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Author Mini-view and Giveaway: Debra E. Marvin and "Austen in Austin"

1/25/2016

36 Comments

 
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Hello, blog friends! I hope everyone is doing well this week! We're back with another author mini-view and giveaway this week and joining us today is the lovely Debra E. Marvin. Let's get this interview started!

Tell us a bit about yourself and your writing. (How did you get started? How many books have you written? Where are you on your writing journey?)

Like many authors, I've been writing on and off for decades. Austen in Austin has actually been around for years since it was first a lively discussion among my Inkwell Inspirations blog-mates (back when most of us weren't published--we all are now, so keep at it!). Though I have written one contemporary novel (unpublished), my heart will always be in historicals, leaning toward British settings and mystery and I have multiple manuscripts that are quite unlike the playful tone of Alarmingly Charming and Desert Duet, my Christmas novella.

What is your favorite Bible verse?

My favorite Bible verse is Romans 8:38-39:
For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. ...As our world swirls down, ever faster, ever deeper toward chaos, this verse calms me. It's good to remember on pleasant, sunny days too!

 What have you read lately that you would recommend?

I'd recommend Lisa Karon Richardson's The Peacock Throne. It's all the things I like in a story: British, suspenseful, well-written--perfect for fans of historical romance without the bodice-ripping.

What book are you featuring today?

Today I'm thrilled to bring Austen in Austin to your blog. Four novellas (with four more coming later this year) are set in a (British) finishing school in Austin, Texas in the last two decades of the 19th Century. Each novella is a take on an Austen plot and heroine, and though they can be read as stand-alones, we enjoyed incorporating the same setting, and revisiting characters throughout 20 years in Austin history. I think it will be a delightful read for lovers of Austen, Cowboys and historical romance. Here's our 'blurb':

Discover four heroines in historical Austin, TX, as they find love--Jane Austen style. Volume 1 includes:

If I Loved You Less by Gina Welborn, based on Emma
A prideful matchmaker examines her own heart when her protégé falls for the wrong suitor.

Refinements by Anita Mae Draper, based on Sense and Sensibility
A misguided academy graduate spends the summer falling in love . . . twice.

One Word from You by Susanne Dietze, based on Pride and Prejudice
A down-on-her-luck journalist finds the story of her dreams, but her prejudice may cost her true love . . . and her career.

Alarmingly Charming by Debra E. Marvin, based on Northanger Abbey
A timid, gothic dime-novel enthusiast tries to solve the mystery of a haunted cemetery and, even more shocking, why two equally charming suitors compete for her attentions.

If you could tell people who are going to read/have read your books one thing, what would it be?

I hope readers can anticipate what fun we had with the plots. I had a bit of a challenge with Northanger Abbey, but I grabbed it because of my old love for gothic romance. (Yes. It's true!). Catherine Moreland might be the silliest, most naive of Austen's characters, but I focused on her big heart and kindness and wrote an intelligent bookworm heroine who, like so many of us, doesn't see just how strong she is until she's tested. And, I tried to write it all in a very light-hearted way...a parody, if you will, of Austen's own parody of the gothic novels of her time.

Thanks so much for allowing me to be part of your busy blog, Anna!

I'd love for your readers to follow me on Twitter: https://twitter.com/DebraEMarvin

About the Author:

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Debra E. Marvin tries not to run too far from real life but the imagination born out of being an only child has a powerful draw. Besides...the voices in her head tend to agree with all the sensible things she says. She'd like to live a wee bit closer to her grandchildren, but is thankful that God is in control, that He chooses to bless us despite ourselves and that He has a sense of humor.

Other than writing light-hearted romances and gritty gothics, she has rather normal obsessions such as fabric, peanut butter, vacations, British dramas, and whatever mystery series she's currently stuck on.

http://debraemarvin.com/
http://www.inkwellinspirations.com/
https://www.pinterest.com/debraemarvin/
https://www.facebook.com/Debra-E-Marvin-433266640199533/
https://twitter.com/DebraEMarvin

Blurb:

As travel companion to her condescending cousin, Philadelphian Kathryn Morton dreamily anticipates a week in the Wild West as the best cure for meekness. After a long rail journey and a steady diet of gothic dime novels, she shivers, despite the Texas heat, at the ghastly tales of the Austin Axe Murderer. Kathryn has little time to fret, given the competing attentions of quiet rancher Harmon Gray and elegant gentleman Jonathan Wellington. With her new-found confidence and her boundless imagination, she sets out to solve the mystery of Hyde Park Cemetery before another student flees Austen Abbey. Only then can she return home to her English-born parents as an independent American woman. A woman in love. But on the stormiest of nights, Kathryn learns that solving the mystery may destroy a future with the man she’s fallen for in a big Texas way.

Giveaway! 

Debra is generously giving away either a print copy or an e-copy (winner's choice) of "Austen in Austin" to one of my awesome subscribers! Just fill out the GiveawayTools form to enter. (If it doesn't show up in the email, click here http://www.annaweaverbooks.com/giveaways to enter from the website.) Giveaway ends 2/3. God bless and have a great week!
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36 Comments
Wenona
1/27/2016 03:00:33 am

Looks like a Great Read! Can't wait to read it!! Thank you for doing this giveaway for your readers! Have a Blessed day!

Reply
Anna Weaver Hurtt
1/27/2016 02:32:36 pm

You're welcome, Wenona! Thanks so much for visiting!

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Debra link
1/27/2016 03:14:22 am

Thanks for hosting me, Anna! I hope to hear from your readers and look forward to the giveaway.

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Anna Weaver Hurtt
1/27/2016 02:33:16 pm

Thanks so much for being on the blog today, Debra! :)

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Janetta
1/27/2016 06:50:13 am

Sounds like a great read. Enjoyed hearing how the book came to be.

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Debra
1/27/2016 07:05:54 am

Thanks Janetta! We certainly had fun with it. Getting 8 authors together should have been more of a challenge, but it was so much fun. I think we knew it was a great project right from the start!

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Susanne Dietze link
1/27/2016 07:55:37 am

What a fun mini-view! I love your favorite verse, Deb. I was just mulling on it the other day. And Anna, I'm waving hi!

Congratulations on the release of Alarmingly Charming! So happy to share this experience with you!

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Debra
1/27/2016 07:59:56 am

Thanks Susie!
I'll be giving away the anthology, so the winner gets all four stories and I know they'll appreciate them all. This is a good time to note that Susie's story, One Word From You was the Genesis winner in historical fiction!

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Anna Weaver Hurtt
1/27/2016 02:34:09 pm

I'm waving back, Susanne! :D

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Karen Hadley link
1/27/2016 08:05:24 am

Awesome giveaway! Thank You!

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Debra
1/27/2016 08:08:35 am

Thanks for the kind words, Karen!
Our paperback is a bit slow out of the gate, but I promise to forward a copy to the winner as soon as I receive them myself! We'll be asking if you prefer an digital copy or the paperback.

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Sally Davison
1/27/2016 09:01:40 am

I love the catchy title! I'd love to win this book! I also love Debra's curly hair!!

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Debra
1/27/2016 09:28:57 am

Thanks Sally. I love both the main title and the titles we chose for the individual novellas. Mine plays on the 'gothic' element of Northanger Abbey, and my heroine being surprised at being anything more than a wall flower.
As for my hair--the photo was taken in Arizona last fall. My hair loves the lack of humidity! I hope you pick up the stories and enjoy them.

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Laurie Bergh
1/27/2016 09:08:54 am

I can't wait to read this!

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Debra link
1/27/2016 09:30:46 am

Thank you Laurie!
The anthology is a pretty good deal 3.99 for kindle (I think!) but of course the singles are available also. Thanks for visiting and for commenting. It's nice to 'meet' you.

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DeAnna link
1/27/2016 11:46:44 am

Looking so forward to reading these stories. Such a wonderful idea for a collection. And I can't wait for Volume Two to come out!

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Debra
1/27/2016 12:00:30 pm

Thanks, DeAnna! you may tire of hearing about it but I do think you'll enjoy them! Thanks for stopping in!

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Karen R
1/27/2016 11:49:31 am

I've been looking forward to this book--such a great idea! Thank you for doing a giveaway!

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Debra
1/27/2016 12:01:49 pm

Thanks so much Karen! We've been 'looking forward' to this for years and are so happy that we found a great publisher with WhiteFire. The cover is simply stunning!

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Anita Mae Draper link
1/27/2016 01:59:02 pm

What a spiffy website! Thanks for hosting Deb, Anna. :)

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Anna Weaver Hurtt
1/27/2016 02:35:34 pm

You're welcome, Anita! Thanks so much for stopping by! :)

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Debra
1/27/2016 02:43:35 pm

I know. Anna has a lovely blog page and I'm fascinated with her giveaway "machine". Anita and Susie are co-conspirators in Austen in Austin!

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Kathy Anderson
1/27/2016 07:42:15 pm

What a wonderful idea! I didn't hear about this book until today. My daughter and I have watched every Jane Austen film we can find to watch. I enjoy our mutual interest and love for Jane Austen. We have had some great discussions about her books. Her birthday is in March so I will be purchasing a book for her and one for me so we can have more book discussions.

Thank you for this giveaway.

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Debra
1/28/2016 05:06:59 am

Thank you Kathy. We certainly enjoyed the whole process of brainstorming together and then sharing details and swapping manuscripts. Most novella anthologies don't work this way.
There is a second anthology coming out later this year with four more stories set at the same place and our characters make cameo appearances.
It's wonderful that you and your daughter share stories this way. I can't remember the last time a friend and I read something at the same time so we could talk about it. Enjoy! And drop me a note and let me know what you thought.

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Nishimoto link
1/27/2016 08:28:10 pm

Can't wait to read this! It sounds wonderful.

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Debra
1/28/2016 05:07:49 am

Oh I love to hear this, and I do hope you enjoy it. The characters are so dear to me! Thanks for commenting!

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Debra
1/28/2016 05:10:16 am

Thank you also for the retweet, Sonja!

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Caryl Kane
1/28/2016 06:02:21 am

Debra, I am so excited for the release of AUSTEN IN AUSTIN! I enjoy reading stories set in my home state! I would love a print copy. Thank you for the giveaway.

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Debra
1/28/2016 05:57:22 pm

Thanks so much for your enthusiasm, Caryl! It really does mean a lot when we've put so much heart and soul into a project like this.

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Debbie Rhoades
1/28/2016 03:16:24 pm

oh, Debra, this sounds like an awesome read! I am so looking forward to reading it. It sounds lovely!

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Debra
1/28/2016 05:59:05 pm

Thanks Debbie. I appreciate your kind words. I think each story is wonderful and has the 'voice' of the author, yet they all weave together very well.

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Terrill Rosado
1/28/2016 10:34:14 pm

As soon as I saw this book in an email I received, I knew it would be one that I enjoy. I don't think I have ever read regency novellas.

Reply
Debra
2/3/2016 05:33:18 am

Hi Terrill~
actually I wouldn't say this is a Regency novella. It's a sweet historical/western romance with a nod to Jane Austen's writing. The time period is 1880s, so it's late Victorian era, but we hope to have flavored the stories with enough Austen that Regency lovers will enjoy this different setting! thanks for commenting!

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Rachel Dixon link
2/3/2016 08:16:02 am

Thank you for doing a giveaway! I adore all things Austen! I think this is a brilliant idea! I can't wait to read it! Added it to my TBR list (that is ever growing hehe)

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Debra
2/3/2016 08:19:26 am

Thanks for commenting, and joining in, Rachel! We thought it was rather 'brilliant' too. (otherwise, no author would write, would they!) My TBR list is much safer when it became digital. Happy Wednesday! I think the giveaway ends today.

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Debra
2/8/2016 09:11:51 am

Congratulations, Martha! Thanks for hosting me, Anna, and thank you to everyone who took part in our discussion!

Reply



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