Tuesday, July 10, 2012

Bonnie Leon's "Joy Takes Flight"



Title: Joy Takes Flight
Publisher: Revell

Cover blurb: She longs for the skies, but life keeps pulling her back to earth.
Will Kate finally find a future that satisfies? Newlyweds Kate and Paul are settling in their Alaskan home in the bush country. They rejoice when Kate finds she is pregnant, but soon it is clear that there are hurdles ahead. Should she continue in her dangerous profession as an Alaskan bush pilot? Can she really fall into the traditional role of a wife? Then disaster strikes, life begins to unravel, and Kate fears she may have lost Paul for good.

1) How did this story come to you?
The series idea grew out of stories my mother told me about her life in the Alaskan bush and how she and her family depended on bush pilots to deliver mail and supplies and on occasion a lift to town. She admired and trusted the pilots. Throughout the years she provided me with a small library of books about the brave men and women who risk their lives to serve the people of Alaska and to fulfill their own desire for flying adventures.

One day while reading one of the books, my writer’s mind took over. Soon I had a story idea—there was Kate and a mystery man (who was inspired by a man with a hidden past who lived on a homestead bordering my grandparents’ property), and I started blasting down notes.

The creative aspect of writing is a mystery to me. I don’t know where the stories come from, but they usually begin with a slice of truth and then my mind just seems to find them. Joy Takes Flight is the final book in a series so there were conflicts, questions and troubles I needed to resolve. Readers need to know what Kate decides to do with her life. And Paul’s secret must be told.

I’ve known the ending of this story for three years. It feels so good to finally have it completed, on the page and in print.

2) Tell us about the journey to getting this book published.
While writing the final book in the Sydney Cove series I started thinking about what to write next. I had several ideas and created a synopsis and a limited proposal for each, then sent the outlines to my agent. She and a co-worker looked them over and decided they liked the idea of a woman pilot standing up to the Alaskan wilderness during the 1930’s best. There wasn’t anything like it “out there” and the idea was intriguing, so we went with it.

I presented a full proposal to Revell Publishing and they loved the idea. Contracts were signed and I went to work. It wasn’t easy. There’s always endless research, but I needed to know how to fly.

I didn’t know the first thing about flying. But I found a pilot, Gayle Ranney, who had been flying as a bush pilot in Alaska for more than forty years. She’s the one who helped me plant readers in the cockpit of Kate’s Bellanca.

Book one had troubles and I actually wrote it twice. Books two and three flowed much more easily. It was fun to accompany Paul and Kate on their adventure. I’m sorry to say farewell to them.

3) Tell me three things about yourself that would surprise your readers.
1. Years ago, when I walked down the church aisle on my wedding day, I didn’t want to get married. I’m glad I did. Greg and I will celebrate our 41st anniversary next month.
2. When I send in a new book to my editor, I’m always nervous. I usually convince myself she’s going to hate the book.
3. I don’t fly. I have a disorder in my ears that makes flying miserable.

4) What are you working on now and what's next for you?
I’m heading into uncharted territory. I’ve decided to step out and write two books that are a new genre for me. I’m presently working on a true life story about a woman who grew up in Alaska and lived a life few people have experienced and most could never imagine. It’s truly incredible. I can’t wait to introduce this little Cherokee girl to my readers.

I also have a contemporary novel waiting to be written. It is the story of my heart, one I’ve longed to write for a very long time. It the story of five mismatched friends who set out on a cross country trip hoping to rediscover what most take for granted, a “normal” life. They find much more—friendship and dreams long forsaken.

5) Parting comments?
Thank you, readers. I don’t know if you realize how much writers love to write. It fills our lives. We find stories while watching the news, reading history or just allowing our minds to wander. You are the reason we can write. If you weren’t reading our books we’d be out of a job. So . . . thank you. And if you find a book or an author that you love, make sure to spread the word.

6) Where can fans find you on the internet?
It’s easy to find me. My website address is www.bonnieleon.com. Or I’m often visiting with friends on facebook. The address to my author’s page is www.facebook.com/BonnieLeonAuthor.

16 comments:

  1. I love Alaska and books where women like adventure. I would love to win a copy of Bonnie's newest book. Thanks for the chance!

    Sheri

    hspruitt {at} frontiernet [DoT] neT

    ReplyDelete
  2. thanks for the chance to win

    ABreading4fun [at] gmail [dot] com

    ReplyDelete
  3. I love reading stories set in Alaska which I have visited a couple of times. it is a majestic and beautiful state.
    JWIsley(at ) aol(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  4. JOY TAKES FLIGHT sounds like a very interesting & exciting read. I'm sure I will be entertained & learn along the way too.

    marypres(AT)gmail(DOT)com

    ReplyDelete
  5. This sounds like a great book! Thanks for the giveaway!

    nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net

    ReplyDelete
  6. Thanks for the interview. I'd love a chance to win--great story premise! My brother lived in Barrow for a short time and has some crazy stories to tell.

    Best wishes on the success of this novel!

    emily_reynolds(at)hotmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  7. It's interesting you write about a pilot when you don't fly yourself. I'm sure I would enjoy this book.
    JFWisherd@aol.com

    ReplyDelete
  8. Sounds adventurous. I grew up in the mountains so this I would love to read.

    Margaret
    singitm(at)hotmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  9. Hi all. Thanks for stopping by. I love writing about Alaska. It is where my family roots are planted. My mother was born there. And spent a good deal of her life in Alaska. I think I'm the only one in my family who hasn't lived there.

    Jackie, I wish I could fly. Guess I live vicariously through my stories--I love an adventure.

    Emily, I used to have a cousin who lived in Barrow -- now that's close to the end of the world. A person has to be very hearty to endure the extremes that come with living that far north.

    It will be fun to see who wins a copy of my book. Hooray for all of you!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Bonnie, I've enjoyed following your interviews and learned some intriguing things about you in the past couple of weeks:).
    I loved the first two books in this series and look forward to reading the third one. If I win it, that would be great, but seeing someone else get the opportunity would be just as sweet. May God continue to bless your writing!
    ~Linda,
    lindastrawn@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  11. You're a sweetheart, Linda.

    Many blessings to you.

    ReplyDelete
  12. a wonderful interview/posting...thanks for the chance to read this fabulous story ;)

    karenk
    kmkuka at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  13. I would love to read this book.It sounds great.Great interview.Please enter me.Thanks

    ReplyDelete
  14. CONGRATULATIONS TO karenk!You've won a copy of "Joy Takes Flight"! I'll be contacting you today.

    Grace and peace to you.

    ReplyDelete
  15. I love stories of unlikely meetings. I met my husband when he came over to help me unclog a toilet - our relationship has been uphill from there. My daughter and her friend could probably enter a black olive eating contest. I have to keep cans of olives in my house when they are home from college so they can watch movies and snack. Hoping your day is blessed.

    HM at HVC dot RR dot COM

    ReplyDelete

Interview with Barbara M. Britton and spotlight of Lioness...

We're happy to have Barbara M. Britton with us talking about her book Lioness . To learn more about her and Lioness, please read o...