This week I'm welcoming Melody Carlson back to Ink Dots for another visit. Melody's written 200 books for teens, women, and children (more than five million copies sold). She’s won several awards from the Romance Writers of America, the Evangelical Christian Publishers Association, Christian Retailing magazine, and other national organizations. Melody and her husband have two grown sons and make their home in the Pacific Northwest.
A Dream For Tomorrow - Elizabeth Martin and her two children have made it through the easy part of their journey, but now their wagon train faces high mountain passes, dangerous river crossings, and decreasing supplies. Desperate circumstances bring out the best and worst of the travelers, including Will Bramford, the wealthy widower who is pursuing Elizabeth, and Eli Kincade, the independent and solitary guide who has stolen Elizabeth's heart.
As the group reaches the Oregon Country, the emigrants part ways to find their new homes. Elizabeth and Will and their families have made arrangements to board a ship that will take them south along the coast. Will Eli change his plans and accompany Elizabeth to her new and permanent home? Or will his mysterious past continue to keep them from love?
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A Dream For Tomorrow sounds great, doesn't it? Want to know more about the author? Of course you do. Here's some more about Melody, including a secret or two.
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If I could go anywhere in the world tomorrow, it would be... Australia! No kidding. Considering it’s icy cold here and about to snow again, I’d love to go down under! A sunny, beachy spot with points of interest nearby would be lovely. Any recommendations? Great answer, Melody. I say start in Melbourne where I am, visit the beautiful Phillip Island (setting of my books) and make your way north where the weather gets warmer, and the beaches get sunnier.
One thing I enjoyed today is... Coming to my writing studio to discover a nice fire crackling in my fireplace. As well as my mug of dandelion tea with ginger. Okay, I realize that’s not too exciting, but it’s still morning and I’m still getting over a bronchial flu.
A secret pleasure of mine is... Lately it’s been a candlelit soak in my tub with lavender infused Epsom salts. But that’s probably because I’ve been sick. And, after all, you say “secret” so I guess I’ll just have to leave it at that. J
A moment that changed my life is... When I found God at the age of fifteen—turning my back on atheism. Nothing was the same after that—thank God! The next life changing moment was meeting my husband while working in youth ministry more than 35 years ago. Praise God for that awesome day and every day since!
When I was a child I wanted to... Go around the world. Fortunately I got to do this in 1974–1975 (right after college). And, yes, I did get to stop down under (Sydney) when I was on my way to Papua New Guinea, where I spent a year teaching pre-school for Summer Institute of Linguistics (Wycliffe Bible Translators).
I probably shouldn’t tell you this, but... Right now I’m about to go online and see how expensive it would be to book a trip to Australia! It would be so fun to take my husband to see your beautiful country. And to do it during your summertime would be perfect. However...I fear I’m just dreaming about it for this year. But maybe in 2014...? Oh no... don't stop dreaming. I'll be your tour guide this time and show you my Melbourne. 2014 sounds perfect!
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I have a gift copy of Melody's A Dream For Tomorrow, for one lucky Ink Dots friend. To be in the draw, please leave a comment below. Tell us how you take your tea. Dandelion with ginger, like Melody? Peppermint with honey, like me? What's the quirkiest combo you've tried or would like to try. I'll announce the winner in the comment thread on Friday. Good luck.
