Welcome back, Pegg. Why
do you write the kind of books you do?
I love history! Weaving some real history into my stories is
what makes them fun for me to write.
Besides when you came
to know the Lord, what is the happiest day in your life?
The day our son was born. We’d had a couple of miscarriages
and then a scare at the very end that resulted in an emergency C-section.
Holding him in my arms that first day was pretty special.
I’m sure it was. When
each of my babies was born was a special, special day. How has being published
changed your life?
In most ways, it hasn’t. But I have had to give up doing
some things that I used to enjoy because writing, researching, and promoting takes
time.
That is so true. What
are you reading right now?
I’m reading The
Blessed an Ann Gabhart novel about the Shakers. Ann’s books are always
good. I’ve read a couple of Ann’s other Shaker novels and have enjoyed them,
but I’d missed this one. She does a great job of showing this obscure religious
sect without making them look ridiculous.
I’ll have to check
out her books. What is your current work in progress?
Today I did my character sketches and started plotting a
western. This will be my first foray into the western genre—think Louis
L’Amour—and I’m looking forward to it.
Welcome to the genre.
I love writing westerns, among other things. What would be your dream vacation?
Camping along Lake Superior
with just my husband and my dog.
How do you choose
your settings for each book?
Since my stories start with a historical event, that chooses
the setting for me.
If you could spend an
evening with one person who is currently alive, who would it be and why?
My husband. Seriously. I love being home with him.
I understand that.
James has been retired for over 10 years. I love spending time with him. What
are your hobbies, besides writing and reading?
I’m a fiber artist. I raise sheep, shear them, process the
wool, spin, and then knit with it. My current passion is knitting one-of-a-kind
shawls like Beacon on the Bay which I’m giving away to one of my newsletter
subscribers on Nov. 30th. To be entered in the drawing, just subscribe to my newsletter.
What is your most
difficult writing obstacle, and how do you overcome it?
Procrastination. The only way to overcome it is to sit down
and go to work.
What advice would you
give to a beginning author?
Attend a writers’ conference. If I hadn’t attended my first
writers’ conference I’m sure I’d have quit writing. It was the knowledge and
encouragement I found there that pushed me forward and brought me to
publication.
I so agree about
writing conferences. Tell us about the featured book for my blog readers.
The Great Lakes Lighthouse
Brides collection was my dream-child. I wanted to showcase our
beautiful Great Lakes and their history. What
better way than with our lighthouses? I’m thrilled to work with such a great
cast of authors, some of whom I’ve worked with in other collections. My story, Anna’s
Tower, is set on Thunder
Bay Island
Please give us the
first page of the book.
Oct. 4, 1883—Thunder
Bay Island, Lake Huron
The wail of a ship’s whistle jerked Anna Wilson from sleep
despite the cotton wadding she’d shoved in her ears before bed. Another blast
sounded, and then a third, while she untangled her nightgown and legs from the
quilt. Heart pounding, she pushed Barnacle out of her way and ignored the
sleepy meow of protest.
The whistle was too loud and too close to the island. Thunder Bay Island
Auntie Laurie poked her head from the downstairs bedroom.
Gray hair fanned in all directions around her nightcap. “What’s going on,
child?”
“It’s a distress signal.”
“Of course it is. I’ll awaken Gretchen.” The old lady shut
the door.
Anna raced through the arched brick passageway to the foot
of the metal circular stairs leading up to the lighthouse tower. She stopped on
the bottom step, cold metal against her feet, her hand clenching the handrail.
“Uncle Jim?”
The stairs vibrated as Uncle Jim descended. Anna let go of
the rail and stepped back.
“What could you see?” she called.
“Not a thing. Fog’s too thick.” He stopped at the bottom,
wrinkles deep around his eyes beneath the rolled hat brim. “Doug’s gone to the
mainland. I can’t leave the tower, not on a night like this.”
She straightened her shoulders and smoothed her hair away
from her face. “Tell me what to do.” After all, this was what she’d come for.
Uncle Jim stroked his beard. “Could be a bad one. That
whistle’s close.”
“Too close?”
“Aye. She’s likely on the rocks.” He clamped his hand on her
shoulder and squeezed. “Go to the lifesaving station. Remember the way?”
Could she find it in the dark through the fog? What choice
did she have? She nodded.
Readers, the action
continues apace. Pegg, how can readers find you on the Internet?
Thank you, Pegg, for
sharing your story with my blog readers. I’ve just finished reading all the
other stories in the book besides mine. I love each story. This is a very good
book.
Readers,
here are links to the book.
The Great Lakes Lighthouse Brides Collection - Christianbook.comThe Great Lakes Lighthouse Brides Collection: 7 Historical Romances Are a Beacon of Hope to Weary Hearts
- Amazon.comThe Great Lakes Lighthouse Brides Collection: 7 Historical Romances Are a Beacon of Hope to Weary Hearts
- Kindle
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