Ann has graciously offered a copy of the book to U.S. and Canada residents. If you’d like to be entered, please leave a comment below with an email address where I can contact you.

About Ann

ANN SHOREY has been a story collector for most of her life. Her writing has appeared in Chicken Soup for the Grandma’s Soul, and in the Adams Media Cup of Comfort series. She made her fiction debut with The Edge of Light, released in January 2009. When she’s not writing, she teaches classes on historical research, story arc, and other fiction fundamentals at regional conferences. Ann lives with her husband in Sutherlin, Oregon. The Promise of Morning the second book in her At Home in Beldon Grove series.

Contact Ann through her website at www.annshorey.com .

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About The Promise of Morning

Ellie Craig believed her marriage to Matthew, the pastor of Beldon Grove’s church, would flow from blessing to blessing. He’s always been the leader in their household, giving her a comfortable life.

Then they lose three children in infancy and her world reels, leaving her vulnerable to the attentions of the recently returned son of Beldon Grove’s founder. When Matthew suddenly makes a decision that leaves Ellie alone with their older children, she realizes her actions have driven him away.

Now Ellie must search within herself for the answers to her problems. Will she be able to open her heart to her husband? Or did her actions destroy any chance they had at happiness?

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What’s your latest book?

My latest book, The Promise of Morning, released from Revell on the first of March. The Promise of Morning is Book 2 in the At Home in Beldon Grove series.

What do you hope your readers will get out of the story?

I hope the importance of keeping promises, and the often unforeseen consequences when we fail to do so, will impress readers. Several of the characters in The Promise of Morning are faced with whether or not to fulfill a commitment—some do, some don’t. The wrong choices have far-reaching effects on the other characters.

A great lesson! That’s not your typical take-away—I like it. =) Is that also the theme? If so, did you plan it that way from the start?

The theme of keeping promises emerged as I went through the first draft of the story. It was serendipitous that Revell chose to title the book The Promise of Morning.

Definitely! Those Revell folks sure know what they’re doing. =) What’s your favorite genre to write? To read?

I really enjoy writing historical fiction. The process of discovery during the research process keeps me inspired. I’m always learning a tidbit or two that I can use, and wouldn’t have known about were it not for the research.

When I read, I enjoy many genres—it all depends on what mood I’m in at the time. I always have a stack of unread books to chose from. It’s almost like my own little Library.

Hmm, I see we have much in common, Ann. What would your dream office look like—and what does your REAL writing environment look like?

My dream office would look like a page out of the Pottery Barn catalog. I love their furniture and the way they style the rooms for the catalog.

Now my real environment is another story! My writing has grown from articles and opinion pieces to novels, and my office has failed to keep pace. I really need to get rid of the old tables, etc., on which I pile stuff, and get a nice wall of shelving. Words fail me when it comes to describing how this room looks, although “cluttered” comes close.

Sounds like my whole house! Is there any one thing or reference you keep handy when writing? Anything you kept around for this particular book?

My most-used reference tool is English Through the Ages by William Brohaugh. It’s tricky making sure the wording in my historical novels fits the time period, so this book is invaluable.

For The Promise of Morning two of my most valuable reference books were Autobiography of Peter Cartwright, which is where I got my background for the life of an itinerant preacher in the early 1800’s. The other book was Sugar Creek: Life on the Illinois Prairie, by John Mack Faragher. Great resource for the same time period, since Illinois is where the fictional town of Beldon Grove is located.

What lessons have you learned through the publication process that you wouldn’t have guessed as a pre-published writer?

The biggest lesson I’ve learned, and am still learning, is how much time is involved in marketing once a book is released. I didn’t anticipate how busy I’d be just keeping up with everything.

Tell me about it! I’ve barely written a fictional word in weeks. I get to the point where I go mad if I don’t get back to my novels. Any upcoming releases we should keep our eye out for?

I recently finished the first round of edits for Book 3 in the Beldon Grove series. The working title right now is The Dawn of a Dream. The story’s protagonist is Luellen McGarvie, Molly McGarive’s oldest daughter, now a young woman. Luellen was a fun character to write, as she’s so spunky. The book will be released sometime next year—I don’t have the date yet.

Readers can purchase my books from all major brick and mortar booksellers, as well as online through Amazon.com, Christianbook.com, and several other sources. Clicking http://www.annshorey.com/novels.html and following the Buy This Book link, you’ll be directed to five different online sources, plus a search box to find a Christian bookstore near your home.

While you’re on the internet, clicking on http://www.annshorey.com or http://www.annshorey.blogspot.com/ will take you to my website or my blog, respectively. Please stop by and send me a message. I’d love to hear from you.

Thanks for inviting me to your blog, Roseanna!

Thanks for stopping by, Ann! It was great to get to know you a little better.

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Contest ends 4/8/10. (And when did it become April, anyway???) Void where prohibited by law. Chances depend on number of entry. Winner will have two weeks to claim the book before another is selected.