CHRISTMAS WITH A MOUNTAIN MAN - Ellie Hall - One Free Ebook

Welcome, Ellie. How much of yourself do you write into your characters?

It’s hard to disconnect my experiences and worldview from the characters that I write, but I do my best to create original and unique protagonists (and antagonists) as much as possible. 

But there is definitely some of “me” that trickles in there … My love for dogs, for instance, my gratitude for the military and first responders, and my faith.

What is the quirkiest thing you have ever done?

This is probably the best question I’ve ever been asked in an interview. The quirkiest thing I’ve ever done is almost twenty years ago I was pregnant with my first child. My husband and I wanted to go camping, knowing we probably wouldn’t be able to do so for quite some time. We got all our gear together and set out. Forgetting that it was a holiday weekend, all the sites at our favorite campground were booked. However, to our surprise, there was a vacancy at a nearby hotel. We got a room, but my husband was disappointed we didn’t get to camp. Well, I set up the tent, in the room, fastening the ropes to the furniture and doing my best to “recreate” a camp-like atmosphere with the windows open, etc. Suffice it to say, it was memorable!

When did you first discover that you were a writer?

I started writing around 2007, but I didn’t feel like a “real” writer until I completed my first full-length manuscript, which was probably around 2011. Before that, I was dabbling and not dedicating, but that’s just my personal definition. At the end of the day, if you write, you’re a writer. 

Tell us the range of the kinds of books you enjoy reading.

I read everything from nonfiction (self-improvement types of books and personal finance for example) to young adult fantasy, contemporary, and of course, my favorite, sweet romance!

How do you keep your sanity in our run, run, run world? 

I’m not entirely sure that I do keep my sanity. I’ve found it really important to get clear on my daily priorities, which start with prayer, nutrition, exercise, and hydration. After that, I have a list of what I need to do that day. 

I treat writing like I would any other job. I clock in around 8 AM every morning, write at least until lunchtime. Then in the afternoon I’ll write more or do “administrative” tasks before clocking out around 3 pm. Within that timeframe, I mute all distractions—tough when working from home, but necessary. 

Another way I think about it is this: my readers will be a lot happier if I am writing and publishing rather than getting distracted by the frenetic pace of modern life. 

On top of that, of course, there’s family life! So yes, it can be tricky!

How do you choose your characters’ names? 

Carefully! It can be hard because many names have associations, but I try to be unique or give the character a name with meaning. For instance, Rocky, in Christmas with a Mountain Man has a rocky past. Frankie aka Francesca was named in honor of her grandfather (whose past plays a role in her present life) and she has 6 brothers so she can be a bit of a tomboy. 

What is the accomplishment that you are most proud of? 

My proudest accomplishment is definitely my family. I had a difficult childhood and my husband and children bring me great joy (yes, even amidst the teenage years). I always think about how I want to look back on things so that helps make the best of our time together in the present.

If you were an animal, which one would you be, and why? 

Ooh! Tough call. I think I’d be a dog. I adore them! 

What is your favorite food?

Do I have to pick one? Ha ha. Okay fine ;-)  If I have to pick one main course it would probably be pizza and one dessert it would be cookies. Chocolate chip is my favorite! The bigger the better!

What is the problem with writing that was your greatest roadblock, and how did you overcome it? 

For years, I wrote whatever struck my fancy or what I thought was the best expression of my creativity. While I still do that to a degree, I realize now what I love most about stories is when they hit certain beats — in many ways, this is writing to market. For example, when the main characters have objections for getting together, turning points, and the dark moment before they get their happily ever after. When stories are successful in this, I walk away feeling satisfied so I do my best to make sure I include them in my own work.

Tell us about the featured book.

When I’m writing, every “book baby” is my favorite, but Christmas with a Mountain Man has a special place in my heart for numerous reasons. It’s the final chapter in the Hawkins Brothers Romance series (though readers have said they can stand alone). Also, there’s some major hate to love dynamic going on, which I really enjoy! Both characters experience a transformation and the backdrop is Christmas and New Year’s, which can difficult and joyful. I tried to capture that while leaving the reader with a sense of hope and a major happily ever after.  

Please give us the first page of the book.

The jingle of bells and the sound of Christmas carols came from a nearby shop as the door opened and closed. Frankie wasn’t feeling festive. In fact, she felt as green as the Grinch. She’d told herself not to let the situation get her down. But she was not feeling the comfort and joy the song playing professed.

Frankie locked the door to Mangia Bella for the last time. The restaurant had been her baby, her pride and joy, and a culinary hub. She’d lost it to a bad building owner who’d written a loophole into her lease. She wasn’t able to find a new suitable space—and she’d looked. Her patrons, employees, her family—everyone had tried to help her land a new spot, but property in New York City was at a premium and location meant everything.

She still gripped the doorknob as though unwilling to let go of her dream. Not just her dream, but her livelihood, along with everyone else who’d relied on her for employment.

Her phone chimed with an incoming call. Her heart leaped. Maybe it was good news.

“Hey, Frankie,” a male voice with a strong New York accent said after she answered. It was Mauricio, another restaurant owner. “I’m sorry, kid. I tried, but, well, you know how it is.”

“Thank you. I owe you dinner. You’ll be among the first I serve when I get back on my feet.”

“I know you will.”

They chatted another moment and hung up. Frankie had pulled favors with every other restauranteur and chef in the five boroughs—Isabella and Matteo from Il Bacio were especially generous, knowing a thing or two about loss. Frankie managed to get her former waitstaff, cooks, and bussers interviews, but she still felt like she’d let everyone down. She’d let herself down. If anything, Frankie was tenacious, but as her fingers stiffened around the cold knob on the chilly December morning, her shoulders dropped. Her drive and her passion were inside those four walls and she had to return the key.

A guy with a breakfast sandwich in one hand elbowed her aside and rattled the doorknob. “I’m here with Ace Construction. You the manager of the new restaurant movin’ in?” he asked around a mouthful.

Frankie shook her head. She was the old owner and shuffled away, feeling the weight of disappointment pressing against her.

Crossing the busy street, she climbed the stairs to the property management company. The landlord hadn’t managed the eviction himself but had hired a third party to do his dirty work.

Her parents were back in Italy and she’d begged her brothers not to tell them—not yet. They’d worked hard their entire lives and finally had some peace. She didn’t want to disappoint or, as was more likely the case, worry them. She was their bambina—their little girl and the youngest of seven. If they caught wind, they’d be on a flight back to Manhattan, fretting and threatening to break someone’s knees. Not really. They were both originally from Italy but had moved to the United States before they had children. After settling in New York, they quickly became aware of the stereotypes surrounding the Italian mafia. Her father was as gentle as they came—at least after getting to know him. Her mother was fiery—probably where Frankie got her passionate personality.

On the other hand, her brothers weren’t joking when they offered to take care of things. As if channeling her thoughts, her phone rang with the sound of a starting bell for a boxing match. She checked the message. It was one of her brothers who was a trainer at a boxing gym uptown.

Need me to throw knuckles?

Probably not the best solution, but thanks she wrote back. She hardly had the energy to lift a finger and didn’t want to have to break up any brawls.

There were six Costa brothers and that intimidation factor alone could make the landlord rethink his decision if he’d ever show his face.

Frankie had a lawyer look at the lease—something she should’ve done before she signed it. Unfortunately, it was valid. The landlord’s sneaky plan became clear as day to lease the space, wait until the business was successful, and then go in and replace it with a restaurant that he backed, hoping to edge in on her customer base.

When Frankie reached the top of the stairs in the building, she glared out the window. The new sign filled the spot that had previously said, Mangia Bella. He was so slimy, he’d even named his new restaurant Mangia Mama. Frankie couldn’t bring herself to fight. She just wanted to go somewhere quiet and lick her wounds.

Frankie entered the office and presented the key to the property management assistant, a young man wearing a bowtie—in a hipster, ironic way. He had neatly trimmed hair and deliberate movements.

“That look on your face,” he said, alarmed.

Frankie arched an eyebrow, taken aback.

The man held his hands up in surrender. “Don’t shoot the messenger. You look like you might start sending laser beams out of your eyes.”

How can readers find you on the Internet?

http://www.elliehallauthor.com

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Thank you, Ellie, for sharing this book with my readers and me.

Readers, here’s a link to the book.

Christmas with a Mountain Man (Rich & Rugged: a Hawkins Brothers Romance Book 5)

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