TIERNEY JAMES

Lipstick & Danger

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Beyond The Horizon

Wanda Kay FittroProduct Details    Wanda Kay Fittro lives in the beautiful Ozark
Mountains in Southwest Missouri. Born and raised in a small town community,
gave her an appreciation for that lifestyle, and provides the inspiration for
her novels. A love affair with books started early on while reading Nancy Drew
by flashlight under the bed covers. She won the prestigious Missouri Literary
Festival Reader’s Choice award in 2011 for her Civil War short story One, Two, And Three.  She served as president for the Sleuth’s Ink
Mystery Writers and works with Ozark Romance Authors as well. 
I read your
first novel, Beyond the Horizon, several
weeks ago and I’ll have to say I loved it! The first few pages made me worry
about the outcome but by then I was hooked. 
This was a pretty tough subject to start with, Wanda. What made you go
in this direction?

It
is a tough subject. One that people would rather not talk about or face. You
don’t have to look much further than today’s headlines to see how abuse affects
many; either directly or indirectly.
My
daughter’s situation became my inspiration. She has been in an abusive
relationship and as much as I tried to help her, I couldn’t. It was and still
is a journey she has to face on her own. I needed to write this story to help
myself understand her decisions. And, of course, I hope for a ‘happily ever
after’ for her.
Including a farm
family, a little boy and a handsome cowboy had me wanting to pull up roots and
head for wide open spaces. Is there a little of you in that heroine?

I
like small towns. My mother’s family lived on a farm and I grew up with an
appreciation for that life style. There is just something genuine about those
places and people.
What kinds of
things inspire you to write? And since you also have a day job when do you find
the time to create such terrific characters?

It
is tough to find the energy to write while trying to make a living and taking
care of every day chores. I’m not a morning person, so getting up early is not
an option. I do most of my writing on weekends.
I
find inspiration in music, especially country because the songs tell a story. I
usually have one song that becomes my book theme.

Is there another
novel in the works?

Yes.
Right now I’m trying to finish the first draft of Coming Home. It’s also a small town story about a woman
coming home to bury her mother and running into memories including her high
school sweetheart. The first chapter received a second place finish in the Weta
Nichols Writing Contest. That was a good shot in the arm for me.
In today’s busy
world what is the best thing an aspiring writer can do for themselves to
increase their chances of getting published?

Find
a supportive writer’s group and critique group. Go to the meetings even if you
don’t want to. I’ve never left a meeting and not felt at least a little more
inspired. Or, if there is no group in your neck of the woods, find support
online. Don’t think you have to do this all on your own. Feedback is invaluable
in your writing journey.
So many times
these kinds of interviews ask about the best advice you were ever given as a
writer. But I think readers need to also know we get some really awful advice
from time to time. What was that for you?

When
I brought the first chapter of Beyond The Horizon to critique group, most of
the people thought the opening was too rough. They said I should start it
differently. But, one person had tears rolling down her face. She told me it
was perfect, not to change a thing. At that moment I knew she had been abused
at some time and I ignored the other comments.
As I said
earlier, I gobbled up your book. Give readers a blurb to wet their appetite.

When Katie Sullivan
makes the hasty decision to run away from an abusive relationship, she has no
clue what is ahead of her. She only knows it has to be better than her life up
to now. Her boyfriend is a powerful drug dealer who will stop at nothing to get
her back. She knows too much. Car trouble leaves her stranded in the middle of
Kansas, with little money, and a growing fear of failure.  
Widower Josh Warner
works and lives on an elderly couples’ farm. He juggles the responsibilities of
raising his young son and his passion for the rodeo. Unable to let go of his
deceased wife’s memory and on the rebound from a misguided affair, he has no
desire for another relationship. But, when Katie appears out of nowhere,
everything changes.
Against all reason,
Katie and Josh find themselves drawn to each other. If the past catches up to
them, their newfound passion, and their lives could be in jeopardy. Can their
love win against the evil headed their way?
Thanks
so much for visiting with us today. Let people know how to keep in touch with
you.
Purchase Beyond The
Horizon here:

0 Responses

  1. If you end up with a few comments from me it's because Google is making this more complicated. Lived your post and I'm going to get your book. I already know I'm going to love it because I understand how abuse effects your life, and the family around you. Thanks for sharing. Lynda

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