May 3, 2013

Friday Feature - Loralee Lillibridge

Today, I've got author Loralee Lillibridge at the Cafe. Hi Loralee and thanks for stopping by!

Thank you Florence for having me on your blog. I’m happy to take a trip from The Back Fence now and again.

Well, I'm excited to have you here, so have a seat, order a cappuccino or a latte and we'll get right to your interview!



When you were little, what did you want to be when you "grew up?" 


I wanted to be a cowgirl like Dale Evans until I saw the movie NATIONAL VELVET. Then I wanted to be a movie star like young Elizabeth Taylor and ride race horses. Oh well, that didn’t work out but I eventually had a horse.

I loved that movie too! So, at what point in your life did you realized that being an author was no longer going to be just a dream but a career you were going to turn into reality? 


When I won a writing contest and a Silhouette Special Edition editor was the final judge. She asked for a full manuscript and offered a contract.

That must have been quite a thrill.
:) Do you have any ‘rituals’ you go through before you write? 

I like a cup of coffee first while I think about what comes next in the story. Also, it helps if I’m alone in the room. Oh, and the Keurig should always be ready. (Grins)

What was your favorite chapter (or part) of ALL THAT MATTERS to write and why? 


The whole book is my favorite because I was in love with Buddy Lee and Faith from the beginning. The story was easier to write than any I’ve written so far. There’s one part that still brings tears to my eyes, but I won’t give it away here, in case you haven’t read the book yet. I’d love to know the readers favorite chapter or part.

There were several parts in All That Matters that brought me to tears! How did you come up with the title? 


I was listening to Mickey Gilley’s ballad by the same title. The words touched my heart. It just seemed like something Buddy Lee would sing to Faith.

I always find it interesting to hear what inspires a story. What would YOU like your readers to know about this book or you in general? 


The book is about LOVE. True and simple devotion. I guess I’m a romantic because that’s what I believe.

What's one piece of advice you would give aspiring authors?


Believe in yourself first, then write the book and believe in your work. 

Do you have a favorite author? 


Too many to list. Are you trying to get me in trouble here?

What is your favorite quote? 


"Life isn’t about the breaths you take but the moments that take your breath away." And this one from the back fence…"Life is easier if you plow around the stump."   


I hear you about "plowing around the stump!" What genre of books do you read for pleasure? 

Love romantic suspense.

What’s the most amusing thing that’s ever happened to you? 


Being filmed in a video dancing to Y-M-C-A at our daughter’s wedding reception. Oh no, that was amusing to everyone else, not me!

Boy, I'd love to see that - Maybe I can find it on YouTube?
:) What do you like to do when you’re not writing? 

Read when I get the time, travel when possible, see our kids and grandkids as often as I can. Count my blessings every day.

We'll have to talk about your travels next time you visit, because I know you've been to a lot of interesting places - Bring pictures! So, if all TV shows were real, what show (all time) would you most like to live in? 


Wow, I need a month to think about this one.

~*~Random~*~
 

Party dress or blue jeans? Jeans for every day, party dress for a par-tay!

Plotter or Panster? A little of both. Plotster, perhaps?



Print or e-Book? Love my Kindle! Love the print versions of my keepers, too. 

Coastal walks or extreme sports? By all means, coastal walks.

Cookies or cupcakes? Cookies, especially chocolate chip.

Super hero or super villain? (Shakes head) Don’t have an answer to this one. My heroes are always super. A super villain makes a darn good story, too.

If I had a free afternoon . . . I’d probably curl up with a book and read.

Peanut Butter: Crunchy, Creamy, or I hate peanut butter and am addicted to Nutella. Creamy! On buttered bread.

You suddenly realize you live in a haunted house. Do you:

a. Run screaming for the door

b. Bravely go to a church, load up on holy water and try to get rid of the ghost

c. Set up ghost hunting equipment to capture phenomenon

d. Call in the Ghost Adventures crew so that you can ogle the lead guy Zac’s amazingly stiff hair when you’re not ogling his….physical attributes

e. Deny you have a ghost and just let it scare the bejesus out of your visitors. 


E. Deny you have a ghost and just let it scare the bejesus out of your visitors. (Then I’d run.) 

Could you tell us five random facts about yourself?

1. I’m basically shy. Really.

2. I love country music and am a big George Strait fan.

3. Was Valedictorian of my High School Class. (there were 13 in the entire class)

4. Love eating crawdads with my Louisiana relatives. Cajun food rocks! 


 5. I’m easily moved to tears when I’m happy. Or sad. Or surprised. Or excited.    

Thanks again for stopping by Loralee and giving us all a chance to get to know you better - Its been a real pleasure having you at The Cafe!



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And now here's some information about All That Matters by Loralee Lillibridge:


All the money in the world won’t bring you happiness if the strings attached are pulled so tight you can’t breathe. FAITH MORGAN couldn’t breathe. Controlled all her life by a dominating father whose wealth influenced his actions and prejudices, Faith spent her teen years defying every rule Lionel Morgan made. 

BUDDY LEE WALKER is Boyd Walker’s son and mad as hell about it. He hasn’t been anybody’s boy since his mama died when he was six. When his no-account daddy went to prison for a bungled bank robbery and armed assault, sixteen-year-old Buddy Lee shouted “Hallelujah!” and set about working hard to overcome his reputation as Boyd’s boy.

The first time Buddy Lee took the blame for one of Faith’s escapades to save her from her daddy’s wrath, she knew she had a friend forever. Buddy Lee knew he’d have alligators snapping at his heels from that night on, but he didn’t care. Being Faith’s friend was the only good thing going on in his life right then. The worst thing was falling in love with her.

Buddy Lee Walker loves his Mustang - the 1965 red one, that is! He's no cowboy, but he's a Texan with a heart as big as the Lone Star State. Keep that in mind as you read about the favor Faith Morgan asks of him. The one that messes with his emotions and challenges his honor...and his heart.



Amazon | Barnes & Noble  | Smashwords

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I grew up in Texas loving cowboys and rodeos, but relocated to Michigan after my marriage to a handsome Yankee who stole my heart. I still favor country love songs, and seeing a field of Texas bluebonnets makes me homesick, but I admit West Michigan has a beauty all its own.

Now I enjoy writing emotionally fulfilling stories centered on the relationship of a man and a woman and their often rocky road to love. Heart-warming stories of ordinary people and extra-ordinary love.

I'm a former president and founding member of the Mid-Michigan Chapter of RWA. I credit my chapter and my wonderful critique partners for their unlimited support and encouragement on my roller-coaster ride to becoming a published romance author.

When not writing, I enjoy reading, spending time with family and friends, and traveling. You can e-mail me by clicking here -or- send snail-mail to: P.O. Box 140095, Walker, MI 49514-0095




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4 comments:

  1. Hi Loralee *waves*
    I love that you are in many ways a lot like me as a writer! Those horse movies made me want to be a jockey or even a trainer for a while there. :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Melissa, they were great movies, weren't they? Thanks for stopping by today.

      Delete
  2. Loralee, I always love learning more about you and more about your books. I never would have guessed your answer to the ghost question. LOL Wishing you much success.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Hey, Tex! Great blog, and great interviewer. Love that Buddy Lee and Faith story to death! Everything you write has that delicious country girl flavor, and tons of heart. HUGS!

    ReplyDelete

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