Monday, February 20, 2012

Peggy Blann Phifer's "To See the Sun"


Title: TO SEE THE SUN
Cover blurb:  Pregnant and widowed hadn’t been part of her “happily ever after” dream. And now, someone was trying to kill her . . .

Erin Macintyre never expected to be a widow and a new mother in the same year, anymore than she expected mysterious notes, threatening phone calls, and a strange homeless man who seems to know all about her. The thought of raising a child without a father is daunting enough—worse when you have no idea who might want to harm you. Put an old flame into the mix, and her life begins a tailspin into a world she never knew existed.

When P.I. Clay Buchanan, stumbles upon Erin at her husband's gravesite, he’s totally unprepared for her advanced pregnancy. Her venomous reaction at seeing him, however, was predictable. But Clay can’t let her distrust, or his guilt, get in the way—not when he has evidence that proves Erin’s life is in danger.

With few options left, Erin begrudgingly accepts Clay’s help . . . and it just might be her undoing.

1) How did this story come to you?
That’s the right phrase . . . it came to me. I knew I wanted my female lead to be either widowed or divorced, the latter of which was basically anathema to the Christian market. But I was newly divorced and the wounds had not yet scabbed over, let alone heal. I wanted to write it out so I could deal with the pain and feeling of betrayal instead of bottling it all up inside. (It was an unwanted divorce.) Thus began the story that evolved into what is now TO SEE THE SUN.

2) Tell us about the journey to getting this book published.
How much time do you have? LOL Actually, it was a long, tortuous trip with multiple setting and basic plot changes, character personality shifts, etc. And trying to follow all those so-called rules just about did me in, until I realized this was MY story to write, and it was MY assignment to write the story God gave me. After that, the last two years of this journey have been the best ride ever.

3) Tell me three things about yourself that would surprise your readers.
I never went to college, much to my regret. I weighed 98 pounds at age 40 and wore a size 3. I killed a 6-foot pine snake with an axe.

4) What are you working on now and what's next for you?
I’m working on Book 2 of the Desert Faith series, and hoping to get back to a historical romantic suspense that’s collecting dust in the bottom file cabinet drawer.

5) Parting comments?
Write from your heart, not for the market. Chances are that by the time you’ve finished your book the market will have changed.

6) Where can fans find you on the internet?
Website: http://peggyblannphifer.com/
Blog: http://www.whispersinpurple.com/
Facebook.com/pegphifer
Twitter.com/pegphifer

19 comments:

  1. thanks for the interview and chance to win a copy of this book

    ABreading4fun [at] gmail [dot] com

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  2. Good for you -writing from your heart and with things that are tough for the Christian market. I will keep you in prayer. An unwanted divorce is tough - Thanks for being so brave. Heather

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  3. This sounds like a good mystery! I enjoyed your interview but am puzzled by your comment about the Christian market not being open to stories about divorce. What a shame! Many Christians who have experienced the pain of divorce could use some inspiration and encouragement. I would love to read your book.
    workamper2530@yahoo.com

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  4. Divorce is hard, no matter the reason behind it, as is the death of a loved one. Good for you, Peggy for writing from the heart instead of a for a market that may or may not be there when the novel is done. Thanks for the interview and awesome giveaway, Dawn and Peggy.

    mitzi underscore wanham at yahoo dot com

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  5. I remember the feelings I had going through a divorce I didn't want. I kept asking God why because I had taken my vows very seriously. It is during those time we have to be on guard because satan wants to take hold of those emotions and use them. I'm glad something positive came out of yours. I'd love to be entered into this giveaway.

    skstiles612@yahoo.com

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  6. To See the Sun sounds like a good read. I would love to win a copy of it.

    An unwanted divorce is very hard. My husband left me after 25 years of marriage because he found the love of his life. The end of my marriage felt like a death. I was so stunned I couldn't eat or sleep for days. I kept asking myself why? I never did get my answer. I chose to handle myself in a Godly way through it all. My Ex told me I was making it hard on him because I reacted differently than what he expected. I guess he wanted me to rant and rave at him, call him names, etc. That didn't happen. My grief was in private.

    Blessings!
    Judy
    judyjohn2004[at]yahoo[dot]com

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  7. I enjoyed your interview. I am sorry to hear about your divorce. I have been there and done that. It is never pretty. I wrote out my experience in the first book I wrote, it really did help. I know God has something very special in your future. God bless you. I look forward to reading your book and appreciate the chance to win it.
    Glenda Parker
    http://glendaparkerfictionwriter.blogspot.com

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  8. I am amazed about the snake you killed! I would have been screaming if I saw it. It's never too late for college. After I got my degrees, I went to a community college just to learn more about subjects that I never had a chance to. You can still have fun learning about what you want to learn.

    Being widowed or divorced and having a young baby is such a difficult challenge. I want to see how this story turns out. Great story idea!

    CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com

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  9. Thanks for sharing not just your writing journey but a little of your personal journey. I enjoy romantic mystery/suspense novels and would love the chance to win. Thanks so much for the giveaway! And best wishes with your continued career!
    emily_reynolds(at)hotmail(dot)com

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  10. Hi Peggy, I really enjoyed your interview. I was married with 2 children when I found out my husband was having an affair with another woman after almost 23 yrs of marriage. I felt discarded and that something must be wrong with me. After the shock (he wanted divorce) I realized it was not me but him. I had worked so hard to make our marriage work because I believed in my commitment where he did not. It took a while for me to realize we were better off without him and no more walking on egg shells. I have been divorced 26 yrs and am retired now but I never wished harm to either of them as I know the day will come when they will have to answer before God for breaking up 2 families and 4 children.
    I love romance with mystery and can't wait to read your book. Thank you for writing from the heart and not market and congratulations on your first book published. Looking forward to your next book. Thanks for stopping by to chat and share with us.
    Thanks for the opportunity to enter giveaway.

    misskallie2000 at yahoo dot com

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  11. thanks for the chance to read peggy's fabulous novel :)

    karenk
    kmkuka at yahoo dot com

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  12. Dear Peggy, You have such a nice web site, highlighting the color Purple, a favorite color of mine. I was fascinated to learn that the color purple is mentioned 48 times in the KJV Bible & plan to look them all up. Divorce is so difficult on the couple & their families, I'm sorry you had to experience this! My parents divorced when I was very young & at a time when divorce was rare, I don't recall any of fellow students having divorced parents, it was that rare, however it is too commonplace now. I'd love to read your book, it sounds really good. I enjoyed reading your interview. God bless you!
    Dawn
    daisyflower.adams@aol.com

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  13. Correction to above comment from Dawn, Sorry, my correct email is:
    daisyflower.adams@gmail.com

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  14. I would love to read this book....thanks...jackie_tessnair@yahoo.com

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  15. This sounds like a great book, and I really look forward to reading it. It was a good interview, too!

    wpd_2(at)hotmail(dot)com

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  16. This sounds like a very interesting book! Thanks for the chance!

    nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net

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  17. Just recently Peg and I became friends on FB. I had not been familiar with her before and haven't had the pleasure of reading her writings. I just visited her blog and am passionate about purple...so I like her blog addy. Her new book appeals to my reading appetite and I'm hoping to fill that space soon with her story. Thanks for this giveaway and the chance to read a great read.

    Blessings,
    Barb Shelton
    barbjan10 at tx dot rr dot com

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  18. Thank you, K. Dawn, for hosting me this week, and thanks to so many visitors and their lovely comments.

    That snake-killing is quite a story and will probably make it's way onto my blog one of these days soon. Not into my books, though, unless I can work it into my historical romantic suspense.

    Thanks, again. I'll be drawing a winner later this evening, so watch your emails!

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  19. The winner of To See the Sun is:

    JUDY.

    I've got her mailing address and the book will be mailed out tomorrow.

    Congratulations, Judy!

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