Thursday, August 07, 2008

Author Valerie Hansen - WILDERNESS COURTSHIP - Free Book

I've really been looking forward to having Valerie back to feature this book.

Welcome back, Valerie. Now tell us, why do you write the kind of books you do?

My faith is crucial to my life and therefore putting it to use in my writing is second nature. As for the romantic element, I always liked happy endings, even as a child, and was grown before I found out that everyone doesn’t dream up a better ending for sad books and movies.

Besides when you came to know the Lord, what is the happiest day in your life?

That’s a tough question. I need at least 3 to cover it all. When I married my high school sweetheart and when each of my 2 children was born.

How has being published changed your life?

I sincerely hope being published has NOT changed my life. One of the nicest things a bookseller ever said to me was that even after publication I was still just the same as before. She couldn’t have said anything that delighted me more. As for lifestyle changes, since I started selling historical novels I have treated myself to more research books – without guilt!

Yes, I could spend a fortune on historical reference books. What are you reading right now?

As I think I said before, I seldom read in my own genre when I’m writing. I don’t want to accidentally pick up anyone else’s ideas so I stick to history research and short mystery stories, plus the daily newspaper. Have to have my crossword puzzles.

What is your current work in progress?

By the time you read this, I will be deep into my next historical, set mostly in the San Francisco of the 1850s. It involves recently orphaned children and their older sister, Sara Beth, who must not only survive an unseen nemesis who killed their parents but also clear their father’s name. Sara Beth teams up with doctor Taylor Howard at the Ladies’ Protection and Relief Society Orphanage and together they face her demons.

Sounds wonderful. What would be your dream vacation?

My husband loves to travel so we’ve seen most of the Unites States, including Alaska. I think I’d still like to see Norway, the country of my father’s birth.

One set of my grandparents came from Norway. One from Sweden. Maybe someday I'll get to go to that part of Europe. How do you choose your settings for each book?

After the first one, FRONTIER COURTSHIP, one has sort of led to another. They’re not a series but the era and area are similar. I feel as if I’m so attuned to this time period it’s the natural way to go. And, having lived and/or spent lots of time in the parts of the country that I write about, I’m able to put myself into the scenes fairly easily.

If you could spend an evening with one person who is currently alive, who would it be and why?

I know I’d like to meet Billy Graham. When I started to try to come up with someone else, I drew a blank so I guess this is it. Even at his advanced age, I’m sure he’d be a blessing.

What are your hobbies, besides writing and reading?

I love to fish and hike in the woods behind our farmhouse. I’m also a pretty fair artist but since I’ve started writing I haven’t done much of that. And I absolutely love gardening in the warmer months. I really miss the sunshine in the winter and getting my hands dirty is good for my thought processes if I get worn out writing.

What is your most difficult writing obstacle, and how do you overcome it?

My most difficult obstacle is ME. When I’m between books I’m a total basket-case. I need to work. I love to work.. I’m so obsessive sometimes that my husband has to remind me to take breaks. He’s right, of course. I just hate to stop when the words are coming so fast and my ideas are fully formed. Those are my favorite times.

What advice would you give to a beginning author?

Read. Lots. And then write, even if you’re not sure what you’re doing. If you’re a true story teller, the other skills can be learned.

That is so true. I'm a natural-born storyteller, but I've had to learn a lot of skills to make my stories publishable.



Valerie, tell us about the featured book.

WILDERNESS COURTSHIP is set in the 1850s. It begins in San Francisco with Charity Beal, the ditzy sister from FRONTIER COURTSHIP. Charity has matured and is helping her father by working at a hotel where they are lodging. When handsome hotel guest, Thorne Blackwell, is forced to hire her to look after his nephew, her adventures begin and eventually take her all the way north to the Oregon territory. After the Whitman massacre, the local Indians have not caused much trouble but times are changing for both the Nisqually tribe and the settlers. As Charity travels with Thorne, the child and the child’s mentally unbalanced mother, she falls in love with both the little boy and his stern but loving uncle. All she has to do is survive long enough to find her own happiness in the midst of turmoil and danger.

How can readers find you on the Internet?

This is easy. www.ValerieHansen.com

And thanks for giving me this forum!
Val

And thank you, Valerie, for spending this time with us.

Readers, leave a comment for a chance to win a free copy.

And don't forget to come back and see if you win. We still have some people who haven't contacted us about their book. Just click on the Winners label and check out the last few winner posts.

19 comments:

Becky C. said...

This sounds like a great book.

Please enter me in the contest.

Becky C.
rec(at)hiwaay(dot)net

Ausjenny said...

Oh Please enter me I loved Frontier Courtship and have been looking for the second one.
ausjenny at gmail dot com

Anonymous said...

Please enter me, this sounds good and I love historicals.

danelli04[at] hotmail[dot] com

Cheryl St.John said...

Hi Lena! How nice to have found each other after all these years. I will have to check your blog more often.

{{{HUGS}}} Val and congratulations on a new release! Hope you sell zillions.

Mary said...

What a beautiful book cover! I really enjoy stories set in this time period, please add my name. Thank you!

SmilingSally said...

Please throw my name into the hat.
smilingsal55[at]yahoo[dot]com

apple blossom said...

Oh, this sounds like my read. I love west setting stories and romance to top it off. My kind of book. Please enter me.

Anonymous said...

Very nice interview.

Carla Capshaw said...

Hi Valerie,

Great interview. Wilderness Courtship looks great. I got it yesterday and I can't wait to read it.

Your next book in San Fran sounds great too!

Cherie J said...

Wonderful interview and such a really good story. Please enter me in the drawing.

Valerie Hansen said...

Thanks to all who praised FRONTIER COURTSHIP. WILDERNESS COURTSHIP is another book I hated to see completed because I was so into the time period and characters. I know. I'm a little nuts, but so are most authors, even if they don't admit it. We love the folks we create and I really do miss them when I finish a manuscript. Of course, I see it again several times after editing, etc. but it's not the same as the daily discovery of new places and new challenges.

I'll check back in later this afternoon in case any of you have specific questions.

Blessings,
Val

Valerie Hansen said...

Also, I suppose it's okay to mention that I'll also be blogging on Petticoats and Pistols this coming weekend. Yup, I'm one busy gal. But at least I haven't shot myself lately. Besides, it was just a flesh wound!

Val

Cheryl said...

This book sounds great! Please enter me in the contest. My email address is shryackmom[@]charter[.]net

Valerie Hansen said...

Good night, everyone. I'm signing off and going fishing in the farm pond. We seldom keep the fish, just like catching them and throwing them back. The fish like that method best, too!

Val

windycindy said...

Hi, I like your fishing style! Fish and put them back! Historical romances are right at the top of my favorite kind of books to read! Many thanks for the chance to win your delightful book. Cindi
jchoppes[at]hotmail[dot]com

Norma said...

This book sounds very interesting - count me in!

Valerie Hansen said...

Thanks to all who have stopped by to visit. We didn't even get a nibble last night when we went fishing but that's okay. We still had plenty to eat and the fish are probably laughing at our efforts, anyway.

I'm looking forward to giving away books. I always enjoy that.

Blessings,
Val

Anonymous said...

i love the LOVE INSPIRED HISTORICALS and this book sounds really good. please enter me in the contest.
thanks,
sarahwoll at hotmail dot com

Cheryl said...

The book sounds like a great read! Please enter me in the contest! My email address is shryackmom[@]charter[.]net