On Tour with Prism Book Tours
Author Interview
What inspired you to write Paint Me Fearless?
Well, no matter who we are, we all have insecurities. We all have this deep-seated need for acceptance. This yearning for approval. Why do we fall short? Why aren’t we enough?
My idea was to take two women who are both caught in patterns of self-condemnation and to explore their respective journeys. Not only are they from vastly different backgrounds, but they have different coping strategies. Their crutches range from taking diet pills to enabling those they love. They have very little in common, and in fact, hate each other at first sight. So, to keep things lively, of course, they end up being best friends!
This concept intrigued me from the get-go. So many questions. Would they arrive in the same place in their journey as they reached middle age? And if so, how would they respond when lies, rumors, and those dreaded insecurities pit them against one another?
What do you love most about this story?
I love that my characters are flawed. They're imperfect. They make mistakes. But they're redeemable. Like we all are. I loved writing about the evolution of these women, how they responded to challenges, and how they nursed their wounds when they stumbled. I love that they are relatable.
What challenged you about writing it?
Paint Me Fearless is edgy Christian fiction. Sometimes it was hard to see them go down destructive paths, or say things they'd regret, but I felt strongly that they needed to make mistakes in order to find true peace in the end.
Which character do you most relate to and why?
On some level, I related to them all. I related to Desi's sketchy family dynamics. I related to Robin's feelings of not being enough. I related to the town low-life, Wolfheart, who was caught in a cyclic pattern of destruction. I related to Lenny and Dean, the men who loved my protagonists. And of course, I adored their parents.
What do you hope readers will take with them after they’ve read it?
My hope is that Desi and Robin’s journey inspires readers, and that they come away with the strength to overcome the lies the devil tells them about themselves.
I really believe fear, shame, and regret can steal our lives, and my biggest triumph would be for readers to get to the last page and say, “No more!”
What do you enjoy doing when you're not writing?
Easy question. I love to read! And bake. I'm working on a special Shady Gully section for my website featuring Louisiana Cajun recipes!
Well, no matter who we are, we all have insecurities. We all have this deep-seated need for acceptance. This yearning for approval. Why do we fall short? Why aren’t we enough?
My idea was to take two women who are both caught in patterns of self-condemnation and to explore their respective journeys. Not only are they from vastly different backgrounds, but they have different coping strategies. Their crutches range from taking diet pills to enabling those they love. They have very little in common, and in fact, hate each other at first sight. So, to keep things lively, of course, they end up being best friends!
This concept intrigued me from the get-go. So many questions. Would they arrive in the same place in their journey as they reached middle age? And if so, how would they respond when lies, rumors, and those dreaded insecurities pit them against one another?
What do you love most about this story?
I love that my characters are flawed. They're imperfect. They make mistakes. But they're redeemable. Like we all are. I loved writing about the evolution of these women, how they responded to challenges, and how they nursed their wounds when they stumbled. I love that they are relatable.
What challenged you about writing it?
Paint Me Fearless is edgy Christian fiction. Sometimes it was hard to see them go down destructive paths, or say things they'd regret, but I felt strongly that they needed to make mistakes in order to find true peace in the end.
Which character do you most relate to and why?
On some level, I related to them all. I related to Desi's sketchy family dynamics. I related to Robin's feelings of not being enough. I related to the town low-life, Wolfheart, who was caught in a cyclic pattern of destruction. I related to Lenny and Dean, the men who loved my protagonists. And of course, I adored their parents.
What do you hope readers will take with them after they’ve read it?
My hope is that Desi and Robin’s journey inspires readers, and that they come away with the strength to overcome the lies the devil tells them about themselves.
I really believe fear, shame, and regret can steal our lives, and my biggest triumph would be for readers to get to the last page and say, “No more!”
What do you enjoy doing when you're not writing?
Easy question. I love to read! And bake. I'm working on a special Shady Gully section for my website featuring Louisiana Cajun recipes!
Paint Me Fearless
(Shady Gully #1)
By Hallie Lee
Christian Contemporary Fiction
Paperback, ebook & audiobook, 322 Pages
January 6, 2021 by WordCrafts Press
Although their petite appearances are strikingly similar, ROBIN and DESIREE (DESI) have little in common. When Desi moves to the small town of Shady Gully, Louisiana, the unpopular Robin feels diminished by the new girl's notoriety.
But fate has other ideas, and as these two isolated girls are drawn together, a friendship born in high school evolves into a bond that promises to last a lifetime. Even as their paths diverge, and they clumsily marry and plow through raising families of their own, they remain true.
Even as they nurse their respective bruises, and carry their traumas from childhood into their own marriages, they always have each other's backs. Even when a sordid secret from their past emerges to threaten their families, together...they remain a force to be reckoned with.
Until years later, when they're enjoying the prime of their lives, a stunning rumor surfaces that threatens their lifelong connection. The allegation suggests that one has betrayed the other.
Truth? Lie? Does it matter? Sometimes just the hint of betrayal is enough to ruin a lifelong bond.
As their worlds collide, and old insecurities rise to the forefront, the layers of Desi and Robin's legendary friendship begin to unravel.
Just when it seems they've lost everything, the truth brings them full circle...and in their brokenness they come to realize that there is only one true way to fill the emptiness inside, to quiet the lies...and to ultimately become...fearless.
But fate has other ideas, and as these two isolated girls are drawn together, a friendship born in high school evolves into a bond that promises to last a lifetime. Even as their paths diverge, and they clumsily marry and plow through raising families of their own, they remain true.
Even as they nurse their respective bruises, and carry their traumas from childhood into their own marriages, they always have each other's backs. Even when a sordid secret from their past emerges to threaten their families, together...they remain a force to be reckoned with.
Until years later, when they're enjoying the prime of their lives, a stunning rumor surfaces that threatens their lifelong connection. The allegation suggests that one has betrayed the other.
Truth? Lie? Does it matter? Sometimes just the hint of betrayal is enough to ruin a lifelong bond.
As their worlds collide, and old insecurities rise to the forefront, the layers of Desi and Robin's legendary friendship begin to unravel.
Just when it seems they've lost everything, the truth brings them full circle...and in their brokenness they come to realize that there is only one true way to fill the emptiness inside, to quiet the lies...and to ultimately become...fearless.
Praise for the Book
“A standout novel for contemporary women from all walks of life.” –Readers' Favorite
“Novelist explores themes of faith and lies; betrayal and redemption; and the unfathomable value of friendship when everything falls apart.” –Wordcrafts Press
(Affiliate links included.)
Tour Schedule
September 27th:
Uplifting Reads
BookHounds
September 28th:
Rockin' Book Reviews
Remembrancy
September 29th:
Lady Hawkeye
Splashes of Joy
September 30th:
Candrel's Crafts, Cooks, and Characters
#BRVL Book Review Virginia Lee Blog
October 1st:
Heidi Reads...
Wishful Endings
About the Author
Born and raised in Louisiana, most of Hallie Lee’s screenplays and novels are set in the south. Inspired by a landscape rich with cantankerous, salt of the earth folks, Hallie’s characters tend to be dramatic, but kind, and quirky, but smarter than they appear.
A move to the creative community of Santa Fe, New Mexico in 2005 gave her the opportunity to take up screenwriting. As her screenplays were recognized with awards and placements in various contests, she had the opportunity to learn from award winning talents like Kirk Ellis (The John Adams miniseries) and Ronnie Clemmer (A League of Their Own).
But alas, her heart is southern, and when she and her family made another move to Kentucky, it renewed her passion for writing novels. And southern story telling.
Paint Me Fearless is the first in The Shady Gully Series, a series which promises thought provoking, relatable journeys whose cast of characters tend to be ornery, but loveable.
It’s women’s literature. It’s book club fiction. It's faith based. It’s Hallie Lee.
Tour Giveaway
Two audiobooks of Paint Me Fearless by Hallie Lee (US)
Two audiobooks of Paint Me Fearless by Hallie Lee (UK)
Ends October 6, 2021
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