Please Help Me Welcome Dora Hiers!

I'm thrilled to host Dora on my blog this week. For a chance to win to win her book, please leave your email address and a comment.
How long have you known that you were a writer?

Since my son started middle school and didn’t want me hanging out at school with him anymore. LOL. By then, I’d been a stay-at-home mom about three years and had spent most of my time alternating between two schools. My older son graduated, and my younger son moved to middle school. I knew I needed something more to fill my days. An avid reader, God planted a story idea that pinged around in my head for a few months until I finally confessed my desire to write to my husband. With his enthusiastic support, I started pounding out the story.

What is the genre you write in? Would you explain what it is?

Inspirational romantic suspense ~ what I like to call heart racing, God-gracing romance

How do you spend your writing days? Do you set goals to reach a certain number of words per day?

The creative side of my brain functions best in the mornings, so I usually only write until lunchtime. My goal is anything over 1,000 words. Does that happen every day? No, but it does most days. I reserve afternoons for editing, promoting, housecleaning, yard work, catching up on personal errands, and watching my grandkids. Oh, and the best part ~ lunch with my husband!

You recently had a book published. Would you take this time to describe it to us? How and where can readers buy your books?

Sure! I’ll do better…here’s a brief blurb and a tiny taste of JOURNEY’S END!

Devastated after the brutal murder of her husband, Chelsea Hammond vows never to love another lawman. Intent on rebuilding her shattered life, she turns her focus to helping troubled teens. But when an angry father bent on retaliation, threatens her, Chelsea must turn to the one man she never thought to trust: Deputy U.S. Marshal Trey Colten.

Trey wants only to protect Chelsea, but she blames him for her husband’s death. Trey can relate. He blames himself, also. As danger lurks, Trey begs Chelsea to heed his warnings. He let down one Hammond. He won’t let down another—especially one who now holds his heart.

When Chelsea is snatched from her home, can she put aside her fear and trust Trey with her life? Can she forgive him for destroying her past and let him help to rebuild her future?


Where one journey ends, another begins…

And for that tiny taste…

“I suppose I should have been a vet.” Chelsea stroked the dog’s fur from his head all the way down his back, careful not to touch his wounded leg.


“Maybe. But I don’t think you’ve wasted your energy or your talents as a guidance counselor. Teenagers can’t seem to resist you, either.”


That produced a full-fledged smile in his direction. Way to go, Colten!


“Remember that natural charm I warned you about?”


He threw back his head and laughed. “Yes. And after a few days in your presence, I’m inclined to agree with you.”

He pulled into the veterinarian’s parking lot and glanced her way, surprised to see her grinning. “What?”


“Saved by the vet.”


Her words hit him like a piano dropping ten stories. She was flirting with him.


He took his time walking around to her side of the truck. He opened the door and leaned in, planting his hand on the seat next to her shapely legs. His face hovered inches from hers while he savored the way her wavy hair cascaded down her shoulders, the lips that curved in that always graceful way, and the eyes that spoke everything his heart wanted to hear.


Her eyes closed, and her lips parted slightly.


Trey snapped out of it. He couldn’t do this. He was on the job. She didn’t know the secrets he knew, the truth about her husband.


Her eyes startled open. As much as he wanted to partake and enjoy, he couldn’t. He touched a silky curl framing her face and ran it through his fingers. “You need to know that right now I’m working. But there will come a time, soon, when I’m not.”

JOURNEY'S END is available in e-book and print editions. You can find JOURNEY'S END at http://www.whiterosepublishing.com/ ; http://www.amazon.com/ ; and http://www.christianbook.com/

What is the spiritual message in your book? What can readers expect to get from reading it?

Forgiveness ~ it’s never too late.

Do you ever feel like giving up? Most people don’t understand the stress, the work, and the joy of being a writer. How tenuous becoming a writer is. Do you care to share how it feels, what discouraging/encouraging times you’ve gone through?

With each rejection letter, I cried, ranted, and stopped writing. Shelved my baby deep in the closet. But, God wouldn’t let me give up. After a few months, a gentle nudge would prompt me to look at each rejection again with fresh perspective. What did I find? Not a “no!” but constructive criticism to help my writing become stronger, better. So, armed with knowledge and renewed vigor, I’d dig in. So, yeah, I felt like giving up, but I’m so glad I didn’t because the feeling’s ever so sweet when that congratulatory email or phone call comes!

Who’s inspired you the most?

God, first. Psalms 19:14 (NIV) “May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.” In every action I take, every thought that swirls around in my head, every word that comes from my mouth, every word I type ~ I want to glorify my Creator!

Next, my husband. He’s my best friend, my encourager, and my biggest promoter!

Do you mind telling us some of your likes and dislikes? Where would you like to travel if you could?

I love:

• spending time with my family,
• drinking a cup of café con leche in the morning,
• kicking back in my recliner with a good book,
• teaching 2nd graders in Sunday School,
• vacationing in the mountains,
• watching football,
• walking my dog at the park,
• turning the fireplace on for the first time in winter,
• the changing seasons in NC (we never saw this in Florida!), and what else?
• Shopping!

I don’t like traffic. Bad coffee. Or no coffee in the morning. A sad ending to a book. That’s the absolute worst! My books always end with happily-ever-after’s!

My dream destination? The Holy Land. Can you imagine walking where Jesus walked? Talk about standing on holy ground. That thought gives me goosebumps!

Where can we find you?

At my website ~ http://dorahiers.com/
Blog with me at ~ http://dorahiers.blogspot.com/
Email me ~ dora@dorahiers.com

I’ve enjoyed my visit, Carole. Thanks so much for inviting me to hang out with you today.


And thank you so much for being here, Dora!
Readers, if you'd like a copy of Dora's book, leave your comment and email address for a chance.
Blessings!