Welcome, Pat. I'm glad to share your debut novel with my blog readers.
Thank you, Lena , for this
opportunity to be a guest on your blog.
Tell us how much of
yourself you write into your characters.
My protagonist is usually someone like myself passionate
about a cause or sympathetic to those in need. She must be out of the ordinary
so not very much of myself can I write into her story except my Christian
beliefs and outlook on life.
When did you first
discover that you were a writer.
I loved stories about writers. Their lives seemed exciting
and fulfilled. I could always express myself better in writing and enjoyed
writing letters. Sometimes I imagined myself writing a book. It would be many
years before I seriously attempted to write for publication.
Tell us the range of
the kinds of books you enjoy reading.
I especially enjoy historical
fiction and non-fiction from early to mid-20th Century, then mysteries, suspense,
and courtroom drama. At the moment, I’m reading for research a book titled The Roosevelts and The Royals.
How do you keep your
sanity in our run, run, run world?
With the release of my debut novel, When Valleys Bloom Again,
my routines have changed now that I’m busy with marketing and promoting my
novel. It’s exhilarating but exhausting as well. So much to learn. I try to
relax in my flower garden on nice days and by spending quiet moments with my
husband. I also recharge by listening to the words from some of my favorite
Christian music.
I love Christian
music. How do you choose your characters’ names?
Sometimes from books I’m reading or from films set in the
same time period in which my character lived. Other times, I use the name of
someone I’ve known.
What is the
accomplishment that you are most proud of?
That with my husband, we raised two sons who bless our
lives.
If you were an
animal, which one would you be, and why?
I love cats for the serenity they bring. My cat Cinnamon is
now 14 and still strong and independent. She requires little care and gives so
much affection in return. I’d like to age as she has with much dignity.
What is your favorite
food?
Freshly picked
veggies that have been roasted and lightly seasoned.
Sounds yummy. What is
the problem with writing that was your greatest roadblock, and how did you overcome
it?
Moving on after receiving many rejections on a project.
Eventually, I regained my confidence by working on smaller obtainable writing
goals and built on those successes.
Tell us about the
featured book.
When Valleys Bloom Again is a WWII romance set on the
Philadelphia Main Line, in England
As war approaches in 1939 Abby Stapleton’s safety is under
threat. Her father, a British diplomat, insists she go back to America London London
Jim can’t get Abby out of his mind. Did she have a
sweetheart in England
Abby couldn’t know the war would last a long time, nor that
she would fall in love with Jim—soon to be drafted by the U.S. Army—or that
she’d have to confront Henri, a rejected suitor, determined by his lies to ruin
her reputation and destroy her faith in God’s providence. Will she discover the
true meaning of home and find happiness with Jim?
Please give us the
first page of the book.
Abby Stapleton slumped back in her seat, any glimmer of hope
she’d harbored would soon be extinguished. A crystal chandelier jingled in the
draft of an open window. She loved this room with its embossed wallpaper and
rich tapestries, vibrant with memories of family. How could she leave all this?
Her father folded the newspaper with its glaring headlines,
plopped it on the table and parted his lips to speak. Abby forestalled him.
“I’m nineteen,” she said, her nerves rubbed raw by the endless squabbles with
her parents. Speak low and slow, Abby. “I don’t w-w-want to go.” Her voice,
thin and strained, echoed back from the high frescoed ceiling.
“A father can’t ignore his responsibilities,” he said,
clasping her hand. “You know Hitler’s taken Austria
and Czechoslovakia Poland Germany
Sunlight dispersed through a bay window, washing the
brocaded settee on which she and her mother sat, with patches of red and gold.
Her mother sidled closer and stroked Abby’s arm, her face taut and pale. “Do as
your father says, dear. There are sandbags and barrage balloons everywhere, and
gas masks are being handed out.”
Still determined to speak her mind before it was too late,
Abby shut her eyes in a silent prayer. Lord, help me to keep my temper. She
released her hand from her father’s. “I sh-sh-should be able to decide for
myself w-w-whether I want to leave.” Now of all times when she needed
eloquence, this accursed stammer bound her up tight.
How can readers find
you on the Internet?
Buy link: https://www.amazon.com/Valleys-Bloom-Again-Jeanne-Davis/dp/1948888920/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=154
Website: https://www.patjeannedavis.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pat.j.davis.7
Amazon Author Page: https://amazon.com/author/patjeannedavis
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/patjeannedavis/
Thank you, Pat, for
sharing this book with us today. I’m eager to read it, and I know my readers
will be, 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:
4 comments:
I love reading about this time period!
-Melissa M. from TN
Hi Melissa, thank you for stopping by. You're in the drawing for an e-copy of When Valleys Bloom Again. I'm delighted that you love reading about the WWII era.
This sounds lovely!
Connie from Kentucky
cps1950(at)gmail(dot)com
Thank you, Connie, for commenting on my post. Consider your name in the drawing for When Valleys Bloom Again. All the best.
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