Monday, October 10, 2011

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, DesiredThe 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. 


21 comments:

  1. Oh this sounds great!

    Years ago (as I alluded to recently in my blog post announcing my unexpected pregnancy) my husband and I had to face the fact that we might never get to be parents. During that time I read her book "Moments for Couples Who Long for Children" and loved it. It was perhaps the most useful and peaceful book I found on the subject. Something I always mentally referred back to. Something that helped me move on.

    I've been wanting to try her fiction stuff including Wolves Among Us.

    Therefore, I would love to win this.

    Thank you so much for the contest.

    And she's right, choosing between Dolly and Elvis is hard. But I love her answer. And her answer to the BBQ question.

    Side note: A good extension to the BBQ question: Dry rub or BBQ sauce?

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  2. Oooo and I want to read Beauty Secrets of the Bible too!

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  3. LOL, Juju! Well, if it were up to me, it'd be sauce all the way. And a sweet one, too...none of that vinegar-based stuff. Hubs likes a mix of wet and dry, especially on ribs.

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  4. Christy: ;) I use to be a sweet sauce girl but I think I'm more of a vinegary mustardy and dry rub girl these days.

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  5. Well, I won't hold that against ya. *wink* In my part of the country, it's almost against the law to use vinegar-based sauce (not really, but you get the idea), and all the sauces around here are ketchup-based. It's about the only time I can get the hubs to use ketchup since he won't eat it on anything else....I love the stuff!

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  6. Great interview! I've heard such wonderful things about Ginger's books. I already had my eye on this one, so it's on my wishlist. But I'm happy to have the chance to win it :) Blessings!

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  7. First, I am so excited to hear about a new author to me. I don't know how I missed any of Ginger's books or why I haven't ever heard of her but now my loss will be my gain!

    I love Siri's books, too. They're always so thought provoking. Give me vinegar based sauce any day. I am NOT a ketchup person :)

    Thanks, Christy, for another fun start to Monday!

    homesteading[at]charter[dot]net

    btw: I got so stinkin' excited when I saw my blog button on here! I felt like I had "arrived" :o)

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  8. Renee~

    Ginger has written some pretty great books--In the Shadow of Lions is one of my faves. :o) Good luck in the contest!

    Anne~

    Yes! You have indeed arrived! :o) So happy to send people over to your fun blog.

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  9. These answers make me feel so blessed! The world is surely filled with some wonderful, and wonderfully kind, people. May your sweet thoughts and deeds be returned to you tenfold!!

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  10. Fun interview! This book looks so intriguing!! :) The Bible sure does have some "juicy," gritty, real stories!

    And LOL with the Dolly Parton/Elvis Presley response! ;)

    ~Amber

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  11. I'm quite a fan of my Southern Gent, and I know you are too of yours. :)

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  12. Totally fun interview with tons of awesome questions :) Thanks Christy.

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  13. By far one of my favorite interviews on Southern Sassy Things! :) Thanks so much for the opportunity to win Desired! I have Chosen and am so excited to read it!

    Siri Mitchell's books are sooooo good! It's neat to see that Ginger likes them too.

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  14. Ginger~

    Thanks so much for stopping by, and for making so many folks happy with your interview! I believe you're one of the most popular in the history of the series in just one day. :o)

    Amber~

    You're spot on with your comment about some gritty stories in the Bible. I love that more authors are taking the plunge into Biblical fiction to make those stories come to life!

    Margaret~

    Where would we be without our Southern fellas, huh? :o)

    Faye and Beth~

    Thanks for the wonderful compliments. This feature is one thing I look forward to doing every week, and it means so much that ladies like you enjoy them...thank you!!!

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  15. I'm lovin your Southern style meet and greet! So fun!

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  16. Ginger is a new author to me. I would love to win a copy of "Desired". I love stories about women of the Bible.

    I found the interview with Ginger very fascinating. I think her next story about "Jezebel" will be a great read too! I'm looking forward to reading Ginger's books.

    Blessings,
    Judy

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  17. Great interview! I found myself nodding throughout. I loved "Chosen." It's so interesting to see this perspective we don't usually get to see fleshed out in her books. I am a big fan of Siri Mitchell as well and her latest was wonderful. Thank you both for the chance to win the book and I wish you all the best with her writing.

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  18. Great interview! Once I started "Dark Hour" I couldn't put it down. And yes, I did go and read the passages in the Bible. Very powerful.

    Thank you for the chance to win "Desired".

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  19. Okay I just had to say that Delilah looks a lot like Elena from the tv show The Vampire Diaries. Okay now that I got that off of my chest this book sounds so good. I wanna read it! Thank you Christy and Ginger.

    XOXO~ Renee C.
    p.s. The giveaway form looks good. ;-)

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  20. I love biblical fiction and this one is on my to read list. Sounds great! Would love to win a copy.

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  21. Oops...I think I put my comment in the address spot on the form...lol. Thanks for this opportunity! I haven't yet read any of Ginger Garrett's books.

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I love your comments!! They make me happier than cold sweet tea on a hot summer day! :o)