Book Spotlight
WOMAN OF HIS HEART by Jill Odom
BLURB:
After the tragic loss of her benevolent parents, Daunielle Martin struggles to keep her family’s beloved ranch from financial ruin while combating the devious plots of an evil man determined to see her suffer.
After a two year absence, Ryan Vance returns to the only home he’s ever known, finally ready to ask the girl he’d left behind to be his wife. But, his happy homecoming is marred by heartache when he discovers his dearest friends gone and Daunielle brutally beaten and left for dead.
To help her heal, Ryan will do the only things he knows to do- rescue her home from the brink of bankruptcy and love her unconditionally. He can only pray he’s not too late and that his love will be enough to save the Woman of His Heart.
After a two year absence, Ryan Vance returns to the only home he’s ever known, finally ready to ask the girl he’d left behind to be his wife. But, his happy homecoming is marred by heartache when he discovers his dearest friends gone and Daunielle brutally beaten and left for dead.
To help her heal, Ryan will do the only things he knows to do- rescue her home from the brink of bankruptcy and love her unconditionally. He can only pray he’s not too late and that his love will be enough to save the Woman of His Heart.
EXCERPT:
His name on her lips, spoken as though it was a precious term of endearment, warmed his heart. The closeness of her body next to his sent his blood racing. “I am glad you approve,” he whispered as he leaned in close to gently brush his lips across hers. “What about this, Daunielle; do you like it when I kiss you?”
“Umm,” she quietly moaned against his mouth, pleasure thrilled her senses as he gently guided her onto her back.
Ryan absently reached out to brush a stray lock of hair from the side of her face, but instead caught it between his fingers and held it tenderly. That one strand held a multitude of colors ranging from dark gold to pure light.
His eyes studied her lovely features for several long moments. She was truly the most beautifully exquisite woman he’d ever known. Her round, jewel-like eyes were surrounded by long, full lashes. They gently swept the tops of her rosy cheeks when she blinked. On those rare occasions, when she let her guard down, her eyes were full of life and sparkled like the brightest stars on the darkest night.
Her lips, the rich color of ripe peaches, were plump and pouty even when she smiled, and her narrow chin turned up defiantly at its tip. Her slender nose was skewed ever so slightly, most likely from the time she ran into the porch railing when she was eleven, as she tried to escape his and Russell’s tickle tackle. He still felt bad about the pain their carelessness had caused her.
Two tiny, white scars ran the length of one cheekbone, but were so faint that they could only be seen if one knew to look for them. It seemed interesting how the rest of the marks and bruises that marred her face after the attack had healed and left no evidence of ever existing. Ryan often wondered if the scars on her heart would equally heal given enough time.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:As a young adult, Jill fell in love with the heroic figures and thrilling adventures she discovered within the captivating pages of historical romances. Years later, she began writing her own novel as an enjoyable pastime. It was a hobby that evolved into a passion; one she is eager to share with others.
Jill currently resides in her hometown of Sumiton, AL with her husband of twenty years and three teenage daughters. During the day, Jill works outside the home, but at night she slips into fantastic worlds of trials and triumphs, laughter and love where she gets to create her own happily-ever-after.
Please visit JILLODOM.COM for more information about Jill and her upcoming releases.
Author Interview
As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
When I was a kid, I dreamed of becoming many things—a dancer, a rock star… a Dallas Cowboys cheerleader—but a writer was never one of them. I often told stories and created elaborate fantasies to entertain my family and friends, but I tended to shy away from reading and writing.
Is there anything you find particularly challenging about writing?
I’m dyslexic, so reading and writing have always been challenging. But, I don’t let that discourage me. I read a lot—various genres and authors—while paying close attention to style and delivery. I write my stories and try not to get hung up making them “perfect,” until it’s time for editing. Then, I get proofreading help from critique peers.
What advice would you give to writers just starting out?
Read! Read! Read! A formal education is invaluable, but nothing compares with what you can learn from the pages of the novels that move you most.
Write! Write! Write! Get the gist of what you’re trying to say down on paper. Don’t obsess if it’s not worded exactly like you want when you first sit down. You can worry about polishing it up—picking the perfect wording—later.
Tell us about your latest book.
Woman of His Heart is my debut novel. It’s a historical western set in Wyoming, 1869, that focuses on the redemptive powers of love. Through heart-wrenching trials our hero (Ryan Vance) and heroine (Daunielle Martin) discover an amazing truth—accepting love is just as important to emotional healing as offering it.
Do you have anything new in the works and can you tell us a bit about it?
I have several manuscripts in the works and two completed. Embrace the Promise is the newest one. It too focuses on redemption through love and forgiveness. It’s a historical western set in Oklahoma, 1939. It’s currently being considered in a few contests. It placed as 1st runner-up in WritersType.com June 2012 First Chapter contest. I hope to have it ready for publication Dec. 2012.
Do you ever suffer from writer’s block? If so, what do you do about it?
I imagine all writers suffer from “writer’s block” on occasion. When I get stumped, I find it best to step away. Attempting to force a story to go the way I think it should has never worked for me. Sometimes it just takes a few hours of doing something else to clear my head. Other times, when I need more inspiration, I re-read a favorite novel or maybe watch a movie that has a similar plot or setting. If that fails to spark an idea, I sit down and start writing another scene or sometimes work on another book altogether. Eventually, I find what I need to take the story forward, typically in a direction I didn’t anticipate.
Who is your favorite author and why?
Hmmm… this is a hard question. I love many authors for various reasons. I probably read more Nora Roberts than any other (big surprise)—mostly because I love how skillful she is at shifting points-of-view so seamlessly. I’ve read her Circle Trilogy at least fifteen times.
Johanna Lindsey is another favorite (I love her westerns) as well as Victoria Dahl (It’s Always Been You), Gena Showalter (Lords of the Underworld Series), Sherrilyn Kenyon (Dark Hunter Series) and my dear friend, Nancy Hosmer (Angel of Mercy).
Johanna Lindsey is another favorite (I love her westerns) as well as Victoria Dahl (It’s Always Been You), Gena Showalter (Lords of the Underworld Series), Sherrilyn Kenyon (Dark Hunter Series) and my dear friend, Nancy Hosmer (Angel of Mercy).
How did you deal with rejection letters?
No matter the situation, rejection sucks. But, I didn’t let them get me down. After all, though it may have felt like it, they were never personal.
Don’t forget to give us links to your website etc.
jillodom.com
Trailer:
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I absolutely loved Jill Odom’s book…Woman of his Heart. And I can not wait for another book from this fantastic writer. I had not read a romance novel for many years because it seemed that any one I had read was just worded differently. Until I found Jill Odom’s book. Now I’m, trying, patiently waiting on her next book.