Blurb:
As sheriff of Silver Creek County, Matthew Marson’s job is
to look after his town. But when he fails to protect the most important person
in his life, Claire, from an attack, Matt feels as though he will never be able
to forgive himself.
Her husband-to-be’s newly found overprotectiveness drives
the headstrong Claire from his arms. She can’t see a future with a man who
won’t allow her to follow her dreams.
In a small town where everybody knows your name and your
business, it’s impossible for the pair to stay apart, especially as Claire
finds that she can’t completely turn her back on the lawman that she loves.
I've known Lori since I signed up with HarperImpulse last year, but I must admit I don't know an awful lot about her (authors tend to talk more about their characters than themselves!). So, this is my chance to find out more.
Okay, here we go with some quick fire questions…
1. Have you ever been out with a cowboy, like
your hero, Matt?! No, I’ve
never been out with a cowboy. So, what made you pick that as his career? My grandma had tons of Zane
Grey books that I read when visiting her. Cowboys seemed larger than life
in his stories and so now seem to me one of the best heroes.
2. Can
you tell us a bit more about Oregon and why you use it as the setting for your
books? I’m a lifetime
Oregonian, born and raised. I love living here and honestly wouldn’t want
to leave. My state has it all: ocean beaches, mountains, rivers, lakes,
and even desert areas. For hiking, fishing, camping and rock hounding my
home has countless places to enjoy. I grew up in a town that was
‘at the end of the Oregon Trail’, have often visited the Pioneer Womans Grave and stood in the ruts that still
exist for the wagon trains that came west. With such a rich environment
of history, I felt my Men of Fir Mountain stories had to set in Oregon.
3. If you had a choice where would you choose
to live, and why? If I could I
would live on some acreage miles from the nearest town. I would have my
very own Hobbit Hole House to live in, have a huge aquaponic garden system and
a miniature highland cow. As to why? I don’t have a definite answer
beyond those are the things that occupy my dreams. Someday I hope a dream
or two becomes reality.
4. What comes first when you write a story?
Usually a snapshot of a scene pops into my mind after I see or read
something that sparks my imagination, an article, a photo, people in a waiting
room, etc. and then I build around it.
5. Can you name five characteristics we’re
likely to find in your heroes and/or heroines? Stubbornness,
intelligent, caring, willingness to sacrifice, faithful
6. Do you ever wish you’d been born in the
nineteenth century, or do you love the present day? I think it would be fun
to visit the past but I like indoor plumbing, dishwashers, my laptop, internet
and my cell phone too much to give them up. Technology makes the distance
between my eldest, my grandbaby and I bearable.
7. What’s your idea of a perfect day?
A perfect day for me would be early
summer weather, warm enough to play in the water but not so hot you can’t walk
around in the sunshine, sleeping in, everyone in a peaceful mood, a lazy day
just absorbing nature with my family.
9. If you weren’t a writer, what would be your
next choice of career? I would work for a non profit organization, helping
others.
And
before you run off, can you share a little excerpt?
Excerpt – Fall 1891 Fir Mountain, Oregon
Energy crackled in the air. Wind howled, and thunder roared,
loud and intense. Clouds obscured the sky, darkening the midday hour, as rain
streamed from the heavens.
“You shouldn't be here.”
Claire McConkey smiled in response to his gruff,
inhospitable greeting and moved closer. “Why?”
Lightening streaked across the dull greyness above,
illuminating her finely boned, heart shaped face. Dark brown hair blackened by
water clung in tangles. The sight tugged at his deep need to protect her, but
he fought it off with cold, hard reason. Another man might think the petite
woman who stood only chest high before him, slender to the point that a stiff
wind might blow her away, needed coddled. Her delicate appearance misled many.
Sheriff Matthew Marston knew better.
Matt stepped out on the covered porch of his family’s
log cabin. She didn’t yield ground. Their bodies brushed, and awareness flared.
He closed the door behind him to keep her out of his refuge, sidestepping to
put some space between them.
“Go home,” he ordered bluntly, his tone firm.
As always, eyes the same rich color as her hair
mesmerized him. Claire never veiled emotion. When laughter sparkled in the
depths of her eyes, her delight was infectious. If angered, one look would
scorch whoever had earned her ill humor. He’d never had to guess what she was
feeling, until now. His weight shifted awkwardly from one foot to the other.
Her gaze shone with an intensity that unsettled him.
“But I’m soaked, chilled through. Won’t you ask me
in?”
“No,” He was certain she was up to something, playing
with him. Her soft request only hardened his resolve.
An eyebrow arched at his swift denial. “You’d let me
catch my death walking in the storm?”
His eyes narrowed. Matt studied Claire for a long moment,
jaw clenched, suspicion high. Mere weeks had passed since the woman who’d held
his heart from the time she’d worn ponytails and he chased frogs had rejected
him. She’d inflicted a wound that festered, refusing to heal. The memory
haunted his quiet moments. He couldn’t understand how she could kiss
him with soul searing passion one minute and then with her next breath calmly
tell him that their wedding was off.
***
Buy links –
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Lori is also the co-author of
Loving Winter Nights, Love Romance (free ebook)
A Witch by Chance (free pdf book, downloadable from my
website or blog)
Thanks
for stopping by Lori!
If you want to find out more, please do visit Lori's website, check out the Written Fireside stories, or follow her tweets - she's a lovely person!
Where can your readers find you? My links: Harper
Impulse Website My Blog FacebookTwitter Pinterest Goodreads Wattpad Written Fireside Google Plus Amazon Author Page
About
Lori - I was born and still live in Oregon. Despite being a good
student, my teachers complained about my tendency to daydream. The tales
dancing through my imagination were frequently far more entertaining than real
life. As far back as I can remember I made up stories, to calm my sister after
a nightmare, entertain myself in boring classes and write in countless
notebooks, many never again to see the light of day. I earned a BS from Eastern
Oregon State College and married my best friend almost twenty years ago. I’ve
three brilliant, handsome sons, one amazing daughter-in-law, a beautiful
granddaughter and two spoiled dogs. When not writing I love to read, hike,
camp, rock hound, and take long walks with my husband just after it rains.
Great blog, Lori. Like you I would love to visit the past - but I'm wondering whether they would have been as clean as we are today! LOL. Best of luck with your books. Caroline xx
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