Welcome to an interview with Jamie Adams!
About the Author
Jamie Adams enjoys living deep in the woods of the Ozark Mountains with her husband and children. A Christian, wife, mother, author and an ESL teacher, she spends most of her time writing, reading or learning more about the crafts dear to her heart.
About the Book
Lilly Fletcher’s last duty to her recently deceased employer is to deliver his orphaned grandchildren from Omaha, Nebraska to their uncle on Cold Creek Mountain. The final step of the journey requires securing a guide, which is not an easy task for a governess who prides herself on being independent.
Ex-scout Hayden Dawson has been grieving the tragic loss of his family for several years. When he’s asked to take a fancy governess from the city along with her wards up the mountain, he refuses at first since he has a ranch to run. However, outnumbered, by his foreman and his meddling childhood teacher, he’s coerced out of retirement for one last trip.
When the ride up Cold Creek Mountain doesn’t go as planned, can these two wounded hearts work together to protect the children? Can Lilly find the strength to leave her wards behind or does God have a better path for her future?
Interview
Thanks for joining me today, Jamie. We’re going to start with a little flight of fancy. How would you finish these sentences?
If I were a musical instrument, I would be a…
Piano. I love to listen to piano music. I enjoy typing and type fast. It’s fascinating that my fingers type out the words I’m thinking. I imagine playing the piano is similar but so much more rewarding.
I can vouch for that! Although I have to say, it takes a LOT more practice… 😬
If I could only eat one type of fruit for the rest of my life, I would pick…
Watermelon. It’s a family favorite here. We live near a city that claims they are the watermelon capital of the world. They do grow them big and sweet.
Watermelon just takes like sugary water to me. Lol!
If I could say one thing to my younger self, it would be…
Lighten up, you’re way too sensitive, and don’t stop taking piano lessons.
I hear that last one a lot!
When I was a child, I wanted to be a…
Mommy. My sister was ten years older than me and I loved playing with my niece and nephew when they were babies. I didn’t have children of my own until I was thirty. It was rough waiting so long because I’ve always loved children.
My fourteen-year-old is already starting to say she can’t wait to be a mother!!
My ideal place to read would be…
In a hammock on a private beach.
Nice!
Okay, so let’s get down to business. What sparked the idea for this story?
I wanted to create a story with characters that were very different from one another to see how hard it would be to get opposites to attract.
Could you introduce us to your main characters and give us a few adjectives you think best describe them?
Hayden Dawson is an ex-scout who has returned home to run the family ranch. He’s experienced some tragic events in his life that have left physical and emotional scars. Although he’s a bit rough around the edges he has strong moral values.
Lilly Fletcher is a governess in charge of three orphaned children. Her mission is to deliver them to their uncle. She’s dedicated and caring, but a lonely childhood has left her independent and distant. Her views are based on rules and traditions, but her heart is softened, and her view of life changed by the journey up Cold Creek Mountain.
Lilly is a city girl working as a governess, and Hayden is a scout and a rancher. Which of these characters did you find it easier to identify with and why?
I can identify a little bit with both. Like Hayden I had a great childhood. Otherwise I lean more toward Lilly. Like the governess, I love children and feel more comfortable with them.
If you were a character in this story, what would you have found most challenging?
I would find it very challenging to forego many of today’s modern conveniences such as indoor plumbing, central heating, and air conditioning. As much as I enjoy reading and writing about the era, it would have been very hard to live during that time.
What surprised you about these characters or their story as you wrote?
I knew from the start Hayden had many close friends in town because he grew up in the small community. It wasn’t until near the end of the story that I realized how well loved he was by everyone. He really is the town hero.
Lilly’s character grew and developed the most in the story. I was proud of her ability to meet trouble head on. She realized her flaws and adjusted well to change. She was in a much happier place by the end of the story.
What did you learn from these characters as you wrote their story?
That’s a very thought-provoking question. There is a scene at the end of the book that makes me teary-eyed every time I read it. Hayden and Lilly share what they admire the most about the other. As they listen to their soul mate describe what they consider to be the other’s strength each is surprised to learn this about themselves. I realized other people probably aren’t as critical of me as I am. It is interesting to see how a person views themselves compared to how others view them.
Do you have a favourite scene or an excerpt you would like to share with us?
“I can help you.” It was good to see Timmy’s enthusiasm return. There were a few scratches and bruises from his fall, but his spirit hadn’t been crushed.
“What can you do?” Violet mimicked their older sister’s sarcastic tone.
“I’ll get a job.” He crossed his arms over his chest and shrugged.
“Who would hire a six-year-old?” Prudence smirked, but her brother refused to let them deter him from his plans.
“Mr. Hayden. He can hire me at his ranch,” Timmy insisted with all the confidence of an adult. With his shoulders back and chin raised it was hard not to believe him capable of doing whatever he set his mind on. No wonder she liked him so much. They were a lot alike. So perhaps stubbornness in the right direction or when fighting for the right thing is good. “I know how to ride a horse and go fishing.”
“You’ll have to see my foreman, Roy,” Hayden said. He turned his focus away from the group in the back of the wagon, but not before Lilly spied the dimple which only appeared when he smiled. “Last I knew the bunk house was full.”
“It’s nice you want to help.” Lilly gazed into the child’s eyes. She wanted to persuade him work wasn’t the answer without hurting his feelings. “But you have to finish school before you start working.”
“But I already know how to read and write my name.” Timmy’s squared shoulders didn’t hide the look of disappointment on his face. “What else does a man need to know?”
“You have to know how to do arithmetic and lots of other things.” Violet spoke as one with authority as she tried to convince Timmy he wasn’t ready for a full-time job yet. “Wait till you have to memorize multiplication.”
“I’d rather go fishing.” Timmy huffed. “None of those other things matter.”
Hayden cleared his throat before lifting his chin to face Timmy. “There isn’t much time for fishing when you work on a ranch. Roy will want to know what experience you have.”
“Experience?” Timmy brushed a lock of hair from his eyes. “What’s that?”
“Experience…” Prudence shot a quick glance toward the sky. “… means things you’ve done to make you qualified to do the work of a cowboy.”
“Qual’fied?” Timmy’s voice trembled with aggravation.
“Come on up here, son.” Hayden helped the child over the backrest and pulled him to his side. “You’re going to spend most of your life working. While you’re young, you need to enjoy the freedom of childhood. There’s no need to rush things.”
Timmy raised his face to Hayden. “All right, but can I visit your ranch sometime?”
“Yes.” Hayden tousled Timmy’s hair. “You’re welcome on my ranch anytime you please.”
Lilly tore her gaze from the sight of Hayden comforting Timmy. Her vision blurred as tears welled. The children’s uncertain future broke her heart but wasn’t what brought moisture to her eyes. Timmy had caused Hayden more trouble than the rest of them combined, and yet he didn’t hold it against the child. An ache settled in her chest. What would it be like to know such love?
Thanks for chatting with me today, Jamie!
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