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Valerie Hansen: Writin' and Ropin' and 3 Book Giveaway

10/2/2011

21 Comments

 

This week we welcome Valerie Hansen to Author Memories.

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Valerie Hansen has always loved to write. 
Her basic nature is to enjoy every day to the fullest – and that includes her writing. She’s always loved stories about people who have successfully met and overcome life’s challenges, as has she.  Valerie and her husband now live on an eighty acre farm in northern Arkansas. She loves to hike the rocky, wooded hills behind the picturesque old house they renovated, watch for the wildlife so abundant in the area, and think up new ideas for her many books.
 


Writin' and Ropin'
by Valerie Hansen

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 I can’t remember far enough back in my childhood to recall a time when I didn’t want to be someone who lived and worked in the country. Having a writer’s and storyteller’s mind, it was easy for me to imagine that kind of scenario when I had my picture taken on this pony. Even before we found the old photo I was well aware of the event. I had never seen a real horse before and having a chance to actually touch and ride it, even for such a short time, was a dream come true.

My family lived in a big city in Ohio (don’t tell my current AR neighbors that I was born a Yankee, okay?) and the closest I got to animals in those days was the occasional dog or cat.
 
However, I did have a set of holsters and cap guns that I used to “shoot” anything that moved and a few things that didn’t. I understand that those kinds of working toys are no longer available and it saddens me. I didn’t turn out to be a psychopath ( honest I didn’t) but I did use my mind to create my own world, one in which I rode the open plains with the daring characters of Zane Gray and saved the settlers daily by carrying news to the fort. That is, unless it was my turn to be an Indian, which was fine, too. I had an equal opportunity imagination. Still do, which may be why I actually received letters from American Indians praising my research for some of my historical novels.

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Time passed. My husband retired.  We left California for the “wilds” of Arkansas – and I came into my own.

Not only am I able to live the life I had fantasized about I can also use the Ozarks as the backdrop for many of my Christian novels for Love Inspired. That has been a double blessing.

In NIGHTWATCH, my October Love Inspired Suspense, I begin to feature CASA, “Court Appointed Special Advocates” for children. These are volunteers who speak for the helpless and defend their rights in court. I’m every bit as proud to tell their story as I would be if I had just galloped my pony into town to warn the settlers of a pending attack.
 
There are all kinds of heroes and the folks who work for CASA are high on my list.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Leave a comment by midnight, Oct 9th to be entered to win:
 a copy of Valerie's October release, 
Nightwatch
as well 2 other books of Valerie's choice
 for a prize package of 3 books to one reader/winner.
 
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Nightwatch, Love Inspired Suspense, Oct 2011

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Back of the Book

Fire captain Mitch Andrews can't forget the three young children he saved from a fire. A suspicious fire that left them orphans. In the care of foster mother Jill Kirkpatrick, he knows the little ones will be loved. Even if the sweet, strong widow won't let Mitch close to her. But suddenly the kids—and Jill—are in terrible danger…and one of the children is missing. Mitch and Jill will risk everything to find the stolen girl and keep a makeshift family of five together forever.

Read Excerpt

Visit Valerie at www.ValerieHansen.com
 
Valerie is a member of the www.loveinspiredauthors.com group blog.
 
21 Comments
Valerie Hansen link
10/2/2011 10:19:13 am

I'm thrilled with the way this blog turned out. I'll try to check in daily in case any readers have questions.

Blessings,
Val

Reply
Mary Ann Hayhurst
10/2/2011 10:56:07 am

I love happy endings and it's nice you got to live out the life you always dreamed of. I've enjoyed reading your books in the past, and I would love to win one. Your current book sounds exciting.

Blessings to you,
Mary Ann

Reply
Mary Moore link
10/2/2011 11:15:11 am

What a hoot! (Although the horse looks half asleep...did you ride him hard the whole night through? :)

It's a precious memory and it shows that you really are doing what you love. Thanks for sharing it!

In Him,
Mary

Reply
Lyn Cote link
10/3/2011 02:16:26 am

I love Val. She's a real pistol-packin' Mama! :-)

Reply
Valerie Hansen link
10/3/2011 02:49:37 am

It must have been "Mary" night last night. I know others have visited. Please, if you do, leave your name so you'll be eligible to win the free books! Even if you already own them they make great gifts and I'll autograph them any way you like - well within reason!!!!

Blessings,
Val

Reply
Patt Marr link
10/3/2011 02:55:39 am

Great pair of then-and-now pictures to share, Val. Loved them both. Didn't I read that you received a prized pink pistol for a recent Christmas?

Congrats on the wonderful award-studded writing career!

Patt

Reply
Valerie Hansen link
10/3/2011 04:36:24 am

Yes, Patt, I did get a "Pink Lady" as a gift a couple of Christmases ago. I had actually asked for it instead of jewelry! It's .38 and kicks like a mule because of the short barrel but it's really cute. The pistol in the pic. above belongs to my hubby. It's a .44 and I've only shot it once because I want to prevent injury to MYSELF. The rifling in the barrel actually twisted my wrist. I kid you not!

Blessings,
Val

Reply
Margaret Daley link
10/3/2011 11:50:11 am

Val, you look dangerous as a kid. Love the picture on the pony.

Reply
Sharon Moore
10/6/2011 08:23:43 am

Your memories brought back some of my own childhood memories of ponies and cap guns. "Nightwatch" sounds like a good read.

Reply
Valerie Hansen link
10/6/2011 09:46:57 pm

I've been babysitting a grandbaby - a toddler - for the past few days and I am ready to get back on that horse and ride into the sunset!

Thanks for all the lovely comments.
Val

Reply
julie lippo link
10/8/2011 06:50:31 am

I found you on our book club and I have not had the opportunity to read your books YET.. key word yet!! I love to learn and read about authors that I haven't read. I am super excited to read Nightwatch and would be truly blessed to read your book
and to review it as well.

Thanks for sharing this with us... love the picture of you on your horse!!

Julie Lippo

Reply
Christina link
10/8/2011 08:17:52 am

I love Valerie Hansen historicals, I'll definitely check out this suspense.

Valerie, we've driven through Northern Arkansas a few times this year. It's breathtaking. I had even texted hubs, who had remained home, if we could move.

Reply
Valerie Hansen link
10/8/2011 10:38:21 am


Moving to Arkansas? It's strange. This area felt as if it had been our home all our lives, yet we've only lived here for about fifteen years. I think it's as much a mindset as it is a place. Even growing up in the city I felt I belonged in the country. Guess I do because I've never been happier. And, I've never had this much literary success, either. PTL!
Blessings,
Val

Reply
DebH
10/8/2011 02:15:31 pm

I love reading about your memories and especially enjoy the early pony photo. I'm so glad you have such an active imagination too. All the better for us when reading your books!

thank you so much for sharing.

Reply
Valerie Hansen link
10/9/2011 04:40:33 am


Well, this is the last day for me to be here so if you haven't left a comment to get a chance to win free books, please do.

Thanks to Anita for hosting me. It's been a pleasure.
Val

Reply
Anita Mae
10/9/2011 08:24:58 am

You're welcome, Val. It's been an honor having you share your memory with us. And thank you for the generous book giveaway. We'll be announcing the winner tomorrow.

So readers and lurkers, if you haven't left a comment yet, you have until midnight to do so.

Blessings,

Anita Mae.

Reply
Carol Moncado
10/9/2011 11:49:50 am

Ozarks! Love 'em! Though I'm a bit north of you :D.

Books sound great! Thanks for the chance to win!
Carol

Reply
Cara Putman link
10/9/2011 11:52:25 am

Val, CASA's do such important work for children. I'm so glad you're highlighting them in your new series. Good luck with it!

Reply
Jan Warren
10/9/2011 12:38:05 pm

Love those horses. I know what you mean about wanting a horse as a child. I missed getting a picture on the traveling pony when I was child, but my folks bought me my first horse when I was thirteen. When I married that was the deal. Love me, love my horses. My hubby agreed and we bought out in the country where I could raise horses and a family. Such a blessing. Lots of hard work but worth every bit of it. Thanks for sharing and for offering a chance to win your books.

Reply
Anita Mae
10/9/2011 11:57:02 pm

Jan, I have a photo of me sitting on my 1st horse when I was 11. (Tab over to my Bio page.) However, Val looks adorable on her horse while I look like an unwieldly giant. :o

My parents traded a mini-bike for it on the day before my 11th birthday, so I always considered it mine although I had to share with my siblings. They said it was their's too - until it was time to feed, water and groom it, then it became mine again. :D

Reply
Anita Mae
10/10/2011 12:26:35 am

Using Random.org we've picked a winner for Valerie Hansen's giveaway of Nightwatch as well 2 other books of Val's choice.

And the winner is... Jan Warren!

Congrats, Jan. Val will be contacting you soon about your postal info.

And thanks again to Val and everyone who took the time to leave a comment.

If you'd like another chance to win a book, check out this week's post where Mary Connealy tells about her grandparent's true marriage of convenience story.

Reply



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