Pages

Wednesday, May 29, 2019

LORD OF HER HEART - Sherrinda Ketchersid - One Free Book


Welcome, Sherrinda. Tell us how much of yourself you write into your characters.
I’ve never been asked this question! I would have to say I wrote my heroine, Jocelyn, as the kind of woman I aspire to be: courageous, kind, and determined. I’ve always been too shy or too scared to try new things or take a stand for what I know to be right. I’m growing braver as I age, but I have a lot of room for improvement.

What is the quirkiest thing you have ever done?
I love to celebrate holidays in fun ways. One year when my kids were small I added red food coloring to cream gravy for Valentine’s Day. My husband could hardly eat his chicken fried steak, thinking the gravy looked like strawberry icing. Oops. But it did make a memory we still laugh about today.

When did you first discover that you were a writer?
I first discovered I was a writer in high school. I’d been a voracious reader all my life, but one summer my aunt gave me a bag full of Harlequin romances and I was hooked. I promptly began my own teen romance novel. Unfortunately, I never finished that story and must have thrown it away at some point. Writing remained a dream of mine while I raised my children and when I turned forty, I got serious in my pursuit of publication. It’s been a fun ride ever since.

Tell us the range of the kinds of books you enjoy reading.
I tend toward books that have romance in them. Whether it is historical, contemporary, suspense, or YA, if it has a happily-ever-after, I’m a satisfied reader.

How do you keep your sanity in our run, run, run world?
It’s a struggle to remain sane in this crazy busy life. I took a huge leap of faith a little over a year ago and quit a stressful day job. It was the best thing I did for my physical and mental well-being. Even though I now have control over my schedule, I find myself getting anxious over self-imposed deadlines, responsibilities at church, and the craziness of a new puppy. I’ve found that the best prescription for peace is to spend time with the Lord. If I don’t start my day in the Word and prayer, I lose my focus and peace. Bible journaling has become one of my favorite ways to worship and release anxiety.

How do you choose your characters’ names?
First, I researched names true to the medieval period. Then, I tried to find names that represented my characters. Jocelyn is a feminine name, which contrasts her masquerade as a boy. Malcolm is a strong name for a strong hero. He is a knight and knows his strength and abilities. Of course, their names must sound good together. Sometimes you have to sample different names until it just sounds right.

What is the accomplishment that you are most proud of?
I am most proud of raising my children. I had three boys and one girl. They are all adults now and four of the most amazing people you will ever meet. Considerate and loyal, they are unique, talented, and creative people who have much to offer the world.

If you were an animal, which one would you be, and why?
I’d probably be a turtle, rather calm and slow in response. But I would rather be a monkey and make people laugh. I am married to a very funny man and he makes life so enjoyable. I’d like to do that for other people—be funny and a bright spot in someone’s day.

What is your favorite food?
Hands down, my favorite food is a cheeseburger. I love them. A close second is pizza. I would eat them every day if I could.

What is the problem with writing that was your greatest roadblock, and how did you overcome it?
Procrastination was—and is—a huge issue for me. I couldn’t figure out why I kept putting off what I love to do, and then I read that procrastination is really a form of fear. Fear of not being good enough. Fear of not being able to finish. Fear of I’m an imposter. Fear is paralyzing. I’m learning to pray before I sit down to write and then just begin to type. Once I start, I’m okay. It’s a strange thing, but it seems to work for me.

Tell us about the featured book.
Here is the back cover copy: Lady Jocelyn Ashburne suspects something is amiss at her family’s castle because her father ceases to write to her. When she overhears a plot to force her into vows—either to the church or a husband—she disguises herself and flees the convent in desperation to discover the truth.

Malcolm Castillon of Berkham is determined to win the next tournament and be granted a manor of his own. After years of proving his worth on the jousting field, he yearns for a life of peace. Rescuing a scrawny lad who turns out to be a beautiful woman is not what he bargained for.
Still, he cannot deny that she stirs his heart like no other, in spite of her conniving ways.

Chaos, deception, and treachery threaten their goals, but both are determined to succeed. Learning to trust each other might be the only way either of them survives.

Please give us the first page of the book.
“I tire of this endless cleaning.” Jocelyn Ashburne sat on the cold stone floor of the cellarium and put a hand to her aching back. Her gray woolen habit made her itch. She wanted to pull off the veil to release her damp curls from its confines. “Methinks the Reverend Mother Agatha is attempting to tire my body and mind into forgetting my desire to return home. My petition for release has been again ignored, and I know not what to do.”
           
“Perhaps you should write to your father once more.” Sister Mary, her dearest friend at the convent, scrubbed the floor, swiping at her forehead before looking up at Jocelyn. “It could be he has had much to deal with at Ramslea and has been too busy to answer.”

Jocelyn dipped her rag into the bucket of rosemary-scented water and wrung it out. “I’ve been here four years. I know I’ve only heard from him a few times, but ’tisn’t like him to be so silent, even with the distraction of his new wife. My father has been silent for an entire year, and I am worried.” Perhaps she should scour his missives for clues to solve the mystery of his silence.

“Do you sincerely think Helen might sway his ability to make decisions?”

Jocelyn huffed and scrubbed the floor with renewed vigor. “Aye, she cares not for me and only fawned over me in the presence of Father. He was blind to everything but her beauty and charm.”

“He was lonely after losing your mother. I’m sure Helen fills the void in his heart. God will provide for you. Never fear.”

Would that Jocelyn had Mary’s faith in God’s ability to manage her return home. So far, He had been silent to her pleas. Perhaps His lack of communication was His answer. Perhaps she was to have faith amid the silence of her earthly father, as well as her heavenly one.

How can readers find you on the Internet?


Thank you, Sherrinda, for sharing this book with us. I’m eager to read it, and I know my blog readers are, too.

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, 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:

22 comments:

  1. Thanks so much for having me! I loved the questions you asked. :)

    ReplyDelete
  2. Loved learning about you, Sherrinda - and your book sounds intriguing! Thanks, Lena!
    Joanne Sher
    Michigan

    ReplyDelete
  3. Thanks to Lena for having Sherrinda on the blog today. What a great interview! It is so interesting to learn more about the authors I admire. Sherrinda, I LOL about your red gravy. I once made a cheese ball and put purple food coloring in it to celebrate a Cotton Bowl win by my Alma Mater. It was such a beautiful shade of purple no one would eat it. Purple dairy products - well, no. Wishing you much success with Lord of her Heart

    Cindy Regnier
    Kansas

    ReplyDelete
  4. Joanne, thanks so much for stopping by! (((hugs)))

    ReplyDelete
  5. Cindy!!! Purple cheese ball??? I love it! LOL That sounds like my kind of party food. Good for you for celebrating big!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Tamara G. Cooper3:37 PM

    This book sounds so intriguing! I love historical books, although I don't write them. I, too, have a blunder-in-the-kitchen story. I was about 9, and Mama told me to make mashed potatoes. So, they came out beautifully, and I was so proud of them, until my sister took a bite. She spit it out and said, "Garlic? Who puts garlic in mashed potatoes?" To this day, at family gatherings, someone will bring up my garlic potatoes. Looking forward to reading your book, Sherrinda.

    ReplyDelete
  7. I already have a copy of this book. It's a winner! Even if you *think* you won't like a medieval romance, you should read this book. It's just ... special.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Looks very interesting! I'm from Paducah, KY at the moment, but have lived in New York, California, and New Hampshire.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Sounds like we are going back a ways in history here! Always fun to read a different era than usual.

    Patty in SC

    ReplyDelete
  10. Tamara, I love garlic mashed potatoes! I can't remember the name of the restaurant that makes my favorite, but oh...they are delicious! You just didn't know what an inventive chef you were back then. ;)

    ReplyDelete
  11. Pegg, thank you! You are ever the encourager. I appreciate you so much.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Renee, You have lived all over the US! Wow! I've only lived in Texas and Oklahoma. I sometimes wish I could live in Colorado, but all my family is in Texas, so I suppose Texas is where I shall stay.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Patty, yes! The book is set in 1198 AD, so it is way back in history. :) Thanks so much for stopping by!

    ReplyDelete
  14. Hi Sherrinda, I enjoyed "meeting" you and learning about Lord of Her Heart. Blessings!
    Connie from Kentucky
    cps1950@(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  15. It's on my Kindle, slowly getting to the top of my TBR pile. Looking very forward to reading! Tweeting this too.

    ReplyDelete
  16. Hi Connie! I have never been to Kentucky, but I hear it is beautiful. :) Thanks for stopping by.

    ReplyDelete
  17. Naomi, bless you! My TBR pile is staggering, so I totally get it. Thanks for the tweet!

    ReplyDelete
  18. Vivian Furbay4:29 AM

    Great story synopsis! Vivian Furbay of CO

    ReplyDelete
  19. I'd love to win a copy of your wonderful book!

    ReplyDelete
  20. I love a good medieval story, and judging by the leading man on the cover, this one falls into that category. Would love to read this!

    Pam in OH

    ReplyDelete
  21. Pam, the publisher did a good job on the cover! I think Malcolm is as dreamy in the book as on the cover. :)

    ReplyDelete
  22. Sharon Bryant9:17 PM

    Enter me in your awesome giveaway!!
    Conway SC.

    ReplyDelete