Fabulous Fridays
Comment on my interview with Sandra Hart, or use the Rafflecopter at the end by 11/13 for a chance to win a copy of A Stranger on My Land! (US residents only)
This week’s author interview is with Sandra Merville Hart, author of the Civil War romance, A Stranger on My Land. I think you will find it very intriguing!
What is the story behind your book A Stranger on My Land?
While researching another novel for the Civil War time period, I found fascinating books written by Union and Confederate soldiers. One of these soldiers wrote about the “Battle Above the Clouds” on Lookout Mountain. He talked about people living in caves. He commented that the women made these temporary shelters cozy and homey. As I pondered this, the idea for the book was born.
What started you on your writing journey?
I wanted to be a writer in elementary school and wrote my first mystery novel while in the sixth grade. Receiving no encouragement, the dream died but the stories kept coming. I wrote a devotion about a choir song and shared it several years ago. Some of the encouraging comments reawakened the dream and I began writing again.
What genre of books do you enjoy reading?
I enjoy reading — and writing! — inspirational historical romance novels. Romantic suspense and contemporary romance novels capture my interest, too. I’ve also read a lot of nonfiction books in the past several years as research. These contain interesting tidbits that I try to use in my stories.
Has some place you have traveled inspired something in your writing?
Many places have inspired me. I traveled to Chattanooga, Chickamauga, and Lookout Mountain to research A Stranger on My Land. The museums, the people, the scenery, and the history deepened the story already growing inside my imagination.
What is your current writing project?
I’m writing my first romantic suspense novel. I’m having a lot of fun with it, but, as I don’t outline before I write, the characters are letting me know the story. Just last week I discovered two clues at the same time as my characters!
My favorite genre to write in remains inspirational historical romance. My next project is another Civil War romance. This one will be set in Gettysburg.
Do you write in more than one genre? If so, why?
Historical novels are my main interest. These are the stories that most often come to me. I love writing novels set during the Civil War.
I write the stories that come to me. Recently I wrote a contemporary novella about a young woman grieving the loss of her family. Something compelled me to write it.
Though I’ve never written a romantic suspense novel, a story captivated my imagination. I have to write it to get it out of my system.
Of all the genres, historical romance is my favorite.
Are you a pantster or a plotter?
I suppose I’ve become a “pantster.” Though I know how the story ends, I don’t know how the characters get there when writing the first chapter. That’s what is driving me crazy about writing romantic suspense. I have to write it to see what happens!
A Stranger on My Land by Sandra Merville Hart
Back Cover
Carrie and her little brother, Jay, find a wounded soldier on their land after a battle which later became known as “The Battle Above the Clouds.” Adam, a Union soldier, has been shot twice in the arm. Though Carrie is reluctant to take Adam to their cave where her family hides their livestock from both armies, she cannot turn her back on him.
But her Aunt Lavinia, bitter over what Yankees have done to their land, urges Carrie to allow Adam to die. Carrie refuses, but cannot remove the bullets. Adam’s friendship with Jay softens her heart toward him. It’s not long until his gratitude and teasing manner spark a friendship between the young couple. Even though Carrie’s father fights for the Confederacy in far-off Virginia, her feelings for the handsome young soldier begin to blossom into love.
When Adam’s condition worsens, Carrie knows a Union surgeon is needed to save his life. How can she accomplish this and keep her family’s hiding place a secret?a Rafflecopter giveaway
About the Author:
Sandra Merville Hart loves to find unusual facts in her historical research to use in her stories. She and her husband enjoy traveling to many of the sites in her books to explore the history. She serves as Assistant Editor for DevoKids.com where she contributes articles about history and holidays. She has written for several publications and websites including The Secret Place, Harpstring, Splickety Magazine, Pockets Magazine, Common Ground, Afictionado, and ChristianDevotions.us.
Her inspirational Civil War novella, A Stranger on My Land, released on August 21, 2014. It is available on Amazon and Kindle: http://www.amazon.com/Stranger-My-Land-Sandra-Hart/dp/1941103278/ and Barnes & Noble and Nook: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/a-stranger-on-my-land-sandra-merville-hart/1120155194?ean=9781941103272
You can connect with Sandra at:
http://devokids.com/category/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/
29 Comments
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Sandra, I’ve never heard of those living in caves but it sounds like a great story. I look forward to reading it. Sounds like you’ve had stories in your head forever.
Hi Carol. Yes, I’ve always had an active imagination. The stories have been coming since I was a little girl. I hope you like the story!
Thanks for joining the discussion, Carol!
I’ve been in one of these caves. Kind of amazing they way they lived. The indomitable human spirit. Great story and blog!
Thank you, Heather! I hope to see back again!
Hi, Heather! Yes, I find that fascinating, too. So glad you joined the blog today!
I am new here and am excited to read your works. I like the cover also. The romance of the garments of the times. I wondered if you as I read all of Frances Scott key’s works? I am almost 60 and read civil war history. I still love Alcott,and the neighbors she had and their writing. Esp. Thoreau. All the best with your present and future writing. Thank you for this kind opportunity to win your book. <3
Thanks for joining the discussion and visiting my blog to enter the contest, Mary! I hope to see you back again!
Nice to meet you, Mary. No, other than his wonderful poem that became our National Anthem, I’ve not read Frances Scott Key. I too love Civil War history and my stories are born of my research. Good luck with the drawing!
This sounds like an interesting book. I look forward to reading it.
Thanks for visiting my blog and taking part in the discussion about Sandra’s book. I hope to see you back again, Karen!
Karen, I hope you enjoy the story. Thanks for entering the drawing.
I Love Civil War stories. Yours sounds fascinating. Would love to win.
Thanks for visiting and entering to win Sandra’s book, Kathleen! I hope to see you back again!
Kathleen, I love stories set during the Civil War, too. Good luck in the drawing!
Hi Sandra! It’s so exciting that our books came out at about the same time! 🙂
Congratulations on your book, Dawn!
Hi, Dawn! I agree – it’s so much fun to see the books of author friends. Thanks for entering the drawing!
The Civil War time period is one of my favorite genres. Thanks so much for the opportunity to win a copy of A Stranger on My Land. Just from reading the back cover, I’m hooked!! Ü
Thanks for visiting and commenting! I hope to see you back again sometime!
Cindi, I’m excited to hear how much you love reading novels set during the Civil War. I do, too! Hope you enjoy the story.
This sounds like an interesting book! I’d love to read it!
Thanks for visiting my website and for your interest in A Stranger on My Land! I hope you will visit again sometime!
Hi Jennifer! So glad you find the book appealing. Hope you enjoy it!
Sounds like my kind of book! I love anything Civil War era. Thanks for the chance to win. twinwillowsfarm at gmail dot com
Thanks for your interest!
Hi Pegg! So happy that you love reading novels set in the Civil War era, too. Hope you enjoy the story!
Oh – and I LOVE the sheep header on this page!
Thanks! I hope you will visit again. I have frequent giveaways and articles of other interest.