Today I'm thrilled to welcome guest author Greta Picklesimer as she shares about her latest book. Stay tuned and read through, as Greta is offering you the opportunity to win a free print copy of her book (US address only).

Greta, what did you want to share with us today?

Thanks, Donna. And yes, look for the prompt and question below to enter a random drawing for a print copy of my book.

When I was eight years old, I decided I wanted to be a writer because my eldest sister, Sandra Picklesimer Aldrich, had written an article for a-at that time-well-known Michigan magazine. She garnered the praise of our father—a hard thing to do. I knew then that I too wanted to write to hear the praise of my father. Those first stories I wrote were plays or about people living on the sun or in sunbeams. They were poorly written. As I grew, my interest turned to photography and journalism. I created a photojournalism major with the help of an instructor at the college I attended since that particular major was not offered. After college, I worked as a freelance photographer and writer for several small mid-Michigan newspapers where my skills as a writer were honed. I later joined a newspaper staff as a writer and photographer, which allowed me to use my college major.

It wasn’t until I landed a job as an office assistant that my writing really took off. One day, I was sitting at my desk for break. I was bored and wanted something to read. A few feet from my desk was a common book shelf with mostly romances. Plucking one off the shelf, I read it. As I read, I thought I could write something like this. So, I did. My first foray into romance writing was a novella. At the time, I had no clue how to write a romance, but tried my hardest. After finishing the book, I joined a national organization of romance writers and the Mid-Michigan chapter. During chapter meetings, speakers talked about how to structure novels, and the like. I learned quite a bit about how to set up a novel and to always include a problem for the hero and heroine to overcome. It took quite a bit of time to grow as a writer, which involved a lot of study of craft books, going to retreats and writer meetings. All of which helped me become a much stronger writer.

My father passed away before I started writing for newspapers. I never got to hear his praise for my stories. Even so, I know he’d be proud of my accomplishments.

What can your readers expect from you next?

I wrote the sequel to Second Chance at Happiness called The Rejected Mail Order Bride. I was offered a contract by Ambassador International, the publishing house that published Second Chance at Happiness. I do not know when the sequel will be published.

What can readers who enjoy your book do to help make it successful?

Leaving a review for a book you enjoyed on Amazon is always appreciated by any author.

Where is your favorite vacation spot?

My books are set in Kentucky, a place my family visited often when I was a child. I have many happy memories of traipsing through the hills around family property. My favorite vacation spot is right here in my home state of Michigan. I love the rolling hills, the green of spring and the lakes.

What do you enjoy doing for relaxation? I read for relaxation.

What do you enjoy most about writing? When I write “The End” on a manuscript and begin the editing process.

About Greta: 

Greta Picklesimer is Michigan born and raised by Kentucky transplanted parents. She accepted Jesus as her Savior at the age of five. Besides writing, Greta spends time working on her art journal, painting with watercolors and oil pastels. She is owned by one rescue cat by the name of Pearlie Blue who was named after one of her father’s favorite Bluegrass songs. By day, Greta works as an office assistant. By night, she writes.

Links: 

 https://www.facebook.com/GretaPicklesimerChristianAuthorian Author Page | Facebook

Twitter: @gretapicklesime

Second Chance at Happiness: Picklesimer, Greta: 9781649601124: Amazon.com: Books

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Excerpt:

Chapter 1

HARRISVILLE, KENTUCKY

1870

Catherine Reed and her four-year-old daughter, Clair—both wearing simple, matching, black mourning dresses—stepped off the train at 3:00 p.m. in her hometown of Harrisville, Kentucky.

Catherine looked at the dark green depot and sighed. It was not a contented sigh, but rather one of heaviness and regret. Standing on the small platform facing the depot, she contemplated her next step. She needed to move, but her feet seemed rooted to the ground. Tears began forming at the corner of her eyes, threatening to spill over onto her cheeks. How would she go on without her dear husband, John, by her side?

It was supposed to be his last run on the river. He had promised. They’d have enough money to buy their own place. Set up a little farm, keep chickens and a few pigs. All that had come crashing to a halt when he fell between the logs he’d been taking downstream on the Cumberland River to Crestville, where they would be sold.

She shook her head as if to shake out the memories. He didn’t even make it halfway there. Flicking her shaking free hand to her side, she tried to wipe the memories from her mind.

And now, for the opportunity to enter a random drawing, leave your response to this question: What is your favorite historical time period and setting?