Carol Award Finalist: Debra Clopton

Today at the Craftie Ladies we complete our salute to our authors who rise to the top and prove that Christian fiction rocks! 

Please join me in welcoming Debra Clopton.

Her novella, 

AN EVER AFTER SUMMER. 

is a finalist for the American Christian Fiction Writers' Carol Award.

What inspired you to write your finaling book?

Actually my agent Natasha Kern wanted me to try my hand at a historical and asked me if I thought I could squeeze a novella into my schedule. I was busy but no way could I pass up an opportunity to collaborate with Mary Connealy, Margaret Brownley and Robin Lee Hatcher so I agreed and was so glad I did. It was a joy from beginning to end. My story was to be set in Summer and all of them were about mail order brides. When I set down to brainstorm ideas I started looking at popular names from the 1870’s and, like happens to me a lot, when I saw the name Melvina and then the name Eldora the magic happened-I instantly saw Melvina Eldora Smith in my mind and the wonderful opening line popped into my head:

A born killer, Melvina Eldora Smith killed three people by the age of one: her mother at birth, her father of a broken heart and her poor, poor uncle Mutt outside a bar with a runaway buggy…

I instantly had to find out who this girl was! I felt for her and saw an unloved child grown up into a spunky young woman who’d unjustly had a lot of horrible things blamed on her all of her life by her bitter aunt. And of course I wanted to see her with a happy ending! 

How does your faith play into your stories?

I live my faith each day in a natural way, it is just a part of me. Like everyone, I struggle sometimes and am always striving to be a better person, to make a difference. It’s an ongoing process. I let my faith play into my stories in the same way, letting my characters walk naturally with their faith too. There is ebb and flow and each story’s faith element is dictated by the book and the character as I’m writing it. I let God lead on that discovery and I pray about it constantly as I write.

What is your favorite part of writing?

I love the creative process-that moment when I’m writing and then something unexpectedly ties together perfectly and beautifully-I call it a God moment-completely orchestrated by Him. I just love that! And with this story started with the opening line coming to me so perfectly and in an instant.

What are you working on now?

I’m working on Counting on a Cowboy book 2 in my new Four of Hearts Romance series coming out from Harper Collins Christian in 2015. Book 1 Betting On Hope comes out Feb 2015. I’m thrilled about the books and hoping my readers love them too. They are about 3 brothers, cowboys, running their family ranch the Four of Hearts Ranch in Wishing Springs, Texas. These are longer books than my Mule Hollow series but have the same feel and a great supporting cast of characters I think my readers will love. I tried very hard to give Wishing Springs that Mule Hollow feeling, but with a twist. 

 

Tell us about your Carol Award finaling book.

Like I said above it’s a sweet story that will have you rooting for this wonderful girl, Melvina Eldora Smith (Ellie). She’s nineteen, lost everyone who ever loved her at birth and decides to become a mail order bride when she reads an ad by a man looking for a mother for his baby-who has also lost her mother at birth. Ellie has a lot of love to give and needs love desperately-as does Mathew the hero. I so enjoyed Ellie’s spirit-she is just so full of expectations and hope. It was my first historical and my version of a Cinderella story. I’m loving that it’s up for this award because it was such a joy to write. It can be bought alone as an ebook or as a collection called a Bride For All Seasons. The 4 novellas in the collection are tied together by a meddling mail order bride magazine editor who takes the letters he receives and edits them, tweaks them to “help” the people find love. The only problem is when the brides reach their destinations things are not as they seemed and it makes for very comical situations!

 Sounds like a fun read.

Thanks for joining us today, Debra. We look forward to cheering you on at the Carols!

Summer Fun! Awards and An August Bride returns to Mule Hollow

Hi Everyone Debra Clopton here!

Like the others who have posted I returned from RWA and have also been busy busy busy!
The conference was wonderful and I saw good friends, editors, my agent and also learned a lot. I also came home with an unexpected award! My historical mail order bride novella AN EVER AFTER SUMMER won the National Readers Choice Award. I was so pleased and completely surprised. It was an honor to win the award. Other winners were Brenda Novak and Jodi Thomas among others who were hoping for the unique Tombstone award. I'll head to ACFW in September where the novella is a finalist in the Carol Award also and I'm just honored to be nominated.

I'm in between Love Inspired books right now  but  I do have a very cute novella out this month  from Zondervan and the Match Makin Posse of Mule Hollow have gone to Corpus Christi to Esther Mae's niece's beach  wedding and they have their sites set on Esther Mae's other niece Kelsey! I really think this is a very good story and all my readers and new readers will enjoy it! RT Mag reviews give it 4 stars.

Order Today



As far as Kelsey Wilcox is concerned, her last cowboy was the last cowboy.

Kelsey Wilcox has had enough of cowboys. After the last one broke her heart, Kelsey traded in her boots for flip-flops, and the open range for a bistro on the beach.  Her life on Corpus Christi’s gorgeous beach might be a little lonely, but at least it’s heartbreak-free. At least until her cousin’s beachside wedding bucks Kelsey right back into the rodeo.

When unlucky-in-love Brent Corbin packed his groomsman’s tux for his friend’s wedding, he brought his boots and belt buckle with him. Brent isn’t exactly looking for love, but when he sees what appears to be a mermaid in distress, he jumps right in to rescue her.

So Kelsey finds herself plucked from the sea—and certain-drowning—by a gorgeous groomsman . . . in soaked cowboy boots. She’s quick to say thanks, but no thanks.

Brent dedicates the weekend to pursuing Kelsey—and Kelsey spends the weekend trying to deny an obvious match. She’s as stubborn as a wild horse, but Brent’s determination may tame her yet.

Until next time live laugh and seek God with all your hearts!!!
Debra Clopton

FEATURED BOOK AND INTERVIEW: Her Unlikely Cowboy by Debra Clopton

A New Life 

Suzie Kent will do anything for her troubled teen son. Even if it means turning to her late husband's best friend for help. Rancher Tucker McDermott is convinced that the fresh air and hard work of Sunrise Ranch will do Abe and Suzie a world of good. But Suzie's not so sure that the man she blames for her husband's death knows best. Soon, spending time with the strong, handsome cowboy revives Suzie's spirits—and her heart. Can they heal their past sorrows and build a future as a family together?

How exciting to have Morgan McDermott the hero from HER UNFORGETTABLE COWBOY written by Debra Clopton a May 2013 release from Love Inspired Romance. Book 1 of her new Cowboys of Sunrise Ranch Series.

1.     Morgan tell me the most interesting thing about you.

I help run Sunrise Ranch, it’s our families 10,000 acre working cattle ranch and also home to 16 foster boys at a time. I love it. The boys keep us on our toes though. 

2.     What do you do for fun? With 16 boys ranging from 7 to 18 we have every kind of fun you can imagine. From seeing who can flip a calf the quickest to crazy fishing tournaments.

3.     What do you put off doing because you dread it? Looking for love…it hasn’t worked out so well for me in the past. I’ve gotten used to being alone. I’ll probably stay single. Getting practically left at the altar twice will do that to a man.

4.     What are you afraid of most in life? Letting someone get close to me again.

5.     What is the most important thing to you? Being a good role model for these boys and carrying on my mother’s legacy (this ranch was her dream before she passed away.)

6.     Do you read books? If so, what is your favorite type of book? I enjoy a good mystery.

7.     If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be? I don’t really know—I guess I’d have a tougher heart if that were possible.

8.     Do you have a pet? If so, what is it and why that pet? My horse. He’s useful and a must have in the ranch business. I love horses and especially love foaling season. The boys hear at the ranch enjoy seeing the new foals running around too.

9.     If you could travel back in time, where would you go and why? I’d go back to the day Jolie handed me her engagement ring and chose her career as a competitive kayaker over life with me on the ranch. I’d try to figure out how to stop her from leaving.

Her Unexpected Cowboy Interview

How exciting to have Rowdy McDermott the hero from HER UNEXPECTED COWBOY written by Debra Clopton a January 2014 release from Love Inspired Romance.

1.     Rowdy, tell me the most interesting thing about you.

I guess what I think is most interesting about me is that I’ve recently became a new man—I made a new commitment to change my life. Be a better man. A responsible man in all aspects of my life. It’s tough—living down a past you regret. But I’m determined to do it and with the Lord’s help and my family’s support I’m going to do it.

2.     What do you do for fun?

Boy would that have been a different ten months ago. These days, I stick close to the family ranch, Sunrise Ranch, and I do my job, I run the cattle business of the ranch. I spend my “fun” time working with all the foster boys on their rodeo skills…and I stay away from all the places I used to go for fun.

3.     What do you put off doing because you dread it?

Taking showers. I hate to take showers. It’s been about a year since my last one—lol okay I’m joking. I take showers. But really, that’s me just being evasive because I really don’t know how to answer that question. I dread a lot of stuff but I don’t know that I put off anything.

4.     What are you afraid of most in life?

That one I can answer. I’m afraid I’ll fail and not become the man of honor that my brothers, Morgan and Tucker and my dad, Randolph, have become. I’ve failed most of my life but now, I’m trying. Trying to become a man my mom would have been proud of if she’d lived.

5.  What is the most important thing to you?

            That. Becoming an honorable man the boys of this ranch can look up to. Not the bad         example I’ve been in the past.

6.     Do you read books? If so, what is your favorite type of book?

I’m a John Grisham fan. Not that I read a lot but for some reason I like the flawed characters he writes. I relate to them—maybe a little too much. But I think I like that they have redeeming qualities.

7.     If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?

My recklessness.

8.     Do you have a pet? If so, what is it and why that pet?

Well, there are the ranch dogs and I have my horse, I’m just a horse man. I know there are folks out there that love their cats but I’ve never been a cat person—but my new neighbor, Lucy Calvert, she has a cat. A big yellow cat that’s eaten a few too many table casseroles if you know what I mean. I have to admit though that I’m not real fond of that nosy cat but I can’t stop thinking about that pretty lady next door...I’m afraid she’s going to fall out of her hayloft again and I’m not going to be there to catch her like I did the other day. She needs a keeper.

9.     If you could travel back in time, where would you go and why?

I’d go back several months ago, when I made the mistake of my life…then again, I guess if I hadn’t made that mistake I wouldn’t have realized how much I needed to change my life…

FEATURED BOOK:HER UNEXPECTED COWBOY BY DEBRA CLOPTON

Falling For The Cowboy 

Rowdy McDermott has a plan. Stay on the straight and narrow, help the foster boys on Sunrise Ranch and forget about love. The last thing he expects is his pretty new neighbor falling literally into his arms. Lucy Calvert is glad the handsome cowboy broke her fall,  but isn't ready for the feelings he's stirring in her heart. She's heard rumors about his past, and is steering clear from the kind of man he used to be. With a little help from his boys,  can Rowdy show her that people— and hearts—can change? 

Cowboys of Sunrise Ranch:  These men have hearts as big as Texas.

Her Unforgettable Cowboy Interview

How exciting to have Morgan McDermott the hero from HER UNFORGETTABLE COWBOY written by Debra Clopton a May 2013 release from Love Inspired Romance. Book 1 of her new Cowboys of Sunrise Ranch Series.

1.     Morgan tell me the most interesting thing about you.

I help run Sunrise Ranch, it’s our families 10,000 acre working cattle ranch and also home to 16 foster boys at a time. I love it. The boys keep us on our toes though. 

2.     What do you do for fun? With 16 boys ranging from 7 to 18 we have every kind of fun you can imagine. From seeing who can flip a calf the quickest to crazy fishing tournaments.

3.     What do you put off doing because you dread it? Looking for love…it hasn’t worked out so well for me in the past. I’ve gotten used to being alone. I’ll probably stay single. Getting practically left at the altar twice will do that to a man.

4.     What are you afraid of most in life? Letting someone get close to me again.

5.     What is the most important thing to you? Being a good role model for these boys and carrying on my mother’s legacy (this ranch was her dream before she passed away.)

6.     Do you read books? If so, what is your favorite type of book? I enjoy a good mystery.

7.     If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be? I don’t really know—I guess I’d have a tougher heart if that were possible.

8.     Do you have a pet? If so, what is it and why that pet? My horse. He’s useful and a must have in the ranch business. I love horses and especially love foaling season. The boys hear at the ranch enjoy seeing the new foals running around too.

9.     If you could travel back in time, where would you go and why? I’d go back to the day Jolie handed me her engagement ring and chose her career as a competitive kayaker over life with me on the ranch. I’d try to figure out how to stop her from leaving.

FEATURED BOOK: Her Unforgettable Cowboy by Debra Clopton

A New Beginning

Everyone in Dew Drop, Texas, is thrilled that Jolie Sheridan has returned to Sunrise Ranch. Everyone except Morgan McDermott. Eight years ago, Jolie left the ranch—and Morgan—for a career as a competitive kayaker. Now after an accident has sidelined her, she's back as a teacher for the ranch's foster boys. Morgan knows he can't risk getting his heart broken again. But watching Jolie's gentle ways with the boys opens his eyes to the truth: he's never stopped loving her. Can a "family" of foster kids help give this couple a second chance at love?

Movie News for Debra Clopton's Book, OPERATION MARRIED BY CHRISTMAS staring LeAnn Rimes

Hi Everyone! Debra Clopton here waving excitedly. It seems like its been forever since I blogged and I have some news that I believe will make readers of my Mule Hollow Series with Love Inspired happy! One of the number one questions I get is how wonderful it would be to see Mule Hollow come to life in a movie--well thanks to some wonderful really cool folks~~ OPERATION: MARRIED BY CHRISTMAS may very well do just that! I found out recently that it has been optioned by VAST Entertainment for an ABC Family movie starring LeAnn Rimes!

Vast Entertainment is excited about it as are all those involved. The wonderful reality is that it has been: Optioned by Vast. Picked up by Orly Adelson. Distributed through ABC. And the lead is Lead: LeAnn Rimes.

So--stay tuned and if you are interested in being in a drawing this month to win a copy of the book go to my website debraclopton.com and leave a comment beneath my post. For a second chance to win a copy leave a comment here on this blog post! I've had a lot of comments about the movie and the number one misconception is that I'm in charge :) not so. Actually, I'm just sitting back in awe that they chose my book for this honor. I can't wait to see who plays all of the roles. It will be fun to see who they come up with for the other fun quirky characters from Mule Hollow--got any thoughts of who could play them :)

Also, excited for my new release of Book 1 of my new series Cowboys of Sunrise Ranch RT Magazine gave it 41/2 stars!!! I hope you'll all be excited to meet my new cast of characters from Dew Drop, Texas I've worked hard to give my readers the fun, homey feeling they loved from Mule Hollow but with a little twist :) check it out http://debraclopton.com/coming-soon/

Have a great Thursday!!! Summer is almost here down in Texas :)

Her Homecoming Cowboy Interview

How exciting to have Colt Holden the hero from HER HOMECOMING COWBOY by Debra Clopton a August 2012 release from Love Inspired Romance .

1.     “Colt tell me the most interesting thing about you,” I asked the well known bull rider. He’s a little cocky looking with a twinkle in his eyes that always drew the ladies and the kids. No so today, it was hard to get this interview. I had to corner him at Sam’s Diner in Mule Hollow, Texas where he’s been hiding out since the horrible accident last month. He’s lost weight and his eyes are dull.

He shrugs his shoulder. “I guess that would be that I love rodeo--riding bulls to be exact,” he says without much emotion. “It’s always been my life, driving from one rodeo to the next, racking up points to be the World Champion…at least that was the most interesting thing, now, since the accident none of that matters anymore.”

2.     I feel bad for him but have to ask the questions that I’m paid to ask him. “Can you tell me what do you do for fun?” Yeah, it was a stupid question and his scowl tells me so.

“Right now,” he said, staring at his cup of coffee for a minute. “I’m just holed up at my cabin trying to figure out my life. I killed a family. I don’t deserve to have fun.”

3.     I was supposed to ask him what he puts off doing because he dreads it, but I just can’t do it so I skip that question.

4.     “What are you afraid of most in life?” I ask him, feeling the pull to this man who is obviously in deep emotional pain.

He lifts troubled eyes to me and my heart clutches. “Living,” he says, flatly. “I don’t deserve it.”

5.     I have no words for a moment, caught up in his pain. Wanting to make things better for him but not knowing how. So I continue my interview. “What is the most important thing to you?”

“Finding a way to make things right. But I can’t see how I can ever do that.”

6.     “Do you read books? If so, what is your favorite type of book?”  I’m hoping he tells me the Bible because I know that’s the book where he can find the peace that I know he needs in his soul. He shakes his head. “Can’t concentrate on them right now.”

7.     I’m pretty sure I know the answer to this question before I ask it. “If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?”

His hand balls into a fist on the table beside his coffee. “I’d change my life. Because if I hadn’t been rodeoing so hard and heavy I wouldn’t have been on that road that night when that drunk came out of nowhere and slammed into my truck and…a family would still be alive if I hadn’t been on the road between rodeos.”

8.     Not exactly the answer I was thinking but somewhat. I skip the next question about if he has a pet and make up my own. “What do you need?” I ask, wanting to know myself.

He takes a long breath, his chest rising then falling. “I don’t really know. I don’t feel like I deserve to need anything. But I guess I need a miracle. I need…God—if He’s listening, to help me find my way. More, I need to find a way to help ease the pain of the family of the ones I killed.”

9.     I pray that God would send him someone, or something that would show this honorable cowboy that he has something to live for. Looking hard at him I ask my last question. “If you could travel back in time, where would you go and why?”

Colt’s sandy eyebrow hikes. “I wouldn’t have been on that road that night. Look,” he says standing up. “I’ve got to go.” He tips his hat and strides from the diner.

I close my notebook and watch as he goes.

Sam, the diner owner ambles up on his short bowlegs and stuffs a fist to his hip.

“At thar boy is in a world of pain. I shor do hope the good Lord steps in soon.”

I nod. “Me too, Sam. Me too.”

Sam fills my coffee cup. “God needs to sends Colt someone to help him laugh again…” the old man straightens and grins. “Yup, that’s it. He needs a reason to smile again. I think I’ll pray on.”

I watch Colt back his truck from the drive out front. His handsome face troubled and know that I’ll be praying for him to smile too. And I wonder…just how is God going to make it happen?