Dear Readers, Diane
is a long-time writing acquaintance and fellow Texan. I’m pleased to share her
debut book with you today. I was intrigued by her Civil War storyline.
Welcome, Diane. Tell
us how much of yourself you write into your characters.
I try to “get into character” as actresses need to do in
order to play a part. However, where period clothing is concerned, I write what
I would love to wear in regards to style, colors, and fabric.
What is the quirkiest
thing you have ever done?
I don’t think I’m a quirky person. However, my son teases me
about lining up my ceramic roosters facing the same direction. When he moves
them, I move them back.
I’ve told my husband
that if I were to have a mental illness, it probably would be
obsessive/compulsive disorder. When did you first discover that you were a
writer?
My first try at writing was a time travel-historical romance
years ago. Tricky for a newbie, but the challenge took hold to research and
write and rewrite.
Tell us the range of
the kinds of books you enjoy reading.
I love inspirational historical romance, biographies,
reprinted journals, and diaries of people who lived during the Civil War or
pioneered out West. I have 22 antique books that I own and have read, starting
1859 to 1902.
I’d love to see them.
I love antique books. I have several journal/diary reprints. How do you keep
your sanity in our run, run, run world?
I go to estate sales, one or two times a month, with
girlfriends and then have lunch. I try not to mention my writing and focus on
buying some little treasure.
How do you choose
your characters’ names?
There’s a Web site that lists popular 19th century names by
decades. I also have a baby name book that gives the origin of the names.
What is the
accomplishment that you are most proud of?
Raising a son to become a Christian man, husband, and
father.
If you were an
animal, which one would you be, and why?
I love animals, all kinds, but I’ve always had a cat. They’re
somewhat independent.
What is your favorite
food?
Pasta. Love the different kinds of pasta with sauce, chicken,
lobster, or vegetables.
I love pasta, too,
but James isn’t as fond of it, so I don’t make it very often. What is the
problem with writing that was your greatest roadblock, and how did you overcome
it?
I’d say it was the POV thing, and then that became deep POV.
It was a matter of training my brain and studying a couple of books that gave
examples that helped me understand.
Tell us about the
featured book.
Patriot Heart is book 1 in a 3-book series about three Civil
War POWs who met in the infamous Andersonville Prison for Union soldiers and
survived because of their friendship and Christian faith.
I decided to write my hero as a strong Christian and the heroine
who is unsaved, instead of the reverse which is seen more often. The idea for a
Civil War hero with soldier’s fatigue emerged after news journalists reported
on Post Traumatic Stress Disorder almost every week since the US got involved in the Middle
East conflict named Desert Storm 1990-91. I wanted to write about
a Christian veteran who struggled with horrific nightmares and hallucinations after
confinement in Andersonville Prison. He’s a man who leans upon the Lord for
recovery, although fears he’s losing his mind and unfit for marriage.
The heroine is a confident, bossy young woman who’s
determined to live her life her way. She buys an old emporium near the Missouri River and turns it into a supply depot for
emigrants heading out West after the war. The hero lives there, and she can’t
avoid him. She tells herself she doesn’t need God, or the hero, and throws
herself into her business.
In romance, it’s such fun to write those scenes when
hero/heroine clash. In this story, the reader needs to see the hero’s sense of
humor even though his mind hasn’t left the prison pen altogether.
Here is my back cover blurb.
DUTY COURAGE INTEGRITY
May 1865. All Dan Goodman wants is to marry an uncomplicated
girl and have a family, but the war interfered and he became a POW who now
believes he’s losing his mind and unfit for marriage. He dreams of Oregon to put the
memories behind him. The problem is he owes a debt of gratitude to the
beautiful songstress. In addition, Clara Barton wants him to be a witness for
the prosecution in the first trial for war crimes in American history.
INDEPENDENT ENTERPRISING FEISTY
Letty Talbot is a world-weary steamboat songstress, and
wants a new direction after sudden loss. Letty decides to run a supply depot
for emigrants going out West, and talks Dan into a partnership where he builds
the prairie schooners. Letty won’t admit she wants to keep Dan from leaving.
Even though Letty and Dan butt heads a lot, no man ever interested Letty as
this one did.
TRUST LOVE PEACE
If Letty marries Dan she losses her depot, because married
women have no property rights. Letty must learn to trust God with her future.
Dan must forgive fellow Union inmates who killed for selfish reasons, and face
the commandant of Andersonville Prison in a court of law. Allowing his Oregon dream to fade, he
can then embrace the future God planned for him.
Please give us the
first page of the book.
“And if one prevail
against him, two shall withstand him;
and a threefold cord
is not quickly broken.” Ecclesiastes 4:12
Dan Goodman stared at the Lincoln Special with the slain
President’s photograph over the cowcatcher, flanked by flags, and festooned in
black along the sides of the railway cars. Out of respect, he saluted the train
even though his fallen commander in chief remained on exhibit at the Cook
County Courthouse until evening.
The sharp crack of mourning bunting slapped against the
depot, startling Dan. He inhaled a shaky breath, disappointed in himself. After
all these months, away from Andersonville Prison, he still had a reaction to
unexpected sounds.
Dan continued to observe Lincoln ’s
train, until the Chicago and Alton rolled under the enormous Federal flag
stretched across the tracks and blocked his view. He smiled at the scene.
His future arrived to carry him far from everything in the
recent past.
A powerful opening scene. How can readers find
you on the Internet?
www.forgetmenotromances.com/authors/dianekalasThank you, Diane, for sharing your new book with us. I know My readers will be interested in it.
Readers, here’s a link to the book. By using it when you order, you help support this blog.
Patriot Heart (Journey Home Book 1)
Leave a comment for a chance to win a free copy of the ebook. 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
17 comments:
Sounds like an interesting read. THanks for the chance to win!
Beth in Montana
I love learning about this period in history, too, and I like that the main character is a strong Christian hero.
-Melissa M. in TN
Yesterday was the first time I'd seen/heard about this book and it sounds like a great story. Thank you for the chance to win a copy of it.
Wendy from FL.
wfnren at aol dot com
Hi everyone: It's my pleasure to give this book to someone who enjoys character driven stories in the inspirational historical romance genre. Happy reading!
For some reason this book seems to grab my attention. I really want to read it now after seeing this review!
J.C. -Indiana-
I am fascinated with history and the Civil War era is especially interesting to me. This first page promises a great story!
Thank you and blessings!
Connie from KY
cps1950 (at)gmail(dot)com
This sounds like an amazing read & series.
Mary P
QLD AUSTRALIA
I would love to win a copy. Thank you for the chance.
I live in Indiana.
Blessings,
Cindy W.
Hi everyone - I'm pleased to know that many of you enjoy reading about the Civil War era. PATRIOT HEART is not about the battles. It's about the horrific aftermath of our country's people, and of one man getting his life back and facing the future. Thank you for commenting. Have a blessed day.
sounds like a book I'd love to read thanks.
live in ND
ABreading4fun [at] gmail [dot] com
Thanks for the interesting interview. Thanks for the giveaway. I'd love to win.
Brenda in VA.
This sounds like an amazing novel!! I very much appreciate historical Christian fiction, with Civil War and post-Civil War as a favorite era, especially since reading Tracy DeGroot's book about Andersonville. Would love to read this; thank you for the opportunity!! Jeanie in Phoenix
I would like to thank Lena for hosting me on her fabulous blog. I've been blessed to have her interest and effort on my behalf. May God continue to increase her influence in the world of Christian/inspirational fiction.
I like how you describe all the characters in your book and would love to read and meet them all in your war novel. Sm. CA. Wileygren1(at)yahoo(dot)com
Hello, Diane. All I can say is, Wow! Your book sounds wonderful, but I am even more excited by the research that went into it. Especially about PTSD. My husband was in Desert Storm and suffers from PTSD. People who aren't educated about the Gulf War don't realize how bad it was for our men. Many view it as a quick and benign conflict.
I am very intrigued by the plot of your book and how it deals with PTSD before it was actually defined and diagnosed. This is definitely a must read for me. I wish you much success with Patriot Heart and the remaining books in the trilogy.
Terrill R., Lynden, WA
I love reading novels containing difficult subjects - would love to read Patriot Heart, and learn more about PTSD. Thanks for the giveaway opportunity!!
Bonnie, Ky.
Thank you, Terrill for leaving a comment. I'm sorry to hear your husband suffers from PTSD. There is hope through God the Father, and His son, Jesus Christ. My research was difficult because of the serious subjects: POW prison camps, and the soldier's fatigue many men suffered. I hope I balanced the storyline with enough humor and interesting characters that readers can enjoy an uplifting story overall. Sad to say, our government took a long time giving this disorder a diagnosis and benefits for the veterans. God bless.
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