BIO: Author Peggy
Blann Phifer, a retired executive assistant after twenty-one years in the
Electrical Wholesale Industry, lives in the ‘boonies’ of NW Wisconsin. A late
bloomer, Peg didn’t start taking writing seriously until age fifty.
Her debut novel, To
See the Sun, a contemporary romantic suspense, released in January 2012. A
second novel, Somehow, Christmas Will
Come, contemporary women’s fiction with a touch of romance and mystery,
released in November 2014, revised and re-released in late 2015. A new work
titled Whispering Hope, an historical
romantic suspense, set during the years of Prohibition, released in early May,
2018. Her work has also appeared in numerous anthologies over the past five
years.
Peg is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers. When
she’s not writing, Peg enjoys reading, blogging, and sharing her home with her
daughter, son-in-law, and a Border Collie mix dog named Rocky.
Welcome back, Peg. Why
do you write the kind of books you do?
I mostly write what I like to read, which is Romantic
Suspense, something gripping and gritty, without the nasty graphic stuff the
world seems to expect. Although I love reading political thrillers, I’d never
attempt to write one.
Besides when you came
to know the Lord, what is the happiest day in your life?
I have to say the day I met my second husband. After some
tumultuous years gone before, he became my rock, my best friend. He was called
Home six years ago after 26 years of marriage. Too soon. I still miss him more
than I can say.
How has being
published changed your life?
Immeasurably. The marketing and self-promotion is hard. I’ve
never been one to ‘put myself out there’ and I find that the most difficult
part. Getting on blogs like yours really helps, and I’ve been fortunate there.
I need more sales and reviews, of course, so there’s that. But I’m getting
there.
What are you reading
right now?
The Widow’s Plight
by Mary Davis. Great read so far.
What is your current
work in progress?
I am under contract with Forget Me Not Romances for a series
of contemporary novellas called Sweetwater
River – which I classify
as women’s fiction.
What would be your
dream vacation?
Oh, my … that’s a hard one to answer. I think, at the top of
the list, would be to go to Scotland ,
England , and Ireland … back
to my ancestor’s roots, so to speak. Next on the list would be to visit the Holy Land , to walk in the footsteps of Jesus.
How do you choose
your settings for each book?
Mostly places I’m familiar with. My first two books are set
in Las Vegas ,
where I lived for 33 years. My current release, though historical, is set in NW
Wisconsin, where I now live. However, my novella series is a bit of a
departure, being set in North Central Arkansas. Go figure.
If you could spend an
evening with one person who is currently alive, who would it be and why?
Up until a few months ago, I would have said Billy Graham.
But I think right now I’d love to spend an evening with author James Scott
Bell. I love his writing, and his sense of humor. What fun that would be. I
actually met him in person back in 2004 at the Colorado Christian Writers
Conference in Estes Park , Colorado . He’s a delightful person.
Yes, he is, and I
love his books. What are your hobbies, besides writing and reading?
I love handcrafts of all kinds, needlepoint, and crochet,
although arthritic fingers (and poor vision) have made it too difficult for me
these days.
What is your most
difficult writing obstacle, and how do you overcome it?
Procrastination! Self-discipline. My two big bugaboos.
Overcoming it? Practice more BICHOK … Behind in Chair, Hands on Keyboard.
What advice would you
give to a beginning author?
If you’re truly bitten by the writing bug, if you feel “called”
to write, don’t delay. If you’ve got a story to tell, just start writing. You
have permission to write a terrible first rough draft. Just get those words
down.
Tell us about the
featured book.
Back cover blurb: 1930 Chicago
is no place for a Wisconsin country girl.
Virginia Hopewell visits her cousin in Chicago and gets caught up in a deadly
gangster shooting at a speakeasy, barely escaping with her life. After learning of the tragic death of her
father, brother, and sister-in-law, Ginny returns to Wisconsin and convinces her mother to reopen
the resort her father had closed after losing everything in the stock market
crash in 1929.
Ransom Blake, an agent with the Chicago Bureau of Prohibition,
had been at the same speakeasy acting on a tip about the shooting. Rance is
charged with finding the gangster responsible. He and his team are sent to Wisconsin where the man was reported being seen, and to
investigate how illegal liquor from Canada
is making its way to Chicago .
With the opening of Whispering Hope Resort, Rance registers
as a guest and comes face to face with the lovely redhead he’d briefly
encountered at the speakeasy during the shooting.
Please give us the
first page of the book.
Virginia Hopewell’s head pounded as she pressed against the
wall inside the Blue Rooster. The floor vibrated beneath her feet as bodies
bounced in rhythm to the small band’s jazzy rendition of “Button Up Your
Overcoat.”
Good choice. Ginny shivered as a blast of cold air
accompanied another couple entering the already overcrowded Chicago speakeasy. The music and laughter all
but drowned out the voice of the wraith with kohl-lined eyes and red painted
lips behind the microphone.
Ginny closed her eyes as the pressure in her head increased.
Why had she allowed her cousin to talk her into this? The city lifestyle was no
place for a country girl.
But she knew why. One simply didn’t say “no” to Susan
Duquesne. Besides, after a week in Chicago
at Susan’s invitation, it had sounded like fun to spend a night out on the town
before she had to head back to the dismal situation at home. So much had
changed after that horrible October day last year.
She watched the young singer struggling through the last few
bars, barely keeping up with the band. As the song ended, the poor thing cast
fearful eyes at the scowling, burly man behind the bar. A stab of sympathy
gripped Ginny. It had not been a good performance. Would the girl lose her job?
A tipsy young man with Brilliantined hair lurched into
Ginny. She staggered backward as he drunkenly flung his arm over her shoulder. “Hey,
doll, where ya been all my life?” He hiccupped. “Don’cha know I’m a sucker for
redheads?”
Repelled by the slurred words and alcohol-laden breath, she
shoved at him and twisted her body away. Unbalanced, he crashed into the wall
and collapsed in a heap at her feet.
Her hands shook as she glanced around, but no one seemed to
notice—or care—what happened. She stepped around the prone form and tugged the
fluffy boa across the front of her borrowed dress in a futile attempt at
modesty. The ridiculous mass of white feathers accomplished nothing except to
make her sneeze. The low neckline of the shimmering emerald-green dress left
her feeling exposed, naked ... and completely out of place.
Being jostled by dancing, smoking merrymakers, pawed by an
inebriated youth who had no business being here, and abandoned by her cousin,
who was nowhere to be seen, did not define Ginny’s idea of a good time. Even
her blind-date escort, Sam—or was it Stan?—had disappeared. Ooh, cousin, just wait
till I get my hands on you!
Intent on finding Susan, Ginny edged her way through the
crowd. An abrupt silence descended. Music and laughter ceased. Her gaze flew
across the room to the entrance, where a group of men in black suits and
overcoats entered the speakeasy.
A thick blue haze from countless cigars and cigarettes
swirled overhead like an undulating web, disturbed by the inrush of cold air
from the opened door. The men moved further into the barroom, forming a circle
around a short, heavyset man with a stubby cigar clenched between his teeth.
“Is that Capone?” a man murmured behind Ginny.
“Nah, Big Al is still in the pen in Penn-sylvania.” Several
low, nervous chuckles acknowledged the pun.
Not amused, Ginny’s nerves tightened. If it wasn’t Al
Capone, who was it?
I’m eager to read the
rest. How can readers find you on the Internet?
Blog/website: http://whispersinpurple.blogspot.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/pegphifer
Twitter: www.twitter.com/pegphifer
@pegphifer
Pinterest: www.pinterest.com/pegphifer
Goodreads: www.goodreads.com/pbphifer
Email: pbphifer@centurylink.net
Buy links for Whispering Hope -
Paperback: https://amzn.to/2s1OMiI
Kindle eBook: https://amzn.to/2safmqy
Thank you, Peggy, for
sharing this new book with me and my readers. I know most of them will be as
eager as I am to read it.
Readers, leave a comment for a chance to win a free copy of
the book. 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 . (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:
24 comments:
sounds like a interesting book! Shelia from Mississippi
Thanks for having me on your blog, Lena. As a blogger myself, I know and appreciate the time it takes to do it all. God bless ...
Hi, Shelia, thanks for visiting Lena's blog and leaving a comment for me. Good luck in the drawing and be sure to come back next week when Lena announces the winner.
Because my parents lived through that era, I have always wondered about it. I would like to read Whispering Hope.
Would enjoy reading this boob! Vivian Furbay of CO
With a beautiful cover like this one, I would love to read this book. Melanie Backus, TX
Great interview and intriguing beginning to the story!
Whispering Hope sounds like a wonderful book. Thank you for the opportunity to win.PA.Have a good week.
Thank you for the wonderful interview with Peggy Blann Phifer. I do so love learning about the person behind the book. I, too, love romantic suspense. "WHISPERING HOPE" sounds exactly like the type book I enjoy reading. Appreciate the chance to win a copy of this book.
Kay Garrett - Mountain View, AR
2clowns at arkansas dot net
Another new-to-me author? Yes, please. Whispering Hope sounds right up my alley. Would love to win!
Pam in OH
Looks really good!
Abigail in VA
I always love a new to me author. You storyline sounds like something I would really enjoy. Thank you for doing the interview.
perrianne(DOT)askew(AT)me(DOT)com
Perrianne
Oh yes, I’m hailing from Austin, TX.
perrianne(DOT)askew(AT)me[DOT)com
Perrianne
The title of this book was my Grandmother's favorite hymn.
Thank you for giving me the opportunity to win Peggy's book.
Janet E.
von1janet(at)gmail(dot)com
Florida
Well, Hi, Kaye, Vivian, Melanie, Carla, Tina, Pam, Abigail, Anon, and Janet ...
Thank you all so much for visiting me here are Lena's' wonderful blog, and leaving your comments. My best wishes to each of you in the drawing. AND, don't forget to return here in a few days to find out who is the winner.
Great cover! And I love reading books in that time period.
Thanks for the interview and giveaway!
Raechel in MN
godspeculiartreasurerae(at)gmail(dot)com
Thanks, Rachel. It is an interesting and tumultuous time in our history.
Thanks for sharing this first page. Your story sounds intriguing and I love the title and the cover. Those gold gloves are stunning!
Connie from Kentucky
cps1950(at)gmail(dot)com
I went to Amazon and read the sample pages. I am intrigued. I would love to win this book, but if I don't win, I definitely want to buy it because the first few pages hooked me.
Connie Leonard
in Texas
I love romantic suspense! Thank you for the interview!
Natalya Lakhno from CA
Whispering Hope sounds fascinating!
Caryl K in TEXAS
Enter me in your awesome giveaway!!
Conway SC.
This sounds like a great book, Peg. Thank you for the opportunity to win a copy!
Patti
patti(dot)shene(at)gmail(dot)com
The time period in Chicago had to be an exciting one and I'd love to see how this girl deals with it! Thanks!
Beth from Iowa
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