Readers, I’m thrilled
to have my very good friend, Patricia Pacjac Carroll, back on my blog. You will
be, too. I just recently finished reading her book, Golden Dreams. I hope you didn’t miss getting a copy of it. If you
did, check it out. A very good historical, western, wagon train story.
Welcome back, Patty. God
has really been moving in your writing life. What do you see on the horizon?
More stories. Right now, I’m working on a series of
mail-order bride stories.
Tell us a little
about your family.
I have the best husband. He takes care of me and works hard
so that I can write. My son is
wonderful. My latest book, Bounty is
dedicated to him. And I can’t leave out the snarky overgrown papillon, Jacs. We
are a blessed and happy famiy.
Has your writing
changed your reading habits? If so, how?
Yes, unfortunately I have less time to read. While it is
hard to turn off the editor, I know how hard it is to write a good story. So, I
am pulling for author as well as the characters.
What are you working
on right now?
Caroline’s Love.
She is the first of mail-order brides to get her man. Unfortunately for her,
she discovers that two other women have the same sweet letters that she
answered.
What outside
interests do you have?
Writing takes up the bulk of my time and life. Of course
there is Jesus – He is the author and finisher of my faith. Friends. I love to
laugh with my friends and yes, eat lunch or dinner out.
How do you choose
your settings for each book?
I love the Old West. So far all my stories are set in the
West.
If you could spend an
evening with one historical person, who would it be and why?
I would have to Jesus. Can’t top an evening in the presence
of the Lord.
What is the one thing
you wish you had known before you started writing novels?
Work only on one computer. When I started writing, I had a
desktop, laptop and a mini PC. I spent the whole first month of writing the
first book by trying to figure out which chapter one to use. I had oodles of
them. Organizing files is still an ongoing battle. BUT at least they are all on
my laptop.
That’s why I like
using Dropbox. When I work on a chapter, whether on my desktop or laptop,
Dropbox syncs the files on both machines—and saves a copy in the Cloud, so I
never lose it. What new lessons is the Lord teaching you right now?
Discipline and diligence. And I need His help for those are
hard for me. To go and play seems to be a loud voice of distraction for
me.
What are the three
best things you can tell other authors to do to be successful?
Learn the craft.
Write and write and write
Find trusted author friends to critique your work and help
brainstorm.
Tell us about the
featured book.
Down to Earth is my only Contemporary Romance right now. It’s
about a young widow with two small children and a snippy mother-in-law. She
needs a loan to save the family ranch and is about to meet with the banker, an
old flame, when a skydiver falls into the tree outside her home and into her
life. Jenna is faced with risking her heart. She’d loved her husband, but he
died. The banker offers security. Clay offers her love. Down to Earth is a story
about second chances, love, and faith.
Please give us the first
page of the book.
Prologue
His eyes glared dusky blue. A shade reserved for an anger
Jenna Lairdon had only seen a few times in their marriage. She shuffled
backward across the cool slats of the wooden floor and wished a hole would open
up and swallow her.
The past month, Sam had grown distant. The financial hole
they had dug for themselves created a canyon between them. Why had she bought
that outfit, the shoes for Amy, and the boots for Sammy? Hot accusations of
guilt battered her mind. Once again, she had failed.
A quick glance at Sam’s face set off an awkward rhythm in
her chest. Her palms grew clammy. She kept quiet, muffling the witty remarks
that threatened to escape. Humor would not diffuse this argument.
The crunch of paper drew her focus to him. He held up a wad
of crumpled charge slips in his calloused hand. “The credit’s gone. We’re gonna
lose Arrowhead.”
His family’s ranch. That was all he cared about. She turned
to explain and stopped. His voice, deep with rage, didn’t scare her. Sam wouldn’t
hurt her. She knew that. But the fear that clouded his face terrified her.
Jenna lowered her head. “I … I’ll return them tomorrow. I’m
sorry, I should have known better.”
She could take Sam angry but not beaten.
“It’s too late.” His words a mere whisper.
She slipped onto the bed, grabbed her grandmother’s quilt,
and scrunched the soft layers in her fingers.
Heavy steps jarred her. Sam swiped the keys from the
cluttered dresser. His wild grab knocked their wedding picture to the floor and
shattered the glass.
How can readers find
you on the Internet?
Email: pacjaccarroll@aol.com
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Patricia-PacJac-Carroll/e/B008R9JCN2/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_pop_1Thank you so much, Patty, for sharing this new book with us. This is a good book to feature on Earth Day.
Readers, here are links to the book. By using one when you order, you help support this blog.
Down to Earth - paperback
Down to Earth: Contemporary Christian Romance - Kindle
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