Welcome to my stop on Tammy Grace's tour! I have an interview coming up right now, so check it out!
Tell me about yourself, and your writing.
I was born and raised in rural Nevada. My husband and I have one grown son and a very spoiled golden retriever. I’ve always been an avid reader and am now at a point in my life where I have the time to dedicate to writing. I’m drawn to characters I love and want to be transported to another place when I read. I do my best to create characters readers will want to know and settings that offer an escape.
How long have you been writing? How many published books do you have, and what genres? I started writing in middle school and junior high school. My career path took me elsewhere, but I retired almost two years ago and decided to pursue my dream of writing novels. I have published two books, Finding Home and Home Blooms, both from the Hometown Harbor Series and both women’s fiction.
Do you write in multiple genres or just one? If just one, do you ever consider straying outside your genre? In addition to the Hometown Harbor Series, I’m working on my next novel and it’s a different genre-a detective novel set in Nashville.
Are you a plotter or do you write from the seat of your pants? I do a bit of both. I make an outline, but allow the characters to develop and take me on a new path as I write. I have found a better idea for the plotline in the midst of writing and have been able to weave in these concepts. I always have the basics, including the ending, defined before I begin.
What is a typical writing day like for you? I’m a morning person, so tend to do the bulk of my writing in the morning. I have an office in my home and usually listen to iHeartRadio or have the television on in the background. I average around four hours of writing per day. If I’m not writing, I’m researching ideas for the book, editing, or involving in promoting my work. I make a habit of doing something associated with my writing each day.
Who do you love to read? Favorite authors, favorite books? My first pick is usually a suspense or thriller. I love Lee Child, David Baldacci, and John Sanford. I enjoy women’s fiction as well and gravitate to Kristin Hannah, Maeve Binchy, and Nicholas Sparks.
What is something you'd like to accomplish in your writing career next year? I’d like to publish the detective novel and the third book in the Hometown Harbor Series. In addition, I’d like to increase the awareness of my books using social media. It can be overwhelming and I’m hoping to improve my skills.
If you could have one paranormal ability, what would it be? I’d love to be able to get things done with a twitch of my nose like Samantha on Bewitched…cleaning, ironing, yard work, shopping—it would be wonderful!
If you could keep a mythical/ paranormal creature as a pet, what would you have? I’d like my dog to have a paranormal ability, such as being able to talk, but only to me…think Mr. Ed.
Tell us a little about your latest release.
Finding Home is a coming of age novel, but for a middle-aged woman devastated by past heartaches and loss, who flees to a small island expecting a change of scenery and discovers much more.
Shattered by her husband's infidelities after twenty-five years of marriage, Sam Collins is plagued by constant fear and loneliness, reliving the tragic death of her parents and the betrayal by the man she loved. She leaves Seattle seeking relief from the relentless darkness that has swallowed her. With only her dog for companionship, she sets out to live in her vacation home on San Juan Island.
In her search for a carpenter, she meets the handsome and very available, Jeff Cooper. Sam's not looking for romance, but can't deny the attraction to the retired firefighter, turned handyman. While working together and eating her pies, Jeff finds himself falling for her.
The past she wrestles to let go of comes hurtling back when she least expects it. In an effort to help a struggling young man, she is forced to confront the anguish she is desperate to escape. While torn between love and friendship, she must face her fears and choose between the life she's known and a chance for a family and home she's been longing for all her life.
What is something that you absolutely can't live without? (Other than family members) I would say my golden retriever, but I consider her a member of the family, so it would have to be chocolate and Sharpie markers.
Could you ever co author a book with someone? If so, who would you choose, and what would you write? Yes, I’d co-author a book and would choose David Baldacci and write a thriller.
If you could spend a day with anyone from history, dead or alive, who would it be, and what would you do? What would you ask them? I’d enjoy spending the day with Ben Franklin. I’d invite him over for treats and a walk. I find him interesting in that his expertise was in several different areas-author, inventor, politician. I’d like to know how he accomplished so much in so many arenas and more about his experience as one of America’s Founding Fathers.
What are some of your other hobbies outside of writing?
I enjoy baking, reading, movies, walking, and travel.
If you were on the staff to have a book adapted to movie, what would you pick? Diana Galbadon’s Outlander series.
What is a talent you wish you had, but don't? Play the piano
Favorite color? Purple
Weather: Hot or cold? Cold
Favorite place to read? My recliner, on the deck at Lake Tahoe, by the pool…anywhere.
Favorite meal: Thanksgiving
Favorite non-alcoholic drink: Coke Zero
If you could travel anywhere and do anything, no limits or money holding you back, where would you go? I’d like to have multiple homes so I could visit different places. I’d split my time between homes in Lake Tahoe, the San Juan Islands, Ireland, Italy, and Switzerland.
Finding Home is a coming of age novel, but for a middle-aged woman devastated by past heartaches and loss, who flees to a small island expecting a change of scenery and discovers much more.
Shattered by her husband's infidelities after twenty-five years of marriage, Sam Collins is plagued by constant fear and loneliness, reliving the tragic death of her parents and the betrayal by the man she loved. She leaves Seattle seeking relief from the relentless darkness that has swallowed her. With only her dog for companionship, she sets out to live in her vacation home on San Juan Island.
In her search for a carpenter, she meets the handsome and very available, Jeff Cooper. Sam's not looking for romance, but can't deny the attraction to the retired firefighter, turned handyman. While working together and eating her pies, Jeff finds himself falling for her.
The past she wrestles to let go of comes hurtling back when she least expects it. In an effort to help a struggling young man, she is forced to confront the anguish she is desperate to escape. While torn between love and friendship, she must face her fears and choose between the life she's known and a chance for a family and home she's been longing for all her life.
In her search for a carpenter, she meets the handsome and very available, Jeff Cooper. Sam's not looking for romance, but can't deny the attraction to the retired firefighter, turned handyman. While working together and eating her pies, Jeff finds himself falling for her.
The past she wrestles to let go of comes hurtling back when she least expects it. In an effort to help a struggling young man, she is forced to confront the anguish she is desperate to escape. While torn between love and friendship, she must face her fears and choose between the life she's known and a chance for a family and home she's been longing for all her life.
Excerpt:
The beauty of the islands and the calm water comforted Sam. She gently petted her golden retriever, Zoe, as she gazed at the vista and felt the hum of the ferry engine. The sun glistened off the water and a breeze ruffled Zoe’s fur. Deceived by the sunshine, Sam wrapped her cashmere scarf tighter around her neck, as a gust of cold air crept under her baggy coat. She walked Zoe to the railing and the sight of the lush green swells of land made her think of long ago summers. She always loved the trip from the coast of Washington to the San Juan Islands. It was a trip she had made every June as a child, but this trip wasn’t a vacation. Sam was escaping to Friday Harbor.
As she looked down, the dark waters churned memories of the past year and her shoulders slumped as her head lolled forward, eyes fixated on the roiling sea. She gripped Zoe’s leash and led her to an empty bench. She reached down to pet her head and noticed the white line on her finger where her ring had been and glimpsed a new age spot on the back of her hand. She shook her head with disgust as she touched the brown dot, hoping it would rub off. Longing for solitude, she was thankful when she looked around and saw only one older woman standing at the railing. She settled in on the worn wooden seat, her eyes fluttered to stay open as the motion of the ferry lulled her. She felt Zoe stir and sensed a shadow.
The older lady she had noticed earlier was standing over her. “May I sit with you, dear?”
Sam nodded and motioned to the large empty bench. She angled her body away from the woman and shut her eyes again, praying the woman would take the hint and leave her alone.
“I love your dog and she’s so well behaved,” commented the woman.
Sam smiled and Zoe turned and gave the woman her irresistible doggie face.
“What brings you to the island? Are you visiting family?”
Sam opened her eyes and took a breath. “No, we’re moving to the island.”
“Oh, how exciting. Where are you moving from?”
She turned to face the woman, noticing her sparkling eyes and happy smile. It was obvious the woman was going to continue to chat. “I’m from Seattle, but we have a vacation home on San Juan Island.”
“That sounds lovely. Is your husband meeting you?”
“No,” Sam looked down at her lap. “We got divorced last year, so now it’s just me. And Zoe,” she said patting the dog’s head.
“I’m sorry. That can be difficult. Do you have children?”
Sam slumped further as she shook her head, “No, no children.” She paused to look across the water. “Right now that seems like both a blessing and a curse.”
“Oh, dear. That is hard. I love spending time with my children, now that my husband has passed on.”
Sam noticed the woman’s eyes tear up when she mentioned her husband. “I’m sorry. It’s difficult to be alone.”
“At least I have my kids and grandkids. They make sure I’m busy,” she smiled. “So, how long have you lived in Seattle and what do you do for a living?”
“I’ve lived there all my life, so almost fifty years. After college, I ran my parents’ software company and I recently sold it. Our plan was to retire early and spend time travelling, but things changed.”
The woman nodded and reached out to pat Sam’s hand.
Her touch was soft and warm and Sam found it comforting. “You remind me of my grandmother,” said Sam. “My parents died when I was seventeen and I lived with my grandparents.”
A soft gasp escaped from the woman and she inched closer to Sam. “Grandchildren are special. I’m sure your grandparents loved being a part of your life.”
Sam’s thoughts were immersed in the past. The feel of the woman’s hand and the faint scent of roses were reminiscent of her grandmother. “I was lucky to have them and they tried their best to divert me from school and the software company, but I needed to focus on the plans I had made with my parents. It made me feel like they were still there.” She glanced down, fiddling with the leash. “My parents were killed in a traffic accident on New Year’s Eve. In one quick moment, my life was forever changed. Up until that tragic night, my childhood had been perfect.”
“I take it you’re an only child?”
“Yes. But, my best friend growing up is like a brother. His name is Max and he lived across the street. He’s always been my buddy and after my parents died, my grandparents moved into our house in Shoreline. I think partly to make sure I was near Max, who never left my side.”
“He sounds like a wonderful friend.”
Sam nodded and smiled, looking off in the distance at the islands. “We were inseparable until our junior year in college. He received a great opportunity to go to Stanford and left the University of Washington. It was horrible. I felt like my parents had died for a second time.” She felt her eyes grow heavy with tears. “I was alone again.”
The dog laid her head on Sam’s lap and she stroked her velvety ears. The feel of her ears transported Sam back a few years to the day Marty had handed her the new puppy, adorned with a giant pink bow. “That’s when I met my ex-husband, Marty. We met in college and became fast friends. He was gorgeous, funny, and charming. My grandparents loved him because he encouraged me to live again.”
Review Rating: 4 LIGHTNING BOLTS
Review: Stories that have engaging, real characters are stories that pull me in. Finding Home definitely has that feel. I enjoyed Sam and Jeff's story. Sam really has so much to deal with emotionally. She's strong though and throughout Finding Home, she really grows as well. The beautiful community in this book makes me want to move there! I loved the great descriptions that made me feel like i was along for the ride. Full of emotions that made me feel plenty of things, Finding Home is a beautiful, well crafted novel that kept me engaged. There were some twists, plenty of emotion, and likable, engaging characters. It's a story that left me satisfied at the end, so glad I got a chance to read it!
Author Bio:
Born and raised in Nevada, Tammy L. Grace loved reading at a young age. With the help of her middle school teacher, she discovered the joy of writing. After spending a career in local and state government service, she retired and finally has the time to dedicate to writing.
When Tammy isn't working on ideas for a novel, she's spending time with family and friends or supporting her addiction to books and chocolate. She and her husband have one grown son and a spoiled golden retriever.
When Tammy isn't working on ideas for a novel, she's spending time with family and friends or supporting her addiction to books and chocolate. She and her husband have one grown son and a spoiled golden retriever.
Connect with Tammy!
Website: http://www.tammylgrace.com/
Twitter: @TammyLGrace
Buy the Book!
Amazon: http://amzn.to/1hfyOU9
thanks for hosting!
ReplyDeleteLovely post today! I adore baking. I make all kinds of cupcakes and try to make big cakes, so I'm glad you share the same passion as me!
ReplyDeleterushtond123@hotmail.co.uk