Laurie Alice Eakes
has been a friend of mine for a number of years. We were part of a three-author
team, who wrote a Heartsong series set in Iowa . She came up with the theme that tied
the books together. They later released in one volume titled Wild Prairie Roses.
I’m always thrilled when we both are
able to attend the same writer’s conference and get to connect again. And right
now, she’s living in Texas ,
too, but not very close to me. I love her writing, especially her novels about
midwives. They are so authentic.
© Marti Corn Photography.
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Welcome back, Laurie
Alice. As an author, I know it takes a lot of people to birth each book. Who
were the people involved in the birthing of this book, and what were their
contributions?
A woman named Juliana Fehr helped me with inspiring the
initial thought of writing this book when I was in grad school in 1998. She is
the director of the nurse-midwifery program at Shenandoah
University in Winchester , VA ,
and a midwife herself, who helped me with a history of medicine project on
which I was working. My talk then and her book Diary of a Midwife inspired me. She helped me with more research
for this book. Authors Kristi Ann Hunter and Becca Witham also gave me much
input in plot ideas. And, of course, my agent Natasha Kern, and my editor,
Becky Phillpot offered many suggestions. Those are the major players.
If you teach or
speak. What’s coming up on your calendar?
I have a speaking engagement/book launch on December 12 at
the Bristol Public Library in Bristol ,
Virginia . I will also be speaking
at the Booksamillion there, but the time is not set. I also have an interview
on Saturday December 5 on WHCB Radio 91.5 FM at 3:30 p.m. That is out of Johnson City , Tennessee ,
but can also be streamed.
If you had to
completely start over in another place, where would you move, and why?
Probably somewhere in either the Midwest like Illinois or Michigan , or
Virginia . I
am one of those rare people who likes winter, and I miss the lakes of the Midwest .
If you could only
tell aspiring novelists one thing, what would it be?
Do not rush your craft and seek and accept constructive
criticism. In other words, have a teachable heart and mindset. No one is
perfect out of the gate.
You’ve been asked to
be in charge of a celebrity cruise. Who would you ask to take part, and why?
(AS in what program, singers, etc. [it doesn’t have to be writing related])
I would choose several people, underprivileged children, I
think, or perhaps some older people, and have them on the cruise to be treated
like celebrities.
Tell us about the
featured book.
The Mountain Midwife:
For nearly two hundred years, women in Ashley Tolliver’s
family have practiced the art of midwifery in their mountain community. Now she
wants to take her skills a step further, but attending medical school means
abandoning those women to whom she has dedicated her life, the mountains she
loves, and the awakening of her heart. Ashley Tolliver has tended to the women
of her small Appalachian community for years. As their midwife, she thinks she
has seen it all. Until a young woman gives birth at Ashley’s home and is
abducted just as Ashley tries to take the dangerously bleeding mother to the
nearest hospital. Now Ashley is on a mission to find the woman and her newborn baby
... before it’s too late.
Please give us the
first page of the book.
The doorbell rang sometime after midnight. The electronic
tinkling of the telephone in the middle of the night meant a patient had gone
into labor. But this was the double-toned chime of the doorbell in the
darkness, and that meant trouble.
Heart pounding, Ashley Tolliver rolled out of her queen-size
four-poster, dislodging several cats in the process, and snatched up the jeans
and T-shirt ever ready on a chair beside her bed. By the time the bell chimed
again, she was dressed and shoving her feet into a pair of ballet flats. The
third ring found her halfway down the steps.
A shadow loomed behind the sheer curtain covering the front
door’s glass at the foot of the steps. It was a hulking man’s silhouette
against the porch light. No sign of a woman beside him.
Ashley paused on the bottom step. At the least she should
have brought her cell phone with her despite the terrible reception inside the
house there in the hills. The gun her brother insisted she own for protection
on her lonely nighttime excursions to patients was, as usual, locked in the
glove compartment of her Tahoe.
She turned to retrieve her cell.
Three rings of the bell in rapid succession conveyed a sense
of urgency. She was being silly. No burglar was going to announce his arrival
by ringing the doorbell so persistently. Emergencies brought men and their
expectant wives, daughters, girlfriends, to her door.
You have me hooked,
Laurie Alice. Where can we find you on the Internet?
You can find me in numerous places. My Web Site http://www.lauriealiceeakes.com has
information about and excerpts from my books.
I am on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/@LaurieAEakes
On Facebook https://www.facebook.com/authorlauriealiceeakes/
I am working on a Pinterest board with midwifery resources,
so keep an eye out for that in the next couple of weeks.
Thank you for sharing
this new book with us. I know my readers are as eager as I am to read this new
book.
Readers, here are links to the book. By using one when you order, you help support this blog.
The Mountain Midwife - Christianbook.comThe Mountain Midwife - Amazon
The Mountain Midwife - Kindle
Leave a comment for a chance to win a free copy of the book. You must follow these instructions to be in the drawing. 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
24 comments:
would love to win Angela in KY
Sounds very different and intriguing!
-Melissa in TN
Mystery and intrigue... would like to read on. Kathleen ~ Lane Hill House ~ Missouri
The first page leaves me intrigued, as does midwifery. Thanks for sharing!
Blessings,
Connie from KY
cps1950 (at) gmail (dot) com
I'm an RN and enjoy reading medical novels. My Mom was a midwife in N. Ireland many moons ago. Thanks for your interview. sm CA wileygreen1(at)yahoo(dot)com
This one sounds great! Thank you for the opportunity!
Melanie Backus, TX
What an intriguing and exciting beginning. I want to know who is at the door & why.
Mary P
QLD AUSTRALIA
Midwifery is fascinating. The birthing of babies has become so mechanized, the work of a midwife is, to me, more like birth is meant to be.
Great first page! I had midwives with all of my kids. Sounds like a great read! Thanks for the chance to win!
Beth in Montana
Sounds great. kamundsen44ATyahooDOTcom. North Platte Nebraska.
The first page sucked me in again! I've read some of Laurie's historicals but would love to try a contemporary like this one.
Pam in OH - IO!
I enjoy Laurie's books and look forward to reading this one.
I live in Oklahoma!
karenskrayons(at)gmail(dot)com
I love Laurie's writing and this will be an all new storyline for me!
Melody from Donna, TX
I love Laurie's writing and this will be an all new storyline for me!
Melody from Donna, TX
Kathy from SW Missouri
I have never read one of your books before. I can tell I have been missing out on a great read after reading your first page. I shall check my library for your books.
Thank you for sharing.
Have a blessed Christmas
The book certainly catches my interest with the first page. I would love to read it.
Edward A in VA
Enter me in your amazing giveaway!!
Conway, SC.
I read the first page and now I want to read it all. Enjoyed the interview.
Brenda in VA
Our church library readers love her books. Thanks for giving me the chance to win this one.
Janet E.
von1janet(at)gmail(dot)
Florida
"Mountain Midwife" sounds like my kind of book :-) Thank you for the chance and the interview!
Trixi in OR
What a first page! I look forward to reading this book.
Patty in SC
Loved the first page really would love to win.
Lourdes in Long Island NY
This would be a real page turner for me. Being a mamma of 12 I am fascinated to read midwives stories and this sounds like it's great.
Deanne in PA
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