Spotlight on Debra Ullrick and The Bride Wore Coveralls

Today, I'm pleased to introduce to y'all a good friend of mine and a fellow Heartsong Presents debut author this year. We received our contracts close to the same time, and it's been fantastic sharing this new publishing journey together. Not only that, but she lives in Colorado too!

I'm sure you'll love her and her book as much as I do!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Until a year ago, my husband of thirty+ years and I lived and worked on cow calf ranches in the mountains of Colorado. I have one daughter, who recently got married on 7/7/07 in Las Vegas. I am a ginormous fanatic of classic cars, mud-bog racing, monster trucks, hot rods, and mean-looking trucks. Give me a Manx cat and I'm a happy camper. Just ask my thirteen pound Manx, Tickles. At one time I had three Manx's. Boy, howdy, was that a riot. My passions/hobbies include, animals, strong Christian romance novels, drawing western art, collecting classic car models, playing with my Gravedigger RCC, watching Jane Austen movies, and of course writing.

THE BRIDE WORE COVERALLS
by Debra Ullrick
Published by Barbour Publishing / Heartsong Presents

ABOUT THE BOOK

Camara (pronounced Ca-mare-ah) Cole is a southern female mechanic, who loves to race and build bog trucks. But several of the jealous old fashioned men she competes against strive to make it extremely difficult for her—especially her long time rival Chase Lamar. Camara, a Chevy lover, and Chase, a Ford lover, have been bitter rivals for years. Not just in the mud pits either. Camara sets out to prove to Chase, and all the other men, that she's just as capable of building and racing bog trucks as they are. Her goal is to win the mud-bog racing championship at Swamper Speedway, and hopefully earn her fellow workers and competitors respect. When Chase becomes a Christian, Camara has a hard time believing he's a changed man. Just when she starts trusting him and even liking him, someone starts sabotaging her bog truck. And who else but Chase would do such a thing? After all, he's done it before. Chase Lamar is a changed man, but proving that to Camara is his biggest challenge. That, and overcoming a controlling father who hates the Coles. When his feelings for Camara begin to change, he tries desperately to win her heart. But Camara doesn't trust him. And he doesn't blame her.

Buy Your Copy of The Bride Wore Coveralls Today!

AUTHOR INTERVIEW

1. This is your first book. Congratulations! What gave you the inspiration for this book?

Thank you so much, Tiff. Er...um..Amber. *smiling*

Well, I've always loved any kind of racing. Except for NASCAR, that is. Not enough action for me there. Figure eight races, round track where there's no more than fifty laps, drag races, monster truck races, you name it, I love it. I'm especially hooked on mud bog racing—especially after riding with my nephew as he flew through that pit. That was the biggest rush ever. Woo Wee. I'll admit though, I was afraid to ride with him at first. Visions of me having to get out in the middle of a mid-thigh, overgrown mud puddle—oh my! The thought of the cable they pull the trucks out with coming undone about undone me. hehe. Not that they would have made me get out, mind you. Someone else would have, but the fear was there nonetheless.

2. How much of your own experiences influenced your characters? What aspects became traits that are theirs and theirs alone?

Okay, confession time. Gulp. hehe. Pride is something I've always struggled with. Not the haughty kind per se, but always struggling to be someone or something I wasn't. Always trying to prove myself, but always falling short. While writing The Bride Wore Coveralls, God was speaking to me. I needed to hear what Camara had learned. While it's still hard for me to not compare myself to others and to prove my worth by what I do, instead of who I am in Christ, it is getting better because God is teaching me that we all have an anointing on our life. Some are anointed to be wives, mothers, fathers, carpenters, mechanics, racers, secretaries, CEO's, janitors, writers, etc. I've learned that if I find myself frustrated in what I'm doing to ask myself if I'm trying to do something that God hasn't anointed or gifted me to do. Camara was anointed to be a mechanic. God blessed her with those abilities. So if others were jealous and mad about it, that was their problem and not hers. And yet she struggled to prove to them that she was just as capable as they were. Her pride cost her.

As for the traits that were theirs alone. Well, I'm nothing like either one of them. Camara is the type of gal I would love to be—short in stature, messing around with vehicles, racing, no fear, sassy, feisty, and yet kind, generous, forgiving, and lovable. See, there's that comparison thingy again. *smiling* Hey, what can I say? I'm a work in progress.

As for Chase, well, his traits are a lot like my husband's. Tough yet gentle. Kind but bold. Owns up to his mistakes and works on them. Handsome. Well-built. Loves racing, classic cars, and trucks. But most of all—is very Godly. All the things I admire in a man.

Plus, Chase and Camara are people who rose to the challenges in their lives and overcame them. Those are the things that I want in my life. Those are the things that influenced me.

3. What themes exist in The Bride Wore Coveralls that you hope the reader sees? Are there any themes that weren't overt but developed as the story progressed?

That it's okay to be yourself, and that you don't have to prove yourself to anyone. There will always be jealous people in this world. People who will put you down no matter how good you are or how hard you try. So embrace who you are, just the way you are, and don't let other people's opinion of you bring you down. And don't let anyone stop you from pursing your dreams. But mostly that foolish pride has consequences.

The theme of forgiveness wasn't apparent at first. God surprised me with that one. Pleasantly I might add. Judging was a biggy too. How quick we are to judge someone based on their past.

4. What were your most difficult parts to write? Your favorite?

The whole story was difficult to write—except for the mud bog races. That was the easiest part to write. Well, that and the romantic segments. My hubby's an excellent teacher in that department.

My favorite part was—well—the whole thing. I must admit, however, that I especially loved writing it from chapter eighteen until the end. I can't say why though, or I'll give it away. You'll just have to buy the book to find out why. ~wink~wink~

5. When is your next book coming out and what is the story?

I'm not sure when my next book is coming out. There are two sequels, but neither one has sold yet. Déjà vu Bride sat on my acquisition editor's desk since November of 2007, and she only just recently rejected it. The story is about monster trucks, patience, and forgiving yourself and God. The third and final book in the racing series is, Powder Puff Bride.

I'm also working on a historical titled, You Ordered What, and several other stories. So with a little luck and lots of prayer, I'll have another book coming out soon.

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Thank you, Deb, for being in the spotlight with us.

Readers, leave a comment for your chance to win a FREE autographed copy of The Bride Wore Coveralls.

If you wish to comment but don't want to be entered, say so when you post. Make sure you also leave your email address (name at domainname dot.com/net) or that it's available for viewing in your blogger profile. Wouldn't want you to miss out on winning a book. :)

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This week, the contest is open to US/Canada only.

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