Get Lost in a
Story readers, since publication of her first novel in 1995, Deb Stover has
received dozens of awards for her cross-genre fiction, including ten RT Book
Reviews nominations and a Career Achievement Award. Today she’s our guest, and we get to learn
more about her. Please welcome Deb
Stover as she promotes her new release Maid Marian and the Lawman
1896 Oklahoma Indian Territory
Mary Goode has spent nearly a decade hiding her sweetly off-kilter brother, Robin, and two fellow misfits after she rescued them from a brutal institution. But unknown to Mary, the trio's fascination with Robin Hood and their hero's crusade to "steal from the rich and give to the poor" may have led to a few actual robberies.
U.S. Marshal Shane Latimer is on the trail of the inept Robin Hood and his shabby band of not-so-tough Merry Men when his rattlesnake-spooked-horse lands him in the care of Robin's fiercely protective sister, Mary, aka Maid Marian.
He's instantly charmed by Mary's devotion to her whimsical brood but worries that she may be hiding the truth. Still, for a cynical loner like Shane, the appeal of their family affection, love, and loyalty, combined with Mary's growing hold on his heart, is hard to resist.
Mary is equally torn. This wounded stranger could be the man of her dreams, and for the first time in her life she has someone to share the challenges of keeping her brigands out of trouble.
But will her quest for happiness forever shatter the idyllic life she's forged for her special family?
And how will Shane reconcile his duties as a lawman with his love for Maid Marian and her outlaws?
~ ~
Now let's meet Deb Stover!
DONNELL: Welcome, Deb! I don’t know anyone who isn’t a
fan of Robin Hood so I have to ask, are you a fan of the fable, the American
version, or, like me, did Errol Flynn have anything to do with your
inspiration?
DEB: Thanks,
Donnell. I’ve loved the tale of Robin Hood all my life, including the Errol
Flynn version. Okay, yes, even MEN IN TIGHTS. Ahem…
DONNELL: You write cross genre and Maid Marian and the
Lawman is a Historical. Break it down
for us. Fantasy, Historical,
Contemporary, Other? Do you have a
favorite genre?
DEB: Time-travel
Romance is probably my favorite genre. I love seeing history from a
contemporary viewpoint. I also enjoy reincarnation stories with a parallel
story, like I wrote in my MULLIGAN series. MAID MARIAN AND THE LAWMAN is one of
only two “straight” Historicals I’ve written.
DONNELL: Your books are known for great story telling
and sexual tension, but you also always add a sense of right and wrong, e.g. an
education concerning people with disabilities.
You have a beautiful daughter named Bonnie – is she your inspiration for
this, or does it go even deeper?
DEB: Thanks, Donnell.
I guess I’ve always had a strong sense of right and wrong and justice, and I
always love to fight for the underdog. I learned that from my parents, who used
to leave food out for a homeless man who lived over on the river near our home
when I was a child. Back then we called them “hobos.” He lived near the river
and railroad track. I also had an aunt with a disability who lived at home with
my grandparents and was always treated as just another member of the family.
When we were children, we rarely saw kids with disabilities at school or even
out in public at stores, etc. When we brought Bonnie into our family at 11 days
of age, my late husband and I made it a mission to learn as much as we could to
ensure all her rights were honored and that she received all the benefits
society intended her to have. I went through training in Colorado to learn
about Special Education Rights and Responsibilities and worked as a Parent
Trainer for a while before becoming a full-time writer. Inclusion, acceptance,
and remembering that disabilities are natural are important to me. So, yes,
Bonnie is an inspiration. :)
DONNELL: Speaking of heroic people ;) you’ve written a lot of heroes in your
day. What is something they all
generally possess, and how do you make them unique?
DEB: My heroes
are honorable, loyal, dedicated, and often have a wicked sense of humor. They
are unique because their personal situations are different. Each hero—or any
character—I create is a unique individual with his or her own set of traits,
strengths, and challenges.
DONNELL: What’s your favorite room in your house, and
if you’re not writing, where will we find you?
DEB:LOL! Well, my
favorite room in my house is my office, so you’ll usually find me right here
even when I’m not writing. If not here, then in the kitchen. I’ve discovered
the joy of cooking since arthritis has stolen the joy of sewing and crocheting.
I can still type and cook, though.
DONNELL: What’s the most unusual thing you have in
your closet?
DEB: An antique
mirror that belonged to my great-grandmother. It’s probably about 160 years
old, approximately six feet tall, and very heavy. It has a white plaster
frame—very ornate—and warped, stained silver glass. I plan to hang it in my
dining room beside my great-grandfather’s writing desk, so they’ll be “together”
again.
DONNELL: What’s in your refrigerator right now?
DEB: Everything?
Almond milk, leftover Christmas ham, pecan pie, half-n-half, butter, eggs,
brie, salmon, fresh mozzarella, lettuce, green peppers, cabbage, Kale, carrots,
garlic, scallions, gluten-free hot dogs and buns for Bonnie, mustard, ketchup,
unfiltered vinegar, molasses, yeast, sour cream, ginger root, hot sauce, red
pepper jelly (yum), and that’s all I can think of without going to look.
DONNELL: (wow, you sound organized) What are you working on now?
DEB: This interview.
:) Okay, I am plotting a hybrid sequel of both The Gift and Mulligan
Magic. My Mulligan series is the one readers write to me the most asking
for another story, and my agent would like to see a sequel to The Gift,
so I have an idea to send Sam Dearborn to Ireland, where he will meet Ailish
from Mulligan Magic. My working title will be Mulligan Secret.
Deb, thanks for
being our guest. And now it’s your turn
to ask readers a question.
DEB STOVER: I’d love to know
what makes readers download books online. Is it reviews, pricing, word of
mouth, past experience with the author, or something else? There are no wrong
answers.
I would love to
give away a book. How about a paperback copy of Maid Marian and The Lawman?
If the winner has already read this book, they may choose another if I have
copies from my bibliography (http://www.debstover.com/books.html) U.S. Residents only please for paperback -- Digital international winners.
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