LINDA LaROQUE -- AUTHOR

My guest today is bright and vivacious Linda LaRoque, author of MARSHAL OF HER OWN. she's consented to answer a few questions for me so y'all can learn a bit about her. And she's brought along a blurb of her new book. Make sure you leave a comment to be eligible to enter the drawing for a lovely antique typewriter pin.

Linda, tell us what your life is like away from the computer? Tell us something about your household. Jazzie, my cat, wants to know if you have any kitty-pusses.

I taught school for 30 years but my husband and I now are both retired. We go when we want, either on trips or to see our daughter and grandson, but are always anxious to return home. We have a little Wal-Mart dog named Molly. She’s part fox-terrier and part Chihuahua and isn’t a good traveler, so we either have to kennel her or our son comes over to dog sit. Tell Jazzie we almost had a kitty once but Molly didn’t play nice and we gave him to a young girl whose cat had disappeared.

What is your writing schedule like?

To be honest, I don’t have a schedule. I write when the mood strikes me and lately have been able to get more done when I write on a tablet and we’re traveling or when I visit Starbucks. There is something about using a pencil. I don’t know, maybe I concentrate better.

Do you enter writing contests? If so, has this been a positive experience for you?

I have but don’t do so often. I’ve had both good and bad experiences—you know two great scores and then one low one that knocks me out of the competition. Personally, I believe that anyone who judges a contest should have some type of training. Being a Pro member is nice, but taking RWA’s judge’s training makes, in my opinion, should be required.

Do you ever dream of writing in a different genre?

I do write different genres. I started out writing contemporary western romances, branched out into time travels, have a futuristic romantic suspense coming out Dec. 5^th and am in the process of writing a romantic suspense.

How do you research your storylines or locations? 

Since most of my settings are in my back yard—Texas and New Mexico, I’m familiar with the area. Whenever possible though, I travel to areas I don’t know well. For Flames on the Sky we traveled to Chaco Canyon in New Mexico. For my current work-in-progress, we traveled to the Zuni Reservation in New Mexico and along Route 66.

What part of the writing process brings you the most pleasure? The most angst?

The part I enjoy the most is the ideas that pop into my head, the way the characters speak to me at the oddest moments in a story helping to mesh the plot together. The part I enjoy least is editing, looking for all those echoes, ly words, etc.

What is one of your most embarrassing or laughable moments?

At RWA Nationals in Reno I accidently dropped by drivers’ license with my hotel key into the key card box. When it came time to check in to the airlines, I didn’t have it. I had to use my Sam’s card as a photo idea and go through extra security. You can imagine the men going through all the paperback books I’d picked up with the scantily clad women and bare chested men. And, you’ve hear the expression, “Spread ‘um.” 

What are you currently working on?

I’m working on a romantic suspense set along old Route 66 in New Mexico. Hopefully it will turn into a series.

I've waited as long as I can, because I do love cowboys, past and present. Tell us about your current release…or soon to be release. I admit to having serious cover envy.

A Marshal of Her Own – Blurb:

Despite rumors of “strange doings” at a cabin in Fredericksburg, investigative reporter Dessa Wade books the cottage from which lawyer, Charity Dawson, disappeared in 2008. Dessa is intent on solving the mystery. Instead, she is caught in the mystery that surrounds the cabin and finds herself in 1890 in a shootout between the Faraday Gang and a US Marshal.

Marshal Cole Jeffers doesn’t believe Miss Wade is a time traveler. He admits she’s innocent of being an outlaw, but thinks she knows more about the gang than she’s telling. When she’s kidnapped by Zeke Faraday, Cole is determined to rescue her. He’s longed for a woman of his own, and Dessa Wade just might be the one—if she’ll commit to the past.

Excerpt:

Dessa stood still and watched as they conversed. Something stank to high heaven about this entire situation. Why were the cops chasing robbers on horseback? It’s not like Fredericksburg was that isolated. She glanced at the captured men. The boy moaned, and she made a step to go over and help him. The Marshal spun, and the expression in his eye froze her in place.

 “He needs first aid.”

 “He’s fine. The Doc will tend to him when we get to the jail.”

  “You could at least call 911 and let them patch him up for you.” She nodded to the man lying so still with his eyes closed. “Your other prisoner doesn’t look so good. He’s going to die on you if you don’t start CPR or get him some help.”

 “Lady, no one is going to hear a yell from out here. Never heard of any 911 or CPR.” He propped the hand not holding the shotgun on his hip and threw her a disgusted look. “Are you blind? That man is dead, shot through the heart.”

Her head swam for a moment, and she struggled not to give in to the sensation and faint. She drew in deep gulps of air. “Well...well..., what about the coroner and the meat wagon, not to mention the CSI folks? If you don’t get them to record the scene, how are you going to cover your butt? The authorities might say you shot him in cold blood.”

He looked at her like she’d sprouted an extra head. “I don’t know what the hell you are talking about woman. No one will question my authority. I’m the law in this county. Now, be quiet, or I’m going to gag you.”

A Marshal of Her Own will be available now at The Wild Rose Press, Amazon.com, Barnes and Noble.com and other online book stores. It is the sequel to A Law of Her Own available at The Wild Rose Press, Amazon.com, and Barnes and Noble.com and other online book stores. I’m awaiting a release date for A Love of His Own, the third story in the Prairie, Texas series.

My release contest for A Marshal of Her Own began November 9th. I’ll be giving away this vintage rhinestone typewriter pin. To enter the drawing, go to my website or blog and sign up for my newsletter. Don’t forget to verify your email address. If you already receive it, email me at linda@lindalaroque.com with A Marshal of Her Own contest in the subject line. Contest ends December 15, 2011.

Leave me a comment or ask a question today and you’ll be entered into a drawing for an ecopy of A Law of Her Own.

Also, today’s blog post is part of 2 blog tours—this one for A Marshal of Her Own and starting December 4^th, one for Born in Ice. Follow along each day and leave a comment to be entered into the grand prize drawing and learn about my Born in Ice contest.

The Blog Tour schedule will be posted on my blog and website. It will last 25 days and the Grand Prize is a Kindle. Leave a comment each day and your name will be entered 25 times. Pretty good odds, huh?

Tomorrow, on Nov. 24^th I’ll be on Nancy Jardine’s blog at

http://www.nancyjardine.blogspot.com/ talking about the invention of writing utensils.

Happy Reading and Writing!

Linda LaRoque

Writing Romance With a Twist in Time

www.lindalaroque.com

http://www.lindalaroqueauthor.blogspot.com

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