Monday, October 3, 2011

Winnie Griggs' "Home for Thanksgiving"


Title: Home For Thanksgiving (a novella in the Once Upon A Thanksgiving anthology)
Publisher: Harlequin Love Inspired Historical

Cover blurb: All that stands between Ruby Anne Tuggle and a fresh start is an escort to Tyler, Texas. Rancher Griff Lassiter is too kind to refuse, but too wary of being hurt again to offer anything but protection on the journey.

Then a fever forces an unexpected detour and a chance to find the place they both belong...

1) How did this story come to you?
I’d previously written two books that featured Griff Lassiter’s siblings in lead roles. When my editor asked me to pen a novella with a Thanksgiving theme I immediately thought about Griff and how I’d like to write his story. After that it was a matter of figuring out his backstory and finding a heroine to complete him.

2) Tell us about the journey to getting this book published.
As I mentioned above, my editor invited me to write a novella, so the journey to getting a contract was pretty simple. Writing the book was another story. While Griff had appeared as a secondary character in three other books, he was still a bit of a mystery to me. He was such a guarded character that it took a while for me to ‘figure him out’. But it was totally worth the effort - I absolutely fell in love with him as I wrote the book.

3) Tell me three things about yourself that would surprise your readers.
I have a BS degree in Mathematics, I’m a total brain teaser nerd, and I’m a recovering hoarder.

4) What are you working on now and what's next for you?
I just turned in a book that will be the third in a three book continuity for Love Inspired Historicals called the Irish Brides trilogy. The series features three sisters who immigrate to America in 1850 and settle in the Boston area. The series kicks off in April 2012 and my book, A Baby Between Them, will release in June 2012. I’m currently working on the proposal for a brand new three book series set in the East Texas area in the 1870s. The connecting thread in these books will be that all three women are survivors of a single accident and will show how the accident impacted their lives.

5) Parting comments?
I’ll leave you with one of my favorite quotes: “Successful writers are not the ones who write the best sentences. They are the ones who keep writing. They are the ones who discover what is most important and strangest and most pleasurable in themselves, and keep believing in the value of their work, despite the difficulties.”~ Bonnie Friedman

6) Where can fans find you on the internet?
I love to hear from readers! My website is http://www.winniegriggs.com/ .
You can also find me on Facebook.

17 comments:

  1. A recovering hoarder! I like that! I am a hoarder and clutterer and working very hard to stop doing so. Just had a garage sale on Saturday and what didn't get sold, got donated. Still have some more to go through.

    Thank you for the opportunity of the giveaway.

    Blessings,
    Jo
    ladij40(at)aol(dot)com

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  2. Oh I would love to win this book! Sounds like a fun read! Thanks so much for the opportunity to win such interesting books!

    Judi
    Mrst72443@yahoo.com

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  3. Thank you so much for the chance to win this. This looks like a great book. I would love to win this. Thanks again.

    agent_beckster(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  4. I haven't seen very many Thanksgiving books around. Sounds good!

    Margaret
    singitm@hotmail.com

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  5. I am a recovering hoarder, also! Her book would be an interesting one to read...
    Many thanks for the chance to win Winnie's book!
    Cindi
    jchoppes[at]hotmail[dot]com

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  6. It seems we can all relate to the recovering hoarder in you. I have not read many books about Thanksgiving, so this would be lovely.

    marypres(AT)gmail(DOT)com

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  7. This book sounds like a great read. I love the names of your characters! Anyone with the last name of Tuggle is someone I'd like to meet! Thanks so much! Cheryl
    ihhcheryl(at)comcast(dot)net

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  8. I've been to Tyler,TX and it would make a nice city to make a fresh start in. :O) I really enjoyed the zoo there and a special rose garden I went to years ago that brings back nice memories. I'm sure your book is a delight & I hope I win it. Thank you!
    ~Daisy Adams
    daisyflower.adams@gmail.com

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  9. I love Winnie's books! I would love to win a copy of, Once Upon a Thanksgiving!

    Blessings!

    Judy B

    judyjohn2004[at]yahoo[dot]com

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  10. Anyone named Griff Lassiter is going to grab my attention. What a great name for a leading man! Thanks for entering me.
    twinwillowsfarm at gmail dot com

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  11. I still hoard books!!!! Recovering? Not me :)

    Loved the interview, Winnie! Congrats on your book release...

    And I must say a heartfelt thank you, for teaching once-newbies like us about GMC and pitching! And thanks to you, that I feel confident about writing a blurb or a logline! (and I just sold my first book to Ellora's Cave last week) !

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  12. I loved Winnie's book "A Proper Wife" and I can't wait to read "Once Upon a Thanksgiving." Add me please!
    worthy2bpraised at gmail dot com

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  13. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  14. Hello everyone. It's so nice to know I'm in the company of so many fellow recovering hoarders :)

    And thanks for the welcome and the kind words about my books

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  15. Enjoyed the blog today. I love books written with Holiday themes so I'm sure I would enjoy Winnie's book. Thanks for the info.It must be very hard to be a recovering hoarder this time of the year with the Holidays coming up...more power to you.

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  16. sounds like a wonderful book thanks for a chance to win it

    ABreading4fun [at] gmail [dot] com

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  17. I would love a Thanksgiving book!
    I have never read one before.
    Thanks,
    Charlotte Kay
    charlovesmark at gmail dot com

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