THE GOLD DIGGER - Liz Tolsma - One Free Book

Welcome back, Liz. As an author, I know it takes a lot of people to birth each book. Who were the people involved in the birthing of this book, and what were their contributions? First of all, Becky Germany, editor at Barbour Publishing, was the one who came up with the concept for the True Colors Crime series. She had the ideas for the first several books, and the series took off after that. Also, this book wouldn’t be what it is without the wonderful people at the LaPorte County Historical Society museum. They allowed me to wander their exhibits, read their material, and ask them questions on a very cold and snowy January day. As someone who loves research, it was a fabulous day, and they helped me so much. I also thank my cousins, Steve and Muriel, for letting me spend the night with them. They’re just down the road from the museum. Muriel cooked dinner, and we spent a delightful evening catching up. One of those nights you’ll remember with fondness for a long time.

If you teach or speak. What’s coming up on your calendar? With Covid, my teaching and speaking has been really curtailed. All I have right now is a virtual speech to the Maude Shunk Library in Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin, in April. That’s been the hardest part of this entire pandemic – not being able to get out and interact with my readers. I hope to be able to add some virtual book club visits soon.

They are fun. I’ve done a couple. If you had to completely start over in another place, where would you move, and why? As of right now, it would have to be Austin, Texas, where my son lives. I miss him! I’m looking forward to seeing where my kids end up living and how close we’ll be to them.

If you could only tell aspiring novelists one thing, what would it be? Find a mentor or an editor who can help you through the process. The publishing field is more competitive than ever, and having someone who can help you polish your work and who can help you secure an agent or a publisher is pure gold.

You’ve been asked to be in charge of a celebrity cruise. Who would you ask to take part, and why? (AS in what program, singers, etc. [it doesn’t have to be writing related]) What fun it would be to have a reader/author cruise! We could have readings, we could talk books, we could sit in the sun and read. Nothing could be better than that. I’d have to invite Kristy Cambron. She’s an amazing speaker. Jamie Wright is just plain old fun, so I’d invite her. All of my critique partners – Angie, Diana, Jenny, and Jen – would have to come too. Chautona Havig would be a hoot. Boy, we would have a great time together!

Tell us about The Gold Digger. In 1907, shy but loyal Ingrid Storset travels from Norway to support her grieving sister, Belle Gunness, who owns a farm in LaPorte, Indiana. Well-to-do widow Belle, who has lost two husbands and several children, provides Ingrid with enough money to start a small business. But Ingrid is confused by the string of men Belle claims to be interviewing for her next husband. When Nils Lindherud comes to town looking for his missing brother, who said he was going to marry Belle, Ingrid has a sinking feeling her sister is up to no good.

Please give us the first page of the book.

LaPorte, Indiana

Tuesday, October 1, 1907

“Where are you taking me?” Ingrid Storset held tight to her sister Belle’s hand. If only Belle hadn’t made her put on this ridiculous blindfold. By the noise of the people around her, the clomp of the sidewalk under her shoes, and the yeasty odor of bread from the bakery, it was obvious they were somewhere in the middle of town.

Behind her, Belle’s two daughters, Myrtle and Lucy, chatted and giggled the way eleven- and nine-year-olds do. Phillip most likely ran ahead of the group, a typical five-year-old boy. Jennie, Belle’s foster daughter, had stayed home today. Almost a grown woman, she likely wanted to steal a little time with Emil, the farmhand and her beau.

 “You’re going to love this.” From where Lucy’s voice came, sometimes ahead of Ingrid and sometimes behind, she must be skipping around. So typical of her.

“Yeah, you’re going to be shocked.”

Ingrid chuckled at Myrtle’s pronouncement. “I’m glad you are learning new Norwegian words. English is very hard for me to speak.” Though she had been in the country for five years, since she was just eighteen, Ingrid struggled from time to time with the strange new language.

 “Mostly I speak English, but right now, I want you to know what is happening. Because it’s a huge, huge surprise.” Myrtle grasped Ingrid’s other hand.

“I can’t wait until I can find out what it is.”

“Now, now. You must be patient. Soon you will see why I am making this such a surprise. I’m very excited to show you. We’re almost there.” Belle pulled Ingrid along.

They continued to weave around what Ingrid assumed was the crowd, sweet perfume and musky cologne filling the air, until Belle pulled her to a halt. Myrtle squeezed her hand.

 “Are you ready?” Even her usually somber sister’s voice held more cheer.

 “More than ready.” Ingrid couldn’t help but raise herself on her tiptoes.

Belle fiddled with the knot on the blindfold, pulling at Ingrid’s Gibson girl hairstyle as she did so. If her sister was going to mess up her coif, this had better be worth it. She sucked in a breath and held it.

 “All right, children, on the count of three. One. Two. Three.” Belle yanked away the blindfold, and Ingrid blinked in the bright light.

She stood in front of an empty brick building, the glass of the store-front window rather dirty, the blue paint on the door peeling. What could this be? How was this a surprise? She passed this place almost every week when she came into town from Belle’s farm to shop. “I don’t understand.” With a furrowed brow, she turned to her sister.

 “This is for you, silly.” Belle’s work-worn face almost glowed. “Your dream.”

Where can we find you on the Internet? Please visit Liz’s website at www.liztolsma.com and follow her on Facebook, Twitter (@LizTolsma), Instagram, YouTube, and Pinterest. She is also the host of the Christian Historical Fiction Talk podcast.

Thank you, Liz, for sharing this book with my blog readers and me. I was particularly interested in this one, because I wrote a book titled The Gold Digger several years ago. I’m eager to read the rest of yours.

Readers, here are links to the book. 

https://amzn.to/2NRNK7z - Paperback

https://amzn.to/2MDJZSe - Kindle

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