Tuesday, November 11, 2014

Author Spotlight + GIVEAWAY: Sarah E. Ladd


Sarah E. Ladd's Whispers on the Moors series is a delightful find for Regency fans, one that I greatly enjoyed and am glad to recommend. Click on the title of book #3, A Lady at Willowgrove Hall, to see my review. Enjoy Sarah's interview and enter to win a copy of A Lady at Willowgrove Hall, graciously provided by Litfuse Publicity.


An Interview with Sarah E. Ladd,
Author of A Lady at Willowgrove Hall


When the noose of your secrets begins to tighten, it can cut off any hope for freedom and love in the future. Letting the light of truth sever your unhealthy tie to the past is a major theme of award-winning author Sarah E. Ladd’s book A Lady at Willowgrove Hall, the third and final installment in the Whispers on the Moors series. Set in Great Britain’s Regency era, A Lady at Willowgrove Hall perfectly conveys the romantic sensibilities of that time.


Q: A Lady at Willowgrove Hall is the third book in the Whispers on the Moors series set during the Regency period. What years are considered to be Regency, and what were some of the historical events that took place during the time period? 

The Regency era took place in England from 1811 to 1820. It was called that because when King George III was deemed unfit for the throne, his son, the Price of Wales, ruled in his stead as the Prince Regent. England was engaged in the Napoleonic War against France, and they were also at war with the American colonies in the War of 1812. The Industrial Age was in full swing, and the Romantic Movement was shaping the literature, art and music of the day.


Q: What about the Regency period interested you most and made you want to write about it? 

        I have always been a fan of Romantic British literature and enjoy the Romantic Movement in general, which, again, fell during the Regency era. I have read the literature and the poetry of this time period extensively, and those works had a profound influence on me. If I had to pick one favorite author, I would have to choose Charlotte Brontë, although Jane Austen is a very close second.
        Change — socially, politically and economically — was rampant during the Regency period. It was also a time where the great excesses of the wealthy class sharply contrasted against the rioting and social upheaval among the poor. All in all, it was a setting ripe with opportunities for compelling story-telling!


Q: Both of your main characters struggle with secrets from their pasts. Why do you think people try to hide from their past mistakes when most of the time, freedom is found in living in truth? 

In this book, the characters kept secrets out of fear. They were well aware of the potential repercussions if their secrets were ever exposed, so they went to great lengths to hide them. While they thought they were protecting themselves, they were actually creating their own prisons. I think this is one of the big reasons people keep secrets from those they love — they are afraid of how others will respond. In order to connect with others, though, you must be willing to be vulnerable and give others the opportunity to look beyond your past.


Q: Your heroine, Cecily, is thrust from her home by her father because of a childish, albeit rebellious, act. What advice do you have for those who are dealing with rejection? 

Rejection is very painful, and that pain can leave lifelong scars. Sometimes rejection can come as a result of a specific action, and other times there is no reason. If we look to others to find our value or purpose in life, we will be disappointed. People will let us down, but if we look to God to find value and worth, we can find rest and acceptance.


Q: Feeling dismissed by her earthly father taints the way Cecily imagines God’s response to her bad decision. How is this true of all of us? 

Children are undoubtedly shaped by their relationship with their parents. They look to their mother and father for acceptance and guidance, so when a parent rejects them, they could fear no one could possibly accept them. For Cecily, this was definitely the case, and she felt so tarnished she didn’t think God could love her. All of us experience rejection at some point in our lives, and what is important to remember is God will not turn his back on his children.


Q: What do you hope readers learn from A Lady at Willowgrove Hall about God’s love and redemption? 

Even though someones past may be shameful or full of secrets, there is hope. God can take the darkest pasts and turn them into bright futures. No one is so terrible they cannot find redemption in Gods love and grace.


Q: Readers have fallen in love with your Whispers on the Moors series. Will there be a fourth book? Is there anything you can tell us about what might come next?

A Lady at Willowgrove Hall is the final book in the Whispers on the Moors series, but I am happy to say I am hard at work on another series titled Treasures of Surrey, which will be published by Thomas Nelson. The first book, The Curiosity Keeper, will release the summer of 2015.

Keep up with Sarah E. Ladd by visiting her website at sarahladd.com, becoming her fan on Facebook, or following her on Twitter.



____________________

GIVEAWAY

To enter the drawing for A Lady at Willowgrove Hall, simply answer the following question:


What do you enjoy most about fall?

E-mail addresses are required for the drawing and be sure to leave them in a safe format - [at] and [dot]. If you're willing, it's also helpful to share about this giveaway on Facebook and/or Twitter.

Please "like" my Facebook page, ThePowerofWordsBookReviews, if you haven't already. And new followers of this blog are always welcome!


  • E-mail required, one entry per person. Odds of winning are based on number of entries.
  • Contest ends at midnight PST on Thursday, November 20. No purchase necessary.
  • Winner will be chosen by Random.org and contacted by e-mail. Respond within 48 hours of notification or another winner will be chosen.


41 comments:

  1. The thing I love most about Fall is the crispness of the air. That little bite just feels fresher and cleaner and I become more excited and exhilarated.

    mauback55 at gmail dot com

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    1. Melanie, I have a hard time with the heat & humidity of summer, so fall is such a refreshing season! I enjoy cold weather, but I'll take these cool nights & mild days anytime.

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  2. A great posting....thanks for sharing.

    I enjoy the colours of fall...and the pumpkin spices :)

    karenk
    kmkuka at yahoo dot com

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    Replies
    1. Our leaves have just begun to turn and they are beautiful, Karen. And I've been enjoying my Yankee Candle pumpkin spice scent!

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  3. My favorite thing about fall is horseback riding. The weather is cooler and there are less bugs to annoy the horses and me. There is nothing like riding on a cool crisp day listening to the leaves crunch under the hooves of my mount. Ü

    cindialtman(at)gmail(dot)com

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    1. Cindi, I've always thought horseback riding would be fun, but just never had the opportunity to learn. Glad you're enjoying these fall days outside.

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  4. What I enjoy most about fall is the respite from hot weather and high utility bills. There's usually a month or so between having to run the AC and having to turn on the heat. I also love football!
    pmkellogg56[at]gmail[dot]com

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    1. Pam, I'm with you on these few weeks of not having to run either heat or AC! Summertime utilities keep going higher and higher - and I hate the high temps and humidity anyway. Enjoy your football!

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  5. Life.w.purpose@gmail.com
    I love the changing leaves, the smell of fall, I love fires with marshmallows and the crisp fall air. I love sweaters and cuddly sweats, I love Thanksgiving and family and pumpkins. I love apples and cider and hot cider. MMM I love fall!

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    1. I'm with you on all those "likes," Jennifer! Several of the things you mentioned remind me of Yankee Candle fall scents, which I dearly love.

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  6. I love all the colors of fall, the blue sky, the bright leaves!
    worthy2bpraised at gmail dot com

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  7. Thanks for sharing this great interview! I recently read this book and just loved it!

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  8. Great interview, Carole and Sarah! I'd love to read this book. I've heard so many good things about it. :)

    It's hard for me to pick only one thing I enjoy most about fall. It's my favorite season. I love the beautiful trees, of course. Oh, and starting the first fire in our woodstove. It makes the house so warm and cozy!

    ozarkwriter(at)gmail(dot)com

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    1. Savanna, I dearly love our woodstove! It's the coziest, warmest heat and I have a hard time leaving the den to work in other rooms. Last weekend I even opened the doors and took a picture on Instagram, plus one of smoke coming out of the chimney.

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  9. Fall is a sad time of year for me. Summer is over and Winter is knocking on my door. Reading is a joy when the weather gets cold. Hugs!

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  10. Thanks for that interesting interview, Sarah and Carole!! I was glad to learn more about Sarah's writing and the era in which her books are written. I have yet to read any of her books, but have read numerous wonderful reviews of them and would love to read "A Lady at Willowgrove Hall"!!

    As with you, Carole - the heat of summer is a health problem for me, as is the cold of winter. That leaves fall and spring - as much as I love the beautiful spring flowers, fall is my more favorite season. So many things to love about it - the changing leaf colors my fave, but also the crisp mornings, hayrides and bonfires, pumpkins and apples, and of course, Thanksgiving. We truly have much to be thankful for - the beauty of fall being one!!

    bonnieroof60(at)yahoo(dot)com

    Shared post!!

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  11. Working so much in Mexico and Nicaragua, I really miss FALL because it's always green here. Fall, while growing up was hayrides, weiner roasts, hay tunnels, pulling taffy and homemade root beer!

    missionwife at hotmail dot com

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  12. I love the change in weather, and the chance to pull out the sweaters and jeans!

    I like you on FB.

    pattymh2000(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  13. I've always love fall. I enjoying walking through the woods and crunching through the leaves. I enjoy driving through the hills, mountains and country looking at the trees, as they are turning colors. Such beauty is very impressive. I love to praise God and thank Him for His gifts as I'm enjoying His creation.
    may_dayzee (AT) yahoo (DOT) com

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  14. I'm pretty sure I lost my reply, so I'll try again. (If not, please delete). What I most enjoy about fall is walking through the woods, driving in the country, and just taking in all the changes of fall on the landscape. I am always moved to praise God and thank Him for His beautiful creation.
    may_dayzee (AT) yahoo (DOT) com

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  15. I love so many things about fall...but most of all is the crisp clean air - it is invigorating and I love the smell of snow coming! I grab my favorite sweatshirt and snuggle by the fire with a good book - best time of the year! truckredford(at)gmail(Dot)com

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  16. I enjoy the beauty of the tress with all their pretty colors. I also enjoy the pretty pumpkins!

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  17. The colors of fall most of all, but also the cooling temperature and, oh yes, the ripening of Cortland apples.

    ReplyDelete
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    1. Forgot my email: tlw131 [at] gmail [dot] com

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  18. I like fall when the leaves change color, the air turns cooler, and our thoughts turn to what we are most grateful for.
    Janet E.
    von1janet(at)gmail(dot)com

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  19. What I enjoy about fall, The beautiful leaves, the end of forest fire season
    That makes it my favorite season
    May I wish all of you a terrific, God-blessed day?

    ChrisG
    granvilleATfrontiernetDOTnet

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  20. I enjoy the colors and the pumpkins! countrycamogirl89 (at)yahoo.com

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  21. Well, until today our Fall was pretty hot like our summer (SFL) but today I like the wind in the trees and even the clouds since we are experiencing cool weather (in the 60's). I love the fall colors though and the leaves in GA mountains. I love wearing jackets and scarfs! chris_davebures@bellsouth.net

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  22. Fall is by far my favorite season for so many reasons! I love the cool, crispness of the air! Second, I love the pops of color in the sky as the leaves change to vibrant hues of red, yellow and orange. Thanks for a great interview!

    thejorns(at)gmail(dot)com

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  23. The weather is perfect for road trips to the farmers' markets, apple orchards and for the changing of the colours...you pack a brunch and take off for the day.

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  24. I love the cooler weather of autumn and the bounty of the harvest.

    Nancy
    allibrary (at) aol (dot) com

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  25. I love to watch the leaves changing color, the chill in the air, raking leaves into piles and tramping through the piles.
    Carol Smith
    penelope223@yahoo.com

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  26. I love the colors of the leaves.

    alegnab at Hotmail.com

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  27. What a great post! You did such a good job with your questions and of course the answers were perfect. Interesting to read and full of His message. Bravo!

    I love fall. My favorite is spring with new life and promise. But fall lasts longer and is so beautiful. The colors, the smells, the food! And closeness of family and friends.

    raeray2 at yahoo dot com
    http://booksyoucanfeelgoodabout.blogspot.com/

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  28. This sounds like a wonderful story, and I'd love to read it! My favorite thing about fall I love the most is the sense of melancholy mixed with hope--the sense that the earth is going to sleep and that this time of rest and peace will bring a new rebirth in the spring.

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    1. Beautiful expression of thoughts, Joan! I loved Daughter of Liberty and want to make time to continue the series soon. Thank you for visiting here, Joan.

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  29. The cooloer weather-its a long hot summer in Texas,so always look forward to fall

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  30. I love the cooler weather and the colors of fall the best. Oh, and pumpkin pie, of course. :)

    katja9_10 at Hotmail dot com

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  31. The mountains full of color. This year was the prettiest I can remember in this area of the Appalachian Mountains.

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  32. Fall is somewhat difficult for me as it means the end of summer and winter not too far off. I do enjoy the beautiful leaves, especially here in New England. I also love going apple picking and going hiking in the fall. I loved the first two books in this series and look forward to reading the 3rd! christine721(at)comcast(dot)net

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