Monday, July 25, 2011

Bonnie Leon's "Wings of Promise"



Book title: Wings of Promise
Publisher: Baker Revell

Cover blurb: Her spunk has always gotten her through tough times. But does she have what it takes to go the distance?
Kate Evans may be a woman in a man’s profession, but as Alaskan bush pilots go, she is one of the best. If only her personal life wasn’t so complicated. Torn between her affection for fellow pilot Mike Conlin and doctor Paul Anderson, Kate longs for clarity in her heart. But when a terrible tragedy occurs, her mind may be made up for her.

1) How did this story come to you?
My mother is a native Alaskan, who spent many years on a remote homestead. She and her family depended on bush pilots for their mail, emergency supplies and an occasional lift into Anchorage.

My mother used to tell me stories of the pilots who kept them connected with the outside world. She had great respect and affection for them. Because my mind is always looking for a good story my mother’s history seemed a natural. And my imagination kicked in and I started to wonder what it would have been like to be a woman bush pilot back in the 1930’s. The story flowed from there.

2) Tell us about the journey to getting this book published.
While this story was working its way through my mind so were a couple of others. I submitted three story ideas to my agent. She liked the Alaskan Skies best, thinking it was just right for these tough times. Although the books contain a good deal of drama they are also fun adventures with just enough romance for romance readers.

3) Tell me three things about yourself that would surprise your readers.
I feel the best thing that ever happened to me was becoming a mother. My children have made my life richer and more fun. But there was a time when I decided I’d never have children. I thought it cruel to bring them into such a harsh world. I’m so glad I changed my mind.

I had a dreadful speech impediment as a child. It was so bad people could not understand what I was saying. It was a devastating disability that broke my little girl’s heart and it took Christ to heal those wounds. I went to speech therapy for two years, which corrected it. And now I love to speak for readers groups and women’s groups and teaching writing workshops is always a blessing.

I live on a winding mountain road, and I truly hate these kinds of roads, they terrify me. Years ago when my husband and I looked at the property we eventually built on I told him there was no way I could drive this road. Over time, I’ve gotten used to it, but put me on an unfamiliar cliffside road and I reach for my Xanax.

4) What are you working on now and what's next for you?
I have two separate projects. One is a series placed in 1920’s USA, and though I usually have difficulty finding titles, this time I found the titles before the stories. If my publisher accepts them the titles presently are—A Square Peg, Susie Sunshine, and A Rose by Any Other Name. I’m looking forward to telling these stories. I also have another book I hope to write while I’m working on these. It is the story of my heart and very unlike anything I’ve written previously.

5) Parting comments?
I simply want to say thank you to my readers. I love to write and if it weren’t for you I wouldn’t be able to do that. So . . . keep on reading. : - )

6) Where can fans find you on the internet?
My web address is easy. It’s http://www.bonnieleon.com/.

32 comments:

  1. Oh, I gotta find out the details of Kate's choice. Please enter me!

    desertrose5173 at gmail dot com

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  2. Heh, heh, heh, Linda. I love creating stories -- I know the ending. :-)

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  3. What fun learning about Bonnie!! The book sound great and what an awesome premise. So unique. I love gathering ideas from family as there is so much to draw from.

    carlagade [at] gmail [dot] com

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  4. This book sounds like a great read. I find it interesting that it is centered in Alaska and a woman pilot.

    I enjoyed the interview and didn't realize that as a child she had a speech impediment. Thanks for sharing that.

    God Bless,
    judyjohn2004[at]yahoo[dot]com

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  5. Carla, there is so much history in our own families. I teach a workshop all about how to create books from family history--lots of great stories if we'll just look more closely. I think we forget how truly special the people who are closest to us are.

    Blessings to you.

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  6. Hi Judy. Thanks for stopping by. I still remember the man who helped me learn to speak. I love him. He was kind and helpful when others weren't.

    I had a fun experience. Once while speaking for a group of writers the conferees were asked to fill out a comment form. One woman mentioned that she loved my "perfect" diction. I just had to laugh.

    Oh, how great is our Lord!

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  7. Great interview, Bonnie. I was privileged to be an endorser for Wings of Promise, and can testify that it's a great story. I loved it! No need to enter me in the drawing--I have the book. :)
    Ann Shorey

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  8. Enjoyed your interview, Bonnie and would love to read the book. It sounds so good.

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

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  9. Please enter me. I'm a follower gfc and a subscriber. I thought it was a great interview.

    Brenda from Michigan.

    dancealert at aol dot com

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  10. I would love to win the book !!

    Donna J
    djkrueger@wildblue.net

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  11. I enjoy reading books with rather strong
    women characters...
    The Alaskan setting sounds beautiful!
    Many thanks, Cindi
    jchoppes[at]hotmail[dot]com

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  12. What an interesting setting! sarahsantanawriter@gmail.com

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  13. Thanks so much for the endorsement, Ann.

    God's blessings.

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  14. Jo, Brenda and Donna thank you for stopping in and for the encouragement. Hope you'll all have a chance to read the book and praying you'll like it.

    Grace and peace to you.

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  15. I grit my teeth when I read book one: "Oh, she's gonna crash... I know she's gonna crash..." So bring it on. I love the tension Bonnie creates in her writing. And she paints a good picture of the wilderness, too.
    Blessings~
    muschfarm(at)yahoo(dot)come

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  16. I love stories about women pilots. I have read a book about Jackie Cochran and "She Flew Bombers'.
    Also, I have relatives living north of Fairbanks so I am hoping to read some about Alaska. Please enter me in this giveaway.


    CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com

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  17. Cindi, if you like strong women characters you'll love Kate. She's one of a kind. When I grow up I want to be just like her.

    I hope you'll get a chance to read the book.

    Oh and by the way, I have a fun contest going on through August 8th. Stop in at www.bonnieleon.com to get the details. It's all about getting a taste of Alaska.

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  18. Sarah, my family heritage is from Alaska. My mother was born and raised there. She's native--Aleut. My grandmother was the dearest little Indian lady I've ever known--4' 10" and full of spice.

    Alaska is a beautiful and unique place everyone should visit at least once.

    Grace and peace to you.

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  19. This sounds like a great story! I'm really looking forward to reading it!

    Randi
    wpd_2(at)hotmail(dot)com

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  20. Sounds like a great book--I enjoy historicals, so maybe I'm biased. =)
    Your comment about taking family heritage and using it to create a book sounds intriguing ... I'm a lifelong reader, though I've never seriously thought about reading, it would be neat to see more inspirational fiction with characters of Asian heritage. It could be pretty interesting ...

    Thanks for the chance to win!

    I'm an e-mail subscriber to this blog: jafuchi7[at]hawaii[dot]edu

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  21. I like books with spunky characters. This book sounds like a good one I'd love to win it. Thanks for the chance.

    ABreading4fun [at] gmail [dot] com

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  22. Randi, I hope you have a chance to read it. I like it -- but I am biased. : - )

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  23. Lady DragonKeeper, there are so many stories to be found in our own heritage. So many of my books have been tied to my family. In fact my first book, The Journey of Eleven Moons, came directly from a piece of my family history. My grandmother, while living in Unalaska, stood on a bluff and watched a tsunami hit the shore--it was one of the stories told by my family over the years and it got my imagination going enough to launch an entire fictional story. One of my books, A Sacred Place, was taken almost completely from my grandparents true story.

    I think it would be awesome if you took a look into your own family history and see if there might be a great story or two or more just waiting to be written.

    Bless you!

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  24. Hi Apple Blossom. I've seen you a round the web. Maybe this time is the time -- It will be fun to find out who wins this time.

    Grace and peace to you.

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  25. Please enter me!

    photographer4ever832[at]gmail[dot]com

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  26. Love teh idea of the family history in this book. Would love to read it.

    Thank you for having this giveaway.

    countrysunset40 (at) aol dot com

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  27. Tracy, I especially love stories that come from family histories. They're so interesting and I think including real events makes books especially fascinating.

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  28. I'd love to enter! Instead of posting my email address here, could I contact you via email if I win? Thanks!

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  29. If you enjoyed Bonnie's interview about Wings of Promise, be sure to check out the contest she's running on her web site right now to promote the book's launch! The winner receives a $350 Escape to Alaska prize package with some really cool gifts in it.

    You can see the contest here:
    BonnieLeon.com

    :) Kelli

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  30. I am now reading Bonnie's Touching The Clouds and am throughly enjoying the adventurous Kate Evans and the Alaskan Wilds setting.
    I would love to read Wings Of Promise.
    Thanks!
    Rebecca
    rbooth43(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  31. This is the third book in Bonnie Leon's Alaskan series. The author is an accomplished novelist and Wings of Promise keeps you reading as you discover Alaska, danger and romance with Kate. I wondered how the novelist was able to put us in the airplane with Kate, and go through so many intricate flying maneuvers without being a pilot herself

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  32. If you enjoyed Bonnie's first two books (Touching the Clouds and Wings of Promise), you will love the series conclusion in Joy Takes Flight!

    Be sure to enter her SOAR TO NEW HEIGHTS Contest celebrating the release of the book! Tomorrow is the last day to enter - visit the link below for your chance to win one of 3 terrific prizes from the novel!

    Contest Link: www.BonnieLeon.com

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