AND THE WINNER IS . . .

SANDEE!!

CONGRATULATIONS, girl! I'm sure you'll LOVE The Silent Governess. I know I will! Julie's books are amazing!

I'll contact you via email. I'll need your snail-mail address so Julie can send you her book.

ENJOY!

INTERVIEW WITH JULIE KLASSEN

Remember that new author I'd discovered a few posts down? The one who writes stories like Jane Austen and the Bronte sisters? Think Pride and Predjudice, Jane Eyre and Wuthering Heights!

Well, drum roll please *~*~*~*~*~ I'm excited to introduce JULIE KLASSEN on my blog! You'll find a list of all her books on the right, with her latest release of The Silent Governess at the top.

Here's Julie in her own words:

My background is in advertising and marketing, but I am blessed with a dream job—working as an editor of Christian fiction. I have been writing since childhood, but Lady of Milkweed Manor was my first novel. It was a finalist for a Christy Award and won second place in the Inspirational Reader's Choice Awards. My second novel, The Apothecary's Daughter, was a finalist in the ACFW Book of the Year awards. I am currently writing one novel a year.


I graduated from the University of Illinios and enjoy travel, research, BBC period dramas, long hikes, short naps and coffee with friends.


My husband and I have two sons and live near St. Paul, Minnesota.

After thoroughly enjoying her first two books, The Lady of Milkweed Manor and the Apothecary's Daughter, I'm waiting with panted breath to read The Silent Governess! Here's what it's about: 

Olivia Keene is fleeing her own secret. She never intended to overhear his.




But now that she has, what is Lord Bradley to do with her? He cannot let her go, for were the truth to get out, he would lose everything--his reputation, his inheritance, his very home.


He gives Miss Keene little choice but to accept a post at Brightwell Court, where he can make certain she does not spread what she heard. Keeping an eye on the young woman as she cares for the children, he finds himself drawn to her, even as he struggles against the growing attraction. The clever Miss Keene is definitely hiding something.


Moving, mysterious, and romantic, The Silent Governess takes readers inside the intriguing life of a nineteenth-century governess in an English manor house where all is not as it appears.



Doesn't that sound exciting? I can't wait to get my hands on it!

Now, please join me for an interview with a supremely talented author. Remember: If you leave a comment with your email address listed, you'll be entered to win her latest release The Silent Governess.

Julie, welcome to my blog. I'm honored and absolutely thrilled to have you here. So, please tell us, how long have you been writing? How did you get your start?

I have been writing on and off since childhood, but didn’t get serious about it until my husband was laid off several years ago. (Necessity really is the mother of invention!) In the meantime, I worked as an editor for Bethany House Publishers. I have learned so much from other authors and from reviewing and editing manuscripts—all of which, I believe, have made me a better writer.

When I (secretly) wrote my first historical, Bethany House was my hoped-for publisher. Since I work with the people who would be reviewing my novel, I submitted it under a pseudonym so that if it was accepted, it would be done so objectively. Of course, this also allowed me to cower under the protection of anonymity in case it was rejected! Fortunately, they liked it, and published Lady of Milkweed Manor in 2007, followed by The Apothecary’s Daughter in ’08 and now, The Silent Governess.


What made you decide to write fiction?

I’m a big believer in writing what you love. I have always been a fiction reader and especially enjoy novels with strong romantic elements, so that’s what I write.


What made you choose this particular genre?

I write historical fiction, set in England. I like anchoring novels to historical realities, and revealing interesting aspects of the way people used to live. I find 19th century views on women, medicine, education, and so much more, very interesting. And readers seem to as well.

I’m not sure why I am fascinated with England. Perhaps because I read The Secret Garden and Jane Eyre at an early age and so enjoy the works of Jane Austen, Elizabeth Gaskell and Charles Dickens.


How did things change once you became a published author? Did you lose friends? Make friends? How did it affect your family?


My life is certainly busier! Even though I have worked in publishing for years, I really had no idea how much work being a writer really was. Not only the research, writing, and revising itself, but also all the promotion components that go along with it. And don’t get me started about taxes! My husband and sons are supportive, but I still struggle to balance the competing demands of family, work, church, and writing. I haven’t lost friends, but nor do I get to see them as often as I once did. I have also made several wonderful new writer-friends, which has been such a help and a blessing.


Where do you spend your time writing? Do you have a favorite place? A favorite time of day?


I have written in coffee shops, hotels, and libraries. But mostly I write in the cluttered dining room—the only room with a door to help shut out the sounds of boy-noise and video games. Now that my sons are in school, and I am working only part-time, I can sometimes write during the day. But I usually end up writing at night, after the boys are in bed, unless I have a BBC period drama from Netflix.…



How did you come up with the story for The Silent Governess?

Even though I rarely listen to classical music, the original idea for this novel was inspired by Mahler’s Third Symphony, which I heard on a long, solo car trip. As I listened, whole scenes spun forth like a movie in my mind.

Also, having been intrigued by English governesses ever since my 6th grade teacher read Jane Eyre aloud to us (with real emotion and even mascara-tears), I thoroughly enjoyed researching real-life governesses. This research also shaped the story of The Silent Governess.


What are you working on now?

Since completing The Silent Governess, I’ve been playing catch-up at home and at work. I have also begun a fourth novel, similarly set in early 19th-century England. I haven’t settled on a title yet, but will post more information on my web site when I can.

Julie, thank you so much for stopping by and giving us a chance to get to know you!

Don't forget to leave a comment with your email address in order to win a signed copy of The Silent Governess. I'll announce the winner on Friday. 

AND THE WINNER IS . . . .

CATHI H! You're the proud winner of Golden Keyes Parsons' book The Prisoner of Versailles!

Please contact me at sandirog7@aol.com, and I'll set you up with Golden to receive your book!

CONGRATULATIONS!

INTERVIEW WITH GOLDEN KEYES PARSONS

Please welcome Golden Keyes Parsons, a talented author of Inspirational Fiction. Don't you just love her name? I had the honor of meeting Golden at the ACFW conference in September, and I have to say, she's as beautiful as her name--not only in person, but also in spirit.

Her recent historical novel, A Prisoner of Versaille, was released in August. If you want to get your hands on it, just leave a comment with your email address, and you'll be entered into a drawing to receive a free, signed copy of her book!

Having fled their homeland of France because of the persecution by Louis XIV, the Clavell family seeks refuge in Switzerland. However, the king is not about to let the recently widowed Madeleine, his childhood sweetheart, escape that easily. He sends musketeers to kidnap her and her oldest son, Philippe, holding them captive in his opulent palace. King Louis is suspicious that Philippe could be his son, and he's enraged by the growing affection of one of his courtiers for Madeleine. Will Madeleine escape the king with her life or lose everything that she's fought so hard to keep?

Golden, it's an honor to have you with us today. So, how long have you been writing? How did you get your start?

I grew up in a newspaper family. My grandfather, my dad and all his brothers were newspaper owners, editors and published authors. There were essays, manuscripts, newspapers, books and magazines stacked all over our house. I was writing feature articles for our little hometown newspaper at nine years of age. I won several essay contests in school, and had some small articles published along the way. However, when I started speaking professionally in 1996, I was told that I needed to seek publication in earnest.

What made you decide to write fiction?

I loved reading fiction as a child. My mother taught me to read a little Donald Duck book when I was four years old, and I was hooked. I spent hours at the public library and participated in every reading program they offered. I fell asleep every night reading -- still do :) I devoured the typical books that young girls loved -- Black Beauty, all the Nancy Drew mysteries, the Clara Barton novels -- but I also read such things as 1984 by George Orwell, Dr. Zhivago and Gone With The Wind. However, as I grew into adulthood I began to read almost exclusively non-fiction. My spiritual gift is teaching, so it followed that my first efforts at writing professionally were non-fiction articles, Bible studies, Christian living books. I had several articles published in good magazines ... Marriage Partnership, Angels On Earth, HomeLife ... and got close to publication on a couple of my books. But never a contract.

A few years ago, I inherited a published genealogy of my mother's side of the family and read about my French Huguenot ancestors, of whom I had not been aware previously -- and wanted to tell the story in my favorite genre, historical fiction. I took a few chapters to my critique group, and they were blown away. The consensus was 100% that this was where I needed to be. So, I began to pursue publication in the fiction genre.

By the way, in my opinion, writing fiction is much more difficult than writing non-fiction.

How did things change once you became a published author? Did you lose friends? Make friends? How did it affect your family?

As a published author, there is a certain amount of respect that comes from people like bookstore owners, educators, and fellow authors that was not there before.

I also became much more observant of words, phrases and story. I am constantly writing things down that strike my fancy, especially from movies.

Did I lose friends? No, not that I know of. However, I quickly became aware of the fact that no one understands a writer, except another writer. If a writer tries to explain POV, for example, to a non-writer, you can almost see their eyes glaze over. There's just no way to be able to communicate what it's like to be a writer, driven by conveying ideas and stories through words, except to another author. Only another writer knows what it is like to struggle to find the correct word; or to wake up at night with one's characters living out the story in one's head; or to sit in front of a computer for hours on end and not realize that the whole morning has passed by.

Did I make friends? Absolutely. The networking at such conferences as ACFW and the CLASS Christian Writing Conference and the Christian Writers Guild is invaluable. I've made many, many friends since becoming a published author.

How did it affect my family? Well, our children were grown and gone by the time I started writing professionally -- and my husband is my biggest supporter -- so as far as our daily lives, it just meant that when the door is closed to my office, don't bother me! My hat is off to those who write with small children at home. I don't know how they do it.

Where do you spend your time writing? Do you have a favorite place? A favorite time of day?

I have two places that I write. I have an office where I work if I need to print out copies, because that's where the printer is set up. But much of the time I take my laptop into the den and write from my recliner.

My favorite time of day to write hands down is early in the morning. I get up anywhere from 5 am to 6:30, spend anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour reading my Bible and praying, then write usually until 10:30 or 11, with a break to eat a little breakfast and get dressed. Then I go work out around 11, come home, eat lunch and work on marketing and emails in the afternoon.

How did you come up with the story for A Prisoner of Versailles?

My original intention was for the Clavells to travel to the New World in Book Two, but because Louis XIV was such a colorful character, my editor asked me to stay in Europe and include him again in the second book. So I had to think of some way to do that. When in my research I read that Louis actually sent spies into Switzerland to bring the Huguenots back into France, I had my hook.

What are you working on now?

I'm working on the edits for Book Three.

What do you see in your future as an author? Do you have concrete ideas for more books you'd like to write on down the line, or do you plan out a book only after you've decided to write one?

I would like to continue to write historicals. I have an interest in writing about women in various religious sects, but that is only in the idea stage.

Golden, it was such a pleasure to have you join us today. Thank you so much for stopping by and sharing a little about yourself.

If you'd like to get to know more about Golden, you can find her at her website. It's there you'll discover some amazing facets about Golden and her ministry.

For those that would like to receive a signed copy of Golden's book, A Prisoner of Versailles, be sure to leave a comment and your email address. I'll announce the winner on Friday.

Good luck to those that enter!

Today is SINTERKLAAS!

Americans would consider this the "Dutch Christmas" because this is the day children (if they're good) receive presents from Sinterklaas (Santa Claus).

It all begins mid-November when Sinterklaas arrives from Spain on his steamboat. He brings, not just gifts, but his white horse, and his zwarte pieten (black Peters; they're Santa's little helpers and are black from going down so many chimneys).

When they arrive, the black Peters carry switches for all the naughty children, and they throw pepernoten to all the good children. (I guess I should explain "pepernoten." These are mini "gingersnaps" that are round or square, and not flat.)

The thought of little black men carrying around switches to spank naughty children sounds kind of scary (and if you're really naughty, you get put in Sinterklaas' sack and brought back to Spain with him!), but that aspect about them is overwhelmed with the goodies they pass out to ALL the children. They do tricks, ride unicycles, act silly, toss pepernoten to the people, etc--really, they're comparable to clowns.

Every evening after Sinterklaas' arrival, children set their shoes out for the night. Sometimes they'll leave a carrot for Sinterklaas' horse, and they sing a song, asking him to come and leave them something. Some mornings children awake to pepernoten in their shoes, straw, candy, chocolate letters, or a small toy.

On the evening of December 5th, children enjoy time with family (singing songs, playing games, etc), then a hard knock sounds on the door: BANG, BANG, BANG! Children either run to the door, or get scared a run away from it. When they, or the parents, open the door, they find a big burlap sack full of toys! Whoo, hooo!

What do the Dutch do on December 25th? They celebrate the birth of Christ. They have Christmas trees and all of that, but they don't exchange gifts on Christmas. Also, they have TWO Christmas days! December 25th and the 26th! Nice, huh?

Don't you just love the differences in cultures? It's interesting how we all have one thing in common, Santa Claus.

Sleepwalking: A silly bike story

One morning I climbed out of bed to take my two-year-old to preschool. I'd enrolled her in preschool so she'd pick up on the Dutch language (I spoke English at home). So, I fed her, got her dressed and loaded her on the bike. I dropped her off, and right across the street was the grocery store--the Albert Heijn.  There were some items I needed, so I decided to head on over there. In the photo above, you can't see the preschool, but it's on the right, across the street. Because it was so close, I decided to walk.

I crossed the street, pushing my bike, and then I went into the store. As I walked along, a man looked at me, looked away, then looked at me again. Surely, my hair and clothes weren't in that bad of shape. Yes, I'd just crawled out of bed, or felt like I had, but there was no call for anyone to take extra notice of me. Another couple walked by and gave me a strange look. Well, maybe I did look pretty bad. Finally, one woman's eyes darted downward and rested on me, or whatever it was she saw, so I also looked down. To my surprise, I was still pushing my bike! I'd walked my bike into the grocery store.

I chuckled and managed to get the words out in Dutch, "I'm not awake yet." It think it was my first official Dutch joke. The woman laughed, so it must have worked. Well, I managed to get the bike turned around and parked it outside where it belonged. After that, I was definitely awake.

I thought of adding a little "sermon" to this sleepwalking expedition, something along the lines of, "How often are we spiritually sleepwalking?" But I don't feel like preaching today. Maybe you all can come up with something. If it's not a spiritual comparison, that's okay too. :-)

Had any wake-up calls lately?

DUTCH TALES: My Transportation

This was my "car" in Holland.

Before my husband and I left for the Netherlands back in 1993, we sold our car in the States and used that money to buy bicycles in Holland. I had a bicycle very similar to the one above, only mine was a flashy maroon.

It was there that I learned to ride on the streets alongside cars (with no helmet). I'd have one kid in the front, and one in the back, and a stroller hooked onto the back, along with grocery bags and a basket filled with groceries. When my bike wasn't loaded, I'd be trucking down the street, and I'll never forget when it happened more than once that an old man would fly by on his bike as if I wasn't moving!

The above is what a typical bike path looks like in Holland. And yes, the road is right next to it (really, it was a part of the street, just a different color). It took me a while to get comfortable riding so close to cars--especially with my children on my bike. Yikes! We'd ride through all kinds of weather--even rain and snow. Boy, was that "fun."

I got used to riding on the streets after I took a job delivering pizzas. I was thrilled to find a Dominos Pizza in our home town of Eindhoven. It was managed by an American, and he spoke English to all his employees. English! Aaaahhh. That was nice. Oh, and so was the pizza! Anyway, I delivered the pizza on a moped. I'd always wanted a motorcycle, and this sort of met that "need." I was their first female driver, and it was GREAT!

Imagine busy city streets (something similar to New York City). Yes, that's very much what it was like, only on a smaller scale. Streets are smaller and so is the city, oh . . . and so are the cars. :-) This is a picture of Eindhoven, where we used to live. I've been on this very street! As you can see, this one doesn't have bike paths. Aaack! (If you click on the picture, you can get a closer look.)

When we moved to Soesterberg, we lived in a small village. That's when some of the bike paths were set farther away from the streets. To go shopping (not grocery shopping; each village had it's own grocery store) in the nearest town (Zeist), I rode 20 minutes through woods similar to the picture above.

Sometimes we found trails as beautiful as this photo.

I've got some silly stories to share about my biking experiences in Holland. But this post is long enough. I'll share some later.