Pearl Valley
by Felicia
Rogers
1 – You write contemporary as well as historical
romance. Where do you get your ideas from?
My story ideas come from a
little bit of everywhere and everything. One historical I wrote, Labor of
Love, came to me after a Voice of the Martyrs Conference. A speaker relayed
the story of a young girl in Ireland forced to deny her faith or drown. After I
heard the moving historical tale, I knew I wanted to write a similar story,
thus Sorcha in Labor of Love was born.
As for my contemporary story ideas, they spring from real
life events as well as dreams. Diamond Mine, which is the first book in
the Wounded Soldiers Series, started because I wanted to write a mission
impossible type story. The more I thought on the mission the more I realized I
wanted it to include information about the slave trade in Africa. But still
something was missing, my hero. I’ve shared this story before, but I love
telling it so I’ll do it again. I was watching the game show, Minute to Win It,
when I witnessed two soldiers who had lost their legs in a Middle East military
excursion. Their positive attitudes on life made me realize I wanted my hero to
be wounded, but with God’s help and the love of a good woman, have the ability
to overcome.
I like I said, my story ideas come from everywhere and
everything.
2 – How did you come up with the idea for Pearl Valley?
I’m a little embarrassed to admit that the story idea for
Pearl Valley came from the fact that I wanted the hero to wear a cowboy hat.
Silly, but true. Although that is how the story started, it became a story
about two broken people looking for peace. In some way everyone is broken and
we are always searching for that piece that fixes us. Trevor, cowboy hat
and all, thinks he is the one who needs to find the peace, yet in the end he
gives it.
Blurb:
A town plagued by mysterious fires, and two
people struggling to find peace.
Trevor Jacobs, ex-navy seal, lost his leg
during a military excursion. Not only is he hampered by physical limitations,
but he has to suffer the pitying stares of strangers whenever he ventures into
the public eye.
Janie Dossett lost her mother to a fire ten
years ago, and her life changed forever. Now she shies away from the public,
secluding herself in the only place she feels comfortable, her hometown.
When Trevor Jacobs shows up searching for
Jane Dossett, Janie doesn’t readily reveal herself. Trevor is seeking something
from her, something she doesn’t think she can give.
Author:
Felicia
Rogers is an author of multiple novels and novellas. When she's not writing,
Felicia volunteers with the Girl Scouts of America, teaches at a local
homeschooling group, hikes, and spends time with her family.
Goodreads:
http://www.goodreads.com/feliciarogers
Purchase Links:
Amazon: http://tinyurl.com/l4kgzqj
Excerpt:
The ladder stabilized, and she looked
down to find a tall man, his head covered in a cowboy hat, holding the ladder
in place.
“Come on down, miss. I’ll hold it steady.”
Frozen with fear, it took a few moments for
her to move.
He said, “Am I going to have to come up and
get you? I can do it, but then I’ll be putting both our lives in the hands of
these kids down here, and I don’t think you want me to do that.”
Janie shook her head and slowly descended.
When her foot touched the ground, she felt unsteady. She shot her hand out, and
it landed on the well-muscled arm of the man before her.
“Are you okay?” he asked, drawing his brows
together.
She nodded and closed her eyes as she waited
for the stars to disappear. “I’ll be fine if you can just give me a minute.”
She felt the pressure of his hand as he
guided her to the bleachers and helped her sit down.
“Place your head between your knees.”
“Are you sure? I mean won’t that make me more
dizzy?”
“Are you going to question everything I say?”
Obeying his firm words, Janie placed her head
between her knees.
“Now breathe real deep. Give it a few minutes
and then lift your head real slow. I’ll be right beside you when you come up.”
The deep breaths calmed her rapid pulse, and
when she opened her eyes, the stars were gone. She lifted her head slowly and
stared at his face. He smiled, showing a row of perfectly white teeth.
“Do you feel okay?” He’d positioned his arms
on either side of her, like in a big hug, so if she toppled in either direction
he was ready to catch her. Staring at his face, she found she couldn’t answer.