Tell us how much of
yourself you write into your characters.
My first novel had quite a bit of my personal experience in
it regarding the protagonist’s line of work as a reporter, the foods she
enjoyed, and the way she took her coffee. But for this romantic Christmas
novella, very little of my likes and dislikes appear in the story. True, I was
also an elementary school teacher, as is the heroine, but beyond that, her
character revealed itself to me as I wrote, and I loved getting to know her.
What is the quirkiest
thing you have ever done?
My husband was a professional rodeo clown and bullfighter
for many years. One summer at the Estes Park Night Rodeo in Colorado, he was
seriously injured and could not continue with the comedy acts he presented
between rodeo events. Forbidden by the doctor to even attend the performances,
he stayed at the motel for three nights while I dressed up in his clown
clothes, painted my face, and with the help of another bullfighter, carried on
with the comedy routines. But that’s where I drew the line – no bullfighting
for me! There’s a story in there somewhere, don’t you think?
When did you first
discover that you were a writer?
I wrote my first story in the sixth grade. The teacher liked
it so well, he asked me to read it in installments one evening during our
class’s science camp in the mountains. Other students performed skits as
“commercials” between the installments, and from that moment, I was hooked on
writing.
Tell us the range of
the kinds of books you enjoy reading.
Fiction opens our eyes and hearts to the truth,
much like the parables that Jesus shared. The power of story can change a
person’s life when the reader or listener relates to a character or that
character’s challenges. Though I write romance, I read across the board, from
contemporary suspense, adventure, and mystery, to Biblical fiction, women’s
fiction, American historical, and mild sci-fi.
How do you keep your
sanity in our run, run, run world?
Most mornings I take our Queensland heeler, Blue, to the Riverwalk
where I hide away from everything technological. Only God’s great creation
meets me there: the river, mallards, Canada geese, white-tail deer,
squirrels, songbirds, and bear that kindly just leave their calling card rather
than greet me face-to-face. The seasonal changes wrap the trees in varying
colors and inspire me to show these transitions in my writing. And the quiet –
oh, the quiet! How sweet to hear the Lord’s dear voice while enjoying His
handiwork.
How do you choose
your characters’ names?
True confession: I’m not so good at finding imaginative or
memorable names. When I begin a story, a name comes to me and I stick with it
at least until the tale is told. I’ve changed a few that didn’t feel right, and
searched for others with specific meanings behind their origin. But usually the
character just shows up and introduces herself.
What is the
accomplishment that you are most proud of?
Allowing someone to peek through the cracks in my life to
catch a glimpse of God’s redemptive love.
If you were an
animal, which one would you be, and why?
If I could choose to live a day in an animal’s body, I would
be a bird. Preferably a meadowlark or red tail hawk. How grand it would be to
fly, to defy gravity and spiral skyward on the thermals or sing across the
meadows at dawn. However, sometimes I think I morph into a hummingbird and beat
myself silly with a rush of wing and activity.
What is your favorite
food?
Chocolate-chip mint ice-cream and lasagna. And tacos. And my
daughter’s homemade bread with honey butter, and …
What is the problem
with writing that was your greatest roadblock, and how did you overcome it?
Life, and all its daily demands, has been my biggest
roadblock. I can’t run off to a cave and immerse myself in story and plot and
characterization—I have to live life. However, overcoming it isn’t the goal,
but rather, not letting it overcome me. Remembering God’s faithfulness, that He
is in control and loves me, is my saving grace. He helps me prioritize and do
the important thing first, not the urgent.
Tell us about the
featured book.
In this contemporary, Colorado Christmas romance, an
elementary school teacher is devastated by her cheating boyfriend. Sticking
with her plans to go home for the holidays, she returns to her grandmother’s
Berthoud Boarding House only to be surprised by the handsome stranger waiting
there.
Please give us the
first page of the book.
Angela Murphy squeezed
her eyes tight against the invisible onion mist and prayed she wouldn’t slice
her fingertips off with the next few strokes. Why did she always get the job of
dicing onions for Mollie’s sweet onion jam? Angela rubbed her sweater sleeve
across her watery eyes. Over the years she had tried everything to prevent the
sting—from holding a slice of bread in her mouth to cutting the onions under
water. Nothing helped, so she cried her way through the process. But this time,
the onions served as a perfect cover for the waterworks coming from her heart.
“Angie, dear.” Mollie
padded into the kitchen and stopped at the stove to check on supper. She lifted
the cast-iron lid from her stew pot, peeked inside at the simmering Swiss steak
and then looked at Angela. “You about finished with those rascals?”
“I’m on the last one
now.”
Mollie walked over and
swept the onion skins and end pieces into her apron and peered into Angela’s
face. “He’s not worth those tears.”
Angela glanced at the
diminutive woman and forced a shaky smile. “You’re right. He’s really not. But
it still hurts.” How did Mollie always know if a tear was real?
“Well, there’s plenty of
fish in the sea—or deer on the mountain—as my Jim used to say.” She emptied her
apron into the wastebasket by the back door. “There are also several
nice-looking young men at the church, I’ve noticed. You might meet someone
there on Sunday.”
Angela’s heart squeezed
at the thought of her adoptive grandmother’s constant husband-hunt. She loved
the woman dearly, the woman who had rescued her from Social Services, and
raised her as her own grandchild. Mollie and Jim were the only family Angela
had ever known.
“I never really cared for
ol’ what’s-his-name anyway,” Mollie said. She opened a lower cupboard door and
pulled out another pot. “A little too wrapped up in himself, if you ask me.”
How can readers find
you on the Internet?
Readers can contact me through my website, www.davalynnspencer.com, my blog, www.davalynnspencer.blogspot.com,
and my Facebook page, http://www.facebook.com/davalynn.spencer
Thank you, Davalynn, for sharing your ebook and your life with us.
Readers, here are some links where you can buy the book.
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.
34 comments:
Merry Christmas! This sounds like a good book to read at this time of the year. Thank you for the opportunity!
Blessings,
Jo
azladijo(at)aol(dot)com
Thanks for the opportunity to get this book.
Lyndie Blevins
Duncanville, Tx
This sounds like a great book, thank you for bringing it to my attention.
Wendy from FL
wfnren(at)aol(dot)com
Jo, Lyndie, and Wendy, thanks so much for dropping by. I had a lot of fun writing this Colorado Christmas romance. Hope you enjoy it!
Awesome interview!
Loved the rodeo clown bit...there is surely a story there!
Have a blessed Christmas.
Already have the book, just stopping by to say hello.
Thanks for visiting, Marian. Yep - someday I need to write up that rodeo adventure. My upcoming book has a cowboy/rancher. Maybe a rodeo clown in the future!
Rodeo clown? Really? Sounds like fun.
I already have the story, but wanted to say hi!
Great interview. Rodeo clown? Oh, my goodness, that's amazing!
Thanks, Davalynn. I don't qualify for the e-book, since I've no Kindle, etc, but I do appreciate your blog today. May your Christmas be peaceful and your books increase in popularity!!
Gail Kittleson
gkittleson AT myomnitel.com
Thanks for the great interview and chance to win.
Patty in Sc
Thanks,Carla and Liz. Amazing what we learn about each other in an interview, isn't it! Thanks for stopping by.
Thank you so much, Gail. Did you know you can download a Kindle ap to your computer for free at Amazon. I did that once before I bought a Kindle. Works great! Thanks for stopping to chat.
Patty - so glad you visited today. Merry Christmas!
I love the cover art on your book, Devalynn. It's so Norman Rockwell. This book is on my TBR list.
I'll be looking for your rodeo clown story in a book down the road.
Merry Christmas!
Thanks, Robin. So glad you like the cover. I've had several people tell me it reminded them of a Rockwell print. Nicola at Pelican Book Group did a fabulous job. This story will be a great read for relaxing and enjoying the Christmas season.
Christmas is my favorite season and I really enjoy Christmas fiction. Sharon, San Diego
I'm with you, Sharon. I love Christmas. Hope you'll enjoy the snow in this story - quite a bit different from your beautiful beaches in San Diego!
Thanks for giving us a peek at Davalyn.
KP
Thanks, Kevin, for stopping by. Lena asks amazing questions.
Great interview! Thanks, Lena and Davalyn!
Thanks for stopping by, Karla. Hmm - wonder what that rodeo clown would look like on a motorcycle ...
Hi Davalynn,
Thank you for your giveaway. The book being about a elementary school teacher who was devastated by her cheating boyfriend. She was sticking with her plans to go home. I would like to finish reading the book to see what happens. Hope you have a Merry Christmas in celebrating Christ's birth.
Norma Stanforth from Ohio
Thank you, Norma. As a former teacher myself, it was a fun story to write.
Thanks for the opportunity to win this book.
Lourdes Long Island, NY
Thanks for visiting, Lourdes.
A fabulous first page thank you.
Mary P
QLD AUSTRALIA
love Christmas books thanks for the chance to win this book
live in ND
ABreading4fun [at] gmail [dot] com
Beautiful cover! It just reminds me of old times when we used to go out and bring home trees! Sounds like a fun romance to read!
Beth from IA
I love reading, especially free Christian books. I am from Oregon in the summer and Mazatalan Mexico in the winter.
I would love to win a copy of this book.
California
lkish77123 at gmail dot com
This sounds like such a cute book! I'm in MN.
Sounds great,would love to win this book.Thanks and Merry Christmas.Jackie Tessnair from N.C.
Oh, how I love reading Christmas fiction; and one in beautiful Colorado as well. Sharon, San Diego
Lethal Intent sounds like a book I would love to read. I am in Maztlan, Mexico, and love my kindle as I can get any book on it whenever I feel the need.
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