The Diamond Mine's Dug Up Another Jewel in Montana or is it South Carolina?

The Diamond Mine's Dug Up Another Jewel in Montana...or is it South Carolina? Either way, she's a doozy and awesome!

We even have a great giveaway to go with this terrific author interview. That's right, The Lady and the Mountain Doctor is up for grabs. (Details following the interview.) So, snatch your blood pressure cuff off the table (you have one of those, right?), we’ve got a doctor in the house! Well…her book about a doctor. Does that count?

Let's welcome Misty Beller!

Renee: Hi, Misty! Grab a chair. I can’t wait to get started. I hear you have a new book that’s making rounds through the stores. Can you tell us about it?

Misty: Writing The Lady and the Mountain Doctor was fun! It's the second book in the Mountain Dreams Series, and is the story of Miriam, the lovable little sister of the hero from The Lady and the Mountain Man.

Miriam Bryant has always dreamed of leaving the never-ending work of her family's remote mountain ranch to travel abroad as a genteel lady. She's thrilled when the opportunity finally arises, but a gruesome hunting accident crushes her plans, leaving her stranded for weeks in a mining town. The single bright spot in her disappointment comes in the form of this mountain town's newest doctor…

Fresh out of medical school, Alex Donaghue is excited to join his brother's practice and prove himself in the mining town of Butte, in Montana Territory. But the tough conditions in the mines and the brutal winter are worse than he expected. Now a mysterious lung disease is killing patients he fought so hard to cure. The single bright spot in this dreary place comes in the form of their newest patient…

But when Miriam's life is threatened by the effects of a medical tragedy, will Alex have what it takes to save the woman he's come to love? Will Miriam ever find the place God created her for, or is it too late?

Renee: This book sounds awesome. It’s a series? Yep, I may need to get the first one, too. J And I love Butte, Montana. What a place to set a story! How do you decide what to write about and when do you do your research?

Misty: Hmm… My ideas for each story usually come about midway through writing the previous story. When I'm ready to get started, I spend several weeks on intense research as I'm writing my plot outline, which often helps me develop my plot. After that, I regularly do quick research on a topic as I write the scene. I've found that really helps me dig into the details and write about them while they're fresh.  I've also learned to make sure I keep a document with all the website links I use for research. They can be so helpful during editing and for future books in that series.

Renee: Now that’s a pearl of wisdom I may need to put in my cap. I write a pile of notes, but always search for things. Websites…websites…websites. Good idea, especially for my subsequent novels. So, for those new writers out there who may still be struggling to finish that first manuscript or find a publisher…do you have any other words of advice?

Misty: Oh wow. There are so many things that spring to mind! Some I've learned from wise writers. Some from my heavenly Father. And some from doing it the hard way. J If I had to narrow down my experience into advice, these are the three things I would share:

1. Seek:  Read books on craft. Join a writer's organization. Make friends with other writers and develop connections. Seek to learn everything you can about this wonderful world of fiction!
2. Work:  Writing takes so many hours of typing and plotting and editing. You may feel it will never end. But enjoy the journey, even the hard times. I heard a quote today that really hit home for me. "Happiness is counting your blessings for the good things where you are right now." We all need goals, but the joy truly can be in the journey.
3. Pray: Seek God's face and His direction for your writing. If you're in His will, He will bless the work. His blessings may be a different outcome than you expected, but I promise it will be wonderful!

Renee: Thank you for those encouraging words, Misty. I agree wholeheartedly. Writing like our Christian life is indeed, a journey. One we should embrace with every fiber of our being with Christ at the helm. Speaking of writing, I’m what you call a plantser…or combo plotter and pantser. I write out a general thematic outline of the story floating around in my head and then let it fly! Which writing style do you prefer?

Misty: I'm a plotter. Not to the extreme, but I need to have a chapter and scene outline before I get started so I know where I'm going. J

Renee: Is writing what you’ve always wanted to do?

Misty: I was putting together my bucket list, and realized that I really did want to write a novel. So, "Write a novel that's published" made it near the top!

I decided, it's now or never, and made the commitment to do it. So, I had a general idea that I wanted it to be a Christian western romance. But where to start? I finally decided I needed to find a good book to help me plan. I stumbled upon (a.k.a. God led me to) the best possible book to help me get started with a great plan: Plot and Structure by James Scott Bell. For all you writers out there, I can't recommend it highly enough! 

From there, I've soaked in every bit of writing instruction I can from some amazing groups and individuals. And I've spent countless hours sitting with my laptop pouring out words onto the screen. Writing is in my blood. It's my passion. A true gift from my Heavenly Father, and I pray daily that he uses the words for His purpose.

Renee: I’d say your book, The Lady and the Mountain Doctor’s a way for Him to do it. As well as your series. What’s your favorite part of the book?

Misty: I had so much fun getting to know Alex, an easy-going Irishman who has a gift when dealing with people. He fights his own demons, though, (don't we all) and it takes his worst nightmare coming to life for him to accept the truth.

Renee: What an amazing character. Irish too! Now you really have me hooked. You sound like a terrific lady. I’d love to spend more time with you. Speaking of that, if you could go on an ultimate vacation, where would you sport off to?

Misty: I love to travel! I've been throughout the US, but never to Europe. I'd love to visit the old castles and estates in England or Ireland. And all that amazing historic architecture in Italy!

Renee: Are you sure we aren’t sisters? How did you know that’s my dream vacation? When do we leave? 

Thanks for joining us at the Diamond Mine, Misty. And for those who want a shot at winning this awesome new book, here’s your chance!

BOOK GIVEAWAY

Comment Now to Enter!

Leave a comment about which favorite time periods you like to read (i.e. contemporary, WWII, 1800s, Biblical, etc.).

Prize: Winner’s choice of one e-book or paperback version of The Lady and the Mountain Doctor.

(Winner will be chosen by random draw on 6/3/15.

A minimum of five comments required to validate contest.)

About the Book:

Miriam Bryant has always dreamed of leaving the never-ending work of her family's remote mountain ranch to travel abroad as a genteel lady. She's thrilled when the opportunity finally arises, but a gruesome hunting accident crushes her plans, leaving her stranded for weeks in a mining town. The single bright spot in her disappointment comes in the form of this mountain town's newest doctor…

Fresh out of medical school, Alex Donaghue is excited to join his brother's practice and prove himself in the mining town of Butte, in Montana Territory. But the tough conditions in the mines and the brutal winter are worse than he expected. Now a mysterious lung disease is killing patients he fought so hard to cure. The single bright spot in this dreary place comes in the form of their newest patient…

But when Miriam's life is threatened by the effects of a medical tragedy, will Alex have what it takes to save the woman he's come to love? Will Miriam ever find the place God created her for, or is it too late?

Available for sale at http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00T8XN9Q2

About the Author:

Misty M. Beller was raised on a farm in South Carolina, so her Southern roots run deep. Growing up, her family was close, and they continue to keep that priority today. Her husband and two daughters now add another dimension to her life, keeping her both grounded and crazy.

God has placed a desire in Misty’s heart to combine her love for Christian fiction and the simpler ranch life, writing historical novels that display God’s abundant love through the twists and turns in the lives of her characters.

You can find her on her website, reader blog, marketing blog for authors, Goodreads, Twitter, Google+, and Pinterest. Or check out her books The Lady and the Mountain Man or The Lady and the Mountain Doctor.