Mary Galusha (www.marygalusha.com) is a San Diego romance writer who recently released her first novel, “Sapphire Skies.” Galusha said she wrote “Sapphire Skies” to show the “need to learn to let go of family expectations that can't be satisfied.” That need to let go is shown through the main character Lili, a young woman who has fallen in love with a Mexican-born man. Lili is challenged when she finds herself pitted against an influential person in her small Montana town when she attempts to homestead property for her family.
For this interview, Galusha, a former teacher and high school counselor, described the beginnings of “Sapphire Skies.” Galusha said, “The idea for the book came from my grandparents who raised me. They homesteaded in Montana and often talked about their experiences as we sat around the kitchen table.”
Book description from the author:
Austrian immigrant Lili Kohl wants to get a homestead In Montana for her family to live on when they come to the United States. But, someone in the town of Cedar Creek is using their influence to keep the property from her.
Homesteader Gabriel McCall has put a hold on the property adjoining his, hoping his younger brother will homestead it later, fulfilling a promise Gabriel made to their dying father. Meanwhile, he tries to be helpful to Lili, because he sees her as a greenhorn. After he rescues her from abductors and they stay warm in a cave; their attraction to each other grows.
Then, her parents arrive unexpectedly and her father disapproves of Gabriel, who has finally given up on farming with his brother. Now, Lili fears losing her family's approval by loving Gabriel.
The reason Galusha decided to write this particular book stems from her family history. “I’m originally from Montana where my grandparents homesteaded. So it's only fitting that my first book is a homesteading story.”
Galusha describes herself as an avid reader. “I’ve always read everything I could get my hands on. A few encouraging words from a couple teachers made me dream of being a writer because I've always loved words.”
After starting work on this book, Galusha’s family suffered a tragedy, one that would be devastating to anyone, but especially a writer. “We had a fire and I lost my computer with everything on it and sadly, all my books. So I started again.” Learn more about Mary Galusha on her website at www.marygalusha.com.
In addition to his columns on Examiner.com, Terry Ambrose (terryambrose.com) also writes mysteries and suspense. His latest novel, “License to Lie,” was called “almost sure to satisfy discerning readers of thrillers” by Edgar-Award winning author T. Jefferson Parker.
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