Welcome, Tamara. Tell
us how much of yourself you write into your characters.
It surprises me when I finish a book and recognize some of
me in each character, even a killer. As the one writing the story, I see things
through my perspective, of course, but I can also imagine how a character would
act in a situation, even if I’ve never been there.
What is the quirkiest
thing you have ever done?
After a special date in high school, complete with a long
dress made by my mother and beautiful new shoes, my date and I traipsed through
an old graveyard with tall pillars around it, like Stonehenge .
It was spooky, and it was fun! And muddy, as I recall. My mother was not happy
when I got home with mud on my beautiful dress!
When did you first
discover that you were a writer?
I was probably around six. I loved to write poetry. On my
blog, I’ve written about losing all my precious poetry and stories on a bus
trip when I was about eighteen, and how it broke my heart. I started writing
short stories when I was about nine. After I was grown and married, I wrote my
first novel, about a serial killer stalking someone who was hiking in the
Colorado Rockies.
Tell us the range of
the kinds of books you enjoy reading.
I’m a scaredy cat, so “horror” is out. Mysteries, historical
romances, and romance are probably my favorites, although I love non-fiction as
well. I’m a history buff, especially American history. Biographies, historical
diaries, first-person accounts. I love reading, so if a book is well written,
I’ll read it, except horror.
How do you keep your
sanity in our run, run, run world?
I’m a “do-er,” so if something is on my list and I do it, it
helps me relax. I love hiking strenuous trails and walking at a gentle pace,
too. Swimming is also relaxing. But for those moments when life is
overwhelming, I spend time in God’s Word and in prayer. It always re-focuses me
to what’s important.
How do you choose
your characters’ names?
Actually, I go through the names of family first and see if
a name fits. Then, I try out friends’ names. If those don’t work, I sit back
and let the character tell me her or his name.
What is the
accomplishment that you are most proud of?
This is a tough question. I wanted to answer, “Telling
someone about Jesus,” then I wanted to say, “my children,” then I wanted to say,
“finishing my first book,” and then I wanted to say, “finishing the toughest
hike I’ve ever done near Estes Park, Colorado.” But in terms of importance, it
would have to be bringing someone to the knowledge of what Jesus did for him or
her.
If you were an
animal, which one would you be, and why?
I’m always watching people, trying to figure out who they
are, who the people are around them, their “story”—so I think a lioness.
What is your favorite
food?
Japanese.
What is the problem
with writing that was your greatest roadblock, and how did you overcome it?
The most difficult thing for me was connecting emotionally
with the reader. I’d want to hop over the terribly painful “stuff” and go on,
because, as a writer, we have to “feel” to write the story, and it was
emotionally draining. It took two editors to show me how to connect with the
reader—give the reader an “experience” she would remember, even if I have to
cry a thousand tears while writing it or feel so angry I want to throw
something.
I don’t like conflict
in life. I’m a peacemaker. So I had a hard time learning to give my characters
conflict. Praise the Lord, I was finally able to do that. Tell us about the
featured book.
When Marianne inherits her uncle’s remote Texas ranch, she is hopeful that she can
escape her past and begin a new life. But hope turns into fear as she faces a
terrible truth: she inherited danger. Mac, a neighboring rancher, tells her of
three murders over seventeen years, including her uncle. Ruthless people who
want their deadly secrets to remain buried come after her. Instead of running
away, she heads into the path of monsters preying on the innocent—and hopes she
survives the frightening plans they have for her. Mac will stop at nothing to
protect her—but will he be able to save her life?
Please give us the
first page of the book.
A breeze whispered a welcome to Marianne.
Standing on the bottom rail of the ranch gate, she looked
out over her inheritance. Freedom. Escape. Independence . She imagined the words as
tumbleweeds rolling playfully across the open land. With a quick smile, she
thought she could add two more words: anticipation and hope. She’d dreamed of running
away so many times. She couldn’t believe this was real, a new home and a new
life just handed to her, far from the ugliness waiting for her back in Abilene .
She was sure not many people would consider this flat
landscape with few trees or vegetation as a boon, but Marianne did. In this
part of the Texas
panhandle, no houses or buildings or mountains or hills blocked her view in any
direction. It was all beautiful, and two thousand acres of it were now hers.
As an artist, she could live anywhere. But here, in ranching
country, the breeze seemed to whisper, “This is it. You belong here.” And the
best part? Her parents were three hours away. She had dreamed of living far,
far away from them but never actually thought she would.
All of this seemed too good to be true.
Not a soul was around. Far off in the distance, cattle
standing among oil rigs bobbing to the rhythm of the wind were her only
company. Feeling a little silly, she waved at them and laughed, and then
breathed in the Texas
heat as her head fell back. Nothing but the peaceful silence of nature
surrounded her. What could be more welcoming?
“You plannin’ on jumpin’ that gate, ma’am?”
The man’s voice startled her. She tried to turn toward it,
but her right sandal slid off the rail. She shrieked as she fell and threw out
her hand to stop from landing face first in the gravel. The impact jarred her,
and she rolled onto her shoulder, then her back, gasping for her next breath.
A door slammed. Crunching steps—running steps—were getting
closer. “Ma’am, are you okay?”
The man’s arm slid under her shoulders as he grabbed her
hand and tugged her to her feet. When he released her, her foot slid out of her
sandal, and her ankle twisted. “Oh! This gravel!”
“Yes, ma’am.” The tall cowboy gripped her shoulders and held
her while she put her shoe back on. She looked up at him and found him staring
at her feet. Somehow, she was embarrassed that her toenails were painted bright
pink with purple polka dots.
“Are you hurt?”
“I’m fine.” She pulled away from him and brushed the stuff off
her hands and clothes.
“Do you always sneak up behind women and scare the living
daylights out of them?”
When he said nothing, she looked up at him. He was trying to
hide a grin behind his huge fist, but he wasn’t doing a very good job of it.
“I’ve never known a truck that could sneak anywhere, ma’am.
I’m sure sorry I scared you.”
I love it. How can
readers find you on the Internet?
My website/blog is www.TamaraGCooper.com.
I have so enjoyed visiting with you, Miss Lena. Thank you for having me as a
guest today.
Thank you, Tamara. I know my readers will enjoy interacting with you.
Readers, here are links to the book. By using one when you order, you help support this blog.
Who Killed Brigitt Holcomb? (Brothers of Texas) (Volume 1) - paperback
Who Killed Brigitt Holcomb? (Brothers of Texas Book 1) - Kindle
Readers, here are links to the book. By using one when you order, you help support this blog.
Who Killed Brigitt Holcomb? (Brothers of Texas) (Volume 1) - paperback
Who Killed Brigitt Holcomb? (Brothers of Texas Book 1) - 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
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15 comments:
I can't wait to read it! The first page is very interesting, and I'll be buying this book.
I really enjoyed this interview, and I enjoyed the book even more. This book is very well written and full of suspense and intrigue! I literally could not put it down. I highly recommend it as a book that keeps you in its grip all the way to the end. Carla
This looks very good! Plese enter me.
Abigail in Clarksville VA
I love the title! Sure caught my attention. Thanks Tamara and Lena!
I read this book. It is riveting. Wonderful characters. I highly recommend it!
I was hooked with the first line. I love a good mystery/suspense, and I think I would enjoy this book.
Connie Leonard,
Texas
Thanks for the interview! It was fun to learn more about this new-to-me author.This book looks and sounds so intriguing!
Winnie T from Utah
Hello, everyone! I'm so excited that you joined the "conversation" here. And I hope the winner enjoys "Who Killed Brigitt Holcomb?"! God bless you.
This sounds so intriguing and the cover is fantastic!
Happy Easter!
Connie from KY
cps1950(at)gmail(dot)com
Wow! Sounds like a going one! Thank you! Melanie Backus, TX
Enter me!!
Conway SC.
Sounds great would love to win. Thank you for the giveaway.
Lourdes Long Island, NY
The first page makes me want to read the rest of the book! I enjoyed the interview.
Beth from IA
Sounds like a great book to read.
Congratulations, Connie in Texas! You've won a free copy of my book, "Who Killed Brigitt Holcomb?". The announcement was made on this blog, so look for the instructions and follow them. I hope you enjoy my book!
Tamara G. Cooper
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