Karen Witemeyer ~Head In The Clouds~ Book Giveaway

Karen Witemeyer is a deacon's wife who believes the world needs more happily-ever-afters. To that end, she combines her love of bygone eras with her passion for helping women mature in Christ to craft historical romance novels that lift the spirit and nurture the soul. Karen holds a master's degree in Psychology from Abilene Christian University and is a member of ACFW, RWA, and her local writers' guild. She's an avid cross-stitcher, shower singer, and bakes a mean apple cobbler. Karen makes her home in Abilene, TX with her husband and three children.

If you could only take five books with you on a journey of ten years, which ones would you take?

First and foremost, I would take the Bible. It's the only book I know that teaches me something new no matter how many times I read it. Then, I would definitely need some good fiction. I always pack a stack of novels when going on a trip. Let's see . . . I'd have to take Francine River's Redeeming Love. Then I'd need a couple of my favorite general market reads like Julie Garwood's The Secret and Julia Quinn's The Duke and I. For my last book, I think I'd have to choose a road atlas—to see if I could find some shortcuts to shave some time off of this ten-year journey. I'm homesick already!

What would you be doing with your free time if you weren’t writing?

Sleeping. LOL I have yard work that has been neglected all year. I would love to finally get some flowers planted in the side yard that has only grown weeds this past year. I also enjoy cross-stitching. I have a Noah's ark scene that I have been working sporadically on for over a year. I'd love to have more time to devote to it. My goal is to have it finished by Christmas so I can finally give it to my boys. And of course I'd have more time to read, volunteer with my ladies group at church, and spend more time with my husband and kids without having to shush them.

A Tailor-Made Bride

 Who's your one biggest fan/supporter of your writing?

My husband, Wes, is my biggest supporter, but I can't say he's a fan because he's never read any of my books. And being the understanding wife that I am, I've never asked him to. The only page I forced him to read was the dedication page in my debut novel, A Tailor-Made Bride. Since it was dedicated to him, I figured he wouldn't mind. Yet, even though he hasn't read a word of my stories, he goes out of his way to tell everyone he meets about my books. He carries pictures of my covers in his ipod touch so that he can show them off at a moment's notice. He keeps promo materials on display in his office and talks up the books among his co-workers. He even talks them up with his online gaming buddies who are all sci-fi nerds like he is, but he's garnered several sales for me because even sci-fi nerds have mothers and wives.

Tell us the range of the kinds of books you enjoy reading.

My range is so narrow, if you blink, you'll miss it. I read historical romance. That's it. But I don't read it just because I write it. No, I've been an historical romance snob since high school. There's something about travelling to the past that enhances the romance and the escape for me. In fact, the reason I write historical romance is because I'm such a genuine fan of the genre. I simply write books I would like to read.

What kinds of things can readers expect from your books?

I've only had two books release so far, so I am still building my brand. However, based on what my editors and readers tell me, you will always find well-developed characters that touch your heart, a blend of humor and suspense elements that keep the pages turning, and accurate historical research that flavors the story with unique perspectives.

What do you feel are your strengths and weaknesses as a writer?

I'm a much better editor than a writer. Coming up with original plots is like pulling teeth. It is only by God's grace that those ideas have sprouted into full novels. However, because my strength lies in editing, I never turn the editing voice off in my head. Instead, I draw from that strength. I edit and rewrite as I go, which makes my pace very slow. I will spend 30 minutes getting a sentence right if that is what it takes before moving on. Yet, when I'm done, I'm actually done. No multiple drafts for me, just one that takes 10+ months to get into the computer.

How do you decide on your characters names?

Names are so important. When I go to choose a name, I use several criteria. First, since I write historicals, the name needs to be appropriate for the 19th century. Next, the name needs to conjure up the same personality as the character. Elizabeth is formal and prim and proper where Millie is fun and mischievous. At least in my mind. Last names are important, too. They need sound good to the ear with when combined with the first name or with Miss or Mister. Sometimes, I even use names that have hidden meanings. In Head in the Clouds, my heroine is a teacher and her name is Adelaide Proctor. A proctor is one who supervises students. And the man she initially pursues who turns out to be a toad? Well, I didn't like him very much, so dear Henry got saddled with the last name Belcher. Pretty distasteful, don't you think? (Although, I did know some Belchers several years ago and they were lovely people, so no offense to the Belchers of the world.)

What are some of the spiritual themes you like to write about?

I like to create characters who are believers, but who struggle with different aspects of their faith. In A Tailor-Made Bride the two main characters wrestled with the idea of beauty vs. vanity. However, we also tackled issues of pride and forgiveness. In Head in the Clouds, we look at characters who must learn to trust God when their lives spiral out of their personal control. They must wait on the Lord and trust him with their dreams. Most of my readers are already Christians, and I want my spiritual themes to challenge them to grow in their faith, or perhaps just to give them a reminder of things they already know to be true.

What gave you the inspiration for Head In The Clouds?

Since I enjoy regency romances as well as those set in the American West, I thought it would be fun to blend the two by bringing an English nobleman to Texas.

Head in the Clouds started with a clear idea for theme and the story grew out of that. I wanted to write about a woman with big dreams who grows impatient when God doesn't seem to be answering her prayers. The longer God is silent, the more confused and frustrated she becomes until she finally takes matters into her own hands and pursues her dreams in the way she thinks best. In the process, she makes a thorough mess of things. It is only when she learns to wait on the Lord that he begins to work in her life to bring about blessings she never before imagined.

How much of your own experiences influenced your characters? What aspects became traits that were theirs and theirs alone?

I had so much fun creating Adelaide. Like me, she is addicted to romantic stories, everything from fairy tales to novels. My favorite 19th century novel is Charlotte Bronte's Jane Eyre. I read it in high school and fell in love with the story. I've seen every major film version and even watched a live theater musical retelling of the class tale. Not only is this novel Adelaide's favorite as well, but she finds many similarities between her own unfolding story and that of Bronte's Jane.

On a less cheerful note, I also share some personal history with Adelaide. We both lost our fathers when we were sixteen. And like Adelaide, it brings me comfort to imagine my dad looking down on me from heaven with love and joy as he watches me muddle through my life.

One attribute that is all Adelaide would include her tendency to be messy. I'm not a neat freak, but clutter makes me stressed. I need to keep things tidy. I also know nothing about shooting a gun. I've never touched anything more sinister than a water pistol. My horse riding skills also leave much to be desired. I can handle a walk a maybe a trot, but seeing as how I can count on one hand the number of times I've been astride such a creature, a canter would have me screaming and gripping the saddle horn for dear life.

Give us an introduction to Head In The Clouds.

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?

What’s next after Head in the Clouds?

I'm currently working on rewrites for my next novel called To Win Her Heart which is set to release early summer, 2011. It is set in the late 1880s and asks the question – what happens after the prodigal son returns? So many times, we focus on the wonderful homecoming the lost son received from his father, but have you ever asked what life was like for him after the celebration was over? How did he relate to his bitter older brother or the servants and townspeople who were only too aware of his past arrogance and wild living?

In my story, I play on those very questions. My hero is a man recently released from prison who has returned to his faith roots and rededicated his life to the Lord. The heroine is a woman who has been disappointed by men in the past and has little tolerance of those who don't meet her high standards. In an effort to make a clean start, Levi hides his past and Eden believes she has finally found a man of honor and integrity. But when the truth about his prodigal past comes to light, can this tarnished hero find a way to win back her affections?

A blacksmith with a criminal past. A librarian with pacifist ideals. Do they have a fighting chance at finding love?

WHERE TO FIND YOU ON THE WEB

Web site:http://www.karenwitemeyer.com/

Facebook:Look for me under Karen Witemeyer

Karen, thank you so much for stopping by and sharing with us. To have the possibility to receive a copy of Head In The Clouds:

• Leave a comment with your email (name at domain name dot com). 
• Giveaway closes Sunday, October 24, 2010 at midnight (CST). 
• Only US postal codes.
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