Promises My Love by DL Larson ~ Goddess Fish Blog Tour ~ Giveaway ~ Excerpt ~ Interview

 Promises My Love

by DL Larson

DL will be awarding a copy of one of her previously published books, hardback (US only) or e-book format, to two randomly drawn commenters during the tour. Be sure to leave a comment below along with your email address so you may be contacted if you are the lucky winner. To increase your chances of winning, visit the other tour stops. You may find the other tour locations here.... http://goddessfishpromotions.blogspot.com/2013/06/virtual-nbtm-tour-promises-my-love-by.html

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Interview:

Crystal: Today as part of the Goddess Fish Virtual Book tour, I have the opportunity to interview DL Larson. Would you share a little bit about yourself with us today?

DL: My day job is a children's librarian. I'm the Youth Director at our small, local library, which means I wear many hats, creating and implementing programs, selecting and cataloguing books, to chatting with all ages of kids.

I live on the family farm, grow better flowers than I do veggies, and love hanging out with my family. Although I'm an avid reader, when I'm writing I don't read much, not even the newspaper. 

Crystal: What are you currently working on? 

DL: Right now I'm editing the next book in my Douglas series. Exciting things happen to Francis and the young boys, Ruffie and Jim are teens with many trials and problems to face.

I'm also looking for publication for my sci-fi romance, fine-tuning my query and searching for a good home for this series.


Crystal: Do you have any special routine that you follow when you are writing? 

DL: I can write just about anywhere. I do like to use yellow tablet paper and #2 pencils, but will settle for a gel pen too.  I don't write my rough drafts on the computer.  I sound way too stiff and formal if I do and just waste precious time re-doing what I wrote.  
I tend to edit as I go.  I write for several days, let that sit while I go back and edit what I had previously. There's always something to do ~ write, type, edit, repeat!

Crystal: Did you have to do a lot of research for this book or any other? If so do you have a fascinating fact that you have learned you would like to share with us?

DL:  The research I did for this book was in the form of a job.  I worked at Northern Illinois University for several years in the Department of Children and Family Services where we offered many continuing education courses. I listened to dozens of professionals talk and explain the problems of child abuse and other dysfunctional social problems.

The fascinating fact I learned was the abuser may well love the person they abuse.  I also learned that is never a good enough reason to stay in a volatile environment.  My character, Christine, doesn't know that and spends her life trying to help the man she loves deal with his abusive past. She's one of my heroines for all time.

Crystal:  Who are some of your favorite authors that you like to read?

DL: I just finished Book 2, Spells, by Aprilynne Pike.  Her series is about Laurel, a girl who grew up and discovered she is a fairie, not a human. Pike is a new author and one I will look for on the shelves.

I enjoy Janet Evanovich with her Stephanie Plum series, and I really enjoy Diana Gabaldon with her Outlander series. I also enjoyed James Patterson's YA sci-fi series, Maximum Ride.

Crystal:  Is there any genre you haven't written that you would like to try? 

DL: I never thought I would write science fiction.  But an idea came to me and I've loved, loved, loved writing it.  I'm working on Book three of my series.  So, I leave the door open to what I might write in the future.

Thank you for hosting me.  I've enjoyed sharing this time with you.

DL Larson


Crystal: It has been my pleasure. Thank you for stopping by today. I've really enjoyed this interview.

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BLURB:

The Story from Promises To Keep continues with … Promises My Love
a novel
by DL Larson

Francis Frailey fears he might become as abusive as his uncle once was, so he admires his young family from a distance. His plan is lonely, but safe, until his wife Christine sneaks past his staunch decorum. With tender devotion she coaxes him beyond his wretched childhood memories to a place where trust and love grows.

The fragile bond shatters when Francis’ family intervenes and he must decide if hate will rule his heart. Christine promises forgiveness will make him whole, but Francis aches for revenge. He’s determined to kill his uncle and be done.

Christine’s brother, Joe Douglas, has plans of his own that include asking his wife Annie to face her troubled past. But to help Christine, Joe agrees to go after Francis and bring him home. Taking his young son and nephew with him unhinges them all. Joe doesn’t know if the love Francis has for his son is stronger than the hate he harbors for his uncle. Or perhaps Francis despises himself most of all. Joe fears the wrong person may end up dead.

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Excerpt:

A reminder ~ this is a family saga with several POV!

Excerpt from Chapter 8:

Annie picked up her bundles, thanked the storekeeper and stepped out onto the board walk.  Hope’s giggle had her smiling as she crossed the porch of the store front.  Her daughter had plopped down in the middle of the walkway as big as you please and was fast making friends with a puppy.  Suzanne stood smiling, being a tad more lady like, but not by much.  Hope squealed again as the puppy climbed up her chest to lick her face as she wrapped her arms about the brown furry bundle.  Annie tried not to laugh, but the picture her daughter posed was irresistible, and her grin ripened as she stepped toward her daughters.  A gentleman sat on the bench against the building letting Hope play at his feet as he watched the antics of puppy and little girl.

The man’s hat lifted ‘til gentle brown eyes sank into hers, and her boots clicked to a stop.  

His smile settled too warm to be casual.  "Morning Misses Douglas."  His wink flashed as friendly as it had years ago, and his hat tipped in polite acknowledgment.  "Fine day, ain't it?"

"Girls."  Her heart raced fast and heavy.  "Girls," Annie rasped again, but even Suzanne didn't hear her.  Annie swallowed her nervousness and tried again.  "It's time to go."  But they were too enthralled with the pup to hear.

"She's beautiful," his voice softened so only she heard. "Just as I knew she would be."

Annie grabbed Suzanne's shoulder and spun her around.  "It's time to go."  Her young daughter's eyes grew wide at her sudden aggravation.  "Take these to the wagon."  Annie shoved packages into Suzanne’s arms.  "Now," she scolded, and reluctantly the little girl moved away.

Annie pushed the puppy aside, but the pint size canine thought she was playing and jumped about all the more.  Hope giggled and tried to pull the frisky bundle back onto her lap.  Derek knelt next to her as his big hands folded around the pup.  "She's got freckles, Annie."  His eyes waited for hers to glance at him.  "Where'd she get that adorable patch of freckles?"

"Hope."  Annie tried to scoop her daughter towards her, but the little girl squirmed free, determined to pet the puppy again.  Somehow Hope ended up with Derek's arm about her as he held the puppy against his chest.

Time, for that one moment, grew to agonizing as Derek Tyler held her daughter close in his big hands.  Seemed everything around them ground to a stop and she couldn’t breathe.  Derek didn't want to let Hope go, Annie sensed it, and knew his thoughts before he spoke.  "Where'd you get that pretty head of hair?"

Her daughter shrugged tiny shoulders as she pet the dog.  

“Don’t ever--” Annie yanked Derek's arm away, her eyes alight with fire.  "Touch her again,” she hissed through clinched teeth.

"Mommy," Hope chirped as Annie scooped her up, "can I keep 'im?"

Derek ignored the stern yet worried look to her face.  His smile was for Hope who reached for the pup even though Annie grasped her tight in her arms.  

"Would you like to have him?" his voice deepened with kindness.

Annie retreated another step.  "No," she snapped, and Hope's lip bounced out in a disappointed pout and her large blue eyes teared.     

"There now."  Derek set the squirming pup in Hope's outstretched arms.  "You take good care of him, you hear?"

Annie tried to untangle dog and girl, but it became a futile struggle.  “How could you?"  Her eyes flashed to his.  "Damn you," Annie hissed as Hope hugged the puppy.

"It's only a dog," Derek said softly.  

"It’s not right."  She clamped down on her trembling lip. 

"And as long as Joe's around, it never will be," Derek told her before he turned and walked away. 



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AUTHOR Bio and Links:


DL Larson always thought she’d be a city girl, but instead, she has spent the last 40 years surrounded by corn fields.  She lives in northern Illinois and enjoys the outdoors, especially gardening, boating and bike riding with her family.  

Reading is a big part of DL’s life, both professionally as a writer and as a Children’s Librarian.  
She likes being in the know, seeing firsthand what folks like to read.  Going back to school as an adult rejuvenated her desire to become a novelist.  The writing awards she received lifted her up and reinforced her drive to tell the best story she could.  Her second novel, Promises To Keep was a 2008 Reader’s Choice Recipient. 

DL is a WindyCity member of RWA. She blogs each Thursday at http://acmeauthorslink.blogspot.com/ 

Visit DL Larson at www.dllarson.com

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/deb.larson.73?fref=ts

Buy Link:

Amazon: Promises My Love Buy Link