CHRISTMAS UNDER THE STARS - Donna Schlachter - One Free Book

Bio: Donna lives in Denver with husband Patrick, her first-line editor and biggest fan. She writes historical suspense under her own name, and contemporary suspense under her alter ego of Leeann Betts. She is a hybrid author who has published a number of books under her pen name and under her own name. She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers and Sisters In Crime, facilitates a local critique group, and teaches writing classes and courses. Donna is also a ghostwriter and editor of fiction and non-fiction and judges in a number of writing contests. She loves history and research and travels extensively for both. Donna is proud to be represented by Terrie Wolf of AKA Literary Management.

Welcome back, Donna. Why do you write the kind of books you do?

I discovered a love for history a few years back when I started doing research for a Pony Express novella I was writing. And I am very justice-oriented, so historic suspense seemed right up my alley.

Besides when you came to know the Lord, what is the happiest day in your life?

I’d have to say that was the day I married my hubby, and my dad was able to be there, which we didn’t know until about a week before.

How has being published changed your life?

I started writing to see if I had at least one book in me. I kept writing because I discovered more than one book. I think being published validates for me that the stories are worthwhile and that maybe somebody else out there needs to hear them, too.

What are you reading right now?

I am currently reading Opal by Lauraine Snelling. It’s the third in her Dakotah Treasures series.

I love that series. What is your current work in progress?

I am currently working on a devotional book, Transformation: a chronological walk through the Bible in a year.

What would be your dream vacation?

Somewhere warm, where I could turn off all alarms.

How do you choose your settings for each book?

It’s usually somewhere I’ve visited. For example, Christmas Under the Stars is set in Echo Canyon, Utah, where I did a bunch of research for my Pony Express story.

If you could spend an evening with one person who is currently alive, who would it be and why?

Jeremy Brett, so I could pick his brain about the character, Sherlock Holmes, who I find intriguing.

What are your hobbies, besides writing and reading?

I also like to knit, to do crafty things, and to travel.

What is your most difficult writing obstacle, and how do you overcome it?

I think slowing down enough to edit because I love to write, to create new stories, and editing is painful for me.

What advice would you give to a beginning author?

Read. Read. Read. And join a critique group.

Tell us about the featured book.

Edie Meredith and Tom Aitken head for California to start their new separate lives while suspicious accidents plague their journey. Is someone trying to keep them from reaching their destination? Or will misunderstanding and circumstances keep them apart?

Please give us the first page of the book.

November 1858

Oregon Trail, Utah Territory

The snow swirled in clouds so low all visibility was obscured, and Edie Meredith didn’t think she could take one more step. Her right hand gripped the tailgate of the Conestoga wagon. She wasn’t sure whether fear kept her latched to the rough wood or if her fingers were frozen in place.

With her free hand, she pulled her head covering tighter around her neck and crossed the thin material over her face, leaving only her eyes peering out at the blanket of white surrounding the wagon train. Muffled noises met her ears, which ached from the unrelenting cold and bitter winds whistling off the mountains surrounding their trail. The crack of whips urged the oxen on, and judging by the creaking of wheels and the shouts of the men, the desire to be somewhere warm and dry wasn’t limited to her.

Humid breath froze almost instantly, creating an icy ridge on the cloth binding her mouth and nose, making breathing difficult. Edie used her free hand to crack the misshapen icicles stuck to her scarf, sending them tumbling to the crusted path.

Cold air snatched the end of her shawl from its place near her throat, and the handspun fabric unwound from around her face and ears. Numbness crept into her cheeks, and Edie recalled the pathetic creature she’d seen begging outside the fort store three days ago: his ears and the tip of his nose blackened from frostbite, huge sores threatening to eat away his face. And the strangest sight of all: he was clad in only his long underwear. When she asked, her brother told her folks sometimes went crazy when they froze to death. Thinking they were too warm, they tossed their clothes aside.

Another blast of cold air blinded her with blowing snow for a moment, and she paused to brush the particles from her eyes so she could see again.

In that instant, the shadow of the wagon passed, leaving her in a world without sight or sound.

Wow!! How can readers find you on the Internet?

www.HiStoryThruTheAges.wordpress.com

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Facebook: www.Facebook.com/DonnaschlachterAuthor

Twitter: www.Twitter.com/DonnaSchlachter

Books: Amazon: http://amzn.to/2ci5Xqq and Smashwords: http://bit.ly/2gZATjm

Thank you, Donna, for sharing this book with me and my blog readers. I know they are as eager to read it as I am.

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