COUNT THE NIGHTS BY STARS - Michelle Shocklee - One Free Book

Bio: Michelle Shocklee is the author of several historical novels, including Under the Tulip Tree, a Christy Award finalist. Her work has been included in numerous Chicken Soup for the Soul books, magazines, and blogs. Married to her college sweetheart and the mother of two grown sons, she makes her home in Tennessee, not far from the historical sites she writes about. Visit her online at michelleshocklee.com.

Welcome, Michelle. Have you always loved books and reading? Yes! I grew up in a home filled with books of all different genres. Both my parents and all four of my siblings enjoy reading. Mom was an elementary school teacher for nearly thirty years. The day the Scholastic book orders arrived in the mail felt like Christmas. Dad loved books on history, especially World War II. He was a turret gunner on a B-17 bomber in Europe and had a nice collection of books about Flying Fortresses and the war. I now have those fascinating books in my home library since Daddy graduated to heaven several years ago. 

What about your formative years informed your love for reading and books? I feel very blessed to have had a mom who read to us, even after we learned to read for ourselves. One of my favorite memories is from the summer when she read Little Women to my sister and me. I can still picture the scene: I'm sprawled out on the carpet in our den, my older sister is lounging in the rocking chair, and Mom is on the couch, reading until her voice grew hoarse. I have that beloved book on my own bookshelf these days and it always brings a smile and sweet memories.  

How did you become a writer? I was a married mother of two rambunctious boys when the writing bug bit me. I didn’t know anything about writing a novel, but I wanted to give it a try. Personal computers were just becoming popular, so my husband brought one home, and I began writing my first novel. I knew I needed help, so I attended a Christian writers’ conference where I had the privilege of learning about the craft from the amazing Francine Rivers. Lots of life and lots of stories later, my debut novel was published in 2017. 

What made you want to write historical fiction? What about that genre do you enjoy? The day Mom brought home a newly released novel called Love Comes Softly by Janette Oke was the day I fell in love with the genre of historical fiction. I can’t tell you how many times I've read that novel since that long-ago day in 1979. Like my dad, I love history. To have a story carry me to a time and place I’ll never experience in real life was amazing. One of the things I love most about writing historical fiction is the research that goes into each book. I learn so many fascinating details about people from the past and places I’ve never been to through research. 

I love the research, too. How did you decide to write a time-slip novel set in 1897 and 1961? When I first read about the Tennessee Centennial Exposition of 1897, I knew I’d have to write a book about this one-of-a-kind event someday. I had the same feeling when I learned about the famous Maxwell House Hotel. Although the hotel was built in the late 1850s and was used by both armies during the Civil War, 1961 was an unforgettable year in the life of the Maxwell House. Bringing the two time periods together into one book was great fun.

What inspired you to write this particular story? When my husband and I moved to the Nashville area in 2017, I felt like a sponge soaking up all the interesting history of the area. One of the most fascinating places we visited was the Parthenon, a full-scale replica of the real Parthenon in Athens. Discovering that it was built for the Tennessee Centennial Exposition in 1897 sent my imagination into overdrive, and Priscilla’s story soon immerged. 

Please tell us a bit about the setting of your novel. Count the Nights by Stars is set in Nashville, Tennessee, in 1897 and 1961. In both time periods, the Maxwell House Hotel is as much a character in the story as are Priscilla and Audrey. Readers will experience the bygone days of Nashville when people traveled by horse and carriage as well as the early days of the Civil Rights movement. The Tennessee Centennial Exposition is brought to life in Priscilla’s story, and I believe readers will enjoy learning about Tennessee's 100th birthday celebration.

How much research did you have to do on the time period and setting for your novel? Much research went into both time periods. I found a fantastic book about the expo, read official documents, and studied dozens and dozens of black-and-white pictures during the writing process. My hope is readers will feel as if they've truly been to the centennial exposition after reading Priscilla’s story. I also tried to capture the unique vibe of 1961 within the pages of Audrey’s story by including lots of references to music, clothing styles, and important events. 

Please tell us about your main characters in Count the Nights by Stars and what kind of challenges they face. Priscilla, the protagonist in the 1897 story, resists being forced into a loveless marriage to a family friend. More than anything, she wants her life to matter. When a young friend goes missing, a calling to help women of ill repute is awakened in Priscilla. She knows, however, if she chooses this path, life as she knows it will never be the same. Audrey, the protagonist in the 1961 story, has recently suffered the loss of her mother and finds herself responsible for the care of her older special-needs brother. When she discovers an old scrapbook belonging to a longtime resident of the Maxwell House Hotel, she's inspired to learn more about the reclusive woman and the surprising path she took into social work.

Who was your favorite character to write and why? It’s always difficult to choose a favorite character, because I love each one for different reasons. In this book, I think Priscilla would have to be my favorite. She could have easily chosen a life of luxury and ease, but instead she followed her heart and faced challenges and pain with courage and faith. She’s determined to make an impact on her small part of the world, and I think that’s how most of us feel.    

What lessons can be learned from your main characters? Both Priscilla and Audrey learn the valuable lesson of truly seeing people. All too often we don’t take time to get to know others and instead make hasty judgments about them. Yet when we really see people and listen to their stories, what we first believed may not be true at all.  

What are the key themes in Count the Nights by Stars? “I see you” is the main theme of the book. Each of the main characters has someone in her life who challenges her and her preconceived beliefs, forcing her to reevaluate what she thought she knew and understood about the world. “Love thy neighbor” is also a theme throughout the pages of the story. “Who is my neighbor?” each of the characters must ask themselves. Their answers are, I hope, the same answers you and I would come up with.   

What is your hope for Count the Nights by Stars? My hope for Count the Nights by Stars is that it will remind us to truly see one another through a lens of love, acceptance, and grace. We are all unique creations of God, beloved and created with plans and purposes. What a terribly boring world it would be if we were all the same. 

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

Readers, here’s a link to the book.

https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Count+the+Nights+by+Stars&i=stripbooks&crid=1TUH8T5XZ05AC&sprefix=count+the+nights+by+stars+%2Cstripbooks%2C889&ref=nb_sb_noss_2

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 2 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: https://lenanelsondooley.blogspot.com/2022/03/count-nights-by-stars-michelle-shocklee.html

THE WIDOW OF ROSE HILL - Michelle Shocklee - One Free Ebook

Welcome back, Michelle. Why do you write the kind of books you do?

I’ve always loved historical novels as a reader, so writing them was a natural progression. Although I didn’t enjoy history while I was in school, I do now. Digging into the lives of people who lived long ago is fascinating to me.

Besides when you came to know the Lord, what is the happiest day in your life?

The day I married my best friend, April, 25, 1987, was the happiest day of my life. We met in college and have been sweethearts for more than 33 years. Two more dates brought me incredible joy: February 12, 1991 and May 22, 1993. God blessed us with two little boys on those dates. They’ve grown into young men that I am desperately proud of.

How has being published changed your life?

Honestly, my life hasn’t changed all that much since my debut novel came out in March 2017. I’m a bit busier on social media and planning marketing events, but otherwise my days are much the same as before. I do enjoy hearing from readers and interacting with them on social media and at signing events. I’m very grateful for all the amazing reviews my books have received and try to reach out to reviewers as much as possible. I suppose you could say that being a bit more visible and transparent is one way I’ve changed since becoming a published author.

What are you reading right now?

I’m getting ready to start Francine Rivers’ The Masterpiece. I’ve had to wait to dig into it while I finished reading several books and manuscripts for a contest I’m a judge in. Francine is one of my all-time favorite authors, beginning back in 1999 when I met her at a writers’ conference and was so “green” I didn’t know who she was!

What is your current work in progress?

I’m working on the third and final book in The Women of Rose Hill historical romance series. This third book takes place twenty years from the first book, so many changes have come to Rose Hill plantation, not all of them good.

What would be your dream vacation?

I’d love to take a cruise around the world! My husband and I love cruising, and I’d much rather lounge on a cruise ship while crossing the ocean than fly in a crowded airplane. I’d like to visit each continent and experience the many different cultures represented. 

How do you choose your settings for each book?

I chose the setting for my historical series after learning about slavery and cotton plantations existing in Texas prior to the Civil War. Because I grew up in New Mexico, Texas’ history was not something I was familiar with, even though I’d lived in the state since 1985. Once I began to dig into the research, I knew I had to write about a plantation in Texas rather than the typical southern plantations we often read about located in Georgia or Virginia. I specifically chose Williamson County as the setting for Rose Hill plantation after reading a firsthand account of a slave who lived on a plantation in that county, the same county where I lived for twenty years.

If you could spend an evening with one person who is currently alive, who would it be and why?

If you had asked me this question a few months ago, I would have said the Rev. Billy Graham. Oh, how I would have loved to sit in his comfy-looking home tucked in the hills of North Carolina, listening to his incredible stories. But since he has gone Home to Heaven, I will say my next choice would be Astronaut Buzz Aldrin. He and Neil Armstrong were the first two humans to walk on the moon, and I’d love to hear him describe that amazing event in person.

What are your hobbies, besides writing and reading?

I’m obsessed with visiting historical sites. My husband and I recently relocated to Tennessee, and I’m fascinated by all the Civil War history that surrounds me here. We also enjoy old movies, live music, and eating out. We’ve dubbed Friday nights as Burger Night and are always on the hunt for the best burger in town!

What is your most difficult writing obstacle, and how do you overcome it?

Procrastination. Unfortunately I have yet to overcome it. Like most things I try to accomplish, I find that if I have a hard and fast deadline, I can make myself sit in the chair and write. But if I have too much time between contracts or writing projects, I find myself going in several different directions and not really accomplishing much.

What advice would you give to a beginning author?

Don’t get discouraged. Keep learning and keep writing. God has a timetable and a plan for each of us. He can’t be rushed, nor would we want to rush him. Writing is just one of the many tasks God has for us to do, so be faithful in them all.

Tell us about the featured book.

The Widow of Rose Hill is the second book in The Women of Rose Hill series. It takes place in June 1865, just after the Civil War has ended. If you know your Texas history, you know slavery in Texas was still happening despite the end of the war. When the Union Army arrived in Galveston, they brought with them a presidential proclamation freeing the slaves. Huge changes had to come to plantation owners like Natalie Ellis. How will the widowed single mother manage the plantation without slaves?

Please give us the first page of the book.

Williamson County, Texas

June 1865

“I declare, Carolina, I believe we will positively melt before the day is finished with us.”

Seated on the swing on the wide front porch that graced the big house of Rose Hill plantation, Natalie Langford Ellis cooled her face with her favorite lace fan until the muscles in her arm cramped. Not even the uppermost branches of the great oaks near the house stirred in the sultry afternoon air. Nary a cloud floated in the clear blue sky to offer a brief respite.

“Yes’m.” Carolina mopped her ebony skin with a damp cloth. From her place in a worn wicker chair near the rail, the young servant leaned forward to catch the whisper of a breeze that might venture past. “Summer jest gettin’ started, but we’s already feeling the misery. Don’t ’spect it’ll get better ’til after harvest.”

With the toe of one slipper, Natalie lazily propelled the swing back and forth, the groan from rusty chains blending with the song of dozens of cicadas high in the tree branches. Childish laughter drew her attention to the sun-scorched lawn just down from the house where two small boys—one white and one black—played with a reddish-brown dog, the three of them rolling and chasing and generally doing what little boys and dogs do best.

       Natalie smiled despite the uncomfortable trail of sweat trickling down her back. She loved to watch Samuel play, all innocence and goodness, free of the heavy burdens his mother carried. “I believe my son will require two tubs of water to wash the filth from him tonight.”

I’m eager to read this one. How can readers find you on the Internet?

https://www.amazon.com/Michelle-Shocklee/e/B01MYD4TRE/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1?qid=1486004955&sr=8-1

http://www.michelleshocklee.com/

http://michelleshocklee.blogspot.com/

Thank you, Michelle, for sharing this new book with us. I love that it is set in Texas where I live.

Readers, here are links to the book.

The Widow of Rose Hill - Paperback
The Widow of Rose Hill (The Women of Rose Hill Book 2) - 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, 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

THE PLANTER'S DAUGHTER - Michelle Shocklee - One Free Book

BIO: Born and raised in Santa Fe, New Mexico, Michelle Shocklee is a Rocky Mountain girl at heart. But after living in Texas the past thirty years with her tall Texan husband, she has grown to truly appreciate the Lone Star State's rugged beauty. Her family lived in Williamson County, the setting for her debut novel THE PLANTER'S DAUGHTER, for more than twenty years. She and her husband currently live and work on a 400-acre ranch in the Texas Hill Country where they can often be found spoiling llamas, sheep, and chickens, and enjoying the abundant wildlife. Passionate about history, she considers it pure joy to immerse herself in stories from the past, whether fiction or true-life tales. She is a contributing author in numerous Chicken Soup for the Soul books, magazine articles, and writes the Life Along The Way blog.

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

Although I don’t intentionally create characters like myself, I think it would be impossible not to have my own beliefs and life experiences bleed into the lives of my characters. You will see bits and pieces of my personality and feelings in nearly all of my characters, good and bad, but I definitely want them to be their own person (er, as much as a fictional character can be a person).

What is the quirkiest thing you have ever done?

In 2012, my husband and I quit our jobs, sold our house in the suburbs, and moved to a 400-acre ranch in the Texas hill country to become Estate Caretakers. To say it was terrifying is an understatement. But God opened the door, so we took a huge leap of faith and walked through it. And we are so happy we did! We love country living and have no regrets.

When did you first discover that you were a writer?

Had I known what to look for as a young person, I might have discovered I was a writer far earlier than I actually did. As it is, I came to the party a bit late. Throughout school and three years of college with a major in Education, writing courses were always my favorite. However, it never dawned on me to turn that into a career. I was a married stay-at-home mom with two little boys before I started writing for publication.

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

I love history! For fun reading, I grab historical fiction. Biblical, Regency, Western. You name it, I’ll read it. But I also love diving into history books. I’m currently immersed in Texas and Civil War history doing research for my historical series. The mail-order bride novella I’m writing for Barbour Publishing (release January 2018) also requires research into Civil War medical practices.

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

Moving to the ranch four years ago definitely slowed down our lives. With our two sons grown, we have embraced the empty nest and spend our evenings reading or watching HGTV. I enjoy taking walks on the property, tending the llamas, sheep and chickens, and sitting on the porch looking out into the hills as the sun sets. We count ourselves very blessed to work and live in such a beautiful place. 

How do you choose your characters’ names?

Naming characters is a lot like naming a child. I search online baby name sites to see what’s popular—and then stay away from those names! Because I write mainly historical fiction, I also use census records from my time period. In THE PLANTER’S DAUGHTER, I used the actual names of Texas slaves for my Negro characters because I wanted to honor the memories of the former slaves.

What is the accomplishment that you are most proud of?

I am most proud of my thirty-year marriage to my best friend. Sharing life with another person—even one you love with all your heart—takes patience, sacrifice, and a whole lot of prayer. I’m also beyond proud of our two amazing sons. Publishing a book is pretty awesome, but it wouldn’t have been possible without those three guys in my life, cheering me on.

If you were an animal, which one would you be, and why?

I would be a spoiled rotten wiener dog who has its people trained just the way it wants. Yes, I speak from experience. We were the humans of such a dog, Copper, for 16 years. He was known as The Fastest Wiener Dog in Texas after winning a total of ten wiener dog races throughout the state. After we retired him at the age of 8, he lived out his remaining years as a grand champion should: eating, sleeping, and playing with toys.

What is your favorite food?

A great cheeseburger! My husband and I have dubbed Friday nights as burger night. We’ve traveled all over the Texas hill country in search of a great burger. Unique burger joints and fun diners are some of our favorite places to eat.

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

As with any form of art, writing takes a lot of practice. I jumped into it believing I should be able to write a clean, salable book on the first try. Wrong! I had many lessons to learn—and still do, I’m sure—about the craft of writing. Like most novelists, I have manuscripts that will never see the light of day.

Tell us about the featured book.

At the heart of the story, THE PLANTER’S DAUGHTER is a romance. Adella Rose Ellis wants nothing more than to marry for love, but her ambitious father has other plans for her. When she falls in love with Seth Brantley, the man her father hired as overseer of the vast cotton plantation, Adella is forced to make a choice between the man who can save her family’s land from bankruptcy and the man who can save her.

Please give us the first page of the book.

Williamson County, Texas

May 1859

Adella cringed at the sound of shattering glass.

What now?

Exasperation pushed her taut nerves to the edge. Two vases and a china teacup had already met their demise as house servants feverishly prepared for Natalie Langford’s arrival on the morrow. That her brother’s fiancée sparked such anxiety did not bode well, considering the wedding was still two weeks away. Would things only worsen after the blonde beauty became mistress of Rose Hill Manor—a role Adella herself had filled since Mama took ill three summers ago?

A small shadow appeared in the open doorway to her bedroom. Adella Rose Ellis waited from her perch on the window seat, her bare feet tucked beneath a wide bell skirt, for the guilty servant to emerge. A warm afternoon breeze teased her loose hair. A moment later, Carolina’s fuzzy braids poked around, followed by wide, fearful eyes.

“Missy Ellis?” The little girl’s timid voice squeaked. Perspiration glistened on her dark skin, and her bottom lip trembled when she stepped around the corner. “I sorry, Missy. I didn’t mean to break it. It just tumbled outta my hand.” A tear slid down an ebony cheek before she tucked her chin into the too-large homespun dress, which hung off of thin shoulders.

“Come in, Carolina.” Adella softened her voice the way Mama always had when dealing with the servants. “Tell me what happened.”

How can readers find you on the Internet?

www.MichelleShocklee.com

https://www.facebook.com/AuthorMichelleShocklee1

https://twitter.com/ShellShocklee

https://www.pinterest.com/shocklee8455/

Readers, here are links to the book. By using one when you order, you help support this blog.

The Planter's Daughter - Paperback
The Planter's Daughter - 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, 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