Interview with LoRee Peery, author of "Touches of Time"

Welcome LoRee Peery to the blog! She's here to talk about Touches of Time, her new novel which releases today (March 1). Here's the cover photo for LoRee's book:

LoRee poured her heart into writing this novel. She speaks from experience because this story is close to home. Read on to find out why.

*Interview questions by Alexis in bold, answers from LoRee are not in bold...

~*~
Alexis: What inspired you to write Touches of Time?

LoRee: My father’s unsolved homicide has bothered me for more than two-thirds of my life. The driving desire to solve the crime on paper has lived with me for a long time, stimulating my imagination.

How did you research for writing this book? Share details.

I have saved publicized articles about the crime, along with letters written to me by strangers who responded to editorial letters, and a record of what I did trying to aid in the investigation. Ten years after the incident I started writing in journals. Many entries dealt with my struggles. The character of Lena, rather what she left behind, is based on those items.

What can you tell us about your heroine Sarah’s role in this story, without giving away the plot?

Sarah is a grieving daughter, as I was. My heart is in her character. I was seventeen days from delivering my son when my father was murdered. It made sense to me for Sarah to be pregnant.

Describe Sarah’s feelings when she meets the hero, Ford. What was her first impression of him? Would you say that it was a lasting impression? Why or why not?

Sarah is immediately attracted to Ford. The second time they meet she knows she has someone in her corner, as far as the cold case is concerned.

What did you find the most challenging about writing Touches of Time?

Myriad emotions hit me as my mind travels back. Some memories have grown dim with time, others may carry the impact of immediacy forever, and hit me every single time I read certain passages. My stomach churns, tears form. Prayer goes a long way when it comes to challenges.

What was the easiest part of the writing process for you?

I’m smiling as I answer this. Getting lost in the building romance between Sarah and Ford always takes me away from the reality of the tragic event that brought them together.

What drives Sarah to find out the details of her grandfather’s death?

Part of it is guilt. Readers will pick up on that. She’d also told her mother she’d try. Third, she seeks answers for the family. I hope my siblings, if they read this book, will understand where I was coming from. The part of the book from Lena’s perspective is a fictional memoir.

What makes Ford, who is a cold case investigator, want to help Sarah solve her grandfather’s cold case?

Something out of his control happened when he was young and made him despair for those left behind after violent crime. He strives to help family members of victims live beyond those events. Besides, he’s been drawn to Sarah on a personal level since first sight.

What is it about Sarah that makes Ford want to protect her?

She’s dealing with a double loss. He has empathy toward her, and being protective is part of who he is.

How did you weave your personal faith into this storyline? Explain.

Faith is part of who I am. Sarah’s mother Lena shared her belief and referred to Bible verses in her journals, which are based on my own writings.

What is the theme of this book?

Dealing with unfinished business can change your life for the good.

What is the moral of the story?

Faith abounds when Jesus is the quest.

Complete this sentence: When I finished writing Touches of Time, I felt____________________ because______________________.

When I finished writing Touches of Time, I felt it was time to close the books, so to speak, because even though what happened to both of my parents has something to do with who I am today, looking back sucks life from today. I’ve written from other characters’ perspectives that in order to move forward as people, we have to consider the past. We can’t run from it. Like Sarah, I need to focus on what God has called me to do in my various roles, living today but looking to the future.

Thanks for the interview, LoRee! Do you have any final comments?

Alexis, you’ve posed thought-provoking questions. I thank you for making me think.

~*~
Author bio: 

Christian romance author LoRee Peery strives to remember the Lord’s redeeming grace each day when she surveys her sense of place in Him and where He has placed her. 

LoRee clings to 1 John 5:4 and prays her family sees that faith. 

Her desire for readers, the same as for her characters, is to discover where they fit in this life journey to best work out the Lord’s life plan.

~*~
Connect with LoRee:
Website- www.loreepeery.com
Twitter - https://twitter.com/LoreePeery
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/LoReePeery
Pelican Book Group - http://tinyurl.com/kwz9enk