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Monday, September 22, 2014

2014 Pre-ACFW Conference Mix and Mingle

So Laurie Tomlinson did this pre-conference mixer last year – and she’s doing it again! YAY! The idea is to get to know other authors and aspiring authors before you get to St. Louis – especially if you don’t already know people :).  So here’s me!!! :D 

Name: Dawn Crandall

Location: Fort Wayne, IN

What you write/trademark: Historical Romantic Suspense from First Person POV

Place in the book world: I signed a three book contract--for my only three books!--with Whitaker House last December! Book #1 of The Everstone Chronicles, THE HESITANT HEIRESS, released on August 1st! Book #2, THE BOUND HEART, releases November 3rd!!--YES, three months apart!! Book #3, THE CAPTIVE IMPOSTER, will release February 2nd!! 


On a scale of hugger to 10-foot-pole, please rate your personal space: I am not a hugger, but I will hug you back if you hug me. 

The unique talking point that will get you going for hours:

Loved ones at home you’ll be missing: My husband Jonathan, 6 month-old son Rhett, and our three cats, Lilly, Pumpkin and Clover!

Conference goals we can pray for? To have FUN!

Anything we can celebrate with you? The 3-book contract and the baby all in one year!!

One or two ways we can help you build your platform? Yes! You can like my author page on Facebook and follow me on Twitter

To get to know more authors and aspiring authors who are attending this year, click here


Saturday, August 30, 2014

HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE HESITANT HEIRESS BLOG TOUR

 

The Hesitant Heiress Blog Tour wraps up today and it has been such a wonderful journey of book love from reviews to interviews! Thank you all so much bloggers and readers for participating in my first full blog tour! All of you are awesome!

Did you miss any of the reviews/interviews? Now is the time to go back and check them out!Be sure to enter the giveaway as well since it ends tonight at 9pm EST! I'll be on my Facebook Author Page for most of the day, and that's where I'll announce the Kindle Fire Winner

{Book Reviews}

“My favorite thing about this story was how much “page time” the two main characters spent together. I enjoyed following the progression of their relationship and how easy it was to believe them in their various moments of “love and war”. I was glad to find their frequent encounters throughout and watch their complicated romance build to a boil. You won’t be disappointed, trust me.” 

 ~ Savanna Kaiser, THE ENGRAFTED WORD


“Really, really a delight to read.  I can’t wait for the next two books in the Everstone Chronicles!”



“Crandall did a great job with the pacing of the novel as well as the tension.  I loved the ending because it was fast paced and I was truly surprised by it. The Hesitant Heiress had all the elements of a good (clean) historical romance. I would definitely recommend it!”

 ~ Stacey Daniel, THE GREAT ADVENTURE




“Dawn Crandall has set the bar pretty high with her first book….  I love her writing style, it’s fresh and unique.  I can’t wait for book 2!” 

~ Stacey Zink, SUBURBAN THOUGHTS


“I was hooked from page one. And it wasn’t until halfway through the book I realized it was written it in first person. I didn’t “feel” like I was only in Amaryllis’s POV. All the characters seemed so close, familiar. I’m not sure I even know how to explain it, except to say I felt like I knew what they were thinking.”




“Historical romance with a touch of mystery. Dawn Crandall does a very credible job of bringing her characters to life. She paints a setting that will have you sniffing the sea air and relishing a relaxing tea in the parlor. The plot twists and character quirks will keep you turning those pages - or scrolling that screen. All together an enjoyable read that is hard to put down.” 

~ Pegg Thomas, THE SHEEPISH SCRIBE


“I’m not a fan of FIRST PERSON point of view stories—USUALLY—but it didn’t take me long to realize I wasn’t even aware of the TYPE of POV—but was totally engrossed in the story.” 

~ Joy Avery Melville, JOURNEYS TO JOY


The Hesitant Heiress is written in the first person, which is an unusual choice for a historical romance, but it works. So many of the characters are hiding secrets, and first person enables the reader to uncover those secrets slowly, and means they have the same element of surprise to us as they do to Amaryllis. I liked that, as it added to the suspense. This story has it all—fascinating characters, secret love, obsession, suspense, loads of romantic tension, and a few rather fabulous kisses.” 
~ Iola Goulton, IOLA’S CHRISTIAN READS
 

“Normally, I am somewhat lost on 1st person accounts, more because I—apparently—like action and settling into various viewpoints. The Hesitant Heiress, however, captivated me from the beginning. I found myself turning pages to learn whether Amaryllis would finally see the truth about her worth.”  

~ Karlene Jacobsen, THE BARN DOOR


“From the very beginning, the conflict tugged at my heart and kept me turning pages. Amaryllis Brigham meets her troubles head on with an inspiring faith. But this girl doesn’t know how beautiful she is, nor what’s in store for her in the person of Nathan Everstone. The characters are richly drawn and engaging. Dawn Crandall’s historical research is impeccable, but so expertly woven in that you don’t even notice, you’re just there.” 

~ Jody Bailey Day, LOVE COLORED GLASSES


“The Hesitant Heiress stands out as an exceptional novel because Crandall develops all of her characters in equal measure, whether main or secondary, male or female, villain or hero/heroine. There is no doubt between the various settings and plot lines that every single character will grab readers’ attention and hearts. Even characters who appear for brief moments are significant to the story and have their moments to make an impression upon readers. The male protagonist, Nathan Everstone, charms his way into the page from the very first moment his character enters the story. Handsome, intelligent, charismatic, and persuasive, Nathan is a man who is used to getting what he wants when he wants it.” 

~ Marisa Deshaies, A WAY WITH WORDS


“From the very first pages, mysteries are begging to be solved and will keep you turning the pages.  I wish I could give more details, but I don’t want any spoiler alerts. This debut book is also so well written in 1st Person Point of View which makes this book even more interesting to read.” 
~ Lindsey Grogg, LIFE ADVENTURES


“[Dawn Crandall] writes with an old voice (Jane Austen fans, you will love her!) that spins you into her heroine’s world and keeps you there deeply ensconced in her surroundings and emotions. Amaryllis and Nathan, along with the beautiful setting of Boston, come alive with each page you flip. Their connection is tangible and with the added touch of intrigue--who is really behind the problems that seem to plague Amaryllis?--you’ll be up late into the night to finish this book.” 


“Written in a manner that would please Jane Austin herself, and any fan, but with a voice that is truly her own, The Hesitant Heiress is a read sure to please! Elegantly written, intriguing, a hint of suspense and description that throws you into the Victorian era. Dawn invites you to follow Amaryllis Brigham as she struggles through past hurt and rejection to find God’s place and plan for her life—a journey with which many of us can relate.” 


“This novel is set during the Gilded Age in Boston. Told in first person, it follows the reluctant journey of Amaryllis Brigham through the top echelons of society when all she wants to do is run away back to the wilds of Washington. To gain independence, she must marry…yet that is the last thing she wants to do. Amaryllis has a strong core she hides from everyone beneath the shell of a distant, protected woman. She has to choose to allow someone in…to see the real person. There’s a hint of intrigue, a dash of suspense, and a longing for love that will satisfy stalwart historical romance fans.” 



“If you are a fan of Jane Austen’s writing with character driven plots where the entire story focuses on the emotions and lives of the characters, then this is the book for you. The characters drive the whole story.” 

~ Kelly Bridgewater, JUSTICE THROUGH SUSPENSE


“Amaryllis is a complex character, very independent and intelligent. She is trying to find her way in a society too stuffy for her, yet not willing to sacrifice her own happiness for money. She feels as though she’s not had any control over some of her past life events, and this has borne a deep longing for consistency in her life. I enjoyed the fact that she wants to use her God-given musical talents to help others.” 

~ Courtney Clark, THE GREEN MOCKINGBIRD


“Unanswered questions teased me throughout the story, but as the tale unraveled they were all answered satisfactorily! Mysteries, misunderstandings, and even murder, all added intriguing and exciting layers to The Hesitant Heiress. And when Amaryllis wasn't exasperating me with her lack of perception, I found the interactions between her and Nathan intensely intoxicating. The story’s finale was one of the best endings I've ever read. Suffused with compelling drama and tension, it was thrilling while bristling with romantic tension. Well done Dawn Crandall!” 

~ Noela Nancarrow, OVERCOMING WITH GOD


“I met Dawn for the first time at my very first ACFW conference in 2011. We were roommates. I recall reading the first couple of pages of her manuscript in our hotel room, and my jaw dropped. This gal had a unique voice, and I knew she was going to be published one day.” 


“I loved The Hesitant Heiress number of reasons. One is that it doesn’t follow the formula romance or suspense novels and yet delivers well on both points. It’s told in the first person only from Amaryllis’s point-of-view. Good writing is in the details. I loved how Dawn brought depth not only to the hero and heroine but also the minor characters. The same goes for the setting, that is especially true of the scenes on the Maine coast. I want to go there after reading this book!” 
~ Gretchen Engel, THE SCRIBLERIANS


There is amazing character growth and spiritual depth with, of course, some suspense/mystery mixed in to leave you on the edge of your seat! Also, cant forget all that romance that leaves you breathless!
~ Laura Pol, CRAFTYBOOKSHEEPS


***To read even more VERY in depth book reviews for The Hesitant Heiress, visit GoodReads and Amazon!!


{Interviews}


CREATIVE MADNESS MOMMA WITH MARGARET CHIND

CHRISTIAN SHELF ESTEEM WITH AMANDA GEANEY 

STITCHES THRU TIME WITH AMBER SCHAMEL 

LOVE COLORED GLASSES WITH JODY BAILEY DAY

COFFEE CUPS & CAMISOLES WITH JAIME WRIGHT




A FAIR SUBSTITUTE FOR HEAVEN WITH RACHEL MCMILLAN


THE ENGRAFTED WORD WITH SAVANNA KAISER

NOVEL PASTIMES WITH KATHY ROUSER {PART 1}

NOVEL PASTIMES WITH KATHY ROUSER{PART 2}

JOURNEYS TO JOY WITH JOY AVERY MELVILLE

THIRD SHIFT MAMA WITH KATE GUTIERREZ

THE GREAT ADVENTURES WITH STACEY DANIEL

WOULD YOU RATHER WITH JESSICA R. PATCH

QUID PRO QUILLS WITH PEGG THOMAS


A WAY WITH WORDS WITH MARISA DESHAIES {part 1}

A WAY WITH WORDS WITH MARISA DESHAIES {part 2}