Interview with Kimberly Rose Johnson, author of Island Hope

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

Book blurb for Island Hope:

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

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

~*~

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

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

Interview with Kimberly Rose Johnson

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

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

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

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

What brings Hope to Wildflower Island?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Why did you write Island Hope?

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

What inspired you to create these characters? 

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

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

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

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

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

~*~
Author bio:

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

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

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


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

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

Book promotion for Island Christmas

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

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

Merry Christmas and God bless you! 

~*~

Excerpt from Island Christmas: 

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

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

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

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

“What’s a boss?”

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

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

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

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

~*~

Book review for Island Christmas:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

~*~

Book blurb for Island Christmas: 

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

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

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

~*~

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

~*~

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

Interview with Kimberly Rose Johnson featuring Island Christmas

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

What role does faith in God play in this storyline?

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

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

What’s the moral of the story?

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

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

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

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

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

~*~

Author bio:

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


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


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

~*~

Book blurb for Island Christmas:

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

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

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

~*~

Buy Island Christmas:

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

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

~*~

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

A Tour of Wildflower Island, led by a story character

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

~*~

Author bio:

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

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

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

 

~*~

Book blurb:

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

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

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

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

Book review and excerpt: Island Dreams by Kimberly Rose Johnson

Today, I'd like to share this special feature with you: an excerpt from Kimberly Rose Johnson's new novel Island Dreams! But first, I'd like to share one of the many positive reviews about Kimberly's book. 

Here's one example of a five-star review for Kimberly's book:

"Island Dreams is the second book in the Wildflower Bed and Breakfast Romance series. It's a marvelous story with a beautiful setting. I love the characters and how each one has their own unique personality. The romance between Chase and Piper can relate to many of us. Sometimes both have to find a compromise to make a situation or romance work. This book attracted my attention from the first chapter. I enjoyed reading Island Dreams and looking forward to the next book. I highly recommend reading this book by a great author. I received a complimentary copy from the author in exchange for my honest review. This review is one hundred percent my opinion." 

~Barbara Thompson writes on Sept. 3, 2015, in review of Island Dreams (Kindle edition) on Amazon.com "Marvelous Story With A Beautiful Setting!" 

~*~
Chapter One (excerpt from Island Dreams):

PIPER HUNT HATED TO BE LATE but this time it couldn’t be helped. She rushed into the general store where the smell of coffee permeated the air. She’d give anything for a good cup right now. She hoped this place had a decent brew but was doubtful. She already missed the Starbucks in her Tacoma office building.

She stopped abruptly as her surroundings registered in her brain. “Whoa.” She’d stepped back in time at least fifty years. Her dad had warned her about Wildflower Island, but this was the kind of place one had to see to believe.

The general store looked like something out of Little House on the Prairie only somewhat modernized. She looked around the expansive space. It really wasn’t bad. On one side groceries and sundries were lined up neatly on old-fashioned wood shelves reminiscent of a simpler time in history, on the other side a small café.

She squared her shoulders and strode to the right toward the café. Now to find Chase Grayson. She looked around the room and didn’t spot anyone that could be described as six foot tall and in his early thirties. She glanced at her watch. The ferry to the island had been a little late this morning thanks to a stalled vehicle. The man was supposed to meet her here ten minutes ago. Had he given up and left? She’d sent him a text, but he hadn’t replied. Maybe he never saw it.

A guy who looked to be in his late teens stood at the café’s register. “May I help you?”

“I hope so. I’m looking for Chase Grayson. I was supposed to meet him here.”

“You missed him. He left a few minutes ago. Are you Piper?”

“Yes.”

He held out a piece of paper. “He asked me to give this to you.”

“Thank you. Could I get an iced coffee to go, please?” “Sure.”
 She unfolded the note while the young man prepared her drink.

Ms. Hunt, 
I had to run. Will catch up with you at the property.


Chase

She frowned. “Great.”
“That’ll be three dollars.” He slid the drink across the counter. “Problem?”

She handed him three ones and picked up the cup. “Thanks. No problem, other than I lost my guide. Any idea how to get to the Hunt property?” She sipped the coffee and grinned, surprised. At least she knew where to find good coffee even if she didn’t know where to find Chase Grayson.

“Sorry, Ma’am. I’ve never heard of it. Are you sure you have the right name?”

“Positive. Maybe the people at the Wildflower Bed-and-Breakfast will be able to help. Thanks.” She rushed to her black Jeep Wrangler, hopped in, then paused. The GPS should be able to guide her to the property with the latitude and longitude coordinates and would save her a trip to the B&B. She pulled out the file in her brief case and entered the coordinates into her GPS.

Mr. Grayson or no Mr. Grayson, she would find the six- hundred-and-forty acre parcel she’d come to see. She backed out, eased onto the main road, and followed the winding curves. She passed a golf club that apparently also had a restaurant. At least that building looked up-to-date and much nicer than anything else she’d seen so far on the island. She continued on until the road ended at a wooded area where her GPS indicated she’d arrived. “This must be it.”

A knock sounded on her window. She jumped and spun her head to the left. A frowning man with short-cropped brown hair stood a foot from her door.

She stepped out. “You must be Chase Grayson.” She held out her hand noting his rough callouses, but was pleased by his firm grip. Her dad always said you could tell a good man by his firm handshake. Dad would like Chase. “I’m Piper Hunt. It’s nice to meet you. I’m sorry I missed you at the store, but the ferry was a little late. Someone’s car stalled, and as luck would have it I was stuck behind them.”

He softened, flashing perfect white teeth. “I’m glad you made it off.” The man stood at least six feet tall to her five-foot- seven inches. He wore Levis and a tucked in, button up, plaid shirt. Kind of outdoorsy, but he looked safe enough.

“I was a little confused by your message. Are you with a development company or is this family property?”

His forced nonchalance sent alarm bells ringing in her head. Would he try to stop her if he knew her plan? She could lie, but that was no way to start off a potential project. She needed to have a good working relationship with this man. “Both.”
 He crossed his arms and narrowed his eyes. “I see. And what exactly do you have in mind?”


So much for that good working relationship she’d hoped for.
~*~

Author bio:

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

Island Dreams is her seventh published book and the second in a series of three. 

Kimberly enjoys long walks, chocolate, and mochas, not necessarily in that order.
~*~
Book blurb: 

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

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

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

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

~*~
Buy Island Dreams: 
Amazon.com - http://amzn.to/1GaS8i7
Barnes & Noble - http://bit.ly/1LfmmrP
~*~
Connect with Kimberly: 
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/KimberlyRoseJohnson
Pinterest - https://www.pinterest.com/krose1990/
Twitter - https://twitter.com/kimberlyrosejoh
Website - http://kimberlyrjohnson.com/

Island Dreams author interview with Kimberly Rose Johnson

Let's welcome a familiar face back to the blog today: Kimberly Rose Johnson! 

She's visiting today to celebrate the release of Island Dreams, her second book in the Wildflower B&B Romance series! Today is the release date so you can buy it on Amazon.com tonight if you wish! 

Here's a picture of the cover to Kimberly's new book:

Isn't the cover lovely? 

So without further ado, on to the author interview...

(Words by Alexis in bold, words from Kimberly not in bold)

~*~
Alexis: What inspired you to write Island Dreams, the second story in your Wildflower B&B Romance Series?

Kimberly: Honestly, there was nothing in particular like there was with Island Refuge. I knew I wanted to write a series, so brainstormed with my husband. We came up with the premise for the story together.

Piper Hunt is the leading lady in your book Island Dreams. She has quite a cute name! How did you create it? Tell us what makes Piper beautiful. What motivates Piper? Why does she find herself on Wildflower Island?

I’m so glad you asked about Piper’s name. It’s the not first time I’ve used it, but that manuscript was never published. I LOVE this name and knew I wanted to use it. I first learned of the name from TV. An actress who I like is named Piper. Then I met a lady on Twitter named Piper and told her someday I would give a character that name.

Piper is not beautiful in the classic sense of the word, but on the inside she is. She loves her family, even though they sometimes hurt and frustrate her. She cares about people and nature and she is an all around nice person. LOL that being said, she has her moments.

Piper is motivated to succeed because she feels like she has something to prove. She ends up on Wildflower Island because her family owns a great deal of property there. Her dad owns a development company and he has decided after holding onto the property for 35 years, it’s time to develop it.

In your book summary, you noted that Piper is trying to prove her worth to her father. Why? Share the backstory.

Piper’s dad is a workaholic and the only way she knows to be a part of his life is to follow in his footsteps, but when she makes a couple critical errors, her dad doubts her. She wants to prove she is a valuable asset to the family company and not a liability.

Chase Grayson is your leading man and with a name like that he must be hot. Am I right? Describe Chase’s looks, character, motivation, flaws and strengths.

Yes, Chase is a good looking man. He’s tall, muscled and an outdoorsy kind of guy. He’s a landscape architect and likes to get his hands dirty too. So it’s not unusual to see him working side-by-side with his workers on the job. Chase loves the peace and quiet of the island. He doesn’t want to see the feel of the island change and Piper’s plan threatens to destroy the place he loves most—Wildflower Island. He’s a stubborn and passionate man, but he admits when he’s wrong.

What is it about Chase that makes Piper angry? And what is it about him that makes her heart melt?

The thing that bothers Piper most about Chase is that he tries to stop her from doing her job. At the same time she likes him because he’s genuinely a nice guy and in spite of not supporting her plan, he tires to see things from her perspective.

Why does Chase live on Wildflower Island? What does he love most about it? Is there anything about the island that he does not like?

Chase lives on the island because he craves peace and quiet. It’s his escape from city life. I know I sound redundant, but what he loves the most is the peace and quiet. The island has a pace of it’s own—slow, and it hasn’t kept up with the times. There is still an old fashioned general store and the place operates like it may have 100 years ago, but with all of life’s conveniences.

Why doesn’t Chase like the idea of Piper building an upscale resort on his island?

Chase believes that a resort will bring a lot of tourists to the small island and destroy what he loves most—the peace and quiet. To make matters worse, the property to be developed abuts his.

Chase and Piper may be at odds when the reader first meets them but it’s obvious they’re experiencing a growing attraction to each other. As the author, share a glimpse into their minds. What are they thinking?

Piper can’t figure Chase out. He clearly doesn’t want the resort on the island, but he’s willing to help due process along and even sets up a meeting with the town council for her to pitch her idea to them.

Although Chase is against the resort, he sees how much it means to Piper and that she truly loves the land. She even went so far as to scale back the plans to better fit the island. He appreciates her obvious love of the island, but is torn between wanting everything to stay the same and accepting progress. He wants Piper to stick around, but if he succeeds and stops the development, she will be out of his life forever and if he fails, the island will never be the same.

Why does Chase feel that if Piper builds her resort, his life will be “altered forever”?

A resort will change the island. Wildflower pretty much lives in the past. There are few modern buildings or businesses. People take the ferry to the mainland if they need something other than the basics. For the most part the island is undeveloped and since Piper’s family owns half the island, a resort would dramatically alter the landscape and personality of Wildflower Island in his opinion. His quiet escape from the city would no longer be the same, especially since her property is next to his.

Now for the classic question: Can Chase live without Piper? Can Piper live without Chase? Explain as much as you can without giving away the story.

Yes, they can live without one another, but they don’t want to. That’s all I’m saying.

What did you enjoy most about birthing this book?

I tried something different with this book and included two additional points of view. I included Nick and Zoe from Island Refuge. It was a lot of fun to bring them into this story and continue to follow their love story.

If you could spend one hour with Piper or Chase, who would you choose and why? Explain what you’d do with that time.

Nothing against Chase, but I’d choose Piper. She is such a strong woman, I think it would be fun to just listen to her talk shop. I think she would be inspiring.

What’s next in the Wildflower Island B&B Romance Series?

Island Christmas, the final book in the series releases in October. I’m very excited about this story as the series comes full circle when Rachel Narrelli from Island Refuge returns to the island.

~*~

Author bio:

Kimberly Rose Johnson, soon to be empty-nester, lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband and their yellow lab. Island Refuge is her sixth published book and the first in a series of three. Kimberly enjoys long walks, chocolate, and mochas, not necessarily in that order.

~*~

Buy Kimberly's book:

Amazon.com - http://amzn.to/1gzlfWn

Book spotlight: Island Refuge

Kimberly Rose Johnson, author of the book Island Refuge, is here today to talk about the creative process she experienced in writing her book. 

I hope you will enjoy learning more about what helps an author create a good book! :) This guest post by Kimberly is delightful. I loved it and I hope you will too.

~*~
My Creative Process
By Kimberly Rose Johnson

Have you ever had a song in your head you couldn’t stop from playing over and over in your mind? That’s what Island Refuge was like for me when the story came to me. I had gone on a research trip via Amtrak to Leavenworth, Washington. The route ran along the Puget Sound for part of the trek. It was gorgeous!

I’m a huge fan of the scenery in Washington. I lived there while I went to college and had a million dollar view of Lake Washington and Mt. Rainer from my dorm room window. It was spectacular. While in college I was in my school’s traveling choir, so I had the opportunity to visit one of the islands in the Sound as well as travel all over the state which gave me a good feel for the area where I like to set my stories.

While I was in Leavenworth I visited a B&B (bed and breakfast). The funny thing is, I was there to research for a series I was writing for Harlequin’s Love Inspired Heartsong Presents line and left with another story idea.

My mind meshed the idea of a B&B with the Puget Sound and suddenly Wildflower Island was born. The story percolated in my thoughts for several months before I decided I’d better write it.

My Wildflower B&B Romance series follows the lives of three women whose lives where changed when they came to Wildflower Island, specifically Wildflower B&B.

In book one, Island Refuge we meet Zoe, a five-star-executive chef. She is running from her past, but discovers that in order to face her future she must come to terms with her past.

In book two, Island Dreams, Piper, a land developer, comes to Wildflower Island with the hope of building a resort. She is faced with a lot of opposition and must learn that she can’t do it on her own.

In book three, Island Christmas, Rachel, a strong secondary character from book one returns with dreams of her own.

These woman are all strong women with a dream and it was a blast writing their stories. I truly loved writing this series of sweet romances that are more than just another romance, but stories with easily fit into the women’s Christian fiction genre as well.

If you would like to read more about them here is the link to my Amazon Author page that shows the back cover copy for the books- http://amzn.to/1gd6Ka5

~*~

Author bio:

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

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

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

~*~
Buy Kimberly’s book:
Amazon - http://amzn.to/1IlZqmD
Barnes & Noble - http://bit.ly/1F1RmGC 

~*~

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

Love is in the Air: Author interview with Kimberly Rose Johnson

If you like beautiful seashore scenery, five-star-chef quality food, Bed & Breakfasts located in quaint and oh-so-adorable towns then you are going to LOVE Kimberly Rose Johnson's latest book!

Island Refuge is novel about forgiveness, faith and unexpected love. It's also a story about how God can take your broken dreams--and heart--and make something beautiful.

I hope you will enjoy my interview with Kimberly, author of Island Refuge! My questions are written in bold, Kimberly's answers are not in bold.

Enjoy and keep reading to the end for your chance to WIN a Kindle copy of Island Refuge! 

~*~
Alexis: What is the meaning behind your new series Wildflower B&B Romance?

Kimberly: Zoe had a rough childhood that extended into her adult life. Even though she had it together, she was hurting because she was hanging on to hurt and unforgiveness. This book deals with forgiving yourself as well as others.

Share your inspiration for the title and story settings for your new series.

I didn’t come up with the title. I think my husband suggested it and my publisher liked it. We were going for an island theme and each book in the series will have the name island in it. My working title was “A Place to Call Home.” Book two is called Island Dreams and book three is Island Christmas.

The setting was inspired by a trip I took to Leavenworth, WA. I was doing research for another series that released with Love Inspired Heartsong Presents. Anyway, I took a train to Leavenworth and the train runs along the water, which got me to thinking about the many islands off the coastline of Washington. While in Leavenworth I visited a bed and breakfast, which got my mind working overtime. Within a week of visiting, I think I had the framework for another story in my head and Island Refuge was born.

I stopped writing my Leavenworth series to write this book. I had to get it out.

Your first book under the series is called Island Refuge. Tell me about it.

My editor did such a fantastic job writing the back cover copy, I’d love to share that with you.

Five-Star-Chef Zoe Griffin walked away from her dream job. Did she make a mistake? Her engagement off, Zoe Griffin retreats to tiny Wildflower Island in the Puget Sound. Hiding out as a cook and maid at a shabby bed-and-breakfast seems crazy for a chef who’s used to running her own five-star kitchen. And just as she starts to feel at home, her klutzy mishaps make Zoe fear her handsome new boss will fire her.

Dr. Nick Jackson is done with medicine, and owning a B&B is as far from doctoring as he can get. He needs help, but his only employee’s mistakes give him doubts. As Zoe lets her defenses down, Nick begins to see a competent and caring woman. One whose wounds are as deep as his own. But as they fall for each other, Nick and Zoe must learn the hardest lesson of all—to forgive. Only then can they heal the past and embrace the future . . . together.

Zoe Griffin, your leading lady in Island Refuge, is a five-star-chef who walked away from her dream job. Why?

Although we don’t see it happen, we learn that Zoe walked in on her fiancé and best friend together. They also worked at the restaurant where she was the executive chef. Rather than deal with them, she fled to Wildflower Island to work as a cook and housekeeper.

What makes Wildflower Island special to Zoe?

At first, nothing. In fact, when she get to the B&B she is afraid she may have made a horrible mistake, but the island quickly grows on her and the slower pace and peacefulness of the island draw her to the place making her want to stay.

Share insight into Zoe’s fictional life. What does she do for fun? When did she discover her passion for cooking? What does she look for in a man she wants to date and marry? 

Zoe cooks for fun—cooking is the core of who she is as a person and she finds her identity in cooking.

As a child Zoe would retreat to the kitchen and developed a passion for preparing meals for her family.

As far as what she looks for in a man, I’m not sure she knows. After being burned by her fiancé, getting involved with another man is the furthest thing from her mind. But the Lord has a way of surprising us when we least expect it.

Share details from Nick’s fictional life. Why did he choose a career in medicine? What caused him to hate his career? What is the one habit he cannot break? What does he look for in a lady love?

Nick never says why he chose medicine; at least I don’t remember him stating the reason. I think he likes helping people and needed the challenge. He is a driven man. I wouldn’t say he hates medicine, but he lost confidence in his ability to treat his patients due to the death of his wife. He blamed himself that she died and after that he didn’t trust his own judgment.

As far as habits go, I’m not really sure. Nick’s a pretty cool dude. He wanted a fresh start, so he sold his medical practice and bought a B&B that needed a lot of love. Maybe he has a habit of trying to help people but when he lost his confidence he poured that part of his personality into fixing up the B&B.

Nick was not looking for a wife at all. He felt so guilty about his late wife’s death, even though it wasn’t his fault, finding another woman was the furthest thing in his mind.

What did you love the most about writing Island Refuge? What did you like the least?

I love the creative process and this book in particular piqued my creativity. I LOVE this story. I wish Wildflower Island existed. I want to go there! Anderson Island is the inspiration for Wildflower Island, but it’s too small, so I made up my own island.

The least? I always struggle with endings. This book was no exception. So I’d say writing the last five to then thousand words was what I liked least about this story.

What is your favorite scene from Island Refuge? What makes it special to you?

There is a scene where Zoe and Nick have a pillow fight and that puts a smile on my face every time I think about it. I think it’s special to me because it was a turning point for their relationship-at least to my way of thinking. I may be forgetting something since I wrote this story two years ago.

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

I hope readers will see that regardless of the hurt we feel, the Lord is able to help us forgive, and if we don’t forgive we can’t live a full and happy life.

If you could spend a day on Wildflower Island with two of the characters from Island Refuge, who would you spend that time with? Why? What would you do?

Zoe and Rachel for sure! Nothing against Nick, but I would love to have a girls day with my female characters. It would be fun if Zoe prepared a tea for us or we could sit out in the yard overlooking the Puget Sound and visit. A simple, relaxing day would be perfect.

As a writer, what is your go-to food or drink when you’re on deadline?

Chocolate. I can’t have caffeinated coffee or that would be my choice. My brain works so much better on caffeine, but my body can’t handle it. I know chocolate has caffeine, but it doesn’t bother me.

What do you love the most about being a writer? What do you like the least?

I really enjoy the creative process. Seeing the story in my head come to life on the page is a thrill.

I also enjoy visiting with fans. This past Christmas I met with a book club. One of the members put together a Christmas Tea and we discussed my very first published book, The Christmas Promise. It was a blast! I haven’t had so much fun in a long time. Those ladies blessed me beyond words.

I don’t care much for marketing. That part is hard for me. I’d much rather sit at my computer and dream up stories.

What are your hopes and dreams for Island Refuge and the other books you will release in your Wildflower B&B Romance series?

I would love to see this book take off. It has a special place in my heart and it’s one of those books that stays with you. My dream for this series is that it will do well so I can continue adding books beyond the currently contracted three books. I see a lot of potential for this series.

Complete this sentence: At the end of the day, I____________________ because___________________________.

At the end of the day, I feel blessed because I get to do what I love.

Thanks for the interview, Kimberly! Thank you for offering to giveaway one Kindle copy of your book Island Refuge! Please leave a question for my readers to answer which, along with their entries in the Rafflecopter tool box below and subscribing to your newsletter, will qualify them to WIN! *Visit http://kimberlyrjohnson.com/ and fill out the box form on the right side of the website in order to subscribe to Kimberly's "author newsletter."

a Rafflecopter giveaway
Kimberly's question for you to answer: Have you ever stayed in a Bed and Breakfast? If so what was your favorite thing about your stay? If not, where was the last place you visited?
~*~
Author Bio: 

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

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

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


~*~

Blurb for Island Refuge: 
Five-Star-Chef Zoe Griffin walked away from her dream job. Did she make a mistake?

Her engagement off, Zoe Griffin retreats to tiny Wildflower Island in the Puget Sound. Hiding out as a cook and maid at a shabby bed-and-breakfast seems crazy for a chef who’s used to running her own five-star kitchen. And just as she starts to feel at home, her klutzy mishaps make Zoe fear her handsome new boss will fire her.

Dr. Nick Jackson is done with medicine, and owning a B&B is as far from doctoring as he can get. He needs help, but his only employee’s mistakes give him doubts. As Zoe lets her defenses down, Nick begins to see a competent and caring woman. One whose wounds are as deep as his own. But as they fall for each other, Nick and Zoe must learn the hardest lesson of all—to forgive. Only then can they heal the past and embrace the future . . . together.

~*~
Buy Kimberly’s book:
Amazon - http://amzn.to/1IlZqmD
Barnes & Noble - http://bit.ly/1F1RmGC

~*~
Connect with Kimberly:
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/KimberlyRoseJohnson
Pinterest - https://www.pinterest.com/krose1990/
Twitter - https://twitter.com/kimberlyrosejoh
Website - http://kimberlyrjohnson.com/