Be My Guest: Kim Vogel Sawyer (Plus a Giveaway)

by Andrea Renee Cox

Remember when I mentioned that there just might be a giveaway coming your way? Well, I think it just arrived. *wink, wink* But more about that in a minute.

Today my guest, Kim Vogel Sawyer, is sharing a couple of character reviews from her latest novel, Guide Me Home, which I absolutely adored (click to see my review). Y'all, this book impacted my heart with its sweetness, gumption, and treacherous situations. I hope each of you will be able to read it soon!

(Stay tuned until the very end of this article for details on the giveaway.)

Who are the Stars of Guide Me Home?

by Kim Vogel Sawyer

REBEKAH HARDIN

Brief physical description 

REBEKAH HARDIN is tall for a girl, with long brown hair and brown eyes, slender but strong from working in her daddy’s tobacco fields. 

Resembles… my niece Mallea, who appears on the cover of the book!

Rebekah Hardin
a.k.a. Mallea, Kim's niece!

Strengths and weaknesses

Rebekah’s greatest strength is her loyalty to her family because it guides her into making wise decisions with her time and behavior. Unfortunately, it also becomes her greatest weakness when a displaced sense of guilt combined with loyalty to her family convinces her to set aside a God-planted dream to fulfill her father’s desire to build a legacy in a tiny cemetery plot on their property.

Your inspiration for the character

Rebekah was inspired by the brave pioneers who carved a living in the hillside of the Appalachians. I’ve long been intrigued by the Scotch-Irish immigrants who settled that land, and it was a joy to bring Rebekah’s family to life and honor the customs and hardworking attitude of those people.

DEVLIN BALE

Brief physical description 

DEVLIN BALE is a college boy from a wealthy family, and his attire reflects his upbringing. He is tall, with broad shoulders, and his wavy blond-brown hair curls up at his collar and distracts Rebekah when she should be focused on her job. Of course, his sky-blue eyes also haunt her dreams.

Devlin Bale
a.k.a. Nathan, Kim's nephew!

Resembles… my nephew Nathan *wink*

Strengths and weaknesses
Devlin, like Rebekah, is devoted to his family. His father wants to land a Senate seat, and Devlin wants to help him fulfill his dream. Like Rebekah, his desire to help his father leads him into ignoring the desires of the “common folk.”

Your inspiration for the character

Devlin came about when I began pondering the best opposition for Rebekah. I wanted someone who was opposite her in every way, so he needed to be educated, wealthy, from the city, and accustomed to all of its luxuries. But then I gave him a dose of her loyalty, which gave her a reason to admire him. 

BACKGROUND TO THE STORY

The Hubs and I spent time in Kentucky, in April of 2014, where I did some book signings and speaking events and visited with friends. On the way home, we “stumbled upon” Mammoth Cave. We arrived too late to do much more than visit the gift shop, but I came away with a stack of books that sparked my interest. I returned a year later with my parents and explored the cave’s tunnels, visited small cemeteries, and talked with park employees who kindly answered dozens of questions. By the time I came away from that second visit, I was fully in love with Mammoth Cave and was eager to share its mystery and majesty with readers. I hope readers will love it as much as I do by the time they finish the story.

About Guide Me Home:

Working as a guide in Mammoth Cave might allow 

Rebekah the chance to bring joy back to her family.

But will the cave claim more than it gives? 

 

Now available!

After tragedy leaves its mark on Rebekah Hardin’s family, she plans to help her parents and six siblings honor her beloved brother’s memory and alleviate their poverty by working as a guide in the dangerous cave system. Kentucky’s renowned Mammoth Cave presents profitable opportunities for hardworking, capable men. But Rebekah is determined and if it means presenting herself as a himself, then she’s up to the job.  
     
Under the wing of experienced guide Tolly Sanford, “Reb” begins to learn the complexities of the cave. The two are joined by an aspiring young cartographer, Devlin Bale. The university student has traveled to the hill country to map tunnels—not to fall for a girl in disguise. 

Can the God who designed miles of underground astonishment shape Devlin’s ambitious plans and free Reb from the weight of her past?

About Kim Vogel Sawyer:

Kim Vogel Sawyer

In 1966, Kim Vogel Sawyer told her kindergarten teacher that someday people would check out her book in libraries. That little-girl dream came true in 2006 with the release of Waiting for Summer's Return. Since then, Kim has watched God expand her dream beyond her childhood imaginings. With almost 40 titles on library shelves and more than 1.5 million copies of her books in print worldwide in six different languages, she enjoys a full-time writing and speaking ministry. Empty-nesters, Kim and her retired military husband, Don, live in small-town Kansas, the setting for many of Kim’s novels. When she isn't writing, Kim stays active serving in her church's women's and music ministries, traveling with "The Hubs," and spoiling her quiverful of granddarlings. You can learn more about Kim's writing at www.KimVogelSawyer.com.

What's the craziest adventure you've been on?

Have you ever visited a cave? If so, what was it like?

Has your greatest strength become your greatest weakness?

Or has your biggest weakness become your biggest strength?

What do you contribute to the change?

*GIVEAWAY*

With this particular giveaway, I'm doing things a little bit differently. Pay close attention, because YOU have a major role to play.

IF at least twenty (20) people respond in the comment section (not including myself and Kim Sawyer), then the randomly chosen winner will receive one (1) PAPERBACK copy of Guide Me Home.

IF fewer than twenty people respond in the comment section, the randomly chosen winner will receive one (1) KINDLE copy of Guide Me Home.

Here's where YOU come in:

To ensure that a paperback is the prize, please do two things.

1. Comment! Yes, it could be that simple. We won't get to twenty if YOU don't share your thoughts. It only takes a minute, and it puts your name in the drawing.

2. Help me spread the word about this week's giveaway. The more people you encourage to come and comment, the more likely we'll reach that number that triggers the paperback giveaway. There are buttons at the end of the article that make sharing very easy!

WHEN YOU COMMENT, remember to answer at least one of the discussion questions AND include your email address so I may contact you if you win.

And if someone else's comment inspires you, let them know by hitting that "reply" button and leaving them a little note.

Here's the "fine print":

This giveaway is for U.S. residents only, due to shipping costs.

The final day comments are accepted for the giveaway is Thursday, September 22, 2016. Make sure you get your comments in before midnight (Central Time Zone)!

There will be one (1) winner.

The winner will be chosen at random on Friday, September 23, 2016, and will be notified by email.

If you DO NOT include your email address, you will not be entered in the giveaway.

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