Monday, June 2, 2014

Giveaway! The Hatmaker's Heart by Carla Stewart!

Welcome to Writing for Christ Carla Stewart, it is great to have you here!

Thank you, Casey, for inviting me.

So you’re a writer? What made you decide to start creating characters and story world?

I’ve always been a reader and loved being whisked away to places different from my small-town Texas upbringing and, with that, I dreamed of someday writing books like those I loved to read. Life has a way, though, of getting in the way. Raising four boys can do that. Turning fifty was a Eureka! moment for me, and I realized if I was ever going to write a novel, I’d better get started. I wrote 90 pages of my first novel in secret before I told anyone. That novel was promptly rejected, but the sweet editor told me I had an engaging voice and to keep writing. I haven’t looked back. And it turns out that all those years of life experience have given me more characters and material than I will ever be able to use.


What is the one title that has significantly impacted your life?


This Present Darkness by Frank Peretti. Spiritual warfare was a fairly new concept for me when I read it, and the book came at a time in my life when I desperately needed it. What a joy to meet Frank at ACFW last year and visit with him about the impact the book had on me.


If you could get a do-over when it came to learning this whole thing called writing, what would you go back and tell yourself?

So many things. It’s okay to be unique and not follow the crowd. Don’t compare yourself (or your success) to others. God is in control. Be thankful for every tiny victory. Don’t discount any connections that you make along the way. You never know when or how God may use them in His plan for your writing. Most of all, I would tell myself that it’s a sacred privilege to share my words with others and to be joyful even when I don’t see where the road leads.


5 preference questions:

Homemade or take-out? I prefer homemade, but the reality is that we eat way too much take-out, especially when deadlines loom.
Email or snailmail? Email, although it makes me sad that the art of letter writing has fallen by the wayside.
Online shopping or Black Friday deals? Both, absolutely!
Books or movies? Books
Note-taker or memorization? Note-taker. I always carry a tiny notepad and also make notes on my phone (even in church where it probably looks like I’m texting, but I’m not. Honest.).
               

Yes, I’m asking you to play favorites…which of your books is your favorite, published or unpublished? And if this is your debut novel, has your favorite been published yet?

No fair! I truly don’t have a favorite book, but I do have a few favorite characters. Mitzi Steiner in Broken Wings is an older character (jazz singer) who I want to be like when I grow up. Georgia Peyton from Stardust is another favorite. That novel, with its East Texas bayou setting, centers around polio and is one that has generated a lot of conversation when I speak, so I have to say it is one that I’m quite fond of.

I adored writing my newest release, The Hatmaker’s Heart, since it takes place in 1920s New York City and London. I’ve long wanted to set a book in England so it was a treat to be able to do that.


Places for readers to learn more about you?

My website at www.carlastewart.com
       Twitter: www.twitter.com/ChasingLilacs

Thank you for being with us today!


Thank you, Casey! I’ve loved being here. 
Readers, enter to win Carla's here!

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 June 13th
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 

41 comments:

  1. I am a subscriber and follower :)
    godspeculiartureasure(at)gmail(dot)com

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  2. thanks for the chance to read this wonderful novel, casey.

    I'm a follower & email subscriber, too.

    karenk
    kmkuka at yahoo dot com

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    Replies
    1. Thanks, Karen for stopping by and your interest in The Hatmaker's Heart!

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  3. Thank you for introducing me to this new-to-me author and for the chance to win a copy of this book. It looks like a great story.
    I am a follower & subscriber.
    susanmsj at msn dot com

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    1. Happy to meet you, Susan! Hope that you will check out my books - and good luck in the drawing!

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  4. I have loved Mrs. Stewart's other novels and would love to read this one, too. I am a subscriber and follower.
    donvelma@gmail.com

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    1. Velma - you've made my morning brighter - thank you for your support.

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  5. Would love to win this book! Carla's books have been on my to buy list for awhile!

    marissamehresman(at)aol(dot)com

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    1. Yay, Marissa - I would love for you to pick up any of my books - this one is a fun Roaring 20s tale and would be a great one to start with. Blessings.

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  6. I'm a follower!!

    marissamehresman(ar)aol(dot)com

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  7. I'm a subscriber!!

    marissamehresman(at)aol(dot)com

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  8. Wow..beautiful cover and great interview!! I would love to read this book!!

    Sheri
    hspruitt at frontier net DoT net

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    Replies
    1. Thank you, Sheri. My publisher does wonderful covers and this may be my favorite. I hope that you get a chance to read The Hatmaker's Heart! Blessings!

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  9. I am a follower and subscriber...thanks for the chance at the giveaway!!

    Sheri
    hspruitt at frontier Net doT net

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  10. Casey, thanks for inviting me to your beautiful blog. I loved your fast five questions and am honored to be here. Blessings, my friend!

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  11. Thanks for offering the giveaway, Casey. I would love to win this latest book of Carla's -- the cover, the title, and the setting all make me curious! :)

    ckbarker at gmail dot com

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    1. Hey, Cheryl! So good to see your smiling face. I'd love to hear what you think about Hatmaker - such a fun story to research and write. Let me know when you get a chance!

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  12. Enjoyable interview. Ü
    The cover of this book really draws me in. I must admit that Carla is a new-to-me author. I'd love to be the recipient of this new book.

    I'm a follower and subscriber

    cindialtman(at)gmail(dot)com

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    Replies
    1. Hi Cindi! I'm so thankful for bloggers like Casey who introduce new authors to their readers. I'd be honored for you to read any of my books. Good luck in the drawing!

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  13. I have enjoyed the rest of Carla's books, so I can't wait to read this one too!

    kleehar[at]gmail[dot]com

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    1. Aw, Kristin - thanks so much. I hope you like Nell's story, too.

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  14. I am a subscriber and a follower....And I love Carla's books!
    grandmomma@yahoo.com

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    Replies
    1. Thanks so much, Marie. I'm glad you like my books, and I simply LOVE that you wear hats - this one will resonate with you, I think! Cheers!

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  15. Great interview! This looks like an interesting book. I'm happy to discover an author whose books I have not yet read. I would love to win this one. I am an email subscriber.
    kandrajane at bell south dot net

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    Replies
    1. Kandra - I'm happy to meet readers who are looking for new reads, too, so hope you'll enjoy The Hatmaker's Heart or one of my other books. Thanks for stopping in!

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  16. Casey, I'm a follower and a subscriber. Thanks for the chance to win this book! I've heard a lot about it. :)
    jennismith1983(at)gmail(dot)com

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    1. Hi Jennifer - hope what you've heard has been good :-) And I'd love to know how you like it, too!

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  17. What a gorgeous cover!
    I am a subscriber & a follower.
    kawaii (dot) katers [at] gmail dot com

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    Replies
    1. Thanks, LadySaotome! My publisher gets all the credit for the beautiful cover. Thanks for stopping by.

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  18. Hoping to win this one. Love the cover! I'm a subscriber and follower. Thanks for the giveaway!

    amberdawnwhitlock[at]gmail[dot]com

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    1. Thanks Amber - so glad to hear that you're anxious to read this. Please look around for other giveaways, too. Good luck!

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  19. I am very interested in this book. I love reading things about the 1920's. Thanks for the giveaway!
    Subscriber and follower.
    dixiendottie at yahoo dot com

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    1. Dixie - this makes me smile. I loved researching the 1920s and the jazz age and writing Nell's story. Let me know how you like it!

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  20. Carla, I love that you are following your passion. I, too, have loved writing most of my life, but truly began working on my craft once I became an empty-nester. :)

    Great title. Great cover art. I wish you great success!

    Subscriber and follower: nicnac63 AT hotmail DOT com

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  21. Beautiful cover. I love old hats and have a collection over my desk, so The Hatmaker's Heart sounds wonderful to me!
    I'm a follower.
    I'm a subscriber.
    worthy2bpraised at gmail dot com

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  22. I enjoyed this interview. I had never heard of Carla Stewart, but this interview sent me to her website to look at her books--they all sound intriguing! They remind me of Siri Mitchell's books--I really enjoy the issues that Siri presents in her novels (issues that aren't normally addressed in historical fiction), and it sounds as if Carla writes in a similar vein. Thanks for putting her on my radar!!

    I subscribe. mallori.norris@gmail.com

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  23. Thanks for the interview! You are so right that God is in control. Sometimes we think we control everything! I love the book cover for your latest book. Hope to read it soon!

    I'm a subscriber.

    kosterbind (at) gmail (dot) com

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  24. I am a subscriber and follower. I'd love to win a book! Great post!
    susanlulu@yahoo.com

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  25. London in the 1920s? I'm sold! Thanks for the chance to win --I haven't read anything by Ms. Stewart, but I'm going to see if the library has anything ... =)

    jafuchi7[at]hawaii[dot]edu

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  26. I'm a GFC follower: Lady DragonKeeper


    jafuchi7[at]hawaii[dot]edu

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  27. Email subscriber:
    jafuchi7[at]hawaii[dot]edu

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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. :)