Fleeing the unwanted attentions of unsuitable suitors, Callie Conner takes a job at her Aunt’s hotel for some peace and quiet. What she finds instead is a handsome, and charming stable hand who is not exactly who he seems to be. Courting Miss Callie is the newest novel from critically acclaimed author, Dorothy Clark.
Q: WHAT WERE YOUR GOALS WRITING COURTING MISS CALLIE?
I had two goals in writing Courting Miss Callie. The first goal was to contrast the value of God’s true riches against the riches of the world. The second goal was to continue the stories of four life-long friends, and the early years of a village in the Allegheny Mountain foothills area of Western New York. I began writing about the area in the first book of this Pinewood Wedding series, Wooing the Schoolmarm. It will continue in the third book, Falling for the Teacher, which will release September 2013.
Q: HOW DO YOU CHOOSE WHICH STORY TO WRITE?
I pray and ask the Lord what He would have me write and that becomes my next story.
Q: WHAT ARE SOME EXAMPLES FROM THE STORY WHERE YOU DREW ELEMENTS FROM REAL LIFE?
As I said above, the settings are real, though names are changed. The village looks much the same today. The block of stores and the early homes are still there. Also, the scene where Ezra takes Callie to watch the Senecas dance is based on the information in the personal diary of a young woman who lived in the village during that period.
Q: IN YOUR NEW NOVEL, WHO IS THE CHARACTER IN THIS STORY WHO SURPRISED YOU MOST?
Most of the characters in Courting Miss Callie made an appearance in the first book of the series so I knew the basics of their characters. The hero was a surprise—a very pleasant one. Ezra Ryder stole my heart right along with Callie’s. He’s a real hero in my eyes.
Q: WHAT DO YOU WANT READERS TO TAKE AWAY FROM YOUR BOOK?
I hope they will remember the value of true riches, honesty, integrity, etc. And, of course, I hope they smile and breathe a long, satisfied sigh.