Monday, November 9, 2009

Introducing Patti Lacy with An Irishwoman's Tale & Giveaway

Posted by: Eileen Astels Watson

I'm excited to introduce one of my talented and oh so helpful critique partners, Patti Lacy, with her debut novel An Irishwoman's Tale. For a picturesque look and bold feel of Ireland, you'll not want to miss this novel. Please read on to learn a little about Patti's writing journey of An Irishwoman's Tale and a chance to win a copy of her debut novel.



An Irishwoman's Tale Back Cover Blurb:
“Ye can’t mean it,” Mam screamed. “Not now. She’s all o’ a bloody five.”
“The little eejit. Get ’er out.”
A fist crashed to the table. Cups and saucers and cigarettes flew. Tea splattered onto the wall, onto the front of Killian’s shirt.
“Ye swine.” Mam was in Killian’s face. “For the sake o’ St. Patrick, she’s my flesh and blood.”
“She’s got to go.”

Mary Freeman’s earliest memory has haunted her since childhood: An old oaken table, bitter faces guzzling tea, a heated argument about what’s to be done with the “little eejit”—her. Now she is far removed from this family that didn’t want her, and separated from her native Ireland. Living in the United States Heartland, Mary searches out fulfilling roles—entrepreneur, wife, Christian, mother, community servant—but her loneliness and torment remain as acute as ever.

A crisis in her youngest daughter’s life—and the encouragement of Sally, a plucky Southern transplant—propels Mary back to the rocky cliffs of her home in County Clare, Ireland. Her harrowing journey unveils her tragic past and forces her face-to-face with God.

Click here for Amazon Purchasing Link.

And, on with the interview:

1) Patti, what influenced you to write a story partially based in Ireland?

Aye, have ye seen the thousand shades o’ green in those hills? Sniffed the breeze perfumed wi’ turf fires? Been “right for a chat” wi’ the most loveable people in God’s world?

RIGHT, but…WRONG! An Irishwoman’s Tale examines the first memories of Mary, a spunky redhead given away by her mother. Since my novel was based on a true story, I just HAD to get Mary to chaperon me back to her first home, the rugged cliffs o’ County Clare. There God gave us the most remarkable ending for an already poignant tale.

2) What research was involved in preparing to write the scenes set in Ireland?

Oh, I scanned library stacks, Googled Irish literature till my eyes blurred at anything green. Favorites? Angela’s Ashes. The Vintage Book of Irish Contemporary Fiction. God Made Little Green Apples

On a lark, I phoned Tourism Ireland and found wanna-be writers and bored students disguised as customer service agents manning the TOLL-FREE phone number. Did I hit the jackpot or what? They shared their grandmothers’ stories and patiently spelled out great Gaelic dialogue!

It didn’t hurt to have two Irish friends who now live in Normal as close as e-mail!

When we went to Ireland, Mary drove—on the “wrong”side of the road, of course! While we dodged potholes and oohed and aahed over ancient crumbling castles, I pried her story from trembling lips —and let the tiny tape recorder sitting in my lap do its job! The camera came in handy, if you believe that lie that a picture is worth a thousand words!!

3) This was your first book, was there a “best” part to writing this story? Before, during, or after publication.

Ooh, it’s nearly impossible to separate three incidents from God’s river of mercies!
Before publication—Passion surged through me as writing romanced this 54-year-old. Definitely a March-December thing here! And I fell hard!

During publication—Working with a professional editor is truly blissful! Talk about growing your craft! Kregel’s editors truly made it fun by adding pertinent little comments, happy faces…an occasional sad face, too!

After publication—Taking a case of books with the cover photo of the Cliffs of Moher to my Mary. The tidal wave of supporters at my first local book signing. My first fan snail mail letter! Oh. I need to stop…now!


4) What do you hope your readers take away from reading An Irishwoman’s Tale?

The image of our lives as a kaleidoscope image that God, the master artist, has pieced together to form a unique and beautiful work of art. The mandate by our Christ to forgive others. The truth of Romans 8:28: Through ALL things, God can work for good in the lives of those who love Him, who call on His name.

5) What advice do you have for authors who wish to write stories set outside their native land or a place they are not well familiar with?

Immerse yourself in the culture. I’ve called an embassy in D.C., university foreign language departments, visited Google Web and Google Images for specific native customs and mores. So many knowledgeable people are lurking out there, just waiting to provide that link that you need to write a sock-’em in the gut chapter!

6) What can we look forward to seeing on the bookstore shelves in the future by you? Any release dates?

Lord willing, I hope to soon make an announcement on my third novel, which takes the reader from 1940s New Orleans to the Midwestern states of Minnesota and Illinois to Bangkok, Thailand. Whew! My current WIP is set in Boston, Massachusetts, Fort Worth, Texas, and an east coast Chinese village. Yep, Lord willing, I will spend part of April in China. Send me yuan!!!!!
Thanks so much for your time, dear writer friends!
Adios! Au revoir! Aloha! Slan! (Irish) Donadagohvi (Cherokee) khodaa haafez (Persian), Ja mata ne (Japanese), Auf Wiedersehen (German), Addio (Italian) Shalom (Hebrew), Farvel (Danish), Paalam (Filipino), Zai Jian (Mandarin), Namaste (Hindi), Do zobaczenia (Polish).

Thank you, Patti, for taking the time to share this with us! Readers, if you'd like to learn more about Patti, I featured an interview with her last week regarding her second novel, What the Bayou Saw, on my personal blog, and of course you can visit Patti at her website, http://www.pattilacy.com/ as well. She loves visitors.

Book Giveaway: If you would like to be entered into the drawing for a copy of Patti Lacy's An Irishwoman's Tale, please leave a comment with a way to contact you, either through an augmented email addy, or a link to your blog. The drawing will take place and be posted on Sunday, November 22, 2009.



"Void where prohibited; the odds of winning depend on the number of entrants. Entering the giveaway is considered a confirmation of eligibility on behalf of the enterer in accord with these rules and any pertaining local/federal/international laws."

Author of this post: Eileen Astels Watson lives in a small village in Ontario, Canada with her husband and three daughters, and a zoo of well-loved pets. She writes Contemporary Christian Romance Novels, not yet published, but all in God's timing she prays. You can learn more about Eileen's writing journey on her personal blog, A Christian Romance Writer's Journey.

Update: Wanda is the winner of Patti's book. This giveaway is now closed. May God bless you all!

27 comments:

  1. I am all for reading this book, what sounds like a great novel!! Please enter me...

    Thanks for the great interview, ladies!!
    Bina
    www.binaspace.blogspot.com

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  2. Great interview Eileen! I have this book and am looking forward to reading it.

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  3. Bina, thanks for visiting! Jessica, you get that visa stamped and head on over to the land o' a thousand greens!

    PLEASE FORGIVE ME! I forgot to mention in my interview that your own precious GRACE BRIDGES took a hiatus from her vacation in her homeland and zigzagged Ireland to video the Cliffs O' Moher and an Irish cottage just for me!!!!!!

    PLEASE check out the book trailer at www.pattilacy.com. My finicky videographer was blown away by Grace's talents!!!!

    Patti

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  4. I also forgot to mention a free book by TOM DAVIS, one of ICFW blogspot's own, at my blog, http://inkwellinspirations.blogspot.com/2009/11/vulture-and-childwhats-christian-to-do.html.

    Tom has opened windows that hide stench and abuse and violence. May the Fresh Wind of God blow into such situations.

    Patti

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  5. This sounds like a great book. I would love to read it.

    seriousreader at live dot com

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  6. I'd love to read this book. Enter me, please!

    Patti, I think it's hilarious and cool and so like God that the 800 Tourism Ireland line was manned by people who were so able to help you.

    valerie [at] valeriecomer [dot] com

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  7. Linda, thanks!
    Valerie, love that hilarity in your "voice"!
    Thanks for checkin' in!

    Patti

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  8. Please enter my name in your draw. Thanks. wandanamgreb(at)gmail(dot)com

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  9. This was a great book! I am so pleased I was able to meet Patti in person a couple of years back, and look forward to the next time we can sit and chat! Can't wait for the next book, Patti!

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  10. Wanda, thanks for the visit!
    Cathy, good to hear from you! I can't wait for the next book, either!!!! (LOL)

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  11. Eileen, great interview! Patti, I'd love to read your book (please enter me in the drawing). Thanks for sharing your research tips :-)

    narelle [at] narelleatkins [dot] com

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  12. Narelle, nice to meet you! Hope the 800 number technique works!
    Patti

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  13. To have been given away is so hard for a child. And the fact it's based on a true story makes it even harder. But after seeing how some children are dealt with, this is by far the better way.
    Please enter me. Thanks.
    desertrose5173 at gmail dot com

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  14. Always love hearing anything about Patti. Her books are truly amazing, just like her! Thanks for the great interview, Eileen!

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  15. Patti asks, "Aye, have ye seen the thousand shades o’ green in those hills?" Yes, I have, and they are beautiful. I loved Ireland! Great setting for a story.

    Good interview Eileen. I'd enjoy reading this book.

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  16. Lee, if it weren't for your sharp eyes, my writing would suffer!

    Carmen, there's so much discussion out there about adoption, and it all fascinates me, since my two brothers were adopted!

    Warren, ye picked up a bit o' the brogue now, did ye? Can't wait to get back to those mysticall West Coast cliffs.

    Patti

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  17. An Irishwoman's Tale sounds wonderful.Please enter me in the giveaway.augustlily06(at)aim(dot)com.Thank you.

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  18. Ah, the beautiful Cliffs of Moher ... I spent many a time taking visitors there during the 18 months I lived in Ireland - and made sure I only had one hair raising experience walking along the cliff edge.
    Love the reference to the little eejit - how familiar that sounds, although the Irish I knew had far more choice words to add before the little eejit.
    Looks like a fascinating book that I could curl up in front of a peat fire with (that is if I was still living in Ireland). Here in sunny South Africa, I'll have to laze out in the sun, catch some rays, and close my eyes and think of Ireland.
    Thanks for a great post. A few more goodbyes to add to your list ... Totsiens (Afrikaans), Sala kahle / Hamba kahle / Salani kahle / Hambani kahle / Usale kahle Uhambe kahle(Zulu - depending on how many people you're saying) farewell to). I'll skip our other 9 official languages.

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  19. Emma, thanks! Marion, you sound like a soulmate! You are so right about the word eejit and its connotations!

    Hmmm, I can feel the warmth of that turf fire RIGHT NOW.

    Thanks for some new ways to say "bye."
    Patti

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  20. Sounds like a great book. I would really enjoy reading it. Please enter me. Thanks!

    ayancey(at)dishmail(dot)net

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  21. A Yancey,
    Thanks for stopping by! I've heard wonderful things about Harry Kraus' books as well AND I KNOW Scared by Tom Davis is a wonderful read. Y'all, check it out!!

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  22. Great interview. I have read What the Bayou Saw it was terrific. Please enter me in this contest. Thanks
    tarenn98[at]yahoo[dot]com

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  23. Ooooh! This book sounds awesome!
    I'd love to own a copy.

    Thanks for the great interview.

    My blog:
    www.emergencymetaphortechnician.blogspot.com

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  24. April, thanks ever so much for putting up with Sally! BTW, you'll have a chance to hear more drawl...and brogue in An Irishwoman's Tale!

    Reesha, LOVE the blog name and am gonna hop right over!

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  25. Patti:
    One of my favorite PBS shows years ago was an Irish show, Ballykissangel.

    cll4him(at)sbcglobal.net

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  26. Congratulations to Wanda! She won Patti's book. This giveaway is now closed.

    Thanks to all who entered and may the Lord bless you all richly with International Christian Fiction and more.

    Blessings,

    Eileen

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  27. Hello, Quiet Spirit! I see your...quiet spirit popping up quite a few places.

    Thanks, Wanda! Hope you enjoy my debut novel.

    Patti

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