Story Time . . .YESTERDAY’S PROMISE Interview & Giveaway

by Roseanna White | May 18, 2010 | Uncategorized

Well, I just (literally) scrolled through the last page of a truly delightful e-book, so it is with some serious pleasure that I announce an extra treat for y’all today–a interview with Delia Latham and the chance to win a gift card for White Rose Publishing that you can use to purchase her book (and others)!

Here’s the way this one will work–as usual, you leave a comment and email address. But rather than me selecting a winner next week, Delia will be gathering comments all through her blog tour. At the end of the month, she’ll select two winners, who will receive $10 gift cards for her e-publisher’s site! You’re welcome to follow her on her tour and leave a new comment at each location for extra chances to win.

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About Delia

DELIA LATHAM is a Christian wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and friend. While she considers each of these roles important ones, she treasures most of all her role as a child of the King and an heir to the throne.

A former newspaper staff writer, Delia promised herself a novel for years, while raising her four children, working at various jobs and writing the occasional article, poem, or song. In 2008, Vintage Romance Publishing released Goldeneyes, her first novel. A Christian historical romance with a touch of intrigue, Goldeneyes is set in the farm country of her childhood, and therefore close to the author’s heart. Yesterday’s Promise released March 12, 2010, and a children’s book, Adam’s Wings, will be available December 2010.

Delia grew up in Weedpatch, a little agricultural community near Bakersfield, in California’s San Joaquin Valley. Currently, she lives with her husband Johnny in Okmulgee, Oklahoma.

She is currently at work on a contemporary series.

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About Yesterday’s Promise

A whirlwind romance amidst the natural splendor of Yosemite National Park. A spur-of-the-moment wedding at the foot of Bridalveil Fall. A young bride who awakens the morning after to find her new husband gone with the mountain wind.

Songbird Hannah Johns supports the child born of that ill-fated union by singing in a dinner lounge. Her dream of someday owning the elite establishment and turning it into a venue more suited to her Christian values is shattered when an unexpected transaction places it in the hands of Brock Ellis, the handsome biker who abandoned her in their honeymoon suite.

Ensuing sparks fly high, revealing buried secrets and forgotten pasts. Seeking to find peace with her painful past, Hannah returns to Yosemite, only to have Brock show up hard on her heels. Back where it all began, she finds herself in danger of losing her heart yet again to the man who shattered it the first time around.

My Review:

I’m a real sucker for stories about reunions between a one-time couple forced together again–and when you throw a kid into the mix, it’s always livens the plot. I knew I was in store for a story like this in Yesterday’s Promise. What I didn’t expect was part of the hero’s story and the reason, on his side, for the years between them. Delia Latham managed to take some tried-and-true plot elements and turn them into something fresh, new, and thoroughly entertaining.

I sat down with my digital copy of this book in the afternoon and finished it after dinner. It’s quick, light, and easy in terms of time and effort–but it packs a wallop in those few pages! I love the deep-seated faith of the heroine, I love the rough edges but huge heart of the hero, and I love the sparks that fly between them.

Yesterday’s Promise is a wonderful little e-book with a whole lot of heart. This is two hours of your time well invested!

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What’s your latest book?

Yesterday’s Promise released March 12, 2010 through White Rose Publishing.

What’s your favorite part of the story?

I love the parts that include my heroine’s son, Davey. Children as characters are so much fun, and Davey is an exceptionally charming little boy. I had a ball with him. =)

Oh, and he’s a cutie! I’m especially fond of his misunderstanding about the work “Yosemite.” My daughter does that with “Eureka,” saying “My Reka” instead, LOL. What was the hardest part to write?

Without a doubt, the resolution – where the hero and heroine finally admit their feelings for each other and get together. I can’t share a lot about that particular scene, because so many questions that are raised throughout the storyline are answered there. But I did have a hard time finding an interesting way to break down the obstacles.

And it was both what I wanted/expected and yet handled creatively, with some unexpected twists. Excellent! What do you hope your readers will get out of the story?

A recognition that God has it all under control. All of it. Everything. And the determination to trust Him, no matter how dark the night, or how impossible the situation. He knows. He cares. And He has a perfect plan. The trick is learning to trust Him during the various phases between disaster and perfection.

That’s definitely a lesson that comes through clearly. I loved hearing your heroine talk things out with God. Great stuff! Now, let’s move things along into the personal. What would your dream office look like—and what does your REAL writing environment look like?

Oh, how I would love to have an office totally dedicated to writing! It would be fun to have the walls decorated with big posters of the cover art from my books, and inspirational quotes to keep me in the perfect frame of mind. I’d love to have a gorgeous view from a huge window…maybe overlooking a lake. No clutter. Just soft colors, perfect order, and sweet peace.

In reality, my office is housed in an extra bedroom. My desk sits on one end, and my husband’s on the other—I think it still does, anyway. I’d have to dig down through all the clutter on top to find it. =) Amazingly enough, he knows exactly where everything is in that mess! My ironing board stays upright most of the time on one side of the room—but I take it down when I clean the place up for company, I promise! The walls are adorned with family pictures and leftover pieces of wall décor that I couldn’t find a spot for anywhere else. It’s a hodgepodge of styles. And then, of course, there are the two stacked-to-overflowing bookshelves… (sigh). I don’t have a lake to look out on either, but my front yard is rather pretty during Springtime. It’s not much, but it’s a far cry from a typewriter on one end of the kitchen table, which is what I had when my four kids were little. =)

Mine’s a laptop instead of a typwriter, but it’s at the end of the kitchen table, LOL. I have a desk–I just don’t get much time at it, given the necessity of watching the munchkins. =) So what lessons have you learned through the publication process that you wouldn’t have guessed as a pre-published writer?

1. Learn marketing. It is an author’s responsibility. Some large publishers may take on the lion’s share, but if you’re published through a small publisher, plan on being very active on the marketing end.

2. Having a book accepted for publishing does not guarantee success in the writing field. Nor does it guarantee financial freedom—in fact, depending on the amount of marketing you do, it could cost you.

3. There are disreputable people in this industry, just like any other. Know your publisher. Do your research before you sign a contract.

That’s some great wisdom! Are there any people (family, writing group, editors) who you rely on when writing?

Definitely my editors—both of them have been amazing. Their suggestions are always valid and valuable. Also, my critique buddies, Sally Laity and Saundra Randolph. I can’t imagine sending in a manuscript without their input. Then, too, it helps that my husband is so supportive of my addiction to writing, and doesn’t complain when I lock myself away for hours and days on end. Plus, he cooks—yay! I’m fortunate not to have to worry about turning my characters off to get food on the table. Sometimes it’s hard enough to leave them alone long enough to eat what’s waiting on the table. lol

I’m sending my hubby to yours for a few lessons . . . he at least springs for takeout when I’m really absorbed though, LOL. Aside from writing, what takes up most of your time?

Well, I work full-time, so…between that and just keeping a house running properly—or at least passably, lol—I do have to schedule writing time and be disciplined about using that time for its intended purpose.

And now I’m sending my house your way for some help in that “at least passably” department. 😉 What are you writing right now?

I’m working on the second book in a 3-part series called Solomon’s Gate, based around a Christian dating agency by that name. The first book is finished, and I’m busily pitching it to editors. I could use a bunch of prayer pals in that regard….

Praying! Sounds like a fun premise! Any upcoming releases we should keep our eye out for?

Actually, I have a children’s book, Adam’s Wings, which will be available December 2010. Hopefully the next release after that will be the first book in the Solomon’s Gate series.

I sure hope so! Is there another author who has greatly influenced your writing?

I’ve been an avid reader ever since I first learned to read. Over the years, I’ve read a great number of authors, and found things to admire (or not…) about many of them. But I think probably the greatest influence on my own writing style was Grace Livingston Hill. I devoured her books as a teenager, and while she probably wasn’t the greatest writer in terms of technique and style, her storylines were captivating, clean and inspiring to young Christian women. Occasionally when I’m deep into a story, I’ll realize that something I’ve just written rings of Hill’s influence. It makes me smile. =)

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Thanks so much for stopping by, Delia! Readers, check her out on the web at www.delialatham.net

You can purchase Yesterday’s Promise at Amazon or White Rose Publishing.

The drawing will be done by Delia on June 1–I’ll be posting this to the Christian Review of Books, and the next stops on the tour are A Minute with Marianne and A Merciful Heart. Check them out tomorrow and Wednesday!

Void where prohibited. Entry into the contest is considered a confirmation of eligibility based on your local laws.