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
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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.

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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