Hooked From Page One: The First Page & Interview: A FALLACIOUS SEDUCTION by Virginia Barlow

A FALLACIOUS SEDUCTION

by Virginia Barlow

When the train US Marshal Reese Calhan is riding on explodes, he is one of two survivors. Trouble is, the other survivor is the woman who betrayed him years ago. A woman he thought was dead. This time he will not fall prey to her wiles. He’ll see the vixen jailed for her crimes if it kills him.
Recovering from a recent jilting and now a train explosion, Shanna Johnston has no idea why the handsome stranger insists he knows her and calls her by another woman’s name. His heated looks and knowing kisses spark a fire in her she cannot ignore–even as her own mysterious past is closing in.

“A Fallacious Seduction is a fantastic historical western romance I couldn’t put down…Virginia Barlow writes with honesty and shares what life was life for many women on the frontier. The descriptive narration paints a raw picture of the wild west which swept me away. The plot moves at a good pace with plenty of conflicts, misunderstandings and colorful characters. There’s a lot going on in this story but at the heart of it is Shanna and Reese. The romance between these two is classic enemies-to-lovers but with a fun western twist. I thoroughly enjoyed it, especially the ending. If you’re looking for a feisty heroine in the wild west frontier, pick up A Fallacious Seduction. Fans of Cynthia Wright will love this tale. Highly recommend! “-N.N. Light’s Book Heaven

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Chapter 1

Somewhere in Wyoming Territory, July 1870

Shanna Marie Johnston would remember this day forever after, as the day her life exploded. Everything changed. As a rule, her life was bland. She got up, walked to work at Tanner’s Mercantile, walked home, did her chores, and went to bed. Once a year she took a train ride from Pine Bluffs to Omaha for a week to see Mama. That was as exciting as her life got, until today. The day started simple enough. She rose, dressed, and helped Mama get breakfast. She packed her traveling case with the few things she had and joined Mama at the table. While they ate, Shanna broached the subject of staying in Omaha instead of going back to Rock Creek. Shanna didn’t want to be alone anymore. She wanted a family. She wanted to belong. She wanted a sister or a brother, Christmas presents under the tree, Sunday dinners, picnics, walks by the river, and nights in front of the fire playing checkers. She wanted someone to love and to be loved in return. She wanted to be with Mama.

Mama smiled and shook her head. “It’s too dangerous, darling,” she said and rubbed a hand wearily through her thinning dark hair. “I do not dare have you here for more than a few days once a year.

Welcome to the blog! The first page is perhaps one of the most important pages in the whole book. It’s what draws the reader into the story. Why did you choose to begin your book this way?

This is the day Shanna’s life changed forever.

In the course of writing your book, how many times would you say that first page changed and for what reasons?

The first page changed three different times. I started the book with Reese and changed it to Shanna. Then I added Mama to make it more intriguing.

Was there ever a time after the book was published that you wished you had changed something on the first page?

No. I like the first page a lot. It does what I need it to do.

What advice can you give to aspiring authors to stress how important the first page is?

Make sure you give them something to want to turn the page. Give them a mystery or a conundrum. Pique their interest. You will thank yourself later.

Virginia Barlow has a zest for life. She has accomplished many goals including raising a large family. She has been a bookkeeper, a hostess, an EMT-I, a lieutenant in the local fire department, a manager and an author. She likes to knit, crochet, quilt and sew. She is funny, talented and very creative. Virginia looks at life through rose colored glasses and owns it. She is happiest when is at her computer immersed in her current novel. She loves to sip coffee or wine while she contemplates whether to kill off characters in her book or not. Virginia is a good friend and has an endless supply of love for friends and family.