Friday, March 26, 2010

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.

~~~~~
**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.

39 comments:

Megan said...

I would love this book. I read Michal, and it led me to reread all their stories in the Bible. I can't wait to read this one!

inspiredbyfiction at gmail dot com

Megan said...

I am a follower! And I posted about this giveaway at Winning Readings

inspiredbyfiction at gmail dot com

G.R.I.T.S. said...

I would love to be entered into the drawing...I'm a follower


rae
raebyuel(@)gmail(.)com

Sarah G said...

I'd love to be entered in the contest!

-Sarah
hawaiismn(at)gmail(dot)com

Sarah G said...

I'm a blog follower.

-Sarah
hawaiismn(at)gmail(dot)com

Debbie said...

Please enter me in this contest.

Debbie
genrereviewer (at) hughes (dot) net

Kelsey said...

Thanks for the contest and interview. Abigail sounds very interesting, and I'd love to read it! Please count me in the contest.

I am already a follower via Google.

-Kelsey
krae991@yahoo.com
www.thedoortowonderland.blogspot.com

Annette W. said...

I would really like a chance to read this. I've heard great things and liked the interview, too.
derekannette at gmail dot com

Anonymous said...

I would like to be entered in the Abigail giveaway. It sounds like a interesting book.
debp
twoofakind12@yahoo.com

Anonymous said...

I am an email subscriber to your blog.
debp
twoofakind12@yahoo.com

Emma said...

Good interview.Abigail sounds wonderful.Please enter me in the giveaway.augustlily06(at)aim(dot)com.Thank you.

Emma said...

following A Sequence of Continuous Delights .augustlily06(at)aim(dot)com.

Anonymous said...

would LOVE to read this book...thanks for the chance :)

karenk
kmkuka at yahoo dot com

Anonymous said...

i'm a subscriber :)

karenk
kmkuka at yahoo dot com

Ticia said...

Oh, I so hope I win. I've often thought this would make a great book series.
pucktricks6802 at yahoo.com

Ticia said...

I'm now subscribing by email.

Casey said...

This series about King David's wives sounds fascinating. What an interesting thing to write about! I enjoy reading the series. Please enter me in, I would love to win! Carmen sent me :)
randomness.is.awesome@gmail.com

rubynreba said...

I'd love to be entered for this. Thanks for the chance.
pbclark(at)netins(dot)net

rubynreba said...

I am a follower.
pbclark(at)netins(dot)net

Cindy W. said...

I would love to be entered into your drawing. I am a follower & subscriber. Thank you for the opportunity.

Smiles & Blessings,
Cindy W.

countrybear52[at]yahoo[dot]com

Linda Kish said...

Count me in, please.

lkish77123 at gmail dot com

Lindsey said...

O.k Oh My Goodness!! I have been absolutely dieing to read this book I totally just freaked out when I saw you were giving it away!:)
Oh please, please add me to win!!!
I have heard so much about it and the description is awesome!
Thank You!!:)
Lindsey
lindseypa89(at)yahoo(dot)com

Lindsey said...

I am a email Subscriber:)
Lindsey
lindseypa89(at)yahoo(dot)com

Benita said...

I would love to be entered into this contest. I'd love to win this book.

bgcchs(at)yahoo(dot)com

Benita said...

New email subscriber.

bgcchs(at)yahoo(dot)com

Benita said...

New follower via GFC.

bgcchs(at)yahoo(dot)com

Edna said...

Please enter me

I am a follower

posted on winnings reading

have your button on my blog http://edna-myfavoritethings.blogspot.com/


mamat2730(at)charter(dot)net

Trinity Rose said...

Greetings,
Would love to be entered in this giveaway. Thanks for always having them. I'm a follower.
Sounds like a sweet book.
Blessings,
Trinity Rose

wandaelaine[at]gmail[dot]com

http://thelifeandtimesofwanda.blogspot.com/

Judylynn said...

I'd love to read this book.Please enter me in the giveaway!

seizethebookblog(at)gmail(dot)com

Judylynn said...

I am a Google follower.

seizethebookblog(at)gmail(dot)com

Molly said...

Please don't enter me! Just stopping by to say that this book was AWESOME! And that you have an Easter Basket waiting for you!

Thanks!

Unknown said...

I think I would really enjoy this book! Please enter me!

I am a follower!

lead[at]hotsheet[dot]com

Casey said...

I would love to read this, please enter me.

Follower

Email in profile.

The Lovely Reader said...

I would love to read this, please enter me :)

barbrafl737 (at) yahoo (dot) com

Anonymous said...

Please enter me.

Wendy
ebeandebe at gmail dot com

Anita Yancey said...

I would like to be entered in your giveaway. This sounds like a wonderful book. Thanks for this chance.

ayancey(at)dishmail(dot)net

Anita Yancey said...

I am an email subscriber!

ayancey(at)dishmail(dot)net

Julie Lessman said...

Wonderful interview, Jill and Carman!! I have heard nothing but high praise for Jill's books and would LOVE to be entered in the contest. I am a follower as well. Thank for offering such a great giveaway!

Hugs,
Julie

gsus(at)charter(dot)net

Nancye said...

Sounds like a great book! I would love to win it!

nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net