Promise Brides, Interview with S. Dionne Moore and Giveaway!

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Why do you write the kind of books you do?

Historical romance? Because I have a passion for history. I love to ferret out little known facts and build a story around them. My father’s passion for history, especially the Civil War era, was strong. I remember him sitting in his reading room surrounded by stacks of magazines. Civil War Times was his favorite. This apple didn’t fall far from the tree.

Cozy mystery was a genre I wrote because I enjoy nothing better than sitting down with a good mystery. However, had I known how tough it is to write a mystery, I would have started with an easier genre! Still, the process was an eye-opening learning experience that forced me to rethink the way I plotted books. Even so, what I learned trumped the difficulty of writing the stories.

How has being published changed your life?

Dead. Lines. Gone are the days writing at a leisurely pace, taking off days, even weeks, before feeling the need to sit and write a couple of more pages before the next vacation. Now it is a matter of discipline. I write everyday unless there is an emergency that requires my attention. I have a daily word count goal of 2500 words that I can usually manage in two or three hours. On a bad day it might take me four. But this change, the discipline of it, is not all a bad thing.

What are you reading right now?

Well, right now. Nothing. I’m on a deadline. :)

What is your current work in progress?

A Heartbeat Away is a historical romance set in Sharpsburg, MD before, during and after the Battle of Antietam (or, if you’re in the south, The Battle of Sharpsburg). When a band of runaway slaves brings Union-loyal Elizabeth "Beth" Bumgartner a wounded Confederate soldier named Joe, it is the catalyst that pushes her to become a nurse during the Battle of Antietam. Her mother's mysterious good-bye gift is filled with quilt blocks that bring comfort to Beth during the hard days and lonely night of the Battle of Antietam, but as she sews each block, Beth realizes there is a hidden message within the pattern. When she learns Joe’s secret, the quilt's message is put to its greatest test--but can betrayal be forgiven?

How do you choose your settings for each book?

I often discover little known facts in my travels or research of an area. When I land on something that piques my curiosity I try to find research books on the subject. For example, in A Heartbeat Away, Joe’s secret revolves around Lee’s Special Order 191, a lost order mean for D.H. Hill, that instead landed in the hands of the Union’s General McClellan. There is a great mystery surrounding the how and why such an order could have been carelessly left in a field wrapped around three cigars. . .

What advice would you give to a beginning author?

Writer’s write, and don’t be afraid of critiques, they truly will help you grow as a writer, but only if you open yourself to them.


Tell us about the book Promise Brides.

Promise Brides is a compilation of three historical. Promise of Tomorrow was a 2011 Carol Award Finalist and is set in Johnstown, PA during the terrible flood of May 1889.
Love is the same, no matter when, no matter where—it never comes without sacrifice. Theodore risks capture for Ellie, but will their hope for a future together be defeated? Can Marylu trust Chester, or is she asking for another broken heart? Will Alaina and Jack find common ground, or will flood waters destroy any possible future? Enjoy three romances from the historic state of Pennsylvania.

What one question would you like us to ask your readers?

What are your favorite time periods to read about?

Tell us about the giveaway you’re offering.

I’m giving away two copies of Promise Brides!

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My review:


Title: PROMISE BRIDES
Author: S. Dionne Moore
Publisher: Barbour Books
November 2011
ISBN: 978-1-61626-473-4
Genre: Inspirational/historical romance

Historic Pennsylvania echoes with the drumbeat of conflicted love….

Promise of Time – Ellie Lester has lost her husband, Martin, in the Civil War. Now, she’s struggling to move past the grief. Martin’s cousin, Theodore is a deserter of the southern army, and he’s looking for refuge in Martin’s home. But when he arrives, he finds Ellie hiding runaway slaves in her cellar. Ellie is hesitant to help him, until Theo threatens to inform others about her nighttime activities. Will two individuals on different sides of the war come to find love?

Promise of Yesterday – Marylu Biloxi works as a servant in Pennsylvania years after the War between the States, but she dreams of a home of a family of her own. She doesn’t figure she’ll ever marry though, at least until Chester Jones comes through the door on an errand. Chester’s tongue has been cut out by cruel master, so he can’t talk, but he can communicate just fine. Still, he has a lot of wounds to heal from. Will Marylu and Chester be able to find their hearts desires?

Promise of Tomorrow – Jack Kelly and Alaina Morrison have long planned to wed, but Jack is convinced he needs to have stable income to provide for her and their future family. Alaina only wants his love—not things. But the differences keep growing and seem insurmountable. Will Jack and Alaina solve their problems before a life together becomes impossible?

PROMISE BRIDES is a collection of three previously published (with Heartsong Presents) stories by S. Dionne Moore. Each of these stories stand alone, but were republished in one full sized book collection.

I enjoyed reading all these stories. They are piqued my interest, being a unique set of stories, and not the same as the others I’ve read recently. I usually have a favorite story in these types books, and I think my favorite in this collection is Promise of Yesterday because Marylu had unexpected Sass and Chester was as mischievous as they come. It made for a fun story. If you like Barbour’s collections, or just like historicals, you’ll want to read PROMISE BRIDES. $7.99. 383 pages.