Author Interview-Gift giveaway-Laurie Alice Eakes

NOT A BOOK GIVEAWAY BUT GIFTS

Laurie, thanks for taking the time to visit us today! I appreciate you
answering these few questions. It will be fun to get to know you
better. Tell us a little about yourself.


I'd like to think of myself as normal, but am probably not. Not sure
any author is normal. At the same time, I like to play--watch movies,
bake brownies, go for long walks in the woods or on the beach, go out
with friends. Most of the time, I'm chained to my desk.


How long did you write before you were published?

That's always complicated. I have written all my life. Seriously
pursuing publication? two years.


Tell us about “Lady in the Mist,” the featured book.

This is about a midwife, not midwifery, as some readers seem to
expect, but a midwife and how her profession affects her role in her
village on the Eastern Shore of Virginia in 1809. As did midwives at
that time, she knows secrets and people don't want her to divulge them
to the point her life is in danger. It is, of course, a romance, and
when she begins to fall in love, things get worse, yet God uses the
danger and her profession and her love for the hero to soften a heart
she has hardened against Him due to too much loss in her life. It's a
love story, a self-forgiveness story, a romantic suspense in an
historical setting.


Is there any person who has been a strong influence in your writing journey?

Not just one, no. My parents and paternal grandmother instilled a love
of books in me. My maternal grandfather was a great storyteller, and
many people have crossed my path along my journey like Lena Dooley,
Marylu Tyndall, and my lovely agent, Tamela Hancock Murray.


What message do you want to be clear to your readers?

We can't earn forgiveness. It comes from God and from there, within
ourselves. And I want readers to also be entertained.


What are some of your likes and dislikes? Your hobbies, interests?
Where do you like to vacation?


Besides books, I love movies, especially old ones with Audrey Hepburn
and/or Humphrey Bogart. I love the water and prefer vacations near
water. That probably stems from growing up near water. Of course,
going to rather different places is fun, too. I'm heading to Colonial
Williamsburg in March for research and fun. And I've been to Europe
three times. Lots more there I want to visit.

As for dislikes? Rude, ignorant people. Snarky people.


Tell us a little-known fact about yourself that readers may not know.

This is always difficult. Most things I want people to know are out
there for anyone to find on the Internet, but I've recently discovered
most people don't know that I was born legally blind. It's gotten
worse due to glaucoma as I've gotten older. Thanks to technology, that
doesn't stop me from writing and research.


How do you spend your writing days? Do you set goals to reach a
certain number of words per day? Can you give us a general idea of how
long it takes you to write a novel?

I've written a whole novel in as few as 17 days and as long as seven
months. Tight deadlines keep me writing faster, as I have this year.
My writing routine is at my desk by 8:00, do promotion and some
writing until noon, take an hour break to walk the dog, clean house,
do laundry, etc., then back to work until about 5:30 or 6:00. I often
work after supper, too, if my husband is working, which is most
nights.


What are you currently reading?

For fiction, I just set aside a book that shall remain nameless, as it
was awful, and haven't decided what I'll read next. In nonfiction, I'm
finally reading In a Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day by Mark Batterson.
I attended his church when I lived in Washington, DC and heard his
sermon series based on this book.


Do you grow flowers or vegetables? What are your favorite flowers?

LOL I have a reputation for being able to kill mint I'm such a bad
gardener. But I love flowers. Hyacinths and daffodils, irises and
tulips--the spring flowers. And I love chrysanthemums. Flowers from my
two favorite seasons--spring and autumn.


What are you writing now?

I'm doing the edits for the second book in the midwife series, for
Baker/Revell, still not officially titled, and then will write my
first novella for Barbour Publishing. Printed on My Heart will appear
in Highland Crossings in Jan. 2012. The second midwife book in Feb.
2012.


How can readers find you on the Internet?

My web site http://www.lauriealiceeakes.com has excerpts from my books
and more about me. I also have a blog
http://www.seizethechance.blogspot.com and just google my name. I'm
around a lot of places.


And thanks for spending this time with us,Laurie.

Thank you for having me.


We wish you much success.

Thank you.

Here is my review of Lady in the Mist if you didn't get to read it before. http://thelifeandtimesofwanda.blogspot.com/2011/02/lady-in-mist-by-laurie-alice-eakesa.html

NOT A BOOK GIVEAWAY BUT GIFTS
*******If you win you may chose one of these as your prize: A mug, totebag or postit notes . All have the Lady in the Mist cover on them.
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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. ENTRY DEADLINE March 14, 2011