I’m excited to share a guest post from author Tiffany Amber Stockton today! Tiffany has agreed to give us a peek behind the scenes of her new novel, A Grand Design. And she’s giving away a copy!
Behind the Scenes of A Grand Design
By: Tiffany Amber Stockton
Ever since childhood when I first saw the film, Somewhere in Time, starring Jane Seymour (Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman) and Christopher Reeve (Superman), I dreamed of visiting Mackinac Island (pronounced Mak-i-naw). If you want to step back in time and experience a little of life in the past, Mackinac Island won’t disappoint.
Once the writing bug bit me, I searched for a good story to set on Mackinac. It took two years after sending the story to my agent before I received a call telling me I’d just sold the book to Abingdon’s Quilts of Love line. I paused then replied, “That’s great, but there isn’t any quilt in that story.” She told me she’d added the quilt in order to submit it for consideration.
I now had to rework the entire premise and add in a quilt to be a unifying theme. And I needed to do it in less than 6 months. Not easy for someone with zero quilting experience. The closest I’d ever come to a quilt was purchasing one in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, when I was in college. I don’t even know how to sew much more than buttons and a straight line.
But, I consulted a friend who quilted as a hobby and wrote the book. The story once called Adventure Island became A Grand Design and released August 2014 from Abingdon.
Hike the Island
Mackinac Island is vehicle-free, and transportation is limited to bicycles, horses, or walking. Utilizing your footwear allows you to take things slowly and investigate anything that piques your interest.
There are miles of trails and wonders to explore, and your imagination can run wild. Libby relishes the fun of experiencing everything she can, while Alyssa prefers to curl up with a good book and take life a bit slower. In one poignant scene in my book, Scott and Alyssa take a walk along the rocky shoreline while Ben and Libby go for a swim. From their vantage point at the northwest corner of the island, they can get a glimpse of the Mackinac Bridge.
Tour the Grand Hotel
In 2003, the National Trust for Historic Preservation named the Grand Hotel to its elite list of “America’s Dozen Distinctive Destinations.” At 660 feet (more than two football fields), it’s the longest porch in the world. In summer, it is festooned with 2,500 brightly blooming red geraniums. Scott works here and proudly recites this information as part of his tour guide duties. The hotel itself is one of the primary focal points of activity in many scenes in A Grand Design, including a feature of a fairly new ice cream parlor built on the southeast corner of the Grand.
Ending Your Visit
The island can become very busy during the peak summer months, and long lines develop during meal times. If at all possible, plan activities around these times so you spend less time waiting and more time exploring this treasure of an island. Wherever you go, take the time to savor the rich culture and unique history captured within this time capsule destination.
For more information, visit these sites: www.mackinacisland.org, www.mackinac.com, www.michigan.org/hot-spots/mackinac-island, and www.grandhotel.com.
1) Where would you love to go if you could have your choice of any destination?
2) When was the last time you let a fear (either big or small) keep you from enjoying something life had to offer?
CONNECT WITH TIFFANY
On Facebook (www.facebook.com/AuthorAmberStockton)
Twitter (www.twitter.com/AmberStockton)
Pinterest (www.pinterest.com/AmberStockton76)
BOOK GIVEAWAY (Include your email address for notification)
Congratulations to Karen Gervais, who won a signed copy of A Grand Design!
Comments 28
1. I hope to one day see the Grand Canyon. Thank you for this giveaway.
Good to see you here, Connie. Blessings!
I would love to visit Hawaii! It was also be a grand adventure to visit/tour Europe.
pattymh2000(at)yahoo(dot)com
Thanks for joining us here, Patty. Blessings!
I would love to go to Paris! Thanks for the giveaway!
Author
Hi, Renee! Thanks for stopping by. Blessings to you, Mona
I adore the Quilts of Love series and am eager to read A Grand Design! Thank you for sharing this behind the scenes peek and giveaway.
I think Australia would be a beautiful place to visit!
texaggs2000 at gmail dot com
Hi, Britney, good to see you here. Blessings!
Not just because it is the setting of your book, I would love to visit Maciknac Island again. I was there with my parents when I was about 7 years old. I remember loving the ferry ride and the beautiful water around us. I also loved trying the fudge made there. It would be wonderful to revisit it through your book, too. Thanks for this give-away opportunity!
Author
Hi, Teresa! Good to see you here. Blessings! Mona
I grew up in Michigan but never have been to Mackinac Island I’d so love to go there even if just for a long weekend! I’d love to visit all 50 states and I know that sounds like a high dream but that is truly my dream I guess I don’t dream small!! 🙂 Thank you for a chance to win a book, I can’t wait to read it whether I win it or whenever it comes out! Have a great day!
Author
Good to see you here, Ruth. Blessings! Mona
Hi Dear Mona! I am all in on this one!!!!! I would love to visit Scotland. I can just see lush, green rolling hills with sheep grazing here and there.
Thank you for the giveaway! Smiles to you!
melback at cebridge dot net
Author
Smiles back to you, Melanie. Thanks for dropping in. 🙂 Mona
I’d love to go to Dunmurry, Belfast, Ireland to visit my penpal!
Author
Sounds like an amazing trip, Mary. Blessings to you! Mona
I would love to see the glaciers up in Alaska and the beautiful mountain scenery up there. Thanks for the opportunity to be part of this drawing.
Author
Good to see you here, Beverly. Blessings to you! Mona
I would love to go to Scotland but I know I never will get the chance. Mackinac Island sounds really good and it’s only a 12 hour drive to the main land. This is the second time this week I heard about Mackinac Island. Thank you for the giveaway.
kmgervais(at)nycap(dot)rr(dot)com
Author
Thanks so much for joining us here, Karen! Blessings to you, Mona
Author
Congratulations, Karen! You won the drawing for a signed copy of A GRAND DESIGN. Happy Reading!
Thank you!
I would like to visit Alaska. Take a cruise along the coast.
msbookwormlady at aol dot com
Author
Alaska sounds good to me too, KayLee! Blessings, Mona
I would like to visit an uninhabited tropical island. It would be great if it had old ruins. Love the history. Thank you for the giveaway!
Author
Good to see you here, Tina. Blessings to you! Mona
Hello Mona. enjoyed this post. There are so many places I would love to visit, but never can go. Have seen very little of my state. I would love to visit Jackson Hole, Wyo. where I lived for 6 years. Was a beautiful place. The beautiful Teton Mountains and such beautiful lakes. I loved seeing the reflection of the Tetons in Jackson Lake. I would also love to visit The oldest working Plantation, Shirley Plantation with Carrie Pagels, a favorite author of mine. And, to be able to visit Amish country in In. and OH. Might as well dream big if you dream, cause can’t get to do it. Would love to win one of your books. Maxie
mac262(at)me(dot)com
I would love to see Yellowstone National Park. I was there as a child, but have such a yearning to return. I can’t say I have let fears get in my way, except when it was an outside fear (domestic violence). But once I looked deep inside myself, I knew God was guiding and that fear was no longer an issue and I left the situation.