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Monday, September 08, 2008

Spotlight on Dorothy Clark and Family of the Heart

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

DOROTHY CLARK, a critically acclaimed, award-winning author, lives in rural New York, in a home she designed and helped her husband build (she swings a mean hammer!) with the able assistance of their three children. When she is not writing, she and her husband enjoy traveling throughout the United States doing research and gaining inspiration for future books. Dorothy believes in God, love, family and happy endings, which explains why she feels so at home writing stories for Steeple Hill.


FAMILY OF THE HEART
by Dorothy Clark
Published by Steeple Hill / Love Inspired Historical

ABOUT THE BOOK

In her silk finery, Sarah Randolph knew she was no more a nanny than the haughty widower before her. She'd made a profound error in judgment. How long would it be before Clayton Bainbridge cast her out? She vowed to pack up her trunks and return to Philadelphia at once. But that city held memories of her lost fiancé, and sweet little Nora Bainbridge desperately needed some mothering. Sarah might not be an expert in child rearing, but she knew a few things about grief. The pain in Clayton's stormy blue eyes told her that her journey here must be part of God's larger plan for them all...

Buy Your Copy of Family of the Heart Today!

AUTHOR INTERVIEW

1. What gave you the inspiration for this story?

In my first Steeple Hill historical titled Beauty for Ashes there are two daughters, a toddler named Sarah and her baby sister Mary. Family of the Heart is, the now adult, Sarah's story.

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

This is difficult to answer. I try not to let "me" get in my stories, but a bit of me sneaks in there in spite of my best effort. And, as there is a toddler in this one, I'm sure the mother in me reared her head. What aspects became traits that were theirs and theirs alone? Oh, that is easy. Sarah's courage. She is much braver than I.

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

Hmm, perhaps Mocha, that wonderful blend of coffee and chocolate, as she is both an "eye-opener" and a comfort to the hero, Clayton Bainbridge.

4. What themes exist in Family of the Heart that you hope the reader sees? Are there any themes that weren't overt but developed as the story progressed?

Overcoming disappointments and tragedies of the past to find love and renewed faith in God.

Yes. God's faithfulness to us even when we turn our backs on Him.

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

Truthfully...there were none. I love the 1838 Cincinnati setting and, of course, the characters. It was a pleasure to write their story. Your favorite? The scenes with the toddler. And there's that mother in me rearing up again.

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

My next book is about Sarah's sister, Mary Randolph, a bold and forthright young woman who goes toe-to-toe with Samuel Benton, Captain of the St. Louis police, over the needs of the orphaned children of emigrants headed west in 1842. The book will be published by Steeple Hill Love Inspired Historical, August 2009.

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

Readers, leave a comment for your chance to win a FREE autographed copy of Family of the Heart.

If you wish to comment but don't want to be entered, say so when you post. Make sure you also leave your email address (name at domainname dot.com/net). 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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10 comments:

DBarker said...

Please enter me for this drawing. Thanks!

danelli04 [at] hotmail [dot]com

Cherie J said...

This book sounds great! I would love to be entered in the drawing.

Carla Capshaw said...

Hi Dorothy,

I started Family of the Heart last night and I'm hooked! I read til 2:30 this morning and only put it down because I had to get up early for work. Will definitely read more tonight. :-)

windycindy said...

Happy Tuesday! I love the cover of Dorothy's book. The story line seems very endearing. When an author takes a young character from a previous book and then writes another book about when they were older, I enjoy it. Please enter me in this historical book drawing. I thank you, Cindi
jchoppes[at]hotmail[dot]com

Maureen said...

This sounds like a story I would enjoy so please enter me in the drawing.
mce1011[at]aol[dot]com

haras w said...

Just by the cover, i would grab this book. Please enter me in the draw.
thanks,
sarahwoll at hotmail dot com

Carolynn said...

I love the cover and the story sounds wonderful! Thanks for the chance to win!
carolynnwald[at]hotmail[dot]com

Becky C. said...

Would love to read this book.

Please enter me in the contest!

Thank you,

Becky C.
rec(at)hiwaay(dot)net

Tiffany Amber Stockton said...

We have a winner from this drawing and that is:

CHERIE!

Congratulations! I've sent your mailing information to Dorothy so she can send out your book.

Also, check out the interviews on Lynette Sowell, Ginger Garrett, Colorado Christmas and Kelly Hake to see if you've won.

As always, thanks to everyone for your continued support.

Cherie J said...

Ooh! Thanks so much Tiff! Looking forward to reading it.