Hannah Alexander-Author Interview and BOOK GIVEAWAY

Today I welcome Hannah Alexander to my blog.
We will be talking about their newest book The Wedding Kiss and the giveaway follows the interview.
Here is the review link of that wonderful book. http://thelifeandtimesofwanda.blogspot.com/2011/09/wedding-kiss-by-hannah-alexander-review.html



Tell us about The Wedding Kiss, the featured book.
The Wedding Kiss is set in the year 1901, when a young woman, Keara McBride, loses her home, farm, everything she's ever known because her father was tricked in a card game, and then accused of murder. Desperate, she asks Elam Jensen, her neighbor and the widower of her best friend, to marry her so she can help him with his three children and have a place to live. A match made out of necessity becomes something totally different when they share their first kiss in the wedding ceremony.  Enter Elam's sister-in-law, Susanna, who has been shot and is lying on their front porch when they arrive from the wedding in Eureka Springs. As Keara tends to Susanna, using the herbs and home-medicine knowledge taught to her by her mother, Elam runs interference and tries to find out who shot Susanna. Neighbors and family rally around as danger comes to White River Hollow and a wicked man and his followers close in. With prayers and faith, God's will is done, and love shows itself in many ways.


We know Hannah Alexander is the pen name for the husband-and-wife writing team of Mel and Cheryl  Hodde. Would you tell us how you came up with the name Hannah Alexander?
When Mel and I got married, I'd been writing for 14 years, though nothing had been published. Since he's an ER doc, he would come home at night excited about the cases he'd had. They were so interesting that I suggested we work together on a new book. Since he provided a great deal of input--we wrote medical romantic suspense with a lot of ER scenes--I suggested we come up with one name to describe us. I chose Hannah because I identified with pre-Samuel Hannah in the Bible. Mel chose Alexander, because it means Servant of Mankind. Mel doesn't provide as much medical for me anymore, but he still edits and reads everything I've written, so the name will continue.


Can you tell us how many books you have in print in the Christian market?
All of our books are in the Christian market, and at last count that's 22. We have more coming soon, so that number will continue to change.


Is there a particular book among those you've written that you would especially recommend to our readers?  If so, why?
I would probably recommend Hideaway, not only because it launched a ten-book series of Hideaway novels, but I took more time writing that novel and getting it right than any I've written before or since. It won the Christy award, and I still find myself thinking about the characters who began from that book and continued on through the rest of the series.


The Christian fiction field has rapidly expanded over the past few years.  What would you like to see happen in this field in the years to come?
I would love to see more reviews without the words, "typical Christian fluff" because I don't see much of that these days. Christian fiction is taught, hard-hitting, truth-telling stories that change hearts and minds. What some might call fluff, others would call warm and tender stories that heal the heart. I'd love to see that reflected in reviews.


How can readers and fans encourage you as you pursue what is sometimes a challenging and solitary job?
Prayer is vital. Also, I love to hear from readers and I answer all emails. Also, if a reader likes a book I've written, a quick review on Facebook, a word or two on Twitter, or reviews on Amazon, B&N or Christianbook.com and Goodreads will go a long way toward sharing the stories with others as well as making it possible for me, or your other favorite writers, to continue writing.


Many writers are also avid readers.  Do you have any favorite authors?  If so, could you name a few?
Oh, my goodness, I have so many favorites! Lately I've read the wonderful Miralee Ferrell, Athol Dickson, James Scott Bell, Denise Hunter, Diann Hunt, Kristen Billerbeck, Terri Blackstock, Angela Hunt, Margaret Daley, and I know I've left out dozens more, those are just off the top of my head.


If you could only take five books with you on a journey of ten years, which ones would you take?
The Bible, Dean Koontz Watchers, and three reams of blank paper so I could write, write, write. 

If you had 48 hours to hang out with any TWO people (besides Jesus), alive or dead in the history of the world who would you hang out with and what would you do?
I think I'd like to hang out with Enoch, because he walked with God. I love to walk with God, as well. I think I would also like to spend time with Mary Magdalene, because she was so close to Jesus, and I think I'd have understood her. She was rescued from great evil, and so was I.


What three things are you most thankful for in your life?
I'm thankful that God puts up with me no matter how angry or thoughtless or whiney I get. I'm thankful for the way of women with women, the friendships they develop and the nurturing they do for each other. I'm also thankful for the husband I've been given. He is totally God's blessing to me.

What is the most fun thing you have ever done?
I love to hike. The most fun hike Mel and I and ever took was a place in the Canyonlands National Park, a trail called Syncline. We thought it would be an easy eight mile hike. We ran out of water halfway through. We found ourselves clinging to chains as we rock-climbed. It was most challenging for us, and I didn't get sick. Every time I've hiked the Grand Canyon, I've gotten sick, so it was nice to be challenged without the extra handicap.

What are you writing now?
I'm working on another historical novel titled Against the Wind set in 1855, where a group of people on a wagon train are traveling to Kansas to ensure it becomes a free state. Oh, and they'll be smuggling thirty former slaves with them.

How can readers find you on the Internet?
www.hannahalexander.com is the best way to find us. I Twitter on occasion. I also have a blog called Sunroom Reflections, and I blog with GirlsWriteOut, but mostly, you can find me on my website.


Thanks to much for having me!

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Followers Hannah Alexander has agreed to give one of you their newest book The Wedding Kiss.
A fantastic book!

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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  October 15, 2011