Heather Blanton

Today we welcome author Heather Blanton. Heather is a former journalist,  an avid researcher and skillfully weaves truth in among fictional story lines. She loves exploring the American West, especially ghost towns and museums. She has walked parts of the Oregon Trail, ridden horses through the Rockies, climbed to the top of Independence Rock, and even held an outlaw's note in her hand. You can learn more about her and her work at https://ladiesindefiance.com/

Heather, welcome to Interviews & Reviews! For those who aren't familiar with your work, can you tell us a little about yourself?

I started writing when I was five. Back in the Dark Ages of television (you know, only 3 channels), I would hate to see my cartoons end so I would pick up a note pad and keep writing. Adventures for Scooby-Doo, Josey & the Pussycats. The first story I remember my mom typing for me was The Funky Phantom.

So writing is in your blood, but what is the hardest thing about writing for you?

Literally, acknowledging in any way, shape, or form that I CAN write. It still knocks me out when I hear from a reader how a book impacted them. I feel like saying, “Are you talking about my book? One I wrote?” God has given me an amazing gift and HIS awesome blessing.

What is your latest book about?

It’s Book 3 in the Defiance series. The soul of the town is hanging in the balance. I send in a preacher, the first one the town has ever had. I also, however, send in a malevolent, greedy madam with a big score to settle. Classic good vs. evil story, but the ending is unexpected. ​

What inspired you to write this book?

I can honestly say I have no idea. There is a hugely heart-wrenching scene at the end of the book and that scene was the first that came to me. I spent the whole time figuring out how to get to it. Gee, I just realized, I guess I wrote A Promise in Defiance backwards. That’s a God-thing.

Is there a message in your book that you want your readers to grasp?

Choices have consequences, but the difference with Christ is you are strong enough to take them…no matter how bad they are. He doesn’t put more on us than we can bear and we don’t go through anything alone.

So which do you enjoy more - reading or writing?

Oh, gee, I could argue that one till the cows come home. I guess the answer depends on how much coffee and writer’s block I have. Most of the time, though, I can’t stop writing. I must love it.

What are your favourite types of movies?

Ha ha, is that a trick question? Uh, Westerns. And Westerns. Seriously, I also enjoy Gothic horror, time travel, romcoms, and did I say Westerns?

When is your next book due out and what can you tell us about it?

I’ve got a couple of things coming out in the fall. Love, Lies, & Typewriters is a romcom set in 1943 Cheyenne, WY. The other story, Ask Me to Marry You – a Male Order Bride Story, is the first in a Western series entitled Brides of Evergreen. Like a Western TV show, but in ebook format, and I will occasionally be bringing in a guest writer to write an “episode.” It sounds like fun, so we’ll find out if there’s a market for it. The story starts with Hang Your Heart on Christmas, which came out last year.

Sounds like you are keeping yourself busy. Thank you for stopping by and letting our readers get to know you. And for those who are wondering, "romcom" means romantic comedy. My favourites! So I will be looking forward to that. To check out more of Heather's books visit https://ladiesindefiance.com/my-novels/