1. I hear you have a pet in your novel, Mountain Prophecy. Tell us about the book.

Mountain Prophecy is a young-adult story set in the Appalachians in the early 1900s, where teens Dusty and Darla visit their relatives each year. This summer, besides dealing with superstition and clan feuding, they learn two girls have disappeared into an abandoned mine. Two of their cousins’ dogs went into the mine as well. One is a miniature poodle, and the other is a small, shaggy-haired mixed breed. The story has action, adventure, mystery and romance.

Here’s the blurb:

Imagine it’s 1918 and your Appalachian relatives are still feuding with their neighbors, still deeply superstitious and still believe in local folklore. Teen twins, Dusty and Darla, deal with it every summer when they visit from the city. But this year it’s more serious. Hypnotic music comes from an abandoned mine where two young women have disappeared. Yet the mountain families aren’t searching for their missing, believing trolls looking for brides are responsible.

Dusty and Darla aren’t buying the troll theory until Darla falls into a trance and starts into the mine. Dusty stops her and vows to keep her from being the next victim. Darla believes she’s been called by God to help whoever–or whatever–lives in the mine.

Imagine your isolated clan has waited hundreds of years in their mountain cavern for a prophecy to come true. The prophecy says a heavenly being will come to them, marry the prince and lead them to a better life. After catching a glimpse of Darla, Prince Aidan is sure it’s only a matter of time before the prophecy is fulfilled.

Darla is determined to accomplish the mission God has given her, regardless of what Dusty says, but will she be savior or sacrifice?

Amazon ebook

Amazon print book

 

2. Why did you add a pet to Mountain Prophecy?

For animal lovers, your pet is the same as a child. If something happens to it, you’re heartbroken. As a dog lover, I can imagine what it must be like for someone to lose their dog or, in this case, know where the dog is but be afraid to go after it. A pet is relatable.

 

3. Do you have family pets?

Yes. There’s Hardison, a big old tom who is very laid-back. He’s sitting on my rolltop desk in this photo. I love having him here.

Fiona is a Chihuahua/Jack Russell Terrier mix that my

daughter Stephanie got at a no-kill shelter. Fiona is hyper and nervous, but she can be fun even though she won’t cooperate to let us take her picture.

 

4. What other romances have you written?

Lighter Than Air is an adult historic inspirational romance set in 1900 at a country estate near Brighton, England. Justin Ramsay wants to fulfill his grandmother’s death bed wish. Elena Bishop wants to save her home. Only one can reach their goal. Can there be a happy ending for either of them if they insist on doing things their own way, rather than follow God’s plan?

Here’s the blurb:

When Elena Bishop lost her mother at age twelve, her father lost his purpose for living. Now they’ll lose their home unless he can pay his gambling debts by the end of the summer. After praying about it, Elena believes God has given her the idea to have a family camp on the grounds of their estate.

Justin Ramsay, Elena’s neighbor, wants to go to America on a secret mission given to him by his grandmother on her death bed. His older brother believes Justin should join the military but offers him a deal. If Justin can keep Elena and the neighborhood safe until his older brother returns with his American bride, he’ll pay for Justin’s trip to America. If not, Justin will join a regiment in India. Elena might be impulsive and accident-prone, but Justin believes she’s nothing he can’t handle.

Elena and Justin disagree over the family camp, even as an attraction beyond friendship ignites between them. Within the first two weeks of camp, a little boy falls into the cold-water spring and problems continue with threatening letters and vandalism. As more money is needed, Elena goes to Brighton to see a man who gives gas balloon rides. What she finds lands both Justin and her in a situation beyond their control. With the deadline for the debt looming, will their insistence on doing things their way give them both a happy ending or destroy everything they’ve hoped for?

Amazon ebook

 

5. Tell us about your kudos or reviews.

It’s always nice to read that someone enjoyed a story I’ve written. I’ve included a few online reviews of Mountain Prophecy:

“This book is fantastic. Once I got started I couldn’t put it down. I read the whole thing in two days!! Highly recommend for teens and adults.”

“An engrossing tale, Linda Hoover brilliantly blends YA fantasy and Christian literature to create a unique story the whole family will enjoy.”

“I found this book to be an extremely well-written story of teen twins in 1918 Appalachian mountains who have to solve the mystery of the disappearance of two girls while dealing with superstition. The characters are rich! I thoroughly enjoyed this young-adult Christian fantasy and believe it to be a great book for young teens as well as adults. I found many lessons centered around forgiveness, trust and perseverance, just to name a few. I highly recommend!”

 

Readers can learn more about Linda’s books and sign-up for her newsletter on her website. Here is the website link, as well as where you can connect with Linda online:

Website: http://www.LindaHooverBooks.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lindahooverauthor/

Amazon Author page: https://www.amazon.com/Linda-Hoover/e/B01MTBE4NX/ref=ntt_dp_epwbk_0

Thank you, Linda, for visiting my blog!

READER INVITATION: I hope visitors to this pro-pet blog will join in the fun and share photos of their pets! Each month, I’ll randomly pick one of the pet photos to feature on my social media pages and in my reader newsletter. To leave a comment and a photo, click on the word “Reply,” which is just below the social media icons for THIS interview. (Don’t scroll past this interview to the next interview.) Go Pets!