Donna Schlachter and Free Books!

Mining, murder, and a mock marriage—what else can go wrong?

Before we meet today's author, I want to announce that the winner of the free copy of Carol Nemeth's romantic suspense novel, Ocean of Fear, is:

mauback55@...

Congratulations! I'll be in touch with you both via email, and we'll get your book right out to you. I encourage readers to keep commenting and/or subscribe at right (above my list of books) in order to learn about new releases! U.S. subscribers are entered in the drawings a second time when they comment.

And now let's meet novelist Donna Schlachter, author of the historical mystery, Double Jeopardy (Smitten Publishing, January 2020).

Donna lives in Denver with husband Patrick. As a hybrid author, she writes historical suspense under her own name, and contemporary suspense under her alter ego of Leeann Betts, and has been published more than 30 times in novellas and full-length novels.

She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers, Writers on the Rock, Sisters In Crime, and Christian Authors Network. She facilitates a critique group and teaches writing classes online and in person.

Donna also ghostwrites, edits, and judges in writing contests. She loves history and research, and travels extensively for both. Donna is represented by Terrie Wolf of AKA Literary Management.

Please tell us one random thing we might not know about you.

I am a Canadian by birth, an American by choice. I am one of the new era of mail order brides – sort of.

I was born Canadian as well, Donna! I was born in Newfoundland and chose my U.S. citizenship at 18. Sometime I'd like to hear your "mail-order bride" story.

Please tell us a bit more about the plot of Double Jeopardy.

In May of 1880, Becky Campbell leaves her wealthy New York lifestyle in search of her father, only to learn he was murdered in the small town of Silver Valley, Colorado. She determines to fulfill her father’s dream—to make her family's ranch, the Double Jeopardy, profitable.

Zeke Graumann, a local rancher, hires on with this Easterner for two reasons: he can’t turn his back on a damsel in distress. And he needs the money.

Becky isn’t certain Zeke is all he claims to be, and after a series of accidents at her mine, wonders if he isn’t behind it, trying to get her to sell out so he can take over. Can Becky overcome her mistrust of Zeke, find her father’s killer, and turn her mine into a profitable venture? And will Zeke be forced to give up his dream and lose his land in order to win Becky’s heart?

What is it about your lead characters that will make your readers care about them?

Becky Campbell has a strong sense of loyalty to her father, and wants him to succeed—even posthumously. Zeke Graumann might have a rough exterior, but inside, he’s all gentleman.

Novelist Orson Scott Card (Ender’s Game) once said, “Everybody walks past a thousand story ideas every day. The good writers are the ones who see five or six of them. Most people don’t see any.” How does that quote affect you as a writer?

This quote validates the innate curiosity I have about people and circumstances. I love eavesdropping on conversations, or making up stories about a person just from where they are or what they’re wearing.

I eavesdrop too, for story and character idea purposes. It's funny the things people say--sometimes you hear things that it seems no author could make up. 

What is the last novel you read that you would recommend?

Anything by Agatha Christie. She’s my hero. She has a knack for asking questions and making up stories about people that are timeless.

What are you working on now?

Kind of in a hiatus. Catching up on projects wedged in between a December book release then a January release.

Where else can readers find you online?

www.HiStoryThruTheAges.wordpress.com
www.HiStoryThruTheAges.com Receive a free ebook when you sign up for our free newsletter!
Facebook
Twitter
Amazon page and Smashwords
What Can Be Online University
For original oil paintings, book folding art, notecards, and other gift ideas: my Etsy page

The book is available for purchase online via the following button:



Finally, what question would you like to ask my readers?

If you could have dinner with any author, living or dead, who would that be, and why?

Thank you, Donna, for visiting and telling us about yourself and your book. Readers, Donna has offered to give away a free copy of her book. To enter, leave a comment and your email below in answer to her question, above. "Please enter me" won't get you entered. Remember that U.S. subscribers are entered an additional time in each drawing. The drawing is done by email, so leave your email address, like so: trish[at]trishperry[dot]com.

Only United States residents are eligible for the drawing, but anyone can subscribe to the blog posts via the GDPA-compliant Feedblitz box above my list of books, at right.

Also readers, I'd love it if you'd connect with me on Facebook. Just click on my name at the right of today's post title.

Annoying legal disclaimer: as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases; drawings void where prohibited; open only to U.S. residents; the odds of winning depend upon the number of participants. See full disclaimer, GDPA notice, and my Disclosure of Material Connection HERE

Donna Schlachter and Free Books!

Can a woman running from her past and a man with no foreseeable future find love along the Pony Express trail?

Before we meet today's author, I want to announce that the winner of the signed copy of Fatal Mistake, by Susan Sleeman, is:

alekee02@...

Congratulations! I'll email you for your snail mail address, and we'll get your book right out to you. I encourage readers to keep commenting and/or subscribe at right (above my list of books) in order to participate in future book give-aways! Subscribers are entered a second time when they comment.

And now let's meet novelist Donna Schlachter, author of the historical romance, Echoes of the Heart (in The Pony Express Romance Collection from Barbour Publishing, April 2017).


Donna lives in Denver with husband Patrick, her first-line editor and biggest fan. She writes historical suspense under her own name, and contemporary suspense under her alter ego of Leeann Betts. She is a hybrid publisher who has published a number of books under her pen name and under her own name.

Her current release, Echoes of the Heart, a 9-in-1 novella collection titled Pony Express Romance Collection. Donna is also a ghostwriter and editor of fiction and non-fiction, and judges in a number of writing contests. She will be teaching an online course for American Christian Fiction Writers in June 2017, “Don’t let your subplots sink your story”.

Donna loves history and research, and travels extensively for both.

Please tell us one random thing we might not know about you.

I once ice danced with a gold medalist figure skater.

How exciting! I'm sure many of us would be unable to ice dance with anyone, let alone a gold medalist.

Please tell us a bit more about the plot of Echoes of the Heart.

Catherine answers an advertisement for a mail order bride on behalf of her best friend, who soon dies of TB. After the master of the house makes indecent advances to her, she assumes the identity of her friend and travels to Kansas.

Benjamin, the illiterate station master at the Hollenberg Station who was crippled by a horse and thinks no woman would want him, depends on his friend to place an advertisement for a cook-housekeeper, but his friend knows he needs more, so he places the ad for a wife for him. When Catherine arrives, it's obvious Benjamin doesn't want her.

Benjamin wants her, but doesn’t think she wants a cripple for a husband. Can they get over their pasts and weave a future together, or are they determined to run from love forever?

What is it about Catherine that will make your readers care about her?

We all have a past, and Catherine—and we—need to realize that God is bigger than our past.

What is something you’ve thanked God for this week?

For a second bathroom being almost finished in my house.

Oh, yes. It's been many years since I've had to share a bathroom, so I really notice the difference when my circumstances are temporarily changed. That blessing is definitely worthy of thanksgiving.

What is the last novel you read that you would recommend?

Like a River from Its Course, by Kelly Stuart, weaves the stories of lives impacted by the second world war. It's told in a diary format, which makes it seem really intimate.

What are you working on now?

Two more novellas for Barbour that will come out early in 2018, and Book 6 in my Carly Turnquist cozy mystery series, Hidden Assets.

Where else can readers find you online?

www.HiStoryThruTheAges.wordpress.com
www.HiStoryThruTheAges.com
Facebook
Twitter
Books

The book can be purchased via the following button:



Finally, what question would you like to ask my readers?

What would be your ideal book and why?

Thanks, Donna, for visiting and telling us about yourself and your book. Readers, Donna has offered to give away a signed copy of her novel next week. To enter, leave a comment below in answer to Donna's question, above. "Please enter me" won't get you entered. Remember that subscribers are entered an additional time in each drawing. The drawing is done by email, so leave your email address, like so: trish[at]trishperry[dot]com. 

Also, I'd love it if you'd connect with me on Facebook. Just click on my name at the right of today's post.

Annoying legal disclaimer: drawings void where prohibited; open only to U.S. residents; the odds of winning depend upon the number of participants. See full disclaimer, as well as my Disclosure of Material Connection HERE