LOVE RETURNED - Mildred Colvin - Free E-book

Welcome, Mildred. Tell us how much of yourself you write into your characters.

This is a hard question because while I think I’m imagining totally new people for my stories, the truth is a lot of me probably ends up in the heroine. Of course, my characters are much braver and adventurous than I’d ever be. Still, I don’t think an author can help but put some of themselves into their characters. 

What is the quirkiest thing you have ever done?

Hmm, I’m either not a quirky person or I just think everything I do is perfectly normal. LOL! The only thing I can think of is going on a weekend car trip to Winnipeg, Canada when I lived in Southern Missouri. That’s a long drive, but I still remember it, and I loved the Canadian city that appeared so clean and fresh compared to the big cities I was used to.

           

When did you first discover that you were a writer?

Probably when I enjoyed the writing assignments in high school English classes. I didn’t care so much for the research papers, but the creative writing was totally fun. I didn’t consider writing, though, until my kids were young and I wrote some stories for them.

I’m like you. I loved writing assignment, but not research papers. Tell us the range of the kinds of books you enjoy reading.

The books I enjoy reading the most are very much like what I write. Romance! I especially like to curl up with a 19th Century story set in the western states whether it’s prairie, western, or Americana. Beyond that, I occasionally am captivated by women’s fiction.

Then you probably like my books. How do you keep your sanity in our run, run, run world?

Mostly, I just say no. LOL! It’s easy to find yourself spread way too thin if you aren’t careful. I’m a stay-at-home sort of person and hope to remain that way. Spending a little time in God’s Word each morning is a good way to slow your day and accomplish more than you would otherwise.

How do you choose your characters’ names?

When I start a new book, the characters are where I start first, and the names are one of the first things I want to know. I have used character naming books, the phone book, and genealogy records. Sometimes, my characters walk into a story with names that fit. Those, of course, are the easy ones.

What is the accomplishment that you are most proud of?

I am very thankful for the confidence Barbour Publishing extended to me when they published my books in their Heartsong Presents line. I am also extremely amazed and grateful to the Lord for allowing me and my husband to adopt three adorable babies who have grown up into wonderful adults. While they have their moments, so do I, and I don’t think anyone could find any sweeter or better kids. God is good!

If you were an animal, which one would you be, and why?

I think that would have to be a bird. To be more specific, an eagle. The reason is because birds have a way of flying away, apparently leaving their troubles behind. An eagle makes her nest away from the bustle of life where she can look out at nature and the peace God’s world brings.

What is your favorite food?

My favorite food without doubt is potatoes. There are so many ways potatoes can be fixed so I never tire of them. Okay, potato candy isn’t my favorite thing, but other than that, potatoes are great.

What is the problem with writing that was your greatest roadblock, and how did you overcome it?

To be honest, I’ve probably had a problem with many areas of writing, and I can hope I’ve overcome at least some of them. Writing synopses is probably the biggest hurdle I’ve had to jump. I am terrible at it. I want to tell everything when the editor only wants the high points. I’ve studied many articles on synopsis writing and am gradually learning what is needed and what isn’t. Sadly, this is something I’m still working on.

Tell us about the featured book.

Love Returned is a contemporary romance set in central Missouri. Megan McGinnis was pressured to give up her baby and has regretted doing so ever since. Now she’s met Scott Landis and his son, Randy. His adopted son.

About the time she falls in love with Scott, circumstances convince her Randy is the baby she gave away nine years ago. But what can she do?

If she confronts Scott, she'll lose his love, and he'll keep Randy from her. If she marries Scott without telling who she is, she'll have Randy and Scott, but be living a lie. Is there a happy ending to her life?

Please give us the first page of the book.

~One~

Megan McGinnis yelped and jerked back. She touched a hand.

Her gaze skimmed past the well-sculpted male fingers, moved up a muscled arm dusted with dark hair, and over a broad shoulder, to a rather attractive specimen of the stronger sex. The palm of her hand burned, and heat crept up her neck to fill her face.

Where had the man come from? One of the other campsites, obviously. Her mind had been filled with her dream.

“I am so sorry. I—” She couldn’t think. She wrinkled her nose. “I didn’t see you.”

He laughed. Not a polite titter, but a throw-back-your-head-and-let-it-out laugh.

Her hand tightened on her water bucket. A smile touched her lips, and before she could stop, she was laughing, too.

“I apologize.” He shook his head. “It’s just that you looked so cute when you squealed and then—” He tapped his nose and grinned. “That cute face you made—I’m sorry. Are you serious you didn’t see me?” 

“Of course not. I made it up so we could hold hands.” He thought she looked cute? No one had called her cute since she was five, certainly no one ever said so twice in a row.

She giggled at his raised eyebrows. “What can I say? My mind was on something else. And really, I don’t go around holding hands with strange men.”

His eyes, bluer than any she’d ever seen, twinkled above a lop-sided grin. “I’m not so strange once you get to know me.”

“Is that right?” What was wrong with her? She never flirted, but unless the rules had changed in the last ten years, that’s exactly what she was doing now. Of course, today her emotions were in such turmoil, she might be capable of doing almost anything. Just not this. Not with a stranger.

She shook her head and stepped back before he could respond. “Look, I’m really sorry. I didn’t mean to do—” She twirled her finger in a circle to include the faucet. “You know. Go ahead and get your water. I’ll wait.”

How can readers find you on the Internet?

Readers can find me at http://www.mildredcolvin.blogspot.com

and at http://www.infinitecharacters.com

Lena, thank you for interviewing me on your blog.

Tell us how much of yourself you write into your characters.

This is a hard question because while I think I’m imagining totally new people for my stories, the truth is a lot of me probably ends up in the heroine. Of course, my characters are much braver and adventurous than I’d ever be. Still, I don’t think an author can help but put some of themselves into their characters. 

What is the quirkiest thing you have ever done?

Hmm, I’m either not a quirky person or I just think everything I do is perfectly normal. LOL! The only thing I can think of is going on a weekend car trip to Winnipeg, Canada when I lived in Southern Missouri. That’s a long drive, but I still remember it, and I loved the Canadian city that appeared so clean and fresh compared to the big cities I was used to.

           

When did you first discover that you were a writer?

Probably when I enjoyed the writing assignments in high school English classes. I didn’t care so much for the research papers, but the creative writing was totally fun. I didn’t consider writing, though, until my kids were young and I wrote some stories for them.

I’m like you. I loved writing assignment, but not research papers. Tell us the range of the kinds of books you enjoy reading.

The books I enjoy reading the most are very much like what I write. Romance! I especially like to curl up with a 19th Century story set in the western states whether it’s prairie, western, or Americana. Beyond that, I occasionally am captivated by women’s fiction.

Then you probably like my books. How do you keep your sanity in our run, run, run world?

Mostly, I just say no. LOL! It’s easy to find yourself spread way too thin if you aren’t careful. I’m a stay-at-home sort of person and hope to remain that way. Spending a little time in God’s Word each morning is a good way to slow your day and accomplish more than you would otherwise.

How do you choose your characters’ names?

When I start a new book, the characters are where I start first, and the names are one of the first things I want to know. I have used character naming books, the phone book, and genealogy records. Sometimes, my characters walk into a story with names that fit. Those, of course, are the easy ones.

What is the accomplishment that you are most proud of?

I am very thankful for the confidence Barbour Publishing extended to me when they published my books in their Heartsong Presents line. I am also extremely amazed and grateful to the Lord for allowing me and my husband to adopt three adorable babies who have grown up into wonderful adults. While they have their moments, so do I, and I don’t think anyone could find any sweeter or better kids. God is good!

If you were an animal, which one would you be, and why?

I think that would have to be a bird. To be more specific, an eagle. The reason is because birds have a way of flying away, apparently leaving their troubles behind. An eagle makes her nest away from the bustle of life where she can look out at nature and the peace God’s world brings.

What is your favorite food?

My favorite food without doubt is potatoes. There are so many ways potatoes can be fixed so I never tire of them. Okay, potato candy isn’t my favorite thing, but other than that, potatoes are great.

What is the problem with writing that was your greatest roadblock, and how did you overcome it?

To be honest, I’ve probably had a problem with many areas of writing, and I can hope I’ve overcome at least some of them. Writing synopses is probably the biggest hurdle I’ve had to jump. I am terrible at it. I want to tell everything when the editor only wants the high points. I’ve studied many articles on synopsis writing and am gradually learning what is needed and what isn’t. Sadly, this is something I’m still working on.

Tell us about the featured book.

Love Returned is a contemporary romance set in central Missouri. Megan McGinnis was pressured to give up her baby and has regretted doing so ever since. Now she’s met Scott Landis and his son, Randy. His adopted son.

About the time she falls in love with Scott, circumstances convince her Randy is the baby she gave away nine years ago. But what can she do?

If she confronts Scott, she'll lose his love, and he'll keep Randy from her. If she marries Scott without telling who she is, she'll have Randy and Scott, but be living a lie. Is there a happy ending to her life?

Please give us the first page of the book.

~One~

Megan McGinnis yelped and jerked back. She touched a hand.

Her gaze skimmed past the well-sculpted male fingers, moved up a muscled arm dusted with dark hair, and over a broad shoulder, to a rather attractive specimen of the stronger sex. The palm of her hand burned, and heat crept up her neck to fill her face.

Where had the man come from? One of the other campsites, obviously. Her mind had been filled with her dream.

“I am so sorry. I—” She couldn’t think. She wrinkled her nose. “I didn’t see you.”

He laughed. Not a polite titter, but a throw-back-your-head-and-let-it-out laugh.

Her hand tightened on her water bucket. A smile touched her lips, and before she could stop, she was laughing, too.

“I apologize.” He shook his head. “It’s just that you looked so cute when you squealed and then—” He tapped his nose and grinned. “That cute face you made—I’m sorry. Are you serious you didn’t see me?” 

“Of course not. I made it up so we could hold hands.” He thought she looked cute? No one had called her cute since she was five, certainly no one ever said so twice in a row.

She giggled at his raised eyebrows. “What can I say? My mind was on something else. And really, I don’t go around holding hands with strange men.”

His eyes, bluer than any she’d ever seen, twinkled above a lop-sided grin. “I’m not so strange once you get to know me.”

“Is that right?” What was wrong with her? She never flirted, but unless the rules had changed in the last ten years, that’s exactly what she was doing now. Of course, today her emotions were in such turmoil, she might be capable of doing almost anything. Just not this. Not with a stranger.

She shook her head and stepped back before he could respond. “Look, I’m really sorry. I didn’t mean to do—” She twirled her finger in a circle to include the faucet. “You know. Go ahead and get your water. I’ll wait.”

How can readers find you on the Internet?

Readers can find me at http://www.mildredcolvin.blogspot.com

and at http://www.infinitecharacters.com

Lena, thank you for interviewing me on your blog.


My pleasure, Mildred.

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Love Returned - Kindle

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