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Thursday, May 13, 2010

CFBA Blog Tour - DiAnn Mills and A Woman Called Sage

Don't forget the new rules of the spotlights here. Random questions will be inserted in each spotlight for you to find and answer in the comments in order to be entered. So, be on the lookout!

This week, the
Christian Fiction Blog Alliance
is introducing
A Woman Called Sage
Zondervan (April 1, 2010)
by DiAnn Mills


ABOUT THE AUTHOR


Award-winning author DIANN MILLS launched her career in 1998 with the publication of her first book. Currently she has over forty books in print and has sold more than a million copies.

DiAnn believes her readers should “Expect an Adventure.” DiAnn Mills is a fiction writer who combines an adventuresome spirit with unforgettable characters to create action-packed novels.

Six of her anthologies have appeared on the CBA Best Seller List. Three of her books have won the distinction of Best Historical of the Year by Heartsong Presents. Five of her books have won placements through American Christian Fiction Writer’s Book of the Year Awards 2003 – 2007, and she is the recipient of the Inspirational Reader’s Choice award for 2005 and 2007. She was a Christy Awards finalist in 2008.

DiAnn is a founding board member for American Christian Fiction Writers, a member of Inspirational Writers Alive, Romance Writers of America’s Faith, Hope and Love, and Advanced Writers and Speakers Association. She speaks to various groups and teaches writing workshops around the country. DiAnn is also a mentor for Jerry B. Jenkins Christian Writer’s Guild.

She lives in sunny Houston, Texas. DiAnn and her husband have four adult sons and are active members of Metropolitan Baptist Church.

A WOMAN CALLED SAGE
by DiAnn Mills
Published by Zondervan

ABOUT THE BOOK

They took away everything she loved...now, she’s out for revenge.

Sage Morrow had it all: life on a beautiful Colorado ranch, a husband who adored her, and a baby on the way. Until five ruthless gunmen rode up to their ranch and changed her life forever. Now Sage is a bounty hunter bent on retribution.

Accompanied only by her majestic hawk, she travels throughout the Rocky Mountains in search of injustice, determined to stamp it out wherever it’s found. The stakes are raised when two young boys are kidnapped and Sage is forced to work with Marshall Parker Timmons to rescue them. But Sage may ultimately get more than she bargained for.

In this exciting historical romance set in the late 1800s, murder, intrigue, kidnapping, and questions of faith will keep you in suspense until the final pages.

If you would like to read the first chapter of A Woman Called Sage, go HERE.

Watch the Book Trailer here:



Readers, buy your copy of A Woman Called Sage today!

AUTHOR INTERVIEW

1. What gave you the inspiration for this story?

While vacationing in the Rocky Mountain National Park, and idea for a woman bounty hunter would not let me go. I could see her riding through valleys and over treacherous mountains. When we visited the tourist center right outside the park, I saw that the Ute Indians had once roamed there. The spark continued to grow until I had to write the story. She's a courageous woman with a tragic past.

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

I think my many trips into the Rocky Mountain National Park provided much of the setting and helped form Sage's character. It was easy to point out places where she could have camped and beautiful lakes she would have admired. I can't think of anything about Sage or Parker that resembled me. :) Sage has a kinship with animals, and I certainly do not. However, she did want to help those women who'd been hurt by outlaws and left as widows. And I do have a desire to help hurting women. Regarding Parker - he had interests in law and politics, which I do not!

Question: Do you have an animal you love (could be a pet or a wild animal)? What about that animal appeals to you?

3. If your hero/heroine were an ice cream flavor, what would he/she be and why?

Sage would have been Coffee Heath-Bar Crunch. That flavor would have provided the caffeine to keep her going, the chocolate to keep her sweet, and the crunch to keep her rugged in times of danger.

4. Are there any themes in A Woman Called Sage that you hope the reader sees? Are there any themes that weren't overt but developed as the story progressed?

My key theme in is dealing with bitterness. How do you purge it from your life when it walks and stalks you. Prejudice was a minor theme, as well as exploiting widows.

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

Weaving the thread of suspense that finally tied all the mystery and confusion in Sage's life to reality. My favorite parts were building the romance between Sage and Parker. And I loved Leah, who is more like me.

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

The Fire in Ember is about John Timmons, who is in the current book, and a young woman named Ember. I believe that will be released in January 2011.

* * * * *

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

NEW!! Readers, find the question buried somewhere in the spotlight and answer it in the comments, then leave your email address for your chance to win a FREE copy of A Woman Called Sage. If you do not answer the question, you will not be entered.

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.

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

12 comments:

Renee (BlacknGoldGirlsBookSpot) said...

Ooo I definitely have to say I LOVE dogs, especially Collies (I own one) They are just so loving and gentle and there's nothing better than a sloppy puppy kiss to make you feel better!

XOXO~ Renee
steelergirl83(at)gmail(dot)com

Jan Cline said...

Truly a unique subject matter. It's refreshing to see something a bit out of the ordinary. Best wishes on the book.
jancline(at)ymail(dot)com

runner10 said...

I love my two lab dogs. They are always two happy faces when I get home.
I've read so many wonderful reviews about this book. I would love to read it.
csdsksds[at]gmail[dot]com

Cherie J said...

Hubby and I don't have any pets right now. Just don't have the time to devote to them. Years before I met my hubby my twin sister and I had a guinea pig named Theo that was so loveable. He was such a sweet boy and would make me smile every day. I was so sad to lose him.

Merry said...

We have two amazing German Shepherds; they are protective, loyal and affectionate. I love their big puppy dog eyes!
worthy2bpraised[at]gmail[dot]com

adge said...

I have many animals for pets. I don't want to single one out and leave out the rest so I have decided to choose a bird, an animal I don't have for a pet. I love blue jays. I love to see them fly and I love their coloring. gasweetheart211[at]netscape[dot]net

I always love the ice cream question.

Lyn said...

Good interview, I'll have to link to this on my blog - I gave "A Woman Called Sage" to a friend to read and review, and her thoughts are up at Bloggin' Outloud.

karenk said...

i currently do not have any animals...but i do love dogs, especially the 'little ones.'

karenk
kmkuka at yahoo dot com

Carolynn W. said...

Are ants considered animals? :)
I love watching them and find them very intriguing. The way they work together, often trying to carry things twice their size is amazing. I would love to own an ant farm. :D
carolynnwald [at]hotmail [dot] com

Anonymous said...

I've always wanted the opportunity to work with horses...it's still a dream I guess. Would love a chance to win!

ldneuhof at hotmail dot com

Sheila Deeth said...

I like your blog (I like your site too). I know I'm too late for the contest, but not too late to enjoy the review. We lost our dog just over a year ago. I still find myself gazing longingly whenever I see a neighbor's dog. Maggie was a sweetheart - good at taking me for walks, calming me down, and making me feel good.

Tiffany Amber Stockton said...

We have a winner from this drawing and that is:

SHEILA DEETH!

Congratulations! I have emailed you for your mailing address so DiAnn can send out your book.

As always, thanks to everyone for your continued support.