A Conversation with Loree Lough, Author of THE MAN SHE KNEW (By Way of the Lighthouse #1–with a giveaway!)

On Tour with Prism Book Tours.

Welcome, Loree! What 5 things should readers know about you?

1. I love gardening!
2. I love baking!
3. I can identify a whole bunch of animal tracks in the woods!
4. I have a great family!
5. I’d rather ‘be writing’ than just about anything!

Nice list! I love taste-testing home baked goods; just saying… 😉

 

Where did the inspiration for this book come from?

For some reason, I kept hearing stories about how difficult it is for the newly released—men and women—to return to normal lives. From reuniting with family to finding a job, they meet obstacles of every variety. Now, I’m no Pollyanna…I realize some of these people are hardened criminals that will return to their old ways and probably end up right back in prison. But some of them honestly want to leave that life behind, and do everything in their power to start fresh and stay on the right path. So I wrote a story featuring a guy like that, who made a stupid mistake—and paid for it—and wanted little more of life when he left prison bars behind than to prove himself a changed man.

Great idea—fantastic inspiration!

How long have you been writing, and what (or who) inspired you to start?

Years ago, I made a living writing articles for newspapers and magazines. More than 2,500 articles to be precise. I was hired by a local county to write a series of articles that would inform residents which method of solid waste management would be most economical and environmentally friendly. I spent lots of time with the chief engineer of the county, visiting nearby states/counties to see what was and wasn’t working for them, and why. It was determined, based on this scientific research, that filtered incineration would accomplish those goals. So I wrote all eight articles, not knowing that, behind the scenes, the county executive and his board had already sewed up a deal to develop a landfill. When the articles began appearing, they were altered, to make it look as though the research favored this method of disposal. When I saw them, I demanded that my byline be removed from the articles (but not the check!). This wasn’t the first time a publication changed salient facts to appease an advertiser or others. So I had to ask myself…if I was going to participate in writing what amounted to be fiction, why not write a novel? So I did. The result was Pocketful of Love, published in 1994. And although I’ve written a hundred or so articles since, my focus has been novels and novellas, ever since.

Wow—I have to say, that’s the first time I’ve heard that particular motivation! I like it 🙂

What are you working on right now? What can readers look for from you in the next year?

Later this month (June, 2017), my next novel will be released, 50 Hours (based on a screenplay by Kevin O’Neill). After that, the 2^nd and 3^rd books in Harlequin Heartwarming’s “By Way of the Lighthouse” series will be released. I have several irons in the fire, so who knows what’ll happen next!

Sounds great—can’t wait!
What are you currently reading, and what are your thoughts about it so far?

I’m reading Snow Falling on Cedars by David Guterson, and I’m loving it. Such music in his words!

Oooh, yes—I loved that one!
If you had to “sell” your book in a single Tweet, what would you say?

“The Man She Knew: He paid the price and did his time; doesn’t he deserve a second chance?”

Perfect! Thanks so much, Loree!

About the author:

Bestselling author LOREE LOUGH once sang for her supper, performing across the U.S. and Canada. Now and then, she blows the dust from her 6-string to croon a tune or two, but mostly, she writes novels that have earned hundreds of industry and “Readers’ Choice” awards, 4- and 5-star reviews, and 7 book-to-movie options. The Man She Knew, #1 in her “By Way of the Lighthouse” series, her 3rd for Harlequin Heartwarming, is available at Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and Harlequin.com.

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