THE HOMESTEADER'S SWEETHEART - Lacy Williams - Free Book

Welcome, Lacy. Why do you write the kind of books you do?

I love romance. I love the idea and execution of creating characters and watching them fall in love regardless of the impossible obstacles I put in their way. I love watching them become better because they are part of a matched pair. And I LOVE writing the ending of the story and giving them their happily ever afters.

Besides when you came to know the Lord, what is the happiest day in your life?

It is probably a toss up between the day I married my husband and the days my children were born. Right now I’m at a time in my life where my children bring so much joy, every day. The Little Prince (7 months) said “ma ma” for the first time earlier this week and my heart just expanded! And the Little Princess (2 years) is growing and she is such a little encourager! She will tell you “good job” or that you are beautiful (even when I’m in my mommy uniform of gym shorts and a t-shirt). They bring me such joy!

How has being published changed your life?

I’m a lot busier and I have to schedule my writing time carefully. Because my kids are small and I don’t want to miss any of the moments of them growing up (way too fast!), I try to spend most of their waking hours just focusing on them. That means my writing time is limited to naptimes (IF I can get them down at the same time!) and after bedtime. Which means when I sit down at the computer I have to GO: write quickly and know where the plot of the story is going. But I love being a mommy and I wouldn’t have it any other way.

What are you reading right now?

On my Kindle right now: Mission: Out of Control by Susan May Warren (reading it a second time!), Out of Control by Mary Connealy, and too much more to name. :)

What is your current work in progress?

I’m working on a proposal featuring one of the sons of the hero in THE HOMESTEADER’S SWEETHEART. Oscar is a horseman who can tame any horse, but he can’t woo the schoolmarm without making a fool of himself.

What would be your dream vacation?

I would really love to travel to Australia. I’ve got some stories in mind for Aussie cowboys and I’d love to visit and see the country (it is so unique!), and also do all the touristy things like the beach and snorkeling, etc.

I’d love to go to Australia, too. How do you choose your settings for each book?

I have always loved reading westerns and so it was natural for me to set my stories in Wyoming. For my first book, I chose the area and town according to the needs of the story (needed mountains, ranch, canyons, and a small town). Then once I got to know the characters in that book, some of them needed to tell their own stories and so it worked for me to continue setting the stories there.

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

My husband is a huge NBA basketball fan, and he’s got me hooked on our local team, the OKC Thunder. I am a huge Kevin Durant fan and would love to meet him someday. I know you can’t tell a lot from what you see just on TV, but he seems to have a good head on his shoulders. He kisses his mama after the games—how can you not like a guy like that??

What are your hobbies, besides writing and reading?

I love my dogs. We have three Cavalier King Charles Spaniels. I’ve really enjoying doing obedience training with them. I like walking them and being outdoors. One of them is a trained Therapy Dog and we do visits, especially with the local library in a Kids Reading to Dogs program that is a lot of fun. With two little kids, that’s about all I have time for. :)

What is your most difficult writing obstacle, and how do you overcome it?

Not getting distracted by other stories/characters. I seem to get a lot of inspiration and there’s just never enough time to put all the stories to paper. I’ve got bulging files of story ideas and I’ve found that the best thing for me is to write down as much of the idea as I can and save it, and keep writing on my WIP (or I’ll never finish it!).

What advice would you give to a beginning author?

Find a mentor. Ask someone to have coffee with you to talk about your writing. Don’t be annoying, but make connections online until you find someone who is further on in their career than you are and is willing to give you advice and guidance.

Tell us about the featured book.

The HOMESTEADER’S SWEETHEART is a fun story about a wealthy banker’s daughter (Penny) who needs to get out of town. She goes to her grandfather’s small homestead and meets his neighbor (Jonas), who has eight kids. She quickly finds herself falling for Jonas and his family but questions whether she could be happy in such reduced circumstances since she has been pretty pampered her whole life.

Just the kind of book I like to read. Please give us the first page of the book.

Wyoming Territory, summer 1890

Hadn't he promised himself not to get into a situation like this again?

Jonas White stood on the dusty street in his Sunday suit, letter clutched in his hand, gazing up at the fine house. It seemed too much of a coincidence that his neighbor and closest friend--although they were two generations apart in age--was related to a wealthy banker when Jonas desperately needed a loan. And the letter Jonas had promised to deliver for his friend would grant him access to the banker he'd been trying to see all day.

But Jonas had stopped questioning the Lord's hand in things once he'd met his neighbors, the Nelsons, just over five years ago.

Staring at the light spilling from the glass-paned windows onto the large, well-kept yard reminded Jonas of another place and time, and how as a child he'd often looked in on some of Philadelphia's wealthy families. Like those stately town houses, this house was ostentatious. Two-story and much larger than the other homes on the street. Or in the whole town of Calvin, Wyoming, for that matter.

Jonas resolutely pushed the painful memories to the back of his mind. His daughter needed him to do this, and he couldn't fail her.

I know I will love it. How can readers find you on the Internet?

Right now I’m doing a special promotion for this book and to celebrate my birthday in May. Readers can find info on that at www.megamaybirthdaybash.com.

I can also be found at www.lacywilliams.net, facebook.com/lacywilliamsbooks and twitter @lacy_williams

Thank you, Lacy, for sharing with us today.

Readers, I’m participating in Lacy’s Birthday Bash. Come by and see what all you can win.


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


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