Welcome to Roxanne's Realm, Leta.
Hi Roxanne! Thank you so much for hosting me today
and for being a super-woman! I am so impressed with Bewitching Book Tours, and
I’m thankful for all that you do.
Thank you, I love working with authors and helping get the word out about their books.
Let's get started with your interview
1. How
did you come up with the title for your latest book?
The title, For the Love of Big Orange, came from a
key character- a bright orange pick-up truck.
Lacie Joe’s foster-father brought home the rusty old truck and through a
long process, they rebuilt it together.
The one thing Lacie Joe truly cherishes at the opening of her book is
Big Orange, although her perception does change as the story unfolds.
“Today, Big Orange, we are that
somebody,” I say as I finish with a pat, the same way Judge used to. I know
she’s not an animal like a cat or a cow, but she’s all mine. Besides, she’s the
only thing, living or dead, that I’ve ever really formed a lasting bond
with.”
2. Do
you title the book first or wait until after it’s complete?
I always come up with the title first. I find that
it helps me shape the story and set the overall tone. The title may change, but the general idea
usually remains the same.
3. Is
there a message in your novel that you want readers to grasp?
Yes! For the Love of Big Orange has a few messages I
hope will resonate with readers. First,
I am an advocate of fostering older children.
There are group homes across the country with children in their tweens
and teens that come from broken families for one reason or another. While these resources are invaluable, the
comforts of home, family and a space to call their own cannot be replaced.
The second message is about life and choices. We wake up every day with a fresh option to
make better choices. Just because yesterday may have been a banner day for bad
choices, doesn’t mean that a different path can’t be paved in a new direction,
one good choice at a time.
4. What
is your current “work in progress” or upcoming projects?
I’m working on the next
two books in the Bluegrass Novella Series.
The second title, To Have Mercy, will be released in early-summer. The third, Finding Justice, later this fall.
5. Can
you share a little of your current work with us?
Like Big Orange, the
characters are young adults who’ve come from diverse and troubling
backgrounds. The hero in To Have Mercy
is Jacks, who befriends Mercy Lynn who is a spunky roadside diner
waitress. The two set off in an
adventure in search of clues in order to piece together Jacks past.
6. Who
is your favorite author and what is it that really strikes you about their
work?
I enjoy Kristan Higgins books. Her wit and story-lines are down-to-earth and
her voice is hilarious!
7. Who
designed the cover of your latest book?
MeJ
I’m a software geek, I love, love, love technology and tinkering around with
software. I also love photos and
editing. I’ve invested in tools and
technology to create my own covers. I
will also do covers for other authors, so if you know anyone who may be
looking, please send them my way;)
8. Do
you have any advice for other writers?
It’s very easy to get caught-up in the marketing and
social media aspects of promoting your work.
I too have fallen victim to ignoring my manuscripts thinking that I
needed to promote, promote, promote.
Veteran writers and those who’ve listened will all say the same thing.
You are an author. So write. The other stuff will come with time and attention,
but without products to sell and build your brand, focusing on marketing too
soon, or without the proper resources is useless if you aren’t focused on what
truly matters – your novel!
9. Do
you have a song or playlist (book soundtrack) that you think represents this
book?
Do I? Of course, here’s the link. Please check it outJ
April 26 Interview
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April 28 Guest blog and review
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April 29 Guest blog and review
The Book Maven
April 30 Guest blog
Mochas, Mysteries and More
May 1 Interview and review
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May 2 Spotlight and review
Faerie Tale Books
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Fandom Fanatic
For the Love of Big Orange
Bluegrass Country Novella, Book One
Leta Gail Doerr
ASIN: B00BFLDZBE
Number of pages: 127
Word Count: 43,500
Book Description:
They say you can never go home. Well, Lacie Joe Jensen never wanted to.
Lacie Joe left small town Kentucky for the big city lights and never looked back. Until now. Her ailing foster-father needs her, his memory is failing. But townsfolk remember all too well the troubles Lacie Joe caused as a youth, and they're not afraid to remind her.
Lacie Joe has a few allies in town, for starters, ex-boyfriend turned police officer Jay Hayworth. Jay's kept the fire burning for Lacie during her long absence. He's one of the bright spots in Lacie's troublesome past, him and her truck, Big Orange. A suspicious accident forced Lacie Joe to leave town, Jay steps in to remind Lacie she no longer has the right to remain silent.
About the Author:
Leta Gail is a small town girl with big dreams, who shares her life with her husband, son, and little dog Kimmy. She enjoys exercise, (as if), planning family vacations, dreaming up places to go with her husband, reading, tinkering with computer software, and watching her son grow.
She is a Project Manager by day working in Information Technology, who moonlights as a writer. She has a monthly column, Blonde Bytes, in a women's publication- Pastelle Magazine, where she writes about fun geeky stuff.
She loves to write about great friendships and deep emotions. She finds the humor in everyday life and creates believable characters she hopes her readers will enjoy. She likes story lines like, life after divorce, strong-willed women making their mark on the world, and finding love in unexpected places. She also enjoys writing tales that salute our nation's heroes.
She enjoys the super support of her husband and inquisitive son while she dreams big and "shoots for the moon", as her husband so aptly states.
Visit her at www.theliteraryblonde.com and www.randommoonbooks.com
Twitter: @LiteraryBlonde
