For nearly two hundred years, women in Ashley Tolliver's family have practiced the art of midwifery in their mountain community. Now she would like to take her skills a step further, but attending medical school means abandoning those women to whom she has dedicated her life, the mountains she loves, and the awakening of her heart.
Ashley Tolliver has tended to the women of her small Appalachian community for years. As their midwife, she thinks she has seen it all. Until a young woman gives birth to a baby at Ashley's home and is abducted just as she tries to take the dangerously bleeding woman to the nearest hospital. Now Ashley is on a mission to find the woman and her newborn baby . . . before it's too late.
Hunter McDermott is on a quest - to track down his birth mother. After receiving more media attention than he could ever want for being in the right place at the right time, he receives a mysterious phone all from a woman claiming to be his mother. Hunter seeks out the aid of the local midwife in the mountain town where the phone call originated - surely she can shed some light on his own family background.
Ashley isn't prepared for the way Hunter's entrance into her world affects her heart and her future. He reignites dreams of her own family she has long put aside in favor earning her medical degree and being able to do even more for her community. But is it commitment to her calling or fear of the unknown that keeps her feet firmly planted in the Appalachian soil? Or is it something more - fear of her growing feelings for Hunter - that make her hesitant to explore the world beyond the mountains?
Rebekah: What's your favorite thing about contemporary and historical romance?
Laurie Alice: I get to explore a range and depth of human emotion other genres tend to only cover in a cursory fashion.
Rebekah: Describe The Mountain Midwife in 3 separate words.
Laurie Alice: Emotional, Romantic, Suspenseful
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.)?
Laurie Alice: I am blessed in that writing is my job, so that part is easy. I take about three months to write a book and another month for research. Balance can be difficult when I am on a roll and want to keep working, but need to make supper or clean the cat box or, worst of all, go grocery shopping.
Rebekah: When did you realize you first wanted to be a writer?
Laurie Alice: I was probably about ten when I knew this was what I wanted to do for a living, about the time I realized that people did write for a living.
Rebekah: Do you stick to your TBR pile or are you an impulsive book buyer? What are you currently reading?
Laurie Alice: I am currently reading Malice at the Palace, which is a historical mystery set in 1930s England. I pretty much stick to my TBR pile, but sometimes a new book comes along that I want to read so much I am sidetracked.
Rebekah: At some point an author has to torture their characters. Tell us the truth. Do you enjoy or hate it?
Laurie Alice: Oh, I love it. But then, I know that they will get out of it and how.
Rebekah: Who’s your number one fictional character crush OR favorite fictional couple?
Laurie Alice: Dare I admit this? Shanna and Rouarke from Shanna by Kathleen E. Woodiwiss. I read that book more years ago than I want to admit and reread it every five years and am still in love with this pair. Of course, Clair and Jamie from the Outlander series hold a close second.
Rebekah: What’s one thing readers would be surprised to know about you?
Laurie Alice: This is always a difficult question to anser because I have answered it enough not many surprises left I want anyone to know, and I will confess here that I think the type of music I like would surprise most people.
She lives in Texas
with her husband and sundry pets. She loves watching old movies with her
husband in the winter, and going for long walks along Galveston beaches in the
summer. When she isn’t writing, she considers that housework is a time to work
out plot points, and visiting museums is a recreational activity.
Connect with Laurie Alice . . .
19 comments:
Laurie Eakes is a new author to me, I am reading The Mountain Midwife now and loving it. I am adopted so that part of the story is very intriguing.
I haven't read any of Laurie's writing either. I love CALL THE MIDWIVES on PBS, so have a feeling I'd really like this story, as well. Thanks!
Welcome to the Mine, Laurie! It's great to see you here. :)
Hey Andie! Thank you so much for stopping by. And thank you for sharing that you're adopted. I'm sure The Mountain Midwife is adding some extra interest for you with that aspect. Hope you have a blessed week!
Hi Gail! I've only seen one episode of Call the Midwives but I enjoyed it. I thought my DVR was recording it, but for some reason it didn't. I'm not surprised though since anything technology seems to run from me. I'm sure you'll love The Mountain Midwife.
Wonderful interview. I haven't read any of Laurie's books either but I am adding them to my reading list.
Hey Ann! It's so great to see you on the Diamond Mine again. I've added Laurie Alice to my reading list too. Best of luck with the drawing!
I've always enjoyed Laurie Alice's books. Her history is superb.
Hey there Lisa! Thanks for stopping by! It's so great to hear such positive things about Laurie Alice's books. Hopefully you'll win the drawing and have another book to add to the ones you've already read.
Thanks for the chance!
Sounds good! Thanks for the chance to win a copy. :)
twinwillowsfarm at gmail dot com
Thanks for stopping by! Best of luck with the drawing!
Thanks for leaving a comment, Pegg! I've got you entered for the drawing.
I recognized the Tolliver name from Laurie Alice's book, Choices of the Heart. That and the setting of The Mountain Midwife tells me that the stories are connected. I "loved" reading The Midwives series. Thank you Rebekah for hosting Laurie Alice, and please enter me in the drawing.
Congrats, Laurie Alice on your new book :)
Angie
Hi Debby! Thank you for stopping by and your kind words for Laurie Alice's work. I have you down for the drawing. Best of luck!
Hey there Angie! It's so great to see one of my fav authors & podcasters here. You're so sweet to take the time and stop by. Best wishes for the drawing.
Happy Tuesday All! Laurie Alice has been having difficulties being able to comment on everyone's messages (and it's been killing her, because she loves to interact with readers). Please see the message below she's asked me to post on her behalf.
*******
Thank you all for stopping by and for your kind words on my books. Yes, DL, Ashley in The Mountain Midwife is a direct descendant of Griff and Esther from Choices of the Heart. I mention them in TMM. The setting is the same, and I include descendants of other characters. I even have a descendant of one of my Regencies in this book. I wanted to make connections for my historicals into the modern world.
Please accept my apologies for not hanging out here with you all. I have been having trouble making the capcha work to leave a comment, have had company and am trying to fight off a cold that wants to take over my life when I don't have time for it.
Laurie Alice
The winner of the giveaway is......JAMIE LEIGH!!!!
Congrats Jamie Leigh! Please email me (milletrebekah@gmail.com) and let me know if you'd prefer a paperback or Ebook version of The Mountain Midwife.
THANK YOU EVERYONE for stopping by!
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