Christmas Giveaway Week: Allison Pittman!

Well, everyone, here's our final interview for the Christmas Giveaway Week! I'm so glad to be able to present you with the author of two books, Allison Pittman! I've read both of these books, and if you'd like to read my reviews, click on Allison's name at the bottom of this post. They were published quite recently. I can't provide you with a link...sorry!

Hello, Allison! So glad you were able to come by today! Please tell us a little bit about the plot of Forsaking All Others, your newest book.

Forsaking All Others picks up right where my previous novel, For Time and Eternity leaves off. Camilla Fox has left her polygamist husband and wants to build a new, better life for her and her children outside of the influence of the Mormon church.

Forsaking All Others has such a pretty cover. :) What do you enjoy most about being a published author?

Two things, really. First, I love hearing from readers through their notes and emails. Reading has always been such a huge part of my life, and I love knowing that I play a little role in the day-to-day lives of so many people. Second, I love that my job consists of telling stories!

What was the hardest part of Forsaking All Others to write?

What was really the hardest part was the HUGE responsibility I felt to tell a good story. So many people read and loved For Time and Eternity, and they’d been waiting a year for the sequel to come out. I was terrified that I might disappoint them!

What gave you the idea, or inspired you to write Forsaking All Others?

Actually, the story that encompasses both For Time and Eternity and Forsaking All Others came to me at once—I just knew it was too big to work into one book. The idea came, really, with the character of Nathan Fox—a man who loves God, but is caught in the lies of false religion. Then, I knew it would be important for him to be loved by a woman who could not be a part of those lies. I was fascinated with the conflict that arose as both Camilla and Nathan loved each other passionately, and God as well. They just each loved God in a totally different way.

Which of the two (so far) books in the “Sister Wife” series is your personal favorite, and why?

Oh…goodness! They are such different stories! I like For Time and Eternity because I enjoyed the
challenge of writing theologically rich passages that didn’t sound too much like a sermon. But, I loved
the adventure of Forsaking All Others.

Your biggest fan and supporter is…

Hmm…I have so many people who love and reassure me every day! I would have to say my mother,
because she declares every book of mine to be “the best” I’ve ever written. But then, I have to say my
husband, too, because he’s sacrificed so much to allow me to do what I love to do.

If you could live in any time period, which time period would it be?

1982. I could have a microwave and cable TV, but wouldn’t have to worry about cell phones and cyber-bullying. Seriously, though, I think I’d have to go with the 1920’s. Everything was new and fresh and fun.

They did have the most interesting hats and hair-styles then. :) If you could visit any country, continent, or place, where would you go and why? (the picture isn't from Allison, but found through my own internet searching...the same goes for the 1920's one above)

I think I’d like to go to England—some tour of the great estate homes. But, I must say, I don’t spend a lot of time thinking about visiting far-off places. There’s still so much of my own country that I haven’t seen.

What three people, living or dead, would you love to have lunch with? They can be together at the same meal, or separate, according to whether you think they’d get along.

I think it would be awesome to have Lizzie Borden and Nancy Grace together at the table to finally get
at the truth of that case! (Morbid? yeah, a little…). And then I’d want Laura Ingalls Wilder there just to keep things sane.

Yes, a bit morbid maybe, but that would be very interesting! What are you currently reading?

The manuscript I’m writing! (not much time for anything else…) But when I have a few minutes I’ve been re-reading A Tree Grows in Brooklyn. It came up in a facebook discussion, and I just had to pick it up again!

That's a book I've never read! What were your favorite books as a child?

All of the "Little House on the Prairie" books. I got the complete set for Christmas when I was in 3rd or 4th grade. I don’t know who was happier—me, or my school librarian!!

My family loves that series. :) Thanks for coming, Allison! Do you have a website where our readers can learn more about you or contact you?

Absolutely! They can email me through my website www.allisonpittman.com, or “like” my Allison
Pittman Author page on facebook.

Back to me. :) Allison has kindly offered to giveaway to one lucky reader a copy of her book, For Time and Eternity.

All you have to do to enter is leave a comment saying you want to enter! :) And as usual, there are extra entries!

+2 if you post about this particular giveaway or the giveaway week in general.

+1 if you post the button (either in your post, or on your sidebar -- if you do both, two entries!)

+2 if you follow Austenitis.

That's it! USA only, and the giveaway closes on December 31, midnight. :) Winners for all four of the currently open giveaways announced in early January!