Let Love Bloom: The Bashful Bride

Interview with Vanessa Riley about her book The Bashful Bride:

Alexis: What inspired you to write this story?

Vanessa: My daughter actually inspired this one. She and a group of her friends have crushes on late night talk show hosts. It amused me to discover this and also made me aware that my late night writing schedule has allowed her to stay up too late. Bad parenting skills. 

Alexis: Why did you title your book, “The Bashful Bride”? 

Vanessa: Ester is shy. She is a big dreamer but is more comfortable helping you with your plans than she is living them for herself. Ester’s bashful but inside is a heart of a lion.

Alexis: Why did you choose to set your story in London, England?

Vanessa: I love London and its perfect backdrop for the Regency novels.

Alexis: Describe how you did research for this story. What was the most challenging aspect of the research? 

Vanessa: I do a great deal of research for my stories. I search through court filings, old diaries, newspapers, and history books. The most challenging aspect of research is how to present facts that differ from what one sees on TV or from preconceived notions. I show a different viewpoint of history, and I want people to enjoy it and not feel overwhelmed when they realize that what they thought was true, might not be.

Alexis: Arthur Bex is the hero of your story. What’s he like? Describe his heart, looks, and motivation. Talk briefly about his background too. 

Vanessa: Arthur Bex is hiding a secret. He survived an incident and made a choice that meant he lost everything. He lives in fear that once the truth outs, he’ll lose everything again. He is motivated to right wrongs and to protect his heart, but to love is to be vulnerable. That’s his struggle.

Alexis: Ester Croome is the heroine of your story. What’s she like? Describe her heart, looks, and motivation. Talk briefly about her background too.

Vanessa: Ester is shy and sheltered. Eloping with Bex is her first step out into a world she is no longer under her father’s protection. It’s scary, but she wants her own dreams. She just hasn’t decided if she’s ready to fight for them.

Alexis: What role does a friend's newspaper advertisement for a groom play in bringing Arthur and Ester together?

Vanessa: A dear friend of Ester, Frederica Burghley, has been placing advertisements in a newspaper for a husband. When she nets Arthur Bex, Frederica steps aside for Ester. Strong friendships want each member to be happy. Frederica, though desperate for a husband, wants Ester to be happy. 

Alexis: What or who threatens to tear Arthur and Ester apart? Why?

Vanessa: Secrets and fear are the things that tear them apart. Arthur’s secret is dreadful, but his unwillingness to share his burden with Ester is a deal breaker. Ester wants everything in a neat safe box. She is unprepared for how messy the real world can be.

Alexis: Arthur is a famous actor. Ester is a shy heiress. Is this a story of opposites attract? Why or why not? 

Vanessa: Not really opposites. They have a lot of things in common including a love of Shakespeare.

Alexis: What it about Arthur that made Ester fall in love at first sight?

Vanessa: Ester fell in love with Bex when she saw him perform on stage. His acting and his voice won her heart over.

Alexis: What is it about Ester that intrigues Arthur and makes him want to protect her at any cost?

Vanessa: He wants a forthright woman who will believe in him. He sees that in Ester. She’s very strong in her opinions.

Alexis: Why it is important to Arthur to marry a woman of “good character” and in what ways does Ester fit that bill?

Vanessa: Ester believes in truth and is passionate about it. Arthur is passionate about his fight for abolition. They both are fighting the good fights. Arthur believes that if she can truly love him, then she’ll fight for him.

Alexis: If you could spend a day with your main characters, what would you do and why?

Vanessa: We’d probably all go see Shakespeare in the park. I think we would have a blast.

Alexis: What do you want readers to remember most about The Bashful Bride?

Vanessa: That forgiveness starts with forgiving yourself. If you can’t forgive yourself, you will be held in bondage, and you will hold others in bondage. Ester and Arthur each have to come to a place of forgiveness before they can move forward and love freely.

Alexis: Thanks for the interview, Vanessa! God bless you and your writing.

~*~
Author Bio:

Vanessa Riley writes Regency and Historical Romances of dazzling multi-culture communities with powerful persons of color. 

Vanessa writes for historical romance readers who admire and acquire books that showcase women who find joy in sweeping kisses and strong sisterhoods. 

Even in the darkness, she promises to give you laughs and to show you how light always prevails and how love always, always wins. 

Vanessa juggles mothering a teen, cooking for her military-man husband, and speaking at women's and STEM events. She’s known for her sweeping romances and humorous delivery of poignant truths. 

You can catch her writing from the comfort of her southern porch with a cup of Earl Grey tea.

~*~

Book Blurb for The Bashful Bride:

A friend's newspaper advertisement for a groom nets the most famous actor in London, Arthur Bex. Shy heiress Ester Croome proposes to elope with the handsome man, who she's secretly loved for two years, in order to escape an impending engagement arranged by her overbearing family. 

Trying to outlive the shadow of his villainous uncle, Bex needs to marry quickly—to a woman of good character. And smart, beautiful Ester fits the bill. But a harrowing trip to Gretna Green and dangerous abolition rallies prove to be a more treacherous stage than either imagined. Infatuation and a mutual love for Shakespeare might not be enough to bind a couple looking to outrun the chains and secrets of family and the past.

~*~

Buy The Bashful Bride on Amazon

~*~

Connect with Vanessa:
Website - www.vanessariley.com
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/VanessaRileyAuthor
Twitter - http://www.twitter.com/VanessaRiley
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/regencymaid
Instagarm - https://www.instagram.com/govanessariley

*Sign up for her newsletter to get access to free stories, giveaways, and more at:
www.VanessaRiley.com

~*~

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Let Love Bloom: Dancing in the Rain

Interview with Jennifer Slattery, co-author of Dancing in the Rain:

Alexis: Why did you decide to write this book with Eileen Rife?

Jennifer: Eileen and I had been critique partners for years prior to this book, and we’ve always worked really well together. She’s one of those treasured writers who have the love and courage to tell you the truth regarding your stories and the patience to help you make them better.

This book was her baby, and I came in on the tail end as a critique partner. We got to talking about certain elements, and I think she felt I could add something to the story and the characterization. One afternoon, she sent me an email asking if I’d like to join her in the process. I felt honored and excited; the story premise really intrigued me!

Alexis: What was your collaboration/writing process like? Share details.

Jennifer: It is a bit hard to remember all of it as this was a while ago. We let the book lie fallow for a bit as she became busy with ministry and family, and I became busy with other releases that came out on deadlines.

I can’t remember how much of the book she had finished before I stepped in, but we passed the story back and forth quite a bit, chapter by chapter. She’d make tweaks, I’d tweak her tweaks. When differences of opinions arose, I deferred to her (I think. I hope!) as this was largely her baby, but for the most part, things played out really smoothly.

If I remember correctly, I took on a lot more of Michael’s voice and she took on a lot more of Loni’s voice. So that helped.

Alexis: What inspired you to create the characters with their unique individual stories and background? Describe how you brought your vision to fruition.

Jennifer: Eileen has a missionary and church camp background and a heart for bringing the outsiders, like Marta, one of the characters, in. So much of this story arose from her experiences at church camp growing up. I’ve always felt called to a rougher crowd, I suppose you could say. Those from tough upbringings, maybe who struggle (or have struggled with alcohol, so I had strong opinions as to Michael’s backstory, how that might’ve affected him, and how his father might or might not have behaved.

Alexis: Loni Parker is your story’s heroine. Describe her goals/motivation/conflict.

Jennifer: I have such admiration for Loni, a woman who faces ongoing challenges and insecurities related to her blindness. She really wants to be independent and prove herself, but she also wants to remain in God’s will. Sometimes she’s confused how to merge those things, especially when her heart becomes entangled!

Alexis: Michael Ackerman is your story’s hero. Describe his goals/motivation/conflict.

Jennifer: He grew up in an abusive home where he routinely saw his father beat up on his mom. He has a lot of baggage from that, and though he’s close to Christ and walking with Him, Michal still needs a lot of healing. He also has a lot of regret and shame for his past, which includes being the reason Loni lost her sight. These issues motivate his passion for kids and seeing them come to Christ and also his desire to suppress and hide his past as much as possible. 

Alexis: Why is Loni blind? What happened to her?

Jennifer: She was sideswiped by Michael’s car when he was drunk driving—the one time he drank. He’d snapped watching his father beat his mother, turned his anger on his father, then took off. Fueled by anger, suppressed and the fresh rage his father’s behavior triggered, he turned to alcohol. In that moment, in many ways, he became what he’d always hated most in his father.

Alexis: Why does Loni love music and desire to teach it to children?

Jennifer: Loni comes from a very musical family, and music is a huge part of her family’s bond with one another. When they’re together, they often play classical music, and even her service dog chimes in! Also, she feels music very deeply, even more so now that she’s blind. It speaks to her heart and brought her great comfort when she lost her sight. She wants to help children experience that same gift.

Alexis: Why is Loni struggling to find employment as a music teacher?

Jennifer: There are more applicants for the position than there are openings. She feels employers are overlooking her because of her blindness, though there’s no way to know if that’s true or simply her perspective based on her insecurities.

Alexis: What or who leads Loni to Camp Hope?
 

Jennifer: Her roommate, who’d been a camp counselor in the past, suggested Loni join her for a two-week camp experience. She felt it would help distract Loni from her disappointment regarding her unemployment.

Alexis: How did Michael change from ex-con to Director of a Christian camp?

Jennifer: He met a man from the prison fellowship whom he respected and fell in love with Jesus.

Alexis: What role does your characters’ faith in God play in this story?

Jennifer: It’s their lifeline. Without God, Loni would’ve spiraled into a dark world of bitterness after her accident, and Michael would’ve probably turned out like his dad. Similarly, without Jesus, Michael probably would continue running from his pain and his past instead of confronting it head-on, and Loni probably would put her dreams above God’s leading, potentially missing out on her greatest mission.

Alexis: If you were a counselor at Camp Hope and could spend a day with your main characters, what would you do? Why?

Jennifer: Go horseback riding for sure! It’d be so peaceful to ride through the trees, with the sun on my back and birds singing.

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

Jennifer: That God’s forgiveness is all-encompassing, and He can turn our greatest sins and regrets into beautiful mosaics of grace.

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

Jennifer: I’m curious to know how many of your readers spent time at a summer camp when they were kids and what their favorite memories are.

~*~
Author Bio:

Jennifer Slattery is a writer and international speaker who’s addressed women’s groups, church groups, Bible studies, and other writers across the nation. She’s the author of six contemporary novels maintains a devotional blog found at http://jenniferslatterylivesoutloud.com. 

She has a passion for helping women discover, embrace, and live out who they are in Christ. As the founder of Wholly Loved Ministries, (http://whollyloved.com) she and her team partner with churches to facilitate events designed to help women rest in their true worth and live with maximum impact. 

When not writing, reading, or editing, Jennifer loves going on mall dates with her adult daughter and coffee dates with her hilariously fun husband. 

Connect with her on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/JenSlatte) or Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/slatteryjennifer/).

~*~
Co-Author Bio:

Eileen Rife is a multi-published author in both fiction and nonfiction. 

She leads women's seminars, teaches creative writing, and runs Mission Manor, a respite for her missionary kids/grandkids while on furlough. 

You can visit Eileen on her website (http://www.eileen-rife.blogspot.com), Amazon Author Page (http://www.amazon.com/author/eileenrife) and Facebook Author Page (http://www.facebook.com/EileenRifeBooks).

~*~
Book Blurb for Dancing in the Rain:

On the verge of college graduation, Loni Parker seeks employment as a music teacher, but no one will hire her since she’s blind. Or so she thinks. To take her mind off her troubles, her roommate invites her to spring retreat at Camp Hope in the gorgeous North Carolina mountains. 

Unbeknownst to Loni, Michael Ackerman, the director, is an ex-con responsible for the accident that caused her blindness. When Loni warms up to camp and wants to return as a summer counselor, Michael opposes the idea, which only makes Loni want to prove herself all the more. Though she doesn’t expect to fall for the guy. Still, her need for independence and dream of teaching win out, taking her far away from her beloved Camp Hope . . . and a certain director.

Camp director Michael Ackerman recognizes Lonie instantly and wants to avoid her at all costs. Yet, despite the guilt pushing him from her, a growing attraction draws him to the determined woman. She sees more with her heart than the average person does with his eyes. But her presence also dredges up a long-buried anger toward his alcoholic father that he’d just as soon keep hidden. When circumstances spin out of control, Michael is forced to face a past that may destroy his present.

~*~
Buy Dancing in the Rain on Amazon

~*~
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Let Love Bloom: Dawn's story

Interview with Dawn Kinzer, author of Rebecca’s Song:

Alexis: This is book number three in The Daughters of Riverton Series. What makes it different from the rest?

Dawn: Rebecca started out as a nemesis in the first book, Sarah’s Smile, so readers didn’t like her character very much. In Hope’s Design, the second book in the series, they saw Rebecca begin to change. Like the other novels, Rebecca’s Song can be read as a stand-alone, but I think fans of the series will find it interesting and rewarding to see Rebecca’s character grow and see her own dreams come to fruition after so many struggles. I believe they’re going to love and finally understand her as much as I do.

Sarah’s Smile focuses on forgiveness and finding purpose in one’s own backyard. 

Hope’s Design is about using our God-given gifts and pursuing our dreams. 

The themes of Rebecca’s Song are trusting that God can bring good things out of bad situations and realizing that there’s more than one way to create a family.

Alexis: Why do you call this story "Rebecca’s Song"? What role does music play in it?

Dawn: Music has always played an important role in Rebecca’s life. She’s been her church pianist and organist for years, and music is a way she expresses herself. In the story, Rebecca periodically hums a melody she composed. The tune brings her comfort, but it also becomes an avenue to reach those in the story who are dealing with grief.

Alexis: Rebecca Hoyt, your story’s heroine, is a small-town schoolteacher who lost the hope of having her own family. Why did she lose hope?

Dawn: Because of physical complications, Rebecca was told by a doctor years ago that she would never be able to conceive. That was devastating because she’d always wanted to be a mother. Although she was engaged for a short period of time, her fiancé broke off the engagement when she disclosed she couldn’t have children. At one time, she thought she’d marry a widower with a young daughter and have a ready-made family, but that didn’t work out either. Feeling damaged and less-than, she struggles with believing any man—even someone with children—could love her.

Alexis: Why did you make Rebecca a schoolteacher and not another career in this story?

Dawn: Rebecca has been a schoolteacher in Riverton for ten years. She grew up in the small rural town, and because her desires have always been connected to raising and nurturing children, giving her the role of teacher seemed perfect. Also, during that time period, there weren’t many careers for women to pursue in a town with a population of less than five hundred. Some of the other women in the series work in stores, the local dress shop, or help their husbands on family farms.

Alexis: What is it about Rebecca’s students that she loves?

Dawn: Rebecca loves her students’ innocence, the way they display kindness toward each other, and their hunger for knowledge. She’s passionate about education, so it’s rewarding for her to see students get excited about learning.

Alexis: Who is the rebellious child in Rebecca’s life and how does that child threaten her livelihood?

Dawn: Willie Grayson is a thirteen-year-old boy who recently moved to Riverton with his parents and younger brother. Willie is a bully to the other students, and he refuses to obey Rebecca or do the schoolwork assigned, so she’s forced to suspend him more than once.

When he continues to be disruptive, Rebecca is told that if she can’t control her classroom, a male teacher will be brought in to replace her. The school board is willing to terminate her if something doesn’t change because Willie’s father has donated necessary funds to keep the school running, and he’s advocating for a new teacher.

Alexis: Jesse Rand is the hero in your story. He is a detective who loves to protect people. Why did you make him a detective and not another job description?

Dawn: I needed to come up with a hero whose job would keep him away from home at times and make it difficult for him to raise three children on his own. It was also important that what he did for a career was interesting, somewhat romantic, and included a wealth of possibilities for conflict and tension. The fact that he’s driven to protect people stems from his childhood, and it becomes a factor in his desire to take care of his niece and nephews when they need him the most.

Alexis: What is the one moment in Jesse’s life that changes everything?

Dawn: Jesse’s life changed when his mother died. He and his sister, Addie, were very young. Their father began drinking heavily and was pretty much absent until he also died. So, in order for them to survive—Jesse took care of his sister. He basically looked after her until she married. Although Jesse’s mother had a strong faith and encouraged her children to believe and trust in God, after her death, Jesse felt abandoned by God, and he believed he had to do everything on his own.

Alexis: Why does Jesse blame himself for the death of his sister and brother-in-law?

Dawn: Intellectually, Jesse knows he’s not to blame, but he rides the railroads every day, protecting people from harm. For many years, it was his job to protect his sister. The day they died, Addie and Levi were traveling to a convention with plans to meet him in Chicago. But they were shot and killed during a train robbery en route. He knows it wasn’t his fault, but he wonders if they hadn’t been on their way to see him, or if he’d been on that train, if their deaths could have been avoided.

Alexis: Describe Jesse’s character, goals, and motivation in this story.

Dawn: Jesse is a loner who prefers to work independently on the job. Rebecca even thinks of him as a lone wolf at times, but he begins to change as he spends more time with her and the children. He’s always been very loyal and protective of his sister because he looked after her most of their lives. When she’s killed, it becomes important to him that her children heal from their grief and experience a safe and happy home.

Because he saw injustice in his neighborhood while growing up, and because he experienced what he considers unfairness himself as a child, he seeks justice for anyone who is taken advantage of or who is harmed in any way. Jesse has two major goals in this story—put the men who killed his sister and brother-in-law behind bars and figure out a way to raise his niece and nephews without destroying his career.

Alexis: What is Rebecca’s motivation in this story? Does she fear anything? If so, explain.

Dawn: Rebecca’s world revolves around teaching and being connected to children. Everything she does is influenced by her desire to serve little ones. When her best friend is killed while her children are in Rebecca’s care, she can’t imagine not helping in any way she can to make sure they’re loved and comforted—and that their needs are met to the best of her ability. She wants to make sure that whatever decisions are made on their behalf are the best for them. There is also the fear of getting too close to the children and then having to face the heartbreak of losing them when their Uncle Jesse moves them to Chicago.

On another front, Rebecca is worried that she’ll lose her teaching position if she can’t motivate a challenging student to make some changes. If she loses her job, she doesn’t know what she’ll do with her life. Teaching is all she’s known and cared about.

Alexis: What is it about Rebecca that makes her look beautiful to Jesse? Is there anything that he does not like about her?

Dawn: Jesse is physically attracted to Rebecca. She’s beautiful with honey-colored hair and eyes the shade of soft green moss. But he sees her inner beauty in how she cares for his niece and nephews with patience, compassion, and understanding. He also appreciates her devotion to her students. 

She can be persistent and stubborn at times, which can irritate him when they disagree on something, like whether he should keep his handgun in the home. Rebecca believes it’s too dangerous to have a weapon around children, while Jesse feels that as a lawman, he needs to keep his gun with him at all times. He also thinks children should to be taught a healthy respect for guns.

Alexis: Why is Jesse determined to find the people who killed his sister?

Dawn: If Jesse can find the killers, he believes he’ll be able to find some inner peace. He’ll have done his job, and he’ll have revenge for what the members of the gang did to his sister and her family. Also, Jesse is driven by the need to find justice for those who have been wronged but can’t attain it for themselves.

Alexis: Why does Rebecca guard her heart around Jesse and the children in his family?

Dawn: Rebecca is afraid to open her heart wide to Jesse and the children because she believes she’ll eventually have to say goodbye to them. Jesse seems determined to take the children back to Chicago with him—once he can figure out new living arrangements and hire a nanny. He’s dedicated to his job and has no interest in staying in Riverton with the children. Rebecca’s life is in the small town with her parents, friends, and students. Unless Jesse changes his mind and decides to stay—or falls in love with her—she could end up brokenhearted.

Alexis: What brings Rebecca and Jesse together and what or who threatens to drive them apart?

Dawn: Their common goals to help the children grieve, heal, and eventually move on and live happy lives after their parents’ deaths bring Rebecca and Jesse together. However, they sometimes disagree on what’s best for the children. Although Rebecca understands Jesse’s need to return to his job as a railroad detective, it also frustrates and worries her that he sometimes seems to put his need to hunt killers above the children’s needs. 

Alexis: You put a lot of thought into this story. What makes it special to you?

Dawn: Rebecca’s story has become special to me because of the journey I’ve seen her take throughout the series. When I wrote Sarah’s Smile (Book 1), I never intended to make Rebecca a heroine in the third book. But, I began to see while writing Hope’s Design (Book 2) that Rebecca needed to have some redemption. None of us are perfect, and everyone deserves a second chance.

Like Rebecca, I went through a phase in my life where I made decisions that hurt people. I wasn’t proud of my behavior, and I worked hard to rebuild my credibility. I see that part of me in Rebecca. She’s made some huge mistakes, but she hasn’t run away from them. Instead, she’s stayed in Riverton, determined to make amends. She’s proven to the town that she’s worthy of friendship and respect. I love her for that.

Alexis: What do you want readers to remember most about Rebecca’s Song?

Dawn: I hope they finish the story with renewed hope and trust that when they’re overwhelmed, facing many challenges, or struggling with heartache, God still loves them. It’s often in hindsight that we’re able to see how God has been working behind the scenes to bring good into our lives. I also want readers to remember that the definition of family can mean different things to different people, and a family can consist of any group of people who care about each other

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

Dawn: I appreciate you taking time out of your busy day to join us! If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact me at dawn@dawnkinzer.com, and if you have a chance to read any of the books in the series, I’d love to hear your thoughts.

God bless!

~*~

Author Bio:

Dawn Kinzer is a freelance editor, and her own work has been published in various devotionals and magazines. She co-hosts and writes for Seriously Write, a blog devoted to encouraging and equipping Christian writers. Her personal blog, The Garden of Dreams, focuses on encouraging women to find purpose and pursue their dreams in the different seasons of their lives. 

Sarah’s Smile is the first book in her historical romance series The Daughters of Riverton, and Hope’s Design is the second. 

Rebecca’s Song will be released in May 2018. 

A mother and grandmother, Dawn lives with her husband in the beautiful Pacific Northwest. Favorite things include dark chocolate, good wine, strong coffee, the mountains, family time, and Masterpiece Theatre.

You can connect and learn more about Dawn and her work by visiting these online sites: Author Website, Dawn’s Blog, Goodreads, Facebook, Pinterest, and Instagram.

Sign up through Dawn's website to receive her author newsletter (sent every 2-3 months), and you’ll receive her short story, Maggie’s Miracle (PDF format) as a gift.

~*~
Blurb for Rebecca’s Song:

Rebecca’s Song (The Daughters of Riverton Series, Book 3)

A small-town school teacher who lost hope of having her own family.

A big-city railroad detective driven to capture his sister’s killer.

And three young orphans who need them both.

Rebecca Hoyt’s one constant was her dedication to her beloved students. Now, a rebellious child could cost her the job she loves. Without her teaching position, what would she do?

Detective Jesse Rand prides himself in protecting the people who ride the railroads. But, when his own sister and brother-in-law are killed by train robbers, the detective blames himself. Yet, another duty calls—he must venture to Riverton where his niece and nephews were left in the care of their beautiful and stubborn teacher, Rebecca Hoyt. They need to mourn and heal, but Jesse is determined to find his sister’s killers. Rebecca is willing to help care for the children, but she also fears getting too close to them—or their handsome uncle—knowing the day will come when he’ll take them back to Chicago.

Will Jesse and Rebecca find a way to open their hearts and work together? Or will they, along with the children, lose out on love?

~*~

Buy Rebecca's Song on Amazon

~*~

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Let Love Bloom: Bell's Book

Dreams Do Change
A guest post by Bell Renshaw

When I was little, I dreamed about growing up to be an artist. I even dressed up one Halloween as a ‘crazy artist’ complete with a white, frizzy-haired wig, a brush, and artists’ palette. Fast forward to today and…I am not an artist.

It’s probably not too much of a shock that my dreams changed. We often ask children what they want to be when they grow up and the answers range from firefighter to princess and beyond. Children have wild imaginations and it’s fun to hear them dream out loud. What we as adults realize is that most of what they dream stems from what they are interested in at that moment. Maybe they just watched Cinderella or a cartoon about a firefighter. Either way, we realize that those dreams will often fade or change given time.

But what happens when we get older?

In the first novella of my new Justin Harbor series, As Easy As Riding A Bike, I take a look at the idea of dreams and how they can change in a good way. One of my main characters, Connor Pearson, actually achieved his dreams. He started off with a love for photography as a high school student and ended up leaving the small, coastal town of Justin Harbor, Oregon to pursue his dream of being a traveling photographer. Then, one day, something brings him back to town.

My other main character, Emma Holland, is also a character made up of dreams. She took some time figuring out what they were, but she ends up running her own motel business in Justin Harbor.

Both characters seem to get what they want, but it’s not enough. Emma has to face the reality that she can’t do it all on her own, even if she’s achieving her dreams, while Connor has to own up to the fact that it’s okay for his dream to change.

Without going into what happens (no spoilers here!) I thoroughly enjoyed the journey that Emma and Connor took me on as I wrote their story. It was one of realizing that sometimes the things we think will satisfy us are actually hurdles in our way to something even better. Connor and Emma are able to find happiness when they let go of what they want in relation to what God has for them.

It can be a scary thing to let go of a dream. To come to the realization that the thing you placed all your hope in isn’t actually the thing you’re supposed to focus on, but I’d like to challenge you to consider the fact that maybe God is using the end of one dream to bring about the reality of another.

What did you want to be when you were little? Did you grow up to be that, or did something else take that dream’s place? Do you have a dream that’s changed over time? I’d love to hear from you in the comments below!

~*~
Author Bio: 

Annabell “Bell” Renshaw has always loved books and the power of a good story. 

She turned those passions toward writing at an early age, finding solace and adventure in made-up worlds when her mother would read to her as a kid. 

She’s grown up now, but still finds herself lost in those worlds. She believes in the power of a happy ending and the fact that--no matter what--love will always find a home. 

~*~
Book Blurb for As Easy as Riding a Bike:

Emma Holland is almost finished with the renovation of The Brown Bear Lodge nestled just off the Pacific Coast 101 Highway in picturesque Justin Harbor, Oregon. Being a business owner in a small town isn’t easy, but Emma’s got more than enough determination—not to mention an excellent eye for interior design. There’s only one problem. One of her first guests of the season is someone she hoped she’d never see again. 

As a famous landscape photographer, Connor Pearson has traveled far and wide following his dreams at the cost of losing his first love. Now, back in Justin Harbor, Connor is looking for more than just a place to stay. He’s looking for himself.

As Emma and Connor rediscover their lost friendship and seek to find common ground in the present, Connor feels the tug of his small town roots. Is it possible that a man who’s traveled the world could find his home where his dreams began? Can Emma come to terms with the fact that self-reliance isn’t all it’s cracked up to be? Will their bonds from the past weather the storms of the present?

As Easy as Riding a Bike will introduce you to the salty air and calming waters of Justin Harbor, the first novella in a series featuring small town women business owners.

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Buy Bell's book on Amazon

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Connect with Bell:
Website - www.bellrenshaw.jimdo.com
Instagram - www.instagram.com/bellreadsbooks
Twitter - www.twitter.com/authorbellren
Facebook - www.facebook.com/bellrenshaw
Pinterest - www.pinterest.com/bellrenshaw

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Let Love Bloom: A Courtship on Huckleberry Hill

Interview with Jennifer Beckstrand, 

author of A Courtship on Huckleberry Hill:

Alexis: Why did you title your book “A Courtship on Huckleberry Hill”?

Jennifer: All the Huckleberry Hill books have “Huckleberry” in the title. Even though Sam and Elsie are often at odds with each other, it’s definitely a courtship as they learn to trust each other and work together.

Alexis: Who is Sam Sensenig? Describe his looks, personality, and heart. What motivated Sam to take on the parenting role for his younger siblings?

Jennifer: Sam is tall with curly, light brown hair and blue eyes. Even though he’s in his early twenties, he’s got a lot of responsibility at home. His father is dead, his brother is disabled, and his mother is frequently bedridden. Sam feels a profound obligation to care for the farm and his family because he’s the oldest son and everyone relies on him. He’s quick to jump to conclusions and get angry, especially in defense of his brother Wally, who lost his foot and lower leg in an accident several years earlier. There is no one more loyal than Sam, though sometimes his loyalty is misplaced. If he can see past his own mistaken assumptions about the teacher, they might both be able to help Wally—and fall in love.

Alexis: Who is the schoolteacher in this story and why is she bullying Sam’s disabled brother? Who is Elsie Stutzman? Describe her looks, personality, and heart. How has Elsie’s stubborn streak gotten her into trouble in the past and how is it affecting her present?

Jennifer: Elsie Stutzman comes to Wisconsin to teach at the one-room schoolhouse where Sam’s siblings attend school. Elsie is petite, dark-haired, and feisty, and her strong opinions got her in trouble at her last school. Elsie is not one to back down from a fight, especially when one of her students is concerned. Elsie thinks people have coddled Wally for too long, and she’s determined to treat him like any other child. Wally isn’t happy when Elsie expects more of him, and he makes Sam believe that the teacher is bullying him. Sparks fly when Sam confronts the teacher!

Alexis: Sam and Elsie have a clear mutual attraction but are clearly at odds. Is there hope for a budding romance between these two stubborn hearts? Why or why not?

Jennifer: There is definitely hope, as soon as Elsie can convince Sam that she wants what’s best for Wally. When Sam realizes that Elsie is on his side, it doesn’t take long for him to fall head over heels.

Alexis: Who is Mammi and what role does she play in this story?

Jennifer: Mammi is the Pennsylvania Dutch word for grandma. Elsie’s eighty-four-year-old mammi, Anna Helmuth, loves to find matches for her grandchildren, but she certainly has a hard time getting Elsie and Sam together in this book.

Alexis: What do you love most about writing Amish fiction? 

Jennifer: I love the strong faith and enduring family ties of the Amish. They have chosen to live simple lives in order to bring them closer to God. We could all use a little simplification.

Alexis: What makes this story special to your heart?

Jennifer: A Courtship on Huckleberry Hill is a story of hope and faith and not giving up on someone, even if they’re hard to love. I have a friend who was born with half a leg, and her persistence and determination have always been an inspiration to me. It was truly gratifying to write about Wally coming to realize his worth and potential as a human being.

Alexis: What role does your characters’ faith in God play in this story?

Jennifer: Faith in God permeates Amish daily life. Everything that happens is seen as God’s will. Sam has to learn to put his faith in God instead of piling so much on his own shoulders.

Alexis: What was the most challenging part and the most rewarding, of writing this book?

Jennifer: The most challenging was getting Wally’s disability right without stereotyping him. The most rewarding was seeing the final product. Hopefully, this book gives hope to others and encourages them to never give up.

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

Jennifer: I want them to realize the power we each have to affect other people’s lives for the better. And, I want them to thank a teacher. Teachers touch so many lives, but they’re the most underappreciated group in the world.

Alexis: Thanks for the interview, Jennifer!

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Author Bio:

Jennifer Beckstrand is the RITA-nominated, award-winning Amish romance author of The Matchmakers of Huckleberry Hill series and The Honeybee Sisters series for Kensington Books. 

Jennifer has always been drawn to the strong faith and enduring family ties of the Plain people and loves writing about the antics of Anna and Felty Helmuth and the Honeybee sisters’ aendi Bitsy. 

Jennifer has published nineteen books. She has a degree in mathematics and a passion for Jane Austen and Shakespeare. 

Jennifer and her husband have been married for thirty-four years. They have six children and six adorable grandchildren, whom she spoils rotten.

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Book Blurb: 

There's nothing Huckleberry Hill, Wisconsin’s irrepressible eighty-somethings Anna and Felty Helmuth like better than a challenge. And the chance to matchmake their feisty granddaughter is their most delightful task yet…

Elsie Stutzman’s plain-spoken ways got her in trouble once before, so she needs to make a good impression at her new teaching job. But she's not about to let disabled student Wally Sensenig work below his potential. And she definitely won’t put up with his hot-headed older brother sabotaging her efforts, no matter how handsome he is. . .

Sam is nearly at the end of his rope caring for his ailing, widowed mother, working their farm, and raising his siblings. He'll admit Elsie’s ideas are bringing Wally out of his angry shell—but why does she have to be as stubborn as she is pretty? Yet as it turns out, Elsie has taught Sam something about himself as well. And he’ll do whatever it takes to make up for his mistakes—and win her heart forever.

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Connect with Jennifer:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jenniferbeckstrandfans
Twitter: https://twitter.com/jenniferbeckst1/
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/jennifergbeckst/
Amazon Author Page: https://amzn.to/2I7wcQf
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/j.beckstrand/
Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/jennifer-beckstrand

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Let Love Bloom: Bonnie's story

Interview with Bonnie Engstrom about her book “Restoring Love”:

Bonnie: Hi, Alexis! Thanks for having me. You sure do have a lot of questions for me. You plan to make me work here! (grin) Fire away. I will do the best I can.

Alexis: What or who inspired you to write this book?

Bonnie: This was one of the first stories I’d written, although not really a book at that point twenty-plus years ago. When I was browsing through my old, unfinished stories I came upon this one about Cambridge Springs and decided to play around with it.

Alexis: What is the meaning of your book’s title as related to the story?

Bonnie: My publisher and I decided since Jenni and Jake were once in love, now back in love, that their love had been restored. Seemed like a good title. Isn’t Jake handsome?

Alexis: Your story’s heroine and hero have been apart for 15 years. What draws them back together?

Bonnie: I think a combination of memories and that they still can’t resist each other. They both like to tease each other, too. That comes out a lot in the story. And, Jake is so handsome!

Alexis: Jenni (the heroine) and Jake (the hero) have very different careers. She is a teacher now and when they met, he was a stable boy. What does their work experience say about their individual personalities and how does it play into their story?

Bonnie: Becoming a teacher was not only an acceptable career but a safety net for Jenni. With a teaching credential, she could move to almost any state and get a job. Why she chose Arizona, though, is still a mystery. Teaching salaries there are almost the lowest in the nation. I hope she chose it for the weather.

Jake has an amazing work ethic and he had the wonderful opportunity to stay where he loved and fulfill his desire to be an entrepreneur, but mostly to be a loner and the boss. He doesn’t have the supportive family background Jenni has, but he does have a good relationship with his brother who helped him buy the vintage car. Maybe in a sequel, his brother could have his own story.

I would love to know what readers’ think about that.

Alexis: Who threw cold water over Jenni and Jake’s budding romance 15 years ago? Why?

Bonnie: Her stoic, old-fashioned dad believed she was too young to have a serious romance. Sadly, her mother went along with her dad – typical of tradition in those days. But, even then, Jake was so handsome!

Alexis: Why does Jenni still have a flame for Jake after 15 years of not seeing him?

Bonnie: She’s never lost it but pretends to herself it’s bygone history. Then when she sees him, how he’s matured and still drop-dead handsome . . . well. She can’t fool herself any longer. But, she tries to.

Alexis: Describe the town of Cambridge Springs, which is a setting for your story.

Bonnie: There really wasn’t much of a town years ago. Now, it’s still pretty small and uninteresting. The hotel was located way on the outskirts.

Alexis: Clearly Cambridge Springs is special to Jake because he never left. What makes it so special to him that he desired to stay?

Bonnie: Partly the comfort level he has and the opportunity to own the hotel. He is motivated to be his own boss and to own something he can claim.

Alexis: What brings Jenni home to Cambridge Springs? How long will she be in town?

Bonnie: It’s a memory trip for her (notice the subtitle), and she wants to “get away” all by herself and figure out what to do with her life. Is there life beyond being a teacher? A single thirty-year-old teacher? It’s also revealed in the story why her one former infatuation fizzled. Then, she sees Jake again, Mr. Super Handsome.

Alexis: Describe the scene where Jenni and Jake are reunited. What were their first thoughts when this happened?

Bonnie: Again, Alexis, I don’t want to spoil the fun of reading the story. So, no, I don’t want to describe it. Sorry. But, it does have something to do with food and eating. It’s a fun scene that involves a lot of chocolate. Yum.

Alexis: What was your favorite part of writing this book? Explain.

Bonnie: My own memories of Cambridge Springs and the funny old hotel played a major part, but I loved making up how Jake and Jenni are now. Remember, the story isn’t dated, just assumed to be somewhat in the past.

Alexis: Was there any scene in this story that was difficult for you to write? Why or why not?

Bonnie: I loved writing every scene. The story just seemed to flow. This is one of my favorites because it was so much fun to make up the two personalities. Especially Jake who is so handsome.

Alexis: What is your favorite moment in this story?

Bonnie: When the two of them are eating pasta and criticizing each other for how they eat. Their first lovers’ quarrel, and over table manners. It’s a hoot!

Alexis: What do you want readers to remember most about Restoring Love?

Bonnie: I want them to remember that real love does truly last, and love can be fun! Especially, if God is in the mix.

Alexis: Thanks for the interview, Bonnie! Do you have any final comments?

Bonnie: I do, actually a few comments. Although I don’t capitalize on it, the story does take place at Christmas time, and there are some fun scenes – especially the Scrooge play. Sadly, though, is the fact the hotel no longer exists. I only discovered that after the book was complete and I did an online search to answer one question.

For more information, readers can go to http://www.meadvilletribune.com/news/full-story-fire-ravages-historic-riverside-inn-cause-yet-to/article_8055438c-2fa1-11e7-8d49-9f78e0cf6d34.html to see pictures of the original hotel and the grounds and learn what happened to it.

The other comment is to encourage readers to leave a review on Amazon and Goodreads. Reviews mean so much to authors; they are our lifeblood, or as author Carolyn Brown says, “Without reviews, we would be on the top of the endangered species list.” (Paraphrasing is mine, but I agree.)

Thank you, Alexis, for this opportunity to share Restoring Love.

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Author Bio:

Bonnie Engstrom holds a B.A. in English from the University of Southern California and studied Creative Writing at the University of Pittsburgh, as well as post-graduate work at the University of California at Irvine. 

She lives in Scottsdale, Arizona with husband Dave of fifty plus years, is the mother of three grown children and the proud grandmother of six grandchildren, four of whom who live in Arizona and two in Costa Rica where they surf. Pura Vida!

She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers and a PRO member of Romance Writers of America, Christian Writers of the West, and the Arizona chapter of ACFW, where she recently was part of a published authors’ panel.

A former education columnist for two Southern California newspapers, she has presented workshops at the California State PTA and the National PTA Conventions.

For over thirty years she volunteered in education as a co-founder of a parent-cooperative preschool and a five-time PTA president. She wrote and published hundreds of PTA newsletters that she produced using X-ACTO knives and a hand-held hot waxer before computers made late nights easier!

Most of her stories are set in Arizona, and in Southern California where she and her psychologist husband lived for over thirty years. If you are trying to catch up with her, look for her at the local Starbucks or Menchies with a nine-year-old Chess champion and his three giggling sisters. Chocolate is always the flavor of the day.

She is published by Forget Me Not Romances, a division of Winged Publications, and is honored to be in the company of many award-winning romance authors.

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Book Blurb for Restoring Love:

A sentimental journey! Can romance still flourish after fifteen years? Will a teacher and a former stable boy remember their first kiss? Jenni wasn’t sure why she was taking this journey back in time. Surely, she didn’t expect to see her first teenage crush, Jake the stable boy. She had moved on from fifteen years ago and sneaking kisses in the barn after trail rides. Undoubtedly, he must have, too. Who on earth would stay in the tiny town of Cambridge Springs? 

Looking forward to a peaceful respite from teaching, she planned to read, take quiet walks and indulge in delicious hotel meals. She hoped the old hotel still served the succulent roast pork, her favorite. At least no one knew where to find her, none of her friends, and not even her family. Odd that the name of the historic hotel had changed. She wondered who would have done that, who had the capability to do it. Maybe new owners. She hoped not much had changed and that the rooms were still filled with antique furniture. She wanted to soak up memories, alone. Unless by a Christmas miracle Jake was still there to share them.

Buy Restoring Love on Amazon

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Connect with Bonnie:

Please visit Bonnie at her website (http://bonnieengstrom.com) to see her grandchildren and learn more about her books. You can also sign up for her quarterly newsletter there and win great prizes. Last time she gave away a Kindle Fire!

You can see most of her books at https://amzn.to/2qPjmML

Email her at bengstrom@hotmail.com. Please put BOOK in the subject line.

She loves to hear from her readers. So, please contact her.

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