Friday, October 28, 2016

THE BROKEN TRAIL - Christa MacDonald - One Free Book

Welcome, Christa. Tell us how much of yourself you write into your characters.
Sometimes my sense of humor comes through, but most of the time my characters are a combination of people I’ve known over the years or wholly drawn from the ether.

What is the quirkiest thing you have ever done?
Oh my, I’m not quirky at all. I do wear my hair in pigtails sometimes so that qualifies…I think.

When did you first discover you were a writer?
Not long after I started reading I knew I wanted to write the sort of stories that create a world you can fall right into.

Tell us the range of the kinds of books you enjoy reading.
Cozy mysteries, fantasy, and romance are the genres I read most often. I love the classics, and consider myself a Holmesian.

How do you keep your sanity in our run, run, run world?
I don’t watch broadcast TV. We canceled cable to save a few pennies, but found an unintended side effect was that we have more peaceful evenings and weekends. We consciously choose whatever content we want so it’s a different pace.

How do you choose your characters’ names?
I have a baby names book and use the internet for last names. Sometimes I poll readers for suggestions.

What is the accomplishment that you are most proud of?
Tough one. I’m so tough on myself I honestly rarely have “yay me” moments when I accomplish something. I’m probably proudest of my kids, but they aren’t accomplishments.

If you were an animal, which one would you be, and why?
A hawk. I’d love the ability to fly while also being a wee bit fearsome.

What is your favorite food?
Any combination of cheese, tomatoes, and bread; pizza, bruschetta, you name it.

What is the problem with writing that was your greatest roadblock, and how did you overcome it?
Self-doubt. I sought out critique partners who were honest about my work, and it helped me distinguish between the passages in my writing that truly needed work and my internal doubt.

Tell us about the featured book.
The Broken Trail is the story of a woman who has everything, but peace. She takes on a job in a small town and ends up butting heads with the local police captain who can’t seem to leave her alone. Katherine lets her heart harden after some pretty significant trauma.

Please give us the first page of the book.
Katherine Grant glanced out at the pine trees whipping past on the far side of the highway and then out the passenger window at the wall of rock on the other side. “This is looking downright uncivilized, Henry,” she said, half-expecting her 9-year-old red BMW to answer. She knew that Sweet River, Maine, was a remote hill-town, but it was starting to look more desolate than remote. The last sign of life had been ‘Mike’s Bait ‘N’ Ammo’, and that was over an hour ago. She hit the call button on the steering wheel, the ring of the phone sounding only once over the car speakers before her assistant answered.

 “You rang?”

“Heather, remind me again. Why am I doing this?”

“Because Helena, the Washington kingmaker, asked you to consider it, and nobody says no to Helena?”

“Nope. Try again.”

“Because you take contracts in school districts where you can do the most good, not where you can get the most notoriety.”

“Makes me sound noble, but I don’t think that’s it.”

“Because you need a vacation, and a tiny Christian school in a resort town in the middle of the woods sounded restful?”

“That’s the one, but I’m seriously concerned about how remote this is. I’ve lost cell service twice, and the last thing I passed was a roadside shack advertising bait and ammo.” She paused then added, “Bait and ammo, Heather.”

How can readers find you on the Internet?
My web site: http://www.christamacdonald.com

Thank you, Christa, for sharing this book with us.

Readers, here are links to the book. By using one when you order, you help support this blog.
The Broken Trail (Sweet River Redemption) (Volume 1) - paperback
The Broken Trail (Sweet River Redemption Book 1) - Kindle

Leave a comment for a chance to win a free copy of the book. You must follow these instructions to be in the drawing. Please tell us where you live, at least the state or territory or country if outside North America. (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

32 comments:

Anonymous said...

Sounds like a great book. Shelia Hall from Mississippi

Anonymous said...

would love to win. angela in ky

Linda Kish said...

That does sound like a really remote place. Too remote for me. I hope Katherine finds what she is looking for. I'd love to read this. It sounds terrific.

Linda in CA

lkish77123 at gmail dot com

ASC Book Reviews said...

THIS SOUNDS SO GOOOOOD!!!!!! I would LOVE To read and review it!!!!!

Many Blessings, Amada (pronounced: a.m.a.th.a) in NM
amada_chavezATyahooDOTcom

Christa MacDonald said...

Thank you!

Christa MacDonald said...

:)

Christa MacDonald said...

Thank you! And yes, it's too remote for even me. Maine is beautiful though I usually stick to the beaches.

Christa MacDonald said...

Thank you! Good luck in the drawing!!

Dianna said...

This is a new author for me!
I love the cover. Beautiful!
Dianna in TN

Mary Preston said...

A lovely interview.

Mary P

QLD AUSTRALIA

Abigail Mitchell said...

Looks good. We don't have cable either, but we do have a good selection of DVDs! :)
Abigail in Clarksville VA

Connie Porter Saunders said...

I look forward to reading this book. Thanks for sharing.
Connie from KY
cps1950(at)gmail(dot)com

Connie Porter Saunders said...

I look forward to reading this book. Thanks for sharing.
Connie from KY
cps1950(at)gmail(dot)com

Patty said...

It sounds like Katherine might be a fish out of water in this small town!

Patty in SC

GrandaddyA said...

I have been looking forward to this book being released. I would love to win it.
Edward A in VA

kim hansen said...

Sounds like a good read. north platte nebraska.

Trixi said...

New-to-me author and I love discovering new writers!! I've read a lot of great reviews and positive talk about this book :-) Thanks for a fun interview & giveaway chance!

Trixi in OR

Christa MacDonald said...

Thanks for commenting everyone! I can't wait to see what you all think of the book. Good luck in the giveaway!

Lourdes said...

I would love to win one! Thank you for the opportunity!

Lourdes, Long Island, NY

Terrill R. said...

I really enjoy reading new authors and this book sounds like a great romance. I've already added it to my Amazon Wish list.

Terrill - WA

Melanie Backus said...

I would love to read this one, for sure! Thank you for a great interview, Lena.

Melanie Backus, TX

Beth Gillihan said...

Sounds like a good read. Thanks for the chance to win.

Beth in Montana

Sharon Richmond Bryant said...

Enter me!!
Conway SC.

Christa MacDonald said...

Us too!

Christa MacDonald said...

You'd be right!

Christa MacDonald said...

😊

Christa MacDonald said...

Thank you!

Christa MacDonald said...

Thank you!!

Christa MacDonald said...

Thank you!!

Christa MacDonald said...

Good luck! 😊

Christa MacDonald said...

Thank you for reading!

rubynreba said...

Sounds like a book I would enjoy! Thanks!
Beth from IA