Bio:
Janalyn Voigt’s lifelong love of storytelling began in childhood when she
dreamed up her own bedtime stories. She grew into a precocious reader, a
pastime she credits with teaching her to write. Janalyn trained formally with
Christian Writers Guild. Today she is a multi-genre author and literary judge.
Janalyn is represented by Wordserve Literary.
Welcome back, Janalyn. Why do you write the
kind of books you do?
I had to smile at this line from a Romantic Times review of Hills of Nevermore: “Voigt is a
talented author who has weaved several genres into her novel, and has created a
beautiful first story in her Montana Gold series.” The reviewer seemed to think
I crossed genres on purpose. My novels always contain adventure, romance,
history, and whimsy. This combination is my particular brand. I’ve been a
storyteller ever since I put myself to sleep at night with bedtime tales of my
own. For me, the writing process is always the same. Inspiration comes to roost
in my mind. It develops into a fledgling story. I fuss over it, then send it off
on a wing and a prayer.
Besides when you came
to know the Lord, what is the happiest day in your life?
It’s hard to choose between marrying my husband and giving
birth to three children. Those all qualify as happiest days, although each of
them contained stress. At my wedding, we’d misplaced the license and had to
hunt it down at the last minute. Giving birth goes down as one of the hardest
things I’ve ever done. Each time, however, the joy of the occasion canceled out
the pain. Maybe having to work at happiness is the key to appreciating it.
How has being
published changed your life?
It helped me confess to others that I’m a writer. I kept
that information close before then, and I’m still guarded about mentioning it.
I go away from home more now. I take trips for research, promotion, retreats,
workshops, and conferences. It’s a good thing that I and my family love travel.
What are you reading
right now?
I’m facing stiff deadlines, so I’m not reading beyond the
news. Once life settles down again, the next book in my to-be-read pile is Not a Sparrow Falls, a historical
romance by Lynnette Bonner.
What is your current
work in progress?
I’m writing Cheyenne
Sunrise, the second book in the Montana Gold series. It’s about a wounded young
Irish woman headed with her brother to his ranch in Montana Territory .
Against her better judgment, Bry Brennan finds herself drawn to Nick Laramie,
the half-Cheyenne guide for their wagon train. Nick is an outcast wherever he
goes. He doesn’t fit in with his mother’s people or the settlers. While he’s
attracted to Bry, he won’t wish his isolated lifestyle on a woman. To their
mutual dismay, circumstances throw them together and force them to face their
beliefs about themselves and God.
What would be your
dream vacation?
I want to go to Scotland ,
land of my ancestors on the Campbell
side. I’ve heard that the highlands are breathtaking, and I’m curious about the
Isle of Skye, which was inhabited by the Campbells .
I wonder if I’d feel a sense of homecoming.
How do you choose
your settings for each book?
Really, it’s whether a story tied to a particular place
beckons to me. That’s what happened with Hills of Nevermore. My family drove
through Virginia City , Montana , on vacation, and I picked up a tourist
brochure that laid out a tale of road agents, stagecoach robberies, gold, and
vigilante violence. I just had to write about it all.
If you could spend an
evening with one person who is currently alive, who would it be and why?
I’d love to get together with Miralee Ferrell and discuss books,
authors, and the publishing industry. She is one of my mentors, my publisher
for the Montana Gold series, and an award-winning western historical romance
author in her own right.
What are your
hobbies, besides writing and reading?
I’ve already mentioned my love of gardening. I also sing,
walk, and hike. I’m planning to get into bicycle touring.
What is your most
difficult writing obstacle, and how do you overcome it?
Overbooking myself is my biggest problem. I insist on
turning out novels written to a high standard, so I have to put in the time to
make that happen, even when the schedule is tight. That can mean staying up
past midnight or letting the housework go for a while. But boy do weeds in the
garden bug me.
What advice would you
give to a beginning author?
Allow yourself to be exactly where you are as an author. Too
often, we writers are so eager to move on down the road we miss experiencing the
journey.
And it’s all about
the process or journey. Tell us about the featured book.
Hills of Nevermore is the story of a young widow hiding a secret
shame and the Irish circuit preacher who wants to help her survive in a rough
gold camp. Here’s the full description:
In an Idaho
Territory boom town,
America Liberty Reed overhears circuit preacher Shane Hayes try to persuade a
hotel owner to close his saloon on Sunday. Shane lands face-down in the mud for
his trouble, and there’s talk of shooting him. America intervenes and finds
herself in an unexpectedly personal conversation with the blue-eyed preacher.
Certain she has angered God in the past, she shies away from Shane.
Addie Martin, another widow, invites America to help in her cook tent in Virginia City , the new mining town. Even with Addie’s
teenage son helping with America ’s
baby, life is hard. Shane urges America
to depart for a more civilized location. Neither Shane’s persuasions nor road
agents, murder, sickness, or vigilante violence can sway America .
Loyalty and ambition hold her fast until dire circumstances force her to
confront everything she believes about herself, Shane, and God.
Based on actual historical events during a time of unrest in
America ,
Hills
of Nevermore explores faith, love, and courage in the Wild West.
Please give us the
first page of the book.
“I can’t have lost it!” Tears blurred the trail beneath America ’s feet.
She’d been a fool to wear the locket Kyle had given her. She should have kept
it stashed away. When she’d felt her necklace’s chain break, she’d stopped
walking at once. Why couldn’t she find it? If she didn’t come across the locket
soon, she’d have to leave it behind. Catching up to the wagon train would take
some doing even now, and every passing moment carried her baby, only three
months old, farther away.
A meadowlark trilled, the song a sharp accent against the
deeper thud of hooves.
A shiver ran down her spine. She jerked her gaze upward.
A spotted pony pranced on the path. The rider on the horse’s
back watched her from dark eyes. Beneath the quillwork adorning the brave’s
chest, his skin gleamed the color of robust tea. A black stripe of paint
slashed across the bridge of his nose. Two tight braids fell to the sash that
bound fringed leggings at the waist. Strips of cloth crisscrossed a wide
forehead, and feathers fanned sideways behind his head.
A group of Indians on ponies clustered beside him. One of
them called out, laughing.
The brave held up his hand for silence.
Wisps of hair escaped America ’s bonnet, stinging her
eyes. She clawed them away with a trembling hand. One thought crashed into
another, beating to the rhythm of her wild pulse. Could she outrun them? No. What
would they do to her once they caught her? Horrible.
I love the opening
and want to read more. How can readers find you on the Internet?
Visit me at http://janalynvoigt.com.
Stop by to enter the giveaway drawing for an antique locket
similar to the one America
loses in the scene, above. For a limited time, purchasers of Hills
of Nevermore will receive a free copy of Hearts Reunited, a western historical romance novella by the
aforementioned awesome author, Miralee Ferrell.
I’m giving away three Kindle copies of DawnSinger (Tales of Faeraven, book one) to readers of Lena ’s blog. Comment with your email address to enter,
telling where you would most like to go on a historical vacation.
Sometimes victory comes only through surrender.
The High Queen is dying… At the royal summons, Shae mounts a
wingabeast and soars through the air to the high hold of Faeraven, where all is
not as it seems. Visions warn her of danger, and a dark soul touches hers in
the night. When she encounters an attractive but disturbing musician, her
wayward heart awakens.
But then there is Kai, a guardian of Faeraven and of Shae.
Secrets bind him to her, and her safety lies at the center of every decision he
makes. On a desperate journey fraught with peril and the unknown, they battle
warlike garns, waevens, ferocious raptors, and the wraiths of their own
regrets. Yet, they must endure the campaign long enough to release the
DawnKing—and the salvation he offers—into a divided land. To prevail, each must
learn that sometimes victory comes only through surrender.
Thank you, Janalyn,
for sharing this new series with us. I’m eager to read Hills of Nevermore, and I know my readers will be glad to win a
copy of Dawnsinger.
Readers,
here are links to the book. By using one when you order, you help support this
blog.
Hills of Nevermore: An Inspirational Historical Romance (Montana Gold) (Volume 1) - PaperbackHills of Nevermore: Inspirational Historical Romance (Montana Gold Book 1) - Kindle
DawnSinger (Tales of Faeraven) - Paperback
DawnSinger (Tales of Faeraven) - Kindle
Leave a comment for a chance to win a free copy of the ebook Dawnsinger.
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 . And answer the author's question above. (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:
15 comments:
Thanks for featuring Hills of Nevermore, Lena, and for the chance to say hello to your readers.
Loved reading this, and I'd love to read your books Janalyn. As to where I'd go for a historical vacation, I am so jealous that my mum and dad got to visit Rome several times. I'd love to go there - love it even more if I could visit in the time of Peter and Paul.
I'm in Fort Worth, Texas. Born in San Antonio, Texas, I grew up overseas till halfway through ninth grade (AF brat), when we returned to SA for my dad's retirement. I've been a Texan ever since.
I have traveled a lot both across the deep blue and stateside, so my historical vacation preferenceS (places I've never been, naturally) are Washington, DC, and Israel. :)
P.S. If I don't win one of the copies, you can bet I'll still purchase one!
Sheila, it's good to say hello again. How have you been? Rome sounds lovely. If only we could figure out that time travel thing.
Beverly, both Washington DC and Israel are interesting from a historical perspective. Thanks for your interest in my books.
Thanx for the giveaway! My historical vacation would be Germany and Poland for genealogy research!!!!
By the way, I am a Michigander leaving in West Texas! !!!
Since I have lived in Montana, the Hills of Nevermore sounds like it would be a very interesting book.
Live in nebraska where there are no hills. North Platte nebraska.
Jennifer, I hear you on wanting to travel for genealogical research. I'd go to Scotland and Bohemia, among other places. West Texas must be quite a change from Michigan.
Vivian, I envy your having lived in Montana. I'd love to do that, but we have family ties elsewhere. Thanks for commenting.
Hi, Kim. Nebraska is an awesome state too.
Hill's of Nevermore sounds like a great book! Thanks for sharing.
Blessings!
Connie from KY
cps1950(at)gmail(dot)com
Hi, Connie. Thanks for your enthusiasm for Hills of Nevermore.
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