Straight Chatting at the Library: DeAnn Smallwood

DeAnn Smallwood, author of Unconquerable Callie, has stopped by The Library today to chat with us as part of her virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. DeAnn will be awarding a $25 Barnes and Noble gift card to a randomly drawn commenter during the tour. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour and more chances to enter!


READ THE INTERVIEW

What is the favorite book you remember as a child?

My favorite book as a child was Little Women. The characters were very much alive and well known to me as if they were family or friends. I laughed and cried with them. Wasn’t their mother wonderful?

What is your favorite book today?

Wow! That’s a hard one. I read about a book a day so I’ve got lots to choose from. The Thornbirds was a book that sticks in my mind as being a favorite. I also love James Patterson’s books about Alex Cross. Then there is Nora Roberts, Jude Deveraux, Sandra Brown…all great reads.

Tell us about your current book in 10 words.

It’s informative, exciting, believable, funny, engrossing, tender, with lovable characters.

What are you reading right now?

I’m reading Patterson’s Cross My Heart. I just finished Nora Roberts and Danielle Steel books. I read several romances, then read a suspense/thriller. Guess that’s why I’ve written two romantic/suspense novels under my pen name of D.M. Woods. They’re part of my ‘Death’ series.

What books do you have on hold at the library?

None. I tend to buy my books, get them at yard sales, trade with friends, or 2nd hand stores.

Do you have any bad book habits?

Yes. I’m ashamed to admit I dog-ear pages. I forget to use bookmarks. I also read while I eat if I’m eating alone. Messy, messy.

E-Reader or print? and why?

I prefer print. Guess it’s because I’m old fashioned. I love the smell of books, especially vintage ones. I love holding them in my hand, turning the pages. I use a lot of old medical books for research and their smell is musty but comforting. I do read e-books and when I do, I enjoy them. It’s a great way to take lots of books on a trip without loading down with print ones.

One book at a time or multiples?

One book at a time. My mind is going fast enough with all my writing. I’m afraid I’d get lost if I read multiple books. But remember, while I’m reading mainly to shut off my mind and relax, I’m spending a lot of my day writing and editing my books. So, I guess that would classify as multiple.

Dog-ear or bookmark? (don't worry—Librarian Judith won't hold it against you—much)

Dog-ear. Sorry Madame Librarian. It’s a nasty habit. I wouldn’t do it to a library book, honest! Growing up, libraries were my life-savers. They were a treasure chest for a lonely child.

Least favorite book you've read this year?

Can’t remember the name, but it was so full of sex, the story-line was lost. I’m all for romance, but when it’s page after page, explicit sex scene after sex scene, the story takes the back seat. I read about half of the book, then put it in the give-away pile. Rarely do I do that.

Favorite book you've read this year?

You know, I have so many it would be hard to pick just one. I am partial to all books written by DeAnn Smallwood. (wink, wink) I really favor John Sandford’s character Virgil Flowers. He’s one of my favorite reads. And Nora Roberts can’t be beat. She pulls me in with the first sentence. Maeve Binchy is a classic read. She’s delightful.

When do you do most of your reading?

I get up early, around 5:30am and read for an hour or so. Then I read while eating my peanut butter and jelly sandwich lunch, unless my husband’s eating with me. I love to read out on our patio or in my little Scamp camper. I always read before going to bed at night.

Favorite place to read?

Oops, guess I answered that above. Favorite might be in my recliner with my feet up, sandwich in hand, diet drink close by, and my Yorkie son or daughter on my lap. However, another favorite is reading on our patio or, like I said, in my little Scamp camper. You know, I can read anywhere. I just shut everything else out and enter another world. Noise and conversation fade away.

Favorite genre?

Romance. But after several romance novels, I cleanse my palette with a thriller, then back to my romances.

Do you loan your books?

Yes, but I’m careful who I lend to. If they are some of my favorites, I only lend them to certain friends…with the promise I’ll get them back.

Favorite book to recommend?

I think we all pick our favorite authors. I would recommend books from any of my favorite authors. LaVyrle Spencer is a favorite author and I would highly recommend any of her books. She is retired, but her books were great. And for a change of genre, I’d recommend any John D. McDonald books. Unfortunately, he’s deceased, but his work lives on. I’d recommend Nora Roberts, but I’m not a real fan of her J.D. Robb books. I read some Danielle Steel and would recommend the few I’ve read. I’d recommend Sandra Brown, too.

How do you keep your books organized?

My office is also my library. I have several bookcases full to the brim of books. I try to organize them by author, but I get pushed for time, and they get out of order as I grab one.

Re-reader or not?

Sometimes I re-read but not by choice. I read so fast, I can re-read without realizing I’ve read this before until I’m into the first few chapters. Usually, I finish it. I don’t really like to re-read a book.

What would make you not finish a book?

If it had torture or cruelty, in it or if it was sad. I don’t read animal books because so many of them are sad. I like happy-ever-after reads. I wouldn’t read a book against Christianity or if it were about witchcraft, or devil worship. Love my romances.

Keep books or give them away?

I keep them. The quick read paperbacks by unknown authors I give away unless the book touched me in some way. My books become friends and I need to be surrounded by them. I’m happiest in their company.


READ THE BLURB

Callie Collins, a proud woman in the late 1800’s is a liar and a darned good one, a master of the dubious art. She is also a dreamer. Her greatest hope is to reach a new life in South Pass City Wyoming, where she can open a bakery and live an independent life. To be successful, she will need her greatest gifts of deception to date. As a woman alone, she has to prove to Seth McCalister, the wagon master, that she has the wherewithal (a wagon and a set of oxen), the stamina to survive months of drought, dust, hardships and even risk of death, and a mythical fiancé who waits at the end of the line. McCallister is uneasy, but also mystified by the audacity and determination of the young woman. He allows her to join the train west. What he doesn’t realize is there is no fiancé. To make matters worse, Callie is in love with Seth McCallister, too. For the first time, the lies that have brought her so far in life threaten to keep her from her one, true love. McCallister is a man of strong character and Callie feels certain that once he realizes her deception, he’ll turn away, ashamed of his love and trust in her.

MEET THE AUTHOR

I live in Colorado with my husband and my two Yorkie kid dogs: Stormy, four pounds, and Eli, six pounds. I’m a native of Colorado, but I’ve lived several years in Wyoming and Montana. I draw from these beautiful states for most of my books. My historical romances are: Montana Star, Sapphire Blue, Unconquerable Callie, and Wyoming Heather. Tears In The Wind is a contemporary romance. I have just contracted for another historical romance, One Shingle To Hang. It will be published fall of 2014. Then I changed genres from my beloved romances and wrote, under the pen name of D. M. Woods, my first suspense/thriller: Death Crosses The Finish Line. The second book in this ‘death’ series, Death Is A Habit, came out January 8th, this year. I am currently working on the third book in the ‘death’ series, Death Walks C Dock. I am also working on another historical romance, Montana Man. Truly, I mean it when I say my greatest pleasure next to writing is having my books read and enjoyed. There are many more stories just waiting to be written.

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