Welcome to Author Spotlight! Each week will feature a different author. We’ll get the scoop behind their writing life and dish a little. The authors will also be giving away a copy of their latest book. FUN.
The winner from last week’s Author Spotlight with Karen Witemeyer is Kym Mcnabney! Please email my assistant Christen with your mailing address (ckrumm@litfusegroup.com).
This week we are having a double feather featuring Rachel Hauck and Denise Hunter! To win a copy of Rachel’s Once Upon a Prince (Zondervan, 2013) or Denise’s Barefoot Summer (Thomas Nelson, 2013), leave a comment on this post.
Up first, Rachel Hauck:
Tell us a little about your new book . . .
It’s great to be here, Suzanne. You’ll love the name of my heroine in Once Upon A Prince… Susanna. Okay, so it’s not exactly the same as yours but close enough. And she becomes a princess.
This story is about the power of love to change a man, to change a nation. It’s a love story, it’s magical, it’s about a prince who falls for an American girl.
How can readers find you and your books?
At your favorite online or brick and mortar retailer.
Anything new for you on the book horizon?
Yea, I’m excited to be in the pre production stage of book two in the Royal Wedding Series, Princess Ever After, and getting ready to write the third book in the series.
Why do you write?
Why do I write? Because I cannot not write. Does that make sense? I love stories. I feel stories and struggle to put words to those emotions. I’ve written since I was a girl. I kept diaries for seventeen years. I love words, love writing, even though it’s hard a lot of times, I never want to give up.
What are you best known for . . . writing or otherwise?
Oo, I don’t know. I guess for writing as well as a worship leader. I lead in my church as well as the ACFW conference every year.
Best author moment?
Only one? I have a few but I think the most recent was in March when the RITA nominations were being announced. I was traveling home from NY with my husband and checking email on my phone, seeing fellow writers posting, “I got the call!”
I kept telling myself it was okay “not to get the call.” After all, I wasn’t even home and maybe RWA didn’t see my updated profile that included my cell number.
Should I call home and ask our house sitter if anyone called? I debated . . . I didn’t want to be presumptuous.
As we arrive at our gate, I was resolved. “I didn’t get the call. No big deal.”
Then I checked email. “RWA is trying to call you.”
I jumped up and down, right there in the middle of A gate at LaGuardia, mouth open with silent screams.
My hubby said, “What’s going on?”
He had to ask?
So, I didn’t get the call about being a RITA finalist I made the call to find out I was a RITA finalist. It was a fun . . . after the fact of course.
Worst author moment?
I have a few that I can’t share, but let me just say, God brings us through all things. All things! In general, any time a book store goes to the effort to put on a book signing for an author, for me, and we only sell like, two books, then that’s a “worst” moment.
If you weren’t able to write, what would you do?
I would love to be a college professor. Or my dream job, being a good enough athlete to become a college coach.
Describe your ideal circumstances to write.
I live in my ideal circumstance. The Lord opened up an amazing door for us to buy a different house a two years ago and it has a brand new, two story wood trimmed office. It’s grand. I really do write from a tower.
I like to work in quiet. I like to work in the day or early evening.
Right this moment, what does your office look like?
It’s pretty neat, but my desk has a paper stack.
How would you describe your writing style to a reader?
Conversational. Real.
Ever had a bad review? How did you handle it?
I had a review from a man once who said, “Hauck’s hatred of men is evident in this book.” Wha??? I love men. I have great relationships with men. I have brothers. Besides my husband, some of my best friends are men. So, I didn’t get what the reviewer, a man, saw in that story.
What’s one thing you learned about the publishing industry in last five years? Last year? Last six months?
It’s cyclical. It’s full of ups and downs. If any author wants to endure, we have to hang in there.
How do you solve a grammar dilemma?
Solution, thy name is Editor.
Are you an introvert? Extrovert? In between?
I’m in between. I can be very extroverted but I retool by being alone, an introvert characteristic.
Do you enjoy public speaking as an author? Why or why not?
I love speaking. When I was younger, I never imagined I’d love to speak, but I really do. I preach on occasion at my church, but I love speaking to writers and teaching.
Can a person make a living as a writer?
To be honest, not at first. Unless the author has a break out hit which can and does happen, it takes time to build momentum and readership.
Denise Hunter:
Tell us a little about your new book . . . Barefoot Summer is the first book in the Chapel Springs series. It features Madison McKinley, a veterinarian, who can’t seem to get past the death of her twin. She sets out on a quest to fulfill her brother’s dream, winning the town’s regatta, as a way of finding peace. Along the way, she needs the help of Beckett O’Reilly, a man with a shady past and a pocketful of secrets. The summer takes Madison and Beckett on a journey of love and adventure.
How can readers find you and your books?
They’re available at bookstores everywhere and at online retailers. Here’s a link to the 1st chapter of Barefoot Summer.
Anything new for you on the book horizon?
The next book in the series, Dancing with Fireflies will release in March, 2014.
What is the smartest writing advice you ever got?
Write the book you want to read.
I’m inspired by . . . romantic movies, romantic novels, and compelling lyrics with haunting melodies.
If I could go anywhere, it would be . . . Australia and New Zealand. I know that’s two places, but if I go halfway around the world, I’m not seeing one without the other.
If you have only an hour . . . I’d read a novel.
If your house were on fire, what one thing would you save?
Pictures of my family. And okay, I might grab the laptop on the way out.
What has been your most surreal, “pinch-me-I’m-dreaming” moment so far?
When I got the call that I was going to get my first book published.
Best Indulgence: A Sunday afternoon nap. And some post nap chocolate.
And … don’t forget to see what I’m giving away today in the Anthropologie Farm Glam Giveaway (something new each day!) and check out Lily’s iPad Giveaway Extravaganza! Stay tuned to my blog because I’m going to be announcing some special news regarding The Letters this week!
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Would love to win either one of these books! Both authors are great!
These both look great.
I am putting both of these books on my “to read” list! I enjoy reading the interviews you have with new authors which helps to understand their world just a little bit!
I love the Author Spotlight! It is always fascinating to find out more about the authors we love. Two more fabulous books to read!
Loved the interviews. Both books looks good. Hope I win Ü
I would love to win one of these books!!!!!!! I have a whole library of Christian books including books from Suzanne Wood Fisher, Beverly Lewis, Janette Oke and alot more but I don’t have any of these authors I would love to add these books to my library!
These both look like great books to read, especially Once Upon a Prince. I love stories where royalty falls in love with commoners.
I would love to be the lucky winner of either one of these books. Ty for sharing with us.
I would to be a winner. I am a big fan of Denise Hunter.
These books sound like a delight to read. I would love to win one.
Great interview with these ladies!
I love both of these authors! And these books were already on my TBR list! 😉 Great interviews!
thanks for this giveaway. A very interesting interview.
Would love to win either or both books.
I love these author interviews. It is so great getting to know these amazing authors, and getting a peek into their world and what brings them to want to write such wonderful stories. I would love to get the chance to read both these books! 🙂
I would enjoy both of these books 🙂 thanks
Would love to win either of these, thanks for the chance!
Sound like two wonderful books to read! I would love to win! Thank you for the wonderful giveaway!
I always enjoy the Author Spotlight. Denise and Rachel, I have not yet read your books, but sure would like to! Thanks! mickinakm@gmail.com
I would LOVE to win these books!!!! 😀
Both of these books sound great…I’d love to win either/both of them!
I would love to win wither one or both of these books. Both are great authors.
Oh these sound amazing and I hope I win!!!!
Thanks so much for the chance to win!
Both ladies are excellent writers! So excited for the new books!
Both books sound good. Thanks for a chance to win.
superstarsarah94(at)gmail(dot)com
Can’t wait to read these books one way or the other.
Both books sound like terrific reads! Would love to win!
susanlulu@yahoo.com
I absolutely love their books and would positively love to win one!!! 🙂
I love books by both authors. I’ve read everything by both that I’ve been able to get my hands on. I hope I win one 🙂
I would love to win…both books look Awesome!
I love both of these authors! Would love to win these books.
I just finished Barefoot Summer and want to read Once Upon A Prince!!
Looks like fun reading… hope to be able to win them!
Both these books look amazing!
Both of these two authors are amazing! I love their books and can’t wait to read their new releases! 🙂
I’ve not read either of these books, thanks for the author spotlight!
I have Barefoot Summer but would love to win Once Upon a Prince. Thanks for his great giveaway!
I’d love to win, I haven’t read either of these books but they sound great!
Would love, love to win!
Thanks for having us on! Honored to be here and share cyber space with the lovely Denise Hunter!
Rachel
Would love to win either of these books!
thanks for the great info on these authors and the giveaway!
I’ve been wanting to read Once Upon a Prince; it just sounds like the ultimate romance. I’d love to win a copy of it. I’ve enjoyed other books by Rachel. I just finished reading a book by Denise, The Trouble with Cowboys, so I know she is a good writer as well.
Thanks for these interviews with Rachel and Denise and the giveaways.
I’d love to win these books! I love both authors, they’re books are great! 🙂
Both authors are wonderful! Great interviews! Would love to win either book! I know both books are great books! Thank you for the giveaway!
I would love to win both copies of this book! I love to read from authors I’m not really familiar with. From the excerpts they seem…AWESOME!
I’d love to win either book! 🙂
Don’t both books sound just wonderful? I would gladly accept either OR both!
Both books sound great!! Would love to win either 🙂
I would love to win either one of these books!
Two of my favorite authors to read.
I loved reading the interviews with Rachel and Denise. I’d love to win a copy of Barefoot Summer. I already have a copy of Once Upon A Prince.
Blessings!
Judy B
judyjohn2004(at)yahoo(dot)com
The interviews were great!! Really enjoyed reading about the authors and hope to win a couple books 😉
Would love to win these books always enjoy their books
thanks for the chance to read these fabulous novels, Suzanne 🙂
Thank you – I learned a little bit more about one of my favorite authors Rachel Hauck!!!
Denise and Rachel–thank you for taking time out of your writing schedule for these interviews! Loved learning more about the two of you–the behind the scenes looks. I admire you both very much! Excited about your new releases, too.
Warmly,
Suzanne
Great interview, and thanks for the giveaway! Would love to read these novels, they both look very promising!
Both of the books sound great! I would love to read them!
Enjoyed the interviews, want to read both books & would love to win either one – thanks for the opportunity!
bonnieroof60(at)yahoo(dot)com
I would enjoy meeting these new authors. Thanks for the chance to win the books. God bless
The books sound so good and I am already in love with the storyline and characters as I know they will touch my heart.
Both authors are great. Would love to win!
These sound like wonderful books written by real, down to earth ladies. I have not read either of these authors before. I would love to go to Australia sometime as well. It’s a shame the flight is so long and expensive. I have been to Alaska for my honeymoon. It was AMAZING (and expensive (gasp!)). We flew through the mountains in a TINY plane and landed on a glacier and got out and walked around! It was FANTASTIC! Everywhere you look is a photo op. We went for the end of May and the beginning of June. It was way warmer than I expected. kristiedonelson(at)gmail(dot)com Thank you!
Hello, I would love to win either of these two good books. I think my #1 would be barefoot Summer. Sounds good. Maxie mac262(at)me(dot)com
Suzanne ,my favorite book is the Bible as well.Any books we could read would never have the inspiration.If we listen ,we can feel love ,faith inspiration and revelation,about redemption,salvation and anything we won’t to know ,even if it’s about things we don’t want to hear because everything in the Bible is not good and everything is not always like we might think it ought to be.I’m not sure if you understand my statement but God is love but He doesn’t love evil and everyone in the Bible was not good.