Regina Rodgers has published
her debut novel, The Gamble on Love. I found this inspirational
historical romance delightful. Here is the blurb about it, followed by
an interview.
What could a devil-may-care
riverboat gambler and a widowed Christian horse rancher have in common?
As soon as Evangeline Gentry locks eyes with the rogue Black Jack Brannigan, he tells her she’s beautiful and insults her in the same breath. In spite of his insult, she can’t help the attraction she feels for him.
Jack soon lands in jail in Independence, Missouri. When he discovers his gambling winnings are gone from his saddlebags, he can’t pay his fine. To be released from jail, he must agree to thirty days of community service on Evangeline’s ranch.
For almost a month, Jack and Evangeline argue, take care of two orphaned children, and fall in love despite everything. After regaining his gambling winnings, will Jack decide to pursue his dreams in California, or stay and take the gamble on love?
Interview
1.
When did you decide you wanted to be a writer of
novels?
Probably in about
1995, I’d guess. That was when we got our first home computer. I’ve always loved
to write. Even as a small child, I’d make up songs and sing them to my family
and I used to write poems as a child.
But when I
experienced a craving to read a particular kind of book and couldn’t find what
I was looking for, I wrote it instead.
2.
How did your travels help you become a writer?
Probably my biggest
inspiration was living in Arizona. The Southwest United States has had a strong
influence on me. I absolutely fell in love with the scenery. I loved the
mystique of the distant mesas, the smells of the desert, the Native American culture
and lore.
I’m sure that
subconsciously I’ve soaked up the culture of other places I’ve lived and
traveled to, such as the warm friendly nature of most Southerners I’ve met.
I’ve been very blessed to live in a multitude of places, from Italy to
Monterey, California, to North Carolina – all The Gamble on Lovecourtesy of my husband’s career
in the US Army.
3.
Do you have another career?
No, I’m
retired from my 9-5 job at Social Services. Now my only jobs are writing and
taking care of my family.
4.
How do you find time to write?
It’s not
too difficult now that I’m retired, but sometimes I’ll lock myself up in my
bedroom and let people know I’m busy. I confess, I need to set a real writing
schedule and stick to it faithfully. It takes real discipline.
5.
What is the best time of day for you to write?
When I was
working, I used to do my best writing late at night when my family was asleep
and the house was quiet. Now, I find that early morning works best for me.
6.
How did you become interested in writing about
the nineteenth century West?
I’ve always
loved the old Westerns. Not only books but movies and TV shows. One of my
earliest memories is getting up on Saturday morning and watching Westerns with
my uncle. We watched Roy Rogers, Maverick, and several others. I’ve read all of
Louis L’Amour’s books and a lot of Zane Grey. I’m a huge fan of Tony Hillerman
and his Southwest mysteries too.
7.
What is the name of your new book?
My debut
novel is The Gamble on Love.
8.
What is its genre?
It’s an
Inspirational Historical Romance.
9.
Where is it available?
On Amazon
in both paperback and Kindle.
10.
Who is your publisher?
Winged
Publications.
11.
How did you find your publisher?
I
discovered them through their Taking Flight contest. I’m a member of American Christian
Fiction Writers (ACFW) and the contest was shared through their website.
12.
Is it a stand alone or part of a series?
I am
currently working on the prequel to The Gamble on Love. It tells the love story
of secondary characters, Rusty and Rachel Cunningham. It’s set in Sonora,
Mexico on a huge hacienda. I have plans for three books in this series.
13.
How long did it take you to write it?
Oh, gosh. I
started The Gamble on Love several years ago, but put it aside until about a
year ago. My daughter found the manuscript and wouldn’t let me rest until I
finished it.
14.
When will your next book be published?
I hope to
have it ready to publish by this coming spring or early summer.
15.
What kind of support do you get from friends and
family for your writing?
My family
and friends give me incredible support. You’d think I had written the next Gone
With the Wind.
16.
Besides entertaining…and your book is very
entertaining…what do you want the reader to take away from the experience of
reading it?
I want the reader to come away with a new or renewed faith in
God. I want them to remember that lives can be changed and reinvented when one
trusts in God and puts their faith in Him. I love the message that, “All things
work together for good to them that love
God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” And I always want my
reader to get their Happily Ever After ending and put the book down feeling a
little warmer inside for having read it.
