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Wednesday, October 08, 2008

CFBA Blog Tour - Siri Mitchell and A Constant Heart

This week, the
Christian Fiction Blog Alliance
is introducing
A Constant Heart
Bethany House - October 1, 2008)
by Siri Mitchell


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

SIRI MITCHELL graduated from the University of Washington with a business degree and worked in various levels of government. As a military spouse, she has lived all over the world, including in Paris and Tokyo. Siri enjoys observing and learning from different cultures. She is fluent in French and loves sushi.

But she is also a member of a strange breed of people called novelists. When they’re listening to a sermon and taking notes, chances are, they’ve just had a great idea for a plot or a dialogue. If they nod in response to a really profound statement, they’re probably thinking, “Yes. Right. That’s exactly what my character needs to hear.” When they edit their manuscripts, they laugh at the funny parts. And cry at the sad parts. Sometimes they even talk to their characters.

Siri wrote 4 books and accumulated 153 rejections before signing with a publisher. In the process, she saw the bottoms of more pints of Ben & Jerry’s than she cares to admit. At various times she has vowed never to write another word again. Ever. She has gone on writing strikes and even stooped to threatening her manuscripts with the shredder.

A Constant Heart is her sixth novel. Two of her novels, Chateau of Echoes and The Cubicle Next Door were Christy Award finalists. She has been called one of the clearest, most original voices in the CBA.

ABOUT THE BOOK

In a world of wealth, power, and privilege...love is the only forbidden luxury.

"Trust was a valuable commodity at court. Traded by everyone, but possessed by no one. Its rarity was surpassed only by love. Love implied commitment and how could any of us commit ourselves to any but the Queen? Love implied singularity and how could any of us benefit another if our affections were bound to one in exclusivity? Love was never looked for and rarely found. When it was, it always ended badly."

In Queen Elizabeth's court where men and women willingly trade virtue for power, is it possible for Marget to obtain her heart’s desire or is the promise of love only an illusion?

A riveting glimpse into Queen Elizabeth's Court...

Born with the face of an angel, Marget Barnardsen is blessed. Her father is a knight, and now she is to be married to the Earl of Lytham. Her destiny is guaranteed ... at least, it would seem so. But when her introduction to court goes awry and Queen Elizabeth despises her, Marget fears she's lost her husband forever. Desperate to win him back, she'll do whatever it takes to discover how she failed and capture again the love of a man bound to the queen.

If you would like to read an excerpt, go HERE.

Buy your copy of A Constant Heart Today!

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MY REVIEW

At first, it took me a while to become engaged in this story, but that wasn't because of the historical detail. Siri effectively transports the reader to another time and another place, and her vivid descriptions give you a clear glimpse of life during the Elizabethean age and a window into British history. However, the jarring point of view shifts sometimes had me re-reading to catch where it occurred, and when that happened, I was taken out of the story for a moment.

I'm a big fan of historical fiction, and this book is excellent for history and discussion and depiction of the culture of England. But, I would have to say I much prefer Siri's romantic comedy voice. As this is the first historical for her, perhaps with time, she'll find her unique voice here too. I hope she does! There is a lot of talent flowing from her fingers and keyboard.

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Readers, leave a comment for your chance to win a FREE copy of A Constant Heart.

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 anyone worldwide.

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6 comments:

Anonymous said...

I've had my eye on this one for some time. But this isn't the first review I've read saying that it was somewhat hard to get into the story.

I'd like to read it anyway and would love a chance to win.

ldneuhof at hotmail dot com

Carole said...

I've also read similar reviews and I appreciate your honesty. I would still love to read it though. Thanks for the giveaway.

cjarvis [at] bellsouth [dot] net

DBarker said...

Thanks for the opportunity to win. I have been looking forward to this release.

danelli04[at] hotmail[dot]com

haras w said...

it sounds like a really interesting, good book. please include my name in the draw.
thanks,
sarahwoll[at]hotmail[dot]com

Meg said...

ooh! I would love a chance to win this... I'm big fan of historical novels (much more than romantic comedies)

Tiffany Amber Stockton said...

We have a winner from this drawing and that is:

DANIELLE!

Congratulations! I have your information and your book will be mailed tomorrow.

Others, check out the interviews on Linda Goodnight, Camy Tang, A.K. Arenz, Cathy Gohlke and Leeanna Ellis to see if you've won.

As always, thanks to everyone for your continued support.