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Wednesday, December 02, 2009

Spotlight on Ramona Richards and Field of Danger

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

RAMONA RICHARDS, an award-winning editor, speaker, and author, started writing as a child and sold her first story in her 20s. After 25 years as an editor, she returned to writing fiction, and her first three Steeple Hill novels, including The Taking of Carly Bradford, received 4 ½ stars from Romantic Times magazine. Ramona is a member of the Romance Writers of America and The American Christian Fiction Writers. She lives with her daughter Rachel near Nashville, and she occasionally escapes by scuba diving, hiking, dancing, and going to movies and bookstores.

She can also be found online here:
http://www.facebook.com/ramona.richards
http://www.twitter.com/RamonaRichards

FIELD OF DANGER
by Ramona Richards
Published by Steeple Hill / Love Inspired Suspense

ABOUT THE BOOK

“Who killed my father?”

Eyewitness to a murder, April Presley wants to answer the deputy sheriff’s harrowing question. But she can’t. She barely caught a glimpse of the crime through the deep Tennessee cornfield, and cannot recall anything to help the investigation. Or can she? Daniel Rivers is certain that April remembers more of his father’s death than she realizes. And the killer agrees.

In the race to uncover April’s missing memory before the killer finds her, Daniel is the only one she can trust to keep her safe. Yet will he stay by her side when the shocking truth is unveiled?

Readers, buy your copy of Field of Danger today!

AUTHOR INTERVIEW

1. What gave you the inspiration for this story?

I can’t talk too much about the inspiration or I’ll give away the ending! Let’s say that it’s inspired by a few stories that come out of the farm country of a real small town in Tennessee. The cottage my heroine calls home is based on the homeplace of my real-life friend (and my daughter’s nurse) Phyllis. The book is also dedicated to her.

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

In this case, my hero and heroine, Daniel and April, have more in common with people I know than anything I’ve experienced personally. Daniel was influenced by a number of men I admire, whereas the inspiration for April came from several women I know who have survived some pretty rough times and not only thrived but soared in the love and success that came from their struggles. They are truly examples of how God can turn almost anything to good.

3. If your hero/heroine were an ice cream flavor, what would he/she be and why?

April – definitely strawberry. April is a “garden girl.” She’s turned the yard of her cottage into a glorious array of blooms and colorful plants. She has that down-home sweetness, and her home-based business (organic jams and preserves) would add to that. I could even see her letting wild strawberries replace grass in her yard.

Daniel – probably mint chocolate chip. He’s sweet, but has a quiet, steady strength and an exotic bit of sharpness to him.

4. Are there any themes in Field of Danger that you hope the reader sees? Are there any themes that weren't overt but developed as the story progressed?

That perseverance is the key to surviving the hard times. April and Daniel really don’t know who to trust and whether she’ll ever remember enough details of the crime she witnessed to help solve it, but they simply never stop trying. The theme that surprised me concerned family legacies – what qualities in ourselves do we pass down to our children and those around us. What do they see in us that we’ll remember forever.

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

My favorite part is an exchange April and Daniel have when they are looking at his father’s photo albums. It’s one of the few quiet moments in the book, when they have a real chance to share with each other. They are both still grieving, and they begin to turn toward each other for the first time.

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

House of Secrets comes out next summer. It’s set in the same county as Field of Danger, but is centered on the sheriff from Field of Danger (Ray Taylor) and April’s sister, June. Ray discovers June standing over the body of their pastor, and at first thinks she may be guilty of murder. Innocent or guilty, June quickly realizes that the secret to the murder is hidden somewhere inside her former home – a secret the killer will do anything to keep concealed.

* * * * *

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

Readers, leave a comment for your chance to win a FREE autographed copy of Field of Danger.

Make sure you also leave your email address (name at domainname dot.com/net). You won't be entered in the drawing without it. If you wish to comment but don't want to be entered, say so when you post.

And if you want to make certain you don't miss anything, check the box that says 'email follow-up comments to:' when you leave a comment and they'll be sent to the email address associated with your blogging account. That way you'll be notified of any comments and will know when the winners are announced each time.

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

10 comments:

Casey said...

Sounds like a good story. I would enjoy a chance to read it.

libraryhelper(at)harneyesd(dot)k12(dot)or(dot)us

Esther said...

Though I'm not generally a mystery reader, this one sounds like it might be right down my alley. Since I know Ramona from our local writers' group, I would love to read this book.

Cherie J said...

Enjoyed the spotlight and would love to read this book so please enter me. Thank you!

cherierj(at)yahoo(dot)com

Merry said...

Field of Dreams sounds like a great mystery. Please add me, thanks!

worthy2bpraised[at]gmail[dot]com

Anonymous said...

thanks for the opportunity to read this fabulous book.

karenk
kmkuka(at)yahoo(dot)Com

Patti Lacy said...

Thanks for an opportunity to get to know Ramona!

And congratulations, Amber, on receiving your author galleys!
Blink lots to replenish your eyes with fresh fluid!!!
Patti

patti (at) pattilacy (dot) com

Michelle said...

Thank you for entering me!

Michelle
scraphappy71 at sbcglobal dot net

Ramona Richards said...

Thanks, everyone, for dropping by and for the encouraging comments. I really appreciate it. And many thanks to Amber for the great spotlight. :)

Rosalie Patience said...

Please enter me in the drawing. It sounds like a great book! ~Abby


abster dot rose at yahoo dot com

Tiffany Amber Stockton said...

We have a winner from this drawing and that is:

PATTI LACY!

Congratulations! I have emailed you for your information so Ramona can send out your book.

As always, thanks to everyone for your continued support.