Southern-Style Meet & Greet with Melanie Dickerson Plus Giveaway

I've been about to burst at the seams waiting for this week's special guest!!!  Melanie Dickerson firmly planted herself on my favorite author list with her very first book, The Healer's Apprentice, and now, she's got another medieval romance coming out next week, The Merchant's Daughter, that I'm just itching to read.  There's a *very* nice surprise in the interview for those of you that are also fans of Melanie by way of a scoop on her next book, too!

I hope y'all enjoy our Southern-Style Meet & Greet today.  Be sure to grab your glass of tea and sit awhile.  :o)

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

I knew I wanted to be a writer when I was in 6th or 7th grade. I wrote all through high school, completing two novels, but I quit writing when I started college and only picked it back up fifteen years later.

What genre do you most like to write?

I love romance. What can I say? It’s my favorite thing to read or write. I like writing YA romances, and for now I’m only interested in writing historicals.

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

I hope readers will get a vivid picture of God’s love for them and of the way romance is supposed to be. I hope they will feel like they will see the faithfulness of God through the experiences of the characters in my book. I also hope they will feel encouraged and feel that they’ve just read a sigh-worthy love story.

Perfect description...sigh-worthy.  The Healer's Apprentice certainly filled that bill.  :o)

What is your latest book release?

The Merchant’s Daughter is my latest medieval romance and is a Beauty and the Beast story. Here is a little teaser:

An unthinkable danger. An unexpected choice.

Annabel, once the daughter of a wealthy merchant, is trapped in indentured servitude to Lord Ranulf, a recluse who is rumored to be both terrifying and beastly. Her circumstances are made even worse by the proximity of Lord Ranulf's bailiff—a revolting man who has made unwelcome advances on Annabel in the past.

Believing that life in a nunnery is the best way to escape the escalation of the bailiff's vile behavior and to preserve the faith that sustains her, Annabel is surprised to discover a sense of security and joy in her encounters with Lord Ranulf. As Annabel struggles to confront her feelings, she is involved in a situation that could place Ranulf in grave danger.

Ranulf's future, and possibly his heart, may rest in her hands, and Annabel must decide whether to follow the plans she has cherished or the calling God has placed on her heart.

That cover is gorgeous, Melanie, and I particularly love the reflection of the "beast" in the mirror. 

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

I just finished the first draft of a Snow White story involving Rose and Wilhelm’s (from The Healer’s Apprentice) second son, Gabe. He learns that his older brother’s betrothed is actually still alive and being persecuted by her evil stepmother. Since his older brother has a broken leg and can’t go rescue her, Gabe goes himself. He and Sophie escape from the duchess, but they have to battle her hired henchman, wild animals, and their own attraction for each other as they ride toward the Cottage of the Seven, the mysterious house where they’ve been told they will find safety.

Squee!!!  I'm loving these fairytale-based stories!  I cannot wait until this one comes out.  :o)

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

Save the Date by Jenny B. Jones. Wow, that was a great page-turner, and a great escape. And I rarely read contemporaries!

Where can readers find you on the web?

www.MelanieDickerson.com 

Please come by and see the terrific trailers Zondervan made for The Merchant’s Daughter, as well as for The Healer’s Apprentice. You also can write to me through my website. I love to hear from readers!

What is your most favorite thing about the South?

My favorite thing about the South is that people tend to be friendlier, more polite, and more laid back. Men are more likely to open the door for you or offer to help you. Personally, I appreciate that!

Iced Tea—sweet or un-sweet?

I usually ask for half and half at a restaurant, since most restaurants make it too sweet for me.

BBQ Pork or BBQ Beef?

It’s hard to go wrong with barbecue! I like both!

Dolly Parton or Elvis Presley?

Elvis!

Historical House—Plantation or Log Cabin?

Plantation

You, you all, or y’all?

Y’all. It’s a hard habit to break.

It certainly is.  :o)

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So, as if the surprise of Melanie's book weren't enough, we've got one more up our sleeves today!  Melanie has agreed to give one copy of her newest book, The Merchant's Daughter, to one special reader.  Won't that be a nice treat just in time for Christmas, too?  :o)

Please fill out the following form to be entered in the contest, and use the comments section on the blog post below for any other thoughts. All entries must be received by 11:59pm Saturday, November 26, and the winner will be chosen on Sunday, 11/27.  Usually the winner is announced on the following week's SSM&G, but there's a little something special in store next week with something called a Birthday Bash, so stay tuned this week for more info about that.  :o)

Contest is open to US residents only, and void where prohibited.  Odds of winning are dependent upon the number of entrants.