THE LIGHTKEEPER'S DAUGHTER - Colleen Coble - Free Book

So good to have you back, Colleen. Why do you write the kind of books you do?

People ask that all the time! I have a strong sense of justice. I need to see right prevail against wrong. I grew up on Nancy Drew and love mysteries! It’s just the way my brain works.

And I love the way your brain works. Besides when you came to know the Lord, what is the happiest day in your life?

The day my granddaughter was born! I had given up hope of ever being a grammy. I adore children and lived for the day I’d hold a grandchild, but as the years went by, I realized it wasn’t going to happen. Or so I thought. I cried and cried the first time I held Alexa.

I've felt that way with each grandchild and my great grandson. How has being published changed your life?

It’s made me much more confident because I’m so sure of my purpose.

What are you reading right now?

You don’t really want to know. Oh, you do? Well, right beside me I have a Sears Catalog from 1897 and a book on interiors from the Gilded Age. Can you tell I’m doing research for my next Mercy Falls historical romantic mystery? I just finished Harlan Coben’s latest also.

I often use my 1897 Sears Catalog and my 1895 Montgomery Wards one, too, so I totally understand. What is your current work in progress?

I just turned in substantive edits on The Lightkeeper’s Bride, and I’m about to plunge into a new story. But I need a plot. And characters! I’d planned to do a contemporary next but the buzz has been so good on The Lightkeeper’s Daughter that my editor asked me to switch gears.

I'll have to put the Bride one on my schedule, too, when you let me know the pub date. What would be your dream vacation?

Hawaii with all my family! Preferably Kauai on the south side.

James and I are still hoping to go to Hawaii someday. How do you choose your settings for each book?

It has to be a place that speaks to me personally. There needs to be some element of danger to it, some sense of isolation that I can use to the story’s advantage.

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

My husband. He’s the best, most supportive husband ever!

Where would we be without those wonderful husbands? What are your hobbies, besides writing and reading?

Traveling. Love, love, love it. Preferably to a place that involves sand and water. I would love to visit Australia someday!

Australia is also on my wish list. What is your most difficult writing obstacle, and how do you overcome it?

When I’m in the middle of a book, I think it’s total garbage. I have to force myself to press on and finish the work. Then I get to do the fun stuff--edit!

What advice would you give to a beginning author?

Attend the American Christian Christian Writers conference. It’s the single best thing you can do for your budding career. You’ll meet editors, agents, and writers who become lifelong friends and supporters.

Tell us about the featured book?

Addie Sullivan has grown up on the northern coast of California with her parents in a lighthouse. One day an injured stranger arrives and everything changes when she discovers someone has paid the lightkeeper to pretend she was his daughter. She wants to know her real family, the wealthy Eatons, so she goes to the house as a governess for a little boy. In that fabulous mansion, she’s set to find the love of her life if she can manage to discover the truth about her past.

I love, love, love your cover. Please give us the first page of the book.

The ship’s deck rolled under his feet, and he widened his stance to protect his balance and the toddler in his arms. Where was she? He’d been from one end of the steamer to the other. Laura was nowhere to be found. He shifted the sleeping child and eyed the black clouds hovering low on the horizon. A lighthouse winked in the darkening seascape. The wind whipped the waves into a frenzy and tore at the masts. The boat fell into a trough and the stern rose as the bow tipped. He grabbed at the railing for support. A rumble came to his ears. Thunder? Deck hands rushed by him, and he caught the faint stench of smoke.

“Fire!” a man shouted. “There’s been an explosion!”

He turned to see smoke pouring from the hold. People milled on the deck, and crewmen rushed to lower the lifeboat. Stay calm. He’d find Laura and the three of them would escape the floundering ship.

He grabbed the arm of a passing crewman and shouted over the howling wind. “The pretty woman with the red hair in a pompadour. Have you seen her?”

“She’s gone. Left first thing this morning before we left the dock. This ship is going down, mate. Get on the lifeboat now!” The man jerked his arm away.

He watched the crewman rush to help panicking passengers into the lifeboat. Gone. How could she leave without a word? Laura would never leave her child. Other people streamed by him on their way to safety, but he stood rooted to the deck until the little girl in his arms whimpered.

“Mama,” she said. “Papa.”

He glanced into her eyes, so like her mother’s. “We must get you to shore,” he said. His purpose found, he strode to the lifeboat. Wide-eyed passengers crammed every seat. Some had other people on their laps. There was no room. Not for him.

Great! Can hardly wait to reade the rest. How can readers find you on the Internet?

My website is http://www.colleencoble.com/ , and my blog is http://www.girlswriteout.blogspot.com/

Thanks for some very fun questions, Lena!

And thank you for sharing this story with us. . .and for letting us get to know you better.

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