BIO: Born and
raised in Santa Fe , New
Mexico , Michelle Shocklee is a Rocky Mountain
girl at heart. But after living in Texas the
past thirty years with her tall Texan husband, she has grown to truly
appreciate the Lone
Star State 's
rugged beauty. Her family lived in Williamson
County , the setting for
her debut novel THE PLANTER'S DAUGHTER,
for more than twenty years. She and her husband currently live and work on a
400-acre ranch in the Texas Hill Country where they can often be found spoiling
llamas, sheep, and chickens, and enjoying the abundant wildlife. Passionate
about history, she considers it pure joy to immerse herself in stories from the
past, whether fiction or true-life tales. She is a contributing author in
numerous Chicken Soup for the Soul books, magazine articles, and writes the
Life Along The Way blog.
Welcome, Michelle. Tell
us how much of yourself you write into your characters.
Although I don’t intentionally create characters like
myself, I think it would be impossible not to have my own beliefs and life
experiences bleed into the lives of my characters. You will see bits and pieces
of my personality and feelings in nearly all of my characters, good and bad,
but I definitely want them to be their own person (er, as much as a fictional
character can be a person).
What is the quirkiest
thing you have ever done?
In 2012, my husband and I quit our jobs, sold our house in
the suburbs, and moved to a 400-acre ranch in the Texas hill country to become Estate
Caretakers. To say it was terrifying is an understatement. But God opened the
door, so we took a huge leap of faith and walked through it. And we are so
happy we did! We love country living and have no regrets.
When did you first
discover that you were a writer?
Had I known what to look for as a young person, I might have
discovered I was a writer far earlier than I actually did. As it is, I came to
the party a bit late. Throughout school and three years of college with a major
in Education, writing courses were always my favorite. However, it never dawned
on me to turn that into a career. I was a married stay-at-home mom with two little
boys before I started writing for publication.
Tell us the range of
the kinds of books you enjoy reading.
I love history! For fun reading, I grab historical fiction.
Biblical, Regency, Western. You name it, I’ll read it. But I also love diving
into history books. I’m currently immersed in Texas and Civil War history doing research
for my historical series. The mail-order bride novella I’m writing for Barbour
Publishing (release January 2018) also requires research into Civil War medical
practices.
How do you keep your
sanity in our run, run, run world?
Moving to the ranch four years ago definitely slowed down
our lives. With our two sons grown, we have embraced the empty nest and spend
our evenings reading or watching HGTV. I enjoy taking walks on the property,
tending the llamas, sheep and chickens, and sitting on the porch looking out
into the hills as the sun sets. We count ourselves very blessed to work and
live in such a beautiful place.
How do you choose
your characters’ names?
Naming characters is a lot like naming a child. I search
online baby name sites to see what’s popular—and then stay away from those
names! Because I write mainly historical fiction, I also use census records
from my time period. In THE PLANTER’S
DAUGHTER, I used the actual names of Texas
slaves for my Negro characters because I wanted to honor the memories of the
former slaves.
What is the
accomplishment that you are most proud of?
I am most proud of my thirty-year marriage to my best friend.
Sharing life with another person—even one you love with all your heart—takes
patience, sacrifice, and a whole lot of prayer. I’m also beyond proud of our
two amazing sons. Publishing a book is pretty awesome, but it wouldn’t have
been possible without those three guys in my life, cheering me on.
If you were an
animal, which one would you be, and why?
I would be a spoiled rotten wiener dog who has its people
trained just the way it wants. Yes, I speak from experience. We were the humans
of such a dog, Copper, for 16 years. He was known as The Fastest Wiener Dog in Texas after winning a
total of ten wiener dog races throughout the state. After we retired him at the
age of 8, he lived out his remaining years as a grand champion should: eating,
sleeping, and playing with toys.
What is your favorite
food?
A great cheeseburger! My husband and I have dubbed Friday
nights as burger night. We’ve traveled all over the Texas hill country in search of a great
burger. Unique burger joints and fun diners are some of our favorite places to
eat.
What is the problem
with writing that was your greatest roadblock, and how did you overcome it?
As with any form of art, writing takes a lot of practice. I
jumped into it believing I should be able to write a clean, salable book on the
first try. Wrong! I had many lessons to learn—and still do, I’m sure—about the
craft of writing. Like most novelists, I have manuscripts that will never see
the light of day.
Tell us about the
featured book.
At the heart of the story, THE PLANTER’S DAUGHTER is a romance. Adella Rose Ellis wants
nothing more than to marry for love, but her ambitious father has other plans
for her. When she falls in love with Seth Brantley, the man her father hired as
overseer of the vast cotton plantation, Adella is forced to make a choice
between the man who can save her family’s land from bankruptcy and the man who
can save her.
Please give us the
first page of the book.
May 1859
Adella cringed at the sound of shattering glass.
What now?
Exasperation pushed her taut nerves to the edge. Two vases
and a china teacup had already met their demise as house servants feverishly
prepared for Natalie Langford’s arrival on the morrow. That her brother’s
fiancée sparked such anxiety did not bode well, considering the wedding was
still two weeks away. Would things only worsen after the blonde beauty became
mistress of Rose Hill Manor—a role Adella herself had filled since Mama took
ill three summers ago?
A small shadow appeared in the open doorway to her bedroom.
Adella Rose Ellis waited from her perch on the window seat, her bare feet
tucked beneath a wide bell skirt, for the guilty servant to emerge. A warm
afternoon breeze teased her loose hair. A moment later, Carolina ’s fuzzy braids poked around,
followed by wide, fearful eyes.
“Missy Ellis?” The little girl’s timid voice squeaked.
Perspiration glistened on her dark skin, and her bottom lip trembled when she
stepped around the corner. “I sorry, Missy. I didn’t mean to break it. It just
tumbled outta my hand.” A tear slid down an ebony cheek before she tucked her
chin into the too-large homespun dress, which hung off of thin shoulders.
“Come in, Carolina .”
Adella softened her voice the way Mama always had when dealing with the
servants. “Tell me what happened.”
How can readers find
you on the Internet?
Readers, here are links to the book. By
using one when you order, you help support this blog.
The Planter's Daughter - PaperbackThe Planter's Daughter - 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 or country if outside North America . (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:
23 comments:
Ooh! This books sounds yummy! Your life on a 400 acre ranch sounds like something I would enjoy. Thanks for the opportunity to win! Linda from PA
Thanks, Linda! Life on a ranch is amazing, especially after living in the city the first 40-something years of my life! I hope you enjoy the book!
What a great book! Sounds like a winner to me! Thank you for the giveaway!
Melanie Backus, TX
I love books set in the pre-civil war South! Congratulations on your debut novel! Thanks for sharing with us! rw620 AT aol DOT com
Thank you, Robin and Melanie! I'm a big fan of pre-Civil War era books too. Such a fascinating time in our country. Have a great weekend!
Sounds like a good read. Love the cover. north platte nebraska.
sounds like a good book to win thanks for the chance. Live in ND
I love "meeting" new authors! Congrats on your debut novel, Michelle! Sounds like a great read!
Diana in SC
Thank you, Kim, Apple Blossom (love that!) and Diana! It's great to "meet" you all too! Everyone be sure to pop over to my Author Michelle Shocklee Facebook page today and tomorrow for more opportunities to win the book and other goodies, plus you'll learn some Fun Facts about the book! :D
I like your answer on the question: "How do you choose your characters’ names."
Thanks, Aritha! Choosing a name for a character is almost as difficult as choosing a name for one of my babies. Where are you posting from? Have a great day!
New author to me! YAY!!
The cover is pretty.
Thank you!
Hi Karen! Love your enthusiasm for a new author! :D The cover is even prettier on the print books. I'm in love with it! Hope you are having a fun weekend!
I love the cover and the story sounds great!
Connie from KY
cps1950(at)gmail(dot)com
Thanks, Connie! I too think the cover designer did a great job. Have a wonderful, restful Sunday!
Looks great!
Abigail in VA
Thanks, Abigail! Hope you are enjoying the weekend!
Enter me in your awesome giveaway!!
Conway SC.
Sounds like a great book!
Thanks!
Sydney Harries
Georgia
Sounds really good. Paula Shreckhise from Missouri
Thanks ladies! I'm super excited to share Adella and Seth's story with readers! Have a great day! ~Michelle who is on the road to Oklahoma and can't get her iPhone to log into google! Grr.
Enjoyed the interview and would love to read the book. Thank you!!
Barbara Thompson in West Monroe, Louisiana
barbmaci61@yahoo.com
I'm really looking forward to reading this! The cover is beautiful.
Beth from IA
Post a Comment