Donna Schlacther has some pretty distinct reading habits, which she seems to have developed at an early age. Her tastes have changed a bit, but — like many readers — she’s a creature of habit who tends to return to the her favorites. What are those favorites? Let’s see!

Thank you for chatting with us today! Before we start talking about your books, let’s find out a bit about your reading habits. For example, where did it start? What was your favorite picture book as a child and what did you love about it?
Any book about horses because I loved horses. My second favorite was A Child’s Garden of Verse by Robert Louis Stevenson. I loved the illustrations.

What was the first chapter book you read?
The first chapter book I read was Black Beauty. Again, the horses thing. I really liked the ink drawings at the beginning of each chapter.

Clearly there’s t theme! What was the first book you read that you couldn’t put down? Was it a horse book?
I think the first book I read that I couldn’t put down was an Agatha Christie. I don’t remember which one, but I was hooked. I love mysteries because I have a strong sense of justice, and I want the world set right.

I can relate to that (the sense of justice thing). What if you could visit any fiction place, where would you go?
Because I love cozy mysteries, I’d love to visit Cabot Cove, Maine, home of Jessica Fletcher. Or St. Mary Mead, home of Miss Marple.

Both would be fun! Speaking of fictional places, if you could turn any of your books into a movie, which would you pick? Who would cast as the main characters?
I’d love to see my cozy mystery series (written as Leann Betts) as Hallmark movies. And I think Sigourney Weaver would make a great Carly Turnquist.

If you had to pick a favorite author, who would it be?
My favorite author is Agatha Christie, with Sir Arthur Conan Doyle coming a close second. Again, solving mysteries and setting the world right.

Based on that answer I probably know what you’ll say about this, but which do you prefer: character-drive fiction or plot-driven fiction?
I like plot-driven fiction, because that’s what most mysteries are. Again, setting the world right again is my focus. Characters are just the means to an end – sort of.

Donna lives in Denver with husband Patrick. As a hybrid author, she writes historical suspense under her own name, and contemporary suspense under her alter ego of Leeann Betts, and has been published more than 30 times in novellas and full-length novels. She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers, Writers on the Rock, Sisters In Crime, and Christian Authors Network; facilitates a critique group; and teaches writing classes online and in person. Donna also ghostwrites, edits, and judges in writing contests. She loves history and research, and travels extensively for both. Donna is represented by Terrie Wolf of AKA Literary Management.

Here’s a peek at her newest book, Double Jeopardy:

In 1880, Becky Campbell leaves her wealthy New York lifestyle in search of her father, only to learn he was murdered in the small town of Silver Valley, Colorado. Unable to return to her mother in humiliation and defeat, she determines to fulfill her father’s dream—to make the Double Jeopardy profitable.

Zeke Graumann, a local rancher, is faced with a hard decision regarding his land and his dream. After several years of poor weather and low cattle prices, he will either have to take on a job to help pay his overhead expenses, or sell his land. He hires on with this Easterner for two reasons: he can’t turn his back on a damsel in distress. And he needs the money.

Becky isn’t certain Zeke is all he claims to be, and after a series of accidents at her mine, wonders if he isn’t behind it, trying to get her to sell out so he can take over.

Zeke finds many of Becky’s qualities admirable and fears he’s losing his heart to her charms, but also recognizes she was never cut out to be a rancher’s wife.

Can Becky overcome her mistrust of Zeke, find her father’s killer, and turn her mine into a profitable venture—before her mother arrives in town, thinking she’s coming for her daughter’s wedding? And will Zeke be forced to give up his dream and lose his land in order to win Becky’s heart?

Available at: https://shoplpc.com/double-jeopardy/ , Amazon, and other fine booksellers

Where can people find you online?

www.HiStoryThruTheAges.wordpress.com
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