WHO KILLED BRIGITT HOLCOMB? - Tamara G Cooper - One Free Book

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

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