Tag Archives: Historical romance

Meet and Greet is a regular feature on my blog. Be forewarned…Unlike the typical interview, these brief questions will get to the true heart of my guests…or at least the heart of what’s in their kitchen. Grab a latte (or other beverage of your choice), find a comfy chair, and prepare to make a new friend.

I’m thrilled to welcome Pam Hillman as my guest today. I first met Pam through the Seekerville blog and then met her in person at a writing conference. She is as sweet and genuine as they come, and I can’t wait for you all to get to know her here. (She has some really sweet giveaways going on right now too, so keep reading for details.)

Pam Hillman was born and raised on a dairy farm in Mississippi and spent her teenage years perched on the seat of a tractor raking hay. In those days, her daddy couldn’t afford two cab tractors with air conditioning and a radio, so Pam drove the Allis Chalmers 110. Even when her daddy asked her if she wanted to bale hay, she told him she didn’t mind raking. Raking hay doesn’t take much thought so Pam spent her time working on her tan and making up stories in her head. Now, that’s the kind of life every girl should dream of! Claiming Mariah is her second novel. You can connect with Pam via her website www.pamhillman.com.

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Welcome, Pam! Let’s get to the questions…

Opener Question: What seven words best describe you?

Detail-oriented perfectionist vs. frustrated procrastinator…ie. INSANE!

Either/Or Questions:

1) Dogs or Cats?

So this has to be either/or? Sarah, you drive a hard bargain! I’ll have to say cats, although I adore puppies. Both of my published novels have a litter of kittens in them. One wip has puppies.

A tomcat named Yellow plays an important role in Claiming Mariah. The account of Yellow, the half-wild tomcat and his precarious beginnings after being born in the woods, is an almost exact retelling of a cat I befriended several years ago. I had to work for that cat’s trust, just as Mariah earns the trust of both Slade and Yellow in Claiming Mariah.

The entire true-life account of Taming Yellow can be found here: http://calicotrails.blogspot.com/2012/11/taming-yellow.html

2) Fast and furious or Slow and methodical?

Very slow and methodical. I’m a numbers person. I have a degree in computer science and worked for years in an office, wearing many hats from payroll to purchasing. I currently work part-time for ACFW as treasurer. That kind of thing isn’t something you can rush through. I’ll work half the night to balance a set of books. It really is a pain to be so detail-oriented.

3) Eggs and toast or Yogurt and granola?

My taste buds say eggs and toast (can I get bacon with that?), but my analytic brain that’s been inundated with ‘cholesterol is bad for you’ says yogurt and granola. But let’s be daring today! Since I write historicals, I’ll just whip up a batch of homemade biscuits, fry up some eggs and a pound of bacon, and we’ll be in business. Okay?

4) Northern lights or Sunset at the beach?

Thinking again…. To really enjoy the Northern lights would I have to endure freezing cold temps? Just askin’…cause I don’t do cold. I get chill bumps on top of my chill bumps. The Seekers who live in deepfreezes like to tease us Southern gals about being wimps, but I Do. Not. Care.

I am a wimp and proud of it.

So, my final answer: Northern lights if I can enjoy them in 82.5 degree weather. If not, let’s go with the nice warm sunset at the beach. Can you make that happen today, because it’s a bit nippy here in Mississippi?

5) Tennis shoes or Dress shoes?

Uh, sandals? Obviously, the slow and methodical side of me is kicking. Did I mention that I have a hard time making decisions as well? I only wear tennis shoes for walking and exercise, and heels over 2” are completely out of the question these days: I refuse to break my neck in the name of fashion.

Bottom line…Summer: slides. Winter: comfy low heeled boots paired with long broomstick skirts, and lots of layers. Every once in a blue moon I wear a pair of pumps if that makes fashionistas feel better.

6) Indoors or Outdoors?

Here we go again. It depends. Indoors until spring. Then I want to be outdoors, but as soon as the temp climbs into the mid-90s in July, I’m back indoors. Love my AC in the dog-days of summer! Enjoy being outside in the fall, then I hibernate until April or so. Is this normal, or is my wimpy side showing again?

7) Sweet tea or Fresh-squeezed lemonade?

You ask some hard questions that don’t come with a simple answer! lol Have you not ever heard the phrase, “it’s according.” But, let’s see…since I rarely have fresh-squeezed lemonade, and if I knew it was really good, I’d go with the lemonade. Hands down. Lemonade. There. I have made a firm decision on something critically important. Please deliver my lemonade to my deck chair on the warm sunny beach at sunset.

I would like to add that any discerning psychologists among us will tell you that my answers are all perfectly logical given how I answered #2. Just sayin’.

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LOL, Pam, I love it. I promise I didn’t mean to make the questions so hard. But I have to say…All this talk of sandals, beaches, and lemonade has me dreaming of a tropical vacation. It’s frigid here! If I can find a babysitter, I might come knocking with that glass of lemonade.

Thanks so much for being my guest! I loved getting to know you better.

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Claiming Mariah

In light of her father’s death, Mariah Malone sends a letter that will forever alter the lives of her family. When Slade Donovan, strong willed and eager for vengeance, shows up on her front porch, Mariah is not ready to hear his truths: her father’s farm, the only home she’s ever known, was bought with stolen gold. With Slade ready to collect his father’s rightful claim and force Mariah and her family out on the streets, Mariah must turn to God for guidance. Though Mr. Fredrick Cooper, a local landowner, promises to answer her financial woes if she agrees to be his bride, Mariah finds herself drawn instead to the angry young man demanding her home.

With the ranch now under Slade’s careful eye, he will unearth more than he ever imagined as a devious plot of thievery, betrayal and murder threatens more than the well-being of the ranch, endangering the lives of those who hold it dear. With days dwindling until the rest of the Donovan clan arrive to the Lazy M ranch, Mariah and Slade must rise above the resentment of their fathers and see their true feelings before greed alters their futures forever.

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Blog Readers: Let’s talk…If you could leave for a tropical vacation this week, where would you go and why?

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*Pam’s Giveaway Details:

To celebrate the release of Claiming Mariah, Pam is giving away two eReaders (choice of Kindle Wi-Fi, 6″ Display, or Nook Simple Touch) to two winners: One on Facebook. One through Pam’s Newsletter.

Registering both places is not required but will double your chances of winning. Also keep in mind that you will receive updates more often being connected on Facebook than through the newsletter.

Contest runs from January 1st until March 31st, 2013.

And….that’s not all! There will be prizes offered randomly throughout the tour.

This week’s giveaway: Mississippi Made Handcrafted Mango Butter and Goat’s Milk Soap Giveaway sponsored by Magnolias & Sassafras

PREVIOUS STOP ON TOUR January 21st: Blogging with Mary Connealy
NEXT STOP ON TOUR: Two For One! January 30th: Blogging with Morgan Tarpley  January 30th: Blogging with Henry McLaughlin

For a Complete List of Stops Along the Tour: http://pamhillman.blogspot.com/2012/12/2013-blog-tour-dates.html