Tuesday, November 13, 2012

BOOK GIVEAWAY!


I’ve been a bit B17 obsessed, just a bit, maybe only a kernel, really. And I’ve fallen behind on some of my promises. So to get back to work, I would like to introduce a new author, KATT ANDERSON, and her debut novel CALLIE'S MOUNTAIN.



My review:

Callie Trent arrives by wagon train in the Tennessee Mountains only to be told by her father she has to marry a man she's never met, the handsome Jacob McGinnis. Despite his daring strength and ability to keep the settlers safe from Indians and kidnappers, she wants nothing to do with him. After all, how can she ever find her own true love if she's forced to marry someone she doesn't even know?

If you like to read about the early settlers, survival in the wilderness and what it was like to live in a fort, not to mention Indian fights, and an introduction to a race of people few of us know exist, this is the book for you!

Katt, welcome! 

When did you first realize your calling to write?

I’ve wanted to write since elementary school. I didn’t have any idea how to go about it until I met a friend who was an author. She showed me I could write, and helped me with the process of getting started.

What inspired you to write
 Callie’s Mountain? 

The story of the Melungeon people has been dear to me for a long time. They were so mistreated by the white people. I guess I feel for the downtrodden people. I’d much rather write about people who are lifted up from the depths of hurt.

We were researching our family tree, along with my cousin’s husband. My husband found information about our family that we had not heard of before. Believe me, it was a wild family. With his discovery, we realized we had Melungeon blood in our veins, from my father’s mother. My father and his siblings bore distinct characteristics of the Melungeon race. I tried to use native Melungeon names in the book, but it isn’t about anyone in particular.

Writing
 Callie’s Mountain has been quite a journey for you. Do you care to talk about it?

Callie’s Mountain has had a lot of starts and stops. The book has been with me, and a part of my life, for seven years. I started writing for therapy after my father’s death. I wrote off and on while caring for my mother. Callie wouldn’t let me alone, and I continued to write. 

There have been a lot of discouragements, mostly from agents and publishers. We all have them if we desire to write. I have persevered. It’s made me a better person and a better writer. 

What is
 Callie’s Mountain about? What time period is it set in? What makes it stand out?

Callie’s Mountain is set in the hills of Tennessee, around Rogersville, in 1798. It is a love and hate story. Callie’s father tells her he has arranged a marriage for her with Jacob McGinnis. She’s never met him, and she rebels. First on her agenda is to teach school. Then she wants to find her “own true love.” The wagon train they are traveling across the mountains in is attacked by three strange men, the first introduction of the Melungeons. Jacob runs them off, but it doesn’t impress Callie. 

She becomes close to one Melungeon family, and teaches them to read and write. The store owner raised prices when he sold anything to the Melungeons. He is killed by Indians, who he also cheated, before they have a chance to approach him with their knowledge.

There are Indian attacks, Callie likes Jacob, then doesn’t. I think there’s a lot of action. 

To me the story of the Lost Race, the Melungeons, makes it stand out. Very few books have been written about these people, and I want them to be portrayed as the sweet, wonderful people they are.

What about this new publishing company Mantle Rock?

When I was having trouble being published, my dear friend and author, Sandi Rog, encouraged me to start my own company and self-publish. My husband, Jerry and I decided this was the way publication was going. It’s hard to be published in a large publishing company. It takes years to see your book in print. Mantle Rock Publishing can publish your book for you with no cost to you, and in months instead of years. The only thing we ask is you have it edited before it comes to us. We want a perfect manuscript. We can then have it printed on Kindle and in paperback. You will receive a commission when the book is sold. We will also help you market your book by helping you with blogs, interviews, and other ways of marketing. Of course, you have to do a lot of the leg work. Callie’s Mountain is being printed now in paperback. If anyone has other questions, they can contact me at kathycret at yahoo dot com.

What other releases do you have coming out?

Susannah’s Hope is scheduled to be released in January, 2013. Susannah is a brat in Callie’s Mountain. She goes through a lot of changes in the beginning of the story. She takes a complete 360 degree turn when her father dies and she is left to manage the store. Dr. Val Minor befriends her. There are no Indian attacks, but a smallpox epidemic. This book also involves mixed marriages between Melungeon and Caucasian. It really happened in that time.

After that is Emily’s Faith. Emily is the daughter of Callie and Jacob McGinnis. This will involve the Trail of Tears and be set in Hopkinsville, KY. After all, I live in Kentucky now and the Trail of Tears is part of our area. It is also a love story between Emily and a part Melungeon man. I think it will be a sad book to write because of all the things that happened to the Cherokee Indians. I am enjoying the research.

In the fall, I hope to finish
 Gilded Winter. I may change the name to Golden Winter. Haven’t decided yet. It’s set in 1908 on Jekyll Island. It’s the end of the Gilded Era, and Jekyll was a winter haven for the rich. It’s about four employees on the island. It’s a lighter book than the Melungeon stories. 

After that, I have several running around in my head. I pray God lets me live long enough to tell them.

A lot of the process of my writing is on my blog, www.kattscribbles.blogspot.com. My website is www.kattanderson.com. I also write another blog for teen girls. I invite you to stop by www.forchristiangirls.org. You may also check out Mantel Rock Publishing at www.mantlerockpublishing.com

Thanks for having me on your blog. I’ve enjoyed being here. Thank you to the readers who have taken time to read the blog. I pray you will enjoy my humble endeavors to tell my story.

Katt, it was so interesting to learn about the Melungeons. Thank you so much for joining us! And folks, if you want an enjoyable romantic read, get your hands on Callie’s Mountain. And if you wish to be entered into this fabulous giveaway, leave a comment below with your email address written like so sandirog at gmail dot com. GOOD LUCK!

22 comments:

  1. Hi Sandi and Katt, the book sounds like a wonderful read , I would like to be in your drawing. Sandi you just go right on telling about the B17-I would too had I been in your shoes and found this miracle...
    Good luck Katt on the book.

    Paula O(kyflo130@yahoo.com)

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    1. Thanks Paula. I know Paula from my blog. Have a good day.

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  2. The books sounds very interesting. Would like to be in the drawing.
    Amy D (costaricagirl2@yahoo.com)

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    1. Thanks Amy. I wish everyone. Alas, that is the way of life! Have a super day.

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  3. Sounds like a great book. Very interesting interview as well. Wishing you the best!
    pat at ptbradley dot com

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    1. Thanks Pat. It was fun writing. Love the early settlers.

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  4. I saw this a few days ago and have been wanting to read it since. It would be great to win it.
    Ourgod1-hisdaughter at live dot com

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    1. The Melungeon people are interesting. I've loved hearing tales about them all my life. Research was so much fun.

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  5. The book sounds awesome and I loved the interview. It's fun to read about new writers. God bless you and thanks for the chance to win a copy.

    Glenda Parker

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    1. Thank you, Glenda. I'm glad you enjoyed the interview. Sandi is a doll!

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  6. I am thankful to hear about this new people group I had never heard of. It sounds like quite a story. As for the other book title, I like Golden rather than Gilded. The setting is in the Golden Isles of Georgia so that makes sense and it somehow sounds better to my ears.

    It would be great to win your book. Please include my name in the hat.

    Blessings, Janice jsmithg(at)hotmail(dot)com

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    1. Thanks, Janice. I had been around Melungeon's all my life, but thought they were just a different color skin. When I researched the race, it became very interesting. I have my own theories, but everyone else has theirs. I believe the Melungeon's originated from Spain and other countries thereabout. Then in America, they, how do you say it, cohabitated with Indians and slaves. That makes the difference in the color.
      Yes, I agree with Golden Isles. Thanks for your comment about that. It will probably be a year or two off.

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  7. Well+all+of+my+comment+just+disappeared+when+I+hit+submit+so+guess+will+make+it+short+this+time.+Thanks+Sandi+and+Katt+heres+hoping~I+get+~lucky+~get+;my+name+drawn.~+++++++Maxie+ ( mac262@me(dot)com )

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    1. Doesn't that just make you mad, Maxie? I watched a whole chapter disappear, and that was before I knew about the little arrow at the top to get it back. It just vanished.
      Good luck with the drawing.

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    2. Maxie, you are the winner of Katt's book CALLIE'S MOUNTAIN! You'll be getting an email from me shortly. Congratulations!

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  8. Hey cousin, I loved your interview. I am very anxious to read your book. Would love to win a copy! Love you!!! carolyns41 at hotmail dot com

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  9. I would love a chance to win this book. I'm very interested in learning more about our history.

    Also, Sandi, I've been following your progress and victory (YAY!!) with your cancer battle since this spring. God has led me to tell two people about your success and I will keep sharing your "regimen" with those that God shows me He wants me to speak up to. Thank you for your courage and for spreading the word.

    clSwalwell99 at gmail dot com

    Thank you again for this opportunity.

    In Him,

    Cheri :)

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    1. I don't think you know this Cheri, but I'm also on B17. It is amazing stuff. I have diverticuli, and it has healed me. I can eat anything I want now, even nuts. Had my first piece of pecan pie in years. It tasted so good. I also, like Sandi, take B15. This gives me so much energy. Sandi is an amazing woman. She's my best friend, and I love her and her family so much.

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  10. Katt, thanks for your story and I wish you the best with the terrific sounding book. It is of particular interest to me as I come from close to the area of TN that you write about and in researching my genealogy found our name in the Mulungeons, but not a connection. They were very interesting to read about.

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    1. Thanks, Judy. There are certain names that you know are Melungeon. When someone tells me about a Collins, I know they are Melungeon, or from "over Home." That's what they call the area where the Melungeon's come from in Hancock Co., TN. My name, McGinnis is not in the line, but my great-great-grandmother had children by a Melungeon. They never married. It's funny, but you know by the names. Mullins, Johnson, Collins, Gibson. All Melungeon names.

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  11. This sounds like a very interesting book and than you for the opportunity of the giveway.

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

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WHEN THE WORLD SAYS YOU CAN'T, FAITH SAYS YOU CAN!