You're invited to a wedding (or three!) with Donna Robinson

Hello, Donna. Thanks for joining us today! I've been reading your newest release Tumbleweed Weddings, which I love, and I'm excited to help you give away a copy!.

Tell the readers a little bit about yourself and your writing journey.

I’m not one of those writers who was born with a pen in her hand! I didn’t think about writing for publication until a friend of my husband mentioned that he was writing a book, which in turn interested me in writing. I thought I could just dash off a book, and it would be accepted right away. (Little did I know!) It took about 16 years before I received my first book contract.

Now I feel that the Lord has called me to write Christian fiction. He put the desire in my heart many years ago, and I’m trying to write the stories He wants me to write.

What made you decide on contemporary romance?

I write contemporary romance and historical romance, both for the Christian market. Right now, I’m concentrating my energies on writing contemporaries. I love stories set in a small town with one prominent family whom the reader gets to know. That’s the setting for Tumbleweed Weddings. I also love Christian romance. That spark of attraction between a man and a woman is one of God’s mysteries, and He’s the one who creates a Happily Ever After for them.

What do you enjoy reading?

Some authors think you should read everything out there—the classics, literary fiction, science fiction, medical thrillers, legal thrillers. I prefer Christian contemporary and historical romance books, and that’s basically all I read. I must say also, I’m thankful for my Kindle! I’ve loaded quite a few books on it, which has turned into my “To Be Read Pile.” Now if only I had more time… 

What's your favorite part of the writing process?

As one writer said, “I don’t like to write, but I enjoy having written.” Getting the book out of my head and onto the computer is not my favorite part, but that’s the only way the book will get written. Actually the thing I enjoy the most is editing my manuscript. I like to tinker with the sentences until they shine.

For Tumbleweed Weddings, how did you decide on Wyoming as the setting?

This book is a 3-in-1 collection, with three stories that were published separately by Barbour Publishing in their Heartsong Presents line. At the time, Barbour was putting all their Heartsong books into a series called “Romancing America.” They would put three books together that were set in the same state, and they covered all 50 states. Wyoming was open—no one had written a set for it, but while I was writing the first book, the editor collected three other books for Wyoming. She accepted my books as a “Wild Card” set. I really didn’t think my books would be put in a collection, but I asked the editor anyway. It took a couple years, but she finally gave me a nod, and Tumbleweed Weddings was published!

What do you hope readers take away from your books?

I want to write interesting, entertaining stories that edify Christians—books that build up, not tear down. Also, as I say on my website, I want my readers’ faith to be strengthened in the God who loves them.

What are you currently working on?

My next book is The Ballad of Steffie Mae, a contemporary Christian romance.

A West Virginia gal who moves to New York City tries to hide her uncultured family roots, especially from the sophisticated hero who has secrets of his own.

It’s slated to come out in the fall of 2014.

Thank you for having me on your blog, Amryn! I really appreciate this opportunity.

Do you have questions or comments for Donna? Comment below to be entered in a random drawing for a copy of Donna's book! Make sure you leave an email address to be notified of winning. The winner will be contacted on July 2.

Here’s a short summary of Tumbleweed Weddings:

In Tumbleweed Weddings, you’ll meet the Brandt siblings—Callie, Tonya, and Derek—who live on a sheep ranch with their parents near Fort Lob, Wyoming. That part of the country has rolling hills, a sparse population, and tumbling tumbleweeds when the wind blows. Callie Brandt thinks she’ll be single all her life until Lane Hutchins comes to town. But what secret is he hiding? Tonya Brandt wants to marry a handsome man, but who is her secret admirer? Derek Brandt doesn’t want to marry until he’s forty. That’s a problem for Cheyenne Wilkins who needs to get married right away to fulfill the stipulations in her grandmother’s will.

This is a collection of three contemporary romances under one cover, previously published separately by Barbour Publishing.

To read the first chapter, visit Donna’s website: www.DonnaRobinsonBooks.com

Donna Reimel Robinson is a member of JOY Writers, a local critique group, as well as ACFW (American Christian Fiction Writers). As a pastor’s wife, she plays the piano for their church and teaches a Jr. High Sunday School class. In her spare time, Donna enjoys sewing and working jigsaw puzzles. She and her husband have four grown children and ten grandchildren. They live in Denver, Colorado.

To learn more about Donna and her books, visit her website (www.DonnaRobinsonBooks.com) or her Amazon page (http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B00J43HJKI)

Interview and book give-away with Lena Nelson Dooley!

Today at the Diamond Mine, we’re digging into how Lena Nelson Dooley produces her gems! She’s a multi-published writer of contemporary and historical Christian fiction. Today we'll be spotlighting the first book in her historical trilogy: "Maggie's Journey," a book I greatly enjoyed reading. 

Hi Lena, and welcome to the Diamond mine!

Your McKenna’s Daughters trilogy is your latest in a long line of wonderful historical stories. What made you choose to write historical fiction?

I’ve written and been published in both contemporary and historical fiction. The last several books have been historical. Writers come up with ideas and write proposals. Their agents send out the proposals to various editors. The last four to sell were historicals.

I see. I’m new at this, so it’s good to know! Do you do all your research before the writing process or also during?

I do research ahead of time, but I also do research during the process. I might be writing along and decide I want to use something in the story. I have to find out if that was possible in the time period. I also research setting details, society, news, clothing, food, and a number of other things, so all the details in my story are authentic to the time period. In my historical novels, only my characters and their stories are fiction.

I’m writing a historical fiction now, and I understand how much research goes into it. I really enjoyed all the details in Maggie’s Journey. I was especially struck by the details of train travel back then. Really interesting, and I felt like I made the trip with them. So, I’m curious. Do you use outlines for your stories?

I create a timeline, then divide it into possible chapters, then write a few details of what could happen. That’s all the outlining or plotting that I do on paper. Of course, the story develops and grows in my mind before I ever start writing.

How do your stories come to mind? Do you actively think of a scenario or character first, or do the ideas just pop in your head?

I do study people, and I’m always on the alert for interesting happenings. I do believe that God created me with a vivid imagination that He planned for me to use at this time in my life.

What was your first book, and how long did it take to get it published?

Home to Her Heart published by Heartsong/Barbour in 1992. I had finished writing it in 1984.

My experience is pretty similar. A book I wrote in 2008 will be my debut novel this fall. I guess that’s where perseverance comes in! Lena, what genres are your favorites for reading as well as writing?

I have very eclectic tastes in reading material. I do love reading historicals, suspense novels, contemporary romance, even some sci-fi and fantasy books.

Sounds like we have a lot in common! Do you have a favorite book or character among your stories?

It’s usually the characters in the book I’m writing at the time that I’m asked this question. I do love the characters in the book I’m writing. But I love most of my characters for their uniqueness.

What do you most want to convey to a reader through your writing?

I want first to entertain the reader. Most people use reading to take themselves out of their mundane world or to give them a break from the stress. And I always include flawed characters, who grow spiritually and emotionally through their circumstances. I hope the stories will help someone else who is facing the same kind of problems to see a way out of their circumstances as well.

What new stories do you have planned?

My new series Love’s Road Home is about people who have a second chance to find love. I’m writing the first novel right now—A Heart’s Gift.

Any advice for new authors?

Read, read, read. Read novels by good writers. Read novels in the genre you want to write. Then network with other authors.

Thanks for the advice. As a new author, I’ve got the reading part down, and am busy learning the networking part. Like this wonderful interview with you! Thanks so much Lena!

We'll be giving away a copy of "Maggie's Journey." It's the first book in Lena's trilogy of McKenna's Daughters. Just leave a comment with your email address and you're entered in the drawing! 

Here's a blurb about Maggie's Journey:

Near her eighteenth birthday, Margaret Lenora Caine finds a chest hidden in the attic containing proof that she was adopted. The daughter of wealthy merchants in Seattle, she feels betrayed both by her real parents and by the ones who raised her. 

Maggie desires a place where she belongs. But her mother’s constant criticism and reminders that she doesn't fit the mold of a young woman of their social standing have already created tension in their home. With the discovery of the family secret, all sense of her identity is lost. 

When Maggie asks to visit her grandmother in Arkansas, her father agrees on the condition that she take her Aunt Georgia as a chaperone and his young partner, Charles Stanton, as protection on the journey. Will she discover who she really is and, more importantly, what truly matters most in life? 

 To learn more about Lena and her books, visit her at: Lena's website or enjoy her award-winning blog: Lena's blog View and buy her books at: Lena's books on Amazon and Lena's books at Barnes and Noble

Thanks again to Lena Nelson Dooley for stopping in at The Diamond Mine!