Interview: Melanie Robinson, heroine from A Scandalous Design

Today on my blog, I’m going to talk with Melanie Robinson, the heroine of  A Scandalous Design.

1. Please tell us a little bit about what is currently going on in your life?

Melanie Robinson on the road to London meets a widowed French woman and a handsome aristocrat. The first she makes a partner in a clandestine business venture. The second she hopes will become her partner in love for life, if she can reconcile her need to create with her love’s strict social requirements for his bride.

A handsome rogue enters the picture when the arrogant lord makes a misstep, leaving Melanie the object of gossip. Lord Pearson returns to town thinking he has lost his love, while Melanie assumes he is upset over her business ventures.  Can the handsome lord manage to recapture his love’s attention or will she turn to the man who best understands her unusual ambitions.

2. What made you want your story to be told?

During this time in history, which is early 1800 while our beloved king’s son, the Regent, is on the throne, women have many restrictions. However we sometimes still have creative ambitions. A female must needs find a way to fulfill a life’s desire and still find a suitable mate without creating scandal. 

3. What lead you to make the changes you did in your life?

I cannot justify why I am so rebellious. I do not wish to cause embarrassment to my family or my intended. Goodness, certainly I do not want to hurt my James’ mother. She is so very nice. How would it look if she, a noblewoman, knew I had engaged myself in trade? I seem to be driven inexplicably to express myself in clothing design.

4. In your life, what has empowered you?

My mother and father both hold enlightened views. My mother, poor lady who has left us too soon–she was the daughter of an earl—had conflict with her parents in choosing marriage to the 4^th son of a baron. She left me and my sisters ample funds to make our own choices or not. My father is a vicar. He is a gentle man who wishes only for his children to be happy. He believes we will be guided by our consciences and our faith in our Lord.

5. What are strengths and weaknesses?

Talents are God-given, you know. My father always believed that and so do I. Society dictates that women will be happy only as wives and mothers, but some of us have talents which cry out to be expressed. I am drawn to fulfill that desire, but I long to be accepted by my peers as well. It is an ever present conflict.

6. Describe what being a self-rescue princess (a strong, confident woman) means to you.

I am blessed with, well some say that I am favored with pleasant good looks. You know, of course, that good works must always be present. I hope I have always made a place in my heart for those less fortunate. My friend Marie would say that I am a wise female as well. I do know that I am driven by ambition. Perhaps that is not always an asset. I have sometimes taken too many risks, but I have had help along the way. You will frown to know that I borrowed money from a known rogue, although he was a perfect gentleman. The thought crossed my mind that I might enjoy being married to him.

7. What one advice/wisdom would you like to pass onto young women? 

Make room always for love in your heart and strive to know your true self as best you can.

8. Favorite quote or Bible verse.

“Be still and know that I am God.”

9. Will you be continuing your journey in written form?

‘The Vicar’s Daughters 3’ is a series of three books which narrate the adventures of my two sisters and I. A PASSIONATE LOVE, which is about my eldest sister Frances who always wanted to be a good wife and mother, my story which you already know about, and BELINDA, MY LOVE, the tale of my youngest sister who has ambitions to heal the sick. The three of us are around in each others’ stories.  They can be found at MUSA PUBLISHING. Another book to be released later this summer, BELOVED SOLDIER RETURNS, allows you to take a peek at me and my siblings after we are married and have families. It is a poignant story about a poor wounded soldier and how he finally made his way back home to those who love him.

The Winner is…

The beautiful esleeve will be leaving here and heading to Bridget Howard. Congrats! I hope her Kindle is excited about its new outfit, and also the new book that can be read on it.

Thank you to everyone for coming by and celebrating my new release, not only to those that entered the giveaway but all those readers that just wanted to come over and take a look.

Now, I must go and sew and see if I can make my Kindle (okay Kindles, I don’t want one of them to think the other is my favorite) a new outfit. It will be a learning experience for me, but what else does a self-rescue princess do but take on new challenges. If it doesn’t turn out the way I’d like, I know I can get a beautifully made one from Personal Bags by Patricia.

Ohh…I wonder if there is Angry Birds fabric. Dragon would love to wear an Angry Birds outfit.

 

New Outfit for Your eReader and a new ebook – Giveaway

To celebrate the new book in the New Beginnings Series, I’m doing a giveaway not only for the newest title, Led Astray, but also a new beginning –look–for your eReader with a sleeve handcrafted by Personal Bags by Patricia. Please see the photos below of my Kindle keyboard (Chris1) and Kindle Fire (also known in my house as Dragon) modeling the beautiful sleeve which is made from a lovely romantic fabric of pinks, creams and blues.

Romantic sleeve for ereader:            

 

 

 

 

 

 

My models in action:

Chris1 (I know a very original name)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dragon:    

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And now, a little modeling from Led Astray:

“Now, Pastor, I wouldn’t make such a hasty decision.” Mr. Kline pulled out another card and reached around Riley to place it on the desk. “Talk to the members of your church.”

“I know their feelings on destroying the beauty God created.” Riley picked up the card and started to tear it in half.

Mr. Kline gripped his wrist and squeezed, stopping Riley from completing the tearing motion. “Jobs are scarce in this community. There aren’t many other companies wanting to bring other employment opportunities to this backwoods place.”

Naomi gasped. Riley motioned for her to stay behind him.

“Pastor Coole, is something wrong?” A woman’s soft voice drifted from the doorway.

Riley turned, and his breath caught in his throat. The heart-shaped face of an angel appeared through the slight opening. Lips lined in pink stood out from a smooth complexion. She stepped into the office and a questioning expression filled the sweet, young face as large green eyes focused on him and blinked. Once. Twice.

Thomas Kline’s attention also turned toward the young woman, and the man raked a leer over her body. Riley clenched his fists. The young woman flipped strands of her unnatural colored hair, a hue resembling a brand new rising sunset, over her shoulders. Curls surrounded her neck and cascaded down her back, a cloak of multitude colors.

“Now who do we have here, Pastor.” Kline stepped toward the woman. “You sure do like to have an array of woman about.”

“And you like to ignore the word ‘no.’” The woman strode forward, confident and menacing, the angel persona vanishing.

Kline took one long step forward and stood face-to-face with the spitfire. “What makes any of this your business?”

“From what I know, I was asked to be here, and you weren’t.”

Kline reached for the woman’s arms. “I’m advising you to leave.”

She jerked away. “Or what?”

Riley stepped between them, confusion revving his heart rate and causing his thoughts to swirl. Who was this woman, and why did she show up now? This wasn’t a lost soul who stumbled onto the church and sought directions. This woman intended to be here, meant to wage war with Kline. Why?

How to enter: To enter to win the eReader sleeve and a copy of Led Astray in your preferred ebook format, please leave a comment along with your email. I’m all for readers leaving any comment they’d wish, but the Kindles would like to know with of them looks better, Chris1 or Dragon. The last day for entering will be May 17 and the winner announced May 18.

Interview: Sara, heroine from A Special Blessing for Sara

Today on my blog, I’m going to talk with Sara, the heroine from A Special Blessing for Sara.

1. Please tell us a little bit about what is currently going on in your life? 

Oh, I can’t tell you what I just found out – something totally amazing and unexpected. But I can tell you this, I’m so happy. Things are turning around for me.

2. What made you want your story to be told? 

I guess since I have seen how God works in my life, I thought it would be helpful for others to know what’s possible when you have a love relationship with Christ. I’ve learned in the last year to leave it all to Him, so I made a major mess on my own. I’m a Christian counselor, you know, but man, did I need counseling! My broken engagement threw me. Then I didn’t trust my feelings toward — oh, I’ll let you read my book. I don’t want to give too much away.

3. What lead you to make the changes you did in your life?

I had an inner battle going on. When you’re rejected the way I was, you get a low opinion of yourself. Like, what did I do wrong? Why did he leave? Things seem bleak. I didn’t even tell my sisters at first, and they usually know everything about what’s going on. I guess I had to digest it myself first.

4. In your life, what has empowered you?

I lean on God a lot. He is my strength. Also, as I’m a counselor, I see so much suffering, and I’ve watched the recovery process as people turn their problems over to God and work through their past, that I’ve made it a goal to seek Him first. It took a while to learn it and I’ve had quite a year of turmoil. Even witnessed a shooting, but that’s going to take to long to explain.

5. What are strengths and weaknesses?

My own strengths? I don’t give up easily and I’m organized. (usually) If I start a job, I don’t quit until it’s done.

Weaknesses?  Lots. I’m impatient with incompetent people. (Like I never am! Ha.) Also, I forget birthdays sometimes and I’m lazy about calling people.

6. Describe what being a self-rescue princess (a strong, confident woman) means to you.

I can’t qualify for “self-rescue,” really. I know some women who seem to be able to “go it alone,” but I’m not one of them. I am strong though with God’s help. When I forget to pray about things (important stuff) or go on impulse, I get myself into trouble. Gosh, I almost lost my chance at happiness. If it weren’t for…. Oops, there I go again. You just have to read my book.

7. What one advice/wisdom would you like to pass onto young women?

 Problems? Don’t try to go it alone. Seek family, friends, counselors, but first get on your knees. He really will give you the strength and wisdom to get through. Learn to go one day at a time.

8. Favorite quote or Bible verse.

 I love Philippians 4:4-7. I have difficulty memorizing verses, but this one is imprinted forever in my mind.

9.  If your story had a theme song, what would it be?

No idea, sorry.

10. Will you be continuing your journey in written form? 

Okay, Sara left. It’s June, here. Actually, I’m working on a three-book series about Amish sisters from Lancaster County. So far, I’ve only done ‘stand-alone’ books, but I’m ready to attempt a series.

11. Is there anyone in your life (friend, family member) who will be sharing their life?  Not really, though I’m sure there are traits found in my characters, which could sometimes be assigned to members of my own family.

Led Astray – Release Day

May 1st is here and that means book 2 in the New Beginnings series is now out. I’ll be honest and admit I struggled with the faith message in this book. While it was a topic I felt an intense burden to share, I was scared on how it would be received. Okay, I’m still a little scared and nervous but in my heart I know I needed to write about the tendency to judge others who don’t behave exactly in a manner perceived as how a ’real Christian’ acts. I hope readers can see the heart of my heroine and hero in the words I have written … and also mine.

Blurb: When a client’s privacy is threatened by a Hatfield and McCoy battle erupting, skip-tracer Danita Ballinger heads to Mourning, WV, hoping to settle the feud before it starts. Danita’s rescuing is seen as interference and improper by Pastor Riley Coole, the target for the mining company’s strong-arm tactics.

Pastor Riley Coole isn’t pleased by the person his uncle hired to ‘help’ the town. The outspoken, brazen young woman isn’t who they need. Riley prefers the calm approach to dealing with the mining company not a fight fire-with-fire plan.

When a murderer targets the key players in the mining war, and retaliation is set into motion, Danita and Riley must put aside their private battle to protect the people relying on them for safety. Will seeing each other in a new light put them on a path of acceptance and true love, or create a further divide ripping apart the town and their own hearts?

SRP Review – Books Can Be Deceiving by Jenn McKinlay

Disclaimer: The reviews I post on The Self Rescue Princess won’t be the usual style of book review that talks about all the points and elements of a novel. My intention is to focus on heroines that I believe exemplify the spirit and character of a self-rescuing princess or are on their way to achieving that status.

Lindsey Norris is a woman starting over after a betrayal breaks her heart. She takes a job at the Briar Creek Public Library to give herself a fresh start in a new town where a friend lives. And she’s a librarian … what is not to love about that. Lindsey is my type of Self-Rescue Princess, and just not because she’s a librarian which makes her awesome to being with. I love her personality and attitude. I love how she stands up for herself without throwing everyone else to the wayside. I love when a heroine takes care of herself yet isn’t all about ‘me’.

Lindsey refuses to be a doormat and accept poor treatment –to herself and others–but is also willing to reach out and put aside her anger if it will help someone else. She’d rather open a closed door and face discomfort and the pain of her past, rather than live from that place of anger and allow someone to suffer. Her hurt is part of her life and has factored into the decisions she has made … like moving … but she isn’t allowing the hurt to become her life.

I enjoy traditional ‘cozy’ mysteries and this book was a wonderful balance of mystery, personality and the hope of a romance for a very likeable self-rescue princess. I can’t wait to read the next one and see how Lindsey’s life (and hopefully a love) is turning out.

Writer’s Block — aka Knee Injury

Who would’ve thought that a knee injury would make it hard to write? An injury to a wrist, finger, hand or an arm are understandable … but a knee? I never realized how important moving around was when I’m working on action scenes. I always knew I was a pacer … I wander around when I’m working out a scene … but never knew it was such an integral part of my process. Until now when I can’t do it and I find myself stalled just when I was ‘in the groove’. 

I’m an actress when it comes to action scenes. I can only see the action clearly enough to write it when I play the role of the hero or heroine and go through the motions (subduing the bad guy, kicking down a door, etc.). I want to make sure that if the antagonist is standing in a particular position that my hero or heroine is approaching them from the correct direction. How else can I know for sure if the scene works?

Right now, unless I want my character limping or hopping along (Wait –that could work in a story, I must take notes on getting around. Or not getting around as the case leans toward), I find the action scenes not as compelling and hard to write. I just can’t visual the description to make it work and not sound clunky or like well … an author is telling a story to the reader rather than the reader watching the action take place.

I might just have to hunt through the house and see if I can find the Rescue Heroes my son had saved for me. Though, I do believe my teen finally gave them all away. I might just have to resort to using Dora, Diego, and Boots and their assortment of critters to work out the climactic scene. Dora and Diego do have a helicopter, SUV and a four-wheeler available for their use. It could make for a very interesting scene.

Interview: Lydia Hawkins, heroine from Child of the Mountains

Today on my blog, I’m going to talk with the Lydia Hawkins, the heroine of Child of the Mountains.

1. Please tell us a little bit about what is currently going on in your life?

It’s hard for me to talk about all the goings on in my life. My mama’s in jail on account of what them hospital folks think she done to my brother. It ain’t right, though. My mama’s the best mama in the whole world, and I miss her something fierce. Since my brother BJ and my Gran died and Mama went to prison, I been living with Uncle William and Aunt Ethel Mae. They be nice enough, I guess, but they don’t know squat about taking care of a kid. I just keep on trying to figure out how to get Mama out of jail.

2. What made you want your story to be told?

I been writing about the goings on in a spiral notebook I keep hid under my mattress so Aunt Ethel Mae won’t find it. I have to have some way to sort out all them feelings that keep a-simmering away inside of me like a pot of stew. I can’t even think about letting nobody read my notebook right now. Maybe if things get better someday I’ll let some other kids read it if it helps them be strong during hard times.

3. What lead you to make the changes you did in your life?

Lots of changes happened to me that I had nary a thing to do with. But I finally figured out who I be. Like the Good Book says, the truth done set me free, and that changed a whole heap of things in my life.

4. In your life, what has empowered you?

Does that mean to give me power? Me and Mama believe (Gran and BJ did, too) that God gived us a Comforter inside of us called the Holy Spirit. He gives us power to do whatever God wants us to do in this life. Gran and Mama always seemed to have wise words that I try real hard to recollect, too.

5. What are strengths and weaknesses?

Mr. Hinkle says I be a real good writer and a good rememberer. He told me he thinks I should graduate high school and go to college someday. Can you imagine that? But a lot of times I feel real weak from missing Mama and Gran and BJ. Sometimes I shut the door to my room and cry and cry. I feel right ashamed that I ain’t stronger.

6. Describe what being a self-rescue princess (a strong, confident woman) means to you.

I would love to be like Anne of Green Gables. She was real strong when she had to take care of all them kids, and she didn’t have no one to love her. She was real brave about telling people just what she thought of them. Maybe I’ll learn to be more like her.

7. What one advice/wisdom would you like to pass onto young women?

I ain’t much of a young woman yet myself. The way of women just comed on me not too long ago. Maybe this here Bible verse Gran had me rememorize will help: “Be strong and of good courage. Be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed. For the Lord thy God is with thee, whithersoever thou goest.”

8. Favorite quote or Bible verse.

“I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the Lord, who made Heaven and Earth.”

9. If your story had a theme song, what would it be?

Amazing Grace

10. Will you be continuing your journey in written form? (another book featuring this heroine)

Marilyn stepping in here—Lydia doesn’t know the next step in her journey in this dialog: I’m working on a sequel. Lydia’s life changes dramatically in high school. She’s living on Edgewood in Charleston (the capital of WV) and money is no longer an issue. She struggles with her identity as she tries to conform to her new life and expectations of peers. Also, in CHILD OF THE MOUNTAINS, she promises that she will never allow something to happen when she grows up, but she does allow that very thing to happen, with frightening consequences.

I would love to see Lydia’s story as a trilogy. In the third book, she returns to the hills to teach after graduating from college. Her fiancé is fighting in Vietnam, and Lydia is confused about her feelings regarding the war. The diverse viewpoints of the eclectic parents of the children she teaches add to her confusion. Will her fiancé survive the war? At this point, I don’t know.

11. Is there anyone in your life (friend, family member) who will be sharing their life? ( a book featuring a character in the current book)

Because I don’t want to give away the end of CHILD OF THE MOUNTAINS, I will say that you will see some of the characters from the first story in the sequel. Okay, I will say that Ears will be in the second story.

I’d like to thank Lydia and Marilyn for being willing to be interviewed for The Self-Rescue Princess. If you’d like to get to know the wonderful author of Child of the Mountains, stop by her website www.marilynsueshank.com .  

SRP Non-Fiction Review: Organize for a Fresh Start by Susan Fay West

Disclaimer: The reviews I post on The Self Rescue Princess won’t be the usual style of book review that talks about all the points and elements of a novel. My intention is to focus on heroines that I believe exemplify the spirit and character of a self-rescuing princess or are on their way to achieving that status.

This year, I’ve decided to add in one non-fiction (self-help or how to) review a month. With celebrating the Self-Rescuing Princess type, I decided this year to read at least one non-fiction book a month so I can either improve my skills in an area or learn a new one. For March, I decided to tackle organizing.

I really enjoyed Organize for A Fresh Start: Embrace Your Next Chapter in Life and how it focuses on organizing … from belongings, to finances, to time … after a person enters a new stage of life. It addresses how once a new stage of life is entered (marriage, divorce, children, grandchildren), the way we’ve done things in the past might no longer work. There are lists at the back of the book to help with decluttering projects.

I really liked how the book separates dealing with inherited items and those belongings of a deceased loved one, from regular accumulated stuff. The author acknowledges that it will be harder to make decisions on possessions passed down and those that had belonged to a loved one who has passed away. She is respectful about the feelings and memories associated with these special type of belongings and encourages people to take their time, even if it means a few years.

I found the book to be written in a very practical and encouraging style.  As I was reading, I kept nodding and started to understand why some of my organizing systems no longer worked. I have added more obligations and projects to my life over the last two years, and never took a look to make sure the old set-up for my office still worked for me now. Also, now that my children are teenagers, we need a new system in place with them to keep track of sports, work, and social schedules. Sometimes I walk away from books like this feeling discouraged and guilty for not having been able to keep everything maintained. This time I could see why our system doesn’t work and have some plans on what could work. No guilt, just helpful ideas.

SRP Review: The Victorian Scoundrel by Stephanie Burkhart

Disclaimer: The reviews I post on The Self Rescue Princess won’t be the usual style of book review that talks about all the points and elements of a novel. My intention is to focus on heroines that I believe exemplify the spirit and character of a self-rescuing princess or are on their way to achieving that status.

I can’t believe how long it’s been since I’ve done a Self Rescue Princess heroine review. I’ve been so caught up in writing, and learning (reading how-to books), that I’ve allowed fiction reading to take a distant back seat. No more, I say. No more. I miss my pleasure reading … especially getting to know new ‘self-rescuing princess’ heroines.

After a long time of not taking time to read a book just for enjoyment, I started Victorian Scoundrel by Stephanie Burkhart (a fellow Desert Breeze author).

Alice Windsor. Princess of York, was born in present day and travels back to 1857 with her cousin to keep an eye on him. She’s a little suspicious of what he is up to and we come to find out her hunch was right. Alice has a very understanding and protective nature. She is a young woman who won’t stand by and allow those she cares about make bad decisions and wait for them to suffer the consequences … even if helping means stepping in and risking getting in trouble herself.

I loved that Alice remained true to her beliefs, but also respected the time she was in. Alice would get a little annoyed by some people’s behavior but  instead of getting angry, she reminded herself it was the custom and way of the time period she entered.

This is the type of self-rescuing princess I strive to be, one who stands up for herself without being disrespectful to others. And also one who is able to recognize when a situation is more about the customs rather than it being a personal insult or attack. I can’t wait for the second book in this series and spend some more time with Alice (and Edmund her trouble-seeking cousin).

NOTE: Just wanted to let readers know that this book does have some steam (heat)  to it.