Wednesday, November 16, 2011

Birthday Party Interview and Giveaway: Wanda Brunstetter

Welcome to the kick-off of my birthday party! Today, Wanda Brunstetter agreed to visit my blog, and do an interview. And keep reading...there's a giveaway at the bottom! Oh, but before you start this...make sure you read my review of The Healing and my other reviews of Wanda's books.


Welcome, Wanda! God has really been moving in your writing life. What do you see on the horizon?

That’s hard to say. I try to focus on the “now” and try to shape and make the most of it. That will help determine what will happen in the future.

Please tell us a little about your family.

My husband and I have two grown children who are both married and each have three children of their own. All of our six grandchildren are teenagers, and we enjoy spending time with our family whenever we can.

Has your writing changed your reading habits? If so, how?

I don’t read quite as many novels by other authors as I used to, because I’m kept busy writing my own, but I do still enjoy reading a good novel whenever I can.

What are you working on right now?

I’m working on an Amish-themed children’s book, as well as Book 3 in my Amish-themed Kentucky Brothers series.

Oh, I can hardly wait to read book 3! What outside interests do you have?

I’m a professional ventriloquist, and enjoy using one of my puppets whenever I’m asked to speak at Amish or English schools. I also like to spend time in the garden, and I love to bird-watch and take lots of pictures of anything that strikes my interest.

Mmm, yes, I love photography too. J How do you choose your settings for each book?

Whenever I visit a new area, a feeling will often come over me that this is a place where I should set a new book or series. Sometimes it’s because of something I see or hear, but often it’s just a “feeling” or “need.”

Which of your books has your favorite story? Cover?

My favorite book is "The Storekeeper's Daughter," and my favorite cover is "Lydia's Charm."





I remember really enjoying "The Storekeeper's Daughter." :) I know you enjoy reading…who are some of your favorite authors?

I enjoy novels by Nicolas Sparks, whom I had the chance to meet this past spring, and I also enjoy reading Janette Oke's books. I met her a few years ago.

If you could spend an evening with one historical person, who would it be and why?

It would probably be an Amish person who lived during the time that the Amish first came to America in the 1700s. I think it would be interesting to hear what they went through in making the journey by boat to seek a new life in a new country.

What is the one thing you wish you had known before you started writing novels?

Although I love what I’m doing, I wish I’d been better prepared for how much it would dominate my life, and known in advance what some of the expectations would be. I spend a good deal of my time either writing or researching, and must remind make myself to take breaks so I can spend time with friends and family. I have come to realize that in order to enjoy my career, I must know how to balance work with pleasure.

               
What new lessons is the Lord teaching you right now?

To take one day at a time and seek guidance from Him.


What are the three best things you can tell other authors to do to be successful?

1.      Write what you know, and know it well.
2.      Study your craft and learn all you can about all aspects of writing.
3.      Be patient and never give up. If the Lord called you to write, then it will happen in His time.

Tell us about your most recent book, The Healing?


“The Healing” is book 3 in my Kentucky Brothers series. Single father Samuel Fisher of Lancaster County is still grieving over his wife's untimely death when his brother Titus talks him into making a fresh start. Samuel packs up his four kids and heads for the Bluegrass Country. Esther Beiler, who helps watch Samuel's offspring, develops a crush on the widower and a true affection for his children. Can she ever replace his wife, or will that role go to Bonnie Taylor, an English Innkeeper who provides work and witty conversation for the stressed widower? Can an Amish man burdened by yesterday's memories find hope in Kentucky, the land of tomorrow?

Please give us the first page of the book.

The Healing
Chapter 1
                  Paradise, Pennsylvania

“Alles is fix un faddich.” Bishop Jacob Weaver clasped Samuel Fisher’s shoulder and gave it a squeeze.
            Samuel, who stood on his front porch with a few others from his community, gripped the railing so tightly his fingers ached. The last few days, and even now, he’d felt as if he was walking through a thick fog, barely able to hear what anyone said to him. Yet, right now, the truth of the bishop’s words, that all was completely done, slammed into Samuel with the force of a tornado. So overcome with emotion, he could barely manage a brief nod. They had just returned from the cemetery, where they’d buried Elsie, his wife of ten years. He wasn’t even sure how he’d made it through the last couple of days, much less the funeral and graveside service, but frankly, he was too tired and too numb to care. Somehow, he was now expected to carry on without her, and that thought was overwhelming.


Thank you so much for coming, Wanda! How can readers find you on the Internet?

My website is: www.wandabrunstetter.com .


Back to me. J Guess what? Wanda’s offering a copy of The Healing to one lucky giveaway winner! You must live in the United States. And you must follow Austenitis. You don’t have to leave your email, though.

+3 entries for blogging about this giveaway! Leave a link so I can check it out!

+ 1 entry for putting up the button!

+1 if you’ve read any of Wanda Brunstetter’s books. If so, leave a comment and tell me which one!

Okay, you can start commenting! Giveaway ends on November 23, 2011.

25 comments:

Melody said...

Okay, I read the first novella in Schoolhouse Brides, which was by Wanda B. (I didn't get to the other ones before I had to return it to the library...haha...I think I was reading Mr. Knightley & Darcy Diaries at the time...)
Does that count? =D

Aaaand, what button am I supposed to put up??

Hannah Perry said...

Oh, boy! I love giveaways! :D

I blogged about it, http://daughterofyhvh-hannah.blogspot.com/2011/11/giveaway-at-austenitis.html

Charity U said...

Melody, I posted it earlier. Sorry, no time to find the link for you. :P :( Good luck, ladies!

GreenIdMama2 said...

I believe I have read all of her books!!!


greenidmama@gmail.com

Anonymous said...

I love Wanda Brunstetter and I have read all of her books to my knowledge that have been published. She is one of my favorite Authors!!!! Thanks and God Bless. Vicki

Cindy Regnier said...

I've read so many Brunstetter books I couldn't begin to name them all. My favorite was probably A Sister's Secret. I also love Jane Austen - what a great combination for this blog

Anonymous said...

Can't wait for another great book to read, whether it be thru the give away or from the library and later on my "to buy, or gift idea" list....Hugs Nat

Jennifer Walters said...

I shared on my blog- http://klwjjw-pennsylvaniagirl.blogspot.com/ I also shared on Facebook and I also read Wanda's books.My favorite one is Waiting For A Miracle...thanks and good luck to everyone!

Anonymous said...

I have read a lot of Wanda's books.I think my favorite one would be White Christmas Pie.I love Christmas books.I love to read...love the article and also love contests...thanks..jackie_tessnair@yahoo.com

There's Something In The Gravy! said...

I have read nearly everything that Wanda has written. She is by far my favorite author! Can't wait for her next book to come out! :)

There's Something In The Gravy! said...

I linked this on my blog as well. Here is the link to my blog entry: http://theressomethinginthegravy.blogspot.com/2011/11/completely-not-new-recipe.html

Kim F said...

I have read most of Wanda's books - some of my favorites were the Brides of Lancaster County series because I live in Lancaster County!

babykf at hotmail dot com

Kim F said...

I also put a link to the contest on my facebook page

babykf at hotmail dot com

Unknown said...

Posted about it=)

http://www.hishandmaiden.com/2011/11/giveaway-concluding-purity-week.html

1/3

Unknown said...

Posted about it-)

http://www.hishandmaiden.com/2011/11/giveaway-concluding-purity-week.html

2/3

Unknown said...

Posted about it=)

http://www.hishandmaiden.com/2011/11/giveaway-concluding-purity-week.html

3/3

Thank you so much!
In Christ,
Sierra

www.hishandmaiden.com

Miss Laurie of Old-Fashioned Charm said...

I haven't ready any by this author but her books sound lovely!

I put the blog birthday party button in two of my posts so that should count as one entry.

Miss Laurie of Old-Fashioned Charm said...

I posted about the giveaway here: http://old-fashionedcharm.blogspot.com/2011/11/giveaways-at-austenitis.html

Jacquie H. said...

I stumbled upon Wanda's books....but I can't put ANY of them down! She is a very talented writer, and I hope for my sake she keep writing for years to come. One last thing...I don't blog...and I just wanted to know how I enter to win the drawing??? Thanks Jacquie

Jacquie H. said...

I just found Wanda's books...but can't put them down!!!! And I am wondering how i put my name is for this drawing...and what button am I to put up where??? I read the last part of the interview and what I had to do...but I don't get any of it??? Sorry! Jacquie

Melody said...

I put the birthday button up. =)

Charity U said...

Jacquie, sorry I didn't make it real clear! I had to read it over twice myself just now...which is bad, because I should know. :P It was a mite confusing. Just leave a comment saying you want to be entered, and then for extra entries tell me if you've read any of Wanda's books, if you've blogged about the giveaway, or if you've put up the giveaway button. :)

Literary Chanteuse said...

Please count me in thanks!

Margaret
singitm@hotmail.com

Miss Laurie of Old-Fashioned Charm said...

I had fun doing the Birthday party tag. My answers here: http://old-fashionedcharm.blogspot.com/2011/11/blog-birthday-party-tag-my-answers.html

Annie (larkin) said...

Also, I completed the birthday tag on Libri.