Generated by All in One SEO v4.8.9, this is an llms.txt file, used by LLMs to index the site. # Donna Everhart Best-Selling Author of Gritty Southern Fiction ## Sitemaps - [XML Sitemap](https://donnaeverhart.com/sitemap.xml): Contains all public & indexable URLs for this website. ## Posts - [Blog](https://donnaeverhart.com/blog/) - [DOWNLOAD Women of a Promiscuous Nature Book Club Kit](https://donnaeverhart.com/download-women-of-a-promiscuous-nature-book-club-kit/) - Hello readers! If you have a book club, or are simply interested in digging deeper into the history of Women of a Promiscuous Nature, here is a FREE book club kit you can download and print out. Book Club Kit-WOMEN OF A PROMISCUOUS NATURE by Donna Everhart.pdf Reviews! If you've read Women a Promiscuous Nature, - [INTERVIEWS for Women of a Promiscuous Nature](https://donnaeverhart.com/interviews-for-women-of-a-promiscuous-nature/) - Good morning readers, I'm here today to share some links of interviews I've done recently: About the Authors TV (On YouTube, interview by Jake Brown - but edited so it's just me speaking) This next one is a written interview. It's the same one, by freelance journalist Elise Cooper, and shared out on these sites: - [Updates from Donna!](https://donnaeverhart.com/updates-from-donna/) - Hello, readers! I'm dropping by to share a bit of news and a few event photos. First though, the cold weather continues here in North Carolina. Today's high in Dunn is will reach 40 (better than the mid 20s like last weekend!) but with the wind, it feels like it's in the teens/20s. I took - [WinnerS of Free Book Friday!](https://donnaeverhart.com/winners-of-free-book-friday-2/) - Hello readers, The FINAL First Sentence Friday in Chapter 35 had to do with how news gets around - or doesn't. For those at the Colony, they were isolated, cut off from receiving any information - much like how the prison systems work, where correspondence is scrutinized heavily etc. But, something had happened, and as - [FINAL First Sentence Friday and Free Book Friday!](https://donnaeverhart.com/first-sentence-friday-and-free-book-friday-35/) - Welcome back! This is it, the FINAL First Sentence Friday and Free Book Friday! I feel like we've been on a journey together. Over the last thirty-five weeks, (almost nine months!) I've shared the first sentences from each chapter as well as the history behind this story. I hope you found the posts interesting and - [Winner of Free Book Friday - The FIRST FINISHED COPY!](https://donnaeverhart.com/winner-of-free-book-friday-27/) - Hello readers, This week's sentence from Chapter 34 had to do with Baker making an alarming discovery in Nurse Crawford's medical records. This led to a weekly question about behavior under pressure - do you panic or remain calm? Boy. Did we have some entertaining answers - some rather scary! This week's winner of a - [First Sentence Friday and Free Book Friday!](https://donnaeverhart.com/first-sentence-friday-and-free-book-friday-34/) - Welcome back! It’s week 34 of First Sentence Friday and Free Book Friday! Only ONE MORE week is left before the book is released! ********************************************************* About Women of a Promiscuous Nature “Both a cautionary tale and a deeply compassionate rendering of women wrongly imprisoned in a system designed to break them, Everhart’s propulsive story is - [Winner of Free Book Friday!](https://donnaeverhart.com/winner-of-free-book-friday-26/) - Hello readers, This week's sentence from Chapter 33 had to do with Stella's behaviors and her habit of always wanting to be prepared. Her reasons are to stay out of trouble, but this prompted the question about whether or not you're a planner. This week's winner of a signed, Advance Reader Copy is Trisha Bixler! - [First Sentence Friday and Free Book Friday!](https://donnaeverhart.com/first-sentence-friday-and-free-book-friday-33/) - Welcome back! It’s week 33 of First Sentence Friday and Free Book Friday! It's hard to believe after this post there are only TWO (!!!) WEEKS left before RELEASE DAY! ********************************************************* About Women of a Promiscuous Nature “Both a cautionary tale and a deeply compassionate rendering of women wrongly imprisoned in a system designed to break - [Winner of Free Book Friday!](https://donnaeverhart.com/winner-of-free-book-friday-clone-5/) - Hello readers, This week's question had to do with a book's ending, and what you, as readers, prefer. This was based on the fact that my ending sticks to historical accuracy. Lots of great comments out there, thank you! The winner of this week's signed ARC is CATHY BAKER!!! Congratulations, Cathy ! Please PM, - [Winner of Free Book Friday!](https://donnaeverhart.com/winner-of-free-book-friday-24/) - Hello readers, This week's question had to do with first sentences you read, either recently or in the past that you thought were special/standouts. I loved the examples given! The winner of this week's signed ARC - Susan Degges! Congratulations, Susan! Please PM, comment (on Facebook) or email me at deverhart2@nc.rr.com with your address so - [No Winner for First Sentence Friday This Week!](https://donnaeverhart.com/no-winner-this-week/) - Hello readers, All readers who participated in the First Sentence Friday Weekly Question already won a copy, so, no winner this week! I'll have a post up this coming Friday, December 26th. We're on week 31, and we're getting into the "short rows" as they say here in the South. In the meantime, I hope - [Winner of Free Book Friday!](https://donnaeverhart.com/winner-of-free-book-friday-25/) - Hello readers, This week's question had to do with your feelings (conflicted maybe?) about characters in a book, whether a protagonist or antagonist. The winner of this week's signed ARC is Linda Cunningham! Congratulations, Linda! Please PM, comment (on Facebook) or email me at deverhart2@nc.rr.com with your address so I can get your book - [First Sentence Friday and Free Book Friday!](https://donnaeverhart.com/first-sentence-friday-and-free-book-friday-32/) - Welcome back! It’s week 32 of First Sentence Friday and Free Book Friday! It's hard to believe there are only THREE WEEKS left before RELEASE DAY! ********************************************************* About Women of a Promiscuous Nature “Both a cautionary tale and a deeply compassionate rendering of women wrongly imprisoned in a system designed to break them, Everhart’s propulsive story - [First Sentence Friday and Free Book Friday!](https://donnaeverhart.com/first-sentence-friday-and-free-book-friday-31/) - Welcome back! It’s week 31 of First Sentence Friday and Free Book Friday! It's hard to believe there are only FOUR WEEKS left before RELEASE DAY! ********************************************************* About Women of a Promiscuous Nature “Both a cautionary tale and a deeply compassionate rendering of women wrongly imprisoned in a system designed to break them, Everhart’s propulsive story - [First Sentence Friday and Free Book Friday!](https://donnaeverhart.com/first-sentence-friday-and-free-book-friday-30/) - Welcome back! It’s week 30 of First Sentence Friday and Free Book Friday! It's hard to believe there are now only FIVE weeks left before RELEASE DAY! ********************************************************* About Women of a Promiscuous Nature “Both a cautionary tale and a deeply compassionate rendering of women wrongly imprisoned in a system designed to break them, Everhart’s - [First Sentence Friday and Free Book Friday!](https://donnaeverhart.com/first-sentence-friday-and-free-book-friday-29/) - Welcome back! It’s the 29th week of First Sentence Friday and Free Book Friday! It's hard to believe there are now only SIX weeks left before RELEASE DAY! ********************************************************* About Women of a Promiscuous Nature “Both a cautionary tale and a deeply compassionate rendering of women wrongly imprisoned in a system designed to break them, - [Winner of Free Book Friday!](https://donnaeverhart.com/winner-of-free-book-friday-23/) - Hello readers, This week's question involved the complexities of the work environment. Baker, as the superintendent at the Colony, oversees all staff, but given their own expertise, personalities and career aspirations, her relationships with them are challenging. I mentioned I'd worked in a corporate job for thirty-five years and it was very difficult at times - [First Sentence Friday and Free Book Friday!](https://donnaeverhart.com/first-sentence-friday-and-free-book-friday-28/) - Welcome back! It’s the 28th week of First Sentence Friday and Free Book Friday! It's hard to believe there are now only SEVEN more weeks of First Sentence Fridays/Free Book Friday. ********************************************************* About Women of a Promiscuous Nature “Both a cautionary tale and a deeply compassionate rendering of women wrongly imprisoned in a system designed - [Winner of Free Book Friday!](https://donnaeverhart.com/winner-of-free-book-friday-clone-4/) - Hello readers, This week's question had to do with some difficult topics covered in the past couple of weeks, like, group punishment and mediation rooms. I was curious what some of you might have experienced as a child that prevented you from telling someone. Here was the question: "As a child, did something ever happen - [First Sentence Friday and Free Book Friday!](https://donnaeverhart.com/first-sentence-friday-and-free-book-friday-clone-8/) - Welcome back! It’s the 27th week of First Sentence Friday and Free Book Friday! (It's hard to believe there are only EIGHT more weeks of First Sentence Fridays/Free Book Friday.) ********************************************************* About Women of a Promiscuous Nature “Both a cautionary tale and a deeply compassionate rendering of women wrongly imprisoned in a system designed to break - [Winner of Free Book Friday!](https://donnaeverhart.com/winner-of-free-book-friday-22/) - Hello readers, This week was an "Ask Donna" week! Art wanted to know, "Can you think of anyone living or dead whom you would like to meet and why?" Here's my answer: "I have no idea why this question always stumps me, but it does. Everytime I think of someone (and this has happened before) - [First Sentence Friday and Free Book Friday!](https://donnaeverhart.com/first-sentence-friday-and-free-book-friday-clone-7/) - Welcome back! It’s the 26th week of First Sentence Friday and Free Book Friday! (It's hard to believe there are only NINE more weeks of First Sentence Fridays/Free Book Friday.) ********************************************************* About Women of a Promiscuous Nature “Both a cautionary tale and a deeply compassionate rendering of women wrongly imprisoned in a system designed to - [Winner of Free Book Friday!](https://donnaeverhart.com/winner-of-free-book-friday-clone-3/) - Hello readers, This week's question was to identify someone you admire/admired, looked up to that would have been a big influence on your life. There were many great answers, from mothers/parents as well as people outside of family gave many readers excellent role models. This week's winner is Suzanne Donahue! Congratulations, Suzanne! You won - [First Sentence Friday and Free Book Friday!](https://donnaeverhart.com/first-sentence-friday-and-free-book-friday-27/) - Welcome back! It’s the 25th week of First Sentence Friday and Free Book Friday! (It's hard to believe there are only TEN more weeks of First Sentence Fridays/Free Book Friday.) ********************************************************* About Women of a Promiscuous Nature “Both a cautionary tale and a deeply compassionate rendering of women wrongly imprisoned in a system designed to - [No Winner for Free Book Friday . . .](https://donnaeverhart.com/no-winner-for-free-book-friday-2/) - Hello readers, I suspected this might happen. No winner this week! Why? The readers who commented have already won a copy of the book. We'll try again next week! NOTE: Friday posts will now publish at 9:00 a.m. EDT - [First Sentence Friday and Free Book Friday!](https://donnaeverhart.com/first-sentence-friday-and-free-book-friday-clone-6/) - Welcome back! It’s the 24th week of First Sentence Friday and Free Book Friday! ********************************************************* About Women of a Promiscuous Nature Accused of “promiscuity” in 1940s North Carolina, a young woman unjustly incarcerated and subjected to involuntary medical treatment at The State Industrial Farm Colony for Women decides to fight back in this powerful, shockingly - [Winner of Free Book Friday!](https://donnaeverhart.com/winner-of-free-book-friday-21/) - Hello readers, Well, this week was full of tricks, and now a bunch of treats! I had a spoiler sentence, and I only provided part of it. Then I asked readers to come up with one of their own, using that partial sentence. These three readers of the blog made me wish I'd come to - [Winner of Free Book Friday!](https://donnaeverhart.com/winner-of-free-book-friday-20/) - Hello readers, This week's question was how we might perceive something as good but ends up having a negative or "bad" effect. A few excellent examples were mentioned, from the convenience of plastics, to Catholic schools, to healthcare. You have to read these comments to understand the context behind some of them.😉 The winner of - [First Sentence Friday and Free Book Friday!](https://donnaeverhart.com/first-sentence-friday-and-free-book-friday-26/) - Welcome back! It’s the 23rd week of First Sentence Friday and Free Book Friday! AND, it's HALLOWEEN. 🎃🧟👻🐈‍⬛ ********************************************************* About Women of a Promiscuous Nature Accused of “promiscuity” in 1940s North Carolina, a young woman unjustly incarcerated and subjected to involuntary medical treatment at The State Industrial Farm Colony for Women decides to fight back - [First Sentence Friday and Free Book Friday!](https://donnaeverhart.com/first-sentence-friday-and-free-book-friday-25/) - Welcome back! It’s the 22nd week of First Sentence Friday and Free Book Friday! ********************************************************* About Women of a Promiscuous Nature Accused of “promiscuity” in 1940s North Carolina, a young woman unjustly incarcerated and subjected to involuntary medical treatment at The State Industrial Farm Colony for Women decides to fight back in this powerful, shockingly - [Winner of Free Book Friday!](https://donnaeverhart.com/winner-of-free-book-friday-19/) - Hello readers, This week's question dealt with working towards a particular goal that might not have turned out as expected. One of our most recent winners of an ARC shared a poignant and profound moment in her life where her lifelong dream of becoming a professional ballet dancer was altered because of a medical diagnosis. - [First Sentence Friday and Free Book Friday!](https://donnaeverhart.com/first-sentence-friday-and-free-book-friday-clone-5/) - Welcome back! It’s the 21st week of First Sentence Friday and Free Book Friday! ********************************************************* About Women of a Promiscuous Nature Accused of “promiscuity” in 1940s North Carolina, a young woman unjustly incarcerated and subjected to involuntary medical treatment at The State Industrial Farm Colony for Women decides to fight back in this powerful, shockingly - [Winner of Free Book Friday!](https://donnaeverhart.com/winner-of-free-book-friday-18/) - Hello readers, This week's question dealt with working towards a particular goal that might not have turned out as expected. One of our most recent winners of an ARC shared a poignant and profound moment in her life where her lifelong dream of becoming a professional ballet dancer was altered because of a medical diagnosis. - [First Sentence Friday and Free Book Friday!](https://donnaeverhart.com/first-sentence-friday-and-free-book-friday-clone-4/) - Welcome back! It’s the 20th week of First Sentence Friday and Free Book Friday! ********************************************************* About Women of a Promiscuous Nature Accused of “promiscuity” in 1940s North Carolina, a young woman unjustly incarcerated and subjected to involuntary medical treatment at The State Industrial Farm Colony for Women decides to fight back in this powerful, shockingly - [Winner of Free Book Friday!](https://donnaeverhart.com/winner-of-free-book-friday-17/) - Hello readers, This week's question dealt with themes in stories, that sometimes obvious, while other times obscure "message" a writer might include in their books. The winner of the signed ARC this week for Free Book Friday is "bn100!" from the blog comments! Congratulations! Please PM me or comment (on Facebook) or email - [First Sentence Friday and Free Book Friday!](https://donnaeverhart.com/first-sentence-friday-and-free-book-friday-24/) - Welcome back! It’s the 19th week of First Sentence Friday and Free Book Friday! ********************************************************* About Women of a Promiscuous Nature Accused of “promiscuity” in 1940s North Carolina, a young woman unjustly incarcerated and subjected to involuntary medical treatment at The State Industrial Farm Colony for Women decides to fight back in this powerful, shockingly - [Winner of Free Book Friday!](https://donnaeverhart.com/winner-of-free-book-friday-clone-2/) - Hello readers, This week's question dealt with themes in stories, that sometimes obvious, while other times obscure "message" a writer might include in their books. The winner of the signed ARC this week for Free Book Friday is Angela Gaskell from the blog comments! Congratulations, Angela! Please PM me or comment (on Facebook) - [First Sentence Friday and Free Book Friday!](https://donnaeverhart.com/first-sentence-friday-and-free-book-friday-clone-3/) - Welcome back! It’s the 18th week of First Sentence Friday and Free Book Friday! We are a little over fifty percent of the way through the book! ********************************************************* About Women of a Promiscuous Nature Accused of “promiscuity” in 1940s North Carolina, a young woman unjustly incarcerated and subjected to involuntary medical treatment at The State - [Winner of Free Book Friday!](https://donnaeverhart.com/winner-of-free-book-friday-16/) - Hello readers, This week's question was a week to "Ask Donna!" I have to say, some of you came up with some very interesting questions, too. The winner of the signed ARC this week for Free Book Friday is Jill from the blog comments! Congratulations, Jill! Please PM me or comment (on Facebook) or email - [First Sentence Friday and Free Book Friday!](https://donnaeverhart.com/first-sentence-friday-and-free-book-friday-23/) - Welcome back! It’s the 17th week of First Sentence Friday and Free Book Friday! ********************************************************* About the Book Accused of “promiscuity” in 1940s North Carolina, a young woman unjustly incarcerated and subjected to involuntary medical treatment at The State Industrial Farm Colony for Women decides to fight back in this powerful, shockingly timely novel based - [Winner of Free Book Friday!](https://donnaeverhart.com/winner-of-free-book-friday-15/) - Hello readers, As always, there was an interesting and insightful collection of answers on the blog and Facebook to this week's question which dealt with difficult peers at work. It appears most of us have "been there." The winner of the signed ARC this week for Free Book Friday is April Reuter from Facebook comments! - [First Sentence Friday and Free Book Friday!](https://donnaeverhart.com/first-sentence-friday-and-free-book-friday-22/) - Welcome back! It’s the 16th week of First Sentence Friday and Free Book Friday! ********************************************************* About the Book Accused of “promiscuity” in 1940s North Carolina, a young woman unjustly incarcerated and subjected to involuntary medical treatment at The State Industrial Farm Colony for Women decides to fight back in this powerful, shockingly timely novel based - [Winner of Free Book Friday!](https://donnaeverhart.com/winner-of-free-book-friday-14/) - Hello readers, Truth - I had a hard time thinking of a question for this week, but the one I came up with (and had doubts about) worked out so well! I loved reading your insights! The winner of the signed ARC this week is Janet Smith from the blog! Congratulations, Janet! Please PM me - [First Sentence Friday/Free Book Friday!](https://donnaeverhart.com/first-sentence-friday-free-book-friday-10/) - Welcome back! It’s the 15th week of First Sentence Friday/Free Book Friday! ********************************************************* About the Book Accused of “promiscuity” in 1940s North Carolina, a young woman unjustly incarcerated and subjected to involuntary medical treatment at The State Industrial Farm Colony for Women decides to fight back in this powerful, shockingly timely novel based on the - [Winner of Free Book Friday!](https://donnaeverhart.com/winner-of-free-book-friday-13/) - Hello readers, I hope everyone is having a good Labor Day weekend! This week I gave out a homework assignment and had you all go digging for the public perception of farm colonies and/or detention hospitals in the 1930s and 1940s. I loved reading the answers, and also thought it was interesting some of the - [First Sentence Friday/Free Book Friday!](https://donnaeverhart.com/first-sentence-friday-free-book-friday-clone-4/) - Welcome back! It’s the 14th week of First Sentence Friday/Free Book Friday! ********************************************************* About the Book Accused of “promiscuity” in 1940s North Carolina, a young woman unjustly incarcerated and subjected to involuntary medical treatment at The State Industrial Farm Colony for Women decides to fight back in this powerful, shockingly timely novel based on the - [Winner of Free Book Friday!](https://donnaeverhart.com/winner-free-book-friday-clone-4/) - Hello readers, This week's question was about job related stress and the fear of failure: "If you work, or once worked at a full-time job, what was it like? High pressure, stressful? Did/do you fear failure? How did/does this make you react?" Great answers by all, and I thank you for being here each week! - [First Sentence Friday/Free Book Friday!](https://donnaeverhart.com/first-sentence-friday-free-book-friday-9/) - Welcome back! It’s the 13th week of First Sentence Friday/Free Book Friday! ********************************************************* About the Book Accused of “promiscuity” in 1940s North Carolina, a young woman unjustly incarcerated and subjected to involuntary medical treatment at The State Industrial Farm Colony for Women decides to fight back in this powerful, shockingly timely novel based on the - [Winner! Free Book Friday!](https://donnaeverhart.com/winner-free-book-friday-35/) - Hello readers, This week's question was, "ASK DONNA! Ask me about this particular post, my research, about writing, about anything you want." I loved all of these questions. Many of you appeared concerned for my mental health while writing about tough scenes. Trust me, I thrive on that sort of thing. Like Susan Peterson, who - [First Sentence Friday/Free Book Friday!](https://donnaeverhart.com/first-sentence-friday-free-book-friday-8/) - Welcome back! It’s the 12th week of First Sentence Friday/Free Book Friday! ********************************************************* About the Book Accused of “promiscuity” in 1940s North Carolina, a young woman unjustly incarcerated and subjected to involuntary medical treatment at The State Industrial Farm Colony for Women decides to fight back in this powerful, shockingly timely novel based on the - [Winner! Free Book Friday!](https://donnaeverhart.com/winner-free-book-friday-34/) - Hello readers, This week's question was, "What do you think your mental state would be if you were in the shoes of any of these women held at a facility like the Colony? Forced into manual labor (for your own betterment) and had to endure debilitating treatments, that you may or may not need?" It - [First Sentence Friday/Free Book Friday!](https://donnaeverhart.com/first-sentence-friday-free-book-friday-clone-3/) - Welcome back! It’s the 11th week of First Sentence Friday/Free Book Friday! ********************************************************* About the Book Accused of “promiscuity” in 1940s North Carolina, a young woman unjustly incarcerated and subjected to involuntary medical treatment at The State Industrial Farm Colony for Women decides to fight back in this powerful, shockingly timely novel based on the - [Winner! Free Book Friday!](https://donnaeverhart.com/winner-free-book-friday-33/) - Hello readers, This week was a question for readers! It was "What do you think so far? Are you learning a lot? Are you shocked? Has anyone ever heard of any of this? Share your thoughts!" Most of you didn't know about it, but some readers came close to living through a similar situation with - [First Sentence Friday/Free Book Friday!](https://donnaeverhart.com/first-sentence-friday-free-book-friday-clone-2/) - Welcome back! It’s the 10th week of First Sentence Friday/Free Book Friday! ********************************************************* About the Book Accused of “promiscuity” in 1940s North Carolina, a young woman unjustly incarcerated and subjected to involuntary medical treatment at The State Industrial Farm Colony for Women decides to fight back in this powerful, shockingly timely novel based on the - [Winner! Free Book Friday!](https://donnaeverhart.com/winner-free-book-friday-32/) - Hello readers, This week’s question, "When you were coming of age, what was your most rebellious moment? What did you do and even more important, what did you parents do? What were the repercussions of your downfall from grace?" This week's winner of a signed backlist book of their choice is the answer from Alicia - [First Sentence Friday/Free Book Friday!](https://donnaeverhart.com/first-sentence-friday-free-book-friday-7/) - Welcome back! It’s the 9th week of First Sentence Friday/Free Book Friday! ********************************************************* About the Book Accused of “promiscuity” in 1940s North Carolina, a young woman unjustly incarcerated and subjected to involuntary medical treatment at The State Industrial Farm Colony for Women decides to fight back in this powerful, shockingly timely novel based on the - [Winner! Free Book Friday!](https://donnaeverhart.com/winner-free-book-friday-clone-3/) - Hello readers, This week’s question, "Have you ever experienced a time where you couldn't contact anyone? How did that make you feel?" resulted in some interesting answers - and a nice look back at how much has changed. This week's winner of a signed backlist book of their choice is Marcy Evans from Facebook! Marcy, - [First Sentence Friday/Free Book Friday!](https://donnaeverhart.com/first-sentence-friday-free-book-friday-6/) - Welcome back! It’s the 8th week of First Sentence Friday/Free Book Friday! ********************************************************* About the Book Accused of “promiscuity” in 1940s North Carolina, a young woman unjustly incarcerated and subjected to involuntary medical treatment at The State Industrial Farm Colony for Women decides to fight back in this powerful, shockingly timely novel based on the - [Winner! Free Book Friday!](https://donnaeverhart.com/winner-free-book-friday-31/) - Hello readers, This week’s question was, "When you have your own downtime, or “off” work time, is there anything in particular you always do, or like to do? Do you have something you do that NO ONE knows about? (Spill it!😂)" This week's winner of a signed backlist book of their choice is "bn100" from - [First Sentence Friday!](https://donnaeverhart.com/first-sentence-friday-free-book-friday-5/) - Welcome back! It’s the 7th week of First Sentence Friday/Free Book Friday! ********************************************************* About the Book Accused of “promiscuity” in 1940s North Carolina, a young woman unjustly incarcerated and subjected to involuntary medical treatment at The State Industrial Farm Colony for Women decides to fight back in this powerful, shockingly timely novel based on the - [Winner! Free Book Friday!](https://donnaeverhart.com/18603-2/) - Hello readers, This week’s winner of a signed backlist book of their choice is Nancy Timmerman from the blog! Nancy, you get your choice of a signed copy of either The Education of Dixie Dupree, (with the new cover) The Road to Bittersweet, (with the new cover) The Forgiving Kind (with original cover, the one shown here is the new) The - [Wildacres Writing Retreat!](https://donnaeverhart.com/wildacres-writing-retreat/) - This fall, I'm trying something different! It will be my first time at Wildacres Retreat and I'm going as a writing mentor. What I've heard is, it's The Place if you're a writer and for this particular retreat, the focus is working to fine-tune that submission package. Here's the spiel: You've been dreaming about publishing - [First Sentence Friday/Free Book Friday!](https://donnaeverhart.com/first-sentence-friday-free-book-friday-clone/) - Welcome back! It's the 6th week of First Sentence Friday/Free Book Friday! Happy 4th of July to all! ********************************************************* About the Book Accused of “promiscuity” in 1940s North Carolina, a young woman unjustly incarcerated and subjected to involuntary medical treatment at The State Industrial Farm Colony for Women decides to fight back in this - [WINNER - Free Book Friday!](https://donnaeverhart.com/winner-free-book-friday-30/) - Hello readers, This week’s winner of a signed backlist book of their choice is Helen Akinc from the blog! Helen, you get your choice of a signed copy of either The Education of Dixie Dupree, (with the new cover) The Road to Bittersweet, (with the new cover) The Forgiving Kind (with original cover, the one - [First Sentence Friday/Free Book Friday!](https://donnaeverhart.com/first-sentence-friday-free-book-friday-4/) - Welcome back! It's the 5th week of First Sentence Friday/Free Book Friday! ********************************************************* About the Book Accused of “promiscuity” in 1940s North Carolina, a young woman unjustly incarcerated and subjected to involuntary medical treatment at The State Industrial Farm Colony for Women decides to fight back in this powerful, shockingly timely novel based on the - [WINNER - Free Book Friday!](https://donnaeverhart.com/winner-free-book-friday-29/) - Hello readers, This week’s winner of a signed backlist book of their choice is Susan Peterson from the blog! Susan, you get your choice of a signed copy of either The Education of Dixie Dupree, (with the new cover) The Road to Bittersweet, (with the new cover) The Forgiving Kind (with original cover, the one - [First Sentence Friday/Free Book Friday!](https://donnaeverhart.com/first-sentence-friday-free-book-friday-3/) - Welcome back! It's the 4th week of First Sentence Friday/Free Book Friday! ********************************************************* About the Book Accused of “promiscuity” in 1940s North Carolina, a young woman unjustly incarcerated and subjected to involuntary medical treatment at The State Industrial Farm Colony for Women decides to fight back in this powerful, shockingly timely novel based on the - [WINNER - Free Book Friday!](https://donnaeverhart.com/winner-free-book-friday-28/) - Hello readers, This week’s winner of a signed backlist book of their choice is Linda Cunningham from the Facebook page! Linda, you get your choice of a signed copy of either The Road to Bittersweet, (with the new cover) The Moonshiner's Daughter, (with the new cover), The Saints of Swallow Hill, or When the Jessamine - [First Sentence Friday/Free Book Friday!](https://donnaeverhart.com/first-sentence-friday-free-book-friday-2/) - Welcome to First Sentence Friday/Free Book Friday! ********************************************************* About the Book - In Case You Missed It Accused of “promiscuity” in 1940s North Carolina, a young woman unjustly incarcerated and subjected to involuntary medical treatment at The State Industrial Farm Colony for Women decides to fight back in this powerful, shockingly timely novel based on - [WINNER - Free Book Friday!](https://donnaeverhart.com/winner-free-book-friday-27/) - Hello readers, Wow - some of you really did your homework! Thank you for sharing what you found out, and I'm sure there are more facilities than we uncovered with this little exercise. This week’s winner of a signed backlist book of their choice is Beth Casas from the blog! Beth, you get your choice - [It's Time for First Sentence Friday/Free Book Friday!](https://donnaeverhart.com/its-time-for-first-sentence-friday-free-book-friday/) - Welcome back to First Sentence Friday/Free Book Friday! For new followers of the blog, here's a quick rundown on what this is all about. Every Friday I share the first sentence out of the chapters of my upcoming book, Women of a Promiscuous Nature. I generally like to start of by adding some context around - [First Sentence Friday/Free Book Friday!](https://donnaeverhart.com/first-sentence-friday-free-book-friday/) - Welcome back to First Sentence Friday/Free Book Friday! ********************************************************* About the Book - In Case You Missed It Accused of “promiscuity” in 1940s North Carolina, a young woman unjustly incarcerated and subjected to involuntary medical treatment at The State Industrial Farm Colony for Women decides to fight back in this powerful, shockingly timely novel based - [WINNER - Free Book Friday!](https://donnaeverhart.com/winner-free-book-friday-26/) - Hello readers, This week’s winner of a signed backlist book of their choice of either The Road to Bittersweet, (with the new cover) The Moonshiner's Daughter, (with the new cover), The Saints of Swallow Hill, or When the Jessamine Grows is Lenora Picolet from the blog! Congratulations Lenora !!! Please PM me or email me - [The Next Book and A Cover Reveal!](https://donnaeverhart.com/the-next-book-and-a-cover-reveal/) - Dear Readers of the blog, I’m excited to share with you the cover for my next novel, Women of a Promiscuous Nature. What It’s About I believe you’ll find this history truly unbelievable and if you are unaware of it, you’re not the only one. As is often the case, when I land on what I think - [When the Jessamine Grows - Finalist for the Southern Book Prize!](https://donnaeverhart.com/when-the-jessamine-grows-finalist-for-the-southern-book-prize/) - Dear readers of the blog, This will be old news for some of you who follow me elsewhere, but for those of you who don't, I'm excited to share When the Jessamine Grows is a finalist for the Southern Book Prize! What is the Southern Book Prize (SBP)? In a nutshell, SBP nominations are submitted - [It's Been A While!](https://donnaeverhart.com/its-been-a-while/) - Hello readers of this blog, I hope everyone had a fantastic summer doing the things you love most! Despite the fact that for the first time in a (very) long time, I don't have a project (book!) to work on, I stayed busy! As some of you know, I turned in my seventh novel to - [Free Book Club Kit for WHEN THE JESSAMINE GROWS](https://donnaeverhart.com/free-book-club-kit-for-when-the-jessamine-grows/) - Hello readers! I'm in the first week of my four week tour, and it's going along great! I'm stopping by to provide you all with a handy book club kit - materials specifically curated by my publicist at Kensington Publishing Corp. to enhance your discussion of WHEN THE JESSAMINE GROWS. It dawned on me after - [Final Free Book Friday WINNERS!!!](https://donnaeverhart.com/final-free-book-friday-winners/) - Hello readers, The final two winners (for First Sentence Fridays anyway ;) ) of a copy of When the Jessamine Grows and story related swag are Mary Jane Coward and Nicole Nurthen, both from the blog! Congratulations!!! Please PM me or email me at deverhart2@nc.rr.com with your addresses so I can get your books and - [FINAL First Sentence Friday and Free Book Friday for WHEN THE JESSAMINE GROWS!](https://donnaeverhart.com/final-first-sentence-friday-and-free-book-friday-for-when-the-jessamine-grows/) - Hello readers, Can you believe it? This is the final First Sentence Friday and Free Book Friday! Thank you all for making my efforts fun and interesting. I appreciate every one who commented, or just stopped by to see what I had to say. I hope you enjoyed these past eight months (!) as much - [Winner of Free Book Friday!!!](https://donnaeverhart.com/winner-of-free-book-friday-12/) - Hello readers, This week’s winner of a signed ARC of When the Jessamine Grows and story related swag is Judy Hawk (now infamously known as Pennsylvania Judy😂) from the blog comments! Congratulations Judy !!! Please PM me or email me at deverhart2@nc.rr.com with your address so I can get your book and goodies in the mail.🎁📫 See - [First Sentence Friday and Free Book Friday!](https://donnaeverhart.com/first-sentence-friday-and-free-book-friday-21/) - Hello readers, Welcome to this week’s installment of First Sentence Friday and Free Book Friday! The free book is a signed Advance Reader Copy (ARC) of When the Jessamine Grows and an item or two of the story-related swag as pictured here! 📚🎉 ********************************************************* NOTE, for website blog commenters only: When you answer the question in the comments area, - [Winner!!! Free Book Friday!](https://donnaeverhart.com/winner-free-book-friday-25/) - Hello readers, This week’s winner of a signed ARC of When the Jessamine Grows and story related swag is Alicia Haney from the blog comments! There were a couple of you who got the answer to the question right. The other person was Linda Cunningham out on Facebook. The answer was "hardy and tolerant." Congratulations Alicia!!! Please PM - [First Sentence Friday and Free Book Friday!](https://donnaeverhart.com/first-sentence-friday-and-free-book-friday-20/) - Hello readers, Welcome to this week’s installment of First Sentence Friday and Free Book Friday! The free book is a signed Advance Reader Copy (ARC) of When the Jessamine Grows and an item or two of the story-related swag as pictured here! ???????? ********************************************************* NOTE, for website blog commenters only: When you answer the question in the comments - [Happy New Year and Winner of Free Book Friday!!!](https://donnaeverhart.com/happy-new-year-and-winner-of-free-book-friday/) - Hello readers, and Happy New Year!!!???????????? This week’s winner of a signed ARC of When the Jessamine Grows and story related swag is April Reuter from the Facebook comments! Congratulations April! Please PM me or email me at deverhart2@nc.rr.com with your address so I can get your book and goodies in the mail.???????? See you all this - [First Sentence Friday and Free Book Friday!](https://donnaeverhart.com/first-sentence-friday-and-free-book-friday-19/) - Hello readers, EDITED TO ADD - the question of the week is now there! Welcome to this week’s installment of First Sentence Friday and Free Book Friday! The free book is a signed Advance Reader Copy (ARC) of When the Jessamine Grows and an item or two of the story-related swag as pictured here! ???????? ********************************************************* NOTE, for - [Winner! Free Book Friday!](https://donnaeverhart.com/winner-free-book-friday-24/) - Hello readers! This week’s winner of a signed ARC of When the Jessamine Grows and story related swag is Betsy Warner from the Facebook comments! ???? Congratulations Betsy! Please PM me or email me at deverhart2@nc.rr.com with your address so I can get your book and goodies in the mail.???????? See you all Friday for the next sentence! - [First Sentence Friday and Free Book Friday!](https://donnaeverhart.com/first-sentence-friday-and-free-book-friday-18/) - Hello readers, Welcome again to this week’s installment of First Sentence Friday and Free Book Friday! The free book is a signed Advance Reader Copy (ARC) of When the Jessamine Grows and an item or two of the story-related swag as pictured here! ???????? ********************************************************* NOTE, for website blog commenters only: When you answer the question in the - [Winner! Free Book Friday!](https://donnaeverhart.com/winner-free-book-friday-23/) - Hello readers! This week’s winner of a signed ARC of When the Jessamine Grows and story related swag is Lori Bordeaux Beam from the Facebook comments! ???????????? (Honestly, sometimes, I'm stunned by the random number generator I use to select winners. Lori got her wish, after getting turned down on NetGalley for an early read!) - [First Sentence Friday and Free Book Friday!](https://donnaeverhart.com/first-sentence-friday-and-free-book-friday-16/) - Hello readers, Welcome again to this week’s installment of First Sentence Friday and Free Book Friday! This week the winner gets a signed Advance Reader Copy (ARC) of When the Jessamine Grows and an item or two of the story-related swag as pictured here! ???????? ********************************************************* NOTE, for website blog commenters only: When you answer the question in - [Winner!!! Free Book Friday!](https://donnaeverhart.com/winner-free-book-friday-22/) - Hello readers! This week's winner of a signed ARC of When the Jessamine Grows and story related swag is Rebecca Booth from the Facebook comments! ???????????? Congratulations Rebecca! Please PM me or email me at deverhart2@nc.rr.com with your address so I can get your copy in the mail. See you all Friday for the - [First Sentence Friday and Free Book Friday!!!](https://donnaeverhart.com/first-sentence-friday-and-free-book-friday-17/) - Hello readers, Welcome again to this week’s installment of First Sentence Friday and Free Book Friday! This week the winner gets a signed Advance Reader Copy (ARC) of When the Jessamine Grows and EXTRA story-related swag as pictured here! I wish I could include one of each thing but, unfortunately, I don't have enough. There - [Free Book Friday Winners!!!](https://donnaeverhart.com/free-book-friday-winners/) - Hello readers! As promised, this week there are two winners of a signed ARC of When the Jessamine Grows. ???????????? This week's winners are Reena Gilja from the blog/website comments, and Jan Edwards from the Facebook comments! Congratulations to you both! Please PM me or email me at deverhart2@nc.rr.com with your addresses so I can - [First Sentence Friday and Free Book Friday!](https://donnaeverhart.com/first-sentence-friday-and-free-book-friday-14/) - Hello readers, Welcome again to this week's installment of First Sentence Friday and Free Book Friday! Due to the website misbehaving last week, I'm giving away TWO signed Advance Reader Copies, ARCs, of When the Jessamine Grows. ???????? ********************************************************* NOTE: For website blog commenters only -->If you the answer the question in the comments area, - [Update on First Sentence Friday/Free Book Friday](https://donnaeverhart.com/update-on-first-sentence-friday-free-book-friday/) - Hello readers, This week, several of you emailed to tell me you couldn't comment on last Friday's post (website only). This, along with the issue of my posts not landing on my Facebook page, means I've decided to delay announcing any winner this week. I plan to give away two signed ARCs for this upcoming - [Free Book Friday Winner - Delayed](https://donnaeverhart.com/free-book-friday-winner-delayed/) - Hello, readers! I'm delaying the Monday morning announcement of the winner of the ARC for this week until Wednesday a.m. This is because my First Sentence Friday post didn't go out to my Facebook Page as it should have. Also, one regular reader of the blog notified me they couldn't post a comment. They received - [First Sentence Friday and Free Book Friday!](https://donnaeverhart.com/first-sentence-friday-and-free-book-friday-15/) - Hello Readers! Welcome again to this week's installment of First Sentence Friday and Free Book Friday! The free book is a signed Advance Reader Copy (ARC) of When the Jessamine Grows. Please note: If you answer the question/comment (the way to win a book) out on the blog site, please be sure to add your - [Winner!!! Free Book Friday!](https://donnaeverhart.com/winner-free-book-friday-21/) - Hello readers, The winner of this week's signed ARC is Judi Burns! Congratulations, Judi! Please PM or email me at deverhart2@nc.rr.com so I can get the book to you asap! Thanks everyone - see you this Friday for another new sentence and chance to win a copy! ???????? - [First Sentence Friday and Free Book Friday!](https://donnaeverhart.com/first-sentence-friday-and-free-book-friday-13/) - Hello Readers! Welcome again to this week's installment of First Sentence Friday and Free Book Friday! The free book is a signed Advance Reader Copy (ARC) of When the Jessamine Grows. Please note: If you answer the question/comment (the way to win a book) out on the blog site, please be sure to add your - [Winner Free Book Friday!!!](https://donnaeverhart.com/winner-free-book-friday-20/) - Hello readers! This week's winner is CJ Coss! Congratulations CJ! Please PM me (on FB) or email me at deverhart2@nc.rr.com with your address so I can get a signed copy in the mail to you asap! Thanks everyone! I'll see you Friday for the next sentence and chance to win an ARC of #WhentheJessamineGrows! - [First Sentence Friday and Free Book Friday!](https://donnaeverhart.com/first-sentence-friday-and-free-book-friday-clone-2/) - Hello Readers! Welcome to this week's installment of First Sentence Friday and Free Book Friday! For the foreseeable future, the free book is a signed Advance Reader Copy (ARC) of When the Jessamine Grows. Special Note If you comment (the way to win a book) on the blog site, please be sure to add your - [WINNER!!! Free Book Friday!](https://donnaeverhart.com/winner-free-book-friday-11/) - Happy Labor Day! I hope everyone is enjoying the long weekend. ???????? This week's winner of a signed Advance Reader Copy (ARC) of When the Jessamine Grows is Linda Cunningham from the Facebook comments! Linda, please email me at deverhart2@nc.rr.com, or PM me out on Facebook with your address so I can get the book - [WINNER Free Book Friday!!!](https://donnaeverhart.com/winner-free-book-friday-12/) - I'm enjoying learning about everyone, from sewing to letter writing. ✍???????????????? This week's winner of a signed Advance Reader Copy (ARC) of When the Jessamine Grows is VERA GUTHRIE from the Facebook comments! Vera, please email me at deverhart2@nc.rr.com, or PM me out on Facebook with your address so I can get the book sent - [WINNER Free Book Friday!!!](https://donnaeverhart.com/winner-free-book-friday-13/) - This week's winner of a signed Advance Reader Copy (ARC) of When the Jessamine Grows is Marcy Betts Evans from the Facebook comments! Marcy, please email me at deverhart2@nc.rr.com, or PM me out on Facebook with your address so I can get the book sent to you asap! Thanks everyone! I’ll see you all back here - [Winner!!! Free Book Friday!!!](https://donnaeverhart.com/winner-free-book-friday-15/) - This week’s winner of a signed Advance Reader Copy (ARC) of When the Jessamine Grows is Jill Solomon from the website blog comments! Jill, please email me at deverhart2@nc.rr.com, or PM me out on Facebook with your address so I can get the book sent to you asap! Thanks everyone! I’ll see you all back here again on Friday - [WINNER!!! Free Book Friday!!!](https://donnaeverhart.com/winner-free-book-friday-19/) - The winner of this week's signed ARC of When the Jessamine Grows is Debra Pardee-Le from the Facebook comments! Congratulations, Debra! Please PM on FB, or email me at deverhart2@nc.rr.com with your address so I can get your copy in the mail! Thanks everyone - great comments on this week's question! I'll see you all - [First Sentence Friday and Free Book Friday!](https://donnaeverhart.com/first-sentence-friday-and-free-book-friday-12/) - Hello Readers! Welcome to this week's installment of First Sentence Friday and Free Book Friday! For the foreseeable future, the free book is a signed Advance Reader Copy (ARC) of When the Jessamine Grows. Special Note If you comment (the way to win a book) please be sure to add your name at the bottom - [WINNER!!! Free Book Friday!](https://donnaeverhart.com/winner-free-book-friday-18/) - This week's winner of the Advance Reader Copy (ARC) of When the Jessamine Grows is "Rosie" from the blog comments! Rosie, please PM me out on Facebook, or email me at deverhart2@nc.rr.com with your address (and last name!) so I can get your signed copy in the mail! Thanks everyone - see you all - [First Sentence Friday and Free Book Friday!!!](https://donnaeverhart.com/first-sentence-friday-and-free-book-friday-11/) - Hello readers! Welcome to this week's installment of First Sentence Friday and Free Book Friday! For the foreseeable future, the free book is a signed Advance Reader Copy (ARC) of When the Jessamine Grows. ???? Something I always worry about when it comes to the First Sentence Fridays are spoilers. I waffle when I see - [Winner!!! Free Book Friday!!!](https://donnaeverhart.com/winner-free-book-friday-17/) - *** Special Note*** Some of the Friday post commenters are appearing on the website as "Anonymous" so I didn't know who it was. I suggest adding your name so I know who you are, and you have a chance to win. ???? This week’s winner of a signed Advance Reader Copy (ARC) of When the Jessamine Grows is - [First Sentence Friday and Free Book Friday!!!](https://donnaeverhart.com/first-sentence-friday-and-free-book-friday-clone/) - Hello readers! Welcome to this week's installment of First Sentence Friday and Free Book Friday! For the foreseeable future, the free book is a signed Advance Reader Copy (ARC) of When the Jessamine Grows. ???? This week's sentence presents a motherly dilemma, one many of us have encountered in our own lives when it comes - [Winner!!! Free Book Friday!!!](https://donnaeverhart.com/winner-free-book-friday-16/) - *** Special Note*** I'm not sure why, but a few comments on the web site appeared as "Anonymous" so I didn't know who was commenting. I suggest adding your name at the bottom before you so I know who you are, and you have a chance to win. ???? This week’s winner of a signed - [First Sentence Friday and Free Book Friday!!!](https://donnaeverhart.com/first-sentence-friday-and-free-book-friday-10/) - Hello readers! Welcome to this week's installment of First Sentence Friday and Free Book Friday! For the foreseeable future, the free book is a signed Advance Reader Copy (ARC) of When the Jessamine Grows. ???? Death is the topic of this week's post. How appropriate - it's Friday the 13th AND October. Graphic details - - [Winner!!! Free Book Friday!!!](https://donnaeverhart.com/winner-free-book-friday-clone-2/) - This week’s winner of a signed Advance Reader Copy (ARC) of When the Jessamine Grows is Dyana Hulgan from the website blog comments! Dyana, please email me at deverhart2@nc.rr.com, or PM me out on Facebook with your address so I can get the book sent to you asap! Thanks everyone! I’ll see you all back here again on - [First Sentence Friday and Free Book Friday!!!](https://donnaeverhart.com/first-sentence-friday-and-free-book-friday-9/) - Hello readers! Welcome to this week's installment of First Sentence Friday and Free Book Friday! For the foreseeable future, the free book is a signed Advance Reader Copy (ARC) of When the Jessamine Grows. ???? Ah - there's so much I could say about this week's sentence, but as always, I want to keep things - [First Sentence Friday and Free Book Friday!](https://donnaeverhart.com/first-sentence-friday-and-free-book-friday-8/) - Hello readers! Welcome to this week's installment of First Sentence Friday and Free Book Friday! For the foreseeable future, the free book is a signed Advance Reader Copy (ARC) of When the Jessamine Grows. ???? Can you believe it? This week marks the halfway point of First Sentence Fridays for When the Jessamine Grows! It's - [First Sentence Friday and Free Book Friday!](https://donnaeverhart.com/first-sentence-friday-and-free-book-friday-7/) - Hello readers! Welcome to this week's installment of First Sentence Friday and Free Book Friday! For the foreseeable future, the free book is an Advance Reader Copy (ARC) of When the Jessamine Grows. ???? The Civil War with its complicated background as to why it began also highlighted or re-ignited certain areas of the public's - [WINNER!!! Free Book Friday!!!](https://donnaeverhart.com/winner-free-book-friday-14/) - This week's winner of a signed Advance Reader Copy (ARC) of When the Jessamine Grows is Marta Colvin-Ratliff from the Facebook comments! Marta, please email me at deverhart2@nc.rr.com, or PM me out on Facebook with your address so I can get the book sent to you asap! Thanks everyone! I’ll see you all back here - [First Sentence Friday and Free Book Friday](https://donnaeverhart.com/first-sentence-friday-and-free-book-friday-6/) - Hello readers! Welcome to this week's installment of First Sentence Friday and Free Book Friday! For the foreseeable future, the free book is an Advance Reader Copy (ARC) of When the Jessamine Grows. ???? In this novel, I became enmeshed in the language of the time. Not all the characters "speak" the same way, but - [First Sentence Friday and Free Book Friday!!!](https://donnaeverhart.com/first-sentence-friday-and-free-book-friday-5/) - Hello readers! Welcome to this week's installment of First Sentence Friday and Free Book Friday! For the foreseeable future, the free book is an Advance Reader Copy (ARC) of When the Jessamine Grows. ???? In this week's sentence I get to share some of the fun facts I found out about correspondence, mail delivery and - [First Sentence Friday and Free Book Friday!!!](https://donnaeverhart.com/first-sentence-friday-and-free-book-friday-4/) - Hello readers! Welcome to this week's installment of First Sentence Friday and Free Book Friday! The free book this week is an Advance Reader Copy (ARC) of When the Jessamine Grows. ???? The sentence this week gives me a little more to work with. ???? The sentence hints at the problem which is central to - [WINNER!!! Free Book Friday!!!](https://donnaeverhart.com/winner-free-book-friday-10/) - Good morning, readers! This week's winner of a signed Advance Reader Copy (ARC) of When the Jessamine Grows is JANET SMITH! Janet, please email me at deverhart2@nc.rr.com, or PM me out on Facebook with your address so I can get the book sent to you asap! Thanks everyone! I’ll see you all back here - [First Sentence Friday and Free Book Friday!!!](https://donnaeverhart.com/first-sentence-friday-and-free-book-friday-3/) - Hello once again, readers! Welcome to this week's installment of First Sentence Friday and Free Book Friday! Again, this week I'm giving out an Advance Reader Copy (ARC) of When the Jessamine Grows. ???? Recently, a reader of my work asked me via Facebook if I thought about first sentences for the chapters as I - [Winner!!! Free Book Friday!](https://donnaeverhart.com/winner-free-book-friday-9/) - Good morning, readers! This week's winner of a signed Advance Reader Copy (ARC) of When the Jessamine Grows is Ruth Marion!!! Ruth, please email me at deverhart2@nc.rr.com, or PM me out on Facebook (if you're out there) with your address so I can get the book sent to you asap! Thanks everyone! I’ll see - [First Sentence Fridays and Free Book Fridays!](https://donnaeverhart.com/first-sentence-fridays-and-free-book-fridays/) - Hello once again, readers! Welcome to this week's installment of First Sentence Friday and Free Book Friday! You might be excited to know, I'm giving out an Advance Reader Copy (ARC) of When the Jessamine Grows this week. ???? It was interesting to learn about what started the Civil War in the first place, to a - [WINNER!!! Free Book Friday!!!](https://donnaeverhart.com/winner-free-book-friday-8/) - Good morning, readers, The winner of this week’s signed copy of The Saints of Swallow Hill is "bn100!" "bn100", please PM me (if you’re on FB) or email me at deverhart2@nc.rr.com with your mailing address and I’ll get a signed copy of the book in the mail to you! I’ll see everyone back here again - [First Sentence Friday and Free Book Friday!](https://donnaeverhart.com/first-sentence-friday-and-free-book-friday-2/) - Hello, readers! Welcome to this week's installment of First Sentence Friday and Free Book Friday! One of my favorite Civil War books is News of the World, by Paulette Jiles. The way individuals received information back then was mainly through newspapers, telegraphs, letters, and word of mouth. Before the news became what it is today, - [WINNER!!! FREE BOOK FRIDAY!!!](https://donnaeverhart.com/winner-free-book-friday-7/) - Good morning, readers, The winner of this week's signed copy of The Moonshiner's Daughter is Wanda Maldonado!!! Wanda, please PM me (if you're on FB) or email me at deverhart2@nc.rr.com with your mailing address and I'll get a copy of the book in the mail to you! I'll see everyone back here again on Friday - [First Sentence Friday and Free Book Friday!](https://donnaeverhart.com/first-sentence-friday-and-free-book-friday/) - Hello, readers! Welcome to this week's installment of First Sentence Friday! North Carolina in the 1860s was remote and vastly rural. From a source I use for research comes this quote, "Few farms in North Carolina were the great plantations we see in movies, and even plantation life was not always so grand as it - [WINNER Free Book Friday!!!](https://donnaeverhart.com/winner-free-book-friday-6/) - Good morning, readers! The winner of this week's book, THE SAINTS OF SWALLOW HILL, is Michelle Klinetobe!!! (from the blog comments) Michelle, please email your address to deverhart2@nc.rr.com so I can get it in the mail to you! (or, if you're out on FB, feel free to PM me) Congratulations, and I hope you enjoy - [First Sentence Friday and Free Book Friday!](https://donnaeverhart.com/first-sentence-and-free-book-friday-clone/) - Hello, readers! Welcome to this week's installment of First Sentence Friday! I've always heard, and have often said, if you want to learn about patience, get a dog. For instance, you can't (make that CAN'T) rush a pup who's got to find just the right location to do #2. It's a fact. Special spots must - [Free Book Friday - No Winner This Week](https://donnaeverhart.com/free-book-friday-no-winner-this-week/) - Good morning, readers! No winner this week for a copy of The Saints of Swallow Hill. All comments were either from those who'd read the book, or had just won a book previously or recently. Which isn't a bad thing! ???? See you all this Friday, for the next First Sentence post! - [First Sentence and Free Book Friday!](https://donnaeverhart.com/first-sentence-and-free-book-friday-5/) - Hello, readers! Welcome to this week's installment of First Sentence Friday/Free Book Friday! I have always thought long and hard about the role women play in my stories, and I'm partial to writing about strong females facing what seem like insurmountable odds. To tell the truth, women's lives were more complicated and difficult the farther - [WINNER Free Book Friday!!!](https://donnaeverhart.com/winner-free-book-friday-5/) - Good morning, readers! The winner of this week's book, THE FORGIVING KIND, is Heather McErlean!!! Heather, please email me at deverhart2@nc.rr.com with your address so I can get it in the mail to you! (or, if you're out on FB, PM me) Congratulations, and I hope you enjoy the story! See you all Friday, - [First Sentence and Free Book Friday!](https://donnaeverhart.com/first-sentence-and-free-book-friday-4/) - Hello, readers! Welcome to this week's installment of First Sentence/Free Book Friday! This week's sentence is on the relationship between Joetta and her father-in-law, Rudean McBride. There's always one in every bunch, as the old saying goes. As the very first sentence of #WhentheJessamineGrows revealed, "Joetta McBride could not stomach conflict;" this trait might allow - [WINNER Free Book Friday!!! -- -clone](https://donnaeverhart.com/winner-free-book-friday-clone/) - Good morning, readers! The winner of this week's book, THE MOONSHINER'S DAUGHTER is JULIE GOLIN!!! JULIE, please email me at deverhart2@nc.rr.com with your address so I can get it in the mail to you! (or, if you're out on FB, PM me) Congratulations, and I hope you enjoy the story! See you all Friday, - [First Sentence and Free Book Friday!](https://donnaeverhart.com/first-sentence-and-free-book-friday-3/) - Hello, readers! Welcome to this week's installment of First Sentence/Free Book Friday! The focus of this weeks sentence is on Joetta's oldest son, fifteen-year-old Henry. (Reminder, these posts will always be spoiler free!) The cover copy states this; When fifteen-year-old Henry, impressed by his grandfather’s stories, runs off to volunteer, Joetta insists Ennis go and - [WINNER Free Book Friday!!!](https://donnaeverhart.com/winner-free-book-friday-4/) - Good morning, readers! The winner of this week's book, THE MOONSHINER'S DAUGHTER is SANDRA SHUFORD!!! Sandra, please email me at deverhart2@nc.rr.com with your address so I can get it in the mail to you! (or, if you're out on FB, PM me) Congratulations, and I hope you enjoy the story! See you all Friday, - [First Sentence and Free Book Friday!](https://donnaeverhart.com/first-sentence-and-free-book-friday-2/) - Hello, readers! Welcome to this week's installment of First Sentence and Free Book Friday. Sometimes as a writer, it's not uncommon to research something that's not all that important to the story, but it still matters. Like, in this case, beds. Maybe it's because I'd seen some before in another research adventure, but at any - [WINNER Free Book Friday!!!](https://donnaeverhart.com/winner-free-book-friday-3/) - Good morning, readers! The winner of this week's book, THE FORGIVING KIND is Stephanie See Belcher!!! Stephanie, please email me at deverhart2@nc.rr.com with your address so I can get it in the mail to you! (or, if you're out on FB, PM me) Congratulations, and I hope you enjoy the story! See you all Friday, - [First Sentence and Free Book Friday!](https://donnaeverhart.com/first-sentence-and-free-book-friday/) - Hello, readers! Welcome to this week's installment of First Sentence and Free Book Friday. The sentence from last week says a lot about my main character; Joetta McBride could not stomach conflict. It's a very telling peek into her persona, and sets the stage for where trouble brews because we understand she's living in a - [WINNER Free Book Friday!!!](https://donnaeverhart.com/winner-free-book-friday-2/) - Good morning, readers! The winner of that found extra-copy of THE ROAD TO BITTERSWEET is Angela Gaskell!!! Angela, please email me at deverhart2@nc.rr.com with your address so I can get it in the mail to you! (or, if you're out on FB, PM me) Congratulations, and I hope you enjoy the story! See you all - [First Sentence and Free Book Fridays Begins!](https://donnaeverhart.com/first-sentence-and-free-book-fridays-begins/) - Good morning, readers, It's time! For the next few months I'll share spoiler free details about my next novel, WHEN THE JESSAMINE GROWS. I'm excited for everyone to get a chance to read this story! First, I have to tell you how writing a novel set during the Civil War came about. Quite honestly, the - [Are You Ready for First Sentence Fridays?](https://donnaeverhart.com/are-you-ready-for-first-sentence-fridays-2/) - Hello readers! I can hardly believe it. This upcoming Friday, June 16th, begins another "season" of First Sentence Fridays for my newest novel, WHEN THE JESSAMINE GROWS! For the next thirty-two weeks, (thirty-two chapters!) I'll hopefully entice you to want to read my latest by introducing you to the characters, the plot, the setting and - [Pre-Order Links for When the Jessamine Grows](https://donnaeverhart.com/pre-order-links-for-when-the-jessamine-grows/) - Hello readers, Just a quick note to share the few sites which have just added the links to pre-order When the Jessamine Grows. Gold links are active - paperback edition only at this time. Red links - those sites haven't been updated yet. Pre-order from Kensington Publishing Corp Pre-order from Barnes & Noble Pre-order from - [Cover and Title Reveal!](https://donnaeverhart.com/cover-and-title-reveal/) - Hello, readers, Here's what you've been waiting for! Here is the new cover and title of my next book, WHEN THE JESSAMINE GROWS, (Release date is January 23, 2024)! I think it's stunning, evocative, and is soaked in that beautiful Southern vibe. Did you know that the Carolina Jessamine is South Carolina's state flower? (hello, - [Goodreads Giveaway for THE MOONSHINER'S DAUGHTER!!!](https://donnaeverhart.com/goodreads-giveaway-for-the-moonshiners-daughter/) - Good morning to the blog! ☕☕☕ While "we're" waiting on that cover reveal for my next book . . . ???? My publisher is having a Goodreads Giveaway for THE MOONSHINER'S DAUGHTER! Good luck! - [Cover Reveal for Next Book - Coming Soon!!!](https://donnaeverhart.com/cover-reveal-coming-soon/) - Good morning, readers! I have the new cover and it's BEAUTIFUL! Soon, I'll share it with you, along with a description of the story. Pre-order links won't be available until April 28th, but I couldn't wait that long to share it! Stay tuned! - [The Education of Dixie Dupree is a Kindle Daily Deal!](https://donnaeverhart.com/the-education-of-dixie-dupree-is-a-kindle-daily-deal/) - Hello all! I tend to forget to post here on my website about sales on my books. I'm trying to do better. ???????? Today my debut, The Education of Dixie Dupree is a Kindle Daily Deal! (Two more are coming up this month - one for The Road to Bittersweet and another for The Moonshiner's - [Some News!](https://donnaeverhart.com/some-news-2/) - Good morning, all! I have a bit of news to share! ???? First, I have a publication date for my next novel set during the Civil War, and that's February, 2024! Second, I've been asked to come up with a new title - and this is proving to be really hard! I've had a working - [Foreign Book Sales!](https://donnaeverhart.com/foreign-book-sales/) - Happy New Year to you all! ???????? I thought I'd share the gorgeous cover of the Czech Republic's hardcover edition of The Saints of Swallow Hill, which was published in October, 2022, by JOTA. They titled the book Swallow Hill. When they put the book on their website and promoted it, they also included this - [Did You Know There's A Newsletter?](https://donnaeverhart.com/did-you-know-theres-a-newsletter/) - Yes. Lo and behold, I do a newsletter. Do you want to subscribe? If you do, on the front page of the website scroll down to the bottom part of the page, and there's a place to sign up. As the message says, "Donna’s usually busy writing books, but, sometimes - [Some News!](https://donnaeverhart.com/some-news/) - Hello readers of the blog (and FB/Twitter, where this automatically posts as well), ???????? For those following the blog, it's been a while! It's been pretty busy around here. I hope the remainder of your summer was wonderful, and here we are at the verge of Halloween, (!) with Thanksgiving, and Christmas peeking 'round the - [A Sale!](https://donnaeverhart.com/a-sale/) - Hello to the blog! It's hard to believe summer's almost over, isn't it? I'm stopping by to let you all know about this sale on The Moonshiner's Daughter. It's a BookBub deal, so maybe you've already seen it??? All major e-books retailers have it for $1.99, so if you haven't read it yet, it's an - [Kindle Sale!!! THE SAINTS OF SWALLOW HILL](https://donnaeverhart.com/kindle-sale-the-saints-of-swallow-hill/) - This may be limited to today, I'm not sure, but just so you know! These sales have been random. If you haven't read The Saints of Swallow Hill yet, you can get it on your Kindle for $3.99. ???????????? - [Winner of Women's Fiction Day Gift Set!](https://donnaeverhart.com/winner-of-womens-fiction-day-gift-set/) - Oh my gosh! The comments were wonderful. I always love reading (or listening when at events) to why a reader becomes engrossed in a particular type of story, and y'all did not fail in delivering on that! If the choice was made by that alone, it would be really hard to select a winner because - [Let's Celebrate!!!](https://donnaeverhart.com/lets-celebrate/) - It's finally here! Today is Women's Fiction Day, a special day created by the Women's Fiction Writer's Association in honor of this top selling genre that typically stays near the top of Amazon charts. Last week, in the post on June 1st, I explained what makes a story women's fiction, so this week, it's all - [Women's Fiction Day!](https://donnaeverhart.com/womens-fiction-day/) - Hi everyone! As part of the Women's Fiction Writers Association, (WFWA) I'm so excited to participate in the fourth annual Women's Fiction Day coming up on June 8th! ???? This is a day when writers and readers alike share in their love of a special genre called Women's Fiction. ???? Many (and I mean many!) ask, - [Goodreads Giveaway!](https://donnaeverhart.com/goodreads-giveaway-3/) - How is everyone doing? I am head down writing the next book, but wanted to drop by and let those of you who don't know, there is another giveaway is happening right now on Goodreads! This one ends May 26th, and it's another one hundred books up for grabs! GO HERE to register, and GOOD - [Checking In! Plus, A Sweepstakes - Win A Historical Fiction Bundle from The Archive!](https://donnaeverhart.com/checking-in-plus-a-sweepstakes-win-a-historical-fiction-bundle-from-the-archive/) - Hello there, everyone! It's been a while since I posted! I'm here for two reasons. One is to tell you the tour was AMAZING! I visited six states, and had thirteen events. What a whirlwind it was, and it's actually hard to believe it's over. Here are a few photos. The stores took some too, - [Book Tour!](https://donnaeverhart.com/book-tour/) - ONLY THREE MORE DAYS, before I head out on this three week book tour! I'm excited to talk to avid readers, enthusiastic booksellers, and, well, just about anyone else who will listen! ???? Will I see you? I sure hope so! click to enlarge schedule - [Costco Buyer's Staff Pick for February 2022!](https://donnaeverhart.com/costco-buyers-staff-pick-for-february-2022/) - Hi - how's everyone doing? I'm popping in to share this exciting news with those who may not have seen it on social media. ???????????? - [WINNER of GRAND FINALE BOOK BOX!](https://donnaeverhart.com/winner-of-grand-finale-book-box/) - Here we are!???????????? Drumroll!!!???????????? The winner of the "Grand Finale" First Sentence Friday Book Box is . . . SUSAN ROBERTS!!! ???????????? Congratulations, Susan!!! Please email me, (deverhart2@nc.rr.com) or PM me on FB with your address so I can send it to you! BUT . . . WAIT! ???? There are still other chances to - [The GRAND FINALE of First Sentence Friday and FREE BOOK Friday!](https://donnaeverhart.com/the-final-first-sentence-friday-and-free-book-friday/) - Here we are readers! Can you believe it? Not me! I wrote the first post for #thesaintsofswallowhill on May 14th, 2021. (For some reason that song I'm So Glad We Had This Time Together from the Carol Burnett show is now playing in my head. ????) For thirty-six weeks we've spent every Friday together (except - [WINNER of Free Book Friday!!!](https://donnaeverhart.com/winner-of-free-book-friday-11/) - Welcome back to the frozen tundra also known as the sunny South! ???????? I think my computer froze up too - as it did NOT send out my regularly scheduled winner's post, so, I had to give it a jumpstart. ???? The winner of this week's ARC is from the blog comments, and she - [First Sentence Fridays and FREE BOOK Friday!](https://donnaeverhart.com/first-sentence-fridays-and-free-book-friday-24/) - Oh. My. Chapter 35 of 36. ???? This is the perfect example of feeling like having all the time in the world, only to realize, it's running out! I will miss doing these posts and interacting with you all each Friday. No worries though. It's not like the blog will go dormant! You can bet - [WINNER of Free Book Friday!!!](https://donnaeverhart.com/winner-of-free-book-friday-10/) - I hope everyone had a great weekend! It's Monday and time to announce the winner! This week the ARC goes to Mary M. Brown from the blog comments! Congrats, Mary! PM me on Facebook, or email your address (deverhart2@nc.rr.com) so I can get your book to you! I'll see everyone back here January 14th for another - [First Sentence Fridays and FREE BOOK Friday!](https://donnaeverhart.com/first-sentence-fridays-and-free-book-friday-23/) - Happy Friday! When someone asks, "what does it feel like when a book is about to release?" The image that flashes in front of me is that of a skier (me) moving into position to descend a black diamond hill. For anyone that has ever snow skied, you know it's exhilarating and scary at the - [WINNER of Free Book Friday!!!](https://donnaeverhart.com/winner-of-free-book-friday-9/) - Hello 2022. Hello Readers!???????? The WINNER of this week's ARC is Leeza Stetson from the blog comments! Congrats, Leeza! PM me on Facebook, or email your address (deverhart2@nc.rr.com) so I can get your book to you! I'll see everyone back here January 7th for another First Sentence Friday and FREE BOOK Friday! Only two more - [First Sentence Fridays and FREE BOOK Friday!](https://donnaeverhart.com/first-sentence-fridays-and-free-book-friday-22/) - New Year's Eve is here! It also happens to be my husband's birthday!???? After seven months of First Sentence Fridays, I am feeling conflicted. For one, I have only three more posts to share, so I tend to feel a little melancholy when I know this time is about to end. On the other hand, - [WINNER of Free Book Friday!!!](https://donnaeverhart.com/winner-of-free-book-friday-clone/) - It's Monday morning again! ????????✨???????????? Are you ready for Christmas? The WINNER of this week's ARC of The Saints of Swallow Hill is Debbie Alvarado from the Facebook comments! Congrats, Debbie! PM me on Facebook, or email your address (deverhart2@nc.rr.com) so I can get your book to you! And . . . I'll see everyone back - [First Sentence Fridays and FREE BOOK Friday!](https://donnaeverhart.com/first-sentence-fridays-and-free-book-friday-21/) - One week before Christmas Eve! ????????????????✨ On to Chapter 32 - and uh oh. Part of the sentence is a spoiler, which means . . . I have to leave some of it out. ???? *************************************************** Rae Lynn has definitely had her share of ups and downs in this story with various events contributing to a - [WINNER of Free Book Friday!!!](https://donnaeverhart.com/winner-of-free-book-friday-8/) - Good Monday morning, readers! ???? - [First Sentence Fridays and FREE BOOK Friday!](https://donnaeverhart.com/first-sentence-fridays-and-free-book-friday-20/) - Welcome back to Friday! And a first sentence . . . ???? Chapter 31! *************************************************** The title of Thomas Wolfe's novel, "You Can't Go Home Again," published posthumously in 1940, turned into a saying over time, "you can never go home again." There has been a lot of discussion around what this meant. Most of - [WINNER!!! Pop-up Giveaway!!!](https://donnaeverhart.com/winner-pop-up-giveaway/) - The WINNER of an ARC of The Saints of Swallow Hill from the surprise pop-up giveaway announced yesterday is . . . Tina Hargis-Stansbury! Congrats!!! PM me on Facebook, or email your address (deverhart2@nc.rr.com) so I can get your book to you! And . . . I'll see everyone back here on Friday - [POP-UP Giveaway!!!](https://donnaeverhart.com/pop-up-giveaway-2/) - Surprise, readers! ???????????????????????? I said in my winner's post on Monday there might be a pop-up giveaway and here it is! In order to win one of the few remaining (!!!) ARCs of THE SAINTS OF SWALLOW HILL, post a picture of your favorite Christmas ornament! If you can post here on the blog, great! - [WINNER of Free Book Friday!!!](https://donnaeverhart.com/winner-of-free-book-friday-7/) - Good Monday morning, readers! I am running a little bit late this morning! The WINNER of this week's ARC of The Saints of Swallow Hill is Teresa Bawa from the blog comments! Congrats, Teresa! PM me on Facebook, or email your address (deverhart2@nc.rr.com) so I can get your book to you! ***Be prepared this week for - [First Sentence Fridays and FREE BOOK Friday!](https://donnaeverhart.com/first-sentence-fridays-and-free-book-friday-17/) - Friday!!! Welcome back! You haven't "formally" met Otis Riddle - and what an intro he gets with this first sentence! ???? Cornelia is married to Otis, and together, they run the Swallow Hill turpentine camp's commissary. It doesn't take long once he's introduced into the story for you to realize he is not the most - [First Sentence Fridays and FREE BOOK Friday!](https://donnaeverhart.com/first-sentence-fridays-and-free-book-friday-19/) - We are truly on the downhill stretch for First Sentence Fridays - Chapter 30 this week! I am probably repeating myself, but, Chapter 37's first sentence, (final chapter) won't be shared. It gives away too much, and I always keep these spoiler free. This means, I will skip the December 24th post, do a final - [WINNER of Free Book Friday!!!](https://donnaeverhart.com/winners-of-free-book-friday-clone/) - Good Monday morning, readers! It's hard to come back to reality after a long weekend, but what better way to do it than this? The WINNER of this week's ARC of The Saints of Swallow Hill is Dyana Hulgan from the blog comments! Congrats, Dyana! PM me on Facebook, or email your address (deverhart2@nc.rr.com) so I - [First Sentence Fridays and FREE BOOK Friday!](https://donnaeverhart.com/first-sentence-fridays-and-free-book-friday-18/) - Have mercy. For those who celebrate, are y'all still STUFFED? ???????? It's worth every single bite, isn't it??? The rest of this long weekend I am certain I will be in that inevitable day after turkey "fog." It's a good thing I went ahead and prepped this post beforehand! *************************************************** Cornelia is a true and - [WINNERS of Free Book Friday!!!](https://donnaeverhart.com/winners-of-free-book-friday/) - Happy Monday morning, readers! Surprise! There are two winners! This is to show my appreciation❤ and thankfulness???? for all of you who come here every week to read my First Sentence Friday posts. The WINNERS of this week's ARCs of The Saints of Swallow Hill are Marta Colvin-Ratliff and Christine Carter Greer from the Facebook comments. - [WINNER of Free Book Friday!!!](https://donnaeverhart.com/winner-of-free-book-friday-5/) - Happy Monday morning, readers! I bet you thought I forgot. The WINNER of this week's ARCs of The Saints of Swallow Hill is TRACY WIRICK from anywhere/everywhere she could comment!!! ???? Congrats, Tracy! PM me on Facebook, or email your address (deverhart2@nc.rr.com) so I can get your book to you! I'll see everyone back here on - [First Sentence Fridays and FREE BOOK Friday!](https://donnaeverhart.com/first-sentence-fridays-and-free-book-friday-16/) - Hello again, happy readers! I sat looking at the sentence for this week as I was trying to prepare this post. This particular scene is one of the ones I spent a lot of time thinking about, and visualizing as I wrote it. I can't say it's the worst. What I can say is what - [WINNER of Free Book Friday!!!](https://donnaeverhart.com/winner-of-free-book-friday-6/) - Happy Monday morning! The WINNER of one of this week's ARCs of The Saints of Swallow Hill and the free t-shirt is PHYLLIS BERNSTEIN from the Facebook comments! Congrats, Phyllis, PM me on Facebook, or email me your address (deverhart2@nc.rr.com) so I can get your book to you! I'll see everyone back here on Friday for - [I'm Interrupting Your Weekend . . .](https://donnaeverhart.com/im-interrupting-your-weekend/) - . . . to tell you, my publisher is having ANOTHER Goodreads Giveaway! It just started today, and I found out too late to include it in my First Sentence Fridays post. Go here for a chance to win one of 100 copies! Good luck! See you tomorrow when a new winner is announced for - [First Sentence Fridays and FREE BOOK Friday!](https://donnaeverhart.com/first-sentence-fridays-and-free-book-friday-15/) - Happy Friday, reader friends! I'm glad you're here! One of the rules of privately owned labor camps is that the owners could do as they wished when it came to their workers. It was documented that if someone in the camp tried to escape, because of the brutal work conditions, because of the debt they - [WINNER of Free Book Friday!!!](https://donnaeverhart.com/winner-of-free-book-friday-4/) - Happy Monday morning! As I recently heard, anyone with a candy coma from looting their kid's buckets? Here's a late, but always sweet treat! The WINNER of one of this week's ARC of The Saints of Swallow Hill is . . . Kelly Cantwell from Facebook comments! Congrats, Kelly! PM me on Facebook, or email me - [First Sentence Fridays and FREE BOOK Friday!](https://donnaeverhart.com/first-sentence-fridays-and-free-book-friday-14/) - Happy Friday, reader friends! I'm glad you're here! Another example of how fast time is going - can you believe this week we are on Chapter 25? I can't. That means there are only 11 more to share with you before First Sentence Fridays will come to an end. That is technically not The End - [WINNER of Free Book Friday!!!](https://donnaeverhart.com/winner-of-free-book-friday-3/) - I'm running a little late this morning, but here we are again! That song from the Mamas and the Papas is in my head, Monday, Monday, ba da, ba da da da. Anyone else? The WINNER of one of this week's ARC of The Saints of Swallow Hill is . . . bn100 from the - [First Sentence Fridays and FREE BOOK Friday!](https://donnaeverhart.com/first-sentence-fridays-and-free-book-friday-13/) - Hello reader friends! The days are going as fast as our disappearing daylight. It's Friday again! Can you tell I have a lot of love for the longleaf pine trees? This strange looking LONG photo was taken with the intention of showing how TALL a longleaf pine actually is, and here you can see me - [WINNER of Free Book Friday!!!](https://donnaeverhart.com/winner-of-free-book-friday/) - Happy Monday morning - these seem to come quicker than Fridays, don't they? I am heading back from Southern Pines this morning, but not before we have a winner! The WINNER of one of this week's ARC of The Saints of Swallow Hill is . . . Deborah Murrill Blanchard from the FB comments! Congrats, - [WINNER of Free Book Friday - Margie Shaw](https://donnaeverhart.com/winner-of-free-book-friday-margie-shaw/) - Good Monday morning, everyone! The WINNER of one of this week's ARC of The Saints of Swallow Hill is Margie Shaw from the blog comments! Congrats, Margie! PM me on Facebook, or email me your address (deverhart2@nc.rr.com) so I can get your book to you! I'll see everyone back here on Friday for the usual - [First Sentence Fridays and FREE BOOK Friday!](https://donnaeverhart.com/first-sentence-fridays-and-free-book-friday-11/) - Hello reader friends! Welcome to Friday! Next week, from October 11th through October 18th, I am thrilled and honored to be a writer in residence at the Boyd House in Southern Pines. I wish I could have been there while writing The Saints of Swallow Hill, but - COVID. The house was built by writer, - [WINNER of Free Book Friday - Alicia Haney!](https://donnaeverhart.com/winner-of-free-book-friday-2/) - Good Monday morning, everyone! The WINNER of one of this week's ARC of The Saints of Swallow Hill is Alicia Haney from the blog comments! Congrats, Alicia! PM me on Facebook, or email me your address (deverhart2@nc.rr.com) so I can get your book to you! I'll see everyone back here on Friday for the usual - [First Sentence Fridays and FREE BOOK Friday!](https://donnaeverhart.com/first-sentence-fridays-and-free-book-friday-12/) - Hello reader friends! Welcome to Friday! Right now, I'm right here like I mentioned last week. I'm working on my sixth novel, a story that is quite challenging to write. I'm hoping to continue to soak up the vibes from this special place, where many, many other writers have come to work. *************************************************** More clues - [First Sentence Fridays and FREE BOOK Friday!](https://donnaeverhart.com/first-sentence-fridays-and-free-book-friday-10/) - Good morning, everyone, and welcome to October. (!) Recently, a reviewer said this, "She often puts her main characters in peril With a Capital P." Haaa. You betcha. ???????? Personally, I love stories like this, where you have an underdog, who stands up for what's right. If you like that kind of story as well, - [WINNER of Free Book Friday!!!](https://donnaeverhart.com/winner-free-book-friday-linda-cunningham/) - Happy Monday morning! (do I hear groaning?) ???? The WINNER of one of this week's ARC of The Saints of Swallow Hill is Linda Cunningham! Congrats, Linda! PM me on Facebook, or email me your address (deverhart2@nc.rr.com) so I can get your book to you! I'll see everyone back here on Friday for the usual - [First Sentence Fridays and FREE BOOK Friday!](https://donnaeverhart.com/first-sentence-fridays-and-free-book-friday-9/) - Hello everyone! A little heads up in case you missed it out on Facebook - I will have another giveaway like the one last week at some point in time. Also, I happen to have a few extra goodies a reader might find included with their ARC when it arrives. I wish I could give - [WINNER of SPECIAL BOOK PACKAGE!!! MARY VESICH!](https://donnaeverhart.com/winner-of-special-book-package-mary-vesich/) - Happy Monday morning! There were lots of great comments this week - and it was really nice to get to know some of you a little better! The WINNER of this week's special giveaway is Mary Vesich from Facebook comments! In case you're wondering - I use a number generator to choose my winners - - [First Sentence Fridays and BIG GIVEAWAY Friday!](https://donnaeverhart.com/first-sentence-fridays-and-free-book-friday-8/) - Hello everyone - welcome to Friday! Can you believe we are just over halfway through the book? I was waiting to celebrate this milestone until I received some of the exciting SWAG to go along with an ARC - and it arrived yesterday! There is the ARC of course, but ALSO, there are stickers, a - [WINNER!!! NANCY TIMMERMAN!](https://donnaeverhart.com/winner-nancy-timmerman/) - Happy Monday morning! The winner of this week's ARC is Nancy Timmerman from the blog comments! Congrats, Nancy! PM me on Facebook, or email me your address (deverhart2@nc.rr.com) so I can get a signed ARC of The Saints of Swallow Hill in the mail to you! GOODREADS GIVEAWAY! Didn't win an ARC this week? There's - [First Sentence Fridays and FREE BOOK Friday!](https://donnaeverhart.com/first-sentence-fridays-and-free-book-friday-7/) - Hello everyone - welcome to Friday! It goes without saying the environment of a turpentine camp was not for the faint of heart. This begs the question, why in the world would Rae Lynn Cobb decide to work in one? Here are her reasons: While she and her husband, Warren, had run a small turpentine - [WINNER!!! Lu Loy!](https://donnaeverhart.com/winner-lu-loy/) - Happy Labor Day! The winner of this week's ARC is Lu Loy from the blog! Congrats, Lu! PM me on Facebook, or email me your address (deverhart2@nc.rr.com) so I can get a signed ARC of The Saints of Swallow Hill in the mail to you! GOODREADS GIVEAWAY! Didn't win an ARC this week? There's - [WINNER!!! Burma Turner!!!](https://donnaeverhart.com/winner-burma-turner/) - Happy Monday! I'm running a little behind . . . but I'm here now to announce the winner! From the blog comments, it's: Congrats, Burma! PM me on Facebook, or email me your address (deverhart2@nc.rr.com) so I can get a signed ARC of The Saints of Swallow Hill in the mail to you! - [First Sentence Fridays and FREE BOOK Friday!](https://donnaeverhart.com/first-sentence-fridays-and-free-book-friday-5/) - Hello, everyone and woohoo for FRIDAY! Writing something about the sentence this week proved quite challenging. Nothing worked without it being a spoiler, so I'm taking a different approach. What we know right now, either from the flap copy or my posts: Rae Lynn has disguised herself as a man in order to get a - [First Sentence Fridays and FREE BOOK Friday!](https://donnaeverhart.com/first-sentence-fridays-and-free-book-friday-6/) - Hello everyone! It's Friday and Labor Day weekend! This week I get to introduce you to a new character - Cornelia Stokes. She might have looked a little like this woman: Cornelia works in the camp commissary alongside her abusive, self-centered, and let's face it, idiotic husband. His name is Otis. She is a compassionate - [WINNER!!! LaurieBecker21](https://donnaeverhart.com/winner/) - I heard back from the Malcolm Blue Historic Farm site, and to be honest, they aren't sure! I think this is so odd. I suppose anyone can go onto this property and do what they want, but the question remains, why? Why attach a glass jug so high up, with some weird green waxy looking - [Not Yet!](https://donnaeverhart.com/not-yet/) - Good morning, everyone! I've decided to delay announcing a winner until I hear back from the good folks who run the historic farm where the mystery jug is located. To tell you a bit more about the area where I took this photo, from their Facebook page, they describe the farm like this: "Malcolm Blue - [First Sentence Fridays and FREE BOOK Friday!](https://donnaeverhart.com/first-sentence-fridays-and-free-book-friday-4/) - Hey - I know. I don't even have to say it! :) I have looked at lots of old pictures of labor camps, and the one thing that was clear, the housing was shoddy with little space in between them. There were some that looked to be in a bit better shape, like this one. - [WINNER - Shelly McPhatter from the Blog](https://donnaeverhart.com/winner-shelly-mcphatter-from-the-blog/) - This week's winner of a signed ARC of The Saints of Swallow Hill is Shelly McPhatter!!! Shelly, please email me (deverhart2@nc.rr.com), or PM me through FB with your address, so I can send you your copy right away. :) Didn't win this week? Guess what? There's STILL a GOODREADS GIVEAWAY going on for The Saints - [First Sentence Fridays and FREE BOOK Friday!](https://donnaeverhart.com/first-sentence-fridays-and-free-book-friday-3/) - The weeks are flying by! We're more than a third of the way into the book, and once again, it's Friday - actually, lucky Friday the 13th! Be sure to read all the way through the post if on FB to see how to win this week's ARC! In turpentine camps, the woods riders as - [WINNER - Patty Warren!!!](https://donnaeverhart.com/winner-patty-warren/) - This week's winner of a signed ARC of The Saints of Swallow Hill is Patty Warren! Patty, please email me (deverhart2@nc.rr.com), or PM me through FB with your address, so I can send you your copy right away. :) Didn't win this week? Guess what? There's a GOODREADS GIVEAWAY going on right now for The - [WINNER Adriann Ansel!!!](https://donnaeverhart.com/winner-adriann-ansel/) - This week's winner of a signed ARC of The Saints of Swallow Hill is Adriann Ansel from the blog! Congratulations Adriann! Tomorrow's First Sentence Friday post goes up as usual with another chance to win one of these ARCs. This stack IS getting smaller, but, have no fear, there are a few left. - [First Sentence Fridays and FREE BOOK Friday!](https://donnaeverhart.com/first-sentence-fridays-and-free-book-friday-2/) - You know what day it is! Del Reese prides himself on the fact that he knows women. He's a lady's man, opportunistic, observant, and, as he put it, "ready and willing." You might say once he started sowing his wild oats, it was so much fun, he never stopped, and he was still busy doing - [First Sentence Fridays and FREE BOOK Friday!](https://donnaeverhart.com/15955/) - Hurray for Friday! The amount of work expected from those in a turpentine labor camp was astounding. The woods were divided into "drifts." These were demarcated by either natural markings, or slashes on trees to show worker's their sections. A crop was an area of about ten thousand trees. One worker was expected to complete - [Pop-up Winner(s)!](https://donnaeverhart.com/pop-up-winners/) - Okay, first it was too hard, and then it was TOO EASY! I've got to put my thinking cap on with y'all. There are two winners, surprise surprise again. That's because my intent was to have the FIRST person who gave the closest answer would win. Well, Renae Strickland was "close" and was first. But - [Pop-Up Giveaway for The Saints of Swallow Hill ARC!](https://donnaeverhart.com/pop-up-giveaway/) - Surprise, surprise! (Can you hear Gomer Pyle?) I'm giving out another ARC today to one lucky reader with this surprise blog post! Here's how you have a chance to win the signed ARC: Tell me what you notice about this dog! Comment here on my blog, FB or wherever you follow me for a chance - [WINNER - ARC of THE SAINTS OF SWALLOW HILL!](https://donnaeverhart.com/winner-arc-of-the-saints-of-swallow-hill/) - Congratulations, Jan! PM or email me (deverhart2@nc.rr.com) your address so I can get your copy in the mail! - [First Sentence Fridays and FREE BOOK Friday!](https://donnaeverhart.com/first-sentence-fridays-and-free-book-friday/) - Some of you already know, if you saw my regular Facebook page, that we lost our beloved little Yorkie, Mister, on Friday, a week ago. It was unexpected, and this has been a tough, hard week, but I'm here, and I'm ready to give out another ARC to a lucky reader. For that chance, read - [First Sentence Fridays AND Free Book Friday - Chapter 10](https://donnaeverhart.com/first-sentence-fridays-and-free-book-friday-chapter-10-clone/) - FRIDAY!!! Need I say more? *************************************************** I talk a lot about the research I do when it comes to writing my stories. As a novelist of historical (southern) fiction, I am not alone in this. In The Saints of Swallow Hill, I was back to researching vehicles again - I'd surely done a lot of - [Winner - Susan Dillard!](https://donnaeverhart.com/winner-susan-dillard/) - Susan Dillard is the winner of the FIRST Advance Reader Copy!!! Susan, PM me on Facebook, or email me your address (deverhart2@nc.rr.com) and I'll get the book in the mail to you asap! For the next several weeks, there will be more giveaways. Be sure to follow me on social media because who knows . - [First Sentence Fridays AND Free Book Friday - Chapter 9](https://donnaeverhart.com/first-sentence-fridays-chapter-9-2/) - Howdy, y'all, it's . . . I bet I don't even have to say it . . . but, I will -->FRIDAY! *************************************************** On the flap copy of The Saints of Swallow Hill, it says, "Swallow Hill is no easy haven." None of these types of labor camps were, no matter the industry. There were - [First Sentence Fridays - Chapter 8](https://donnaeverhart.com/first-sentence-fridays-chapter-8-2/) - Happy Friday, and happy July 4th weekend, y'all! Honestly, I feel like everyone is going buck wild now that the country is getting back to normal, and that's GREAT. At this point, I think everyone needs to enjoy the holiday weekend no matter where you decide to celebrate, backyard, beach, mountains, or elsewhere. Let's have a - [Winner - Free Book Friday!](https://donnaeverhart.com/winner-free-book-friday/) - The winner of Free Book Friday is from the blog and a comment by "bn100!" Congratulations! Email me at deverhart2@nc.rr.com and let me know which of my backlist books you'd like! (The Road to Bittersweet, The Forgiving Kind, or The Moonshiner's Daughter) - [First Sentence Fridays and Free Book Friday! Chapter 7](https://donnaeverhart.com/first-sentence-fridays-chapter-7/) - What day is it? Do you know what day it is? (anyone got the Geico commercial in their mind?) Haha. Sorry Mr. Camel, it's Friday! :) Working in a turpentine camp in the Deep South during the Depression era was a combination of positives and negatives. It was rhythmic, often peaceful, yet the workload was - [NetGalley](https://donnaeverhart.com/netgalley/) - Hello, readers! Are you a reviewer on NetGalley? If so, The Saints of Swallow Hill is available for request! Go here. Happy reading! - [First Sentence Fridays - Chapter 6](https://donnaeverhart.com/first-sentence-fridays-chapter-6/) - Hey, hey, it's Friday and you know what that means! It's time for another first sentence! Here's a question for you - what keeps you up at night? Are you one of the many sleep deprived individuals we hear about all the time? (my husband is for sure!) Many suffer from an inability to relax - [First Sentence Fridays - Chapter 5](https://donnaeverhart.com/first-sentence-fridays-chapter-5/) - Hello, hello! It's Friday again, and I'm here to deliver another sentence from my upcoming novel, The Saints of Swallow Hill, releasing on January 25, 2022. As I share these sentences with you, small bits of the story emerge. For example, when I first mentioned the title of the book, I imagine some (most?) of - [First Sentence Fridays - Chapter 4](https://donnaeverhart.com/first-sentence-fridays-chapter-4/) - Welcome back, y'all! Here we are, it's Friday again, and it seems like the weeks are flying by! I hope everyone is enjoying this sneak peek at The Saints of Swallow Hill. Let's talk a little bit about what Rae Lynn and her husband, Warren, do for a living. Living in a shotgun style house - [Susan Feibush Braun - WINNER of the Backlist Book of Choice!](https://donnaeverhart.com/susan-feibush-braun-winner-of-the-backlist-book-of-choice/) - Susan Braun (commented on Facebook) is the winner of her choice of one of my backlist books! Congratulations, Susan! - [First Sentence Fridays - Chapter 3](https://donnaeverhart.com/first-sentence-fridays-chapter-3/) - Woohoo, it's Friday once again! Be sure to read the entire post (if on Facebook, for example) for a chance to win one of my backlist books! Sometimes during research I'll come across some small tidbit of information that unexpectedly helps bring a particular part of the storyline together. For The Saints of Swallow Hill, - [First Sentence Fridays - Chapter 2](https://donnaeverhart.com/first-sentence-fridays-chapter-2-2/) - It's Friday! This week I'm introducing you to my second main character, Rae Lynn Cobb. (*Note - anything I "talk" about here is always spoiler free. :) ) When we meet Rae Lynn, she's already married to Warren Cobb. Having grown up in an orphanage, she has no sense whatsoever of her biological family, much - [First Sentence Friday Begins!](https://donnaeverhart.com/first-sentence-friday-begins/) - Hello everyone, and welcome back! If you follow me on social media, you know I've been trying to kill time until I could share something (anything) about my new novel, THE SAINTS OF SWALLOW HILL, due out January 25, 2022. Other than a few tiny hints here and there, I've certainly gone on about "stuff." - [Are You Ready for First Sentence Fridays?](https://donnaeverhart.com/are-you-ready-for-first-sentence-fridays/) - I don't know how you feel, but to me, it seems like forever since I introduced you to a new book! My final First Sentence Friday post for THE MOONSHINER'S DAUGTER was on December 27th, 2019, and can you believe that was almost 18 months ago? I hope you had a nice break because for - [Cover Reveal for THE SAINTS OF SWALLOW HILL](https://donnaeverhart.com/cover-reveal-for-the-saints-of-swallow-hill/) - The gorgeous cover for THE SAINTS TO SWALLOW HILL! I'm sharing out Instagram posts all day (which are automatically set up to come to here to my Author Page), so be prepared to be inundated with this cover! I love it so much! About the book: Where the Crawdads Sing meets The Four Winds as award-winning author Donna - [What Am I Doing?](https://donnaeverhart.com/what-am-i-doing/) - Checking my calendar. Drumming my fingers. Trying to write Book Six. If it seems like forever before The Saints of Swallow Hill comes out, I promise you, it seems even longer to me! But soon we'll have something to help in the wait. Here's an upcoming schedule: May 3rd - May 5th, COVER REVEAL with - [Hold Pattern](https://donnaeverhart.com/hold-pattern/) - Hello everyone! Okay, I know it's the era of COVID lockdowns, etc., and to use flying on a plane and going on a trip as an analogy seems completely WRONGHEADED, but stay with me here. You're in your seat on the airplane, and it's taxied down the runway. You're staring out the window, or maybe - [A New Book Is Coming - Eventually!](https://donnaeverhart.com/a-new-book-is-coming/) - Hello, all y'all! It's been a while since I posted out here. I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday in whatever manner you chose to celebrate. We kept it somewhat low key at the Everhart household. There was definitely decorating, some baking . . . and, (groan) lots of eating! Now that we're beginning a - [WINNERS!!! THE MOONSHINER'S DAUGHTER Audio](https://donnaeverhart.com/winners-the-moonshiners-daughter-audio/) - Congratulations all! I have more codes to give out, and will have another giveaway soon! Michele Anne Waite, Paulette (blog comment) Dyana Hulgan, and a bonus winner, Brenda (from blog), please email me at deverhart2@nc.rr.com for directions on how to download your audio codes! - [GIVEAWAY! Win an Audio of THE MOONSHINER'S DAUGHTER!](https://donnaeverhart.com/giveaway-audio-of-the-moonshiners-daughter/) - I love hearing about the various ways readers enjoy their books. Some read multiple stories at a time. They've just started one, are halfway through another, and almost to the end of a third. There are those who may set aside hard copies for sit down reading, and utilize their e-readers or audio books for - [Happy 60th To Kill A Mockingbird](https://donnaeverhart.com/happy-60th-to-kill-a-mockingbird/) - How's everybody's summer going? (should I bother to ask?) Growing up, I often rode with my mother while she did her errands. She'd drive up Avent Ferry Road, and come out on Western Boulevard. Those from Raleigh will recognize the names of these streets. One time we pulled out onto Western Boulevard, probably going to - [Sweet, Blissful Sleep](https://donnaeverhart.com/sweet-blissful-sleep/) - An update. Remember this post? It got worse before it got better. Obviously we'd been hearing "noises" for a while. After the last rant about this issue, we went right out and bought one of those Hav-A-Hart traps - only, we didn't use it right away. Maybe it was the holiday crush, or maybe the - [NEW WINNERS Announced!](https://donnaeverhart.com/new-winners-announced/) - Hey there everyone, I didn't hear from some of the winners of last week's #stayhome BIG giveaway. I hate they missed out! That said, the new winners for the gift cards are: Doris Lankford Jennifer Jorski The one copy left of THE MOONSHINER'S DAUGHTER goes to USERID --> bn100! Congratulations! Please send me an email - [Last Chance for WINNERS to Claim Their Prize from the #stayhome BIG Giveaway](https://donnaeverhart.com/last-chance-for-winners-to-claim-their-prize-from-the-stayhome-big-giveaway/) - Winners: You have until tomorrow, April 27th at 5:00 p.m. EDT to claim what you won. After that, I will choose new winners from the original post's comments. - [The #stayhome BIG Giveaway WINNERS!](https://donnaeverhart.com/the-stayhome-big-giveaway-winners/) - CONGRATULATIONS to these SIX WINNERS!!! WINNERS - please send me an email (deverhart2@nc.rr.com) or PM me on social media and provide me with your addresses so I can coordinate getting your prize to you! To everyone, thank you so much for sharing your stories. Because I felt so touched by many, I will have another - [The #stayhome Big Giveaway!](https://donnaeverhart.com/the-stayhome-big-giveaway/) - TGIF! This probably means something a little different than it used to, if you are one of the many who used to head out the door to go to work before the #stayhome mandates. I've been thinking about y'all. There's been so much discussion online of what everyone is doing to cope. If you're reading - [Friday the 13th Can Be A Lucky Day!](https://donnaeverhart.com/friday-the-13th-can-be-a-lucky-day/) - It's been a while since I've been out here on my blog, so I thought I'd "drop in" and share a couple of things with you all on this Friday the 13th! Who said Friday the 13th is all bad luck? I'm here to change that thought with some good news for YOU. First, there - [RELEASE DAY!!!](https://donnaeverhart.com/release-day/) - Finally, (!!!) this book can now adorn the shelves in bookstores, be delivered to mailboxes (some already have their copy!) and most important of all, be picked up and read by YOU! I hope everyone enjoys THE MOONSHINER'S DAUGHTER! - [Lynn Russell and Nancy Frederick Timmerman Win The FINAL Free Book Friday!!!](https://donnaeverhart.com/ruth-anne-brown-and-robin-batterson-win-free-book-friday-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-3-2-2-2/) - It's the GRAND FINALE! The final week's winners are . . . LYNN RUSSELL and NANCY FREDERICK TIMMERMAN!!! Each of you win a finished copy of THE MOONSHINER'S DAUGHTER! Congratulations!!! Please PM me on Facebook or email me (deverhart2@nc.rr.com) your address so I can ship your books off pronto! I can't thank all of you - [FINAL First Sentence Friday - THE MOONSHINER'S DAUGHTER, and FREE BOOK FRIDAY -->TWO FINISHED COPIES of THE MOONSHINER'S DAUGHTER!](https://donnaeverhart.com/first-sentence-fridays-the-moonshiners-daughter-free-book-friday-the-forgiving-kind-4-2-3-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2/) - Be sure to comment and share the post for a chance at winning!!! For the FINAL First Sentence Friday FREE BOOK - it's TWO FINISHED COPIES! In FOUR DAYS, (pinch me twice!) THE MOONSHINER'S DAUGHTER will be on bookshelves at bookstores everywhere. Don't forget, even though First Sentence Fridays is coming to an end here - [Kelley L Blair and TLW69 Win Free Book Friday!!!](https://donnaeverhart.com/ruth-anne-brown-and-robin-batterson-win-free-book-friday-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-3-2-2/) - This week's winners are . . . Kelley L Blair (Facebook) and TLW69 (from website)!!! Kelley, and TLW69, you each win the LAST TWO advance reader copies of THE MOONSHINER'S DAUGHTER! Congratulations!!! Please PM me on Facebook or email me (deverhart2@nc.rr.com) your address so I can ship your books off pronto! This upcoming Friday is - [First Sentence Fridays - THE MOONSHINER'S DAUGHTER, and FREE BOOK FRIDAY -->TWO ARCS of THE MOONSHINER'S DAUGHTER!](https://donnaeverhart.com/first-sentence-fridays-the-moonshiners-daughter-free-book-friday-the-forgiving-kind-4-2-3-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2/) - Be sure to comment and share the post for a chance at winning one of TWO ARCS! All those months ago when I counted the ARCs and made my plan for giving one out a week until release day - well. I was off by one! THE LAST FREE BOOK will be a FINISHED COPY December - [Jennifer Pittman Hendricks Wins Free Book Friday!!!](https://donnaeverhart.com/ruth-anne-brown-and-robin-batterson-win-free-book-friday-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-3-2/) - This week's winner is . . . Jennifer Pittman Hendricks!!! Jennifer, you win the advance reader copy of THE MOONSHINER'S DAUGHTER! Congratulations!!! Please PM me on Facebook or email me (deverhart2@nc.rr.com) your address so I can ship it off to you pronto! NEXT WEEK I have a surprise! Pre-order your copy of THE MOONSHINER’S DAUGHTER here, and be - [First Sentence Fridays - THE MOONSHINER'S DAUGHTER, and FREE BOOK FRIDAY -->ARC of THE MOONSHINER'S DAUGHTER!](https://donnaeverhart.com/first-sentence-fridays-the-moonshiners-daughter-free-book-friday-the-forgiving-kind-4-2-3-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2/) - Be sure to comment and share the post for a chance to win one of the LAST TWO ARCS! (Giveaways for December 16th and 23rd) THE LAST FREE BOOK will be a FINISHED COPY! (Giveaway for December 30th!) I know you know, but I just have to say it - we're less than three weeks - [Lisa Dwyer Wins Free Book Friday!!!](https://donnaeverhart.com/ruth-anne-brown-and-robin-batterson-win-free-book-friday-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-3/) - This week's winner is . . . Lisa Dwyer!!! Lisa, you win the advance reader copy of THE MOONSHINER'S DAUGHTER! Congratulations!!! Please PM me on Facebook or email me (deverhart2@nc.rr.com) your address so I can ship it off to you pronto! Pre-order your copy of THE MOONSHINER’S DAUGHTER here, and be included in the sweepstakes to win a - [First Sentence Fridays - THE MOONSHINER'S DAUGHTER, and FREE BOOK FRIDAY -->ARC of THE MOONSHINER'S DAUGHTER!](https://donnaeverhart.com/first-sentence-fridays-the-moonshiners-daughter-free-book-friday-the-forgiving-kind-4-2-3-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2/) - We're only 25 days away, y'all! I should figure out how to do a countdown clock out here. And... Some great news came in this week ---> Goodreads released their "Most Popular Releases This Month" and THE MOONSHINER'S DAUGHTER came in at #13! (lucky 13 is what I say!) Shelving the book or adding it helps - [First Sentence Fridays - THE MOONSHINER'S DAUGHTER, FREE BOOK FRIDAY -->SPECIAL GIVEAWAY!](https://donnaeverhart.com/first-sentence-fridays-the-moonshiners-daughter-free-book-friday-the-forgiving-kind-4-2-3-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2/) - We're FIVE weeks away from the release of THE MOONSHINER'S DAUGHTER! Check out what a couple of the trades are saying! "Rousing…movingly explores Jessie’s struggle with her eating disorder, viscerally describing her twin desires for nourishment and purging in relation to a deep need to define herself…Everhart’s story of self-discovery, rife with colorful characters and - [EDITED - Carol Alscheff Wins Free BOOKS Friday!!!](https://donnaeverhart.com/ruth-anne-brown-and-robin-batterson-win-free-book-friday-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2/) - I am in a turkey and all the fixin's FOG evidently! I created my usual post for the winner, and FORGOT I was doing a special giveaway - which has now been amended! This week's winner of the SPECIAL GIVEAWAY . . . CAROL ALSCHEFF!!! (from the blog comments) Carol, you win the BOOK STACK! Congratulations!!! - [Carol Alscheff Wins Free Book Friday!!!](https://donnaeverhart.com/ruth-anne-brown-and-robin-batterson-win-free-book-friday-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2/) - This week's winner is . . . CAROL ALSCHEFF!!! (from the blog comments) Carol, you win the advance reader copy of THE MOONSHINER'S DAUGHTER! Congratulations!!! Please PM me on Facebook or email me (deverhart2@nc.rr.com) your address so I can ship it off to you pronto! Pre-order your copy of THE MOONSHINER’S DAUGHTER here, and be included in the - [Mary Jane Coward Wins Free Book Friday!](https://donnaeverhart.com/ruth-anne-brown-and-robin-batterson-win-free-book-friday-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2/) - This week's winner is . . . Mary Jane Coward!!! Mary Jane, you win the advance reader copy of THE MOONSHINER'S DAUGHTER! Congratulations!!! Please PM me on Facebook or email me (deverhart2@nc.rr.com) your address so I can ship it off to you pronto! Everyone, you have until November 29th to try for an ARC from - [First Sentence Fridays - THE MOONSHINER'S DAUGHTER, FREE BOOK FRIDAY -->ARC -THE MOONSHINER'S DAUGHTER!](https://donnaeverhart.com/first-sentence-fridays-the-moonshiners-daughter-free-book-friday-the-forgiving-kind-4-2-3-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2/) - We're SIX (technically 5 1/2!) weeks away from the release of THE MOONSHINER'S DAUGHTER! Next week is Thanksgiving, and I'll have a special giveaway to show my thankfulness for all of you out here! Stay tuned! Coming December 31, 2019 from Kensington Publishing, Inc. *************** Last week I wrote about how I went through a - [Betty Downs Wins Free Book Friday!](https://donnaeverhart.com/ruth-anne-brown-and-robin-batterson-win-free-book-friday-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2/) - This week's winner is . . . Betty Downs!!! Betty, you win the advance reader copy of THE MOONSHINER'S DAUGHTER! Congratulations!!! Please PM me on Facebook or email me (deverhart2@nc.rr.com) your address so I can ship it off to you pronto! Everyone, you still have a chance to win an ARC! The Goodreads GIVEAWAY is still - [First Sentence Fridays - THE MOONSHINER'S DAUGHTER, FREE BOOK FRIDAY -->ARC -THE MOONSHINER'S DAUGHTER!](https://donnaeverhart.com/first-sentence-fridays-the-moonshiners-daughter-free-book-friday-the-forgiving-kind-4-2-3-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2/) - Counting today, we're SEVEN weeks away from the release of THE MOONSHINER'S DAUGHTER! I've been thinking about what am I going to do when First Sentence Fridays comes to an end. Filling this space each week is fun, but it's hard work at the same time. One thing I know for sure, I will definitely post - [Arletta Wins Free Book Friday!](https://donnaeverhart.com/ruth-anne-brown-and-robin-batterson-win-free-book-friday-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2/) - This week's winner is . . . Arletta!!! (from blog comments) Arletta, you win the advance reader copy of THE MOONSHINER'S DAUGHTER! Congratulations!!! Please PM me on Facebook or email me (deverhart2@nc.rr.com) your address so I can ship it off to you pronto! Everyone else, you still have a chance to win an ARC! A - [First Sentence Fridays - THE MOONSHINER'S DAUGHTER, FREE BOOK FRIDAY -->ARC -THE MOONSHINER'S DAUGHTER!](https://donnaeverhart.com/first-sentence-fridays-the-moonshiners-daughter-free-book-friday-the-forgiving-kind-4-2-3-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2/) - Yikes. Had a little snafu with the post, but, good morning everyone! We are officially less than eight weeks away from the release of THE MOONSHINER'S DAUGHTER! Each year when I do this, and you all follow along week by week, I am always encouraged by the enthusiasm shown by you, the ever faithful reader. - [Janet Smith Wins Free Book Friday!](https://donnaeverhart.com/ruth-anne-brown-and-robin-batterson-win-free-book-friday-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2/) - This week's winner is . . . Janet Smith!!! Janet, you win the advance reader copy of THE MOONSHINER'S DAUGHTER! Congratulations!!! Please PM me on Facebook or email me (deverhart2@nc.rr.com) your address so I can ship it off to you pronto! Everyone else, you still have a chance to win an ARC! The Goodreads GIVEAWAY is - [First Sentence Fridays - THE MOONSHINER'S DAUGHTER, FREE BOOK FRIDAY -->ARC -THE MOONSHINER'S DAUGHTER!](https://donnaeverhart.com/first-sentence-fridays-the-moonshiners-daughter-free-book-friday-the-forgiving-kind-4-2-3-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2/) - For those who participated, who has a Trick-or-Treat hangover this morning? (otherwise known as sugar overload) We had severe weather all around us last night, very impressive looking on the radar. I think I heard thunder once, and that was it. If you were out and about doing the Halloween thing with your kids, I - [Linda Keenan Wins Free Book Friday!](https://donnaeverhart.com/ruth-anne-brown-and-robin-batterson-win-free-book-friday-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2/) - No tricks, only treats! This week's winner is . . . Linda Keenan!!! Linda, you win the advance reader copy of THE MOONSHINER'S DAUGHTER! Congratulations!!! Please PM me on Facebook or email me (deverhart2@nc.rr.com) your address so I can ship it off to you pronto! Everyone else, here are TWO other ways for the rest - [First Sentence Fridays - THE MOONSHINER'S DAUGHTER, FREE BOOK FRIDAY -->ARC -THE MOONSHINER'S DAUGHTER!](https://donnaeverhart.com/first-sentence-fridays-the-moonshiners-daughter-free-book-friday-the-forgiving-kind-4-2-3-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2/) - Welcome again to First Sentence Friday! And welcome to the end of the week! I've seen this used often on Instagram - FriYAY! I love that. A quick ***FYI - this little snippet of my post last week was in the section toward the bottom where there are links to add THE MOONSHINER'S DAUGHTER to - [Burma Turner Wins Free Book Friday!](https://donnaeverhart.com/ruth-anne-brown-and-robin-batterson-win-free-book-friday-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2/) - This week's winner is . . . Burma Turner!!! Burma, you win the advance reader copy of THE MOONSHINER'S DAUGHTER! Congratulations!!! Please PM me on Facebook or email me (deverhart2@nc.rr.com) your address so I can ship it off to you pronto! Keep reading because there are TWO other ways for the rest of you to - [First Sentence Fridays - THE MOONSHINER'S DAUGHTER, FREE BOOK FRIDAY -->ARC -THE MOONSHINER'S DAUGHTER!](https://donnaeverhart.com/first-sentence-fridays-the-moonshiners-daughter-free-book-friday-the-forgiving-kind-4-2-3-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2/) - Here we are in mid-October! If that wasn't shocking enough, how about the fact I've been seeing Christmas decorations for weeks now? We all have, and we all know who beat out almost every store in getting their displays and trees up. I've always wanted to ask, what the heck happened to Halloween and Thanksgiving? - [Adriann Harris Wins Free Book Friday!](https://donnaeverhart.com/ruth-anne-brown-and-robin-batterson-win-free-book-friday-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2/) - This week's winner is . . . Adriann Harris! Adriann, you win the advance reader copy of THE MOONSHINER'S DAUGHTER! Congratulations!!! Please PM me on Facebook or email me (deverhart2@nc.rr.com) your address so I can ship it off to you pronto! *************** I still have 12 ARCs of THE MOONSHINER'S DAUGHTER left to give out - [First Sentence Fridays - THE MOONSHINER'S DAUGHTER, FREE BOOK FRIDAY -->ARC -THE MOONSHINER'S DAUGHTER!](https://donnaeverhart.com/first-sentence-fridays-the-moonshiners-daughter-free-book-friday-the-forgiving-kind-4-2-3-2-2-2-2-2-2-2/) - Friday! Friday! Friday! Whew, what a week. Tomorrow I'm heading to Conway, South Carolina for the First Book Annual Fall author luncheon event. I'm really excited about it, and proud to have been invited to speak. Alumni include Mary Alice Monroe, Cassandra King Conroy, and the late, great Cokie Roberts, to name a few. What - [Better Late Than Never! Lori Frazier Wins Free Book Friday!](https://donnaeverhart.com/ruth-anne-brown-and-robin-batterson-win-free-book-friday-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2/) - This week's winner is . . . Lori Frazier!!! Lori, you win the advance reader copy of THE MOONSHINER'S DAUGHTER! Congratulations!!! Please PM me on Facebook or email me (deverhart2@nc.rr.com) your address so I can ship it off to you pronto! *************** I still have (lucky) 13 ARCs of THE MOONSHINER'S DAUGHTER left to give - [First Sentence Fridays - THE MOONSHINER'S DAUGHTER, FREE BOOK FRIDAY -->ARC -THE MOONSHINER'S DAUGHTER!](https://donnaeverhart.com/first-sentence-fridays-the-moonshiners-daughter-free-book-friday-the-forgiving-kind-4-2-3-2-2-2-2-2-2/) - Welcome to Friday! I hope everyone had a great week, and if you're here in the Southeast, I know you had a HOT one. Something like Fall arrives this weekend. Bring it on! Thank you all for continuing to follow along on these First Sentence Friday posts. I enjoy writing them, and I hope you - [Michelle Lewis Wins Free Book Friday!](https://donnaeverhart.com/ruth-anne-brown-and-robin-batterson-win-free-book-friday-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2/) - This week's winner is . . . MICHELLE LEWIS!!! Michelle, you won the advance reader copy of THE MOONSHINER'S DAUGHTER! Congratulations!!! Please PM me on Facebook or email me (deverhart2@nc.rr.com) your address so I can ship it off to you pronto! *************** I still have 14 ARCs of THE MOONSHINER'S DAUGHTER left to give out, - [First Sentence Fridays - THE MOONSHINER'S DAUGHTER, FREE BOOK FRIDAY -->ARC -THE MOONSHINER'S DAUGHTER!](https://donnaeverhart.com/first-sentence-fridays-the-moonshiners-daughter-free-book-friday-the-forgiving-kind-4-2-3-2-2-2-2-2/) - Let's face it. For the foreseeable future, things are going to be like - last week! The good news is, I didn't have a root canal, or a tree taken down, but I did have to wrangle quite a bit with Mom's estate matters. Going to the courthouse is almost like having that root canal. - [Carla Suto Wins Free Book Friday!](https://donnaeverhart.com/ruth-anne-brown-and-robin-batterson-win-free-book-friday-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2/) - This week's winner is . . . CARLA SUTO! Carla, you won the advance reader copy of THE MOONSHINER'S DAUGHTER! Congratulations!!! Please PM me on Facebook or email me (deverhart2@nc.rr.com) your address so I can ship it off to you pronto! *************** I still have 15 ARCs of THE MOONSHINER'S DAUGHTER left to give out, - [First Sentence Fridays - THE MOONSHINER'S DAUGHTER, FREE BOOK FRIDAY --> ARC of THE MOONSHINER'S DAUGHTER!](https://donnaeverhart.com/first-sentence-fridays-the-moonshiners-daughter-free-book-friday-the-forgiving-kind-4-2-3-2-2-2-2/) - It's been a little nuts this week, so I didn't have much time to get my act together for this post. I had a root canal on Monday. I tried to do some writing on Tuesday, (working on my fifth book, y'all!) plus I'm packing up my mother's house for sale. This is a very - [Jane Block Beeman Wins Free Book Friday!](https://donnaeverhart.com/ruth-anne-brown-and-robin-batterson-win-free-book-friday-2-2-2-2-2-2-2/) - This week's winner is . . . JANE BLOCK BEEMAN! You won the advance reader copy of THE MOONSHINER'S DAUGHTER! Congratulations!!! Please PM me on Facebook or email me (deverhart2@nc.rr.com) your address so I can ship it off to you pronto! *************** I still have 16 ARCs of THE MOONSHINER'S DAUGHTER left to give out. - [First Sentence Fridays - THE MOONSHINER'S DAUGHTER, FREE BOOK FRIDAY --> ARC of THE MOONSHINER'S DAUGHTER!](https://donnaeverhart.com/first-sentence-fridays-the-moonshiners-daughter-free-book-friday-the-forgiving-kind-4-2-3-2-2-2/) - Did everyone have a great week? I hope so, but it COULD be a FANTASTIC beginning to next week if you won the ARC, right? Well, this Friday the 13th is good for something! It's time for another chance, but let's do something different. Read on to find out how to win this week. On - [Paige Peyton Wins Free Book Friday!](https://donnaeverhart.com/ruth-anne-brown-and-robin-batterson-win-free-book-friday-2-2-2-2-2-2/) - This week's winner was randomly selected from comments made on Goodreads. Paige Peyton - you won the advance reader copy of THE MOONSHINER'S DAUGHTER! Congratulations!!! Please PM me on Facebook or email me (deverhart2@nc.rr.com) your address so I can ship it off to you pronto! *************** Don't give up - there are still 17 copies - [First Sentence Fridays - THE MOONSHINER'S DAUGHTER, FREE BOOK FRIDAY --> ARC of THE MOONSHINER'S DAUGHTER!](https://donnaeverhart.com/first-sentence-fridays-the-moonshiners-daughter-free-book-friday-the-forgiving-kind-4-2-3-2-2/) - Your enthusiasm for THE MOONSHINER'S DAUGHTER has been GREAT! Thank you all so much for following along, and reading the posts. It's time again to introduce the next chapter, plus have another chance to win an ARC! All you have to do is comment (on this blog, on FB, Goodreads, or Twitter) and share the post - [Kathryn Barbasiewicz Wins Free Book Friday!](https://donnaeverhart.com/ruth-anne-brown-and-robin-batterson-win-free-book-friday-2-2-2-2-2/) - Kathryn Barbasiewicz - you won the advance reader copy of THE MOONSHINER'S DAUGHTER! Congratulations!!! Please PM me on Facebook or email me (deverhart2@nc.rr.com) your address so I can ship it off to you pronto! *************** Don't give up - there are still 18 copies left to win! The next ARC of THE MOONSHINER'S DAUGHTER is - [First Sentence Fridays - THE MOONSHINER'S DAUGHTER, FREE BOOK FRIDAY --> ARC of THE MOONSHINER'S DAUGHTER!](https://donnaeverhart.com/first-sentence-fridays-the-moonshiners-daughter-free-book-friday-the-forgiving-kind-4-2-3-2/) - I mentioned out on Facebook I have enough Advance Reader Copies (ARCs) of THE MOONSHINER'S DAUGHTER to give out as a Free Book until the official release December 31st! How to have a chance to win one of ARCs? Comment and share my post with your avid reader friends! :) That's it! If you win - [Melissa Sullivan Wins Free Book Friday!](https://donnaeverhart.com/ruth-anne-brown-and-robin-batterson-win-free-book-friday-2-2-2-2/) - Melissa Sullivan - you won the advance reader copy of THE MOONSHINER'S DAUGHTER! Congratulations!!! Please PM me on Facebook or email me (deverhart2@nc.rr.com) your address so I can ship it off to you pronto! *************** What's the Free Book for this upcoming Friday's First Sentence post, August 30th? Another ARC of THE MOONSHINER'S DAUGHTER! Don’t - [First Sentence Fridays - THE MOONSHINER'S DAUGHTER, FREE BOOK FRIDAY --> ARC of THE MOONSHINER'S DAUGHTER!](https://donnaeverhart.com/first-sentence-fridays-the-moonshiners-daughter-free-book-friday-the-forgiving-kind-4-2-3/) - This week the FREE BOOK is an advance reader copy (ARC) of THE MOONSHINER'S DAUGHTER. Do I hear cheering??? How to win the ARC? Comment and share my post with your avid reader friends! :) That's it! If you win the book this week, don't forget to leave a review! Also, I would love to - [Verna Gass Wins Free Book Friday!](https://donnaeverhart.com/ruth-anne-brown-and-robin-batterson-win-free-book-friday-2-2-2/) - Verna - you won the the audio CD of THE FORGIVING KIND! Congratulations on winning Free Book Friday! Please PM or email me (deverhart2@nc.rr.com) your address so the CD set can be shipped off to you pronto! *************** Next week, I'm giving away an Advance Reader Copy of THE MOONSHINER'S DAUGHTER! Don’t forget to - [First Sentence Fridays - THE MOONSHINER'S DAUGHTER, FREE BOOK FRIDAY --> THE FORGIVING KIND Audio CD!](https://donnaeverhart.com/first-sentence-fridays-the-moonshiners-daughter-free-book-friday-the-forgiving-kind-4-2-2/) - This week the FREE BOOK is the audio CD of THE FORGIVING KIND! You can read the flap copy here. How to win - Comment and share my post with your avid reader friends! If you win the book this week, don't forget to leave a review! Also, I would love to see the winners post pics! - [Debbi Hicks Wins Free Book Friday!](https://donnaeverhart.com/ruth-anne-brown-and-robin-batterson-win-free-book-friday-2-2/) - DEBBI - you won the hard cover, large print edition, personalized copy of THE FORGIVING KIND! Congratulations on winning Free Book Friday! Please PM or email me (deverhart2@nc.rr.com) your address so the book can be shipped off to you pronto! Now to the questions about Southern fiction, which were, have you ever thought why we - [First Sentence Fridays - THE MOONSHINER'S DAUGHTER, FREE BOOK FRIDAY --> THE FORGIVING KIND!](https://donnaeverhart.com/first-sentence-fridays-the-moonshiners-daughter-free-book-friday-the-forgiving-kind-4-2/) - This week the FREE BOOK is a beautiful, large print edition, hard cover of THE FORGIVING KIND! You can read the flap copy here. How to win? Comment on these questions. Have you ever thought, why do we have Southern fiction, but not Northern fiction, or Mid-west fiction, etc.? Why do you think it's in - [Tina Hottinger Wins Free Book Friday!](https://donnaeverhart.com/ruth-anne-brown-and-robin-batterson-win-free-book-friday-2/) - Tina Hottinger - you won a personalized copy of THE FORGIVING KIND! Congratulations on winning Free Book Friday! Please PM or email me (deverhart2@nc.rr.com) your address so the book can be shipped off to you pronto! *************** Don’t forget to pre-order your copy of THE MOONSHINER’S DAUGHTER here, and be included in the sweepstakes to win a ***leather - [First Sentence Fridays - THE MOONSHINER'S DAUGHTER, FREE BOOK FRIDAY --> THE FORGIVING KIND!](https://donnaeverhart.com/first-sentence-fridays-the-moonshiners-daughter-free-book-friday-the-forgiving-kind-4/) - Here we are again, another Friday is upon us with another FREE BOOK to give out! Again this week, you have a chance to win a personalized copy of THE FORGIVING KIND! (be sure to read the details below - I'm changing up how to win this week) You can read the flap copy here. - [REBECCA BOOTH Wins Free Book Friday -->THE FORGIVING KIND!](https://donnaeverhart.com/rebecca-booth-wins-free-book-friday-the-forgiving-kind/) - REBECCA BOOTH - you won a personalized copy of THE FORGIVING KIND! Congratulations on winning Free Book Friday! *************** Don’t forget to pre-order your copy of THE MOONSHINER’S DAUGHTER here, and be included in the sweepstakes to win a ***leather -bound journal like the Sassers use! Also, if you haven’t done so already, don’t forget to add THE - [First Sentence Fridays - THE MOONSHINER'S DAUGHTER! Free Book Friday -->THE FORGIVING KIND!](https://donnaeverhart.com/14891/) - I hope all of you are having the summer you want! Vacations at the beach, mountains, or even a staycation. (sometimes the best) I'm just glad that heat wave is over with! Whew. This week's free book is THE FORGIVING KIND. In order for a chance to win, all you have to do is comment - [Ruth Anne Brown and Robin Batterson Win Free Book Friday!](https://donnaeverhart.com/ruth-anne-brown-and-robin-batterson-win-free-book-friday/) - Congratulations on winning Free Book Friday! Ruth Anne Brown- you won a personalized copy of THE FORGIVING KIND! Robin Batterson - you won a personalized copy of THE MOONSHINER'S DAUGHTER! Please PM or email me (deverhart2@nc.rr.com) your addresses so the books can be shipped off to you pronto! *************** Don’t forget to pre-order your copy of THE - [Alicia Haney and Angie Gupton Middleton Win Free Book Friday!](https://donnaeverhart.com/alicia-haney-and-angie-gupton-middleton-win-free-book-friday/) - Congratulations on winning Free Book Friday! Alicia - you won a hard cover, personalized copy of FORGIVENESS ROAD by Mandy Mikulencak! Angie - you won a personalized copy of THE FORGIVING KIND by yours truly! Please PM or email me (deverhart2@nc.rr.com) your addresses so the books can be shipped off to you pronto! See y'all - [First Sentence Fridays - THE MOONSHINER'S DAUGHTER! TWO Free Books Friday -->THE FORGIVING KIND and . . . ?](https://donnaeverhart.com/first-sentence-fridays-the-moonshiners-daughter-free-book-friday-the-forgiving-kind-3/) - Hello everyone! We're clipping right along with our sentences, and we're already almost one third of the way through THE MOONSHINER'S DAUGHTER. Are you intrigued with the story yet? I hope so! This week, win personalized copies of THE FORGIVING KIND and a SURPRISE BOOK (!!!) by commenting and sharing my posts! *** HINT: You - [First Sentence Fridays - THE MOONSHINER'S DAUGHTER! TWO Free Books Friday!](https://donnaeverhart.com/first-sentence-fridays-the-moonshiners-daughter-free-book-friday-the-forgiving-kind-2/) - Hello everyone! Guess what? This week there will be two books you have a chance of winning. One is a personalized copy of THE FORGIVING KIND! You can read the flap copy here. * The second book is by my fellow author at Kensington, Mandy Mikulencak. It's called FORGIVENESS ROAD, and you can read what - [Stella McKissack Wins Free Book Friday - THE FORGIVING KIND](https://donnaeverhart.com/stella-mckissack-wins-free-book-friday-the-forgiving-kind/) - Congratulations Stella McKissack! You've won a personalized copy of THE FORGIVING KIND! Please PM me your address, or email me at deverhart2@nc.rr.com so I can send you your book. Next week there will be two books to win, another copy of THE FORGIVING KIND and a book by another author. See y'all then! Don't forget - [First Sentence Fridays - THE MOONSHINER'S DAUGHTER! Free Book Friday -->THE FORGIVING KIND!](https://donnaeverhart.com/first-sentence-fridays-the-moonshiners-daughter-free-book-friday-the-forgiving-kind/) - By my calculations, we are finally caught up! From this point on, we're back to the "normal" routine of one sentence a week. How about a book trailer ? Kensington, my publisher, has this up on my page on their site, but I'm not sure who has seen it yet. I love book trailers. I - [Jeanne Kennedy Wins Free Book Friday - THE FORGIVING KIND!](https://donnaeverhart.com/jeanne-kennedy-win-free-book-friday-the-forgiving-kind/) - Jeanne Kennedy is the winner this week of a personalized copy of THE FORGIVING KIND! Next Friday I'll share out a book trailer for THE MOONSHINER'S DAUGHTER. See y'all then! Don't forget to pre-order your copy of THE MOONSHINER'S DAUGHTER here! If you haven't done so already, don't forget to add THE MOONSHINER'S DAUGHTER to - [First Sentence Fridays - THE MOONSHINER'S DAUGHTER! FREE BOOK -->THE FORGIVING KIND!](https://donnaeverhart.com/first-sentence-fridays-the-moonshiners-daughter-and-free-book-the-forgiving-kind/) - Hello everyone! I hope your summer is going just like you want! We are into the typical southern weather pattern here, hot, hazy, and humid. The cicadas have started singing, and I saw some lightning bugs the other night under my magnolia tree. I was looking at my inventory upstairs and for the foreseeable future, - [Free Book Friday WINNER!](https://donnaeverhart.com/free-book-friday-winner/) - Tracy Wirick, you're the winner! Please PM me on Facebook, or email me at deverhart2@nc.rr.com with your address so I can get it in the mail to you! Congratulations! - [First Sentence Fridays - THE MOONSHINER'S DAUGHTER! Free Book --> THE ROAD TO BITTERSWEET!](https://donnaeverhart.com/first-sentence-fridays-the-moonshiners-daughter-free-book-the-road-to-bittersweet/) - Hello everyone! It's the third week of First Sentences, and I feel it's necessary to make a clarification. The books I'm giving away are not THE MOONSHINER'S DAUGHTER. The book doesn't exist yet - not technically. It won't be long though, as I'm currently working on page proofs! This week's giveaway is THE ROAD TO - [First Sentence Friday - THE MOONSHINER'S DAUGHTER - and a surprise!](https://donnaeverhart.com/first-sentence-friday-the-moonshiners-daughter-and-free-book-friday-2/) - Hello everyone! I will share two sentences today, from Chapters 3 and 4. We will be all caught up after June 28th. Also, be sure to read through to the end of the post for the surprise! *************** Throughout my childhood, the word "finicky," was often used. When I would sit down with my family - [First Sentence Friday - THE MOONSHINER'S DAUGHTER and Free Book Friday!](https://donnaeverhart.com/first-sentence-friday-the-moonshiners-daughter-and-free-book-friday/) - Why not start off with a bang, right? Yes, I will select a winner for a copy of THE FORGIVING KIND on Monday! In my announcement post yesterday, I mentioned all you have to do is comment (reply) here, or on my social media sites and share the posts as well. That's it, you could - [It's Time! THE MOONSHINER'S DAUGHTER First Sentence Fridays and Free Books!](https://donnaeverhart.com/its-time-the-moonshiners-daughter-first-sentence-fridays-and-free-books/) - Can you believe it??? The time has come once again to gear up and introduce readers to my next book, THE MOONSHINER'S DAUGHTER, set to release on December 31, 2019! Wow, it's already June, and I'm actually behind on this! I think the same thing happened last year, where I had to show you two - [The #MeToo Movement and THE EDUCATION OF DIXIE DUPREE](https://donnaeverhart.com/the-metoo-movement-and-the-education-of-dixie-dupree/) - The news has been filled with stories of sexual abuse, and it seems every day there's a new accusation. Having written THE EDUCATION OF DIXIE DUPREE, it only seems fitting I should say something. Actually, I feel compelled to speak out about it. Here are some eye opening statistics, but, what makes them even more - [Pssst! Take a Sneak Peek/First Look at the Cover for My Next Novel!](https://donnaeverhart.com/first-look-cover-reveal-for-my-next-novel/) - I am excited to share with all of you this first look/cover reveal of my next novel, THE MOONSHINER'S DAUGHTER. Even though it might seem early since THE FORGIVING KIND just launched on January 29th, there is no better time to engage readers in what's coming next. Besides, if the rest of this year goes - [TOMORROW'S BREAD by Anna Jean Mayhew](https://donnaeverhart.com/tomorrows-bread-by-anna-jean-mayhew/) - UPDATED: Donamae Clausen Kutska has won signed copy! (notified via Facebook too) Thank you to all who commented. More giveaways to come! Stay tuned! Last night I went to Quail Ridge Books for the launch of Anna Jean Mayhew's second book, TOMORROW'S BREAD. She was funny, witty, thoroughly on her game. Little did I know back - [Foxtale Book Shoppe](https://donnaeverhart.com/foxtale-book-shoppe/) - Yesterday I was in Woodstock GA where I visited the lovely Foxtale Book Shoppe. (click on each picture to see it full scale.) - [Song for THE FORGIVING KIND](https://donnaeverhart.com/song-for-the-forgiving-kind/) - I am excited to share the Trio 2019 song created for THE FORGIVING KIND, written and sung by Bruce Greenwood! There is still artwork to come with my trio grouping, which will be provided by Jason Harpe, who is not only known for his historic preservation efforts, but his leather work. I can't wait to see what - [Events!](https://donnaeverhart.com/events-2/) - Since my last post almost a month ago (!) when I concluded the First Sentence Fridays, I've already been from the mountains to the Piedmont and down into South Carolina just yesterday. It was after I got home, I calculated I'd logged over a thousand miles of driving since February 5th, my official book launch - [First Photo in the "Wild"](https://donnaeverhart.com/first-photo-in-the-wild/) - The "official" first photo of THE FORGIVING KIND in the "wild!" Send me your photo wherever you spot my latest, and I'll post it out. I love seeing readers with my books! Email: deverhart2@nc.rr.com Facebook Twitter Instagram Aaaand, a couple potential readers! - [First Sentence Fridays Finale! Chapter 34](https://donnaeverhart.com/first-sentence-fridays-finale-chapter-34/) - This is it! The First Sentence Fridays Finale for THE FORGIVING KIND! This upcoming Tuesday, January 29th, the book will be released, and if you've pre-ordered, e-books will be available immediately and trade paperbacks will either ship that day or arrive very shortly. Hey, take a picture of your copy and send it to me - [First Sentence Fridays - Chapter 18](https://donnaeverhart.com/first-sentence-fridays-chapter-18/) - I remember getting a present one year through the mail. It came after we'd left Michigan to come back home to North Carolina when my Dad decided being threatened with a beating when he unknowingly broke a picket line at the Detroit plant where he worked wasn't exactly his glass of sweet tea. The year - [First Sentence Fridays - Chapter 33](https://donnaeverhart.com/first-sentence-fridays-chapter-33/) - As we close in on the release date of THE FORGIVING KIND, I'm astounded at how time has zipped along over these last months. It's hard to believe there's only one more chapter to go after this one, and the book will be available to all. I'm a little anxious, a little excited, a little - [First Sentence Fridays - Chapter 32](https://donnaeverhart.com/first-sentence-fridays-chapter-32/) - There are tons of quotes about death, and one of the most well known is, "in this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes." ~William Shakespeare A variation of this line was used towards the end of one of my favorite movies, Meet Joe Black. Anthony Hopkins, Claire Forlani, and Brad Pitt - [Book Trailer - THE FORGIVING KIND](https://donnaeverhart.com/book-trailer-the-forgiving-kind/) - "This is a story of family, friendship, prejudice and resilience and the details in this novel, will have you cheering for Sonny and her family, and holding your breath at times as you turn the pages!" ~Laurie P., Reviewer "The character development was absolutely fabulous, and the story was compelling. Highly recommended reading!" ~Franny B., - [First Sentence Fridays - Chapter 31](https://donnaeverhart.com/first-sentence-fridays-chapter-31/) - I don't like to use the word hate, but in this case it applies. I hate arguing. If I'm having a disagreement with someone, all I want to do is "fix" whatever has gone wrong. I want whatever caused the problem to go away. I wish for a rewind, a reset, and if things aren't - [Happy New Year! (and Hoppin' John)](https://donnaeverhart.com/happy-new-year-and-hoppin-john/) - I quit ringing in the New Year a long time ago. I honestly can't recall the last time I was up to see the ball drop in Times Square, or to even watch the acorn drop in downtown Raleigh. This year I went to bed at nine p.m., nursing a head cold, or something I've - [First Sentence Fridays - Chapter 30](https://donnaeverhart.com/first-sentence-fridays-chapter-30/) - Did you know there are 171,476 words in use in the English language with 47,156 that are obsolete? (Source, Oxford Dictionaries) Neither did I. Here comes a small reason I sometimes say writing is a hair pulling exercise. I'm sure I'm not the only one who dwells on various word choices when it comes to - [First Sentence Fridays - Chapter 29](https://donnaeverhart.com/first-sentence-fridays-chapter-29/) - “Reminiscent of the novels of Lee Smith, Kaye Gibbons, and Sandra Dallas, Everhart builds a firm sense of place, portraying the tiredness and hope of a dry southern summer and voicing strong southern women.” Booklist on THE FORGIVING KIND I was in the kitchen baking cookies last week when my little dog shot out of his - [Welcome to a New Look!](https://donnaeverhart.com/welcome-to-a-new-look-2/) - For some time now, work has been going on behind the scenes to improve the speed and overall look here at www.donnaeverhart.com. Much of the information is the same, but you should notice much faster response times when you click on various buttons or menus, and of course, the Home Page is the biggest change, - [First Sentence Fridays - Chapter 28](https://donnaeverhart.com/first-sentence-fridays-chapter-28/) - “Reminiscent of the novels of Lee Smith, Kaye Gibbons, and Sandra Dallas, Everhart builds a firm sense of place, portraying the tiredness and hope of a dry southern summer and voicing strong southern women.” Booklist on THE FORGIVING KIND *** Do you know whether or not you're going to like a person within the first few - [First Sentence Fridays - Chapter 27](https://donnaeverhart.com/first-sentence-fridays-chapter-27/) - "Reminiscent of the novels of Lee Smith, Kaye Gibbons, and Sandra Dallas, Everhart builds a firm sense of place, portraying the tiredness and hope of a dry southern summer and voicing strong southern women." Booklist on THE FORGIVING KIND *** I remember sixth grade, of being keenly aware what others thought about what I wore, - [First Sentence Fridays - Chapter 26](https://donnaeverhart.com/first-sentence-fridays-chapter-26/) - What sort circumstances would make you unable to eat? What would affect you to the point of feeling physically ill at the idea of it? For me, losing "the girls," Bella and Kiwi was one of those times. They both developed Stage IV kidney disease and we had to make that tough decision for the - [First Sentence Fridays - Chapter 25](https://donnaeverhart.com/first-sentence-fridays-chapter-25/) - A couple of days before Thanksgiving, I began preparations for our holiday dinner with family. With approximately fifteen people showing up, it takes a lot of planning/coordination, so I try and start early as I can. There is so much to be thankful for this year with regard to the state of my own health, yet, - [First Sentence Fridays - Chapter 24](https://donnaeverhart.com/first-sentence-fridays-chapter-24/) - Okay. This is going to get a little personal as I'm about to share with all of you about a relationship gone wrong with someone a long time ago - how fun, right? I was a single mom, hard working, with little if any time for a social life. I had a friend at work - [First Sentence Fridays - Chapter 22 and 23](https://donnaeverhart.com/first-sentence-fridays-chapter-22-and-23/) - I have to admit, writing the "bad" characters in my stories are sometimes the easiest, which sort of begs the question about "write what you know," meaning do I know a lot of bad people? No, not at all. I try and surround myself with only good, kind and generous souls. I have spent time - [First Sentence Friday Chapter 22 Postponed Till Next Week!](https://donnaeverhart.com/first-sentence-friday-chapter-22-postponed-till-next-week/) - Sometimes you have so many irons in the fire, you just can't get it all together. Thursdays are usually the days I write up and edit my post for my First Sentence Fridays - but today? I couldn't make it happen. I have an unexpected deliverable, and found myself swallowed up by it for most - [First Sentence Fridays - Chapter 21](https://donnaeverhart.com/first-sentence-fridays-chapter-21/) - My grandmother left my grandfather once. The details were sketchy as to what happened between them because the adults only whispered about it. It was a curiosity to me, these adult matters. Even mundane daily events. For instance, I loved to listen to my mom and aunt when they got on the phone. Mom would "I - [First Sentence Fridays - Chapter 20](https://donnaeverhart.com/first-sentence-fridays-chapter-20/) - Uh oh. A little late this morning! (I got my days mixed up.) My family did not farm, and the only land owned was what our houses were built on. My grandmother did have a garden she enjoyed, not too big, and so did other family members here and there. That was the extent of - [First Sentence Fridays - Chapter 17](https://donnaeverhart.com/first-sentence-fridays-chapter-17/) - The book has thirty- four chapters, so officially we're at the half way point with this week's post, and that's hard for me to imagine, but here we are! This week I was going to talk some more about the antagonist, Frank Fowler. Between his character, and that of Uncle Ray in THE EDUCATION OF - [First Sentence Fridays - Chapter 19](https://donnaeverhart.com/first-sentence-fridays-chapter-19/) - A child has an innate sense of fairness as early as - get this - nineteen months. I remember a family my parents rented a house to, and they had a little boy who was younger than me by a year or so. I was about seven, so that put him around five, maybe six. - [First Sentence Fridays - Chapter 16](https://donnaeverhart.com/first-sentence-fridays-chapter-16/) - Did you have a favorite aunt growing up? Aunt Marie, the wife of one of my Dad's younger brothers was like a second mother to me and brother and we called her Aunt "Ree." She lived about two miles down the road from our house and I would sleep over at least once or twice - [First Sentence Fridays - Chapter 15](https://donnaeverhart.com/first-sentence-fridays-chapter-15/) - We have spent the last four days preparing for hurricane Florence and we've done all we can. The forecast has been all over the place, which makes decision making hard. I canceled my SIBA trip, and while I know I made the right choice, I'm pretty disappointed. The words used to describe Florence and the - [First Sentence Fridays - Chapter 14](https://donnaeverhart.com/first-sentence-fridays-chapter-14/) - I've read articles recently about older parents downsizing and how their children don't want their stuff. It's true, and I've experienced this first hand when I helped my mom move here to my little hometown. She'd been living in my childhood home, the place my dad built, and where we grew up, for sixty years. - [First Sentence Fridays - Chapter 13](https://donnaeverhart.com/first-sentence-fridays-chapter-13/) - Recently at a book event I was asked (and it's not the first time) if there is some part of me in each of the main characters I write about. Yes, I think this is the case for all writers. Maybe this is a bit of that "write what you know," that gets tossed around - [First Sentence Fridays - Chapter 12](https://donnaeverhart.com/first-sentence-fridays-chapter-12/) - I want to talk about my narrator in THE FORGIVING KIND, Sonny Creech and her brothers, Ross and Trent. Like her daddy, Sonny loves their cotton farm, all three hundred acres of it. Despite the fact she spends hours doing hot, difficult and unrelenting work, it's the land she connects with, from the soil beneath - [First Sentence Fridays - Chapter 11](https://donnaeverhart.com/first-sentence-fridays-chapter-11/) - I don't remember much about the heat, or the storms we used to have when I was growing up. Well, there was one incident when my brother and I were picking blackberries from a patch close to our house, and an unexpected clap of thunder sent both of us running for cover, dropping the pail - [First Sentence Fridays - Chapter 10](https://donnaeverhart.com/first-sentence-fridays-chapter-10/) - When I was going to school, the end of the year would send me daydreaming about the freedom of summer vacation coming up. I have to be honest, I was a mediocre student, only going to school and getting through the days because it was expected. I remember getting straight As once - in seventh - [First Sentence Fridays - Chapter 9](https://donnaeverhart.com/first-sentence-fridays-chapter-9/) - I grew up surrounded by mechanics. The men in my family worked on cars, trucks, tractors, lawn mowers, you name it, if it had a motor and it needed fixing, they were on it. Their heads were always stuck up under the hood, or they were on their backs with only their feet showing out - [First Sentence Fridays - Chapter 8](https://donnaeverhart.com/first-sentence-fridays-chapter-8/) - One definition of intuition says this, "a thing that one knows or considers likely from instinctive feeling rather than conscious reasoning." I've been a runner for a long time. Thirty years actually, which means lots of time pounding the pavement in different places depending on what was going on in my life. When I was - [First Sentence Friday - Chapter 7](https://donnaeverhart.com/first-sentence-friday-chapter-7/) - After the death of my dad in March 2015, Mom, who'd always happily declared her independence and ability to do for herself time and again, suddenly seemed to have lost her confidence. Little did I know how much she'd actually depended on him. I learned she was afraid of thunderstorms, didn't know how to fill - [First Sentence Friday - Chapter 6](https://donnaeverhart.com/first-sentence-friday-chapter-6/) - When you were growing up, was there someone who, for reasons you couldn't pinpoint, made you uncomfortable, said things you didn't agree with, or possibly even acted different depending on who was around? I knew a few people like that, and to this day, I remember them. I recognized the rightness or wrongness of their - [First Sentence Friday - Chapter 5](https://donnaeverhart.com/first-sentence-friday-chapter-5/) - THE FORGIVING KIND is set in 1955, when the United States was settling into a post-war era, and consumers were starting to spend money. While researching for the story, I read "consumerism took off." I suppose after The Great Depression, two world wars, and the Korean war, America was ready to spend. In 1955, the - [First Sentence Friday - Chapter 4](https://donnaeverhart.com/first-sentence-friday-chapter-4/) - When I was doing the event hosted by Main Street Books the other day, a reader told me how one small bit of incorrect information in a story she'd read some time ago had really bothered her. (not in one of my books - phew!) It was a simple mistake, and one that could've been easily - [First Sentence Friday - Chapter 3 and COVER REVEAL!](https://donnaeverhart.com/first-sentence-friday-chapter-3-and-cover-reveal/) - This week, along with the Chapter 3 post, I have revealed the cover for THE FORGIVING KIND. I was going to wait a little longer until I discovered that it was already out on the web in a few spots. Many of you know, an author seeing a book cover for the first time ranks - [First Sentence Fridays - Chapter 2](https://donnaeverhart.com/first-sentence-fridays-chapter-2/) - I've had various incidents in my life that can't be explained. On a trip to Maine one summer, my family was traveling along the Massachusetts Turnpike when all of us distinctly heard a voice say, "Pull over." It filled the car - I can still hear it to this day. We did not have the - [Here We Go - First Sentence Fridays! Chapter 1](https://donnaeverhart.com/here-we-go-first-sentence-fridays-launch-chapter-1/) - Hello all! Welcome back to First Sentence Fridays! I'm excited I'm doing this again for the third book, THE FORGIVING KIND. In case you missed it, last week I explained if it seems like we're getting started early, that's because: The book has more chapters, thirty-four in all (the others had twenty-eight) January 29, 2019 is - [Review of TREEBORNE, by Caleb Johnson](https://donnaeverhart.com/review-of-treeborne-by-caleb-johnson/) - I read and review for the New York Journal of Books. Recently I requested TREEBORNE by Caleb Johnson. It released today, and in conjunction with that, here is a link to my review. - [Gearing Up for . . . First Sentence Fridays!](https://donnaeverhart.com/gearing-up-for-first-sentence-fridays/) - Yes, it's true! First Sentence Fridays start for my third book, THE FORGIVING KIND on June 8th - that's only one week away! If this seems early, it is to some degree. First of all, the book is bigger than my first two, with thirty-four chapters instead of twenty-eight. That means I've got to get - [Words of Wisdom You Thought You'd Never Say](https://donnaeverhart.com/words-of-wisdom-you-thought-youd-never-say-2/) - I have loved reading all the Mother's Day tributes out on social media. A common trend this year is talking about what you may have learned from your mom. There were many posts with words of wisdom passed along, but for me, most of what Mom advised didn't resonate until they came true. Sayings like: - [The Pretty One, by Pam Tillis, Song for THE ROAD TO BITTERSWEET, Trio 2018](https://donnaeverhart.com/the-pretty-one/) - Pam Tillis is the singer/songwriter for THE ROAD TO BITTERSWEET, one of the many talented authors, artists and singer/songwriters who are part of the Trio 2018 season. She read my book, and then wrote this song to go with it. Needless to say, my heart is overwhelmed by her talent, artistry and generosity. She took - [Book Talk Memphis!](https://donnaeverhart.com/book-talk-memphis/) - Back in February when I was in Mississippi to do a book event at Square Books, I also had the privilege of going back to Memphis, Tennessee and to the studios of Book Talk Memphis. There I participated in an interview about THE ROAD TO BITTERSWEET. This was my second visit, almost a year to - [How My Trio Exhibit Art Was Created](https://donnaeverhart.com/how-my-trio-exhibit-art-was-created/) - To say I fell in love with the artwork produced for THE ROAD TO BITTERSWEET's Trio 2018 exhibit doesn't really describe all I felt when I first set eyes on this piece. Cyndi Hoelzle is the artist and she was kind enough to share the process with me. Quite honestly, after seeing the finished product, and - [Events!](https://donnaeverhart.com/events/) - I've certainly had my share of fun going to my book events, but you know the old saying, a picture is worth a thousand words. Since I've written about that many on my new book today, I thought I'd share some event photos instead of writing about what has actually turned into one of my - [Meet Estelle!](https://donnaeverhart.com/meet-estelle/) - Once a writer succeeds in becoming published, there are many milestones which are part of the process of getting a book onto bookshelves. I have absolutely reveled in every step, from creating Readers Guide questions, to writing acknowledgements and thinking about dedications, to working on revisions and copy edits, and yes, it's supposed to be - [The Road To Bittersweet, A First Pick for The Southern Lady Book Club](https://donnaeverhart.com/the-road-to-bittersweet-a-first-pick-for-the-southern-lady-book-club/) - Hello all! I wanted to share with you THE ROAD TO BITTERSWEET has been selected as the first pick of the Southern Lady Book Club, which will launch in the March/April print issue! This is what they had to say about THE ROAD TO BITTERSWEET: “The Southern Lady editor would like to go with The - [First Sentence Friday! Chapter Twenty Seven](https://donnaeverhart.com/first-sentence-friday-chapter-twenty-seven/) - Next week is the last First Sentence Friday for THE ROAD TO BITTERSWEET! Wallis Ann is strong and sturdy, a true survivalist in every sense of the word. I believe she would have given anyone on Survivor, or Naked and Afraid a run for their money. She and her hard-working, never idle family are as - [First Sentence Friday! CHAPTER TWENTY SIX](https://donnaeverhart.com/first-sentence-friday-chapter-twenty-six/) - As I'm writing stories of hardship and deprivation like this one, the desire to keep everything as realistic as possible is what weighs on my mind. I don't want to overdo it, yet I certainly love to push characters to the limit. The Stampers, and particularly Wallis Ann, have been through some extraordinary difficult times - [First Sentence Friday Finale! Chapter Twenty Eight](https://donnaeverhart.com/first-sentence-friday-finale-chapter-twenty-eight/) - This is it, the final sentence of THE ROAD TO BITTERSWEET! I've truly enjoyed doing this again for the second year in a row. I appreciate all of you reading along, and hope I've given you enough of the story such that you want to read it! The book releases only four days from today. - [First Sentence Friday! CHAPTER TWENTY FIVE](https://donnaeverhart.com/first-sentence-friday-chapter-twenty-five/) - This week is one of the challenges in doing First Sentence Friday. When I came to Chapter Twenty Five and saw this week's sentence, it looked (IMO) like it just sort of flopped itself out there. I thought about maybe cheating a little, and sharing what follows, as in yes, giving you the second sentence, - [First Sentence Friday! CHAPTER TWENTY FOUR](https://donnaeverhart.com/first-sentence-friday-chapter-twenty-four/) - I talked about first love in an earlier First Sentence Friday post. This particular part of the story isn't a sweet rendering of that one and only special first for Wallis Ann. It's more like a reckoning, a big realization perhaps all is not as it seems. However, like any young girl whose heart is - [First Sentence Friday! CHAPTER TWENTY THREE](https://donnaeverhart.com/first-sentence-friday-chapter-twenty-three/) - Living in North Carolina, we get to enjoy the four seasons. Sure we joke about being in flip flops one day, then wearing long johns and winter coats the next, but for the most part, the weather marches to the tune of Mother Nature, and our springs, summers, falls and winters are what you'd expect. - [First Sentence Friday! CHAPTER TWENTY TWO](https://donnaeverhart.com/first-sentence-friday-chapter-twenty-two/) - Wallis Ann has always watched over her older sister Laci, who is mute, yet musically gifted. In today's terms she would be classified as autistic. Back in those days, the term idiot savant was used, which did not set well at all with Momma Stamper. There is also a term known as "savant syndrome," and - [First Sentence Friday! CHAPTER TWENTY ONE](https://donnaeverhart.com/first-sentence-friday-chapter-twenty-one/) - By nature, I am a creature of habit. I go to bed about the same time every night, and get up about the same time every morning. Consider this; I have cleaned my house every Thursday for decades - no matter what - yes, even when I've been sick. There are a myriad of other - [First Sentence Friday! CHAPTER TWENTY](https://donnaeverhart.com/first-sentence-friday-chapter-twenty/) - First love. Do you remember yours? I remember mine. He was a junior in high school. I was a sophomore. He was part of the "cool" crowd, not the popular football, cheerleader, member of various different clubs sort of crowd, but still very well liked and "in." This was back in the day of Grateful - [First Sentence Friday! CHAPTER EIGHTEEN](https://donnaeverhart.com/first-sentence-friday-chapter-eighteen/) - Because parts in this story deal with a traveling show, I had to do some research to understand their way of life and in doing so, I ran across a few phrases I thought lended an air of authenticity. One was "forty miler." This meant a person or persons who wouldn't make it more than - [First Sentence Friday! CHAPTER SEVENTEEN](https://donnaeverhart.com/first-sentence-friday-chapter-seventeen/) - How many times have you ever had something bothering you and someone says, "What's the matter, you look worried." I'm no poker faced poker player, let me tell you. Lying was not my forte growing up. My mother was able to draw a confession right of my mouth even when I knew it would get - [First Sentence Friday! CHAPTER NINETEEN](https://donnaeverhart.com/first-sentence-friday-chapter-nineteen/) - When writing a story about suffering, hardship and deprivation, there needs to be a balance of good with bad, or readers will be slap worn out (and as the writer, so would I) if it was all negative, with nothing good happening. I love, love, love stories where characters are thoroughly challenged, where they go - [First Sentence Friday! CHAPTER SIXTEEN](https://donnaeverhart.com/first-sentence-friday-chapter-sixteen/) - It has been a bit bizarre to me, the circumstances for the weather this fall and the timing of my latest book, with its share of weather related suffering. Evacuate is more or less what the Stampers had to do. Then what? Last week they were floating like dandelion pods, and since I don't tend - [First Sentence Friday! CHAPTER FIFTEEN](https://donnaeverhart.com/first-sentence-friday-chapter-fifteen/) - When I was about seven, an uncle of mine who lived in Michigan talked about jobs my dad could have given his experience as a mechanic. He said he'd be snatched up by any one of the big three automakers up there. According to this uncle, his pay would double, maybe even triple! My father - [First Sentence Friday! CHAPTER FOURTEEN](https://donnaeverhart.com/first-sentence-friday-chapter-fourteen/) - Unbelievably, we are at the half-way point for the First Sentence Friday for THE ROAD TO BITTERSWEET! When crafting stories, writers are told to use all their senses. This is a part of writing I enjoy because it's always interesting and fun (and challenging!) to try and think of unique ways to describe what my - [First Sentence Friday! CHAPTER THIRTEEN](https://donnaeverhart.com/first-sentence-friday-chapter-thirteen/) - The Stampers have dealt with flooding, the destruction of their home, and find themselves in a real struggle for survival with very little. Now there's about to be another change in the weather, which brought to mind Hurricane Sandy in the northeast in late October, 2012. What made it really tough for them was the - [First Sentence Friday! CHAPTER TWELVE](https://donnaeverhart.com/first-sentence-friday-chapter-twelve/) - As Texas and Louisiana (where I will be in two weeks!) sort out and prioritize recovery efforts from the hateful, horrendous Hurricane Harvey, I have watched the humanitarian efforts with awe. Everyday heroes risking their own lives to save others. Peace and love to them and all the affected residents of those states. ***** My - [First Sentence Friday! CHAPTER ELEVEN](https://donnaeverhart.com/first-sentence-friday-chapter-eleven/) - I've never owned a horse, but I've got friends who have them, and therefore, I've ridden a few. Here are a couple little stories about my experiences on horseback - which really have nothing to do with BITTERSWEET except for using the experience when writing about how it feels to have your legs draped down - [First Sentence Fridays! CHAPTER NINE](https://donnaeverhart.com/first-sentence-fridays-chapter-nine/) - I've watched commercials on TV where they show one of those nice bathtubs you can step in, shut a door, and let it fill up, targeted towards the elderly, or perhaps individuals who have difficulty lifting their legs, or with balance issues, etc. One particular ads touts how quickly the water drains - in less - [First Sentence Fridays! CHAPTER TEN](https://donnaeverhart.com/first-sentence-fridays-chapter-ten/) - While writing this book, I had to dig deep to try and picture living in a situation where you have access to...not much. Food for instance. In the Stamper's situation, other than what they could grow, hunt, and kill or scavenge, this was the only way to eat. I don't know about you, but when - [First Sentence Friday! Chapter Eight](https://donnaeverhart.com/first-sentence-friday-chapter-eight/) - As kids, my brother and I always hated when our parents argued. We'd want it to end quickly and without any long term sense of discord in the house. My Dad was soft spoken, and I rarely heard him raise his voice. Mom was more apt to be feisty and the most vocal. Everyone has - [First Sentence Friday! Chapter Seven](https://donnaeverhart.com/first-sentence-friday-chapter-seven/) - Exposure to the natural elements is a big part of this story, so here's a question. In such a situation, (think of the show, NAKED AND AFRAID) which would you prefer, having to contend with the heat, or the cold? I've had it both ways. Each has it's own set of miseries. The difference is - [First Sentence Friday! Chapter Six](https://donnaeverhart.com/first-sentence-friday-chapter-six/) - It's that time of year when those of us who live in certain regions of the U.S. are told to be prepared. We're told to have enough water for three days, canned foods, batteries, flashlights, and a generator if you can afford one. From June 1st to November 1st, it's known as hurricane season. We - [First Sentence Friday! Chapter Five](https://donnaeverhart.com/first-sentence-friday-chapter-five/) - The back flap copy of the book cover says, "Wallis Ann is as practical and sturdy as her name." An early reviewer who posted on Goodreads, said, "Wallis Ann is a fantastic main character. She is strong and can work like a man but she still has the feelings of a young girl." These two - [First Sentence Friday! Chapter Four](https://donnaeverhart.com/first-sentence-friday-chapter-four/) - The mind can play tricks on us, usually when we're at our most vulnerable. I told a story a while back on the blog here about traveling home late one night. I remember I was really tired, and driving along on two lane country road, the radio on low. I distinctly recall feeling very relaxed, - [Goodreads Giveaway for THE ROAD TO BITTERSWEET!](https://donnaeverhart.com/goodreads-giveaway-for-the-road-to-bittersweet/) - I absolutely love these giveaways! Kensington is holding this one, and you'll have a chance to win one of FIVE copies of THE ROAD TO BITTERSWEET! Contest begins tomorrow, July 6th. All you have to do is...wait for tomorrow, then ENTER HERE! Save - [Independence Day!](https://donnaeverhart.com/independence-day/) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4VPpAZ9_qAw Save Save Save Save Save - [There Is Nothing There](https://donnaeverhart.com/there-is-nothing-there/) - Summer evening, late. The road traveled lies within city limits, moonlight over a pastured landscape, blackened shadows of barns line a ridge while cattle bed down within a barbed wire fence. Along the road moves a car, sporty red, fairly new, the driver, a young woman. She's tired, her fatigue earned by a previous late - [First Sentence Friday! Chapter Three](https://donnaeverhart.com/first-sentence-friday-chapter-three/) - I've already mentioned parts of THE ROAD TO BITTERSWEET have some historic fact, and it was the flood in western North Carolina in 1940 that became the launch point for my story. A flood is something I've only recently become a little more intimately familiar with. Hurricane Matthew, just last year in October of 2016, - [First Sentence Friday!](https://donnaeverhart.com/first-sentence-friday-23/) - Years ago, my husband to be and I went on a hike in Doughton Park. If you click on the link you'll see a list of trails for the some thirty miles one can wander through, and never get lost. (see what I did there?) In our day backpacks we had bags of trail mix, - [Here We Go! First Sentence Fridays!](https://donnaeverhart.com/here-we-go-first-sentence-fridays/) - Welcome to First Sentence Friday for THE ROAD TO BITTERSWEET! When I set out to write this story, I knew I wanted it to take place in one of my favorite spots to visit, the Appalachian region of North Carolina. This area is stunningly beautiful and it takes my breath whenever I stand at one - [Get Ready For The Road To Bittersweet!](https://donnaeverhart.com/bluegrass-clogging-and-the-road-to-bittersweet/) - I’m excited to share that in two weeks, on June 16th, I’ll once again start First Sentence Fridays as a way to introduce readers to my next book, THE ROAD TO BITTERSWEET. Just like with THE EDUCATION OF DIXIE DUPREE, once a week, I'll post the first sentence of each chapter until the book's release - [Sacrifices](https://donnaeverhart.com/sacrifices/) - For this, we honor and thank them. - [Now Available! Excerpt to THE ROAD TO BITTERSWEET](https://donnaeverhart.com/publishers-lunch-buzz-book/) - Today's the day! The Fall/Winter 2017 Buzz Books catalog published by Publisher's Marketplace and featuring the top forty titles for the season is now available. What you want to know is this catalog contains the first chapter of my next book, THE ROAD TO BITTERSWEET. (Yippee!!!) There are some wonderfully talented authors in this edition, - [Encounters](https://donnaeverhart.com/encounters/) - Just a little story here... Out on my run the other day, I'm going along, head in the clouds so to speak. I've said it a bunch, when I'm running, I'm writing. So, up one street, down another, zig through the graveyard, zag back out. As I'm on the final stretch, about half a mile - [The Halfway Point](https://donnaeverhart.com/the-halfway-point/) - It's been a while since I wrote a post about...writing. The truth is, writers are never not writing, ya know? Even when I'm not telling you I'm writing - I am. Lately I've been working on a new project, and I've hit the halfway mark. My manuscripts are generally 95K - 100K, but I don't - [Do Over on Lots Of News!](https://donnaeverhart.com/do-over-on-lots-of-news/) - Don't you just love do overs? Although I provided a "correction" to what I'd talked about in my post yesterday with regard to all the news related to my books, I realized some would have only read the original post. While my news isn't all that important, I did want to be sure anyone who - [Lots of News! A CORRECTION!](https://donnaeverhart.com/lots-of-news/) - My word, y'all. There has been so much pouring in, I figured I better do a post just to make sure I'm able to keep track of it myself! Some of this will be a repeat for a few of you, but hey, good news is worth repeating, amIright? First off, as many of you - [Early Buzz on THE ROAD TO BITTERSWEET](https://donnaeverhart.com/early-buzz-on-the-road-to-bittersweet/) - I thought I'd share with you some early "buzz" about my next novel, THE ROAD TO BITTERSWEET. Yesterday I received an email from one of my publicists with great news the book has been selected as a Publisher's Marketplace Buzz Book for the Fall/Winter 2017-2018 season! For those who may not know about Publisher's Marketplace, - [WYPL 89.3 Book Talk Interview](https://donnaeverhart.com/wypl-89-3-book-talk-interview/) - Below is the link for the interview I did for Book Talk Memphis when I visited Mississippi in February. Linda Lloyd was the interviewer for WYPL 89.3 radio. I thought she did a great job in pulling out the some of the deeper meaning and rationale, not only of the characters, but for why I - [Dear Betsy](https://donnaeverhart.com/dear-betsy/) - ...how you honored me today with this!!! For years, I've followed agent Betsy Lerner's blog - make that agent extraordinaire, i.e., also writer, poet, and of late, fierce bridge player. Writers follow agent blogs for many reasons. Some want the inside "scoop" on publishing, some want tips on writing, some want representation, some want to - [COVER REVEAL! THE ROAD TO BITTERSWEET](https://donnaeverhart.com/cover-reveal-the-road-to-bittersweet/) - The moment has arrived...and the wonderful folks over at Deep South Magazine agreed to do the cover reveal for THE ROAD TO BITTERSWEET! View the cover, plus what I had to say about it here. And then, be sure to let me know what you think via the comments! - [Post Event Wrap Up - In The Land of Cotton](https://donnaeverhart.com/post-event-wrap-up-in-the-land-of-cotton/) - We're back in North Carolina after a whirlwind week in Mississippi. We left last Friday, February 17th at 5:00 a.m. and arrived in Holly Springs around 4:30 p.m. CST. It's a day long ride down through South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama and then into MS, but since I have a passion for these states known as - [Way Down Yonder](https://donnaeverhart.com/way-down-yonder/) - In a couple of days we're heading for Mississippi, land of cotton, home of the blues, and a history so rich in all things southern - some good, some bad - that all it takes is a day or two of being there, and you might just develop a southern drawl. My in laws have - [On Writing and Publishing...an Authorlink Interview](https://donnaeverhart.com/on-writing-and-publishing-an-authorlink-interview/) - Authorlink contributor, Diane Slocum, requested an interview to discuss my writing process on THE EDUCATION OF DIXIE DUPREE. What is uniquely different about each interview I've done thus far, is the interviewer's ability to make me really think about not only my personal writing habits, but how I got from one place to the next - [Interview with Bloom](https://donnaeverhart.com/interview-with-bloom/) - I was proud and honored to be asked to do an interview for Bloom. From their About page: MISSION Welcome to Bloom — a literary site devoted to highlighting, profiling, reviewing, and interviewing authors whose first major work was published when they were age 40 or older. Bloom is also a community of artists and - [The "Official" Official New Website Launch!](https://donnaeverhart.com/the-official-official-new-website-launch/) - Deja vu, anyone? I know, I already announced this once when we were still working on the ability to publicize my posts simultaneously to social media. That's been fixed and so, I wanted to do another blog post to announce my new website - for some of you - again! This was the content from - [Welcome](https://donnaeverhart.com/welcome/) - ...to my new web site! While working with the great design team over at Surfside Web, my main goal was to have an internet presence to represent what I write. My stories are about hardy, determined people who face extraordinary hardships, privation, and sorrow, and by meeting these challenges, they ultimately discover hope, strength, and - [Christmas in Dixie](https://donnaeverhart.com/christmas-in-dixie-2/) - The perfect song - even without those two words reminding me of a certain book. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fOGZJvNa8S4 - [Christmas In Dixie](https://donnaeverhart.com/christmas-in-dixie/) - This is my last post for 2012. I'll see you all next year. Here's a song I love, Christmas in Dixie (by Alabama) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YDYfXlMR9QA Merry Christmas & Happy New Year! - [Merry Christmas From The Family](https://donnaeverhart.com/merry-christmas-from-the-family-2/) - Right about now? I sure do need me a good healthy dose of Robert Earl Keen. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P37xPiRz1sg - [Kodachrome](https://donnaeverhart.com/kodachrome/) - I got a new camera for Christmas. My husband can't stand to see me struggle over anything, and although I never complain, there must be a look. A frustrated glaring at whatever device I'm mangling into some modicum of acceptable performance. For instance, he gave me a new Dell All In One about a 18 - [New Year, New Look](https://donnaeverhart.com/new-year-new-look/) - Fyi, y'all. My website is undergoing an overhaul - this time not by me, but by professionals. Amen to that! As much as I like plunking around and figuring out themes for a new look on occasion, the end result never quite meets my expectations when I'm done. And then there's the HTML code, of - [Holiday Blowback and A Southerner's New Year's Day Meal](https://donnaeverhart.com/holiday-blowback-and-a-southerners-new-years-day-meal/) - Over the holidays it got so busy I believe there were several times my brain and body disconnected. Matter of fact, I know they did. It was like I was on some sort of mental auto-pilot more than once. One of those moments happened when I thought I lost my rings. That would be my - [Out With The Old](https://donnaeverhart.com/out-with-the-old/) - ...in with the new, as the old saying goes. Yesterday I took the tree and decorations down. Some will think, but what about the Twelve Days of Christmas leading up to the Feast of Epiphany? A twelve days of Christmas celebration never took place in my family's household. Growing up, the tree came down soon - [Silver Bells](https://donnaeverhart.com/silver-bells/) - I grew up listening to the old classic Christmas songs sung by Frank Sinatra, Bing Crosby, Bobby Darin, Brenda Lee, Alvin and the Chipmunks (yes, that one!)...the list goes on and on. On Christmas Eve, Mom would put on a stack of records - for those of you born before this time - ya know, - [2016 In Review](https://donnaeverhart.com/2016-in-review/) - I'm in a state of disbelief another year is just about gone, and so, what better time to gather up some pictures and share them here, thereby providing a "snapshot" of 2016 in review! To say it's been a wonderful, fun filled, exciting time doesn't even come close to how I really feel. The holidays - [More BIG News!](https://donnaeverhart.com/more-big-news/) - I was in Raleigh yesterday helping Mom. This was the second time while away from my computer, emails, all manner of "connectedness," that exciting news about THE EDUCATION OF DIXIE DUPREE sat percolating in my inbox until I got home. I'd spent the day with Mom raking leaves, going to the bank, emptying recycling bins, - [Book Stalker](https://donnaeverhart.com/book-stalker/) - Folks, I'm in the throes of making some minor revisions on BITTERSWEET and wrangling holiday decorations. When I'm not doing that, I'm trolling the 'net, stalking my book, trying to figure out how it's doing. Time for some tongue in cheek, debut writer shenanigans, I mean savvy business behavior. Oh, the things this debut writer - [The Road To Bittersweet](https://donnaeverhart.com/the-road-to-bittersweet/) - I wanted to wait for things to settle down (ha!) a little bit before I shared this with y'all. Unbeknownst to many, except family...oh, okay, maybe I let this slip out to a few close friends, here's some news about what else I've been up to. This is the Publisher's Marketplace announcement which came out - [BIG NEWS!!!](https://donnaeverhart.com/big-news/) - Amazon (!!!) has selected The Education of Dixie Dupree as their "Debut Spotlight" book along with being on their list of TOP 10 Picks for November! Save - [THE FINALE of First Sentence Fridays!](https://donnaeverhart.com/first-sentence-friday-22/) - And here we are...can you believe it? It's the finale of First Sentence Friday, and let me just say, this one's a doozy! CHAPTER TWENTY EIGHT I bet a year seems like an awfully long time when you're sitting in jail. We are now three days past the official release date of October 25th. The - [She's Here!!!](https://donnaeverhart.com/shes-here/) - Can you believe it? It's THE EDUCATION OF DIXIE DUPREE Release Day! I sincerely appreciate your support, thoughtful comments and shared excitement throughout the last 19 months. Thank you from me, and from Dixie. This is a collage of moments, pictures to capture my journey to publication: It all began here...(notice who's website is up...I'd - [First Sentence Friday!](https://donnaeverhart.com/first-sentence-friday-21/) - Did you keep a diary while growing up? It's sort of funny, and I never thought about it until recently, but all the diaries I ever came across (even now) are patterned with the idea of a little girl writing in it. Pink, pastels, flowery designs. I had a diary for a long time. I - [First Sentence Friday!](https://donnaeverhart.com/first-sentence-friday-20/) - CHAPTER TWENTY SIX In the end, it hadn't mattered who would have believed me about Uncle Ray, because afterward, no one would forget. I'm going to let that stand as it is. No commentary. It's hard to believe there are only two more First Sentence Fridays left, which means there are just under two weeks - [Aftermath](https://donnaeverhart.com/aftermath/) - We are fourth for states producing hurricane force winds, and in my lifetime alone, there have been 126 tropical, sub-tropical cyclones to hit North Carolina. Before I write anything else, I want to remember the ones who lost their lives in the storm, the ones displaced, the ones waiting to go home, those who are - [First Sentence Friday!](https://donnaeverhart.com/first-sentence-friday-19/) - Do you remember your mother quizzing you, expecting certain answers to questions? I sure do. It was meant to see if I did as I was told, or if I went somewhere I wasn't supposed to, would that sneakiness creep into my facial expression or make my voice change. All mothers have that way about - [First Sentence Friday!](https://donnaeverhart.com/__trashed/) - We used to take trips to Maine every summer, which is Mom’s home state. That trip was the highlight of the summer months. We always left in the evening, around 6:00 p.m., after Dad got off work. Mom would have spent the week before packing and making sure everything was just so. When Dad got - [A Flash Fiction Contest for THE EDUCATION OF DIXIE DUPREE!](https://donnaeverhart.com/a-flash-fiction-contest-for-the-education-of-dixie-dupree/) - Folks, I've made it. I have arrived. :) Well, that's more or less what one of my writer friends (Micki, I'm looking at you) tweeted out; "You know you've made it when @Janet_Reid offers a contest in your honor!" And yes, indeed Ms. Janet, NYC literary agent extraordinaire and Director of Literary Services at New - [First Sentence Friday!](https://donnaeverhart.com/first-sentence-friday-18/) - As kids, my brother and I were very close. He was my best friend, the only one I played with since we didn't live in a neighborhood, and there were no other kids on our road. For years our house was surrounded by nothing but open fields on each side, the closest house visible as - [SIBA Tradeshow](https://donnaeverhart.com/siba-tradeshow/) - After learning I would be going to the Southern Independent Booksellers Alliance trade show in Savannah about two months ago, it's hard for me to believe it's already over with! Like Christmas day, where we work our way up to the moment and before we've had a chance to let Christmas dinner digest, it seems - [First Sentence Friday!](https://donnaeverhart.com/first-sentence-friday-17/) - Growing up, did you pay attention to your mother's moods, and then modify your behavior accordingly? I could tell just by looking at my Mom's face whether I needed to watch that smart mouth of mine. Especially if I was angling for a favor, like an extra thirty minutes to my curfew or something. I - [The Education of Dixie Dupree is a November 2016 Indie Next Pick](https://donnaeverhart.com/the-education-of-dixie-dupree-is-a-november-2016-indie-next-pick/) - I announced this on Facebook and Twitter first, and now I'm announcing it here, for those who aren't following me on those social media platforms. This past Monday evening I learned The Education of Dixie Dupree was selected as a November 2016 Indie Next Pick by the American Booksellers Association. (!!!) This is such an - [15 Years Later. No. We Will Never Forget](https://donnaeverhart.com/never-forget/) - [First Sentence Friday!](https://donnaeverhart.com/first-sentence-friday-16/) - It's about time the Duprees received some good news. Whatever kind of news it is...meaning I can't share - at least Mama's a little happier, although the ever observant Dixie knows something still isn't quite right. CHAPTER TWENTY ONE After the ********* news, Mama smiled more than I believed I'd seen her smile in my - [First Sentence Friday!](https://donnaeverhart.com/first-sentence-friday-15/) - CHAPTER TWENTY I didn't want to be there when ***** drifted ************** to **** and neither did AJ. Don't try to figure it out. There are actually several words missing from this sentence. I'm trying to be sneaky with how I do those asterisks. Don't assume they equal the number of letters in a word - [First Interview From The Daily Record](https://donnaeverhart.com/first-interview-from-the-daily-record/) - I'm providing my first newspaper interview since many of you who follow the blog aren't connected with me on Facebook, or on Twitter where it was shared. I thought you'd like to read it. Enjoy! clip-Daily Record-FeatureAug2016-DIXIE DUPREE - [First Sentence Friday!](https://donnaeverhart.com/first-sentence-friday-14/) - Like I mentioned last week, the next three chapters first sentences have too much in them and would spoil a portion of the story if I provided it to you as written. You wouldn't like that, or at least I assume you wouldn't. Therefore, I'm hiding key words. Think of it like extra enticement! CHAPTER - [First Sentence Friday!](https://donnaeverhart.com/first-sentence-friday-13/) - I'm sorry to say the place Dixie is visiting below is the reason for her insomnia if you recall the sentence from last week. But, that's all I can say. And...just so you know, the next three posts will have to be *modified* so I don't give anything away. Spoilers are no fun! CHAPTER EIGHTEEN - [First Sentence Friday!](https://donnaeverhart.com/first-sentence-friday-12/) - It seems the world can't sleep nowadays. How many of you out there suffer from regular insomnia? I'm really lucky. I've had bad spells of it, usually when things are a little topsy-turvy in my world, but for the most part? I lie down, I go to sleep. There were times in the past when - [First Sentence Friday!](https://donnaeverhart.com/first-sentence-friday-10/) - Before my brother and I learned to drive, we used to ride the bus to school. Occasionally Mom would work out a ride situation with our neighbor, Mrs. Spears. One week Mom would take us along with Mrs. Spear's son, Mike, and the next week, Mrs. Spears would do it. We preferred rides like this - [First Sentence Friday!](https://donnaeverhart.com/first-sentence-friday-11/) - I love riding roller coasters. Even the ones that twirl you through a bunch of crazy loops, hang you upside down, and throw you against the side of the ride as it whips around curves. Like a roller coaster, certain chapters remind me of the moment you get to the top of the first hill, - [White Noise - Redux](https://donnaeverhart.com/white-noise/) - I posted this on my blog in November of 2014. Considering all that I'm seeing, watching and hearing, I thought it might be worthwhile to dredge it up and post again. I've become sort of...what's the word, disenchanted? Dismayed? Disillusioned? Assume what you will after reading. You won't hear a peep about it from me. - [First Sentence Friday!](https://donnaeverhart.com/first-sentence-friday-9/) - We are officially at the halfway point in chapters for THE EDUCATION OF DIXIE DUPREE! Since we are smack dab in the dead heat of summer, this next first sentence I'm sharing seems rather apropos. When I was researching pictures to share with Kensington's Art Department, I found one I felt captured a scene in - [First Sentence Friday!](https://donnaeverhart.com/first-sentence-friday-8/) - According to some statistics, it is believed 85% of elevators skip the number 13. There are no number 13's for hospital rooms. There is also a real phobia associated to the number 13, called triskaidekaphobia, which is an extreme suspicion of the number. We have Friday the 13th. Knowing this, would you get on an - [First Sentence Friday!](https://donnaeverhart.com/first-sentence-friday-7/) - Hm. This is a case of the old "never say never." The sentence for this week was...all of two words. Sure, I could have left it at that. Then, I thought, I just can't. I mean, when you read it, I suspect you'll be thankful I didn't. Ha. Softie me, after declaring rules are rules - [First Sentence Friday!](https://donnaeverhart.com/first-sentence-friday-5/) - Well, Dixie Dupree and her family are in a real pickle now. Curiosity getting to you yet? If not, how about another sentence? CHAPTER ELEVEN After Ms. Upchurch came, I watched what I said or did at school. ***I'm using #FirstSentenceFridays on Twitter and tagging @Kensington Publishing Corporation. Follow along and tweet out/share if you'd - [First Sentence Friday!](https://donnaeverhart.com/first-sentence-friday-6/) - Working our way right along, yes this week will yield another short sentence. Here's the thing. When I prepared these posts and looked to see what sentences would come each week, even I wanted to share MORE with you. But. I won't. Rules are rules. :) CHAPTER TEN Things were different with me and Mama. - [First Sentence Friday!](https://donnaeverhart.com/first-sentence-friday-4/) - Here we are, time for another little teaser! CHAPTER NINE Mama was repeating her apology over and over. Don't the shorter, more cryptic sentences drive you crazy? I hope so. :) ***I'm using #FirstSentenceFridays on Twitter and tagging @Kensington Publishing Corporation. Follow along and tweet out/share if you'd like!*** - [First Sentence Friday!](https://donnaeverhart.com/first-sentence-friday-3/) - This is the week I'm all caught up! From here on out it's one sentence through Chapter 28, which will post on Friday, October 28th right before the official launch on Tuesday, November 1st. The good news? By then some of you will actually have the book since pre-orders start shipping October 25th! CHAPTER - [Goodreads Giveaway!](https://donnaeverhart.com/goodreads-giveaway-2/) - Kensington has set up another Goodreads giveaway for THE EDUCATION OF DIXIE DUPREE. The contest will run June 8th -->June 27th to win one copy of an ARC or final copy! If you're not on Goodreads, now's the time to join (free) because not only are there tons of these sorts of giveaways, it's a - [THE EDUCATION OF DIXIE DUPREE Final Cover](https://donnaeverhart.com/the-education-of-dixie-dupree-final-cover/) - I thought I couldn't love my cover any more, and then? Kensington's Art Department did a little fine tuning and this is what we now have! There are reasons behind every decision made by my publisher. I know why they did this little tweak, but most important is it makes me feel extraordinarily happy for - [First Sentence Friday](https://donnaeverhart.com/first-sentence-friday-2/) - Still in catch up mode! This week I'm sharing the first sentences in Chapters 5, 6, and 7. CHAPTER FIVE In the early spring of 1969, when the yellow dust of pollen was heavy in the air, I noticed Mama's discontent had wrapped even further around her, covering her like a shroud, becoming something we - [First Sentence Friday!](https://donnaeverhart.com/first-sentence-friday/) - I've got 28 chapters, and, (correction from yesterday) only 23 Friday's before my "official" launch date of November 1st. In order to sync up time wise, I'm going to share first sentences in this post for Chapters 1, 2, 3 and 4. Next Friday, I'll share Chapters 5, 6, and 7. After that, it will - [Announcing First Sentence Fridays](https://donnaeverhart.com/announcing-first-sentence-fridays/) - As I get closer to the publication date of my debut novel, I've been thinking of different ways to entice readers, to build a little suspense, and most importantly, share a tiny bit of the story within that beautiful, most awesome cover created by the @Kensington Publishing Corporation Art Department. A couple of times I've - [Great Expectations](https://donnaeverhart.com/great-expectations/) - This wasn't an easy post to write. I've sat on it for days, thinking about it, and wondering if I should write about this topic at all. It's likely (probably) premature for me to even think the way I am, but I've said before and I'll say it again, I'm what I call an "advance - [Goodreads Giveaway!](https://donnaeverhart.com/goodreads-giveaway/) - Susan Wiggs' blurb about THE EDUCATION OF DIXIE DUPREE begins with this, "Open your heart to Dixie Dupree." I love the quote in it's entirety, but this little snippet truly captures how I personally feel when I think of my book in a future reader's hands. In addition to her words, I would also add - [Goodreads Contest Next Week!](https://donnaeverhart.com/goodreads-contest-next-week/) - For the next few months, there will be opportunities to win an Advance Reader Copy (ARC) of THE EDUCATION OF DIXIE DUPREE! The next is my first Goodreads giveaway set up by Digital Sales and Marketing at Kensington. This contest will run from May 11th through May 30th, and the winner will be selected by - [Did You Know...](https://donnaeverhart.com/did-you-know/) - ...how you can help out authors? It's not just buying the book, which is certainly a big deal in of itself. There are a couple (well okay, five here) more steps that can take the simple, yet powerful act of buying a book go that extra bit towards helping an author gain traction. Here's a - [A Pre-Publication Interview](https://donnaeverhart.com/a-pre-publication-interview/) - My lovely writer friend, Lilac Shoshani, asked if she could interview me on my upcoming debut. Of course I said, YES! Lilac is a New Age Nun who cares deeply about those around her. She lives in the city of Tel Aviv, where she writes speculative fiction and these wonderful little vignettes of her day - [I Say It's Both](https://donnaeverhart.com/i-say-its-both/) - There's this online place I visit, sometimes once a day, sometimes more - which is likely too much for my own writing good. This online place is agent Janet Reid's blog. I found her several years ago when I "entered" my serious writing stage. Sometime back in 2011, I think. She recently was awarded a - [Yet Another Post On Book Promo](https://donnaeverhart.com/yet-another-post-on-book-promo/) - Before writing this, I thought about how many other people have gone before me and shared about promotion and how it "sits" with them. I've read tons of articles, tweets, FB posts, blog posts about this part of publication and how many authors have a kind of a love/hate feeling about it. I'm on the - [WINNERS! We Have Winners!](https://donnaeverhart.com/winners-we-have-winners/) - UPDATE: FYI One of this morning's winners, Ginger Martin, a friend of mine from my Nortel days, has graciously declined her ARC - which means I can give it to the next person who provided the right answer within the earliest time frame. Her reasoning? Well, she was one of my earliest readers, and said - [HINTS! For ARC Giveaway of THE EDUCATION OF DIXIE DUPREE](https://donnaeverhart.com/hints-for-arc-giveaway-of-the-education-of-dixie-dupree/) - Okay, ya'll. I'm sorry for making this harder than I expected. What was I thinking??? No winners, but thank you for making me laugh with some of your guesses. I could drag this on just to see what you come up with next, but I want WINNERS! Therefore, here are a few hints: You hear - [Advance Reader Copy Giveaway!](https://donnaeverhart.com/advance-reader-copy-giveaway/) - Would you like a sneak peek at THE EDUCATION OF DIXIE DUPREE? This is your chance to win a signed advance reader copy! The "contest" starts now (soon as I hit publish!) and goes on until I have three winners! The first three people to correctly identify what this is pictured below, will win one - [Christmas in March](https://donnaeverhart.com/christmas-in-march/) - This month has been full of little "gifts," and for me that equates to Christmas in March because of the excitement it's generated. I've mentioned receiving these little goodies on Facebook, and then I realized I hadn't shared it here! Like I mentioned in the publication process post, these came (page proofs): And then, - [Finding Pennies](https://donnaeverhart.com/finding-pennies/) - I made no move to mark or signal in any way my father's one year anniversary of passing. About three days before the official day, Mom and I went out to the grave site and swapped out the Christmas flowers for a selection of silk flowers I'd picked out, varying shades of off white, sunny - [The Process of Publication](https://donnaeverhart.com/the-process-of-publication/) - I've been wrapped up, enamored with, and possibly swooning over "The Process" of publication. When I worked at Nortel, a Product Pipeline (it might have looked something like this-but there were many variations depending on the project manager) was often used to monitor the progress of products as they went through various stages of production. - [Newsletter or Blog](https://donnaeverhart.com/newsletter-or-blog/) - You might have noticed I keep monkeying around with things "out here." Chalk it up to preparation. Again, I go back to my need to be organized and have certain requirements for the new part of this writing gig called Promotion in place. The latest and greatest? Wordpress helped me again this morning to change - [Welcome To A New Look!](https://donnaeverhart.com/welcome-to-a-new-look/) - I've been working behind the scenes to transition my blog to a new and improved "website." Across the top you'll see the new "menu" items (The Book, About, Contact, etc.), but I've also chosen a theme I hope will represent this new part of my writing career. I like simplicity. I like organization and structure. - [Cover Reveal, THE EDUCATION OF DIXIE DUPREE](https://donnaeverhart.com/cover-reveal-the-education-of-dixie-dupree/) - UPDATE!!! I found out today THE EDUCATION OF DIXIE DUPREE is available for pre-order on Amazon. If you're so inclined, hop over to the "Books" tab in the upper right hand corner of the blog here, and click on the Amazon link! A huge THANK YOU to an unknown source who threatened me bodily harm, - [The Anatomy Of A Book](https://donnaeverhart.com/the-anatomy-of-a-book/) - I've always loved books, but one in my hands today is not treated the same way as it was years ago. When I used to start reading, I would sometimes peruse the dedication page, but most often I would jump right into the story. Not now. Now actually meaning anytime since about 2009. When I - [Out In Public](https://donnaeverhart.com/out-in-public/) - Recently, fellow writer Carolynn (in some circles we call her 2N's) Pianta talked in a three part series about special "messages" on her blog. Granted I've had similar "messages" throughout my life, but today I'm here to talk about three separate "events" over the course of this past week which are downright...odd. Not oooooo, ghostly - [Reading As Part Of The "Job"](https://donnaeverhart.com/reading-as-part-of-the-job/) - I'm not a slow reader, but when I saw my Goodreads stats for 2015, I stared at it for a second and thought, that's it? Twelve books? I hastily skimmed over my "To Read" list just to make sure I'd not forgotten to categorize one as "read." It would seem I didn't - so - - [Atmospheric](https://donnaeverhart.com/atmospheric/) - In the last post I talked about including food in stories I write, and at some point during the writing of that post, I actually stopped to run outside to snap some pictures of a sunset. I've got hundreds of pictures of sunsets. I can't seem to stop taking them because I see something different - [Char-Grill Heaven](https://donnaeverhart.com/char-grill-heaven/) - There's something about writing and including food in a story. Maybe it's a way to set your reader down in a scene, or to offer a sense of place. No matter, food is a component I use a lot in the stories I write. And of course, since I write Southern Fiction, I talk about - [Rear View Mirror](https://donnaeverhart.com/rear-view-mirror/) - 2015 is about done. What better time than now, on this last day of a year filled with ups and downs, to take a look back at all that happened. And what better way than to just grab the photos. Work in progress at the first of the year was my hard crime novel, A - [By The Light Of The Silvery Moon](https://donnaeverhart.com/by-the-light-of-the-silvery-moon/) - Did anyone see the moon Christmas night? Or the night after? They (scientists, reporters, etc.) talked about the Super Moon earlier this year, and after the spectacular show I witnessed on the 25th and 26th I wondered if they'd missed these recent dates. They did discuss it was the first full moon on Christmas night - [Merry Christmas From The Family](https://donnaeverhart.com/merry-christmas-from-the-family/) - Much like the previous post about White Trash, what's Christmas without the song which actually is supposed to be the epitome of that? A tune about dysfunctional families, and what many would say is a typical Christmas day spent carving turkey, watching ballgames, mixing up your favorite beverages, and a whole host of other shenanigans. - [It's Just Not Christmas Without White Trash](https://donnaeverhart.com/its-just-not-christmas-without-white-trash/) - On another blog a writer friend said she wished she could send all of us a big bag of Texas Trash - which made me realize it was time for me to share my own version - White Trash. Don't I share this every year? I can't remember, but if I don't, it ought to - [A Pause...To Introduce Author Susan Schild!](https://donnaeverhart.com/a-pause-to-introduce-author-susan-schild/) - A pause from my regularly scheduled "programming" to introduce a new author to you! Let me start this with a little bit of background. When my first novel sold, I joined the Kensington Author's portal, a secure site where authors under Kensington can "meet" each other, ask questions, and participate in a collective swoon over - [For The Love of Cookies](https://donnaeverhart.com/for-the-love-of-cookies/) - A lot has been happening here at the homestead. I'll call it post Thanksgiving madness with shopping (online and in stores) wrapping flurries, cleaning up flurries, with occasional writing flurries (current WIP @ 37K), all topped off with holiday parties to attend. This weekend I'll bake Christmas cookies with mom, as I've done since I - [The Day Before](https://donnaeverhart.com/the-day-before/) - I think I'm ready. Had to make adjustments to the table to include two extra, but despite those funny looking chairs, I think it'll do! We're having turkey, ham, mashed potatoes, dressing (cause if your from the South, it's dressing, not stuffing) gravy, sweet potato casserole, string bean casserole, shoepeg corn casserole, (casseroles!), peas, cranberry - [Sleep](https://donnaeverhart.com/sleep/) - Early to bed, early to rise, that's how I operate best. If I lose any sleep, even a couple hours, I can feel it. I spend the day yawning, out of sorts, and though I might get everything done I'd planned on, my typical energy levels lag behind having a hard time catching up. And - [What's Next Now THAT Happened?](https://donnaeverhart.com/whats-next-now-that-happened/) - After making the announcement last month about what I shall forever recollect as The Lovely Book Deal, I've spent a lot of time thinking about online presence, social media, and what I can do to tie it all together so everything has a cohesive look. You might have already noted the change in my header - [INKED! Update](https://donnaeverhart.com/inked-update/) - UPDATE: Building on this original post, I've just completed an interview with BookHive's Queen Bee, Jennifer Bowen. The interview sheds a little bit of light on how the book deal came about, which some of you expressed an interest in. INTERVIEW is HERE *************************************************************** I'm so very happy to finally share that I have a - [INKED! Update](https://donnaeverhart.com/inked/) - UPDATE: Building on this original post, I've just completed an interview with BookHive's Queen Bee, Jennifer Bowen. The interview sheds a little bit of light on how the book deal came about, which some of you expressed an interest in. https://www.bookhivecorp.com/index.php/blog/entry/bookhive-author-donna-everhart-to-be-published-by *************************************************************** I'm so very happy to finally share that I have a book deal - [SEEN AT BOUCHERCON! PART III](https://donnaeverhart.com/seen-at-bouchercon-part-iii/) - In this final post, following my little monkey's theme of "Hear no evil, speak no evil, see no evil," (hey it was a Murder Convention...get it???) I'll share some of the pictures I took for the "SEEN AT BOUCHERCON." I didn't take a ton because I already felt a bit gauche, and "touristy" what with - [WHAT WAS SAID AT BOUCHERCON - PART II](https://donnaeverhart.com/what-was-said-at-bouchercon-part-ii/) - As I mentioned in the last post, I'm writing about Bouchercon 2015 in three seperate posts. These comments come mostly from authors or agents. WHAT WAS SAID: Question from audience: "In your opinion, what's the biggest mistake beginning writers make?" "Too many doorknobs turning, too much looking in the mirror, too much sitting and thinking." - [OVERHEARD AT BOUCHERCON! Part I](https://donnaeverhart.com/overheard-at-bouchercon-part-i/) - I'm so proud of my hometown of Raleigh, North Carolina for hosting Bouchercon 2015. I love our beautiful little city which has become an eclectic and lively center for night life, arts, foodie type restaurants, all with a bright array of craft beers, for which NC is becoming quite well known. Like those little monkeys - [Landscape of Life](https://donnaeverhart.com/landscape-of-life/) - When I think about life events, I've considered how they might change a person. I do this now, more than ever before. What hits us most hard are the occurrences that mean we must conform to something new. The death of a family member, friend or pet. A divorce. A marriage. The loss of a - ["The Writingest State"](https://donnaeverhart.com/the-writingest-state/) - As a member of the North Carolina Writer's Network, I am aware of the plethora of writers who are members. NCWN sends weekly updates highlighting opportunities to see/hear fellow writers as they traverse various parts of our state participating in book signings, readings, and other social events to promote their work. I've always noticed the - [August Wane](https://donnaeverhart.com/august-wane/) - Already the sun is disappearing quicker and days are noticeably shorter. You have noticed, haven't you? Our house faces north/northeast. I love to open the blinds first thing in the morning and as I do, I pay attention to where the sunlight hits the walls, furniture and floor. I think, soon, a patch of sunlight - [Overload](https://donnaeverhart.com/overload/) - Every day my inbox fills with information I've requested. Writing blogs I've subscribed to, online writing or publishing magazines, and a variety of other writing how to material. I'll stare at some of it for days, all good intentions of reading the material, only to get tired of seeing it stack up. Eventually, I just - [This Is A Movie?](https://donnaeverhart.com/this-is-a-movie/) - I went to the Redbox outside Walgreens just about a mile away looking for the movie CAKE with Jennifer Aniston. To my disappointment it was already checked out, and so I stood there a moment debating. I could go to the other Redbox outside the Hess Wilco gas station a block over, but I was - [Much Ado About Nothing?](https://donnaeverhart.com/much-ado-about-nothing/) - With all the controversy swirling around I can't say I want to read this any more than I did when I pre-ordered it weeks ago. I mean, I've always wanted to read another book by Harper Lee, and so, from the initial "discovery" of the manuscript to this copy held in my hands, I'm happy. - [An Open Letter To Nestle Purina PetCare Co. and Waggin' Train LLC](https://donnaeverhart.com/an-open-letter-to-nestle-purina-petcare-co-and-waggin-train-llc/) - Dear Purina and Waggin' Train, You don't know me. You don't know that you forced me to do the unthinkable. The sort of decision I prayed I would never have to make. On August 2, 2012 after monumental efforts to save her through fluid therapy, and after much suffering, we "let" Bella go. On August - [Mississippi, Part II](https://donnaeverhart.com/mississippi-part-ii/) - Have we talked about all the food and the eating while I was in Mississippi? There is no lack of either when visiting the folks. Matter of fact, I have to be really careful about portions, etc., because my mother-in-law cooks up these "to die for" desserts that make you want to go back again - [Remembering Summertime](https://donnaeverhart.com/remembering-summertime/) - Mississippi smells and sounds like my childhood. I wish I could use some sort of media tool to share what I mean, only I think you already know. There are scents I encounter that resonate with some long ago memory, and when I smell them, I can't help but think back to the days of - [Missed](https://donnaeverhart.com/missed/) - Low key, easy going, never cussed, rarely drank, steadfast, resilient, calm, even tempered, loving, compassionate, loyal, understanding, mechanically inclined, hard working, quiet, dog lover, reclusive, missed. May 24th, 1934 - March 3, 2015 - [Flash Fiction Addiction](https://donnaeverhart.com/flash-fiction-addiction/) - I've mentioned this before, but I'm addicted to Janet Reid's flash fiction contests. They're fun. They're great practice for learning how to use words sparingly while building a story, which must include a beginning, middle, end. They give you a sense of accomplishment - yay I finished something! - especially if in the throes of - [What Could Have Happened](https://donnaeverhart.com/what-could-have-happened/) - Last week I was at Mom's house, where I've been going once a week now since Dad died. Of course I take Little Dog with me. I mean, what person in their right mind would/could leave this little guy behind? He loves to visit her. He loves her backyard. I've not worried one bit about - [New Toys](https://donnaeverhart.com/new-toys/) - A while back I wrote a post called "I LOVE MY LAPTOP." And I do. Or, make that did. Much like that car insurance commercial where the young girl talks about her car which she fondly calls Brad. "I love Brad," she claims. Two boyfriends, three jobs, she and Brad have been through everything together. - [Updates..., and On Writing With Sentimentality](https://donnaeverhart.com/updates-and-on-writing-with-sentimentality/) - In the last post "What If," I described a crazy scam perpetrated by someone who sounded as if he'd previously worked in law enforcement. I'm happy to say that, although he hasn't been caught, the local sheriff's department has made headway. I've been given a weekly update and told it will be a lengthy investigation - [What If?](https://donnaeverhart.com/what-if/) - Recently, I had something so unexpected happen, I was in a state of sheer panic for a couple of hours. Last Tuesday I was in front of my laptop doing what I do. The phone rang, and as usual, when I didn't recognize the number, I ignored the call. A couple hours later, I happened - [One Small Mourning Dove](https://donnaeverhart.com/one-small-mourning-dove/) - I love watching the neighborhood kids play because they go about it like my brother and I used to, riding their bikes like the hounds of hell are on their heels, tearing up the alleys, ducking in and out of yards, or streaking down sidewalks. Animated voices arrive well in advance of their actual bodies, - [A Little Trick](https://donnaeverhart.com/a-little-trick/) - Every now and then I will come up on a writing article which shares a tidbit so simple, yet so juicy, it's like the salivary glands of my brain kick in and I think WOW, so that's the trick to it! Don't get too excited. This will not be the Holy Grail of discovery for - [Me and Mom](https://donnaeverhart.com/me-and-mom/) - Since my father passed March third, I've been making a weekly trip to Raleigh to help Mom with everything from estate finances to dragging her trash and recycle bins to the curb. Before my father's death, I'd always made an effort to go see the both of them, just not every week. Usually it was - [Yellow Dust](https://donnaeverhart.com/yellow-dust/) - Here in North Carolina, spring is busting out all over and it looks like every kind of grass, flower, and weed shot up almost overnight. The trees are budding out and dropping a variety of "tags" and other debris in competition with the flowers and bushes. An explosion of pollen, like a giant talcum powder - [Self-Imposed Writing Challenge](https://donnaeverhart.com/self-imposed-writing-challenge/) - Just for the fun of it, I recently took an online typing test to see just how fast I could get my fingers to work. I've never done this before and I've never cared about the "official" number because it doesn't really matter to anyone. And by that I mean, the only typing I'm doing - [What The Heck Is This?](https://donnaeverhart.com/what-the-heck-is-this/) - When I finished my last project I realized I was in a bit of a dilemma. Based on what I'd read, it wasn't an unusual spot to be in. My dilemma was, what genre did my book fit in? I hadn't written a mystery because a reader would know certain things up front my MC - [Chuck's Challenge](https://donnaeverhart.com/chucks-challenge/) - Chuck Wendig challenged his readers this week with a one hundred word flash fiction contest. Well shoot. I just happen to have a few of those from the Shark's very own one hundred word contests. How convenient. And besides, Chuck threw down a double dog dare, and that means I have to do it, right? - [Practice Makes Perfect?](https://donnaeverhart.com/practice-makes-perfect/) - How many times have you heard, "practice makes perfect?" Recently an article written by a teacher who taught an MFA creative writing program caused a lot of backlash. Chuck Wendig's blog post alerted me to the uproar otherwise I would have never heard of the controversy. If you haven't read Chuck's post or the teacher's, - [What I Said](https://donnaeverhart.com/what-i-said/) - My father passed away March 3rd. I spoke at his funeral Monday. This is what I said. This is the sort of life changing event that knocks the breath right out of you, doesn’t it? We hear about an illness and never seem to comprehend the difficult times ahead. We try to understand, but, it’s - [A Story Worth Telling](https://donnaeverhart.com/a-story-worth-telling/) - Blank. Vacant. Meaningless. Those three words describe the current situation with my latest WIP. This will be the fourth book I've written - if I ever get it done. I felt like this with the last one too, and I did finish it, so yay, consolation there, right? Meh, sort of. What's different is, I've - [Breaking The Rules](https://donnaeverhart.com/breaking-the-rules/) - Recently I finished a book by Tim Johnston called DESCENT. I loved the book, but the reason I wanted to blog about it is related to the way he wrote it versus an actual review of the story. I've heard over and over, from reading articles online, to comments by other writers, and even in - [How Can I Write?](https://donnaeverhart.com/how-can-i-write/) - It's been a little crazy around here. I told my daughter at the end of January that I felt book-ended by crises, and once I said that, it only got more crazy. That's what I get for opening my big mouth. I don't talk much about family. Matter of fact, I'm not sure I've ever - [The Rejectionists](https://donnaeverhart.com/the-rejectionists-2/) - I really envy some writers. Not for their talent with words. Not for their knack at coming up with great, fresh ideas for a story. Not for their ability to make me laugh, cry or think about something in a way I've never done before. For all those things, whether published or not, it's not - [Cold Hard Truth](https://donnaeverhart.com/cold-hard-truth/) - Some of the most informative reading I've ever come across regarding publication are from writers who can walk the talk. They know because they've been on the receiving end. (an unintended pun, but I'll go with it since part of this is about money) Like this interview with Cheryl Strayed in SCRATCH where she talks - [Addict Of The Internet](https://donnaeverhart.com/addict-of-the-internet/) - You're sitting at your computer, focused, about to open your manuscript. Your word count goal for the day is planned, and you're determined to move the story forward. You're ready because, as recommended by many other successful writers, you purposefully stopped at a "good" spot in the storyline the day before. This could be an - [A Book Review of WHY LA? POURQUOI PARIS?](https://donnaeverhart.com/a-book-review-of-why-la-pourquoi-paris/) - Special Note: When I first wrote my review of WHY LA? POURQUOI PARIS?, the terrifying events had yet to unfold in Paris and existed only in the minds of the terrorists. And then, within twenty four hours of sharing my feedback with the author and illustrators, the attack was all over the news. To that - [Priceless](https://donnaeverhart.com/priceless/) - A painful reminder came this past week of what I call, "the terrible summer." Of what happened to Bella and Kiwi. All those wretched feelings I thought I'd sufficiently managed with such tight control, came again, flattening out my mood and my spirit, as if someone had driven a steamroller over my heart. This past - [Big Rig](https://donnaeverhart.com/big-rig/) - Five thousand words. Ninety thousand to go, but who's counting? It seems I'm finally settling into the beginning of this new story. Months ago, I decided on a setting and a working title. Now, with the other project waiting in the wings, this is a welcome distraction. The last book was doggone hard to write. - [When Words Fail](https://donnaeverhart.com/when-words-fail/) - This would be one of those times. - [Up To No Good](https://donnaeverhart.com/up-to-no-good/) - They can be found walking down the street as if they have all the time in the world. If she's outside, their eyes will find her and linger just a little too long. They continue staring, and when they get closer, she'll kneel as if in prayer, head down, busying herself with an errant weed. - [2014 Is About To Be In The Rear View Mirror](https://donnaeverhart.com/2014-in-review/) - I almost didn't post this nifty little annual report, courtesy of WordPress. Admittedly, blogging is not my strong suit. I write differently here than in my projects. (less f-bombs. No. No need to thank me.) Here, I tend to keep things lighthearted, and not too thought provoking. Maybe that'll change. Or not. I have no - [A Year Of Discovery](https://donnaeverhart.com/a-year-of-discovery/) - It's the end of December and along with the rest of you, I've begun to reflect on 2014. The good, bad, forgettable, memorable, sad, and joyful moments experienced. Much like on the news, I'm busy recounting what I've accomplished, what fell by the wayside, and what 2015 will bring. I've already come to one, easy - [My Holiday Wish](https://donnaeverhart.com/my-holiday-wish/) - The holiday frenzy is in full force. Everyone's in crunch time mode and operating with the laser like focus of this hawk below. Christmas Eve is less than three days away. Despite the frenetic mannerisms of everyone around, and the possibility, at this late a date, of giving the WORST GIFT EVER, I'm still able - [An Interview With BookHive's Jennifer Bowen](https://donnaeverhart.com/an-interview-with-bookhives-jennifer-bowen/) - Back in late September I shared some good news and a bit of information about BookHive, an online service for authors which allows them to test their manuscript across a broad demographic of "Test Readers." The experience was so worthwhile, I thought it would be a good idea to share even more details via an - [The Spirit Of Christmas](https://donnaeverhart.com/the-spirit-of-christmas/) - It's starting to get a little crazy around here. With only ten days until Christmas Eve, and shopping yet to be done, gifts yet to be wrapped, and a new writing project looming in the background, I'm feeling a little pinched. And this one here, all he wants to know is, is it here yet? - [A Little Christmas Story](https://donnaeverhart.com/a-little-christmas-story/) - This past Saturday I attended my book club's Christmas Luncheon. Earlier during the week, the vice president of the club came up with an idea for the program I thought creative and fun. The idea was for each of us to provide something from our own personal holiday experiences, whether it was a memory, a - [OUTER DARK, Another McCarthy Review](https://donnaeverhart.com/outer-dark-another-mccarthy-review/) - Here we go again. Three stars. (Sorry McCarthy fans.) In my opinion, it's a generous ranking for OUTER DARK. UPDATE: I lied. Make that two stars. (i.e. it was okay) ************************************************************************************************************************************************************** I so want to love McCarthy, and I don't even know why. I have read a couple books by him I liked, but these - [What I Don't Know](https://donnaeverhart.com/what-i-dont-know/) - I'm the sort of person who knows a little bit about a lot of things - except when it comes to authors. Especially the author who suddenly appears, like fog, (hey! that wasn't there five minutes ago!) and they are quite successful to boot. Actually, what if they've been around more than fifty years? That's - [I Am Not Chuck](https://donnaeverhart.com/i-am-not-chuck/) - This isn't the first time this topic has come up. Yesterday, there was a bit of a debate on Janet Reid's blog because of a simple question. Whether to write about writing, or, more specifically, should writers blog about writing. The Shark's position is, not really. Or, if you do, it should only be a - [The Collection](https://donnaeverhart.com/the-collection/) - For my entire life, reading has been a constant. Throughout school years, various jobs, one marriage and into the current, having kids, whatever, books have always been part of who I am. One can always be found somewhere nearby, whether on my nightstand, counter top, living room, desk in my office, in my knapsack, wherever - [While I Wait](https://donnaeverhart.com/while-i-wait/) - One night last week when taking Little Dog out, I did what I always do, I looked up at the sky. Whenever I'm outside, my face is tilted upwards, for no other reason than the fact that I simply like looking towards the heavens. That night, something caught my attention. Clouds. Against pockets of pitch - [It's That Time Again](https://donnaeverhart.com/its-that-time-again/) - Many writers are wrapped up in the frenzy of meeting their 50K word goal for this year's challenge. You know what I'm talking about. I blogged about it last year too, and my thoughts on NaNoWriMo in this blog post somewhere towards the bottom. The funny thing is this time seems like it would have - [Scary Stuff](https://donnaeverhart.com/scary-stuff/) - Last year on Halloween, I received the second round of feedback from the editor on my current project, A BLACK WATER SEASON. She'd read the first 100 pages back in the spring, and, in a nutshell, hated them. So, I had to start the story over and when I did, I changed it by telling - [A BRIEF REVIEW OF SUTTREE by Cormac McCarthy](https://donnaeverhart.com/a-brief-review-of-suttree-by-cormac-mccarthy/) - I am not quite sure what to make of this book. No doubt, in between the layers of a confusing narrative, there are bits and pieces of brilliant writing. I suppose if you have the energy to keep a thesaurus or dictionary by your side to look up the meaning of all the words McCarthy - [One Hundred Words](https://donnaeverhart.com/one-hundred-words-2/) - I've talked about this before. Those addicting flash fiction contests run by Janet Reid, literary agent extraordinaire. How hard is it to tell a story in one hundred words? Doggone hard. The last one, a couple weekends ago, was in honor of one of her clients, Jeff Somers, for the publication of his latest book, - [Contents May Have Shifted](https://donnaeverhart.com/contents-may-have-shifted/) - Two weeks ago, I opened my kimono - so to speak. After receiving Author Of The Month, from Book-Hive in late September, I thought, what a perfect way to just let go, to stop hiding what I've been doing for several years, and share. What better way to start than to put it out on - [What The...](https://donnaeverhart.com/a-different-theme/) - ...hell? Obviously I've changed my theme and with this post on my newly designed site, I thought I'd share the reason why. Like many writers, I spend about as much time reading about writing as..., well, as writing. More than once, I've come across advice which states any social media outlet used should reflect a - [Tested By Book-Hive!](https://donnaeverhart.com/tested-by-book-hive/) - Several weeks ago I took hold of a unique opportunity - even though it made me as nervous as I've ever been. I allowed Book-Hive's Focus Group Reader Service to take my latest WIP and test it. Big GULP. Below is a snippet where the creator of Book-Hive, Jennifer Bowen, explains how the process would - [The Dogged Writer](https://donnaeverhart.com/the-dogged-writer/) - There's always a discussion percolating somewhere amongst writers about what it takes to keep on keeping on, particularly for those who've been writing for years, have faced more rejections than they care to count, and haven't seen any money. There's the reality of bills, a desire to be a contributing member of the family unit, - [Spaces And Places](https://donnaeverhart.com/spaces-and-places/) - I've always paid attention to my environment, much more than people, which has at times made me seem disconnected I think. When I was a kid, I preferred to spend time outside, flat on my back, staring up at the sky. Sometimes I would lie down under a tree so I could watch the branches - [Why My Heroine Won't Save Herself](https://donnaeverhart.com/why-my-heroine-wont-save-herself/) - When I started writing my latest book, my characters were murky - as they typically are. I had no clue what they looked like, what they were interested in, what made them tick, because they didn't exist in my mind - yet. Many writers will talk about how their protagonists and antagonists step forward to - [Towers](https://donnaeverhart.com/towers/) - For those who were in NYC, I can't imagine the shock of seeing the skyline emptied of those two massive towers. Like symbols of our core beliefs, they stood tall and proud, as straight as the backs of our soldiers, as brilliant as the sun on a cloudless day. A few years back we took - [Good To Be Back](https://donnaeverhart.com/good-to-be-back/) - Officially, I am back to working on the book - since yesterday. What I've learned during this hiatus is..., the longer you go without writing, the easier it gets to not write. Scary easy. The "World Of Solitaire, Klondike Turn Three" easy. Yeah, I got hooked on playing Solitaire for a little bit. This was - [We Were There](https://donnaeverhart.com/we-were-there/) - It seems very strange to watch the events unfold in the world. To take in, yet another country seeming to come undone, like a hanging string on a piece of clothing, pulled by accident until the garment reveals a gaping hole. Moment by moment, there is something blowing up, or being blown up. Maybe it's just - [Twilight Of Summer](https://donnaeverhart.com/twilight-of-summer/) - It starts off gradual, the shifting of sunlight throughout the house, until one day you realize you have to drop the blinds to avoid the beautiful, but somewhat annoying beam that's decided to shine directly in your face from a spot where it didn't exist before.Summer days, as we're aware, began growing shorter after the - [A Bit Disconcerting](https://donnaeverhart.com/a-bit-disconcerting/) - Writers read - a lot. For many reasons. Out of all of the things we do, other than writing, it is, in my opinion, the other most important part of our work. We should read. It's been suggested, by many successful writers, reading is critical and important, and really not just to writers, but everyone. - [Deep South](https://donnaeverhart.com/deep-south/) - Last Friday, July 25th, we set out just before 5:00 a.m., heading to Mississippi. I couldn't wait to get there. My current work in progress is set in Lafayette County, MS and I wanted to reacquaint myself to this state in whatever way I could. Maybe I'd uncover some additional descriptions of the landscape, or - [Let It Simmer](https://donnaeverhart.com/let-it-simmer/) - Leaving a manuscript alone for any length of time is good. Hours, days, weeks, even months, can be helpful. Stephen King says to put your work away for several months, which, at least for me, seems almost unimaginable. At this point however, I'm letting the current WIP simmer. I'm leaving it alone like a pot - [A Patient Scrabble Player](https://donnaeverhart.com/a-patient-scrabble-player/) - This past Tuesday I went to visit my parents who live about an hour away. Dad's 80 and Mom's going to be 78 this August. Now that I've managed to slog my way through to THE END of my latest project, I felt I could spend the day away from staring at this little screen, - [Fried Green Tomatoes - For Real](https://donnaeverhart.com/fried-green-tomatoes-for-real/) - Well folks, I'll state the obvious; it's summer. Hot. Humid. Sticky. Muggy. My favorite time of year. And, we are in a battle with the squirrels. For our tomatoes. This is where I have a love/hate relationship with the, as some call them, "tree rats." Remember "Nubby?" That is, the "Notorious Nubby?" Yeah, that's him, - [The Power Of Certain Words](https://donnaeverhart.com/the-power-of-certain-words/) - Ever hear someone use a word that sounded so out of character, their entire persona changed right before your eyes? For example, what if a priest were sitting beside you in a deli, and you overheard him say, "Jesus, look at these prices!" Maybe he is sincerely invoking God's name in the hopes of seeing - [From Sea To Shining Sea](https://donnaeverhart.com/from-sea-to-shining-sea/) - Happy July 4th....Proud To Be An American! - [Achieving Goals](https://donnaeverhart.com/achieving-goals/) - When we set goals for ourselves, there is nothing better than achieving them. A few years back, I set one for running a marathon. I trained for it for about nine months, a race held in Bluffington S. C. It started at 7:00 a.m. Even though it was October, it was already in the mid - [Coffee Break](https://donnaeverhart.com/coffee-break/) - Janet Reid had a flash fiction contest this past weekend and despite my "head down, working towards THE END," mantra on my latest WIP, I took a little coffee break and participated. You know, I really love these contests - I think I might be addicted. The usual rules applied. She gives participants five words, - [World Of Spam](https://donnaeverhart.com/world-of-spam/) - Having a blog inevitably means having to clean out spam. Just this morning I spent about fifteen minutes deleting crazy comments. I hadn't done it in a while so I had well over 100. Some made me laugh and I thought I'd share a few of the best ones. Yeah, yeah, I know. What is - [Respect Yourself, Respect Your Work](https://donnaeverhart.com/respect-yourself-respect-your-work/) - Many writers who are ready to approach an agent, do so with either a sense of awe, fear, and an "I'm not worthy," sort of mentality. For the past few years, I've been reading Janet Reid's blog. If you haven't been following her, you should. And while you're at it, if you are a writer - [Corn Maze](https://donnaeverhart.com/corn-maze/) - Something's got to give, or this is going to be one long, hot summer. I said this last year when my editor rejected my first 100 pages. I don't mind hot, or the fact that it's summer, but I sure would like to spend it revising instead of writing "x" number of endings over and - [R. I. P. Maya Angelou 1928 - 2014](https://donnaeverhart.com/r-i-p-maya-angelou-1928-2014/) - Copyright Bob Richman, 2010, Harpo If you read no other book by her, read I KNOW WHY THE CAGED BIRD SINGS, but seriously, read all you can... such a talent. Sad she's gone. - [We Remember](https://donnaeverhart.com/we-remember/) - Arlington and Families - [Goldilocks Method](https://donnaeverhart.com/goldilocks-method/) - No frills, no fancy schmancy this or that. I'm all about the basics, and I'm minimalist, even at that. I like plain food, think Corn Flakes kind of plain. Or, Rice Krispies. Rice Chex. Maybe, maybe Fruity Cheerios. I like simple home-cooked meals, and simple seasonings like salt, pepper, garlic powder, maybe some Lawry's Seasoning - [Awww! The Liebster Award!](https://donnaeverhart.com/awww-the-liebster-award/) - Ta da! *applause* Thank you Jennine at My Life In Books blog for nominating me for this award...it's very much appreciated! Here is how the nomination works. The Liebster Award requires that I have to provide 11 random facts about myself, answer Jennine's 11 questions she supplied below, nominate other bloggers to receive the award, - [Magic Trick](https://donnaeverhart.com/magic-trick/) - 92,000 words. Still, I've not typed THE END - just yet. I re-read an older post from about 2 1/2 months ago where I had 71,000 words. Because my nature is to analyze (driving my husband crazy) I calculated this is only 280 words a day - if writing every day. Which I don't. But almost. - [Getting Past The Clutter](https://donnaeverhart.com/getting-past-the-clutter/) - The average human has approximately 30,000 thoughts a day. A lot of clutter. Like food processing, where produce is assorted on a mass conveyor belt, the good pieces are kept, while the damaged, useless, or non-standard pieces get shoved off into a disposal bin. Similarly, our brains constantly collect and discard thoughts and images. Out - [When Good Writing Goes Bad](https://donnaeverhart.com/when-good-writing-goes-bad/) - We are as individual about our reading choices as anything else. As unique within our talent for writing as the strands of DNA that make up who each of us are. What makes a story good? What makes writing good? Geez, I don't know. It's totally subjective. Sure, there are those who might share some - [Cha Ching???](https://donnaeverhart.com/must-be-the-money/) - Recently, a post about money earned in relation to having a book published brought to light some facts about advances and payments. Let's start off with my own ignorance. Sure, why not? I don't mind sharing what I, in my naivete believed was the way publishing worked. Since I'm a writer who likes to tell - [Money For Scrap Paper](https://donnaeverhart.com/money-for-scrap-paper/) - About five years ago, I used to complete a ten mile run every Saturday morning. It was on one of those runs, for a variety of reasons, I ended up with double sfx. It took close to three years before I felt I could run without the idea my leg would break. But then, here - [Writers Are Stalkers](https://donnaeverhart.com/writers-are-stalkers/) - Paying attention to what goes on around us is a favorite past time of writers. We tend to stare. We might look as if we're eavesdropping (likely). We will carefully work our way towards something that looks out of place when others might head in the opposite direction. You could say we're something like stalkers. - [Research Can Get Weird](https://donnaeverhart.com/research-can-get-weird/) - Research can be fun, or it can make you feel squeamish. For instance, there are a bazillion little things a writer might need to look up. Like finding out if Saran Wrap was used in the 50's, or, if your character's taxes go unpaid, how quickly will their problems come about, and just what are - [The Short Of Why? What?](https://donnaeverhart.com/the-short-of-why-what/) - Once again, I've come up with another writing analogy. Ready? Writing is like playing football - it has lots of rules. Sometimes I'm astounded how I'm just flipping about the internet, bouncing from one site to the next, happily reading, and fwop! Some writing rule is shared and it's new to me. Luckily, whether it's - [Cleaning Out Closets](https://donnaeverhart.com/cleaning-out-closets/) - This is a post I ought to do after I type THE END to the current work in progress. But, sometimes...more than I want to admit, I get an idea and if I don't bother to make a note of it, voila! By the time I get around to it, the idea has scurried off - [GALVESTON - A Quick Review](https://donnaeverhart.com/galveston-a-quick-review/) - I put a version of this out on Goodreads and thought I'd share it here: I bought this book with high expectations. After becoming hooked on Nic Pizzolatto's writing style through the HBO series, TRUE DETECTIVE, (TD) it was because of a review of the series, I learned about GALVESTON. Of course, I bought it - [What's Your Secret?](https://donnaeverhart.com/whats-your-secret/) - Every time someone asks me to describe my current WIP, the first thing I say is, "it's not a nice story." What I mean by that is, if it's published, I don't think I'll be invited to speak at book clubs. So what makes it a not so nice story? I thought about this, and - [Bad Moon A'Risin'](https://donnaeverhart.com/bad-moon-arisin/) - For Christmas, my husband gave me a camera . It's not an expensive one, but I love it. I guess he got tired of hearing me (and everyone else) complain about the other camera I was using, and how long it took to take a picture. It was almost impossible to take a candid, quick - [Tricky, Tricky](https://donnaeverhart.com/tricky-tricky/) - The suggestion from my agent went something like this; "If you could write a story, a literary suspense story using that concept, well, then you might have something." It's hard to believe that conversation with him took place a year ago. I only remember it so well because it was also the one year "anniversary" - [Top Ten Latest Words That Make Me Cringe](https://donnaeverhart.com/top-ten-latest-words-that-make-me-cringe/) - Recently I saw a license plate with one of those made up words we could do without . I actually skulked behind this car, going out of my way to see who in their right mind would put it on their plate. Unfortunately, I was thwarted by a red light, which meant I'd wasted a - [Perpetual Elevator](https://donnaeverhart.com/perpetual-elevator/) - There's nothing better than to read an article, blog post, or hear in an interview where a best selling author explains they continue to go through the very same things as writers who have never been published before. Things like how each and every new book they work on, they feel they have to learn - [Perfectionism And Puzzle Pieces](https://donnaeverhart.com/perfectionism-and-puzzle-pieces/) - The goal is closer. I am over 71,000 words with the latest work in progress. The book needs to come in around 90,000, give or take a couple thousand words. This is generally speaking. We know there are rule breakers out there, but like this latest article in Writer's Digest discusses, the rule of thumb - [I Admit It, I Love My Laptop](https://donnaeverhart.com/i-admit-it-i-love-my-laptop/) - Most of the time, there's nothing we like better than sitting down to our laptops/desktops to see what's been dropped into our inbox overnight. We open email and see messages from friends, family, we get notifications from companies that our packages are on the way, or we take note that new posts have been created - [If Similar Words Show Up, Don't Freak Out](https://donnaeverhart.com/if-similar-words-show-up-dont-freak-out/) - It doesn't take much when it comes to writing to set my nerves on fire with worry. If I allow myself to get really worked up, you can envision how this might look. All you have to do is picture the young girl in the movie CAPE FEAR, called, "Dani," who squirted lighter fluid all - [What Else Can We Do?](https://donnaeverhart.com/what-else-can-we-do/) - We are as prepared as we can be for the "crippling, catastrophic" winter storm that started yesterday for some of us in NC. We are under a winter storm warning until tomorrow, 6:00 p.m. and so far, we have about five inches of snow, which has since turned to sleet, which is then supposed to - [The Critical Reader](https://donnaeverhart.com/the-critical-reader/) - Before I started writing as consistently as I've been doing the past three years or so, I would read for pleasure only. I chose books I would enjoy and rarely ventured outside of the two genre's that resonated with my taste, generally commercial or literary fiction, many of the stories set in the south. Books - [Writing Is A Lonely Job](https://donnaeverhart.com/writing-is-a-lonely-job/) - While working in a corporate environment, I believe I fit quite nicely into a niche of professionals who had a passion to succeed, a plethora of talented individuals who taught me a lot. In turn, I tried to give something back. I worked hard, fully committed to the tasks I was assigned until they were - [Losing Her Religion](https://donnaeverhart.com/losing-her-religion/) - The little girl and her mother wore identical dresses on the first and only Sunday they went to that church, as her mother called it afterwards. Her mother had located a McCall's pattern the week before, and she worked day and night to produce two sleeveless dresses in green, brown and blue. Summer time dresses. - [Doodling And Other 'Useless' Things I Do](https://donnaeverhart.com/doodling-and-other-useless-things-i-do/) - Did you know doodling actually helps you think? Neither did I..., but recently I watched a segment on a news channel about how it helps you stay engaged in the moment - like if you're in a meeting or on a conference call. I used to doodle all the time when I was participating in - [My Writing Toolbox](https://donnaeverhart.com/my-writing-toolbox/) - I've been inventorying the writer toolbox over the past few days, ever on the hunt for new, inspiring ideas and you can probably guess the reason why. For instance, on my night stand are a stack of books, and this past weekend, I spent time studying them, trying to decide which one to read first. - [The Game Of Chess](https://donnaeverhart.com/the-game-of-chess/) - The manuscript is moving along like a Clydesdale, a big sort of lumbering thing, while I want slick and fast, leopard or cougar like. It's the plot that's to blame. I've got so much sh-- to keep up with, and it's spread out all over. Sticky notes, strange comments and other thingies in the Outlook - [No Rhyme Or Reason](https://donnaeverhart.com/no-rhyme-or-reason/) - Did you know that the path to publication is skewed and that if you want absolute clarity on how it worked out for other writers, the answer would be as different as each person you asked? It's true. Oh, we love, love, love to read stories like this. (Thanks for sharing on FB, Janet Reid) - [This Book!](https://donnaeverhart.com/this-book/) - I had no idea what trouble I'd be getting into upon the arrival of this. What could it be? We're about to find out... A book! I was sooooo excited! Can you tell?? Because...it wasn't just any old book... it was this book! But...little did I know once I started reading, I wouldn't be able - [Brand New Year](https://donnaeverhart.com/brand-new-year/) - It's the dawn of a brand new year. Fresh, open, a blank page with no history to speak of except the echo of horns, whistles, the flickering points of sparklers, the boom of fireworks and the sounds of people celebrating. A new year is like a new car, sleek and smooth, with no mileage. No - [Time To Get Busy](https://donnaeverhart.com/time-to-get-busy/) - My husband is a wonderful gift giver. For example, I stuffed his stocking with pistachios, wader socks, Maker's Mark whiskey, a fly fishing tool, (that looked strangely like some sort of needle threading device) and the new Alan Jackson bluegrass CD. Those aren't bad gifts, but he stuffed mine with... a Fujifilm Finepix S4430 digital - [Christmas Eve](https://donnaeverhart.com/christmas-eve/) - I just listened to one of my many favorite Christmas songs ... it's a quiet morning, and I'm sitting here with a cup of hot coffee and thinking of all of you. Merry Christmas. - [Fussbudget Here](https://donnaeverhart.com/fussbudget-here/) - Quirky is the word that comes to mind when I think about my thought process for "certain things." Okay, weird works too. Oh, just call me anal. Here's a good example of what I mean; I refuse to wear a race t-shirt if I didn't run the race. Plain and simple. One time, I entered - [My Oldest Friend](https://donnaeverhart.com/my-oldest-friend/) - There is a commercial on TV about insurance or maybe it's about investing..., either way, there's a man explaining a study that was done about how long people are living now. They set up a large canvas sort of prop in a grassy field, and the canvas has a graph, and on the graph are - [Brighter!](https://donnaeverhart.com/brighter/) - In my recent post, Early Christmas Present, I talked about getting a snippet of feedback from a new associate who was reading my pages along with my agent. He was still reading so didn't have any comments yet. Yesterday I emailed him to find out if he'd finished, and what he thought, personally, about the - [Early Christmas Present](https://donnaeverhart.com/early-christmas-present/) - It started before Thanksgiving - three days before, approximately. As I looked at my calendar pre-Thanksgiving day, I realized the two weeks following would be about as crazy as crazy can get. And it was all going to happen even though I was still trying to believe I was in summer mode. I was clinging - [What I Learned From Boardwalk Empire](https://donnaeverhart.com/what-i-learned-from-boardwalk-empire/) - The fourth season of Boardwalk Empire wrapped up a few weeks ago. And then I did an ecstatic sort of jerky happy dance when I learned they were signed for a fifth season because I am so, and I mean SO very addicted to that show. I watched each episode like someone in a catatonic - [I'm Ready For Thanksgiving](https://donnaeverhart.com/im-ready-for-thanksgiving/) - It is Thanksgiving and after a productive week, I've set the writing aside. Now, I'm in the kitchen because tomorrow we will host our families for the traditional dinner. We recognize with gratefulness, the fact we still have our parents, our brothers and sisters, nephews, our children and grandchild. We will miss and think - [A FISH STORY](https://donnaeverhart.com/a-story/) - Some of you may remember my post a few weeks ago titled "Blue Ridge." In the comments area of that post, the BLUE RIDGE PARKWAY DAILY (BRPD), http://www.blueridgeparkwaydaily.com/ ,a new online website that provides information on Blue Ridge Parkway events, news, photography, maps and other area interests, invited me to contribute a story. I was - [Where's My Zone?](https://donnaeverhart.com/wheres-my-zone/) - Yesterday, the day before, the day before that, and days upon days before those have resulted in a grand total of - not much. Not much when it came to working on the latest project. Not much when it came to adding new words, plot points, figuring out my characters next move. Talk about confusion, - [Pecking Order](https://donnaeverhart.com/pecking-order/) - At the top of a loblolly pine sat a large, black crow and a hawk, likely a Cooper's Hawk since they are common and in most of the U.S. year round. The interaction between the two looked interesting, so I stopped running, pressed "stop" on my Garmin and waited to see what would happen. The - [Beating The Odds](https://donnaeverhart.com/beating-the-odds/) - "It's not the dying part. It's all the stuff before that, and what will happen to my body." ~ David~ Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or ALS. A progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord. Onset is insidious 100% fatal Usually strikes between the ages of 40 -> 60 yrs Anyone - [Bag Of Treats](https://donnaeverhart.com/bag-of-treats/) - About two weeks ago I packed up, and we headed for what some call the deep south. The land of cotton, catfish, Ole Miss Rebels, William Faulkner, fried okra and green pickled tomatoes. The trip takes about fourteen hours. The first ten hours or so aren't bad. Towards the end though, the constant movement of - [A Different Kind Of Clarity](https://donnaeverhart.com/a-different-kind-of-clarity/) - Every day I get tidbits of information that help with writing. Mostly the advice comes in email from other websites I automatically subscribe to, like Writer's Digest, agent Rachelle Gardner's blog, http://www.rachellegardner.com/ and Janet Reid's blog, http://jetreidliterary.blogspot.com/, to name a few sources. What I appreciate most is when I land on writing advice or a - [Book Problem](https://donnaeverhart.com/book-problem/) - There are a ton of ways to hear about a new book. On TV, in the newspapers, in magazines, on blogs, browsing the internet, browsing in stores, and even better, by word of mouth. There is nothing I love better than to have someone tell me about a good book they've enjoyed. If they are - [For A Friend](https://donnaeverhart.com/for-a-friend/) - About eight years ago, I went out for my usual morning run in the neighborhood. It was December, around six thirty in the morning, so although it was light, the sun wasn't all the way up. I was about a half mile from the house, on a route I ran all the time. My mind - [Tied To The Writing](https://donnaeverhart.com/tied-to-the-writing/) - We are still in flip flops around here. It's October and officially fall. Except..., for the next seven days, the forecast will be mild enough to keep wearing summer clothes. For instance, I ran in shorts and a tank top this morning. Yes, it's that nice, and I'm glad. It lets me have a few - [It's A Southern Thing (Thang)](https://donnaeverhart.com/its-a-southern-thing-thang/) - The latest kick to hit our household? Boiled peanuts. What in the world, you ask? I had boiled peanuts a long time ago and loved them then, but I had sort of forgot how good they are. You can't travel anywhere in the state at certain times of the year, (usually fall) and not come - [Blue Ridge](https://donnaeverhart.com/blue-ridge/) - There is something mystical and melancholy about the Blue Ridge Mountains. From the time we hiked fifteen miles along the Basin Cove trail to reach the Caudill Cabin, http://www.blueridgeparkway.org/v.php?pg=108 to the moment we stood at Wiseman's Bluff and were lucky enough to see the Brown Mountain Lights, these mountains have a unique way of tugging - [Times Two](https://donnaeverhart.com/times-two/) - I'm attempting something different with my latest work in progress, two writing methods I've not tried before. My first two books were written in first person narrative. The first book from the perspective of an eleven year old girl, and the second, from the perspective of a thirty year old man. It's funny how they - [Hell Raisers](https://donnaeverhart.com/hell-raisers/) - Those pesky characters. They're like a bunch of rowdy, hell raising kids, doing what they want, when they want. Or at least it seems that way to me. I try to corral them up, and make them sit and behave, but just when I turn my back, someone, (it's always someone isn't it?) shows their - [Remember](https://donnaeverhart.com/remember/) - [Tickets To Ride](https://donnaeverhart.com/tickets-to-ride/) - Yesterday was the kickoff to the NFL season and my son came over for dinner and the games. We have two tv's, one in the kitchen and one in the living room, so all day, from the pre-game shows until late, I heard football "in stereo." There wasn't a room in the house where whistles, - [In Solidarity](https://donnaeverhart.com/in-solidarity/) - Every Monday, Wednesday and Friday I do a yoga tape, practicing the first two sequences in Ashtanga yoga, Suriyanamaskar A and B. (Sun Salutations). Yoga is supposed to be the perfect compliment to a runner. (We tend to be tight, and I don't mean regarding money, I mean as in not very flexible. ) At - [A World Of Inspiration](https://donnaeverhart.com/a-world-of-inspiration/) - Next door lives a woman who is 103 years old. Born in 1910, when William Taft was president, the Boy Scouts of America was founded, and Mark Twain died. When she was able to communicate, which she did quite well up until a few months ago, I used to love to hear her tell of - [Like Facebook?](https://donnaeverhart.com/like-facebook/) - People tell their life story in a variety of ways these days, most of it out on the internet for all of us to gawk at, comment on, or shake our heads over. But is it the truth? Are we really the shiny, happy people we project ourselves to be in that picture that came - [365 Days - Kiwi's Story](https://donnaeverhart.com/365-days-redux/) - Today, this is dedicated to Kiwi. I'll be back to blogging about writing in the next post. We watched you change, almost overnight. We thought you missed your sister, the little one we'd just let go two weeks before. We noticed how you, our outdoor dog, our hunter, no longer cared when a door opened, - [Is This You?](https://donnaeverhart.com/is-this-you/) - You love... Solitude. The time to focus. Incredible moments of clarity. Inspiration from others. A great idea. Stories of success. Good advice. Following blogs to learn more from others on the same path. Writing partner/s. Being compared. Beta readers. Followers. A completed sentence. A completed paragraph. A completed page. Typing THE END. - [One Hundred Words](https://donnaeverhart.com/one-hundred-words/) - If you follow agent blogs, you may already know about Janet Reid. http://jetreidliterary.blogspot.com/ If you're not familiar with her, she not only does the blog thing, she also provides help with query letters via the infamous Query Shark. The Query Shark in of itself is an invaluable service, if you can stand being bitten by - [The Land Of The Distracted](https://donnaeverhart.com/the-land-of-the-distracted/) - No one's had to call 9-1-1 yet on my behalf, but I've had a few close calls lately that could have ended badly. I've vowed to myself, no, make that sworn, crossed my heart, pinkie promised with my right hand to my left, to be more careful. I've realized I'm so distracted with writing, - [On The Edge](https://donnaeverhart.com/on-the-edge/) - We've all seen them. People who perform those death defying stunts with ease, with the nonchalant attitude of someone taking a stroll in their friendly neighborhood, or laying about in a chaise lounge sipping lemonade. You'd think the idea of walking across a high wire 1,500 feet above a gorge in the Grand Canyon without - [365 Days - Bella's Story](https://donnaeverhart.com/365-days/) - My next post will be about writing, but today, I'm dedicating this post to Bella. It's been 365 days. In the beginning, when it was all so fresh, so raw, I tried to look ahead. I tried to put myself into this place where I am now. I'd heard from many who understood, that one - [Character Assassination](https://donnaeverhart.com/character-assassination/) - It's about to get ugly. I'm writing this latest draft and the good news is, I feel like I've nailed my antagonist. I've set him up to be a true villain, a sociopath with tidbits of dark history scattered about in his chapter, information I can use later to show why he is like he - [Seven Days a Week](https://donnaeverhart.com/seven-days-a-week/) - It's the same thing day in and day out. I really don't mind, not one bit. Matter of fact, if something happens, I get antsy, become a clock watcher, wondering when I can retreat back to my hidey hole, yet not look like a clod. To clarify, I'm talking about my daily writing schedule, of - [UPDATE on Previous Post - ALL IN THE NAME](https://donnaeverhart.com/update-on-previous-post-all-in-the-name/) - I thought I would share what was put out on Shelf Awareness Pro this morning. Shelf Awareness comes to me via email, so I don't have a link, but here is text (copy/pasted) about the "leak" of J.K. Rowling's pseudonym:London law firm Russells Solicitors issued a public apology for leaking J.K. Rowling's identity as the - [All In The Name](https://donnaeverhart.com/all-in-the-name/) - Recently, a debut novel called THE CUCKOO'S CALLING by Robert Galbraith created nothing but praise in the book world, not much in the way of sales, and then shock and a bit of that good old egg on the face type of embarrassment. The book is about a man, named Cormoran Strike, who, after losing - [That High Concept Appeal](https://donnaeverhart.com/that-high-concept-appeal/) - Just when you thought you'd learned as much as you possibly could about writing, another term comes along, and if you are like me, it's new, but not new in general. In the most recent issue of Writer's Digest, an article was written called, "What HIGH CONCEPT Means, in Any Genre."(I would include the link - [Fireworks And A Friend](https://donnaeverhart.com/fireworks-and-a-friend/) - The very best Memorial Day or July 4th fireworks shows I've EVER seen were while on a boat, in the middle of a lake. Back when my best friend and her husband were still together, and when he was alive, they had a beautiful home in Virginia, on Smith Mountain Lake, http://smith-mountain-lake.com/ Fireworks always brings - [Tuning In To FM](https://donnaeverhart.com/tuning-in-to-fm/) - A few weeks ago, another writer, soon to be author, (yay Averil!!) wrote a post titled “GOTHAM.” http://averildean.wordpress.com/2013/05/23/gotham/ In this piece, Averil talked about her “masked man” coming in to help with her writing, like a caped crusader zooming in and saving her in her writing world, a person she views as her mentor. Today, - [Can You Handle The Truth?](https://donnaeverhart.com/can-you-handle-the-truth/) - A little over a week ago I received some news that came just when my house was about to be overtaken by family for Father's Day. And the news wasn't good. In previous posts, I've mentioned a few times, and hopefully not so much that I've come across as being whiny, my concerns about this - [The Best Character Of All Time](https://donnaeverhart.com/the-best-character-of-all-time/) - The news of James Gandolfini's unexpected passing yesterday in Rome, Italy brought me to tears. I'll admit it, I'm not embarrassed, I believe I loved that man, the characters he's played, but my favorite, my absolute tabloid like crush (like with most everyone else) was for Tony Soprano. From the moment we started watching the - [A Saturation Point In Self Pub'ing?](https://donnaeverhart.com/a-saturation-point-in-self-pubing/) - As we know, back in the earlier days of writing and publishing, things were quite different. It wasn't all that long ago one still sent in a manuscript by snail mail, and then waited for weeks (months?) on end to get a reply, but I believe for the most part, a reply came. It all - [Sneaky Pete](https://donnaeverhart.com/sneaky-pete/) - Nicknames are an interesting part of my father's family, but, in general, they had no meaning, best as I could tell. There could have been a story behind how my grandfather's nickname of "Chili," came about, but not my own father's. Dad is called "Snookie." (like Snooki from the Jersey Shore show, except he has - [Tick Tock](https://donnaeverhart.com/tick-tock/) - It's getting done, slower than I'd like, but each day, new words are added and the story moves forward, paragraph, by paragraph, page by page. My latest WIP has been a real time sucker, a drain of minutes and hours, causing me to feel almost panicky when I have to stop because I have to - [Revving The Engine](https://donnaeverhart.com/revving-the-engine/) - It happens on a daily basis. I get up with good intentions, a master plan in my head, a path through the daily routine with my goal established as firmly as roots of the one hundred year old magnolia in my yard. In my utopian brain, my planned day has enough time carved out for - [Phrases, Words I'd Like To Zap](https://donnaeverhart.com/phrases-words-id-like-to-zap/) - There are some words and phrases I wouldn't miss one iota if I never heard them again. They are buzz words and sentences that make me do one of several things when I hear them: Roll my eyes Make snarky comments Change channels Change the subject Put book back on shelf Ignore the person who - [Far Fetched](https://donnaeverhart.com/far-fetched/) - In my latest work in progress, I've been struggling with plausibility, i.e. trying to not have things happen in this story that seem too far fetched The last thing I want is for someone to roll their eyes when reading.. In particular, there is an area that deals with one sentence, spoken by my main - [Prayers For Moore OK, Prayers For Our Heartland](https://donnaeverhart.com/prayers-for-moore-ok-prayers-for-our-heartland/) - Today, and for all the days ahead, pray for residents of Moore Oklahoma as they go through the recovery of their lost, loved ones and grapple with the loss of home, family, and friends. Also, please pray for our heartland in general, because, it's not over yet. - [Mystical Visitors](https://donnaeverhart.com/visitors/) - I'm publishing this again, this time with a title change. I quickly realized "Visitors" might mean actual "visitors" to this site...and nooooo, that's not the topic! I love mystical things, the obscure and spiritually symbolic bits that come to us on occasion. These unexplained occurrences often remain mysterious, even when using common sense or a - [Pie Analogy](https://donnaeverhart.com/pie-analogy/) - Writers spend copious amounts of time working on their craft, and sometimes we need to take a break, just to let our brains rest. I have several ways of allowing my mind to stop pushing itself into a story. This is an obsessive tendency that can be draining and can result in feeling burned out, - [Pet Peeve](https://donnaeverhart.com/pet-peeve/) - This post is not necessarily going to win me any new friends. It might even offend a few people. And, please know, I do not claim to be the expert on writing. But..., I do read, and I read a lot. Not just books, but magazines, newspapers, on line material, like writing tutorials, articles, plus - [Is Speed The Answer?](https://donnaeverhart.com/is-speed-the-answer/) - No less than three times, and probably more like half a dozen, there have been suggestions, prompts or outright directions to write without the thought of a particular goal, to write without over-thinking your words, to write fast, but mainly, just write. This is not a new idea. But what I've learned about writing is this, - [Wide Awake](https://donnaeverhart.com/wide-awake/) - There are a lot of reasons I've not been getting much sleep lately. For one, I'm wearing a medieval sort of contraption on my left leg, known as a night splint. It pulls my foot up slightly and is intended to treat that ongoing, pesky plantar fasciitis. It does help with the heel pain in - [Whose Point Of View?](https://donnaeverhart.com/whose-point-of-view/) - When you begin your writing project, have you ever waffled between which point of view (POV) you should use with your story? As I began writing book one, I never questioned which POV I wanted to take. I wrote in the first person because I believed it was easier to "capture" a voice that way. - [Tighten Up!](https://donnaeverhart.com/tighten-up/) - There you are, plugging along, writing your first draft, and perhaps you're already thinking about the work involved when you will need to go back and do revisions. But..., did you know there's a quick and easy way to make your writing better? And it's something you can do to tighten it up without too - [To Boston, With Love...](https://donnaeverhart.com/to-boston-with-love/) - [Polishing A Turd](https://donnaeverhart.com/polishing-a-turd/) - I'm sitting here, at my desk, where I've been for the past five hours. What have I done? Let's see. I checked out all my fave writing blogs I read the newspaper I surfed Facebook, "Liked" things, and what not I (finally) stared at my WIP, pecked out fifty words, deleted about a hundred I - [A Dose Of Pepto Bismol](https://donnaeverhart.com/a-dose-of-pepto-bismol/) - I've started reading BIRD BY BIRD by Anne Lamott. I wouldn't have known about this book if it weren't for another blog; http://averildean.wordpress.com/2013/03/. The post was on books about writing and others commented on some of their faves.I saw this one mentioned, and I'm soooo glad I did. Talk about reading something that gives you - [The Truth Of The Matter](https://donnaeverhart.com/the-truth-of-the-matter/) - For the past month or so, I've been redirected (read: urged) towards something new in my writing. As I've worked on books in the past, an idea will come to mind on what story I want to write next, and without much of a break, I've plunged right in and started on it. I was - [Comparatively Speaking](https://donnaeverhart.com/comparatively-speaking/) - How many more books, do you reckon, will be compared to TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD? I can only surmise it will continue to happen until someone writes the story everyone thinks is better. A book that is of the quality of MOCKINGBIRD, a book that takes a couple of important issues in today's society and - [Rainy Days...](https://donnaeverhart.com/rainy-days/) - Rainy days can be some of my favorite days. Today, although it's post winter, is still a winter feeling kind of day. The kind where you don't feel guilty sitting inside because it's gray with drizzle, and only in the mid 40's. Everything is damp, like this: It's the kind of day a pot of - [Falling Out Of Love](https://donnaeverhart.com/falling-out-of-love/) - When did you change your mind? When did you know that somehow, you no longer felt the same way about, dare we say..., your favorite all time author? Did this knowledge creep up on you unexpectedly, or was it a revelation of sorts that smacked you in the face one day? What did they do - [Limping Along](https://donnaeverhart.com/limping-along/) - Lately, I've been floundering in a wave of false starts on book three, limping along with a story idea that I think can work, but...I can't seem to get it off the ground. I had originally started a completely different story, one that came to me more easily than this one, but, after a discussion with - [Write Like You're Published](https://donnaeverhart.com/write-like-youre-published/) - "Live like you were dying," "run like the devil is on your heels," and "Party like it's 1999." Well. Maybe that last phrase isn't as applicable for what I mean, but sort of. I have recently come to a conclusion. As I've said before, I follow certain blogs, read as much as I can about - [Story World](https://donnaeverhart.com/story-world/) - "The world only exists in your eyes - your conception of it. You can make it as big or as small as you want to." ~F. Scott Fitzgerald A novel's setting has been referred to as a story world. I'm writing about this today because in the ongoing loop of feedback that I get from - [Straddling The Fence](https://donnaeverhart.com/straddling-the-fence/) - This is one I can't figure out. Some of my favorite books, SECRET LIFE OF BEES, ELLEN FOSTER, CROSSING BLOOD, TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD, and BASTARD OUT OF CAROLINA were written from the perspective of a young narrator. They ranged in age from eight up to fourteen years old. These books were read by adults, - [Don't Be A Spaghetti Writer](https://donnaeverhart.com/dont-be-a-spaghetti-writer/) - There is a derogatory term out there for agents known as being a, "spaghetti agent," which isn't the type of agent anyone wants. Nathan Bransford probably explains it best here, on his blog: http://blog.nathanbransford.com/2011/04/spaghetti-agents.html But, did you know you can also write too fast? Or, maybe too much? I didn't either, so, let me explain. - [THANK YOU Social Media Supporters!](https://donnaeverhart.com/thank-you-social-media-supporters/) - Accomplishments, milestones, achievements, whatever you want to call them, it dawned on me last week there were these individual markers that would be reached by the time I did my next blog post. With that in mind, I wanted to take a moment to say THANK YOU to those of you who have helped me - [The Magic Of Quail Ridge](https://donnaeverhart.com/the-magic-of-quail-ridge/) - If the name, Quail Ridge, doesn't ring bells, that's okay. But, if you are from North Carolina, and you are a writer or author, you know it as one of the key literary spots in the South East. An independent bookstore, founded almost thirty years ago, in 1984, by Nancy Olson, Quail Ridge http://www.quailridgebooks.com/store-info is located - [Spaces](https://donnaeverhart.com/spaces/) - Where do you write? Where are the special nooks where you create your stories? Do you write in the quiet, or to music? Do you take a lot of breaks, or spend too much time browsing the internet? What I want to know is, where are you and where do you get it done? Here - [Just Because](https://donnaeverhart.com/just-because/) - I just started reading, "Larry Brown, A Writer's Life" by Jean Cash. The foreword (by Shannon Ravenel) and the first two paragraphs of the Preface, already have me stopped in my tracks, mesmerized by a writer I'm just coming to know. I picture my ever growing TBR (to be read) stack of backs which is - [Ignorant or Optimistic?](https://donnaeverhart.com/ignorant-or-optimistic/) - I like facts. Facts about anything, everything that pertains to stuff I'm interested in and want to know more about. And, because I want to know, I subscribe to various magazines, blogs and I buy books. I also listen to other people who have had experience with the thing I'm interested in. I'll lean in - [How Far Will You Go?](https://donnaeverhart.com/how-far-will-you-go/) - Last week, an acquaintance of mine challenged me and I couldn't refuse. It was what I needed. My ability to move this third book along, as in adding at least 1,000 words per day has been nothing short of a daunting task. I can't seem to quit spinning in circles over the first 35 pages, - [Tense, Tense, Tense!](https://donnaeverhart.com/tense-tense-tense/) - So, I've been feeling a little tense these days. Alright, even I'm not in the mood for my weak sense of humor today...so, I'll get to the real reason for the post and it's about something that is frustrating enough that I stopped writing in my latest manuscript to post this. It's about that ever - [25th Anniversary!](https://donnaeverhart.com/25th-anniversary/) - Algonquin Books is re-releasing one of my favorite books, ELLEN FOSTER, on the 25th anniversary of it's first publication.http://www.algonquinbooksblog.com/blog/ellen-foster-by-kaye-gibbons/I recall reading this book for the first time. It had me captivated immediately and revealed how a talented author is able to establish a powerful voice, while showing the reader the dynamics of a relationship with - [The Virtue of Patience](https://donnaeverhart.com/the-virtue-of-patience/) - Wikipedia states, "Patience is the state of endurance under difficult circumstances, which can mean persevering in the face of delay or provocation without acting on annoyance/anger in a negative way; or exhibiting forbearance when under strain, especially when faced with longer-term difficulties."In the world today, instantaneous responses to our questions and queries lend to a - [Silent Audience](https://donnaeverhart.com/silent-audience/) - I've written before how going for a run is a way to clear my head and to get new ideas. It's what I consider as my time, a time of few distractions, a time when I can focus on my latest WIP. And, except for that annoying pain in my heel, I don't have to - [Worry Wart](https://donnaeverhart.com/worry-wart/) - I can't help that I worry about things. The stuff that I can't control, or the stuff that I shouldn't even be worrying about at all. I just can't seem to help it though and here's an example... I just visited the website of Ken Foster, author of several good dog books: http://www.kenfoster.blogspot.com In one - [The Speed Of Life](https://donnaeverhart.com/the-speed-of-life/) - The new year has arrived, fresher than fresh, and for now, it is generally at large.I like turning this corner and heading into the wide open spaces of a new year. I like thinking about what might lie ahead, while knowing there's an abundance of hours, days and months, or in other words, time, to - [Bittersweet](https://donnaeverhart.com/bittersweet/) - Today, my favorite place to visit, the blog by agent, Betsy Lerner, ended. She kept it up for four years and that's got to be some kind of record. She indicated she would drop in from time to time to check on "us," (her regulars) but the regular postings that always came with a creative - [Reflection](https://donnaeverhart.com/reflection/) - You realize, it's almost over. You know, 2012? Are you done shopping? Are the gifts all wrapped and under the tree? Did you forget anyone on the list?? Will you get what you want? It's almost the end of a year, and for many, that's a signal, a time for reflection. I'm taking a pause - [Now, We Are Three...](https://donnaeverhart.com/now-we-are-three/) - It was a chance meeting. Like he found me, or I found him. Either way, meet "Mister." He is from a foster home. He's been bounced around...., and...,well, we just had to give him what he so badly needed. Like many of you have said, I think he's got the ability to heal my heart. - [Rigging Up The Lights](https://donnaeverhart.com/rigging-up-the-lights/) - Sidebar from the usual post about writing...it's Christmas! We have to share about decorating - don't we? It takes me 3 days to get done – and the lights are always a challenge. I lose my religion over lights. Bad words come out of my mouth that make a sailor sound downright innocent and pure. - [Sex Sells? Not Always...](https://donnaeverhart.com/sex-sells-not-always/) - When the story broke about David Petraeus cheating with his biographer, Paula Broadwell, the news coverage was relentless. After a week of it, I doubted seriously there would be anything of interest that I cared about or needed to know. That is, until one blurb on a newscast had me pausing the broadcast and backing it - [I Love London](https://donnaeverhart.com/i-love-london/) - Ever since we visited London five years ago, we've always wanted to go back. There was something about that great city, whether it was the ancient architecture or seeing firsthand the places we'd seen on TV (Big Ben, Buckingham Palace, River Thames, London Eye, etc etc) I can't say, but I fell in love with - [Grit Lit Anyone?](https://donnaeverhart.com/grit-lit-anyone/) - Little did I know when I spoke of my favorite authors as writing in a "gritty" way, that a term was already in place for their talents. It's known as "grit lit." If you Google it, you'll find several links explaining who wrote it best, what it means and why it's so popular. I couldn't - [Inspiration](https://donnaeverhart.com/inspiration/) - I wrote my second book set in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina. We always go through the mountains on our way to Mississippi and on a recent trip, I spotted a low cloud amongst the hills. We stopped just so I could snap the pictures. Who couldn't write scenes with this sort of backdrop? - [Distractions](https://donnaeverhart.com/distractions/) - The other day I was in the shower and squirted a gob of conditioner in my hand - then proceeded to wash under my arms. I had been thinking about what I was going to write, what I would focus on, and, obviously I wasn't in the present moment. At least I didn't grab up - [Lucy Grealy](https://donnaeverhart.com/lucy-grealy/) - I get a lot of ideas for what books to read in a number of ways. One is following the blog of agent, Betsy Lerner. The suggestions come along by chance, either through a particular post or in the comments area. For instance, Ms. Lerner puts out a daily post about a variety of topics - [Harvest Time](https://donnaeverhart.com/harvest-time/) - I'm currently in Mississippi, towards the north end of the state, about forty-five minutes from Memphis and Oxford, and Tupelo is about an hour away. It's a state rich with all of those southern "flavors" I love to incorporate into the stories I write. First of all, there are the names of the small towns. - [A Full Deck](https://donnaeverhart.com/a-full-deck/) - Currently, I'm back to adding in new material to the second book, based on feedback from my agent. When I submitted the story to him, it was approximately 75,000 words - or 313 pages long. He loved it, but said towards the end, right after a major event happened to my protagonist, that it seemed - [Wishy-Washy?](https://donnaeverhart.com/am-i-wishy-washy/) - I wonder how many other writers go through this? I've written two books and both are so completely different, it's like they came from two different people. If I had a publisher, the marketing person would likely send me hate emails, or at the very least, I'd hear her/him scream as they rip up their - [That Thing About Voice](https://donnaeverhart.com/that-thing-about-voice/) - If you've spent time reading about the craft of writing, eventually you're going to run across an article about one particular aspect of it that many find hard to achieve - especially new writers. You'll read things like, "you need to have a voice" or, "you need to find your voice," in order to stand - [Paying Attention To The Details](https://donnaeverhart.com/paying-attention-to-the-details/) - Writing and research go hand in hand, but, writers sometimes get caught by surprise when they realize that research can consume as much time, if not more, than the actual writing itself. Consider Dan Brown, (THE DA VINCI CODE), for example. The Wikipedia cites; "Because of the research-intensive nature of his novels, Brown can spend - [Looking In The Rear View Mirror](https://donnaeverhart.com/looking-in-the-rear-view-mirror/) - I was poking around my blog entries the other day and at the time, I had no real reason for doing this other than to review what I'd written, check to see how long I'd been doing it, while trying to decide what I should write about next. I don't want to repeat myself and - [First Class Editor](https://donnaeverhart.com/first-class-editor/) - Readers, this is a post I’ve been waiting to do for some time. Since I started this blog, I’ve often referred to my editor as just that…my editor, or the editor. This was out of courtesy to her. I didn’t feel I had the right to blithely share her name all over the internet, you - [Drama Vs. Melodrama](https://donnaeverhart.com/drama-vs-melodrama/) - There it is. You've just finished up a real doozy of a chapter, only to sit back and worry that what you've written has gone overboard in some way. Maybe you're writing about someone who was perceived as the least likely person to end up with a drug addiction. But now, this person, your protagonist, - [Our Sweet Girl, Kiwi](https://donnaeverhart.com/our-sweet-girl-kiwi/) - One of my favorite stories about Kiwi is the one I heard right after we first got her. Blaine brought her home as a "surprise" companion for Bella, and en route from Mississippi back to North Carolina with little Kiwi in his lap, he made a statement to his brother, Eric; "Well, I'll either be - [Settling Into The Writing Life](https://donnaeverhart.com/settling-into-the-writing-life/) - When I was let go from my job in March of this year, I decided I'd treat my writing like a business - even though I've made no money from it yet. During the years I held down a full time job, I would occasionally open the first manuscript from some folder on my personal - [Extra Post - Unfathomable Situation](https://donnaeverhart.com/extra-post-unfathomable-situation/) - This is an unexpected post...yet again, we have been dealt a blow in relation to one of our beloved Yorkies. As many of you know, Bella, who had just turned 12 was put to sleep on August 2nd due to end stage Chronic Renal Failure, a diagnosis that was delivered on July 18th. Yesterday, I - [Typing "THE END" Only Brings Questions](https://donnaeverhart.com/typing-the-end-only-brings-questions/) - The manuscript of my first book stayed on my computer for quite some time. On occasion, in between my regular job and various other activities that made up day to day life, I would pull it up and stare at the pages. Tweak a word here and there, think about where the story was going, - [In Public With The Fifty Shades Trilogy](https://donnaeverhart.com/in-public-with-the-fifty-shades-trilogy-19/) - I admit it. Out of nothing but pure curiosity about the writing, I bought the first book in the Fifty Shades trilogy. I can tell you that I bought it, but don't let me let YOU see ME READING it. Oh no! I'd read a couple of articles about these books and what E.L. James - [For The Love Of Bella](https://donnaeverhart.com/letting-go-5-2/) - Today we loved her enough to let her go. Today we held her close and told how her much we loved her. She is gone and our hearts are broken. R.I.P Our Beloved Bella June 29, 2000 - Aug 2, 2012 - [The Most Difficult Times](https://donnaeverhart.com/the-most-difficult-times/) - Blood work this morning indicates end state renal failure. Please lift my little Bella up in prayer. - [Today... I'm Writing About Something Different](https://donnaeverhart.com/today-im-writing-about-something-different/) - Today's post won't be about writing, about trying to get published or about what is happening with the first or the second book. Today, I'm writing about something different, something very close to my heart. Apologies in advance for using this space to feel sad. I didn't expect it, but I knew something was wrong. - [Those Critical First Sentences](https://donnaeverhart.com/those-critical-first-sentences/) - I love to read the first sentence of a book I'm about to buy. I mean, I do the other usual things, like reading the back of it to get the basic premise of the story, or the inside flap. And then, I might randomly flip to the middle pages, see how the words "look", - [My Idea Of Heaven](https://donnaeverhart.com/my-idea-of-heaven/) - Lately I've been thinking about the way we used to listen to music, you know, back "in the day." Think about it...the smell of the plastic disc, the creak of a record player lid being lifted, the crinkly feel of the paper holder as you slid a record from it. You'd put a 33 - [It's Just Like Playing The Lottery](https://donnaeverhart.com/its-just-like-playing-the-lottery/) - I follow several blogs and on one of them recently, there was a reference to an article written in SALON: http://www.salon.com/2012/06/27/my_book_was_a_bad_idea/ where the author didn't have much luck getting her book published. She had moved to a different continent just to write it, spent years researching and writing, sent it to her agent and then, - [MAKE EVERY WORD COUNT by Gary Provost - A Must Read!](https://donnaeverhart.com/make-every-word-count-by-gary-provost-a-must-read-4-2/) - This book is out of print, but you can still get it on Amazon.com, which is what I did. It was used, but in good condition. I spent $3.99 for it (Amazon prime = free shipping), although I wished I'd had it before I started writing my first book. Still, I'm now glad I have - [Is It Literary Fiction?](https://donnaeverhart.com/is-it-literary-fiction/) - The debate over whether a particular piece of writing is considered literary fiction or not, goes on. All you have to do is Google the term and you can read about varying viewpoints all day long. Wikipedia says "Literary fiction is a term principally used for certain fictional works that are claimed to hold literary - [The Miraculous Minutes In Writing](https://donnaeverhart.com/the-miraculous-minutes-in-writing/) - I've noticed something before when writing, and it struck me again, over the weekend. If you write, you know there are "good" days, and there are "bad" days. And for many, it may seem there are more bad days than good, right? So, how can you get more good than bad? Let me tell you - [The "Other" 99% and 1% Stat](https://donnaeverhart.com/the-other-99-and-1-stat/) - Have you noticed the comments in the news lately about "the 99% and the 1%." That particular percentage is related to taxpayers, but, did you know there is a similar statistic in publishing? It was a bit disconcerting (to say the least) when I read about publishing odds the other day: http://www.fiction-writers-mentor.com/odds-of-being-published.html As you can - [Publisher's Market Place - All You Ever Wanted To Know - And Some Things You Don't](https://donnaeverhart.com/publishers-market-place-all-you-ever-wanted-to-know-and-some-things-you-dont/) - I have a subscription to Publisher's Marketplace. http://www.publishersmarketplace.com/ If you are a writer, you should invest the $'s in the site . It offers up a wealth of information about the latest deals in the publishing world as well as a history of deals made by on agents, editors, publishing houses, the latest news in the - [The Waiting Games](https://donnaeverhart.com/the-waiting-games/) - Writers are impatient. Well this one is, but as I just told a commenter on my blog who is setting out to write her first book, patience is required and I had to learn to "cool my jets" during most of the process. You know the phrase, used mostly by kids, "I can't wait for - [It's A Really Fine Day](https://donnaeverhart.com/its-a-really-fine-day/) - I've often wondered when I finally got the chance to write this particular post, what I would say and how I would say it..., would I do what I'm doing right now, playing around with words..., while knowing what I know..., yet keeping my news to myself for just a bit longer, relishing that it - [The First Cut Is The Deepest](https://donnaeverhart.com/the-first-cut-is-the-deepest/) - It was inevitable. The first rejection. Before it happened I thought, maybe I'll celebrate it. HA! It has bothered me worse than I thought it would. It was a good rejection - and I suppose that's some consolation. The agent sent this to my editor: "There was a LOT I liked about this. Everhart is - [What I've Learned So Far](https://donnaeverhart.com/what-ive-learned-so-far/) - Since I embarked on the novel idea of writing a novel (yes, there's a smile in that obvious pun), I have learned the people you encounter day to day who are striving to do the same, are still willing to stop, and go the extra mile to help. You find them on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter. - [Refilling the Writing Reservoir - This One's For You](https://donnaeverhart.com/refilling-the-writing-reservoir-this-ones-for-you/) - I've only been posting about once a month, but I felt compelled to do one today based on some recent activity on my desktop here. A couple of months ago I activated a Twitter account and at the same time requested membership to three different writing groups on LinkedIn. Doing those two things were absolutely, - [Less Is More ...and A Thought About Rejections](https://donnaeverhart.com/less-is-more-and-a-thought-about-rejections/) - My BLOG is WAY over due - but suffice it to say - I was busy with revisions on the book. :>) And speaking of the revision process - it can be lonely. There are days when I want to share a tidbit of the latest with someone, but since I've only told a few people, it could - [One Million Bad Words](https://donnaeverhart.com/one-million-bad-words/) - In my last post, I talked about the fact that aspiring writers are told "you have to write one million bad words before you can write one good one." I just hope the value of words doesn't change like the dollar, because that could easily become "you have to write one billion bad words..." (right??) - [How To Get Around The Block](https://donnaeverhart.com/how-to-get-around-the-block/) - I'm no expert but I've read, heard, and now I've seen for myself that every writer experiences the horrible, dreaded - dare I say it - writer's block. I think of it much like "hitting the wall" when running a marathon. You get to mile 20 and your legs, your body in general, doesn't want - [New Editor Feedback and Beta Readers Too](https://donnaeverhart.com/new-editor-feedback/) - My ride on Cloud Nine just pit stopped by the house so I could post this blog. As I wrote in February, I was about to send my "dream" off to the new editor where I would finally get professional feedback to see if it would be established with a word in front = pipe. - [Reality Check's In the Email](https://donnaeverhart.com/reality-checks-in-the-email/) - I was fortunate to find a savvy editor when I submitted the original draft of my first manuscript back in October 2010 as mentioned in the previous blog. She has been in the business of editing, publishing and had her own imprint at Simon & Schuster. She is booked till June, and she was kind enough to - [I Don't Want To Be A Writer...I Want To Be A Storyteller](https://donnaeverhart.com/hello-world-2/) - Like many others it seems, I too am writing a book, or at least attempting to write one. I read just the other day in an article something like seven out of ten people believe they can write a book. Well that puts me right on up there with the majority for sure. It also went on to say ## Pages - [Southern Fiction Author Donna Everhart](https://donnaeverhart.com/) - Donna Everhart is an acclaimed author of vivid, authentic Southern novels. - [Events](https://donnaeverhart.com/events-2/) - Events. Check back often for updates! - [Contact](https://donnaeverhart.com/about-donna-everhart/contact-2/) - Contact Donna Everhart ***I am only booking events for 2027 at this time.*** I’m always happy to speak with book clubs, schools, and other organizations interested in my work via Zoom, - [The Education of Dixie Dupree](https://donnaeverhart.com/books/the-education-of-dixie-dupree/) - The Education of Dixie Dupree - In 1969, Dixie Dupree is eleven years old and already an expert liar. Sometimes the lies are for her mama, Evie’s sake... - [Women of a Promiscuous Nature](https://donnaeverhart.com/books/women-of-a-promiscuous-nature/) - WOMEN OF A PROMISCUOUS NATURE is available to Pre-Order Here at: WOMEN OF A PROMISCUOUS NATURE by Donna Everhart On Sale Now! Accused of “promiscuity” in 1940s North Carolina, a young woman unjustly incarcerated and subjected to involuntary medical treatment at The State Industrial Farm Colony for Women decides to fight back in this powerful, - [Women of a Promiscuous Nature](https://donnaeverhart.com/women-of-a-promiscuous-nature/) - Women of a Promiscuous Nature Book Kit View PDF - [When the Jessamine Grows](https://donnaeverhart.com/when-the-jessamine-grows/) - When the Jessamine Grows Book Kit View PDF - [Book Club Kits](https://donnaeverhart.com/book-club-kits/) - [News & Reviews](https://donnaeverhart.com/news-reviews/) - News & Reviews - [Books](https://donnaeverhart.com/books/) - Books by Donna Everhart - The Road to Bittersweet - The Education of Dixie Dupree - The Forgiving Kind - The Moonshiner's Daughter - The Saints of Swallow Hill - [For Beginning Writers](https://donnaeverhart.com/for-beginning-writers/) - Hello to those who've come to this spot to see what I had to say about the journey of writing a novel and publishing. I'm glad you're here! Recently, a writer came to me with a request for information about publishing. His request made me think (again!) that I needed to share what I know. - [When The Jessamine Grows](https://donnaeverhart.com/books/when-the-jessamine-grows/) - When the Jessamine Grows is set during the Civil War, but it is not a war story. Rather, it is a story about those whose fight for survival took place... - [The Saints of Swallow Hill](https://donnaeverhart.com/books/the-saints-of-swallow-hill/) - The Saints of Swallow Hill - Few writers evoke the complexities of the heart and the gritty fascination of the American South as vividly as Donna Everhart... - [The Moonshiner's Daughter](https://donnaeverhart.com/books/the-moonshiners-daughter/) - The Moonshiner’s Daughter - Set in North Carolina in 1960 and brimming with authenticity and grit, The Moonshiner’s Daughter evokes the singular life of sixteen-year-old Jessie Sasser, a young woman determined to escape her family’s past . . . - [The Forgiving Kind](https://donnaeverhart.com/books/the-forgiving-kind/) - The Forgiving Kind - In this masterful new novel, set in 1950s North Carolina, Donna Everhart brings to life an unforgettable young heroine and a moving story of family love tested to its limits. - [The Road to Bittersweet](https://donnaeverhart.com/books/the-road-to-bittersweet/) - The Road to Bittersweet - Set in the Carolinas in the 1940s, The Road to Bittersweet is a beautifully written, evocative account of a young woman... - [About Donna Everhart](https://donnaeverhart.com/about-donna-everhart/) - Donna Everhart is the USA Today bestselling author of authentic, vivid Southern fiction. - [Media Kit](https://donnaeverhart.com/about-donna-everhart/media-kit/) - Media Kit /*! elementor - v3.20.0 - 26-03-2024 */ .elementor-widget-divider{–divider-border-style:none;–divider-border-width:1px;–divider-color:#0c0d0e;–divider-icon-size:20px;–divider-element-spacing:10px;–divider-pattern-height:24px;–divider-pattern-size:20px;–divider-pattern-url:none;–divider-pattern-repeat:repeat-x}.elementor-widget-divider .elementor-divider{display:flex}.elementor-widget-divider .elementor-divider__text{font-size:15px;line-height:1;max-width:95%}.elementor-widget-divider .elementor-divider__element{margin:0 var(–divider-element-spacing);flex-shrink:0}.elementor-widget-divider .elementor-icon{font-size:var(–divider-icon-size)}.elementor-widget-divider .elementor-divider-separator{display:flex;margin:0;direction:ltr}.elementor-widget-divider–view-line_icon .elementor-divider-separator,.elementor-widget-divider–view-line_text .elementor-divider-separator{align-items:center}.elementor-widget-divider–view-line_icon .elementor-divider-separator:after,.elementor-widget-divider–view-line_icon .elementor-divider-separator:before,.elementor-widget-divider–view-line_text .elementor-divider-separator:after,.elementor-widget-divider–view-line_text .elementor-divider-separator:before{display:block;content:””;border-block-end:0;flex-grow:1;border-block-start:var(–divider-border-width) var(–divider-border-style) var(–divider-color)}.elementor-widget-divider–element-align-left .elementor-divider .elementor-divider-separator>.elementor-divider__svg:first-of-type{flex-grow:0;flex-shrink:100}.elementor-widget-divider–element-align-left .elementor-divider-separator:before{content:none}.elementor-widget-divider–element-align-left .elementor-divider__element{margin-left:0}.elementor-widget-divider–element-align-right .elementor-divider .elementor-divider-separator>.elementor-divider__svg:last-of-type{flex-grow:0;flex-shrink:100}.elementor-widget-divider–element-align-right .elementor-divider-separator:after{content:none}.elementor-widget-divider–element-align-right .elementor-divider__element{margin-right:0}.elementor-widget-divider–element-align-start .elementor-divider .elementor-divider-separator>.elementor-divider__svg:first-of-type{flex-grow:0;flex-shrink:100}.elementor-widget-divider–element-align-start .elementor-divider-separator:before{content:none}.elementor-widget-divider–element-align-start .elementor-divider__element{margin-inline-start:0}.elementor-widget-divider–element-align-end .elementor-divider .elementor-divider-separator>.elementor-divider__svg:last-of-type{flex-grow:0;flex-shrink:100}.elementor-widget-divider–element-align-end .elementor-divider-separator:after{content:none}.elementor-widget-divider–element-align-end .elementor-divider__element{margin-inline-end:0}.elementor-widget-divider:not(.elementor-widget-divider–view-line_text):not(.elementor-widget-divider–view-line_icon) .elementor-divider-separator{border-block-start:var(–divider-border-width) var(–divider-border-style) var(–divider-color)}.elementor-widget-divider–separator-type-pattern{–divider-border-style:none}.elementor-widget-divider–separator-type-pattern.elementor-widget-divider–view-line .elementor-divider-separator,.elementor-widget-divider–separator-type-pattern:not(.elementor-widget-divider–view-line) .elementor-divider-separator:after,.elementor-widget-divider–separator-type-pattern:not(.elementor-widget-divider–view-line) .elementor-divider-separator:before,.elementor-widget-divider–separator-type-pattern:not([class*=elementor-widget-divider–view]) .elementor-divider-separator{width:100%;min-height:var(–divider-pattern-height);-webkit-mask-size:var(–divider-pattern-size) 100%;mask-size:var(–divider-pattern-size) 100%;-webkit-mask-repeat:var(–divider-pattern-repeat);mask-repeat:var(–divider-pattern-repeat);background-color:var(–divider-color);-webkit-mask-image:var(–divider-pattern-url);mask-image:var(–divider-pattern-url)}.elementor-widget-divider–no-spacing{–divider-pattern-size:auto}.elementor-widget-divider–bg-round{–divider-pattern-repeat:round}.rtl .elementor-widget-divider .elementor-divider__text{direction:rtl}.e-con-inner>.elementor-widget-divider,.e-con>.elementor-widget-divider{width:var(–container-widget-width,100%);–flex-grow:var(–container-widget-flex-grow)} Literary Management John Talbot ## My Templates - 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