When Love Inspires: Kristen's story

When Love Inspires: Kristen's story

Does Prince Charming exist?

Hallmark will tell you he does. He’s handsome, well-mannered, and romantic. He dresses really well, usually has plenty of money, and likely a college degree alongside his picketed-fence upbringing.

I grew up aspiring for this type of Prince Charming to become my husband. The kind who would play soft music and cook me a surprise fancy dinner every so often. A man who would buy me flowers every anniversary and Valentine’s Day, but then also “just because” while upgrading my diamond to diamonds—plural. The type of husband who would find a way to kiss me under the mistletoe and hold my hand in public.

Now, I love me some Hallmark Prince Charmings. The channel is on constantly during Christmastime, and each movie provides exactly what it intended—warm fuzzies.

But my Prince Charming looks very different than those I see on TV.

My husband and I started dating five weeks after I turned eighteen. It was the summer after I graduated high school. We were babies! We’ve been married over fifteen years now, and this summer will mark twenty years together. But he’s never bought me flowers. He’s never cooked me a meal and lit candles for ambiance. He’s never surprised me with a super fancy date night out on the town.

Even still, he’s the love of my life and each day with him only gets better. He’s practical, so he spoils me rotten with things like a new Mac computer for work “just because,” or thermal underwear to wear around the house ‘cause I’d told him I was cold (yes, this has really happened a few times in our twenty years). He works a very strenuous and physical job outside in the elements so we can live a beautiful life that allows me to stay home writing (which doesn’t pay the bills). He takes pride in building us a fire, inside or out, to keep us warm and cozy. He has an alpha-wolf personality but will still do anything I ask of him. He’s a protector at heart and devoted to our kids which means coaching their sporting activities whenever possible. He’s a Jesus-follower, and most know this about him very quickly by the way he lives his life.

So, while he may not be romantic according to the world, he is to me. And when I think about what inspires me to write sweet love stories, I believe my husband is why. I want my readers to see everyday men in my heroes—men they could come in contact with. Like my husband, the characters in my stories are flawed and most don’t adhere to the typical romance-style we watch on Hallmark. They are real men. They are rough and tough sometimes. They are practical, but also generous. They are doting but hold tight to their masculinity while doing so. They are handsome, but not always put together in the perfect suit or trendy model-worthy outfit.

They are the Prince Charmings of reality. They may not be typical, according to most romantic movies on Hallmark, but they’re absolutely worthy. They’re the ones we, women, encounter in everyday life. These men, those like my husband, are the ones who inspire me to write about love. They’re real Prince Charmings waiting to snatch you up as their princess.

~*~
Author Bio:

Kristen holds a Master's degree in Theological Studies and served as a Children's Ministry Director for five years. 

She cherishes her Southern roots and currently lives forty-five minutes outside of Atlanta, GA. 

With the support of her husband and two children, she stays at home writing Christian fiction, allowing God to take the story where He needs it to go. 

Kristen blogs for Wholly Loved ministries at WhollyLoved.com and Crosswalk.com. She also loves serving her local church on their women's leadership and teaching team.

~*~
Blurb for Kristen's book, Morning Star:

Addie McHenry, restoration home builder extraordinaire, catches her big break when the House to Home network contracts her to film a reality TV show focusing on how she brings homes back to life. She sets her sights on one of the oldest on Moanna’s beach and has to risk everything just to get it. 

Shane Armstrong moved from Savannah to his grandmother’s Moanna oceanside house when his world shattered five months before. He went on leave from his job as a Coast Guard helicopter rescue swimmer, hopeful his grandmother’s peaceful street will help him heal. The reality TV show’s arrival threatens this serenity.

But the construction and camera crews are nothing compared to Addie herself. She’s tough as nails, challenging, and superbly bossy as she works to get her way. But she’s also kind, hardworking, and has a relationship with God Shane can’t begin to understand.

With each encounter, Shane’s walls start to crumble as Addie brings more than just the historical home back to life, but him as well. Addie tries desperately not to enjoy spending time with the irritable and scowling boy from next door. He hides his heartache well, but she sees it there behind his prickly exterior. Soon she begins to uncover the sacrificial hero underneath the façade.

With both of them only temporary residents on Moanna Island, their thin ice relationship crashes to a halt. Can Shane return to his risky job with the Coast Guard? Does he even want to? And can Addie let him go and follow her dreams even when tragedy strikes?

~*~
Connect with Kristen:
Website: https://www.kristenterrette.com
Amazon Author page: https://amzn.to/2RLmJ2t
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authorkristenterrette
Twitter: https://twitter.com/kterrette
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kterrette/

~*~
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Falling for Books: Kristen's book

Interview with Kristen Terrette about her book, Morning Star:

Alexis: Congratulations on the soon release of your new contemporary romance story, Morning Star! Why did you write this story and how did you decide on the title?

Kristen: These characters—Shane and Addie—have been brewing for a while.

Helicopter rescue swimmers have fascinated me since I saw The Guardian with Ashton Kutcher years ago. I loved their bravery and figured they must have an addiction to adrenaline just to do that job, so I loved exploring what that job meant for Shane. And with Addie, I knew I wanted to restore an old Moanna Island home. So, the thought of her arriving on the scene and then a boy next door appears and is a distraction was a fun take on an old storyline. And the Moanna Island series has recurring families and the intertwining of their lives, so Shane and Addie fit seamlessly into the mix of the other two Moanna love stories.

The title was an early-on choice for me that I talked my publisher into after a little petitioning. The Bible refers to Jesus three times as the Morning Star, which of course reminds me of a sunrise. Both Shane and Addie are early risers (unlike me!) and so the sunrise is extremely important to them. In the story, there’s a special sunrise where Addie points out the significance of the Morning Star to Shane, who has turned away from God. It seemed fitting to name the story after such an extraordinary moment. And because of it glorifies our Savior.

Alexis: Morning Star is book three in your Moanna Island series. Will there be a book after this one? Why or why not?

Kristen: I do have at least one other Moanna story taking shape in my head, but I haven’t started writing it, so I’m not sure. We’ll see!

Alexis: The heroine of your story Morning Star is Addie McHenry. What is she like? Describe her looks, personality and heart of restoring homes.

Kristen: Addie has an alpha personality. A first-born, bossy and goal-driven woman in a man’s world. She even wears a tool belt well! Her auburn hair only reinforces the stereotype of feisty redheads. But her pretty green eyes soften her tough exterior and Shane sees that instantly. She grew up helping her dad renovate homes and it became “her thing.”

Alexis: How does Addie feel when she catches her big break when the House to Home Network contracts her to film a reality TV show focusing on how she brings homes back to life? Why is this a dream come true for Addie?

Kristen: Addie is excited, but hesitant. Her younger sister submitted an application to the uber popular House to Home Network telling about Addie’s success at bringing old homes from dilapidated to showcases. So, she was shocked when the network chose her but knows this could propel her company to a level not many achieve. She has a strong faith and tries to follow God’s path carefully, so she’s sure He’s brought her to this place but unsure of cameras and publicity. Plus, the home is on Moanna’s beachfront, a new area for her, so there’s a lot of unknowns. 

Alexis: What does Addie have to risk in order to restore one of the oldest homes on Moanna’s beach?

Kristen: Addie risks her life-savings in order to purchase the house. When the restoration is complete, if the home doesn’t sell quickly, there’s a big chance she won’t have the money to pay the mortgage. The cost of the project is very tight as well. She has no room for mistakes.

Alexis: Shane Armstrong is the hero of your story, Morning Star. What is he like? Describe his looks, personality and heart for his family.

Kristen: Shane is a Paul Walker lookalike who jumps into stormy oceans to save lives for a living. He’s in the United States Coast Guard, so there’s a soldier-style to him. His walk is more like a march, he keeps his light hair short and he’s in extremely good shape physically. But he’s not completely comfortable in social situations and puts his foot in his mouth quite a few times! His relationship with his mom and grandmother is terrific, but he and his dad can’t seem to find common ground.

Alexis: What happened to Shane that shattered his world? How did he survive?

Kristen: I don’t want to give it away, but he’s suffered a great loss and because of it may now lose his career as well.

Alexis: Why does Shane think that his grandmother’s place will help him heal and in what ways does he think that a reality TV show will threaten his serenity?

Kristen: He spent summers at his grandmother’s Moanna beach house. They have the cutest relationship! He knows the island is quiet, especially in early spring. He needs to get away from the city and the memories he’s trying to forget.

Alexis: Addie is known for being “tough as nails, challenging and superbly bossy.” Does her getting to know Shane change any of that? Why or why not?

Kristen: Shane doesn’t change her bossy nature, in fact, he may bring it out more! They both have dominant personalities so, in a way, they drive each other crazy. Though even their teasing becomes something endearing, and I love seeing them flirt through their joking and joshing.

Alexis: How does Addie’s relationship with God affect her relationship with Shane?

Kristen: Truthfully, Shane is hard to like at first. But because Addie views the world and its people through a filter of love, she’s able to see a different side of Shane behind his snarky-ness. She sees how he treats his grandmother, his eagerness to help (even though he says otherwise) and the sacrifice and courage it takes for him to be able to save lives every day on the ocean.

Alexis: What do Addie and Shane admire about each other? Why?

Kristen: Shane loves Addie’s strong work ethic, the way she treats her employees like family, and how she loves to get her hands dirty by doing manual labor. But, he also watches her live selflessly and take risks, so he knows she’s brave. He loves her kindness and how she makes him laugh. Ironically, these are some of the very same things Addie loves about Shane.

Alexis: What do you want readers to remember most about this story?

Kristen: God heals. Tragedy will strike, but He is faithful, and therefore never leaves you, even if you try to leave Him. You don’t have to fear, He’s fighting on your behalf.

The Bible says in Psalm 46:1-3 (NIRV): “God is our place of safety. He gives us strength. He is always there to help us in times of trouble. The earth may fall apart. The mountains may fall into the sea. But we will not be afraid. The waters of the sea roar and foam. The mountains may shake when the waters rise. But we will not be afraid.” 

Alexis: Thanks for the interview, Kristen! Do you have closing comments?

Kristen: Just a big thanks to you for allowing me to have a little fun talking about Morning Star!

~*~
Author Bio:

Kristen holds a Master's degree in Theological Studies and served as a Children's Ministry Director for five years.

She cherishes her Southern roots and currently lives forty-five minutes outside of Atlanta, GA. 

With the support of her husband and two children, she stays at home writing Christian fiction, striving to let God take her stories where He needs them to go.

She also enjoys serving on the women's leadership and teaching team at her church and writing for Crosswalk and Wholly Loved.

~*~
Blurb for Kristen’s book, Morning Star (Moanna Island Book Three):

Addie McHenry, restoration home builder extraordinaire, catches her big break when the House to Home network contracts her to film a reality TV show focusing on how she brings homes back to life. She sets her sights on one of the oldest on Moanna’s beach and has to risk everything just to get it.

Shane Armstrong moved from Savannah to his grandmother’s Moanna oceanside house when his world shattered five months before. He went on leave from his job as a Coast Guard helicopter rescue swimmer, hopeful his grandmother’s peaceful street will help him heal. The reality TV show’s arrival threatens this serenity.

But the construction and camera crews are nothing compared to Addie herself. She’s tough as nails, challenging, and superbly bossy as she works to get her way. But she’s also kind, hardworking, and has a relationship with God Shane can’t begin to understand.

With each encounter, Shane’s walls start to crumble as Addie brings more than just the historical home back to life, but him as well. Addie tries desperately not to enjoy spending time with the irritable and scowling boy from next door. He hides his heartache well, but she sees it there behind his prickly exterior. Soon she begins to uncover the sacrificial hero underneath the façade.

With both of them only temporary residents on Moanna Island, their thin ice relationship crashes to a halt. Can Shane return to his risky job with the Coast Guard? Does he even want to? And can Addie let him go and follow her dreams even when tragedy strikes?

~*~
Buy Kristen’s book Morning Star when it goes LIVE on Amazon in Jan. 29, 2019. You may pre-order Morning Star in a few weeks prior to its release date.

~*~
Connect with Kristen:
Website: https://www.kristenterrette.com
Amazon Author page: https://amzn.to/2RLmJ2t
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authorkristenterrette
Twitter: https://twitter.com/kterrette
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kterrette/

~*~
Enter this book giveaway contest for your chance to WIN a copy of this book by filling out the entry form on the Rafflecopter widget below: 

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Book Boyfriends: Kristen's hero

Interview with Chad from Time and Tide (book) by Kristen Terrette:

Kristen: Tell me about your childhood.

Chad: I grew up in the suburbs of Atlanta, Georgia. My dad traveled all the time, growing his real estate business, so it was just my mom and me most of the time. I played a lot of sports when I was young but focused on basketball in high school. After I graduated, I went to Washington University in downtown Atlanta, but that was there most of my problems started. 

Kristen: What kind of problems?

Chad: My parents had moved to Savannah when I started college, so even though I lived forty minutes away from my childhood home, I couldn’t actually go home anymore. Then, my dad passed away suddenly my sophomore year, and… after a bunch of therapy… I’ve realized that event sent me into a spiral. I wasn’t given the chance to reconcile our relationship (me and my dad) so I turned to drugs to cope.

Kristen: That’s hard to hear. But you’re doing good now. What changed?

Chad: A ton of things. But my road to redemption truly began when I drove from the swanky Atlanta home I’d bought after my dad died, to a party. I was very out of it on drugs and didn’t make it to the shindig. I caused a car accident that almost killed another driver, as well as myself. I should have died and suffered a major leg injury, which placed me in the hospital for a while. That hospital stay helped to kick-start my sobriety. It was a reality check.

Kristen: I bet. Well, how’d you end up on Moanna Island?

Chad: I mentioned my mom moved to Savannah, and my family’s business main hub is based out of there now. So after my rehab, and physical therapy, I decided I needed to be closer to her, and realized I’d never be ready to take over the business unless I knew all the ins and outs. We have a family home on Moanna, which is only forty-five minutes away. I decided to move there and adjust to the area for a few weeks, maybe even a few months, then start my new job at our Savannah office. I’m very glad I did.

Kristen: And why’s that?

Chad: Because God was chasing after me and planned on using a beautiful woman to show me what love is, and through her love, show me who He is.

Kristen: Tell me about this!

Chad: I met my wife, Ryan, on the island. It wasn’t the first time I’d laid eyes on her, but that part of the story is for another time. But our first interaction was at the Moanna General Store, where she worked. I was buying dog food for a stray I’d come across, and though I was immediately struck by how hot…I mean beautiful…she was, I made a terrible first impression. But she was gracious after a bit of prodding and let me make up for my fumble. 

God continued to place us in each other’s path, and she ended up showing me around the island on what she called adventures. I watched Ryan have joy through the chaos of life. I wanted to know how she was able to do it. She’s dealt with some tragedies in her past, but unlike me, she turned to God to get her through them. That was her secret, what made her, her. First, I fell in love with Ryan, but my love for Jesus soon followed. He used her to help me find Him.

Kristen: Wow. So tell us about your newlywed life. How has it changed?

Chad: My life is very different from what it was a few years ago. Ryan and I married and decided to make Moanna our home forever. It’s our place, and we couldn’t stand the thought of leaving it. I help my mom run our real estate firm which has me traveling some. Ryan doesn’t seem to mind because she keeps busy too. She still takes shifts at the General Store and is back in school online to finish her degree, a dream she had to give up when her brother got sick. But I think the craziest thing to rock my world is the fact I help run a Wednesday night worship service at the Savannah Mental Health and Rehabilitation Center. I help recovering addicts, like me, learn about Jesus and His great love for us. 

~*~

Author Bio: Kristen has a Master's degree in Theological Studies and was on staff as a Children's Ministry Director for over five years. She cherishes her Southern roots and currently lives forty-five minutes outside of Atlanta, GA. With the support of her husband and two children, she stays at home writing Christian fiction, making up fantasy places and characters, allowing God to take the story where He needs it to go. 

She serves on the women's leadership and teaching team at her church and writes for Wholly Loved ministries at WhollyLoved.com, as well as Crosswalk.com. To see her blog and current novels, check out her website at www.kristenterrette.com.

~*~
Book Blurb for Time and Tide: Addictions destroy lives. Chad Cusher’s own dependencies change everything he thought he knew about his future.

After almost killing himself and someone else, Chad’s legal problems, addiction recovery therapy, and physical therapy if he ever wants to walk normally again, are a part of his everyday life. He believes there is no chance at true happiness, certainly not love, and only hopes to become a better man than he was, to find redemption somehow.

Chad moves to Moanna Island, a small island close to Savannah off the Atlantic coast, to begin a job with his family’s real estate empire, a job he was supposed to have taken years ago.

Free-spirited Ryan Mason is a Moanna local girl from a blue-collar family. She’s dropped her own dreams to help her father care for her schizophrenic brother.

Their paths first cross at a Rehabilitation Center where Chad attends therapy and Ryan’s brother lives. Chad can’t believe his luck when he finds her on Moanna Island, forty-five minutes away from the Center, only days later.

Chad is drawn to Ryan’s joy, even through the pain and grief life tries to throw her way. His lonely void begins to dissipate with every island adventure spent with her. He soon finds out what her secret is. But is it possible to start over and be restored? Even so, can Ryan except Chad’s horrible, even criminal past? Can their crazy worlds ever fit together once she finds out he is the sole heir to the Cusher Empire?

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Buy Kristen's book on Amazon

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Connect with Kristen:

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/authorkristenterrette/
Twitter - https://twitter.com/KTerrette
Pinterest - https://www.pinterest.com/kterrette2/
Goodreads - https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/35481335-time-and-tide

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/kterrette/

~*~

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Fall into Love: Kristen Terrette's story

Labor, Delivery, and A First Look at Love

A Fall into Love story by Kristen Terrette

It was a hot summer evening in Georgia when I got a call (on a landline) saying my friend was in labor. We’d only just graduated high school, so this baby was a big deal, a first for my young friends and I. I arrived at the hospital with six friends to wait as long as needed to see the new baby girl arrive. We found ourselves sitting in uncomfortable, dated hospital chairs, watching the muted nightly newscast from a boxy TV attached to the wall in the corner. As if eighteen-year-old girls hanging out in a labor and delivery ward weren’t unique enough, a super cute handful of nineteen-year-old boys were sitting opposite us.

Most of us had yet to meet the buddies of the dad-to-be. They were from a different high school and had never been on our radar, but they sure were after that night. My friends and I chatted softly, excited about the baby and the hotties breathing the same air as us, though neither group made an effort to meet one another. We were all content to simply stare.

One of my friends, the only one to have met a few of the boys previously, told us the cutest of them was named…let’s call him Joel. I scoped out the herd, and located Joel in his faded red Georgia Bulldog hat and a white t-shirt. He was gloriously tanned which only amplified his light blue eyes. He was fit and lean like only an athlete could pull off well. One look had me agreeing with my friends. Joel was the cutest.

After a few hours, we’d lost count. My friends and I were standing by the big double doors leading to the elevators, preparing to leave. Joel, who I’d watched relentlessly, got up to from his chair and walked to the doors…towards us…towards me. I can still remember him glancing over his shoulder to tell his buds goodbye. When he swung his head back around, he was only a foot away, and his eyes caught mine, sealing the deal. It was love at first sight¾at least on my part. (Not really…but kind of.)

I’ll never forget the flush on my cheeks and how my mind replayed our brief eye contact over and over in slow motion. After he was long gone, my girlfriends kept talking about Joel. I was very confused and finally spoke up, telling them Joel had already left the hospital. My friends gave me raised eyebrows and creased foreheads cueing me in that I’d missed something. They told me Joel was still there and nodded to a guy who was cute, but definitely not my Joel, the guy who’d already left the hospital. When my friend realized the mistake I’d made, she told me the guy who’d left was named Ashley, not Joel.

It was an interesting name. One I would never forget. And God had a plan for our future.

A few weeks later, my girlfriend wanted to set me up with a guy who’d started working for her dad. I was very against any “set up” at first, but then she remembered a very important fact. She told me it was Ashley, the guy whose identity I’d mistaken at the lobby.

After I’d recovered and picked up my stomach from the floor, I agreed to meet him. Our brief meeting ended with him later getting my home phone number from my friend. He called that evening and asked me out on our first date the next day, a Friday. We ended up talking for a couple hours. Not only was he cute, but he was sweet and hilarious too. Our first date was followed by our second the very next day. After it, I came home and told my mom I was going to marry Ashley. And that I did.

This past summer we had a special anniversary. We had our first date when I was eighteen, and just had the eighteenth anniversary of that first date. The love of my life has now been with me for half of my life. And it’s only getting better. 

~*~

Author Bio: Kristen has a Master's degree in Theological Studies and was on staff as a Children's Ministry Director for over five years. She cherishes her Southern roots and currently lives forty-five minutes outside of Atlanta, GA. 

With the support of her husband and two children, she stays at home writing Christian fiction, making up fantasy places and characters, allowing God to take the story where He needs it to go. She is also involved in the women's leadership team at her church, and writes for Wholly Loved ministry at WhollyLoved.com. To see her blog and current novels, check out her website at www.kristenterrette.com.

~*~
Book Blurb for Safe Harbor: Eva Elliott is left with a jaded heart after the death of her boyfriend while she was pregnant. She pushed away the idea of God and love, focusing solely on her daughter, Willow. 

She accepts an offer from her mom to move to Moanna Island, off the coast of Georgia. She hopes the move will help her tuck away the guilt for the role she thinks she played in her boyfriend’s death.

Thad Smith’s Pro-Football career came to a crashing and embarrassing halt, sending him running to Moanna Island. He enjoys living under the radar and finds a new purpose as he dedicates his life back to Jesus, but he feels guilty for the sting of loneliness that’s crept into his seemingly full life.

When he saves Willow from drowning in the ocean the first day Eva arrives on the island, he can’t deny the electricity between them. Eva stubbornly fights the stirring in her heart the moment Thad smiles, but since Thad coaches the football team where Eva teaches and lives down the street, God continues to intertwine their lives. When he tells Eva he’s not only falling for her, but Willow as well, she thinks maybe…just maybe, it would work between them.

She doesn’t expect Thad’s ex to throw a kink in the fragile plan, nor for Thad’s relationship with God to convict her own shame and brokenness. Just when she opens the door to God, finally ready to make things right, an accident occurs that could leave Willow an orphan and Thad all alone again.

~*~
Buy Kristen's book:
Amazon ~ Kobo ~ Nook 

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Connect with Kristen:
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/authorkristenterrette/
Twitter - https://twitter.com/KTerrette
Instagram - @kterrette

Pinterest - https://www.pinterest.com/kterrette2/

~*~

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Summer Love: Kristen's story about an island, illness and therapy

Interview questions for Kristen Terrette, author of Time and Tide:

Alexis: Time and Tide is book number two in this series about Moanna Island. What is your story about? Is it a real island or purely make-believe? 

Kristen: Time and Tide is about a man named Chad who is going through a major recovery. After almost killing himself and someone else in a car accident, Chad is dealing with legal problems, addiction recovery therapy, and physical therapy if he ever wants to walk normally again. They have become a part of his everyday life. He moves to Moanna Island, near Savannah, GA, to begin working for his family’s company after having to put it off for two years during his rehabilitation. He meets Ryan. A free-spirited, local girl, who opens his eyes to love, something he’s never had, and Jesus, who he’s never known.

Moanna Island is a make-believe island, but I pull from my childhood memories of vacationing on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina to develop the island’s look, layout, and character. It’s a low country island, meaning it has lots of greenery, trees, marshland, and extreme low and high tides.

Alexis: What characters from book number one, Safe Harbor, have roles in this new novel? Briefly note who they are and describe the significance of their role.

Kristen: The main characters, Eva and Thad from the first book, as well as Eva’s daughter, Willow, make appearances in Time and Time. It’s a small island, so it would be hard not to run into people. This is especially true since Time and Tide’s heroine works at the South Bay General Store which is the local go-to for just about everything since a “chain” grocery store is pretty far away. However, the biggest link between the characters is that Ryan attends Thad and Eva’s church and has joined a church small group held at their house. Eva and Ryan are roughly the same age and have become great friends. Ryan leans on Eva for advice.

Alexis: Chad Cusher is your story’s hero. Tell us about him. Describe his looks, personality, and struggles. What is his most prominent flaw and his saving grace (if any)? 

Kristen: Chad considers himself a loner and attributes this to being an only-child and hiding himself away to conceal his addiction. But he’s finding he’s less of one as he gets further away from his addiction and closer to a relationship with God.

His most prominent flaw is, by far, his leg which was injured in his car accident. The muscle on it is horribly mis-shapened, and he has a nasty scar the size of his hand there. It’s also very painful which causes him to have a limp and attend physical therapy. Lucky for him, he resembles the actor Ryan Phillipe. He has short hair, but it’s a little longer on top and almost curly. He has pretty, green eyes and a great smile. He’s a former athlete and still works out, so, other than his leg, he’s in good shape.

Alexis: What is Chad addicted to and why?

Kristen: Chad is a recovering cocaine addict. Why? He says his years in therapy have helped him see that he never learned how to deal with his father’s death and the broken relationship they had. He has been clean for a few years when we meet him, but his past brings daily struggles his way. 

I know it is a harsh set of circumstances, but as an author, I don’t want to shy away from addiction, and God’s saving power from it.

Alexis: What role does faith in God play in your character’s lives? 

Kristen: God is another main character in my stories! Ryan is a believer, and God uses her as His instrument to open Chad’s eyes to Him. Chad has never attended church or been around someone who is as vocal about Jesus as Ryan is. He knows very little about Him and His salvation. So, while Ryan’s faith shows us obedience and being steadfast, Chad comes to faith in the story. We get a chance to see him become a child of God.

Alexis: It sounds like Chad is very troubled and therefore jaded. He doesn’t believe in the pursuit of happiness, including finding a woman to love. What is it about free-spirited Ryan Mason that makes his heart long for these things?

Kristen: Chad hasn’t been in love before, so he’s unaccustomed to any emotional ties and longings. In the past, he’d only ever loved drugs, and the way they helped him turn off his emotions, make him numb. So, meeting Ryan awakens something inside of him he’s never felt. He’s drawn to her and how she always seems joyful, even when the circumstances around her are anything but. He realizes later one reason he’s drawn to her is because she has Jesus. He’s drawn to the Light in her that brings her joy.

Alexis: Ryan is your story’s heroine. What she’s like? Describe her looks, personality, and heart.

Kristen: Ryan is beautiful without effort. She has wild, wavy, long blonde locks, making her look like she’s always just come off the beach. She wouldn’t be caught dead in heels. It’s just not her style. She’s a flip-flops and frayed jeans kind-of girl. She’s not into material things and fits the stereotype of an island local, maybe a secret Jimmy Buffet follower. She’s smart, but hasn’t been able to finish college because she’s moved home to help her dad with her sick brother. She loves Jesus and has strong moral boundaries. She’s loyal and, therefore, a great friend.

Alexis: Describe Chad and Ryan’s meet-cute on Moanna Island. Why was it special? 

Kristen: Well, Chad actually sees Ryan for the first time at his rehab center. He’s there for therapy appointments and doesn’t know it at the time, but Ryan is there to see her sick brother. He’s taken back by how beautiful she is with her loin’s mane of hair blowing in the wind as she enters the center. She doesn’t see him then, and he assumes he’ll never see her again. A few days later, once he’s on Moanna, he walks into the General Store, and she’s the one who greets him. He makes an epic fail of a first impression but is determined to hit the “do-over” button and make up for it. Of course, he does. 

Alexis: What would you say is Ryan’s deepest fear and happiest moment in this story? Explain.

Kristen: Deepest fear: She’s going to hinder Chad’s journey to Jesus. Happiest moment: When Chad tells her his salvation story.

Alexis: Ryan’s brother suffers from a mental illness. What were the challenges of writing such real issue, one that people like to avoid, into your story?

Kristen: My uncle was schizophrenic. Sadly, he’s passed away, but I was able to pull from my own experiences with him growing up, as well as my mother’s stories about him before he became sick. My uncle was a wonderful man and a believer in Jesus. I think I wanted to be sure I portrayed Ryan’s brother like my uncle. He was sick, but that was only a part of him. He was also loving and kind and funny.

Alexis: Ryan’s joy draws Chad in but what makes him stay and fall in love?

Kristen: Ryan is fun and adventurous. Chad usually hides himself away and only has a few friends. Ryan is fun and extroverted, and he realizes he sees things differently when she’s around. He’s also incredibly attracted to her. They both comment on the electricity that ignites when they touch!

Alexis: What was your favorite adventure that you created for Ryan and Chad? Share details of what they experienced. 

Kristen: They go crabbing! When I was a kid, this was my most favorite thing to do on vacation. Crabs are unpredictable and smelly, but they provided me with some great opportunities for a few laughs.

Alexis: What is the Cusher Empire? Sounds fancy. How serious is it?

Kristen: Chad’s dad started a company that is now bigger than big. It’s real estate/investment/commercial development firm that spans the whole Southeast. It’s a company that builds malls, golf courses, and more. Chad’s the only son and sole heir.

Alexis: How will Chad’s “empire” inheritance affect his relationship with Ryan?

Kristen: He doesn’t think it has to at all, but she gets tripped up on it. She comes from a blue-collar family and can’t see how they’d be able to have much in common long term, can’t see how his family would be happy with her on his arm. It’s an insecurity Ryan has to deal with and try to overcome.

Alexis: What lesson do you want your readers to learn from this story?

Kristen: No one is too far from the reach of God. He can redeem and save even those who think they have no hope for redemption.

Alexis: Thanks for the interview, Kristen! Do you have any final comments?

Kristen: I would love to say thank you to my readers! You are allowing me to live my dream of telling stories! 

~*~
Author Bio:

Kristen Terrette has been an avid reader since childhood, a self-confessed book nerd, and always had characters running through her mind- ones she made up. She went back to school years ago to obtain a Master's degree in Theological Studies because she felt God's tug towards ministry, but she didn't know then what God had in mind. 

After five years on staff at her church, she followed God's leading to a different kind of ministry- one with words, love, pain, and real-to-life characters. She now stays at home during the day while the house is quiet writing stories she hopes will bring readers to a stronger understanding of how God works and His love for sinners like us. 

She always has contemporary romance characters and plots running through her mind and considers romance her first love...but she has a few amazing literary fiction novels up her sleeve as well. Both genres fight for time occupying her mind.

~*~
Blurb for Kristen's book: Addictions destroy lives. Chad Cusher’s own dependencies change everything he thought he knew about his future. 

After almost killing himself and someone else, Chad’s legal problems, addiction recovery therapy, and physical therapy if he ever wants to walk normally again, are a part of his everyday life. He believes there is no chance at true happiness, certainly not love, and only hopes to become a better man than he was, to find redemption somehow.

Chad moves to Moanna Island, a small island close to Savannah off the Atlantic coast, to begin a job with his family’s real estate empire, a job he was supposed to have taken years ago.

Free-spirited Ryan Mason is a Moanna local girl from a blue-collar family. She’s dropped her own dreams to help her father care for her schizophrenic brother.

Their paths first cross at a Rehabilitation Center where Chad attends therapy and Ryan’s brother lives. Chad can’t believe his luck when he finds her on Moanna Island, forty-five minutes away from the Center, only days later.

Chad is drawn to Ryan’s joy, even through the pain and grief life tries to throw her way. His lonely void begins to dissipate with every island adventure spent with her. He soon finds out what her secret is. But is it possible to start over and be restored? Even so, can Ryan except Chad’s horrible, even criminal past? Can their crazy worlds ever fit together once she finds out he is the sole heir to the Cusher Empire?

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Buy Kristen's book on Amazon ~ Barnes and Noble ~ Kobo

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Connect with Kristen:
Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Instagram ~ Pinterest

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Spring into Love: Safe Harbor by Kristen Terrette

Let's welcome Kristen Terrette to the blog today! She's here to share an excerpt from her novel, Safe Harbor. She's also giving away a copy of her book to one lucky winner! Details for the book giveaway contest are toward the end of this blog post. Enjoy! 

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Book blurb for Safe Harbor: Eva Elliott is left with a jaded heart after the death of her boyfriend while she was pregnant. She pushed away the idea of God and love, focusing solely on her daughter, Willow. She accepts an offer from her mom to move to Moanna Island, off the coast of Georgia. She hopes the move will help her tuck away the guilt for the role she thinks she played in her boyfriend’s death. 

Thad Smith is the local youth mentor and football coach, who’s finally recovered from his fall from grace when his NFL career ended. The day Eva arrives, Thad saves her daughter from drowning in the ocean the day, instantly connecting the pair. Eva stubbornly fights the stirring in her heart the moment Thad smiles, but since Thad coaches the football team where Eva teaches, and lives down the street, God continues to intertwine their lives. Eva will not agree to a date, so Thad uses his adventurous spirit to his advantage.

She doesn’t expect Thad’s ex to throw a kink in the fragile plan, nor for Thad’s relationship with God to convict her own shame and brokenness. Just when she opens the door to God, finally ready to make things right, an accident occurs that could leave Willow an orphan and Thad all alone again.

~*~
Book Review:
Inspiring - a great read!, February 4, 2017
By Vanessa Trainor
This review is from: Safe Harbor (Moanna Island Book 1) (Kindle Edition)

"From heartbreaking to heartwarming, this book takes you along Eva's wavering journey to discovering love, learning forgiveness and ultimately finding her way back to God again. An inspirational read that really allows you to connect with the characters! I look forward to this author's next book!"

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Chapter One excerpt from the book, Safe Harbor:

Eva

“Mama!”

The gurgling, panicked voice snapped me out of my stare on the horizon. I spun around to see a flash of tanned skin and muscles dive into the water after Willow.

“Willow!” I screamed as I took off into the water. I dove for her, but she was too far, and in between my strokes and pulls, I watched my baby roll and tumble, unable to gain her footing.

“Willow!” I screamed though the water hitting my face muffled the sound as I kicked harder, my adult body having to fight hard against the waves.

I will not lose anyone else!

In between the crashing waves, my vision cleared long enough to see the man snatch her up in his arms. I planted my feet as he gained his balance, stood up and hugged her to his chest.

“Baby! Is she alive?!” He rushed to shore, his giant frame unmoved by the powerful tugs and pulls of the ocean as I chased after him, horrified, terrified, and scrambling. When he was out of the reach of the waves, he laid her down and I heard her cough.

My knees hit the sand. “Willow! Are you breathing?!”

The guy sat back to give her some room, and I got down to her face. She tried to talk, but couldn’t through her coughing.

“Turn on your side so you can breathe better.” The guy pushed on her shoulders, prompting her to roll over. “That’s it. Take a deep, solid breath, and try to let it out slowly.”

His husky voice settled over us, and I found myself doing what he was telling Willow to do.

Willow recovered some, and locked her beautiful blue eyes on me. “Yeah, Mama,” she said softly, though a sob that was beginning to take over, “I’m…I’m breathing.”

She started coughing again, though this time it didn’t have so much force behind it. I pulled her to me and she gripped me tight around the neck. “Oh, Willow, my goodness, you scared me to death!” I closed my eyes attempting to ward off the tears, though it was useless. The utter vastness of the ocean had always unnerved me, and now my very worst fear had almost come true in it. I took a deep breath to compose myself. “I’m sorry honey. I didn’t mean to sound so mad. I was just scared, really scared. But I’m not mad at you, okay?”

She nodded into my neck. I looked up and locked eyes with Willow’s savior. His relief shown by the happy grin he wore. Through my range of emotions—panic, relief, and even anger—I now had to add giddy as his smile shot through my heart like an arrow.

“You know, I didn’t want us meet like this.” He laughed when I knitted my brow. “Never mind.” He was still showing off his killer smile and now I noticed he had a rather country accent. It didn’t seem to fit this dark tanned, completely drool-worthy man who looked like he was from Hawaii. He stood and reached to help us stand.

I took his hand, gripping Willow tight with the other, as he heaved us up. I realized just how tall he was as his frame hovered over my head, and I had to look up cause my eyes stared right at his chest. “Th…th…thank you,” I rambled. “I’m not sure how I could ever properly say thank you for…” I squeezed Willow, now resting on my hip, “for rescuing my girl.”

“Well, you just did. And don’t worry about it. I take any excuse to get wet.” He laughed and ran his fingers through his shoulder-length, almost black, wavy hair.

“We were not planning to get wet.” I held out my free hand to refer to our clothes, dripping with ocean water.

“Oh, that’s not your bathing suit?” He cocked his head and looked at Willow.

She giggled. “No, my bathing suit is hot pink with ruffles.”

He looked at me. “Are you and your husband new to the island?”

“Uh, no husband.” I stuck my hand out to him to cover the flush on my face. I always dodged that question. Being an unwed mother brought sadness, shame, and embarrassment. “I’m Eva by the way, and this is my daughter Willow.”

What is it about this guy that makes me nervous? Oh wait, maybe it’s the muscles and the four tattoos I’ve already noticed on his six-foot-something-really-tall frame.

No, even as those thoughts left my brain I knew they weren’t true.

“I’m Thad.” He shook my hand, but lingered a moment before letting go. The heat from his hand lit more than just my fingers. He had this easy way about him, this peacefulness that dripped off him and made its way into your soul.

Uh, what’s happening?

~*~
Author bio: Kristen Terrette has been an avid reader since childhood, a self-confessed book nerd, and always had characters running through her mind- ones she made up. She went back to school years ago to obtain a Master's degree in Theological Studies because she felt God's tug towards ministry, but she didn't know then what God had in mind.

After five years on staff at her church, she followed God's leading to a different kind of ministry: one with words, love, pain, and real-to-life characters. She now stays at home during the day while the house is quiet writing stories she hopes will bring readers to a stronger understanding of how God works and His love for sinners like us. 

She always has contemporary romance characters and plots running through her mind and considers romance her first love...but she has a few amazing literary fiction novels up her sleeve as well. Both genres fight for time occupying her mind.

~*~
Buy Kristen's book on Amazon ~ Barnes and Noble

~*~
Connect with Kristen:
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/authorkristenterrette
Twitter - https://twitter.com/KTerrette
Pinterest - https://www.pinterest.com/kterrette2/

~*~
Enter this book giveaway contest for your chance to WIN a copy of this book by filling out the entry form on the Rafflecopter widget below: 

a Rafflecopter giveaway