Tuesday, June 28, 2011

HEARTS IN FLIGHT - Patty Hall - Free Book

Welcome to my blog, Patty. Tell us how much of yourself you write into your characters.
I think every writer puts a part of themselves into their characters. With Maggie Daniels, my heroine in Hearts in Flight, she’s got my determination to do something she didn’t ever think she could achieve. But determination can also be termed as stubborn, not a very attractive quality if used the wrong way.

What is the quirkiest thing you have ever done?
Well, some people think the way I write is quirky. See, I write my first draft in longhand. I’m not sure why except that maybe writing it out gives me permission to mess up at times whereas if I’m on the computer, I want it to be almost perfect. So that tells you that once the story is on my flash drive, it’s almost ready.

When did you first discover that you were a writer?
When I was in elementary school, I wrote a series of poems for a sixth grade English assignment. Well, two years passed before I get a letter from Random House—my teacher had put a collection of poems together for a book and five of mine were selected. So I signed my first publishing contract at the age of eleven. The pay was so bad, I didn’t even get a copy of the book. LOL

Tell us the range of the kinds of books you enjoy reading.
I’m a big history nut so I love autobiographies as well as historical fiction. I do read contemporaries but tend to stay away from horror or thriller types of books.

How do you keep your sanity in our run, run, run world?
I look at every day as a blessing. My girls tell me sometimes that I’m just too perky and peppy but who couldn’t be—with a loving Father in heaven who loves me and sent His only Son to die for me; a great family; food on the table; clothes on my back. What is there to be down about?

How do you choose your characters’ names?
I’m big on family and friend’s names. Like Maggie Rose Daniels is after my mother, Margaret and my sister, Rose and Wesley is both my father’s and grandfather’s middle name. I can’t wait to use my best friend’s middle daughter’s name—Dania. Isn’t that pretty?

But I also pick names according to the story.

What is the accomplishment that you are most proud of?
My family! My oldest daughter has graduated from college and is about to return to school to get her degree in Nursing. My youngest daughter is a college junior and an extremely talented writer and musician. And my husband is the most wonderful man in the world. I’m very blessed!

If you were an animal, which one would you be, and why?
I’d be a mutt simply because I’m very friendly, love most people, and love homecooking.

What is your favorite food?
Grits! When I’m sick or in the hospital for some odd reason, the only thing I will eat is a large bowl of grits with butter and salt. YUM!

I love grits with cheese and garlic or with fruit. What is the problem with writing that was your greatest roadblock, and how did you overcome it?
The biggest problem I’ve ever had with my writing was my pantser ways. Now, there’s nothing wrong with being a pantser—I know quite a few talented writers who write by the seat of their pants. I’m just not one of them. I needed to learn how to plot. So two years ago, I took some time off and took courses in plotting. One class that turned things around for me was Laurie Schnebly Plot Via Motivation class offered through WritersU. That one class taught me how to plot.

Tell us about the featured book.
Here’s the back cover blurb: Serving her country as one of the Women's Army Special Pilots is Maggie Daniels's dearest wish. But there are obstacles to overcome above and beyond the enemies in the Pacific, including her overprotective family, skeptical fellow pilots—and handsome, distant squadron leader Wesley Hicks. Whatever it takes, Maggie will prove herself to Wesley, until she succeeds in winning his admiration…and love.

Wesley can see that Maggie's a first-class pilot. She's also too fearless by half. The war has cost Wesley so much already. Can he let go of his guilt for a chance at happiness—and can he learn to trust in God…and Maggie…enough to believe in love for a lifetime?

Please give us the first page of the book.
      Chapter One
Georgia
1943

     “You’ll never catch a husband if you keep messing with that plane.”

     Maggie Daniels bumped her head against the instrument panel, the memory of her mother’s words at the breakfast table faintly ringing in her ears. She leaned against the weathered pilot’s seat, her fingers lifting to the knot forming at her hairline. Well, someone had to get Old Blue up and running or Daniels’ Crop Dusting would be permanently grounded.

     “Miss Daniels?”

     The deep timbre of a man’s voice rumbled against the worn pine hangar like her two-seater right before take-off. Hidden from the intruder’s view, Maggie peeked over the cockpit. Less than a wingspan away, an unfamiliar man stood with his back to her. A field of khaki cotton stretched across his broad back, his olive suit coat flung over his shoulder like a kite’s tail. What’s a flyboy doing in my hanger?

     “There’s no telling where the woman is at.” The plane shifted slightly as he leaned against its nose. “I’ve got other things to do than standing around here.”

     Heat crept up Maggie’s neck and into her cheeks. Why was it that men, at least the ones she knew, didn’t seem to have a patient bone in their bodies? Always assuming that a girl was more interested in what she put on her head rather than what she put in it? She poked a stray curl into the wool binding of her snood. Well, this war had changed all that, and if she could put her two cents in, she would say it’s about time.

     She grabbed the leather handrail and pulled herself upright. “Lookin’ for me, mister?”

Oh, I can't wait to read it. How can readers find you on the Internet?
I love to hear from people through my website at www.pattysmithhall.com

Thank you, Patty, for dropping by.



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. 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

31 comments:

Michelle said...

I love reading books set during World War II. This looks like a good one.

mchapman (at) windstream (dot) net

Kentucky

Anonymous said...

I would be blessed to win a copy of this book. Angela from Kentucky

Patty Smith Hall said...

Michelle, I love WWII books too! Particularly books about ordinary women doing extraordinary things which is how this book got it's start. Thanks for coming by.

Patty Smith Hall said...

Angela, thanks for coming by today--I appreciate it!

Sylvia said...

I'm from NC and have enjoyed several WWII books. This one looks good.

nina4sm/at/gmail/dot/com

Patty Smith Hall said...

Sylvia, there's some great WWII homefront stories that come out of the Carolinas--one that my FIL tells me is of a B-25 crew that was trying to show out for some bathing beauties and ended up putting their plane in the lake! It was just recently recovered but I've always wondered how those guys explained that to their commanding officer! Thanks for coming by!

Unknown said...

Thanks for a lovely post/interview, and chance to win this book, Patty and Lena. i would love to read and blog about it! mitzi_wanham[at]yahoo[dot]com from Peace River Country, Alberta

Casey said...

I would really love to read this book, it looks so great!

I live in Oregon. :)

Krista said...

Wow. This sounds wonderful. Please enter me!

Krista from Gresham, OR

Anne said...

Patty, can hardly wait to read your book! Doesn't seem like almost a year when we talked about it in Mary Frances' yard! So proud for you!!

Hugs from Marietta, GA!
Anne Powell
LAnnePowell@gmail.com

Patty Smith Hall said...

Marianne, y'all are getting ready to celebrate Canada day on Friday, aren't you? I love Canada--visited many times while our family lived in Michigan. Such a beautiful country! Thanks for coming by today!

Patty Smith Hall said...

Casey, thanks for coming by--I appreciate it!

Patty Smith Hall said...

Krista,I'm glad you like how my book sounds--I love reading about strong women who have an even stronger faith in God. Thanks for coming by!

Patty Smith Hall said...

Hey Anne! I know--it doesn't seem like that long ago that I was sharing the news of my sale with y'all. And next week, the book comes out!

If you're in town, I'm having a book launch at the Marietta Museum of History on July 16 from 2-4. I'd love for anyone in the area to come.

Jackie Layton said...

I'd love to win a copy of this book. It sounds fascinating, thanks for the contest.
Jackie
joyfuljel@gmail.com

Anonymous said...

The book is stunning! I can't wait to read!

srstormo at yahoo dot com
Texas

Coolestmommy said...

Love the historicals. This one sounds like it's right up my alley.

coolestmommy2000 at gmail dot com
NE

Wildflower said...

I live in MA. This book sound exciting.
wildflowers386 (at) yahoo (dot) com

Rebecca said...

Thank you so much for the chance to win this. This book sounds great. I would love to read this. Thanks again.

I am from Oklahoma.

agent_beckster(at)yahoo(dot)com

apple blossom said...

love the love inspired books. please count me in thanks
i Live in ND

ABreading4fun [at] gmail [dot] com

Patty Smith Hall said...

Hi everyone,
I want to thank you for coming by and visiting with me today. The opportunity to hear from people who love reading as much as I do is an absolute treat!

Blessings,
Patty Smith Hall

Kristen said...

Oh, the cover is beautiful!!
Love WWII books!
Thanks
Kristen from WA state

Faith's Grandma said...

Wow!this sounds like a wonderful book...I do want to read this one soon :)

M. G. /Ohio

Emma said...

Hearts IN FLIGHT sound wonderful.Please enter me in the giveaway.Thanks for the giveaway.Great interview.PA.

scottsgal said...

thanks for the chance - nice interview
cheryl in IL
msboatgal at aol.com

Shirley T. said...

Thanks for a chance to win this book, sounds like a great one....
Thanks Shirley T./Illinois

Anonymous said...

I love books set in that time period. So many great things to put into a book from then. Please include me in the giveaway.
Brenda from Michigan.

dancealert at aol dot com

Bakersdozen said...

I would love to read this. I live in S. CA.

Abigail Mitchell said...

Enter Me
Abigail
Blanch, N.C.

Kristie said...

A woman pilot sure is interesting. I don't know many of those. I'll put this on my to-read list for sure. I'm from Ohio. kristiedonelson(at)gmail(dot)com Thank you.

Merry said...

WWII Stories always draw me in and Hearts in Flight touches on some awesome ladies not often heard about. Add me please!
Merry in TX