Wendy:  Yes.
 

Barbara:  Where did you get the idea for the story?

Wendy:  I read a touching memoir about the 149th NY Volunteers, a group of young men who fought all the major battles of the American Civil War, and I wondered how those men could possibly get back their lives and a sense of normalcy after surviving such a horrific war.
 

Barbara:  Is any of the story based on your own experience?

Wendy:  No, but the deep longing for love, whether it's the longing for a parent's love or that of another person, is something I think everyone has experienced at one time or another.
 

Barbara: When did you first think of being a writer?

Wendy:  Writing in my journal was no longer enough so about six years ago I joined a local chapter of RWA.  Nine months later I started writing Shades of Honor.  I rewrote this manuscript dozens of times then let it set in a drawer for over a year before rewriting it another dozen times.
 

Barbara: How many manuscripts did you submit before one was accepted?

Wendy: Shades of Honor is the first book I ever wrote and the first book I submitted.
 

Barbara: How do you plan a story? Do you write an outline or write as the story develops in your mind?  Do you begin at the beginning, or start with the ending and work backwards?

Wendy: With Shades of Honor I let the story develop as I wrote, but I ended up doing several major revisions. On the sequel book, Shades of Love, I plotted the story from beginning to end before I began writing.  This helped keep the story on track and I had less revisions to do.
 

Barbara:  How do you go about selecting names for your characters?

Wendy:  When I hear a name I like or think I can use in a book, I make a note of it.  I also use "The Character Naming Source Book" by Sherrilyn Kenyon.  It's a great reference tool.
 

Barbara:  Do you develop a particular affinity to any one character?

Wendy: I love all the characters in my books, including the villains, but I tend to write my stories from the hero's point of view.  I'm intrigued by strong, real-life men who struggle to suppress their deep emotional wounds.
 

Barbara: How much time every day do you devote to writing?

Wendy: Three to four hours on weekdays and six or seven hours a day on weekends.
 

Barbara: What authors have influenced you?

Wendy:  Kathleen Woodiwiss and LaVyrle Spencer.  I loved the adventure in Woodiwiss books, and no one can show two
mis-matched people falling in love like LaVyrle Spencer does.
 

Barbara:  Have events in the world today influenced your writing?

Wendy: Yes.  Life is brief and precious and I want my stories to illuminate our mutual need for compassion and love.
 

Barbara: Has the publication of your book changed your life?

Wendy  Actually, I think it's the other way around.  I changed my life then got my book published.  I took myself and my dreams seriously.  I stayed disciplined and focused, especially during those exhausting rewrites.  I rarely got impatient with myself or my abilities.  Most importantly, I didn't shove my book into the world the minute I finished my first draft.  I studied and read tons of writing books, I entered contests and used the feedback to make my book better, then I approached agents and used their feedback for another rewrite.  Selling my book was simply the next step.  That said, it truly was thrilling to make my first sale and that excitement and energy helped me write my second book.
 

Barbara: Is there another book in the future?  If so, what is the story line?

Wendy: Yes, the sequel book to Shades of Honor is scheduled for release in April 2003.  Shades of Love is the story of the spurned brother from book one and how he learns to trust again and find a love of his own.
 

Barbara: Do you have a web page?

Wendy:   You can find information on me, my books, and articles on writing at www.wendylindstrom.com
 

Barbara:  Where can fans contact you?

Wendy: Email me at wlindstrom2000@yahoo.com or snail mail to Wendy Lindstrom   PO Box 002  Allegany, NY  14706
 

Barbara:  Would comments from your readers influence your future writing?

Wendy:  Absolutely!  I enjoy reader feedback.  I learn something from every comment and each experience I have.

Radford hopes to begin working in the family mill, but his brother, Kyle, who had built up the business in Radford's absence, doesn't want him there.  Instead Kyle places Radford in charge of the livery business, which is owned by his future father-in-law, William Tucker, and being worked by his fiancée, Evelyn.  Radford is unhappy about this but owes William so accepts the position at the livery business, much to Evelyn's unhappiness.

Evelyn finds herself attracted to Radford against her better judgment, but has concerns about his demons.  The attraction is mutual but the two fight against it, not wanting to hurt Kyle or cause discord in the family.

The plot is well developed.  The story moves at a steady pace with excellent character development.  Much thought is given to family loyalties and responsibilities and to the affect of war on an individual.  The author has successfully evoked the spirit of the place and the people of the time.