Monday, March 28, 2011

Linda Yezak's "Give the Lady a Ride"

We're happy to have Linda Yezak with us today talking about her book Give the Lady a Ride. To learn more about Linda and her book, read on!

Title: Give the Lady a Ride
Publisher:  SkySail, an imprint of Port Yonder Press

Cover blurb: Patricia Talbert is a high-class social coordinator from New York.
Talon Carlson is a rugged bull rider from Texas.
He thinks she’s too polished.
She thinks he’s insane.
Opposites aren’t quick to attract when the lady who enters the cowboy’s world is on a mission to sell the ranch. But a box of letters changes her mission–letters of unshakable faith and a love deeper than anything she’s ever experienced.
Soon she finds his integrity appealing. Her spunk draws him in. He has the faith she craves; she may be the love he longs for. But faith and love aren’t achieved in a single weekend.
To buy time to explore the possibilities between them, she issues a challenge: “Teach me to ride bulls.”
From here on, they’re in for the ride of their lives.

1) How did this story come to you?
In the years 2003-2007, Country Music Television (CMT) had a couple of reality shows I couldn’t resist: “Cowboy U,” where city folks learned about ranch and rodeo work through hands-on experience, and a show whose title describes the content, “Ty Murray’s Celebrity Bull Riding.” Both shows took people out of their elements and dropped them into new situations with hilarious results. I couldn’t resist doing the same to a New York socialite. She endures some ribbing and practical jokes from the cowboys on the ranch, things similar to what I saw on “Cowboy U,” and learns how to ride bulls using techniques I saw on “Ty Murray’s Celebrity Bull Riding” as well as ideas derived from an interview with a former bull riding champion. Taking these two shows and creating a story line that ultimately centers around faith and love was so much fun, I often found myself giggling at my characters’ antics.

2) Tell us about the journey to getting this book published.
Give the Lady a Ride got some of the nicest rejection letters imaginable. Agents and editors who took the time to read the submission were impressed with it. Of course, it received a few form letters too, but mostly I was encouraged by the notes I received. Because I didn’t follow the format of some publishers, Ride wasn’t eligible for them, and because it’s so short, it wasn’t eligible for others. When I wrote it, things like “word count” never crossed my mind, and the idea a book could be “too short” certainly never crossed my mind. I had a time trying to increase the word count and still maintain the integrity of the story. I actually succeeded in making the book longer, but, as one editor pointed out, the scenes I included delayed the attraction between my main characters. I cut the scenes, and landed back where I started from.
Fortunately, Chila Woychik liked my work even before she bought Port Yonder Press. I’m honored she’s including it in her second year of publications.

3) Tell me three things about yourself that would surprise your readers.
First, I love to fish. I’m a fisherwoman from way back. Sometimes, when Dad had to work out of town, Mom would get me out of school and we’d head off to the river, or the lake, or a private pond we had access to and fish the afternoon away.
On our way to and from our favorite fishing hole, we’d have the CB radio going and would chat with whoever would break “1-9" for us. That’s the second thing some of my readers wouldn’t know about me. My nickname, "Peppermint," given to me because I’m a redhead, comes from my CB days. God took care of us then. The truckers we "met" on the airwaves were family men and kept close watch over us. We enjoyed chatting with them, and never came across anyone offensive.
Third, I decided to keep Peppermint as my screen handle when I learned the Christmas legend about peppermint canes and how they symbolize Jesus. I tagged the 777, God’s perfect number, along with it to signify Who I belong to.
I found out peppermints aren’t red and white everywhere. I had an on-line bridge partner from another country who could never understand what being a redhead had to do with peppermints. In her country, they’re green and white!

4) What are you working on now and what's next for you?
My work in progress is The Cat Lady’s Secret, a story that is more “chick lit” than romance, although romance is definitely involved. The cat lady–Millie–is a personality I couldn’t resist. She walks everywhere she goes, and everywhere she goes she encounters people with needs and wishes–and all are met. But what will happen to the town’s benefactor if the journalist dogging her reveals her identity?
My dream is to finally finish Cat Lady this year, while promoting Ride and increasing my number of speaking engagements–and keeping my house clean, my husband happy, and my mother healthy.

5) Parting comments?
Faith is the theme in Give the Lady a Ride. Patricia had lost faith in herself, but needs to find faith in God. Talon has faith in God for his safety, but not for his dream of falling in love again. In my little story, I hope the readers will see that with faith, all things are possible. Even riding bulls.

6) Where can fans find you on the internet?
Readers wanting to know more about me can find me at 777 Peppermint Place. Readers interested in my writing tips will find me among the authors of my coop-blog, AuthorCulture. Anyone wanting to know just what a nut I am should friend me on Facebook. That’s where I go to play.


29 comments:

  1. Waving at Linda! I'm not entering since I already own Linda's wonderful book (and I promise that review will be posted very soon). I encourage all of you to leave a comment to win her lovely story. Her knowledge of bull riding and working a ranch came through clearly, and you'll love her humor and writing style. I'm so glad I read this interview, and feel like I've gained new insights into a terrific lady in Christ! Blessings!

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  2. Love the cowboy/New Yorker love story idea. I look forward to reading it!

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  3. Hey, JoAnn! Thanks for leaving such a sweet and encouraging comment! {{{HUGS!!!}}}

    Karen, I think you'll get a kick out of the story. Good luck in the drawing!

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  4. I would love to read Linda's book - a lady bullrider?? sounds fascinating!

    edwina(dot)cowgill(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  5. This sounds so interesting!!! Unlike anything I usually read or have read recently...Again, this is a new writer for me...that's what I love about reading this blog!!! I am being stretched as a reader and I hope as a person also. Thanks!!! margieatmijaresdotnet

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  6. We posted an interview with Linda over at MBT Ponderers last week and one of our commenters won a free copy ! I'm following her around the blogosphere. Her book sounds like such a fun read!

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  7. Sounds like very interesting reading. I'm a former New York City gal who had always wanted to live in the country. Never happened but dreamed of it a lot. I look forward to reading it!

    Blessings,
    Jo
    ladijo40(at)aol(dot)com

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  8. I want it autographed, Linda!!! :) Congratulations. Looks like it's taking off.

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  9. "Breaker, Breaker 1-9. Can't wait to read Give The Lady A Ride!"

    From one writer with a short word count to another, I know the struggle of adding words. Would much rather cut words!

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  10. Thanks so much, Dawn, for interviewing Linda. I always love reading about my MVFRH (my very favorite red head). I am so anxious to read Lady!

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  11. Thanks for the support everyone! It's a fun little book. I think y'all will like it. Good luck!

    Gayle--How funny! I'm so glad I'm not the only one! I hope this is the last time I have that problem. Usually, I'm such a chatter box, it seems amazing I'd have too *few* words!

    Lynn--{{{HUGS!!!}}}

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  12. Yes I really, REALLY want a copy of Linda's book. (Good news for Linda - if I can't win it I'll be buying it!!)

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  13. would enjoy reading this novel...thanks for the opportunity :)

    karenk
    kmkuka at yahoo dot com

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  14. I would love to win a copy of the book. Please enter me. dancealert at aol dot com

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  15. Sounds like a super book...please enter me to win. i already subscribe by email. Thanks for the interview and the chance to win! mitzi_wanham[at]yahoo[dot]com

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  16. Linda, I also read your interview over at The MBT Ponderers. How fun to "run into" you here too. :) I love your story idea, and your "voice" even in your interview. :) May the Lord continue to bless your writing endeavors! :)
    Jeanne (wetalk2biz@q.com)

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  17. Sounds like such a sweet story! I would love to be entered. Thank you for the giveaway. I'm a subscriber.

    homesteading[at]charter[dot]net

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  18. Linda's book is on my "must read" list, thanks for the chance to win a copy.

    twinwillowsfarm at gmail dot com

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  19. They sound awesome books!!! I love cowboy. lol I would love to buy them if I don't win them. =)

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  20. Jeanne, thanks so much! I appreciate your comments.

    Pegg, thanks! I like being on your "must-read" list!

    Good luck everyone!

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  21. Sounds great! Please enter me in the giveaway! :)

    writer_weaver at yahoo dot com

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  22. I'm very excited to read your book. I want my copy authographed. Great post.

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  23. LOL, well I've never had the secret desire to ride bulls, but I do have an appetite to read your book. I enjoy stories of faith and romance. It's a very unusual story theme. Thanks for offering it as a giveaway and the chance to win it. I hope I win.

    Sharing His Faith,
    Barb Shelton
    barbjan10 at tx dot rr dot com

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  24. Sheila--I'll be glad to!

    Barb--good luck!

    Good luck everyone!

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  25. Please enter me if it's not too late! :)

    booklovercb at yahoo dot com

    I subscribe by email!

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  26. This sounds like a great book! Please count me in! I'm an email subscriber.

    nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net

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  27. A sassy gal and a cowboy sounds like fun, please toss my hat in. Thanks!
    I'm a subscriber.
    worthy2bpraised at gmail dot com

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