Simply put: Beth Vogt is one of my favorite people around the author world. She’s also the only person who has guested here at Tag(g)lines three times. And I didn’t even have to bribe her!
Beth’s sophomore novel, Catch a Falling Star, came out this month and it’s a not-to-be-missed story, folks. The characters are heart-tugging, the plot is so well-paced and above all, I love the question at the center of her story: What do you do when life just doesn’t go as planned? Who can’t relate to that, right?
And…because I happen to have an extra copy of Beth’s book, we’re going to do a giveaway today! Leave a comment below to enter. You’ve got til next Tuesday at 5 p.m.-ish to enter at which time I’ll use a handy random number generator to determine the winner. Happy commenting!
1) First, a serious question: Catch a Falling Star is such a wonderful book–fun, romantic and thought-provoking at the same time. Can you give us a peek at what sparked this story?
I like to write “real life” fiction – novels that are based on real life events or struggles or questions. The catalyst for Catch a Falling Star was a conversation that I had with a good friend who was in her mid-forties. She has a truly satisfying life in so many ways – and yet, some of her dreams haven’t come true. Our conversation stayed with me for weeks. My friend is no different from me or you or anyone else in the world: We all have to face the reality that life doesn’t go according to our plans. Not all our hopes are fulfilled.
2) Okay, of course I have to ask about this: In the story there’s a dog named Sully. As one who grew up watching Dr. Quinn Medicine Woman–and who had the requisite crush on hatchet-throwing Sully–did TV Sully inspire dog Sully?
Absolutely! My heroine, Kendall Haynes, is a family physician in solo practice in Colorado Springs, CO. And, as she explains in Catch a Falling Star: Every female doctor needs a Sully!
3) Jeeps! You’ve got two Jeep people in Catch a Falling Star. Did research and writing about Jeeps turn you into a Jeep person?
A lot of people in my family are Jeep people – not that anyone owns one yet. But they know what kind they want, right down to the model, year and color! And yes, I now better understand the allure of Jeeps. But after talking to my Jeep expert, Doug, I also learned that Jeeps are temper-mental and they do break down. I’m not a car mechanic, so I’m not certain I’m the best person to own a Jeep.
4) This has become my favorite question lately–let’s say Catch a Falling Star has a soundtrack. What are a few songs that immediately make the list?
Great question! I’ve always listened to music while I write. I also like to listen the music that my hero and heroine like – music for imaginary characters, you might say. So, the soundtrack for Catch a Falling Star would include:
Stand by Rascal Flatts
Just a Kiss by Lady Antebellum
The Broken Road by Rascal Flatts
One Day You Will by Lady Antebellum
5) What are your writing must-haves? (You know mine: Diet Coke with Lime, Coffee, flannel pajama pants… 🙂 )
Must haves: The Book Buddy (the work-text by author Susie May Warren that helps me map out my novel); author Rachel Hauck on speed-dial; yoga pants and a comfortable top; ice tea or hot tea (depending on the season); Pandora, so I can switch between my favorite stations; Jelly Belly jelly beans (they are gluten-free), which I keep in the bottom, left-hand drawer of my desk.
6) Can you give us a hint about what you’re working on now?
By the time this interview is posted, I will have submitted novel #3, which is titled Somebody Like You. There’s a lot I love about this contemporary romance, but one intriguing element is that it involves identical twin brothers. That was a fun aspect of the story to write because I’m a twin – I have a fraternal twin sister (meaning: We don’t look alike at all! Growing up, we had a difficult time convincing people we were sisters, much less twins.)
*****
Beth Vogt is a nonfiction author and editor who said she’d never write fiction. She’s the wife of an air force physician who said she’d never marry a doctor—or anyone in the military. She’s a mom of four who said she’d never have kids. She’s discovered that God’s best often waits behind the doors marked “Never.”
Thanks, Beth! Readers, don’t forget to leave a comment for a chance to win a copy of Catch a Falling Star. Did you watch Dr. Quinn? Did you think Sully was cool? And on a more serious note, when’s a time in your experience when life didn’t go as planned?
(I’ll start out…I totally didn’t plan on finding a brown banana in my purse this morning. GROSS!)
Comments 34
Great interview Melissa. I’d love to read this one Beth. I haven’t read your work before. But I’d say you hooked me with a heroine who is a female physician–largely because my heroine is also, and I’m a Family Nurse Practitioner who grew up watching Dr. Quinn. LOVED Sully, and think I’m so blessed to be married to a Sully-man whose dream vehicle is a Jeep.
Unplanned life?
I never wanted to be an ICU nurse, but I was one for 15 yrs. I said I’d NEVER go back to school, but I did. A car accident with an injury that rearranged my thinking and changed how I do things.
Oh fun that your main character has the same profession, Anne. I’m sure being an ICU nurse comes in handy in writing that. 🙂
I love the cover and have had this one on my reading list! Loved Dr. Quinn 🙂 Pandora is a must for me too. I never thought I’d be a blogger… funny how that works.
I’m similar, Lisa…never really planned to blog. And now I love it.
Hi, Anne! I’m so intrigued by your comment: That your heroine is a female physician … and that you’re and FNP … and that you like Dr. Quinn.
We need to talk!
I do hope you are all recovered from that car accident!
The other side of Melissa’s story (on the video): When Melissa read her scene, I thought: “Oh, wow! I want to steal her scene and claim it as a mine.”
Really. I did.
Yes, Melissa and I are each other’s fans!!! I have her book pre-ordered and will be buying more than one copy to share with family and friends!
And, Melissa, I will come back and visit your blog any time!!! 🙂
You’re sweet, Beth! I LOVE your books and I’m so grateful we met back at that retreat. 🙂
Beth and Melissa in one place?!?! Two of my favorite people in the author world. 🙂 Beth, my husband is a Jeep man. We currently own our third Jeep. The first was an old 1980’s blue Jeep Wrangler. The second was an early 90’s red Jeep Wrangler and now the third is a 1997 Red Jeep Wrangler. He sold the other two and put money in all chrome accessories, a lift kit and a stereo. It’s his favorite vehicle and he plans to keep it until he’s too old to drive. 🙂
Gabe — one of my favorite people!
Ya know, your husband just may enjoy Catch a Falling Star. 🙂
Okay, soooo…what’s a lift kit? 🙂
Love Beth’s writing and her characters have a depth in them that just draw you in. I have a mini-jeep story. As I walked up the sidewalk to church Sunday night a jeep rounded the corner and pulled in to parking slot. Right between 2 other jeeps. It looked so funny. I have Catch a Falling Star on my Kindle, and need a hard copy, so I hope I win it!
Pat: Did you get a photo of that Kodak Moment?
I didn’t! Rats.
Funny story, Pat!
Aw, neat! This was way fun, Beth and Melissa.
I promise I am going to read these books, they sound like terrific reads and for sure. (Love those contemporary romances!) Exited for this giveaway opportunity – thanks Melissa. 🙂
To be honest, I didn’t really watch ‘Dr. Quinn’ growing up. I mean, I did like it okay… it wasn’t something that was on my viewing “list” though.
Oooh! Love that music list, too. Gotta’ love Lady A for sure – and ‘Just a Kiss’? *swoon* Such a beautiful song.
Yes – life has sometimes surprised me. As difficult as it was at the time (it was during my first time away from home plus I was a teen), I hope as an adult I’ll look back on it as a learning experience.
Rissi (What a fun name!): Hoorah for another Lady A fan! I also love “Hello World” and “I Run to You.”
Haha, it’s okay that you didn’t watch Dr. Quinn all that regularly, Rissi. It wasn’t exactly the most, uh, quality television. And yet, I loved it…
Hi, Beth! Hi, Melissa!
Our daughter is a huuuge Lady Antebellum fan. (Huge!) And when I was a teenager, I always wanted a Jeep. Alas, I never got one, and now I think I’d like a fire engine red Mustang. 🙂
Yes, loved Dr. Quinn! I always watch the reruns on the GMC channel. Great writing and creative storylines (…and Sully was a nice distraction, too. ;))
Okay, let’s hear it for Sully!! Whoo Hoo!!
You gotta love a brooding guy with long hair and hatchet throwing abilities…
Sounds like a great book! 🙂 my parents drove a jeep when I was a kid… It was red and we loved driving in it in the summer with the top off! I also remember watching Dr Quinn and loving it because even then I loved history and medicine… I went to school and became a nurse… Lol too much school for becoming a doctor 🙂
I have a friend who’s a doctor, Lisa…oh. my. so many years of school! 🙂
Hi, Lisa: Brava for accomplishing nursing school. As a physician, my husband respects nurses!
Hi, ladies! Two of my faves in one place. 🙂
I totally watched Dr. Quinn, but I have trouble remembering a lot of what happened. Maybe you can refresh me when we’re together, Melissa! 😉
LOL, ummm…a lot of the same stuff happened from episode to episode. The townspeople ’cause a ruckus, Dr. Quinn solves everyone’s problems, Sully looks contemplative and throws a hatchet… 🙂
Great interview! I simply adore Beth Vogt!!! And knowing her the way I do, this book can be nothing but fabulous! At the top of my TBR pile! Big hugs Beth!!
I adore Beth too!!
I’m a female doctor- and I don’t think I have a Sully in any way, shape or form. I mean, I have a great boyfriend- but he is really not very Sully-like at all. Maybe I could name a plant????
HA, you should get a dog or something, Laura, and name him Sully…I mean, a plant works, but that’s not really good company…??
I used to watch Dr. Quinn years ago and probably did have a crush on Sully.
I read Beth’s first book and loved it so am looking forward to reading Catch a Falling Star. I think it’s great that the main characters in this book are in their thirties rather than teens or twenties as in so many books. I was in my early thirties when I married, so perhaps that’s why I enjoy older heroines. As for when life didn’t go as planned: I certainly never planned on being divorced but I’m thankful for God’s redemption and grace through it.
Thanks for this chance to win Beth’s new book.
pmk56[at]sbcglobal[dot]net
I like the older characters, too…it’s actually quite a bit more realistic to life today, too!
I love your 5pm-ish, Melissa. You both are just two lovely ladies! Such a fun interview and I love the title for the next book. Catch a Falling Star arrived today and I am so very excited!
Haha, yeah, can’t get too committal on the actual time, I guess. 🙂 I LOVE the title for Beth’s next book too!
I guess technically I was a little young to watch Dr. Quinn, but my friend and I would watch it & think we were getting away with something, haha. 🙂
On the serious note, I said that I would never marry a man I met in college. I would never be with a man in the military, police force or anything of that nature. I did all of the above! My husband is in the police force, was deployed to Iraq twice and I met him in college! Oh, how I love God’s sense of humor 😉
Thank you for the chance to win!
Beth
bharbin07[at]gmail[dot]com