Now that I have taken my eyes off your book's cover, tell my readers a little bit about your book. Desire in Deadwood is the story of Nate Hamilton and Evelyn Campbell who meet up in Deadwood after more than a decade of separation.
When did you start writing toward publication? I always dreamt of being a published writer but I thought that it was one of those things that happens for others, not people like me. So, following University, I became a teacher then had two beautiful children. I was so busy being a mother and working that I didn’t have much time to think about being creative.
However, as my children got older, I felt that yearning to write building again. Only this time, it was stronger. I took a career break and tried writing a medical romance. I read lots of romances, plotted a story then wrote the first three chapters and a synopsis.
I submitted my manuscript to a major romance publisher then waited. I should have been finishing it then starting the next one but I didn’t. I procrastinated. A lot! When the rejection finally came, I wasn’t surprised. It just wasn’t the right time for me, I guess. Instead of having another go, I got myself another full time job at a different school and packed away my dream of writing, thinking I didn’t really have it in me.
However, a few years ago, when I met my husband and told him all about my dreams, something clicked. He really believed that I could do this and he encouraged me to go for it. His confidence boosted my own and inspired me to try again. He’s such a strong and determined man that with his support and faith in me, I felt more confidence in my ability than ever before.
I wrote, plotted, and submitted. There were rejections but they weren’t heartbreakingly negative. I even had several ‘revise and resubmits’ which gave me hope and encouraged me to persevere. My lowest point came just before Christmas last year when a Regency I’d submitted was rejected. I felt like throwing in the towel once again. Guess what? I didn’t. A dear friend of mine did a thorough critique of it and told me what the issues were but also what she loved about it. It was a steep but invaluable learning curve and it increased my determination. For Christmas last year my husband bought me a cover for my Kindle. It’s designed to look like a Victorian book cover and it has my name inscribed on the spine. On the inside front cover is a message which reads: This is your first book cover of many. You will be published! With support and encouragement like that, how could I fail to keep going?
Post-Christmas, a few lines just popped into my head and kept playing over and over:
“Take your clothes off.”
“What?”
“You heard me.”
Evelyn forced her mouth shut.
“So? What are you waiting for?”
Her eyes met those of the man on the moth eaten chaise longue in front of her. He was serious.
Within days, these evolved into a full plot and Desire in Deadwood was born! I submitted it to Total-E-Bound exclusively. And that, as they say, was that!
Wow! So glad you kept at it, and had someone at your back! What is your writing routine like? As I teach fulltime, I try to write for at least an hour or two in the evenings - if I’m not too exhausted and as long as I don’t have piles of marking to do! I also grab time on the weekends. It’s difficult. I also want to spend time with my family. As my husband also teaches, we want to make the most of our time off. I am very lucky as he’s extremely understanding and he knows that when the writing bug bites and I’ve got something in my head, that I just have to get my laptop out and go for it!
Having achieved your goal to be a published author, what is the most rewarding thing? Finishing my final edits and realizing that I was actually going to be published was amazing as was receiving my cover package from the wonderful Total-E-Bound team. I just get such a thrill seeing the book on the web and knowing that I wrote it. I don’t think that euphoria will ever go away.
Enjoy it, as you will your next book! Will you share some encouraging words for authors still struggling for that first contract? Never surrender your dreams. If you really want this – and you have to really want it or you won’t make it happen – then keep trying. You need to read lots, write lots and find some good critique partners, as well as a lovely editor who believes in your work. Don’t waste time procrastinating.
Please Share three fun facts about you that most people don’t know.
1)When I was eight, I had a pet mouse called Geronimo. When he died I was devastated so I buried him in a pretty little box with a clear plastic front cover. (It had previously held a letter writing set.) Enclosed with him in the box was a note which read: Here lieth Geronimo, loveth by all. My Dad teased me about it for years!
2)I am obsessed with all things Tudor and will read just about anything I can get my hands on and even though I’ve read Anne Boleyn’s story time after time, it still fascinates me. I intend to write her story myself in the very near future…with a slightly new take on things. (Watch this space!) My husband recently took me to Hever Castle for my birthday and I cried all the way around the castle and gardens.
3)I have four bearded dragons. We wanted pets but because we work full time, we couldn’t have a dog. So we looked into it and decided that reptiles would be an alternative. They are bright, inquisitive and friendly creatures which enjoy interacting with the family.
All I have is a cat, but he is great company for my husband and I. What’s next for
you?
I have just submitted my novel Harlot at the Homestead to Total-E-Bound and so I’m currently going through submission anxiety! I guess I’d better get on with the next one to make the time pass more quickly.
I have just submitted my novel Harlot at the Homestead to Total-E-Bound and so I’m currently going through submission anxiety! I guess I’d better get on with the next one to make the time pass more quickly.
After more than a decade of separation, can Nate Hamilton really put aside his hurt and learn to forgive the woman who destroyed his life then help her to find her heart’s desire in Deadwood?
Deadwood, 1878, Nate Hamilton and his former sweetheart Evelyn Campbell meet up after more than a decade of separation.
When the widowed Evelyn discovers that her tuition post has fallen through, she is left destitute and concerned about how she will provide for her son, until Nate offers her a way to earn some money – and a way to exact his perfect revenge for her betrayal – he will pay her to be his own private whore.
The combination of past hurts, secrets and rekindled passion causes fireworks in and out of the bedroom!
EXCERPT
Evelyn stood at her window in the Grand Central Hotel, looking out onto the street below. Dusk had fallen on the camp and the residents had lit their kerosene lamps which hung from their hooks like dead men in the breathless evening. By twilight, the camp seemed calm and even pretty with its gentle lighting and the dark shapes of the mountains as its backdrop. Maybe it was because she’d felt rootless for so long, or maybe it was because Nate was here, but Evelyn felt that she could settle in Deadwood; make it her home. Growing up she’d believed that her home would always be with Nate and she wished that she could believe that again, even if just for a moment. To have that security, that infallible awareness that she was with the man that destiny had chosen for her would still the pain in her heart and mind.
She shrugged the thoughts away. No use crying over spilt milk. Nothing to gain from it. What was done was done and she had to pin her bloomers to her corset and get on with it, as her granny used to say.
The main street teemed with people as miners returned to their lodgings to wash before supper; prospectors trudged heavily along the dry, potholed track to fall into a restless slumber filled with images of the gold pocket they’d find the next day and a few painted whores sidled up to passers-by to try to entice them into their establishments for whisky, gambling and a hot lay.
She moved behind the curtain when Nate appeared, his long strides bringing him quickly in front of the hotel. He stopped as a man waved at him then joined him in the street. She thought she recognised the other man as the sheriff but she couldn’t be sure.
“Mama?”
Evelyn turned to her son.
“Yes Aaron.”
“Can I go downstairs?”
She shook her head. “You know we talked about this.” Even though he was ten years old and tall for his age, she still fretted constantly for his safety.
“But I’ll be careful. I just want to take a look around, see if …”
His cheeks coloured.
“You want to see if you can charm a cake off the cook, don’t you?”
He looked down.
“Well go on but don’t disappear. I’ll be down for dinner soon as I’ve changed.”
Shaking her head, she watched as he grabbed his hat and ran to the door then turned and gave her a cheeky smile.
She laughed and waved her hand. “Go on…before I change my mind!”
As the door closed behind him, she turned back to the window, pressing her finger tips against the cool pane of glass. Nate was still deep in conversation with the other man.
She was finding it hard to believe that she had come here to Deadwood and bumped into him after all this time. She had spent years thinking about him, dreaming about him and wanting him. But now that she’d been with him again, it wasn’t at all how she had imagined; he seemed like a stranger.
His face was still handsome, his eyes still dark brown, but they were hard now and his forehead was lined as if he’d spent too long frowning in the sun.
And he was angry with her. Still. She couldn’t blame him but she wished that she could go back in time and change things; stop herself walking into marriage to another man.
But that was impossible.
Her stomach rolled over as she thought of his final words to her that afternoon.
“I’ll see you at the same time tomorrow.”
She needed the money to support her and Aaron. She had no other means of keeping a roof over their heads. Her pride and conscience had seen to that.
That was why she’d have to go. So why did the thought of seeing him again make her tingle all over?
MORE ABOUT THE AUTHOR
I have always been an avid reader and writer of stories. My lifetime of reading has taken me from the magical worlds of The Faraway Tree and The Borrowers, to the Greek myths and legends, to the Sweet Valley High Twins and Judy Blume’s Forever, to Asimov’s science fiction and Jane Eyre’s torment and to Stephen King’s masterpieces. More recently I have wandered through the vivid historicals of Philippa Gregory; the bubbly, gritty delights of Adele Parks and the fast paced thrillers of James Patterson. I love getting lost in a novel and often regret finishing one as the characters are usually missed.
I also indulge my insatiable hunger for romance and passion in the delicious worlds created by romantic novelists and having published one and with another in submission, I’m about to begin the next one!
I adore spending time with my family, taking long walks (although I’m still waiting for the rescue greyhound to accompany me), cooking my own secret recipe curries, drinking Earl Grey (in copious amounts) and discovering delicious wines. Oh, and I love to ski and can’t wait to go again!
I’d love to hear from readers so please feel free to comment on my blog or to email me at mollyannwishlade@hotmail.co.uk You can find more information about Molly Ann Wishlade at:
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