Southern-Style Meet & Greet with Ginger Garrett Plus Giveaway

Thank you so much for joining me for another week of Southern-Style Meet & Greet!  We've got a fabulous author today, so stay tuned!

First off, let me announce the winners of last week's giveaway thanks to Cindy Woodsmall.  The two lucky ladies that will each be receiving a copy of The Christmas Singing are:

Paula O. (kyflo130@...) and Cathy G. (catbil@...)

Ladies, I hope you enjoy your copy of The Christmas Singing!

Now, time for our featured guest!

Ginger Garrett is the critically acclaimed author of Chosen: The Lost Diaries of Queen Esther, which was recognized as one of the top five novels of 2006 by the ECPA, and Dark Hour. An expert in ancient women's history, Ginger creates novels and nonfiction resources that explore the lives of historical women. A frequent media guest and television host, Ginger has been interviewed by The New York Times, NPR, Billy Graham's The Hour of Decision," The Harvest Show, Fox News, and many other outlets.

In 2007, Ginger was nominated for the Georgia Author of the Year Award for her novel Dark Hour. A graduate of Southern Methodist University with a degree in theater, she is passionate about creating art from history. You can learn more about Ginger and her work by visiting www.gingergarrett.com.

Welcome, Ginger!
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When did you first know you wanted to be a writer?

I’ve always had a deep love for stories. I read a lot growing up, and some books just seemed magical to me, the way they touched my heart and made me glad to be alive. I suppose that’s when I caught the bug, although I would be in my thirties before I began to think about writing one myself.

What genre do you most like to write?

Biblical fiction! The Bible has the juiciest stories around.

Do your own personal experiences, or those of family and friends, ever find their way into one your stories? If it’s not too personal, do you have a funny one you can share with us?

My mother-in-law and mother are my two biggest fans, so I better not answer that, especially since in my novel Samson’s mother is such an outspoken, domineering woman! Let’s just say that they inspire me in so many ways…

What do you hope readers “take away” with them after they read one of your books?

I love it when readers tell me, “I went back and read the story in the Bible to know what really happened.” I also love it when they realize they aren’t alone; even great heroines struggled and suffered.

What is your latest book release?

I just released Desired: The Untold Story of Samson & Delilah:

Three women loved him. Two betrayed him. One fulfilled his destiny.

Desired tells the story of the legendary strongman through the eyes of the three most important women in his life. The fiercely loving Jewish mother who nags him toward greatness…and rebellion. The impoverished Philistine girl, Amara, who becomes Samson’s bride. And the emotionally damaged seductress—the legendary Delilah—who becomes the instrument of his destruction and the key to his tragic triumph. Poetic, meticulously researched, and jaw-droppingly honest, Desired ultimately celebrates the God of Israel’s ability to work mightily despite out human weakness.

Are you currently working on another novel, and if so, can you give us a snippet about it?

I’m finishing the last book in this series of “Lost Loves” from the Bible, and the story is about Jezebel. I have found her so fascinating. She had everything in the world: she was royalty. She had two palaces. Three children. One devoted husband. Her nation loved her. How did her life go so wrong?

That ought to be perfect for people who can't get enough of the Royals--no matter if they're current or historical.  Sounds intriguing!

What was the last Christian Fiction book that you read that you couldn’t put down?

Anything by Siri Mitchell. She Walks in Beauty is her newest. I really admire Brock and Bodie Thoene, too.

Where can readers find you on the web?

www.gingergarrett.com
Plus I’m on Twitter and Facebook

What is your most favorite thing about the South?

The way Northerners start talking slow and looking nervous around us! I absolutely adore our Southern gentlemen, too. I appreciate their manners and willingness to help anyone in distress.

I have a Southern gentleman, and I'm so proud that I do!  When I first saw how much respect he had for his mother, I said to myself, "I'll be taking him off the market, and fast!"  :o)

Iced Tea—sweet or un-sweet?

Unsweet! It’s Southern “table wine.”

BBQ Pork or BBQ Beef?

BBQ can never be wrong. Pork, beef, chicken, and I’ve even done BBQ shrimp! I think BBQ should have its own food group. A little bit of BBQ every day, for every person, and this world would be a much nicer place.

Dolly Parton or Elvis Presley?

You’re killing me. How can I choose? I love them both. I would want to be Dolly and marry Elvis, if I could.

(But only if he was in his earlier years.  The latter years...I'd leave him to another woman.)

Historical House—Plantation or Log Cabin?

I was married at a historical plantation house. I seem to remember them telling me it still has a cannonball lodged in the wall from the Civil War. I don’t remember much from that day, except that it was an outdoor wedding and it rained. :)

Isn't it amazing that brides so seldom remember their wedding day?  My friends told me that before I got married, and I thought they must be joking.  Nope...they were right.  Only getting about 4 hours of sleep the night before probably didn't help my memory much, either.

Country gal or city gal?

All country. I don’t like cities.

You, you all, or y’all?

Y’all. But y’all knew that, I bet. :)
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Thanks to Ginger, this week's giveaway is a copy of her newest book, Desired:  The Untold Story of Samson & Delilah. Please use the form for your giveaway entry, and the comments section for anything you'd like to discuss about the interview. All entries for the giveaway must be left by Sunday, October 16, and open to US residents only.