Celebrate Lit blog tour featuring "What Dreams May Come" (book)

Welcome to my blog's stop on Alana Terry's book tour with Celebrate Lit!

Alana is a pastor's wife with the heart of a missionary. This book "What Dreams May Come" is special to her because it's the fictional version of her real-life love story.

Read my review of Alana's book below and enjoy your time with Alana today! Remember to enter the fun giveaway contest toward the end of this blog post.

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About the book:

She’s got her heart set on becoming a missionary. He’s determined to recruit her for the job.

But is it possible to fall in love with someone you’ve never even met?

Susannah’s convinced that God has called her to the mission field. That’s why she’s serving him with single-minded focus in Orchard Grove, waiting for the day when she can leave her small town to take the gospel to the nations.

Is falling in love with her missionary recruiter part of God’s plan for her life or a distraction from the real goal?

Scott loves his life. Traveling the globe, offering spiritual support to missionaries around the world offers enough excitement that the loneliness hardly ever gets to him …

Until he receives an application from a young girl with a heart for the mission field as large as his own, a young girl he finds himself falling for even before they get the chance to meet face-to-face.

Unfortunately, a promise Susannah made to her family may tear her and Scott even farther apart than the miles that separate them.

Book one in an inspirational sweet romance series by award-winning Christian author Alana Terry, who has won awards from Women of Faith, The Book Club Network, Grace Awards, and several others, What Dreams May Come is based on the author’s own experiences falling in love with (and eventually marrying) her missionary recruiter.

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About the Author:

Alana is a pastor’s wife, homeschooling mom, self-diagnosed chicken lady, and Christian suspense author. Her novels have won awards from Women of Faith, Book Club Network, Grace Awards, Readers’ Favorite, and more. 

Alana’s passion for social justice, human rights, and religious freedom shines through her writing, and her books are known for raising tough questions without preaching.

She and her family live in rural Alaska where the northern lights in the winter and midnight sun in the summer make hauling water, surviving the annual mosquito apocalypse, and cleaning goat stalls in negative forty degrees worth every second. 

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My Review of What Dreams May Come:

This is a book that will make you believe in God-ordained destiny.

I love how the author wore her heart on her sleeve in this story as she detailed the fictionalized version of how she and her husband fell in love.

The author included as many memorable scenes with conflict that enhanced the story as she did sweet moments that can melt the heart of the reader. She made me as a reader smile, laugh and cry as I connected with her characters. 

There weren't many cliffhangers in this story but the author made the character arc captivating enough to keep me as the reader turning the pages.

"What Dreams May Come" touches on sensitive topics like a baby born with disabilities, a mission-minded single person torn between following her mind for mission work and her listening to her heart when it comes to the man she wants to marry. 

I thought that the letters between the heroine and the hero that filled the pages throughout the story were a nice touch, adding a personal element to the story.

Overall, this was a great book! I think it's well deserving of a four-star rating.

*Celebrate Lit provided me (Alexis A. Goring) with a complimentary copy of "What Dreams May Come". My opinions in this book review are my own.

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Guest Post from Alana Terry:

The cat’s out of the bag! Back in 2016, I wrote What Dreams May Come, a novel that was based on the way my husband and I fell in love … fourteen months before we ever met! It wasn’t until just before Christmas that I told Scott the romance novel I’d been writing was actually our true-to-life love story, and he was even more surprised than I hoped he’d be! Watch the video to see his reaction.

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Giveaway details:

To celebrate her tour, Alana is giving away a $50 CBD gift card!!

Click below to enter. Be sure to comment on this post before you enter to claim 9 extra entries! https://promosimple.com/ps/c600

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Blog Stops

A Baker’s Perspective, February 8

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, February 8

Reading Is My SuperPower, February 9

Bigreadersite, February 9

Blogging With Carol, February 10

Zerina Blossom’s Books, February 10

Bibliophile Reviews, February 11

Purposeful Learning, February 11

Christian Author, J.E.Grace, February 12

C Jane Read, February 12

The Fizzy Pop Collection, February 13

Maureen’s Musings, February 13

Mommynificent, February 14

Texas Book-aholic, February 14

Mary Hake, February 15

Remembrancy, February 15

proud to be an autism mom, February 16

Avid Reader Book Reviews, February 16

A Greater Yes, February 17

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, February 17

Janices book reviews, February 18

Jeanette’s Thoughts, February 18

Carpe Diem, February 19

margaret kazmierczak, February 19 (Interview)

Simple Harvest Reads, February 20 (Guest post from Mindy)

Pursuing Stacie, February 20

God is Love, February 21

Joy of Reading, February 21

Celebrate Lit Tour: Blog Stop for Mimi Milan's NEW collection of stories

Note from Alexis: Welcome to my blog's stop on Mimi Milan's book tour for "The Angel Paws Collection"! It's a book containing three novellas that were each written by Mimi. I hope that you will enjoy this feature and my review of her stories.

Name of book: The Angel Paws Collection  
Author: Mimi Milan  
Genre: Multicultural, Contemporary Romance  
Release date: December 7, 2017  

Scent of an Angel

To fight… or fall in love? The only thing Tanner McKoy wants is to disappear into the backwoods of North Carolina, hopefully forgetting about his tour in Afghanistan. However, forgetting seems improbable. And disappearing is impossible when a determined grad student uses her new shelter rescues to track him down. After a miserable breakup with her fiance, Eva Perez returns to grad school to complete her thesis and become a physical therapist. Unfortunately, that means assisting on several case studies – one of which includes a surly army veteran who refuses help. How can she win a battle with someone still stuck in combat mode?  

My Review of Scent of an Angel: This was my favorite story in the collection! The author does an excellent job with character creation and knows how to set the scene. The characters were likeable, challenging, multi-layered and amazing! I loved the way the author told this story and brought the hero (Tanner) and heroine (Eva) together. It was a perfect portrayal of the power of love to heal hurting hearts and rejuvenate the body. Eva is just what the doctor ordered to help Tanner heal completely and Tanner is just the type of man that Eva needs. This story was more than romance, it was about relationships and what happens when you trust God (and a meddling Mom) to work everything out for your good.

Touched by an Angel

*Sweet Contemporary* An explosion during a tour in Afghanistan took Rhett Marshall’s sight, but not his mind. Too bad his family can’t seem to grasp that fact. He’ll do anything to regain control over his life again… even take drastic measures like marrying a complete stranger just so he can call his own shots. Luciana Lopez came to the United States on a student visa – which is about to expire. Unfortunately, finding an employer to petition for her so she can stay in the country has proven impossible. Could marriage to a desperate army veteran be the answer to her immigration problem? Enjoy the second novel in the groundbreaking, heartwarming series, Angel Paws Rescue, that donates twenty percent of proceeds to help army veterans and shelter animals.  

My Review of Touched by an Angel: I enjoyed this story because it was the perfect balance of being sweet on the elements of love yet strong in addressing the real-life issues of racism and discrimination. The author painted a vivid and believable picture of her main characters. The dialogue was crisp in some parts and engaging throughout the story. As a reader of color, I empathized with the characters of color when they faced race-related roadblocks and other ethnic issues that people of color know so well in the real-world. It was refreshing to see some of these issues addressed in Christian fiction because that is rare. So it was great that this author brought a variety of real-world experiences into her fictional story world. Her honesty in storytelling made this novella all the more engaging. 

When Angel Sing

Fast food, fast cars, and fast women… Eddie Rivera, a Chicano rock star hoping to break into the American music scene, has always lived life in the fast lane. The last thing he planned on was a country cutie with the belief that a guy “won’t buy the cow if he’s getting the milk for free.” Can a shot at her lifelong dreams and a rescue kitty help him change her mind? From boys to battlefields, Rachel Linden may have lost her hearing but she has never lost a fight. Of course, she’s never had her dream of singing dangled in front of her either. Is there a strategy she can employ to win a war of wishes… without losing her heart?

My Review of When Angels Sing: As a woman who as a little girl, dreamed of marrying a musician man who can sing, the love story between Eddie and Rachel made my heart smile. I liked the curveballs that the author threw into this story. You'll have to read it to find out what they were but all I can say is that this story will keep you turning the page, wanting to know what happens next! Rachel is spunky yet sweet. Eddie is wounded but wonderful. Even the secondary characters have a life of their own! My only drawback of this story is that the pacing of the plot seemed to move too fast. But overall, it's a great story!

*Celebrate Lit provided me (Alexis A. Goring) with a complimentary copy of "The Angel Paws Collection". My opinions in this book review are my own.

Click here to purchase your copy.

About the Author

Mimi Milan is an award winning, bestselling author of both historical and contemporary romance. Currently pursuing her MFA in Creative Writing at Queens University, she spends most of her time in the suburbs of Charlotte, crafting stories her family and imaginary friends inspire.

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Guest Post from Mimi Milan

I have to be honest. I don’t know why I wrote Scent of an Angel. 

The journey first began when I was asked to join a box set of sweet contemporary romances with seven other authors. Eager for a new experience (my first box set), I immediately agreed. However, I wasn’t sure what I would write. I had never written a sweet contemporary before – only historicals. While clean and even inspirational, my stories were all full of action and suspense, too. That didn’t exactly sound like “sweet contemporary” to me. So, I set out to find stories that would draw inspiration. 

At the same time, I was assigned to read The Things They Carried by Tim O’Brien. (Did I mention I’m now in grad school?) I couldn’t get the story out of my mind. I kept dwelling on all the pain and suffering soldiers must endure in order to keep the rest of us safe here at home. Their pain doesn’t end, either. Many return to the States with both physical disabilities and mental illnesses that most civilians couldn’t imagine living with. Right then, I knew I wanted to do something that helped the ones that made it back to us. Since the books in my first series, The Jericho Resistance, donates funds to fight against human trafficking, I liked the idea of copying the same model to help support our veterans. That’s when Tanner McKoy and Eva Perez came to life, driving the story and my mission onward.

Touched by an Angel and When Angels Sing were natural follow-ups for the Angel Paws Rescue anthology. Today, I’m pretty fortunate. I was asked to join yet another series, The Twelve Days of Christmas Mail Order Brides. So, I’m about to finish up edits on my contribution, The Dancing Lady. I’m at my kitchen table in my nice, warm two-bedroom home with a cup of coffee and a muffin from my favorite local bakery. The children are still asleep, making the house unusually quiet. Looking out the frosted window at a yard lightly dusted with white, I feel safe and at peace. All is right in my small corner of the world. I thank God for that. I thank Him for the veterans that make it so.

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Blog Stops

Avid Reader Book Reviews, December 7

Artistic Nobody, December 8 (Spotlight)

A Greater Yes, December 9

Carpe Diem, December 10

Texas Book-aholic, December 11

Blogging With Carol, December 12

The Important Things in Life: God, Books, & Chocolate, December 13

The Power of Words, December 14 (Spotlight)

margaret kazmierczak, December 14

Christian Bookaholic, December 15

Reading is My Superpower, December 16 (Interview)

Zerina Blossom’s Books, December 17

Books, Books, and More Books, December 18

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, December 19

God is Love, December 20

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Giveaway details:

To celebrate her tour, Mimi is giving away a grand prize of The Angel Paws Collection Celebration Tour Giveaway!

Click below to enter. Be sure to comment on this post before you enter to claim 9 extra entries! https://promosimple.com/ps/c5db

14 Days of Sweet Stories: Root Beer & Roadblocks story by Susan M. Baganz

Interview with Susan M. Baganz, author of Root Beer & Roadblocks:

Alexis: What makes your new novel an inspirational romance?

Susan: My characters believe in Christ and struggle with trusting Him through difficult circumstances…and of course, they fall in love! 

Alexis: Root Beer & Roadblocks is the fourth book in your series. What is the name of your series? Are the characters in each book connected somehow? Explain.

Susan: I call it the Orchard Hill Romances because the characters are all tied to a fictional church called Orchard Hill. Characters from previous books do make appearances in subsequent novels as needed. Sometimes they go to DeLuca’s Cucina and see Tony (Pesto & Potholes) or bump into Stephanie (Pesto & Potholes and Salsa & Speedbumps) or if they need an attorney, Roberto might appear (Salsa & Speed Bumps). Sometimes a secondary character introduced in one novel might become the main character of the next as is the case with Root Beer & Roadblocks. Johnny was Nikolos’s cousin and best friend in Feta & Freeway. Pastor Dan Wink who comes and goes through these novels has his own story releasing later this year called Bratwurst & Bridges. 

Alexis: How did you think of the title for your story, Root Beer & Roadblocks? 

Susan: The series started with Pesto & Potholes which as a metaphor for the journey my characters take. I’ve continued with the food/road theme combo as metaphors for every journey since then which has been a fun challenge. Up until this story, there had been an ethnic component but I dropped it for Johnny’s story and went American. Root Beer is mentioned in the story but the roadblock is the return of his cancer which could be a barrier to his happily-ever-after. 

Alexis: How does your story’s title relate to the journey of your main characters?

Susan: In Feta & Freeways it was revealed that Johnny had been diagnosed with cancer at the same time his wife divorced him. This was years before the story began. He’d recovered and the band started touring again. At the end of Feta & Freeways, Johnny announced that his cancer had returned. That’s when I knew he needed his own happily-ever-after story and came up with Root Beer & Roadblocks. 

Alexis: Your book touches on a very real-life issue: what to do with a dream deferred and trusting God to give you something better. How did you create this core conflict for your story? Which one of your characters is dealing with this issue and why?

Susan: Johnny Marshall, my main character in Root Beer & Roadblocks, had always wanted a big family. In the previous book, he revealed that not only had he lost that dream when his wife left him, but his cancer treatment had left him unable to have children. He adores kids and helps out in children’s ministry at church when he’s not on the road with the band. In writing his story I wanted to give Johnny more than he bargained for. Yes, his journey is hard and painful (as cancer treatment can be) which raises up in him a sense of hopelessness. What was left for him? What was the point in fighting this battle which as going to be far worse than the first one. He’d lost his dream of love and having a family and achieved all his professional goals. What was left? It was fun giving him more than he’d dreamed possible. 

Alexis: Tell us about your story’s hero Johnny Marshall. What is he like? Describe his looks, personality, and heart.

Susan: Johnny Marshall is based on a real-life person, Johnny Philippidis from the band Burlap to Cashmere. He inspired this story (and Feta & Freeways). He knows about the book although his health crisis was much different and I have no idea what his love life is like.

My fictional Johnny is a skinny guy with a little to no hair on his head and sometimes facial hair. He plays electric guitar and sings harmonies with his cousin and best friend. He’s typically and upbeat person but also quite humble about his giftedness. He’s secure in his faith and identity and maybe a little too self-sufficient. But like many of us, when life knocks us down repeatedly, he struggles to rise and is forced to rely on others to help him through.

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

Susan: Katie has been swayed by her parents throughout her life. They were well-to-do financially and didn’t want her marrying a lousy musician. She bowed to their wishes and left Johnny behind after high school, going away to college to become a nurse.

Katie is compassionate, probably necessary as she works as a nurse. She has straight dark brown hair, cut kind of in a longer bob and parted at the side. She really makes some hard choices in the story that put her at odds with the old wishes of her parents and her brother to follow the path she believes God is leading her on.

Alexis: Why did Katie break Johnny’s heart? 

Susan: She left him after high school. Not a word. No letter, no phone call. Her parents didn’t forward his many letters which led Katie to believe Johnny had abandoned her. Johnny loved her and had wanted to marry her. He’d even designed a wedding ring for her which he kept all those years. 

Alexis: Now that Katie and Johnny’s paths connected again, is there hope for love restored? Why or why not?

Susan: There’s always hope but there are roadblocks to the happiness of both Johnny and Katie. It is a romance after all. 

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

Susan: Life is hard and it can be filled with pain and dark days, but God has given us the gift of His presence as well as the body of Christ to help us through. In the midst of pain that sometimes seems like it will never end, God often has something good for us on the other side that we can’t even imagine. Maybe that will be heaven for some, but we shouldn’t lose hope. John Piper says that God is doing 10,000 things behind the scenes on our behalf but we might only see three of them. It’s hard to have that longer view.

Alexis: Thanks for the interview, Susan! Take care and God bless you. 

Susan: Thank you for having me here! God’s blessings to you and your readers.

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Author bio:

Susan M. Baganz chases after three Hobbits and is a native of Wisconsin. 

Susan writes adventurous historical and contemporary romances with a biblical world-view.

Susan speaks, teaches and encourages others to follow God in being all He has created them to be. With her seminary degree in counseling psychology, a background in the field of mental health, and years serving in church ministry, she understands the complexities and pain of life as well as its craziness.

She serves behind-the-scenes in various capacities at her church. Her favorite pastimes are lazy ones—snuggling with her dog while reading a good book, or sitting with a friend chatting over a cup of spiced chai latte.

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Blurb for Root Beer & Roadblocks:

When God strips away all your hopes and dreams could you trust Him to give you something better? 

Johnny Marshall’s cancer is back . . . and so is the girl who broke his heart seven years ago. As Johnny struggles to find the will to live and fights his second round with the disease, he finds hope comes in small packages with an energetic little boy named David.

Years ago, Katie abandoned the one man she ever loved, having bought into her parents’ narrow views of finding a man worthy of her. In all those years, no one ever compared to Johnny. Now as a single mom of a young boy, she wonders if their reunion is right on time or is it too late for a future together?

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Connect with Susan:
Website - www.susanbaganz.com
Twitter - https://twitter.com/susanbaganz
Facebook - www.facebook.com/susanmbaganz
Pinterest - www.pinterest.com/silygoos/

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

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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...

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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.

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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.

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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

25 Days of Christmas Reads: Interview with Jodie Bailey, author of Quilted by Christmas

Meet novelist Jodie Bailey! She's a North Carolina native who loves coffee, the beach and good books. Today we're featuring her award-winning contemporary romance, Quilted by Christmas, which she agreed to give away for free! 

In order to WIN a paperback copy of Jodie's book, enter the book giveaway contest via the Rafflecopter widget below. But first, let's look at this lovely photo of Jodie's book cover! 

A truly beautiful photo that makes you want to decorate your house for Christmas, isn't it? Remember to enter the contest via the Rafflecopter widget:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Now, on to the interview! :)

*Words by Alexis in bold, words from Jodie are not in bold
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Alexis: Your new novel, Quilted by Christmas is a contemporary romance. What do you love the most about writing in this genre?

Jodie: I love the “freedom” of romance. Generally, I write suspense, and there is a certain expectation and pace to that. With straight romance, I enjoy the focus on relationship, on watching two people grow and battle for (and sometimes against) one another. It’s all about the characters and their pull to one another. Being a character-first kind of girl, I love that! As for this one, I loved watching Justin bring out the “real” Taryn again. She becomes herself around him, the self she’s buried for years. It was so much fun to watch her change.

What was the inspiration for and the meaning behind the title of your book?

That was actually a call by Abingdon. The book was in the Quilts of Love series, and the focus was on the story of the quilt and how it needed to be finished by Christmas… and how it symbolized the re-creation of the relationship between Taryn and Justin. The original quilt is destroyed, and they have to work together to finish a recently discovered, half-finished new quilt. I’m a symbolism girl, and the quilts in the book pack a whole lot of symbolism into their stitches!

Tell us about your leading lady Taryn McKenna. What does she love the most about life? What brings her joy? What brings her pain? Why does she believe that she’s “easy to forget”?

Taryn was a challenge to write. She is vulnerable and broken by the choices of others and by her own choices. But she also has an inner strength that helps her overcome. She’s more tenacious than she thinks she is. Taryn loves being alive, and she adores her grandmother. Jemma brings her joy. In fact, everything about being a family brings her joy, but family also brings her the most pain, because hers is so fractured. Because her father dismissed her and because Justin so easily walked away from her so many years ago, she’s pretty certain she just doesn’t have what it takes to be loved. Losing Justin and her actions shortly after that loss cause her enormous pain, so she tries to run and hide. She’s so certain of her unworthiness, she misses the love all around her.

Taryn’s been through a lot with being abandoned by her parents and left behind when her sweetheart went to serve their country. So those are understandable reasons why she “vows to never love again.” But I have a feeling something changes that vow. Want to divulge the details without giving away your story?

Ooh… that’s a tough one. Taryn has believed a lot of lies in her life, and one by one, those lies are stripped away and the truth comes out. Justin is persistent in his friendship with her, in seeing her happy. He’s a hard man for Taryn to ignore. It takes some serious run-ins with unconditional love to make her understand what love really is.

Why does Taryn love the outdoors? Is this story set in the countryside?
Describe the story setting and its role in making Taryn come alive. Taryn was born and raised in the little Blue Ridge Mountain valley town of Hollings, NC. It’s growing as an artsy place, where old-school crafting and town life are blooming. Her family owned a huge apple orchard, and she was always outside as a kid. She’s totally at home on the peaks and in the valleys, and although she doesn’t get to do a lot of roaming in the story, it’s clear that’s where she’s the most alive, especially in one scene, which involves a four-wheeler and a very muddy hunt for the perfect Christmas tree. She finds solace where the people aren’t, because she can be her most authentic self out where she’s alone.

Why does Taryn choose to be a teacher of high school kids? Describe her relationship with her students. Do they love and respect her or give her a run for her money? Explain why.

Taryn was wounded the most when she was a teen, so she has very vivid memories of that time in her life. She holds onto those memories and does her best to see the world through their eyes. Her biggest pains and her biggest mistakes grew out of high school, so she’s determined to use those to help her kids. She’s a mentor to them, someone who loves them no matter what. They respect her and they come to her knowing she’s been there and she’ll tell them straight what they need, and she’ll love them through anything.

What impact did Taryn’s grandmother Jemma make on Taryn’s life before falling ill? What role does Jemma play in this story apart from being Taryn’s grandmother?

Jemma is Taryn’s constant. She has never stopped loving Taryn, ever. She coaxed Taryn through all of the hardest moments of her life, a voice of reason and wisdom. But when it comes out that Jemma made one very big mistake and has kept one very big secret, Taryn has to find her own way to forgiveness and to realize that her grandmother isn’t perfect, but perfection isn’t what it’s all about. Love is. Jemma’s role? She “drives the bus.” That woman is a straight up, take charge meddler, and she’s got her hands all into everything… even from the hospital.

What is an Irish chain quilt? Describe the history and meaning behind it.

I created a history of the quilt for Taryn’s family. For each marriage, the women of the McKenna family hand sew a quilt for the new couple. The quilt serves as a way to link the family together through the generations. The quilt sewn for Taryn’s mother hangs on her bedroom wall, even though her parents’ marriage was a disaster that colored Taryn’s entire life, a symbol of why she herself did something questionable and regrettable out of love. The story begins when Taryn finds an unfinished Irish chain in Jemma’s attic, because there was no bride to go with the quilt. It’s a mystery, but as the book progresses, it’s clear God knows exactly what He’s doing.

How does the quilt-making process help Taryn see her value?

Taryn had one great love in her life, Justin Callahan. One mistake drove them apart, and Taryn compounded that mistake in a way that meant they could never be together again. However, when Justin comes home from the military, he inserts himself into Taryn’s life again. When Jemma is injured and can’t sew the Irish chain for Taryn’s cousin’s upcoming wedding, Taryn has to step in. And Justin keeps showing up to help. His patience, the time they have together where the focus isn’t on them, helps her to heal, to see that love and forgiveness are tied together, even when the hurt may seem unforgiveable.

Is this a love story? Why or why not? I ask because I don’t see a mention of a male lead/hero in your story description.

This is totally a love story. Justin Callahan and Taryn grew up together and fell in love in high school, but they wrecked their own relationship, and Taryn did something she sees as unforgiveable in order to protect him. The problem is, Justin doesn’t know what she did, and when he comes home, he wants to pursue the friendship they used to have. When the feelings grow deeper, Taryn has to deal with her own abandonment issues, her secrets, and Jemma’s mistakes in order to accept Justin’s love. And Justin has to decide if he can forgive Taryn for lying to him for years.

What role does your faith in God play into this story as the author? What can you tell me about the faith of your main characters?

Justin is solid in his faith, but Taryn is a bit shaky. She has to come to understand that God loves her no matter what, that his grace is so much bigger than anything she can imagine. His love… Wow, his love. It’s this all-encompassing thing. I was blessed to have a father totally unlike Taryn’s earthly father, so I understood that God loved me. However, like Taryn, I struggled to find my value. When I finally did, it changed my whole life, just like Taryn.

What do you want readers to treasure the most about Quilted by Christmas?

Jemma, Taryn’s grandmother. She is an amalgamation of both of my grandmothers.

My Nanny is this gentle soul who loves without reservation or condition, and she is a lot of Jemma’s soft side.

My Bopum (grandmother), who had a huge hand in raising me, died the year before I wrote the book, and Jemma gets her hard-headed, fiery, bossy side from her. I grieved a lot in the writing of the book and put a few of my grandmothers’ stories into the narrative. Anyone who knows them has come to me and told me how much of these wonderful women they see in the writing, and that means a lot. So I hope they love Jemma and embrace her. She’s pretty awesome.

Thanks for the interview, Jodie!

Thanks for inviting me!

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Author bio:

Jodie Bailey writes novels about freedom and the heroes who fight for it. She is the author of 2015 RT Reviewers Choice Award winner Crossfire, from Love Inspired Suspense, and 2014 Selah Winner and CBA bestseller Quilted by Christmas from Abingdon Press. 

She is convinced a camping trip to the beach with her family, a good cup of coffee, and a great book can cure all ills. 

Jodie lives in North Carolina with her husband, her daughter, and two dogs.
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Book blurb for Quilted by Christmas: The town of Hollings, North Carolina, nestled in a valley of the Blue Ridge Mountains in North Carolina, is preparing for Christmas. Taryn McKenna, however, is feeling anything but festive. Her grandmother Jemma, the only love in her life since her mother died and her father abandoned her, is facing a medical crisis. 

As her cousin’s New Year’s wedding draws near, Jemma asks Taryn to finish the quilt that is traditionally hand sewn for brides in their family. She finds herself reluctantly accepting help from Justin Callahan, the man she would have married…until one mistake cost them more than their relationship. Taryn has a secret that could derail not only Justin’s life, but the life of a total stranger. 

 When Justin learns the truth, will he continue to stand by Taryn’s side, or will her life unravel one stitch at a time? 

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Buy Jodie's book:

Amazon.com - http://amzn.to/1TDrWUN
Barnes and Noble - http://bit.ly/1lAg3TU
Christianbook.com - http://bit.ly/1XLZCjC