Cozy Christmas Reads: A Character Interview with Keira

Interview with Keira from A Christmas Surprise by Kimberly Rose Johnson:

Alexis: I enjoyed getting to know you, Keira, as I read your story! Do you think that your author, Kimberly Rose Johnson, gave your story the ending that you wanted? Why or why not? 

Keira: Oh yes! I couldn’t have asked for a more special ending. My heart is full.

Alexis: I’m sorry to hear about your late husband. How did he die? What about his death makes you fear driving in the snow? 

Keira: Thank you. He died in a car crash on an icy road. It was a horrible time in my life. I didn’t think I would recover from losing him. Every time it snows all I can think about is how slippery the roads are and I’m paralyzed in fear—or at least I was. I’m doing much better now.

Alexis: What was your first impression of Pete the veterinarian? After you two got to know each other, how did that impression change? 

Keira: Well, the very first time I met him I didn’t know who he was, and I’ll admit I was interested. That being said once I talked to him again and realized the he didn’t date moms I was not impressed. I mean really, what mom would be? But I respected his honesty. It took me a little while to figure it out, but Pete is a nice guy with a big heart.

Alexis: Your child Cody calls your best friend “Aunt” Susan. How did they bond? 

Keira: Like you said Susan is my best friend. She’s like an Aunt to Cody. She takes care of him when I need help and she’s there whenever we need her. Susan is a big part of our lives.

Alexis: Do you think that Susan is a good friend for helping your meet your match? How did you thank her when things between you and Pete, though rocky at first, started looking up?

Keira: I don’t think I’d call her a good friend for setting me up on a blind date without my permission, but no one is perfect. I’m not sure I ever did thank her. 

Alexis: What was it about your feelings for your late husband that prevented you from falling in love with Pete? How did you overcome that obstacle?

Keira: Hmm, that’s a good question. I’m not sure I can give you the answer you’re hoping for. I don’t think it was so much my feelings for him, but rather me not realizing I was capable of loving again. 

Alexis: Would you say that Pete is a great cook? Why or why not? 

Keira: Yes. Most definitely, yes! If you’d tasted the meal he made for us you would agree. 

Alexis: What’s your favorite dish that Pete’s cooked for you? Why? 

Keira: Without a doubt the Chicken Piccata Pasta. It was delicious!

Alexis: What role does your candy store play in your story? What makes it special?

Keira: Aside from my son, the candy store is my life. It was my late husband’s dream and it pays the bills. I don’t know what I’d do without it. 

Alexis: Pete said he doesn’t date women who have kids but clearly things worked out, so how did you convince him to take a risk on loving you and Cody?

Keira: I didn’t convince him. I’m not sure what changed, but somewhere along the way he had a change of heart.

Alexis: What role does Blondie (the gorgeous puppy) play in this story? Describe how her puppy eyes pull your heartstrings. 

Keira: Ah, Blondie. She was such a sweet dog. Poor Pete was so disappointed when her owner showed up. I think he had his heart set on placing Blondie under our Christmas tree for Cody.

Alexis: If you could change anything about your own life story and your new romance with Pete, what would it be? Why?

Keira: I wish I wasn’t afraid of winter weather driving. It makes my world smaller than I’d like and causes me stress. I wouldn’t change anything about Pete. Why do you ask? Don’t you think he’s just right as is? 

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

Keira: Thanks, Alexis! It was my pleasure to visit with you today. I hope you have a very Merry Christmas. If you ever get to Leavenworth, Washington please stop by my candy shop and introduce yourself. I highly recommend coming during the lighting festival. There is nothing like Leavenworth at Christmastime. 

~*~
Author bio: 

Faith Hope and Love Reader's Choice Finalist, 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, and is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers.

You can sign up for Kimberly's newsletter via her website at: http://kimberlyrjohnson.com/index.html

~*~
Book blurb for A Christmas Surprise: 

Veterinarian Pete Harding doesn’t date single moms. 

After showing up to a blind date to find he left before she arrived, Keira is reminded why she doesn’t date. She had true love once but a tragic accident ripped him from her and their son, who’s now four and only wants a puppy for Christmas this year.

Although off limits since she’s a single mom, Pete determines to help Keira find the perfect puppy for her son.

Keira wonders about Pete. He says he doesn’t date women with children, yet she can’t help but notice he behaves like a man who has more on mind than finding a puppy.

Will love break down Pete’s walls and bring more than a puppy for Christmas?

A Christmas Surprise was originally published in 2013 as The Christmas Promise.

~*~
Connect with Kimberly Rose:
Amazon - http://amzn.to/2iGPy0m
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/KimberlyRoseJohnson

Twitter - https://twitter.com/kimberlyrosejoh

Website - www.kimberlyrjohnson.com

~*~

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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Fall into Love: Kimberly Rose's story

A Love That Lasts

A Fall into Love story written by Kimberly Rose Johnson

When I was asked to write a post on how I fell in love with my husband I thought to myself, “I can’t.” How was I supposed to put into words something I didn’t remember doing? That’s correct, I don’t remember falling in love with my husband—it just happened.

I was seventeen when I met the man I would marry. We were both in the same orientation group at college, and as it turned out we had a lot in common, including music, which was my passion. We were in the school’s traveling choir together and had at least one other class together that I can remember—good thing too because I think I spent more time reading the notes he passed me than paying attention to our professor in that class—this was long before texting.

I only remember going on a handful of dates, after all, we were both poor college students so we usually went for walks and talked. To this day that is a part of our daily lives. He proposed two days before my nineteenth birthday, and we married two months before my twentieth birthday, one week after he turned twenty-one.

I know this is supposed to be about how I fell in love with my husband, and up to this point in our relationship, I have no idea. It was only after we were married that I truly began to understand what true love is. Someone gave us a framed picture with 1 Corinthians printed out on it as a wedding gift. I often had to look at the picture and remind myself that love is patient and kind, it is not easily angered and it keeps no record of wrong. Whew! Although this is a chapter from the bible I have memorized, having that visual hanging in my bedroom was a great visual reminder.

Love is a choice, pure and simple. Every day I choose to love my husband. I can’t imagine a life without him. He is still my best friend. I look forward to seeing him when he comes home from work, and I enjoy spending time with him and talking with him on our daily walks.

I wish I could share a mushy story about how I fell in love, but for me, life isn’t like a romance novel. I consider that to be a good thing—we each have our own story and it’s okay to have a story that’s not the norm. I enjoy escaping into a sweet romance story, and I especially enjoy writing them. The Lord has given me an imagination that thrives on dreaming up stories, and He has given me a husband who has helped to teach me what true love is—A Love that Lasts.

~*~
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 was a finalist in the 2017 Romance Writers of America Faith Hope and Love Readers Choice Award. She holds a degree in Behavioral Science from Northwest University in Kirkland, WA. She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers.

You can sign up for Kimberly's newsletter via her website at: http://kimberlyrjohnson.com/index.html

~*~
Book Blurb for A Love That Lasts:

Some things just weren’t meant to be—or were they?

Recent nursing school graduate Holly Miller knows from personal experience a slip-up can cost a life. A mistake she made years ago still haunts her. She is determined to stay focused and not allow any distractions in her life—including an old high school classmate she ran into at the hospital who is as handsome as the pastries he bakes are tasty and sweet.

Matthew Cook had a crush on Holly back in high school and is surprised to find she’s working at the local hospital. She’d rejected him when they were teens, but he seems to have her attention now. Can he convince her that she can have it all—including a love that lasts, without sacrificing her career?

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Buy Kimberly's book on Amazon.com - http://amzn.to/2vxtEV5

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Follow Kimberly on Facebook and Twitter: 
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/KimberlyRoseJohnson
Twitter - https://twitter.com/kimberlyrosejoh/

~*~

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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Character Interview: Estelle from Kimberly Rose Johnson's new book, "An Encore for Estelle"

Let's welcome Kimberly Rose Johnson's new character Estelle Rogers to the blog today!

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.

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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.

~*~
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

~*~
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?

~*~
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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Interview: Kimberly Rose Johnson, author of "A Love Song for Kayla"

Welcome Kimberly Rose Johnson to the blog today! She's here to talk about her new novel, A Love Song for Kayla. 

Look at the cover of her book. Isn't it pretty?

Here's the blurb for Kimberly's book:

When two strangers cross paths their lives are forever altered.

Ever since she was sixteen Kayla Russell has dreamed of her perfect man. She even went so far as to make a list of desired qualities. The list has proven to be a bust since no man is that perfect, at least until she meets Derek. But will his secrets come between them and destroy what could have been something wonderful?

When music superstar Derek Parker comes to small town Oregon to escape the paparazzi he goes incognito as a deliveryman. He wants to leave his old life behind, but it proves to be harder than he realized when his past finds him. Now the woman he has come to care for feels deceived and no longer wants anything to do with him.

Formerly published under the title A Valentine for Kayla.

~*~

Now, on to the interview! Enjoy! 
. . . 

Alexis: What inspired the title for your story, A Love Song for Kayla?

Kimberly: Music plays a strong role in the story, and let’s just say that Derek is a composer as well as a singer.

Alexis: Tell us about your story’s heroine Kayla Russell. What is her dream? What in her life prevents that dream from coming true?

Kimberly: Professionally, Kayla is doing well, but on a personal level she has yet to find the man of her dreams, which has caused her to grow discontent with her life.

Alexis: What inspired Kayla to make a list of desired qualities that she believes compose her dream man? 

Kimberly: When she was a teenager a series of bad experiences with guys made her decide she needed a list of qualities a man would have to have for her to consider going out with him.

Alexis: What age is Kayla when the story starts? What are her thoughts about that list now that she’s older and has not yet met her “dream” man? 

Kimberly: I don’t think I ever state exactly how old Kayla is. In my mind though she is in her middle twenties. She feels hopeless about finding Mr. Right and has already crossed a couple of her original qualities off the list. 

Alexis: Tell us about your story’s hero Derek Parker. What makes him “perfect” to Kayla? Share the hope in his heart and his character flaws.

Kimberly: Derek, loves the Lord, is good looking, and he can sing. Derek is attempting to leave his past behind because he doesn’t like the person he has become. He wants to simplify his life and believes he will be able to do so a thousand miles away from his old life.

Alexis: Can you give us a clue about the secrets that Derek is keeping? If revealed, in what ways will his secrets affect his relationship with Kayla?

Kimberly: My lips are sealed. It will have a drastic affect on his relationship with Kayla. 

Alexis: Let’s not forget the fact that Derek is a music superstar! Awesome! What were the challenges and joys in researching and writing his character? 

Kimberly: I tossed around making him a jazz signer for a while, but then decided to go more mainstream. However, I didn’t go heavily into that part of his character. It’s more about who he is now.

Alexis: Why does Derek go undercover as a deliveryman? What is it about his “old life” that he is trying to escape? 

Kimberly: Derek wants to be treated like a normal guy, and he wants to be liked for himself, not his celebrity. He’s tired of pretending to be something he’s not and wants a more simple life.

Alexis: Why did you set this story in Oregon and not elsewhere? 

Kimberly: I set all my books in the Pacific Northwest. I live in Oregon and thought it was about time I set one here. This book was originally my fifth book ever published, and up to that point all my books had taken place in Washington State. 

Alexis: What was the most fun scene in this book for you to write? Why? 

Kimberly: I love the opening. I can actually remember writing it as it reflected how I felt on that day—Valentine’s Day. I also really enjoyed the final scene. There was a lot of tension in the one. I don’t want to give it away, so that’s all I will say.

Alexis: How did your personal taste in music affect your storytelling? 

Kimberly: I don’t think it did actually. I don’t listen to the kind of music Derek performed. I prefer contemporary Christian music and seldom listen to secular music.

Alexis: What food or beverage could you not live without as you wrote this story? 

Kimberly: Oh my, I don’t remember. But right now dark chocolate is my biggest vice.

Alexis: What’s the moral of this story? 

Kimberly: I think the story will speak to each person differently, depending on his or her life story. For me, it was letting go and trusting the Lord. 

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

Kimberly: This book was originally published as A Valentine for Kayla. It’s one of my favorite stories I’ve written because I can relate with Kayla. Thanks for hosting me, Alexis! This was fun.

~*~
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: http://kimberlyrjohnson.com/index.html

~*~

Buy Kimberly's book on Amazon.

~*~
Connect with Kimberly:
Amazon: http://amzn.to/2kl4Urd
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KimberlyRoseJohnson
Twitter: https://twitter.com/kimberlyrosejoh
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/krose1990/

Interview with Kimberly Rose Johnson, author of Island Hope

Greetings, dear blog readers! How are you? Please welcome a familiar face to the blog today! Kimberly Rose Johnson is here to talk about her new novel, Island Hope. Here are all the sweet details, starting with the book cover:

Book blurb for Island Hope:

Metal sculptor Hope Michaels gave up on art when her creativity was zapped by another. Burying herself in her electrical contracting business, Hope takes a job on Wildflower Island. She never imagines that a job at the Wildflower Resort will turn everything in her life upside down. But that’s exactly what happens when her best friend and employer, Piper, plays matchmaker.

A lonely widower throws all his energy into raising his teenage daughter, but when he is promoted to manager of the Wildflower Resort, things at home don’t go as smoothly as planned. Worried about his relationship with his daughter, he seeks advice from a feisty-but-sweet newcomer. Will she help smooth his path or will things only get more complicated?

~*~

Sounds like a good book, right? Would you like to know more? Read on for my interview with Kimberly Rose Johnson.

*Words from Alexis are in bold, words from Kimberly are not in bold

Interview with Kimberly Rose Johnson

Alexis: Island Hope is Book 4 in your Wildflower B&B Romance series. What makes it special?

Kimberly: For me it’s that it’s the final book in the series. We see what is going on in the lives of each of the hero and heroines of earlier books and it wraps their stories up.

Hope Michaels is your heroine. What is the significance of her story?

She is a strong woman with a soft heart. I love the dichotomy of her appearance compared to who she is on the inside.

What brings Hope to Wildflower Island?

Hope comes to Wildflower to do some electrical work at the resort.

What is Hope’s relationship with Piper? Share their backstory and describe their bond. 

Piper and Hope were college roommates. They’ve stayed close through the years and Hunt Enterprises, Piper’s family’s development company, has used Hope’s electrical company for various jobs.

Why does Piper decide to play matchmaker with Hope and how does Piper’s matchmaking turn Hope’s life “upside down”?

I think Piper plays matchmaker because she wants her friend to find love too. As far as turning it upside down, I think the readers need to find that out for themselves.

Who is the “lonely widower” in this story? Why did you make him the hero?

Derrick Trainor is the brother of the manager at the B&B. We first met him very briefly in Island Christmas, but there was something about him that made me want to develop his character and give him his own story.

Share the widower’s backstory. How did he become a single dad of a teenage daughter and what is she (the teenage daughter) like?

Derrick’s wife died in a car accident. His daughter is a great girl, but she’s gotten to a stage in her life where he feels inadequate. He’s not ready for her to have a boyfriend and doesn’t know how to deal with all the emotions his daughter is projecting.

What is Hope’s first impression of the lonely widower? Is it a lasting impression? Explain.

At first she resents him and when she finds out that her friend is trying to set her up with Derrick she quits. That’s all I’m going to tell you. I don’t want to ruin the story for anyone.

Why did you write Island Hope?

At its core, I wrote it because my publisher really wanted a fourth book in the series. But I don’t think I was ready to let go of the characters on the island and like I mentioned before, I wanted to tell Derrick’s story.

What inspired you to create these characters? 

I wanted an out-of-the-box female character and I pairing her with a “normal” guy was fun. I enjoyed the challenge these characters presented.

What do you want your readers to take away from this book?

In the opening of the story, Piper warns Derrick to not judge a book by its cover. I hope this story will encourage people to look beyond appearances and see the people for who they really are. There are some spiritual takeaways as well, but I like to allow readers to form their own opinions regarding the spiritual takeaway.

Complete this sentence: When I wrote “the end” to Island Hope, I felt ____________________ because ______________________.

When I wrote “the end” to Island Hope, I felt happy and relieved because I was under a tight deadline. At the same time it was bittersweet because it was the final book in the series. I will miss these characters.

~*~
Author bio:

Kimberly Rose Johnson, soon to be empty-nester, lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband and their yellow lab. 

Island Refuge is her sixth published book and the first in a series of three.

Kimberly enjoys long walks, chocolate, and mochas, not necessarily in that order.


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Connect with Kimberly:
Pinterest - https://www.pinterest.com/krose1990/
Twitter link - https://twitter.com/kimberlyrosejoh
Website - http://kimberlyrjohnson.com/

~*~
WIN fun freebies by visiting the Rafflecopter giveaway with Kimberly's name on it. Here's the direct link, http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/1ffcd6d01/

Book promotion for Island Christmas

We're visiting with Kimberly Rose Johnson today! She's here for the final promo push of her latest Christmas story, Island Christmas. 

Continue reading this blog post for details including an excerpt from Island Christmas and a review of Kimberly's book by Tina Rice, a very happy customer! 

Merry Christmas and God bless you! 

~*~

Excerpt from Island Christmas: 

RACHEL NARRELLI tucked one hand into her jacket pocket and with the other, held tighter to her small son’s hand as she gazed at the house that had changed the course of her life. Well, maybe the Wildflower Bed-and-Breakfast hadn’t, but the people here had, and it felt wonderful to be back. She took in the old Victorian house that looked so much nicer than the first time she’d visited. The white paint on the exterior, now a little more than three years old, looked as good as the day they painted it. She snickered.

“What’s so funny, Mommy?” Jason, her three-year-old son, tugged at her hand.

She squatted to his level. “I was thinking about the summer I spent here when you were in my tummy. I walked out that door,” she pointed toward the covered porch, “when the man who was painting wasn’t paying attention and painted me instead of the house.”

Jason giggled, the childlike sound infectious. She pulled him into a bear hug. “We won’t be here long, but I think you will like the B&B, Jasie. The owners are real nice. Mrs. Jackson is my new boss, too.”

“What’s a boss?”

She tapped his nose. “Someone who tells you what to do.”

He grinned and placed a hand on each side of her face. “You’re my boss, Mommy.”

“That’s right.” She stood and took his hand. “Now be on your best behavior.”

Little Jason, named after her late husband, or Jasie, as she so often called her active son, stood straight and raised his chin. She tried not to laugh, but he was so cute when he attempted to act like a big boy. 

~*~

Book review for Island Christmas:

Oct 28, 2015 Tina Rice rated it 5 of 5 stars (Tina wrote this review)

Island Christmas***** book 3 Wildflower B&B Romance Series
by Kimberly Rose Johnson

We return to the Wildflower Bed and Breakfast in this 3rd book, Island Christmas. Rachel Narrelli and her 3 year old son, Jason, “Jasie”, will be staying at the B&B until she locates a rental for her and her son. Rachel is a new Sous Chef and will be working at a local restaurant with her friend and boss Chef Zoe Jackson. She is happy to be staying in the same room at the B&B she stayed in three years ago—feels like coming home.

Chris Campbell, works far too much, has recently settled into the B&B while he searches for the perfect investment property and a place to live. The good thing about his job, he can work from home or anywhere. But he really needs a quieter, more relaxed environment—according to his doctor.

Things certainly do not go well for Rachel from the very first day on the new job. After that first disastrous day, one thing after another goes wrong. The one bright spot in all this is her new friend Chris. However, Rachel has no intention to become anything but “friends”—her heart just can't take any more sorrow. I think Chris fell in love with Jasie the first time he met him—as I did. He is even drawn to Rachel but has no plans to further their relationship beyond “friends”. Will Rachel and Chris get beyond their own heartaches and problems and allow love to bloom? Will Rachel allow God to heal her broken heart and trust Him again? Can Chris trust God for his uncertain future?

It is good to return to Wildflower Island and the B&B and catch up with some of the characters from the first two books in this newest one. I loved Jasie, he is such a cute, energetic little boy and captured my heart right off. I liked seeing Rachel return to Wildflower and the changes she has made in her life—for the good—since we last saw her. Chris is another character that really tugged at my heart. He is such a strong, Christian man who lives his life according to his beliefs. But his uncertain future holds him back from opening his heart to love. I was rooting for both Chris and Rachel to overcome the obstacles they cling to and allow God to bless them. There is so much to like about this story. I enjoyed the descriptions of the island's rare snow and it's beauty. I like how Kimberly R. Johnson weaves a magical Christmas romance that is heartwarming and full of life's ups and downs, love, triumphs and strong faith message. I would love to see another Wildflower B&B book!...hint ;-)

Tina says: "I received a DOC copy of this book from the author for my honest review."

~*~

Book blurb for Island Christmas: 

Should Rachel take a risk, or play it safe and possibly lose the man who could help fulfill her dreams? 

Sous Chef Rachel Narrelli returns to Wildflower Island looking for a fresh start for herself and her young son, but discovers that life has a lot of bumps in the road even on idyllic Wildflower Island. She is grateful when new friend Chris Campbell offers support as she faces obstacles with her new job and new life. She cares for the Chris but must decide if she is willing to risk her heart to a man with an uncertain future.

A self-proclaimed workaholic, Chris Campbell comes to Wildflower Island hoping to take life at a slower pace. When a new guest at the Wildflower B&B catches his eye, he is drawn to her. But how will a woman and her young son fit into his future—a future that’s uncertain at best? And most of all, how can he reconcile her lack of faith in God with his strong religious beliefs.

~*~

Buy Island Christmas:
Amazon - http://amzn.to/20zGcmr
Barnes & Noble - http://bit.ly/1iHwCvt
Books-A-Million - http://bit.ly/1Qj1S1r

~*~

Connect with Kimberly:
Pinterest - https://www.pinterest.com/krose1990/
Twitter link - https://twitter.com/kimberlyrosejoh
Website - http://kimberlyrjohnson.com/

Interview with Kimberly Rose Johnson featuring Island Christmas

We're visiting with a very familiar author today, Kimberly Rose Johnson returns to the blog to talk about her new novel, Island Christmas!

Kimberly would like to give away one Kindle copy of her book to the person who wins the book giveaway contest! :)

Contest rules: In order to enter the book giveaway contest, leave a comment for Kimberly saying why you want to read her book Island Christmas. The contest starts today (Nov. 8) and will end on Sunday, Nov. 22. You must leave your e-mail address with your comment so that if you are the winner, we can contact you and make arrangements for you to receive your prize. The winner will be selected via an old-fashioned drawing conducted by me (Alexis) and the winner will be announced on this blog post on Monday, Nov. 23. 

It's just in time for the holiday season, wouldn't you agree? I hope you enjoy your time with Kimberly today! :)

~*~
Congrats on the third installment to your Wildflower B&B Romance series! What is Island Christmas about and why did you write it? 

Island Christmas features a strong secondary character from the first book in the series who returns to Wildflower Island with her three-year-old son. Here is the back cover blurb.

Should Rachel take a risk, or play it safe and possibly lose the man who could help fulfill her dreams?

Sous Chef Rachel Narrelli returns to Wildflower Island looking for a fresh start for herself and her young son, but discovers that life has a lot of bumps in the road even on idyllic Wildflower Island. She is grateful when new friend Chris Campbell offers support as she faces obstacles with her new job and new life. She cares for the Chris but must decide if she is willing to risk her heart to a man with an uncertain future.

A self-proclaimed workaholic, Chris Campbell comes to Wildflower Island hoping to take life at a slower pace. When a new guest at the Wildflower B&B catches his eye, he is drawn to her. But how will a woman and her young son fit into his future—a future that’s uncertain at best? And most of all, how can he reconcile her lack of faith in God with his strong religious beliefs.

Tell me about your leading lady Rachel. Who is she? What is her role in the story? What is her Christmas dream? What makes her special?

As I mentioned above Rachel was originally in Island Refuge, at that time she was pregnant and recently widowed. It is now a little more than three years later and she has returned to Wildflower Island to pursue a career as a chef. She is the new sous chef at the resort restaurant (also new, since book one).

Although never stated, I believe her Christmas dream is to find love. Rachel is special to me because she played such a big role in the first book in this series, and now we are inside her head. I loved getting to know Rachel better. She has a lot of baggage she is carrying around, but she doesn’t let that stop her—don’t want to say anymore and risk spoiling the story for readers.

Tell me about your main man Chris. Who is he? What is his role in the story? What is his Christmas dream? What makes him special?

Chris is a software and web designer. He’s a driven man, he loves the Lord, and practices his faith. The men in his family have all died young from heart issues. His doctor warned him that he needed to slow down and cut the stress from his life, or he would end up like his dad and grandfather, so he moved to Wildflower Island to invest in a property and take advantage of the slower pace of the island. Chris is special because he has a huge heart and he lives his faith.

Why is Rachel torn between taking a risk and playing it safe? 

Risks can lead to hurt and she’s been hurt enough to know, she doesn’t want that. On the other hand she could miss out on a lot by playing it safe.

What is one of the hurdles Rachel must overcome in this story?

Poor Rachel does not have an easy time of it when she first arrives on the island. One of the things she must understand is that her past does not determine her future.

What is the greatest challenge Chris will face in this story? 

Chris thought he had come to terms with his medical history, but in reality, he hadn’t. For lack of a better explanation at this moment, Chris needs to trust that the Lord is always in control and not try to play God

Rachel has a young son. Is the father of her son in the picture? What happened?

Rachel’s husband died two weeks after they were married of a cancerous brain tumor that he didn’t know he had.

How does Chris help Rachel and how does she help him?

Chris is a great friend to Rachel. He is there for her time and again when she needs someone. Rachel opens his heart to a future.

As the author, what did you most enjoy about creating Chris and Rachel? 

I loved being able to drop them into a Christmas setting and I especially enjoyed writing Rachel’s character. There is so much more to her than I had realized when she was originally in Island Refuge.

What role does faith in God play in this storyline?

It’s huge! Here’s a little behind the scenes tidbit: I had written half of the story, when it I found out I had an issue with my editors schedule and the only time she could fit me in was two weeks from that date, or I’d have to find someone else. I LOVE my editor and have worked with her on every book I’ve had published, so I wrote the rest of the book in two weeks time.

That being said, I relied heavily on the Lord to guide my writing and guide it He did! Wow. This story took a turn I didn’t expect and looking back I see His hand in it.

What’s the moral of the story?

I think there is so much to this story, that each reader may find a different moral. For me it was you are not defined by your past. An online reviewers thought it was faith and another forgiveness.

If you could attend a Christmas party with Rachel or Chris, who would you choose and why?

Oh my goodness! That’s like asking which one of my children I’d rather spend Christmas with. How can I choose? I guess if forced to choose I’d go with Rachel because I wouldn’t want to make my husband jealous. LOL!

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

Thanks for hosting me! It’s been a pleasure visiting you and your blog once again. Finally for the readers, if you subscribe to Kindle Unlimited all of the books in this series are included, so you may read them for free.

~*~

Author bio:

Kimberly Rose Johnson, soon to be empty-nester, lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband and their yellow lab.


Island Refuge is her sixth published book and the first in a series of three.


Kimberly enjoys long walks, chocolate, and mochas, not necessarily in that order.

~*~

Book blurb for Island Christmas:

Should Rachel take a risk, or play it safe and possibly lose the man who could help fulfill her dreams? 

Sous Chef Rachel Narrelli returns to Wildflower Island looking for a fresh start for herself and her young son, but discovers that life has a lot of bumps in the road even on idyllic Wildflower Island. She is grateful when new friend Chris Campbell offers support as she faces obstacles with her new job and new life. She cares for the Chris but must decide if she is willing to risk her heart to a man with an uncertain future. 

A self-proclaimed workaholic, Chris Campbell comes to Wildflower Island hoping to take life at a slower pace. When a new guest at the Wildflower B&B catches his eye, he is drawn to her. But how will a woman and her young son fit into his future—a future that’s uncertain at best? And most of all, how can he reconcile her lack of faith in God with his strong religious beliefs.

~*~

Buy Island Christmas:

Amazon - http://amzn.to/20zGcmr

Barnes & Noble - http://bit.ly/1iHwCvt
Books-A-Million - http://bit.ly/1Qj1S1r

~*~

Connect with Kimberly:
Pinterest - https://www.pinterest.com/krose1990/
Twitter link - https://twitter.com/kimberlyrosejoh
Website - http://kimberlyrjohnson.com/

A Tour of Wildflower Island, led by a story character

Give a hearty "hello" to one of our blog friends, Kimberly Rose Johnson! She's a regular visitor to this blog and this time, she brings a special treat for you, my lovely readers! :)

Today, the hero of her book Island Dreams is going to give you a tour of Wildflower Island which is the setting for the story. Enjoy the tour! 

Hi there, my name is Chase Grayson. I’d like to take you on a tour of my home, Wildflower Island! 

It’s best to start from the ferry landing. You may notice that we don’t have a sandy beach. I suppose most people would prefer sand, but God gave us a pebbled beach instead, which suits me fine. If we had white sandy beaches the tourists would be flocking to my small island in the Puget Sound. It’s not really my island, but I love it as if it were my own. 

Just yesterday I was reminded when the ferry dropped off Piper Hunt—a land developer whose family owns about half of Wildflower Island—that this land is not mine. In fact, I own a very small portion. I still can’t believe what she wants to do. She plans to build a resort. A resort! And her land abuts mine. No way do I want a resort next door. 

Sorry, I get distracted thinking about that woman and her plans. Anyway, back to the tour.

Up ahead and on the left is the driveway to Wildflower B&B where Piper is staying. The B&B is a nice place and has a great view of the Sound from the backyard. 

If you continue on inland you’ll pass by the general store, but don’t blink or you’ll miss it. A little further on and you’ll happen upon the golf club, which has the only nice restaurant on the island. I’m meeting Piper there tonight for dinner, so she can show me her new plan for her resort. She seems to think I have the ability to push her project though to the town council. But as far as I’m concerned we don’t need more people clogging our roadways. Plus there aren’t enough businesses to service the amount of people Piper’s resort would bring anyway. I digress. Sorry about that. 

I know you want a tour, but there’s really not much more to see except a few churches, an old schoolhouse, a bunch of trees with houses sprinkled in here and there, and a few lakes. We’ve done a good job at preserving the natural beauty of the island. People who come here to visit enjoy water sports, hiking, biking, and relaxing. I personally enjoy kayaking. It’s a favorite pastime. 

Oh, but before you go I’d love to give you a tour of my yard. I’ve worked hard making it a showpiece for my landscaping business. I designed a lookout that has an amazing view of the Sound. And here we are. The driveway is long and private just the way I like it. Isn’t the view something? The sailboats are my favorite to watch on nice days like today. Feel free to enjoy the view, but I need to head in and get ready for my dinner date with Piper. Somehow I have to convince her that this island is a bad choice for her development. I know I’m playing with fire when it comes to Piper, but I actually like her. She’s nice and seems to want to do right by the land. I at least need to give her a chance to pitch her proposal to me. Not that what I think matters, but I suppose anyone would appreciate a supporter. 

Thanks for visiting. I’m sure you can find your own way back to the ferry.

~*~

Author bio:

Kimberly Rose Johnson, soon to be empty-nester, lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband and their yellow lab.

Island Refuge is her sixth published book and the first in a series of three.

Kimberly enjoys long walks, chocolate, and mochas, not necessarily in that order.

 

~*~

Book blurb:

Piper Hunt arrives on Wildflower Island to develop family property into an upscale resort knowing this may be her last chance to prove her worth to her father. With grandiose ideas, she soon finds herself at odds with adjoining property owner, Chase Grayson.

As she begins to appreciate the simplicity of the island, she struggles to maintain balance between her father’s wishes, preserving the natural beauty of the island, and her attraction for Chase.

Chase Grayson values the peace and quiet of Wildflower Island. That serenity is threatened when Piper Hunt discloses her plans to develop an upscale resort that not only butts up to his property, but will turn the island into a busy tourist destination.

In fighting her plans, he also finds himself fighting his attraction to her. If he doesn’t stop her plans for the resort, his life will be altered forever. If he succeeds, it means he will never see her again. Can he live with either choice?