Friday, July 08, 2011

STEALING JAKE - Pam Hillman - Free ebook

This is the other exception I'm making to my not featuring ebooks this year. I've known Pam Hillman for several years and love her. She's also part of the Tyndale Digital First initiative, just as Lynne Gentry is. Welcome, Pam. Tell us how much of yourself you write into your characters.
I’d like to say I don’t write any of myself into my characters, but I suspect when close friends and family read my work, they say something entirely different.

What is the quirkiest thing you have ever done?
This is so hard. I’m not sure if I’ve ever done anything quirky. Stupid and crazy, yes, but quirky? I got caught in a stampede of 100 Holsteins once. In the dark, in a cutover cornfield. When I realized I couldn’t outrun them on the uneven ground, I turned to face them and started jumping up and down, waving my arms, and screaming my head off. They parted like the red sea, and I sank to the ground, scared out my wits.

I'll be you did. When did you first discover that you were a writer?
I knew I wanted to be a writer by the time I was 8 or 9 years old. There was a small public library where we checked out books once a week on the way home from school. My brother and my cousins were okay with stopping by the library on the way home from school, but it was the highlight of my week! I checked out the maximum allowed (I think it was 3) and my cousin, Joy, checked out 3 more that I wanted to read in her name. I’m sure I even twisted her little brother’s arm and made him check out books I picked out! lol

Tell us the range of the kinds of books you enjoy reading.
I love historical romance and romantic suspense, but when I was moderator of the ACFW Book Club, it was my job to read every book we discussed in the club. I discovered I loved a wide range of genres, including science fiction/fantasy. I still read historical romance most of the time, but I can pretty much get lost in any genre.

How do you keep your sanity in our run, run, run world?
Sanity? Can you define that please? I think I just always assume that just around the next corner of our run, run, run world is a quiet, peaceful meadow just waiting for me to stretch out in the wildflowers and watch the clouds go by. So, I keep running, looking around the next bend.

How do you choose your characters’ names?
Sometimes the story chooses them for me. I don’t remember how I came up with Jake, but Livy O’Brien is of Irish descent, hence the surname O’Brien. Livy is short for Olivia, which came from Oliver Twist.

What is the accomplishment that you are most proud of?
Other than my two smart, handsome sons, I’d have to say achieving my dream of being a publisher author.

If you were an animal, which one would you be, and why?
A cat. I have always loved cats. Almost every story I’ve ever written has cats and kittens in them, and Stealing Jake is not exception. I like cats because they don’t require your attention all the time. I love dogs, too, but if I could only be one, I’d be a cat.

What is your favorite food?
Oh my word. You had to ask this question of me NOW? Let’s see, since I’m cutting back drastically right now, it would have to be my mother-in-law’s extremely delicious to-die-for homemade banana pudding that she made LAST Sunday and I refrained from putting one bite in my mouth. Or was it the sock-it-to-me cake she made on the 4th of July? Sigh. That’s a toss-up for sure!

Tell us a little about your journey to publication.
I’ve been writing most of my life, but seriously started pursuing publication a little over 15 years ago. Over the years I’ve developed relationships with industry professionals and other writers, learning and improving my craft a bit at a time.

What is the problem with writing that was your greatest roadblock, and how did you overcome it?
Finding time to write with a full-time job, a part-time job and a family. Overcoming it is a daily struggle, and commitment. You just have to overcome it.

What advice would you give to others who are trying to get their first book published?
Never give up. Pay your dues, and find a group of people who support you 100%. I found that group in the Seekers, www.seekerville.blogspot.com and on a broader scale, ACFW. www.acfw.com

Tell us about the featured book.
When Livy O'Brien spies a young boy jostling a man walking along the boardwalk, she recognizes the act for what it is. After all, she used to be known as Light-fingered Livy. But that was before she put her past behind her and moved to the growing town of Chestnut, Illinois, where she's helping to run an orphanage. Now she'll do almost anything to protect the street kids like herself.

Sheriff's deputy Jake Russell had no idea what he was in for when he ran into Livy--literally--while chasing down a pickpocket. With a rash of robberies and a growing number of street kids in town--as well as a loan on the family farm that needs to be paid off--Jake doesn't have time to pursue a girl. Still, he can't seem to get Livy out of his mind. He wants to get to know her better . . . but Livy isn't willing to trust any man, especially not a lawman.

Sounds like a book I'll love reading. Please give us the first page of the book.

PROLOGUE
Chicago
October 1874

“Where’s my little brother?” Luke glared at the man with the jagged scar on his right cheek.

“You do as I say, kid, and he’ll be along shortly.” Pale-blue eyes, harder than the cobblestone streets of Chicago, bored into his. “Otherwise, I’ll kill him. Understand?”

Luke stood his ground, memorizing the face of the man who’d paid off the coppers.

“Get in.” The man motioned to a wooden crate not much bigger than an overturned outhouse.

How can the readers find you on the Internet?
I can be found at www.pamhillman.com. And to celebrate the release of Stealing Jake, I’m giving away a Kindle on October 8th. Your guests can register to win at http://pamhillman.blogspot.com/2011/07/pams-blog-tour-kindle-contest.html

Thank you for having me, Lena. It’s an honor to be invited to your blog for a day!

And I loved hosting you, Pam.

Readers, here's a link to the book. By using it when you order, you help support this blog.

Leave a comment for a chance to win a free copy of the book. Please tell us where you live, at least the state or territory. (Comments containing links may be subject to removal by blog owner.)

Void where prohibited; the odds of winning depend on the number of entrants. Entering the giveaway is considered a confirmation of eligibility on behalf of the enterer in accord with these rules and any pertaining local/federal/international laws.

The only notification you’ll receive is the winner post on this blog. So be sure to check back a week from Saturday to see if you won. You will have 4 weeks from the posting of the winners to claim your book.

If you’re reading this on Feedblitz, Facebook, or Amazon, please come to the blog to leave your comment if you want to be included in the drawing. Here’s a link.

45 comments:

Unknown said...

The books and authors you feature on your blog are awesome, Lena as well as the giveaways! Thanks for this one, Pam and Lena and for the chance to win. mitzi_wanham[at]yahoo[dot]com from Peace River Country, Alberta

Pam Hillman said...

So glad you stopped by Marianne! Don't forget to sign up for the Kindle giveaway.

God bless!

Anonymous said...

I would love to win a copy of this book.
angela from KY

Anonymous said...

This book looks awesome! Congrats Pam!


srstormo at yahoo dot com
Texas

Pam Hillman said...

Thanks for stopping by Angela.

You too, Salena!

Linda Kish said...

I would love to win a copy of this book.

California

lkish77123 at gmail dot com

Pam Hillman said...

So glad you stopped by, Linda!

Don't you just love the cover of Lena's new book?

Just gorgeous!

Mary Connealy said...

Hi, Pammy. I plan to stalk you online until I learn all your secrets.


Please go get some secrets immediately to make my stalking more interesting.

The banana pudding was a surprise, I guess.........

And I don't think you'd be a cat. What kind of animal runs spread sheets. Lena? Any thoughts?

Love, love, love Stealing Jake.

Pam Hillman said...

Mary, Lena asks some tough questions!

What kind of animal do you think I'd be then? Hmmm, maybe a raccoon, since they're sort of OCD.

Hey, did you like the story about the stampede? Completely true!

Dairy cows are perfectly content to march single-file into the barn and chomp down on feed while the farmer milks them dry, but let them get out 'en masse' and they go WILD!

Kinda like the Seekers when they go to the ACFW conference!

Melissa Jagears said...

have a kindle already, but what a great thing to give away! Would love to read this book.

rmjagears AT gmail DOT com

ks

Pam Hillman said...

Well, Melissa, you can still sign up! Never hurts to have 2. As a matter of fact, my church family and I purchased a Kindle for my friend who is in the nursing home.

Our Kindles share the same account, so books I download goes on her Kindle too. Or I can manage our account from Amazon and not send her the writing books I download, just the fiction.

I'm not sure how many you can have on one account. Two might be the max. Does anybody know?

Sarah said...

Would love to win!

Sarah H
Oklahoma

Missy Tippens said...

Great interview! Pam, I just love the opening of your book and can't wait to read the rest!

Missy (from Georgia)

Jan Drexler said...

I'm on chapter 3 of Stealing Jake. I'd have finished it last night if that silly need for sleep hadn't stopped me. Love it so far - the characters are just great!

Jan from the Beautiful Black Hills of South Dakota!

(but don't enter me in the drawing!)

Pam Hillman said...

Good morning all! I got kidnapped last evening. Went with my husband on a "short" trip to take a tractor to the shop.

Short trip turned into about 4 hours.

Sorry!

Sarah, so glad you stopped by. Hope you're having a wonderful day!

Pam Hillman said...

Waving at Missy in GA!!!!

Jan, I know, that sleep is a nuisance, isn't it? Tina's blogging about insomnia in Seekerville today.

And I definitely didn't have any problem with insomnia last night. I was exhausted after a long work week, and lots of time on the computer promoting Stealing Jake and visiting with friends online.

No, no, I didn't spend all that time staring at my book on Amazon! lol

Anonymous said...

What a great post. Lena always managed to tweak out secrets about our friends that we didn't know.

Congratulations, Pam!!!

And this site has been redecorated. Love the new walls and furniture. Lovely!!!

Pam Hillman said...

Glad you stopped by Tina! Lena's site is so nice...just like the woman herself!

Lena, thank you for having me. You're always so encouraging to everyone.

Audra Harders said...

Pam, banana pudding? With graham crackers? Oooo, I'll be right over to eat up the portion you valiantly denied.

Heh, heh, heh, I have no such aspirations.

Great interview, Pam. Talk about drawing the reader in on the very first page!!

Pam Hillman said...

Banana pudding with layers and layers of vanilla wafers, Audra.

Oh. My. Stars!

That's what I'm talking about!

Hmm, was this blog about writing or FOOD?

Or can the twain ever be separated?

That is a question to ponder...

Lourdes said...

Books sounds great would love to win.

Lourdes from Huntington Long Island
Lourdes11743[at]gmail[dot]com

Pam Hillman said...

Lourdes, great that you stopped by! Hope you entered the drawing for the Kindle too. Winner will be announced October 8th on my website.

Have a great day!

Ms. Greer/Ohio said...

I'd love to win this book too and the Kindle....Thanks

Ms. Greer

Rose said...

Your book sounds fantastic I would love to win it. andantespirit08(at)gmail(dot)com
Walla Walla, WA

Ms. Carpenter/OH said...

Would love to win this book, love this contest.....also would love to win the Kindle :)Thanks,

Ms.Carpenter

Mozi Esme said...

I'd enjoy reading this.

Jane in Oregon

Roanna said...

I would love to be entered for the drawing. I read part of the first chapter and it was very good!! Love the part about the watch. :)

Roanna from Ohio

Shirley T./Illinois said...

Pleas enter my name for the drawing of this book. Thanks.

Shirley T.

Sandra Leesmith said...

HI Pam, Loved your comment about the meadow around the bend. Can I come with you? It sounds so lovely.

Congrats on your debut with Tyndale. How exciting is that???

You deserve it. You've worked hard and paid the dues. Have fun.

Oh and I'll have some of that banana pudding too. Thanks.

Sandra Leesmith said...

Oh yeah.

The stampede.

I can so see you waving your arms. I would be terrified.
You're so brave and such a self sufficient woman. You'd make a great heroine in one of Mary's books. smile

scottsgal said...

Not too many books set in Chicago nice to see that
cheryl in IL

msboatgal at aol.com

Pam Hillman said...

Ms. Greer, thanks for stopping by. Lena will be drawing for the book here on her site, but the Kindle will be given away in October at Pam's Kinde Giveaway

Hope you signed up for it!

Pam Hillman said...

Rose, thank you for visiting. Hope you enjoy Stealing Jake as much as I did writing it!

Have a great night!

Pam Hillman said...

Ms. Carpenter & Mozi, glad you stopped by. I appreciate your support.

Roanna, lol. I had to work to get the logistics of the watch scene just right, but it was the first scene ever written for Stealing Jake, and it pretty much stayed the same from the beginning.

Pam Hillman said...

Definitely Sandra! Wouldn't relaxing in a peaceful meadow be so nice? I remember my mother and I lying on a quilt in a hay field when I was a child, just watching the clouds float by.

We'll make it a picnic and I'll bring the pudding!

About that stampede. I was young, probably 12 or 13. I hate to think what I'd do now. Probably be so frozen with fear I wouldn't know what to do.

peachykath said...

This book sounds interesting. Please enter me in the drawing. Thank you.

Katherine from Northern California

peachykath[at]yahoo[dot]com

Kristie said...

Libraries are the best. (I'm a librarian). So much variety. For FREE. Whoo hoo!! I'm from Ohio. kristiedonelson(at)gmail(dot)com Thank you.

Pam Hillman said...

Kath & Kristie, so glad you both stopped by.

Love libraries too, Kristie.

Just love 'em!

Katie Marie said...

I've heard a lot about Stealing Jake, Pam. It sounds really neat! I have the kindle app on my phone and iTouch, so would love a chance at winning a copy. :-)

Katy from Florida
agirlslegacy(at)yahoo(dot)com

Pam Hillman said...

So glad you stopped by, Katy. I'm sure Lena will put you in the drawing.

Also, feel free to sign up for the Kindle giveaway.

Pam's Kindle Giveaway

Breaking news!

There has been a SEEKER SIGHTING: a copy of Julie Lessman's A Passion Most Pure has been added to the Kindle that I'm giving away!

How cool is that???

Unknown said...

I'd love a chance at this book!

AmandaSue in WI
unforgetable_dreamer_always (at) hotmail (dot) com

Courtney said...

I would love to win this book, it sounds great!! :-) Thanks!

kcmelone(at)yahoo(dot)com

Courtney from WA state

Megan said...

'Stealing Jake' sounds fantastic! I would love to win a copy!

lovetoread205 [at] gmail [dot] com

Megan from IL

Katie Marie said...

Pam, a Kindle giveaway? How awesome! I've entered many Kindle giveaways, but have yet to own a Kindle. :-P But maybe one day that will change! Thanks for the heads up!!!

Pam Hillman said...

Amanda, Courtney, Megan and Katy, so glad you stopped by.

Melissa Jagears (KSY) is the winner of Stealing Jake here on Lena's blog.

Whoo-hoo! Congrats Melissa!

BUT the Kindle Giveaway is still going strong, so don't forget to sign up for it.

Pam's Kindle Giveaway