Today we welcome Mary Davis to my blog. Mary is very graciously offering a copy of her new book to one commenter. USA only. Be sure to include contact information!
Mary, welcome! Tell us about the book:
Mary, welcome! Tell us about the book:
The Pony Express Romance Collection is a collection of nine
historical novellas set around the Pony Express written by nine different
authors. “Nine historical romances revive the brief era of the Pony Express.”
My novella is called AN
UNLIKELY HERO. It’s the story of a distressed woman running from a mistake
who finds security in the quiet affection of a shy Pony Express rider. BethAnn White made a terrible mistake in a time of stress and grief. Now on
the run with her younger sister, she must hide to keep them both safe or find a
strong man to protect them. Though she finds herself attracted to one of the
small Pony Express riders, she looks to the strong blacksmith for protection should
she need it. Pony Express rider “The Fox”
is short and scrawny, with red hair and freckles. He knows he’s no prize for
any woman, but BethAnn stirs his heart, and he finds himself filling his
sketchbook with drawings of her, knowing he can never win a woman like her. Can
these two unworthy hearts learn to trust God to direct their paths?
If your readers would like to read page one of AN UNLIKELY HERO, they can find it on my
blog on March 31st.
It sounds interesting! Do you recall how
your interest in writing originated?
As far back as I can remember I’ve had characters running
around in my head. I loved creative writing in school even back in elementary
school. As an adult, I tried my hand at writing children’s stories but couldn’t
sell any of them. Then I switched to Christian romance and love it!
What does your
writing process look like?
If you can picture a bouncy ball set in motion in a rubber-lined
room, that’s me, bouncing all over the place. I’m often working on several
projects at once as well as in different parts of a current project. So the
current novel I’m writing, I’m writing in one part of it, editing another, and
taking yet another to critique group. (And if you’re wondering, yes, the
timeline gets a little messed up in my head. That’s why I do a final read through
to make sure everything is straight.) Then throw in two or three proposals that
are at various stages into the mix, as well as, galley proofing, cover input,
and marketing of a recent release.
Other times, I roll in a straight line across the floor working
on just one aspect of one project. But this doesn’t happen very often.
I like to know where my story starts and where it ends
before I start writing. Then I’ll often write the first two or three chapters
and jump to the end to write the final scene or two. From there, I will either
go back to where I left off near the beginning or jump around in the middle.
Eventually, I connect the dots and fill in the missing scenes. Then edit and
smooth things out. Novellas have less of this jumping around because they are
so short.
If you could cast
your characters in the Hollywood adaptation of your book, who would play your
characters?
Hmm. For BethAnn I’d cast Amy Ruffle from the Australian
series Mako Mermaids. Seth Green could play Fox. He even has the red hair so
wouldn’t have to dye it.
Who was your favorite
character in AN UNLIKELY HERO in The
Pony Express Romance Collection?
I would say my hero, Fox. Pony Express riders were often
just boys in their teens and some in their twenties, but all were small. There
was a height and weight limit to keep the load light on the horses. So even the
older riders had to be small, like the size of a jockey. I decided I wanted to
turn one of these undersized riders into a hero. He didn’t shy away from
danger. He would be the first one to help someone else.
What are you working
on now? What is your next project?
Well, several things. I have another historical novella
contracted that’s due to my publisher in May. The collection is called A
Bouquet of Brides Romance Collection. My novella is called HOLLY & IVY. At Christmastime, a young woman accompanies her
impetuous younger sister on her trip across the country to be a mail-order
bride and loses her heart to a gallant stranger.
I also have the first of three
contemporary Amish novels due to a different publisher in May. Book one of my
Prodigal Daughters series is called COURTING DOCTOR KATHLEEN. Returning to her
Amish community at age thirty with a medical degree in hand, Kathleen knows she
won’t be readily welcomed back when her Amish brothers and sisters realize she
intends to practice medicine in their community. Having lost his wife and child
in childbirth, Noah vowed not to marry again, but he’s drawn to Kathleen
because of her unorthodox ways, dauntless attitude, and unyielding conviction.
Can a confirmed bachelor and a devout spinster find a life and love together?
I’m also working on proposals for three other historical
novellas. One set around the Harvey Girls, another with a sewing theme, and the
third around the Industrial Revolution.
Share your bio:
Award-winning novelist MARY DAVIS has over two dozen titles in both historical and
contemporary themes. She is a member of ACFW and active in two critique groups.
Mary lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband of over thirty years
and two cats. She has three adult children and one grandchild.
Social media and
buying links
Web Site: http://marydavisbooks.com
Barns & Noble link: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-pony-express-romance-collection-barbara-tifft-blakey/1124440730?ean=9781683221173
17 comments:
Sounds interesting! Thank you!
cjmosley2002@yahoo.com
I already have this book on my wish list. Thank you so much.
leliamae54(at)aol(dot)com
This is a deviation from the norm. I want to read it even more. This is real life.
Thank you for writing this hero.
Sonnetta_jones(at)hotmail(dot)com
This is a deviation from the normal hero. It makes me want to read it even more.
Thank you for writing about a real life hero.
Sonnetta_jones(at)hotmail(dot)com
I've seen this book and it looks interesting! Great interview and thanks for the giveaway! :)
RachelS smileytwin10{at}gmail{dot}com
Nice interview with Mary Davis. The Pony Express Romance Collection will be a interesting novellas to read set during this era. Thank you for the giveaway. I had this book recommended by a couple of friends already, so I must read it. marilynridgway78[at]gmail[dot]com
This collection sounds so great! I've been hearing about it everywhere. Thanks for sharing and offering a giveaway!
Sharing.
Mary, you put quite the picture in my mind with your comment about bouncing balls in a rubber room. I cannot imagine getting anything accomplished, but you obviously thrive! Great interview, Laura and Mary.
I was so intrigued by the title and my interest was peaked by the cover and your comments. I'm ready to hop on the Pony Express!
Oops! I forgot my info. The Pony Express Romance Collection looks amazing.
newgranny1@hotmail.com
Thanks!
Sounds like a good read! Thanks for sharing so generously.
I just hosted a giveaway for this book on my website Sowing Seeds of Hope with Donna S, but as a host couldn't enter. Thanks for the opportunity to win one. Blessings!
I've wanted to read this book...sounds like a great read
rita.navarre@yahoo.com
read some great reviews on this one! It's on my wanted list :)
dkstevensneAT outlook (dot)com
congratulations to Marilyn!
An interesting period of time and your story sounds like a very enjoyable read. Thank you, Mary, for sharing.
My husband I saw where an old pony express station site was in Wyoming. I was near the ruts of the old Oregon Trail and signature rock. Vivian Furbay jtandviv (at) q (dot) com
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