Dear Readers, it’s
always a thrill to present a debut novelist to you.
Bio: Peggy
Trotter is a small town Hoosier native who teaches 1st and 2nd grade at a small
Christian School and writes Christian Romance in
her spare time. God blessed her with a wonderful husband who cooks and helps
clean while supporting her crazy dreams. She has two incredible grown kids, one
fabulous son-in-law, and two rays of sunshine, commonly called grandchildren.
Welcome, Peggy. Tell
us how much of yourself you write into your characters.
A lot! Sometimes I cry, if the scene gets really emotional.
I’m such a hodgepodge of personalities, LOL, that I can write from several
different angles. So, I’d say every one of my characters has more than a sliver
of me.
What is the quirkiest
thing you have ever done?
I decided I wanted a deck built between my house and garage.
So, I researched it, planned it, and built it myself. I’m pretty good with
power tools. After that I’d say, hanging a drop ceiling in Honduras ! J
I love Central America . When I went on a mission trip to Guatemala , I
was a clown making balloon animals for the children. When did you first
discover that you were a writer?
This will sound weird, but I think I knew around the age of
six. I came in third in a class writing contest. That tugging desire to write
never left me, and I wrote many, many things over the years, poems, programs,
verses, but the romance stories haunted me every night when I laid my head
down, like a repetitive movie. Once I finally get the story written down, it
disappears!
Tell us the range of
the kinds of books you enjoy reading.
As a child, I loved the classics, Black Beauty, King of the Wind, (and most anything by Marguerite
Henry!), Charlotte’s Web. As I grew,
I became a bit more eclectic. I loved researching history, but I also enjoyed
Stephen King. I finally stopped reading horror when I began to be afraid to be
alone in a house. Seriously, true!
In my adult life, mostly I was fascinated with discovering
Christian romance with Lori Wick, B.J. Hoff, Gilbert Morris, and a million more
since. I definitely enjoyed all of Bodie Thoene’s series as well, not to
mention Tim Lahaye and Jerry B. Jenkins’ Left behind series. And there has been
ton more! So overall, I say I love Christian fiction, but most of all Christian
Romance.
How do you keep your
sanity in our run, run, run world?
Sometimes I don’t!!! J I think my main
survival kit is sticking with the basics. God, family, friends. All the other
stuff is wonderful and such a blessings, but I try to keep my head focused on
the most important picture. Jesus Christ. Not to say I don’t have my freak-out
moments, shhhh, but that’s the goal anyway. My husband is a great help in this
area. He’s very calm and wise which offsets my need to be constantly over busy.
How do you choose
your characters’ names?
I like unusual names. So I pick names that are both unusual
and beautiful to me. But they must fit the character. I also tend to pick names
from my genealogy chart, or cemetery records. (Snort) Yes, really. Especially
if I’m writing a historical.
What is the
accomplishment that you are most proud of?
Raising both my children to adulthood and seeing them grow
in Christ. When I held my first child, I felt God’s calling to make sure I
equip my children to serve Him for the rest of their lives.
If you were an
animal, which one would you be, and why?
A horse. As a young girl, I read any book I could get my
hands on that included a horse. They are so beautiful, independent, and strong.
All qualities I’d love to possess.
What is your favorite
food?
Simple easy. Pizza. Yum!
What is the problem
with writing that was your greatest roadblock, and how did you overcome it?
I’d say the greatest one is discouragement. It’s everywhere.
And when it’s not outside of your psyche, it’s inside! And that seems to be the
most intimidating one. Fighting your own sense of inadequacy, and the devil—he
ain’t no dummy. He grabs what pulls you down and pumps it for all it’s worth.
Tell us about the
featured book.
I’d be thrilled to!!! My debut novel is Year of Jubilee, a
Historical Christian Romance based in southern Indiana in 1850. Here’s the back cover blurb:
Orphaned and widowed, eighteen-year-old
JUBILEE STALLINGS clings to her southern Indiana
farm as her only refuge. The wilds of Gibson County
are just being tamed in the year of 1850, and Jubilee ekes a meager existence.
But when RAFE TANNER, a cousin of her abusive dead husband, shows up with the
deed to her property, Jubilee’s dream of her own home dissolves.
Rafe, stinging from his ex-fiancée’s
rejection, offers a business marriage, throwing him and Jubilee together in an
effort to make the farm successful. But scars from the past keep her in
constant fear of her new husband. The pair masquerades as a love-struck couple
at Rafe’s family farm, enduring the romantic notions of his family and the jealousy
of his ex-fiancée.
Once home, Rafe realizes his newfound
love for Jubilee, and sets out to court her. Meanwhile, Jubilee fights demons
from her past as her husband reveals his interest. Can Jubilee let go of her
distrust and pain to embrace God’s plan of true love and finally find a place
to belong?
I know it doesn’t present as a storyline with a lot of humor,
but there are several scenes of humorous misunderstandings throughout the book.
Please give us the
first page of the book.
Okay! But be prepared. The first scene is a doozy!
Jubilee Stallings’ forehead collided with the wall. Stars
flashed behind her closed lids. She lay completely still. Her face heated and
her body ached, yet she dared not move.
“You’re worthless.” Her husband’s slurred voice continued.
She heard his footsteps stagger across the floorboards.
“You’re nuttin’ but a dog, and…and…a piece…of dung.”
The floorboards thundered as his body hit the floor.
Scraping sounds emitted from the other side of the room.
“I…oughta…”
He continued mumbling unintelligibly. Jubilee pressed her
bruised brow against the icy wood of the wall and prayed. Fresh tears wet her
face. Please fall asleep. Almost on command Colvin gave a snore. Jubilee
continued to lie immobile, although now that the initial rush of adrenaline had
worn off, the frigid air made her naked body want to shake. She clenched her
teeth and fought against her body’s urge. Snores filled the air.
She pushed to a sitting position and eyed the straw mattress
where Colvin had sprawled. Moving as cautiously as a newborn colt, she crawled
to her dress by the door. She pulled it on as a set of shivers ripped through
her body. With her sweater in hand, she crept to the fireplace. Only dying
embers remained, but Jubilee couldn’t risk adding another log. Her teeth
chattered as she tucked her feet beneath her skirt and pulled up the ragged
cardigan to ward off the chill.
She grimaced as she rubbed the swelling on her neck where
he’d choked her. The moonlight broke through the clouds, highlighting the marks
scratched into the wall near stone mantel. She’d carved the last one this
morning, December 30, 1849. More than a full year had come and gone since she’d
begun marking. Tomorrow would be her second birthday in this house. Once again
tears threatened. She’d be eighteen.
You’re right about
the page. I’m eager to read the rest of the book. How can readers find you on
the Internet?
You can always catch me at peggytrotter.com, but I’m also a
feature writer on my group blog, diamondsinfiction.blogspot.com.
Here are some of my other favorite places to hang out: https://www.facebook.com/PeggyTrotterAuthor
Thanks for having me on your blog! I truly appreciate it!
Readers, here are links to the book. By using one when you order, you help support this blog.
Year of Jubilee - paperback
Year of Jubilee - 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
39 comments:
Great first page! Caught my interest and want to read the book. Thanks for the chance to win!
Beth in Montana
Beth, thanks for stopping by to check out the interview! I'm so excited to be with Lena today! I hope you get a chance to get your hands on a copy of Year of Jubilee!!!
Love to try new authors!Shelia from Mississippi
Welcome, Shelia! I'm so thankful for readers like you! Thanks for stopping in. Blessings!
Congratulations on getting your debut novel out there. While I enjoy reading books from established authors I also love reading debut authors and following their fresh start in the publishing world. I wish you the best of luck in upcoming books and your writing journey. This is a fabulous sounding book I hope to be reading it soon !
Deanne in Pennsylvania
Cnnamongirl(at)aol(dot)com
Deanne, you are so right. Every author's debut start and progress is unique. I'm really hoping my debut novel, Year of Jubilee, inspires you~!
Hello Peggy! Congratulations on your debut. I LOVE the title "Year of Jubliee". I can't wait to read it!
Caryl in TEXAS
Caryl, thanks for stopping by. Yes, the title was a work in progress. It didn't start out as that. But the main character's name was always Jubilee, and the Lord just led me to the title a little later. I hope you enjoy reading it!
Great interview Peggy! This book certainly sounds very good, I love historical fiction. And I love your comment about unusual names, even going as far as cemetery lots for names *grins*! How fun is that? Maybe I'm a bit quirky, but I like to explore cemetery lots for the oldest ones and find the birth and death date of that person. I've seen some even for small children way back in the 1800's or so. Guess for me it's fascinating stuff!
Thank you for the chance to win a copy of your book, I'd love to read it....blessings!
teamob4 (at) gmail (dot) com
Interesting interview and I really like the cover of your book. sm CA wileygreen1(at)yahoo(dot)com
An amazing beginning. Most definitely a doozy.
Mary P
QLD AUSTRALIA
I love books with dysfunctional characters - would love to read "Year of Jubilee"!! Thanks for the giveaway opportunity!!
bonnieroof60(at)yahoo(dot)com
Kentucky
I've seen Peggy's name and book all over the blogs. Such a fascinating first page! Thanks Lena and Peggy for the chance to win!
Marianne
Alberta, Canada
It's always fun to try new authors! Thanks for the interview and giveaway. I love historical fiction.
Patty in SC
Enter me in your great giveaway!!
Conway, SC.
I would certainly enjoy reading this book! Congratulations on your book & wishing you much success!
dkstevens From NEBR
Trix, I'm with you! I was determined to find my great grandmother's grave marker and my husband and I spent 2 hrs. combing the old cemetery on a hot day. When I finally found it, I remembered being there as a small child by the surrounding grave markers! Very surreal! I only remembered once I started looking around.
sm~thanks! I think I drove my publisher a little crazy with the cover choice! LOL But I love it and I'm glad you do too!
Mary~yes! I wanted to grab the reader out of the gate. I promise it isn't quite so violent after this, lol. Hope you get your chance to find out!
Bonnie~I love making imperfect characters that are at the end of their rope. Only God can fix that! Thanks for stopping in. Hope you enjoy Year of Jubilee!
Oh, Marianne, I'm so glad you've seen me out and about! I've been working hard to get my book out to the readers. I hope you enjoy it. Christian fiction rocks!
Patty~yes, I'll admit it is my favorite! Even though I have a contemporary coming out Oct. 9th, lol. But I'm in the middle of another Historical. I love the research! I really hope you can get your hands on a copy of Year of Jubilee!
Sharon, thanks for stopping by and joining in with the fun! Blessings!
Deanna, thanks for the well-wishes! I've been to Nebraska a few times visiting my son. I love the wind there! It always seems to blow. I have a novel based there that will hopefully soon be published as well. Keep an eye out for it. It's a historical called "Spun." :)
Another great sounding book :D
Sierra
Indiana
Sierra~thanks! Woot Woot to another Hoosier!!! I hope you enjoy the book!
I'd like to read this. Very sad/gripping opening.
-Melissa M. in TN
The interview was very nice and I am looking forward to reading Year of Jubilee. It would be nice to win, but if not, I will be enjoying this book and her others to follow. Thank yuou.
I would love to read this book! Thank you for the opportunity!
Melanie Backus, TX
I believe in my previous post, I left my name and location out. Probably knocked myself out of a chance to win. lol. Judy Cooper, Louisiana.
I would love to win this book!
Rita from WI
Melissa~Yes. I love to write about people who are at the bottom of their hope vessel. Then let God lift them up. Out of the miry clay, so to speak. We may not all be in such dire circumstances, but we meet overwhelming challenges everyday. I want my readers to see God's hope, not matter the situation. And don't forget! There's a wonderful happy ending!
Go Judy! Thanks for re-visiting!
Hi, Rita! Thanks for stopping in! I hope you get a copy in your hands and I hope you love it!
Beautiful cover and title! I'd enjoy reading Year of Jubilee!!
Beth from IA
Oh, my! You weren't kidding about that first page! This really grabs the reader. I look forward to reading the whole thing!
Pam in Ohio
Beth~I dreamed the cover, believe it or not. I felt like it was God's nudge to pick this! I love it! Hope you enjoy the story and I pray it blesses your heart!
Pam~ Yes, it packs a punch! But I hope the rest grabs your interest as well. I stuck little stabs of humor along the way, so I hope you enjoy every moment of it!
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