Kicking off the party on the high seas! (Day 1, Kaye Dacus)

Today is the DAY!

You did remember, right???? Ya know...the blog party I've been planning for the past month or so...lotsa great authors...awesome giveaways....ring a bell? *see all the cyber head-nods* Great! Okay, well, let's get this party rolling, then!

I've been SO excited about this party! For weeks I tried to think of a fun twist I can do with my blogiversary...and I think I finally figured it out! What is it? Well, you'll just haveta keep reading to see, right? Right!

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Before we begin!

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My last giveaway of 2011 ended yesterday, and I have selected a winner. So, before we get rolling with today's post, I wanted to announce it real quick. The lucky reader
who will be getting a copy of April Gardner's Warring Spirits in their mail box sometime soon is...

RubynReba (pbclark@...)

Congratulations, Ruby. I'll be sending you an email sometime later today to get your mailing address!! :-)

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Down Memory Lane!

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Since this is my second blogiversary -- which is supposed to be filled with memories, fun times, and gift-giving -- I thought it'd be neat to look at my first blogiversary. *shrug* I thought it would be something fun to include in my party this week. :-) So! Let's begin!

On that day, I made up some white chocolate chip cookies (that were seriously drool-worthy. Trust me!) and had over Melanie Dickerson and her debut book, The Healer's Apprentice. Have you read that one yet? It was really a neat read. :-)

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Let's Talk With...

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Yep, it's interview time! Except, instead of interviewing the author, I decided to add a twist to it...and interview the characters!!!

Too cool, eh??

So! Let's get right to it. Today, to start this party off, I have Ransome's Quest's two siblings, Michael Witherington and Julia Ransome! (Yeah, Julia married! ;-) 

Katie: Good morning, Michael, Julia. I’m so excited that you two could make it here today to help me celebrate. Just as a quick catch up, how are things with you two since I last heard from you from Kaye’s accounts of your high-seas adventures in Ransome’s Quest?

Julia: Since returning to Tierra Dulce I wish I could say everything had fallen right back into habit and peace; however, since we never had a chance to establish that, given everything that transpired almost as soon as we made port in Kingston Harbor, we seem to live in a state of uproar—what with the shock of Michael’s return as well as my father’s arrival and his big announcement. But I have enjoyed seeing William as often as possible, now that he is permanently on Jamaica station, which puts him at home quite often. We do, however, miss Michael and look forward to his return in six months with Serena.

Michael: Your query found me in Charleston, South Carolina, on my way back to Pennsylvania. It has been a somewhat treacherous journey, making sure to stay out of the line of fire from the British ships trying to blockade the coast. And though I am officially an American privateer, my crew is small and my aim is only to return to Philadelphia safely. Once there, I will marry Serena, sell my letter of marque to someone with the heart to continue that sort of work, and join my father-in-law’s shipping business.

Katie: How wonderful, Michael! And, Julia, I am sure you are glad to have William with you so often! How is it to have your long-lost brother Michael back?

Julia: As I never believed him dead, Michael’s return was a confirmation of my conviction. I just wish he’d trusted me enough to let me know all along. But that ship has long since sailed. It was hard to let him go, especially given the danger posed by the continuing war. The only way I would agree to let him go without taking me with him was when he told me he would be opening up a branch of his father-in-law’s business in Kingston within the year.

Katie: Oh how exciting! Awesome that you will have him with you again. Michael, how is it being back with your family again?

Michael: Because I kept a watch over Julia all my life, I never felt as if I was away from the family. I never expected to receive the reception I did, though, especially from my father. I have a lot of years of separation to make up for, and I look forward to spending the rest of my life doing so.

Katie: That sounds like a hard road, but one that is well worth the travel. Well, as Kaye might have mentioned to ya’ll, today is a pretty special day, as I’ve been blogging for 2 years now. Just out of curiosity…what has been a great achievement in your life, Michael? Julia?

Julia: If you had asked me that question a year ago, I would have said that running a successful plantation would have been my greatest achievement. However, recent events have put many things into perspective for me. I’d have to say now that my greatest achievement has been following my heart and allowing love—the love of my family and the love of my husband—to strengthen me to be able to overcome even the darkest of times.

Michael: When I look back on my life, I see failures in the things that I could call accomplishments, because so much of what I’ve done in my life was done because of jealousy and pain and misunderstanding. So I would have to say that my great achievement has been, like the prodigal son in the Bible, humbling myself and returning to my father to beg his forgiveness. Because doing that took more strength, courage, and stamina than anything I ever did before. And it’s gained me more, as well.

Katie: As I read about all that you both have gone through in Ransome’s Quest, I’m curious what you have learned through your experience. Any words of wisdom to share?

Julia: I learned that I do not have to, nor should I, try to do everything for myself. God put other people in my life, my husband especially, to work alongside me, to help me, to support me, and it would be wrong of me not to allow them to do so.

Michael: I learned that notions and perceptions we have as children may not always be the truth. I learned that family can sometimes forgive that which seems unforgivable. And I learned to forgive, even as I have been forgiven.

Katie: That's awesome, Julia and Michael. Thank you so much for agreeing to do this interview today. Safe sails homeward!

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Time for Some Gift-Giving!

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Alrighty, you ready for the first giveaway during this blogiverary?? Awesome! Since we are kicking this party off talking with some characters who've had many adventures on the high seas, one follower of my blog will win one of the books from Kaye Dacus' The Ransome Trilogy (winner's choice!). Pretty, sweet, isn't it? The main rules are the same as they've always been. You MUST be a follower and you MUST leave your email address. If not, I can't include you in the drawing.

Mandatory Entry:

For those of you who have read Ransome's Quest: When Julia is abducted by pirates, what did Julia break when her carriage tipped over?

For those who haven't read Ransome's Quest: Going back to the first day of my 1st blogiversary, how long after Melanie Dickerson wrote the first chapter of The Healer's Apprentice was it published?

Extra Entries:

- Old follower (+2) Thanks for being a faithful follower!
- New follower (+1) Just cuz I'm nice! :-D
- Tweet about this giveaway (+1 per tweet) Only 1 tweet per day. Leave a link.
- Post about giveaway on Facebook (+1)
- Post about this giveaway (+2)

All winners for this blogiversary will be posted on Monday, January 16th. So, the giveaway is open until then! :-)