Writer’s Window: Lauralee Bliss
Joining us today for Writer’s Window is romance author Lauralee Bliss.
One lucky commenter* will win a signed copy of Lauralee’s book, Love Finds You in Bethlehem, New Hampshire. Deadline for leaving a comment to enter the drawing is Friday. To enter the drawing, you must answer the question posed by Lauralee at the end of the interview. Only one comment per person will count toward the drawing. Please do not include your e-mail address in the body of your comment—just make sure it’s correct when you sign in to leave your comment. The winning name will be drawn next weekend and the winner will be notified via e-mail.
- *U.S. residents only, void where prohibited. If you win the drawing, you will be ineligible for the next three drawings, though hopefully you will still come back and join in the discussion.
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Welcome, Lauralee!
What do you like best about being a writer?
- When I get a contract. 🙂 But I also like it when a get a letter from a reader telling me how the book changed her life. That makes it all worth it.
What do you like least about being a writer?
- Writer’s block. Not fun. I also do not like to procrastinate either, but it can really be a battle at times to be disciplined.
Pop, Soda, or Coke? What do you call it, and what’s your favorite variety?
- Soda (though my relatives in Buffalo, NY, call it pop). I used to be a big drinker of Diet Pepsi, but since some digestive issues cropped up on me, it’s now water, water everywhere.
What’s your favorite dessert?
- Anything chocolate, of course. Brownies, chocolate chip cookies, chocolate cake dripping with icing…oh, and that ice cream with the chocolate chunks in it…you get the picture.
What’s the most fun/interesting/crazy/scary/unique hands-on research you’ve done for a book?
- I recall the royal treatment I received when researching my novel that takes place inside Mammoth Cave in Kentucky. I was given a personal tour by the park ranger to the inner recesses of the cave where tourists are seldom allowed to go. I felt so honored! The book is Into the Deep by Barbour Publishing.
What’s your favorite movie from childhood?
- I just loved The Sound of Music. I see it is on every year, but I still recall singing the songs growing up (like “Doe a deer.” It helps one learn!). And I just loved the scenery of Austria—breathtaking.
If you were to write a novel about what your life would have been like if you’d become what you wanted to be at eight years old, what kind of character would the story be about?
- I have always wanted to be a nurse, so I guess it would be that. And I did become one, for just four years until I became a stay-at-home mom and home educator, but hey, it did come true!
What makes you happy?
- A lovely walk in the woods (I am an avid hiker and have hiked the Appalachian Trail both ways, north and south.)
What makes you nervous?
- Too many items on my plate of life and trying to juggle it all. (I do not juggle well. I drop everything).
What’s your biggest dream for the future?
- To have one of my novels become a movie so I can wear a gorgeous gown and attend the Hollywood premier night as an honored guest. Well, why not? 🙂
Tell us about your newest release and what you’re working on now.
- A Quaker Christmas. Christmas is a simple matter among the Quakers of the historic Ohio River Valley, but can it be a time to welcome love into four households? In my novella, A Crossroad to Love Mary Hall’s family runs an inn for weary travelers, but some guests, like Silas Jones, pressure them to compromise their steadfast Quaker ways. Could it be that Silas just needs a reminder of why simpler ways are often better? This book explores the lives of the Quakers and how simplicity really can bring healing.
Right now I am working on another novella idea to take place in historic St. Louis. I am also writing an e-book for those interested in hiking the Appalachian Trail, and I am actively speaking about the Appalachian Trail to interested hikers.
Where can people find out more about you/connect with you online?
- http://www.lauraleebliss.com
http://www.blissfullifejourney.com
“Readers of Author Lauralee Bliss” on Facebook
Twitter – @lauraleebliss
Now it’s your turn to ask the question. What question do you want to ask the commenters to answer?
- What dream of yours would you like to see come true? Don’t be shy. My dream came true—hiking the entire Appalachian Trail. I waited 30 years for it!
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Lauralee Bliss has always liked to dream big dreams. Part of that dream was writing, and her career began with small creative works as a teen just for fun. After several years of hard work, the dream of publishing was realized in 1997 with the publication of her first romance novel, Mountaintop, through Barbour Publishing. Since then, she’s had over twenty books published, both historical and contemporary. Lauralee’s desire is that readers will come away with both an entertaining story and a lesson that ministers to the heart.
Along with the dream of writing and publishing, Lauralee has recognized another dream in her life, completing a hike of the entire Appalachian Trail not once but twice AND in each direction! Lauralee is a wife of 21 years to husband Steve and mother to a son who hiked the trail with her in 2007. Her other interests include traveling (of which she has been to 49 of the 50 states), gardening, and perusing a yard sale or two. Lauralee makes her home in Virginia in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains.
Comments are closed.
KayeDacus.com 
Hi Lauralee As you know I have read a couple of your books and loved them. I am patiently waiting for a Quaker Christmas to hit Australia (why I didn’t order them when they came out so I would have them now I dont know.) I ordered one from America yesterday but this one and 2 of the others out this year are on order at the Christian bookshop here in Australia.
I love the Christmas Novella’s.
What dream One I have had is to see fresh snow falling, build a snowman and make a snow angel. I have seen old snow and it was really disappointing but am told fresh snow is so much better to see.
my dream to go to Hawaii has happened but my next dream travel wise is to go to Georgia to meet my friend and one day I want to go to Gettysburg. My friend in Georgia lives near one civil war battle ground. I want to go to Shiloah National park also.
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My dream would include visiting the National Parks out West (Alaska,too!), and taking about 1 million wildlife photos. And doing this during winter/spring would be great. I’d also like to hike the Appalachian trail, but it will be a few years before I can leave my home responsibilities to pursue that dream. I really enjoyed reading about your Blissful journey, however! And, I’ve read the Bethlehem, NH book -I love all things New England, being a Maine girl who now lives in the Mid-Atlantic. Best wishes with your WIP! 🙂
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Travel! All over the US in a [very nice] motor home. A nice long tour of Europe. Caribbean and/or Alaskan cruise. And so on.
And a hubby who wants to go with me :P. Got the hubby but he’s not a travel fan.
Oh and cooperative kids to go with it ;).
I’d love a copy!
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I would LOVE to go on a private tour of Mammoth Cave! How fun was THAT? I will definitely be looking for your books. Great Interview!!
My dream is to live on the beach on the Eastern Seaboard. Preferably South Carolina or further south.
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My dream is to go see my son. He is working in Sichuan Province in China and it has been over ten years since I have seen him. He used to have a job where he traveled around the world but this one keeps him in the same place. I have my passport and wanted to go this year but I had to have an operation that took a long time to recover from. I really miss him.
CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com
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My dream is to see one of my novels published. I’m a big dreamer, and I try not to look too long at statistics. 😉 I would love to read “Love Finds You in Bethlehem, New Hampshire”. Thanks for this opportunity!
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Lauralee, you write about (and live near) many of the places dear to my writer’s heart, the Blue Ridge (and the entire Appalachian range). My historical passion is the 18th century frontier, and aside from seeing one of my novels published, I dream of being able to afford to travel more extensively throughout the Appalachian states and visit more of the places I write about. I grew up back east but have lived on the West Coast for most of my adult life. Many of your books sound intriguing.
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My family and I just recently went to Mabry Mill along with Lovers Leap and on a short hike at Rocky Knob. It all was VERY BEAUTIFUL.
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My dream would of course be to get a writing contract. My second dream would be to find the love of my life. I have been divorced for forty three years. I have remained single all that time but the last thirty four years I have prayed for a mate. I am now sixty five and everyone tells me it is stupid to pray that way but it would still be glorious to find someone to love.
Glenda Parker
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As soon as I read the words “what dream of yours” my mind went blank. Zip. Nada. Zilch. Zero. (My, I loving these “z” lettered words tonight!). I’m a big dreamer! Bigger than the universe big. So, if I had to choose…it would be NOT in a boat. NOT on a plane. The Appalachians sound good, but then so do the Rockies. Seeing a moose would be a thrill, but so would seeing a whale. I’m typing and thinking (with a growling stomach as supper cooks) and I realize there is only one thing I want to do more than anything: horseback riding with the view of the mountains in the distance. Sounds simple to some, maybe not even like a dream. All my life, I wondered about riding on a horse. Practically drooled as I read Louis L’Amour books and the cowboys and Indians riding their horses. Yeah. That’s a dream of mine, horseback riding and soaking up the landscape.
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That’s something I’d love as well. I love HORSES, and I love MOUNTAINS.
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My dream would be not to spend the rest of my the years I have left alone. I am 57 have been divorced for 31 years. But I still haven’t given up hope.
Lourdes Montes
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My dream would be to have my whole family relocate to Florida to live. To me Florida seems almost perfect. I know it is not, but I live in the snowy NE of Ohio and there can be really long winters here. Plus it just seems each winter gets longer and colder. I would also love to have year passes to Disney since I am a huge fan. Can’t talk my husband into that dream yet.
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To be a Published Author!
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Would like to add something.
I want to marry my pastor’s son James!!!
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