Jill Eileen Smith ~ Interview + Giveaway!

Today author Jill Eileen Smith is telling us about her new book, Abigail. She has offered an autographed copy of her book to one lucky commenter. She will also be stopping by throughout the week to answer your questions! So if you have anything you want to ask her, you can include it in your comment for entering the contest. If you are only leaving a question in the comment and not entering the giveaway please say so.

Welcome, Jill! Tell us a little about yourself.

I'm a wife, mom, and author of a biblical fiction series - The Wives of King David. The books in the series are: Michal: A Novel and Abigail: A Novel published with Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group. The final book, Bathsheba, is coming in 2011. I'm currently working on the first book in the next series, The Wives of the Patriarchs. I love to travel, spend time with my family and friends, am a cat owner, aspiring Bible scholar, amateur historian, musician, and above all a follower of Jesus Christ.

How long have you been writing? How many books do you have published?
If you don’t count writing I did during my teens, about 25 years. My first book was published March 2009. I have two books in print right now with a total of six contracted so far.

If you compared your writing style to any other Christian Fiction author, who would it be? Also, how would you rate the romance in you books?
It’s hard to compare whose style might be similar to mine, but I would say readers who like historical novels that read with a more modern ease might like my books. I would rate the romance at PG or PG-13 depending on who is making that decision. I work harder at showing the emotion between the characters than anything explicit. There is kissing and hints at sexual relations, but I believe we don’t need the details spelled out for us.

In your own words tell us a little about Abigial.
Abigail is the third wife of King David and her journey is one of heartache and shattered dreams, but in the end she grows stronger for what she has endured and her relationship to David takes an interesting turn.

The Wives of King David series includes three books:
Michal: A Novel, Book 1
Abigail: A Novel, Book 2
Bathsheba: A Novel, Book 3

Read more about them at the series’ website: http://www.thewivesofkingdavid.com/

Blurb:

What price must she pay for true love?

Her days marked by turmoil and faded dreams, Abigail has resigned herself to a life with a man she does not love. When her husband Nabal’s foolish pride angers David and his men, she boldly steps forward to save her family—and David, the would-be king, takes notice.

Circumstances offer Abigail a second chance at happiness with the handsome David, and she takes a leap of faith to join his wandering tribe. But her struggles are far from over. How can she share his love with the other women he insists on marrying?

Abigail follows the bestselling Michal and continues Jill Eileen Smith’s rich story of David’s wives.

What made you want to write this story?
I wanted to read a novel on King David’s life and couldn’t find one that satisfied, so I sat down to write the book I wanted to read.

What research did you have to do for this book?
Research for The Wives of King David series was broad and in-depth, spanning Bible commentaries, Bible encyclopedias, Bible dictionaries, archaeological magazines, books on manners, customs, and life and times of the Old Testament eras. I searched websites for Bible places, Hebrew words, and interesting tidbits, studied maps and photos of Israel, made idea boards where I “cast” models and actors into the novel’s starring roles to help me “see” my characters, read books on women of the Bible, Bible cookbooks, and tried some of the recipes. As a final research tool, I traveled with my husband to Israel, giving me a final hands-on feel for the place.

What are you working on now or going to write next?
I’m working on Book 1 in The Wives of the Patriarchs – Sarai’s story. I’m also working up a proposal for a new series I hope to sell in the future.

How can readers get in contact with you?
Through my website – http://www.jilleileensmith.com or email me at jill at jilleileensmith.com.

What are you currently reading?
Epicenter by Joel Rosenberg

Tell us something surprising about yourself that readers may not know.
Hmm…one thing readers who don’t know me personally may not know is that I have always been a Smith. I was born a Smith and married a Smith. I am also a third born who married a third born and we had three kids.

What is your favorite birthday memory?
I don’t have a specific favorite. Any birthday where I can be with my family is my favorite.

FAVORITES:

Cake flavor/kind?
Very rich chocolate

Most treasured birthday gift?
Time with my family

What is/was this book’s release date?
February 1, 2010

Do you have a link to a place to read the first chapter of this book?
The series’ website – http://www.thewivesofkingdavid.com. Click on Abigail’s picture and then look under Bonus Features. There are book club and Bible study questions there available for free download as well.

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**USA residents only, please**

Okay readers, here is your chance to win an autographed copy of Abigail!

TO ENTER:

*Leave a comment with your name and email address (so I can contact you if you win).

*Please specify that you want to be included in the contest!

*If you want an extra entry, become one of my followers OR subscribe to my blog by email.

*The comment is mandatory. (Please, say in the comment if you are a follower!! It makes my job easier when you do.) 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 (March 26) until 6:00 CST on Thursday (April 1). I will announce the winner that night. The winner is always randomly drawn. I will contact the winner on Friday the 2nd, and then that person will have one week to reply. If the winner doesn't reply within that time period, I will pick a new winner.

Good luck! Thanks for visiting.