1) How did this story come to you?
My ideas evolve from life experiences mixed with imagination. I was captivated by the novelty wrapped up in a group of women’s shops in neighboring Louisville, Nebraska. Frivolities was born. My maiden name is Mosel and I always thought a niece or granddaughter named Moselle would be sweet. So I birthed another girl with that name as a heroine. My husband is a retired insurance agent, thus Eric’s occupation. Often in life, first romantic relationships end without closure, so I’m drawn to reunion stories. I had so much fun creating Moselle’s mother and aunt that they became heroines of the next two stories. I’m revising the fourth in the series, in which Eric’s ex-wife is the heroine.
2) Tell us about the journey to getting this book published.
I’ve been writing a long time. And I’ve tried to quit writing several times, but I guess the Lord doesn’t want me to. When I had three or four book-length manuscripts (and piled up rejections from editors in the process), I searched for an agent. Moselle’s story was rejected by five agents, but feedback led me to believe I was close to acceptance. I had never considered going the route of an online publisher. But at the time, there was only one NY publisher that accepted unagented material, and they had rejected half my stories. Lori Graham, an editor for The Wild Rose Press and then editor for White Rose Publishing, came to Prairieland Romance Writers. She invited me to submit Moselle’s Insurance. It was rejected twice by White Rose editors, with the invitation to resubmit. I was devastated by the second, very detailed rejection letter, and quit writing for several months. At retreat in January of 2010, my fellow writers encouraged me to reconsider that best-kind-of-a rejection. So I went through the editor’s comments, agreed with her, revised, and resubmitted. Moselle’s story was accepted in less than a week.
3) Tell me three things about yourself that would surprise your readers.
My father’s homicide remains one of Nebraska’s unsolved cold cases.
I would rather clean a toilet than dust furniture.
Before lumbar fusion I wanted to ride a burrow to the bottom of the Grand Canyon.
4) What are you working on now and what's next for you?
I mentioned that I’m polishing the fourth story in the series. It’s less about Frivolities, since the heroine only works there part time, and contains a suspense element. I’m also fictionalizing my dad’s death. This time, there will be closure.
5) Parting comments?
At the end of the day I like to agree with George Strait, and say, “I Saw God Today.” I look for evidence of God every day. For me, it often comes from something visible seen in the nature of country living. If I don’t see Him in the colors of the sky, a flower or butterfly or deer, He gives me peace through His Word. His presence also comes through the trust of a grandchild, the eyes or smile of a friend. He’s with me, His blessings are all around. He is ever-present.
6) Where can fans find you on the internet?
http://www.loreepeery.com/
http://www.whiterosepublishing.com/
