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

Leave a comment for a chance to win a free copy of the book. You must follow these instructions to be in the drawing. Please tell us where you live, at least the state or territory or country if outside North America. (Comments containing links may be subject to removal by blog owner.)

Void where prohibited; the odds of winning depend on the number of entrants. Entering the giveaway is considered a confirmation of eligibility on behalf of the enterer in accord with these rules and any pertaining local/federal/international laws.

The only notification you’ll receive is the winner post on this blog. So be sure to check back a week from Saturday to see if you won. You will have 4 weeks from the posting of the winners to claim your book.

If you’re reading this on Goodreads, Feedblitz, Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin, or Amazon, please come to the blog to leave your comment if you want to be included in the drawing. Here’s a link:

Http://lenanelsondooley.blogspot.com

DAUGHTER OF DEFIANCE - Heather Blanton - One Free Book

Today’s interview is with the author of book 6 in the Thanksgiving Books and Blessings series.

Welcome, Heather. Tell us how much of yourself you write into your characters.

Though my relationship with Jesus has definitely tempered me, I still can be a bit confrontational and strong-willed. So you see that in my heroines. They don’t back down or run from a fight.

What is the quirkiest thing you have ever done?

Well, I get ribbed a lot by my friends because they know at 9:00 pm I like to be done. Done with everything. The kitchen is closed. Mom is in her jammies. (Man, remember the days when we were getting ready at 9:00 pm to go out for the evening?) Anyway, once I’m officially done, I have a glass of wine and a bowl of popcorn. I love popcorn. I mean, I really like it. I will starve all day if I have to to make it to that buttery goodness.

When did you first discover that you were a writer?

When I was about five years old and the Funky Phantom went off (this was my favorite cartoon). I didn’t want the show to be over, so I wrote my own adventure. My mom typed it up for me. I also remember pretending to be a reporter—who knew I could have made a career out of that. Pretending to be a journalist, I mean (said the snarky conservative). I coulda made it to CNN.

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

I love a good, simple Western, a romcom with truly believable characters, time travel where the heroines adapt quickly, and gothic horror. Yes, I am a huge Edgar Allan Poe fan.

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

Sanity? I know not of what you speak. I live in a house with three boys, ages 15, 18, and 57. There are teenagers EVERYWHERE! I lose myself in my stories. Sometimes I find my way back.

How do you choose your characters’ names?

Wish I had some awe-inspiring answer here. Usually, names pop into my head, unless I’m looking to pay homage to someone in particular. But it is weird because sometimes there they are, name and all, as if this character really exists somewhere in the universe.

What is the accomplishment that you are most proud of?

Pride is a dangerous thing to dwell on, but I would have to say that I’m really blessed I was available when a young girl I know ran away from home and was suicidal. I reached out to her, became her mentor, and now she is in the National Guard. She is thinking seriously about active duty, though, because she loves the military life so much. I can be a bit withdrawn and a loner, but I put that aside to help her. God is good. I’ve been very blessed by the experience.

I love those God happenings. If you were an animal, which one would you be, and why?

A cat. Because I can be a bit withdrawn and a loner. LOL

What is your favorite food?

I eat from my favorite four food groups—popcorn, wine, pizza, coffee

What is the problem with writing that was your greatest roadblock, and how did you overcome it?

There have been a couple of stories that I just felt like I was floundering on. Just couldn’t pull a cohesive plot together. And the more I wrote, the worse it got. I won’t say which stories I’m referring to. I improved them, but not to my complete satisfaction. Sort of like making a bed and leaving a big wrinkle in it. I intend over the next several months to finish smoothing out these books.

Tell us about the featured book.

Daughter of Defiance picks up a story line from my book A Promise in Defiance (book 3 in my Defiance series). In A Promise, I had a character finally get the full impact of her very bad choices—people died because of her. Daughter of Defiance opens with this character going home to her mother whom she hasn’t seen in fifteen years. When life gets so bad all you want is to die, you either give in to the darkness or make one last gasp at hope. At home. It’s a sort of prodigal-child tale.

Please give us the first page of the book.

“Murder ain’t anything she should get away with.”

The campfire popped and crackled, punctuating Oscar’s defiant tone. The two other men with him—Lawrence and Charlie—nodded, the flames painting all three in an uneasy mix of light and midnight shadows.

“And she won’t,” Oscar continued, waving his bottle. “I ain’t backing off now.”

“What if she ain’t there?” Charlie asked as he languidly settled on his bedroll. “If she ain’t, I’m probably done following you two around.” He sounded bored and a little sleepy. “This has been a long row to hoe.”

“Then be done,” Oscar spat, sloshing a little whiskey in the fire. It flared ferociously, the light illuminating the trio for an instant. He contritely pulled the bottle closer to his chest and spoke more calmly. “We don’t need you. You invited yourself along anyhow.”

“True, I did. I was curious to see if you two could find her. But this road is gettin’ long. Summer is comin’ to an end.”

“It ain’t over yet,” Lawrence said, the certainty in his gravelly voice a harbinger of death. “Long as Jamie lies at the bottom of that mine, we’ll keep looking.”

“Well, I will say,” Charlie began as he turned his back to his comrades and folded his arms for warmth, “If you two do find Delilah, I sure wouldn’t want to be in her shoes.”

Nice way to hook the reader right away. How can readers find you on the Internet?

I’m right here:
https://www.facebook.com/authorheatherblanton/

https://twitter.com/heatherfblanton

My newsletter: https://www.subscribepage.com/z8i1i3_copy

My website:  https://ladiesindefiance.com/

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

Readers, here is a link to the book.

Daughter of Defiance (Thanksgiving Books and Blessings Book 6)

Leave a comment for a chance to win a free copy of the book. You must follow these instructions to be in the drawing. Please tell us where you live, at least the state or territory or country if outside North America. (Comments containing links may be subject to removal by blog owner.)

Void where prohibited; the odds of winning depend on the number of entrants. Entering the giveaway is considered a confirmation of eligibility on behalf of the enterer in accord with these rules and any pertaining local/federal/international laws.

The only notification you’ll receive is the winner post on this blog. So be sure to check back a week from Saturday to see if you won. You will have 4 weeks from the posting of the winners to claim your book.

If you’re reading this on Goodreads, Google+, Feedblitz, Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin, or Amazon, please come to the blog to leave your comment if you want to be included in the drawing. Here’s a link:

Http://lenanelsondooley.blogspot.com