Good Morning, Booklovers!
I hope you enjoyed last week’s quizzes, but today we are back on track with guest author, Donna Schlachter, and her featured sweet historical fiction novel, Calli. And she has a Giveaway!
Welcome to the blog, Donna. How do you take your coffee?
DS: I drink it with half-and-half, although I prefer whipping cream. Not the frothy stuff that comes out of a can, but the liquid. My favorite is Peruvian, which I purchase when I go there on mission.
Ally: Since my magic pot can do anything, Peruvian whipping cream is not a problem. While I fix our drinks, please introduce yourself to readers.
A hybrid author, Donna writes squeaky clean historical and contemporary suspense. She has been published more than 50 times in books; is a member of several writers’ groups; facilitates a critique group; teaches writing classes; ghostwrites; edits; and judges in writing contests. She loves history and research, traveling extensively for both.
Something unique/unusual that isn’t in your regular bio: “I’m a Canadian by birth, American by choice. I once skated with an Olympic figure skating medalist.”
Author contacts:
www.DonnaSchlachter.com Stay connected so you learn about new releases, preorders, and presales, as well as check out featured authors, book reviews, and a little corner of peace. Plus: Receive a free ebook simply for signing up for our free newsletter!
www.DonnaSchlachter.com/blog
Check out previous blog posts at www.HiStoryThruTheAges.wordpress.com and www.AllBettsAreOff.wordpress.com
Facebook: www.Facebook.com/DonnaschlachterAuthor
Twitter: www.Twitter.com/DonnaSchlachter
Books: Amazon: http://amzn.to/2ci5Xqq
Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/donna-schlachter
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/search?utf8=%E2%9C%93&query=donna+schlachter
Etsy online shop of original artwork: https://www.etsy.com/shop/Dare2DreamUS
Ally: Who or what inspired your featured book?
DS: I was asked to participate in the “Prairie Roses Collection” again, and in doing some research, discovered that while we know about the hundreds of thousands of people who headed west, we rarely hear about those who didn’t find what they were looking for and returned east again. While there is no official tally, unofficial numbers range in the tens of thousands. I felt their story needed to be told.
Ally: What is the easiest—or the hardest—part of writing for you?
DS: The idea is always the easiest. But getting the characters to build the story, the plot to hang the story on, and the theme of the story can be tough. I’ve abandoned many good ideas because the history wasn’t there, or the science wasn’t in place in time, or I simply couldn’t come up with enough sticky situations to place my characters in.
Ally: Do you use critique groups or beta readers? Do you find them valuable?
DS: I have an in-person (now Zoom) critique group that I’ve been with for more than 10 years. Word Crafters is a delightful group of serious authors whose goals are publishing and sharing the Gospel (not necessarily in that order). Of the initial authors who began so long ago, 4 (including me) are still active, and 3 have been published. I think a critique group is important because it’s people we trust to tell us the truth. There is nothing worse than writing a 5-page synopsis before figuring out there really isn’t a compelling story to tell—unless it’s writing the entire book. A good critique group will steer you right, help you fix not only the grammar and punctuation issues, but will also help you with the big picture problems.
Ally: What is your next writing project? Anticipated release date?
DS: I actually have a contemporary release on May 2nd in an anthology that I’m very excited about. You can learn more about my story, Zero Guilt Calories, and the anthology, Sweet Sprinkles, here: https://www.amazon.com/Sweet-Sprinkles-Collection-Jennifer-Miller-ebook/dp/B09KTB32B3
Ally: Which of the trivia questions did you choose to answer?
DS:
- an author (living or dead) you’d love to chat with – Agatha Christie
- an item on your bucket list: visit Britain, Ireland, Scotland
- ebook or print? Print – although I also read ebook.
- most watched tv show: Murdoch Mysteries
- a movie you’ll always remember: A Witness for the Prosecution (original not the recent adaptation)
Ally: Thanks for visiting with us, Donna. I’ll look forward to seeing you again in May when you return with a new contemporary release. In the meantime, let’s take a look at Calli.
Genre: Clean and Sweet Historical Fiction
Calli works as a nurse with the US Army at Fort Bridger, Wyoming in 1880. When a wagon train full of discouraged emigrants passes through on its way east, a pregnant widow delivers her baby then dies. Bradley Wilson, leading this train, has few options. He asks Calli to travel with them until they find a relative to take the child in St. Joe, Missouri. Calli, drawn to both this dark and quiet man and the child, resists. But when she disappears, he wonders if she’s run away or been kidnapped. Can these two put their pasts behind them and move into a new future together? Or will Calli insist on having things her own way?
Amazon Buy Link (also available through Kindle Unlimited)
https://www.amazon.com/Calli-Prairie-Roses-Collection-Book-ebook/dp/B09SD6XPRQ
***Giveaway: Happy to give a free print (US only) or ebook of Calli to a random, lucky winner. Just comment to enter.