Overcoming rejection. Never measuring up. Unforgiveness toward others and ourselves. Unanswered prayer frustration. Feeling abandoned by God. (We know He doesn’t abandon us, but sometimes when adverse circumstances or major problems arise in our lives it sure seems like He does. So I like to write about how He really was always there during those times. Sometimes we just don’t see it at the time.)
What other books of yours are coming out soon?
In September 2011, Christmas Belles of Georgia and A Log Cabin Christmas will be available. Plus, The Unlikely Bride, the sequel to, The Unexpected Bride, is coming out in January 2012.
That's quite a lineup. If you could spend an evening with one contemporary person (not a family member of yours), who would it be and why?
Wow just one, huh? hehe Seriously, a television producer. I would tell them about my professionally written screenplay for, The Bride Wore Coveralls. Why? Because mud-bog racing is becoming more popular, therefore, I think the fast paced, action-packed racing, the Ford/Chevy rivalry between male and female, the southern culture, and the monster trucks would make a great movie.
What historical person would you like to meet (besides Jesus) and why?
Jane Austen. I love that era and her stories. They’re Cinderella stories at their best. Plus, I find it intriguing and amazing how when it came to marriage and friendships, connections, power, and money were everything to them. Even more important than love.
How can you encourage authors who have been receiving only rejections from publishers?
I would tell them to ask God to send them an experienced author/critique partner who understands their style and voice. One who won’t try to change that, but will work with it. One who can help them grow in their craft so that they can keep submitting. Randy Ingermanson told me one time that if you do find someone like that, to hold onto them because they are worth their weight in gold. He is right. I have that someone in my life. Plus, one must keep in mind just because one publisher rejected their story, doesn’t mean everyone will. That was just one person’s opinion. Another may love it. Mostly though…Don’t Give Up!
Because I have always been fascinated with the south and Jane Austen’s stories, I thought it would be fun to create a heroine whose background was both worlds. Rainelle Victoria Devonwood’s father was British and her mother was a southern belle. Rainee has the joint mannerism’s of both of those lifestyles. This story was originally titled: You Ordered What? Because unbeknownst to my hero, Haydon, his brother orders a wife for him by answering and advertisement in Haydon’s name, knowing Haydon has vowed to never marry again.
Here is the back cover blurb: After the disaster of his first marriage, Haydon Bowen has no intention of marrying again. Unfortunately, his brother has some intentions of his own, and plans to see to it that Haydon finds happiness once more. So he answers a "groom wanted" advertisement—in Haydon's name—and sends Haydon to meet his new bride at the stagecoach stop!
For beautiful, cultured Rainelle Devonwood, any dangers she may face in the Idaho Territories are preferable to staying with her abusive brother. So even when Rainee learns she's a mistakenly ordered bride, she won't let Haydon drive her away. She's up to the challenge of life on the difficult, demanding frontier...and the great challenge of opening Haydon's heart again.
Please give us the first page of the book.
Paradise Haven, Idaho Territory 1874
Chapter One
If Rainelle Devonwood’s mother knew what she was about to do, she would roll over in her grave. Grave. That one word ripped at Rainee’s heart, but she refused to cry in the presence of the strangers surrounding her. She lowered her head and pressed her fingers over her eyelids in hopes of holding back the flood of tears. Oh, Mother, you would be astonished to know what I have done. But even you would understand why I did it. If only you and Father were still alive. Then I would still be at home, living without pain and suffering. But, Mother, I had to leave. I just had to.
In the small confines of the dusty stagecoach, only one thing gave Rainee a measure of peace about her drastic decision—her betrothed had assured her he loved the Lord. Otherwise she would have never gone through with her plans to marry a complete stranger.
As you know from my book Love Finds You in Golden, New Mexico, I love mail-order bride stories. How can readers find you on the Internet?
Readers can find me on Facebook, Shoutlife, Amazon.com,
my website http://www.debraullrick.com/
or my blog http://www.christianromancewriter.blogspot.com/
Thank you, Debra, for stopping by the blog today.
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