Interview: Dora Hiers

Welcome to My Book Bag, Dora. Please tell us a little about yourself. Who is Dora Hiers, the gal next door?

My wonderful husband, Ernie, and I have shared twenty-two awesome years. Our oldest son, John, married Lorie. We couldn't have handpicked a more precious daughter-in-law. They have blessed us with two beautiful grandkids, Kayla and Mason. Our youngest son, Scott, is a student at UNC Chapel Hill. Go Tarheels! We now make our home in Kannapolis, NC, after living most of our lives in FL.

I love spending time with my family, drinking my cup of café con leche in the morning, kicking back in my recliner with a good book, teaching 2nd graders in Sunday School, vacationing in the mountains, watching football, walking my dog at the park, turning the fireplace on for the first time in winter, the changing seasons (we never saw this in Florida!), and what else? Shopping!

I don't like traffic. Bad coffee. Or no coffee in the morning. A sad ending to a book. That's the absolute worst! My books always end with happily-ever-after's!

Sounds like you have a very full and happy life…I love that! How long have you been writing? Was there an "aha" moment when you knew that's what you wanted to do?

Since my son started middle school and didn't want me hanging out at school with him anymore. LOL. By then, I'd been a stay-at-home mom about three years and had spent most of my time alternating between two schools. My older son graduated, and my younger son moved to middle school. I knew I needed something more to fill my days. An avid reader, God planted a story idea that pinged around in my head for a few months until I finally confessed my desire to write to my husband. With his enthusiastic support, I started pounding out the story.

Isn't it wonderful to have a husband who is "enthusiastic" in his support of the thing you love to do? :) I know you're excited about your new release, Journey's End. Is this a debut novel, and what inspired you to write this book?

Yes, I'm extremely excited about the release for my debut novel, Journey's End! You know that God-planted story idea? This is it. Journey's End germinated with a seed from a newspaper article about a mobster, finally convicted years later.

What's your favorite scene from Journey's End? Can you share it with us?

Journey's End Excerpt:

"I suppose I should have been a vet." Chelsea stroked the dog's fur from his head all the way down his back, careful not to touch his wounded leg.

"Maybe. But I don't think you've wasted your energy or your talents as a guidance counselor. Teenagers can't seem to resist you, either."

That produced a full-fledged smile in his direction. Way to go, Colten!

"Remember that natural charm I warned you about?"

He threw back his head and laughed. "Yes. And after a few days in your presence, I'm inclined to agree with you."

He pulled into the veterinarian's parking lot and glanced her way, surprised to see her grinning. "What?"

"Saved by the vet."

Her words hit him like a piano dropping ten stories. She was flirting with him.

He took his time walking around to her side of the truck. He opened the door and leaned in, planting his hand on the seat next to her shapely legs. His face hovered inches from hers while he savored the way her wavy hair cascaded down her shoulders, the lips that curved in that always graceful way, and the eyes that spoke everything his heart wanted to hear.
Her eyes closed, and her lips parted slightly.

Trey snapped out of it. He couldn't do this. He was on the job. She didn't know the secrets he knew, the truth about her husband.

Her eyes startled open. As much as he wanted to partake and enjoy, he couldn't. He touched a silky curl framing her face and ran it through his fingers. "You need to know that right now I'm working. But there will come a time, soon, when I'm not."

Ooooh, I'm already hooked! As a reader, do you have a favorite author? What three books are next in your TBR queue?

Oooh, I have bunches of favorites, too many to name! But, as a new author to White Rose Publishing, I can't wait to read all the new books coming out and catch up on the ones I haven't read! WRP has a line-up of fabulous Christian writers, especially you, Delia! And if a book from Susan May Warren releases, it automatically makes it to the top of my pile.

What a sweet thing to say! Thank you. WRP does have an amazing number of talented authors. Do you have a favorite verse of scripture? If so, what makes it special to you?

Psalms 19:14 (NIV) May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.

In everything I do ~ every thought that swirls around in my head, every word that comes from my mouth, every word I type ~ I want to glorify my Creator!

Amen and amen! I love that verse too. What one piece of writing advice has been most beneficial to you in developing your writing career?

To never give up. With each rejection letter, I cried, ranted, and stopped writing for a few months. Eventually, I'd pull out that piece of paper and look at it again with a fresh perspective. Every rejection offered constructive criticism on how to make my writing stronger and better. So, never give up because the feeling's ever so sweet when you get that affirmative email or phone call…

I can absolutely relate to the whole ranting and raving thing…! Where can readers find your books? Do you have a website, blog, etc.?

Find Journey's End at White Rose Publishing ~ http://www.whiterosepublishing.com/
Amazon.com ~ http://www.amazon.com/
Christianbook.com ~ http://www.christianbook.com/

Check out what's new on my website ~ http://dorahiers.com/
Blog with me at ~ http://dorahiers.blogspot.com/

It's been a pleasure having you on my blog today, Dora.

Thanks so much, Delia, for inviting me to My Book Bag. I've enjoyed my visit!


About Dora:

After a successful auditing career, Dora left the corporate world to be a stay-at-home mom to her two sons. Eventually, needing something more to fill her days, she started writing heart racing, God-gracing books that glorify her Creator. Dora belongs to the American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW) and the Carolina Christian Writers.

Dora and her husband make their home in Kannapolis, North Carolina. When she's not writing, Dora enjoys spending time with her family, guzzling café con leche, kicking back in her recliner with a good book, teaching Sunday School, vacationing in the mountains, watching football, walking her dog, and did somebody say shopping?


Journey's End blurb:

Devastated after the brutal murder of her husband, Chelsea Hammond vows never to love another lawman. Intent on rebuilding her shattered life, she turns her focus to helping troubled teens. But when an angry father bent on retaliation, threatens her, Chelsea must turn to the one man she never thought to trust: Deputy U.S. Marshal Trey Colten.

Trey wants only to protect Chelsea, but she blames him for her husband's death.Trey can relate. He blames himself, also. As danger lurks, Trey begs Chelsea to heed his warnings. He let down one Hammond. He won't let down another—especially one who now holds his heart.

When Chelsea is snatched from her home, can she put aside her fear and trust Trey with her life? Can she forgive him for destroying her past and let him help to rebuild her future?

Where one journey ends, another begins…