Straight Chatting from the Library: Land of My Dreams by Norma Gail

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Meet Bonny Bryant from Land of My Dreams by Norma Gail

Welcome, Bonny! Tell me a little about yourself.

I am an only child raised in the mountains of central New Mexico outside of Albuquerque. My parents were only children, also. Following their deaths, I was alone except for my best friends Dan MacDowell and Kari Anderson, and my fiancé, Adam Lawson. I am 5’2”, with fair skin, no freckles, curly, red hair and green eyes inherited from my Scottish grandmother. Because of my size, most people think that I am much more delicate than I really am.

I received my doctorate in American History and American Literature at the University of New Mexico, and began teaching there before I was 30 years old. My father was a historian and my dearest friend. We co-wrote a course combining American history with the literature about and from different important periods in our country’s history before he died.

I love teaching, but my real goal in life is to be a wife and mother. My ex-fiancé destroyed that dream, so I’m hoping there’s someone out there for me, but I don’t think I’m ready for that yet. Right now, I just want to escape this big, lonely house and my life, filled with echoes of the people I love and everything I hoped to have.

What are your favorite activities when you’re not teaching?

I have horses, and one of my favorite pastimes is riding. I enjoy hiking, camping, and fly-fishing, anything to do with mountains and the outdoors. I ski and enjoy taking my dad’s 1967 Land Cruiser out on 4-wheel drive trails. I sing, play the piano, and write poetry. I am never bored.

I am an avid reader of both American and English literature, and prefer the classics that everyone hated in school, Dickens, the Brontë sisters, Louisa May Alcott, and Nathaniel Hawthorne. I love Charles Dickens’ incredible description of characters and setting. My all-time favorite is Jane Eyre. There is nothing like a good romance. I identify with Jane because she was alone also. Of course, Mr. Rochester was not nearly as handsome as Kieran MacDonell but he’s a romantic figure with a past that haunts him like the way some things in Kieran’s life haunt him. I just hope we have a happy ending someday.

What is your favorite color?

I love green, probably because everyone says it brings out the color of my eyes. I also love pink, though most redheads do not feel they wear pink well.

What is your favorite food? Why is it your favorite?

I am a real snob when it comes to New Mexican food. You notice I didn’t say Mexican food. New Mexico is famous for our traditional foods, and nothing else compares. Green chile, red chile, or both together, which we call “Christmas”, with breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Sopapillas and Tres Leches cake are like ambrosia to me. I am enjoying teaching my Scottish boyfriend, Kieran, to love my favorite foods, the way I’m learning to love his. I brought a lot of chile with me when I moved to Scotland, packed on dry ice.

New Mexico is a great place to live. We have strong traditions from the large Native American and Hispanic population. A multi-cultural setting makes things so much more interesting. Chile means home, special times, and comfort for me.

What are your passions?

If you took me out of the mountains for long, I think I would curl up and die. One thing that attracted me to Scotland was the mountains and I have not been disappointed. They are spectacular. Scotland and New Mexico are about as similar as water and dust. The change has been good for me.

I love Celtic music and bagpipes. Of course, I am into anything historical, and miss sharing that with my dad. It is difficult teaching the course we were to teach together all alone. I could read all day every day if I didn’t have to work.

What is it about your former fiancé that irks you the most, and why?

Adam Lawson is so full of himself. He always treated me like more of a possession, rather than a person, but I miss him. He was my first love. I thought it would be romantic to marry my first love, but he ruined that. Even though he almost destroyed my world, I still dream of him. Kieran is amazing, but sometimes I wonder if I could deal with New Mexico never being home again.

Adam is too competitive and career oriented, with strong political ambitions. Life with Adam would never be simple, but a place in my heart seems reserved for him, no matter what. He makes me angry, but he gets this look in his chocolate-brown eyes, and I melt. I thought moving to Scotland would remove him from my life, but he keeps finding ways to intrude, in spite of the fact that he’s the one who ruined everything.

Who is the most important person in your life, and what would you do to keep them in your life?

Kieran MacDonell is my dream guy in so many ways. The ten year age difference doesn’t bother me at all. I cannot describe the feeling when he walks into the room. I could swim in the blue pools of his eyes in forever. Just thinking about him gives me the shivers. The sheer size of him is overwhelming. His hands are so huge that the feel of his hand on my back or my hand in his is irresistible. Of course, the accent and the kilt could sweep any woman off her feet, add in the bagpipes and his incredible home on Loch Garry—how could any woman resist?

He captured my attention, the first time I saw him across the room at a faculty meeting. When we met, it was as if a magnet was drawing our souls together. He is sweet, thoughtful, self-sacrificing, and gentle—my wild, romantic dream. The adventure of being loved by him is priceless. Most of the time, I believe I could change my entire life—give up everything I have ever known, to be with him.

Kieran and I understand the immensity of each other’s loss, and we both doubt that God has any part to play in our personal lives. Most of my friends don’t understand that and lecture me. Kieran knows because he’s been there, but sometimes I wonder if Kieran, in particular, is ready to move on with his life.

What one thing would you like readers to know about you that may not be spelled out in the book in which you inhabit?

I come across as being so sure of myself and brave, but I am just a scared little girl on the inside. I act as if I am in control because I’m afraid that if people see how weak I really am they won’t want to be with me. The brave things I do are really just running away from things that hurt.

If you could tell your writer (creator) anything about yourself that might change the direction of the plot, what would it be?

Make my life simpler. I want to be a wife and mother. I only stayed in school and went for two doctorates because Adam was not ready to marry until his law career was on the upswing. I know he thinks marriage to the right woman—an educated, professional woman, would help his political ambitions. If you could make his character more straightforward and honest, it would simplify my life. I want to trust him and feel as if what I want matters to him.

Kieran is so exciting and such a hunk, but he isn’t perfect either. I do not want to end up being second to the memory of his first wife, Bronwyn. It’s tough to be hung up on two such handsome, but very different men. Couldn’t you have made one of them Mr. Perfect?

What would you like to say to people who have not read your story?

My story is everyone’s story. In my case, it is the loss of people I love. You may have something else that drives you. The cool thing is that we can relate to each other because life is tough. I know we will become great friends because we can connect over the challenges life presents and the search to find happiness and fulfillment in the midst of the mess. I love two awesome men and I know someday the decision between them will become clear. I am blessed to call two of the most beautiful places on earth my home. I have a job I love and great friends in both places. I had no idea that running away from the loss and pain at home would bring such adventure into my life. Come to Scotland with me and escape for a while!

READ THE BLURB

Alone and betrayed, American professor, Bonny Bryant longs for a haven of peace. She accepts a position at a small Christian college in Fort William, Scotland, craving escape from her painful past. The passionate love which develops when she meets fellow professor and sheep farmer, Kieran MacDonell, is something she never anticipated.

Kieran harbors a deep anger toward God in the face of his own devastating grief. When Bonny’s former fiancé reenters her life, Kieran’s loneliness draws him to a former student.

How will Bonny decide between her rivals? Can they set aside the past to make way for a future, or will it drive them apart?

Land of My Dreams, Christian Romance Novel, spans the distance between New Mexico’s high desert mountains and the misty Scottish Highlands with a timeless story of overwhelming grief, undying love, and compelling faith.

READ AN EXCERPT

Kieran brought Bonny’s hand to his lips as they enjoyed the sunshine of the hospital courtyard. “The hours I spent in the hospital chapel praying for your life included healing our relationship. I cannot separate them. God saved your life for a purpose and I believe it involves me.”

He drew the small velvet box out of his pocket and revealed her ruby ring. “Bonny Faith Bryant, will you marry me?”

She wanted to talk and pray with Kari and Dan, but in the end, the decision was hers. Janet’s words came back. It’s possible you’re not in his life to marry him.

Her heart was pulsing in her throat. “Kieran, I need more time. It was wrong to relive those old memories.”

The color faced from his face. “They’re ours. They watered the seeds of our love. I never intended to hurry you. I thought remembering…”

“Kieran...” The touch of one calloused finger wiping her tears caused her to cry harder.

“You’re going to marry Adam.” There was defeat in his voice. How could she hurt him?

She saw her own pain mirrored in the blue pools of his eyes. The hand holding the ring—her ring, dropped to his side. He walked across the courtyard, standing with his back to her, snarling his fingers through his hair.

“I haven’t said I’d marry anyone. I can’t make such life-changing decisions when I’ve only now reached the point where I still have a life.”

MEET THE AUTHOR

Norma Gail is the author of the contemporary Christian romance, Land of My Dreams. A women’s Bible study leader for over 21 years, her devotionals and poetry have appeared at ChristianDevotions.us, the Stitches Thru Time blog, and in “The Secret Place.” She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers, Romance Writers of America, and the New Mexico Christian Novelists. Norma is a former RN who lives in the mountains of New Mexico with her husband of 40 years. They have two adult children.

Connect with Norma:

Website: www.normagail.org
Amazon Author page: http://www.amazon.com/Norma-Gail/e/B00ILHXBAK/
Book trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KQbZIoC_JSE
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorNormaGail
Google+: https://plus.google.com/u/0/+NormaGailwrites
Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/normagailth/boards/
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7874459
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Norma_Gail
LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/pub/norma-gail-thurston-holtman/42/71a/3b2

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