A Visit With Author Ann Gabhart

I first read one of Ann Gabhart's books when I lived in New Jersey. I thought it interesting that Ann lived in Kentucky, not far from where a good friend lives. Little did I realize that I would soon move to Kentucky, and have the privilege of meeting this talented author. She is one sharp and gracious lady!

Ann is here to share a bit of writerly wisdom. She's also offered a giveaway of her newest book, The Gifted.  Check out the details following the interview.

Karen: Welcome back Ann. Congratulations on your newest book!

Ann: Thank you, Karen. It is always exciting to have a new book out for readers.

Karen: Was there any special inspiration for your main character, Jessamine Brady?

Ann: The Gifted is my fifth Shaker novel. I never intended to write that many Shaker books, but then I kept heading down new story trails at my Harmony Hill Shaker village. And with each new book, I wanted to avoid cookie cutter characters and try to make my main female character come to life in her own unique way. So the question for Shaker book number five was what girl could I find in my imagination who would be different enough. And I found Jessamine with her joyful spirit and curiosity bubbling out of her every pore. Not someone who was going to fit in easily with the rule oriented Shakers. My first “what if” question that led to the plot of this story was “What if we have a girl who so struggles with conforming to the rules that the elders and leaders are always asking, what are we going to do with Sister Jessamine?” Echoes of The Sound of Music there, but that question and that thought was my first step down the story trail and my first peek at my new character, Jessamine.

Do you like her name? She started out as Isabella, but she wasn’t springing to life in my imagination even though I was walking her through the story. She didn’t know who in the world I was talking about since I hadn’t figured out her name. Once we had that little issue resolved, Jessamine did wonderfully as she spins with joy through her story. She doesn’t say her name to rhyme with cinnamon. She says Jessamine with the last syllable accented and having a long ‘i’ sound.

There’s a flower in South Carolina called yellow jessamine. That’s where she got her name – in a beautiful garden with the sweet odor of yellow jessamine in the air.

Karen: I do like her name, and love where your inspiration came from. I really like the cover, too. How involved are you in the cover process for your books?

Ann: Don’t you just love seeing the new covers that authors post on their FB pages, etc.? I try to wait until close to time for the book to actually be published before I start talking a lot about the cover or the story since my agent advises not wearing the book out before anybody can read it. The cover has to be ready to go months in advance so information about the book can be included in sales catalogs going out to buyers for bookstores, but my agent thinks that if you have the cover out on all your media sites, people will not notice it as a new book when it does finally hit the store shelves. I don’t doubt her wisdom about that, but at the same time, it’s hard to sit on a new cover design. You’re just so excited to have a new book and to see what the art department has come up with to try to entice readers to pick up the book.

But that’s not what you asked me, is it? Every publisher may work differently in regard to the covers. I don’t remember having any input at all on my first two books published in 1978 and 1980 by Warner Books. For some of my young adult books, I had to fill out title questionnaires and include suggestions of three scenes that might make a good cover. I hated trying to come up with those scenes that they never used anyway. LOL.

I fill out cover and titling questionnaires for the books published by Revell Books too. I have to tell what my characters look like and sometimes have to pick out an actress or actor I think could play the part if the book was made into a movie. I’m terrible at that since I rarely watch t.v. or movies anymore and even when I do, I never remember the actors’ names. So, I end up googling “blonde, blue-eyed actresses” or “dark-haired, handsome actors.” The first time I did that I was amazed at the number of photos that popped right up. Then I’d pick a person and hope that actor or actress hadn’t starred in some horrible film that colored the way people thought of him or her, because I was usually clueless as to who they were. All I knew is that they were famous enough to come up on Google and they looked the way I imagined my characters looked.

On the questionnaire, I briefly describe what my main characters look like (along with the visual movie star’s photo) and then have to say what they might be wearing. I’m not so hot at that either, because I don’t spend a lot of time dressing my characters. I just expect readers to know they have clothes on. Of course, with the Shaker books, the Shakers wore similar clothes and so I can come up with the right answer for those books easily enough.

The art department then decides on a background they think fits the book, hires models who look like my characters, and makes it all work. Revell Books does a great job with the covers and have often really captured the exact right look for the models. Angel Sister is probably my favorite cover just because they did pick Lorena right out of that book and then caught the perfect expression on her face as she looks up at her “angel sister.” But my Shaker heroines have been well cast too. Gabrielle on The Outsider couldn’t have been any more perfect. Jessamine on The Gifted cover is right too. You can see that “I want to embrace the world and fall in love” look on her face.

I am sent proofs of the covers for approval and I can suggest changes if anything looks wrong to me. For example, I got them to “paint” the fence on the cover of The Outsider, because I told them the Shakers would not have had a fence with peeling paint.

Karen: Wow, I had no idea it was such a process, but it makes sense. I think all your covers fit your books. Now that this book is out and about, I know you are working on another. Are you able to give us a peek at the next one?

Ann: I’m always ready to pull back the curtain to reveal what’s coming in my writing world. Next up to be published is a re-package of my first inspirational novel, Scent of Lilacs. It will be out next March with a new cover and I’m hoping new readers will discover Hollyhill and fall in love with Jocie and her family and friends.

I just finished a new Rosey Corner book, Small Town Girl. Five years have passed since the story in Angel Sister. Now it’s 1941. Kate and her sisters are ready to find love while the storm clouds of war gather on America’s horizon. Small Town Girl should be out in the summer of 2013.

On the new writing front, I’m beginning a Shaker Christmas book. I’m doing the “what if” questions now and beginning to see some possibilities glimmering ahead on the story path. That too is scheduled for release in 2013 – if I get it written.

Karen: I am sure you will! Looking forward to all your stories. Thanks so much for stopping by and sharing with us. It is always a pleasure. :)

Ann: Thanks so much for inviting me over again, Karen. You always ask interesting questions. So let me ask you and your readers some questions. What catches your interest on a book cover? Do you like photographs or paintings best on the covers? Have you ever bought a book just because the cover caught your eye in a store or on-line?

If you'd like more info on The Gifted, click here. Be sure and stop by Ann's blog, website, or Facebook page. She'd love to see you!

My Review


Jessamine Brady tries to be a good Shaker. She really does, but she often misses the mark, as questions constantly tug at her. Obedience among believers at Harmony Hill is expected, and curiosity, particularly about the outside world, is discouraged. There are, after all, many dangers in 1849 to pull believers from the right path. Yet Jessamine aches for a glimpse of the forbidden life. Unable to quell her interest, she stretches for a peek, thinking it might satisfy her restless heart.

Tristan Cooper cannot remember his name, or why someone shot him in the woods near Harmony Hill. He does recall, however, the beautiful young woman who came to his rescue. While recovering at the Village, his memory returns, but he wrestles with a decision. Should he stay sequestered among the Shakers, or return to society and fulfill family responsibilities?

Jessamine’s and Tristan’s worlds collide in an unlikely way; neither can forget their encounter. Jessamine has nowhere else to go, and has resigned to a life with the believers. Tristan longs for a purpose of his own, but is obligated to his widowed mother. Both go through the motions of accepting the life set before them. Will they continue on the paths others have chosen for them? Or will they step out onto another?

Ann Gabhart stirs a strong combination of personalities in her latest Shaker adventure. The Gifted transports readers to a different world, one where secrets and surprises await. Jessamine’s rocky journey to find her purpose tests her limits and shows her who she really is.

This engaging story will entertain, challenge, and perhaps even pull at your heartstrings. I love historical fiction, and in my opinion, Ann has it down pat. Her books deliver every time.


Giveaway Details   

• You must be a follower and leave your email address with your comment. 

• Gain bonus entries (+1 each) by posting this on Facebook, your blog, and/or Twitter. Please total your entries and include link with your comment where applicable.

• Open to residents of the United States.

• Deadline to enter is midnight EST Friday August 10, 2012. Winner will be notified via email and will have 36 hours to respond or another winner will be chosen. Winner will be announced Monday, August 13, 2012.

Since Ann's tipped the microphone our way, how would you answer her questions? Here they are again:

• What catches your interest on a book cover?   
• Do you like photographs or paintings best on the covers? 
• Have you ever bought a book just because the cover caught your eye in a store or on-line?

Happy reading and writing,
 Karen