image: header
image: gownflare

Friday, June 07, 2013

Stephanie Landsem and The Well Giveaway

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

STEPHANIE LANDSEM writes historical fiction because she loves adventure in far-off times and places. In real life, she’s explored ancient ruins, medieval castles, and majestic cathedrals around the world. Stephanie is equally happy at home in Minnesota with her husband, four children, and three fat cats. When she’s not writing, she’s feeding the ravenous horde, avoiding housework, and dreaming about her next adventure—whether it be in person or on the page.

THE WELL
by Stephanie Landsem
Published by Howard Books

ABOUT THE BOOK

Could he be the one we’ve been waiting for?

For the women of the Samaritan village of Sychar, the well is a place of blessing—the place where they gather to draw their water and share their lives—but not for Mara. Shunned for the many sins of her mother, Nava, Mara struggles against the constant threats of starvation or exile.

Mara and Nava’s lives are forever changed with the arrival of two men: Shem, a mysterious young man from Caesarea, and Jesus, a Jewish teacher. Nava is transformed by Jesus, but his teachings come to late and she is stoned by the unforgiving villagers. Desperate to save her dying mother, Mara and Shem embark on a journey to seek Jesus’ help—a journey that brings unexpected love and unimaginable heartbreak.

Readers, buy your copy of The Well today!

AND NOW A WORD FROM OUR FEATURE AUTHOR

With the release of my debut novel, The Well, just days away, it seems like everywhere I go friends and acquaintances are wishing me well. Whether in the grocery store, at the school play, or on the way out of church, I get congratulations and often this question:

Did you always want to be a writer?

I have a little trouble answering it. I’ve always loved history and I’ve always loved to read, but I didn’t put the two together and realize that I wanted to write until a conversation with my oldest daughter not too many years ago.

My youngest child had just started first grade, leaving me with six hours of quiet each school day. With the exception of laundry, grocery shopping, bill paying, cleaning, volunteering, and cooking, I had nothing to do all day.

“So what are you going to do with yourself,” my 12-year old asked me as we drove to play practice one evening.

“I’m not sure.” And I wasn’t. I’d seen women turn to obsessive housecleaning or hours of exercise as their children grew. Please, no.

“What would you do if you could do anything at all?” she asked.

I thought a bit. She had said ‘anything’. “Time travel?”

“Mom.” She rolled her eyes.

But there was something else, now that she’d asked. “If I could do anything, I think I’d write historical fiction.” Silly, really. I’d never taken a writing class in my life.

“Why don’t you do it, then?”

I laughed. “I have no idea how to write. I don’t even know if I’d be any good.”

My eldest gave me the raised eyebrows. Probably the same look I gave her more than once. “Mom. Just figure it out.”

And she was right. I did need to figure it out, at least figure out if it were a possibility. I started an online creative writing class and found I wasn’t terrible. I checked out hundreds of books from the library and read dozens of writing and publishing blogs. Within a year, I was starting on what would become The Well, my debut novel.

Fast forward 5 years: my house is a mess and I exercise only as much as necessary.

Instead, I’m looking forward to the release of The Well, just turned in my second Biblical novel, The Thief, and am starting on the third book in The Living Water Series, tentatively titled The Tomb.

So the answer is yes. I always wanted to be a writer, I just needed a push from a 12-year-old to figure it out.

Reader Question: So what would you do, if you could do anything at all?

* * * * *

Thank you, Stephanie, for sharing with us today.

ENTRY RULES Readers, leave your email address (name [at] domainname [dot] com) along with your answer to the question for your chance to win a free autographed copy of the book featured above. If you do not answer the question, and your email address isn't provided, you will not be entered.

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

14 comments:

apple blossom said...

I'd read a book

ABreading4fun [at] gmail [dot] com

Sharon said...

Anything at all? Cost no object? Then I would become a world traveler - seeing and listening to stories rather than just reading them. Thanks for the chance to win a copy of "The Well".
Sharon (also from MN)
smoore (at) tcq (dot) net

Melody said...

I would be the Beth Moore of Food Network by demonstrating cooking methods, telling funny stories and involving others to join me!

missionwife AT hotmail DOT com

Beth said...

I would write, make jewelry and travel to all of the places that I've always wanted to go :)

Thanks for the chance to win! I'm so excited about this one!

Beth
bharbin07[at]gmail[dot]com

Amber Lemus said...

I'd hit the NY Bestsellers list, marry a handsome prince, travel all over the world, raise a huge family and be raptured into the arms of Jesus. :)

And I'd win a signed copy of the Well. ;) I'm looking forward to reading it because I'm writing a Biblical Fiction series right now.

visionwriter2[at]gmail[dot]com

Becky said...

I would love to travel overseas and see Israel and Austria.
Would love to read this book ... why not try and win it too.
rrwalter34ATgmailDOTcom

Michelle said...

I'd travel all over the world.

mchapman (at) windstream (dot) net

Unknown said...

I would travel to help with disasters. Give whatever help and comfort I could provide in their time of need.
Barbara Thompson
barbmaci61(at)yahoo(dot)com

jenmom said...

If I could do anything at all, I would work for a publicity/media company. I absolutely love to connect with authors and help get the word out about their product which is why I love to read and review books so much!

Jennifer
jenmom1707@yahoo.com

karenk said...

I would love to travel all over the world :)

karenk
kmkuka at yahoo dot com

Stephanie Landsem said...

Sounds like travel, reading, writing a book, and helping others are high on everyone's bucket list. You are my kind of people!

koalasue45 said...

Be a worship leader and I can't wait for Heaven to worship all the time.
Sue
RVCfidsFmAwareness@yahoo.com

KayM said...

I would be a wealthy philanthropist. I guess this wasn't God's plan for me, though, because I am definitely not wealthy!
may_dayzee (at) yahoo (dot) com

Stephanie Landsem said...

And the winner of a signed copy of The Well is . . .

VisionWriter!

Congratulations. Please send me a quick email with your address and how you'd like your book signed:

stephanielandsem@gmail.com