All That Matters and Loralee Lillibridge

Get Lost in a Story Readers.  I'm so excited to host Loralee Lillibridge today, even though I had to drag her out of her writing cave and away from her deadline for this interview.   She's got a lot going on, a new mystery series.  But for now she's goint go tell us about her contemporary romance, ALL THAT MATTERS.

ABOUT ALL THAT MATTERS: 

  All the money in the world won’t bring happiness if the strings attached are pulled so tight you can’t breathe. FAITH MORGAN couldn’t breathe. Controlled by a dominating father whose wealth influenced his actions and prejudices, Faith spent her teen years breaking every rule Lionel Morgan made.  BUDDY LEE WALKER’s life is just the opposite. His no-account daddy’s been behind bars since Buddy Lee was sixteen. He’s had to work hard to overcome the shame of being Boyd’s boy. The first time he took the blame for one of Faith’s escapades, he knew the alligators would be snapping at his heels. She knew she had a friend for life. He didn’t care. Being Faith’s friend was the only good thing in his life right then. The worst thing was falling in love with her. The town’s bad boy never expected his love to be returned by the banker’s daughter. Now six years have passed and Faith returns to ask a favor that messes with his emotions and challenges his honor…and his heart. Faith learns an unexpected lesson about true love and the things in life that really matter.

AND NOW LET'S HAVE SOME FUN AND GET TO KNOW LORALEE:

DONNELL:  Good morning, Loralee, thank you for joining us today.  This is going to be fun.  If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be, and why?

LORALEE: I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to be here, Donnell. Thanks so much for inviting me.  And “Hi, y’all” to all your followers.

DONNELL:  What’s your favorite room in your house?

LORALEE:  I guess I’d have to say my office when I’m writing, because I can shut the door and lose myself in my current project. I have so many outside distractions that can’t be helped, so I cherish my quiet time and guard it ferociously. Sometimes, the wee hours of the morning are my only time to write. I’m learning to grab them whenever I can.

DONNELL:  What’s your favorite beverage?

LORALEE: well,  I grew up in Texas drinking sweet tea and loving it, but unfortunately, now I must omit the sugar. It just isn’t the same, either, I don’t care what “they” say.   And black coffee first thing in the morning is a must.  Love my Keurig!

DONNELL:  Love sweet tea & Keurig  What’s in your refrigerator right now?

LORALEE: Thank goodness, you didn’t ask me what’s in my purse. That would take all day to list. (grins sheepishly)  My refrigerator is rather boring right now. Salad fixin’s, mini-carrots, celery, cauliflower, zucchini and summer squash, Chobani yogurt, and of course, the basic milk, eggs, not-real  butter, O J, and some lovely wines. After reading this list, I think I need to splurge on some chocolate, don’t you?

DONNELL:   Ha, Loralee, I have a new question "What's in your purse?"  But for next vic--I mean author ;)  In spite of their conflict, I can tell Faith and Buddy are made for each other.  Has there ever been a “bad boy” in your life?  And why do you think women are so drawn to them?

LORALEE: You had to ask, didn’t you? Well, let me just say that would depend on your definition of “bad boy”, okay? But Buddy Lee is my all-time favorite. He’s not really as bad as his reputation. And oh, my, can he slow dance to those country ballads! Faith can’t help but love him. 

DONNELL:  Are your organized?

LORALEE:  Organized?  Wait a minute while I look up that word.  I do a pretty good job of filing bills, writing business, etc., but organizing my time?  A whole ‘nother story there. And my desk and writing area look like a small tornado hatched there and multiplied. Have any helpful tips for me?

DONNELL:   If you’re not writing, where will we find you?

LORALEE:   I’d love to say something exciting like , “Oh, having tea on the verandah of my plantation home, y’all” or “Lounging on a beach in the tropics”, but hey, everyone who knows me would crack up If they heard that. Realistically, I’d probably be running errands or keeping doctor appointments. See how boring I am without writing? I do love to travel, though, and have been out of the country several times. My personal bucket list is endless.

DONNELL:  How many hats do you have in your closet?

LORALEE:  Materially, only two – a wide-brimmed straw I bought in Hawaii and a Detroit Tigers baseball cap. Not sure why I don’t have a cowboy had to wear with my boots. We all know in real life that a wife, mom and grandma wears lots more than two, so I stopped counting a long time ago.  But I haven’t stopped collecting them. I’m proud to wear a Published Author hat now.

DONNELL:  If you could talk with any person in the world, past or present, who would it be?

LORALEE: From the past, my dad. He died when I was only eleven and I have so many questions I never got to ask him.  He was an artist who wrote poetry and opened up the world of books to me at an early age.   From the present, Maya Angelou, whose wisdom and beautiful words are always an inspiration.

LORALEE, NOW IT’S YOUR TURN.  YOU GET TO ASK READERS A QUESTION, AND READERS, ANSWER LORALEE'S QUESTION TO BE ENTERED IN A DRAWING FOR A PRINT COPY OF "ALL THAT MATTERS!"

LORALEE LILLIBRIDGE:  Oh, I love to ask questions. So here goes.  Readers, what influences your decision to take a chance on an author you’ve never read, and is that writer’s online presence, such as a website, blog or Facebook page, important in helping you make your choice?  (See how I made that all into one question?)

Thanks again to Donnell and everyone at Get Lost In A Story. It’s been fun, y’all!  Keep reading!

Links to your website etc.   : www.loraleelillibridge.com    http://loraleelillibridge.blogspot.com

Also Facebook, Goodreads, Twitter

ALL THAT MATTERS is available in e-book or print at Amazon.com 

HILL COUNTRY MAN will be a mid-May e-book release.

JOIN US TOMORROW ON GET LOST IN A STORY WHEN ALEXA HOSTS JAN HUDSON!

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