Today’s book reminds us all that we can make plans, but God directs our steps. Case in point: This blog usually appears on the 15th. of the month. But- Life! No excuses from this blogger. We all get busy and important things get covered up or pushed aside. How appropriate that the title of the book we are featuring is When Plans Go Awry.
At the end of this blog, you can answer a question for a chance to win an “ebook” copy of When Plans Go Awry.
Let’s hear what the author of this great new release from Scrivenings Press has to say about her life as an author.
First, here’s a little about the book:
Olivia Carmichael escapes her past to be the next schoolmarm in the small ranching community of Washton, California. Her plan? Live a quiet spinster life, alone, never to depend on anyone ever again.
Luke Taylor selected a mail-order bride, a necessity to help raise his two younger sisters, and the only way he knew to protect his heart. His plans don’t include being responsible for the beautiful new schoolmarm, who threatens his resolve between his need to stay away and his need to be near to make sure she stays safe.
Along the way, neither feel much in control of their circumstances. Olivia’s carefully laid-out plans are challenged at every turn. Luke’s mail-order bride is not what he expected.
Will Luke and Olivia learn to trust God’s plan for their lives?
Jenny: Welcome, Denise. This sounds like a fascinating story. Is there any part of the books that reflects your own life?
Denise: I’m not sure any of it mirrors my life, however the overall theme of the book is something that I have struggled with. And both my hero and heroine struggle with it but deal with it in different ways. I didn’t set out to purposely do that, but it came together naturally. The story theme is about trusting God even when things are not going the way you want them to. And that His plans are bigger and better than anything we can manage ourselves. I’ve worked on this story (and others) for twelve years and there were many times I wanted to stop and give up. But waiting and continuing to work on it has shown me that the timing is better now, then it would’ve been earlier. And I couldn’t have planned that out on my own.
Jenny: What was your favorite discovery while researching this story?
Denise: There were several things, so I’ll share two. First, I stumbled onto a California timeline that highlighted when Mark Twain was in California and the timing fit with my story. It was so fun to sprinkle in a story he wrote during the timeframe and for Olivia to read it to her students. And second, including real information about the teacher’s association that Olivia first was trained at in Cincinatti and that her teacher was Catharine Beecher, who is Harriett Beecher Stowe’s sister. And that Catharine Beecher truly did introduce calisthenics to her students.
Jenny: That sounds like so much fun. I love to imagine what famous people would be like in real life. What is the major take-away you want your readers to have from this story?
Denise: First, I want them to have a fun, enjoyable read that makes them laugh and smile. I also hope that they feel loved and encouraged.
Jenny: That is a great goal. I feel the same way about my books. I love reading things that make me feel good, and I hope my readers do too. If you need some quick inspiration while you’re writing, what is your go- to?
Denise: Reading my favorite authors. Their stories inspire me to write stronger. There’s a feeling I get when I read something that speaks to me and encourages me to want to write like that. I’m reading all the time while I’m writing.
Jenny: I think all successful authors must be prolific readers first. Reading what others have written is a great place to gather inspiration! So, tell us a little about your writing routine. Any special music or must-have snacks?
Denise: As much as I love my large monitor and desk set-up, my house isn’t usually quiet for me to concentrate all the time, so heading to the coffee shop near my house helps me focus and dive in. I love Ghirardelli chocolate chips, tea, and water. I try to focus on time, rather than number of words or scenes. And I use an app called Focus at Will which has optimized music to help brain function and focus. I cannot listen to words with lyrics because I’ll start thinking about the stories those lyrics are telling and distract myself. Setting daily, weekly, monthly goals that I can cross off and see the progress help as well.
Jenny: Speaking of goals, what is in your future? Should we be watching for a new project from you, or are you taking a break?
Denise: I’m currently working on Book 2 in the Best-laid Plans series, titled A Slight Change of Plans that is scheduled to come out next year.
Jenny: Do you have any parting words for our readers?
Denise: Thank you for taking a chance on my debut novel, When Plans Go Awry. I hope you’ll sign up for my newsletter at denisemcolby.com. And follow me on Facebook, Instagram, GoodReads, or BookBub.
Jenny: It was so good to meet this fascinating author, don’t you agree? Now, answer this question in the comments below to be in the drawing for an ebook.
“When did God’s plan work out to be better than your original idea?”
Passionate about all types of stories—whether they are from songs, theatre, movies, or novels—Denise M. Colby loves history and constantly finds herself contemplating how it was to live in the 1800’s. Combining her love of learning about history, and reading, Denise writes Historical Romance Sweetened with Faith, Hope, & Love. Her first novel, When Plans Go Awry, is the first novel in her Best-laid Plans series. A mother to three boys and daughter-in-love, Denise loves to read, watch movies with her family, sing 80’s and musical songs, tap dance, and spend date nights with her husband at ‘The Happiest Place on Earth’.
Every year Denise chooses a word to focus on. She shares her learnings about that word throughout the year on the two blogs she writes for. Sign up for her newsletter or you can follow Denise on her social media or visit those blogs by clicking on the links below.
- Website: www.denisemcolby.com
- Blog: www.denisemcolby.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/denisemcolbywrites/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/denisem.colby/
- Pinterest: pinterest.com/denisemcolby
- Twitter: twitter.com/denisemcolby
Amazon – https://scrivenings.link/whenplansgoawry
Barnes & Noble – https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/when-plans-go-awry-denise-m-colby/1145668418?ean=9781649173911
GoodReads – book page – https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/210207661-when-plans-go-awry
GoodReads – author page – https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/49068259.Denise_M_Colby
BookBub Book Page – https://www.bookbub.com/books/when-plans-go-awry-best-laid-plans-book-1-by-denise-m-colby
BookBub Author Page – https://www.bookbub.com/authors/denise-m-colby
Thanks for this interview, Denise. I have an example of God changing my plans. About halfway through my career in State government, I really wanted to work part time while attending college full time. With three kids to raise, my husband’s income would have provided enough to “squeak by”. But by hanging in long enough to earn a full retirement, we now have enough for a comfortable life in our very nice house.My dream job of author still happened, but in God’s timing.