Debra Parmley

Welcome Shaunna! Tell us about your latest release. 

I am so excited to be here talking about Dark Days of Promise with you Debra. It is a Inspirational Romantic Suspense set in small town USA (Tooele, Utah). Though Inspirational there is no heavy dishing of any particular religious beliefs and those living in Tooele(pronounced to-el-a) may not even recognize the elements as the author has been absent from the area for many years.

Dark Days of Promise was released September 21^st worldwide.

Thirty-four year old Vicki Laramie must learn to trust before she can love, but she might die trying.

While Vicki’s children grapple with the death of their father -- a man whom she’s successfully fabricated as loving, a lie her rebellious teenager recognizes -- she must find a way to support her family and find a role model for her boys. She never intends to fall for Staff Sergeant Chase, her best friend’s son, who suffers from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). She’d much rather choose a safer man to love, but her children have a voice in the decision she makes. With two deaths to deal with, a suitor after her money, a rebellious son, and Sergeant Chase’s repeated attacks, she can only hope to survive the danger she faces. If she doesn’t, her children will be left without either parent.

What sparked the story idea for this novel?

It started out as a Christmas story but as with many things changed with time. After the first scene that I wrote between Kelly and Victoria (The one I wrote, not the one that they both appear in) I realized that I must learn why Kelly reacted the way he did. I had no idea that the scene would become such a pivotal point in my own life. I went forward with one question in mind. What would make someone behave is such a way?

Which member of your family had the most influence on you as a writer?

I'd have to say one of my sisters (she is given special thanks in the acknowledgments.) I think she has read just about everything that I've written since beginning the journey and that is a labor of love all by itself.

Was there any particular book which captured your imagination as a child and why?

Walter Farley - oh those beautiful horses he painted! Of course readers will recognize the recognition given in Dark Days of Promise, even if they don't care for the character.

For some authors, dreams play a role in creating fiction. Have you ever dreamed a scene or image that later wound up in one of your books?

Actually I have but I couldn't figure out yet just how to get the three main characters: hero, heroine and villain through dinner! So there they sit.

What's next for you on the writing horizon?

I'm currently (between tour and promotion stops) working on a Time-travel Romance. This is a project that my sister read and loved, but publishers didn't so back to the drawing boards. As a teaser…the hero is doubting himself at this point, wondering if he really killed someone. (Oh yeah, he is capable.)

Readers can find Shaunna's book at :

Publisher's link: http://stores.desertbreezepublishing.com/-strse-345/Dark-Days-of-Promise/Detail.bok

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Dark-Days-of-Promise-ebook/dp/B009EHRB7K/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1348250151&sr=8-1&keywords=Dark+Days+of+Promise

Barnes and Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/Dark-Days-of-Promise?keyword=Dark+Days+of+Promise&store=nookstore&iehack=%E2%98%A0

Welcome Jude! Tell us about your latest release.

Nurtured in Purple, my second book in The Chronicles of Chanute Crossing, was released in June, 2012 in eBook by Desert Breeze Publishing. The novel is a mix of women’s fiction with inspirational romance and it takes place a few years after the Vietnam War and the setting is Pickett County, Tennessee in the fictionalized village of Chanute Crossing. Reading book one, Joy Restored, is recommended first to have the best reading experience.

What sparked the story idea for this novel?

Debra, I think it evolved out of who I am. I was actually born in the community of Chanute, in Pickett County, Tennessee and in the 1930s, my mother had written sweet love stories with this same setting. So there is that connection. Plus, our family has had soldiers in every major war since the Revolution, but Vietnam was the first ‘war’ I experienced. I integrate themes of love, war, loss and God’s redemption in my stories.

Do you have any writing rituals or favorite places to write?

We have a ‘great room’ with kitchen, living and dining room all together. My ‘desk’ is one end of the dining room table! While this location is often distracting, I look out the window to cedars, pines, lots of beautiful birds and many other little critters scampering around. My muse thrives among these friends. When I write, I sometimes wear my favorite baseball cap, all covered with various pins. The best is having a steaming cup of strong coffee at the ready.

Which member of your family had the most influence on you as a writer?

Have to say my mama, God rest her soul. It wasn’t that she actively encouraged me for I never wrote books until she was gone, but I think her ability to write all those manuscripts, when she had several small children under foot, is an inspiration to me.

Was there any particular book which captured your imagination as a child and why?

In elementary school, I read a series called Mary Carlson, MD, and was so very impressed with Mary’s integrity and her adventures as she wove her way through medical school in a time when women weren’t usually there to begin with. Hence, I write of strong heroines overcoming challenges. These favorite novels influenced my decision to choose a health care career.

For some authors, dreams play a role in creating fiction. Have you ever dreamed a scene or image that later wound up in one of your books?

Have to say this hasn’t happened to me.

If you could step into any imaginary book world, yours or another authors which book would you choose and why?

Oh, this is hard! I’m organically drawn to stories of the old west and to English medieval times and think it would be staggering to ‘time travel.’ I already know though I would miss all my creature comforts of the 21^st century.

What's next for you on the writing horizon?

Well, I just submitted a stand-alone novel and am waiting, waiting. Smiles. I have a couple of ideas for two nonfiction books. I continue to write, going on my fourth year now, for a magazine focusing on health and spirituality.

Readers can find Jude at:   http://www.judeurbanski.com  and    http://judeurbanski.blogspot.com

Jude's book Nurtured in Purple is available at 

http://www.amazon.com/Chronicles-Chanute-Crossing-Book-ebook/dp/B008AE9T7S/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1344190003&sr=1-1&keywords=nurtured+in+purple

http://stores.desertbreezepublishing.com/-strse-305/Chanuke-Chronicles-Book-Two-cln-/Detail.bok