INTERVIEW WITH REGINA RODGERS, AUTHOR OF THE GAMBLE ON LOVE

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.