Christmas on My Heart: Snow Angel by Davalynn Spencer

Interview with Lena Carver, main character from Davalynn Spencer’s book Snow Angel:

Alexis: Hi, Lena! Thanks for agreeing to an interview! You’re quite the character! First question: Do you think that the author of your story did a good job in telling it? Why or why not?

Lena: Yes, I think she did, because she showed grace about my disfigurement. She didn’t ridicule me for it.

Alexis: Your story is set in Colorado. Paint a picture with words of your surroundings and share your experience growing up there. What was your most favorite memory? Why?

Lena: I didn’t appreciate the colors much as a child, but as I grew up, I noticed the brilliant gold of the aspens in the fall. Even their poorer cousins, the cottonwoods, spruce up for the season. Woodsmoke flavors the crisp autumn air, and with the dropping temperatures, everything feels cozier. But Christmastime is probably my favorite because our community comes together more during that time than any other. It gives me a real sense of belonging.

Alexis: Did you expect to have a holiday romance? Why or why not?

Lena: Ha. I’ve never expected to have romance in my life, holiday or otherwise. Men don’t look at spinsters with abnormalities. But when someone came along who looked past my disfigurement, well, that caught my attention, shall we say.

Alexis: How do you like working for your physician brother as his medical assistant? Describe your day-to-day duties at work.

Lena: I’m convinced Tay went to medical school because of my childhood accident. He’d never admit it, but some things a person just knows. When he set up his practice, it was only natural for me to help him. My prospects of marriage were slim to none, Mama and Daddy had passed on, and we both needed someone. I cook and keep the house for the both of us, and help him keep the surgery clean, see that bandages and supplies are on hand, and help hold patients still when necessary. That’s a challenge, but I manage. And when I have trouble helping him set broken bones, our old buggy mare lends a hand, er, neck. Oh well, you’ll just have to read more about that particular incident.

Alexis: Are you self-conscious about your disfigurement from a childhood accident? How do you cope?

Lena: I guess you could say I’m self-conscious because of my habit of hiding it in my apron. But life goes on, right? And one must adjust, accommodate, and do the best one can. Quitting or feeling sorry for one’s self is out of the question. Self-pity merely robs us of energy and self-respect.

Alexis: Let’s talk about your hero Wil Bergman. How did you first meet him? Was your first impression of Wil good or bad? Explain.

Lena: Wil Bergman was a puzzle from the first moment I laid eyes on his broken, unconscious form being dragged through the front door. Until he scared the living daylights out of me later that night. Good thing I didn’t have my knitting needles in hand. I’m might have stabbed him.

Alexis: What is it about Wil that makes your heart believe that maybe, just maybe, love is within reach?

Lena: Unconditional. There’s no other word for it. His unconditional acceptance of me and obvious pleasure when spending time with me. Plus he can carry on a decent conversation. I couldn’t be with a man who didn’t know how to visit or laugh or hold up his end of an argument. His broad shoulders and beautiful dark eyes don’t hurt either. Don’t tell him I said his eyes were “beautiful.” It’d probably bruise his manly pride.

Alexis: Is there anything about Wil that you do not like? Share details.

Lena: If I let him, he would eat every cookie I ever baked, whether it was Christmas or not. The man eats like a mule. But I guess that means he enjoys my cooking, doesn’t it?

Alexis: What does your brother think of Wil? And does his view of him affect your own? Explain.

Lena: Tay had his reservations at the first, especially when he learned who Wil was related to. But my brother has a way of seeing deeper than a person’s skin and family, clear down into their heart. Maybe that’s what makes him a good doctor. He certainly saw through my poor attempts at hiding my feelings for Wil as well as Wil’s growing affection for me.

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

Lena: I want people to remember that God isn’t limited by our doubts or disappointments. He has messengers and means of delivering His blessings that we can only imagine.

Alexis: Why did Davalynn title your story “Snow Angel?”

Lena: I loved making snow angels when I was a little girl, and then, well, things happened. But who says there aren’t other kinds of snow angels?

Alexis: Thanks for the interview, Lena! Merry Christmas and God bless you.

~*~
Author Bio:

Davalynn Spencer is the award-winning author of eleven inspirational Western romance titles, both contemporary and historical. 

She is a former rodeo journalist, crime-beat reporter, and the wife and mother of professional rodeo bullfighters. 

When she’s not #lovingthecowboy, she’s wrangling Blue the Cowdog and mouse detectors Annie and Oakley.

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Book Blurb for Snow Angel:

As a child, she lost something precious at Christmas. 

Twenty years later, she's about to lose her heart.

Lena Carver works as her physician brother’s medical assistant, housekeeper, and cook despite her disfigurement from a childhood accident.

Each year, the Christmas holidays come with contradictions—cherished memories of a mysterious encounter and painful recollections of a great loss. She lives with the belief that she is beyond love’s reach, until a dark-eyed cowboy arrives broken, bruised, and bent on changing her mind.

Wil Bergman wakes in a stranger’s house with a busted leg, a bullet-creased scalp, and no horse. Trail-weary, robbed, and penniless, his dreams and plans for a future are suddenly unattainable.

Forced to recuperate in the home of a country doctor, he finds himself at the mercy of a surgeon whose sister’s healing touch has power to stitch up his lonely heart and open his eyes to the impossible.

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Buy Davalynn's book on Amazon

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Connect with Davalynn:
Quarterly Author Update and free ebook: http://eepurl.com/xa81D
Blog: https://davalynnspencer.com/subscribe/
Website: https://www.davalynnspencer.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorDavalynnSpencer
Twitter: https://twitter.com/davalynnspencer
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5051432.Davalynn_Spencer
Pinterest: https://pinterest.com/davalynnspencer/boards/
Amazon Author: https://amazon.com/author/davalynnspencer
BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/davalynn-spencer
CAN: http://christianauthorsnetwork.com/davalynn-spencer/

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Christmas on My Heart: Deck the Shelves by Toni Shiloh

Interview with Kendall, a character from Deck the Shelves (book) 

by Toni Shiloh:

Alexis: Hi, Kendall! Thanks for visiting my blog today and agreeing to talk! Let’s begin the interview. First, do you think that your author Toni Shiloh told your story well?

Kendall: I do! I wasn’t sure at first because I wasn’t willing to look at my vulnerabilities, but once I started the healing process I could appreciate her process.

Alexis: Do you like the title that Toni gave your story, “Deck the Shelves?”

Kendall: I adore the title! It represents The Cozy Shelf well!

Alexis: Paint a picture of The Cozy Shelf (your bookstore) with words. Do you live there too?

Kendall: The Cozy Shelf is a gorgeous redbrick Victorian if I do say so myself. There’s a bay window on the left—if you’re looking at it from the street. There’s also a huge square window on the right that provides a view into the room with the cash register and gift options. I sale mugs, wrapping paper, and the occasional awesome shirts in there. Each room has its own title and each floor as a few rooms, except for the third and top floor. That’s my flat complete with a kitchenette, living area, and bedroom space.

Alexis: What do you love most about owning the bookstore and working there?

Kendall: All the books! It’s better than having a library in my opinion. I also love the customers. They brighten up my day with their love of reading.

Alexis: Clearly, you have a forever flame of passion for literature. What first inspired your love for books? 

Kendall: It’s something I did with my grandmother. She always read me a bedtime story before tucking me in for the night. Now it’s a way to keep her memory alive.

Alexis: What is your all-time favorite book to read? Why?

Kendall: I love Pride and Prejudice. There’s just something about walking through their misperceptions and discovering the underlying romance.

Alexis: Would you say that Christmas is your favorite holiday? Why or why not?

Kendall: I love Christmas but I would have to say Easter is my favorite holiday. I love celebrating the Resurrection.

Alexis: Quinton Hendricks is the hero of your story, fondly known by you as “Q”. Describe him. What does he look like? Talk like? Act like?

Kendall: *Fans herself* That man is pure goodness. He’s average height but oh so cute. His brown skin reminds me of my favorite suede ankle booties. And his lips form the perfect crooked smile that turns my insides to mush. I love his voice. It’s soothing and mellow and I could listen to it forever. And he’s so gentle! You see it with how he treats his son, his father, and his grandmother.

Alexis: What first attracted you to Q? Did you not like anything about him?

Kendall: His looks caught my attention but the quiet way in which he conducted himself is what drew my curiosity. And later was the bane of my existence. I mean I didn’t know where I stood with him. No hints from that man whatsoever!

Alexis: I thought it was so cute how you and Q were clearly on the same page but had to quote lines from books to share how you felt. What was that like?

Kendall: A romance straight from the classics! But also, it was terrifying. I didn’t know he would send me notes but once he did, I still was afraid to hope on what that meant.

Alexis: You were married and divorced. How did your broken heart affect the blossoming of your new romance with Q?

Kendall: Greatly. I felt like I couldn’t trust it to steer me in the right direction where Q was concerned. But it allowed me to seek the Lord more than if I had felt assured by Q’s interest and affections.

Alexis: What were your first impressions of Q’s young son, Deuce?

Kendall: Oh I love Deuce! He’s so inquisitive during story time and you can see the delight on his face while the stories are being told. I think he’ll do great things with his imagination as he grows.

Alexis: I love the way your story ended! Are there wedding bells in the future? If so, will we (the readers) get to experience it with you? I vote for a sequel!

Kendall: Well I do know Toni is planning on more Heartfall books, so we shall see.

Alexis: Thanks for the interview, Kendall. Merry Christmas and God bless you!

~*~
Author Bio:

Toni Shiloh is a wife, mom, and Christian fiction writer. 

Once she understood the powerful saving grace thanks to the love of Christ, she was moved to honor her Savior. She writes to bring Him glory and to learn more about His goodness.

She spends her days hanging out with her husband and their two boys. She is a member of the American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW) and president of the Virginia Chapter.

You can learn more on her website at http://tonishiloh.wordpress.com.

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Book Blurb for Deck the Shelves:

Kendall Jackson is the proud owner of Heartfalls’ bookstore, The Cozy Shelf. 

Her life is one straight out of the pages, except she’s missing that leading man. Although she has a crush on the handsome auto mechanic, Quinton Hendricks, Kendall wants an old-fashioned type of romance—the stuff swoon-worthy romance books are made of. But Quinton seems to need a little prodding.

Something about Kendall sparks hope in Quinton Hendricks that love could be his again. Only being abandoned by his ex-wife has made him cautious to the point of non-moving.

Can two people hesitant on second chances find love as they Deck the Shelves?

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Buy Toni's book on Amazon in the box set Comfort & Joy: The Christmas Lights Collection 2018

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Connect with Toni:
Facebook: www.facebook.com/authortonishiloh
Twitter: www.twitter.com/tonishilohwrite
Pinterest: www.pinterest.com/tonishiloh
Instagram: www.instagram.com/tonishiloh
Goodreads: www.goodreads.com/tonishiloh
BookBub: www.bookbub.com/authors/toni-shiloh
My BookCave: https://mybookcave.com/profile/toni-shiloh/
Newsletter: http://eepurl.com/cmNFKD
Blogs where she contributes posts: http://puttingonthenew.com, http://heartwingsblog.com and http://diversitybetweenthepages.wordpress.com

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Falling for Books: Elizabeth's book

Interview with Matt Patterson (character) from A Heart Realigned:

Alexis: Thanks for agreeing to this interview, Matt! You are quite the character. Do you think that your author Elizabeth Maddrey did a good job telling your story? Why or why not?

Matt: Thanks for having me. Is being a character good? I’m going to take it as a compliment. And sure she did—I didn’t always come across looking awesome, but that’s pretty true to real life, I guess. There are definitely things I’ve said or done that I regret later.

Alexis: What were your first impressions of your leading lady Azure Hewitt? Were they lasting impressions? Why or why not?

Matt: First impression was that she’s hot. That hasn’t changed. After that, I admired her taste in trucks—and that hasn’t changed either. But I will say she’s so much more than either of those things. There’s a lot to Azure and I’m looking forward to getting to know every aspect of her.

Alexis: What do you think of Azure’s work, repainting historic murals at Peacock Hill? 

Matt: Her art is amazing. I imagine she’d say she does the commissions, like what she did at Peacock Hill, to pay the bills. It’s her canvases that will knock your socks off. I admire her for being willing to do something like art and find a way to make a living at it. It can’t be easy.

Alexis: Azure lives a footloose type of life. Your experience is the polar opposite. Did you two clash at first? Why or why not?

Matt: We did but we didn’t .  .  . if that makes any sense? I was a little jealous, to be honest. I want to travel—there’s a deep desire to wander in my soul that I can’t shake, but at the same time, there are responsibilities, you know? Turns out, she was a little jealous of some of my life, too. Maybe you really don’t ever appreciate what you have.

Alexis: Why does your uncle want you to take over the family auto shop? How does that make you feel?

Matt: He wants to retire. I don’t blame him for that, he’s been running the place for a long time. My aunt’s desperate to travel—that wandering thirst is something I come by naturally, I guess. I can’t say getting tied down to the garage is really what I want, but I don’t want to let my aunt and uncle down, either. I’ll make it work one way or another.

Alexis: What makes you want to spread your wings and fly away from your hometown? What or who makes you want to stay? Explain.

Matt: Don’t you ever just think about how much is out there? I mean, a really small town in southern Virginia versus the big, wide world? No contest at all. Don’t get me wrong, my hometown is a nice place, but when it’s all you’ve ever known? I don’t know many people who grow up here who aren’t looking for a way out at some point. Of course, there are responsibilities, right? And sometimes those end up making you stick. Even if you’re not sure you want to.

Alexis: What do you love about Azure? Why?

Matt: Everything. She’s a perfect complement to me in just about every way. We’re not identical—there are any number of things we disagree on —but honestly? That’s part of the fun! We have real conversations. She makes me think.

Alexis: In what ways has your relationship with Azure challenged and changed you?

Matt: Like I just said, she makes me think. I consider myself a reasonably laid back guy. Azure has helped me see maybe that’s not always the best choice. Beyond that, she’s challenged me to really evaluate why I went ahead and took over the garage for my uncle.

Alexis: What did it take for you to figure out where God called you to be?

Matt: A couple of hard knocks to the head. Honestly, I was fighting it every way I could but the counsel of Godly friends and a lot of prayer finally got through.

Alexis: Do you believe that your heart should be aligned with God’s desire for your life? Why or why not?

Matt: Oh, absolutely. It’s not always easy to get there—sometimes you have to set aside your own wants and desires and really listen to what God’s saying He has—but His is always going to be better.

Alexis: Looking back on your life thus far, if you could do anything differently, what would it be? Why?

Matt: That’s a hard question, honestly. I mean, if I went back and changed even one thing, I might not end up where I am now, and I really like this place. So I don’t guess I would, not even the hard pieces, because everything in my life up to now has shaped who I am today.

Alexis: Now for a few fun questions . . . What’s your favorite color? Blue. What are your hobbies? I love to rebuild old cars. What is your deepest desire and highest hope? To build a solid life with the woman I love. How do you take your coffee when ordering from Starbucks? I like regular drip coffee with cream and sugar

.

Alexis: Thanks for the interview, Matt! Would you like to share closing thoughts?

Matt: This was fun, thanks for having me.

~*~
Author Bio:

Elizabeth Maddrey is a semi-reformed computer geek and homeschooling mother of two who lives in the suburbs of Washington D.C. 

When she isn’t writing, Elizabeth is a voracious consumer of books. 

She loves to write about Christians who struggle through their lives, dealing with sin and receiving God’s grace on their way to their own romantic happily ever after.

~*~
Book Blurb for A Heart Realigned:

She has no roots. He has no wings.

Repainting historic murals at Peacock Hill will pad Azure Hewitt’s bank account and allow her to drift where the wind takes her. If only the group of friends working at the old mansion weren’t so welcoming. Their immediate acceptance and inclusion reinforces one of the downsides of her footloose life. Add in the local car buff and mechanic? Putting down roots could almost be attractive.

The more Matt Patterson’s uncle pushes him to take over the family auto shop, the less Matt’s sure he wants to stay where he’s planted…but even as he contemplates spreading his wings, he can’t imagine a life like Azure’s with no fixed address. Even so, he’s positive a settled life isn’t something she sees in her future.

With Azure’s project nearing completion and Matt’s uncle anxious for a decision, neither is sure where God is calling them to be. But if their hearts are aligned to His desire, surely their love will have a chance.

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Connect with Elizabeth:
Website: http://www.ElizabethMaddrey.com
Facebook: http://www.Facebook.com/ElizabethMaddrey
Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/ElizabethMaddrey
Twitter: https://twitter.com/elizabethmaddre
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6585434.Elizabeth_Maddrey
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/emaddrey/
Google+: https://plus.google.com/u/0/+ElizabethMaddrey/posts
BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/elizabeth-maddrey
Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/Elizabeth-Maddrey/e/B00A11QGME/ 

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Summer Stories: New Duet

Interview with Isabella and Dan, characters in New Duet:

Note from the author: Hello, everyone! I’m Cindy Ervin Huff and I’ve brought along a couple I’d like you to meet. Isabella Wilson and Dan Sweeney are the main characters in my contemporary romance, New Duet.

My book is published through Clean Reads and is garnering 5-star reviews on Amazon.com.

Let me introduce my petite Hispanic heroine, Isabella Wilson. She’s a transplant to my setting in Aurora, Illinois. 

Cindy: Isabella, share with the readers a bit about your background.

Isabella: I was born in Nicaragua and spent time as an orphan on the streets. I can’t recall my mother, but I do recall a sweet voice that made me feel safe. I was six when the Wilson’s adopted me. My sister Ming was adopted from China. She was part of the Wilson family three months before I joined them. There was a mix up with my paperwork, and it looked to my parents like the adoption wasn’t happening. They applied for Ming. And when my paperwork was sorted out, they had two daughters the same year. Ming was three. We spoke a combination of Spanish and Chinese the first year. When I was in junior high, my parents went on a mission trip to Haiti and fell in love with a young teen. They adopted Henri when I was in eighth grade.

He was my age. The three of us always got funny looks from students when my dad’s job moved us to a new school. Ming told everyone she and I were twins. She sounded so sincere, people believed her. She is the humorous one and the most caring. I have two older siblings, Ken and Carla. They are my parent’s natural born children. Carla was a great big sister and Kenny was your typical big brother—a pain. My parents encouraged all of us to follow our dreams. Mine was to be an artist, so I attended the American Academy of Art in Chicago. Not until I moved to Aurora did I really come into my own as an artist.

Cindy: My wounded warrior hero, Dan Sweeney, is up next. What was your childhood like?

Dan: We didn’t stay in the same house very long. Dad couldn’t keep a job or keep off drugs. Great-Uncle Paul helped my dad recover. Our family stayed in Aurora and started attending church. My sister married, and then my parents were killed by a drunk driver the summer after I graduated from high school. Most of my college funds went to pay their debts. After a year in college, I decided that I’d rather make a career of the army. My sister invited me to stay with her. But we were never that close. After the accident that ended my military career, I came back to Aurora and settled into the house I was rehabbing and started back to college. My best friend Steve and I reconnected. And my service dog Brutus has made my life a lot easier.

Cindy: Tell us a bit about Brutus.

Dan: Even though I tell myself I don’t need a service dog, I do. Brutus keeps my panic attacks at bay reducing my need for meds. He helps me if I fall. Super dog, Brutus knows how to perform tasks beyond my needs, which is at times annoying. He was trained for a boy with severe disabilities who died. Brutus has bonded with me. He seems to know my thoughts. He’s a great companion but his manners around women need work.

Cindy: Isabella, back to you. Why did you move to Aurora?

Isabella: Well, it’s complicated. Much of that story is in the novel. Briefly, as a widow, I needed to start over in a new place. My sister Ming had moved to Aurora a few years earlier at the suggestion of a friend. I moved in with her and started over. It was hard finding my true self again. Exploring the art community in Aurora and with help from some great friends, I found my art muse and grew in my faith.

Cindy: What was your first impression of Aurora?

Isabella: I’m not in Iowa anymore. Although my family moved a lot growing up, the three of us would spend the summer with our grandparents. They lived in a small farming community. I have fond memories. My late husband and I lived in Indiana, but the atmosphere was quite different from Aurora. It has a population over 200,000 and lots of interesting things to see and do. Ming took me on a tour and showed the sights. I loved exploring the downtown on my own. There are museums and art galleries and fun restaurants.

Cindy: Sounds like you have adapted well to your new hometown. Now we’re shifting directions a bit. What is your biggest fear?

Isabella: Not being good enough. When I was first adopted, I felt unworthy of these wonderful people. It took me years before I believed all their words of affirmation. After I married Ron, he reminded me daily how I fell short. His sudden death fed that feeling of unworthiness. It took me a long time to release all the guilt others had put on me, not to mention the guilt I put on myself.

Cindy: Dan, same question for you.

Dan: Not being normal. I know that sounds pretty lame. Being physically lame is awkward. People focus on my prosthetic and treat me different. And as much as I struggle with it, there are things I can’t do well. One being walking up fifty stairs to visit Isabella. It’s humiliating to go down on my backside, so I don’t fall. I refuse to get a handicap sticker even though it makes things harder for me. I guess I’m like Issy in a way. Her remark about feeling unworthy really hits home.

Cindy: How’s your social life, Dan?

Dan: You sound like Steve. He grilled me on it hard one day. He even tried his hand at matchmaking. And I’m not saying anymore, ma’am. Any further reference to my social life is on a need to know basis. Only those who buy New Duet will be upgraded to need-to-know status.

Cindy: Clever, Dan, very clever way not to reveal too much of the plot.

Cindy: Isabella, tell my readers why they’d want to read your story.

Isabella: New Duet is about broken people finding love. A simple statement with a powerful message of hope and renewal. God loves healing broken people. It’s more than a simple love story because life is complicated. But complicated is much easier to unravel with the right person. The book is available on Amazon.com, Barnes & Noble and your local bookstore. Just ask the clerk to order it. It’s also available in e-book.

Cindy: Thanks for joining me as a guest on God is Love. Thanks, Alexis, for having us.

~*~
Author Bio:

Cindy Ervin Huff received the Editor’s Choice Award for her debut novel Secrets & Charades, published by Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas. Secrets & Charades placed third in the Maxwell Awards and first place for fiction Serious Writers Medal 2018.

Over the past forty years, her byline has appeared in numerous publications. Her latest release a Contemporary Romance New Duet is set in Aurora, Illinois. Healing Hearts, part of The Cowboys novella collection is slated for release in August 2019.

Cindy is the founding member of the Aurora, Illinois chapter of Word Weavers and a member of ACFW. Her blog Jubilee Writer offers writing encouragement to all newbies, especially those starting later in life.

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Book Blurb for New Duet:

Isabella Melinda Wilson has been squeezed into the music ministry model of her controlling husband’s making. Before she can leave him, he leaves her a guilt-ridden widow. 

Her mother-in-law is no comfort and presses the guilt button at every turn. Isabella flees to her sister’s home in search of her own identity and a new beginning. 

Dan Sweeney has one goal. Be as normal as possible. After losing a leg, some fingers and his self-worth, he needs his service dog Brutus to help keep his PTSD at bay. Career-less and clueless about the future, he struggles to put his life back together.

Isabella isn’t looking for a new relationship and Dan feels unworthy of one. Can these two broken people heal into one whole love?

~*~
Buy Cindy's book on Amazon

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Connect with Cindy:

Website - www.jubileewriter.wordpress.com

Facebook - www.facebook.com/cindyehuff 

Twitter - https://twitter.com/cindyervinhuff/

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Summer Stories: Carolina Mercy

Interview with Tom Livingston, character in Carolina Mercy:

Alexis: Lucy’s grandmother described you as a “tall drink of water.” How do you feel about that description?

Tom: Well, I’ve been called worse. (chuckle) In the South, we have lots of descriptions for different kinds of people. At 6’2”, I do tend to tower above most people, especially Lucy. She’s a tiny thing.

Alexis: Describe your relationship with Lucy. How did you meet? Why did you become friends? Did you ever want to become more than friends?

Tom: I figured you’d get around to Lucy. I met Lucy the same summer my best bud, Jared, met his fiancée, Sarah. Apparently, they decided that since we were constantly trying to fix them up with other people, it was their turn. We hit it off instantly. Our first outing, with Sarah and Jared, was to look for furniture for Sarah’s beach house. When we both gravitated toward the massage chairs, I knew she was pretty special. We went out another time, just the two of us, and I just had to kiss her. Yeah, I’d say I wanted to be more than friends. 

Alexis: Why did you and Lucy go eight months without speaking to each other?

Tom: That was a rough time. When Lucy left, I fully intended to keep in touch, especially since her best friend was going to be living here. I started making all kinds of plans. My dad had passed the year before, suddenly, and my mom, Charly, my kid sister, and I were slowly getting back to normal. We went on vacation together, and during that vacation, Mom started having headaches. When we got home and she was diagnosed with a disease that would eventually blind her. I felt like I had to put all my attention on taking care of them, along with my job. How could I ask Lucy to take on not only me, but my family? We’re not well-off, and I guess my pride wouldn’t let me pursue her.

Alexis: Your Mom said that Lucy makes you “stammer like a school boy”. Has your Mom always been so insightful? Clearly, she knows that you like Lucy.

Tom: Oh, Mama doesn’t need sight to know what’s going on. And yes, she’s always been that way. I remember when I met Jared, in high school, at football practice. I came home mad as a stuck pig because this scrawny kid had taken me out in a tackle practice. I told her all about it. She didn’t say much, but she patched me up, fixed me some sweet tea, then told me that I might have just met a friend for life. (chuckle) Turns out, she was right. She usually is. She knew about Lucy long before she met her, and I think she had a feeling she might just be “the one.”

Alexis: Were you nervous about Lucy meeting your Mom? How did that go?

Tom: Since I know my mom, I don’t think I was as nervous as Lucy was. As soon as they met, my mom hugged her and we all laughed when she said, “You’re a little woman, like me.” They’re two peas in a pod, now. Mom, Charly, and Lucy like to gang up on me every chance they get. I fuss, but they see right through me.

Alexis: Why does Lucy “amaze” you? Describe her best qualities.

Tom: How do you describe someone who shows up to work on a roof in a pink toolbelt? She makes me laugh, keeps me grounded, and pulls me out of the muck of overwhelming responsibility, making me trust God more than myself. 

Alexis: What is it about Lucy that makes you want to date and maybe even marry her?

Tom: She pulls me out of myself, if that makes sense, and makes me think I can accomplish anything. 

Alexis: You’ve said that Lucy was “everything” to you but she could never know it. Why not?

Tom: When I met Lucy, I wasn’t thinking about the future, or about our different backgrounds. I just knew she was Sarah’s friend, and a lot of fun. When she left I learned more about her from Sarah, I realized that she was far above me, socio-economically. I couldn’t ask her to take on a small-town detective with a blind mother and a teenage sister. I didn’t want her, or anyone else, to think I needed help. 

Alexis: When your mother was diagnosed with an untreatable illness, you pushed your career dreams aside. What did you want to do for a living before your mother’s illness and what do you want to do now? Explain.

Tom: I guess my career path really changed earlier than Mama’s illness. I graduated from Clemson University and planned to go into the Air Force, then segue into working for the FBI. That was the dream. When it came time to get out of school, money was tight, and I put off entering the Air Force and started working with Jared on flipping houses. I got on with the local sheriff’s department, thinking I could still train for the FBI. When Dad died, I knew I needed to stay closer to home. Then Mom took sick, and I put it behind me. The FBI, or even the South Carolina Bureau, would have me living away from here, and Mom and Charly need me. So, I’m happy to be where I am. Who knows? Maybe I’ll be sheriff someday.

Alexis: Why did you feel that God’s mercy is for everyone except you?

Tom: This is part of my selfish desire to be in control. I was bitter about lots of things. I’ve seen God work in other people’s lives, and I really think I tried to turn off that part of me that would listen to God’s “still, small voice.” I have to say, God’s shown me, through my friend Jared, that sometimes when it seems like God’s not paying attention, he definitely is in control, showing mercy all around you whether you’re paying attention or not.

Alexis: How have your own issues affected your outlook on life?

Tom: Definitely. I was always pretty serious, but able to see the bright side, until Mom’s illness. I got angry. It’s funny how trauma can turn the tables. When I saw Lucy’s grief, and Jared’s traumatic events, I had to be positive, for them. I had to be supportive. Those things have made me a better person.

Alexis: How did Sarah’s wedding—and a hurricane—bring you and Lucy together?

Tom: See this smile on my face? Yeah. The wedding that almost wasn’t, and the hurricane that threw us all for a loop? Those are events that I’ll always hold close. They were terrible, but as with most tragedy, God used them for good. All these events forced Lucy and me to spend more time together, and it made me stop and listen to God. You can’t have a better outcome than that.

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

Tom: God is love. God is mercy. God doesn’t punish us, He leads us. And on another level, God gives us the people around us to draw us to Him. We just have to be willing to listen.

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

Tom: Just this – Hold your friends close, and when you find that special person that God has for you, pay attention. My mother would add, “And listen to your mama.”

~*~
Author Bio:

Regina Rudd Merrick began reading romance and thinking of book ideas as early as her teenage years when she attempted a happily-ever-after sequel to “Gone With the Wind.” That love of fiction parlayed into a career as a librarian, and finally to writing full-time. 

She began attending local writing workshops and continued to hone her craft by writing several short and novel-length fan-fiction pieces published online, where she met other authors with a similar love for story, a Christian worldview, and happily-ever-after. 

Married for 30+ years and active in their church in Marion, KY, Regina and her husband have two grown daughters who share her love of music, writing, and the arts.

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Book Blurb for Carolina Mercy:

She’s always gotten everything she’s wanted. He thinks he has to give up everything. 

Her best friend’s wedding is foremost on Lucy Dixon’s radar. Her biggest concern is once again meeting Tom Livingston, who has ignored her since an idyllic date on the boardwalk of Myrtle Beach the previous summer.

At least, it is her biggest concern until tragedy strikes. Where is her loving, merciful God, now?

When Tom Livingston meets Lucy, the attraction is instant. Soon after, his mother is diagnosed with an untreatable illness and his personal life is pushed aside. His work with the sheriff’s department, his family – they are more important. He knows about the love of God, but circumstances make him feel as if God’s mercy is for everyone else, not him.

Can a wedding and a hurricane – blessing and tragedy – bring them together?

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Buy Carolina Mercy on Amazon

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Connect with Regina:
Facebook: https://bit.ly/2u4OHM1
Twitter: https://twitter.com/trmerrick64
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/reginamerrick/
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/rmerrick/
Website: https://www.reginaruddmerrick.com
Publisher Website: https://mantlerockpublishing.com/

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Let Love Bloom: Loving Grace

Interview with Grace, character in April Smith’s book “Loving Grace”:

Alexis: Hi, Grace! Thanks for agreeing to an interview. This story opens with a conflict and you have to make a quick decision about a certain title. Why didn’t you want to be the Watermelon Queen?

Grace: It’s not so much that I didn’t want to be the watermelon queen, but that everything happened so quickly. I didn’t have much time to process everything, and I still had a lot going on in my head about the accident.

Alexis: What is the Watermelon Queen tradition all about and what is the queen required to do? 

Grace: As far as traditions go, it’s something the association created to have a spokesperson for them. There’s been a watermelon queen for as long as I can remember. Her main job is to promote the watermelon industry—but I’m telling you guys, it’s so much fun… seeing new places, trying new foods, meeting interesting people…

Alexis: Who is Beau Baron and what role does he play in your life story? Describe his looks, personality and your history with him.

Grace: Our history…so much to say, so little time. Let’s put it like this: we grew up together. He’s been around for as long as I can remember. He and my twin, Luke were best friends—inseparable actually.

Alexis: Now on to his personality. It depends on the day really…let’s just say we’re like oil and vinegar—we usually don’t mix well together.

Grace: Okay, I’m going to tell it to you straight, but if I find out you told Beau, I’ll deny ever saying a word of it. I mean it…I’ll deny it with my last breath…He’s tall, like over six feet tall, and when he’s not being annoying, which let me tell you isn’t often, his smile is like, wow!

And—uggh…I can’t believe I’m going to say it—he is good looking. Dark brown hair and chocolate brown eyes. Need I say more?

Alexis: Why does Beau make your blood boil but also occupy your mind?

Grace: Probably because he knows which buttons to push to drive me crazy. 

Alexis: Who is Warren Hartley? Why do you think he’s so dreamy? How does his presence affect your story?

Grace: He’s every girl’s dream. He’s the knight in shining armor type. What girl doesn’t want to feel like and be treated like a princess? He just always seems to know what to say and do. 

Alexis: What can you tell us about the accident that “rocked your world”? How did it change you? Do you think that change was for the better or worse? Why?

Grace: It didn’t change me, it shattered me. I lost what was most important to me that day. To say it was for the better or worse…I don’t know. I know I’m stronger now and working to understand it, but healing takes time, and the only way I’ve been able to make sense of it, is to give it all to God; so, placing it at his feet, has allowed me to move forward. Some days are easier than others, but I’m getting there.

Alexis: When did you first see sparks fly between you and Beau? What did you do about it?

Grace: We were five, and he came over for a playdate at our house. Beau and Luke didn’t want to include me in their game. Up until then, I’d never really had to share Luke with anyone, and they had never tried to leave me out before…let’s just say it was the first time, I realized that I didn’t do well with sharing my brother’s attention. I kicked Beau in the shin. I got a timeout. He got a bruise and to play with my brother while I had to sit in my room. So unfair (insert frustrated sigh here). Okay, I know I was in the wrong, but still, that’s the first time the sparks flew…

Alexis: What is it about Beau that warms your heart? Why is he special to you?

Grace: In some ways, he’s still a connection to my brother. They were always together, and after our first initial battle (you know the one where I kicked him in the shin) we eventually all three became a close trio. It was only after the accident, that things for Beau and I fell apart.

Alexis: What would you say was the turning point in your relationship with Beau?

Grace: I don’t know that we’ve had a turning point. Beau and I have been through a lot. Some of it has been good, some…not so good…but that’s life. It can be complicated. I think it’s a gradual process with me and probably for him too.

Alexis: How does your faith in God impact the way you live and make decisions?

Grace: I’m a firm believer that we’re here for a purpose, and I want to glorify God, by being what He calls me to be. I want all that I say and do to be pleasing to Him.

Alexis: What did you like—and not like—about being the Watermelon Queen?

Grace: I missed Gramps from time to time. Also, living out of a suitcase means a lot of laundry. Those are minor things compared to all of the travel and fun experiences that being the watermelon queen brought into my life. And honestly, it was at a time when I needed some fun and to be forced out of the rut I had landed in.

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

Grace: Life can be messy, but we can trust God in the process.

Alexis: What advice do you have for the next Watermelon Queen?

Grace: Be yourself. Have fun and enjoy your year! It goes faster than you’d ever believe. 

Alexis: Thanks for the interview, Grace! Do you have any closing thoughts?

Grace: Just, thank you! And I really enjoyed our chat.

~*~
Author Bio:

April Smith grew up spending summers working on her best friend’s family watermelon farm and she was one of those watermelon queens she writes about. She has her undergraduate degree in Elementary Education and a Master’s Degree in the Art of Teaching.

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Blurb for April's book Loving Grace: 

Grace Summer lands herself in a melon load of trouble when she becomes torn between the boy of her dreams and the boy almost next door. As the newly-crowned Watermelon Queen, she is thrust into the spotlight, meets the dreamy Warren Hartley, and continues trying to get over an accident that rocked her world. Mix in working with Beau Baron who Grace happens to fight with just about as much as breathing and the metaphorical sparks fly. 

Like most things in life, Grace must learn to take the good with the bad. While the good is the handsome and fun Warren Hartley, the bad is Beau Baron—or at least being around his annoying and rude self way more than she would like. For Beau, Grace is nothing more than aggravating and an irritating reminder from the night of the accident. Tensions soar as Grace and Beau fight to love themselves and maybe, just maybe, each other.

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Connect with April:
Website - www.aprilsmithbooks.com
Facebook - www.facebook.com/aprilsmithbooks

Twitter - https://twitter.com/aprilsmithbook

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