14 Days of Love: The Practical Pretender by Danni Roan

Today, we're shining the spotlight on a book by my author friend Danni Roan.

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Book Blurb for The Practical Pretender:

Penelope Pembroke is a no-nonsense businesswoman whose only indulgence is the Book Club where she revels in the chance to let her hair down and gush about her modern-cowboy dreams.

  

When a purple haired matchmaker starts making waves in Penelope's safe haven, she is convinced that the woman is milking the Book Club as a publicity stunt. Even after seeing one of her fellow club members disappear, allegedly into her own happily-ever-after, Penelope can't believe that she could actually be whisked away into her dream romance.

Dewis Faremore is desperate to save his ranch. He's been fighting alone for years to turn the place around and keep his step-brothers from selling, but only one thing can preserve his heritage and home. Dewis needs a wife or at least a fiancee to delay the inevitable as long as possible.

When a pretty stranger in a smart business suit drops almost at his feet can Dewis persuade her to help him out or will her lack of faith in a matchmaker turned fairy godmother leave him nothing to call his own?

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Author Bio:

Danni Roan, a Christian author, has always been a storyteller and that unique talent has translated well into the western romance genre. 

Danni’s characters are real, genuine and come alive on the page. To date, Danni has two western romance series, The Cattleman’s Daughters and Tales from Biders Clump, as well as several stand-alone novellas in the Strong Hearts: Open Spirits group. Danni has also participated in several multi-author projects including Whispers in Wyoming (a Christian Contemporary Western Romance series) and the much anticipated Alphabet Mail-Order Brides series. 

Danni has Bachelors of Missiology and a Masters in Teaching English as a Second Language (ESL). Danni has taught English and ESL, for over fifteen years both overseas and at home in the United States. These skills and her experience with people from all over the world have given a special flavor to her writing which only adds to the authenticity of her characters. 

Danni lives with her every-day-hero of more than twenty-seven years in a thirty-six-foot camper that they are using to tour the United States, adding new life to the setting and drama of her books. She is very proud of their son who is studying at the University of Florida. You can follow Danni’s adventures on her blog as well as reading about them in her work. 

Danni is a member of the Pioneer Hearts Authors and Readers group on Facebook and loves working with and interacting with so many talented friends. She has made lasting connections and feels that she is a part of something bigger than herself. 

Originally hailing from Pennsylvania, Danni feels a connection to the land and loved riding over the verdant hills of western PA on horseback throughout her youth.

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Buy Danni's book on Amazon

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Connect with Danni:
Website: https://www.authordanniroan.com/
Blog: https://www.authordanniroan.com/blog-1
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/dannisdreamers

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Enter this book giveaway contest for your chance to WIN a copy of this book by filling out the entry form on the Rafflecopter widget below: 

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Romantic Reads: The Cowboy’s Amish Haven by Pamela Desmond Wright

The Story Behind the story The Cowboy’s Amish Haven 

by Pamela Desmond Wright

Cowboys and Amish.

It seemed like an impossible combination. However when my (then) agent suggested the combo, I decided to accept the challenge and write a book incorporating all those themes.

At the time, I was coming off a stinging set of rejections for a book proposal my agent believed had a lot of promise. Alas, except for one revise and resubmit from an editor at Harlequin, there were no takers for the book. Unsure how to fix the problems the editor wanted to address, I put the file aside and began working on the first book in my Texas Amish Brides series.

Wait a minute! Texas Amish? No way, you might say!

Why not? There are a few tiny Amish settlements in the Lone Star State, so why not expand it and create the fictional town of Burr Oak? No one said I couldn’t, so I did. Writing up the proposal, I sent it to my agent.

She wasn’t into it. And she dropped me like a stone shortly thereafter.

Agentless, I began the search for a new representative. I soon connected with Tamela H. Murray of the Steve Laube Agency. Instead of seeing the negative, she saw the positive in the project. Soon thereafter, the book was submitted to Harlequin for their Love Inspired imprint.

Determined to prove the project had merit, I kept working on the proposal to turn it into a full manuscript. I was halfway through the book when I had a freak accident and had to go into the hospital for surgery during the height of the Covid pandemic. Barely out of the hospital, I received the news my brother had passed away. Between the accident that almost cost me my life and my sibling’s untimely death, I was thrown into a deep depression. I simply could not function.

After a few months, it began to dawn on me that doing nothing accomplished nothing. I knew to get better, I needed a focus. Writing has always been the way to do that. So, I went back to the book and finished the manuscript. A few months later, the file landed on the desk of Melissa Endlich at Harlequin. Despite the book’s many flaws (and there were many) she found the wheat in the chaff and bought the manuscript. Several rewrites later, the book that had no hope of ever being published was finished. The Cowboy’s Amish Haven releases today (August 24, 2021)!

Oh, and that first project I could not figure out what to do with? I did revise and resubmit. That book sold to Harlequin Love inspired, too!

If you’d like to know more about me and my books, please visit me online at: www.pameladesmondwright.com

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Author Bio:

Pamela Desmond Wright grew up in a small, dusty Texas town. From the time she learned to read, books have been her passion. Beginning with Dick and Jane, progressing through Nancy Drew and then onto romances of all genres, Pamela devoured stories by popular authors. At one time, Pamela was the proud owner of five library cards! 

Pamela won the Romantic Times Reviewers Choice Award in 2010. She was also a founder of the scam publishers and agents website, The Write Connection, which was transferred to the SFWA through (then) vice-president A.C. Crispin to become Writer Beware. Her experiences with scam agents and publishers was documented in Professor Jim Fisher’s book, Ten Percent of Nothing: The Case of the Literary Agent From Hell.

In 2013, Pam took a break from writing to reassess her career choices. Unable to shake the story bug, she came back to in 2019 with a new focus and vision, fulfilling a promise to write inspirational and wholesome books her entire family could enjoy.

After signing with Tamela H. Murray of The Steve Laube Agency, Pamela sold her first Amish Romance to Harlequin for the Love Inspired imprint. The Cowboy’s Amish Haven will debut in September 2021. Though her characters are often handed difficult challenges in life, they always persevere over the darker times through the power of faith and love.

Like the Amish, Pamela is a fan of the simple life. Her childhood includes memories of the olden days; old-fashioned oil lamps, cooking over an authentic wood-burning stove and making popcorn over a crackling fire at the cabin owned by her grandparents. She also loves needlepoint and has dozens of projects to work on! Someday, she hopes to move into van life, living on the road as a traveling writer.

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Blurb for Pamela’s book, The Cowboy’s Amish Haven: 

Her home and her heart are on the line…

On the same day Gail Schroder’s faced with losing her Amish family ranch, her old crush Levi Wyse shows up on her doorstep. He doesn’t know that when he left ten years ago he’d taken Gail’s heart with him. Now Levi’s her only hope of keeping a roof over her head.

But can this cowboy teach Gail the ropes in time to save her home?

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Buy Pamela’s book on Harlequin, Amazon or Barnes and Noble 

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Connect with Pamela:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PamDWrites/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/pamdwrites
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pamdwrites/
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/21154533.Pamela_Desmond_Wright
BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/pamela-desmond-wright

Love is in the Air: Branding the Wrangler's Heart

“The very first Love Inspired western I have ever read and I LOVED it from page 1 to the end. So well written and interesting. Never a dull or lagging moment. However, I had to ask my husband what a few words meant, such as rimrock and calf fries! Guess I am not as country as I thought I was. I really admired Olivia Hartman, for her spunk in showing those wranglers what a girl was made of … If you do not have this one on order, then you'd better hurry, it is for sure a sellout. I highly recommend it to anyone regardless of the genre you favor.” –R.A. Smith 

Those are the words that best describe what readers can expect from author Davalynn Spencer's novel, Branding the Wrangler's Heart.

Davalynn is no stranger to this blog. She's been here more than twice in the past two years and every time, she brings something new and exciting to this place.

Today, we're featuring an excerpt of Davalynn's novel. Read, enjoy and be encouraged to buy this wonderful writer's book! :)

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Branding the Wrangler’s Heart
Written by Davalynn Spencer

Excerpt from Chapter 1 of Branding the Wrangler's Heart:

Livvy stood at the stove and wiped her hands on her apron. Pop wasn’t his jovial self this morning. She had hoped the men could wheedle him into a better humor, but their good-natured bantering wasn’t breaking through the dour mood he’d carried home from town yesterday.

She stirred the gravy in wide slow circles, listening for Pop’s voice in the dining room. It came low and tense, and she stilled the spoon to concentrate on his words.

“I’m sure you all know about the feuding that’s been going on over the railway the last couple of years.”

Knives and forks scraped against her grandmother’s Staffordshire china, and a coffee cup clinked on its saucer. No one spoke, and she imagined the others nodding somberly.

“I don’t want my men getting mixed up in any rail war.” Pop’s voice carried an edge. “This blasted railroad business is going to get someone killed and it better not be any of you.”

A throat cleared. Whit, she guessed, who usually spoke for all the hired hands.

“We’re too busy,” Whit said. “Gathering starts today and I figure we’ll be branding for three or four days. We don’t have the time or notion to be riding up that canyon taking potshots at our neighbors.”

Pop cursed and Livvy clapped a hand over her mouth.

“That’s the problem,” he said. “Those train barons have called in outside guns and they’re offering money to any man that will sign on with them.”

“Which side?”

The heavy silence meant Pop was staring a hole through young Jody, the only one foolish enough to ask such a question.

“Not that I’m thinkin’ on joining them, mind you. I was just curious, that’s all.”

“Both sides.”

A cup slammed into its saucer and Livvy flinched. She had only eight of the original twelve left, and the way Pop and these cowhands treated her grandmother’s lovely blue-and-white china, she’d have no unchipped cups by summer’s end. Tin suited them better, but at the dining table Pop insisted on the “good dishes.” A tribute to his beloved Ruthie.

Chair legs combed the carpet as someone stood.

“You can count on us,” Whit said. “We work for this outfit, not some railroad company.”

Buck and Jody quickly agreed and flatware clattered against plates.

Livvy hurried to the sink, filled a dishpan and set it on the stove, grateful again that her grandfather had the convenience of an indoor hand pump.

Pop and the boys made their way through the kitchen, thanking her as always. Whit went out the front. She checked the other water pan already on the stove and returned to the dining room to clear the table. Through the lace curtain she saw Whit at the hitching rail, adjusting Oro’s cinch. She moved to the window to watch him—something she did too often of late. Comfortable in the knowledge that he couldn’t see her through the lacework, she wrapped her arms around her waist and studied his profile.

Dark and angular, his jaw shadowed with stubble. He was still lean but no longer the gangly boy who’d chased her in the churchyard. So different, yet so much the same as he had been during those growing-up years.

How did he see her now? As the skinny little girl who’d begged him to push her in the swing and cried when he teased her? Or as a woman who had lost that child’s heart to hero worship years ago?

He looked at the window. Livvy sucked in her breath and tightened her arms. She held her place, afraid to move and give herself away. A slow, easy smile tipped his mouth and he nodded once. Then he gathered the reins, swung into the saddle, and touched his hat brim before riding away.

Her vision darkened and she swayed. Reaching for a ladder-back chair, she gasped for air, her temples throbbing. This had to stop. She couldn’t spend all summer holding her breath every time Whit Hutton looked at her.

She finished clearing the table, set a small leftover steak on the sideboard, and covered it with a napkin. Then she carefully placed the china in the dishpan and checked through the kitchen window for the men’s whereabouts. Satisfied they were busy elsewhere, she grabbed a sharp knife and went out the front door.

An overgrown lilac bush billowed with deep purple blooms beside the dining room window. Carefully she cut three bunches and held them to her nose as she walked to the hitching rail. Glancing at the barn and bunkhouse, she turned to face the window. The lace curtains blocked her view of the chair where she had stood. Convinced that Whit could not have seen her through the sheer fabric, she went inside to search for a vase among her grandmother’s collection.

The heavy oak door opened right into the dining room with no formal entry hall. The ranch house had grown out each end of the original square-log cabin, spreading into a comfortable home. A small porch announced the entrance, but Mama Ruth had never bemoaned the informality. She had directed her British ancestral conventions to more important things.

Like decor.

The Bar-HB might be a working cattle ranch, but Ruth Baker had swept a generous hand through her house where furniture and carpets, crystal and china were concerned. Livvy chose a lovely hand-painted vase from an ornate curio cabinet. She fussed with the heady blooms, slicing off the bottom of one bunch so its heart-shaped leaves cupped over the vase’s lip. Several four-point blossoms dropped to the tablecloth and the rich perfume filled the room.

Mama Ruth had loved lilacs, and every window in the rambling house had a bush nearby that bloomed profusely from late spring into early summer—gentle lavender, brilliant white or deep purple. Even the dainty detail that edged the vase replicated the delicate blooms.

Livvy removed the soiled cloth to reveal the fine cherry wood table and stepped back to view the lilacs.

Whit could not possibly have seen her. So why did he act as if he knew she was there? How full of himself he was, assuming she stood at the window. That arrogant air had not changed one bit since their childhood.

She glanced down at the simple bodice of her blue calico and the full white apron that covered her skirt. Had it shown through the curtain?

Or had he felt her eyes on him?

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Author bio: 

Davalynn Spencer writes inspirational Western romance, historical and contemporary, complete with rugged cowboys, their challenges, and their loves. Her work has finaled for the Inspirational Reader's Choice Award, the Selah, and the Holt Medallion. 

Davalynn teaches writing at Pueblo Community College and at various writing workshops. She and her own handsome cowboy make their home on Colorado’s Front Range with a Queensland heeler named Blue. 

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Buy Davalynn's book:
Amazon.com - http://amzn.to/1Fy5Rig
Barnes & Noble - http://bit.ly/1djhe6a

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Connect with Davalynn:
Official website - www.davalynnspencer.com
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/AuthorDavalynnSpencer
Twitter - @davalynnspencer

Love is in the Air: Once-in-A-Lifetime Kind of Love, a book review

I love, Love, LOVED this book by Inspirational Contemporary Romance Author Becky Wade!

A Love Like Ours--the story of Lyndie and Jake--is one of those books that takes you by the hand and leads you through a whirlwind tale of innocence, heartbreak, trauma, drama, restoration then lets you down gently with a very happy ending! 

So it is with great honor that I feature Becky Wade's latest novel, which Bethany House Publishers sent to me for free in exchange for an honest review.

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Once-in-A-Lifetime Kind of Love
Review written by Alexis A. Goring for Becky Wade’s book , A Love Like Ours

A Love Like Ours is one of Becky Wade’s finest, most intense, well-written books!

She explores the layers of her characters, perfectly painting a clear and correct picture of their hearts on paper.

The author takes Lyndie James—a beautiful free-spirit with an optimistic personality and a heart of compassion—and matches her with Jake Porter, perhaps the most handsome of all the three Porter brothers but also the most troubled.

Described as “Tall, dark and brooding,” Jake is wrestling with his PTSD caused by a traumatic accident during his days as a Marine. Despite not being able to control the circumstances that led to the accident and the death of his comrades, Jake who was in charge of his crew, blames himself and relives the trauma of that explosive moment very often to the point where he cannot sleep.

Deep within his heart is a safe place. It’s the place where he remembers his childhood friend, Lyndie. But since Lyndie left when her family moved away from Texas to California, that safe place is also a broken place and he blames Lyndie for breaking his heart.

So when Lyndie and her family return to Holley (Texas), Jake is more angry than happy to see her. But he’s not exactly angry out of well, anger; he’s angry out of fear because he realizes the place in his heart for Lyndie after all these years is still soft and he feels the need to protect her at all costs.

Jake’s innate need to protect Lyndie is challenged from the start of this story when Lyndie tells him she wants to exercise his horses and be a jockey for one of his struggling stallions named Silver Leaf. While Lyndie and her family lived in California, she received the experience and expertise that prepared her to be a great jockey and her compassionate heart that has a way with horses makes her the perfect person to help Silver Leaf reach his full potential as a race horse.

As the story progresses, the reader learns that Lyndie wants to help Jake too. The hurt in his eyes and his dark brooding nature does not deter Lyndie from her goal. A woman of faith, Lyndie believes all things are possible with God who is in the miracle-making business. But will Jake’s stubbornness and years of suffering from PTSD keep a permanent wall of steel surrounding his heart? Or will Lyndie’s love for horses and Jake break through?

You’ll have to read to find out the answers to those questions but I can tell you that you may fall in love with this story! It made me laugh, cry and smile.

The author is a pro at developing deep characterization, describing the settings and mastering the art of “showing” the story not “telling” the readers the action.

The reader will grow endeared to the childhood version of the characters as told in the Prologue and the reader will be captivated by the grown up version, dialogue and scenarios from Jake and Lyndie’s adult lives starting at the moment they are reunited in Chapter 1.

It’s such a beautiful story! The author takes you by then hand from page one and leads you through Jake and Lyndie’s journey from the beautiful beginning, through the challenging times and moments of despair, to the very sweet end.

What makes this book extra special to me is the Bible verse the author leaves on the last page of the book contains a beautiful promise from God in real life—Jeremiah 29:11 (New International Version) which reads, “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Another reason why I love this story—that’s my “life verse” and the reason why is a whole other story which I will not go into for the sake of closing this book review.

If you’re not convinced to buy Becky’s book yet, you may when you see the lovely book cover which in itself is endearing. The book summary also speaks volumes.

A Love Like Ours is worth every bit of a five-star rating. I can see this book being of one of my favorite stories forever.

Author interview: Amanda Cabot

Today, I will introduce you to a notable author who has published more than 30 books! She is an avid reader, admirer of the color blue, and good at writing fictional romance stories based on her real, firsthand experience with the love of her life. Amanda Cabot is her name and she has wonderful words to share with you! 

So without further ado, here's my author interview with Amanda Cabot (questions by Alexis in bold, answers from Amanda not in bold)...

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Alexis: Congratulations on receiving a starred review from Publishers Weekly! What were your first thoughts when you learned of this news?

Amanda: I was speechless, which doesn’t happen very often, and I had tears of joy in my eyes. I’d hoped for a PW review, and of course I hoped they wouldn’t hate the story, but receiving a starred review was more than I’d dreamt of.

When did you know you were meant to be an author? Share your story of how your dreams became a reality.

I’ve always wanted to write. From the time I was seven, when reading was my favorite pastime, I thought the most wonderful thing in the world would be to be a writer. It took a while before I actually submitted a manuscript to an editor, but once I did, there was no turning back. And, no, that first story didn’t sell to the first editor, but I was fortunate enough to sell it to the second one.

Why do you write historical romances?

There are a couple reasons. Let’s start with the historical part. I enjoy research, particularly when it means that I get to immerse myself in a different time period. It’s such fun to see how people lived in “olden days.” And, once I’ve done all that research, I love sharing tidbits with my readers. As for romance, I’ve always been drawn to stories of characters who have to surmount seemingly impossible obstacles to find their happily-ever-after.

How many books have you written? I see you’ve written a few book series. How exciting! Tell me about it. Are your only series Texas Dreams and Westward Winds? Please share the concept for each book series.

At this point, I’ve published over 30 novels and half a dozen novellas. My earlier books were written for the secular market under a variety of pseudonyms. But for the past seven years, all of my writing has been for the Christian market. It’s been a wonderful change for me in many respects, not the least being the knowledge that this is what God wants me to be doing.

I’m going to answer the rest of your questions from the perspective of my Christian books:

The Texas Dreams and Westward Winds trilogies were my first series for the Christian market. Although they’re very different stories, in both cases, they were inspired by places I particularly like: the Texas Hill Country for Texas Dreams and Wyoming for Westward Winds. Each series was both fun and a challenge to write. The challenges in Texas Dreams related to the heroines’ backstories or, in the case of Priscilla (Scattered Petals), the events of the first chapter. Each of my heroines had to overcome a difficult past, and that made certain aspects of each story painful to write. Still, readers’ reactions to those books reaffirmed my decision to focus on the healing power of love.

The challenge to the Wyoming books was different. I set them in real places – Fort Laramie and Cheyenne – and had to do extensive research to ensure that all the details were accurate. Believe me, I agonized over that and wondered more than once why I’d decided to use real places rather than a fictional location like Ladreville, the setting for the Texas Dreams books. Fortunately, all of my research paid off when the U.S. Park Service cited the authentic details as one of the reasons they chose Summer of Promise for the Fort Laramie bookstore.

Both of those series are complete at this point. But since so many readers have told me that they want to know more about the residents of Ladreville, I’m considering a second trilogy to follow Texas Dreams. Right now, though, my focus is on the Texas Crossroads trilogy, of which At Bluebonnet Lake is the first book.

Tell us about your first contemporary book At Bluebonnet Lake. What inspired you to write it?

Would you believe the inspiration was a leaky roof at what should have been a four-star resort? The reality of a resort on its last legs was far different from the glossy brochure, but as is often the case with unpleasant experiences it gave me the seed of an idea that led to the whole Texas Crossroads trilogy.

Your book The Christmas Star Bride will be available for purchase on Dec. 8. Would this be your next novella? Why should my readers buy it?

Yes, The Christmas Star Bride is my next novella. One of the exciting things about it is that it’s part of The 12 Brides of Christmas collection, a series of twelve stories featuring – you guessed it – Christmastime romances. Each of these will be released in e-book format one each Monday starting September 23. As you might expect with twelve different authors involved, the stories are all quite different.

You worked as a computer programmer. Are you retired now? How did you find time to write all of these wonderful books while keeping a full-time job in another career?

My husband and I were fortunate to be able to take early retirement and fulfill our lifelong dream of moving to the West a few years ago. Prior to that, I wrote two books a year by writing whenever I could find a spare minute. I won’t claim that it was easy, and I’ll freely admit to many years of sleep deprivation, but writing has always been an important part of my life, and when something’s important, you make time for it.

You’ve said that writing is who you are and what you are meant to be. Why do you believe that to be God’s plan for your life?

He told me. Oh, not in so many words, but He answered my prayers. He brought me the agent I wanted at exactly the right time; He gave me not one but two publishers interested in my book; and He’s sent me readers who have told me that my stories have deepened their faith and helped restore their belief in God’s love.

Describe your writing space.

I’ve written everywhere from airports and planes to hotel rooms and friends’ guest rooms, and for many years my office doubled as a guest room. Now that I’m retired and living in Cheyenne, I’m fortunate to have a dedicated office.

What advice do you have for aspiring authors?

I have three pieces of advice. The first is to read extensively in the genre you want to write. That’s the best way to learn what publishers are buying. Secondly, join a writer’s group. ACFW is wonderful for writers in the Christian marketplace, and Romance Writers of America is excellent for anyone interested in writing romance. A writer’s group provides support, networking and so many other resources to the aspiring writer that I can’t over emphasize the importance of joining one. And lastly, never give up. Rejection is a fact of life. I won’t sugarcoat it: rejection hurts. But if you let it defeat you, if you stop sending out your manuscript just because it was rejected, you’ll never be published. Believe in your book and in yourself. Oh … that was four pieces of advice. Sorry!

Tell me about your family. Are you married? Do you have kids? Share the lovely details.

One of the reasons I write romance is that I have firsthand experience with true love and happily-ever-after. I met the man who became my husband when I was a junior in high school and knew from the beginning that he was the one for me. We’ve been married for more years than I can admit if I want to continue the myth of being twenty-nine, have no children and share a love for travel, particularly by car.

What is your favorite color (explain why)?

Blue. It comes in so many wonderful shades and reminds me of the beauty of an autumn sky or the sparkling waters of a glacial lake.

Complete this sentence: During my writing journey, the most valuable lesson I have learned is _________________because _____________________.

During my writing journey, the most valuable lesson I have learned is patience, because God’s answers may take longer than you expect, but His timing is always perfect.

Alexis: Thank you for the interview Amanda! Is there a question you’d like to ask my readers? 

Amanda: Thanks so much for the opportunity! I’m curious about your readers’ reading habits, so here’s my question: Do you prefer contemporary or historical novels and why? 

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Author bio:

Amanda Cabot is the bestselling author of more than thirty novels including the Texas Dreams trilogy, the Westward Winds series, and Christmas Roses. A former director of Information Technology, she has written everything from technical books and articles for IT professionals to mysteries for teenagers and romances for all ages. Amanda is delighted to now be a full-time writer of Christian romances, living happily ever after with her husband in Wyoming.

Connect with Amanda:

Official website - www.amandacabot.com

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/amanda.j.cabot

Twitter - https://twitter.com/AmandaJoyCabot/

Blog - http://amandajoycabot.blogspot.com/

Buy Amanda's latest book, At Bluebonnet Lake:

Author interview: Davalynn Spencer

Last week, I interviewed Melissa Tagg about her life as a former newspaper reporter turned novelist. This week, I’d like to introduce you to another former journalist who is now a successful author and speaker. Davalynn Spencer is her name and she has a wealth of wisdom and creative words to share with you in this interview feature on my blog today. So read on and enjoy!

Alexis: You are a former journalist! Tell me about your journey from the newsroom to becoming a novelist.

Davalynn: I started writing by telling the stories of people’s lives. When my husband was rodeoing full time, our children and I traveled with him across the United States, and I wrote feature stories and interviews for the Prorodeo Sports News, the trade paper for the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association. I also wrote for Western Horseman, American Cowboy, The Upper Room, Christian Standard, Power for Living, and The Line Rider which I edited for the Fellowship of Christian Cowboys, Inc. while my husband worked as the president and general manager of the nonprofit organization. All this led to my employment as a crime-beat reporter for the local newspaper. Funny how those things work out. Yet through all the years of writing, my goal was to be a novelist. I decided one day that it was time to pursue that dream so I did. Attended writers’ conferences, met with agents, followed agent/editor/author blogs, signed with Linda S. Glaz of Hartline Literary, honed my craft, and wrote novellas and novels.

Now that you’re a novelist, what genre do you write? Do you specialize in novels or novellas?

I write inspirational romance, both historical and contemporary, because I’m interested in relationships and happy endings. Everything isn’t pretty or perfect in my stories, but when a romance reader picks up a book, he or she knows that the situation will eventually work out. It’s the process of getting there—through the gunk—that makes the journey exciting and the ending worthwhile. I write both novellas and novels.

Is all of your work as a novelist fictional? Why or why not?

All novels are fictional, but they are woven together with threads of truth. There is a bit of myself in all of my stories, especially the contemporary books. Though it sounds ridiculously obvious to say, the human condition is universal. People everywhere experience the same emotions of anger, jealously, sorrow, pity, joy, love. Circumstances are different, but the emotions are the same and they are very real.

Where do you get the inspiration for your creative stories?

Sometimes a situation in my own life will spark a story. Or a location; setting is important to me. I wrote a novella based on a woman I saw sitting in her car in a parking lot talking on her cell phone. The story has nothing to do with a woman on a cell phone, but it was the germ to which my imagination attached. News stories also prompt ideas. And actual events in close friends’ lives that I have to “adjust” because readers would not consider the tales plausible otherwise. Truth really is stranger than fiction.

What would you say were the unique challenges of switching your writing style from print journalism articles to creative fiction stories?

One challenge is finding your writer’s voice. Journalistic writing has a distinct tone. But even as a journalist, I’ve always leaned toward feature writing which is warmer, less cut-and-dry. I prefer the “story” feel, and that may be what has helped me transition from reporter to author.

Melissa Tagg and Stacy Hawkins Adams who are now successful Christian fiction authors, used to be journalists too! What would you say to journalists who dream of making the jump from being in the newsroom to becoming a novelist like you?

I found encouragement from Mark Twain who was first a journalist and then a novelist, and so I would point those journalists to him and others like Tagg and Hawkins and many more—surprisingly many. But I would also share the words I read every day on a poster above my desk: “No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and fight for your dreams.” Learn the craft, don’t give up, and get used to using the serial comma. (They’ll know what I mean.)

How has your relationship with God helped your writing career?

One day I read the story in II Kings 4 about the widow and her jar of oil. She basically had nothing but the capacity to obey. When she chose to do so, miracles poured out. As I read, I related to her situation because I wanted desperately to write, yet at the same time, I was afraid I’d run out of things to say. The Lord impressed upon my heart that, like the widow, if I continued to pour it out, He would pour it in. Obedience is an act of faith. I have to trust Him to provide.

I have nothing of any value or worth apart from God. Jesus has walked with me through every valley, fire, and torrent and over every mountain, hillock, and verdant meadow. The one thing in my life that has been constant and true is His presence and faithfulness.

How has your award-winning work as a journalist played into your fictional stories?

Those many awards were confirmation that I was headed in the right direction at the time. A couple from which I took a great deal of encouragement were first-place awards from the Colorado Associated Press: the story of a police negotiator who caught a woman mid-air as she jumped from a ledge near the Royal Gorge, and the story of how the Columbine School tragedy affected our local high school students. Recently placing second in the Inspirational Reader’s Choice Awards with my contemporary romance, The Rancher’s Second Chance (Heartsong) has had the same effect: encouragement that I’m headed in the right direction.

What is the most rewarding aspect of your work?

On my website, readers will see the phrase “faith and fresh hope.” My goal is to write a story that brings faith and fresh hope into a reader’s life. Nothing beats hearing from someone who was comforted/encouraged/inspired by one of my stories, or who related to one of my characters so much that they want to read more about that individual and his or her life.

Did you always know you’d grow up to be a professional writer? Share the story of how and when you knew “This is it!”

I have written stories all my life, whether in my journal that no one else ever read, or for a newspaper, or as novels. There have been many moments of feeling that I’ve made it home at last. However, the journey never ends. There is always more to learn, more to experience, and more to write.

What is your favorite topic to write about as a novelist? Why?

I’m partial to cowboys and the western way of life, whether present day or historical. If I could, I would go back and live in the 1800s. It was hard, sometimes even brutal. But life was simpler, not as noisy. I like that.

Are you traditionally published? Do you have an agent? If yes, please share the name of who represents your work and share the story of how that happened.

My agent is Linda S. Glaz of Hartline Literary. I connected with her via the agency owner, Joyce Hart, whom I met through a webinar in 2010. Joyce liked my writing and gave my name to Linda. My first novella was published by Pelican Books, my four novels are published by Harlequin’s Love Inspired | Heartsong Presents, and I have two novellas in two Barbour collections, one releasing this November, Christmas Wedding Bell Brides, and one coming out summer 2015.

Are you married? Do you have children? Give my readers a glimpse into your personal life.

When a certain handsome, dark-eyed cowboy walked into church one Sunday morning, I knew my hopes of getting past him unscathed were slim to none. I’m so glad. Today we have three children, four grandchildren and a Queensland heeler named Blue.

You call Colorado home. What do you love about living there?

We live on the Front Range, on the lip of the mountains – there’s a word picture for you. It’s like straddling two worlds: the present and the past. Within a few miles of our home, I can be up in the parks (cow country) walking through an old square-log cabin on a homestead, leaning in close to pictographs left on rock face by early Native Americans, or waiting at a red light in town. And there’s nothing quite like watching a massive storm roll in off the plains and slam up against the mountains only to dump lightning and rain and then clear out leaving brilliant blue sky behind.

How do you spend your free time? What are your hobbies?

I love to read, to move into the story worlds of other authors. I also play the piano and guitar and only recently stepped down from playing on our church’s worship team. Walking is a favorite pastime as well.

You’re also a speaker. What topics do you cover and what’s your main message?

My messages all focus on one key idea: God is faithful. Sounds trite, but it’s true. The fun part comes in sharing the stories of how I know He’s faithful. One of my favorite topics is “Sometimes Life’s a Rodeo.” Everyone can relate, because who hasn’t found themselves face down in the dirt wondering what just ran over them?

What is your favorite Bible verse? Why?

That’s almost like asking me which child is my favorite! I have many favorites, depending upon what’s happening around and within me at the moment, but one I return to as a life verse is Psalm 16:8 – I have set the Lord always before me. Because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken (NIV). Several years ago I published a book of thirty devotions for women titled Always Before Me. The devotional thoughts are stories from my life and have often served as the basis for speaking topics. Who but the Lord can be both ahead of us, leading us, and beside us, comforting us at the same time? He has it all covered.

What do you want your legacy to be?

I want my legacy to be that when I’m pushed up against the wall, Jesus comes out through the cracks in my life.

Thank you for the interview, Davalynn! Do you have a question for my readers you’d like answers to in the comment section? If you do please share! It’s been a joy hosting you on my blog! God bless you!

I’d like to ask readers how important the story’s setting is to them as they read.

~ End of interview ~

Author bio: 

Wife and mother of professional rodeo bullfighters, Davalynn Spencer began her writing journey in the national rodeo market and as a newspaper journalist, winning awards in both arenas. Today she continues to win acclaim with her inspirational western romance placing second in the 2014 Inspirational Reader’s Choice Awards, and finaling for the Selah Award and the Holt Medallion. Davalynn teaches writing at Pueblo Community College, and with her handsome cowboy has three children and four grandchildren. They make their home on Colorado’s Front Range with a Queensland heeler named Blue.

Connect with Davalynn online at www.davalynnspencer.com, www.Facebook.com/AuthorDavalynnSpencer and follow her on Twitter @davalynnspencer and become her fan and/or friend on Goodreads.

Davalynn’s books can be found:

On her website and blog, www.davalynnspencer.com

Amazon's Davalynn Spencer page, http://amzn.to/1nqzskB

Christianbook.com (http://bit.ly/1nbYdRw)