Wednesday, April 5, 2017

Interview with Mary Davis and #giveaway!!!

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:

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


17 comments:

Jenny said...

Sounds interesting! Thank you!

cjmosley2002@yahoo.com

Lucy Reynolds said...

I already have this book on my wish list. Thank you so much.
leliamae54(at)aol(dot)com

Sonnetta Jones said...

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

Sonnetta Jones said...

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

Unknown said...

I've seen this book and it looks interesting! Great interview and thanks for the giveaway! :)
RachelS smileytwin10{at}gmail{dot}com

Marilyn R. said...

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

Amber Lemus said...

This collection sounds so great! I've been hearing about it everywhere. Thanks for sharing and offering a giveaway!
Sharing.

Unknown said...

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.

desdemona said...

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!

desdemona said...

Oops! I forgot my info. The Pony Express Romance Collection looks amazing.
newgranny1@hotmail.com
Thanks!

HeidiDruKortman said...

Sounds like a good read! Thanks for sharing so generously.

Cynthia Roemer said...

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!

Unknown said...

I've wanted to read this book...sounds like a great read
rita.navarre@yahoo.com

Deanna Stevens said...

read some great reviews on this one! It's on my wanted list :)
dkstevensneAT outlook (dot)com

lollipops said...

congratulations to Marilyn!

Marie Bast said...

An interesting period of time and your story sounds like a very enjoyable read. Thank you, Mary, for sharing.

Vivian Furbay said...

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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