Estelle is the star of Kimberly's story, An Encore for Estelle (Melodies of Love Book 2) and you're in for a real treat! She shares insights from her world as a professional actress and gets real with what's on her heart.
Enjoy her character interview and remember to enter the book giveaway contest toward the end of this blog post for your chance to WIN the book, An Encore for Estelle.
Interview with Estelle (a character) from Kimberly Rose Johnson’s new book, An Encore for Estelle:
Alexis: What is the significance of the title to your story, An Encore for Estelle?
Estelle: I used to act, but gave it all up when the parts stopped coming. When I went to visit a friend for the summer, I never expected to help at the local children’s theater. Let’s just say it’s my second act.
Alexis: What drew you to a career as an actress? Now that you’re back home with Blake and Helen, are you thinking of a career change? Why or why not?
Estelle: When I was a kid, I was involved in children’s theater and the acting bug bit me. I knew from that point I wanted to be an actress. Oak Knoll isn’t really home. It’s more of a home away from home. A career change is the furthest thing from my mind, but you never know.
Alexis: What is your relationship with Helen Wood? Why do you feel that she loves you completely, flaws and all?
Estelle: Helen is a dear friend. I met her six years ago when I was in a different place in life. She led me to the Lord and has been my spiritual mentor these past six years. I know she loves me for me because she saw me in spite of how I behaved six years ago, and she didn’t turn her back on me. She showed me how Jesus loves.
Alexis: Paint a picture of Helen’s garden that you love, with words. Why is it special to you?
Estelle: Helen’s garden is like a magical oasis. It’s situated between the main house and the guest cottage. It’s green and lush, with trees, and a walking bridge over a dry creek bed turned water feature. There are twinkle lights as well as lovely shade plants and flowers tucked here and there. And in the middle of it all is a bistro table set that draws you into the garden. If that wasn’t enough, the sound of singing birds and the trickle of water create a relaxing atmosphere.
Alexis: Blake, your hero, is quite a good-looking character! What about his features or traits were you most attracted to at first? How did that change as you got to know him?
Estelle: He is a ruggedly handsome man. Not Hollywood perfect, but cowboy kind of perfect. As I got to know him he became even better looking to me.
Alexis: How did you meet Jeff and why are you hesitant to say “yes” to his marriage proposal?
Estelle: Jeff is or rather was the chef at my restaurant in California, and that’s how we met. We were together for a long time, and I care deeply for him, but I don’t love him the way a woman should love her husband and that’s why I hesitated to answer him when he proposed.
Alexis: Would you describe your former self as a mean girl? Why or why not?
Estelle: Oh, I really don’t like to talk about the way I was, but I suppose some people would have considered me a mean girl. I think I was more self-absorbed than anything though. I expected everyone to jump at my command, and I didn’t show compassion or understanding when I should have. I’m not proud of who I was, and I’m glad I’m not like that anymore—at least I try not to be.
Alexis: What role did Helen play in your faith journey with God and how did it change you? I noticed that you now go out of your way to be nice.
Estelle: Helen showed me kindness and patience when everyone else turned their back on me. She was there for me and introduced me to the Lord.
Alexis: In what ways do you hope to impact the children that you’re working with at the theater for the musical production? What do you love most about them?
Estelle: I want to be a good role model and an encouragement to them. I love their innocence. They haven’t been scarred for the most part and see life with stars in their eyes. They are so hopeful!
Alexis: What lesson do you want people to learn from your story?
Estelle: That no one is perfect and we need to forgive ourselves and move on rather than hang onto guilt.
Alexis: Thanks so much for the interview! It’s an honor to interview a movie star! Do you have any closing comments?
Estelle: I enjoyed this interview. Thanks for having me on your blog. I hope you will read my story and tell all your friends about it. Lol. I suppose I still have stars in my eyes.
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Author Bio:
Alexis: Paint a picture of Helen’s garden that you love, with words. Why is it special to you?
Estelle: Helen’s garden is like a magical oasis. It’s situated between the main house and the guest cottage. It’s green and lush, with trees, and a walking bridge over a dry creek bed turned water feature. There are twinkle lights as well as lovely shade plants and flowers tucked here and there. And in the middle of it all is a bistro table set that draws you into the garden. If that wasn’t enough, the sound of singing birds and the trickle of water create a relaxing atmosphere.
Alexis: Blake, your hero, is quite a good-looking character! What about his features or traits were you most attracted to at first? How did that change as you got to know him?
Estelle: He is a ruggedly handsome man. Not Hollywood perfect, but cowboy kind of perfect. As I got to know him he became even better looking to me.
Alexis: How did you meet Jeff and why are you hesitant to say “yes” to his marriage proposal?
Estelle: Jeff is or rather was the chef at my restaurant in California, and that’s how we met. We were together for a long time, and I care deeply for him, but I don’t love him the way a woman should love her husband and that’s why I hesitated to answer him when he proposed.
Alexis: Would you describe your former self as a mean girl? Why or why not?
Estelle: Oh, I really don’t like to talk about the way I was, but I suppose some people would have considered me a mean girl. I think I was more self-absorbed than anything though. I expected everyone to jump at my command, and I didn’t show compassion or understanding when I should have. I’m not proud of who I was, and I’m glad I’m not like that anymore—at least I try not to be.
Alexis: What role did Helen play in your faith journey with God and how did it change you? I noticed that you now go out of your way to be nice.
Estelle: Helen showed me kindness and patience when everyone else turned their back on me. She was there for me and introduced me to the Lord.
Alexis: In what ways do you hope to impact the children that you’re working with at the theater for the musical production? What do you love most about them?
Estelle: I want to be a good role model and an encouragement to them. I love their innocence. They haven’t been scarred for the most part and see life with stars in their eyes. They are so hopeful!
Alexis: What lesson do you want people to learn from your story?
Estelle: That no one is perfect and we need to forgive ourselves and move on rather than hang onto guilt.
Alexis: Thanks so much for the interview! It’s an honor to interview a movie star! Do you have any closing comments?
Estelle: I enjoyed this interview. Thanks for having me on your blog. I hope you will read my story and tell all your friends about it. Lol. I suppose I still have stars in my eyes.
~*~
Author Bio:
Kimberly Rose Johnson married her college sweetheart and lives in the Pacific Northwest.
From a young child, Kimberly has been an avid reader. That love of reading fostered a creative mind and led to her passion for writing.
She especially loves romance and writes contemporary romance that warms the heart and feeds the soul.
Kimberly holds a degree in Behavioral Science from Northwest University in Kirkland, Washington. She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers.
You can sign up for Kimberly's newsletter via her website at this address, http://kimberlyrjohnson.com/index.html
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Book Blurb: The theater ties them together but a painful past could pull them apart.
Kimberly holds a degree in Behavioral Science from Northwest University in Kirkland, Washington. She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers.
You can sign up for Kimberly's newsletter via her website at this address, http://kimberlyrjohnson.com/index.html
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Book Blurb: The theater ties them together but a painful past could pull them apart.
At a crossroads, former movie star Estelle Rogers, returns to the place that set her life on a new course. Although she expects a rough reception she is pleasantly surprised and quickly settles into her new position at the local children's theater. But her road back to acting isn't as smooth as she would like.
Tragedy brought Blake Price to Oak Knoll, Oregon, but it's love that keeps him there. His late wife and daughter loved acting, and he owes it to them to honor their memory with the children’s theater, but his new assistant is making changes he isn’t ready for both at the theater and in his heart.
Can he forgive himself and move forward, or will he forever be tied to the biggest mistake of his life?
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Buy Kimberly's book on Amazon
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Connect with Kimberly on Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Amazon Author Page
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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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Buy Kimberly's book on Amazon
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Connect with Kimberly on Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Amazon Author Page
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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:
This sounds like a great book. Thanks for the chance to win it.
ReplyDeleteYes, it is a great book! :) Good luck in the contest, VanG!
DeleteHi VanG. I'm glad you like the sound of the book.
ReplyDeleteI would like to enter! :)
ReplyDeleteHey Rachel! You can enter the book giveaway contest by filling out the entry form on the Rafflecopter widget above this comment section.
DeleteI think I would like to try my hand at acting! I have always enjoyed being able to completely immerse myself in a story and acting is the ultimate immersion situation! So excited to enter, this sounds like an excellent read!
ReplyDeleteI hear you, girl! I'd love to be an actress too! :)
DeleteThank you! Thank you! I am so excited that I am a winner and look forward to reading your book!
ReplyDelete