Saturday, September 22, 2018

THE ABOLITIONIST'S DAUGHTER by Kathleen Mahar INTERVIEW AND GIVEAWAY!

 


Deb here, with a special guest! I've long admired Kathy's writing since I first enjoyed Bachelor Buttons and I expected great things from her first full length novel. She delivered!

The Abolitionist's Daughter reads like top-notch historical fiction but carries both a gentle romance thread and a touching inspirational message. The story is told in third person with three point-of-view characters. It's hard to say what shines most here, because Kathy's impeccable touch with details should impress any historical fan, particularly those who favor Civil War fiction. There's no rushing here, but not once did the story falter on the way to the touches of romance. This is the kind of book that comes from an author who truly loves their setting, and touched me with its reminder of just how young our soldiers are and have been throughout the ages. How on earth do they and their families recover? 

I strongly recommend this award-winning book!


 
Deb:  Kathy, at what age or incident in your life did you think you'd like to be an author?



Kathy: I was the youngest of five children, and always waiting for my turn to talk at the dinner table. It never came. Hahaha So I figured out at some point that if I was going to communicate, that I should try writing. I found it validating to be heard, even if I was the only one listening at first. I met friends in grade school who loved to create stories and we banded together into a sort of writing group. I loved their creative energy and we encouraged one another to finish stories. We never worried about grammar or spelling, but just focused on plot twists and strong ideas. I’m still great friends with one of those girls, forty years later. 



 
Deb: It's been awhile since your debut (Bachelor Buttons!), and now you have two new releases! What are you working on now?



Kathy: Yes, life can demand your full attention in some seasons, and I had to leave some projects on hold while my incredibly strong mother’s health declined, and she faded from this life. Two years after her passing I am still processing the impact of her presence and her absence. I think one of these days I will tell her story, but until I am ready for that, I have a powerful sequel to The Abolitionist’s Daughter to edit, and some proposals out that would be lovely to contract. I also have a new idea that needs more brainstorming, but it’s got me excited about writing again. It feels really good to be back.



Deb: What surprised you in your research or writing journey as you were working on The Abolitionist's Daughter?



Kathy: I am always surprised and delighted when the characters start telling me about themselves, like who they are and what they want. And then, when the story starts speaking to me and forming out of the dry text of history like Adam from the dust as God breathed His breath of life into him, then I know it is inspired and meant for a purpose. That spark of life, of divine message, is what I write for. We all know that quote in Chariots of Fire that Eric Liddel, The Scottish Olympic gold medalist, says? “When I run, I feel God’s pleasure.” Yeah, it’s like that. Only with a laptop. 😉



The Abolitionist’s Daughter
1860-1864 Shenandoah Valley, and Elmira, NY
When a fiery social crusader interrupts a slave auction, a horse trader and his twin brother are set on a collision course with war—brother against brother. Can the passion that severed ties inspire a love strong enough to overcome hate?


Amazon Purchase link (I suggest you visit and read the great reviews and then ... purchase!)

Do you love book trailers?



BIO:
Kathleen L. Maher has had an infatuation with books and fictional heroes ever since her preschool crush, Peter Rabbit. She has a novella releasing with BARBOUR in the 2018 Victorian Christmas Brides collection, featuring her hometown of Elmira, New York. Her debut historical, Bachelor Buttons, blends her Irish heritage and love of the American Civil War. She won the 2012 ACFW Genesis contest for her Civil War story, releasing this summer under a new title The Abolitionist’s Daughter. Kathleen shares an old farmhouse in upstate New York with her husband, children, and a small zoo of rescued animals.




Follow Kathleen

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and on Amazon:



Kathy: Thanks so much for having me today, Deb.  I look forward to interacting with your readers, and today I am giving away a copy of The Abolitionist’s Daughter to one lucky commenter. Winner’s choice of format, (ebook or print--US residents only.To enter, please share this post on social media and let us know where you shared. The more shares, the more entries! Please be sure to leave your email in your entry so you can be notified if random.org selects your entry.

In addition, I am hosting a rafflecopter to be drawn at the conclusion of my blog tour just before Thanksgiving, with several prizes, including a $50 Amazon gift card, a print copy of each of my books, and a Christmas goodie basket. Be sure to follow each stop on the tour to increase your chances of winning! (US residents only.)

Link to rafflecopter: http://gvwy.io/48sxkxc



Good luck!
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40 comments:

  1. I didn't quite plan this, but it's fun to know that Kathy is also one of the authors on yesterday's post (with giveaway). I hope Kathy doesn't mind me saying that I want to call this book historical fiction foremost, but I don't want readers who want romance to be unsure. It definitely includes a TON of emotion to pull the heart strings!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That’s awesome the timing of both posts. Thank you so much for such a beautiful review

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  2. I shared but am not entering because I already have the book and looking forward to starting to read it on this drizzly day. Thank you ladies!
    Perrianne Askew

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    Replies
    1. Hi, Perrianne! Thank you for coming by this morning. Boy did we get a rain here in NY last night. Great time to read. 😊. Enjoy Ethan, Devon and Mari. 💕

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  3. I thought I left a comment at seven this morning but I don’t see it. But I wanted to tell you thank you so much for having me here and I can’t wait to interact with your readers. Looking forward to see the wonderful new home my book will go to :-)

    ReplyDelete
  4. This sounds like an interesting book. I love historical fiction. I shared on twitter and FB https://twitter.com/lemonade059 https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100004973268680 lemonade050 (at) [hot mail] dot [com]

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. THANK you Brenda! Always awesome to meet historical fiction readers. 😊

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  5. Replies
    1. Hi Jackie. Thanks for sharing. Good luck in the contest

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  6. I would Love to win this book! I Love history and yo me, there aren't enough of them out there. Good Luck Everyone and God Bless You!
    I am going to share on Facebook.
    joycewshelton@gmail.com

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  7. Shared on FB. I love this time period and the multitudinous conflicts it spawned. rmaney@firstarpchurch.org

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    Replies
    1. I know, right? So much happening and so many conflicts. Fascinating time in history. Thank you for coming by and sharing

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  8. Thanks for the chance to win! buierocks2002@yahoo.com

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    Replies
    1. Hi Diane. Nice to meet you! Good luck in the drawing

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  9. Blessed to be mentioned in your book! I would Beta Read for you anytime Kathleen.
    I would love to win a signed copy to keep , then I can share with Mom... PS; Shared this on my socials !
    Hugs
    Linda Marie Finn
    Faithful Acres Books
    faithfulacresbooks@gmail.com

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  10. The interview was lovely, and this book sounds intriguing! Thanks for the great post!

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    Replies
    1. Hi, Winnie. Thank you for coming by and commenting. Good luck!

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  11. Congrats on your new releases! I love your writing! Many. Blessings!

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    Replies
    1. Aw, Carrie, where would I be without your gracious help? Thank you for inviting me to the Victorian Christmas Brides collection and for encouraging me all these years. You are one in a billion

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  12. Shared on facebook!
    marypopmom (at) yahoo (dot) com
    Merry

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  13. Love getting to know more about you Kathleen. I had to laugh at your start to writing, the youngest of five and it was your way of getting a word in edge-wise...lol! What a wonderful start :-)

    Fun interview, thanks for sharing some of your own story. I've shared this post on Facebook and Twitter.

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    Replies
    1. Hi Trixi! Thank you for coming by. I’m telling you what, in big Irish families… A girls got to do something to be heard 😀

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  14. Thanks for sharing! I will share this post on Facebook. I have been hearing good thigs about this book! paulams49ATsbcglobalDOTnet

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    Replies
    1. Wow Paula, thank you so much for sharing on Facebook. I appreciate you stopping in. Good luck in the drawing

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  15. Wonderful to see all the comments and friendly faces! Thanks so much, everyone. Kathleen will be picking a winner tonight, and we will contact you. Thank you for sharing!

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  16. This has been a wonderful week being on the blog here. Thank you Debra for being such a great hostess. I am still in awe of your review!

    I am ready to draw a winner from random.org. As I draw I want to thank everybody for coming and for leaving comments and especially for those who shared the post. You’re all so awesome!

    Without further ado I want to say congratulations to MJSH Mindy! You have been selected as the winner. I will be getting a hold of you soon.

    Thanks again everyone! There will be a few more stops on the blog tour in October and November so be sure to check in at my Facebook Author page KLMaherAuthor For the full schedule.

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  17. Hi, Kathleen! Your book looks like something I would definitely enjoy reading! Thanks for the wonderful opportunity to enter a giveaway! Would love to win a print copy! I'll be sharing this giveaway on my FB page:) Thanks, again, and God bless! Lual Krautter krautter12ATbresnanDOTnet

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  18. Just startingto get into this genre and this book souds so amazig. I will have to do some research onthis.

    ReplyDelete

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How Our Giveaways Work: The Official Rules

We, the ladies of Inkwell Inspirations, would love to give free stuff to everybody. Since we can't, we will often have a giveaway in conjunction with a specific post. Unless otherwise stated, one winner will be drawn from comments left on that post between the date it was published and the end of the giveaway as determined in the post. Entries must be accompanied by a valid email address. This address is used only to contact the commenter in the event that he/she is the winner, and will not be sold, distributed, or used in any other fashion. The odds of winning depend on the number of entrants. NO PURCHASE, PLEDGE, OR DONATION NECESSARY TO ENTER OR TO WIN. ALL FEDERAL, STATE, LOCAL AND MUNICIPAL LAWS AND REGULATIONS APPLY. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED.

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