Blog Tour Stop~ Promises My Love/Contest

Please give a warm welcome to author D.L. Larson, who drops in today to chat about their latest book, Promises My Love.

To get us started can you tell us a little about what you are working on or have coming out? My new release is called Promises My Love, a historical set in 1840s Kentucky. Francis had a terrible childhood and he aches for justice to be handed out to his uncle.  Revenge consumes him even as his wife's love offers solace and peace.  Francis struggles with the collision of his two worlds, one full of pain, the other overflowing with love and compassion. He must decide which will rule his heart.  His decision may well destroy them all.

How would you describe yourself using only five words? Loyal, loving, and full of giggles. (I'm not counting and in my word count!! J)

If you could write a warning label for yourself as a person or an author, what would it say?  Her smile is warm and inviting, her bite not so much.

Do you have any guilty pleasures? Chocolate ~ not that I feel all that guilty about it.  And spoiling my grandchildren is definitely a guilty pleasure.  We have such fun.

Name one thing readers would be surprised to know about you. My kids and friends call me, "Miss Manners!' 

If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be? I like lakes, large enough that you can't really see to the other side.  And set in a place that features all four seasons.  My house would be large and comfortable to allow my entire family to visit often.  We'd swim in the lake, water ski and build a campfire out in the yard or in the living room depending on the time of year.

How do you get yourself in the mood to write? I don't worry about my mood, I simply sit down and get started.  I may decide to edit if I'm churning on a difficult scene, or I may put my historical away and work on my contemporary sci-fi romance. I like the smorgasbord of possibilities. I can't wait for the 'mood' to strike; I strike a mood once I begin working.

Can you share with us your typical writing day.  Is there anything you have to have while writing? I don't generally have a typical day.  I write when I can snatch some time here and there.  I used to write regularly each morning and then again each night.  But my schedule and my body both protest over that schedule.  My must haves are 6 freshly sharpened pencils and yellow tablet paper.  Okay, I settle for white paper too, but I'm not happy about it. I prefer iced tea to coffee or hot tea.  I'm a pop tart girl, but am fighting the habit.  But cookies don't seem to be a better substitute, so my dilemma continues. I really, really like a cleaned desk to work on.  I think that happened once back in the early 2000's, but not much since then, unless we have company and then it takes weeks for me to find stuff.  All I really need to write is paper and pen/pencil for a draft.  If I use my computer for my initial story, I sound like the secretary I used to be - very efficient and very boring. So for me, time-wise, it's better with pencils.

Who are some of your favorite authors? My favorite contemporary author is Janet Evanovich with her Stephanie Plum series!  Historical is definitely Diana Gabaldon with her Outlander series, P.C. Cast for her House of Night series in YA, and Laurell K. Hamilton in the very grownup Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter Series. 

No wonder I write series!! 

What is in your To Read Pile that you are dying to start or upcoming release you can’t wait for?  My list is short simply because as a librarian I hardly have time to read, something we laugh at quite a bit.  But I would like to read these this summer:

1. Bad Monkey, by Carl Hiaasen

2. Inferno, by Dan Brown

3. After the Fear, by Rosanne Rivers (YA)

Is there something special you do to celebrate when one of your books is released? I laugh a little that the story I envisioned is now a creation born.  I cry a little that once again I finished what I started.  And I celebrate with my family and friends, usually with lots of food and fun drinks. This last time it was Mexican and pitchers of Marguerites!  And in the midst of all that I praise God He took me through the whole process. 

Do you have a favorite TV show you can't miss? I love Bones because Ceely Booth is hot and wonderful without being too perfect.  I'm a Castle fan for the same reasons and he's a writer!  Then there's NCIS!  I love the dedication and family feel the characters have for each other.  I'm pretty involved with Covert Affairs - Augie is definitely the Alpha male and should be running the department!  Then there's the BBC series called The Midwife.  I haven't seen it too often, but find it engaging and enjoy the era and how the writers bring to life the problems women faced in the early 1960s in London - and worldwide.

If you could date any character from any book, who would it be and why-no it doesn't have to be from your books? Well, in my books, I would have to say Will Douglas, from my first book, Memories Trail.  He's an alpha male, rugged and loyalty is everything to him.  He can protect himself and those around him. 

As for another character, it would have to be Jamie in the Outlander series.  He is pure male, clumsy at times and adorable all the time.  He's loyal and definitely an alpha male who crossed centuries to protect his lover/wife.

What is the strangest source of writing inspiration you’ve ever had? I don't know if this qualifies as strange, but it was certainly awkward … When my first book came out my dad told me he was surprised there was so much sex in it.  Before I could stammer a response, he said, "But then, sex sells books."  I haven't worried about the content of my stories since.

If your muse were to talk behind your back, what secrets would he/she tell? She really is an odd duck.  She talks to herself all the time, arguing as if she's more than one personality.  Then the phone rings and she picks it up as if she had been doing nothing at all.  She sounds so normal then. How weird is that?

Anything else you want to add?  It was great fun being a guest on your blog site.  Thank you!

Promises My Love by D.L. Larson

Buy at Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Promises-My-Love-ebook/dp/B00CZFGMEQ

Francis Frailey fears he might become as abusive as his uncle once was, so he admires his young family from a distance. His plan is lonely, but safe, until his wife Christine sneaks past his staunch decorum. With tender devotion she coaxes him beyond his wretched childhood memories to a place where trust and love grows.

The fragile bond shatters when Francis’ family intervenes and he must decide if hate will rule his heart. Christine promises forgiveness will make him whole, but Francis aches for revenge. He’s determined to kill his uncle and be done.

Christine’s brother, Joe Douglas, has plans of his own that include asking his wife Annie to face her troubled past. But to help Christine, Joe agrees to go after Francis and bring him home. Taking his young son and nephew with him unhinges them all. Joe doesn’t know if the love Francis has for his son is stronger than the hate he harbors for his uncle. Or perhaps Francis despises himself most of all. Joe fears the wrong person may end up dead.

 Teaser Excerpt:

Once they reached the Douglas farm, Francis refused to stay for the evening meal. 

“For damns sake, come in,” her father, Will, ventured.  But Francis stood stiffly at the entrance as she and her children shifted uneasily beside him.  The dangling lanterns above the table and others on the mantel lit up their expectant faces.

“There’s plenty left,” her mama said. 

Elizabeth opened her arms, and Jimmy and Crystal stepped into her embrace.  Christine eyed her children snuggling safe in her mother’s arms and her throat tightened.

Will Jr. stood, looking as dark and tall as her father.  He didn’t extend a handshake to Francis or offer her a hug, and that just wasn’t done in her family.  Hugs were as numerous and hearty as the horses in the pastures.  Instead, her brother’s usual friendly grin tightened and his gaze hardened as Christine fumbled with their trunks and gestured for her children to greet their aunt and uncle.  Their watching made her self-conscious and her fingers inched toward her face to hide the scratch.

Her chest tightened all the more when her parents gaze moved from Francis to her, neither voicing their worry, even as it filled their faces.

Francis opened the door and the crisp dampness of the on-coming night cooled her hot cheeks.  His eyes touched hers only for a moment, and they were much too guarded for her to question his decision to leave. 

“Good to see you all,” his voice cracked as he gripped the door. 

Elizabeth stepped forward, her hand reaching out for him, but Francis swept across the threshold and pounded across the shadow-filled porch. 

No one moved to stop him and moments later Christine heard the carriage careen down the lane. She eased the door shut, unable to answer the question in her mother’s gaze.  Her mama turned to the kids and urged them to the benches at the table and to the remains of a peach cobbler, her smile warm and reassuring.  Will’s three daughters stepped toward the table too and Christine smiled to each, struggling to recall their names.

The room was too quiet to be her family.  Her father and brother settled in rockers by the hearth and Tess fussed over Jimmy and Crystal, commenting on how much they’d grown.

Her parents home had always made her feel secure and Christine tried to smile, venture into conversation.  She fooled no one.  Apprehension made her voice shake.  Nothing was secure now, and she wondered if she should have tried once more to stop her husband.

Giveaway Information: DL will be awarding a copy of one of her previously published books, hardback (US only) or e-book format, to two randomly drawn commenters during the tour. 

Leave a comment along with your email address at the tour stops to be entered to win this great prize. You can find the tour stop schedule at http://goddessfishpromotions.blogspot.com/2013/06/virtual-nbtm-tour-promises-my-love-by.html

The more you comment, the better the chances you have of winning.

About the Author

DL Larson always thought she’d be a city girl, but instead, she has spent the last 40 years surrounded by corn fields.  She lives in northern Illinois and enjoys the outdoors, especially gardening, boating and bike riding with her family. 

Reading is a big part of DL’s life, both professionally as a writer and as a Children’s Librarian. 

She likes being in the know, seeing firsthand what folks like to read.  Going back to school as an adult rejuvenated her desire to become a novelist.  The writing awards she received lifted her up and reinforced her drive to tell the best story she could.  Her second novel, Promises To Keep was a 2008 Reader’s Choice Recipient.

DL is a WindyCity member of RWA. She blogs each Thursday at http://acmeauthorslink.blogspot.com/

Visit DL Larson at www.dllarson.co

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/deb.larson.73?fref=ts