Welcome my good friend
A retired teacher who loves West Texas , its flora and fauna, and its people, Linda’s stories paint pictures of life, love, and learning set against the raw landscape of ranches and rural communities in Texas and the Midwest . She is a member of RWA, her local chapter of HOTRWA, NTRWA and Texas Mountain Trail Writers.
Briefly take us on the journey with you – when did you start writing and what hurdles did you have to overcome to get published? I started writing seriously in 1991-92. I've always been an avid reader and after finishing a book made the comment to my husband, "I think I could write one of these books." He said, "Well, why don't you?" I took up the gauntlet and started When the Ocotillo Bloom. Since I was teaching school at the time, it took several years to finish the story. After probably 5 rewrites, many workshops and critiques, it was published by Wings Press in 2007. Do the math. That's 15 years.
What’s been the greatest contributing factor to achieving your goal of publication? Determination.
What has surprised you the most about being a published author? The amount of work involved.
How do you come up with your story ideas? Some evolve from dreams, others ideas are triggered by stories on the history and science channels, or those I hear from friends. Every once in a while one just pops into my head.
Do you have a favorite author? Yes, there are too many to list and have varied depending on my age. Though I love to read romance, I also enjoy mysteries and suspense.
Tell us a little bit about your next book? Will it be a romantic suspense or some other genre? The book I'm working on is a romantic suspense set along old Route 66 in New Mexico . My husband and I have driven the entire old Mother Road , except for a few small stretches that we hope to catch soon.
What did you do when you got the call? You know the one saying they wanted it. Grin. I couldn't celebrate too much as my husband was in the hospital 26 miles away and we couldn't go out. Of course I did email all my friends, relatives, and my mentor.
Would you like to tell us about your release? How did you come up with the idea? A Marshal of Her Own, a short time travel set in 1890s Texas , is a sequel to A Law of Her Own. I had so much fun writing the first story, I decided to write the second, which has led to the third, A Love of His Own. It's under contract with The Wild Rose Press but I don't have a release date yet.
Could you give us a blurb and an excerpt of your story (just a short one)? I'm sure my readers would love to read a little of your story.
A Marshal of Her Own – Blurb and Excerpt
Blurb:
Despite rumors of “strange doings” at a cabin in Fredericksburg , investigative reporter Dessa Wade books the cottage from which lawyer, Charity Dawson, disappeared in 2008. Dessa is intent on solving the mystery. Instead, she is caught in the mystery that surrounds the cabin and finds herself in 1890 in a shootout between the Faraday Gang and a US Marshal.
Marshal Cole Jeffers doesn’t believe Miss Wade is a time traveler. He admits she’s innocent of being an outlaw, but thinks she knows more about the gang than she’s telling. When she’s kidnapped by Zeke Faraday, Cole is determined to rescue her. He’s longed for a woman of his own, and Dessa Wade just might be the one—if she’ll commit to the past.
Excerpt:
Dessa stood still and watched as they conversed. Something stank to high heaven about this entire situation. Why were the cops chasing robbers on horseback? It’s not like Fredericksburg was that isolated. She glanced at the captured men. The boy moaned, and she made a step to go over and help him. The Marshal spun, and the expression in his eye froze her in place.
“He needs first aid.”
“He’s fine. The Doc will tend to him when we get to the jail.”
“You could at least call 911 and let them patch him up for you.” She nodded to the man lying so still with his eyes closed. “Your other prisoner doesn’t look so good. He’s going to die on you if you don’t start CPR or get him some help.”
“Lady, no one is going to hear a yell from out here. Never heard of any 911 or CPR.” He propped the hand not holding the shotgun on his hip and threw her a disgusted look. “Are you blind? That man is dead, shot through the heart.”
Her head swam for a moment, and she struggled not to give in to the sensation and faint. She drew in deep gulps of air. “Well...well..., what about the coroner and the meat wagon, not to mention the CSI folks? If you don’t get them to record the scene, how are you going to cover your butt? The authorities might say you shot him in cold blood.”
He looked at her like she’d sprouted an extra head. “I don’t know what the hell you are talking about woman. No one will question my authority. I’m the law in this county. Now, be quiet, or I’m going to gag you.”
A Marshal of Her Own will be available now at The Wild Rose Press, Amazon.com, Barnes and Noble.com and other online book stores. It is the sequel to A Law of Her Own available at The Wild Rose Press, Amazon.com, and Barnes and Noble.com and other online book stores. I’m awaiting a release date for A Love of His Own, the third story in the Prairie, Texas series.
My release contest for A Marshal of Her Own began November 9th. I’ll be giving away this vintage rhinestone typewriter pin. To enter the drawing, go to my website or blog and sign up for my newsletter. Don’t forget to verify your email address. If you already receive it, email me at linda@lindalaroque.com with A Marshal of Her Own contest in the subject line. Contest ends December 15, 2011 .
Also, today’s blog post is part of 2 blog tours—this one for A Marshal of Her Own and starting December 4th, one for Born in Ice. Follow along each day and leave a comment to be entered into the grand prize drawing and learn about my Born in Ice contest.
The Blog Tour schedule will be posted on my blog and website. It will last 25 days and the Grand Prize is a Kindle. Leave a comment each day and your name will be entered 25 times. Pretty good odds, huh?
Thank you for having me on your blog today, Sandy !
Tomorrow, Nov. 28th I’ll be on Celia Yeary’s blog at http://celiayeary.blogspot.com/ talking about A Little History on Feed Sacks.
Happy Reading and Writing!
Linda LaRoque
Writing Romance With a Twist in Time
It's always a pleasure to have you visit, Linda. I hope all those who read your post will try your books out. I have enjoyed many of them myself.
Until next Sunday have a good week everyone.
26 comments:
Good morning, Sandy. It's a beautiful day here in our neighborhood. Hope it's pretty in yours too. Thank you for having me on your blog today. I look forward to meeting you readers!
Great post! Determination is by the most important tool a writer needs in her desk drawer.
Thanks for the post.
CC
Linda, it's very cold here and the sun isn't out. I love having you here.
Thank you for stopping by CC. You're another one of my inspiring authors.
So, true, Christie! Where would we be without it?
It's 46 here, Sandy and windy but at least it's sunny. Hope you get some sunshine.
I enjoyed both the interview and the excerpt; both were great reads.
Thanks,
Tracey D
booklover0226 at gmail dot com
Good luck with your writing and books. We've driven along parts of Route 66 - what a great reminder of real American life by bypassing super highways.
Thanks for stopping by Tracey!
Yes, it is, Marianne. Makes us older folks nostalgic for times gone by.
I think determination is definitely key in being a writer, and in many things. You have to try and try again. If you can have a positive can-do attitude there's no stopping you from reaching your dreams! Keep writing =)
Cambonified(at)yahoo(dot)com
Very well said, Na! Thanks for stopping by.
Hey, Tracey, glad you liked it.
Marianne and Na, thanks for stopping by.
Great article! I loved your comment about what surprised you the most about being a published author. It's amazing, isn't it?
Thank you for reminding us about determination!
Una Tiers
Thank you for reminding us about determination!
Una Tiers
Yes, it is, Susan! The movies, etc. make it look so easy.
You're welcome, Una! We all need reminding on occasion.
Thank you both for stopping by!
Linda it's lovely here too. I'm in Calgary and we've had the nicest fall - truly amazing. virtually no snow and warm above freezing temps.
thanks for the lesson in Determination. it's worth hearing and reading again and again and again.
Wonderful, Louise. I bet the fall foilage in beautiful there this fall. Thank you for stopping by.
Three days of rain here. No chance of letting up until 60 plus temps drop and snow starts. Weird but great setting!
Pet who writes about sunny places!
We would love to have more rain here, Anonymous, but are happy we don't have snow to look forward to. Thanks for stopping by.
Sounds like a fabulous book! WTG... Here's to thousands of readers loving it! :o)
Determination I find is essential for most things. I enjoyed the interview.
marypres(AT)gmail(DOT)com
Thanks everyone for reading about Linda LaRoque and her books this weekend.
Sorry I'm late. I've been busy packing.
Great interview with Linda! I've read a few times that determination counts exponentially more than talent if a writer is going to succeed in the publishing industry.
I liked the blurb and enjoyed the excerpt.
You're not too late, Isis! I think you're right. Not giving up is the key. Glad you enjoyed the excerpt. Thanks for stopping by!
Isis, you must have a mountain of stuff to pack. I don't envy you at all. Can't wait until you're back home.
Thank you to all for stopping by. Pet, I know you're a busy lady.
Wow, congrats for sticking with When the Ocotillo Bloom for the 15 years between start & publication.
drainbamaged.gyzmo at gmail.com
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