Author Interview
1. When did you decide to become a writer?
Donna: I dabbled in creative writing in high school where I wrote several short stories that were published in our high school magazine. I also played the guitar and wrote several songs, mostly ballads and country gospel. Then when I married and started raising my family, I put the guitar and the pen down and dedicated myself to my family. Years later, when the girls were grown and on their own, a little story popped into my head. I heard loud and clear the simple message from the Lord: "Write!"
2. How did you think up the story of Charlie, the main character in your Mysterious Ways series? When you started out, did you plan to write only one book or did you plan a series from the beginning?
Donna: When that story popped into my head, it was a thought about a boy who meets someone very special at Christmas time. That boy was Charlie Smith, the main character in the series. I was only going to write one book; but as I started to write the chapters, I realized it needed to be a series.
3. Your characters are so believable, and the plots flow so naturally, that the writing must come easily to you. Is that true?
Donna: Some of it was easy, and often therapeutic for me; but some of it was a real struggle. I don't write from an outline; I write from my heart. If the words flow well, if they clearly reveal the emotions of the characters, if they touch anyone's heart at all, it is because God was touching me.
4. What year or time period in history would you have liked to live? Why?
Donna: I often say I was born 150 years too late. I love the Old West…cowboys, horses, ranches, log cabins….and did I say horses? As a small child, I only wanted to play with the plastic cowboys and Indians. I had a bouncy horse that I rode so hard it would come inches off the ground (scared my mother to death). I was most comfortable in jeans and a cowboy hat.
5. What is your favorite Christmas tradition?
Donna: Caroling! I especially love caroling in the snow. I love being in a large group of singers, holding candles, bundled to the Nth degree, and harmonizing together ... then topping it off with hot chocolate!
6. Are you still writing?
Donna: Besides recently completing the manuscript for the 4th and final book of the Mysterious Ways series (The Crimson River), I do have a couple other stories running through my head. Both are fictitious with historical/biblical truths.
7. Where on the Internet can we find you?
Donna: You can find me on my website: www.northstarstories.com and www.cladach.com/Westover-Gallup.html
(#1 Mysterious Ways)
Description:
COLORADO TERRITORY - 1864
Young Charlie is alone on the ranch that sits between the empty prairie and the Rocky Mountains. As he cares for his dying grandpa and tries to figure out how to survive the winter, he keeps remembering the old man's words: "Failure is not an option, son."
As the first storm of the season hits, a mysterious mountain man shows up at the isolated ranch and good things start to happen. But can Charlie learn to trust the giant stranger with his one terrible secret? On Christmas day he learns what trust really means.
As the first storm of the season hits, a mysterious mountain man shows up at the isolated ranch and good things start to happen. But can Charlie learn to trust the giant stranger with his one terrible secret? On Christmas day he learns what trust really means.
An entertaining and heartwarming story for the entire family to enjoy during the holiday season and all year.
144 pgs. $9.99
Review Quote:
"A touching story that demonstrates the many ways that love of fellow man can be given and the humanity of the Son of God. This is an exciting adventure story while carrying a message of value." ~ Bob Spear, Heartland Reviews
http://cladach.com/WASexcerpt.pdf
ROCK OF REFUGE
A Frontier Novel
#2 Mysterious Ways
IN GREEN PASTURES
A Frontier Novel
#3 Mysterious Ways
Purchasing Info: Available through stores, online retailers, and direct from the publisher at:
A Frontier Novel
#2 Mysterious Ways
Description:
COLORADO TERRITORY - 1871
Charlie is a young man now with much to learn about himself, the world in which he lives, and the God in whom he has placed his trust. The little ranch at the foot of the Rockies seems to be closing in on him. Seized by restlessness, he sets out to join a cattle drive north across the foothills and prairie to the rip-roaring new town of Denver. On the trail and in the city, Charlie finds the awakenings of love and learns about honor, trust, and the need on the frontier for men who are both tough and tender, who know where to find their strength.
Another entertaining and heartwarming "Mysterious Ways" story for the entire family.
276 pgs. $11.99
Review Quote:
"A deftly-written and excellently researched novel that readers are sure to love, it's highly recommended to western fans everywhere and deserves a place on community library fiction shelves." ~ Midwest Book Review
A Frontier Novel
#3 Mysterious Ways
Description:
COLORADO TERRITORY - 1872
When Charlie gets the amazing and unexpected news that he's now a millionaire, he once again leaves the cozy Colorado ranch at the foot of the Rockies - this time to take the train to Missouri. He encounters Jesse James outlaws, rogue relatives, new romance, and skeletons in the family closet. These adventures test Charlie's budding manhood, skills, and faith in ways that will entertain and inspire readers of all ages.
When Charlie gets the amazing and unexpected news that he's now a millionaire, he once again leaves the cozy Colorado ranch at the foot of the Rockies - this time to take the train to Missouri. He encounters Jesse James outlaws, rogue relatives, new romance, and skeletons in the family closet. These adventures test Charlie's budding manhood, skills, and faith in ways that will entertain and inspire readers of all ages.
256 pgs. $11.99
Review Quote:
"A story of secrets, betrayal, friendship and redemption. A continuation of Charlie's story that builds on the first two books. While the plot of this book stands on its own, knowing the story from the first two books gives depth to the story. I really like the size of this series. The books are larger than a mass media book, but smaller and easier to handle than a traditional trade paper size. Very comfortable." ~ Author's Choice Reviews
Read Excerpt (pdf):
where the Fall Fiction Fling Special Price
for the set of three books is $22.00
Kindle e-books also available on Amazon.com
GIVEAWAY
4 comments:
Thanks, Jenny, for introducing me to an author I didn't know about. I am always looking for good children's/YA books.
Donna, I have to agree about the caroling! It's always so much fun.
your books sound great! Thanks for such a generous giveaway :)
Hi Anne. Thank you for posting. I'm excited that you're going to read my series, Mysterious Ways. I've no doubt that once you've read the first book, White as Snow, you'll want to read the remaining books. Once you've done so, please feel free to visit my website at www.northstarstories.com and tell me what you think of the books. I love hearing from my readers - it makes me a better writer.
Thanks again and take care,
Donna
I've never heard about this author or these books but I'm real excited to know about them now.
Since our boys were small, we had read books aloud to them. Now that they are grown, our younger son has three children that he reads books aloud with them
What fun it will be if I win the set to get to read aloud to them all when we go visit them this Christmas!
Do I need to leave my name or email address here for the drawing or since I submitted above, is that all to entering?
Hi Pamela just filling in the form enters you.
thanks for entering and stopping by.
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