Today I’m welcoming Alice Wisler to my blog to talk about her latest novel, Hatteras Girl. Given that this takes place in the Outer Banks of NC, I’m already a fan. =)
Alice gave a hearty “Sure!” to my question about doing a giveaway, so as usual, leave a comment below with an email address for a chance to win a copy of this beautifully beachy book! And be sure to follow if you don’t already!
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About Hatteras Girl
Twenty-nine-year-old Jackie Donovan prays for two things: an honest, wonderful man to marry and to own a bed-and-breakfast on the beautiful Outer Banks of North Carolina. In the meantime, she works for Lighthouse Views, writing articles about local business owners, and intrepidly goes on the blind dates set up by her well-meaning but oh-so-clueless relatives.
There’s one specific property Jackie dreams of purchasing: The Bailey House, a fabulous old home located right next to the ocean, a place where Jackie spent many happy childhood afternoons. But the Bailey House has strange stories and secrets surrounding it—not to mention its outrageous price tag.
When Jackie meets handsome Davis Erickson, who holds the key to the Bailey property, she believes God has answered both her prayers. But as Jackie learns some disturbing details about Davis’s past, she begins to wonder if her heart has lead her astray. Will she risk her long-held dreams to find out the truth?
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About Alice
Alice J. Wisler lives and writes in Durham, NC. Rain Song was her first novel (Christy Award finalist 2009), How Sweet It Is, her second (Christy Award finalist 2010), and now her third is Hatteras Girl.
In 1997 she founded Daniel’s House Publications after the death of her son, Daniel, and writes cookbooks, poetry and articles pertaining to parental bereavement. She teaches Writing the Heartache grief-writing classes both online and at conferences. Since Alice was born in Japan, her favorite foods are sushi, tempura, and unagi domburi (eel over steamed rice). She also enjoys it when her husband Carl cooks English and German dishes.
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What’s your latest book?
My inspirational novel that just came out from Bethany House this month is Hatteras Girl. Set on the coast of North Carolina in the lovely Outer Banks, this is a story of Jackie who wants to find an honest man and own a bed and breakfast.
Sooooo love the Outer Banks. Got married there, in fact. =) What’s your favorite part of the story?
I like the parts that deal with Minnie, who has lost her husband to a fishing accident, because in these sections I could create an atmosphere around the sadness of loss and grief. Loss and grief is a very real part of life and in each of my novels, I incorporate them. My son died in 1997 at the age of four, and so I know a lot about sorrow. On a lighter note, I like the parts of Hatteras Girl that take place in Aunt Sheerly’s hair salon because they are for the most part, silly and fun.
My daughter just turned five, so even imagining that loss . . . I appreciate the juxtaposition of the tragic with the silly, though. That too is life. But back to the book. Is there a theme?
The theme is finding your dream and living it. However, sometimes before you can march forward with a dream, you have to wait upon God. So Hatteras Girl has to do with being patient (hard for Jackie to do) and waiting.
Oh, so true. What’s your favorite genre to write? To read?
I enjoy reading contemporary women’s fiction and writing it as well.
What would your dream office look like—and what does your REAL writing environment look like?
Oh, my dream office would be an actual office with a door, bookcase, lots of fresh flowers, and window. My current “office” is a computer hutch in the corner of my living room.
An office with a door! That one could use to shut out the world–ahhhh. =) Aside from writing, what takes up most of your time?
Right now, going on book signings and taking care of a six-week old Boxer puppy named Levi.
We had a Boxer too–a reverse brindle named Aegis, who is currently retired to my MIL’s acreage rather than our tiny, steep little yard. Okay, next question. Do you remember where you were when you got your first or most important call about a book contract?
Yes, I was in the kitchen and I literally jumped up and down when I listened to the phone message from my agent saying she wanted to represent me.
=) What are you writing right now?
Right now I’m editing my novel, A Wedding Invitation, that comes out next fall. It has a little romance and is about two former teachers at a refugee camp who join to help an Amerasian woman find her mother.
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Thanks for visiting, Alice! Readers, you can check out her website at http://www.alicewisler.com
and find her books at Amazon and CrossPurposes.
Void where prohibited. Entry into the contest is considered verification of eligibility based on your local laws. Chance of winning depends on number of entries. Contest ends 11/4/10. Winner will have two weeks to claim prize.
Roseanna M. White is a bestselling, Christy Award winning author who has long claimed that words are the air she breathes. When not writing fiction, she’s homeschooling her two kids, editing, designing book covers, and pretending her house will clean itself. Roseanna is the author of a slew of historical novels that span several continents and thousands of years. Spies and war and mayhem always seem to find their way into her books…to offset her real life, which is blessedly ordinary.
Would love to be considered for the giveaway,
Lupe at lmora19@aol.com
When is the winner to be announced?…would love to win! dianalflowers@aol.com
A great interview and storyline and I would love to read this book.
cenya2 at hotmail dot com
It is exciting to be considered for this giveaway! Thanks for making it possible!
chakasa58 at gmail dot com
Carman sent me:)
I LOVE this cover and would love to read what's inside it 🙂
Stephanie at StephanieMorrillBooks dot com
It's good to see Alice offering her Hatteras Girl for giveaway again. I've not read her writings, and have been wanting to. This story is very appealing to me and I would like to read it. I used to have a boxer that we bought in Germany. She was a beauty and a love. I hope Alice enjoys her new boxer puppy. Thanks for this giveaway and the chance to win Alice's Hatteras Girl. I hope I win.
Blessings,
Barb Shelton
barbjan10 at tx dot rr dot com
I thought I had entered but don't see my comment. I was touched by Alice's testimony and would be happy to be included in the drawing for her book. Thanks! reneeasmith61 [at] yahoo [dot] com
Thanks to all for entering to win a copy of Hatteras Girl!
~ Alice J. Wisler
Diana,
Thank you. Life without a child will always hold sadness. There is no way around it . . .
~ Alice J. Wisler
Thanks for the chance to win this book! It sounds like a great one!!!
Jennifer
jmschwindt at cox dot net
Please enter me…love the cover,too! dianalflowers@aol.com
Please include me in this giveaway, it sounds like a super read. sonflower277 at gmail dot com
This looks like a winner. Count me in please.
lkish77123 at gmail dot com
Heard so many good things about this book, I'd love to win it! Please enter me.
desertrose5173 at gmail dot com
love the cover!
sheree
neednspace at aol dot com
booknroll.blogspot.com
Alice,please accept my condolences on the death of your little boy. I just can't imagine…I have 2 grandsons 4 and 5. Such a tremendous loss for you. I am truly sorry. dianalflowers@aol.com
The Bed and Breakfast sounds wonderful! I've had a number of dogs in my life, and one of my favorite was my boxer Cilla…..what a smart dog. Back then there weren't lease laws and she used to follow me to school, and when we got there I told her to go home and she always did!
alekee02[at]yahoo[dot]com
That house sounds both romantic and myterious. Love books that are set near beaches. Wish I lived near one.
CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com
Sounds like a great book.
bkhabel at gmail dot com
a great posting/interview…thanks for the chance to read alice's latest novel 🙂
karenk
kmkuka at yahoo dot com
Thanks, Roseanna, for the opportunity to be on your blog!
~ Alice J. Wisler
My comment didn't take I don't think. I was saying that I feel I need to broaden my horizons somewhat. The only contemporary I read is Amish and a little Colleen Coble and the rest is historical. Thanks for opportunity to win this book…sounds good! dianalflowers@aol.com
Please do enter me as well. It sounds like a very interesting book…and I am a fellow NC girl myself too! My e-mail address is (in non-spam form): EvenstarHeart[at]gmail[dot]com
Blessings,
Sarah
Please enter me. I have family who live on the NC coast that I loan my books to that would love reading this as well. dianalflowers@aol.com