Interview with debut author Danele Rotharmel!!

To stop a cruel serial killer, she must travel twenty-four years into the past…

Gil Montgomery, a cadet in the Temporal Counseling Program, can’t wait to pass her field exam and become a professional time surfer. The TEMCO program targets death-row offenders for time-based counseling while they’re children.  For her exam, Gil will travel twenty-four years into the past to counsel ten-year-old Danny Winston before he murders his abusive babysitter, Rick Olsen.  Preventing the stabbing should stop the chain of events leading to Danny’s eventual execution. Gil’s assignment seems simple until her adviser, Dr. William Ableman, learns that Rick is a serial killer targeting Danny’s mother.  If Gil stays and protects the Winstons, she might not survive.  William wants the woman he loves to be pulled from the field, but if Gil fails to complete her assignment, it will unleash a Time Tsunami and destroy the timeline. As TEMCO undergoes an emergency lockdown, and Gil’s fellow cadets try to figure out what’s happening, Gil and William learn the importance of faith and the price of true love. Everyone’s fate is resting in Gil’s hands, but does she have the strength she needs to defeat a ruthless serial killer intent on annihilating everyone in his path.

Will she return from the deadly mission…

Time Tsunami is a fast-moving thriller with time travel twists that keep the reader guessing until the very last page. 

I bet I've got your attention now!! I'm so thrilled to welcome debut author Danele Rotharmel to The Diamond mine today! Time Tsunami is the first book in her series: The Time Counselor Chronicles. It promises to be quite an exciting series, and Time Tsunami becomes available on January 15th. You can pre-order it on Amazon! The link is at the end of the interview.

Let's all welcome Danele, and get right to the interview!

Hi Danele! It's great to have you here today. Tell us a little about the main people in your book.

I love to laugh, and I tried to cram as much laughter and fun into Time Tsunami as I could. Because of my quarantined isolation, my characters became my friends. They were literally my window to the outside world. I populated my book with people I’d like to be around—people who were goodhearted, not always perfect, and incredibly wacky.  Take Gil, for instance (her name is actually Gillyflower Meadowlark—but don’t call her that to her face!) Gil is kind, brave, and willing to put her life on the line to save the Winston family from a serial killer, but she sings off key, over indulges on cookies, can’t keep track of time, and has a really weird sense of humor—in other words, she’s human. I always enjoy books where the characters come alive, and that’s what I tried to do in Time Tsunami.

Sounds like you not only have a great plot, but intriguing characters as well. Quite a recipe! So, how much of yourself do you put into your characters?

When I create them, I put some of my personal strengths and weaknesses into each of my characters, but they grow from there. I love getting to know my characters—they’re constantly surprising me.

It can be a real roller-coaster ride, spending time with our created characters! What do you like best about the main people in your book?

I love their courage. When I was writing Time Tsunami, I was battling my own form of a serial killer. Multiple chemical sensitivity is a hideous condition from which many people never recover—some of them die from cancer. During quarantine, part of me wanted to give up and stop fighting, but instead, I fought tooth-and-nail to recover. I put that fighting spirit into Gil. She wasn’t going to back away from her fight any more than I was backing away from mine.

Good for you! I'm so glad you never gave up! And that you turned your challenges into a riveting story.

I'm curious. Do you find it easier to write heroes or villains?

I really enjoyed creating my heroes, but I also loved creating my villain. Rick was so incredibly creepy. When I was writing his scenes, I’d find myself cowering lower and lower in my chair. He was so nasty! He gave me the shivers. One of the best compliments I’ve received about Time Tsunami came from my sister-in-law. After she read one of Rick’s particularly creepy scenes, she looked at me and said, “Do you know what, Danele? You’re really twisted.” I got a kick out of that! It made me feel as if I’d brought Rick to life in a realistic way.

I love the visual of you sinking into your chair as you wrote your villain! I'm sure your readers will appreciate your ability to creep them out!!  :) 

When did you decide to write a novel, and what got you started on the writing path?

When I was five, I decided I wanted to be an author, but when I became ill that dream seemed to die. I was suffering from partial amnesia, and I lost my ability to think creatively. For years, I couldn’t write at all. It was like having a horrible case of writer’s block multiplied by a million. My health continued to decline, and eventually, I ended up quarantined in my home. This quarantine lasted for seven years. Although I had given up my dreams of writing a book, around my second year of quarantine my brain seemed to “unlock.” As my memories came back, I realized I was dreaming in color again and seeing shapes in the clouds drifting past my window. Suddenly, I knew that I could write! Energized, I began spending anywhere from 8-18 hours a day at my computer creating Time Tsunami. When I finished, I wrote the next five novels in The Time Counselor Chronicles. I used my novels as a way to distract myself from physical pain and from the loneliness of quarantine. Going through my illness was very difficult, and my novels were vehicles to explore my questions about God. In a very real way, my novels catalog my journey back to faith.

I can see that your personal struggles have had quite an influence on your writing. How do you get your unique story ideas?

Time Tsunami started out as a short story for a college creative writing class. I was a cadet teacher at the time, and I desperately wanted to make a difference in my students’ lives. I began daydreaming about having the ability to warn students against specific pitfalls they’d encounter in the future. Eventually, those musings expressed themselves in a creative-writing assignment. After my professor read my story, he told me I had a “sellable” idea. I toyed with the idea of turning Time Tsunami into a book, but I thought I was too busy. After college, life became even busier—and later, I became ill. My writing dreams lay dormant until that special day when I saw pictures in the clouds. Deciding to try my hand at writing again, I rummaged through an old box of my stories. Buried beneath a stack of papers, I found Time Tsunami. When I read it, I knew it had promise, so I began crafting it into a novel. When I finished, I couldn’t bear to abandon the characters I’d come to love, so I wrote the sequel, “Time Trap.” The rest of the books in The Time Counselor Chronicles flowed organically from there.

That's so cool! Do you work from an outline, or create as you go?

I work from a loose outline, but I love it when my characters change things up. For instance, in my original draft, Rick was Danny’s father and Sue didn’t exist. But when I transformed my short story into a novel, Sue suddenly appeared on the scene. Another surprise was my character Zara. Originally, she was a shy southern belle, but as the story progressed, she slowly transformed into a spunky lady with a Jamaican accent. Another big surprise was chapter forty-seven. I didn’t know what was going to happen when I sent Sam to the barn. I was sitting on the edge of my seat the whole time I was writing. I suppose I enjoy “creating as I go” because writing my books has been a distraction from pain. Writing a book is even more entertaining than reading one—especially if you love your characters.

Absolutely right! What’s your favorite part about writing?

I love getting caught up in the story. When I’m on a roll, I forget about everything—even eating and sleeping. The hours slip by without me realizing it. It’s like dreaming on paper.

You've expressed it so well-that unique experience of losing yourself in the writing process. It's a world all its own.

What message would you like your readers to take away from this story?

Underneath all the wrappings and ribbon, my book is an allegory about Christ and the cross. In my book, Danny is headed for death-row execution, but Gil steps in and helps him change his future. Love surrounded the cross, and love surrounded Gil’s decisions too. God’s love and faithfulness—that’s what I’d like my readers to take away from Time Tsunami.  

A beautiful message, Danele.

So, tell us. What are you working on now?

Prism Book Group has given me a contract for Time Trap, the second book in The Time Counselor Chronicles, and currently, I’m preparing the third book in the series, Time Search, for consideration by my editor. The fourth, fifth, and sixth books in the series are also written—they just need a little tweak here-and-there. After I finish polishing them, I plan on writing the seventh and eighth books in the series. I enjoy editing, but I’m looking forward to the creative rush of writing again.

Thank you so much for having me on your blog today! I really enjoyed talking with you and your readers! 

And I so enjoyed interviewing you! Thanks Danele!!

Here's a short excerpt from Time Tsunami:

As a blue glow filled the room, Gil looked through the time portal at William and Director Matthews. Her heart missed a beat. She didn’t know what was going on, but judging by the men’s tense expressions, it wasn’t good.

       “Hi, guys, what’s up?” she asked in a deliberately casual tone.

       “We’re thinking of pulling you from the field,” William replied.

       “What?”

       “Rick’s more dangerous than we thought.”

       “I don’t care if he’s Jack the Ripper,” she said flatly. “I’m staying.”

       Director Matthews picked up a handful of printouts. “He isn’t Jack the Ripper, but he might as well be. I’ve found evidence that he’s killed at least ten women.”

       “I don’t care.”

       “You’re facing a serial killer,” William said. “You must realize the seriousness of the situation.”

       “I do realize it. You don’t. Today’s Danny’s D-day. If I abandon him, he’s gonna die on death row. I love that kid, and I’m not about to let his life be destroyed. Where’s Dr. Nelson? She’d agree with me.”

       “She said it was our decision,” the director replied.

       “It’s my decision too, and I’m not about to abandon—”          

       “It’s not abandonment,” William interrupted. “GAP’s only predicting a fifty percent chance that it’ll make a difference to Danny’s future if you stay. Regardless of your hard work, Daniel Winston may be destined for death row. We’re not risking your life over a hopeless—”

       “There’s no way you’re getting me out of here! If there’s a fifty percent chance that Danny can be saved, I’m taking that fifty percent chance. It’s my life I’m risking. Not yours.”

       William ran a hand over his face. “We’re all risking a lot.”

       “I don’t care. I’m not—”

       “Enough of this!” William said harshly. “Let the director speak. When he finishes, we’ll discuss things.”

       “Here it is, Gil,” the director said. “Bald facts. Fact number one: Rick’s a serial killer. He strangles women with a red cord and hangs their bodies to mimic suicide. He does his murderous work so well, that unless a coroner’s an expert, the homicide is missed. At this time, it’s impossible to know how many murders Rick’s committed.

       “Fact two: Rick’s meticulous and methodical—that means he’s dangerous. He’s undoubtedly been planning to kill Sue for weeks. He’ll already have things set in motion.

       “Fact three: GAP’s predicting a 98.8 percent chance that if you stay, you will be hurt. Since Danny has only a fifty percent chance of escaping death row, you’ll be risking your life on a gamble.”

       Gil sat quietly for a few moments. “I’ve heard what you’ve said and understood it. Will you respect my decision?”

       “Yes,” William replied. “It’s your decision to make.”

       “Then my answer’s the same as it was from the beginning. I’m staying. Now, give me all the information you can about what I’m facing, and please do it fast. I don’t have much time, and I need all the help I can get.”

Can't wait to read it!! And now, here's a short bio about the very interesting Danele Rotharmel!

Danele Rotharmel grew up with a love of the literary word, and by age five, she knew she wanted to be a writer. However, her life took an unexpected turn when a mysterious illness brought her close to death. Eventually, she learned that a low-level carbon monoxide leak from a faulty furnace in her home was slowly poisoning her. This poisoning triggered severe Multiple Chemical Sensitivity and partial amnesia.

       During this time, the hardest thing she faced was a crisis of faith. She had to quit her job and stop going to church. She couldn’t write, couldn’t drive, and could barely remember who she was. To say she was upset with the Lord was an understatement. She began reexamining her faith in light of her illness, and eventually, she came to the firm conclusion that God is real, God is good, God is interested and involved, and God is trustworthy regardless of tragedy.

       When her illness became even more severe, she was put into quarantine and could only talk to friends and extended family through the glass of a window. This quarantine lasted for seven years. During this time, she wrote the first six books in The Time Counselor Chronicles.

       Danele currently lives in Colorado where she continues to write. Although her journey back to health was long and difficult, it provided her with the opportunity to grow closer to God and to write her books. For that, she is forever thankful.

       

You can learn more about Danele here: 

Link to her Blog: https://dragonflydanele.wordpress.com/

Link to her Blog’s welcome page: https://dragonflydanele.wordpress.com/welcome/

Link to Time Tsunami’s Amazon pre-order page:  http://www.amazon.com/Time-Tsunami-Danele-J-Rotharmel-ebook/dp/B019JBEI1C/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1450887882&sr=8-1&keywords=time+tsunami

It's a Merry Christmas with Lisa Belcastro!

Merry CHRISTmas y'all! It's Rebekah here and boy, do I have a treat for you! Lisa Belcastro's GIVING AWAY TWO BOOKS! Shenandoah Nights and her latest release:

A Shenandoah Family Christmas

Where is Christmas?

Disease, freezing temperatures, and the Revolutionary War bring bitter reality to the Reed home in December 1777. Captain Benjamin Reed is ordered to sail a supply shipment south to General George Washington. Days before Shenandoah's scheduled departure, Ben's first mate succumbs to smallpox.

Rebecca Reed had never feared the dreaded disease until her one-year-old daughter Felicity breaks out in the telltale rash. In the cold, dark days of Advent, Rebecca, Ben, and the Reed family wait in prayerful hope as Felicity fights for her life and they wonder who could be next.

With the rest of the family at risk, they decide to obtain the forbidden cowpox vaccine. Ben's brother Jonah, his uncle Isaiah, and Shenandoah's cook Adam Greene venture off in search of the outlawed vaccine. A blizzard hits. A tree crashes. Jonah crumbles to the ground. A woman with the face of an angel aids Jonah, but is it too late? And where are Adam and Isaiah?

As the death toll rises throughout the Colonies, the Reed family prays for more than one Christmas miracle. 

 

 

Rebekah: What's your favorite thing about your genre?

Lisa:  I love romance! I'm a happily-ever-after kind of girl. That said, I'm blessed to write in multiple sub-genres so I can let my imagination play in all the areas I enjoy.

 

Rebekah: Describe your latest release, A Shenandoah Family Christmas in 3 separate words.

Lisa: Fear, Hope, Miracles

 

Rebekah: If your book was made into a movie, what actors would you cast as your main hero & heroine?

Lisa: I could see Henry Cavill playing Captain Benjamin Reed. I would love to see Anne Hathaway play Rebecca!

 

Rebekah: How long did it take you to write this book from first draft to final edit? How do you balance writing with other responsibilities (job, family, etc.)?

Lisa: A Shenandoah Family Christmas is a novella, so it only took about six weeks. Novels take four months or more, depending on "real" life. As I start the New Year, my home life has undergone dramatic changes. I'm going to have more free time, as all children will be out of the house on their own adventures. I'm eager to see how this next chapter in my life will play out.

 

Rebekah: When did you realize you wanted to be a writer?

Lisa: When I was a teenager, I could lose myself in a story. I loved the idea of growing up and being a writer. I went to college and became a journalist. From there, it wasn't a far leap to fiction.

 

Rebekah: Do you stick to your TBR pile or are you an impulsive book buyer?

Lisa: Does anyone stick to their TBR pile? LOL! I buy books all the time, and then add them to the TBR pile. If a new book catches my eye, and I simply HAVE to read it, then I put it on top of the pile. Admittedly, I have books that have stayed at the bottom for some time. I'll get to them, but there are so many I can't not read right away, that my TBR pile never seems to get any shorter. And that is a blessing!

 

Rebekah: At some point an author has to torture their characters. Tell us the truth. Do you enjoy or hate it?

Lisa: I hate it!! Sometimes it's too much like real life, mine, a family member's, or a friend's, and I find myself crying while I'm typing. When that happens, I have to read something happy before I go to bed so I sleep well.

 

Rebekah: Who's your #1 fictional character crush?

Lisa: At the moment I'm in love with Captain Hook for ABC's Once Upon a Time. If we're talking about books, I'd have to pick Ryan Crandall from my summer release, A Dream for Love.

 

Rebekah: What's one thing readers would be surprised to know about you?

Lisa: When I was 44 I set a goal to run a full marathon (26.2 miles) in all 50 states. At the time, I had run 8 marathons in only 4 states. On December 8, 2013, I completed my 50th state - in Hawaii - with my daughter Kayla running the last half mile with me and crossing the finish line with me. Next month I'm running the Dopey Challenge at Walt Disney World with a few girl friends who are as running crazy as I am. God willing, we'll be completing a 5K on Thursday, a 10K on Friday, a half-marathon on Saturday, and a full marathon on Sunday. Guess I am a little Dopey about running. :-) 

 

 

Lisa Belcastro lives with her family on Martha's Vineyard. She loves time with her family and friends, running, gardening, outdoor activities, cooking, chocolate, reading, traveling, a healthy dose of adventure, and her cat, Be, who keeps her company while she creates fictional lives for the numerous characters living inside her head.

 

Lisa runs as an ambassador for TEAM 413 (www.team413.org), and has completed a marathon (26.2 miles) in all fifty states.

 

Lisa's stories are set on the Vineyard amidst the magnificence of the ocean, the beauty of sandy beaches, rolling hills, and ancient cliffs, as well as the people and events that make the Island so very unique.

 

When she's not at her desk, Lisa is living in paradise, volunteering at her daughter's school, serving in her church community, planting and weeding her numerous gardens, training to run the Walt Disney World Dopey Challenge in January 2016, walking the beach looking for sea glass, or enjoying a great meal while she pens the cuisine column for Vineyard Style Magazine.

 

Connect with Lisa here:

www.lisabelcastro.com

www.facebook.com/belcastrolisa

www.twitter.com/VineyardRomance

 

TWO books are up for grabs! A Shenandoah Family Christmas and this little beauty, Shenandoah Nights. Your choice of paperback or eBook for both!

 

Cowboy Up with Terri Crews!

PT:  Hi Terri! We are durn pleased you're here. Let's start with the facts, ma'am. Give us your background and genre.

TC:  I was born in Folkston, Georgia, and I reside in the small town of Hilliard, Florida. Right after

high school I stepped into the role of wife and mother of two, and recently celebrated 27 years of marriage to my best friend. I am an office manager. I attend the local Baptist Church with a wonderful group of people.

        I enjoy penning novels laced with romance and variety of settings and plots. To date I’ve written over fifty five completed novels. With three publications thus far and one soon coming.

PT: Tell the readers how you got into writing?

TC:  My passion for writing goes back to childhood. In middle school I found myself writing poetry and short stories mainly during band class particularly, after I discovered that I wasn’t musically gifted, I had to do something to ward off boredom. The real spark came when my English teacher asked the class to write a short story. He chose two from the class and mine was one of the pair.  Mr. Timothy Rowe inspired this young novelist with advice and compliments after class.  

       Yet, it wasn’t until 2005 I began seriously writing full length novels as a hobby. My children were old enough not to need my waking moment and I found myself engrossed within my own mind.  After sharing my stories with friends, they prompted me to pursue publishing. 

PT:  Awesome story! Now, tell us some difficulties you’ve had to overcome to become a writer.

TC:  Being a writer is a difficult task. Especially when one is just beginning the process. A no-name will get your submission sent back to you in a matter of seconds, unless of course, you are willing to pay for publication.  My first novel I learned a valuable lesson. Then it was hours of searching, sorting through the good, the bad and the ugly of publishers. My advice please do your homework, there are those who will take advantage of starry eyed dreamers.

           I am so thankful that I stumbled across Prism Book Group. Joan Alley took the time to teach, to advise, and to grow me. Thank you! Presently my biggest nemesis is time. With a full time job, home life, and all the other little surprises life has to offer it’s very hard to get undistracted moments to prepare fifty five manuscripts for submission, and at times a grueling process.

PT: Lately I've heard a lot of people saying that Christian Authors do not write realistic, gut-wrenching stories. What’s your take on that?

TC:  My opinion on this is matter 50/50. I have read by the same author a routine of sweet romances and then there’s authors who will take tragedy and despair and deliver a message of faith and hope to the reader.  Personally as a Christian author, I don’t consider all of my novels strictly Christian oriented. I believe that there is preference for each individual writer. I think most Christian authors would want the reader to relate to circumstances and situations by embracing the strength of the human spirit. We are not defined by occurrences that happen in our lives. We must rely on a power greater than our own in order to thrive in this wayward society.  God grants us all grace to overcome, even on the days we fail.

PT:  Do you have a favorite theme you focus on in each book?

TC:  Do I have a favorite theme? Well, I have a vast variety of works and all of those involve a clean romantic nature. But if I counted the settings in which I have the most of, the winner would be the frontier/western era.

PT:  What exactly do you wish to impart to your readers through your books?

TC:  My desire is to deliver novels that stir all the emotions. Stories that imparts, encouragement, love, forgiveness, perseverance etc. I believe a writer’s goal is to entertain the imagination. If a reader closes a book with a smile, a tear, a sigh, or a giggle I’ve accomplished my goal

PT:  Tell us about your back copies, and then tells us about your new book, Outlaw Jack.

TC:  My first novel, From Letters to Grace. Christian and WWII era.
 Benjamin Watersfield clutched a single letter written solely for him, all the while waiting for the precise time to play the record.  The anniversary tradition of the day and time he’d first danced with Grace; he continued even with her gone.

        Ben, strong in his belief and totally captivated by Grace Cabot as she took his hand at the dance hall. “Dance with me soldier until my fella gets here.”  Grace was Charlie’s girl, devil may care ladies’ man and Ben’s best friend. Letters from Grace, arrived for Charlie and Ben listened, lingering on every word. Until the one letter arrived upsetting Ben over Charlie’s actions. For Charlie has no intentions of being tied to one woman’s apron strings.

       A friendship is strained with the passing days, as Ben is asked to pray for wounded and dying soldiers. The rage of war almost severs the relationship until tragedy strikes. Charlie saves Ben life, the action took Charlie’s legs, and infection is spreading uncontrollably through his body with the lack of medicine to combat the infection. One request sets Ben’s heart at rest while another, he must deny his dying friend. This story will have you reaching for the tissues.

         Second novel, Sarah’s Bounty. Sweet Romance, frontier setting.  This novel is basically two stories in one. 

     Summoned by a wealthy widow, T. J. Blake almost refuses her request until the tune of five thousand dollars dances in his ears. One condition. Sarah is to remain untouched. Not hard to do considering the payout.

         Saloon-raised Sarah is snatched from all she knows, only to be shocked by the truth of her parentage. To seek answers, she calls a truce with her would-be kidnapper to confront her mother, and complies with role play to keep the true nature of their relationship hidden.

        Then it happened: the need to perform the act of a lifetime for the sake of staying alive and keeping Sarah safe, left Blake with no choice but to become cozy with her.  

         Blake drops Sarah in her snobbish mother’s lap, and then realizes that his reward wasn’t worth what he’d leave behind. The look on her face tied him in knots. He couldn’t walk away without giving her the one thing she asked for. After all, Mama didn’t say nothing about touching Sarah once he delivered her.  With the rest of his payout in his hand, Blake fulfilled the lady’s request while her mother is screaming at him to release her. Worth every cent and more as he pressed half of the five thousand dollars into Sarah’s palm with the only advice he could give. If this life doesn’t prove to be what she wanted, then she should pursue her dreams.

     This novel has several twists and turns, I found myself laughing and crying throughout the pages.

      Third novel, Sam’s Treasure. Sweet Romance, frontier setting.

 Samantha Carleton dreams of regaining all she lost including her identity. Her father had disguised her as a boy to ward off would-be outlaws on the trail. The gold rush had overtaken many folks with the fever in hopes of striking it rich, Sam and her father included. But with each nugget found, her pa wasted the money on alcohol. Well, Sam had had enough of his senseless spending. Her feisty determination played a large role in getting her recognized as a menace in the sleepy, little town.

          Undercover, Sheriff Trace Wallace, only smiled after he’d thrown the boy from the saloon. Good riddance to the unruly lad, causing such a ruckus and demanding that his pa come down from upstairs. But this only managed to provoke the boy’s next plan of action. The upstairs came alive with noises and excited voices filtering through the air in the saloon. Then the couple came bursting through the door, half clothed and battling a swarm of bees. Clearing out the whole place. Trace spotted the boy standing smugly with a dirty grin splitting his face, satisfied to have accomplished what he set out to do.  

         Little did each of them know that this wasn’t the only predicament they’d find themselves in. Nope, Sam’s pa spent too much time bragging about his Sam’s ability in finding gold. With a rash of crime in the area, Trace had no choice but to volunteer to oversee the boy as would-be outlaws plotted in on how to make use of Sam and his talents.

       Fearful of these criminals finding out her identity, Sam plays the part of boy to the best of her ability, until a disagreement reveals to one of the crooks of who she is.  His silence over his discovery sets her on edge. What will he want in order to keep her secret?
      For Trace and Sam, love is the best treasure of all.  

Outlaw Jack

        Jacqueline Wallington had been dealt her fair share of heartache and tragedy, but just when life began to treat her kindly, cruel fate strikes again. Two months of marriage to the wealthy cattle rancher is destroyed by his untimely death. And to make matters worse, Bill Terrell slithers upon her front porch with his so- called papers proclaiming her late husband’s outstanding debts and his ill-mannered proposal.       

       Angry, hurt, and alone once again, Jack sets out with her the only thing she could manage to take from the property—her late husband’s colts. With revenge driving her misdeeds, she earns herself a title “The Gray-eyed Bandit” whose sole purpose is to steal from the man who stole from her and ironically give most of the loot away.

        With the last of Terrell’s bank in her sights, the robbery goes off without a hitch, or so she thought. Bullets find their mark, landing her in the dirt and right in the lap of handsome, kind-hearted, Deputy Gavin Ward.

        Gavin Ward was elated to know that it was his bullet that toppled the notorious “Gray-eyed Bandit.” Guilt overshadows his pride when he discovers he’d just shot a woman. Fearful for her life and uncertain if he should take her back to town, Gavin takes her to his cabin to tend her wounds. After all, she was entitled to a fair trial. As the night wore on, Gavin is amazed that she is able to answer his questions. 

        Hearing her story, he changes his mind about turning her in. This beauty wasn’t the nasty outlaw posters claimed her to be, but a troubled young woman driven by a terrible twist of fate.  He could relate with his own demons lurking in his past. Days pass and Gavin sees there is more to Jack than meets the eye. She manages to stir something he’s never longed for, love, companionship, and family.

        Jack is now well aware of what she’d been missing her whole life. She loved Brody, however he had not once displayed any kind of romantic affection toward her. Why? Brody treated her kindly, lavished gifts upon her, but nothing more. Wasn’t it normal for a man to desire his wife? What was wrong with her? Could what her Mama accused her of being be true? Was she a bad seed? Did her unique features disgust her husband?

          When she plagued him with questions of romantic notions, Gavin couldn’t believe his ears. Brody Wallington had to be blind not to be captivated by his own wife. Her eyes alone could mess with a man’s thinking, not to mention the fullness of her mouth. Her inquiries came true to light when fever took hold of Jack. Images of her past life played out in the madness spewing from her mouth. Ugly things ravaged his imagination while he tended her. Her own father, his blood ran cold, and then a husband’s rejection. She called him Brody… she wouldn’t know and a kiss was just a kiss, a pleasant memory or so he thought. 

           Caught up in her fire, Gavin falls head over heels for this uncanny outlaw. He is convinced that he can earn her a new title, but they had to clear up the old one first. But at what cost? Could the plan they’ve cooked up work? Or will the woman he loves hang? 

PT:  Your novels sound so intriguing! Well, where is your writing is leading you next?

TC:  Pony Chasers is next in on the list to be published. This novel is set in the 80’s a time when rodeos and country music were very popular. The first part of the novel the main character is seventeen and drifting from town to town with her rodeo chasing father and younger brother. Not a normal family at all, but for Kennie, she was about to learn valuable life lessons.

During the second part of the book, it’s seven years later. Her passion for country music brings her to her biggest gig yet- performing at Gilley’s. Where she clobbers an over- zealous cowboy with her guitar only to realize she’s face to face with her first love, and first heartache. 

     

      All it took for Dusty to fall in love again was a song, the beautiful woman before him, and a memory and a long awaited kiss goodbye that he never got.  No, seventeen wasn’t too young to deem one’s self in love and neither was twenty four. Matter of fact, he had to convince her to stay rather than to chase her dreams. Then fate steps in just as he is sure she’s fallen for him and those ponies. But reality is, did he want her to be miserable wondering what could’ve happened with her career or could he love her enough to let her go again? 

PT: Speaking of chasing ponies, look like I better go grab my mount before I get left high and dry. Thanks, Terri, for stopping in at the Mine.

TC:  My pleasure! Thanks for having me.

Ya' know what? Terri is giving away a copy of Outlaw Jack! Now, we done shot out the lights in our excitement! But you have to leave your email address (and a comment would be great, too) to be entered in our giveaway, like always here at the Diamond Mine. Thanks for stoppin' in Cowpoke! I hope you enjoyed this little rodeo with Terri!

In Depth with Caryl McAdoo!

Love covers a multitude of sin.

A stolen kiss ignites a fire that burns all the way from Texas to New York City.

Torn apart by war, rejection, and a letter with news she never wanted, Lacey Rose takes her shredded heart and runs. Charley figures out something isn’t right, but is

duty-bound to the Confederacy until a deathbed order sets in motion a series of events that tests his love, honor, and commitment to the breaking point.

Can the two lifelong friends see past the pain to finally realize God’s plan for them to be more than just kin?  

PT:  Hi, howdy, Caryl McAdoo! I'm surprised you have time to meet me giving the writing and publishing schedule you've set for yourself this year. So let's launch this puppy quick. In a nutshell, give us your background and your genre(s).

CM:  Started this writing journey in the mid-80s, wrote a 380 page manuscript by hand; found the DFW Writers Workshop in 1993 and went weekly for 6 years learning my craft; Republic of Texas Press published my 1st non-fiction in 2000 and the 2^nd in 2001; spent another 8 years attending DFWWW giving back, and three more presses released seven more fiction titles before moving to the country in 2008.

     Didn’t write much for a few years, but then founded the Red River Writers’ Workshop and started writing regularly again. In April 2012, I met Mary Sue Seymour, wrote her a historical Christian romance set in the 1800s that she asked for, and landed representation with The Seymour Agency in August. She sold VOW UNBROKEN that October to Simon and Schuster.

     I Indie published eleven titles in 2015 and am about to release book six JUST KIN in the historical series in January. I also have a contemporary Red River Romance series, a Biblical fiction series – The Generations, and two mid-grade series. Whew, it is hard to put anything in a nutshell these days!   

PT:  When is the prime time for you to write? Early morning? Late at night?

CM:  I suppose I’ll say most the time it’s late morning until late afternoon. In the morning I Social media—mostly Facebook and email, visitin’ and marketin’—then I click over and check it again when I have a stopping point on writing, and by evening, I’m back on the social sites ’til bedtime.

     On occasion I wake up ready to write and at other times, I’m on a roll and write ’til the early morning wee hours.

PT:  What do you wish your books would do for your readers?

CM: I pray that my stories shine a light on some little truth my characters know or learn and cause the readers to think about that and ask Holy Spirit to help them walk in it. I pray that they can see in my writing how much I love the Lord and desire to glorify Him. I pray when they finish reading one, they feel good inside, light-hearted and closer to God for having read it—blessed.

PT:  I couldn't put it more clearly! Tell us a couple of things you love about Indie publishing and a couple of things you could do without.

     

CM:  Oh, I think I love every part! I love the control of content, covers, and marketing and I love being able to set my own schedule. I mean, I’d totally enjoy it if the formatting did itself, and if the stories took me straightaway to the all the best-selling lists that matter without all the marketing work. J

PT:  What’s your favorite writing conference to attend?

CM:  ACFW is the only big conference I’ve attended. I met Mary Sue at a little Northeast Texas conference that I directed the next year. Now I’m holding conferences! WordWyse.com explains the four conferences—or expositions—we offer. In February, I’ve got a great lineup of presenters for NAVIGTING THE INDIE MARKETPLACE. Of course, traditional authors will also benefit greatly from a lot of it, but a traditional publisher will tie their hands in many ways. 

PT:  Do you do a lot of book signings, or do you mostly stick to internet connections?

 CM:  I try to schedule at least one face-to-face event a month, sometimes two. I love meeting the readers and sharing personally, hearing their stories. But internet connections offer daily contact, and I adore that, too. I have a lot of virtual parties for cover reveals or launches, including three or four big multi-author parties a year.

     And of course The Caryler, (signup at my website Home page, right column) is my quarterly newsletter that keeps all my followers digitally up to date via the world-wide-web, so they won’t miss a sale. And I do promise them a free book every quarter.

PT:  How important is networking with other writers for you?

CM:  Many, I know also read my stories, and those precious authors I couldn’t do without. Supporting them blesses me as well. I share their new releases and blog about them. I’ve learned a wealth of information from them and do my best to pay that forward helping new authors as much as I can. 

     That’s one reason I like the multi-author parties, I can introduce my readers to new authors and I get to meet theirs. J I consider it very important to be a servant in the awesome Christian-author community that has accepted me and helped me so much this last year.

PT:  What’s some of the best comments you have received from readers?

CM:  I love this question! One gentleman—an Amazon ‘Top 50’ reviewer—told me he loved the SINS OF THE MOTHERS (book four historical Texas Romance series) so much and was so caught up reading it straight through that he forgot to eat!

     And a lady who reads every book I write as fast as she can get her hands on them told me she loved THE KING’S HIGHWAY so much that she read it twice in two days! That’s book one in my mid-grade series Days of Dread, but the reader is a senior citizen. J

     I also love it when readers say that each story in a series is better than the last.

PT: Give your favorite inspirational quote.

CM:  "I am blessed and highly favored!"

     That’s how I’ve been answering ‘How are you?’ for about thirty years now, and God has created the fruit of my lips just like He said He would in His Word!

PT:  Give your favorite Bible verse.

CM: How in the world can I choose a favorite verse out of all the scriptures that I cherish and love with my whole heart?

     Psalm 86:12 says, “I will praise thee, O Lord my God, with all my heart: and I will glorify thy name for evermore.”

     I’ve adopted ‘Praying my story gives God glory!’ as my trademark and long to bring Him all the glory due His Holy name.

PT:  Is it true that Caryl will publish traditionally?

CM: What? Have you heard something I haven’t? My new saying is, “I can’t imagine what a traditional publisher would have to offer to entice me to sign over one of my stories.” God will do what He wants, and if He wants me to publish another title traditionally, so be it. He is on the throne and in control!

PT: So what’s 2016 hold for you?

CM:  In book two of my historical series, HEARTS STOLEN, readers met a four-year-old boy they all fell in love with; I did, too. That was in 1844. So January will see book six in the series JUST KIN debut with my dear Charley, all grown up and going off to war in 1861. It’s an awesome story. I never know it until it’s written.

     This one has my hero and heroine making some bad decisions, but the words and situations show that nothing is too hard for God. They dig themselves some pretty deep holes. Praise God that He is the Father of second chances!

     I love how He turns our lives around when we surrender to Him.  

PT:  I sure enjoyed getting to know Caryl better, how 'bout you? She's giving away a copy of KING'S HIGHWAY to one of you who leave a comment/email. DON'T FORGET YOUR EMAIL! Thanks for sittin' a spell and takin' a breather with us here at the Diamond Mine!

Bio: Caryl McAdoo is all about loving God! She currently writes four series: the

historical Christian ‘Texas Romance’; a contemporary ‘Red River Romance’; and The Generations, her Biblical fiction, and the newest Days of Dread Trilogy for mid-grade readers. Known as the Singing Pray-er, she loves praising with new songs the Lord gives her and prays her story gives God glory! In 2008, she and her high school sweetheart-husband Ron moved from the DFW area—home for fifty-plus years—to the woods of Red River County. Caryl counts four children and fourteen grandsugars life’s biggest blessings believing all good things come from God. Besides glorifying Him, she hopes each title will also minister His love, mercy, and grace to its readers. Caryl and Ron live in Clarksville, the county seat, in the far northeast corner of the Lone Star State with two grandsons.

Caryl's Links: 

All Books   -        http://tinyurl.com/CarylsAmazonPage

Pre-Order    -        http://www.amazon.com/dp/B016XASADO

Website       -        http://www.CarylMcAdoo.com    

                                     (All First Chapters are offered here)

Newsletter -        http://carylmcadoo.com/sign-up-to-the-caryler/

                                     (Get FREE books for subscribing!)

Reviewer?   -        http://carylmcadoo.com/christian-evaluaters/

                                     (Join Caryl’s Street Team!)

Facebook    -        http://www.facebook.com/CarylMcAdoo.author