Dear Readers, this
book is #4 on the ECPA Bestseller list this month.
Bio: Susan Page
Davis is the author of more than 50 novels and novellas in the historical romance,
mystery, and suspense genres. She is the mother of six and grandmother of nine.
A Maine native, she now lives in western Kentucky with her
husband Jim.
Tell us how much of
yourself you write into your characters.
For this particular book, not a lot, but in some of my books
it’s much more pronounced. I find that when writing characters who are about my
age, they become more like me, and when they are in the settings where I spent
a lot of time, they think like I do.
What is the quirkiest
thing you have ever done?
Well, I’ve never roller skated in a buffalo herd, but I have
hugged a raccoon.
When did you first
discover that you were a writer?
When I was very young I began creating stories. Reading and thinking up
stories was always part of my life, at least since I learned to read at age 4.
As an adult, I spent many years as a nonfiction writer. Finally I decided to
seriously try fiction. I sold my first short story in 2001 and my first book in
2003.
Tell us the range of
the kinds of books you enjoy reading.
I love reading historical fiction and true history, but I
also love mystery and suspense.
How do you keep your
sanity in our run, run, run world?
Mostly I ignore the world and let it run. I do enjoy getting
away from my desk for a break. Taking some time to just be with family and
friends refreshes me. I also like to solve ciphers, read, and walk.
How do you choose
your characters’ names?
This is hard for me sometimes. I keep a few baby name books
handy, and I also have a couple of naming websites and the census site bookmarked.
If I hear a name I like and think I might use it later in a book, I put it in a
computer file called “Names.” Now and again I’ll browse through those I’ve
collected.
What is the
accomplishment that you are most proud of?
My family.
If you were an
animal, which one would you be, and why?
By nature, I think I’d be some reclusive, rarely seen critter,
like a pine marten. But real life has made me more sociable.
I’m glad, because if
you were so reclusive, I might now have ever met you. What is your favorite
food?
I love fruit. If you want to make me happy, give me a fruit
salad.
What is the problem
with writing that was your greatest roadblock, and how did you overcome it?
Turning off the momentum of everything going on around me
can be a problem. I need a real office and dedicated writing time, so that I’m
not so easily distracted.
Tell us about the
featured book.
In The Westward Christmas Brides, take
the journey into the American West alongside nine women who are chasing their
dreams—Cynthia, for security; Beryl, for a new family; Adeline, for freedom;
Molly, for marriage; Beth, for a new start; Belinda, for a place to heal;
Suzette, for adventure; Juliet, for peace; and Caroline, for a future for her
children. Celebrate Christmas alongside these pioneers as love finds them in
nine distinctly different romances penned by leading Christian fiction authors,
including Wanda E. Brunstetter, Vickie McDonough, Melanie Dobson, and more.
In Another Christmas Story, my novella in The Westward
Christmas Brides collection, the tale opens with another tragedy.
Beryl’s father has been shot in a hunting accident and is critically wounded.
His dire condition forces Beryl and her little brother, Sam, to leave the wagon
train and stay with the family that runs the nearest trading post on the Oregon Trail . Their mother has previously passed away,
and with their father’s death imminent, Beryl has to make some hard decisions.
Will she take Sam on to Oregon ,
as her father had planned, or go back East to live with relatives there? In the
meantime, they are stranded by bad weather with the Lassen family for the
winter. Beryl can’t see what’s ahead, but God has plans for her and Sam’s
future.
Please give us the
first page of the book.
Dust hovered in the air as the wagons lumbered along, and
Beryl Jenner coughed. Her shoulders ached from holding the reins all day.
Usually her father drove the team of six mules, but he’d ridden off that
morning with four other men to hunt. Fresh meat would be welcome, but her
father’s presence would be even better.
“Sam, do
you see them yet?” she called over her shoulder.
Her little
brother had been playing in the back of the wagon and keeping her posted
whenever he saw anything interesting outside the canvas cover.
“Not yet,”
came his muffled voice, still babyish though he was four years old, going on
five.
Beryl heard
him scrambling over the crates and sacks in the wagon bed.
“Can I get
down for a while?” Sam asked, squeezing out between her arm and the front
curved wagon bow.
Beryl
wished she could climb down from the wagon seat and stretch her legs too.
Normally, she and Sam
walked most of the day and chatted with the other women and children on the
train, but their father’s absence kept them both cooped up today.
“Not unless
you find someone you can walk with. Do you see Mrs. Markham?”
“No.” Sam
steadied himself with a hand on her shoulder and stood on the seat beside her,
squinting as he studied the scene around them. Straight ahead of their mule
team, another wagon rolled along the rutted trail. Leaning to the side, Beryl
could see trees and bluffs ahead, which probably meant they would be crossing
the river again. Pa would find them at the encampment if the men came in late
from the hunt. But she had no confidence in her own ability to get the wagon
across the river without his expertise.
Sam sighed
and crouched down. “All I see is Danny Bowden and his brother.”
“Well,
those boys aren’t big enough to watch you.”
Sam climbed
over the seat back, into the wagon bed. Beryl could hear him working his way to
the rear. She arched her back in an effort to ease the strain on her muscles.
She hoped they would make camp soon—on this side of the river. Then she could
leave this hard, unyielding board seat. Of course, she would have to unhitch
the team if Pa hadn’t returned, and care for them before making a fire and
getting supper.
“There they
are,” Sam yelled.
Beryl tried
to see around the wagon cover, but it was hopeless. She turned back to her
driving, though the mules plodded along with little guidance, so long as the
wagon ahead kept on at a steady pace.
To her
right, two horses loped past. One rider had a gutted antelope slung behind his
saddle. Beryl smiled. Her father was on his way. Several people called out to
the men, but they didn’t stop. Instead, they rode on toward the head of the
column. Beryl felt a twinge of unease. One of the hunters was Mr. Arnold, and
she knew his wagon was two behind the Jenners’.
She turned
her head and called, “Sam! Do you see Pa yet?”
“Nope.”
Beryl
pushed the brim of her bonnet back and wiped her brow with a grimy
handkerchief. She hoped they would stop long enough to do laundry soon.
A few
minutes later, the wagon master, Mr. Etherton, rode back along the train,
calling out to the drivers, “We’ll make camp a half mile on, near the water.”
It wasn’t
until she had driven her team into position in the wagon circle and begun to
unhitch the mules that Mr. Etherton approached her, accompanied by Mr. Arnold.
“Miss
Jenner?”
“Yes?” She
turned toward them with a tight smile, still fumbling with the straps on one of
the leaders’ bridles.
“I’m afraid
I have some bad news,” Mr. Etherton said.
How can readers find
you on the Internet?
Visit my website at: www.susanpagedavis.com
. You can subscribe to my newsletter there and enter my monthly drawing.
Thank you, Susan, for sharing this new book with us.
Readers, here are links to the book. By using one when you order, you help support this blog.
The Westward Christmas Brides - Christianbook.comWestward Christmas Brides Collection: 9 Historical Romances Answer the Call of the American West - Amazon
The Westward Christmas Brides Collection: 9 Historical Romances Answer the Call of the American West - 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 Goodreads, Google+, Feedblitz, Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin, 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
43 comments:
Your book sounds so good!! Love to win it! Shelia Hall from MS
Thanks, Sheila! Glad to see you here.
I just love these novella collections! Thanks so much for featuring this one on your blog and the giveaway!
Heidi, CA
Hey Susan,
I love the cover of your beautiful christmas book. I love the little bit that I got too read. I would love too read your book.
oh.hello.hiya@gmail.com
Thanks, Heidi and Danie. I love the cover, too. These books are beautiful.
You always have the best books to review. I'm guilty of checking out the cover first and then the review.
Melody Durant from Donna, TX
Thanks, Melody. Maybe you can't always tell a book by its cover, but they sure can draw you in!
I've enjoyed several of your books. Love love love holiday themed and westerns together is a great combination.
Cheryl in IL
Welcome back ! I would enjoy a good Christmas read :)
D Stevens from NE
Hi, Cheryl and Deanna. Thanks for your kind words. I love westerns too, and I agree--a Christmas western is as good as it gets!
Lena, thank you for hosting Susan. "The Westward Christmas Brides" sounds like a wonderful story. Great way to get in the holiday spirit. Thanks for the giveaway.
Caryl
TEXAS
I love Christmas stories and I know I would love this book.
Melanie Backus, TX
This collection is a must read for me. Everything I love.
Mary P
QLD AUSTRALIA
Thank you for introducing this new-to-me author. Lisa Cowell in Ohio
I would love to win a copy of Susan's book. I love books set during Christmas. Thank you for the chance.
I live in Indiana.
Smiles & Blessings,
Cindy W.
thanks for the chance to read this novel :)
karenk....from PA
kmkuka at yahoo dot com
Great interview!!!!! Love your books, Susan!!!! God has surely blessed you with a talent for writing! Thank you for blessing us readers with it!!!!! I am anxious to read this Christmas book!!!!
Many Blessings and Smiles :)
Charlotte Kay, Georgia
It was wonderful to be part of this project. Thank you all--these stories are great to curl up and read with a cup of tea.
I love Christmas books and especially historical Christmas ones! From Western NY.
The cover makes me anxious for Christmas to come! I love Christmas stories and this western themed book will make it a favorite of mine.
Beth from IA
Susan, I loved your Prairie Dreams series, and I am sure I will enjoy your contribution to this collection!
Patty in SC
What a great collection, would love to win a copy.. D Stevens from NEBR
Thank you, Ladies! Beth, it was 82 degrees here yesterday, not what I'm used to in late October, so yeah, I can use a little help getting into the Christmas mood. To make it worse, the book I'm working on now is set in summer. Patty, thank you! Prairie Dreams was one of my favorite series to write.
Enter me for your awesome giveaway!!
Conway, SC.
Nice interview. Susan Page Davis is a new author to me. Would love to read this Christmas book. Thank you for the chance to win a copy.
Karen G, NY
Angela in KY would love to win.
Would love to win this book. Thanks, Lena. Tammie from Illinois.
Nice interview. I always learn something new about the authors-I like that you are most proud of your family. I really enjoy collections and Christmas collections are the best, so I would love to win and read this book. sm CA wileygreen1(at)yahoo(dot)com
Love Susan's books!
Hoping to win this one.
Doreen
PriviesAndPrims@yahoo.com
Lancaster County, PA
I love coming on Lena's blog because you all are so supportive. Thanks, everyone! I hope that as the holiday season progresses you have many blessings and a lot of time with your family. I know it can be a sad time. We lost a family member a week before Christmas last year, and it did cause us to be less enthusiastic in our celebrations. But the underlying joy is still there. Even in times of sorrow or stress, Christmas reminds me of who God is, and that He is still in control.
I love bride stories and then to have a going west/Christmas theme... perfection!
Merry in MN
Thanks for the interesting interview, Susan and Lena!!
I've heard wonderful things about "The Westward Christmas Brides Collection" and would love to read it!!
Hope that raccoon you hugged was tame, Susan!! Since I am a Ky. girl - I'm wondering what area of Ky. you live in??
bonnieroof60(at)yahoo(dot)com
Mt. Washington, Ky.
Love to win this!Shelia from MS
These books look Awesome! Love the pages! :) Please enter me!
Blanch, NC
Bonnie, it was a baby raccoon. My father was a game warden (in Maine), and people brought all sorts of orphaned critters to our farm. I don't think the raccoon stayed long. Most of the animals were passed on to the game farm in Gray, Maine. But I know live in western KY, west of the lakes.
Oops, I need an editor. I NOW live in western Ky (not "know").
I enjoy reading Christmas stories. Please enter me in the giveaway.
Ro from Ohio
Susan, my dad was a game warden in Arkansas when I was a girl. We kept a pen for orphaned baby deer. We bottle fed them.
Wow, Lena, I knew we had a lot in common!
I am looking forward to reading The Westward Christmas Brides.I enjoy reading your books.
I love reading Christmas books and this one sounds really good. Thank you for the opportunity to win a copy.
KayLee from NY
This sounds like a perfect Christmas holiday book to read. I love historicals.
marypopmom (at) yahoo (dot) com
Maryann in NY
I would be so blessed to win this book! !! Thanks for the chance!!! Good luck and God Bless Everyone!!! I am from Deltona, Florida! !!
Post a Comment