When
you leave a comment on THIS post by 6 p.m. CT Sunday, February 23, 2014 you'll
be entered in the DRAWING for a copy of the book I mention below. If you
mention in your comment that you’re a follower (see in the left column “Join
This Site” and “Follow by Email”), I’ll add your name a second time in the drawing.
You must have a U.S. mailing address. You can read details about my book
giveaways at Disclaimers.
Claiming
Mariah by Pam Hillman
Our guest blogger is Pam Hillman, author of Claiming Mariah. Pam was born and raised on a dairy farm in Mississippi
and spent her teenage years perched on the seat of a tractor raking hay. She didn’t mind raking. Raking hay doesn’t take much
thought so Pam spent her time working on her tan and making up stories in her
head. Now, that’s the kind of life every girl should dream of! Claiming
Mariah is her second
novel.
Welcome, Pam. Please
describe yourself with three words.
Southern
country girl.
Please tell us a little about your
novel, Claiming Mariah.
After
her father’s death, Mariah Malone sends a letter that will forever alter the
lives of her family. When Slade Donovan, strong willed and eager for vengeance,
shows up on her front porch, Mariah is not ready to hear his truths: her
father’s farm, the only home she’s ever known, was bought with stolen gold.
With Slade ready to collect his father’s rightful claim and force Mariah and
her family out on the streets, Mariah must turn to God for guidance. Though Mr.
Frederick Cooper, a local landowner, promises to answer her financial woes if
she agrees to be his bride, Mariah finds herself drawn instead to the angry
young man demanding her home.
With
the ranch now under Slade’s careful eye, he unearths more than he ever imagined
as a devious plot of thievery, betrayal, and murder threatens the well-being of
the ranch, endangering those who hold it dear. As the days dwindle until the
rest of the Donovan clan arrives at the Lazy M ranch, Mariah and Slade must
rise above the resentment of their fathers and see their true feelings before
greed changes their futures forever.
What takeaway value do you want your
readers to have?
One reader’s review starts out “Hunky bad-boy hero.
Beautiful, desperate heroine…” I love it! She was looking for a good read and
got it. That makes me happy. Another reader took away a reminder to forgive and
to pray for those who have hurt or offended us. Yes, she loved the story
(yay!), but the spiritual aspect spoke to her as well. I like that, too.
I hope readers take away something that correlates
to what they brought to the table when they started reading, whether that’s
simply a sigh of satisfaction, or a deeper understanding of moral or spiritual
question they’ve been struggling with.
If you could have dinner with one person
from today or history (except Jesus) who would it be?
I
think I would want to have dinner with Mary, the mother of Jesus. I would ask
her what Jesus was like as a child. Was he a happy, laughing child, or a very
serious one? What were her hopes and dreams, her fears? We’d spend the entire
time talking about the 33 years he walked this earth.
What do you find the most enjoyable
about writing?
I
enjoy the early stages of dreaming up a story when that first little nugget of
an amazing idea or character starts germinating. Eventually, I plot myself into
a corner, and the real work begins!
Do you have a nugget of writing advice
that has completely changed how you view writing?
When
I first started writing, I didn’t realize how much I didn’t know about crafting a well-thought-out story. It’s not that
I didn’t have the passion to write, or some unique ideas, or that they weren’t
perfectly well-formed in living color inside my head, but I had a long way to
go to get those stories onto paper so that readers would enjoy them. I’m still
working on that!
Where can readers find you online?
Readers
can find me at website.
From there, they can sign up for my newsletter, read my blog, connect with me
on Facebook, Twitter, Goodreads, and Pinterest. I look forward to meeting new
friends.
Where can readers purchase Claiming Mariah?
Print
and digital versions of Claiming Mariah can be ordered
online or found in retail bookstores. All the buy links can be found at the books page of her website
In addition, I’m very excited to report that Claiming Mariah can be
purchased at Wal-Mart.
Any parting comments?
Thank
you, Jo, for inviting me for a visit. I’d love for your readers to stay in
touch either on facebook or by signing up for my newsletter.
Thank you, Pam for this interesting
interview. One of the commenters on this post will receive a copy of Claiming Mariah which you graciously
offered.
Remember: leave a comment on THIS post by 6 p.m. CT
Sunday, February 23, 2014 and you'll be entered in the drawing for a copy of Claiming Mariah by Pam Hillman. Please, please remember to leave your email address. I’ll need your email address so that
should you be the winner I can get in touch with you. I’ll announce the winner
in Monday’s blog.
Till next time … keep on
smiling.
Jo, thanks for the invite. Hope everyone is doing great, and we have some folks who are itching to get their hands on a copy of Claiming Mariah. :)
ReplyDeleteIn addition to Jo's giveaway, there are five copies up for grabs on Goodreads. Goodreads members can hop over there and throw your name in the hat to win a copy.
Claiming Mariah Goodreads Giveaway! Ends February 28th!
Pam, we're glad you're visiting with us. Thanks for mentioning the Goodreads giveaway!
DeleteThanks Jo and Pam. I have been wanting to read this book. My email is teshaw(at)sbcglobal(dot)net. I am also a follower of the blog. Have a great weekend.
ReplyDeleteTammie, glad you stopped by and left your comment. I appreciate you following my blog!
DeleteTammie, thanks for stopping by. Also exciting that you've had your eye on Claiming Mariah. :)
ReplyDeletea follower by Email.
ReplyDeleteClaiming Mariah sounds wonderful. Please enter me in contest. Thank you for the opportunity to win.augustlily06(at)aim(dot)com.Have a wonderful weekend.
I just love the name Emma...so sophisticated! Hope you get a chance to read Mariah. I think you'll enjoy it. :)
DeleteEmma, you're entered in the book drawing. Thanks for leaving your comment. Thank you for following my blog.
DeleteThis book sounds wonderful. Thank you both for sharing your talents. It is greatly appreciated.
ReplyDeletemauback55 at gmail dot com
Aw, thanks, Melanie. You are such a sweetheart. Must go work on my talent right now! lol
DeleteMelanie, thanks for your kind words about our talents. Glad you came by and left your comment.
DeleteThank you for the opportunity to win! It sounds like a great book. Please enter me to win. I also did the "follow by email"
ReplyDeletemichael_charissa at yahoo dot com
Charissa R.
Charissa (okay, Emma, I like Charissa's name too! But you're still my BFF! lol) Lovely name, Charissa. I've never seen that before. Is there a story behind your name?
DeleteAnd thank you for stopping by and reading the interview and throwing your name in the hat to win a copy of Claiming Mariah.
I adore new readers...especially those with cool names like yours! :)
I'm so glad you are following my blog! Thanks for coming by and leaving your comment.
DeleteLOL, Pammy -- "Southern Country Gal -- LOVE IT!! And dead-on, too!! :)
ReplyDeleteDon't enter me as I am already blessed to have my very own ecopy of Mariah!
Hugs,
Julie
lol - Do you realize how hard it is to describe yourself in 3 words????
DeleteWait, what am I saying???? You're Julie Lessman ... of COURSE you know what it's like. ha
Thanks for stopping by, Jules. You're the best!
Julie Lessman in 3 words !!!! Impulsive, Crazy, Awesome !!!!
DeleteLOL ok Godly, Driven and Inspiring !!!!! Thats Jules to a T !
Linda Marie Finn... in 3 Words... thats harder !
On a good day: Godly , Driven and Outgoing !
On a bad day: Tired, Weary and Seeking... I like my good days and cannot stand to be having a bad day.
Linda
faithfulacresbooks@gmail.com
Julie, thanks for stopping by and chatting.
DeleteGreat interview with such a talented writer!! Loved Claiming Mariah. And don't enter me--I have a copy.
ReplyDeletePat, thanks for leaving your comment. I won't enter you in the drawing but glad you came by.
DeletePat, you are such a gem! Thank you for stopping by! :)
Deletehope to win
ReplyDeleteKaren, thanks for coming by and commenting.
DeleteKaren, so glad you came by. God bless you and have a great week!
DeleteEnter ME !!! Boy I have entered so many giveaways to try to win this book this year its not funny ... I have been wanting to read Pam's book since the first time I saw the cover ! There is just something about Art that appeals to me. I majored in Art for 4 years and in Business too. But color, design and a well put together book cover just draw me to a book or it kills my desire to even read them. OK, honest assesment in 3 words...Driven, Artistic, Entrepreneurial ! Thats me to a T in every thing I do... Hows that Jules ? !!!!
ReplyDeleteLinda Marie Finn
faithfulacresbooks@gmail.com
Linda, you're entered and glad you stopped by to leave a comment.
DeleteLove your description of yourself, Linda! And isn't the Claiming Mariah cover to die for? Tyndale's art department hit a home run, imo! :)
DeleteOK, I just asked Mark to describe me in 3 words...His answer was " One Hot Babe " lol Its getting deep , someone get me the shovel !!! OK Jules, Smokin Hot !!!!! You just take me to the top ok.... You just do it up and make my man blush....
ReplyDeleteLinda
You are too crazy, Linda. But, of course, you fit right in with the rest of us! lol
DeleteEnjoyed reading the blog today and about your book. It sounds like one I would enjoy reading.
ReplyDeleteJFWisherd(at)aol(dot)com
Jackie, thanks for reading the blog today. Glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for leaving your comment.
DeleteJackie, thank you for stopping by and reading the interview and a bit about Claiming Mariah. If you enjoy western-set romances, then I think you'd enjoy it. :) God bless!
DeleteHi, Pam and Jo!!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the interesting interview!!
I haven't read any of Pam's books, and would love to read "Claiming Mariah"!! It sounds like an exciting book!!
We have a couple of things in common, Pam!! I grew up on a dairy farm in Ky., and used to drive the tractor also. When I was asked who I would like to have dinner with - my answer was Mary, also. Like you, I would love to know what Jesus was like while growing up, and would want to ask what her feelings were about His crucifixion, resurrection, and the plan of salvation.
bonnieroof60(at)yahoo(dot)com
I am a follower!!
Bonnie, you're welcome. Glad you liked the interview with Pam. I appreciate you following my blog!
DeleteBonnie, the similarities in our upbringing and our thought processes is a bit scary! We definitely need to chat more! lol
DeleteLOL, Pammy ... yeah, I can't do the THREE WORDS THING, but Linda Finn is pretty darn good!! ;) Thanks, sweetie-pie, for the kind words (all six of them!). :) And LOVE "one hot babe"!!! I'll have to keep that in mind when I put your name in my next book ... ;)
ReplyDeleteBonnie, really?? You grew up on a dairy farm? How come I don't know this???
Fun post, Jo!
Hugs,
Julie
Julie, thanks--glad you enjoyed the post.
DeleteWait, who's one hot babe...Julie or Linda? I am confused! ha!
DeleteJo, Jules and I have been all the way to Australia today and back...seems everywhere I went Jules had already been there, some places there and back twice...Isn't life fun when we can lovingly joke with each other but yet we know each other so well. thank you for entering me ! I do so want to read this book !!!
ReplyDeleteBlessings
Linda
Linda, thanks for commenting. I NEED YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS IN ORDER TO ENTER YOU IN THE BOOK DRAWING.
DeleteI see your email address above. You're entered.
DeleteI'd love to read a book from Pam! Great interview!
ReplyDeleteAndrew, glad you enjoyed the interview. I NEED YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS IN ORDER TO ENTER YOU IN THE BOOK DRAWING.
DeleteSorry -- Andrea
DeleteAndrea, thank you for stopping by. Good to see you here!
DeleteI have Mariah, but I can't resist the opportunity to say hi and root for the home team. This book is excellent.
ReplyDeleteTina, thanks for coming by and leaving your comment.
DeleteAw, shucks, Tina. Thanks for the shout-out! Btw, I'm quoting you in Seekerville tomorrow. Ha!
Deletethanks for the chance to read this wonderful novel, jo...I'm a follower, too.
ReplyDeletekarenk
kmkuka at yahoo dot com
Karen, glad you came by and left your comment. I appreciate you following my blog!
DeleteKaren, so glad to see you here. And just in time before Jo draws for a winner. Whoot! :)
Delete