Author Interview with Dan Walsh featuring The Discovery and BOOK GIVEAWAY

I've always enjoyed books by Dan Walsh and The Discovery is one of the best. Here is my review link if you would like to look to see how much I loved it. 
http://thelifeandtimesofwanda.blogspot.com/2012/04/discovery-by-dan-walsh-review.html 


I would like to thank Dan for this fantastic interview and book giveaway. Also I agree completely with how you feel about books in print form. Now to the interview!

Tell us about The Discovery the featured book.


Here's the way it's described on the back of the book. Seems to say it pretty well without giving too much away:


When aspiring writer Michael Warner inherits his grandfather's historic Charleston estate, he settles in to write his first novel. But within the confines of the stately home, he discovers an unpublished manuscript that his grandfather, a literary giant whose novels sold in the millions, has kept hidden from everyone-but which he clearly intended Michael to find. As he delves deep into the exciting tale about spies and sabotage, Michael discovers something that has the power to change not only his future but his past as well.

Laced with suspense and intrigue, The Discovery is a richly woven novel that explores the incredible sacrifices that must be made to forge the love of a lifetime. 


Has being published changed your life? 


In many ways it has. It allowed me to do something I've wanted to do since high school -- write novels. I wasn't able to do this fulltime until after my 3rd novel came out. That made it possible for me to retire from pastoral ministry after 25 years. We're not rich, by any means, but finally making enough that it allowed us to transition into writing fulltime. This has also allowed me to write 2 books a year instead of one. Besides these things, I've met some wonderful new friends and now work with an amazing publishing team at Revell.

What do you find harder to do come up with a character, get the scenery or the plot?


I'm not sure which is harder of these three. In  some of my books, the plot (story) came first then the characters. With some, they were "born" at the same time. The characters don't start out as real as they become to me 50-70 pages into writing the book. I have an idea of who they are, but often they will "graduate" to the status of almost being real people that I know. After that, writing scenes with them becomes much easier. I often go back at that point and make changes to the first section of the book, to take this new understanding of the characters and adjust them to be the same person throughout the rest of the story.


Which do you enjoy more e books or print books?




Definitely print books. But I get the eBook craze. My wife is on her 2nd Kindle, and she absolutely loves it.  Both my agent and editor use them and, it seems, a growing number of my fans (judging by the sales figures). But I still like the feel of holding a real book, with actual pages that turn. Actually, I like hardback books the best, so I'm totally "old school." 
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www.danwalshbooks.com
The Discovery - AVAILABLE NOW/RT Reviews 4.5 Stars-Top Pick
Remembering Christmas - RT Reviews Top Pick/ECPA Bestseller
The Deepest Waters - "Matches the storytelling of Nicholas Sparks" - Christian Retailing
The Homecoming - RT Reviews, 4.5 Stars
The Unfinished Gift - 2 ACFW Carol Awards

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Giveaway The Discovery by Dan Walsh

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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 May 16, 2012 

The Discovery by Dan Walsh * A Review

An Engrossing Story of Family Secrets and a Love for the Ages

When aspiring writer Michael Warner inherits his grandfather's venerable Charleston estate, he settles in to write his first novel. But within the confines of the stately home, he discovers an unpublished manuscript that his grandfather, a literary giant whose novels sold in the millions, had kept hidden from everyone--but which he clearly intended Michael to find. As he delves deep into the exciting tale about spies and sabotage, Michael discovers something that has the power to change not only his future but his past as well.

Laced with suspense and intrigue, The Discovery is a richly woven novel that explores the incredible sacrifices that must be made to forge the love of a lifetime. Author Dan Walsh delivers yet another unique and heartfelt story that will stick with you long after you've turned the last page.

Paperback: 352 pages
Publisher: Revell; Original edition (April 1, 2012)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0800719816
ISBN-13: 978-0800719814

I was born in Philadelphia in 1957 (guys don't care if you know) to a mostly
blue-collar, hard-working Irish family. My Dad was the first person on either side of the family to earn a college degree. It took him nine years, working during the day, going to college at night, using the GI Bill from his war days in Korea. In the mid-sixties, General Electric hired him as an engineer for the Apollo space program. We packed up and moved to Florida, which is really where I grew up.
I spent my childhood years playing basketball and surfing. In the spring of my senior year in high school I met the woman who would become my wife, Cindi. We dated for a brief period. I asked her to marry me and, to my great surprise, she said yes. We were married near the end of 1976. We have two children, now grown.
The desire to write novels first began in high school. But I didn't have the time to pursue this passion until 2007. To find out more, visit my website at www.danwalshbooks.com


MY REVIEW
  The Discovery is such a superb beautifully written love story, not only of a man and woman, but love a man had for his family. I love how this book was written. With one book inside of another. How there is such love in each story.
  Each of Dan Walsh’s books get better and better.  I have enjoyed each and every one of them.
I usually don’t like books that talk about war, but this one was really different and full of action and suspense. It tells of a time when things were different and how life can work out if we just trust the Lord and do the right thing.
   You get drawn into this book and it seems like it is really happening.  Like The Discovery is a true story and you believe everything you read has really occurred.
The scene descriptions were brilliant and so very dramatic. You will be taken back to a different time and place in one story, but you will also enjoy what is happening in the present day.
  I really enjoyed The Discovery very much and look forward to any and all of Dan Walsh’s books. I highly  recommend The Discovery for a book you will want to read again and again.

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I received my free copy from Donna Hausler from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group for my review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255