Monday, May 07, 2012

THE HOMESTEADER'S SWEETHEART - Lacy Williams - Free Book


Welcome, Lacy. Why do you write the kind of books you do?
I love romance. I love the idea and execution of creating characters and watching them fall in love regardless of the impossible obstacles I put in their way. I love watching them become better because they are part of a matched pair. And I LOVE writing the ending of the story and giving them their happily ever afters.

Besides when you came to know the Lord, what is the happiest day in your life?
It is probably a toss up between the day I married my husband and the days my children were born. Right now I’m at a time in my life where my children bring so much joy, every day. The Little Prince (7 months) said “ma ma” for the first time earlier this week and my heart just expanded! And the Little Princess (2 years) is growing and she is such a little encourager! She will tell you “good job” or that you are beautiful (even when I’m in my mommy uniform of gym shorts and a t-shirt). They bring me such joy!

How has being published changed your life?
I’m a lot busier and I have to schedule my writing time carefully. Because my kids are small and I don’t want to miss any of the moments of them growing up (way too fast!), I try to spend most of their waking hours just focusing on them. That means my writing time is limited to naptimes (IF I can get them down at the same time!) and after bedtime. Which means when I sit down at the computer I have to GO: write quickly and know where the plot of the story is going. But I love being a mommy and I wouldn’t have it any other way.

What are you reading right now?
On my Kindle right now: Mission: Out of Control by Susan May Warren (reading it a second time!), Out of Control by Mary Connealy, and too much more to name. :)

What is your current work in progress?
I’m working on a proposal featuring one of the sons of the hero in THE HOMESTEADER’S SWEETHEART. Oscar is a horseman who can tame any horse, but he can’t woo the schoolmarm without making a fool of himself.

What would be your dream vacation?
I would really love to travel to Australia. I’ve got some stories in mind for Aussie cowboys and I’d love to visit and see the country (it is so unique!), and also do all the touristy things like the beach and snorkeling, etc.

I’d love to go to Australia, too. How do you choose your settings for each book?
I have always loved reading westerns and so it was natural for me to set my stories in Wyoming. For my first book, I chose the area and town according to the needs of the story (needed mountains, ranch, canyons, and a small town). Then once I got to know the characters in that book, some of them needed to tell their own stories and so it worked for me to continue setting the stories there.

If you could spend an evening with one person who is currently alive, who would it be and why?
My husband is a huge NBA basketball fan, and he’s got me hooked on our local team, the OKC Thunder. I am a huge Kevin Durant fan and would love to meet him someday. I know you can’t tell a lot from what you see just on TV, but he seems to have a good head on his shoulders. He kisses his mama after the games—how can you not like a guy like that??

What are your hobbies, besides writing and reading?
I love my dogs. We have three Cavalier King Charles Spaniels. I’ve really enjoying doing obedience training with them. I like walking them and being outdoors. One of them is a trained Therapy Dog and we do visits, especially with the local library in a Kids Reading to Dogs program that is a lot of fun. With two little kids, that’s about all I have time for. :)

What is your most difficult writing obstacle, and how do you overcome it?
Not getting distracted by other stories/characters. I seem to get a lot of inspiration and there’s just never enough time to put all the stories to paper. I’ve got bulging files of story ideas and I’ve found that the best thing for me is to write down as much of the idea as I can and save it, and keep writing on my WIP (or I’ll never finish it!).

What advice would you give to a beginning author?
Find a mentor. Ask someone to have coffee with you to talk about your writing. Don’t be annoying, but make connections online until you find someone who is further on in their career than you are and is willing to give you advice and guidance.

Tell us about the featured book.
The HOMESTEADER’S SWEETHEART is a fun story about a wealthy banker’s daughter (Penny) who needs to get out of town. She goes to her grandfather’s small homestead and meets his neighbor (Jonas), who has eight kids. She quickly finds herself falling for Jonas and his family but questions whether she could be happy in such reduced circumstances since she has been pretty pampered her whole life.

Just the kind of book I like to read. Please give us the first page of the book.
Wyoming Territory, summer 1890

Hadn't he promised himself not to get into a situation like this again?

Jonas White stood on the dusty street in his Sunday suit, letter clutched in his hand, gazing up at the fine house. It seemed too much of a coincidence that his neighbor and closest friend--although they were two generations apart in age--was related to a wealthy banker when Jonas desperately needed a loan. And the letter Jonas had promised to deliver for his friend would grant him access to the banker he'd been trying to see all day.

But Jonas had stopped questioning the Lord's hand in things once he'd met his neighbors, the Nelsons, just over five years ago.

Staring at the light spilling from the glass-paned windows onto the large, well-kept yard reminded Jonas of another place and time, and how as a child he'd often looked in on some of Philadelphia's wealthy families. Like those stately town houses, this house was ostentatious. Two-story and much larger than the other homes on the street. Or in the whole town of Calvin, Wyoming, for that matter.

Jonas resolutely pushed the painful memories to the back of his mind. His daughter needed him to do this, and he couldn't fail her.

I know I will love it. How can readers find you on the Internet?
Right now I’m doing a special promotion for this book and to celebrate my birthday in May. Readers can find info on that at www.megamaybirthdaybash.com.
I can also be found at www.lacywilliams.net, facebook.com/lacywilliamsbooks and twitter @lacy_williams

Thank you, Lacy, for sharing with us today.

Readers, I’m participating in Lacy’s Birthday Bash. Come by and see what all you can win.


Here are links to the book. By using one when you order, you help support this blog.
The Homesteader's Sweetheart (Love Inspired Historical) - paperback
The Homesteader's Sweetheart (Love Inspired Historical) - Kindle


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.
Http://lenanelsondooley.blogspot.com

24 comments:

Unknown said...

Happy Birthday, Lacy! i am wondering if Little Princess hears those words from her Daddy? Thank you for the gift of your interview as well as the opportunity to win Lacy's novel.

Marianne from Northern Alberta
mitzi underscore wanham at yahoo dot com

Anonymous said...

Enjoyed the interview!

JoyAnne in TN

Lane Hill House said...

Hi Lacy, My birthday month too! May 30th. I liked your interview questions for Lacy. Please add me for the drawing. I have to laugh at myself when I look at the winners and then think, "I didn't even sign up for this book and I am looking for my name!" ha ha! Kathleen
Missouri
lanehillhouse[at]centurylink[dot]net

Michelle said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Katie said...

Sounds really good! Please enter me. I'm from NC.

Thanks!

scottsgal said...

Love westerns - this one sounds wonderful.

We have 2 springers - love spaniels

cheryl in IL
C

Judy said...

I enjoyed the interview with Lacy. She is a new author to me and I would love to win a copy of this book. Sounds like a good read!

Blessings!
Judy from Indiana

Liz R said...

Happy birthday Lacy! The books sounds wonderful!

Liz R in AL

Nancee said...

I've read some other reviews of Lacy's book, and I'd love to win a copy. Thanks for the offer!
Nancee in Western Michigan
quiltcat26@sbcglobal.net

Lacy J. Williams said...

Thanks for all the nice comments. This book was a lot of fun to write and it's pretty cool that it comes out the same month as my birthday. Thanks for all the nice wishes. :)

Mary Preston said...

You must come to Australia. It is very beautiful.

I am one of 7 children, so 8 does not seem too scary.

Mary P

QLD AUSTRALIA

Jo said...

Happy Birthday Lacy!

Enjoyed your interview and now want to read your book. It sounds great! Thank you for the opportunity.

Blessings,
Jo from Southern Arizona
ladijo40(at)aol(dot)com

Joanna Richmond said...

Looks and sounds very interesting. I would love to read it. enter me.
Thanks
Joanna Richmond
Blanch NC

Sarah Rebekah Richmond said...

Looks and sounds interesting!
Please enter me in the drawing!
God Bless!
Sarah Richmond
Blanch,N.C.

Jamie Adams said...

I'm so happy to see another book of yours! The cover alone tells me it's a book I'd love to read. Please enter me in the drawing. adamsfammys at yahoo dot com

Abigail Mitchell said...

Looks interesting! Please enter me in the drawing.
Thanks and God Bless!
Abigail
Blanch, N.C.

Sharon Richmond said...

Enter me I would love to win a copy of this interesting book i am sure! It sounds and looks like a great story! Thanks for the chance to win and God bless.
Sharon Richmond
Blanch, NC.

Wildflower said...

This books looks very exciting. Please enter me.
Rebecca from MA

Coolestmommy said...

Wow--please enter me to win a copy. It sounds like a fun read. And do enjoy those little ones while they are young--they do grow too fast. And when they go to school, time speeds up.

coolestmommy2000 at gmail dot com
NE

Faith said...

Lovely interview, will definitely being reading this one!

Happy Birthday, Ms. Williams!

Faye from SD

Diana Gardner said...

Would love to win a copy. Please enter me in the drawing. Portsmouth, VA

Lourdes said...

HOMESTEADER’S SWEETHEART looks really good.

Lourdes Huntington, NY

Katie Marie said...

Ohh, looks like a sweet book! Count me in :-D

Katie from Florida

Merry said...

The Homesteader's Sweetheart sounds like it has heart and with all the kids, it has to be fun. I'd love to be entered.
Merry in TX