Donovan's Brides by Pepper Durcholz
Pepper Durcholz is a wife of 60 years, a mother, a grandmother, a great grandmother, and a writer.
This is Author Pepper Durcholz’s writing and publication journey in her own words…
From the second grade on, I was involved in one kind of music lesson or another. I’d planned to be a music major in college, but my father suggested I major in business and minor in music. That way I could support myself if necessary, so I did.
Shortly after that, I met Dale. After two years, he said he wouldn’t marry me until I was out of college. So, being the smart lady and knowing what was more important, I “guit-u-ated,”if you get my meaning.
Sixteen years and four children later, I went back to college as a Music major to become a church choir director. Music is a skill and takes lots of practice. The exams are performed, not written. As the oldest student, including the teacher, in the class, one is very nervous on stage. It doesn’t help when stories keep running through your head when you’re supposed to be impressing the audience.
While talking to a college band friend, Linda Rowe, who was already a multi-published romance writer, I told her about the stories. She said write it down and it’ll go away. I hung up and grabbed for the pen and paper. A few weeks later, I accused her of lying to me. The more I wrote, the more I kept getting. She laughed and said then I was meant to be a writer. I hung up mumbling, “You’re crazy. I’m a singer, not a writer.” But here I am.
As for choosing Historicals, I write what I’m given. I co-authored a cookbook for diabetes and heart patients, and have several books in other categories in the works.
I live in Carrollton, Texas with my husband of sixty years, and three of my four children. Our eight grandchildren and five great grandchildren are scattered all over Texas. It gives us someplace close to visit when we need a short vacation.
Donovan’s Brides Blurb
Millie Watts took enough abuse from her drunken pa and her late husband, so the last thing she wants is another man to slap her around. However, Montana sounds far enough away from Arkansas and her pa to start a new life. She’ll worry later about any potential husband waiting at the trip’s end.
With one look at the painfully thin woman before him, wagonmaster Blake Donovan tells her firmly she can’t go. He’s choosing hefty women for this trip to Montana because those who live through it will be little more than skin and bones by the time they arrive. This one would have nothing left of her. Hell, no self-respecting buzzard would bother picking at her bones. But why isn’t she willing to take no for an answer?
Thank you LoLo for a wonderful spotlight on my mom. Back when she was writing this book, I would help proof read it, but I was a slow reader. She kept making changes to the chapters I had already read and wanted me to reread them. I got frustrated and told her the next time I read her book it would be an actual published book. Well, I’m on chapter 6 and I LOVE it. I am beyond proud that my own mom had such a funny and captivating story to share. I hope everyone loves it as much as I do.
Thank you, Lisa. I always though you kids would be proud of me as a singer. Never for a minute did dream It’d be for writing a novel.
Love,
Mom