Showing posts with label Mikal Dawn. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Mikal Dawn. Show all posts

Friday, December 11, 2020

12 Days of Christmas Joy: Something Borrowed (Christmas Weddings Collection) by author friends


Interview with the authors of 
Something Borrowed: Christmas Weddings Collection

Alexis: Why did each of you write your story to be part of this Christmas Weddings collection? Share your holiday story’s title and plot in two or three sentences.

Jaycee Weaver:
We had so much fun last year with Once Upon A Christmas, there was no way I wanted to pass up working with these ladies again! We brainstormed this collection together and explored ways to weave our stories together so that it wouldn’t be like other collections, but something new and different.

My story is called Always Been Yours, and Hanady lays the collection’s foundation with a girls’ weekend in Denver to shop for her wedding with her best girlfriends. It’s really too bad she’s marrying the wrong guy, though, but her best guy friend, Keenan, has hopes she’ll see the truth before it’s too late.  

Toni Shiloh: Working with these ladies again was a no brainer. I knew I wanted to bring a different heroine than you normally read. So I created Leilah Anderson, my heroine in All the Moore. She has an opportunity to meet her gamer friend Reggie Moore in person, but she’s never told him she’s in a wheelchair and doesn’t want him to pity her. But when he closes the distance between them, she has to decide if love is truly a possibility for her. 


Mikal Dawn: I absolutely love these ladies, and love working with them, so any chance I get to write with them, I’m taking! A Holly, Bolly Christmas is about the daughter of Bollywood actors who’s dating a Scottish police officer. She’s booked her dream venue…without his knowledge...and without a ring! Add in her dramatic parents, and there just might be a few things that go a little off the rails. 


Teresa Tysinger: I decided to write Somehow, This Christmas for a few reasons. First, I’ve been wanting to write with these ladies for a long time! I also have been wanting to write a story set during Christmas in Laurel Cove, the setting of my current series. This worked out perfectly! In Somehow, This Christmas, wedding planner Cate and firefighter Noah run into several not-so-merry mishaps as they approach their Christmas wedding. What’s worse, the wedding is being covered by a popular blogger and Cate’s reputation is on the line. 


Andrea Boyd: When the suggestion came up about us doing this project, I prayed about it like I do for any idea, and Bruce and Lydia’s story started coming together in my head, giving me my answer. A Promise So Sweet is about a couple who splits as they enter college—his idea, not hers. Ten years later when Bruce is trying for a senior pastor position, it is suggested that he’d have a better chance if he was married and he immediately thinks of Lydia. He realizes she’s the one he’s meant to be with and sets out to win her back. 


~*~
Alexis: What was your inspiration for your main characters? Describe the hero and heroine’s looks, personality and heart.

Jaycee: I immediately knew Hanady would be a plus-size bride-to-be, but confident with a great big personality and sweet heart. I used a young Delta Burke (those dimples!) as my example, but Han has auburn hair. For Keenan, I imagined Michael Pena—handsome (the regular-guy kind, not necessarily the model kind), Hispanic, and with a charming smile.

Toni: I pictured Mekia Cox (from The Rookie) as Leilah and Marlon Wayans as Reggie. I liked that Reggie’s humor and lightheartedness was a perfect foil for Leilah’s moody self. She also has a vulnerability she doesn’t share with everyone and her tough-girl persona.

Mikal:
I grew up in a diverse community and had several friends of Punjab (a region in India) descent. When I saw the photo of an actress on Pinterest, I knew she was my next heroine. As for Maguire, well…who can resist a ginger-slightly bearded Scot? Not me, I tell ya. Chahna (Ana) is creative, strong, and perhaps a little spontaneous with long black hair, dark eyes, and gorgeous looks (I mean, her parents are famous actors, so of course!). Maguire (Mag) is tall, ginger hair and usually clean-shaven (due to being an officer) but has a bit of scruff on his off-days. He’s stable, supportive, and absolutely in love with Chahna.

Teresa: Cate is sweet and kind but also your typical type-A personality, which helps make her a fantastic wedding planner. It also means that when things start going wrong, she struggles to readjust her expectations and handle things out of her control. Noah is tall and handsome and the nicest, most patient guy you’ll ever meet. Which is good, since Cate really needs him to help maneuver the many mishaps and keep her grounded. I didn’t have a whole lot of outside influence for these characters, they just came to me. However, I do picture John Krasinski as Noah!

Andrea:
Both of my characters are Italian descendants. I immediately pictured Lydia as waiflike with dark hair and eyes. She works in a chocolate shop, plays the piano, and is a tea drinker. Her parents died when she was a teenager, so her sister and her family are all she has left. Bruce has the classic boy-next-door looks. He’s a little clueless but has a heart of gold. He grew up with two brothers and a meddling mom who doesn’t particularly care for Lydia.

~*~
Alexis: Paint a picture with words of your story’s setting. What makes it special to your hero and heroine?

Jaycee: I love my quirky hometown of Albuquerque, New Mexico, so I set most of my stories there—including this one. The Rio Grande Valley is nestled between a large mesa and the Sandia Mountains and is home to a variety of cultures and lifestyles. From the weather to the food, I want to inspire people to remember New Mexico (an oft overlooked state!). Keenan and Hanady are native NM lifers like my husband and his family.

Toni: New Orleans! I have family (my dad’s side and in-laws) there and so I wanted to paint a picture of a place I’ve been countless times. I gave a nod to the food, football, and then threw in Reggie’s location of Denver. But not as much because I’ve never been.

Mikal: Oh, good question. My story has two settings: breezy, hilly, busy, charming, diverse, and cold, white, slightly remote, destination, and cold. Did I mention cold? While Mag doesn’t necessarily have a strong appreciation for the second setting, it’s so different and unique, which is what draws Ana to it. As for the first setting, it’s one of a few interior design capitals in the US, and makes for a fun setting (and a good workout!).

Teresa: Laurel Cove, North Carolina is a fictional town set in the Blue Ridge Mountains. It is quaint, charming, and full of small-town character. I often tell people to picture one of those cute towns in Hallmark movies with a picturesque Main Street, friendly neighbors, and seasonal decorations. As I said above, Laurel Cove is the setting of my current novel series. The town is directly inspired by Burnsville and Spruce Pine, North Carolina—the area my best friend from college grew up in and still lives. When I lived up there to attend college, the area and people stole my heart!

Andrea: Bruce and Lydia both grew up in a tiny valley near Aspen, Colorado with plenty of snow and skiing. Bruce has since made his home in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina. Lydia is in for a bit of a culture shock with the Southern ways and warmer weather than she’s used to in December.

~*~
Alexis: What is the main conflict in your story?

Jaycee: Hanady’s engaged to a man who stereotypes would say is out of her league, but Keenan knows the opposite to be true. After he’s injured at work, Hanady spends time taking care of him, playing games, etc. Will her eyes begin to open to the truth about both men in her life?

Toni: Willing to hope when life says you shouldn’t. It affects Reggie and Leilah in personal and spiritual ways not to mention in the romantic realm.

Mikal: I would have to say definitely the unknown. And the parents. Oh, her parents! Lol! They may want to make you slap them upside the head, but their hearts are in the right place (most of the time), and they really do love Ana.

Teresa: The main conflict in my novella are the string of mishaps that threaten Cate and Noah’s Christmas wedding. Naturally, this leads to some tension between the happy couple, too. With a few twists and turns, they have to work to remember what’s at the heart of a marriage and get to their wedding day even if it means it’s not what they pictured.

Andrea: Colorado. Lydia still doesn’t understand why he broke up with her in the first place. An ex-girlfriend throws a wrench in the works. And Bruce’s mom … that woman does everything in her power to discourage Bruce away from this crazy scheme of his.

~*~
Alexis: What was the most fun part of writing your story? Why?

Jaycee: Hands down, the most fun was writing together with these other ladies. I’m an extrovert, and we spent so much time early in the year during stay-home orders on the computer with each other writing, laughing, praying together, and more.

Toni: Definitely writing and collaborating with the other ladies. We drew so close in the process and I value my friendship with them. But as for the actual story, the epilogue, hands down.

Mikal: I’m a wedding fiend! So I always have fun writing wedding scenes (like, too much fun…you should see my Pinterest boards). But more than anything, writing this story to fit in with the other ladies’ stories was challenging, but so fun! It drew us even closer together in our friendships where we did writing sprints together, laughed a lot, and prayed together.

Teresa: I love everything Christmas, so writing this story in the springtime was a fun escape for me. I listened to Christmas music to get in the mood. My favorite part of this project, however, was working with Jaycee, Toni, Mikal, and Andrea! They’ve become cherished friends.

Andrea: The collaboration worried some of the ladies in the group, but not me! I loved bouncing ideas off each other and fleshing out our characters’ relationships to one another. I love that it built relationships between the writers too!

~*~
Alexis: Did you play Christmas music while writing this story? If so, which song was your favorite and how did it inspire your storytelling?

Jaycee: Nope. I can’t listen to Christmas music in the spring or summer. 

Toni:
I did! I always build a playlist to listen to while I type and this was no different. I’m not sure that I had a favorite though. I listened to a lot of songs from Leslie Odom Jr.’s Christmas album.

Mikal: No! I’m an anomaly in the writing world, it seems, and need total quiet in order to write. I actually have a pair of earplugs I keep on my desk to wear when my family is home and I need to write. But I LOVE Christmas music (started playing it a while ago!). My favorite is “O Holy Night.”

Teresa:
Yes, as I mentioned above, this was a fun part of the project. I don’t have one song that stood out, but I mostly listened to Christmas classics. Cate is such a traditionalist who loves the nostalgia of Christmases growing up. I can totally picture her and Noah listening to it in her little, cozy house in front of the tree.

Andrea:
Even though my story is last, I wrote it first. I wrote it last Christmas, so it was easier to get into the spirit. There was definitely music playing at times, but I don’t know that any one song influenced my story. My favorites? I love “Mary Did You Know,” especially the original version. And despite the controversy, I still love “Baby, It’s Cold Outside.”

~*~
Alexis: What is your favorite Christmas holiday treat? Did it help you while writing this story? If so, explain.

Jaycee: I love all the treats! And no, because I wrote this book in the off-season, they were all long gone from this house.

Toni:
I love sweet potatoes but I didn’t eat any while writing this story since I finished in the summer.

Mikal:
Shortbread! Oh my goodness, I love shortbread! It didn’t help with writing this story, but it’s sure making my mouth water during this interview!

Teresa: There’s a scene in my story that involves baking Christmas treats. One of the things mentioned is a family “Christmas cake.” This cake is inspired by my own family’s Christmas cake that is flavored with almond, chocolate chips, and walnuts. We bake it in a Bundt pan and have it on Christmas morning. One of my favorite traditions and it was so fun to include it in this story.

Andrea: I don’t know if it helped my story (or my hips) but I love making Christmas cookies with my girls every year.

~*~
Alexis: If you could give one of your characters a Christmas gift, what would it be? Why?

Jaycee: Actually, in the epilogue (spoilers!), Keenan gives Hanady a game table that he made. I loved this idea because board games played a big part in their relationship’s development.

Toni:
The new Xbox series X or PS5.

Mikal: Yeesh, another great question. I honestly don’t know. Maybe some patience for Ana?

Teresa: I’d give Cate and Noah an “Our First Christmas” ornament since their wedding is planned for Christmas Day!

Andrea:
I would give Bruce’s Mom a hug. I’m a pantser, so even I didn’t know what her problem with Lydia was until it was revealed to me. My heart really felt for her and if anyone needs a hug, it’s her.

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

Jaycee: That God made His children in all shapes and sizes, and beauty is determined by who you are. No one should make another feel inferior for something as foolish as an exterior wrapping.

Toni: It’s okay to hope for the impossible. God is the miracle worker of the things we want to write off.

Mikal: I want readers to walk away with a light heart, having spent some time with (I hope) loveable characters who made them smile and laugh. I hope they remember those characters, but more importantly, the forgiveness and love that was part of their journey.

Teresa: I hope readers are remined that life isn’t perfect and rarely goes to plan, but that doesn’t mean the most important things—love and God’s love for us—always prevail!

Andrea: Hopefully my story warms their hearts and makes them smile. I also wanted to show that God’s will for their lives is better than anything they could ever come up with for themselves.

~*~
Alexis: Thanks for the interview, ladies. Merry Christmas!

All the authors: Merry Christmas, Alexis! Hope it’s a great one!

~*~
Author Bio for 
Jaycee Weaver: 
Lover of Jesus, family, books, coffee, music, and crafting (in that order), Jaycee Weaver is perpetually pursuing at least one of her passions. 


She writes contemporary Christian romance with realistic characters in everyday situations where they always find a happy ending. Visit her at www.jayceeweaver.com.

Author Bio for 
Toni Shiloh:
Toni Shiloh is a wife, mom, and Christian fiction writer. 


Once she understood the powerful saving grace thanks to the love of Christ, she was moved to honor her Savior. She writes to bring Him glory and to learn more about His goodness. 

Visit her at www.tonishiloh.com

Author Bio for Mikal Dawn:
Mikal Dawn is an inspirational romance author, wedding enthusiast, and military (retired) wife. 


When she isn’t writing about faith, fun, and forever, she is obsessively scouring Pinterest (with coffee in hand!) for wedding ideas for her characters.

Mikal lives in Oklahoma with her husband and two of their three children. Visit her at www.mikaldawn.com.

Author Bio for 
Teresa Tysinger:
Teresa Tysinger is a wife, mother, and communications director for a national non-profit. 


She writes charming Christian romance, inspired by grace. Teresa now resides in Texas, though part of her heart remains in North Carolina. She loves Jesus, coffee, and happy endings. 

Visit Teresa at www.teresatysinger.com.

Author Bio for 
Andrea Boyd:
Each of Andrea Boyd’s series represents a different genre but all fall into the category of romance. All offer an element of her own brand of humor. And all are a tribute to God. 


Besides writing, she loves spending time with her family, quilting, going to car shows, and driving around in her 1968 Barracuda convertible. 

Andrea lives with her husband, Tommy, and at least a couple of cats in York County, SC. 

Visit her at www.andreaboyd11.com.

~*~
Blurbs for the novellas within the book Something Borrowed:

Old friends, new loves, and a borrowed tiara.


Always Been Yours
— Hanady's planning her dream wedding, but her injured best friend Keenan isn't the groom. If she can't see she's marrying the wrong guy soon, his leg won't be the only thing broken.

All the Moore — Leilah Anderson has been living behind the screen to hide her disability, then she meets Reggie Moore face-to-face. Can their relationship survive the truth and distance between them?

A Holly, Bolly Christmas
— A dream wedding venue at Christmas? Sign Chahna Kapoor up. Even if her fiancé doesn’t know it…

Somehow, This Christmas — When not-so-merry mishaps threaten wedding planner Cate Forsyth's holiday wedding and reputation, will her own happily ever after with sweetheart Noah Bennett melt away?

A Promise So Sweet — Lydia Osborn hasn't heard from her ex in ten years, so imagine her surprise when he shows up proposing marriage. Tis the season for love?

~*~
Buy Something Borrowed on Amazon

~*~
Connect with all the author friends:

Jaycee Weaver 
Website: https://www.jayceeweaver.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jayceeweaver
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jayceeweaver
Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/weaverjaycee
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/weaversgrrrl
GoodReads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/17239020.Jaycee_Weaver
BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/jaycee-weaver
Amazon Author Central: https://www.amazon.com/Jaycee-Weaver/e/B076CVKRPJ
Honored to be an InspyRomance author on the web and Facebook

Toni Shiloh
Facebook: www.facebook.com/authortonishiloh
Twitter: www.twitter.com/tonishilohwrite
Instagram: www.instagram.com/tonishiloh
Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/toni-shiloh
Goodreads: www.goodreads.com/tonishiloh

Mikal Dawn 
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/mikaldawnauthor
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/mikaldawn
Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/mikaldawn
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/mikal_dawn
Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/mikal-dawn
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/16465702.Mikal_Dawn
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Mikal-Dawn/e/B071NGN8D5

Teresa Tysinger 
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/teresatysingerauthor/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/teresa_tysinger
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/teresatysinger_author/
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/teresatysinger/
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/16536072.Teresa_Tysinger
Amazon Author Central: https://www.amazon.com/Teresa-Tysinger/e/B071HVQ2V6
Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/teresa-tysinger

Andrea Boyd
Newsletter- https://www.subscribepage.com/u8c5f9
Twitter- https://twitter.com/andreaboyd111
Facebook- https://www.facebook.com/andreaboyd11/
Goodreads- https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/14689507.Andrea_Boyd
Instagram- https://www.instagram.com/andreaboyd11/
Bookbub- https://www.bookbub.com/profile/andrea-boyd

~*~
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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Monday, August 24, 2020

My Blog's 10th Year Birthday Bash: Mikal Dawn's book giveaway


Welcome to the 24th day of my blog's birthday bash!

Please welcome my author friend Mikal Dawn.


She's here to give away three of her books!


Enter the book giveaway contest via the Rafflecopter widget the end of this blog post. Only residents of the USA are eligible to receive a signed paperback copy of this author's books. International residents will only receive ebook copies due to costs of mailing books outside of the USA.

Let's learn a little bit more about Mikal and her book ...

Author Bio:

Mikal Dawn is an inspirational romance author, wedding enthusiast, and proud military (retired) wife. By day, she works as an administrative assistant for an international ministry, runs her kids to all their sports, and drinks lots of coffee. 

By night, she talks to figments of her imagination as she attempts to write while dinner is burning. And drinks lots of coffee. When she isn’t writing about faith, fun, and forever, she is obsessively scouring Pinterest (with coffee in hand, of course!) for wedding ideas for her characters.

Originally from Vancouver, Canada, Mikal now lives in Oklahoma (and praying it’s their last home!) with her husband, two of their three children, and one ferocious feline. 


~*~
Back Cover Blurb for Count Me In:


Allegra Spencer has been living a careful life. Her safe job as an accountant is bookended by going to church and the gym. Okay, sometimes the gym. Fine. She goes to church. And the coffee shop. She avoids risk at all cost, preferring to stay safe in her cozy condo. Until her accounting firm goes belly up and she's out of a job.

Tyler Hawk had a glorious career as a star NFL tight end. He retired on a high note and now lives a second dream of owning his own business and leading others on extreme outdoor adventures. But he needs help with his books—and his heart. When Allegra takes the job, sparks fly.

It’s a case of safety zone versus danger zone, and in their minds, never the two shall meet.

~*~
Back Cover Blurb for If She Dares:


He’s a board game champion, but can he win her heart?

Lia Walker burned the bridges—and her boss’s tie—when she quit her job at a car dealership to go work for the chancellor of a prestigious university. But when she arrives only to find out she can’t start her job, she’s burning with only one question: how will she pay her rent?

Garrison McGarville returned from working in Europe a champion—of a Ticket to Ride board game tournament. But his latest job—informing a distressed beauty she doesn’t actually have a job yet—has him feeling more like a loser.

When Garrison comes up with what he hopes is a game-winning move, will Lia dare to accept?

~*~
Back Cover Blurb for Once Upon a Christmas:


Embrace the magic of the Christmas season with these contemporary twists on timeless tales.

Upon a Dream — A rare sleeping disorder keeps Talia from performing, but when Philip recognizes her gift, he’ll do whatever it takes to see her onstage.

Claim My Heart — Li Na and Colin Wen face off in a Mulan-esque courtroom battle where the real win might be losing their hearts.

A Snow White Christmas — Sheltered heiress Amala White flees her conniving stepmother’s plans and finds refuge with a handsome orchard owner and his seven quirky uncles.

Christmas Ella — Reality TV meets Cinderella story when a location director is swept off her feet by a rising star.

A Splash of Love — Las Vegas glitz meets Land of Enchantment culture in A Splash of Love, a modern twist on the Little Mermaid.

~*~

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

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Sunday, July 23, 2017

Summer Love: Interview with Allegra Spencer from "Count Me In" (book)


Character interview questions for Allegra Spencer of Count Me In:

Alexis: Hi, Allegra! Welcome to my blog. I am excited to interview you!

Allegra: Hi, Alexis! Thank you so much for having me here today. You’re my first interview! Mikal has been interviewed a few times, but for serious. I’m the one who had her life constantly threatened. *insert side-eye to Mikal here*


Alexis: How important is coffee to you? I noticed in the first lines of your story that you think in coffee illustrations. Why is a Kit Kat Latte your favorite coffee?

Allegra: Alexis. Coffee is lifeblood. I mean, it’s what wakes me up, keeps me motivated. Saves Tyler’s life. Ha! As for why the Kit Kat latte is my favorite, well…chocolate, vanilla, and when I’m feeling especially adventurous, I have Jael (my barista) add a splash of hazelnut. It’s peace, joy, and love in a (ginormous) mug.

Alexis: I prefer “white sandy beaches and crystal-blue oceans” to the woodsy outdoors too! I totally “get” you on this point. But does your love for the beach and calm waves contradict Tyler’s love for “the great outdoors”? If so, share how your different interests helped and hurt your relationship.

Allegra: Believe me when I say that Ty can find adventure wherever he goes. That man. UGH. He does have a special love for the mountains, though. And jumping out of planes. And helicopters. I mean, really. Who heli-skis? But I digress.

So at first, our different interests really hurt our relationship. Well, what relationship there was. If you’ve read our story, you know that Tyler and I are opposites, to put it mildly. If you haven’t read our story, I don’t want to give everything away, but let’s just say that our ideas of “adventure” are pretty different. That made Tyler hesitant to pursue me (the punk). But I’ll admit, it made me pretty resistant to the idea of a relationship with him, too. Now though, when we go to the mountains, I’m way more open to paragliding, so we do that as well as go hiking. He’s trying to talk me into going zip-lining up in Vancouver, but I’ve heard about one of those lines, and I don’t know. I’m working up to it. Maybe. 


Alexis: The chemistry between you and Tyler is electric! Why did you fight so hard at first to NOT like him?

Allegra: Oh, friend! Can I admit now that you’ve read it that I’m so happy Mikal threw us together? I mean, *whew*. Pass me a fan. 😉

But at first…yeah. I mean, he’s cute. Really cute, but he’s my employer. And the man is a risk-taker! I have a not-so-great history with risk-takers, and to be honest, that really scared me. I mistakenly believed that a risk-taker was too selfish to be in a relationship, always putting their life in danger for a momentary adrenaline rush without thought to others who love them. I learned a lot through our story, though, and am happy to report that I am still going on adventures with Tyler. Slightly more subdued adventures, much to Ty’s chagrin.


Alexis: I know that you were initially mad at your sister for setting you up with Tyler. But somewhere deep inside, were you secretly glad? Be honest!

Allegra: Caprice deserved to never have coffee again for that stunt. But I’ve grudgingly forgiven her. Ha! Okay, more than grudgingly. Deep, deep, way deep down, I was a little glad she did, despite the extreme embarrassment I suffered at the restaurant. I’m happy to report that waitress no longer works there. She apparently dug her claws into a model, married him, and now lives in Paris. So she’s far, far away from Ty.

Alexis: Describe your first date with Tyler. What were you thinking? How did you feel? Where did he take you? What did you do on the date?

Allegra: Our first date without Mikal’s interference (again, side-eyeing her) was magnificently calm but a little higher elevation than I’d like. Tyler took me to SkyCity Restaurant. It’s a revolving restaurant 500-feet up the Space Needle in downtown Seattle. I had the pan-seared scallops, which were divine. Ty had the mocha-braised short ribs. And yes, I had a bite and it was also so good. After, he took me up to the observation, much to my chagrin. But I’ll admit—it was stunning. Seattle is seriously a gorgeous city.

Alexis: Describe your first adventure with Tyler—paragliding! Why did you think you’d die? What was it like, soaring through the air attached to a hottie like Tyler? 

Allegra: Um, hello? However many gazillions feet in the air with nothing but a couple of pieces of layered fabric and some lines holding you up? Yeah. Deathtrap. Never mind that I didn’t die, that’s beside the point. You know, Story pulled me aside later and asked me if being attached to Tyler changed my mind about him at all. At the time, it just confirmed that we are so different. But looking back at the selfie we took, I can totally see the sparks and remember how comforting he was. Despite trying to kill me.

Alexis: What made you decide that you should give adventure—and a romantic relationship with Tyler—a chance? Do you regret your decision? Why or why not?

Allegra: Well, the contract kind of forced me into giving adventure a chance. Ty was just a bonus. Eventually. Once we sorted out our fears and differences. Do I regret my decision? Absolutely not! You can’t regret a gift from God, especially one as caring, compassionate, genuine, funny, loving, and—let’s be honest—good looking.

Alexis: Why did Tyler’s first prayer with you bring tears to your eyes?

Allegra: Tears? I didn’t cry. Nope. Sigh. Fine. I teared up. I think it was because when Tyler prayed he also released me from any guilt, despite the mishap being my fault. I’ve always taken on perhaps more than my share of responsibility, and even then he knew I would be hard on myself for what happened. Rightfully so, but it was a sweet moment to know that he forgave me. 

Alexis: Describe the first time Tyler kissed you. What were the sensations? What were your thoughts? Were you able to think? Lol. 

Allegra: Oh. My. Goodness. That kiss. I’m going to need a fan again. I’m not one to kiss and tell, but let’s just say I didn’t know what thoughts and words were when he kissed me, so I couldn’t even describe the sensations to you. All I remember was searing heat and lots of tingly feelings.

Alexis: What did Tyler’s constant challenges of pushing you out of your comfort zone do for you and how did it affect your relationship with him?

Allegra: Ty has such a passion for people, helping them grow and learn that they can do more than they think they can. He’s so good at it. I’ll be the first to admit, though, that it was super annoying when I first met him. I like safety. Danger can lead to pain and death. I don’t like pain, and I most certainly don’t like death. Yikes.

Through the course of our relationship, however, I grew so much, and that was because Tyler pushed me out of that comfort zone. Through his encouragement, I learned to take that step of faith in God and lead the life He wants to me. Jesus didn’t lead a safe life—He pushed the boundaries, made spectacular declarations of who He is, healed people when He knew the Pharisees would try to trick Him so they could put Him to death, and put His life into His Father’s hands, knowing it would lead to His death…and resurrection. Tyler and I learned together to follow in Jesus Christ's steps and take those risks worth taking. 
Though I still argue that skydiving is not a risk worth taking.

Alexis: What would you say is your most precious moment that you spent with Tyler? What made it special to you?

Allegra: Since you all know our story is a romance (a romantic comedy—apparently we’re hilarious), then you probably know that Tyler and I get together in the end. That ending is our most precious moment together. It was romantic, sweet, and life-changing.

Alexis: What do you want women who are like you, the ones who “live with a safety net”, to learn from your story?

Allegra: To let that safety net go. Don’t go all crazy and think I’m advocating putting your life in needless danger (*ahem* Tyler), but to step out in God’s direction, knowing that He has you in His hands and won’t let you go. And if you feel like you’re falling, know that His hand is under you ready to catch you. Be bold. Be fearless in Christ. Also, if you find a former NFL star who loves Jesus and you’re single? Don’t let him go.

Alexis: Thanks for the interview, Allegra! God bless you, girl!

Allegra: Thank you so much again, Alexis! I had a ton of fun. Oh! Bo and Story, mine and Tyler’s best friends, have quite the story, too. Mikal is transcribing their story right now and will announce the release timeframe in her newsletter later this year, so make sure you sign up for that on her website to be the first to know!

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Author Bio:
Mikal Dawn is an inspirational romance author, wedding enthusiast, and proud military wife. By day, she works as an administrative assistant for an international ministry, serves in her church’s library, runs her kids to all their sports, and drinks lots of coffee. 

By night, she talks to figments of her imagination as she attempts to write while dinner is burning. And drinks lots of coffee. When she isn’t writing about faith, fun, and forever, she is obsessively scouring Pinterest (with coffee in hand, of course!) for wedding ideas for her characters.

Originally from Vancouver, Canada, Mikal now lives in Nebraska with her husband, their three children, and one ferocious feline. Connect with Mikal on mikaldawn.com, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest.

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Blurb for Count Me In (book): Allegra Spencer has been living a careful life. Her safe job as an accountant is bookended by going to church and the gym. Okay, sometimes the gym. Fine. She goes to church. And the coffee shop. She avoids risk at all cost, preferring to stay safe in her cozy condo. Until her accounting firm goes belly up and she's out of a job. 


Tyler Hawk had a glorious career as a star NFL tight end. He retired on a high note and now lives a second dream of owning his own business and leading others on extreme outdoor adventures. But he needs help with his books--and his heart. When Allegra takes the job, sparks fly.

It's a case of safety zone versus danger zone, and in their minds, never the two shall meet.


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Buy Mikal's book on Amazon

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