Thursday, April 26, 2012

THE MARSHAL'S PROMISE - Rhonda Gibson - Free Book


Welcome, Rhonda, you have a very hunky cover there. God has really been moving in your writing life. What do you see on the horizon?
You are so right, Lena. God has blessed my writing life and I give Him all the glory. I’m prayful that I will continue to sell to Harlequin in their Love Inspired Historical line. 

Tell us a little about your family.
Grin… just a little. You know how I love to talk about my family J First off, James and I have been married 27 years this coming May. He was my high school sweetheart. We have two beautiful children and two perfect grandgirls. Yes, I said perfect! LOL

You are married to a James as I am. So many of my good writing buddies have their own wonderful James. We are blessed. Has your writing changed your reading habits? If so, how?
I’m afraid so. I still read romance but now when I want to read for pure pleasure, I read cozy mysteries, fantasy, YA, and even kids books.

Why? Because when I’m reading romance, I tend to pick the book apart. How so? Well, I want to see how soon their hero and heroine meet, what is their conflict, I ask myself if I think this author is a seat of the pants writer or a plotter. I love romance and continue to read them and the author has to do an outstanding job to suck me totally into the book.

What are you working on right now?
I just started a third book for Love Inspired. It too is a historical. It is Hannah’s story. She is one of two best friends to my heroine, Rebecca, in The Marshal’s Promise.

What outside interests do you have?
Recently, James and I have started Geocaching. We both love it! For those who don’t know what geocaching is, a real-world outdoor treasure hunting game. Players try to locate hidden containers, called geocaches, using GPS-enabled devices and then share their experiences online. I love it because, I love the outdoors and this game is an outdoor game and I’ve been getting LOTS of exercise.

How do you choose your settings for each book?
Each book is different. Sometimes the editors ask for a certain setting. Other times I stumble across a place I would like to learn more about or visit. As I explore these settings either via internet or actually visiting them, I soon see characters in these settings.

If you could spend an evening with one historical person, who would it be and why?
Mary Fields because she was born a slave but once freed she lived by her wits and her strength. In 1895 she found a job that suited her, as a U.S. mail coach driver for the Cascade County region of central Montana. She and her mule Moses, never missed a day, and it was in this capacity that she earned her nickname of "Stagecoach," for her unfailing reliability. I would love to ask her to let me write her biography. I’d like to know why she never married. The romantic in me wanted her to find love on that coach. Someday she might, if I get the chance to write her story J

I love historical tidbits like that. What is the one thing you wish you had known before you started writing novels?
How to plan out a full time writing schedule. It has taken me years to figure it out and a steady schedule is still hard to maintain for me.

What new lessons is the Lord teaching you right now?
Patience. Like everyone else I want everything now! Don’t ask for patience, unless you are willing to have it tested and tested and tested. J God is a good God. When I fail, He lets me keep working on it until I get it right. So we are still working on being patient with others, especially when they are moody, wrong (in my eyes) and just not doing things “my” way.

What are the three best things you can tell other authors to do to be successful?
1.      Pray before you start writing.
2.      Always consult the Lord before taking on a new project.
3.      Remember, you are a writer/author and you have to learn to say NO. Guard your writing time.

Tell us about the featured book.
My husband and I often brainstorm books together. The Marshal’s Promise was born from one of those brainstorming sessions and the concept of the book was James’s idea. He loved the title Jesse’s Girl and suggested I do a mail-order bride book where the hero falls in love with Jesse’s girl. I took that idea and came up with this:

Mail-order bride Rebecca Ramsey arrives in the New Mexico territory full of dreams—but they're shattered when she discovers her intended husband has been killed. If it weren't for U.S. marshal Seth Billings's housekeeping job offer, she'd have nowhere to go. Rebecca loves tending to Seth's home, but the strong and silent lawman is harder to figure out. What secret is he hiding?

Caring for Jesse Cole's would-be bride is the least Seth can do. If it weren't for him, the young man would still be alive. Seth had promised to look after Rebecca—and to keep her safe from Jesse's enemies. Now if only he can keep his heart safe, as well.

Sounds like a story I’ll love reading. Please give us the first page of the book.
Fictional town: Cottonwood Springs, New Mexico Territory
1885   

“Please don’t cry, Miss Rebecca.”

“I’m not crying,” Rebecca Ramsey brushed at the tears that had caught her by surprise. “I-I’ve got something in my eye.”

Grace Miller’s young eyes chided her less than honest answer.

“Yes I am crying. I shouldn’t have fibbed about it. Please forgive me?” At the child’s nod Rebecca continued, “I never expected Mr. Cole to be dead.”

Rebecca tried to ignore the presence of Marshal Seth Billings standing beside the door. He had been the bearer of the bad news and now he held his hat in his hands, waiting for her reaction. She could feel his sorrowful brown eyes boring into her.

The rich texture of his voice drifted across the short space between them. “I’ll be happy to pay your train ticket back to Maryland, Miss Ramsey.”

What did she have to go back to Maryland for? Her stepmother had made it clear she was no longer needed in her father’s house. The only job for a woman of twenty was personal maid to the daughter of one of the wealthiest men in Ellicott City.  She didn’t like the job or the daughter. No, Rebecca Ramsey would not be returning to Maryland any time soon. She squared her shoulders and stood. “Thank you, Marshal but that won’t be necessary.”

Seth Billings gritted his teeth, the muscles worked in his jaw. “What will you do then?” His harsh words cut through her tattered emotions. 

Fresh tears threatened to spill over. Rebecca cleared her throat. She wouldn’t let it close up on her now. “I will think of something, Marshal. Thank you for coming by and telling me about …” She couldn’t finish the sentence and the words hung in the tense room like the scent of burnt bread.

Yes. I definitely must read this book. How can readers find you on the Internet?
My webpage is: www.rhondagibson.net
And if you like recipes, I have a blog where other writers as well as I share our recipes.
http://recipesfromrhondascollection.blogspot.com/

Thank you, Rhonda, for another fun interview.


Readers, here are links to the book. By using one when you order, you help support this blog.
The Marshal's Promise (Love Inspired Historical) - paperback
The Marshal's Promise (Love Inspired Historical) - Kindle


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

33 comments:

Wendy Newcomb said...

This is my kind of book!

Wendy from FL

wfnren(at)aol(dot)com

Jo said...

This sounds so interesting! Would love to read it.

Blessings,
Jo from Southern Arizona

Unknown said...

Sounds like a great idea for an LI book. Thanks for the opportunity to win, Lena and Rhonda

Marianne from northern Alberta

mitzi underscore wanham at yahoo dot com

Anonymous said...

WOULD LOVE TO WIN. LOVE THE COVER.
ANGELA FROM KY.

Liz R said...

Sounds like a good book!

Liz Riggs from Al

Katie said...

I love stories about mail order brides! :) Please enter me! I'm from NC.

Katie G.

Rhonda Gibson said...

Lena thanks for having me and thanks to everyone for stopping by!

I'm blessed to have this opportunity to meet readers and am so exicted that The Marshal's Promise will be hitting book stores in a few short days!

Janet Lee Barton said...

Great interview Rhonda and Lena! I have my very own copy and it is a GREAT story! You'll all love it!

scottsgal said...

I love western romances - sounds like a winner!
cheryl in IL

Rhonda Gibson said...

Western romances are my favorites too, Cheryl :)

Although, I confess I love just about all historical romances.

Rhonda Gibson said...

Thanks Janet!

Diane Ashley said...

That cover absolutely sizzles! I can't wait to read The Marshal's Promise. It's always fun to read your interviews Lena. Thanks for letting us see into authors' lives.

Rhonda Gibson said...

I love that cover too Diane! The art department at LI is the best!

Vickie McDonough said...

Hey Rhonda & Lena,

This sounds like a book I'd love.

Rhonda Gibson said...

Thanks Vickie :)

Sarah Rebekah Richmond said...

Looks interesting!
Please enter me in the drawing!
God Bless,
Sarah Richmond
Blanch,N.C.

Joanna Richmond said...

it sounds like a very interesting book, this sounds like a book I'd Love. enter me.
Thanks and God Bless
Joanna Richmond
Blanch NC

rubynreba said...

This sounds like a wonderful book. Please enter me.
Beth from Iowa

Patty said...

This sounds really good! I like old West stories.
Patty in SC
pattymh2000(at)yahoo(dot)com

Anne Payne said...

That's definitely a hunky cover :) I love mail-order bride stories. Thanks for the opportunity to win a copy.

Anne, rural NC

Katie Marie said...

Ohh, this book looks fun. Please count me in

Katie from Florida

Jean K said...

This was a great read. I'm looking forward to the next one. Good job and great interview, Lena.

Abigail Mitchell said...

Looks interesting! Please enter me!
God Bless!
Abigail
Blanch,N.C.

Rhonda Gibson said...

Good morning everyone! Thanks for stopping by!

Anonymous said...

Please enter me in the drawing for
this good book! God Bless You!

Dennie Richmond
Blanch, NC

Ginger Solomon said...

A new-to-me author, Yippee.

This book sounds great. :)

Ginger in AL

Faith said...

Rhonda, I loved your tips for being a better writer!
I will definitely keep my eyes out for this book :)

Faye from SD

Sharon Richmond said...

Enter me I would love to win a copy of this interesting book!! Thanks for the chance to win and God bless!
Sharon Richmond
Blanch, NC.

Aaron McCarver said...

Hey Rhonda,
The book sounds great! But all or your stories are so I am sure this one is, too!

Nancee said...

I really enjoy a good Western. This one sounds like a wonderful story. Thank you for offering this giveaway!
Nancee in Western Michigan
quiltcat26@sbcglobal.net

Rhonda Gibson said...

It is so wonderful to see all the comments rolling in! Thank you all!!

Ginger, I'm glad you discovered me here. Faye, so glad you enjoyed my tips. You gave me an idea for my blog. Thanks!!

apple blossom said...

thanks for the chance to win this love inspired book
I live in ND

ABreading4fun [at] gmail [dot] com

Merry said...

I love western romances and The Marshal's Promise sounds like it would be a great book to curl up with.
Merry in TX