Friday, May 15, 2015

Melanie Dickerson + GIVEAWAY

By Kelly Bridgewater

About Melanie . . .

Melanie Dickerson is the author of The Healer’s Apprentice, a Christy Award finalist and winner of the National Reader’s Choice Award for Best First Book. Melanie earned a bachelor’s degree in special education from the University of Alabama and has been a teacher and a missionary. She lives with her husband and two daughters in Huntsville, Alabama.

Where to connect with Melanie . . . 

Links to buy the book: http://tnzfiction.com/romance/book/301/the-huntress-of-thornbeck-forest.html
Amazon
Barnes and Nobles
Christianbook

*Click here to read my full review of Melanie Dickerson's The Huntress of Thornbeck Forest.*


Melanie Dickerson
From Melanie Dickerson
Author Interview: Melanie Dickerson 

1.)   Tell us a little bit about yourself:  How did you start writing?  What has kept you writing?

I started writing when I was in middle school. I liked making up stories for my friends to read. I stopped writing after high school for fifteen years, then started back when my kids were little. I write because I love it, because it’s my ministry, and because it pays. Otherwise, I’d have to get a real job.

 2.)   The first person who encouraged me to pursue my writing was . . . How old were you when you discovered fairy tales?

I’m not sure, but I’ve always loved them as far back as I can remember. I wrote my first fairy tale retelling when I was about seventeen, I think. It was a short story of Beauty and the Beast.

3.)  How do you decide what fairy tales to mimic for your upcoming releases? As much as I enjoy your writing, The Fairest Beauty did remind me of Snow White, but in The Merchant's Daughter, I had a hard time drawing the connection between Beauty and the Beast (Maybe I just need to read it again. Like that will be hard for me to do :).

I was looking to combine two different stories, and I just played around with several fairy tales and familiar stories, running them through my thoughts, until I hit upon the idea for The Huntress of Thornbeck Forest.

4.) My latest book, The Huntress of Thornbeck Forest, can be described by these 5 adjectives . . .

Romantic, Dangerous, Adventurous, Fun, and Imminent!

From Melanie Dickerson
5.) Where did the idea for combining Swan Lake and Robin Hood come from?

I was thinking about a female Robin Hood, then thought of a forester who would be trying to catch her, and the Swan Lake idea seemed to fit, as there’s a certain scene in Swan Lake that is especially dramatic—I can’t say which one since it would give too much away. It just seemed to be the perfect dramatic scene for my two main characters, the “black moment” when all seems lost.


6.) What is one take-away from your book that you hope readers identify with?

I hope they will relate to wanting help the poor but not quite knowing the best way to go about it. Also feeling torn, wanting to do the right thing in a situation but not sure what the right thing is. Also discovering that God’s way is always the best way.

7.) Any upcoming projects to entice us . . .

The Golden Braid is my Rapunzel story, the 6th book in my Young Adult series, releasing November 17.

A Brief Synospis: 

Rapunzel can throw a knife better than any man around. And her skills as an artist rival those of any artist she’s met. But for a woman in medieval times, the one skill she most desires is the hardest one to obtain: the ability to read.
After yet another young man asks for Rapunzel’s hand in marriage, Mother decides they need to move once again, but this time to a larger city. Rapunzel’s heart soars—surely there she can fulfill her dream. But Mother won’t let her close to a man. She claims that no man can be trusted.
After being rescued by a knight on the road to the city, and in turn rescuing him farther down the road, Rapunzel’s opportunity arrives at last. This knight, Sir Gerek, agrees to educate Rapunzel in order to pay back his debt. She just has to put up with his arrogant nature and single-minded focus on riches and prestige.
But this Rapunzel story is unlike any other and the mystery that she uncovers will change everything—except her happily ever after,

8.) Something totally off the topic . . . but how many copies of different versions of fairy tales do you own? Do you have any fan gear, such as phone cases, necklaces, notebooks, t-shirts? What?

I do have a few necklaces and t-shirts. J Not that many books, but I did just buy two more this week, a Hans Christian Anderson collection and a Princess fairy tale collection, both with lots of beautiful pictures. J

                         ______________________________________________

Thank you so much for being my guest today, Melanie! I loved getting to know you better and can't wait to read The Golden Braid. Readers, if you haven't read any of Melanie Dickerson's Fairy Tale Romance Series, you're missing out. They are GREAT books that will appeal to adults and young adults. I have LOVED every single one of them. 

Okay, my reader friends, don't miss this opportunity to get your own copy of The Huntress of Thornbeck Forest. Melanie has generously offered a copy of The Huntress of Thornbeck Forest to one person (limited to U.S. residents only). Leave a comment, mentioning your favorite fairy tale and why. The contest runs until Monday, May 18th at midnight. I will pick a winner on Tuesday, May 19th and announce it here on the blog. Please leave your email address with your comment, so I know who to contact. :)



16 comments:

  1. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks for sharing! While I'm not a huge fan of fairytale stories I do have two girls so I've seen and read my fair share. I think my favorite might be Cinderella. I think all of us feel a little neglected at some point and it's nice to see redemption come to someone who remains kind throughout her trials. Melanie's series sounds so intriguing and I can't wait to check them out. :) nataliewalterswriter at gmail dot com

      Delete
    2. Thank you, Natalie for stopping by and commenting! Melanie has created a Cinderella story in The Captive Maiden. You should try it. It's good! God bless!

      Delete
  2. Oh this sounds like such an amazing book, I can't wait to read it!!! My favorite fairy tale has to be Beauty and the Beast, sometimes people aren't who they appear to be on the outside which I've found can either be a good or bad thing. But we shouldn't judge people just by outward appearances either!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Thank you for stopping and commenting, Abby. Melanie has written a Beauty and Beast version with A Merchant's Daughter. It is good! By the way, Beauty and the beast is my favorite Disney movie.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Hi Kelly! Hi Melanie! These fairytale-based novels are some of my favorites! ❤️ I haven't read this one yet, but I'm really looking forward to it!

    ReplyDelete
  5. It is nice to hear from you again, Dawn. All of Melanie's books are great. I hope you enjoy her latest. God bless!

    ReplyDelete
  6. This sounds like a fabulous book! As for my favorite fairy tale? Beauty and the Beast. My first release was inspired by it although it's a contemporary and more of a mystery and suspense. LOL I love fairy tales. I'd love to read yours!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you for stopping by Renee!! I love Beauty and the Beast too. I also love mystery and suspense. Have a great week!

      Delete
  7. Thanks, Kelly, for posting the interview and giveaway and for your kind words about my books! :D

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you for making all this possible, Melanie!! May God continue to bless your career.

      Delete
  8. Cinderella has always been my favorite fairy tale. I got to take my two granddaughters to the new Disney version this spring.

    What a fun post. Thanks for sharing!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Than you for stopping by Jackie. I'll throw your name in the hat too. I haven't seen the new Cinderella. Having three sons, they wouldn't go see it with me. Plus, I'm an action packed movie watcher. Hobbit, Lord of the Rings, and The Fast and Furious movies. Have a great week!

      Delete
  9. My favorite fairytale has to be Beauty and the Beast. I love how it's a story of looking beyond appearances and loving someone for who they are on the inside. :) my email is grace.olson.5973@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you for sharing Grace. I also love Beauty and the Beast. From the Disney version, I have always wanted the library. Sigh. Have a blessed week!

      Delete
  10. The Winner is Natalie Walters!!! Congratulations!!!

    ReplyDelete