Meet Debut Author Joyce Proell

It's a treat to introduce you to a debut author from my (and Cat's) home RWA chapter,  Midwest Fiction Writers. Joyce Proell recently published her historical novel, ELIZA, and she's already garnering great review garnering great reviews. Set on the Minnesota frontier, it's a book that's got wonderful characters, a great story and a strong message. I hope you'll enjoy hearing more about it and meeting a wonderful new author. -- Liz

A hello from Joyce

I was born and raised in Minnesota. In college and grad school, I studied psychology and social work. After working as a psychiatric social worker, a mental health program manager and therapist, I retired to write full-time. When not writing, I like to walk, read, travel and do crossword puzzles. My husband and I returned from living in Nevada and Wisconsin, and live in rural Minnesota in my very own little house on the prairie.

About ELIZA

The best reason to leave home forever is a husband who wants you dead.

Posing as a widow, Eliza Danton flees an abusive marriage determined to bury the past and live a solitary life on the Minnesota frontier. When she finds herself homeless, her livelihood threatened and her safety compromised, she relies on her only resource, a man who stirs a forbidden longing and rocks the very foundation of her well-laid plans. As her world shrinks with lies and deception, the only way out is the truth, but the truth may strike a deadly price.

Haunted by a tragic past, Will Heaton hides his scarred heart and vows never to love again. But a chance encounter with a mysterious widow awakens painful memories and a yearning he can’t ignore. When she’s harassed by the same man he believes killed his wife, he grabs at a chance to resolve past mistakes and possibly find love and redemption in the process.

As Eliza and Will struggle to trust again, the past returns with a renewed vengeance, testing them in ways they never thought possible.

Here's an excerpt:

“You ought to consider marrying that German fellow. Karl…?” Will waved his hand loftily as though he might pick Karl’s last name from the air.

Eliza shot up out of the chair faster than a startled pheasant. The chair banged on the floor, and she glared at him murderously.    

Will drew back in alarm. He shouldn’t have mentioned marriage again. After all, it wasn’t any of his business. But running a newspaper was a daunting job. And given her circumstances – widowhood, without family support and thin on financial resources, it seemed too risky.

“I will not marry Karl just to have his protection,” she spat. “It’s like admitting a woman is too simple, or frail to make it on her own. For once—” Her shoulders heaved up and down. “I intend to do something for myself.”

He let a second pass, affecting a casual pose with his arm resting on the lacy tablecloth, planning how to defuse her anger. He lifted his hand, splayed fingers pointing up at the ceiling, “Now, hold on.”

Apparently, she was too riled to ‘hold on’ to let him finish. Her hands clenched at her sides. She glowered at him for a few more seconds before huffing out a breath.

            “Why, it’s perfect! If you weren’t so ...so pig-headed you’d see.” 

His muscles tensed and the rush of blood to his neck felt hot. “I’d be mighty careful what I say.” 

Her whole body quivered. “I’ve had five years of being careful.” She took a menacing step closer to the table. “I’ve hidden my work, downplayed my achievements and stuffed my opinions,” she hissed on an escalating note. Inhaling deeply, she leaned forward and jammed her fists on the tabletop, her arms trembling. “I’ll never do it again.” Her eyes blazed. “So don’t tell me what to do.” 

This is what he got from trying to help her? A muscle twitched in his left cheek. Anger radiated from every muscle, but he held himself in check. The woman had stepped over the edge, past the point of return. Clearly, the beast was out of its cage.

“I’ll say whatever I please,” she stated, her voice escalating. “This is a free country.” Unshed tears glistened and a red splotch stained each pale cheek. With an arm flung through the air, she tossed aside his well intentioned suggestion. “Everybody has a right to work, to exercise their talents and not be shamed for doing so.” Her full lower lip trembled. “If you weren’t so narrow-minded, you’d see the sense of it.”           

All at once, she gasped as though she realized something important. Abject horror flooded her face an instant before her mouth crumbled. She snatched her cloth reticule from the table and with great aplomb, whirled around, and dashed from the dining room.   

He jumped up and rushed after her, wanting to explain but reconsidered trying to stop her. At the parlor window, he pushed aside the lace curtain. With a mixture of utter surprise, simmering anger and confusion, he watched her skirts flap as she tore down his walkway. At the gate, she yanked it open with such force he thought it might fly off its hinges. She dashed ahead and it slammed noisily behind her. His heart tugged a little as she swiped tears from her cheeks before she ran down the street.

Joyce answered a few fun questions for us:

(Note: Joyce will be giving an Amazon gift card to one lucky commenter today!)

LIZ: Welcome, Joyce. I’m so glad you’re here!  How often do you get lost in a story?

JOYCE:  Just about every time I read a book. 

   

LIZ: What’s the first book you remember reading?

JOYCE: The Pink Ballet Slippers. Like most little girls, I adored the color pink. Once I saw the cover art of two pink ballet slippers, I couldn’t resist reading it.

LIZ: What’s your favorite “love” word?

JOYCE: Cherished. I love the concept of being cherished which implies a certain reverence and appreciation. To cherish means to nurture another person through loving actions. How wonderful it that? Whether you are the giver or receiver, being cherished feels good.  

LIZ: What are the next five books on your 'to be read' pile? 

JOYCE: Trickster’s Point by Wm. Kent Krueger

Mad River by John Sandford

Live by Night by Dennis Lehane

Written in my Own Heart’s Blood by Diana Gabaldon

A Wanted Man by Lee Child

Three of these books are mystery/thrillers which I find irresistible. As to romance stories, any reader suggestions would be appreciated. There are so many wonderful romance authors, I need help choosing. 

LIZ: What’s your favorite fairy tale?

JOYCE: Beauty and the Beast. The idea that love is much deeper and more meaningful than appearance alone is so important.  

 

LIZ: What’s your favorite cartoon character?

JOYCE: Wile E. Coyote. I love the guy’s speed and tenacity. Nothing can keep him down, quite literally. No matter what the obstacle, whether he’s run over, thrown off a cliff, or flattened with a boulder, he pops right up, silly grin in place, and keeps moving forward.

LIZ: Cast your book using fairy tale or cartoon characters.

JOYCE: Eliza, the character in the book entitled, Eliza, has resilience much like Wiley Coyote. Despite her troubles and challenges, she picks herself up and keeps moving forward.   

LIZ: Name three things that are, at this moment, in your heroine’s purse, satchel, reticule, weapons belt or amulet bag (or whatever she carries)?

JOYCE: A gun, coins and a key.

LIZ: What sound or noise do you love? 

JOYCE: Rain. It’s so moody and inspiring.

   

LIZ: What will always make you smile, even on a bad day?

JOYCE: Hearing my husband or daughter laugh.

LIZ: What’s your favorite movie of all time?

JOYCE: Casablanca because the screenplay is picture perfect.

LIZ HAS GOTTA ASK: What’s the most personal thing you’ve ever put in one of your books?

JOYCE HAS TO ANSWER: Crying, in a moment of great frustration, in front of others. I felt exposed, vulnerable and weak. But, five minutes later, I felt better for having acted so genuine and human. My character, Eliza, also cries in front of Will, the man she eventually comes to love, and has the same reaction. 

LIZ: What’s next for you? 
A Deadly Truth, a romantic suspense set in 1888 is set for release by Champagne books in July, 2012.

LIZ: Do you have a question you’d like to ask your fans?

In the question about the books, I asked for suggestions for great romance reads.

Contact Joyce:

Website: http://www.joyceproell.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/JoyceProellAuthor

Blogs: http://www.thewritersvineyard.com

Joyce Proell 

Title: Eliza

Publisher: Champagne Press

ISBN: 9781927454664