Annalisa Daughety ~ Interview + Double Giveaway!

See today's other post for the winner of Tammy Barley's book, Love's Rescue!

Today author Annalisa Daughety is answering some questions and has graciously offered a autographed copy of *each* of her two new books: Love Finds You in Charm, Ohio, and Love Is a Battlefield.

Welcome, Annalisa! Tell us a little about yourself.

First of all, thanks for having me, Carman!

I am a native of Arkansas but now I live in Memphis and work for the National Foundation for Transplants as a special events and marketing coordinator. I have two dogs—a boxer mix and a lab mix. When I’m not working or writing, I love to spend time with my family and friends, read a good book, and go shopping. I’m about to start training for a 5K—and I’m not much of a runner, so we’ll see how that goes!

How long have you been writing? How many books do you have published?
I’ve been writing for as long as I can remember. When I was in elementary school, I would write and illustrate stories and fold them up like books. I kept journals throughout high school and college—those are pretty entertaining to read now!

I started getting serious about being published a few years ago-I joined ACFW in 2007 and began to really learn more about the craft of writing.

I have two books published: Love Finds You in Charm, Ohio released in September and Love is a Battlefield released October 1. I have two more books releasing next year.


If you compared your writing style to any other Christian Fiction author, who would it be? Also, is your writing sweet, warm, etc.?
Hmm. I’m not sure who to compare myself to! I’d love for a reader to tell me what they think. :) My writing is probably on the sweet side, although my characters can be a little difficult sometimes. They definitely don’t always do and say the right thing.
 
In your own words tell us a little about your books.
Love Finds You in Charm, Ohio:
A summer in Charm, Ohio, gives Emma Miller the chance to decide once and for all what she wants from life—but soon she finds herself pulled between two worlds.
 
Love is a Battlefield, book one in the Walk in the Park series:
Take a walk through Shiloh National Military Park with battling park rangers Kristy O’Neal and Ace Kennedy. Kristy sees the past as a battlefield of failed relationships and broken hearts. She refuses to risk being hurt again. For Ace, history offers proof that true love exists. With stories from the park’s rich history in his arsenal, Ace begins the battle to win Kristy’s heart. But when Kristy learns he’s keeping secrets from her, her skepticism seems justified. Can she risk her heart on the battlefield of love one more time or will Ace lose Kristy forever?
 
Here are the official blurbs:

Love Finds You in Charm, Ohio: Emma Miller appears to be the most blessed girl in Indiana. She teaches school, enjoys the attention of a wonderful man and has a loving family. But this Amish girl has more on her mind than buggies and bonnets; she longs for adventure and wants to see the world. So when her sister Abby convinces her to spend the summer with relatives in Charm, Ohio, Emma jumps at the chance. In Charm, she meets an Englisher who has come to town to escape her chaotic life and despite their differences, the two become fast friends. Emma finds herself pulled between two worlds and her ultimate decision will impact not only herself but everyone she knows.

Love is a Battlefield: Take a walk in Shiloh National Military Park in this fun, fast-paced romance by Annalisa Daughety, a new voice in women’s contemporary fiction. Recent history has taught park ranger Kristy O’Neal not to believe in love or risk her heart. Ace Kennedy came to Shiloh to research his family history—but it’s Park Ranger Kristy he’s studying. Using his own ancestors as an example, can he prove that true love really does exist before Kristy walks away forever?

 
What made you want to write these stories?
Love Finds You in Charm, Ohio: I have always been fascinated by the Amish. I got the idea for Love Finds You in Charm, Ohio, after hearing a podcast interview of a twentysomething Amish girl. The whole time she was talking about her life, I couldn’t help but think she and I had some things in common—despite our differences. From there, the idea of a story that depicted a friendship between an Amish and non-Amish girl formed.

Love is a Battlefield: I worked as a park ranger at Shiloh National Military Park—it was honestly my dream job. I became enamored with National Parks and from there, the Walk in the Park series developed.

What research did you have to do for these books?
Obviously for Love Finds You in Charm, Ohio, I had to do a good bit of research about the Amish.

For Love is a Battlefield, there wasn’t really much research to be done. After working at Shiloh for so long, I know the ins and outs of the park.

Who would you pick to play the lead roles if these books were made into movies?

Love Finds You in Charm, Ohio:

Rachel Bilson would play Emma Miller

 
 
Love is a Battlefield:

Reese Witherspoon would play Kristy O’Neal
Johnny Depp would play Ace Kennedy

 
What are you working on now or going to write next?
I just finished Love is Monumental, the second book in the Walk in the Park series. It is set at the Washington Monument and will come out next May. Up next for me is Love is Grand, set at the Grand Canyon. It will come out next October.
 
How can readers get in contact with you?
My web site: http://www.annalisadaughety.com/
My blog: http://www.princessofpatience.blogspot.com/
Facebook: www.facebook.com/annalisadaughety
Shoutlife: www.shoutlife.com/adaughety
Twitter: www.twitter.com/annalisa_

What are you currently reading?
Just Between You and Me by Jenny B. Jones. I love it!!

C- I love that book too!

Tell us something surprising about yourself that readers may not know.
I was in a Domino’s Pizza commercial over the summer. It was the one for Memphis Barbeque Style Pizza. I played the role of a Domino’s delivery girl!

C- That is so cool! :-)

If you could be any animal, which would you choose? Why?
Either of my dogs—because they live a life of luxury!
 
Favorites:
TV show, and/or movie?
TV show: I probably shouldn’t confess this, but I’m hooked on reality shows! The Amazing Race and American Idol are two of my favorites.

Movie: My favorite movie…I can narrow it to 3: Sliding Doors, Steel Magnolias, and Gone with the Wind.

C- I love Gone With the Wind! It is one of my favorite movies.
 
Place to go on vacation?
Florence, Italy is my very favorite place. I haven’t been in several years, but a return trip is on my list.
 
Book this year or month? Why?
Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert is one of my favorites that I’ve read recently. I loved reading about her journey. I normally stick to fiction, but this was a great book!
 
C- Thanks for all the great answers, Annalisa!

~~~~~

 

Okay readers, here is your chance to win a copy of  Love Finds You in Charm, Ohio or Love is a Battlefield! To enter: Leave a comment with your name and email address (so I can contact you if you win), and please specify that you want to be included in the contest. Please only enter for one book, and specify which book you want to be entered for. *If you want an extra entry, become one of my followers. (The extra entry will be towards the book you specified that you wanted to win, not the other book.)* The comment is mandatory. You will not be entered unless you leave a comment. If you are already a follower, and then you leave a comment, you will still get two entries in the contest. The contest will run from today (Oct. 9) till midnight on Thursday (Oct. 15). I will contact the winner on Friday the 16th, and then that person will have a week to reply. If the winner doesn't reply within that time period, I will pick a new winner. Good luck! Thanks for visiting.