Thursday, April 30, 2015

YEAR OF JUBILEE - Peggy Trotter - One Free book

Dear Readers, it’s always a thrill to present a debut novelist to you.

Bio: Peggy Trotter is a small town Hoosier native who teaches 1st and 2nd grade at a small Christian School and writes Christian Romance in her spare time. God blessed her with a wonderful husband who cooks and helps clean while supporting her crazy dreams. She has two incredible grown kids, one fabulous son-in-law, and two rays of sunshine, commonly called grandchildren.

Welcome, Peggy. Tell us how much of yourself you write into your characters.
A lot! Sometimes I cry, if the scene gets really emotional. I’m such a hodgepodge of personalities, LOL, that I can write from several different angles. So, I’d say every one of my characters has more than a sliver of me.

What is the quirkiest thing you have ever done?
I decided I wanted a deck built between my house and garage. So, I researched it, planned it, and built it myself. I’m pretty good with power tools. After that I’d say, hanging a drop ceiling in Honduras! J

I love Central America. When I went on a mission trip to Guatemala, I was a clown making balloon animals for the children. When did you first discover that you were a writer?
This will sound weird, but I think I knew around the age of six. I came in third in a class writing contest. That tugging desire to write never left me, and I wrote many, many things over the years, poems, programs, verses, but the romance stories haunted me every night when I laid my head down, like a repetitive movie. Once I finally get the story written down, it disappears!

Tell us the range of the kinds of books you enjoy reading.
As a child, I loved the classics, Black Beauty, King of the Wind, (and most anything by Marguerite Henry!), Charlotte’s Web. As I grew, I became a bit more eclectic. I loved researching history, but I also enjoyed Stephen King. I finally stopped reading horror when I began to be afraid to be alone in a house. Seriously, true!

In my adult life, mostly I was fascinated with discovering Christian romance with Lori Wick, B.J. Hoff, Gilbert Morris, and a million more since. I definitely enjoyed all of Bodie Thoene’s series as well, not to mention Tim Lahaye and Jerry B. Jenkins’ Left behind series. And there has been ton more! So overall, I say I love Christian fiction, but most of all Christian Romance.

How do you keep your sanity in our run, run, run world?
Sometimes I don’t!!! J I think my main survival kit is sticking with the basics. God, family, friends. All the other stuff is wonderful and such a blessings, but I try to keep my head focused on the most important picture. Jesus Christ. Not to say I don’t have my freak-out moments, shhhh, but that’s the goal anyway. My husband is a great help in this area. He’s very calm and wise which offsets my need to be constantly over busy.

How do you choose your characters’ names?
I like unusual names. So I pick names that are both unusual and beautiful to me. But they must fit the character. I also tend to pick names from my genealogy chart, or cemetery records. (Snort) Yes, really. Especially if I’m writing a historical.

What is the accomplishment that you are most proud of?
Raising both my children to adulthood and seeing them grow in Christ. When I held my first child, I felt God’s calling to make sure I equip my children to serve Him for the rest of their lives.

If you were an animal, which one would you be, and why?
A horse. As a young girl, I read any book I could get my hands on that included a horse. They are so beautiful, independent, and strong. All qualities I’d love to possess.

What is your favorite food?
Simple easy. Pizza. Yum!

What is the problem with writing that was your greatest roadblock, and how did you overcome it?
I’d say the greatest one is discouragement. It’s everywhere. And when it’s not outside of your psyche, it’s inside! And that seems to be the most intimidating one. Fighting your own sense of inadequacy, and the devil—he ain’t no dummy. He grabs what pulls you down and pumps it for all it’s worth.

Tell us about the featured book.
I’d be thrilled to!!! My debut novel is Year of Jubilee, a Historical Christian Romance based in southern Indiana in 1850. Here’s the back cover blurb:

Orphaned and widowed, eighteen-year-old JUBILEE STALLINGS clings to her southern Indiana farm as her only refuge. The wilds of Gibson County are just being tamed in the year of 1850, and Jubilee ekes a meager existence. But when RAFE TANNER, a cousin of her abusive dead husband, shows up with the deed to her property, Jubilee’s dream of her own home dissolves.

Rafe, stinging from his ex-fiancée’s rejection, offers a business marriage, throwing him and Jubilee together in an effort to make the farm successful. But scars from the past keep her in constant fear of her new husband. The pair masquerades as a love-struck couple at Rafe’s family farm, enduring the romantic notions of his family and the jealousy of his ex-fiancée.

Once home, Rafe realizes his newfound love for Jubilee, and sets out to court her. Meanwhile, Jubilee fights demons from her past as her husband reveals his interest. Can Jubilee let go of her distrust and pain to embrace God’s plan of true love and finally find a place to belong?

I know it doesn’t present as a storyline with a lot of humor, but there are several scenes of humorous misunderstandings throughout the book.

Please give us the first page of the book.
Okay! But be prepared. The first scene is a doozy!

Jubilee Stallings’ forehead collided with the wall. Stars flashed behind her closed lids. She lay completely still. Her face heated and her body ached, yet she dared not move.

“You’re worthless.” Her husband’s slurred voice continued.

She heard his footsteps stagger across the floorboards.

“You’re nuttin’ but a dog, and…and…a piece…of dung.”

The floorboards thundered as his body hit the floor. Scraping sounds emitted from the other side of the room.

“I…oughta…”

He continued mumbling unintelligibly. Jubilee pressed her bruised brow against the icy wood of the wall and prayed. Fresh tears wet her face. Please fall asleep. Almost on command Colvin gave a snore. Jubilee continued to lie immobile, although now that the initial rush of adrenaline had worn off, the frigid air made her naked body want to shake. She clenched her teeth and fought against her body’s urge. Snores filled the air.

She pushed to a sitting position and eyed the straw mattress where Colvin had sprawled. Moving as cautiously as a newborn colt, she crawled to her dress by the door. She pulled it on as a set of shivers ripped through her body. With her sweater in hand, she crept to the fireplace. Only dying embers remained, but Jubilee couldn’t risk adding another log. Her teeth chattered as she tucked her feet beneath her skirt and pulled up the ragged cardigan to ward off the chill.

She grimaced as she rubbed the swelling on her neck where he’d choked her. The moonlight broke through the clouds, highlighting the marks scratched into the wall near stone mantel. She’d carved the last one this morning, December 30, 1849. More than a full year had come and gone since she’d begun marking. Tomorrow would be her second birthday in this house. Once again tears threatened. She’d be eighteen.

You’re right about the page. I’m eager to read the rest of the book. How can readers find you on the Internet?
You can always catch me at peggytrotter.com, but I’m also a feature writer on my group blog, diamondsinfiction.blogspot.com. Here are some of my other favorite places to hang out: https://www.facebook.com/PeggyTrotterAuthor

Thanks for having me on your blog! I truly appreciate it!

Peggy, the pleasure is all mine. I can’t wait until my book arrives so I can read it.

Readers, here are links to the book. By using one when you order, you help support this blog.
Year of Jubilee - paperback
Year of Jubilee - 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 Goodreads, Google+, Feedblitz, Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin, 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

39 comments:

Beth Gillihan said...

Great first page! Caught my interest and want to read the book. Thanks for the chance to win!

Beth in Montana

Peggy Trotter said...

Beth, thanks for stopping by to check out the interview! I'm so excited to be with Lena today! I hope you get a chance to get your hands on a copy of Year of Jubilee!!!

Anonymous said...

Love to try new authors!Shelia from Mississippi

Peggy Trotter said...

Welcome, Shelia! I'm so thankful for readers like you! Thanks for stopping in. Blessings!

Anonymous said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Anonymous said...

Congratulations on getting your debut novel out there. While I enjoy reading books from established authors I also love reading debut authors and following their fresh start in the publishing world. I wish you the best of luck in upcoming books and your writing journey. This is a fabulous sounding book I hope to be reading it soon !

Deanne in Pennsylvania
Cnnamongirl(at)aol(dot)com

Peggy Trotter said...

Deanne, you are so right. Every author's debut start and progress is unique. I'm really hoping my debut novel, Year of Jubilee, inspires you~!

Caryl Kane said...

Hello Peggy! Congratulations on your debut. I LOVE the title "Year of Jubliee". I can't wait to read it!

Caryl in TEXAS

Peggy Trotter said...

Caryl, thanks for stopping by. Yes, the title was a work in progress. It didn't start out as that. But the main character's name was always Jubilee, and the Lord just led me to the title a little later. I hope you enjoy reading it!

Trixi said...

Great interview Peggy! This book certainly sounds very good, I love historical fiction. And I love your comment about unusual names, even going as far as cemetery lots for names *grins*! How fun is that? Maybe I'm a bit quirky, but I like to explore cemetery lots for the oldest ones and find the birth and death date of that person. I've seen some even for small children way back in the 1800's or so. Guess for me it's fascinating stuff!
Thank you for the chance to win a copy of your book, I'd love to read it....blessings!

teamob4 (at) gmail (dot) com

sm said...

Interesting interview and I really like the cover of your book. sm CA wileygreen1(at)yahoo(dot)com

Mary Preston said...

An amazing beginning. Most definitely a doozy.

Mary P

QLD AUSTRALIA

Bonnie Roof said...

I love books with dysfunctional characters - would love to read "Year of Jubilee"!! Thanks for the giveaway opportunity!!

bonnieroof60(at)yahoo(dot)com
Kentucky

Unknown said...

I've seen Peggy's name and book all over the blogs. Such a fascinating first page! Thanks Lena and Peggy for the chance to win!
Marianne
Alberta, Canada

Patty said...

It's always fun to try new authors! Thanks for the interview and giveaway. I love historical fiction.

Patty in SC

Sharon Richmond Bryant said...

Enter me in your great giveaway!!
Conway, SC.

Deanna Stevens said...

I would certainly enjoy reading this book! Congratulations on your book & wishing you much success!
dkstevens From NEBR

Peggy Trotter said...

Trix, I'm with you! I was determined to find my great grandmother's grave marker and my husband and I spent 2 hrs. combing the old cemetery on a hot day. When I finally found it, I remembered being there as a small child by the surrounding grave markers! Very surreal! I only remembered once I started looking around.

Peggy Trotter said...

sm~thanks! I think I drove my publisher a little crazy with the cover choice! LOL But I love it and I'm glad you do too!

Peggy Trotter said...

Mary~yes! I wanted to grab the reader out of the gate. I promise it isn't quite so violent after this, lol. Hope you get your chance to find out!

Peggy Trotter said...

Bonnie~I love making imperfect characters that are at the end of their rope. Only God can fix that! Thanks for stopping in. Hope you enjoy Year of Jubilee!

Peggy Trotter said...

Oh, Marianne, I'm so glad you've seen me out and about! I've been working hard to get my book out to the readers. I hope you enjoy it. Christian fiction rocks!

Peggy Trotter said...

Patty~yes, I'll admit it is my favorite! Even though I have a contemporary coming out Oct. 9th, lol. But I'm in the middle of another Historical. I love the research! I really hope you can get your hands on a copy of Year of Jubilee!

Peggy Trotter said...

Sharon, thanks for stopping by and joining in with the fun! Blessings!

Peggy Trotter said...

Deanna, thanks for the well-wishes! I've been to Nebraska a few times visiting my son. I love the wind there! It always seems to blow. I have a novel based there that will hopefully soon be published as well. Keep an eye out for it. It's a historical called "Spun." :)

Unknown said...

Another great sounding book :D

Sierra
Indiana

Peggy Trotter said...

Sierra~thanks! Woot Woot to another Hoosier!!! I hope you enjoy the book!

Melissa M. said...

I'd like to read this. Very sad/gripping opening.

-Melissa M. in TN

Judy Cooper said...

The interview was very nice and I am looking forward to reading Year of Jubilee. It would be nice to win, but if not, I will be enjoying this book and her others to follow. Thank yuou.

Melanie Backus said...

I would love to read this book! Thank you for the opportunity!

Melanie Backus, TX

Judy Cooper said...

I believe in my previous post, I left my name and location out. Probably knocked myself out of a chance to win. lol. Judy Cooper, Louisiana.

Unknown said...

I would love to win this book!
Rita from WI

Peggy Trotter said...

Melissa~Yes. I love to write about people who are at the bottom of their hope vessel. Then let God lift them up. Out of the miry clay, so to speak. We may not all be in such dire circumstances, but we meet overwhelming challenges everyday. I want my readers to see God's hope, not matter the situation. And don't forget! There's a wonderful happy ending!

Peggy Trotter said...

Go Judy! Thanks for re-visiting!

Peggy Trotter said...

Hi, Rita! Thanks for stopping in! I hope you get a copy in your hands and I hope you love it!

rubynreba said...

Beautiful cover and title! I'd enjoy reading Year of Jubilee!!
Beth from IA

Pam Graber said...

Oh, my! You weren't kidding about that first page! This really grabs the reader. I look forward to reading the whole thing!

Pam in Ohio

Peggy Trotter said...

Beth~I dreamed the cover, believe it or not. I felt like it was God's nudge to pick this! I love it! Hope you enjoy the story and I pray it blesses your heart!

Peggy Trotter said...

Pam~ Yes, it packs a punch! But I hope the rest grabs your interest as well. I stuck little stabs of humor along the way, so I hope you enjoy every moment of it!