It is my privilege to welcome Janet Chester Bly to the blog this week. She’s been with us before. This time, she’s chatting about her new release, Beneath a Camperdown Elm. First off, let’s here a little more about the book.
Reba’s scary stalker is locked up in jail. She finally snatches a rancher fiancé. Her runaway mother returns home. Reba has everything she ever wanted. But Grandma Pearl has disappeared! Is Reba about to lose it all?
Thanks for joining us, Janet. What inspired you to write this book?
While my late husband, award-winning western author Stephen Bly, spun tale after tale over the years, I kept working on a novel idea of my own. Except it kept changing. For one thing, I couldn’t settle on my main female character. Then one day I spotted a couple photos of red-headed, country singer Reba McEntire. In one she had straight hair. In the other, bouffant curls. That’s when the profile of Reba Mae Cahill popped into my mind.
Cowgirl through and through, Reba emerges for Book 1, Wind In The Wires, with her guitar to sing alto solos now and then at her little country church. She also has straight-as-a-stick red hair and hates it. So, I needed a hair stylist that would do magic for her.
Richard James appears at his uncle’s barber shop in the small town of Road’s End, Idaho, in Book 2, Down Squash Blossom Road. He suggests an experiment using his original concoction treatment. Richard promises to convert her faded, sun-drenched thin hair into paprika full waves.
“I’m going to patent it soon,” Richard says. “You’ll be amazed.”
Reba gripped her chair, ready to run.
“It will work. You’ve got the potential wave.”
“No, I don’t. No matter what I do, it’s flat on top. Never can get it to lift. That’s me. I’m used to it.”
“Well, all of that’s about to change. You will be a totally different woman when you walk out of here.” He leaned closer and whispered, “I call it Curly Cue.” He gazed into her eyes. “But no pressure. I wanted you to have this special option.”
“No! I don’t think I’m ready …”
“And it’s free! The whole thing–Curly Cue treatment and haircut. The only thing I ask is, if you like it, tell your friends.” He placed the magazine model in front of her.
With reluctance, Reba glimpsed the model’s shapely henna ringlets.
Reba gives in and becomes a different woman, at least in her own mind. Most important for me, she becomes the character inspired by the photos of before and after Reba Nell McEntire.
Janet Chester Bly lives in the small town of Winchester, Idaho, 4,200 foot elevation, on the Nez Perce Indian Reservation. She authored and co-authored with her husband, Stephen, 40 inspirational fiction and nonfiction books for adults and kids 8-12 years old. Her newest release is Beneath A Camperdown Elm, Book 3, Trails of Reba Cahill Series.
Find out more about Janet and her books at www.BlyBooks.com. Or connect with her here:
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Sounds like a great read! Janet is giving away a print copy (USA only) or an ebook copy of Beneath a Camperdown Elm. Follow the directions below to enter.
Thanks for joining us, Janet!
Nope never get mistaken for a celebrity.
Kim: Me either! 🙂 Thanks for the note. Blessings, Janet
No, I have never been mistaken for a celebrity. This book sounds like a very good read and I love the cover. I enjoyed reading this article . Thank you.
Alicia: Thanks for the compliments! Blessings, Janet
I WISH I could say I was mistaken for a celebrity….maybe Sandy Patti??? I love this series abut Reba Mae…..
Connie Sue: I read somewhere we all have a look-alike running around in the world. Interesting to think about them being someone well-known. Yours might as well be Sandy Patti. Sounds good to me. Blessings, Janet
Sounds like a great book. I have been told that I had a look-alike running around. I was hoping they weren’t getting me in trouble. 😉 But some people have told me that I resembled Courtney Cox the actress but I think that’s pretty far fetched. Thanks for the chance.
Nancy: I think I remember Courtney Cox from the TV series “Friends.” Interesting gal. Thanks for your comment. Blessings, janet
I think Reba Mae Cahill does enough exciting stuff to merit her own movie!
Hey, Brett: Sounds good to me! Blessings, Janet
No one has told me that I look like a celebrity, but I’ve been told that I act like a few.
Dianna: Very interesting! Care to share which ones?