1st Blogoversary: Interview with Marta Perry & Giveaway!

Marta, welcome to Hardcover Feedback! Thank you SO much for being a part of my 1st Blogoversary Celebration! Would you tell us a little about yourself?
I’m a lifelong resident of rural Pennsylvania, and I’m from a Pennsylvania Dutch background, so that has led me to write the Amish fiction I’m writing now. My husband and I live in the century-and-a-half-old farmhouse in a central Pennsylvania valley where we raised our three children. They’re grown now and have given us six delightful grandchildren—one of my favorite topics of conversation. We enjoy traveling, gardening, especially having those grandkids come to visit!

What or who made the biggest influence on you wanting to become a writer?
When I was eight, I read my first Nancy Drew book, The Secret in the Old Clock. Most little girls finish that book and want to be Nancy. I finished it and wanted to be the person who created that great story! Life happened, I grew up, married, had another career, but the desire to write never left, and I hope it never will.


What was the first book you ever wrote about and was it ever published?
My first book was a young adult mystery, Mystery at Winter Lodge, which was published by Crestwood House. There was the Nancy Drew influence, you see! But I eventually realized that I was more at home writing for adults.

Do you have any writing habits that people might find unusual? 
I’ve always said I can write anywhere. That might be a slight exaggeration, but I’ve written a chapter while sitting in a crowded airport waiting for an overdue flight and sketched out a scene while walking in the woods. I find long road trips especially productive—my husband drives while I write, and I can disappear into the story and come out only when we arrive at our destination.

Do you have a favorite character or one that is especially close to your heart? 
One favorite is Anna, who is a reckless, rebellious teenager in Leah’s Choice and grows into a woman willing to sacrifice everything for her child in Anna’s Return. I also loved William Brand, who appeared as a minor character in several Pleasant Valley books and finally got his own love in the upcoming Hannah’s Joy.

What is the best gift you have ever received and who gave it to you?
The engagement ring I’m wearing—it was a Christmas present, it was a complete surprise, and even more amazing, my husband picked it out himself!

What is something that you have always wanted to do, but just haven't gotten around to it yet?
I mentioned that my husband and I enjoy traveling, and I’ve always wanted to do a river cruise. Maybe next year!

What is your all-time favorite book?
Little Women. I fell in love with it as a child, and I find it just as meaningful as an adult.

Other than yourself, who is your favorite author?
I’m a huge Agatha Christie fan, and I’ve read all of her books a number of times. I love visiting in the world she created.

What do you like to do in your spare time? What spare time? 
Seriously, I don’t think any working writer has much of that, but I enjoy baking and sewing. And reading, of course. My husband gave me a Kindle Fire for my birthday, and I love the ease with which I can read on it, especially when my eyes are tired after a day at the computer.

Are you an early bird or a night owl? 
I normally get up early, and I like to get my writing stint accomplished early in the day. I save afternoons for all of the other things that are related to a writing career, and I’m usually in bed by ten.

What is your favorite TV show and/or movie?
We recently watched “The Help” and I found it very moving. I rarely miss PBS Masterpiece and Masterpiece Mystery.

If you had the opportunity to go anywhere you wanted, at anytime in history, where would you go and why?
I’d love to visit Charles Dickens’ London, but I probably wouldn’t enjoy living there!

You are given an unlimited budget to plan your ultimate party. Please describe it (i.e. Where would it take place? Who would be on the guest list? What would be on the menu? Would there be a theme? etc.).
I’m not much of a party person. For me, the best gathering would be husband, kids, and grandkids in a place we’d all enjoy.

What are you currently working on?
I’m writing the first book in a new Amish romantic suspense trilogy for HQN Books. The first book, Home by Dark, will be out in February of 2013.

Where can people connect with you online? 
You can find me at www.martaperry.com, Marta Perry Books on Facebook, www.booksbymartaperry.blogspot.com and e-mail me at marta@martaperry.com.
I’ll be happy to send a signed bookmark and my Pennsylvania Dutch recipe brochure to any reader who emails me with his or her address.


Thank you so much Marta for being on Hardcover Feedback!

GIVEAWAY:

Marta Perry has graciously offered to give away a copy of her book Vanish in Plain Sight! To enter, all you have to do is follow this blog in at least one way, complete the mandatory entry and then complete whichever extra entries you want in the Rafflecopter form below.  Open to US and Canada ONLY!



a Rafflecopter giveaway