KIM VOGEL SAWYER is the bestselling, award-winning author of 12 novels including Waiting for Summer's Return. Her compelling stories always provide not only entertainment, but also life-lessons her readers can use on their Christian walk. She is active in her church where she teaches adult Sunday school and participates in both voice and bell choirs. In her spare time, Kim relishes time with her husband, daughters, and six grandchildren.You can visit her blog at http://writespassage.blogspot.com/.
A PROMISE FOR SPRINGby Kim Vogel Sawyer
Published by Bethany House
ABOUT THE BOOK
England-born Emmaline Bradford pledged her life to Geoffrey Garrett and then bid him farewell when he boarded a ship for America. Though Geoffrey planned to send for her within a few months, five long years have slipped by. And now Emmaline barely remembers her fiance.
Having Emmaline finally living on the sheep ranch he's built on the north fork of the Solomon River is a dream come true for Geoffrey. But his beloved is not the free-spirited girl he remembers. In fact, she wishes to get out of Kansas as quickly as possible!
Begging Emmaline to give prairie life a try, Geoffrey offers a compromise: If she promises to stay until spring, he'll pay her return fare if she decides to go back to her home country.
Can anything convince a well-bred Englishwoman to become a "wildflower bride"?
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AUTHOR INTERVIEW
1. What gave you the inspiration for this story?
A friend of mine and I took a research trip across Kansas in 2003 to investigate an historical ranch (the Cottonwood Ranch, now a museum) near the town of Studley. I was a part of a novella group, and I wanted my hero to work on a sheep ranch. Well, after exploring the ranch, I knew the story forming in my head was much bigger than a novella, but not until the novella set was declined did I allow the story seed to blossom because I wasn't sure I'd be able to pursue it. It was a pleasure to bring Emmaline and Geoffrey to life.
2. How much of your own experiences influenced your characters? What aspects became traits that are theirs and theirs alone?
Hm...dare I admit that I have a tendency toward stubborness? lol As much as one tries to avoid it, our own experiences and tendencies creep into the characters' lives. :o) I also hope the growth displayed--the learning to lean on God instead of depending on one's own strength and understanding--is something found in my life.
3. If one of your characters were an ice cream flavor, what would he/she be and why?
Well, Emmaline would probably be vanilla. She is soooo proper and unobtrusive. Geoffrey, on the other hand, would be something bold and daring, like chocolate-pistachio-jalapeno. (Are you starting to see a bit of conflict between these two? lol)
4. Are there any themes in A Promise for Spring that you hope the reader sees? Are there any themes that weren't overt but developed as the stories progressed?Truthfully, Emmaline and Geoffrey's struggle in this story to trust God to provide during difficult times could probably be reflective of the majority of the population right now! I wanted to develop a theme of "peace amidst the storm" because I needed the reminder in my life. I hope it provides some peace and comfort to my readers.
5. What were your most difficult parts to write? Your favorite?
Favorite parts...probably Emmaline's moments of rebellion. I'm not sure what that says about me! But to see her breaking free of her restraints and realizing she had a voice and could use it were very liberating for her (although a tad startling for Geoffrey!). I also loved all the scenes with Miss Tildy--that lady really grew on me. We could all use a "Tildy" in our lives. Most difficult are always the scenes from the hero's POV. Thinking like a "man" doesn't come easily. :)
6. When is your next book coming out and what is the story?
Next up is a very special story to me--titled Fields of Grace, it chronicles a Mennonite family leaving Russia and journeying to America to establish a farm in "the land of Freedoms." They bring the Turkey Red Wheat that turned Kansas into America's breadbasket. It is a story straight from my own family history, and I hope readers will embrace Lillian and her family as they struggle with maintaining the faith of their fathers in this new country.
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Thank you, Kim, for being in the spotlight with us.
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