Monday, August 31, 2020

CAROLINA HOMECOMING - Heather Blanton - One Free Book

Welcome, Heather. Why do you write the kind of books you do?
I guess because, in truth, I am Daddy’s little girl. I used to watch Westerns with my daddy before he passed. He taught me to shoot. For fun, he and the deputies in our county used to quick draw on each other using wax bullets. Yeah, he was about the closest person I’ve ever met to the real John Wayne. I guess he’s a little part of everything I write.

Besides when you came to know the Lord, what is the happiest day in your life?
Oh, wow, there have been so many. Besides my boys being born healthy and strong, I’d have to say the vacation in Deadwood with my sister Dawn. It was a girl’s trip, and it was awesome! It was special, specifically, because I went on a trip out West with my sister Suzy years ago, and it was the only one we did together. She got breast cancer shortly after. Dawn was always sad she missed that trip, but at least we finally got to do one together.

How has being published changed your life?
To me the best change caused by my career is I get to work from home. No more commuting, traffic, wasted time in a car. And while I like people, I don’t mind being alone. In fact, I like it. Which is one thing about this quarantine mess I DON’T like. My kids are here. All. The. Time. LOL.

What are you reading right now?
Actually, I am reading one of mine! I am working on the final book in my Defiance series, and I had to read A Destiny in Defiance to check on some ideas, evaluate some possible plot lines, consider some spin-offs, etc.

What is your current work in progress?
As I mentioned, I am working on the final book in the Defiance series. I’m also outlining book 5 for my Brides of Evergreen series, and I’m hammering out the first 10 pages of a script for an idea my agent wants to see.

What would be your dream vacation?
I am blessed to say I’ve had it. One summer my husband and I went camping in Colorado. We drove all over the state exploring ghost towns, horseback riding, and camping in various places. It was spectacular.

How do you choose your settings for each book?
Until I was nine years old, I lived in Florida. Then we moved to the mountains of Western North Carolina, and I thought I’d died and gone to heaven. But there was still this yearning in me to go West. I’ve been blessed enough to explore several states out there (as I still live in NC), and I just love everything west of the Mississippi. So choosing a setting is determined simply by my love of the mountains and the wide-open spaces, or a particular place that I’ve seen and thought to myself, “I need to set a story here!”

If you could spend an evening with one person who is currently alive, who would it be and why?
Anybody who spends five minutes with me will learn two things PDQ: I follow Jesus, and I believe I am entitled to my opinion because this is still America. I am unapologetically pro-God, pro-gun, pro-life and pro-Trump. I would love to sit down and talk to the President about everything he’s done, learned, and seen in his time in office.

I’d like to join you. What are your hobbies, besides writing and reading?
I don’t get to do it as much as I’d like, but I enjoy kayaking and hiking. I am gonna be hiking when I’m 90!

What is your most difficult writing obstacle, and how do you overcome it?
Organizing my time on social media. I am very interactive with my groups and other authors on Facebook and keeping all that time spent on there to a controllable figure is maddening.

What advice would you give to a beginning author?
Write the best book you can and surround yourself with honest readers and editors. And decide early on if you’re doing this for the money like a job, or for the passion of it. Waffling on this question will cause you to write things you’ll regret.

Tell us about the featured book.
Carolina Homecoming is a retelling of the Book of Ruth. It is set during the Civil War in one of my favorite places on the planet: the Upstate of South Carolina. I’ve always wanted to delve into the story of the loyalty between Ruth and Naomi, explore Naomi’s bitterness toward God, and find out who this handsome, older gentleman farmer was that won Ruth’s heart. And it turned out, Carolina Homecoming was one of those stories that practically write themselves. The characters leaped off the page at me.

Please give us the first page of the book.
Ruth wondered how she would face another day, strangled as she was by grief and guilt.

The spring breeze through her window chilled the tears in her eyes and she dabbed at them angrily. “This is no time to be a whimpering sot, girl,” she chided, her Irish backbone attempting to buoy her spirits. “Oh, James,” she whispered and sat down again on her bed. “Why did you have to go off and die?”

From the parlor she heard Noemie sniffle, and Ruth winced at the reminder. Her mother-in-law was suffering, too. The war had taken James and left two women struggling with the loss. For Ruth, her husband’s death stung, yes, but it wasn’t debilitating. He had been a good man, a good provider, even a good friend, but not much of a husband. For Noemie, though, he was the son she’d borne from her own womb. Ruth couldn’t imagine the woman’s pain and she ached for her.

Closing her eyes, she whispered a silent prayer for more understanding and compassion and rose to take on the day. Her swishing, black, hoop skirt announced her entrance as she stepped into the parlor. Noemie didn’t react. She was standing at the window, a handkerchief pressed to her mouth. Her face, still fetching for a woman of fifty, was a mask of pain. Furrowed brow, clenched jaw, and red-rimmed eyes.

Surprisingly, she hadn’t dressed yet. Her hair was not twisted up over her head in the crown of braids she preferred. Instead, thick blonde and gray strands cascaded down her back in an unbrushed torrent. And she was still in her nightgown and robe, not her black dress of mourning with its voluminous hoop, like Ruth’s. She looked older this morning; her years amplified by the soul-tearing grief.

From outside came the well-timed, almost melodic steps of two hundred feet marching down the brick avenue. The sound was somber, like a funeral dirge.

More good boys headed off to this vile war. “Noemie, are you all right?” A foolish question, but it seemed the only one to ask.

The woman blinked, but still took several seconds to answer. “I’ve come to a decision.” She turned faded green eyes to Ruth. “I’m done with Maryland. I’m going home.”

“Home? I don’t understand. I thought Maryland was your home. I mean, I understand you’re not from here, but ye’ve lived here—”

“Ten years. Almost ten years here with Jeremiah. He was my second husband. A good man. I loved him, but Maryland was his home place. I’ve got more years and more roots back in South Carolina.” She paused briefly, as if reliving a flood of memories from those days. “James’ daddy, Luke, and I were both born in Oconee County. We did a lot of living there before he widowed me.” She turned away from the window to face Ruth. “And then Jeremiah went and died on me. I only stayed here after his passing because I hoped you and James might start a family. And then he left you to go fight in this blasted war.” She raised her chin and straightened her shoulders. “I’ve held on to the place in Oconee County. It’s time for me to go home.”

Ruth reeled from the news. She opened her mouth to speak, but only squeaks came out. The babbling seemed to spark more alertness in Noemie. She smiled tenderly at Ruth. “I want you to go on back to Ireland. Go back to your home. Bid this horrible war and its losses good-bye.”

“I don’t want to.” Ruth crossed the room and took the older woman’s hands. “Please, don’t send me away, Noemie. I love ye like me own mother. I’ve no one else left in County Cork that matters to me.”

“And I love you like a daughter, but I want what’s best for you.”

“And that would be staying here.”

Noemie pulled a hand free and motioned to the room. “Then you can stay here in this house, if you’re of a mind to.” She patted her fingers reassuringly. “You’re still young and pretty. I’ll see you’re taken care of till you marry again.”

“No, I want to go with ye. Ye need me.”

Noemie’s brow shot up. “I need you?”

“Aye, to take care of ye.”

“I’m fifty, girl, not eighty, and ‘bout as fit as you are.”

“But I can’t let ye be alone.”

Noemie took a step back, shook her head. “In fifteen months, I’ve lost my husband and my son. I reckon God’s turned His hand against me, Ruth. Best you not be around me.”

“Ye wouldn’t want me to break a promise to your son, would ye?”

Noemie’s emerald eyes widened and glittered with shock. “What promise?”

“I promised him I’d take care of ye. I gave him my word.”

“He had no right to ask you for such a vow.”

“I made it. And I made it gladly. I’ll not leave ye, Noemie. Where ye go, I will go. Your people will be my people…”

“And my God, your God.” Noemie smiled, but there seemed to be little joy behind it. “All right. Then let us put our hand to the plow and not look back.”

So wonderful so far. How can readers find you on the Internet?
I like keeping this simple. You contact me through my website: http://www.authorheatherblanton.com

Thank you for having me visit, Lena!

It’s my great pleasure, Heather. I’m eager to read this book. And I know my blog readers will be, too.

Readers, here are links to the book.
Carolina Homecoming: A Romance Inspired by the Book of Ruth (Thanksgiving Books and Blessings) - Paperback
Carolina Homecoming: A Romance Inspired by the Book of Ruth (Thanksgiving Books and Blessings 1) - Kindle

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44 comments:

Shelia64 said...

sounds wonderful as always! Shelia from Mississippi

Heather Blanton said...

Thank you, Sheila! It was fun to write and thus far readers really do seem to like it!

Trudy C said...

This is a wonderful book!!! I love all of Heather's books, and this one is no exception!! It grips you from the start and doesn't let go!!

Patty said...

Heather is fun to follow online (Facebook) I’ve read several of her Defiance books, but I know she has many others I haven’t read.

Patty in SC

rbooth43 said...

As I live in North Carolina, Carolina Homecoming sounds like a great read on a relaxing summer day with a cup of iced tea in my screened in back porch!

Unknown said...

I love how your books touch on each other and characters weave in and out of others’ stories. I also enjoy the relationships your characters have with God; they’re true relationships in which your characters have conversations with God instead of praying AT God. Does that make sense?
Erin from Massachusetts

Heather Blanton said...

Thank you, Trudy!

Heather Blanton said...

Patty, hope you enjoy the book. You need to get up to Table Rock State Park!

Heather Blanton said...

rbooth43, reading and sweet tea and porches sure go together! Hope you enjoy it!

Heather Blanton said...

Erin, that's a valuable insight. Yes, my characters talk to God not AT Him. I always try to make him a sort of "character" in the story. Not just high and off by himself on the throne. Thanks for reading!

Alicia Haney said...

I enjoyed reading this interview, Thank you so much for sharing it. Your book sounds like such a good rad and the Book cover is Beautiful! I love it. I love your Great Faith for God, God is Good! How sweet that you used to watch westerns with your dad. My dad used to love watching westerns all the time and I got to love western movies. Have a Great week and stay safe. God Bless you and your family. This is Licha Haney from FB.

moodymolly said...

Not sure I've read anything else you've written but I loved Carolina Homecoming.

Deanna S said...

Enjoyed the interview. Loved the book too!

Jean said...

Love your books this one is no exception, westerns bring back memories of my grandad we used to watch them together. The time you spend online with readers is appreciated especially when you try to accommodate your non US readers. Jean - Scotland

Pam Crist said...

Such a good interview! This book is a superb example of family and loyalty--and a healthy, sweet romance. I really appreciate Heather standing up for her beliefs, as well. We should all take a page from her book. (wink, wink!)

Heather Blanton said...

Howdy, Licha! Thank you for reading!!!

Heather Blanton said...

Thank you, Deanna! I so appreciate your support!!!

Heather Blanton said...

Molly, you're so honest and I appreciate you. Thank you!!!

Heather Blanton said...

Jean, you are so precious to me. Wish the world was different. I'd love to come visit. Hope you are feeling better!

Heather Blanton said...

Pam, you take a page from my book any ol' time! I've got your back!

Melissa M. said...

Sounds good!
-Melissa from TN

Jennifer Hibdon said...

Thank you for the delightful interview. I enjoy Heather's books! Love following her on FB. She always has pretty memes.
I am from Michigan, living in my husband's beloved West Texas.

Kelly Goshorn said...

What a fun interview, Heather! One of my favorite things about you is that you're unapologetic about where you stand! I've loved your Defiance series and really don't want it to end so when you mentioned "spin-offs" in the interview, I got excited. I'm sitting here in Northern Virginia at the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains just a hop, skip, and a jump from the MD & WV borders.

Wendy Newcomb said...

This sounds like a great story, thank you for the chance to win a copy.

Wendy in Nebraska

wfnren at aol dot com

Heather Blanton said...

Thank you, Melissa!

Heather Blanton said...

Thank you for commenting, Wendy in Nebraska!

Heather Blanton said...

Howdy, Jennifer! Thanks for reading!

Heather Blanton said...

Hey, Kelly! Thanks for stopping by. Love those foothills!

Abigail Mitchell said...

This looks really good!
Abigail in VA

traveler said...

Captivating and fascinating novel. I live in NM.

Elly said...

Oooh!! Been looking forward to this one!!
Elly -Indiana-

Sarah Taylor said...

Sounds like a great book! Thank you for sharing Sarah in OHIO

Connie Porter Saunders said...

Hi Heather, if I was asked why I read the books I do, my answer would mirror yours in the first question. I watched western movies and tv shows with my Daddy so I love authors who feature western themed in their books. Thanks for sharing today!
Connie from Kentucky
cps1950(at)gmail(dot)com

Melanie Backus said...

Sounds like a good one!
Melanie Backus, TX

Heather Blanton said...

Oh, thank you, traveler. I appreciate that!

Heather Blanton said...

Thank you, Elly! Hope you enjoy it!

Heather Blanton said...

Thank you, Connie. And God bless those daddies who raise their girls right!

Heather Blanton said...

Thank you for commenting, Sarah!

Heather Blanton said...

Melanie, thank you so much for commenting!

Caryl Kane said...

Sounds like a must read!

Caryl K in TEXAS

Sabrina said...

Hi from NOrthern Utah! Sounds great! :D I hope you have a fabulous weekend! :D

Lucy Reynolds said...

Sounds like a great read. Thank you for sharing. Blessings from WV.

Sharon Bryant said...

Enter me in your awesome giveaway!!
Conway SC.

Stacyann630 said...

Great interview, as always I appreciate your candor. You have always been a straight shooter and to the point. I’m always rooting for you and your aspirations with Hallmark as you know! Keep going and don’t look back, unless you need material for a new project...lol.
Maybe a short story about us in high school and why I had my GOD dream.