REDEEMING LIGHT - Annette O'Hare - One Free Ebook

Welcome back, Annette. I love your new headshot. Why do you write the kind of books you do?

I’ve always considered myself sort of a history nerd, so it’s only natural I would lean toward writing historical fiction. In my books, I focus on a particular historical event and how it might have affected my fictional characters living in that area.

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

Since the Lord saved my soul, I’ve had several “happiest” days. One that stands out in my mind being the day my husband Dan asked me to marry him over thirty-five years ago. I said yes, of course.

How has being published changed your life?

That’s a funny question, because yes, I’ve reached a major life goal of mine, and for me, it’s a feeling of great accomplishment. My husband enjoys introducing me as the published author. On the other hand, I still have to cook, do the dishes, and wash dirty underwear!

I often tell someone who is in great awe of meeting a published author that I’m just a woman who cooks the meals and things like that, who just happens to write books, too. What are you reading right now?

I have just finished reading, A Highland Pearl by author friend, Brenda B. Taylor. The next book in my queue is, The Other Side of Freedom, a young adult historical by another author friend, Cynthia T. Toney.

What is your current work in progress?

I am currently working on two novellas. The first is a historical romance that takes place in 1902 Texas. The second is an 1870 Christmas novella that follows my first novel, Northern Light.

What would be your dream vacation?

My dream vacation would be to the upper east coast of the United States. I’ve always wanted to visit Philadelphia where our country was founded. I also want to go to the islands off the Massachusetts coastline like Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard where Jaws was filmed!

How do you choose your settings for each book?

Instead of choosing a setting for my books I choose a historical event and the place where that event took place. My first novel was based on the Civil War and its effects on the small town of Bolivar Point, Texas. My current novel takes place at the same location, but during the Great Storm of 1900, the deadliest natural disaster to ever hit the United States.

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

Call me boring, but the person I would choose would be my husband, Dan O’Hare. Why, because he’s my best friend and the most interesting man I know and with Dan, we don’t even have to speak to communicate with each other.

I so understand that. What are your hobbies, besides writing and reading?

My current hobbies include raising three dogs, Max 12, Jay 4, and Tris 3. I am also trying my hand at raising a Russian Tortoise, Frankie, named after the children’s book character, Franklin the Tortoise. My husband and I built an outdoor enclosure for Frankie to spend the summer in. Did you know tortoises can live more than 80 years? Next to Frankie’s enclosure is another one of my current hobbies, fairy gardening.

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

I occasionally have writer’s block, but I’ve found that taking a break and coming back to it usually cures the problem. Another obstacle is researching the historical novel. Why, because I LOVE history and I’m easily drawn away from my writing whenever I come across an interesting bit of historical information. How do I overcome it? I’ll let you know when I find out.

What advice would you give to a beginning author?

You have a story in your head you need to get out. Great…do that. But before you begin writing take steps to educate yourself in the art of writing. Read, read, read in the genre you plan to write. Read books on the writing craft so when you do write that book, your readers will believe you know what you’re doing.

Tell us about the featured book.

Redeeming Light ~ 1900

Sarah Jane McKinney takes over her father’s cattle ranch on the Texas Coast after his death. After a harrowing cattle drive, she sells off the herd saving only the breed stock. Amid this turmoil Sarah finds herself distracted by her uncle’s young law apprentice, Frederick Chessher. To court Sarah, Frederick must end his relationship with a girl in a neighboring town. He leaves Sarah not knowing that a great storm is brewing in the Gulf of Mexico. While Sarah and her family seek refuge in the Bolivar Point Lighthouse, Frederick rushes back to her. Will he make it to Sarah in time, or will the Great Storm of 1900 claim him like thousands of others?

Please give us the first page of the book.

Bolivar Peninsula, Late Summer 1900

Sarah Jane McKinney had dreaded the coming night for some time now. The very thought of having to deal with that crotchety old man had her stomach performing somersaults. On more than one occasion she’d heard Daddy refer to him as a shyster. And if he was brazen enough to try pulling something over on Daddy, then taking advantage of a house full of women should be easy as drawing ants to a picnic.

           

“Come on, Ginger.”

She clicked her tongue and tugged the reigns. The auburn mare flipped her head in the direction Sarah indicated. The horse’s russet-colored mane swished past long dark lashes. Ginger had the glamorous eyes of a pin-up girl on a Coca-Cola calendar. She nickered and snorted her annoyance at the restless dog running between her legs.

           

“Come on, Rex. Mama’s gonna be angry if Maisy May gets out of her pen and eats up her vegetables, again.” The keen-eyed dog snapped to attention at the sound of his name. Sarah gestured toward the gate. “Get the rope.” Eager to please his master, Rex grasped the tattered cords in his mouth and pulled. The wooden gate swung toward the scruffy dog and latched shut. “Good boy, Rex.” The milk cow mooed her protest at being shut inside the barn. Sarah knew firsthand that Maisy preferred the taste of Mama’s homegrown produce to her store-bought feed. “Sorry, girl, but I’m not drinking any more onion flavored milk.”

How can readers find you on the Internet?

www.annetteohare.com Annette O’Hare-Author Website

www.facebook.com/annetteohareauthor       Facebook Author Page

https://amzn.to/2Hk3lVf Annette O’Hare-Amazon Author Page

www.twitter.com/AnnetteOHare       Twitter Page

http://eepurl.com/bEvp61 Annette O’Hare-Author Newsletter Sign Up

Thank you, Annette, for sharing your new book with us. I’m eager to read it, and many of my readers love historical romantic novels.

Readers, here are links to the book.

Redeeming Light - Paperback
Redeeming Light - Kindle

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