I am reading this
book right now, Dear Readers. I know you’ll love it as much as I do.
Welcome back, Misty. Why
do you write the kind of books you do?
I tend to be a bit of a sentimentalist, so Historical
Romance is perfect for me! My favorite period is between 1860 - 1880, when the
cowboy days were really ramping up. I love the simpler life, where there's no
rat race. Just hard work, plenty of alone time (can you tell I'm an
introvert?), and a strong family unit. God is the central element in my life,
so I want my books to naturally reflect Him.
How has being
published changed your life?
It's wonderful to know in my heart that I'm doing what God
planned for me. He continues to use my writing to bless others, which becomes a
huge blessing for me!
What are you reading
right now?
The Still of Night
by Kristen Heitzmann. Kristen is one of my favorite authors, and I had the
amazing opportunity to meet her at a writer's workshop earlier this year. What
an amazing person!
What is your current
work in progress?
I'm finishing up The
Lady and the Mountain Fire, third in the Mountain Dreams Series. I had
planned for this to be the last in the series, but I'm having so much fun with
the characters! I guess I'll see where God leads. J
What would be your
dream vacation?
I love to travel! I've been throughout the US , but never to Europe .
I'd love to visit the old castles and estates in England
or Ireland .
And all that amazing historic architecture in Italy !
How do you choose
your settings for each book?
Hmm… I usually have an idea of the type of setting I want
(snowy mountains, Texas
plains, etc). From there, I pick a state, then start my research and usually
stumble upon something that makes me say "Ooooh, perfect!" For
example, when I was beginning The Rancher
Takes a Cook (scheduled to release June 26, 2015), I knew I wanted it to be
a Texas
ranch, somewhere in the middle part of the state (where it's not so much like a
desert). I started doing some Google searches for "History of (insert name
of Texas city ).
I stumbled across a letter that was written from someone in Seguin , Texas ,
in the year my story would begin. The description of Seguin in the letter sounded perfect! After
researching the city a little more, I realized I'd found a goldmine (not
literally).
If you could spend an
evening with one person who is currently alive, who would it be and why?
This is a tough one. My first thought was my extended family
members in California and Arizona . They're so dear, but I rarely have
the opportunity to see them. My great-aunts and uncles are getting up in years,
so I would love the opportunity to spend more time with them while I can. An
evening would not be long enough though…
What are your hobbies,
besides writing and reading?
Riding horses! I don't get to as often as I'd like, but it's
such a stabilizing activity for me. I love sharing them with my daughters, too!
What is your most
difficult writing obstacle, and how do you overcome it?
Making time for writing, and all the other activities that
go along with it. I get up an hour early each morning to focus on writing,
which helps a lot. I also try to spend a couple evenings a week after my
daughters go to bed, and both afternoons on the weekend, if possible. It's
hard, but important!
What advice would you
give to a beginning author?
Oh wow. There are so many things that spring to mind! Some
I've learned from wise writers. Some from my heavenly Father. And some from
doing it the hard way. J If I had to narrow down my experience into advice,
these are the three things I would share:
Seek: Read books on
craft. Join a writer's organization. Make friends with other writers and
develop connections. Seek to learn everything you can about this wonderful
world of fiction!
Work: Writing takes
so many hours of typing and plotting and editing. You may feel it will never
end. But enjoy the journey, even the hard times. I heard a quote today that
really hit home for me. "Happiness is counting your blessings for the good
things where you are right now." We all need goals, but the joy truly can
be in the journey.
Pray: Seek God's face and His direction for your writing. If
you're in His will, He will bless the work. His blessings may be a different
outcome than you expected, but I promise it will be wonderful!
Tell us about the
featured book.
Miriam Bryant has always dreamed of leaving the never-ending
work of her family's remote mountain ranch to travel abroad as a genteel lady.
She's thrilled when the opportunity finally arises, but a gruesome hunting
accident crushes her plans, leaving her stranded for weeks in a mining town.
The single bright spot in her disappointment comes in the form of this mountain
town's newest doctor…
Fresh out of medical school, Alex Donaghue is excited to join his brother's practice and prove himself in the mining town ofButte ,
in Montana Territory . But the tough conditions in
the mines and the brutal winter are worse than he expected. Now a mysterious
lung disease is killing patients he fought so hard to cure. The single bright
spot in this dreary place comes in the form of their newest patient…
But when Miriam's life is threatened by the effects of a medical tragedy, will Alex have what it takes to save the woman he's come to love? Will Miriam ever find the place God created her for, or is it too late?
Fresh out of medical school, Alex Donaghue is excited to join his brother's practice and prove himself in the mining town of
But when Miriam's life is threatened by the effects of a medical tragedy, will Alex have what it takes to save the woman he's come to love? Will Miriam ever find the place God created her for, or is it too late?
Please give us the
first page of the book for my readers.
October 28, 1876
Bryant Ranch - Near Butte City , Montana
Territory
Miriam Bryant plunged her knife through the deer's thick
winter fur, just the way her brother taught her. Crimson saturated the snow
underneath, and she clenched her eyes tight against the sight. An acrid odor
permeated the air. Miriam spun away, inhaling deep gulps of air.
They needed food. God sent the buck. She repeated the words
in her head, as her stomach slowly unclenched. Finally, she turned back toward
the animal, knife clutched tight in her hand. Once again, she wished she could
have let the deer bound away in freedom. But their meat supply was low, and she
had to pull her weight on the ranch.
The whisper of air was her only warning before a force
slammed into her back, knocking her forward. A scream rent the air, and she
writhed away from the creature pressing her against the deer carcass. Cougar.
Pain pierced her body. Over and over. Everywhere the cat touched left new
agony.
Miriam fought hard. She rolled onto her side and tried to
crawl, but the animal was all around her, growling and screaming. A blast of
pain shot through her leg, and her body jerked hard. She reached for the source
of the pain, and slammed her fists into the furry head, again and again.
I’m sure that opening
will draw my readers in. How can readers find you on the Internet?
Thank you, Misty, for sharing this book with me and my readers.
Readers, here’s a link to the book. By using it when you order, you help support this blog.
The Lady and the Mountain Doctor (Mountain Dreams Series Book 2)
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
18 comments:
would love to win Angela in KY
So happy for your success. Can't wait to read the book. Great beginning hook.
I would love to win a copy of this book.
California
lkish77123 at gmail dot com
What an exciting opening page for a book! I would love to win it and read it.
grandaddya at comcast dot net
This book has drawn me in. Books about wilderness and the 1800's do that to me, my favorites. Lena I am glad you are feeling better. My prayers continue for you.
This book would be a great read in my Pennsylvania home.
Deanne
Cnnamongirl(at)aol(dot)com
Misty's book sounds like one I would really enjoy reading. Thank you for the giveaway.
Melanie Backus, TX
What an exciting beginning. Looking forward to more.
Mary P
QLD AUSTRALIA
I am a nurse and enjoy books about medical people. Also enjoy Historical romance. Sam. CA. Wileygreen1(at)yahoo(dot)com
So glad each of you stopped by Lena's blog, and special thanks to Lena for allowing me to spend a few minutes with you! Can't wait to see who wins the free copy. :)
Deanne and Sam - I know what you mean about historical reading. Growing up, I always wished I were born in the 1800's!
Great opening page! I'd enjoy reading this ;) dk stevens, Nebr.
dkstevensneAToutlookDoTCoM
I would love to win...sounds so good!
Rita from WI
rita dot navarre at yahoo dot com
Enter me can't wait to read your book!!
Conway, SC.
Great first page. Sounds like a great read. Thanks for the chance.
Beth in Montana
I would love to read this. I live in KY.
Connie
Sounds so good!
Blessings!
Connie in KY
Deanne, thanks for the prayers.
Misty, I just hit a plot twist late in the book that really hurt. This book is so good.
I like this time period for books & movies, too, and your opening is quite dramatic! Thanks for the opportunity to win.
-Melissa M. in TN
Thanks lena for the interview with Misty. Would love to win her book. Maxie from TX. > mac262(at)me(dot)com <
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