ANNA'S TOWER (The Great Lakes Lighthouse Brides Collection) - Pegg Thomas - One Free Book

Dear Readers, this book released yesterday. I’m one of the authors, and I want to introduce you to each of the other authors. Today is Pegg’s day. We’re getting some really good reviews about the book.

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

I love history! Weaving some real history into my stories is what makes them fun for me to write.

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

The day our son was born. We’d had a couple of miscarriages and then a scare at the very end that resulted in an emergency C-section. Holding him in my arms that first day was pretty special.

I’m sure it was. When each of my babies was born was a special, special day. How has being published changed your life?

In most ways, it hasn’t. But I have had to give up doing some things that I used to enjoy because writing, researching, and promoting takes time.

That is so true. What are you reading right now?

I’m reading The Blessed an Ann Gabhart novel about the Shakers. Ann’s books are always good. I’ve read a couple of Ann’s other Shaker novels and have enjoyed them, but I’d missed this one. She does a great job of showing this obscure religious sect without making them look ridiculous.

I’ll have to check out her books. What is your current work in progress?

Today I did my character sketches and started plotting a western. This will be my first foray into the western genre—think Louis L’Amour—and I’m looking forward to it.

Welcome to the genre. I love writing westerns, among other things. What would be your dream vacation?

Camping along Lake Superior with just my husband and my dog.

How do you choose your settings for each book?

Since my stories start with a historical event, that chooses the setting for me.

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

My husband. Seriously. I love being home with him.

I understand that. James has been retired for over 10 years. I love spending time with him. What are your hobbies, besides writing and reading?

I’m a fiber artist. I raise sheep, shear them, process the wool, spin, and then knit with it. My current passion is knitting one-of-a-kind shawls like Beacon on the Bay which I’m giving away to one of my newsletter subscribers on Nov. 30th. To be entered in the drawing, just subscribe to my newsletter.

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

Procrastination. The only way to overcome it is to sit down and go to work.

What advice would you give to a beginning author?

Attend a writers’ conference. If I hadn’t attended my first writers’ conference I’m sure I’d have quit writing. It was the knowledge and encouragement I found there that pushed me forward and brought me to publication.

I so agree about writing conferences. Tell us about the featured book for my blog readers.

The Great Lakes Lighthouse Brides collection was my dream-child. I wanted to showcase our beautiful Great Lakes and their history. What better way than with our lighthouses? I’m thrilled to work with such a great cast of authors, some of whom I’ve worked with in other collections. My story, Anna’s Tower, is set on Thunder Bay Island which is only about twenty miles from my home as the crow flies. It’s been fun to write about a place practically in my backyard.

Please give us the first page of the book.

Oct. 4, 1883—Thunder Bay Island, Lake Huron

The wail of a ship’s whistle jerked Anna Wilson from sleep despite the cotton wadding she’d shoved in her ears before bed. Another blast sounded, and then a third, while she untangled her nightgown and legs from the quilt. Heart pounding, she pushed Barnacle out of her way and ignored the sleepy meow of protest.

The whistle was too loud and too close to the island. Thunder Bay Island’s fog signal moaned its response as she pulled the cotton from her ears. The ship’s whistle blasted three more times while Anna charged down the stairs, her bare feet smacking the wooden steps.

Auntie Laurie poked her head from the downstairs bedroom. Gray hair fanned in all directions around her nightcap. “What’s going on, child?”

“It’s a distress signal.”

“Of course it is. I’ll awaken Gretchen.” The old lady shut the door.

Anna raced through the arched brick passageway to the foot of the metal circular stairs leading up to the lighthouse tower. She stopped on the bottom step, cold metal against her feet, her hand clenching the handrail.

“Uncle Jim?”

The stairs vibrated as Uncle Jim descended. Anna let go of the rail and stepped back.

“What could you see?” she called.

“Not a thing. Fog’s too thick.” He stopped at the bottom, wrinkles deep around his eyes beneath the rolled hat brim. “Doug’s gone to the mainland. I can’t leave the tower, not on a night like this.”

She straightened her shoulders and smoothed her hair away from her face. “Tell me what to do.” After all, this was what she’d come for.

Uncle Jim stroked his beard. “Could be a bad one. That whistle’s close.”

“Too close?”

“Aye. She’s likely on the rocks.” He clamped his hand on her shoulder and squeezed. “Go to the lifesaving station. Remember the way?”

Could she find it in the dark through the fog? What choice did she have? She nodded.

Readers, the action continues apace. Pegg, how can readers find you on the Internet?

Facebook 

Twitter 

Goodreads

Pinterest

Google+

PeggThomas.com

Amazon

ColonialQuills

Stitches Thru Time

Thank you, Pegg, for sharing your story with my blog readers. I’ve just finished reading all the other stories in the book besides mine. I love each story. This is a very good book.

Readers, here are links to the book.

The Great Lakes Lighthouse Brides Collection - Christianbook.com
The Great Lakes Lighthouse Brides Collection: 7 Historical Romances Are a Beacon of Hope to Weary Hearts - Amazon.com
The Great Lakes Lighthouse Brides Collection: 7 Historical Romances Are a Beacon of Hope to Weary Hearts - Kindle

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