Jagged Edge Reviews: Giveaway: Softly and Tenderly

What a better way to celebrate such and amazing book other then to do a interview and giveaway. There will be 1 copy of Softly and Tenderly by Rachel Hauck and Sara Evans given away on Bewitching books.

I absolutely loved this novel, you can check out kati's review.

Here's a little more information about the book itself:

Softly and Tenderly by Rachel Hauck and Sara Evans

Summary:

Maybe out there in the country she could catch her breath, learn to breathe again… Happily married, and owner of two successful boutiques, Jade longs to begin a family with her husband, Max. But when she discovers that Max has an illegitimate son - who he wants her to help raise - Jade's life is turned upside down. She flees to her childhood home, a rambling Iowa farmhouse, with enough room to breathe. There - while her mother's health grows fragile, and the tug of her first love grows stronger - Jade begins to question everything she thought she knew about family, love, and motherhood. In the wide-open landscape, Jade begins to see a future that doesn't rest on the power of her past, but in the goodness of God's tender mercies.

Welcome to Bewitching Books Rachel!

RH: Thank you for having me! It's great to be here!

Would you like to tell everyone a little bit about yourself?
RH: I suppose gorgeous and brilliant is a bit too on-the-nose. (snort, snicker!) Well, I'm married to an amazing, cool, funny, handsome man. My best friend. We're both fifty. Oy. I've been writing full time for almost 7 years and have been so very blessed by God. I'm a graduate of Ohio State University (Go Buckeyes) and when I'm not writing, I play Angry Birds on my iPad. And, oh yes, considering doing a P90X routine. Considering is the same as doing, right. Nearly? Practically?

How did you come up with the idea of Softly and Tenderly?
RH: Sara brought to the team the kind of stories she loved and wanted to tell. We were an instant fit and as she talked the more I "saw" what she wanted to do with story. Softly and Tenderly picks up where The Sweet By and By left off. (Though it is stand alone and if you've not read the first book, you'll be fine.)
We really needed to push Jade to her limits so I just made her life explode in front of her. An issue Sara wanted to tackle in the series was panic attacks and depersonalization, and issue she's experienced and worked through. We wanted to give women hope. DP usually happens when a person is really, really stretched and stressed. Also it's associated with drug use. So we pushed Jade to the edge.
It's really an exciting read.

What was it like writing with another person on this book?
RH: Sara is amazing to work with. Our editor and agents are delighted at how smooth the processes has gone. In our case, Sara sets the tone and pace of the story, she gives an over view of what she wants to have happen, and I put the story together and do the writing. That's my job on this team. Sara is out promoting and spreading the news.

Did music have any influence on the book?
RH: Music always has some influence. But there isn't any real tie-in with songs to the story.

Was it difficult coming up with the title?
RH: Actually, no. Sara picked The Sweet By and By and while writing Softly and Tenderly, I wondered if we should stick with hymn titles. I just felt Softly and Tenderly fit and took it to Sara and our publishing team. We all agreed it worked.

Did you have a choice in the cover (I love it)?
RH: I love this cover too! It's my favorite of all covers. We do have a say, Sara mostly, but Thomas Nelson has done a great job with covers for us.

Was there a message in the book you wanted everyone to grasp?
RH: Yes, hope. You can hope in God. He's with you. Never leaves you even in those dark moments when you feel utterly abandoned.

How about the latest news on you?
RH: Thanks for asking. I just released my own book, Dining with Joy, about a cooking show host who can't cook. And I recently finished the third Songbird Novel with Sara, Love Lifted Me. And, another solo book, The Wedding Dress about a 100 year old gown worn by four women.

Can you tell us what your working on?
RH: A new book idea. Still hammering it out. :)

Was any characters based on anyone close to you?
RH: All characters are a composite of Sara, me, people I know or read about. In Softly and Tenderly, I tried to steer clear of obvious ties to Sara so people wouldn't confuse Jade for her, or think the story was autobiographical. But dealing with panic and depersonalization were personal experiences for Sara.

When your not writing what do you do to unwind?
RH: I try to read. But it's hard as a writer because I either am too critical (a fact I don't like) or I'm inspired and I want to go write my own book. I do love to exercise and watch DVDs with my husband.

What are you reading right now?
RH: Save the Date by Jenny B. Jones.

Oh i'm jealous! How long did it take to write this book?
RH: Softly and Tenderly was a quick write because I knew the characters so well. I think I wrote it in about 11 weeks. I don't normally write that fast. But this book was ready to be written.

Who is your favorite character in your book?
RH: Jade. I really love her courage. But Willow is a favorite of mine from The Sweet By and By. And I loved the way Beryl, Jade's mom came around. And, in this book, Dustin is a favorite. He's really a composite of all my high school boyfriends or crushes. Ha!

RANDOM::

Any pets?
RH: Love pets. We have a 19 year old cat and a mini schnauzer, Lola.

If you had to pick three things to take with you on an desert Island what would they be?
RH: Water, a GPS so they can find me and a book. Bible probably. If I'm going to be stranded, might as well make it an awesome wilderness experience with God. ;)

Favorites::
Favorite author?
RH: OO, that's hard. Susan May Warren, Lisa Samson, Susan Meissner

Favorite Book?
RH: I loved and still love the Little House Books.

Favorite Music Genre?
RH: Country. Christian contemporary praise/worship

Favorite Color?
RH: Blue, but I've been leaning toward browns lately

Favorite Animal?
RH: Oh, there's nothing like a horse. They are so beautiful. But I don't own a horse, so I'll say dogs.

Favorite TV show?
RH: Hmm, we don't watch TV. We do rent DVDs from Netflix and go through shows we've heard good things about. We recently finished Numb3rs. We enjoyed that a lot. But I think from shows I've watched in the past, I'd have to say Frasier. I've watched the entire series, 11 seasons, on DVD 3 times. Excellent writing and characterization!

Favorite Food?
RH: French fries. :)

Is there a question you wish I would have asked? Whats the question and your answer?
RH: These were great questions Kati! Thank you so much!