Tuesday, September 04, 2018

GATEWAY TO THE WEST - Susette Williams - One Free Book


Welcome, Susette. Tell us how much of yourself you write into your characters.
I find that after I’m writing a story, it may often be something I’m dealing with in our family. As for what characters may have a touch of me…my humor. I love to crack corny jokes and get people to laugh, even if it is at me.

What is the quirkiest thing you have ever done?
I’m not sure I should admit to this… Putting random items in other people’s shopping carts without them knowing it.

When did you first discover that you were a writer?
In 7th grade I had a friend who wrote poetry and I started writing poetry. Then in the next year, I had read around fifty romances and felt like I could write one, but never tried until I was married and had children.

Tell us the range of the kinds of books you enjoy reading.
Romance, cozy mysteries, and perhaps suspense are the only types of books I tend to read, and in that order. I do write other genres and I love a variety of types of movies—probably action adventure the most when it comes to movies.

How do you keep your sanity in our run, run, run world?
My children are grown so thankfully the “run, run, run” in my world tends to be writing related.

How do you choose your characters’ names?
Sometimes I ask friends if they want to be immortalized. Other times I ask readers to help come up with names. I’ve even looked through phone books for names or used a name generator site online to help find a name.

What is the accomplishment that you are most proud of?
For me, I’m happy just knowing readers enjoy my stories. I love to make people smile, laugh, or think.

If you were an animal, which one would you be, and why?
I’m allergic to animals so that’s a tough question. I’ve honestly never thought about what type of animal I like better than another or what I’d want to be. My favorite type of cat is the Siamese cat.

What is your favorite food?
Fried zucchini and a lot of desserts, but nothing cherry.

And I absolutely love cherries, especially chocolate-covered cherries. What is the problem with writing that was your greatest roadblock, and how did you overcome it?
Learning to write with the distraction of six kids when they were younger was a challenge. I often feel guilty to write when there is housework that needs done.

I am truly blessed. My husband does most of the housework. Tell us about the featured book.
Gateway to the West was actually one of those ideas that I didn’t plan on it being something around me, but as I wrote it, I thought about an older couple I knew who both lost their spouses. The two couples used to go places together, even on vacation, and after they both lost their spouse within six months of each other, they eventually ended up dating and marrying.

Please give us the first page of the book.
Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ. Galatians 6:2

Independence, Missouri — June 1, 1840
Haley Hunter’s jutted jaw and cute upturned nose exuded a sense of confidence and determination. Yet the pleading looks in her eyes hinted at an underlying vulnerability. She planted her fists firmly on her hips, her reticule dangling from the drawstrings clasped within her grip. “Well, do you or don’t you need a cook?”

“I do.” Malcom Wheeler recalled saying those words a long time ago, and he hadn’t been there, not when she needed him. It was a mistake he would never make again.

“Then it’s set.” Haley smiled.

“Wait, no.” Malcom shook his head vehemently. “You can’t do that. I wasn’t finished speaking.”

“Well, it appears you are now.” She picked up a green floral valise, clasping it firmly in her hands. “Show me the way.”

Malcom gritted his teeth. The cook he originally hired for the job had backed out. He wanted to find another man for the job. Heck, he was willing to do it himself if he had the time and forethought to planning meals. His job was to lead the wagon train and get everyone to their destination in one piece, with their scalps intact.

“It ain’t safe for a woman.” His jaw clenched. He could be as stubborn and unmoving as she was—even more.

Her eyebrow arched. “Then why are you taking women with you on the wagon train?”

“Because they’re married.” And from what he could tell, she wasn’t. She’d be a distraction to several of the other single men, and he needed everyone to have their wits about them.

“I am… I was…” Her mouth clamped shut, giving him a moment of peace and satisfaction. It only seemed to fuel her determination. “So, if something happens to one of the men during the trip, you just toss their wife by the wayside?” Haley asked. “Perhaps leave them for the Indians?”

“No.” Haley infuriated him more than fur flying in a cat fight. “It’s my job to protect the members of my wagon train, and I take my job very seriously.”

“Perhaps you think it best if I tried to make it on my own, without the protection of a larger group?” Her attempt at pious indignation wrenched his gut.

“Why is it so important to you that you insist on going?”



How can readers find you on the Internet?
Website       
Newsletter
Facebook  
Twitter                    
GoodReads 
Author Pages: (please follow)
Email         

Thank you, Susette, for sharing your new book with my blog readers and me. I’m eager to read it.

Readers, here is a link to the book.
GATEWAY TO THE WEST (Thanksgiving Books & Blessings Collection One Book 2)

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:

27 comments:

SARAH TAYLOR said...

WOULD LOVE TO WIN THIS BOOK THANK YOU FOR THE CHANCE I LIVE IN WATERLOO, OHIO SARAHTAYLOR601973(at)YAHOO(dot)com

Connie Porter Saunders said...

Thank you for sharing. This sounds like a lovely book!
Blessings!
Connie from Kentucky
cps1950(at)gmail(dot)com

Debbie L said...

I love your interviews. This is a new to me author and I loved getting to know her through this interview. I'll have to check out her books.
Debbie from Georgia, USA

Susette said...

Hello Sarah, Connie, and Debbie,

If you PM me on Facebook, I'd be happy to gift each of you a copy of one of my new audio books that released last month.

Thank you for reading and commenting on my interview. :)

Blessings,

Susette

Brenda said...

Oh I’m already interested from the first page! I am from Northeast MS. Oh and it’s still in the upper 90s here in the daytime. So hot!

Unknown said...

This looks like a good one. I live in Bay Saint Louis, MS. We’re bracing for Gordon.
andee1943(at)gmail)dot)com

Melanie Backus said...

Sounds like a winner! Melanie Backus, TX

Nethanja said...

Hi, I’m from Nijmegen, the Netherlands

Robin in NC said...

I love stories set in the Old West pioneer days! Thanks for sharing! Robin in NC

Wendy Newcomb said...

Would love to win a copy of this book, thank you for the chance.

Wendy in Nebraska

wfnren at aol dot com

Anonymous said...

It sounds like the main character is a bit sassy. Thank you for the interview and excerpt. I’m from Texas where it’s finally cooled down with some blessed rain!
perrianne (DOT) askew (AT) me (DOT) Com
Perrianne Askew

Kay Garrett said...

Thank you for introducing me to a new to me author. Enjoyed reading the interview with Susette Williams and getting to know more about her. Loved reading the excerpt from "GATEWAY TO THE WEST" and it definitely sounds like a book that I'd love the opportunity to read. It would be very interesting to read a book about a town that I know but in a different era. Appreciate the chance to win a copy of the book.
Kay Garrett from Mountain View, AR
2clowns at arkansas dot net

Susanne said...

These sound like great stories!
Indiana
smincer10 (at) gmail (dot) com

Vivian Furbay said...

More historical fiction! Vivian Furbay of CO

Abigail Mitchell said...

Looks great ! Love the cover!
Abigail in VA

Unknown said...

This story sounds very entertaining!V What a fabulous first page to get us hooked.
Jackie in IL

Dianna said...

I've always wanted to be able to arch an eyebrow. It seems like all the best book characters can do it!
Dianna (TN)

Trixi said...

What a fun sounding story! These all look good :-) Thank you for the chance to win a copy.

Trixi in OR

Elly said...

Oooh! Just reading the excerpt makes me wanna read more! Can't wait!
Elly -Indiana-

rubynreba said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
rubynreba said...

I enjoyed the interview and first page.
Beth from Iowa

Tina said...

"GATEWAY TO THE WEST by Susette Williams sounds wonderful.Have a good week. Thank you for the opportunity to win.PA.

Brenda said...

I live in Northeast MS. Thanks for the giveaway

SavingsInSeconds said...

I like that Haley sounds spunky.
Dianna (TN)

Pam said...

I love it when the first page grabs me and sucks me in. This one did that. Would love to read the rest!
Pam in OH

Sharon Bryant said...

Enter me in your awesome giveaway!!
Conway SC.

Lourdes said...

Please enter me would love to win.