Romantic Reads: Chasing Her Dream

The Story Behind Jennifer Slattery’s story Chasing Her Dream:

In the spring of 2019, landowners across Nebraska, Iowa, and South Dakota experienced perhaps the worst devastation of their lives. Ranches that had been in their families for generations, destroyed. Cattle swept away. Homes desolated. Decades of investments, consumed, leaving many wondering if they’d find the resources to rebuild.

But as hard as all that was to see, those things aren’t what stand out most in my mind. When I think back on the floods, I most remember the every day heroes that stood beside their neighbors. The hours upon hours that volunteers invested, digging through the rubble, praying with the hurting, or simply sitting beside them as they processed it all.

During times of crisis, that’s often when the best of humanity rises up to offer a hand, a kind word, a gentle smile. To offer themselves.

That was the spirit I wanted to capture, and perhaps even inspire, in my latest novel, Chasing Her Dream. I wrote the first draft while parts of my state remained inundated, while articles still circulated of extreme kindness and generosity. Of community members shouldering one another’s burdens in tangible, memorable ways.

I wanted to portray, and perhaps even inspire, that depth of care in my latest novel, Chasing Her Dream. Through the sacrificial actions of Rheanna Stone, the single mom who opens her already struggling Texas ranch to a large number of abused and neglected horses. Through Dave Brewster who risks losing his flooded Wyoming ranch aside to help her. And through the community that sacrificially and steadfastly come alongside them.

Demonstrating the beauty and healing that can occur when we seek to love one another.

We’ve probably all heard the phrase, “It takes a village.” Admirable words, right? Inspiring?

But may that catchy slogan do more than inspire. May it motivate and mobilize us all to find little ways to spread joy, offer a hand, and be the friend that our neighbors, coworkers, and fellow residents need.

And I’m speaking to myself here, because it’s all too easy for me to remain tucked in my office, oblivious to the world, the struggle, occurring without me. I experience joy and intense fulfillment, however, and the pleasure of God, when I widen my view.

~*~
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, she and her team partner with churches to facilitate events designed to help women rest in their true worth and live with maximum impact. 

She is also the host of the podcast Faith Over Fear, which you can listen to at LifeAudio.com.

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Blurb for Jennifer's book, Chasing Her Dream:  

She needs his help…

But can she trust him again?

After she inherits her uncle’s mismanaged ranch, single mom Rheanna Stone’s not sure she can also handle saving abused horses from a nearby property. 

So when rancher Dave Brewster offers to stay in town to help, she can’t say no—even if he left her once before. 

As they grow closer, old secrets are uncovered…but can they heal past heartbreak to give themselves a new beginning?

~*~
Buy Jennifer's book on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Target or Walmart

25 Days of Christmas Stories: Interview with Louise M. Gouge, author of A Western Christmas

Welcome a new person to the blog, Louise M. Gouge! She's an author of Christian fiction and today she's here to share details about her story "Yuletide Reunion" which is one of two stories in this book, A Western Christmas:

Here's the blurb for Louise's story, "Yuletide Reunion": Emma Sharp's family needs to rebuild their barn before Christmas. All help is welcome—even if it comes from the handsome neighboring rancher who jilted her two years ago. Can Jared Mattson prove that he wants to build not just a barn with Emma—but a bright future together?

Louise wants to give away one copy of A Western Christmas to one U.S. resident reader who WINS the book giveaway contest. Contest entries can be made through filling out the form on the Rafflecopter widget below: 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Now enjoy learning about Louise through the following interview! 

*Questions from Alexis are in bold, answers from Louise are not in bold

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Alexis: Why is the overall title for your book called A Western Christmas?

Louise: The Love Inspired editors at Harlequin choose the titles of our books and anthologies. They have to balance about fourteen titles every month, so they have to make sure there aren’t any duplications. I was very pleased with this title because it captures the essence of both my story and Renee Ryan’s.

How did you and the other author choose the setting for your book? Where is it, exactly?

When our editors invited us to write our Christmas novellas for this anthology, they let us choose our settings. I chose a fictional town in New Mexico not far from Santa Fe because I have family living there and I know the setting and history quite well.

Your story in this two-story book is called "Yuletide Reunion". What’s the inspiration behind that title?

Again, our editors chose this title. I think they liked the idea of a Christmas reunion because it’s about a reconciliation between two people who love each other but have some things to work out. And of course, Yuletide is an old-fashioned word that refers to Christmas. Again, I think the editors did a great job.

Tell us about your heroine Emma Sharp. Describe her personality and heart. What makes her mad? What is she passionate about? What role does she play in this story?

I think any person, woman or man, who’s been jilted has some anger or at least a broken heart. My heroine, Emma, sets aside these sad emotions and dedicates herself to her family and her father’s ranch, both of which she loves deeply.

Why do Emma and her family need to rebuild their barn before Christmas?

My fictional community is trying to bridge the gap between two cultures by combining Christmas traditions. They need a warm place where the entire community can gather for the final celebration of Las Posadas, the Spanish tradition. The Sharps’ old barn was the only one close enough to town and large enough to hold everyone. When the old barn burned down, they need to finish the new one by Christmas Eve. With everyone working together, it also helps to bond the community in a whole new way.

Tell us about your hero Jared Mattson. Describe his looks, personality and flaws. What role does he play in this story?

Like any romance hero, Jared is tall, dark, and handsome…and strong. As the fourth of five sons, he has many examples of traditional manly cowboy strength and determination. But Jared has a tender spot, too. You’ll have to read the story to discover what it is.

What is it about Emma that draws Jared to her and inspires hope in his heart, a hope of a future together?

Emma is a strong woman who can overcome the difficulties of building a home and a ranch in the Wild West, where trials and tribulations abound. Many women, including Jared’s mother and sister-in-law had failed the tests and abandoned their families, returning to the East. So it’s hard for Jared to trust any woman with his heart and his future.

What was the easiest part of writing Yuletide Reunion and what was the most challenging?

I loved writing the whole story because I have a great love for the area and its history. This story sort of wrote itself, which is always fun for an author.

What was your favorite scene to create in this story? Explain.

I love the scene with Emma and Jared in the kitchen when the kittens make their arrival. As a cat “mama” and cat lover, it was very special to me.

How did your faith in God play into your storytelling?

I can’t imagine writing a story without showing God’s hand in the lives of my characters. Just as the Lord Jesus Christ told parables to help people see their need for God and to show how God works in our lives, I tell stories for the sole purpose of helping people come to the Lord.

What’s the moral to the story?

Usually love stories have a built-in “moral,” which is that two people can overcome difficulties and find lasting love. In this love story, Emma and Jared both have to learn about forgiveness before they can truly love each other in a selfless way, as God loves us.

What was your go-to food and beverage when writing Yuletide Reunion?

Oh, always my Earl Grey/green tea combination. And because I live in Florida, year round my tea is iced tea with no sugar EVER. My stories are sweet enough as it is. LOL! For munchies, I like Brazil nuts, walnuts, grapes, strawberries, and blueberries and yogurt.

What are you most looking forward to in this holiday season? Why?

I always look forward to the big gathering at our house when our children, grandchildren, and a host of special friends gather for a feast. Why? Well, I suppose because spending time with loved ones is the greatest gift I can ever receive.

Complete this sentence: I write Christmas stories because _______________________.

I write Christmas stories because: this is a very special time of year when we remember that God became man so He could save a lost world. If I can show His great love to my readers and help them appreciate the first and greatest Christmas gift ever, salvation through Jesus Christ, then nothing could make me happier.

Thanks for the interview, Louise! If you want to do a book giveaway, leave a question for my readers to answer.

Louise's question for my readers: What are you looking forward to this Christmas?

~*~
Author bio: 

Florida author Louise M. Gouge writes historical fiction for Harlequin's Love Inspired Historical Romances. 

She received the prestigious Inspirational Readers’ Choice Award in 2005 and placed in 2011 and 2015; and placed in the Laurel Wreath in 2012. 

When she isn't writing, she and David, her husband of fifty years, enjoy visiting historical sites and museums.

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Buy A Western Christmas:

Amazon - http://amzn.to/1IntPEe
Barnes & Noble - http://bit.ly/1QVVk9f
Christianbook.com - http://bit.ly/1m67qS6

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Connect with Louise:
Please visit her website at http://blog.Louisemgouge.com
See all of Louise’s books at http://is.gd/56ixL1
View more about A Western Christmas at http://is.gd/z8Mh80

Love is in the Air: Author interview with Tammy Johnson

Let's welcome Christian author and preacher's daughter Tammy Johnson to the blog today! She's here to talk about her novel Royal Rescue. 

Tammy will share details on how she creates her fictional characters, the writer life, how her faith in God affects her storytelling and why she cannot imagine not enjoying working as a published author regardless of the deadlines and demands. 

Tammy loves to hear from readers so when you reach the end of her visit today, please leave a comment.

Enjoy! :)

*Words from Alexis in bold, words from Tammy not in bold.

~*~
Alexis: Why did you write the book Royal Rescue?

Tammy: It has been my dream to write for many, many years. How Royal Rescue came to be is a long story. I’d been writing off and on for many years, but I’d always let life and fear get in the way. In the spring of 2014 I had been praying for wisdom to see if my life was on the right path and seeking help in what I should do about my future and financial situation.

Soon after on a Sunday in church the pastor mentioned that God really wanted us to use what was in our hand. I took that as an answer to my prayer that I should write again. When I got home from church that Sunday, I looked on the Harlequin forums to see if they had any writing contests coming up that I could work toward entering. (It had always been my dream to someday sell a book to Harlequin and I knew from past experiences they often had editor pitches and other contests for aspiring authors.) There I found the Killer Voices contest the Love Inspired Suspense line was having. It had already started, but I had a few weeks before the deadline of the first stage which was a first page. I knew I had to do it! Through every step of the way I felt God with me, telling me if I did it, He would bless it – and He sure did!

Share your character creation journey.

I usually create my characters from the inside out. I know the personality I want them to have and the person I want them to be. I develop their unique conflicts and details before I begin to flesh out their looks. I usually get my ideas from characters on TV or in the movies and like to set up Pinterest boards for inspiration on little details.

Who is the heroine in Royal Rescue? Describe her character traits, quirks, strengths and weaknesses.

Thea James is a princess in hiding who has found out it’s time to go home. Throughout the book her faith remains strong, even though it is challenged several times as she deals with fear. Through all the years she’s been hidden away for her own safety, she never gave up on the hope of her family being reunited. She is strong and independent and at times a little stubborn, but she is smart enough to know her own limits as well.

Let’s talk about your hero. What’s his name? What makes him a true hero? What are his flaws? What makes him perfect for the heroine?

Ronin Parrish is a man who will sacrifice anything and everything to protect those he cares for. He is on a mission in this story to regain honor that his family has lost by proving his father is innocent of the crime of killing the king, Thea’s father. Along the way he learns from Thea and realizes how important the faith he thought he’d lost can be. Thea and Ronin have an instant attraction, but more than that, they develop a respect and understanding of each other as their strength is tested by danger throughout their journey.

What was your favorite feature of writing this book?

During the Killer Voices contest, I loved having the deadlines that kept me motivated to keep writing. I also loved the friendships that I’ve formed with many of the other writers who entered. After I sold the book, I’ve made even deeper connections with other authors and have really enjoyed the friendships that have formed. When I look back on how Thea and Ronin began, I almost get teary eyed thinking of all they had to go through to find reach their happily ever after. I’d have to say that is one of my favorite parts of this book and every romance. I love the happily ever after.

Is there anything about the writing/publishing process you do not like?

I love writing when I’m actually writing. Getting to that place where I can actually write is sometimes not a lot of fun. I’m terrible at procrastinating, that’s something I’m working on. Being published is a dream come true and I can’t imagine ever not enjoying it.

How has writing this book brought joy or difficulty to your life (or has it)? Explain.

Writing Royal Rescue has been a huge blessing and brought me more joy than I could ever explain. Through the whole process I had a knowing like I’d never experienced before that God was with me and wanted to bless me. Through the process I realized I needed to do the work and stick to my writing and not let myself get discouraged.

What do you like the most about writing for Harlequin’s Love Inspired line? Share your story about how you started writing for that publisher.

I guess I already explained how I came to write for Love Inspired Suspense. I had always dreamed of writing for Harlequin and they are always on the lookout for new authors through the many contests and pitch events they provide. I love writing for Love Inspired because it gives me a chance to share my faith and hopefully inspire others in their faith as well. Plus, I get to share stories of love and what can be better than that?

Why do you choose to write romantic suspense and not another category of Christian fiction?

Writing for the suspense line gives me a chance to share thrills and danger and show how people can rely on their faith even during the scary times.

If you could spend a day with any of the characters in your book, who would it be and what would you do?

Share details and explain why. I formed an attachment with both Thea and Ronin. It was hard to be done with them and put them aside to work on other stories. I feel like I know them pretty well already, so if I had to pick someone, I think I’d spend the day with Ronin’s older brother, Jarrod. I hope to be working on his book soon and I’d love to pick his brain and see what makes him tick.

What was your go-to food or drink while writing Royal Rescue?

My go to so far have always been peanut butter M&M’s and a glass of sweet tea. I always have my tea while writing and chocolate makes me happy.

What do you want your readers to remember most about Royal Rescue?

I hope that everyone who reads Royal Rescue will come away from the story knowing they are special and important. The verse I chose for the story was, 2 Corinthians 6:18 which reads, "And, I will be a Father to you, and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty." I hope that every reader knows how loved and valuable they are to their father, God.

Now that you’ve published your first book, what’s next?

I’ve been working on the story for Thea’s brother, Leo. I hope to have it to my editor early this summer. I already have several other stories ideas for other characters who were in this book and others who weren’t. I hope to keep busy writing and enjoying every day of the life I’ve been blessed with.

Do you have any final comments?

Thank you so much for having me on the blog and for those who have read this far, thank you! If you read Royal Rescue, I hope you enjoyed it and that it sparked something in your heart.

~*~
Author bio: Two of Tammy Johnson's biggest dreams were being a mother and becoming a Harlequin author. After raising and homeschooling her four children up to high school, her writing dream came true when she sold her first book through the Love Inspired Suspense, Killer Voices pitch event. 

Raised as a preacher's kid, faith has always held an important place in her life. Tammy enjoys sharing her faith by writing stories of strong heroines and heroes who find strength in their beliefs to overcome danger and fear. She is a country girl at heart and lives in a small Kansas town with her teenage son and dachshund. She enjoys cloud watching and summer storms. A glass of sweet tea and a new story are never far away.

~*~
Blurb for Royal Rescue:

A PRINCESS IN PERIL 

Hidden away for more than fourteen years, Thea James was presumed dead by most—killed in the fire that burned the royal palace. 

But Ronin Parrish knows the truth…and so does the person who murdered Thea's father, the king. Ronin takes his new duty as Thea's bodyguard seriously. After all, she's the only one who can clear his father of the king's murder. 

It doesn't matter that the princess's beauty and strength draw him to her. To a commoner like him, she can never be more than a mission. Now he's in a race to restore the princess to her rightful place on the throne before the unknown killer prematurely ends her reign.
~*~
Buy Tammy's book:
Amazon.com - http://amzn.to/1aLAxo4
Barnes & Noble - http://bit.ly/1faLFwH

Christianbook.com - http://bit.ly/1edX7HD
Harlequin - http://bit.ly/1NbrnCp
~*~
Connect with Tammy:
Website - www.tammyjohnson.net
Facebook - www.facebook.com/authortammyjohnson
Twitter - https://twitter.com/TammyjTammy

Love is in the Air: All about Love

Today's blog post is all about love!

Yes, I know this entire Spring 2015 blog series talks about "Love is in the Air" and is purposed to promote authors of Christian fiction love stories, but today's post is different.

Today's post is actually a devotional and it's pretty neat because it will change your definition of love in a good way! Did you know that God is Love? Surprise! It's not only the official title of my blog here, it's the written truth as in there's a verse in the Bible that tells us God is Love! :) Intrigued? I hope so!

Welcome Christian author Tammy Johnson to my blog and enjoy spending time with her as she speaks about how at this point in her life, "love is everything."

Read on to find out why...

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All about Love
A devotional written by Tammy Johnson

Love is something I have had on my mind a lot the last few years. Growing up and even through several years of my adult life, I had heard so much about love, but I wasn’t sure that I’d ever experienced it, that I would ever understand it – or if I’d ever be able to really believe in it.

Those thoughts and the longing of my heart to love and be loved, led me to where I am today. I don’t profess to know everything, but I am much closer to an understanding or acceptance of love than I ever thought I could be. That said, I’m pretty sure no human being will ever totally and completely be able to understand love. But should that keep us from trying? I hope not.

Real love is unconditional. There are no buts with love. How many times have you had someone say to you, “I love you, but...”? I know I’m guilty of saying it a few times. Maybe it’s just our way of softening the blow of what will follow the dreaded but. I try to stop myself now. When I hear myself starting to say it, I stop and think. Is there really a condition to the love I have for this person? If there is – maybe I’m not loving them in the way God meant me to.

God created us all with a hunger for love. We spend our lives looking for love. Sometimes in all the wrong places. All along God is there with all the love we could ever need. He IS love. How many times have we heard that verse?

"Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love." 1 John 4:8

God IS love. Let that sink in.

If you follow that verse with 1 Corinthians 13:2, doesn’t it make sense to realize without God we have nothing? Without love we have nothing.

If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. 1 Corinthians 13:2

At this point in my life, Love is everything. I strive daily to be able to show love to others and share it in my writing. I am so blessed to be able to share my faith while writing for Love Inspired Suspense. My debut book, Royal Rescue is out now and I hope it touches someone’s life in a way that sparks that hope of love and faith in them.

If you, like me, struggle with accepting God’s love I hope you will take the time to open up your heart and share with him. He already knows you better than you can ever know yourself and He loves you.

~*~
Author bio: Two of Tammy Johnson's biggest dreams were being a mother and becoming a Harlequin author. After raising and homeschooling her four children up to high school, her writing dream came true when she sold her first book through the Love Inspired Suspense, Killer Voices pitch event. 

Raised as a preacher's kid, faith has always held an important place in her life. Tammy enjoys sharing her faith by writing stories of strong heroines and heroes who find strength in their beliefs to overcome danger and fear. She is a country girl at heart and lives in a small Kansas town with her teenage son and dachshund. She enjoys cloud watching and summer storms. A glass of sweet tea and a new story are never far away.

~*~
Blurb for Tammy's book Royal Rescue:

A PRINCESS IN PERIL

Hidden away for more than fourteen years, Thea James was presumed dead by most—killed in the fire that burned the royal palace. But Ronin Parrish knows the truth…and so does the person who murdered Thea's father, the king. Ronin takes his new duty as Thea's bodyguard seriously. After all, she's the only one who can clear his father of the king's murder. It doesn't matter that the princess's beauty and strength draw him to her. To a commoner like him, she can never be more than a mission. Now he's in a race to restore the princess to her rightful place on the throne before the unknown killer prematurely ends her reign.

~*~
Buy Tammy's book:
Amazon.com, http://amzn.to/1aLAxo4
Harlequin.com, http://bit.ly/1NbrnCp

~*~
Connect with Tammy:
Official website, www.tammyjohnson.net
Author page, www.facebook.com/authortammyjohnson
Twitter handle, @TammyjTammy