Tuesday, October 16, 2018

REMEMBER TEXAS - Laura Conner Kestner - One Free Book


Welcome, Laura. Tell us how much of yourself you write into your characters.
Not much. I want my characters to be more interesting than I am.

What is the quirkiest thing you have ever done?
I drove down the highway with a life-size cowboy mannequin (complete with Stetson and boots) strapped into the passenger seat beside me. I bought him from a resale shop after the store owner rescued him from a museum that was closing. I named him Chuck. He sits in my office now and watches me write.

How fun. When did you first discover that you were a writer?
Around the time I read my first Nancy Drew book. Also, my family subscribed to the Fort Worth Star-Telegram and I read it every day. I began creating my own newspapers (with the help of my siblings) which included advice columns, weather reports, comics, and even sports. Years later, I would go on to write for several (small town) newspapers. Writing has just always been a part of my life.

Tell us the range of the kinds of books you enjoy reading.
I love suspense, cozy mysteries, historicals, contemporary romance…well, you get the picture. I just love to read.

So do I. How do you keep your sanity in our run, run, run world?
Prayer, regular church attendance, and spending time with my family.
           
That’s three of my favorite things, too. How do you choose your characters’ names?
For contemporary, I use whatever catches my eye—could be from a news story or even a Facebook post. For historicals, I’ve used names from my ancestors, as well as old news articles and historical documents.
 
What is the accomplishment that you are most proud of?
Right now, I’m still a bit over the moon about seeing Remember Texas in print.

If you were an animal, which one would you be, and why?
A rubber chicken. Because I like to laugh.

That’s a good one. What is your favorite food?
It’s a toss-up between enchiladas and pizza.

What is the problem with writing that was your greatest roadblock, and how did you overcome it?
My short attention span—and I haven’t really overcome it yet. Sometimes I write for twenty minutes, then do some research, then write again, then wash dishes, and then back to writing.

Sounds like a good plan to me. Tell us about the featured book.
Abigail Horton’s life is turned upside down during the last night of a week-long revival when her father—believed dead—shows up in the custody of a Texas Ranger. Abby is thrilled to see him, and equally devastated to learn he’s been living the life of an outlaw. Texas Ranger Caleb Calhoun stops in Moccasin Rock to let his prisoner, Bob Horton, visit briefly with family before transporting him to Austin for trial. Caleb takes a room at the family’s boarding house, planning to be in and out of the small town by morning. But within hours he’s kissed Abby Horton, made an enemy of her naïve suitor, and let his prisoner escape. 

As Caleb searches for the missing outlaw, and Abby struggles to keep the man’s whereabouts a secret, they also battle a growing attraction to each other.

Throw in a Calhoun family mystery, an elderly preacher on a mission, an old flame of Caleb’s, a secretive spinster, a team of surveyors, and Abby’s mother and brother—and you have a compelling story of faith, family and forgiveness.

I can hardly wait to read it. Please give us the first page of the book.
Moccasin Rock, Texas
July 1891
Abigail Horton sighed as her younger brother Robby eased the sleeve of his best shirt up over his wrist and deliberately scratched at a scabbed-over chigger bite until it bled.

“That’s not going to help you at all,” she whispered.

He glanced at her, shrugged, then let his arm drop and waited for the blood to run down onto his hand.

Abby understood her brother’s frustration. She wasn’t desperate enough to start clawing at her own skin yet, but she was more than ready to go home. They’d been sitting in this tabernacle for almost two hours now, and Reverend Wainright was still going strong.

 Robby gave her a smug little grin when the trickle of blood finally touched his fingers. He replaced the grin with a frown, then reached around Abby and tugged their mother’s arm.

Mama, who’d started the evening freshly starched, was now wilting in the heat and not in the best of humor. She glanced his way, narrowed her eyes, and returned her attention to the pulpit.
  
Abby bit back a smile, then withdrew a linen handkerchief from the pocket of her calico dress and passed it to her brother. His shoulders sagged and his lower lip thrust out in a pout as he made a half-hearted swipe at his hand. Even though Abby was twenty-two and Robby only eleven, he resented her attempts at mothering. But Mama had more than enough to deal with. Abby tried to help as much as she could, whether her brother liked it or not.

Robby offered her the hanky when done. Abby waved it away. He shoved it into his own pocket and laid his head back against the pew with a sigh loud enough to earn him a sharp look of rebuke from Mama. No one else in the congregation seemed to notice. All eyes were on Hamilton Wainright, the legendary traveling evangelist.
 
How can readers find you on the Internet?
On my website: lauraconnerkestner.com   
On Twitter: @LauraConnerKest

Thank you, Laura, for sharing your book with my blog readers and me. I love historicals set in that time period, and I love books set in Texas.

Readers, here are links to the book.
Remember Texas - Paperback
Remember Texas - Kindle

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:

21 comments:

glenda said...

I live in Brent Alabama

Sonnetta Jones said...

New Jersey

Unknown said...

Decatur, Alabama

Lori Smanski said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Kay Garrett said...

Thank you for the interview with Laura Connor Kestner which gives me an inside look at both author and her book "REMEMBER TEXAS".

After reading about the book and the first page, I know that I would very much enjoy the opportunity to read this fascinating sounding book.

Appreciate the chance to win a copy!
Kay Garrett from Mountain View, AR
2clowns at arkansas dot net

Wendy Newcomb said...

Ohhh, thank you for the chance to win a copy of this book and what a great cover!

Wendy in South Sioux City, NE

wfnren at aol dot com

Melanie Backus said...

What a book! This Texas gal would sure love to read it! Melanie Backus, TX

Laura Conner Kestner said...

Thank you for the kind, encouraging comments, everyone. And a huge thank you to Lena for giving me the opportunity to share the word about my book. Such a generous spirit, and I truly appreciate it.

Caryl Kane said...

Hello Lena and Laura! Laura, it was a pleasure meeting you and learning about your books.

Caryl K in TEXAS

Library Lady said...

Laura,
We are kindred souls.
If there are words on a page, I will read it.
If there are words on a box of cereal, I will read it.
If there are words in a dictionary, I will read it.
If there are words in a set of encyclopedia's, I will read it.
As you said,
"I love to read". If I'm not reading, I'm either very sick or talking with Jesus.
Janet E.
von1janet(at)gmail(dot)com
Florida

Terrill R. said...

The cover is a stand-out and sounds even better. Congrats on it's release and best wishes for it's success.

Terrill - WA

Elma brooks said...

Thank you for this giveaway and interview.I live in Sanford NC. Would love to win a copy it sounds amazing.

Vivian Furbay said...

I wonder what happens to her father and other relationships. Vivian Furbay of CO

Laura Conner Kestner said...

Thank you to everyone who stopped by - I enjoyed reading the comments. Such encouragement. Library Lady, I've definitely been known to read the things you mentioned, including cereal boxes :-) Thank you, Lena, for this opportunity!

Lori Smanski said...

Illinois
Oh my this sounds like a fantastic book.
I love that she drove down the hwy with a cowboy mannequin. He had the ride of his life. LOL
I really like how she chooses her historical names.
LOL LOL a rubber chicken, I never thought of this one before, makes so much sense.
I have enjoyed the post today. Thanks

L Palmer said...

I hope I win because I’d love to read the book. I’m from Kansas.

Connie Porter Saunders said...

Remember Texas sounds like a good read! Thanks for sharing.
Blessings!
Connie from KY
cps1950(at)gmail(dot)com

Paula Shreckhise said...

That cover is the best! Thanks for the interview. Paula from Missouri.

Sharon Bryant said...

Enter me in your awesome giveaway!!
Conway SC.

Shelia64 said...

sounds like a great book! Shelia from Mississippi

Pam said...

Love those "Give us the first page" blurbs! I'm too easily sucked into a story, and this one sounds like a really good one. Would love to win a copy!

Pam in OH