GROUNDED HEARTS - Jeanne M Dickson - One Free Book

Welcome, Jeanne. Tell us how much of yourself you write into your characters.  

I’m in all my characters. I go deep inside my soul to that place of sorrow or longing or fear or whatever is needed, and I find my character’s humanity.                                

What is the quirkiest thing you have ever done?

I collected an assortment of Barbie and Ken dolls that I dress and place on my desk for every novel I write. It’s like having central casting right here in my office.

Sounds like fun to me. When did you first discover you were a writer?

Sixth grade. I was so mad at my older brothers that I decided I was going to kill them off in a murder mystery novel. Unfortunately, it only took one page. But it was satisfying.

Tell us the range of the kinds of books you enjoy reading.

I love clean romances, but I also enjoy a fast moving thriller. And I’ve never met a book on writing that I didn’t like. Or buy.

How do you keep your sanity in our run, run, run world?

Humor for sure. And yoga classes. I also have a great husband who patiently listens to my rants, then calms me down and sets me straight.

How do you choose your characters’ names?

First names usually just come to me. For last names, I find them on my framed map of Ireland that has hundreds of clan names.

What is the accomplishment that you are most proud of?

My two beautiful daughters.

I have only two beautiful daughters, too. If you were an animal, which one would you be, and why?

I’d be a big, lazy, over-loved house cat with a jeweled collar because I’d be admired and treasured. And I’d let my humans pet me. Sometimes.

What is your favorite food?

Greek olives.

What is the problem with writing that was your greatest roadblock, and how did you overcome it?

The craft of writing in general. I attended many workshops, read many craft books, and practice, practice, practice.

Tell us about the featured book.

Grounded Hearts is set in Ireland. In the midst of World War II, Ireland has declared herself neutral. Troops found on Irish soil must be reported and interned, no matter which side they are fighting for. When midwife Nan O’Neil finds a wounded young Canadian pilot at her door, she knows she’s taking a huge risk by letting him in. Not only is she a widow living alone, but if caught harboring a combatant, she’ll face imprisonment.

Still, something compels Nan to take in “flyboy” Dutch Whitney, an RAF pilot whose bomber has just crashed over County Clare. While she tends to his wounds and gives him a secret place of refuge, the two begin to form a mutual affection—and an unbreakable bond.

But Nan has another secret, one that has racked her with guilt since her husband’s death and made her question ever loving again. As Nan and Dutch plan his escape, can he help restore her faith?

Please give us the first page of the book.

10 February 1941

Ballyhaven, County Clare, Ireland

Dutch Whitney hit the bog hard, tumbling forward to smack facedown into the muck. The taste of dirt and the searing pain in his knee and arm signaled that the Canadian RAF pilot was alive. He’d survived the jump from the bomber. He looked side to side at the moonlit marsh for any sign of his crew.

He saw nothing.

His parachute floated down around him, the thin material in the moonlight. He unlatched the chute and batted the silk away, but it fell on top of him like a giant spiderweb.

Don’t panic, he told himself. Otherwise, he’d end up drowning in the bog like those RAF pilots in France.

Wind howled across the marsh, billowing the parachute. There. An opening in the material. Crawling on his elbows with his belly dragging through the mire, he managed to free himself. Icy mud and water sank into his boots, through his pants, and down inside his flight jacket. His old football injury, sustained in his days at McGill University, sent stabbing throbs through his knee. The shrapnel cut on his left arm burned with every movement, but he had to get out of the bog, find his crew, and then figure out where exactly in Ireland he’d landed.

How can readers find you on the Internet?

website - http://www.jeannemdickson.com/

FB - https://www.facebook.com/Jeanne-M-Dickson-660226910801814/

Twitter - https://twitter.com/jmdickson1

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/jeannedickson/

Readers, here are links to the book. By using one when you order, you help support this blog.

Grounded Hearts - Christianbook.com
Grounded Hearts - Amazon paperback
Grounded Hearts - Kindle
Grounded Hearts - Audio book

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