A Love of His Own
a sequel to
A Law of Her Own & A Marshal of Her Own
a sequel to
A Law of Her Own & A Marshal of Her Own
MK: Did
you plan to be a writer or did it just happen?
LB: It just happened. I’d always been an avid reader. I went through a period of time when I had trouble sleeping so decided to help me relax, I’d create a book in my mind. I never got past a certain spot before falling asleep. Not much praise for my creativity, huh? However, I loved the story idea so ended up writing the story. Seventeen years later and a multitude of rewrites, When the Ocotillo Bloom was published.
MK: What
is your favorite non-writing pastime?
LB: I love to read, travel, crochet and knit,
and spend time with my family.
MK: Is
writing a full-time career for you? If not, how else do you spend your work
day?
LB: Yes, I’m retired from public school teaching.
MK: What
inspired the idea behind your book?
LB: A
Love of His Own is the third story in a short time travel series set in
1890s Prairie, Texas. In the first story, a father and daughter have an
argument; she travels back in time and must plan her future there. My aunt read
the story and was so upset. She asked, “But what about her daddy?” So, I wish
my aunt was still alive. This story would make her happy as it answers her
question.
MK: Tell
us about your favorite character in this book!
LB: Buford “Bull” Dawson is the
hero. He loves his daughter and wants to live out his life with her and his
grandson. His name is a good representation of his character as he charges
forward in everything he does. A big man, he’s not beyond using his size and
expertise to help those mistreated by others. I like Bull’s courage, attitude,
and compassion.
MK: Will
you share with us a short preview of the book?
LB: Bull Dawson, New York lawyer, mourns the loss of his
daughter, who disappeared from a cabin in Fredericksburg, Texas four years ago.
A history book found in his office safe leads him to believe she traveled back
in time to 1888 Prairie, Texas. He's
determined that if she can time travel, he can too. Life will be different,
probably hard, but practicing law can't be so difficult back in the Old West.
Widow Dipsey Thackson scratches out a living for herself and
her young son on their farm. Shunned by the locals, she keeps to herself. When
a man appears in her wheat field one day, life changes for the better. Then her
brother-in-law arrives, claiming the farm is his and threatening Dipsey and her
son. She fears for both their means of survival and their safety.
Her dilemma will take more than a knowledge of the law, but
Bull vows to do his best to protect her and her boy.
MK: What
message do you hope readers take away from the book?
LB: Love of family,
forgiveness, and strength.
MK: Is anything in your book based on
real life experiences or purely all imagination?
LB: It’s all my imagination.
MK: While
writing A Love of His Own, did you connect with one character more than the
others? Who and how?
LB: I’d have to say Dipsey, the heroine. She’s had a difficult
life, is an outcast in the community, and struggles to support her son as a
single parent.
MK: Do
you have to be alone or have quiet to write?
LB: I can work while the television is
on, but I prefer quiet. I get the most writing done when I go to Starbucks,
probably because I’m spending money on coffee and know I can’t procrastinate by
surfing the web. Also, there is something about writing on a tablet rather than
using the computer. On road trips I write on a tablet while my husband drives.
MK: What
kind of research was involved for the series? Did you find it became easier
with each book?
LB: Yes,
the research did become easier but only because I’d become familiar with the
time period. In the first story, I had to familiarize myself with criminal
technology in the Victorian era. In the second, my heroine was a reporter, so I
had to hone up on what type of writing implements were available then. Of
course, there are always the style of clothing, etc, that I want to get right.
In this last story, I had to learn the directions given to mules, along with
how much gold was worth in 1890. I love research though so it’s never a chore
for me.
MK: I
would read these books simply because of the covers – all in the series are
beautiful! Did you have a part in their design?
LB: Yes, I was able to submit my ideas for what I’d like.
Then the rest was up to the cover artist.
MK: As
a multi-genre author, how do you juggle going back and forth between the
different genres? Do you have a preferred genre?
LB: It
can be hard sometimes, but usually when a story idea attacks, I feel a
compelling drive to get it written. I usually work on one story at a time
though edits may come in and I’ll have to stop work for a while to complete
them. The western time travels seem to be my favorite at the moment.
MK: Do you have plans for a new book? Is this
book part of a series?
LB: I have a paranormal romance set in New Mexico along
old Route 66 with an editor. I hope to hear from her soon. It involves a woman fleeing an abusive
husband, an ex detective recovering from an emotional trauma, a ghost, and a
set of missing Zuni prayer fetishes.
MK: What
has been your greatest pleasure or personal success as an author?
LB: Seeing my
books listed on Amazon and other book store sites.
MK: What
is your favorite scene in A Love of His Own?
LB: Hmm,
there are several, but I’ll pick the house raising scene because we see
community coming together to help one another.
MK: What
appeals to you most about your chosen genre?
LB: I
think in all fiction the writer gets to live vicariously through their characters.
This allows us to live in different time periods, experience various
lifestyles, occupations, and ideas.
MK: Does
where you live or have places you’ve been influenced your work?
LB: I
live in Texas, grew up in Waco, but have lived all over the state. Though all
of Texas is beautiful, I’d have to say west Texas is my favorite area. There is
nothing like the sunsets, the lack of humidity, the cactus, and the scenery. Let
me add, I’ve visited many states and find beauty in everyone. One of my goals
in life is to visit Europe.
MK: Are there certain characters you
would like to go back to, or is there a theme or idea you’d love to work with?
LB: I’ve always wanted to write a
sequel to When the Ocotillo Bloom and
tell the story of the heroine’s daughter, Abby. Also, I’d like to write another
Futuristic Romance and write Shelia Callahan’s story. She’s the daughter of
Brock Callahan in Born in Ice.
MK: How
long did it take to get this book from idea to being published? What was the
most grueling process?
LB: For
this story, A Love of His Own, it
didn’t take that long, probably six weeks to get it written and then another
six to nine months for it to get published. Once the story idea hit, I couldn’t
stop writing until it was done.
MK: When
did you write your first book and how old were you?
LB: I was 47 when I started and
it was published when I was 62. A lot of learning took place in those 15 years.
MK: Laptop,
desktop or notebook and pen for writing?
LB: Mostly laptop.
MK: What
do you have in store next for your readers?
LB: Another time travel set in 1890s
Waco, Texas. It is similar in style to My
Heart Will Find Yours, my first full length time travel.
MK: Is
there anything else you’d like to share with your readers today?
LB: I love the
comment from you website “With her heart deeply rooted in the past…” I echo
your sentiment. Nothing is more exciting than history, especially if a
storyteller adds a special spin.
Thank
you so much for having me here today. It’s always an honor to meet new authors (meaning
ones I’ve not met before) and get acquainted with their readers.
http: www.lindalaroque.com
http://lindalaroqueauthor.blogspot.com
The Book
Bull Dawson, New York lawyer,
mourns the loss of his daughter, who disappeared from a cabin in
Fredericksburg, Texas four years ago. A history book found in his office safe
leads him to believe she traveled back in time to 1888 Prairie, Texas. He's determined that if she can time travel,
he can too. Life will be different, probably hard, but practicing law can't be
so difficult back in the Old West.
Widow Dipsey Thackson scratches out
a living for herself and her young son on their farm. Shunned by the locals,
she keeps to herself. When a man appears in her wheat field one day, life
changes for the better. Then her brother-in-law arrives, claiming the farm is
his and threatening Dipsey and her son. She fears for both their means of
survival and their safety.
Her dilemma will take more than a
knowledge of the law, but Bull vows to do his best to protect her and her boy.
Excerpt
“Whoa,
boys.” Dipsey pulled the wagon to a stop and set the break. She hopped down,
her leather boots hitting the road with a thud. Sam, the lead mule had been
favoring his right front leg the past few minutes. She’d better take a look
before he went lame.
“Let me see, Sam.” She lifted the
mule’s big hoof and held it between her knees. “Ah, a rock. No wonder. Hurts,
doesn’t it?” With a small twig, she flipped the stone out. “Now, that’ll feel
better.” She let his foot drop and patted his neck. Joe snorted and butted her
shoulder, so she turned and gave him a pat too. The brothers were jealous,
afraid one would get more attention than the other. They were the same when it
came to feeding time. She had to separate them lest they try to horn in on the
other’s grub.
Dipsey walked back to the wagon and
placed a foot onto the spoke of the front wheel to climb into the wagon. A
snorting sound from behind her made her pause. Grabbing her rifle from under
the seat, she whirled and peered into the field of winter wheat gently waving
in the cool morning air. Sunlight glanced off the stalks giving the field a
slight iridescence, but no movement caught her attention.
The noise stopped, then resumed with a
loud bleating resonance. If she didn’t know better, she’d think Thomas was asleep
in the wheat field, but she’d buried her husband two years past. Who trespassed
on her land?
Rifle cocked, she stepped in the
direction of the snoring. Thomas always said she could sneak up on Satan
himself. She hoped her skill served her well today.
Lying on her precious wheat, breaking
the stalks flat and making it useless, was a big, burly man. Wrapped in
someone’s finely stitched quilt, he had a brown felt hat over his eyes. One arm
lay across his chest, the other cradled a new-fangled model Winchester, so new
the shine hadn’t yet worn off.
She snatched the rifle from his arm.
The dang fool didn’t open his eyes. Dipsey thumped him on the shoulder with the
butt of his weapon. He farted and rolled to his side exposing a muscled butt
and legs encased in denims. She stumbled back a few steps. Disgusting man!
http://lindalaroqueauthor.blogspot.com
GIVEAWAY!
Enter below or comment to win an eBook copy of 'A Love of His Own'.
Winner will be drawn June 5th!
This giveaway is now closed. Congratulations Jeanne B.T.!
This giveaway is now closed. Congratulations Jeanne B.T.!
