Thirty-four
year old Vicki Laramie must learn to trust before she can love, but
she might die trying.
While
Vicki’s children grapple with the death of their father -- a man
whom she’s successfully fabricated as loving, a lie her rebellious
teenager recognizes -- she must find a way to support her family and
find a role model for her boys. She never intends to fall for Staff
Sergeant Chase, her best friend’s son, who suffers from Post
Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). She’d much rather choose a safer
man to love, but her children have a voice in the decision she makes.
With two deaths to deal with, a suitor after her money, a rebellious
son, and Sergeant Chase’s repeated attacks, she can only hope to
survive the danger she faces. If she doesn’t, her children will be
left without either parent.
Barnes and Noble:
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/Dark-Days-of-Promise?keyword=Dark+Days+of+Promise&store=nookstore&iehack=%E2%98%A0
ISBN:
978-1-61252-218-0
A little Q & A from the Author
Personal:
Where
were you born?
Believe it or not, I was born in a nursing home for
the elderly in Rigby, Idaho. My life history begins with "I was
born a poor black child--black and blue from lack of oxygen." I
was born breach, the doctor pulled so hard on my leg that he thought
he'd broken it. Now, more than a few years later, I'm pretty sure
which leg he pulled on though my mother could never tell me.
What are you most passionate about, other than writing?
PTSD (Post
Traumatic Stress Disorder) and the friends it has brought into my
life. After the first scene that I wrote between Kelly and Victoria
(The one I wrote, not the one that they both appear in) I realized
that I must learn why Kelly reacted the way he did. I had no idea
that the scene would become such a pivotal point in my own life.
I
went forward with one question in mind. What would make someone
behave is such a way?
The
only clue I had was memories of stories shared by my brother about
his best friend. I'll try to boil those stories down to a single
sentence. "You just never, under any circumstance, touched
George (the best friend) when he was asleep." This best friend
served as a Green Beret. That sums up what I knew.
Memories
from childhood spurned me to ask the only military personnel I knew
at the time some difficult questions. That one-on-one soon grew to a
small group, me, the inquisitive mind and three gentlemen, one
actively serving at the time and two veterans. All three were very
kind, allowing me a very unique inclusion for a brief time into a
very tight brotherhood. I soon learned that each had a unique story
to tell as well as many they will never share.
I
had to learn military acronyms, most of which I have forgotten and
most importantly how to ask questions and when to back off. The sure
fire and humorous but deadly response of "I could tell you, but
then I'd have to kill you" taught me first. That was followed by
recognizing expressions that warned I'd asked a dangerous question.
I
love these guys and appreciate all they have shared. Friendships and
trust run deeper than I ever imagined they would or could.
The
novel complete, it is time to develop other friendships. Friendships
that are teaching me that one does not need to be a soldier to suffer
from PTSD. And with each story that is shared with me, I always ask,
"May I use this in a novel?" So far, no one has said "no."
Questions
about your writing:
What
or who inspires you to write?
I'd rather answer "Who and What."
Many things. Of late I believe it is my husband when he prays for me
"To do what I love." Oh he knows me so well.
Why
did you begin writing?
After reading most of J.K.Rowlings Harry
Potter series I craved more great reads and went to the local
library. After spending months wading through awful fiction, one
touting its prize winning status, I threw it across the room. (In my
weakened condition it only made it to the bed for a soft landing.)
"I
could write better than this!" I grumbled. My hubby, ever
understanding of my turbulent moods answered with a calm, "Then
why don't you?" It wasn't long before I set out to do just that!
What
was your favorite book growing up that inspired you to try your hand
at writing?
Oh I'd have to say I read everything by Walter Farley,
especially his The Black Stallion Series. Girls and horses…I
wanted to belive my horse was the Black Stallion reincarnate even if
she
was a buckskin with no Arabian blood in her.
What
do you find most rewarding about writing?
Have
you experienced writer’s block? And if so, how did you cure it?
I
often become stumped, especially in my current WIP. Those are times
to take a water or food break to feed the head and the body. Of
course there is the nature break. If the stump was small, it is
usually fixed with the small distraction. Other times I have to walk
away and get involved in living until the "Wow, it's been
awhile. I better go see what is happening in my WIP." Some times
that is just a day, but other times a bit longer.
About
Your latest book:
When
is your next book due out?
How
did you come up with your premise for Dark
Days of Promise?
I had this love story so smooth that it bored me, the writer, to
tears, literally. I knew I had to "speed" it up, give it
something to make it fly but didn't know what. I prayed and pulled my
chair up to the computer. My fingers flew with very few mistakes,
something that is unusual for me. That scene is in the book with very
few changes -- only a few grammatical corrections. I'll give you a
hint: Victoria goes flying!
Are
there any fun tid-bits about this story you can share with us? Other
than Victoria Flying?
Hmm. Carter and Phillip are very loosely based
on my children. And we once lived near where the story takes place.
How
did you decide on the setting?
That was difficult. I knew I had to
have snow and that I needed to know the area at least vaguely. So
maybe readers in Tooele and the surrounding areas will tell me how
well I did or how bad my memory is. Okay, so as I writer I took a
good share of creative license. Hope residents don't hate me forever.
Is
there a message in Dark
Days of Promise
you want readers to grasp?
It is my hope that readers will become more aware of PTSD. It effects
more than the veterans and their families, those who love them. It
isn't unusual for me to be talking with someone and get this "Oh,
they are dealing with Post Traumatic Stress" this way or that
way. The "Disorder" part, as far as I have learned, comes
from intense stress, such as battle and other potentially fatal
situations. Some deal with PTSD with faith and prayers on the one
hand while others use counseling and sometimes drugs to manage the
disorder. But for me, my PTSD is rather low key and manageable.
What
is the purchase link (and cost)?
http://stores.desertbreezepublishing.com/-strse-345/Dark-Days-of-Promise/Detail.bok
Exerpt:
Why him? I needed help; I even needed a rescuer, but not him.
I found myself welcoming his presence in spite of the clenching fear
in my stomach. My mind spiraled around the possibilities. Would I
freeze to death? Would he attack me? Would I survive? I must get
home to my children.
"Kelly! What're you doing out here?" My breathing came out
hard.
"I
don't know," he drawled. His words formed
ghostly shapes
in the freezing night air. "Do you want a ride or do you really
plan to run home?"
I
looked down the road in both directions hoping for a second pair of
headlights. I found none.
Run.
The
fact of my standing on ice and snow escaped me for the moment. I
anchored my foot for take-off and slipped, going to my knees. Kelly
moved fast, I didn't see him open the Jeep's door before he grasped
my arm, lifting me to my feet.
"You
okay? You went down pretty hard." He propelled me to the
passenger's side. Numb feet measured each jarring step around the
front of the Jeep. Why had he come looking for me? The possibility of
his not looking for me in particular, but anyone -- anyone alone,
screamed across my thoughts.
Afraid
of a cold death at the side of the road, my thoughts stalled. He'd
proven himself faster than I. I shook his hand off to climb in and
settled myself as close to the door as possible. He walked around the
front of the Jeep, his footsteps sure on the icy surface.
"Have to admire
your spunk," he said climbing in.
I've got my copy and just started reading it today. =D
ReplyDelete