It’s a such a pleasure to have Karen Lopp, author of Effie’s Outlaw, in the Blue Rose Writing Room today!
Welcome Karen!
Do you use a pen name/pseudo name? If so, why. If not, why did you decide to write under your own name?
I do use a pen name because Wilson is a very common name. The most convincing reason was when I walked into a church service that announced my funeral. That was a shocker since I could still see and hear everyone. So I now use Lopp. It is less common even if it sometimes mispronounced.
What’s one thing you absolutely can’t tolerate during your writing? One thing you can’t write without?
I can’t tolerate constant interruptions. I just have to quit until things settle down. As for something I can’t write without? Nothing comes to mind.
Why did you choose to write in this genre? Have you ever written any other genre? Do you plan on doing so in the future?
I simply love all things Old West and romance. So what better choice than Historical Western Romance?? But I do have a completed draft of a Romantic Suspense and two others outlined.
Is there any genre you won’t read? Write? Can you tell us why?
I probably will never write Horror because for some strange reason, I’ve yet to read one that scares me. Or watch a Horror movie kept me up at night. So that would make me a terrible author of the genre.
Oh my gosh, I’m the opposite. What are you most proud of about your writing?
Finishing a book. With so many ideas swirling in my head I had to make myself finish one book before starting another. I jot down a brief outline when an idea emerges, but force myself back to the book I’m working on until it is at least competed.
How do you respond to negative reviews?
I just shrug and go with the saying – If people love or hate your book you have at least stirred up passion.
I love that!
What’s one new thing you’d like to try? Fly an airplane
Do you have a favorite quote? If at first you don’t succeed, try again.
Okay, now for the quickie questions: Answer in three words or less. Ready? Go!
Favorite Disney Character? Sebastian
Favorite Fruit? Strawberry
Favorite Hero? Aragon
Favorite Eye Color? Green
Best Vacation destination? Beach
Food you can’t stand? Pickles
What annoys you? Interruptions
Coffee, tea, or something else? Black Cherry Soda
Nightgown or Jammies? Hubby’s t-shirt
Prefer dogs or cats? Dogs
Effie’s Outlaw Blurb
Boston heiress, Effie Sheridan, takes matters into her own hands when her fortune is being stolen. The last thing she expects is to be kidnapped by a gang of train robbers. Forced to pretend to be an outlaw’s lover to stay alive, she questions her sanity when she is drawn the gruff, yet charming bandit who risks everything to save her.
U.S. Deputy, Alex Marshall is mad enough to spit nails when the beautiful, city-bred girl lands in his arms. Unable to abandon her to the cruelties of the gang, he searches for a way out of the responsibility. But her courage and sweet kisses begin to chip away at the bitterness inside his heart and he must choose between revenge on the gang that slaughtered everyone he loved or redemption for saving a woman he can never have.
A bit about Karen
Steeped in a rich family history, Karen Lopp has always been drawn to the courageous lives of the women who lived through the hardships of the past and triumphed.
A transplant from Oklahoma where she grew up on a farm just one mile away from where her great-grandparents settled in the land run, Karen now lives in the enchanted land of New Mexico and has a running competition with her dad on who can grow the tallest hollyhocks. Books and tales of ancestors were staples in her life and she fell in love with history. Enthralled with the short stories her grandmother wrote and passed down, she took the plunge (with encouragement from hubby and kids) into the world of writing. And is now hooked. Her inspiration comes from research into her family tree and their interesting lives.
A transplant from Oklahoma where she grew up on a farm just one mile away from where her great-grandparents settled in the land run, Karen now lives in the enchanted land of New Mexico and has a running competition with her dad on who can grow the tallest hollyhocks. Books and tales of ancestors were staples in her life and she fell in love with history. Enthralled with the short stories her grandmother wrote and passed down, she took the plunge (with encouragement from hubby and kids) into the world of writing. And is now hooked. Her inspiration comes from research into her family tree and their interesting lives.
Enjoy an excerpt from Effie’s Outlaw
Alex listened to Effie rustle around and stared off into the deepening night. He glanced over to the dark mound snuggled under the blanket and sighed. She needed him to get her free from this awful nightmare, not lust after her. He needed revenge. Both couldn’t be accomplished.
The invisible badge he wore demanded allegiance to the oath of protecting citizens. An oath Alex had taken under false pretenses. He had never intended to protect anyone. He was a failure at it. Three graves in the Strawberry cemetery proved just how inept he was.
Alex closed his eyes against the unwelcome memories. Picking up a twig, he bit down on the soft wood and swallowed the rising pain. Now was not the time to allow himself to grieve. He needed the bottled-up hate to keep going. He had no other motivation to get up each morning.
Now he had to give it all up to rescue Effie. Alex pinched the bridge of his nose. He wasn’t going to get a damn thing in return either. She’d be gone from his life just like his dead family. Never to return, never to hear the sound of their voices, never share a sunset or sunrise with them again.
Alex tossed the shredded stick away and gritted his teeth. All this useless musing only delayed the inevitable. “Get up, Effie. Let’s go see about stealing a horse.”
Contact Karen
BUY LINK:
Thanks again, Karen, for joining me here today.
