACFW. :(

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  2. I agree with Julie Lessman. I would buy the book, "Hidden in the Heart" just for the cover alone.
    Thanks for entering me in the contest.
    Janet Estridge.
    von1janet@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  3. I've never read a book with this story line and look forward to it! And yes, I agree the little girl is adorable!

    Doreen
    priviesandprims at yahoo .com

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  4. Congratulations. I would love to read this book. Please enter me in contest. I am a follower and email subscriber. Tore923@aol.com

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  5. Casey and Cathy,

    I just saw a blurb about this book on another site! You're getting your book out there - excellent!

    I'd love to win a copy - what a darling cover.

    beckydwriter(at)gmail(dot)com

    I'm a little like you, Cathy. I fly through the first draft, get everything down, then go back and fill in all the missing links... but that's because I'm a pantser and if I stop mid-way, I'll never get through it. I suppose once I get rich and famous and can sit around eating bon bons on my chaise lounge while someone else does my housework and my editing (primarily the housework!), I might change my methods.... HA!

    Blessings, you two!
    Becky

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  6. Congrats on the engagement and the book! I follow via email.
    lag110 at mchsi dot com

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  7. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  8. What a darling picture of this little girl on the cover!! I would love to win a book that speaks of being "Hidden in the Heart." I know it is a winner already! Please enter my name in the drawing and, I am a subscriber to this blog. Blessings! Darlene
    By the way, the reason I took this out above is that somehow it didn't post the first letter of my email. So, here it is: spangldlady[at]gmail[dot]com

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  9. Great Giveaway and Interview! Congratulations to your daughter! :)
    I am a follower and a subscriber.
    Thanks for the giveaway! God Bless!
    richmond.abigail@gmail.com

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  10. Thank you for offering these giveaways and for sharing the author's stories with us!

    I am a follower.
    I am a subscriber.

    missionwife@hotmail.com

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  11. I love the cover and I've heard about this book receiving great reviews. I'd love to win a copy of "Hidden In The Heart".

    Blessings!
    Judy
    sweetpea.judy(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  12. I am a follower!

    Judy
    sweetpea.judy(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  13. I am a subscriber!

    Judy
    sweetpea.judy(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  14. Sounds like you really wrote the book quickly, if I only could do that!

    dancealert at aol dot com

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  15. Lovely interview, ladies! Thanks for the info and encouragement. :)

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  16. Hi Brenda, no I didn't write this book quickly. What I was trying to say is that I can usually do a first draft of a novel pretty quickly - but then it takes months of editing to get it to a point where its ready for submission. Would be nice to have it ready to go in one shot, but no! :)

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  17. a wonderful posting/interview...would love to read cathy's novel...and i,too, love the cover :)

    i'm an email subscriber & follower, too

    karenk
    kmkuka at yahoo dot com

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  18. Congrats on your daughter's engagement. Nice interview.

    I follow via email.

    bn100candg(at)hotmail(dot)com

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  19. Beautiful cover! So happy for your daughter. You are going to have so much fun planning the wedding!
    pbclark(at)netins(dot)net

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  20. Email subscriber
    pbclark(at)netins(dot)net

    ReplyDelete
  21. GFC Follower
    pbclark(at)netins(dot)net

    ReplyDelete
  22. Great interview! Sounds like an awesome book! Thanks for the giveaway!

    nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net

    ReplyDelete
  23. GFC Follower


    nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net

    ReplyDelete
  24. E-Mail Subscriber


    nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net

    ReplyDelete
  25. I would love to win this book! Thanks for the chance! makeighleekyleigh@yahoo.com

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  26. I love to read books that are based on true experiences . I would love to win a copy of this book Please .Blessings to your daughter and your soon to be son- in -law marriage. I been married for 25 years after only dating 3 months .Crazy I know we have had our up and downs and we're still here .Thank you again for the contest .Dana

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  27. Hi Catherine and Casey,
    Thank you for giving me a chance to win your book" Hidden In The Heart" the little girl on the cover is so adorable, a great cover. Great interview. God bless you and have a great week.
    n38stanforth[at]gmail[dot]com

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  28. Great interview! I would love to read the book.

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

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  29. I'm a subscriber!

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

    ReplyDelete
  30. Great interview! I would love to read the book.

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

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  31. Looks great! I'm a follower and subscriber. shopgirl152nykiki@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete

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