Release day and give away!

Today is release day for Lori Benton's  THE PURSUIT OF TAMSEN LITTLEJOHN! 

 

   Isn't that a beautiful cover? I was lucky enough to be given an ARC (Okay, I begged like a fan girl, but it was worth it!) of the book and I can tell you the story is equally as good.  

Blurb:  In an act of brave defiance, Tamsen Littlejohn escapes the life her harsh stepfather has forced upon her. Forsaking security and an arranged marriage, she enlists frontiersman Jesse Bird to guide her to the Watauga settlement in western North Carolina. But shedding her old life doesn’t come without cost. As the two cross a vast mountain wilderness, Tamsen faces hardships that test the limits of her faith and endurance. 

Convinced that Tamsen has been kidnapped, wealthy suitor Ambrose Kincaid follows after her, in company with her equally determined stepfather. With trouble in pursuit, Tamsen and Jesse find themselves thrust into the conflict of a divided community of Overmountain settlers. The State of Franklin has been declared, but many remain loyal to North Carolina. With one life left behind and chaos on the horizon, Tamsen struggles to adapt to a life for which she was never prepared. But could this challenging frontier life be what her soul has longed for, what God has been leading her toward? As pursuit draws ever nearer, will her faith see her through the greatest danger of all—loving a man who has risked everything for her?

 Lori was gracious enough to answer some questions for me.

1. Let's start at the beginning, how did your love of words begin?  When did you know you wanted to be an author?

My love of words began when I was nine years old. I wrote my first story after my best friend announced one day that she had written a story. I guess it never occurred to me before then that I could write a story, though I already loved to read. It was simply too intriguing an idea not to give it a try. I did, and I was hooked.

When did I know I wanted to be an author? All through my teens I had the niggling urge to write a “serious grown-up” sort of story, and made a few false starts. But it wasn’t until my early twenties that I buckled down and got serious about pursuing novel-writing as anything like a career. Once I finished that first novel, I knew this was how I wanted to spend my days.

2. This is your second published book, did you find publishing it easier or harder than the first one?

A little of both. The editing process on this second book was far more difficult and stretching to me as a writer, which isn’t a bad thing. Just challenging. As far as the publishing process, it’s been easier because I’ve known much better what to expect.

3. Your main character, Tamsen, loved fabric and sewing. Do you sew? Does your personality influence your books or characters at all?

I can manage to sew on a button, but that’s the extent of my ability. For a woman happy in her jeans and 90s-era flannel hoodie, I was surprised to find myself writing about a character with a passion for clothing, both the wearing and the creating of them.

Does my personality influence my books and characters? How could it not? If you want to know a writer, read her books. There’s no hiding who I am on the pages. It finds it way there. That doesn’t mean every character I create is a carbon copy of me, obviously. How boring! Yet there is something of me in every character (even the antagonists; I create them too, after all).

Characters—mine anyway—often spring into being with personalities and interests that hold firm despite my efforts to shape them. I gave up trying with Tamsen Littlejohn, embraced that “girlie” aspect of her character, and soon saw how I could use her preoccupation with clothing to show the stages of her growth—her rejection of the cage she feels caught in, her shedding of her old life, her attempts at “trying on” various aspects of frontier life, until we see her constructing a set of clothes unlike any she’s ever imagined, for the sheer joy of creating. Which I can fully embrace and understand.

4. How much research do you do for your historical novels? What is the oddest thing you've ever researched?

A tremendous amount, and it never stops. It’s become a way of life for me. The oddest thing I’ve ever researched? Some might think it odd that I’ve researched the history of undergarments, or the way 18^th century scholars at Oxford were required to curl their hair, or how to tan hides using an animal’s brains, or the erratic spelling and capitalizing of 1700s penmanship, or how a woman could manage to get trapped in her stays. None of it seems odd to me. Learning how our 18^th century ancestors lived is endlessly fascinating.

5. The cover is gorgeous! Did you have any input? How did you feel when you saw it for the first time?

I’m very pleased with the cover for The Pursuit of Tamsen Littlejohn. It’s beautiful. I’m thankful that my cover designer, Kristopher Orr, is willing to discuss this aspect of the book with me. In this case I was given a choice of three models for Tamsen. While all three women were lovely, one of them so strongly embodied not only Tamsen’s physical appearance, but her inner person—her vulnerability, strength, and sweetness—that there was no other choice for me. She’s the Tamsen who appears on the cover.

Seeing a cover for the first time is always, for me, a bit of shock to the system. I’ve carried around potential covers in my head for months before that moment, my own hopes, ideas for what I think it should look like. When I see the cover for the first time there are a lot of happy feelings because my cover designer does beautiful work. At the same time, all those possible covers in my mind die a little death. After a while I cease to remember them, as I fall in love with the cover that is.

When you've finished this book, go ahead and pick up her first book BURNING SKY which is also brilliantly done.  

We do have a copy of THE PURSUIT OF TAMSEN LITTLEJOHN to give away to one lucky person.  It would be awesome if you wanted to add her books on Goodreads, or leave reviews somewhere, buy her books or give a shout out about the book or contest on your social media but I hate making people jump through hoops (probably from years of filling out adoption papers) So, the only thing you need to do to enter is leave a comment on my blog sometime before Friday the 18th. That's it. I'll announce the winner next week. But if you want to do those other things too, feel free. Sorry, but this is limited to postal addresses in the United States. 

If you want to find out more, here are some links. 

Lori's website here.  Facebook page here.  Her pinterest book boards, which are really amazing are here.  Amazon here.  And, if you want to read the first two chapters free, you can find them here.  Enjoy!

Self Lovin' Bloghop

This week Tara is hosting a Self Lovin' Bloghop.  It's really easy for writers to get down on themselves.  With the rejection we encounter, the fact that there's always a different part of the craft we can improve, it can be depressing. 

But there's  reasons why we're writers. Reasons we endure the solitude, the hours of work with no pay, the fact that our family and friends may not understand what we do. And those reasons are because we love it, and because we're good at it. 



Each of us have something we're good at. Did your English teacher exclaim over your descriptions? Do your beta readers Oooh over your characterization?

This week we're celebrating our skill as a writer.   

One thing I can do well is dialogue.  It wasn't always that way. I  had to work hard, but now it's comfortable and I get a lot of comments on how natural it sounds.  It feels good to own what I can do. To ignore all the things I'm still struggling with and say here, this is what I've learned.

What have you learned, what are you good at? 

Heads Up

Zan Marie, over at In the Shade of the Cherry Tree, interviewed author Lori Benton yesterday.  Her writing journey is amazing and the interview is worth the read.  Not to mention they're giving away a copy of her book. And it's a very. good. book.  So I highly recommended that you all go and enter yourselves post haste. 

It's worth it.

Key to Happiness

I was bit by a happy bug.  Alright, so it wasn't a bug at all Jen nominated me for the How to be Happy meme that is sweeping the internet.  I knew I had to do this one.  It's fun and we all need a little more happiness in our lives. 

This was actually quite hard. There are a lot of things that make me happy but mostly  I believe happiness is a choice.  Bad things happen, yes, but it's our choice how we deal with them.


So here are my top ways to be happy.

1. My family.  My husband is the nicest, most perceptive person.  He really understands and supports me.  Watching my children explore the world always helps me realize what life is about.  

2. Helping others.  I was once told "if you're feeling sorry for yourself, it's because you're thinking of yourself"  Focusing on others helps me keep my life in perspective.

3. Chocolate.  Need I say more?

4.  Books.  They keep me sane in a crazy world.

5. Friends.  Both real life, and on line.




So tell me, what makes you happy?

Just for fun

Elise and Michelle are celebrating their blogoversary.  To make if fun, and memorable, they have a comic we are supposed to provide the words too. Here's my feeble attempt.  The words that are in bold are the bonus words.

 Elise:  Come back here with my manuscript.

Michelle:  No!  I gave you all the good ideas when I beta read it.  Now I'll publish it and become king of the publishing world! I mean queen. Sorry, that champagne is getting to me. 





Michelle:  Wow, the air up here is thin.  I'm getting a buzz.  Um, not that I mind that you stopped chasing me but what are you doing upside down?

Elise:  This is how I practice the tango.  Keeps me light on my feet.  Next I'll do the twist.






Superhero:  Wish I didn't get so motion sick.  I need to find a place to vomit.

Bleeuuugh.   








Michelle:  Dude, did you have to do that in the balloon? 









Elise:  Great, you dishonorable lout.  Now my manuscript is ruined and I don't have a backup.

Michelle:  Oops, that was a bit cheeky of me.  Sorry.

Dragon:  He looks a little grey, but I'd still like to eat him.


Michelle:  Help yourself.  Hey, maybe we could co-author a novel. 










Congrats to the blogday girls!

False Start Friday--Valentine Edition!

No, it's not really Friday but Suze thought a Valentine edition would be fun.  Here's a list of participants.

It turns out that my older work is shockingly lacking in romantic, tender or emotional scenes.  So I had to cheat a little.  This is from a WIP that will become a false start if I don't sell the first of the trilogy.

I should maybe mention that Anna is a selkie.  A fairy-tale creature that is a seal in the water but when they come on land can peel off their skin and become human. She and her husband are reuniting after a year apart.

Paul’s arms tightened around Anna, “When I think you could have—” his voice choked off.

“I didn’t.  I’m fine.”  Her voice was soft in the dark, her breath tickled his cheek.  He couldn’t see her, only feel and touch.  She was much thinner than a year ago.  Frail.

“Fine?  This is fine?  Anna, I can’t stand to see you like this.” 

“You can’t see me at all.”  There was a laugh in her voice.  “Just as I can’t see you.  But I can tell you are too skinny.  I can feel all your ribs.”  She traced her finger over his side. He squirmed and let out a sound that was remarkably close to a squeal and Anna laughed.  “Still ticklish though.  That’s good to know.”

“Anna…”  he trailed off and tightened his arms a little more.  His eyes were wet and he blinked, the moisture falling onto her hair. 

“Don’t worry.  I’ll feed you up.  Starting tomorrow. For breakfast there will be ham, eggs, hotcakes, hash browns, and fresh milk.” 

“What?  You’re not going to slaughter a cow and feed it to me whole?” 

Anna laughed.  It was the best sound in the world, all warm and velvety and he kissed her again.

“That’s for lunch.” She said when he released her mouth.  “I’ll have you big and strong before long.”  She ran her hands over his still broad shoulders.

“What of you?  Will you be big and strong again?”

“I already am.”  She nuzzled her face into his cheek, feeling the rasp of his beard.  “You will have to shave tomorrow though.” 

“Stick to the point.”  He gasped as he spoke, he was forgetting the point himself. 

“Was the point not how happy I am that you’re back?”  She smoothed her hands through his shaggy hair and set a lingering kiss on his lips.

“No,”  His breath was ragged.  “It’s not…” he kissed the spot where her jaw met her neck and ran his hands down her back.  He could feel her spine, and he could circle her waist with his hands.  To skinny.  She had always been lithe and graceful, but curvy in all the right places, now she was pointy and angular, straight like a stick.  He put his hands on her shoulders and pushed her back, breaking his lips away from hers.  “Anna.  I can’t bear you being like this.  I can’t bear being the reason you’re dying.” 

“I’m not dying Paul.  I was sick.  But being here, by the ocean, has helped.  With you back I’ll be plump again in to time.”

“The ocean,” he said, resigned.  “That’s what you need.”  He pulled something from his pocket.  Fumbling in the dark he found her hand and placed the soft fur in it.  She gasped and her hand tightened convulsively.  “Please, go back to the ocean, be well.” 

“Paul, what are you saying?” 

“I’m saying I want you to live.” 

“There is no life without you.  I’ve always known that.  Since the night I chose you over the ocean I’ve needed you.”  He was silent and she gently reached out and touched his arm, lightly drawing her finger down from his shoulder to elbow.  “You are my life. I’m getting old Paul.  I’ll die someday anyway.  As will you.  But I want to spend what is left of it with you.”  He felt something soft touch his fingers as she thrust the skin at him.  “Keep this for me as you have all these years.  Come, hold me in your arms.  That is a better embrace than any I could get in the ocean.” 

And you are....?

It's a blog fest!  Hosted by Emily and Tammy.  You can follow those links to a list of all the participants or to join in the fun yourself.

1. How many speeding tickets have you gotten?

Depends, does it count as a speeding ticket if you go to traffic school and get it waived?  That’s happened twice.  The best time though, was when I was singing Phineas and Ferb songs with my son and went a little fast on the way to church on a Wednesday night.  The police officer saw me just before I got there and the flashing lights followed me right into the parking lot. 

Which was full, as everyone else was also arriving for activities. 

Including all the young women I was in charge of. 

He took pity on me and only gave me a warning.  Still, something like that is hard to live down. 

2. Can you pitch a tent?

Absolutely!  We used to have contests and time ourselves to see who could go faster. Yea, we’re cool like that. 

3. What was your worst vacation ever?

I can’t say.  Honestly my parents had a gift for taking any situation, accepting it and making the best of it so all our vacations were just opportunities for flexibility.  

I was dreadfully sick on my honeymoon though.  I caught a nasty cold two days before the wedding, lost my voice at the reception and was so dizzy I couldn’t stand up for a day or two on the honeymoon. 

4. What was the last thing you bought over $100?

Diapers at Target????  We just bought a treadmill for Christmas.  Shhhh, don’t tell, it’s supposed to be a surprise.

5. We're handing you the keys to what?

An apartment I can have all to myself.  I can write in undisturbed silence and no one will make any demands on me.  (I really do love my family, I just dream of a little alone time every now and again)

6. What was the last meal cooked that made even you sick?

 I’m not sure.  Usually it’s when I buy prepared ingredients and it’s too salty.  We don’t really like salt and try to get most of our stuff low-sodium.

7. Fill in the blank: Oh my gosh! Becky, look at her butt! It is so big. She looks like _____?

I can’t.  I would never say something like that.

8. What was your first car?

1992 Honda Accord.  It was hubby’s when we got married.  I often tease him that I married him for his car and his great taste in women. 

9. Your best friend falls and gets hurt. Do you ask if he/she's okay or laugh first?

Ask if she’s OK.  I fall over so often it has lost any humorous appeal it might once have had. 

10. What's the worst song ever?

Anything a child will listen to a billion times in a row then wonder why you’re a little snappy.