Donna Schlachter Interview

Q: Let me start with asking you to tell us a little bit about yourself.
A. I live in Denver with husband Patrick. As a hybrid author, I write historical suspense under my own name, and contemporary suspense under my alter ego of Leeann Betts. I’ve been published more than 30 times in novellas and full-length novels. I am a member of American Christian Fiction Writers, Writers on the Rock, Sisters In Crime, and Christian Authors Network; facilitate a critique group; and teach writing classes online and in person. I also ghostwrite, edit, and judge in writing contests. I love history and research, and travel extensively for both. I am represented by Terrie Wolf of AKA Literary Management.

Q: When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?
A. Composition was my favorite course when I was a kid. I’m the one who always wrote 5 pages when the teacher said to write at least one full page.

Q: Could you give us the highlights of your professional writing career including how you got your first writing break?
A.My first writing contract came as the result of a contact made at a writers conference. It was for a devotional book, and I subsequently wrote a second book for the same editor.

My second contract came as the result of partnering with an incredible author, Mary Davis, who invited me into a novella proposal she was putting together.

In between those two, I took the bull by the horns and independently published a cozy mystery series.

I like to think that the combination of all three gave me the street creds for a traditionally published, full length novel contract.

Q: Would you tell us about your current book release Double Jeopardy?
A: Set in 1880, Becky Campbell leaves her wealthy New York lifestyle in search of her father, only to learn he was murdered in the small town of Silver Valley, Colorado. Unable to return to her mother in humiliation and defeat, she determines to fulfill her father’s dream—to make the Double Jeopardy profitable.

Zeke Graumann, a local rancher, is faced with a hard decision regarding his land and his dream. After several years of poor weather and low cattle prices, he will either have to take on a job to help pay his overhead expenses, or sell his land. He hires on with this Easterner for two reasons: he can’t turn his back on a damsel in distress. And he needs the money.

Becky isn’t certain Zeke is all he claims to be, and after a series of accidents at her mine, wonders if he isn’t behind it, trying to get her to sell out so he can take over.

Zeke finds many of Becky’s qualities admirable and fears he’s losing his heart to her charms, but also recognizes she was never cut out to be a rancher’s wife.

Can Becky overcome her mistrust of Zeke, find her father’s killer, and turn her mine into a profitable venture—before her mother arrives in town, thinking she’s coming for her daughter’s wedding? And will Zeke be forced to give up his dream and lose his land in order to win Becky’s heart?

Double Jeopardy is available at https://shoplpc.com/double-jeopardy/ , Amazon, and fine booksellers in your area.

Q: Where did you get your inspiration for Double Jeopardy?
A: I was approached by an editor at Smitten Publishing who was looking for a western historical romance, and so like any writer today, I came up with an idea. My inspiration came from the fact that I had a great story, and a publisher was interested in it.

Q: What is the main thing you hope readers remember from this story?
A: That we are never alone when we have God in our lives.

Q: What inspires you to write?
A. I have all these stories tumbling around in my head, and hiding in folders and binders, just waiting to be told. These characters are alive to me, and I won’t let them down.

Q: Would you share with us what you are working on now?
A. I am editing an historical mystery to get it ready to send to my agent.

Q: When you’re not writing what do you like to do?
A. I read, binge watch crime drama on TV, and oil paint.