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Interview and Giveaway of Sweetsmoke by David Fuller

Posted on August 13, 2008 by bookroomreviews

David Fuller, the author of Sweetsmoke has graciously offered to give away a copy of his new novel which comes out August 26th.  To enter all you have to do is leave a comment letting David know why you want to read his book!   Maybe he will even answer your question if you have one.  I will draw a winner on August 26th. If you want to blog or stumble or this for an extra entry it would be much appreciated too!   You can read about how David came to write this wonderful novel below and also read some glowing reviews from  Literate Housewife , Peeking Between the Pages,  A Bookworms Dinner   Devourer of Books  Medival Bookworm   If I missed yours please let me know so I can post it also.  You can pre-order Sweetsmoke here.

The year is 1862, and the Civil War rages through the South. On a Virginia tobacco plantation, another kind of battle soon begins. There, Cassius Howard, a skilled carpenter and slave, risks everything-punishment, sale to a cotton plantation, even his life-to learn the truth concerning the murder of Emoline, a freed black woman, a woman who secretly taught him to read and once saved his life. It is clear that no one cares about her death in the midst of a brutal and hellish war. No one but Cassius, who braves horrific dangers to escape the plantation and avenge her loss.

As Cassius seeks answers about Emoline’s murder, he finds an unexpected friend and ally in Quashee, a new woman brought over from another plantation; and a formidable adversary in Hoke Howard, the master he has always obeyed.

 

 

Q: What brought you to write this novel? 

 

“Sweetsmoke is a story I was driven to tell. That there was an African American slave at its core was simply the factual basis upon which to build the story. Cassius is an outsider to his world, and it was but a small step to tell the story from his perspective, as writers tend to be outsiders to their worlds. Research taught me to understand his environment, to know the hardships he had to endure, but being a fellow human being allowed me to see the world through his eyes. Imagination and empathy are the tools of the writer. I’d like to think that the fact that a writer can empathize with another man in dire circumstances is a small step to understanding and brotherhood. Lest that sound naïve and uplifting, let me just say on a personal note that I had just as much difficulty imagining his courage and strength as I did seeing through his eyes as a slave in the 19th Century.

Good stories on big topics don’t come around very often. There are a few lucky writers who seem to continually come up with them, but for me, they are few and far between. When I initially imagined a slave acting as a ‘detective’, a great landscape opened up inside of me. The story was immediately evident even without the necessary specifics. I was not interested in telling a detective story. I was interested in discovering the world of a slave. I was also curious as to how a man who does not have the personality of a victim survives in an environment where he has no power. But by using a loose detective story structure, I was able to touch on different aspects of a world that intrigued me. I was able to visit the world of slaves spying against the Confederacy; I was able to imagine an important Civil War battle; and I was able to examine the idea of how one seemingly unimportant death, occurring against the enormous canvas of a violent war, can take on great significance.

Q: How did you research the story?
 I figured I had at least five years of research ahead of me before I could even write an outline that I would dare show to anyone. I already knew the rough shape of the story, but so much of the novel required historical details that would drive the story forward. I also knew that if I was to tell the story from such a specific point of view, I had damned well better get it right.

I wound up doing at least eight years of research on the novel. I attempted at one point to put together a bibliography, and found that I had read at least fifty books on the subjects of slavery, America in the 1800s, the Civil War, particularly Antietam, and other related subjects like tobacco and the currency of the time. To this day I am coming across books I dipped into for some tidbit of information that did not make the list. I traveled to hundreds of Internet sites, and watched countless hours of documentaries and other related programming. I found that children’s books were helpful, as they come with pictures.

Q: What kinds of surprises did you discover during your research?
 Since I was a boy, I have heard that Confederate General Turner Ashby is one of my ancestors. My great grandmother, Ida Reid Ashby, wrote a lengthy passage about him in her book Ashbys, Reids and Allied Families. I have recently received information confirming the link via DNA evidence. Turner Ashby was such an interesting and dashing fellow that I knew early on that I wanted to include him in the novel. It was not until I was well under way with the research and outlining of the book that I discovered that he had been a slave owner. I had suspected as much, but it was not confirmed until I found a copy of Thomas A. Ashby’s 1914 biography Life of Turner Ashby.Many of my ancestors fought in the Civil War, on both sides. Major Gilbert Trusler, my great, great grandfather, was a Major in Company H of the 36th Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and fought at the Battle of Chattanooga under Ulysses S. Grant. Nelson Trusler, my 2nd great grand uncle, brother of Gilbert Trusler, was Colonel in the 84th Indiana Regiment. John Hankinson Ashby, my 2nd great grand uncle, was a corporal in the 9th Kentucky Cavalry, involved with Morgan’s Raid, where he was killed. Henry Thomas Ashby, my 2nd great granduncle was one of the first volunteers from Indiana and was in the 7th Indiana Regiment. He fought at Gettysburg and was later killed in the Battle of the Wilderness of Spotsylvania. He mentions in his letters that his Virginia kindred were fighting on the other side. Leander Bradshaw Ashby, my 2nd great granduncle, was in the 9th Indiana Cavalry of Indiana Volunteers, serving in the Col. Eli Lilly regiment in the Civil War. In a bloody battle near Franklin, TN, “Uncle Lee” was one of the men who carried Lt. Burroughs to the rear in a dying condition just after Uncle Lee’s own horse’s head had been shot off. The above Ashbys were all brothers of my great great grandfather, James Samuel Ashby. And then there was Zachariah. Zachariah Ashby enlisted as a private on the first of October, 1864 at the age of 18. He deserted Company K, 15th Iowa Infantry on the 5th of November, 1864. A month in the army was enough for Zachariah. The above information has been graciously supplied by my uncle, Samuel Ashby Fuller.
Q: How much of the novel is true? Did you base the characters on actual people?
 Out of necessity, I have included the names of real people in the novel: Turner Ashby; Robert E. Lee; Peter Longstreet; and Sir Percy Wyndham. But Hugh McClaren and the other soldiers are figments of my imagination, along with everyone else in the novel.

That said, most of the incidents that happen to Cassius did in fact happen to slaves at one time or another. The most surprising to me was that there were slaves who refused to be beaten or whipped. They would stand up to white overseers, and get away with it. There is at least one story told of a slave who would not be beaten, the white man let him be. but told the other whites that he had beaten him terribly in order to save face. I worried that readers would not believe the moment when Cassius faces Otis Bornock in the rain, but that incident is based on fact.

Who were your influences on this book?
 One of the important influences on Sweetsmoke was Zhang Yimou (director), Tong Su (novelist), and Zhen Ni’s RAISE THE RED LANTERN. I had been thinking about how to present the ongoing lives of slaves in the quarters, and when I watched that film and saw the wives of a Chinese Master scheme, connive and battle for power, I saw a way in. I wanted to show the slaves as completely human, flawed, irritating, kind, petty, generous and foolish, just as I wanted to show the whites as completely human, flawed, irritating, kind, petty, generous and foolish. It was important to me to show that the whites were as trapped as the blacks in the institution of slavery. Whites created and maintained the trap, but a man like Hoke Howard is also trapped by his heritage. Without the expectations of his family, he might well have been a very different man. Hoke Howard does terrible things, but I hope the reader comes to understand him, and perhaps will share the strange affection that Cassius has for him. Cassius does amazing, clever things, he has learned to use his mind to survive, which was a necessity of survival for slaves, but he is also flawed and can be maddening.

We must all pay a great debt of gratitude to the writers who have come before us. I count as my obvious influences on this particular book Mark Twain and Toni Morrison. In no way do the flaws in this novel reflect back on Ms. Morrison or Mr. Twain, as it is my imperfections alone to be blamed for any and all mediocrity, but I did at times find myself reaching for BELOVED, HUCK FINN and PUDDINHEAD WILSON to hear rhythms in speech and dialogue.

I am also indebted to Patrick O’Brian. Any devotee of his Aubrey/Maturin series will recognize my occasional homage to him, through words and phrases that rang true for me and helped keep me in the 19th Century. While I was unable to physically read Mr. O’Brian when writing Sweetsmoke — he was a brilliant writer, and reading him would drop me into a deep well of envy — I revisited him by listening to audio versions of his books, via the wonderful voice of Patrick Tull. A fellow writer and mentor of mine, Carter Scholz (RADIANCE), spoke of having a writer on your shoulder watching you as you work. O’Brian was the writer on my shoulder.

Q: You also work as a screenwriter?
 I had intended to become a painter, but gave it up in college. I hunted for another outlet for my ‘talents’. I enjoyed photography, but once I picked up a super 8 movie camera and made a couple of short movies, I was hooked. I knew the way in to that world was to become a writer, so I put my butt in a chair and wrote. Along the way, I took a job working for a game show company. My work there ranged from the sublime to the ridiculous.

I eventually sold a script, and soon after partnered with Rick Natkin. Rick and I had a long and excellent run. For seven or eight years, I think we sold everything we wrote. We had six projects made, some of which we even put our real names on. Rick once said that his best stuff was gathering dust on the shelf in his office, his okay stuff was sold but not made, and the bad stuff was up on the big screen for everyone to see. Our most commercial script sold for a lot of money, and then was rewritten so that not one word we wrote ended up in the film. But every screenwriter has horror stories, so I will leave it at that. The important thing is that screenwriting is a surprisingly difficult skill and is significantly undervalued. It teaches you structure and pace, and it teaches you to focus your stories. I’ve written over fifty screenplays, and I’m still learning.

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159 Responses

  1. Alyce, on August 13th, 2008 at 10:48 pm Said:

    This book looks absolutely fascinating. The amount of research that went into this book is astounding! He must have had a true passion for the story to spend eight years researching it. That alone makes me want to read it.

  2. Holly, on August 14th, 2008 at 12:20 am Said:

    Wow. I definitely want to read this.

  3. Julie P., on August 14th, 2008 at 12:36 am Said:

    I have a great reason(s) why I should “win” this novel! First, the book looks terrific and I really want to read it! Second (and more importantly), I’ve agreed to do an author Q&A after I read the book — and I don’t have a copy yet! Please pick me!

  4. Diana, on August 14th, 2008 at 1:20 am Said:

    The characters of the book sounds interesting. I think in life no one is always right or wrong, so everyone having flaws makes it a better book. It doesn’t sound like an easy read, but it does sound like an interesting read. So I would like a chance to jump into the book and try it out.

  5. Teresa W., on August 14th, 2008 at 2:00 am Said:

    This sounds like a great read and I can’t believe all the research you put into it!

  6. erisian, on August 14th, 2008 at 3:47 am Said:

    ncie :)
    i look forward to reading this.

    throw me in the contestant bucket. will pick it up at the local book store if i am not lucky.

    thanks for the interview :)

  7. gautami tripathy, on August 14th, 2008 at 5:30 am Said:

    It looks to be a well researched book. Count me in for it!

  8. janelle, on August 14th, 2008 at 6:06 am Said:

    I want to read this, it sounds fantastic!

  9. kegsoccer, on August 14th, 2008 at 8:23 am Said:

    No specific questions, but I want to read this because of all the glowing reviews :)

  10. Luanne, on August 14th, 2008 at 8:42 am Said:

    Oh I’ve had this one on my radar for awhile now. Lawrence Hill wrote a fantastic book called “The Book of Negroes” (Canadian title) In the US it was called “Someone Knows my Name”.
    Absolutely stunning book and similar. I went online and read the first chapter of Sweetsmoke. Double stunning!!!!. I’d love to win and own a copy of this book! But no matter what I will find a copy to read! Fingers crossed!! xxxx

  11. Carrie K, on August 14th, 2008 at 9:08 am Said:

    Thats a lovely cover and the story sounds intriguing. I would love to have a copy.

  12. Josette, on August 14th, 2008 at 8:17 pm Said:

    Hi there, do count me in! Sounds like a really interesting book. Could be something like Uncle Tom’s Cabin or Roots kind of book. I’ve linked to this post here.

    josettebooks[at]yahoo[dot]com

    Thanks!

  13. Anna, on August 14th, 2008 at 8:45 pm Said:

    Please enter me! I’d love to read this book. 8 years of research…that’s what I call dedication! I’ve always been interested in that time period.

  14. Ti, on August 14th, 2008 at 9:21 pm Said:

    I love stories that deal with class struggle. It’s funny that you mentioned Raise The Red Lantern. To date, that is a movie that I continue to go back to. The struggle to obtain power as a concubine and the impact of age and position makes for good story telling. I would love to read SWEETSMOKE for that reason.

  15. a real librarian, on August 14th, 2008 at 9:37 pm Said:

    Wow, this book sounds amazing! I’d love to read it!

  16. Tasses, on August 15th, 2008 at 3:03 am Said:

    Love historical fiction! I would like to enter and I have posted about it HERE.

  17. Nicole C., on August 15th, 2008 at 3:20 am Said:

    Please enter me!! It sounds wonderful!!

  18. Heather J., on August 15th, 2008 at 3:23 am Said:

    I’ve read a few interviews with this author and I’m really intrigued by the research he did. I’d love to win this one!

  19. mary, on August 15th, 2008 at 4:55 am Said:

    Oh, I love reading books about plantations and the slaves. I can’t believe how badly we treated them.
    I have always found the books about the south and the plantation struggles through the war so exciting.

  20. Meghan, on August 15th, 2008 at 8:17 am Said:

    This is definitely a must-read. I’ve written a review of it here.

  21. Sara Alvaro, on August 15th, 2008 at 5:47 pm Said:

    Somehow I missed this one. It sounds fantastic. Please enter me. Thanks.

  22. Dianna Murrah, on August 16th, 2008 at 4:58 am Said:

    Sounds inthralling. Like anything historical…

  23. Cindi, on August 16th, 2008 at 12:20 pm Said:

    The Civil War is a fascinating time in our country’s history. My uncle actually had a gun from the civil war, but someone stole it from him! Please enter me in your contest drawing. Many thanks, Cindi

  24. Becky, on August 17th, 2008 at 8:18 am Said:

    Sounds interesting. Can’t put my finger on a single reason why I’d want to read this- just that it sounds like an interesting book.

  25. nancy, on August 17th, 2008 at 7:23 pm Said:

    My husband loves reading anything to do with the civil war, please count me in on this great giveaway

  26. Sharon, on August 17th, 2008 at 7:29 pm Said:

    Sounds interesting! Please throw my name in the hat. Thanks!

  27. Linda Pinto, on August 17th, 2008 at 11:08 pm Said:

    I would like to read this sad and interesting book. I would like to know what made the author either more hopeful or more cynical about human nature as a result of his research on this book.

  28. keith james, on August 17th, 2008 at 11:27 pm Said:

    thank you

  29. S, on August 18th, 2008 at 7:10 am Said:

    sounds interesting!

  30. booklogged, on August 19th, 2008 at 5:22 am Said:

    I like the cover. Those hands have a story to tell and I want to know it.

  31. israel y, on August 19th, 2008 at 7:35 am Said:

    looks like a good read!

  32. Nicole, on August 21st, 2008 at 5:59 am Said:

    I’ve been seeing this around and it looks interesting. Put me down.

  33. Jennifer R, on August 21st, 2008 at 7:15 pm Said:

    This book sounds fascinating. I would love to read it, as it sounds like the type of book that really involves the reader, as if they are there…I’d be delighted to win this!

  34. Anita Yancey, on August 22nd, 2008 at 12:51 am Said:

    I would like to read this book, because I love to read anything about the Civil War. Please enter me.

  35. Kelly C., on August 22nd, 2008 at 12:51 am Said:

    This book sounds amazing! Please enter my name. I hope to win it but if I don’t I am still adding it to my list of must reads.

  36. Melissa, on August 22nd, 2008 at 12:58 am Said:

    Sounds wonderfully interesting. I can’t wait to read it!
    Thanks

  38. Shauna, on August 22nd, 2008 at 6:10 am Said:

    I’d like to be entered. I’ve always been fascinated by the Civil War.

  39. Brenda S., on August 25th, 2008 at 2:36 am Said:

    Wow. I definitely want to read this.

    Thank you.

  40. Chris, on August 25th, 2008 at 3:03 am Said:

    I love well-researched books like this and this one sounds absolutely fascinating. I was raised by Civil War buffs and will buy this if I don’t win it!

  41. SANDY, on August 25th, 2008 at 3:05 am Said:

    wow. …lots of hard work put into this..would love to read it

  42. Angel, on August 25th, 2008 at 3:15 am Said:

    i’d love to read it.

  43. Denise, on August 25th, 2008 at 3:17 am Said:

    Count me in. I am in the mood for a new read.

  44. Aisling, on August 25th, 2008 at 3:20 am Said:

    I sometimes avoid heavy reading, but this is one book that I really would like to read. The interview with the author makes me all the more interested in the book. Thanks.

  45. JoanB, on August 25th, 2008 at 3:24 am Said:

    This book sounds like a good read.
    I do hope I win. Thanks for the chance.

  46. christopher h, on August 25th, 2008 at 3:24 am Said:

    i love historical novels

  47. Anne, on August 25th, 2008 at 3:48 am Said:

    Thanks! Looks like a great read!

  48. Krystal deblasio, on August 25th, 2008 at 4:09 am Said:

    I would like to read this book because I like reading books about people in different situations from what I can relate to.

  49. Ken, on August 25th, 2008 at 4:18 am Said:

    Would really enjoy winning this book.

  50. susan varney, on August 25th, 2008 at 4:40 am Said:

    sounds like a great book to read

  51. Don, on August 25th, 2008 at 4:40 am Said:

    Looks good…please enter me.

  52. Kim McFarland, on August 25th, 2008 at 4:48 am Said:

    Please enter me!

  53. charline s, on August 25th, 2008 at 4:51 am Said:

    Wow the work it took to write this book, Sounds so interesting and amazing.

  54. DL Stephens, on August 25th, 2008 at 5:04 am Said:

    Add my name to the list of people wanting to read this book. Thanks!

  55. Vicki Wurgler, on August 25th, 2008 at 5:09 am Said:

    this sounds so interesting-I’d love to read this book and I also love the cover

  56. Shirley, on August 25th, 2008 at 5:22 am Said:

    Would love to win! sounds like a wonderful read

  57. Catherine copeland, on August 25th, 2008 at 5:36 am Said:

    i belong to a book club and everyone gets a turn at selecting the book. I’m very discriminating about my selection but this one sounds like one I could recommend easily

  58. Tonya Froemel, on August 25th, 2008 at 5:45 am Said:

    love to win this

  59. Billy, on August 25th, 2008 at 5:55 am Said:

    I would love to win this…if not I guess I’ll have to buy it.

  60. Clifton Wade, on August 25th, 2008 at 6:11 am Said:

    PLEASE – PLEASE enter me – I would love to give this to my wonderful wife of more than 38 years!

  61. Delores, on August 25th, 2008 at 6:49 am Said:

    pleaes enter me!

  62. romero, on August 25th, 2008 at 6:50 am Said:

    would love to be entered.

  63. Stacie Ruyle, on August 25th, 2008 at 7:06 am Said:

    I’d love to win a copy. Thanks!

  64. Carol Ezovski, on August 25th, 2008 at 7:08 am Said:

    This sounds like a very exciting book! I love to read all kinds of books, so I’d love this one, too!

  65. Susan Smith, on August 25th, 2008 at 7:08 am Said:

    Please enter me

  66. James Coyne, on August 25th, 2008 at 7:15 am Said:

    I love books

  67. bob, on August 25th, 2008 at 7:17 am Said:

    I’m up for this – sounds interesting.

  68. txfilly, on August 25th, 2008 at 7:18 am Said:

    please enter me to win this book

  69. Vicky Boackle, on August 25th, 2008 at 7:40 am Said:

    the author’s passion for the story makes me want to know more.

  70. Elaine R, on August 25th, 2008 at 7:52 am Said:

    This sounds like a good read-would love to win it!

  71. Rob, on August 25th, 2008 at 8:07 am Said:

    Looks like an interesting read.

  72. sarah, on August 25th, 2008 at 8:07 am Said:

    sounds like a great book. please enter me. thanks

  73. Carol Harrity, on August 25th, 2008 at 8:10 am Said:

    I am a history buff and the civil war is one era that I really enjoy learning more about. This sounds like a really great read.

  74. Dan Smith, on August 25th, 2008 at 8:33 am Said:

    Sounds like an interesting book

  75. Michael Capp, on August 25th, 2008 at 8:48 am Said:

    I want to win!

  76. Chrysa, on August 25th, 2008 at 9:08 am Said:

    Sounds like a great book – I hope I win!

  77. kathleen, on August 25th, 2008 at 9:08 am Said:

    This looks like a well researched book. I would love to get a copy because I have always been interested in the Civil War and lately I have been reading works that have been written in the late 1800’s by black authors, slave and free. Thanks for the contest.

  78. bina edwards, on August 25th, 2008 at 9:38 am Said:

    we are going camping and i’m sure to finish the two books i’m taking (its ten days) so i’m gonna need something new to read

  79. Lara Aleff, on August 25th, 2008 at 10:16 am Said:

    I love that this mystery is set during the Civil War!

  80. Jeanine Price, on August 25th, 2008 at 10:35 am Said:

    Sounds like fun! I would love to win! Thanks so much for the giveaway!

  81. Danielle De Vizia, on August 25th, 2008 at 10:38 am Said:

    Sounds interesting enough! I’d definitely read it.

  82. Terra Heck, on August 25th, 2008 at 10:50 am Said:

    I’d like to read this book.

  83. Desiree, on August 25th, 2008 at 11:02 am Said:

    Please enter me for this giveaway ;)

  84. pat martinez, on August 25th, 2008 at 11:10 am Said:

    ANOTHER GOOD READ! SIGN ME UP!

  85. RICHARD DEYARMOND, on August 25th, 2008 at 11:27 am Said:

    like period books

  86. L Knott, on August 25th, 2008 at 11:57 am Said:

    I read novels, fiction, but really love to be able to place people and places in historical times. Your book seems to meet those expectations. Been fascinated with the Civil War ever since the movie “Shenandoah”. My husband was related to General Sheridan. Thanks for the chance to read for Free!!

  87. Rose Roberts, on August 25th, 2008 at 12:17 pm Said:

    this looks interesting please enter me

  88. marleen davis, on August 25th, 2008 at 12:18 pm Said:

    I enjoy well written, well researched books and this looks like one. Thanks for the chance to win it.

  89. victoria lynch, on August 25th, 2008 at 12:51 pm Said:

    I love reading books based out of virginia. Having been born and raised in a little town there

    thanks

  90. Felicia Lockamy, on August 25th, 2008 at 12:59 pm Said:

    Wow, what at great book to read, thank you

  91. Ruth Utterback, on August 25th, 2008 at 4:41 pm Said:

    I would love to win and read this book,sounds great
    Thanks for the contest

  92. david basile, on August 25th, 2008 at 5:21 pm Said:

    sounds good thanks

  93. Sharon Jones, on August 25th, 2008 at 5:22 pm Said:

    want to win this badly.,..sounds wonderful…thanks

  94. Andrew Gordon, on August 25th, 2008 at 5:30 pm Said:

    count me in

  95. Tracey Byram, on August 25th, 2008 at 5:39 pm Said:

    I love hiistorical novels especially those set during the Civil War. If an historical novel is written well, I can get a feel for what life was like in a different era while also getting a good story.

  96. Kathy Scott, on August 25th, 2008 at 5:47 pm Said:

    This looks like a good read. Thanks for the chance.

  97. Tammy, on August 25th, 2008 at 6:01 pm Said:

    Having grown up in a different country, there are parts of American History that I would like to learn more about — my favorite way to learn about them is through fictionalized novels based on factual times. Thank you for the chance to win.

  98. kathy pease, on August 25th, 2008 at 6:34 pm Said:

    PLEASE COUNT ME IN ON THIS AWESOME GIVEAWAY :)

  99. Deborah R, on August 25th, 2008 at 6:45 pm Said:

    I’m amazed at the time and dedication Fuller put into this work.

  100. Paula S., on August 25th, 2008 at 6:46 pm Said:

    Sounds just a great book. I would like to win.

  101. Roger Keeney, on August 25th, 2008 at 6:50 pm Said:

    Historical fiction is a favorite of mine, and the research you did is impressive. Please enter me.

  102. Susan C, on August 25th, 2008 at 6:54 pm Said:

    Wow, this sounds fascinating. I will be studying this topic in school next semester, and it would be nice to read this.

  103. Jacquelyn Cannon, on August 25th, 2008 at 7:21 pm Said:

    I would love to read this boo. It sounds like a keeper.

  104. Deborah Wellenstein, on August 25th, 2008 at 7:27 pm Said:

    This sounds intriguing! Sign me up!

  105. Kathy Green, on August 25th, 2008 at 7:29 pm Said:

    Looks like a good book!

  106. tim brown, on August 25th, 2008 at 7:40 pm Said:

    THANK YOU GOD BLESS

  107. Shannon Baas, on August 25th, 2008 at 7:41 pm Said:

    I would like to win this.

  108. prplrush, on August 25th, 2008 at 8:25 pm Said:

    I would love to win this book!

  109. prplrush, on August 25th, 2008 at 8:27 pm Said:

    You all hold some of the best book contests around! I would love to win this!

  110. Linda Moeller, on August 25th, 2008 at 8:29 pm Said:

    Sounds great. I read a book called ACROSS FIVE APRILS when I was a kid. It was about the Civil War. Awesome.

  111. Roseann Kies, on August 25th, 2008 at 8:46 pm Said:

    Historic novels intrique me!

  112. Mary, on August 25th, 2008 at 8:49 pm Said:

    I’d like to read this.

  113. Carissa D., on August 25th, 2008 at 9:36 pm Said:

    Sounds like a great book.

  114. Frank B., on August 25th, 2008 at 9:50 pm Said:

    This sounds like a really good storyline!

  115. Betty C, on August 25th, 2008 at 9:51 pm Said:

    A novel set in the midst of a war will always interest me. This particular story could easily be the ancestry of many Americans. It sounds like a fascinating book.

  116. Alicia Webster, on August 25th, 2008 at 9:53 pm Said:

    Actually, I am always on the lookout for good books for my husband, and he would love this. We don’t have $$$ to buy extras, so this would be a real treat for him.
    Alicia Webster
    5webs@comcast.net

  117. janeh, on August 25th, 2008 at 10:16 pm Said:

    I am fascinated by books about the history of the south. In addition to intriguing characters, there is a mystery interwoven……sounds like a MUST READ!!

  118. Carol G, on August 25th, 2008 at 10:23 pm Said:

    Sounds like a great read–have always been interested in American history overall, and the Civil War period is just full of possibilites for stories–both factual and fictional!

  119. veronica sandberg, on August 25th, 2008 at 10:32 pm Said:

    want to win this

  120. Patty, on August 25th, 2008 at 10:35 pm Said:

    Thank you for having this contest. I really appreciate it.

  121. Darlene Wetzel, on August 25th, 2008 at 10:35 pm Said:

    The cover looks sweet and sounds very interesting. Thank you for the contest.

  122. randi, on August 25th, 2008 at 10:45 pm Said:

    I think this book looks so interesting. Hope I win!

  123. CHERYL A FRANCISCO, on August 25th, 2008 at 11:18 pm Said:

    posting for entry please :)
    cherylfrancisco@hotmail.com

  124. margaret herrin, on August 25th, 2008 at 11:24 pm Said:

    My kind of book.

  125. Jennifer Schroeder, on August 25th, 2008 at 11:29 pm Said:

    Wow! This sounds great! Thank you so much for the great contest!

  126. Susanne Troop, on August 25th, 2008 at 11:39 pm Said:

    Sounds like a good book!

  127. Zoly, on August 25th, 2008 at 11:45 pm Said:

    I would like to read this book.

  128. louise, on August 26th, 2008 at 12:16 am Said:

    looks like a good read!

  129. Kathy Ballinger, on August 26th, 2008 at 12:25 am Said:

    Too broke to buy it, or I just would do that. VERY intriging – please consider me….

  130. Rick Tucker, on August 26th, 2008 at 1:18 am Said:

    I would like to have this one.

  131. Barbara, on August 26th, 2008 at 1:36 am Said:

    This book sounds really good.

  132. Melanie Miller, on August 26th, 2008 at 1:43 am Said:

    This is my favorite part of history… this sounds so fascinating!!

  133. Eda, on August 26th, 2008 at 2:00 am Said:

    Love to read this book. enter me please

  134. linda, on August 26th, 2008 at 2:03 am Said:

    Sounds like a fantastic book.Who knows maybe a movie?

  135. Zoe Lee, on August 26th, 2008 at 2:32 am Said:

    I would love to read this :)

  136. cindy a, on August 26th, 2008 at 2:41 am Said:

    looks great, thanks

  137. t. cannon, on August 26th, 2008 at 2:47 am Said:

    I’d love to win this. Please enter me in the contest.

  138. Sarah Buki, on August 26th, 2008 at 2:56 am Said:

    i honestly truely think that this sounds like a REALLY good story. I love these kind of books and even if I dont win it, i will probably have to go to the library to check it out!

  140. Ed Nemmers, on August 26th, 2008 at 3:18 am Said:

    Sweet read!

  141. Jennifer Jozwiak, on August 26th, 2008 at 3:56 am Said:

    sounds very intersting, count me in

  142. Elizabeth M., on August 26th, 2008 at 4:37 am Said:

    It sounds like an emotionally powerful book and on a subject that I read about frequently. Thank you for the giveaway and the opportunity to read it.

  143. Sue Farrell, on August 26th, 2008 at 4:42 am Said:

    Wow–this sounds like a “heavy” book with a solid story line and lots of characterization. Ususally, I’m reading fluff so this would probably be a good change for me.

  144. dorothy lazorchik, on August 26th, 2008 at 4:44 am Said:

    enter me please

  145. Erica G, on August 26th, 2008 at 5:21 am Said:

    Please include me!

  146. Sheila Pepe, on August 26th, 2008 at 5:28 am Said:

    Sounds like a good book and full of history! Would love to win this book so I can see how good it is!

  147. Rebecca Snodgrass, on August 26th, 2008 at 5:47 am Said:

    please enter me

  148. Kayce C, on August 26th, 2008 at 6:15 am Said:

    Include me, please

  149. Timothy Sternberg, on August 26th, 2008 at 6:53 am Said:

    This book looks absolutely fascinating.

  150. Kim, on August 26th, 2008 at 7:04 am Said:

    This book looks like a fantastic read! Thank you for your giveaways!

  151. Gary Osborn, on August 26th, 2008 at 7:14 am Said:

    Wooo Hooo Make me a winner!

  152. K. Cleaver, on August 26th, 2008 at 7:21 am Said:

    Good interview. I’d be interested in reading the book.

  153. Charlene Kuser, on August 26th, 2008 at 7:52 am Said:

    Im sure this was not an easy book to write.I love to read books about the Civil War era.
    I am surrounded buy the Civil War.I have found a bullet in my front yard,I live in Spotsylvania
    VA.near the Wilderness Battlefields,so everyday I am reminded of the battles.The slave issue
    was a big one and thanks to Lincoln this all came to pass.I am glad to see someone showing
    them as intelligent people and not how they were protrayed at one time in history.That being said would love to read this book,it sounds like it was written with compassion

  154. Lori Cerullo, on August 26th, 2008 at 8:05 am Said:

    sounds like a great read . count me in
    thanks

  155. Karen Gonyea, on August 26th, 2008 at 8:12 am Said:

    Sounds Great !

  156. brandon caire, on August 26th, 2008 at 8:16 am Said:

    i would lvoe to read this book

  157. ruth, on August 26th, 2008 at 9:26 am Said:

    i love to read, please enter my name

  158. alexa marie, on August 26th, 2008 at 4:38 pm Said:

    This book looks fantastic. I can’t wait to read it.

  159. audrey b, on August 27th, 2008 at 3:39 am Said:

    It sounds like such an unusual book, not like anything else I’ve ever read, someone who has so much to worry about in his own life determined to find out what happened to someone who meant a lot to him. I’d love to read it.

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