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Wednesday, June 24, 2009

Spotlight on Deborah Vogts and Snow Melts in Spring

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

DEBORAH VOGTS and her husband have three daughters and make their home in Southeast Kansas where they raise and train American Quarter Horses. In writing the Seasons of the Tallgrass, a contemporary romance series for Zondervan, she hopes to share her passion for one of the last tallgrass prairie regions in the world, showing that God’s great beauty rests on the prairie and in the hearts of those who live there. The first book in the series, Snow Melts in Spring, is set to release June 2009.

SNOW MELTS IN SPRING
by Deborah Vogts
Published by Zondervan

ABOUT THE BOOK

Mattie Evans, a young veterinarian in rural Kansas, saves a horse injured in a terrible accident. But she also finds herself tending the wounded relationship between a prodigal son and his ailing father. Love, conflict, forgiveness and renewal drive this first book of the Seasons of the Tallgrass series. The Seasons of the Tallgrass series captures the spirit and dreams of ordinary people living in the Flint Hills of Kansas – one of the last tallgrass prairie regions in the world.

Buy Your Copy of Snow Melts in Spring today!

AUTHOR INTERVIEW

1. This is your debut novel. Congratulations! What gave you the inspiration for this story?

Years ago, I took a Flint Hills Folklife summer course at Emporia State University that was taught by Dr. Jim Hoy. Along with classroom study, we took field trips into the heart of the Flint Hills and visited with old-time ranchers, schoolmarms and post-mistresses. It was such a delightful experience, especially our drives into the pastures. We would get on these back roads and drive over pasture guards into the open range. We would travel for miles without seeing another car or even an electric line—just pure, native prairie. That summer, I fell in love with the Flint Hills and it has stayed with me all this time. I’m so glad I have this chance to share this place with my readers in this series.

2. How much of your own experiences influenced your characters? What aspects became traits that are theirs and theirs alone?

My love for country life and the Flint Hills comes out in my main character Mattie Evans. Mattie is a large animal veterinarian in the ranching community of Charris County. Although she struggles with her practice, she is determined to settle in the Flint Hills, a place that is firmly planted in her heart. Almost against her will, she finds herself falling in love with the owner of one of her patient’s—a man who is determined to run away from the Flint Hills and his problems at home. There are many family relationship issues in this story, but the land and particularly the Flint Hills are a major focus. I wish I were as strong-minded and determined as Mattie--but then again, maybe I am. LOL!

3. If one of your characters were an ice cream flavor, what would he/she be and why?

LOL - Okay, I think Gil would be Rocky-Road because he tends to take the paths in life that are hard and difficult and Mattie would be Old-fashioned Vanilla because of her simple desires & old-fashioned ideas.

4. Are there any themes in Snow Melts in Spring that you hope the reader sees? Are there any themes that weren't overt but developed as the stories progressed?

Forgiveness. And the message that though you may have your life all mapped out, you need to be open to the path God wants you to travel, AND be prepared to follow it once He points you in that direction. And while this isn’t necessarily a theme or message, I hope to give my readers a taste of the Flint Hills and of how God’s beauty rests on the prairie and in the hearts of those who live there.

5. What were your most difficult parts to write? Your favorite?

My favorite parts were the action scenes that involved horses. Those came to me quickly. I also enjoyed the romantic scenes. The most difficult were the scenes that had dramatic tension--not that they didn't come quickly to me (because this book practically wrote itself) but I wanted to reach a deep level of emotional tension, especially for the scenes between Gil and his dad. Those were a little bit harder.

6. When is your next book coming out and what is the story?

The second book of the Seasons of the Tallgrass series is Seeds of Summer, which I believe is scheduled to release in April 2010. One of the neatest parts of the publishing process is seeing what the creative team comes up with for a cover. I’m eager to view the cover for Seeds of Summer, a story about a former Miss Rodeo Kansas queen, and her return to the Flint Hills to care for her deceased father’s ranch and her two younger siblings.

* * * * *

Thank you, Deb, for being in the spotlight with us.

Readers, leave a comment for your chance to win a FREE autographed copy of Snow Melts in Spring.

Make sure you also leave your email address (name at domainname dot.com/net). You won't be entered in the drawing without it. If you wish to comment but don't want to be entered, say so when you post.

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.

15 comments:

windycindy said...

Please add my name to your drawing for this delightful book! Sounds like a lovely book to read.
Many thanks, Cindi
jchoppes[at]hotmail[dot]com

Carmen said...

From the different reviews, this sounds like a great novel. Please enter me. Thank you.
desertrose5173 at gmail dot com

Carole said...

I know Deborah is thrilled at being published! This is my favorite type of Christian fiction and I would love to win a copy. Thank you for the giveaway.

cjarvis [at] bellsouth [dot] net

Merry said...

Snow Melts in Spring sounds like a very engaging story, I would love a chance to win it. Thanks!

worthy2bpraised[at]gmail[dot]com

Megan DiMaria said...

I would love to win this book!

A prisoner of hope,
Megan

Jenny Carlisle said...

Would really love to win this book. Thanks for the chance!
jennycarlisle.net

squiresj said...

Would love to win this book. Forgiveness I need to practice more on myself as I am harder on myself than anyone else. My life has not gone anyway nears the way I hoped when I was young. I have been married 30 years and God has redirected my path so many times. However I am not enjoying the empty nest and pain and suffering all the time. I love Deborah's work. I am on her newsletter and she just became my friend on My Shelfari (however you spell it).
I love her blogs too.
Enter me.
jrs362(at)hotmail(dot)com

Anonymous said...

Please enter me for the free book. Would love to read it!
Thanks!
Jackie Smith

Anonymous said...

I just left name to enter for free book, but I failed to leave address...ooops...here it is:
jackie.smith@dishmail.net
Thanks

Deborah Vogts said...

Hi everyone, thanks for visiting the interview with Tiff. And thanks, Tiff, for having me on your blog. ;)

ladybug said...

Please include me for the drawing. I have this book on my "wishlist."

ldneuhof at hotmail dot com

JenniferSaake.blogspot.com said...

Thank you for adding me to your drawing. :)
jsaake AT yahoo DOT com

Emma said...

Snow Melts in Spring sounds wonderful.Please include me ln the drawing. augustlily06(at)aim(dot)com Thank you.

Amber Holcomb said...

I don't know if it's too late to enter this contest, but I'd love a chance to win, too! I've been seeing a lot about this book, and it looks interesting! Thanks so much!

stokes[dot]a[at]suddenlink[dot]net

Mary C said...

I would me Most happy to win a copy of Snow Melts in Spring. It sounds like a really good book. :)