Karen: What inspired your story, Duty?
Angela: I was in a Pen Women meeting and we were writing to music. Miranda showed up and the scene where we meet her was started in that meeting. Later Dan became part of the story from and idea about the past and hunting criminals. (I used to work with Juvenile Delinquents, so that is a natural progression.)Karen: It's always interesting to find out how a story takes root. What was your all time favorite Western?
Angela: I have to say I don’t have an all time favorite. It’s usually whatever I’m watching at the time, but I love the TV show of “The Magnificent Seven”, “Cheyenne”, “Whispering Smith”- with Audie Murphy, and “Tombstone Territory”.
Karen: Favorite western actor and why? What did he or she star in?
Angela: If I was forced to chose, I would probably go with Joel McCrea. While he was brilliant in ‘Ride the High Country’ with another outstanding Western actor, Randolph Scott, my favorite of his films is ‘Four Faces West’.
Karen: Tell the readers where they can find you.
Angela: You can find me on the website angelaraines.net when construction on the site is finished. You can also contact me at angelarainesauthor at gmail dot com. My books are listed on my Amazon and Goodreads pages, along with additional information. Amazon / Goodreads
Karen: Thank you so much for sharing today. Readers enjoy a excerpt of Duty below.
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About the story DUTY:
Dan Loomis is searching for a dangerous deserter when it leads him Miranda Foster. Can Dan leave his search to help Miranda fend off a range war? Or will his devotion to duty keep him from the woman who could mean everything to him? Duty is everything to both Dan and Miranda. Will it hinder or help as these two strive to negotiate events?
EXCERPT:
Not one to run from trouble when escape was impossible, Dan stepped outside, lounging against the door. When the riders failed to see him, Dan grinned. He stepped forward, "Help you folks?"
His words halted all but one. A wiry, older man continued right to the edge of the overhang. He was dressed in range clothing, but Dan thought he was something more. The man's gruff voice demanded, "What are you doing here? This is private property."
Grabbing hold of his fast rising temper, Dan looked the old man in the eye. One thing he disliked was people who judged others as less than themselves. Usually, they believed they owned the world, that everyone had to march to their orders. At the same time, Dan gave the old man the benefit of the doubt. He might just be obeying the orders of someone else. Dan could wait and see.
He was the stranger. He had a job, and getting killed before he found his man, was pointless. Dan tamped down his temper. He grinned, "Looking for a friend was supposed to be living here."
About the Author:
Thank you for having me Karen. I appreciate it and am thrilled to be a part of this colletion. Doris
ReplyDeleteYou are so welcome. Thank you for being a guest here today.
ReplyDeleteI was surprised when you said Joel McCrae was your favorite wester actor. I guess I always imagine him in musicals.
ReplyDeleteI also had no idea you once worked with juvenile delinquents. That must have been a challenging job.
DUTY is sure to be an exciting read, Doris. I wish you all the best with your story in HOT WESTERN NIGHTS.
Sarah, I've always been a fan on Westerns and McCrae is one of the best in my opinion. There were those who said he preferred to be on his ranch on a horse than anywhere else.
DeleteYes, I spent twenty years working with teens and loved almost every minute of it. It was something I always knew I wanted to do, and was given the chance.
I hope that readers can relate to Dan and Miranda. I know they sure talked to me a lot when I was writing. (Smile) Doris
It's wonderful when you can combine research with work experience to give that extra touch of authenticity to a story. You live in such a great state that you can't help setting your stories there. Just from this snippet alone, I love Dan already. I love a man with a sense of humor.
ReplyDeleteElizabeth, I am lucky to have so much inspiration to draw from. I'm glad you like Dan. I have to confess, when I'm writing I have no idea what the characters will say or how they will turn out. It's like I'm watching a movie and writing what I see and hear.LOL I'd no idea Dan had a sense if humor until you pointed it out. Love how people see and respond to what I write. Doris
DeleteDoris,
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed your story very much--not only the developing relationship between Dan and Miranda, but also finding out who Dan was hunting.
Thank you Kaye. Trying to keep the story exciting while allowing a 'natural' relationship to grow was a challenge. I'm glad it worked. I'm still trying to get better with each story I write. Doris
DeleteI love hearing about what inspires a story. Isn't it interesting how we start with one character — in this case Miranda — and everything else falls into place. I'll bet you never imagined your experience working with delinquents would inspire a western.
ReplyDeleteYour comment aboug delinquents brought a smile because it's true. We never know how a story will start, but once the characters start talking to you it's off to the races. I for one love it when that happens and the story begins writing itself. Doris
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