Fabulous Feature-Dorothy Love-Hope and Forgiveness

Today we welcome author:

Dorothy Love

One commenter will win a copy of
Dorothy's books:

A Respectable Actress

Scroll down to see how.

Mary here. I'm so glad you joined us today. I had quite an amazing chat with Dorothy, learning how God has led her writing career. Today, Dorothy wants to share with you how God led her on her writing journey:

Stories of Hope and Forgiveness

I didn’t start out to become a writer of Christian fiction. I arrived in this market through a series of events in the general market that became increasingly at odds with who I am as a person and as a writer.

Attending my first ever writers’ conference I was advised by editors and agents to “write what you know.” My background was as an educator—I had been principal of a mid-sized public school before leaving to pursue writing full time. The world of kids and teenagers was the world I knew, so despite my original intent to become the next mega star of women’s fiction, I sat down and wrote a book for middle graders and sent it out.

It sold immediately, garnered a number of honors and a very respectable paperback rights sale and I was on my way. Over the next several years I wrote five more novels for this age group, mostly historicals. I was invited to speak at dozens of writers conferences and schools. It was a satisfying career, but as my original readers grew up, they wanted stories more reflective of their maturing lives and I switched publishers to write for these young teens.

I began with a medieval tale that reviewers compared favorably to the biggest names in the business, and followed that book with a fantasy adventure I hoped would appeal to boys. It,too was well reviewed, but sales were not stellar and my editors suggested I switch to writing contemporary young adult (YA) fiction.

By the time I had published three or four of those, the entire market for YA fiction had changed. Longtime editors at major houses were replaced with 20-somethings and these new editors were not interested in coming of age stories set in the small Southern towns I knew and loved. They wanted books about teen sex, drugs, and general mayhem, or else dystopian novels. I could not in good conscience create such dark stories for consumption by impressionable 14 year old girls. I believed that whatever talent I have is a God-given gift and ought to be used to tell stories of hope and forgiveness, courage and love.

Through the generosity of my best friend who had also left the general market to write Christian fiction, I found a new agent who guided me as I prepared my first ever historical series for grownups for submission. That series sold to Thomas Nelson in 2009 and was published as the Hickory Ridge novels. Since then, I’ve written stand alone novels inspired by the lives of real 19^th century women. Women whose faith and courage saw them through the most turbulent century in our nation’s history.

A Respectable Actress is my latest novel releasing October 13. It’s inspired by the life of actress Frances Anne (Fanny) Kemble who lived for a time on St Simons Island, GA where much of my book is set, though as far as I know, Fanny was never charged with murder.

Thanks to Mary for hosting me here.
Mary: I've enjoyed your visit, Dorothy

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Born in the middle of the twentieth century, Dorothy Love is certain she arrived on Planet Earth a hundred years too late. An avid scholar of 19th century American history, she spends most of her time poking through museums, reading dusty books, and studying the journals of the Victorian-era women whose lives inspire her Southern historical novels.

When she’s not busy researching or writing books or avoiding technology, she enjoys teaching at writers conferences.

Dorothy enjoys traveling with her husband, collecting antique ephemera, and playing Frisbee with Jake, the couple's golden retriever. A native Southerner, she currently lives in the Texas hill country.

You can learn more about Dorothy Love at:
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Website

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India Hartley, a famous and beautiful actress, is now alone after her father’s death and embarks upon a tour of theaters across the South. Her first stop is Savannah’s Southern Palace. On the eve of the second night’s performance, something goes horribly wrong. Her co-star, Arthur Sterling, is shot dead on stage in front of a packed house, and India is arrested and accused of the crime.

A benefactor hires Philip Sinclair, the best—and handsomest—lawyer in Savannah to defend India. A widower, Philip is struggling to reinvent his worn-out plantation on St. Simons Island. He needs to increase his income from his law practice in order to restore Indigo Point, and hardly anything will bring him more new clients than successfully defending a famous actress on a murder charge.

Because India can’t go anywhere in town without being mobbed, Philip persuades the judge handling her case to let him take her to Indigo Point until her trial date. India is charmed by the beauty of the Georgia low country and is increasingly drawn to Philip. But a locked room that appears to be a shrine to Philip’s dead wife and the unsolved disappearance of a former slave girl raise troubling questions. Piecing together clues in an abandoned boat and a burned-out chapel, India discovers a trail of dark secrets that lead back to Philip, secrets that ultimately may hold the key to her freedom. If only he will believe her.

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Enter the contest to win a copy of

Dorothy's book:

A Respectable Actress
here is how:

Comments

Loraine Nunley said…

This book sounds interesting. It liked reading about Dorothy's writing journey. It is encouraging to read about authors standing up for their convictions. Thanks for the interview and the giveaway! momrain(AT)aol(DOT)com