SEPTEMBER SHADOWS - Debbi Migit - One Free Book

Welcome, Debbi. Tell us how much of yourself you write into your characters. In my Justice, Montana, series, my main character, Jess, definitely has my sense of humor. Her inner dialogue is a pretty accurate glimpse into how my mind works. I think Jess and her best friend Grace are two different parts of me. Jess takes the risks I wish I would, while Grace is the voice of reason that usually keeps me safe.

One interesting note: In September Shadows, Jess and her sister Sly begin romantic relationships with two brothers-Cole and Nick McBride. In my personal life, my mother’s older sister married my dad’s older brother. A few years later, my parents were married. I really enjoyed adding that real-life dynamic to the stories.

What is the quirkiest thing you have ever done? I’m not sure if it would be considered quirky, but it was certainly risky! When I was 21, I traveled with a girlfriend from Illinois to Cheyenne, Wyoming, to attend a rodeo. When we arrived, there was no place to stay within 200 miles. This was before cell phones, so we drove for hours, stopping at little towns to check for hotel vacancies. Finally, at about 11:00 p.m., we rented a room for $2.00 in a building that looked like an old-fashioned saloon complete with a bar and energetic drinkers.

We were directed to an upstairs room with no lock, no bathroom, one bed, and a bare light bulb hanging from the ceiling. The screenless window was painted open, and there was a fire escape that went to the alley below. We slept on top of the bed, fully clothed, while I gripped a canister of mace in my hands. I’m sure our angels were kept busy all night!

When did you first discover that you were a writer? I wrote before I could read. I would tell stories to my mom and ask her to write them down. In seventh grade I wrote a play for my class to perform, complete with commercials. That same year I won a cash prize for a short story contest and my writing career was born.

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

For many years I only read romance and especially enjoyed the sly wit of Georgette Heyer and other Regency writers. I like historical romance because I like a mixture of fact with my fiction. Over the years I have moved to more mystery, suspense, and even some adventure. I really like series that have recurring characters in a team setting. Humor is required!

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

If playing Candy Crush was a paying gig, I’d be rich! I usually listen to an audiobook when I play, so I’m exercising both sides of my brain. I’m not sure if that’s a scientifically proven technique, but it alleviates some of the guilt.

In the evenings, I often watch live worship videos on Youtube. If I find a song that resonates, I’ll listen multiple times and just soak in God’s presence.

I love watching worship videos on YouTube, too. How do you choose your characters’ names? Jess in September Shadows came fully named, and I couldn’t change it if I tried. Others, like Jess’s best friend Grace, grew into her name. Sly is short for Sylvia. I heard that name many years ago on a television show and tucked it away for later use. In the Justice, Montana, series, the Thomas sisters are named after a dear friend who is in heaven. Choosing names is one of my favorite parts of writing.

What is the accomplishment that you are most proud of? I’m not sure if I consider this an accomplishment as much as a privilege. My husband and I were infertile for ten years. We were just months away from adoption when one day God whispered to my heart, “Cancel with this agency, your baby isn’t coming through them.” That day God gave me the grace to believe Him against all odds, and I canceled the adoption.

A month later I said, “Okay, God, I did what you said, but when is my baby coming?” Immediately, the scripture reference, 2 Kings 4:16 popped into my mind and I grabbed my Bible and read, “And he said, “At this season, about this time next year, you shall embrace a son.”

Then God told me that exactly one year from that day, May 19, 1988, I would embrace my son. I won’t give away the ending but trust me, God is faithful! He miraculously gave us three beautiful babies over the next twelve years. I wrote about our experiences in Child of Promise, an Amazing True Story of Faith and Family.

Trusting God that day—and all the days following. is the best decision I ever made.

If you were an animal, which one would you be, and why? I would be a giraffe. Since I am only 5’2” I think it would be great to tower over all the other animals for once! Plus, I would have the perspective to see things from a higher level.

I used to be 5’2”, but now I’m barely 5’ tall. What is your favorite food? Wow, I took way too long to think about this. My husband, Phil, is an amazing cook, so anything he makes is my favorite. His stuffed mushrooms are legendary. Also, I never met a piece of Texas cake I didn’t love!

What is the problem with writing that was your greatest roadblock, and how did you overcome it? Plotting. Some writers are pantsers—they plot by the seat of their pants. Others are plotters—they make detailed org charts and have deep back stories for their characters. Some people have a riot of colored sticky notes on a board, but just looking at those boards makes me panic.

I started as a pantser, but eventually had to find a system that worked for me. I tried some of the fancy programs, but eventually I downloaded a simple timeline chart from a homeschool website and filled it in with chapter information. I needed the visual aid to organize my thoughts. It worked so well I’m going to use it for the next books, too.

Your journey sounds a lot like mine. Tell us about the featured book. September Shadows is the first book in the Justice, Montana, series. Jess Thomas and her sisters, Sly and Maggie, are just beginning to rebuild their lives after the death of their parents. When Sly is framed for a crime she didn’t commit, Jess decides to prove her sister’s innocence, even at the risk of her own life.

Cole McBride has been Jess’s best friend since they were children. Now his feelings are deepening, just as Jess takes risks to protect her family. Can Cole convince Jess to trust him−and God−to help her?

Please give us the first page of the book.

“Look out for that car!”

Horn blaring, I grip the steering wheel and jerk the truck into the right lane, narrowly avoiding a collision with a white Lucerne. The driver’s face is as pale as her Buick, her mouth forming a tiny O as she gapes at me. Great. I almost took out sweet Mrs. Fairfax, the town librarian.

"Jess, stay in your lane. That car was in your blind spot."

I glare at Cole McBride. It’s the same glare I used when we met on the playground during a four-square scuffle. I’d been the stubborn first-grader, and he was the determined third-grader. Not much has changed over the years. Well, we’re taller.

"First, you told me to keep my eyes on the road. Then you said change lanes. I did that. And quit yelling at me!" I swing Cole's red Ford 150 pickup into Walmart’s parking lot and turn off the engine.

The Saturday morning traffic rolls by as the residents of Justice, Montana, kick off their weekend errands.

A strand of hair escapes my braid, and I brush it aside, waiting, as Cole tries to control his temper. I’m pretty sure I hear him counting to ten in Sioux, and the little vein in his neck stands out farther. That’s not a good sign. Cole’s easygoing, but sometimes I bring out the worst in him.

"I wasn't yelling," he says through gritted teeth. "You asked me to instruct you. I was

instructing."

I grin. "You were instructing all right. At the top of your lungs. You can relax, Cole. I won't damage your truck."

When he bought the truck, it needed some work, but Cole fixed it up, and now it’s his pride and joy. It shocked me when he offered to use it for my driving lessons.

 "It’s not the truck I’m worried about—I can fix it. But that car aimed right for you, and I don’t think I can find replacement parts as easily."

How can readers find you on the Internet?

Website: Debbimigit.com

Facebook: Author Debbi Migit

Email: writermom333@frontier.com

Thank you, Debbi, for sharing your book with my blog readers and me. I’m eager to read it.

Readers, here are links to the book. 

https://amzn.to/3cyL4po - Paperback

https://amzn.to/2Mjz68H - Kindle

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