Review/Interview/Giveaway with Janelle Mowery

Thanks, Janelle, for taking time out of your busy schedule to visit with us here on Janet's Treasures!



How long have you been writing and when was your first book published?

I started writing January 2001, signed my first contract in 2006, and my first book was released in 2008.


What advice or tips do you have for writers who are just getting started?

Getting to the point where agents or editors will look at your manuscript takes a LOT of hard work. Don’t give up. You’ll have days where you feel you can’t get past the frustration to write a single word. Write anyway. Even if it’s just a paragraph or two, try to write something. Getting involved in a small critique group is huge in moving you forward in your writing. And don’t let your impatience and frustration mar the journey toward getting published. You’ll find that joy can be found in each step along the way.



Where do you get ideas for stories?

Oh goodness. They come from everywhere. Everyday life. Movies. News. I was watching a documentary a while back and just one bit of information ignited an idea. I built on it from there.


Has anything surprised you about being an author?

I think the whole process, including the amount of time from submission to publication, has surprised me because I knew very little about the whole procedure. Each book is a learning experience. And I was surprised at the amount of time it takes for marketing each book. It can eat up quite a bit of your day.



Tell us how you come up with characters.

My characters basically just evolve while I’m plotting the story. I usually already know the two main characters and the antagonist, what they do for a living, their temperament, etc. because they need to fit into my plot, but the secondary characters present themselves to me as I prepare my synopsis and timeline.

What is a typical writing day like for you?

I rarely get to have a set schedule to my day. I’m a stay at home mom so I write in between other requirements of my time. Afternoons seem to work out the best for getting some writing time in.



How long does it normally take you to write a book?

It can take me anywhere from three to six months to get a story to the point where I’m satisfied. A lot depends on how much time I’ve spent playing scenes out in my head beforehand.



Where is your favorite place to write?

Believe it or not, I’m most productive when I sit in my recliner with my laptop. If I’m on the desktop, I have too many distractions.



What is your favorite genre of Christian fiction?

I LOVE historical romance. And if there’s a touch of humor and mystery, all the better.



What are you reading right now?

I’ve just started Vickie McDonough’s Second Chance Brides. I loved her first book of the series, The Anonymous Bride.



What is your favorite thing to do to relax?

I love to ride out to the farthest point of our property and just enjoy God’s beautiful creation. It’s so quiet and rarely does a time go by that I don’t see some kind of wildlife.



What is your favorite movie?

This is a very hard question. It’s difficult to narrow down the list. I love The Patriot, Gladiator, Mission Impossible 3, all the Bourne movies. Somewhere In Time is great, as is Pride and Prejudice and Braveheart. As you can see, I’m all over the page when it comes to movies.



What 3 things would you rather not be without?

My husband and two sons. J Oh, right. THINGS. LOL. Let’s see. My laptop, so I can write. The internet, for research. And my Bible, for direction.



If you had the time and the money, what would you like to do?

I would love to go on my dream vacation, where we would drive from where we live, which is as flat as you can get, on up through the Rockies, including the states of Colorado, Utah, Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho. Then end up on the coast where we’d catch a cruise to Alaska. And I want to be able to take my time doing it.



How can readers and fans contact you?
 
I can be found on my website, http://www.janellemowery.com/ as well as on facebook.

And now....My review:


The back cover blurb:


It’s 1869, and chaos rules Silver City. As Rebekah Weaver recovers from an accident that has left her badly burned, she worries that her father’s handsome new assistant won’t see past her scarred exterior. Deputy Marshall Nathaniel Kirkland is working undercover to investigate a series of explosions in the mines and businesses of Silver City. When ominous notes begin appearing on townspeople’s doors, Nate needs Rebekah’s help to uncover the identity of the perpetrator. As they work together, Nate begins to speculate that Rebekah’s “accident” was really a case of intentional sabotage….and that she might still be in danger.

Janelle has done a wonderful job of writing believable characters. I loved how Nate and Rebekah meet! He rescues her and her brother from drowning in the creek. Rebekah had jumped in to try and save her little brother, Andrew, and since she can’t swim, well, you get the picture. As I was reading this, I could feel my heart speed up and I could tell I was holding my breath. Janelle had written such an awesome scene, so believable that I could imagine I was there!

Someone is blowing up the mines in and around Silver City, Idaho. Nate has been sent in, undercover, to investigate. What he doesn’t expect is the feelings he begins having for Rebekah. In trying to remain undercover, Nate takes a job in town working for Rebekah’s dad at the livery. This puts him close to Rebekah every day since she works in her family’s store which is right next door to the livery.

This book is packed with suspense, and a little romance. It will keep you guessing until the end, and might even surprise you. I love the way Janelle writes about the town and the surroundings. I could picture it all in my mind and feel like I was a part of the story. (I just love reading books like this!)

I would highly recommend this book! It gets 5 stars from me!! If you don’t win a copy, please buy one! You won’t be sorry!

If you would like to be entered to win a signed copy of Janelle's book, please put a comment with

your email address in the comment section. NO EMAIL=NO CHANCE TO WIN!

Winner will be chosen at random from all eligible entries. Winner will be announced on 11/11/10.  Good luck & God bless!