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Wednesday, July 23, 2008

CFBA Blog Tour - Patricia Hickman and Painted Dresses

This week, the
Christian Fiction Blog Alliance
is introducing
Painted Dresses
(WaterBrook Press - July 15, 2008)
by Patricia Hickman


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Patricia Hickman is an award-winning author of fiction and non-fiction, whose work has been praised by critics and readers alike.

Patricia Hickman began writing many years ago after an invitation to join a writer's critique group. It was headed up by best-selling author Dr. Gilbert Morris, a pioneer in Christian fiction who has written many best selling titles. The group eventually came to be called the "Nubbing Chits". All four members of the original "Chits" have gone on to become award-winning and best selling novelists (good fruit, Gil!).

Patty signed her first multi-book contract with Bethany House Publishers. After she wrote several novels "for the market", she assessed her writer's life and decided she would follow the leanings of her heart. She says, "It had to be God leading me into the next work which wound up being my first break-out book, Katrina's Wings. I had never read a southern mainstream novel, yet I knew that one lived in my head, begging to be brought out and developed." She wanted to create deeper stories that broke away from convention and formula. From her own journey in life, she created a world based upon her hometown in the 70's, including Earthly Vows and Whisper Town from the Millwood Hollow Series.

Patty and her husband, Randy, have planted two churches in North Carolina. Her husband pastors Family Christian Center, located in Huntersville. The Hickmans have three children, two on earth and one in heaven. Their daughter, Jessi, was involved in a fatal automobile accident in 2001. Through her writing and speaking, Patty seeks to offer help, hope and encouragement to those who walk the daily road of loss and grief.

ABOUT THE BOOK

In this story of sisterhood and unexpected paths, Gaylen Syler-Boatwright flees her unraveling marriage to take refuge in a mountain cottage owned by her deceased aunt. Burdened with looking after her adult sister, Delia, she is shocked to find a trail of family secrets hidden within her aunt’s odd collection of framed, painted dresses. With Delia, who attracts trouble as a daily occupation, Gaylen embarks on a road trip that throws the unlikely pair together on a journey to painful understanding and delightful revelations.

Steeped in Hickman’s trademark humor, her spare writing voice, and the bittersweet pathos of the South, Painted Dresses powerfully captures a woman’s desperate longing to uncover a hidden, broken life and discover the liberty of living authentically, even when the things exposed are shrouded in shame.

If you would like to read the first chapter, go HERE

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Readers, leave a comment for your chance to win a FREE copy of Painted Dresses.

If you wish to comment but don't want to be entered, say so when you post.

Make sure you leave your email address (name [at] domainname [dot] com/net) or that there's a way to contact you. Otherwise, you won't be entered. Wouldn't want you to miss out on winning a book. :)

And if you want to make certain you don't miss anything, check the box that says 'email follow-up comments to:' when you leave a comment and they'll be sent to the email address associated with your blogging account. That way you'll be notified of any comments and will know when I announce the winner.

This week, the contest is open to US/Canada residents only.

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10 comments:

windycindy said...

What a wonderful sounding story about the two sisters. I like reading about women who are in the process of wanting to become authentic. Please enter me in this book drawing. I appreciate it.....Thanks, Cindi
jchoppes[at]hotmail[dot]com

haras w said...

I would love to own a copy of the book. Please enter me in the book draw.
thanks,
sarahwoll[at]hotmail[dot]com

SmilingSally said...

Please consider me.
smilingsal55[at]yahoo[dot]com

Carole said...

Patricia is a new author to me and I would love to read this book. Thank you for entering me in your giveaway.

cjarvis [at] bellsouth [dot] net

Grateful Gramma said...

I'd love to read it. Please enter my name in the drawing. Thanks!

cpullum said...

I would love to win!! Love to read!!
cpullum(at)yahoo(dot)com

tetewa said...

Sounds good, include me for this! tWarner419@aol.com

Carolynn said...

Please enter me, the book sounds great! Thanks!

Karin said...

Sounds interesting. Thanks for the chance to win it!

Tiffany Amber Stockton said...

We have a winner from this drawing and that is:

Cindi

Congratulations! I've emailed you for your mailing information so we can send out your book.

FIVE other winners are announced today. Check out the spotlights from Robin Jones Gunn forward through Pat Casiello and Kathie Clare.

As always, thank you for your continued support.