Jan Drexler, a recent graduate from Homeschool Mom-hood, devotes her time to the voices in her head who have been clamoring for attention during the last few decades. Instead of declining Latin nouns and reviewing rhetorical devices, her days are now spent at the computer where she gives her characters free rein.
She lives in the Black Hills of South Dakota with her husband of thirty years, their four adult children, an extremely furry Husky, and Maggie, the cat who thinks she's a dog. If she isn't sitting at her computer living the lives of her characters, she's probably hiking in the Hills or the Badlands, enjoying the spectacular scenery.
Jan is graciously giving away 2 copies of her new release, The Prodigal Son Returns. Tell us an interesting history tidbit or just leave a comment for Jan to be entered.
Where are you right now (LVR, DR, Bathroom) and what are you wearing? You have to tell the truth.
- I’m so glad I waited until mid-morning to answer these interview questions! I’m in the dining room, wearing my favorite summer dress (because yesterday was warm), and a sweater (because this morning is still a little cool!). Oh, and slippers. Camo and fuzzy.
What is the funniest, strangest, or most interesting thing you have learned when doing research?- I learned so much doing the research for this book! I think one of the most interesting things I learned was that the Amish didn’t always have their own schools. In Indiana, schools were consolidated after World War 2, which took children farther away from home for a public education. That was the last straw in an ongoing battle between the Amish and the public school system, and the Amish began to establish local, private schools for their children.
- So in my book, which takes place during the Great Depression of the 1930’s, the children attend a local public one-room school.
If you were told you were being sent back to live in the 19th Century, and you could bring one thing from today, what would that be?- The story I’m working on now takes place in the 1840’s, and nine years before the story begins, three of the children in the family die in a diphtheria outbreak. The one thing I’d take from today is the medical knowledge to prevent and treat diseases like that.
What is something that very few people know about you?
- I’ve always had a secret desire to be a cowboy . I love living in the west, where I often see cowboys…in line at the grocery store, walking down the street, driving through town with their horse trailers…
What is your favorite material item that you own (examples: ipod, Gone with the Wind book, grandmother’s rocking chair)- I have to choose one?
- One of the things I cherish is the quilt my maternal grandmother made for me when I was born. Every stitch speaks of her love.
If you could live in any time period other than the one we live in, when and where would that be and why?
- I would love to have lived in the Black Hills of South Dakota during the 1880’s. Like I said before, I always wanted to be a cowboy! And I love this area. We’ve lived in the Black Hills for two years, and I see these ranches - still in existence – that were established in the 1870’s and 80’s, and I wonder what it would have been like to be the first generation of ranchers.
Do you think birth order affects the way you write?
- I think so. I’m the second born, and the youngest, and my writing tends to be quiet and nostalgic rather than assertive.
If you were writing a book about your life what would the title be?- Rescued from the Pit
- The most important thing that ever happened to me was when God had mercy on me and turned my heart of stone into a heart of flesh.
What one novel did you read that made you want to be a part of the story?
- Tolkein’s Lord of the Rings. I try to read it every year in September – following Bilbo down along the sloping path and over the low place in the hedge at the bottom of the garden.

A criminal's trail has brought FBI informant Bram to Ellie's warm and welcoming Indiana community. Now he's posing as the kind of man he once hoped to be. Someone steadfast and upright. Someone who might be worthy of Ellie. Because no matter how much she claims she doesn't want a second chance at love, he knows he's found the home they were meant to share.
DOUBLE YOUR CHANCES OF WINNING by
following my blog with Powered by FEEDBURNER on the right, and don't
miss any giveaways (the button with the flame). If you already follow my
blog go ahead and follow by FEEDBURNER so you can be entered twice. If
you're not getting an email telling you I have a new giveaway you're not
following through Feedburner. Just mention that you follow through
Feedburner when you leave a comment with each giveaway and you'll be
entered twice.
Be
sure to leave your email address. Please check your junk mail on and
the day after the drawing. I've had to redraw because of no responses.
Subject box will have: winner of (book title). I'll email the winner and
they'll have seven days to respond. If I don't hear back I'll draw
another name. USA shipping only. Thanks so much and please stop back
again! Drawing will be held Monday, May 20th at 8:00 A.M. EST. Offer void where prohibited. Odds of winning vary due to the number of entrants.
I enjoy historical romances and this looks very good!
ReplyDeleteI hope you enjoy it!
DeleteIt does look good. And oh my the hero is a keeper. ;o)
DeleteI am a subscriber.
ReplyDeleteJan is a new author to me, would love to win a copy of this book!
ReplyDeletepattymh2000(at)yahoo(dot)com
Patty, I'm a new author to everyone :)
DeleteThanks for stopping by!
Hey Patty. Thanks for coming by. LOL. Jan. You made me giggle.
DeleteI am a blog follower/subscriber.
ReplyDeleteHow did I miss this offer.....I do subscribe via E mail and am very anxious to read Jan's book! I feel like I know her through Seekerville; her book looks very interesting....and I am so proud for her. Please enter me.
ReplyDeleteThanks!
Jackie Smith
jackie.smith[at]dishmail[dot]net
/waving at Jackie!/
DeleteThanks, Jackie! Nice to see you here!
hey Jackie! Thanks for coming by and for following my blog. I'm looking forward to reading it too!
DeleteLovely interview! The questions made me smile. Sounds like an intriguing book! Thank you for sharing with us!
ReplyDeleteSusan P
farmygirl at hotmail dot com
Glad you enjoyed the interview, Susan. Debbie asks the most interesting questions!
DeleteHello Susan,
DeleteSo good to see you here today. I'm glad you enjoyed the interview. I love to see the answers that come through. So much fun.
I am a big history buff. I guess for a tidbit I can tell you a tidbit about Florida - St. Augustine is the oldest city in America. Most people do not know this. Thank you for the chance to win.
ReplyDeletegriperang at embarqmail dot com
PS I am a follower. Thank you
DeleteYou're right, Angela. I think most people think of Jamestown when they are asked to name the oldest city. But St. Augustine pre-dates Jamestown by about 40 years.
DeleteThanks for sharing the tidbit!
I love St. Augustine. We've been there several times. We went there for our anniversary one year. Such an interesting city. I took hundreds of pictures.
DeleteI moved to the country in October and haven't been inside a store in about three weeks! My husband works in town so he picks up what we need. If I don't win this book I will get to town and buy it. It's first on my list. Congratulations one more time Jan!
ReplyDeleteYou're living the life, Mary! Country living, prairie winds, blue skies...and isolation. That's the ideal writer's life, isn't it?
DeleteUnless you're too busy wrangling chickens, planting gardens, etc.
Hmmm. I guess writers just have to write where we are!
I hope you enjoy the book!
Hey Mary. I love the country too! We live out right now but are in the process of buying 22 acres a little farther out.
DeleteLooks like an Amish story - love those! Thanks for the opportunity to win one of your books!
ReplyDeleteI follow your blog & also Feedburner.
bonnieroof60@yahoo.com
Hey Bonnie. Thanks for coming by and for following my blog! Good luck!
DeleteLove Amish books, neat cover too!
ReplyDeleteI follow by GFC (wfnren)
and by Feedburner
wfnren(at)aol(dot)com
Hey Wendy. Thanks for coming by. Good luck!
DeleteLooks like another great story to read :)
ReplyDeleteI follow by Feedburner and enjoy your blog each and every day :)
Betti
bettimace(at)gmail(dot)com
Hey Betti! Glad to have you stop by. good luck on winning.
DeleteWanted to say Jan, that when you say you live in the Black Hills, I can picture that. One of my husband's nephews was married in Rapid City in 2011. My first chance to see the west part of South Dakota. Such wide open spaces! Now that newphew's brother is getting married in September at Custer State Park. The adventure continues!
ReplyDeleteMartha
josieringer(at)gmail(dot)com
How fun, Martha. We were in the Black Hills a few years ago and thoroughly enjoyed it.
DeleteThe Black Hills. A friend and I were talking about wanting to go there to ride our horses sometime. We do endurance competitions in order to go new places and camp and ride. Hopefully someday!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the giveaway and congrats on your book!
Kim LitlePokie(at)aol(dot)com
feedburner follower
OH how fun, Kim. I'd love to take our horses out west but I don't think that will happen since we live in SC. ;o)
DeleteI love the cover of the book and I know I would enjoy what's inside too.
ReplyDeleteThanks!
Janet E.
von1janet(at)gmail(dot)com
Hey Janet. Thanks for coming by. Good luck with the giveaways!
ReplyDeleteJan Drexler is a new author to me. I enjoy reading historical and Amish novels. This book is right up my alley. Thank you for the chance to win a copy.
ReplyDeleteKaren G.
kmgervais(at)nycap(dot)rr(dot)com
Thanks for coming by Karen. Good luck in the drawing!
DeleteForgot to say I follow through feedburner and GFC.
ReplyDeleteKaren G.
kmgervais(at)nycap(dot)rr(dot)com
This sounds really good! I'm a follower through feedburner. shopgirl152nykiki(at)yahoo(dot)com
ReplyDeleteThank you for coming by Veronica and thank you for being a follower!
DeleteCongratulations, Wendy and Betti! You won The Prodigal Son Returns!
ReplyDelete