Dear Readers, this is
a very good debut novel. I loved the characters, and their stories pulled my
heartstrings. And this author created the setting in such a way that I felt as
if I were walking beside each character, experiencing everything they did. The
cities, travel by riverboat, and the mountains of Montana Territory
were authentic to the time period. I highly recommend this book.
Welcome, Misty. Tell
us how much of yourself you write into your characters.
Oh, my. Probably too much! In my latest release, I gave the
heroine, Leah, some of my physical characteristics. She also has a bit of my
hard-headedness. And her journey to stay in God's will for her life is similar
to the lessons that have been so hard for me to learn through the years.
What is the quirkiest
thing you have ever done?
Hmm… I'm never good at this kind of question. I was always
one of those "good girls" growing up, and I tend to be on the serious
side, sometimes. In fact, my husband lovingly calls me a "wet
blanket." J
One of my ongoing quirks is that I'm a bit of a Mountain Dew-aholic. In fact,
some of my friends call me "Dewey."
When did you first
discover that you were a writer?
All
my life, I've been a true book lover. Give me a good novel, and you probably
won't see me again until it's finished. I've also always enjoyed writing, and
tend to express myself best through my written correspondence.
But
I never seriously thought about writing a novel, until I was putting together my
bucket list a few years ago, and "Write a novel that's published" was
near the top!
I
decided, it's now or never, and made the commitment to do it. So, I had a
general idea that I wanted it to be a Christian western romance. But where to
start? I finally decided I needed to find a good book to help me plan. I
stumbled upon (a.k.a. God led me to) the best possible book to help me get
started with a great plan: Plot and
Structure by James Scott Bell. For all you writers out there, I can't
recommend it highly enough!
From
there, I've soaked in every bit of writing instruction I can from some amazing
groups and individuals. And I've spent countless hours sitting with my laptop
pouring out words onto the screen. The Lady and the Mountain Man is
my first release, but the second novel I wrote. My first novel is under
contract with Prism Book Group to release in 2015. Writing is in my blood. It's
my passion. A true gift from my Heavenly Father, and I pray daily that he uses
the words for His purpose.
Tell us the range of
the kinds of books you enjoy reading.
I certainly read a lot of Historical Romance (which is what
I write), but I love Contemporary Romance, too, and sometimes a bit of Romantic
Suspense! Pretty much anything with a clean story and a good romance. Every now
and then I'll read Women's Fiction (mostly because the book is written by a
friend), but I love a sweet love story!
How do you keep your
sanity in our run, run, run world?
I won't pretend I have it figured out! Between being a wife,
mom to two daughters (ages 3 and 7), working full time as the family's only
breadwinner, and writing two novels per year, my life is busy. But we're all
busy, right? That's part of the culture we live in.
The two things that have kept me from going off the deep end
are:
God has finally brought me to a place where I've learned to
take one day (and sometimes one hour) at a time. I need to plan ahead as I can,
but I can't have any real expectations about what tomorrow will be like. I need
to work my way through today in the very best way possible.
My extended family is my strong support system. I'm not sure
I would have made it through the challenges our family has faced in the last
year without the support of my mom. We weren't incredibly close as I was
growing up, but in my adult years, she has become my close friend, confidante,
and encouragement. God had a great plan when he placed us in families!
How do you choose
your characters’ names?
I'm going to share a childhood secret here, something I've
never told anyone. When I was about eight years old, I decided that when I grew
up I would have twelve kids—six boys and six girls. I made a list of all my favorite names, and
chose a first and middle name for all twelve of my planned children. Of course,
my husband wouldn't need to have any input into the kid's names. J
I've kept that paper tucked in my Bible all these years, and I've used that
list of names for most of my character names so far.
I like that. What is
the accomplishment that you are most proud of?
I hope you'll indulge me in another childhood story as I
answer this question. J When I was twelve years old, there was a local horse
show circuit that gave an award each year for the most points earned in each division,
along with an overall high point
award for all categories. I had been working hard to train my young horse and
decided I would do whatever it took to win the annual high point award for my
division (hunt seat) that year.
It took more hard work than I could begin to describe. My
dad was my faithful partner in the effort, hauling my horse to and from the
horse shows, often coming home in the wee hours of the morning. It's an
experience that I will always remember with a warm feeling in my chest and a
smile on my face. By the end of the year, I'd won both my division trophy and
the overall high point
award—and intangible rewards that will stay with me always.
If you were an
animal, which one would you be, and why?
Probably a horse. They're similar to humans in that each one
can be so different, both in appearance and personality. I would, of course,
want to be one of the kind, beautiful, smart, easygoing horses.
What is your favorite
food?
It's a toss-up between chocolate and cheesecake. I'm a true
woman. J
Chocolate cheesecake
is good. Then you wouldn’t have to choose. What is the problem with writing
that was your greatest roadblock, and how did you overcome it?
The writing process is so full of roadblocks, and a writer's
success is truly measured by how well they've overcome and learned from the
challenges. Overall, learning the craft has created my biggest roadblocks.
There are so many things to learn and skills to hone in order to write a good
novel—three-act structure, showing versus telling, deep point of view, and the
list goes on!
Each step of the way in my writing journey, when I received
a rejection, it was usually because I needed to dig deeper and hone another
part of the craft. There are so many resources for writers, they can seem
overwhelming at times. The tools that continue to help me most are writing
craft books, fantastic writer's groups like ACFW, blogs from other writers and
industry professionals, and feedback from my critique partners.
Tell us about the
featured book.
Leah Townsend,
a recently orphaned heiress, flees Richmond
after discovering her fiancĂ©’s plot to kill her after their wedding. She needs
a safe place to hide, and finds herself accepting a newspaper marriage proposal
from a God-fearing young rancher in the Montana Territory .
But when Leah arrives at the mountain ranch, she learns her intended husband
was killed by a grizzly, leaving behind a bitter older brother and a spunky
younger sister.
When Gideon
Bryant finds a city girl standing in his log cabin, his first thought is to
send her back where she came from. He’s lost too many people to the wild
elements of these mountains––his parents, his wife, and now his brother. His
love for this untamed land lives on, but he’s determined not to open his heart
to another person.
But when an
accident forces Leah to stay at the ranch for seven more months, can Gideon
protect his heart from a love he doesn’t want? Has Leah really escaped the men
who seek her life?
Please give us the
first page of the book for my readers.
March, 1874
“Are you going to poison her the way you killed your last
wife?”
Leah Townsend froze in the hallway, her right foot suspended
midair as her breathing stopped.. She
lowered her toes to the floor, and then sidled closer to the closed study
door—still not daring to breathe. The thick Persian rug muffled her footsteps.
As she leaned forward, the strong scent of oil wafted from the mahogany wood
door.
A throaty chuckle drifted out of the room. “I haven’t decided
yet. When I get tired of the nagging, I’ll find a way to dispense with her.
Assuming she’s received her inheritance and her father’s estates are legally
mine.”
Leah’s blood ran so cold it froze in her veins. Dispense
with her? Her brain repeated the words once, twice, and then took off like the
hooves of a racehorse. Her blood began to move again, rushing through her so
quickly it roared in her ears.
She’d recognize that voice anywhere. It held the suave tone
of a man very sure of himself. The tone of the man she’d had nightmares about
every night for weeks. The tone of the man her father had legally contracted
her to marry in six days. Simon Talbert.
How can readers find
you on the Internet?
Website http://mistymbeller.com
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/MistyMBeller
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/MistyMBeller
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/MistyMBeller
Google+: https://plus.google.com/+MistyBeller
Thank you, Misty, for sharing your debut novel with us.
Readers, here are links to the book. By using one when you order, you help support this blog.
The Lady and the Mountain Man (Mountain Dreams Series) (Volume 1) - paperbackThe Lady and the Mountain Man (Mountain Dreams Series Book 1) - 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.
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24 comments:
I enjoyed reading this interview and the beginning of this book. Thanks for this giveaway! I'm from Illinois.
Thank you for the interview and the first page of the book. I am intrigued and would love to win a copy. Thank you for the chance.
I live in Indiana.
Smiles & Blessings,
Cindy W.
It was so nice to meet you and get to know you better in your intervew.
I would love to read your book.
oh.hello.hiya@gmail.com
I live in sunny warm California
This book has been on my TBR shelf on Goodreads for a while, can't wait to get a chance to read it!
Oregon
This book has really captured my interest and I would love to read more. I love the title! Thank you for a great interview, Lena!
I enjoyed the interview. Looks like a book I would like!
Beth from IA
I too loved horses, was in 4-H MY dad hauled me around for a few years, some of my best memories.. Would love to read your book :)
dkstevens from NEBR
dkstevensne at outlook dotcom
Wonderful interview with Misty! I also enjoy a sweet romance story. I look forward to reading "The Lady and the Mountain Man".
Caryl
TEXAS
I'm looking forward to a great read. Lovely cover.
Mary P
QLD AUSTRALIA
This sounds like a good book and I love the cover.
Wendy from FL.
wfnren(at)aol(dot)com
This book sounds very interesting. Would love to win it. Can't wait to see how she meets the mountain man. Mary B from Western NY
Thank you for this interview. This sounds like a book I would really enjoy reading.
Susan in Texas
Oh my gosh! Run as fast as you can and hide!
Can't wait to read this one.
Doreen
PriviesAndPrimsAtYahooDotCom
Enter me!!
Conway, SC.
Sounds like a really good debut novel!
Vera in North Carolina
Nice interview. Would love to read this book. Thank you for the chance to win a copy.
Karen G, NY
kmgervais(at)nycap(dot)rr(dot)com
I enjoy reading new authors and would like to win your book. I enjoy reading romance-Christian and historical and suspense, as you mentioned. sm CA wileygreen1(at)yahoo(dot)com
This sounds good and reminds me sorta of a movie I've seen. Would like to read. Thanks!
J.C. -Indiana-
This is Maxie and I live in Texas near Houston.
Thanks for the interview. Please put my name in for an entry. Maxie > mac262(at)me(dot)com <
Sounds great!Jackie Tessnair from N.C.
I am always excited to discover new authors through blogs. Congratulations on the new novel!
CindyG. In FL
Oh, what a great beginning! I'd love to win The Lady and the Mountain Man.
Merry in MN
Looks great, please enter me!
Blanch, NC
I would love to read this book. It sound really interesting. Thank you for the opportunity to win a copy.
KayLee from NY
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