Monday, April 11, 2011

Author Interview*Tessa Afshar*Book Giveaway

A fantastic book that I love. Here is my review link http://thelifeandtimesofwanda.blogspot.com/2011/03/pearl-in-sand-by-tessa-afshar-review.html Welcome and Greetings Tessa! Thank you for having me on your blog, Trinity Rose. It’s a pleasure being here with you. How long did you write before you were published? I can’t answer this question with perfect accuracy, but I think I was contracted a little over two years after I started the first chapter of Pearl in the Sand, and the book came out eight months after that—a total of three years. It’s the only time as a writer I’m ever going to be spoilt with such an expanse of time. After the first book, the next ones have to be researched, written and edited within a matter of months! Tell us about Pearl in the Sand, the featured book Pearl is based on the story of Rahab, the Canaanite harlot who is famous for having saved Israel’s spies from death. I wrote this story because I love Rahab. A Canaanite harlot actually married one of the leaders of Judah—a man from one of the most distinguished families of Israel. As if this marriage was not in itself utterly astounding, the birth of her son placed Rahab in the lineage of Jesus. Think about that: some of the DNA of this former harlot swam in Jesus’ blood stream! Is there any person who has been a strong influence in your writing journey? I work with Moody Publishing and was privileged to have Paul Santhouse, now Director of Acqusitions, as my editor. Alongside him, I worked with Duane Sherman who helped me with publicity. I wasn’t even on Facebook when I signed my contract, so Duane had to teach me a lot. Both men were incredibly patient and encouraging teachers. I couldn’t ask for better. What message do you want to be clear to your readers? That our profound worth is rooted in the love of our Heavenly Father; a love that never gives up on us. What are some of your likes and dislikes? Your hobbies, interests? Where do you like to vacation? Send me anywhere with a calm, blue ocean, palm trees, warm weather, throw in lots of good books, and my closest friends, and I might never come back. Add some delicious food, and well, now you have me drooling. As to what I don’t like, lack of sleep and physical pain would be at the top of my list. Tell us a little-known fact about yourself that readers may not know. I’m only five feet tall, and I have to stand on tiptoes to reach the higher shelves in my kitchen. 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? My novels take about a year, because my genre is historical and good research is time-consuming. I do try to set goals for a certain word count, but I don’t always meet them. What are you currently reading? The Mountains Bow Down by Sibella Giorello. She’s a pleasure to read. Do you grow flowers or vegetables? What are your favorite flowers? I grow flowers and herbs in my tiny boarder garden. I cannot possibly choose a favorite flower. There are so many ravishing ones. What are you writing now? The novel I am currently working on is based on a fictional character named Sarah who is the Senior Scribe to the queen of Persia. She is a genius who doesn’t know when to keep her mouth shut, which continuously gets her into trouble. She solves plots, marries a man who hates her, and finds out that there’s more to life than being good at your job. And by the way, she is Nehemiah’s second cousin. How can readers find you on the Internet? I would love for you to come and visit me on my author page on Facebook. Here is the address: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Tessa-Afshar/337761827820?ref=ts Or you can join me on my website at: Tessaafshar.com And thanks for spending this time with us, Tessa. We wish you much success. Thank you so much. I enjoyed your fun questions. Tessa Afshar is offering her book Pearl in the Sand to one of you followers. Leave a comment with your name and email address. You will not be entered unless you leave a comment AND your email address. Here are the ways to get extra entries: ~Be or become a follower +1 ~Be or become an email subscriber +1 ~Be or become a networked blog follower +1 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 April 30, 2011

33 comments:

rubynreba said...

This sounds like a wonderful book and I would love to be entered. Thanks!
pbclark(at)netins(dot)net

Joanne Sher said...

I LLOOVVVEEE Biblical fiction. Really want to read this book. I'm also a follower and a networked blogs follower. Thanks for the opportunity!

joanne(at)joannesher(dot)com

Caroline said...

Great sounding book. If I'm not mistaken, Tessa was on my blog too. :) Thanks for posting his interesting interview.

cb
http://sunnebnkwrtr.blogspot.com/
browncarole212(at)yahoo(dot)com

Anonymous said...

Hi Wanda,
Don't enter me....I am reading this book now. Just started, but sounds like its a wonderful book! I'm excited. I love Biblical fiction...so this has to be good! Thanks for the review.
Joy

Patsy said...

I've seen this book on the internet and have wanted to read it. Count me in on the giveaway. I know it will be great.

plhouston(at)bellsouth(dot)net

Anonymous said...

Of course I want to win a copy of this fabulous book. This is the woman who married my husband and I! rheabette@Gmail.com
thirtythreadbaremercies.wordpress.com

Faith said...

Rahab has always been one of my favorite stories since I was a little kid. I didn't really know what she did for a living and why people might not have liked her so much, I mostly liked how she trusted in the Lord and was saved as a result. I also liked that she hid spies on her roof!

Please enter me

crazi.swans at gmail dot com

amber said...

I want to win this!!! It's on my list of books to read. Thanks for the giveaway!!

afren07[at]gmail[dot]com

amber said...

and I just become a follower!

afren07[at]gmail[dot]com

Charity U said...

Please enter me! Carman sent me. :)

photographer4ever832[at]gmail.com

Carman said...

I want to read this book so badly!!!!! Please enter me.

I am a follower, and email subscriber! :)

booklovercb at yahoo dot com

Carrie said...

I love reading books about people in the Bible. And I'm always looking for new authors. I'm an avid reader. Please enter me in the contest and thanks for the opportunity.

Carrie Larks
happyasalarks at yahoo dot com

Beth said...

I would love to be entered to win this book! It has been on my to read list since it came out. I became a follower and an email subscriber as well.

bharbin07[at]gmail[dot]com

Carmen sent me :)

loveangel132 said...

This looks like such a great book!

Heidi

loveangel132@yahoo.com

Miss Hillbilly said...

I am so happy to find your blog...whether I win a book or not!!

hillbillyhandiworks at gmail dot com

Miss Hillbilly said...

I cannot wait to start reading your reviews and make myself a reading list!

And I live in Mo....and I'm a now follower.

hillbillyhandiworks at gmail dot com

karenk said...

would love to read this novel...thanks for the chance :)

karenk
kmkuka at yahoo dot com

karenk said...

i'm a follower :)

karenk
kmkuka at yahoo dot com

Lisa Nelson said...

Please enter me in this contest.
I would like to win this book.
Also, I follow your blog.
Lisa Nelson
storyreader617(at)gmail(dot)com

Mary Ann said...

Please enter me in the drawing. Thanks so much for the chance to win!

smdiloreto at yahoo dot com

God bless!

Wehaf said...

This sounds intriguing!

urchiken at gmail dot com

Sarita Leone said...

This sounds lovely.

snowdance1@gmail.com

Katie said...

Sounds like a good read; hope I win! =)

seamon(dot)katie(at)gmail(dot)com

rah267 said...

I really want to read this one
I GFC follow you
Rachel
crazyred61 at yahoo dot com

Meredith said...

Sounds likes a very interesting book!

meredithfl at gmail dot com

Meredith said...

GFC follower

meredithfl at gmail dot com

Meredith said...

Email subscriber

meredithfl at gmail dot com

Unknown said...

Would love to be blessed by reading.

Gehringer Family said...

Can't wait to read this! Please enter my name!
crwg96 at aol dot com

amber said...

i want to be entered!!

afren07[at]gmail[dot]com

Anonymous said...

Book sounds great,would love to win. Carmen sent me.

true_sheila at yahoo dot com

L.Jo said...

Sounds fascinating! I love speculative historical fiction.

laceysprizes @ yahoo dotcom

Nancye said...

Sounds like an interesting book! Thanks for the chance.

nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net