Tuesday, November 16, 2010

THE BLACKSMITH'S BRAVERY - Susan Page Davis - Free Book

So good to have you back, Susan. Do you have a favorite genre to write? If so, what is it?

I love writing both historical novels and suspense, so I think my favorite is historical suspense. The Blacksmith’s Bravery and other books in the Ladies’ Shooting Club series have some mystery or suspense in them. Another example of this genre is my recent book The Crimson Cipher, set in 1915. They let me bring together romance, history, and suspense in a blend that’s fun to write and exciting to read.

If you didn’t live in the part of the country where you do, where would you live?

Probably back in Maine, my home state. I lived there most of my life. I recently moved to Kentucky, and I love it here, but if I hadn’t made the move, no doubt I’d still be back in the frozen north.

What foreign country would you like to visit and why?

I love traveling, but right now I’d most like to revisit England. I was privileged to go there when I was in college. It was a wonderful experience, and now it would be even more special, because my daughter Megan (who authored the Mainely Mysteries series with me) now lives there.

Describe what you think would be the most romantic vacation you could take.

A trip with someone I love to an exotic setting and no glitches in travel.

Yeah, those glitches can really kill the romance. Where would you like to set a story that you haven’t done yet?

I’m thinking about setting one here in Kentucky.

What is the main theme of this novel?

Acceptance and forgiveness play a big part in The Blacksmith’s Bravery. Griffin must accept Vashti as she is, as well as his nephew and himself. Vashti needs to forgive Griffin’s blunders and her own past.

Tell us about the story.

Vashti Edwards works at the Spur & Saddle in Fergus, Idaho. By age twelve, Vashti was orphaned and working her way west in saloons. In Fergus, she’s found new hope in Christian friends from The Ladies Shooting Club and an employer who turned her saloon into a restaurant. But money’s tight, and Vashti tries to get the job she’s dreamed of—as a stagecoach driver. Griffin Bane, local blacksmith, is overseeing the stagecoach line and admits he needs more help. But can a woman—even one known to be a good markswoman—handle the challenges and dangers on the trail? And can he brave the beautiful distraction she makes riding alongside him?

Please give us the first page of the book. (Lena, this is not page one, but it’s an excerpt from chapter one.) Works for me.

Vashti scurried behind the serving counter that had been made out of the old bar. She poured two glasses of water. Bitsy paused beside her on her way into the kitchen to give Augie the Nashes’ order.

“Before it gets busy, could you run across and see if Griffin’s got the ticket office open yet? I don’t want to get there at the last minute and not have my ticket.”

“Yes’m.” Vashti delivered the water glasses with a smile to the Nashes and ducked out the door and across the street.

She hiked up her skirt and ran past the emporium and across the alley to the stagecoach office. The big blacksmith had shed his apron and was tacking a notice to the wall beside the door.

“Mr. Bane, Miss Bitsy sent me for her ticket to Boise again.” Vashti halted beside him, panting.

He looked up. “Oh, sure. Just a second.” He hammered a final tack into the poster and went inside. “You got the money?”

“Yes.” Vashti stared at the notice he’d posted.

Help wanted—stage coach drivers, blacksmith, livery stable hands. Inquire within.

She pulled in a deep breath, squared her shoulders, and stepped inside. Griffin sat at the desk, fumbling at the ticket book with his big hands.

“You said she’s going through to Boise?”

“That’s right. On business. Taking the two o’clock.”

Griffin wrote in the book and tore out the ticket. “Three dollars and six bits.”

Vashti handed over the money Bitsy had given her that morning. “I noticed that poster you put up.”

“Uh huh.” Griffin gave her the ticket. He put the ticket book in a drawer and in the process knocked his pen off the desk. He bent to retrieve it.

“It says you’re hiring.”

He sat up and squinted at her. “That’s right. I need some more manpower.”

She ignored the “man” part and plunged on. “Mr. Bane, I’d love the chance to drive. I learned how when I was kid, and I’ve always been good with horses. I know I could do the job.”

His jaw dropped.

“If you’ll give me a chance, I can take the stage through. I know I can, easy as pie.”

Griffin stood and stared down at her with such a thunderous expression that Vashti faltered to a stop and waited.

“You want to drive?”

“Yes, sir.”

“Stagecoaches?”

“Yes, sir.”

He threw back his head and laughed.

How can readers find you on the Internet?

My website is: http://www.susanpagedavis.com/

And my FaceBook page is:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Susan-Page-Davis/139580589399172?v=wall

Thank you, Susan, for spending this time with us.

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. New information: Please tell us where you live, at least the state or territory. I’m trying to get a good idea of where the people live who leave comments on my blog. (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 6 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. Here’s a link.

http://lenanelsondooley.blogspot.com/

37 comments:

Coolestmommy said...

I was hooked as soon as I read there's a Ladies Shooting Club.

coolestmommy2000 at gmail dot com
I live in the midwest.

Susan Page Davis said...

Thanks, Robyn! Every lady should have a hobby and a group of friends for support!

Patsy said...

I love Susan's books. Would love to read this one as well. I know it will be great. Count me in on the giveaway.

plhouston(at)bellsouth(dot)net
From Mississippi

Michelle V said...

I love this series! Please enter me!

Blessings
Michelle V in Texas
lifeinreview[at]yahoo[dot]com

Ann Lee Miller said...

Please enter me in the drawing.:)
Ann Lee Miller
Gilbert, Arizona

wmmahaney said...

This sounds like a wonderful book. I would love to read it.

Casey said...

I would love to read this book, especially after reading and enjoying the second one so much. Thanks!

Casey said...

Oh sorry, I live in Oregon. :)

Renee (BlacknGoldGirlsBookSpot) said...

Hey ladies! I think we all could use an exotic vacation with not glitches LOL! I would travel to Italy if I could since that's where my ancestors were from.

I love this series and I'm really looking forward to reading this.

XOXO~ Renee C.
Pennsylvania

Susan Page Davis said...

Nice to see you all here. Michelle, Casey and Renee, thanks for your kind words about the series. Romantic Times book reviews gave this book four stars and is going to feature it on the "Everything Inspirational" page on their website next week, I believe starting Tuesday.

Nancye said...

This sounds like a book I would enjoy. Thanks for the chance.

nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net

apple blossom said...

Thanks for the interview. I'd love to be included in this book giveaway. thanks

ABreading4fun [at] gmail [dot] com

Renee Ann said...

Please include me in the giveaway. I've seen this book on several blogs and everyone loves it! Thanks for drawing my attention to so many great reads!

Merry said...

I've really enjoyed this series and would love to be entered for The Blacksmith's Bravery.

Cherie J said...

I enjoyed the interview. I live in North West part of Florida. Please enter me. Thank you!

holdenj said...

I like historical suspense books too. The new book looks great, thanks for the info and chance to win.

Jan Cline said...

Ooooh I'd love to go to England. My first novel is set in 1800s England. I must say too that I love the names of the characters and place in your book!

Unknown said...

please enter me!
kim
lonebanana(at)msn(dot)com

Regina said...

looks good please enter me...

from ohio

Anonymous said...

Please enter me. Sounds great!

Wendy
ebeandebe at gmail dot com

Cindy W. said...

Love the cover of Susan's book. This book is on my wish list. Thank you for the chance to win a copy.

Smiles :o)
Cindy W.

countrybear52[at]yahoo[dot]com

Katie Marie said...

I'd love a chance to win this book! Looks like a good read!

I live down here in Florida!! :-D

~ Katie M

Sharon Chadbourne said...

Susan, do you have any other new series in the works? Hope I win.

EJ said...

Sounds like a good book - I love historical Christian fiction! I live in Cedar Rapids, IA

rejordan79@msn.com

Julia M. Reffner said...

This book sounds like a fun read.

julesreffner(at)gmail(dot)com

grannyvon said...

I would love to win this book. I like books that are about women doing hard jobs and doing good at it. Thanks for the chance to win it. ybutler@oppcatv.com

Kristen said...

I love stories about feisty women!!!
Please enter me!

Wendy said...

I love her books.
Thanks for offering it.

Pam K. said...

This sounds like it would be a very good book. Please enter me in the giveaway.
Thanks.

pmk56[at]sbcglobal[dot]net
Kansas

dancealertreads.blogspot.com said...

Please enter me! I

dancealert at aol dot com

Anna Weaver Hurtt said...

Please enter me in the giveaway! Anna from GA

Melissa Jagears said...

My hubby's a blacksmith here in Kansas, so you got me at the title, I want to read it just because of that, and I bet he might just pick it up and look at it. :)

Anonymous said...

I would really love to read this book. Please enter me in this contest.


CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com

I am a tranplanted Hoosier, now in the Dallas area.

Ausjenny said...

I loved the first two books of this series also. cant wait to read the last one.
im in South Australia

Susan Page Davis said...

I always love to come here because Lena has such a great group of readers, and they support and encourage the writers--no unlike the members of The Ladies' Shooting Club do for each other. Maybe this is the Friends' Reading Club.

Charlotte Kay said...

I am so happy for the opportunity you created for a win:)

Hello from OHIO:)

Bakersdozen said...

This book sounds like it would be so much fun to read. I agree with Susan's comment about ladies needing a group of friends and a hobby. I live in Southern CA.