Author Interview | Karen Witemeyer | Part 2

If you missed Part 1 of this three part interview with Karen Witemeyer, the brilliant author of To Win Her Heart, check it out here. This second part of our interview focuses on her other books, and let me tell you, I am excited to get my hands on them as soon as possible! And don't forget to enter my giveaway! Join me after the jump...

Alena: I understand you have written other books before TO WIN HER HEART. What are they?

Karen: My debut novel was A Tailor-Made Bride. It released in June 2010. That was followed by Head in the Clouds in October 2010. A Tailor-Made Bride was a 2011 RITA finalist for Best First Book as well as a finalist in the National Reader's Choice Awards.

Alena: Tell us a little about A TAILOR-MADE BRIDE.

Karen: Jericho "J.T." Tucker wants nothing to do with the new dressmaker in Coventry, Texas. He's all too familiar with her kind--shallow women more devoted to fashion than true beauty. Yet, except for her well-tailored clothes, this seamstress is not at all what he expected.

Hannah Richards is confounded by the man who runs the livery. The unsmiling fellow riles her with his arrogant assumptions and gruff manner, while at the same time stirring her heart with unexpected acts of kindness. Which side of Jericho Tucker reflects the real man?

When Hannah decides to help Jericho's sister catch a beau--leading to consequences neither could have foreseen--will Jericho and Hannah find a way to bridge the gap between them?

Alena: Tell us a little about HEAD IN THE CLOUDS.

Karen: When a recovering romantic goes to work for a handsome ranch owner, her heart’s not the only thing in danger.

Adelaide Proctor is a young woman with her head in the clouds, longing for a real-life storybook hero to claim as her own. But when a husband-hunting debacle leaves her humiliated, she interviews for a staid governess position on a central Texas sheep ranch and vows to leave her romantic yearnings behind.

When Gideon Westcott left his privileged life in England to make a name for himself in America's wool industry, he never expected to become a father overnight. And five-year-old Isabella hasn't uttered a word since she lost her mother. The unconventionality of the new governess concerns Gideon--and intrigues him at the same time. But he can't afford distractions. He has a ranch to run, a shearing to oversee, and a suspicious fence-cutting to investigate.

When Isabella's uncle comes to claim the child--and her inheritance--Gideon and Adelaide must work together to protect Isabella from the man's evil schemes. And soon neither can deny their growing attraction. But after so many heartbreaks, will Adelaide be willing to get her head out of the clouds and put her heart on the line?

Alena: Have you written anything else? Tell us about it!

Karen: The first book I ever wrote is still waiting to be published. Instead of a novel, it is a collection of short biblical fiction pieces focusing on unknown women of the Bible. Women like Shiphrah, one of the Hebrew midwives who spared the lives of Israelite babies; Huldah the prophetess; and Jephthah's daughter. Each of the ten women represents a different godly virtue, and each of their fictionalized stories is accompanied by a short Bible study. It may never go any farther than my computer, but it gave me a chance to polish my fiction skills while pursuing my passion for learning more about women of the Bible.

Alena: What advice would you give to aspiring writers?

Karen: Invest time and energy into learning the craft. Read books, attend workshops, join a writers group, find a capable critique partner, enter writing contests, solicit editorial feedback. Read extensively in your genre of choice. Get to know and understand the market. Network with other writers. Attend the conferences that draw respected publishing professionals. But above all, have a teachable spirit. In this journey that is writing, no matter what stage you are at, there is always more to learn and room to grow. Have a humble heart, and allow God to take the lead.

Enter the giveaway before you go!

Remember it ends 8/24!!