Interview and #Giveaway with @MiraleeFerrell

I'm thrilled to have Miralee Ferrell join us today for a fun interview and giveaway! Miralee is a contributing author to the upcoming "Cowboy's Bride" Novella Collection from Barbour releasing in March, and I'm so excited to share my first novella contract in the same collection as this gift writer.

So I'll stop gushing now and let you all get to know Miralee a little bit more....

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How did you begin writing? 

It was totally unexpected and not something I would have considered on my own. I truly got a nudge from the Lord via a special speaker at church who prayed with me and spoke into my life. He said he felt that God had His hand on me and I was supposed to write—not only for myself, but for publication. I took it seriously and my journey started there, ten years ago last spring. 
Take us through a day in the life of you, the author (because some us picture you rise from bed, calmly pour your coffee, sit in a sunny little alcove, and write for eight hours before getting ready for a luxurious dinner out with your special someone) ;) 
First, I am NOT an early riser—I tend to stay up late working and generally don’t get up until about 8:30. I have breakfast while I watch the news and check/respond to email, then feed the dogs & chickens, shower and get ready to face my day. It’s not always writing. Sometimes it’s hours of edits or proofreading. Sometimes it’s a horseback ride with my daughter or grocery shopping. Sometimes I don’t get to my actual writing until mid-to-late afternoon or after my husband goes to bed. One day rarely looks like another, and I tend to flex with whatever needs
Tell us where you got the idea for your latest book and why you developed a passion to write it? 
Mystery Rider is the third book in the four book series, Horses and Friends. The idea for the entire series came from an editor friend who loves horses, had read one of my western historical romances and suggested I consider a contemporary series of horse novels for kids. My passion comes from both my love of horses and my love for kids. 
Who is your favorite character in this book and why?

My favorite character is thirteen-year-old Kate, named after my 2 ½ year old granddaughter who is the joy of my life. Knowing that little Kate can be a bit strong willed at times, I patterned Kate in the book that direction—but gave her a soft side that’s also quick to admit when she’s wrong and ask for help, traits that I believe little Kate will have as she grows up. 
What is the most important takeaway from your book that you hope your readers see? 
The importance of looking beyond the outward appearance and seeing into a person’s heart. Not judging but trying to understand why people act the way they do and make allowances if possible. These are two of the lessons the kids in the book struggle to learn as they investigate the mystery of the black horse and its rider. 
If you were to be offered the opportunity to climb Mt. Kilimanjaro or to back pack deep into the heart of the Swiss Alps, which would you do and why? 
Oh dear, neither! But if I HAD to choose, it would be the Swiss Alps, but I’m not crazy about heights. I also do not like snow and cold, so I’d love it if you’d offer a tropical location instead, LOL! Having said that, I’d love to visit Switzerland someday, and I do love looking at mountains—just not climbing them. 
And while you’re on this grand adventure, would it be necessary for you to have coffee or tea? (‘cause we’re split evenly in preference here at the CCC blog)
Definitely tea. You may want to kick me off your blog after you read this, but I’m not a coffee person—at all. Never could develop a taste for it. But I LOVE iced tea and hot is fine as well. 
If you had to write your novel long-hand, would you use a fine point Sharpie, a roller ball pen, a fountain pen, or a pencil? 
I prefer a roller ball pen for most writing, but for something like a book it would have to be a sharp pencil with a good eraser! Honestly, I’m not sure I’d write if I had to do it longhand. 
Your favorite flavor of pie … because we’re heading into pie season! 
Oh, definitely huckleberry!!! I have an excellent, never-fail crust recipe & I’m the pie maker 
What are you currently working on in the book world? 
Three different projects—a historical romance novella, a contemporary romance novella, and the first book in a three-book historical romance series. 
Lastly, will you leave us with a snippet from your book that is one of your favorites and gives us a glimpse into its pages? 
Sure, I’d love to. This is in the first chapter: 
Colt’s long stride took him out of the room in a couple of seconds, but he hollered over his shoulder, “Hey, come see this. Weird, if you ask me.” Kate bolted into the kitchen first, with Tori on her heels. “What’s up?” Colt moved to the sliding glass door and pointed. “A black horse. That’s not a big deal, but the rider looks strange.” Tori crept up beside him. “The horse is gorgeous!” Colt grunted assent. “But what’s the deal with the person riding him? You can’t tell if it’s a man or a woman, and it’s awful warm to be wearing a full slicker with a hood.” Kate shaded her eyes against the glass. “I wish it wasn’t dusk so we could see them better. Look, they’re trotting now and moving on up the road. I think it’s a woman or a teenager. Doesn’t look big enough to be a man, and he’s all hunched over the horse’s mane. Do you think he’s sick or something?” Colt slid the door open. “Maybe we should make sure he’s okay.” Kate and Tori slipped outside with Colt following. He nudged Kate in the side. “You going to holler or just stand there?” Kate made a face at him but took a few steps toward the gravel road that ran behind their house. “Hey,” she called toward the horse and rider, “are you all right?” The horse slowed for a second. Then the rider bumped him in the side and took off at a Tori stepped up beside Kate. “That was rude. He had to have heard you, but then he Kate nodded. “It’s a mystery. I’ve never seen that horse before, but maybe we should ask around and see what we can find out. It sure seemed like the rider had something to hide.” She faced Tori and Colt. “The person was the same size as Melissa. You don’t suppose that’s why she had to hurry home? But why wouldn’t she stop and show us her new horse?” Colt scrunched his brow. “It doesn’t make a bit of sense. I say we keep a close eye out tomorrow night in case the person comes back. What if they stole that horse?”
The best way for a reader to contact me is through my website or Facebook. Here are the links, as I’d love to have them stop by and sign up for my newsletter (form on my website) or join my Author Fan Group
www.miraleeferrell.com –website/blog and newsletter signup
Facebook Author Fan Group
www.twitter.com/miraleeferrell    To follow on Twitter
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Jaime Jo Wright - author of spirited turn-of-the-century romance, stained with suspense

COMING SOON!


March 2016, "The Cowgirl's Lasso", The Cowboy Bride's Novella Collection, from Barbour Publishing

August, 2016,"Gold Haven Heiress", The California Gold Rush Brides Collection, from Barbour Publishing


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