Interview & Giveaway: Heather Blanton | Author of Hearts in Defiance!

Welcome to Christian Bookshelf Reviews, Heather!! Will you tell us a little about yourself? 

            I grew up in the mountains of Western North Carolina and still consider the Blue Ridge Mountains God’s country. I write historical fiction, love every Western ever made, but I am a big Trekkie. I’m still recovering from Gunsmoke getting cancelled. My favorite authors are Lous L’amour, Edgar Allen Poe, Francine Rivers and Tamara Leigh. In a short conversation with me,  two important facts emerge pretty quickly: I am a proud Christian and I love cowboy boots! I am a study in profound conundrums and contrasts.

 

What is your novel, Hearts in Defiance, about?

            MEN MAKE MISTAKES. GOD WILL FORGIVE THEM. WILL THEIR WOMEN?

Charles McIntyre built the lawless, godless mining town of Defiance practically with his bare hands ... and without any remorse for the lives he destroyed along the way. Then a glimpse of true love, both earthly and heavenly, changed him. The question is, how much? Naomi Miller is a beautiful, decent woman. She says she loves McIntyre, that God does, too, and the past is behind them now. But McIntyre struggles to believe he's worth saving ... worth loving. Unfortunately, the temptations in Defiance only reinforce his doubts.

Billy Page abandoned Hannah Frink when he discovered she was going to have his baby ... and now he can't live with himself. Or without her. Determined to prove his love, he leaves his family and fortune behind and journeys to Defiance. Will Hannah take Billy back or give him what he deserves for the betrayal?

Gritty and realistic, this is the story of real life and real faith in Defiance.

 

When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?

            When I was five or so, the cartoon “Funky Phantom” ended and I didn’t want it to. So I told the next chapter to my mom and she typed it up for me. I was hooked!

 

What would you say is your most interesting writing quirk?

            Silence. I love to write in a completely empty and silent house. I immerse myself in the story and that’s easier to do when everyone’s gone and the TV is off. You know, I don’t have to have my Mom Radar on. LOL.

 

Where do you like to write? 

Even though I have an office, I float around the house writing. Sunroom, living room, kitchen. I have no idea why. Some days I feel like I need to see the outdoors, so I’m in the sunroom. Others, my big, cushy sectional calls my name. There are days when I’ll write in front of the fireplace. It’s weird. 

 

What do you like to do when you're not writing?

            Explore the West, read, hike, research, and, gasp, talk politics and religion. 

 

What is your favorite genre to read and why?

            Historical fiction and Western history. It’s a toss up.

 

What is your least favorite genre to read?

            Sci-fi, yet I’m a Trekkie. Go figure.

 

Is there a place you'd like to visit, but haven’t yet? 

            The tree from which Ellen Watson was hung. In 1889 in Natrona County, Wyoming, Ellen Watson was lynched by cattle barons who wanted her land and stock. She is the only woman ever hung in the state and her murder was an obscene miscarriage of justice. I’d like to place flowers at the tree.

 

Do you have a favorite Bible verse? 

            Romans 8:28New International Version (NIV)

²⁸ And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who^[a] have been called according to his purpose.

 

Do you have a favorite song and/or movie? 

            Seven Brides for Seven Brothers. Milly was one tough cookie and a cleaning machine! And I’ll confess that my favorite song is Rocky Mountain High. No accountin’ for taste.

 

What is your favorite holiday? 

            4^th of July. I have traveled out west extensively and a few times wound up in some awesome places on Independence Day! One morning I woke up, looked out my hotel window in Gunnison, CO and saw a valley filled with hundreds of colorful hot air balloons! That was so cool and a wonderful surprise.

 

What is your favorite season and why is it your fav?

            I live in the South, so the fall is my favorite time of year. The weather is awesome, the colors are stunning, and you can get outside and enjoy temps in the 60’s and 70’s. We ride four-wheelers a lot. I prefer snow, but we rarely get any. Winter would be my favorite season if I lived in the mountains.

 

Some this-or-that questions:

 

Snowstorms or Thunderstorms? 

            Definitely snowstorms.

Chocolate or Vanilla?

            Either. As the mood dictates.

Tea or Coffee? 

            Coffee. Coffee. Coffee. Mmmmmm. Columbian.

Call or Text?

            Text, as I multi-task frequently!

Cats or Dogs?

            Own both. Love both.

Early-bird or Night-owl? 

            Early bird. It’s easier for me to rise early than make it to 11:00 pm.

Introvert or Extrovert?

            Mostly, an extrovert, but I don’t mind being alone.

Facebook or Twitter? 

            I’m hooked on fb b/c I don’t like a character limit!

Mystery or Romance?

            Romance.

Sneakers or Sandals?

            Sneakers. I have unattractive feet.

 

Are you currently working on any new novels? If so, could you give us a hint? 

            I’m hoping to release two books in 2015. One is the third in the Romance in the Rockies Trilogy. A Promise in Defiance (working title) brings a new character to town -- a preacher who’s gonna save some folks or die tryin’. He carries a Bible and a gun and wields both with frightening skill.

            And a quirky little story, working title, Grace be a Lady. Grace is kicked out by her mob husband and refuses to sell her body to keep from starving … but maybe she can disguise it. The problem with lies, though, is eventually they catch up with you … even in Misery, Wyoming.

Thank you so much for being here! Is there anything else you’d like to tell readers and where can we find you on the web?

            I lover interacting with readers and helping fledgling writers. Please join me on my facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/heatherfreyblanton. You can tweet me at https://twitter.com/heatherfblanton and learn more about the amazing ladies in defiance who built this country at my blog, http://ladiesindefiance.com/

 

Thank you so much for having me, Melanie!

Enter for a chance to win a print copy of Hearts in Defiance by Heather Blanton! Giveaway is open to the US. Ends 1/29

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