Welcome Author DeeDee Lane

DeeDee-finalGive a warm welcome to DeeDee Lane, author of  My Law Man, just released on July 8, 2016!

Pull up a chair, grab a drink of your choice from the cooler, a Chocolate Chip or Peanut Butter cookie from the plate, and let’s find out a little about DeeDee.

DeeDee Lane is a Seattle author and a member of Romance Writers of America. Her mystery scenarios and characters turn up on boat cruises and many corporate and private events around Puget Sound. She and her husband love to go on road trips, especially if there’s time to check out a tinfoil rooster or the largest truck stop in the world. Originally from central Wisconsin, DeeDee was raised on a farm and surrounded with great stories of the West. DeeDee is author of the Slip in Time series including My Mountain Man, My Gambling Man and My Law Man.

You can find out more about DeeDee on her web site  www.deedeelane.com

Or check out her author page on Amazon.

So DeeDee how about answering a few questions.

“I thought you’d never ask.” Dee grins from ear to ear.

What secret do you use to blast through writer’s block?
The main secret I use to blast through writer’s block is inspired by Stephen King in his book about writing and reinforced by Cindy Kirk at a seminar during the Emerald City Romance Writer’s Conference.  Both authors said to get past writer’s block you have to just write. At first when I heard this advice I was somewhat skeptical—okay—I’ll admit it–mad! I mean really how are you supposed to just write when… well… you just can’t? But then when I did the seminar with Cindy Kirk she allowed that “writing” was also researching, writing down notes, making your outline, practicing how to write a love scene, and brainstorming book titles. While it may not be as satisfying as getting a bigger word count on your Work in Progress it still moves your book forward.  For me this works because it feels like progress and my writer’s block just becomes a necessary part of my process rather then something to avoid.  So bottom line…my secret?  I don’t avoid writer’s block, I embrace it.
Do you see yourself in your characters?
Yes I see bits of myself in my characters but no I don’t write any of my characters based on me or my life.  For example, in MY LAW MAN Phebe gets dressed up in a fancy red dress to attend a Valentine’s Night Gala at the Cowboy and Western Museum. Those moments of Phebe reacting to the dress, the event, how she feels in a swishy, frothy, halter style red dress is all me and how I would feel going out and looking and feeling beautiful.
Why do you write what you write?
The Slip in Time series is a time travel, western, historical, romance as categorized by The Wild Rose Press and probably any publisher. I can’t say I set out to write for this specific line in fact I hardly knew it existed. For me, this series was completely inspired by the Cowboy and Western Museum and how it had the power to take someone back to a specific place in time.  Oh, and romance…that was first. I knew when I started writing fiction I wanted to write romance.  I love reading all kinds of books, in fact at this moment I’m reading a women’s fiction book AT THE WATER’S EDGE by Sarah Gruen. But as far as writing goes…I knew it had to be romance…definitely a happily ever after ending.
What do you like to do when you’re not writing?
Zumba, grow tomatoes, cheer for the Green Bay Packers or the Seattle Seahawks, and travel with my husband. Oh yes…gosh…I almost forgot because it’s so new–I’m learning how to play the ukulele!
The Ukulele, huh, that’s interesting. 
Now tell us a little about your new release, My Law Man.
perf5.000x8.000.inddPhebe Brooks is single, cynical—okay bitter—and fighting to stay out of jail by doing community service at the Cowboy and Western Museum. While cleaning a jail cell in the “Lawmen of the West” exhibit, Phebe slips back in time and into the arms of a man who resembles her first love, Rafe Morrow. 
Newly hired as Eagle Rock’s sheriff, Rafe, a former sharpshooter in the Union Army, came west to start anew.  This seems possible until his town is overtaken by a sassy female constantly complaining about wearing a dress and then a band of outlaws set on robbing the gold from an incoming stagecoach.
Can Phebe and Rafe cooperate long enough to save the town? For Phebe, it’s worth the risk. She’s determined to let go of past mistakes, get herself on the right side of the law, and have a future filled with love and passion.
Do you have a sneak peek for us from the book?

Holy crap! The hoof prints below were left by some super-sized horse. Phebe examined the prints littering the wet dirt. The buffalo prints she’d seen in a display at the museum were an exact duplicate. She picked up her pace to catch up with the sheriff’s long-legged strides. They were headed across the valley and west of the town to Taylor’s Crossing, the bridge across Snake River.

Ever since Phebe stopped screaming and stuffed her mouth with bread, he’d been telling her she was in Eagle Rock in 1866. From third grade on, she’d known Eagle Rock was the original name for Idaho Falls and was established in 1865. Through a maze of panic sedated by warm carbohydrates covered in butter, she demanded the sheriff take her to the bridge, the place to cross Snake River. In 1866 it would be the old-fashioned bridge like the tintype pictures she’d seen at the museum.

Phebe was so absorbed in her inner history lesson she smacked straight into the sheriff’s chest. Damn, he had some muscles. Phebe examined his chest and arms. About six foot two or thereabouts, the man was rangy with a thin build and muscles everywhere. His arms continued to hold her as she flailed around while still clutching the woolen shawl around her shoulders and her bunched-up skirts. What she wouldn’t give right now for a puffy parka with a hood, and mittens, and boots, and pants, for goodness sake, pants would be better than all this flipping fabric.

He pointed dead ahead. “Here’s where Harry Rickets used to ferry folks across the river.” He gestured further west. “And there’s Taylor’s Crossing, the bridge built by Matt Taylor in 1865.”

Phebe gasped. “Matt Taylor, as in James Madison Taylor?” The bridge was identical to the yellowed pictures she’d seen hanging on the museum walls.

“We don’t use fancy names in these parts, but I think you’ve got it right.”

“And the year is 1866?”

“Lady, I’m starting to get a mite cross.” He took off his hat and swiped his brow. “I have told you again and a—”

“—Wait a sec, what’s your name?”

Phebe’s heartbeat accelerated. Two realizations hit her like a ton of bricks. It was 1866, which meant she’d time traveled, but there was more. With his hat removed, Phebe studied the sheriff’s full face…his sandy brown eyes, the scruffy beard covered up the bottom of his face, but she recognized him…from a long time ago.

I love time travel stories, adding it to my summer read list right now. Where can we buy My Law Man?

Oh, by the way, My Law Man has a new 5 star review from Anna Duran, you might want to check it out.

It was wonderful having you with us today.  Please feel free to stop by anytime and good luck with My Law Man. 

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Posted in Authors' Secrets Blog and tagged , by with 15 comments.

Comments

  • tenajean@aol.com says:
    July 14, 2016 at 8:19 am

    Welcome DeeDee! Thanks for telling us about your new release. Sounds interesting!

  • Barbara Bettis says:
    July 14, 2016 at 10:05 am

    Great interview, ladies. Dee Dee, I visited Western museum not long ago, and I can definitely see the mystique that would inspire such a story. Yours sound such fun! Best of luck with it.

    • tenajean@aol.com says:
      July 14, 2016 at 10:24 am

      Thanks for stopping by Barbara! I’ve not checked out the Western museum, guess I’ll add it to my travels.

    • DeeDee Lane says:
      July 16, 2016 at 11:36 am

      Thanks Barbara, It’s been fun to DECIDE what’s in the museum in other exhibits and places I mention. I guess that’s the beauty of authorship – we get to choose what goes where. Thanks for your kind thoughts.

  • Sandra Dailey says:
    July 14, 2016 at 12:16 pm

    My Law Man sounds like a lot of fun. Good luck and great sales, DeeDee.

  • Lori Sizemore says:
    July 14, 2016 at 6:27 pm

    The excerpt is awesome.

    Great interview! Dee Dee, the ukelele is very cool. And I agree with you. Love those Happily Ever Afters!

  • Mary Morgan says:
    July 15, 2016 at 8:52 am

    Great interview, ladies! I loved how you explained writer’s block, DeeDee. I was in a slump for a few days this week–had no idea how to write my heroine. So, I started researching, writing down Irish genealogy names, etc. The point is…you’re correct! I didn’t reach my word count for that day, but I did continue to write. I had to “stir the creative pot” and it really does help. All the best with your new book. I love time travel romances, so this is one I’m looking forward to reading. 🙂

    • tenajean@aol.com says:
      July 15, 2016 at 9:25 am

      It’s always a pleasure when you stop by. Thanks! I got a little stuck myself this week. To many fires on my plate, but did get the creative juices flowing yesterday and made my word count. Not for the week, but I’ll take it. Have a great weekend.

    • DeeDee Lane says:
      July 16, 2016 at 11:41 am

      Ohhhhh Mary, I like that phrase…”stir the creative pot.” makes me feel like I am conjuring something. Thank you for your words of encouragement and Congratulations to you for working through it all.

  • DeeDee Lane says:
    July 16, 2016 at 11:42 am

    Thanks again Tena for all your help and guidance in getting this out there into the world of reader, writers, and lovers of storytelling. Your kindness is very appreciated.

  • Tena says:
    July 16, 2016 at 9:01 pm

    It was my pleasure! Good luck!

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