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.
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.
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’.
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.
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.
Blog Readers: Let’s talk…If you could leave for a tropical vacation this week, where would you go and why?
*keyboard photo by Twigy Posts
Ryan and I just got our wedding preview video last night, so the place I really REALLY want to be today is back on Siesta Key beach!!! Warm…sandy…sunny…blissful…why am I in Indiana??
Bekah, sounds like congratulations are in order!!! I just got back from a trip to Indianapolis, and I feel your pain. It was in the single digits the entire time I was there. And it snowed Friday morning before we left. I left the hotel once to go out for dinner. Brrrr!!!
Can’t wait to go back in September for the ACFW conference though. It’s a beautiful location for a conference, with lots of dining within walking distance, a mall, AND a Starbucks. You couldn’t ask for more! 🙂
Claiming Maria looks great, Pam. Very exciting! I know we’re not supposed to dwell on covers, but yours is sure beautiful.
If I were to go on a vacation this week, I’d go to Jamaica on a second honeymoon with hubby. 🙂
You dwell on that cover all you want, Heidi girl! I’m thinking Tyndale’s art department would be thrilled with the response to it. I know I am! 🙂
Ooohh, Jamaica sounds wonderful. I wonder if I could get my cowboy to cut loose for a few days and go somewhere? Hmmmm….must think more on this….
What a delightful interview! Congratulations on your new book, Pam. I’ll have to stop by your blog.
If I were going to a warm, sunny location this week, I’d head for Orlando. I have relatives there I haven’t seen in a few years. I’d also like to go back to The Holyland Experience. My late husband and I visited there back in 2005, and I’ve heard it’s better than ever.
Thank you, Susan. I’m so glad you stopped by.
Orlando sounds like a great spot to be this week, doesn’t it? Actually, it’s warmed up here in MS. It’s 59 degrees outside, so I have no excuse not to get outside for a few minutes. lol
My cowboy, his parents and his sister toured Israel and the surrounding areas in the 70’s. What a life-changing experience. Wouldn’t it be awesome to get to do that again? Hope you get the chance, Susan!
Such a fun interview, Sarah & Pam! I’m a Minnesota girl and just wanted to let Pam know that the best time to see the Northern Lights is in the summer, so no worries about the cold! It’s often in the 80’s and 90’s here in the summer. 🙂 Right now, however, I’d gladly take a getaway to someplace tropical. My husband and I have done a few cruises and we’ve often said we’d like to go back to the Florida Keys, St. Thomas or Aruba. Any of those places would be just fine!
Gabrielle, thanks for the heads up about the Northern Lights! Yay! Now that would be fun to plan a trip to view the Northern Lights. Where is the best place and time to do that?
We’ve talked about cruises, but I just don’t know how I’d corral my cowboy on a boat for 3-7 days. My parents, kids, and nieces rave about their cruises, but so far we just haven’t bit the bullet and tried it. Someday, maybe…
LOL Pam! I see how detailed you are in your answers alone. 🙂 Great interview, ladies! I don’t think I’ve seen the 7 words done quite that way before. lol
I’d want to see those lights!
You like that, don’t ya? The problem is what part of my split personality am I today. I’ll have to get back with you on that.
Hmmm… I think my procrastinator side is showing again…
Hi Pam! Great interview! After slogging in to work through freezing rain, I’d love to be going anywhere warm right now. Hawaii would be perfect!
I have a question about your books – will they ever be released in print?
Love the cover, too! Wishing you many, many sales!
Cheers,
Sue
Susan, freezing rain. I am shuddering just thinking about it. I can do cold, but freezing rain with a bit of wind behind it just about kills me! You poor thing!
Ah, print books. The stuff dreams are made of! 🙂 Yes, Stealing Jake and Claiming Mariah have the potential to become print books, but I have to build a fan base first. And the more people who enjoy the books in digital format, the more chance of going to print. I would love for readers to have a choice, and I hope to see it happen some day…Sooner rather than later! 🙂
As a fellow MS girl, I have to agree with the brrrr cold! I’ve been to the Bahamas, but I’d really love to visit the Cayman islands. 🙂
Whoo-hoo! Another G.R.I.T.S girl, or should that be G.R.I.M. Hmmmm. let’s stick with GRITS! 🙂
Isn’t Sarah’s blog too cute? And I loved her questions…even though I couldn’t make up my mind about how to answer them. Totally my fault, not hers! lol
Ooh, I LOVE that cover!
As for a tropical vacay, I’m going to say somewhere along the Mediterranean coast. Is it warm there this time of year? May not be…and I should probably choose some place that I’ve never been, but I can’t help it. I’ve been dying to go back for too many years.
Melissa, I’m the same way. Once I fall in love with a place, I like going there time and again. Or if I’ve only been once, but have wonderful memories of it, I long to go back.
SARAH, I just LOVE your interviews — so fun!! And, of course, it goes without saying I LOVE Pammy and her writing, so thanks for the fun insight.
PAM … Got hit with EIGHT Rita books to judge (signed up for only 5) and four endorsements just as Claiming Mariah was almost to the top of my FUN TBR list, and now I am ticked because I have to plow through so many books before I get to read what I reallllly want to read, which is YOUR book!! Well, at least I have something to look forward too, right???
Hugs,
Julie
Yes, you do, but I’m going to predict that you have some wonderful Rita books too. Eight does sound like a lot, but we’re going to hope and pray that they are ALL winners and you just plow right through them with no thought to the time invested.
A great book will do that to me every time! 🙂
Loved getting to know you better, Pam! Congratulations on your release!
Sarah, I’d love to return someday to the Virgin Islands. It’s so beautiful there, and I’d relax on the beach, eat some seafood, and read a few books… 🙂
Oooh, Cynthia, the Virgin Islands sounds like a wonderful place to go for a relaxing vacation. Sarah, you DID say you were booking for all of us this weekend, didn’t you???
Great to meet you, Pam! I grew up seeing the northern lights (SO beautiful). But yes, you will have to endure the cold. 🙂 Your book cover is gorgeous.
Sarah, come and visit me! Not a tropical place, but warmer than back home! Miss you!
Melanie, for the northern lights I just might have to brave the cold! I know it would be worth every chillbump! lol
Hi Pam, from NE Georgia! It is cloudy, cool here, but I’m staying….not in mood to travel. Good time to READ! And I can’t wait to read your newest!
Waving at Jackie across the MS/AL line! I had to step out for a bit. My son forgot something and had to run around, and I met him halfway. Then I went to the grocery store. I was not dressed for the occasion and ended up seeing people I knew.
Yikes!
Reminder not to go to the store looking like something the cat dragged in!
It’s great to meet Pam and learn more about her. Thanks, Sarah, for hosting. Looking forward to checking out this book! 🙂
Karen, so glad you stopped by. Sarah is a wonderful hostess. Oh, and I meant to say, I love the burlap background. Sarah, did you know I decorated my Christmas tree with burlap swag and ivory colored gossamer bows made out of chair back ties this year? Leftovers from my son’s wedding. It was gorgeous…the wedding AND my tree!
Hi everyone! Thanks for giving Pam such a warm welcome. Isn’t she the best? Speaking of warm welcomes, all your tropical vacations are making me antsier than ever to seek out warmer weather. I’m battling a head cold, so some toasty sunshine sounds wonderful right now.
Take care, and have fun dreaming of those beaches! 🙂
Same here, Sarah. I’ve got a bit of congestion too, so I’m praying it doesn’t get any worse for any of us. God bless and I so enjoyed my visit with you today.
Terrific interview, Pam. The fun thing about blog interviews is each time I learn something new about my favorite authors.
Tina, darling, I thought you knew everything! lol Thanks for stopping by!