PROTECTED - Paula Peckham - One Free Book
Welcome, Paula. Tell us how much of yourself you write into your characters. Pretty sure little bits of me show up in all of my main characters, at least so far. I wrote a contemporary novella to be included in a Christmas anthology, and it was the easiest thing I’ve ever written because it was a story from my life. In fact, my mother texted me after her copy arrived in the mail (Texas Heirloom Ornament) and told me, “I’m reading your autobiography.” I laughed because it was almost accurate. What is the quirkiest thing you have ever done? Following a nudge from the Holy Spirit one night at church, I convinced my husband we needed to buy property in Rio Bravo, Mexico, where our church had done mission work for ten years, and we built a little house there in the neighborhood where we serve.
When did you first discover that you were a writer? I wrote for the school newspaper when I was in high school, and I enjoyed it, but I never seriously sat down to write a book until I was in my 50s.
Tell us the range of the kinds of books you enjoy reading. I read everything! Stephen King’s horror, Dick Francis’ mysteries, John Grisham’s legal thrillers, Patricia Cornwell’s medical mysteries, Ray Bradbury’s science fiction, Cheryl Burman’s mystical women’s fiction, just about any romance, non-fiction about nature, biographies, cereal boxes … If it’s been published, I’ve probably tried it.
How do you keep your sanity in our run, run, run world? It’s easier now that I’ve retired from teaching. When I start feeling overwhelmed with the world, I remind myself God is in control, and I don’t have to know all the answers.
How do you choose your characters’ names? Since I write Christian fiction, I often choose a name from a Bible character who exemplifies what I want my character to be like. For example, in Protected, my male main character has a best friend named Jonathan. I chose that name from the friendship between Jonathan and David.
My female main character’s name is Abigail. I chose her name because it would easily shorten to Ab, which then easily switched to “Abner” when she decided to disguise herself as a boy.
And some names come from websites that list popular names for that year.
What is the accomplishment that you are most proud of? I dropped out of college when I got married at age nineteen because we couldn’t pay our bills without both of us working. Then two babies came. I finally started back again, taking two classes a semester at night. It took me seventeen years to get my college degree, but I never gave up. I think that determination has served me well as an author too. It gets discouraging when success doesn’t happen overnight, and it’s very tempting to quit. I’ve learned the value of perseverance.
If you were an animal, which one would you be, and why? Ooh, that’s hard. Maybe a dolphin, because I love to swim, and they’re intelligent. Maybe a mockingbird, because doesn’t everyone wonder what it would be like to fly, and they sing so beautifully. Maybe a dog because they always seem so happy, and they’re loyal and non-judgmental, both characteristics I’d love to have. Or a horse, because they’re powerful and majestic, and I’ve loved horses since I was a child and begged Santa for one every year.
What is your favorite food? No hesitation on this one! Mexican
What is the problem with writing that was your greatest roadblock, and how did you overcome it? Sometimes what I start with in my imagination isn’t supported by historical fact. It’s tempting to bluff my way through the parts I’m not sure about or ignore a critique partner who tells me the thing I’m writing hadn’t occurred yet. If it means switching up major parts of the story plotline, I want to resist. But I know historical accuracy is important, so I’ve always given in and rewritten what I needed to in order to maintain authenticity. And I’m proud of you for that. Tell us about the featured book. Protectedis a western story set in Texas. Think of what you might get if you mashed together Beauty and the Beast, Mulan,and John Wayne’s movie, The Cowboys. My female MC is strong and independent. My male MC is kind and loyal. The bad guys are just creepy enough. The side characters are fun and funny. It will make you laugh and maybe even cry.
Please give us the first page of the book.
Texas plains, late Spring, 1862
Abigail Walker stood beside the fresh grave. Fear and grief wrapped around her chest like the cinch of a saddle. She dropped a limp handful of wildflowers onto the mound of loamy black soil. Sunbeams beat down on the prairie, highlighting the ten other graves that had appeared in a somber line over the past two weeks. Three of them held pieces of her heart. Death had snatched her entire family―her younger brother Nathan, Mama, and Papa. Stunned, she struggled to breathe.
A warm wind dried the tears from her face and teased some strawberry-blonde strands from her messy braid. Golden flashes of sunlight slipped through the tossing leaves on the trees near the creek where the children from the wagon train gathered for this final ceremony.
“Abby, do you want to say any last words?” Grady Strong’s tone held sincere kindness, but the matter-of-fact question, repeated several times already to the others standing around the grave over the past two weeks, slapped her heart.
Abby’s eyes stung as she gazed into their sun-dappled faces. A nearby mockingbird ran through its joyful repertoire in direct contrast to the grief swamping her as she stood with the remaining group of travelers heading for a new life in San Antonio, Texas. Could they finish the journey alone?
How can readers find you on the Internet?
I have an author page on Facebook, Paula Peckham, Author. I have a website where I blog – www.paulapeckham.com. I’m on Twitter and Instagram, and occasionally I post on TikTok.
Thank you, Paula, for sharing this wonderful book with my blog readers. I love your writing.
Readers, here’s a link to the book.
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