Awaken My Heart by DiAnn Mills

Please welcome my long time friend, DiAnn Mills. She is a prolific author and a mentor to many aspiring and established authors.

Awaken My Heart is DiAnn's new book from Avon Inspire and tells the unlikely love story between 18-year-old Marianne, a wealthy rancher’s daughter, and the infamous Mexican rebel leader warring against her father.

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1803, The Colony of Texas

Journey back to the early days of southwest history when the Spanish ruled the vast territory of Texas and padres instructed the people in the ways of God. Step into the world of handsome vaqueros and brightly dressed dark-eyed maidens.

The time is 1803. This is the era of Marianne Phillips and Armando Garcia, two people separated by race and culture but destined for love. Marianne is the daughter of a wealthy American rancher, a man who will do anything to please the Spanish and secure his land. Armando is a Mexican peasant, a rebel according to the Spanish. He has committed his life to helping the poor rise from poverty and the oppression of the ruling Spanish. Armando and Marianne . . . Two unlikely people who have little in common. Or do they?

Open this book to a romance that will live in your heart long after the story is told. Curl up in a serape and listen to the strum of a Spanish guitar. I invite you to read with your heart and become a part of a love story that only the hand of God could orchestrate.

What reviewers are saying about Awaken My Heart:

"Awaken My Heart is a terrific early nineteenth century Texas Colonial romance starring two caring protagonists who in many ways seem like a North American Romeo and Juliet. The story line is fast-paced and loaded with action . . . DiAnn Mills provides a delightful historical that brings to vivid life a time and place that rarely if ever has served as the background." - Harriet Klausner

"Awaken My Heart is a colorful inspirational tale of romance and adventure! - Diana Risso, Romance Reviews Today

Q & A with the author - DiAnn Mills

You've been writing historical fiction for a long time. What interested you in the 1803 time period?

I love Texas history, and I have an appreciation for the courageous men and women who built this state. Early Texas is a mixture of Native American, Spanish, black, and various European descents. Each race offered us a rich cultural heritage, a heritage that we should be proud.

What is it the theme of Awaken My Heart?

The theme is courage: courage to stand up to political and social factions that vie against God and what He desires for His people.

Armando Garcia is a rebel type of character. Do you think this type of hero applauds rebellion?

Not at all. Armando had much to learn about the difference between his own desires and what God required of him. Once he realized his stand needed to embrace truth, he was on the right road.

Marianne Phillips has a streak of rebellion in her. How was it channeled?

Marianne kept much of her rebellion inside because she knew God expected her to honor her parents, and in many instances, her father’s wishes. Once she saw that she had to make a choice between obedience to her father and obedience to God, she found strength to do that which was right.

What do you want your readers to understand about Weston Phillips?

Weston Phillips had the potential to be a good and kind man. He had the intelligence to build a large ranch and the ability to accumulate wealth, but selfishness took the reins. Once the reader completes the novel, he/she will understand Phillips much better.

What is your biggest challenge in writing?

Always the characterization. I crave three dimensional characters that will experience growth. Understanding and acting upon their motivation takes time! Sometimes I simply have to "live" with them for awhile.

How do you develop your characters?

Through time, patience, people-watching, viewing them through unusual situations, brainstorming, and consulting many books about the psychology of personalities. And that's just the beginning!

How much of yourself goes into a character?

I attempt to keep myself excluded from the process, but I admit that an opinion or a trait appears now and then.

What is your next project?

I'm currently writing a romantic suspense for Tyndale, the second book in the Behind the Sunglasses Series. I'm also preparing various historical fiction proposals.

How can you encourage fledging writers in their craft?

To read in the genre in which they want to write. To read the books written by those authors they admire. To read books about the craft. To write everyday. To become active in a writer’s group.

How can readers contact you?

My website is www.diannmills.com. Feel free to sign up for my newsletter. Thanks!

Award-winning author, DiAnn Mills, launched her career in 1998 with the publication of her first book. Currently she has over forty books in print and has sold more than a million copies.

DiAnn believes her readers should "Expect an Adventure." Her desire is to show characters solving real problems of today from a Christian perspective through a compelling story.

Six of her anthologies have appeared on the CBA Best Seller List. Three of her books have won the distinction of Best Historical of the Year by Heartsong Presents. Five of her books have won placements through American Christian Fiction Writer's Book of the Year Awards 2003 – 2007. She is the recipient of the Inspirational Reader's Choice award for 2005 and 2007.

DiAnn is a founding board member for American Christian Fiction Writers, a member of Inspirational Writers Alive, Romance Writers of America’s Faith, Hope and Love, and Advanced Writers and Speakers Association. She speaks to various groups and teaches writing workshops around the country. DiAnn is also a mentor for Jerry B. Jenkins Christian Writer's Guild.

She lives in sunny Houston, Texas, the home of heat, humidity, and Harleys. In fact she'd own a Harley, but her legs are too short. DiAnn and her husband have four adult sons and are active members of Metropolitan Baptist Church.

DiAnn, thanks so much for stopping by! It's always good to see what you're doing! Rachel

Continuing The 12 Authors of Christmas with DiAnn Mills!

Please welcome my friend, author and special encourager, DiAnn Mills.

I met DiAnn in '97 at Write-To-Publish. She was pre-pubbed but about to sell her first Heartsong Presents. We hit it off and spent every evening (or was it morning) walking the track at Wheaton for exercise and conversation.

DiAnn has been a huge encouragement to me. I joined American Christian Ficiton Writers because of her and the rest as they say, is history.

Tell us about your first Christmas memory?

I know this sounds crazy, but I remember seeing Santa ride across the sky. Ok, let me back up. I was three-years-old. My parents kept a glass of orange juice in the refrigerator for those times when I was thirsty in the middle of the night. I don't do milk. Anyway, it was Christmas Eve, and I stood in front of a window drinking my orange juice. Then all of a sudden, I saw Santa in his sleigh and all of his reindeers ride across the sky!

(rh: This is the imagination of a GREAT writer. :)

Growing up, did your family have Christmas traditions? Tell us how you incorporated them into your family life. Or, how you created new ones.

We didn't tear into our gifts on Christmas morning. Each member of the family was respected and honored with their gift. I carried over the same tradition. We don't open a gift until the Christmas story is read.

For the past five years, I prepare a Holiday Brunch for about 22 friends. I love cooking, and this gives me an opportunity to serve others.

(rh: Sounds wonderful!)

When do you put up your tree? At my house, it goes up right after Thanksgiving. My husband works assembly and outside lights. I do the rest. Describe the decorating at your house.

We put up our tree the day after Thanksgiving. My husband does the tree, and I stay out of his way until it's done. He also does the outside. I do the rest!

What is your favorite Christmas song or album? I grew up with a Johnny Mathis Christmas CD and it's still one of my favorites. My other is a copy of Mel Torme singing his "Christmas Song."

I love Christmas music! I think "I'll be Home for Christmas" is one of my favorites. That takes me back to rural Ohio with snow and great memories. I also like "White Christmas." Actually, the season doesn't begin until I hear "Breath of Heaven."

Christmas morning, my parents didn't want us in the living room until the tree was plugged in. So, we'd wake up early, five a.m. or so, and bang on the floor to stir my parents awake. Relive your childhood Christmas mornings for us.

We could peek and see what Santa left, but we couldn't open gifts until my parents were up.

It's Christmas Eve, describe your day and evening.

Total anticipation of the event – as though Jesus is being born again. And He is in our hearts. I have music going constantly as my husband and I fill stockings and prepare food for the next day when the house will be filled with our adult children and friends. I look forward to Candlelight service at church and the singing of all the traditional hymns.

Confession time. Shop on line or at the mall?

Both! I like the touch and feel of the real thing! I like the music and the sound of the Salvation Army bell. But in Houston, there is no snow. But if I get frustrated, I’ll shop Online.

Christmas grows more and more commercial every year. Setting the hustle and bustle aside, what does Christmas really mean to you?

Giving of myself. Wondering about the first Christmas and the awe of all those who shared in the birth of Jesus. I like to reach out to those less fortunate. Talk to old friends and family. Making sure that the gifts I give are useful and given for a reason.

It's Christmas day, what's for dinner? Do you make cookies or other traditional foods?

Oh, I cook and bake all December. Dinner will be ham, mashed potatoes, sweet potato bar, vegetable casseroles, colorful salads. Did I say I love to cook? I ask each guest for their favorite dessert, then I make sure it's baked for them. And did I mention wassail? I make several cups of this hot, spicy drink - and not the mix kind either.

Tell us about your favorite Christmas memory.

That would be the Christmas that Santa brought me a pogo stick. I was excited! But I lived in Ohio, and we had snow. So I decided to jump on the front porch. I was jumping away and fell through the picture window beside the Christmas tree. My coat and gloves protected me, and thank goodness I missed the tree!

What are you plans for this season?

Awareness for the critical situation in Sudan and Africa. Giving to charities who assist the less fortunate. A big dinner for family and friends on Christmas.

Any final thoughts on Christmas?

Give where there is a need. We live in the richest country in the world, and I believe we all have a responsibility to take care of those who have far less.


The official word on DiAnn Mills

Award-winning author, DiAnn Mills, launched her career in 1998 with the publication of her first book. Currently she has over forty books in print and has sold more than a million copies.

DiAnn believes her readers should "Expect an Adventure." Her desire is to show characters solving real problems of today from a Christian perspective through a compelling story.

Six of her anthologies have appeared on the CBA Best Seller List. Three of her books have won the distinction of Best Historical of the Year by Heartsong Presents. Five of her books have won placements through American Christian Fiction Writer's Book of the Year Awards 2003 - 2007. She is the recipient of the Inspirational Reader's Choice award for 2005 and 2007.

DiAnn is a founding board member for American Christian Fiction Writers, a member of Inspirational Writers Alive, Romance Writers of America's Faith, Hope and Love, and Advanced Writers and Speakers Association. She speaks to various groups and teaches writing workshops around the country. DiAnn is also a mentor for Jerry B. Jenkins Christian Writer's Guild.

She lives in sunny Houston, Texas, the home of heat, humidity, and Harleys. In fact she'd own a Harley, but her legs are too short. DiAnn and her husband have four adult sons and are active members of Metropolitan Baptist Church.


Visit her website: www.diannmills.com