Looking out the Window: Donna Schlachter Talks about Dianna's Dilemma, Book 15 in Her Reclusive Man Series. Gives away a Copy.
A Warm Welcome to Donna Schlachter
Donna will give away a print copy (US only) or an e-Book of Dianna's Dilemma, Book 15 in The Reclusive Man Series. Enter to win in the Rafflecopter Contest, leave a comment and email address below.
Dianna's Dilemma -- the Hero and Heroine
For this book, I knew I needed to come up with a hero who had a secret he wanted to keep, one big enough to send him into hiding or a new life where he could begin over. Some might think a person who would flee a bad situation must be weak or cowardly. As any abused person will tell you, that is not true. It’s usually easier, and sometimes safer, for somebody in a dangerous or abusive situation to stay where they are. And even if the problem isn’t abuse, a raw deal must be huge to make a person leave. And in the case of my hero, not only to leave, but to disappear off the face of the earth, reappearing hundreds of miles away in 1879 Colorado, under a new name. With few official records and no picture identification, creating a new life could be a lot simpler than today.
Or maybe not.
Choosing a new name was tricky. Responding to that new name and not the old one was critical. And what about his occupation? As a medical doctor, a rare occupation of the times, Samson (his new moniker) couldn’t just appear out of nowhere and set up shop as the new doc. Folks would ask questions. Other doctors might ask questions about mutual acquaintances.
So our hero changes his name to Samson Macon. A powerful first name, a nondescript surname. Not common to the area. A simple shrug and a grunt could explain where he came from. What could he do? Although he wanted a job as a driver on the stage route, the line hired him on as to maintain and repair their harnesses, saddles, and traces because he could sew a good seam. By keeping himself to himself, he settled into La Junta, Colorado, about as far as he could get and still stay within the state lines.
Why would he want to be close but not too close? He’d left his family in Denver. Buried deep in a grave as cold as his heart. And it was his fault they were there.
At least, that’s what he thinks.
So when a nosey journalist comes poking around, he stays as far from her as he can. But she is beautiful. Reminds him of his wife in so many ways. But very different. She works her way into his small circle, and he finds himself looking for ways to spend time with her. When she injures her arm, he offers to help her finish writing her interviews for her assignment. After all, the sooner she finishes, the sooner she can leave.
Because he absolutely, definitely, has no intention of falling in love with her.
So why doesn’t his heart get that message?
The heroine, Dianna Dewalt, is a journalist for a weekly newspaper in Colorado Springs. So far she’s written lots of obituaries, wedding and engagement announcement, and frilly pieces for the gardening section. But she wants to write a real story, one that will make her name in the industry. She’s done her homework, paid for information, and now feels she has the story she needs to break into the boy’s league. But when the newspaper editor calls her into his office, it isn’t to discuss her big story. It’s to send her to a small town in the middle of nowhere. To cover the town’s inauguration. She finally gets him to agree to make a series out of it, and she heads out.
Dianna has a nose for mystery. She loves ferreting out secrets. So it’s only natural that she looks for ways to help a young woman achieve her dream of singing on the stage by matchmaking a local rancher’s wife who used to do that very thing. The fact the young woman’s parents aren’t thrilled is beside the fact.
Then she meets the local saddlemaker – and wants to know more about him. He’s not really up for sharing, however. But when Dianna is almost trampled by a herd of antelope, and he stitches up her split scalp, she suspects there’s more to him than meets the eye. No matter how much he denies it or tries to change the subject.
Well, if he won’t talk, maybe somebody else will. She sends a telegram to her newspaper asking them to check up on this man. And his story.
What comes back is a story about a man charged with killing a doctor—but no body has been found. Could this man in La Junta be this missing medico?
Dianna and Samson butt heads on some things, but when the future of the town is threatened, they are thick as thieves. They join forces to investigate the mysteries of missing cattle and dead cowboys, of broken traces and open threats. Then, when Dianna gets too close to the action—well, you’ll need to read the book to find out about that.
About Dianna's Dilemma
When news arrives in town about a man being arrested and charged with the murder of a missing doctor from Denver—a Michael Swanson. Dianna’s itchy scalp, now stitched by the saddle maker, means she’s onto something. Could Samson Macon and Michael Swanson be the same man? Will he let another be hung without revealing himself? If so, he isn’t the man she thought he was. She telegraphs her office and asks for information on Doctor Michael Swanson. When she receives it, she considers whether to go to the sheriff or to Samson.
Samson must decide whether to admit his past and trust that God will heal his broken heart, or forever carry the real blame for another’s death. Dianna must choose whether to break her promise or save another’s life. Both must determine what’s most important to them.
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If you enjoy the story, I hope you'll check out the other books in the series on Amazon
BIO:
A hybrid author, Donna writes squeaky clean historical and contemporary suspense. She has been published more than 50 times in books; is a member of several writers groups; facilitates a critique group; teaches writing classes; ghostwrites; edits; and judges in writing contests. She loves history and research, traveling extensively for both.
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Check out previous blog posts at History Thru the Ages and All Betts Are Off
Comments
Good luck and God's blessings with it.
PamT
pam@pamelathibodeaux.com