Spotlight on Amanda Cabot and Paper Roses

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

With both parents avid readers, it's no surprise that AMANDA CABOT learned to read at an early age. From there it was only a small step to deciding to become a writer. Of course, deciding and becoming are two different things, as she soon discovered. Fortunately for the world, her first attempts at fiction were not published, but she did meet her goal of selling a novel by her thirtieth birthday. Since then she's sold more than twenty novels under a variety of pseudonyms. Paper Roses is her first book for the CBA market. When she's not writing, Amanda enjoys sewing, cooking and – of course – reading.

PAPER ROSES
by Amanda Cabot
Published by Revell

ABOUT THE BOOK

Her future stretched out like the clear blue Texas sky.

But a storm is coming.

Leaving the past behind in Philadelphia, mail-order bride Sarah Dobbs arrives in San Antonio ready to greet her groom—a man she has never met but whose letters, her paper roses, have won her heart from afar. But there is a problem—Austin Canfield is dead, and Sarah cannot go back East.

As Sarah tries to reconcile herself to a future that is drastically changed, Austin's brother Clay wants nothing more than to shake the Texas dust from his boots, but first he must find his brother’s killer. And then there's Sarah.

Something is blooming out in the vast Texas landscape that neither Clay nor Sarah is ready to admit, and the promise of redemption blows like a gentle breeze through the prairie grasses.

This Book One of the Texas Dreams series will sweep you away with a tale of love, loss, and tantalizing possibilities.

Buy Your Copy of Paper Roses today!

AUTHOR INTERVIEW

1. What gave you the inspiration for this story?

I never thought of myself as a slow learner, but that was the case with writing for the Christian market. For over ten years, readers have suggested that I write for inspirational romance, but I demurred, not believing it was right for me. It took the death of a dear friend to convince me that it was time to write about God's love as well as that between a man and a woman. Watching her during her final months and seeing how her faith strengthened her was the turning point for me. In many ways, I consider Paper Roses part of her legacy – living proof that we never know how our words and actions may influence another.

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

I'd like to say "nothing at all," but that's not true. Like most authors, I know that part of me creeps into each book. While my characters are never based on real people (including myself), my heroes and heroines frequently embody my personal values. Because I believe in justice and happy endings, readers will find that my protagonists do, too. They'll also find the recurring theme of the healing power of love, since that's something I believe in. As for my villains, they tend to be the antithesis of the heroes and heroines, and I'd certainly like to think they're not based on me.

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

I really don't know, so I'm leaving this one blank. :)

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

The primary theme is forgiveness, but the book has many other aspects to it – the mystery of who killed Austin, Sarah's struggle to overcome her handicap, Clay's frustration with his inability to heal his father, the thefts and ancient hostilities that divide the town. It's one of the most complex books I've written, but – judging from the initial reader reaction – that's just what readers are looking for.

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

I imagine that most authors who answer this question can pinpoint a scene or a chapter. For me, the most difficult part is always the first draft. I write a synopsis, a chapter-by-chapter outline of the book and then two drafts. Although I love the whole writing process, my least favorite part is the first draft. I describe it as a skeleton – absolutely necessary but not very pretty. Ugly, in fact. I'm always relieved when that's done and I can start the second draft – the flesh and blood part. That's my favorite time.

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

The second Texas Dreams book is scheduled to be released next January. At this point, it's still going through the titling process and I don't know whether Revell will keep my working title of Scattered Petals. As part of the titling process, Revell asked me to describe the book in two sentences. For someone who's hard-pressed to stay within word count limits, that was a challenge, but here’s what I wrote for them.

All her life, Priscilla Morton has longed for adventure, and so she heads for Texas, never dreaming that the adventure will leave her alone, badly injured and dependent on a handsome rancher who reminds her of her worst nightmare. Zachary Webster knows he'll never marry, for that would involve admitting the biggest mistake of his life, but how can he refuse to help Priscilla, even if she's a reminder of his sin?

* * * * *

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

Readers, leave a comment for your chance to win a FREE copy of Paper Roses.

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 US/Canada residents only.

* * * * *