Wednesday, July 15, 2009

Interview with Bryce Stone (hero in Love Finds You in North Pole, Alaska)


Former U.S. Marine Bryce Stone served 10 years in the military, including three tours of duty in Afghanistan. While attempting to protect his men from a land mine, Bryce put himself in the line of fire and suffered extensive injuries. Unable to save one of "his boys", Bryce returned to his home town to heal and put the miseries of war behind him. It's with pride and pleasure that I introduce Bryce Stone, the hero in my next novel, Love Finds You in North Pole, Alaska:

Q: So Bryce, what's with the pirate-like eye patch?
A: The sight in my left eye was destroyed by shrapnel, and I wear the patch mostly to protect others from having to look at the scar that crosses from my eyebrow to my cheek.

Q: Ouch! How many other injuries did you sustain during that battle?
A: This was the result of triggering a land mine, not an actual all-out battle.

Q: I can see that you're not crazy about talking about that period of your life, but I'm sure readers would love to know more....
A: The shrapnel hit head to toe, throwing me about 12' from the blast site and causing a few broken bones and some cuts.

Q: I know you're also uncomfortable with pity of any kind, so I won't say "Ohmygoodness!" or "I'm so sorry!" Instead, I'll thank you from the bottom of my heart for going over there and risking life and limb to keep our country safe.
A: Uh, thanks.

Q: So you're from North Pole, Alaska, eh?
A: Born'n'bred.

Q: And the only time you were away from town was to serve in the Marines?
A: That, and to attend college.

Q: Where'd you go to school and what was your major?
A: U of Alaska, naturally , where I majored in Business Administration.

Q: Guess that came in handy when you got home and found out you'd have to run your parents' gift shop....
A: Yeah. You could say that.

Q: It must be a blast, living in a town where it's Christmas, all year long!
A: Easy for you to say. You don't have to listen to carols 24/7.

Q: Sorry...I didn't quite make that out.
A: Nothing. It's a great town. Clean. Wholesome. Low crime. Great people. What's not to like? Except being surrounded by Santas and reindeer and elves....

Q: Rumor has it that "Rudolph's Christmas Emporium" wasn't doing very well, financially, when you hit home.
A: There's an understatement!

Q: But you saved it. How?
A: I didn't save it. If it had been up to me, I would have sold the store.

Q: But...
A: I know, I know...it was the only thing I had left of my parents, who died in a freak accident.

Q: And your Aunt Olive managed it for you while you were overseas?
A: Right. My dad's sister, and my only living relative. Love the woman to pieces. She's been more a mom to me than...

Q: So what tips would you offer anyone else whose business is in financial trouble?
A: Hire a savvy manager, that's what.

Q: Oh? You didn't manage the store, and instituted changes, yourself?
A: Like I said. I wanted to sell the place, use the profits--if there were any--to open a carpentry shop.

Q: I've seen your work. You're a regular artist with a chisel and saw!
A: Thanks.

Q: So this manager who turned things around for you, what can you tell me about him?
A: Her. Samantha Sinclair. Sam, for short. She's amazing.

Q: Hard worker, eh?
A: Clumsy as all get-out, but yeah, she puts in an honest day's work, and then some. She's the one put all this order and organization into what had been clutter and chaos. Yeah, she's amazing, all right.

Q: Sounds like more than your typical boss-employee relationship here... I hear my cell phone ringing. In the next room. Catch up with you later. Maybe.

Q: Hmmm...I must have touched a raw nerve....

Well, gentle readers, take it from me. This guy is h-o-t with a capital H. Tall as a tree with shoulders that just won't quit and a smile that could light up a dark room, I have a feeling he looked just as gorgeous in his dress uniform as in fatigues, and the faded jeans and fisherman knit sweater he wore to this interview. He tends to be a little on the quiet side, but something tells me he talks a lot more...when he and Sam are alone.

Guess you'll all just have to pick up a copy of LFY in North Pole, AK to find out more about this quiet hero and his beloved Aunt Olive. And Sam, of course.

Looking forward to hearing what you think of the story, which will hit book store shelves this October. Drop me a line at loree@loreelough.com or post a comment here, and you're automatically entered in a contest to win an autographed copy.

Hugs and happy reading, y'all!
Loree



Monday, July 13, 2009

Free copies of Love Finds You in Paradise, Pennsylvania!



Hey, everybody!

Hope you're enjoying your summer so far. I know I am.

Lots of stuff going on here, and I'm sure you're saying the very same thing. (Probably, a couple of times a day! ) I've been telling people who ask what I've been up to that "I'm busy as a one-legged Riverdance performer!" But honestly, I'm hard-pressed to name a breathing human who isn't overscheduled!

So I thought I'd offer you a chance to win a free copy of my last novel, Love Finds You in Paradise, Pennsylvania, so you'll have some 'sit in the sun sipping lemonade' reading material on your bookshelves!

All you have to do is 'friend' me at Facebook, 'follow' me on Twitter, or 'shout' at me on ShoutLife, and you're automatically entered in the contest that begins today (July 13th) and ends on my anniversary (August 5th).

The 'how I choose a winner' is loads of fun:

I simply write everybody's name on a slip of paper, then tell my sweetheart of a dog to put his paw on one. (I stole that idea from my long-time writer pal, Robin Bayne, who used to give away Beanie Babies the very same way.)

Send me your email address so that if you win, I can contact you with the good news...and find out where I can mail your copy of the book.

Looking forward to chatting with you on Facebook, Twitter, and Shoutlife. Meanwhile, here's hoping the rest of your summer will be fun-filled and safe.

Hugs to you all!
Loree

P.S. Here's my next release, Love Finds You in North Pole, Alaska, due in book stores this October. (Two of my 'single guy' friends have already asked "Can you get me the number of the cute snowbunny on the cover?" LOL)