with Janet Dean

Janet Dean's new release, Courting the Doctor's Daughter is a Steeple Hill Historical romance and she's giving away a copy this week, so be sure to leave a comment and your email addy if it's not on your blog or site to be entered in the drawing!


Janet, thank you so much for being with us this week! What prompted you to start writing? How long have you been writing? And were there any turning points in your writing career?
My father and grandfather were storytellers, relating anecdotes about real-life men and women and the world they lived in. My mother created beautiful quilts, using age-old patterns, piecing and quilting each by hand. Perhaps that heritage fostered my love of history and my desire to create. Whatever the reason, at twelve, I wrote and illustrated little romances. From that point on I knew I’d write a book one day. One day took quite a while. :-) When our daughters were grown, I seriously pursued my dream. It took me nine years to sell my first book, years of rejection and occasional elation. The main turning point came for me when Steeple Hill decided to launch the Love Inspired Historical line. God had opened a door and I was ready. I sold my debut to Melissa Endlich in June of 2006. Courting Miss Adelaide released in September 2008.

Which book (published or upcoming) has been the most fun for you to write and which character is your favorite? Why?
That’s a tough question. I have a strong connection to my books and my characters. But since you want me to pick one, I’ll choose Courting Miss Adelaide and the heroine, Adelaide. Mainly because this book was my debut and its characters will always have a special place in my heart.

Patty here--I had to show you the cover of Janet's debut book, Courting Miss Adelaide. It's probably one of my favorite book covers and I'd give a heap of chocolate for one of Miss Adelaide's hats! Wow! Love it!

Is there a certain food or snack keeps the words flowing for you?
That would be dark chocolate Hershey kisses—the perfect snack for this romance writer.

What would be your dream vacation?
A couple years ago, we took a two-week trip to Italy, truly a dream vacation. My husband and I love to travel and we’ve been blessed to see much of this great country, but there are still many places we want to visit. But I also enjoy staying put somewhere, kicking back and catching up on my reading. For me, every vacation is a dream vacation. :-)

What are some of the spiritual themes you like to write about?
Forgiveness and unconditional love are recurring themes of mine. I want my stories to entertain, but I also hope God will use them to encourage readers dealing with similar issues in their lives.

What is the quirkiest thing you have ever done?
To sit down and make up people who then carry on conversations in my head is probably the quirkiest thing I’ve ever done. :-)
LoL, that makes me quirky, too, Janet. Sometimes it's gets pretty noisy in my head--and I bet it's noisy in yours, too! *grin*

What new lessons is the Lord teaching you right now?
To not take rejection or criticism of my writing so personally. Actually this lesson isn’t new. God keeps teaching me because I’m a slow learner.

Your next book is due out in 2010.  Can you tell us about it?
The Substitute Bride will release February 2010.
Debutante Elizabeth Manning will do anything to give her brother a good home, but her mail-order bride switch falls as flat as her rock-hard biscuits. Farmer Ted Logan, her widower groom with two children, carries a secret that prevents him from answering God’s Call. Both Ted and Elizabeth learn love requires honesty, a hearty dose of forgiveness and the courage to accept God’s purpose for their lives.
Wow, that one sounds good, too, Janet! I'm already looking forward to reading it!





To keep up with Janet Dean and her new releases there's her
Janet's website

Her blog: A Cup of Faith

and The Seekers a group blog on the craft of writing--and more. ;)



To purchase Courting the Doctor's Daughter from:
Christian Book
Amazon

Thanks so much for joining us! Be sure to leave a comment to be entered in a book drawing for Courting the Doctor's Daughter! (and leave your email addy!)

In next week's author spotlight is Lisa Lickel. Be sure to join us!

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