Movie Review: "Heaven Sent"

My Review of the Heaven Sent movie:

Today, I have another movie review for you and a giveaway contest at the end of this post! In case you didn’t know, Pure Flix is like the faith-based version of Netflix. It works the same way the difference is in the content that points you back to Jesus Christ and shows you how much The Creator of the Universe loves you!

Pure Flix is a one-stop shop for faith and family-friendly movies and shows where you can confidently stream in your home with the entire family. With new premium and exclusive original entertainment choices every week, Pure Flix streaming service has the largest variety of high-quality, curated, positive, encouraging, wholesome movies, series and kids' content in one service. Pure Flix is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Sony Pictures Entertainment, alongside AFFIRM Films.

Pure Flix VIP Ambassador program asked me to review the movie Heaven Sent. The main idea for this movie, in words from the producers, is: Elise, a grandmother hurt by her past, and Patrick, a widowed pastor, have closed the door on love. But with faith and a little help from technology, will their live-streamed romance find a way?

I watched this heartwarming movie after it was made available for viewing on Pure Flix. Heaven Sent captivated me from the first scene and kept me engaged throughout the movie.

Now for my review: 

When I saw that Karen Abercrombie was starring as the leading lady in this movie, I knew it was going to be good! I became a fan of Karen ever since her debut as Miss Clara in the movie War Room. I soon found that her performance as Elise in Heaven Sent did not disappoint!

She mastered not only her lines but her facial expressions. There wasn’t a moment in this movie when Abercrombie was out of character. The same could be said about the supporting actors. However, Abercrombie’s performance stood out the most as she is clearly becoming a legend.

Most impressive is the fact that not only was Abercrombie the lead actor, but she was also the executive producer who co-wrote this entire movie!

J. Leon Pridgen II played the leading man, a widowed pastor named Patrick. He did a great job showing how his character grew from heartbreak to hope as he entered a relationship with Elise.

This movie was filled with honesty, humor, faith, family themes, fun and sweet surprises. There wasn’t anything to not like about it. I related to and empathized with the characters. I thought the storyline was seamless and the plot was well-thought. The actors delivered a stellar performance.

If you want to watch a movie that will make you laugh, smile and believe in true love again then Heaven Sent is it.

Themes of this movie included:

· Letting go of our children/grandchildren

· Family over fame

· Finding love after loss

· Miscommunication

· Grace during misunderstandings

Heaven Sent is a movie that will introduce you to Pure Flix, prompt you to join and watch it again and again! And once you’re a member of Pure Flix, you’ll find more content to view that will encourage your heart. So don’t delay, join today!

Watch Heaven Sent movie trailer:
https://youtu.be/cTrGCnXLKiE

Jean Thomason from Momentum Influencer Network interviewed Abercrombie. Watch their conversation here: https://youtu.be/y-vp-TthzLk

Before you go, enter this contest for your chance to WIN a FREE 3-month Pure Flix subscription! Note: This giveaway is limited to U.S. residents only. The giveaway starts today (Feb. 10) and will end on Feb. 14, 2023. 

If you're participating in the giveaway for Heaven Sent, please note that we cannot accept winners that have won a Pure Flix subscription in the last six months.

Here is the Giveaway Contest link:
http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/f8dcb68c437/?

Disclosure: Many thanks to Pure Flix for providing a sample of the product for this review. Opinions are 100% my own.

#HeavenSentMIN #MomentumInfluencerNetwork

14 Days of Love: Say It's For Good

Today, we're shining the spotlight on a book by my author friend Teresa Tysinger.

~*~

Book Blurb for Say It’s For Good:

Is a decade enough time to heal old wounds? 

Professional chef Leah Spencer is level-headed, responsible, and practical, so moving home to Laurel Cove, North Carolina to care for her ailing father was an easy choice. All he wants is for her to find love like he had with his late wife—before he leaves Leah all alone. 

Desperate to ease his worries, as well as her own fear, she breaks character and creates a fake relationship with the one man in town who likely wants nothing to do with her. The one man she’s ever truly loved.

Jasper Bowdon has successfully avoided commitment ever since his heart was broken a decade ago. When casual dating grew tiresome, he decides to take a break from women to finally figure out what he really wants. Why, then, does he agree to a pretend relationship with the very woman who’d ruined him in the first place? And why is he left wondering if it could all be part of God’s plan to heal them both?

Love and friendship get a second chance in this final installment of the Laurel Cove Romance Series. Books in this series are stand-alone and can be read and enjoyed in any order.

~*~
Author Bio:

Teresa Tysinger is an author of Southern Contemporary Romance inspired by grace.

She writes on the fringes of being a wife, mom, and full-time communications and public relations professional.

Teresa loves coffee, traveling, and loves almost every genre of music.

Born in Hawaii, raised in Florida, and educated in North Carolina, she now resides in Texas with her husband, daughter, and dog.

~*~
Buy Teresa’s book on Amazon

~*~
Connect with Teresa:
Website: https://teresatysinger.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/teresatysinger_author/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/teresatysingerauthor
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/16536072.Teresa_Tysinger
BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/teresa-tysinger

~*~
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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14 Days of Love: Random Acts of Shyness by Chautona Havig

Today, we're shining the spotlight on a book by my author friend Chautona Havig. 

~*~

Book Blurb for Random Acts of Shyness:

"That man is going to be single for the rest of his life!" 

What began as a coping mechanism as a little boy became highly-effective date repellent as a man. He knows girls don’t care about the life cycle of a dung beetle, but Heath can’t help but spew facts like a docent at the zoo anytime he’s on one of his many first and only dates.

His sister is determined to fix that. So, she signs him up for the new betwixt2hearts.com matchmaking service. Her plan: simple. Just let him practice on a bunch of girls until it becomes second nature. Simple, right?

But Heath can’t get one girl out of his mind. So, with his boss’ help, and a little creativity, he embarks on a sorta-secret admirer scheme to induce her into giving him a second chance.

He's a good guy... and someday he'll figure out how to show it.

~*~
Author Bio:

USA Today Bestselling author of Aggie and Past Forward series, Chautona Havig lives in an oxymoron, escapes into imaginary worlds that look startlingly similar to ours and writes the stories that emerge.

An irrepressible optimist, Chautona sees everything through a kaleidoscope of It’s a Wonderful Life sprinkled with fairy tales. Find her at chautona.com and say howdy—if you can remember how to spell her name.

~*~
Buy Chautona’s book on Amazon

~*~
Connect with Chautona:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ChautonaHavig
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/chautonahavig
Blog: http://chautona.com/blog/
Instagram: http://instagram.com/ChautonaHavig
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/chautonahavig
BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/chautona-havig
Pinterest: https://pinterest.com/chautonahavig
Amazon Author Page: https://amazon.com/author/chautonahavig
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/chautona/videos
Newsletter (sign up for news of FREE eBook offers): https://chautona.com/news

~*~
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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12 Days of Christmas Book Giveaways: Terri Weldon's Christmas story

Let's welcome my author friend Terri Weldon to the blog today!

She's here to give away one e-book copy of her Christmas story, Mistletoe Magic.

Meet Terri:

Author Bio: 

Terri Weldon feels blessed to be a full time writer. 

She enjoys traveling, reading, and shopping for shoes. One of her favorite pastimes is volunteering as the librarian at her church. It allows her to shop for books and spend someone else’s money! Plus, she has the great joy of introducing people to Christian fiction. 

Terri lives with her family in the Heartland of the United States. She has two adorable Westies – Crosby and Nolly Grace. 

Terri is a member of ACFW and RWA.

~*~

Here's the blurb and cover photo for Terri's book:

Misty Winslow is determined to find her prince, and she meets the man of her dreams through an Internet dating service. Or is he, because the new dentist in town also sets her heart aflutter. 

It's love at first sight for Tyler Davenport, but before he can finish his first root canal, Misty is involved in an exclusive online romance with Wes99—Tyler's online persona. How can he tell her he's the man she's been waiting to meet, and how rational is it for him to be jealous of Wes99! 

Soon Tyler's pulling out all the stops to woo Misty. As Christmas approaches, Wes99 and Tyler both ask her to meet them under the mistletoe. Which man will she choose?

~*~

Connect with Terri:

Website: http://terriweldon.com/

Seriously Write: https://seriouslywrite.blogspot.com/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/weldon_terri

 ~*~

Enter this e-book giveaway contest for your chance to WIN Terri Weldon's book, Mistletoe Magic, by filling out the entry form on the Rafflecopter widget below:

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When Love Inspires: Amanda Tru and her author friends (Part 2 of 2)

Note from Alexis: We're doing things a bit different in "When Love Inspires" for today (Feb. 10). As I said yesterday (Feb. 9), I'm hosting ALL of the six authors from their boxed set "Betwixt Two Hearts."

So in order to accommodate the authors and not give you information overload, I've divided this book promo feature into two parts (Part 1 = yesterday and Part 2 = today). Enjoy visiting with the boxed set coordinator Amanda Tru's author friends Cathe Swanson, Carol Moncado and Chautona Havig!

~*~

When Love Inspires: Cathe's story

I love writing sweet, clean romance novels because the world needs that kind of light-hearted, hopeful story. 

Christian romances aren’t just about a man and a woman who fall in love. The spiritual component of Christian marriage – and relationships of every kind – is often left out of contemporary love stories, but our faith adds a deeper dimension to our relationships.

I want to show the full, rich, beautiful love that can only be found when we love God first, more than we love the other person. That’s the only way to have a truly Happy Ever After.

--
Cathe's Author Bio:

Cathe Swanson, the author of the Great Lakes and Glory Quilts series, enjoys gardening, sewing, papercrafting, and kayaking on the beautiful Wisconsin rivers. 

She’s been teaching quiltmaking for over 25 years, focusing on retreat workshops, ministry events and bridal quilt bees, and is finally bringing that experience and enthusiasm to her newest series, The Glory Quilts.

--
Blurb for Cathe's novella, "The Swedehearts":

Eleanor Nielson always dreamed of following in her distinguished parents’ footsteps, becoming a teacher and living a life of selfless community service – until she tried it. Now, happily working at her uncle’s construction company, she’s finding fulfillment in her work and discovering a family heritage she never knew.

She can resist her parents’ pressure and manipulation from a hundred miles away, but she can’t skip their anniversary party. Eleanor isn’t interested in a relationship, but she doesn’t want to go to the party alone. Can a matchmaking agency find her a date who will impress her parents?

Like any good engineer, David Reid has his life all planned out. He’s finished college and established a career he enjoys. The next thing on his timeline is marriage and starting a family, but good wives are hard to find. He wants the right kind of woman – one who’s ready to start a family, who will share his faith and work at his side when he becomes a pastor. Someone he can trust. 

Like any good engineer, David turns the project over to experts: the Betwixt Two Hearts matchmaking agency.

Is this a match made in heaven?

--
Connect with Cathe:
Website: http://catheswanson.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/CatheSwanson
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/CatheSwanson
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/catheswanson
Instagram: http://instagram.com/CatheSwanson
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/CatheSwanson
BookBub Author Page: http://www.bookbub.com/authors/cathe-swanson
Amazon Author Page: http://www.amazon.com/author/catheswansonNewsletter signup: http://www.catheswanson.com/newsletter

~*~

When Love Inspires: Carol's story

I write romance because I love the happy endings. I don’t like stories that make me sad at the end. Crying in the middle is one thing. Crying because they all die or end up with the wrong people, is something else entirely! 

I write clean/sweet because I don’t need to see what goes on behind closed doors or “hear” cursing or “see” gore and violence. It’s not something I enjoy and not something I enjoy writing. I think there’s a lot of other people out there like me, and they just want to read something they can share with other generations – their moms or grandmas and their teen daughters.

I spend far more time than I probably should watching Hallmark movies. They get criticized, sometimes rightfully so, for their formulaic nature, perfect hair and clothes, quaint towns where there’s always piles of snow but clear roads and sidewalks, etc. Sometimes it’s fun to poke fun at them. 

I often watch royalty or writing related ones “live” in my reader group, posting commentary as I do. There’s usually a fair bit of snark involved, but underneath is that happy, waffy sigh at the end when their worlds all end up the way they should.

That’s what I like to write.

My characters have real issues (even if finances aren’t one of them for most of them). They struggle with the same thing we all do: Am I good enough? Do people really like me for me or because of (fill in the blank - for many of my characters, it has to do with their titles and tiaras)? Where do I find my self-worth? How do I reconcile what I should do with what I want to do or can I? And if I can’t, which do I choose?

Everyone answers those questions differently, even characters in the same book. But sometimes in those characters, we see little bits of ourselves and maybe learn a little bit about how we can change our own outlooks on who we are.

And do it without the cursing or sex scenes or violence that can be so prevalent in other genres.

We have enough drama and sadness in the world. I like bringing at least a little bit of sweetness and light into that and giving readers a bit of an escape from the real world into a fictional land where everyone eventually ends up with a happily ever after. (Except the bad guys of course. They get eaten by sharks).

--
Carol's Author Bio:

When she's not writing about her imaginary friends, USA Today Bestselling Author Carol Moncado prefers binge watching pretty much anything to working out. She believes peanut butter M&Ms are the perfect food and Dr. Pepper should come in an IV. 

When not hanging out with her hubby, four kids, and two dogs who weigh less than most hardcover books, she's probably reading in her Southwest Missouri home.

Summers find her at the local aquatic center with her four fish, er, kids. Fall finds her doing the band mom thing. Winters find her snuggled into a blanket in front of a fire with the dogs. Spring finds her sneezing and recovering from the rest of the year.

She used to teach American Government at a community college, but her indie career, now with over thirty titles, has allowed her to write full time. She's a founding member, former President, and current vice president of MozArks ACFW, blogger at InspyRomance, and is represented by Tamela Hancock Murray of the Steve Laube Agency.

--
Blurb for Carol's novella, "Guardian of Her Heart":

When Mark’s boss, the queen of Montevaro, signs him up for the dating app Betwixt Two Hearts, he grudgingly goes along.

Casey is signed up by her best friend, before her best friend moves thousands of miles away.

When Casey attends the Serenity Landing Craft Convention, a stowaway cat means she’s desperate for help and her only option is the new match from her Betwixt app. 

As Mark and Casey get to know each other, their apparent incompatibilities could prove to be too much to overcome – or could prove that sometimes opposites attract.

--
Connect with Carol:
Carol Moncado Books: www.facebook.com/CarolMoncadoBooks
Serenity Landing Book Club (reader group): bit.ly/MoncadoReaderGroup
Twitter: https://twitter.com/CarolMoncado/
Website: http://www.carolmoncado.com

~*~

When Love Inspires: Chautona's story

I've had lots of people ask me why I write "romance" over the years. I  put romance in quotes because a true romance author would laugh at the idea of my romance "counting" as far as genre goes.

But I put romance in books because it's obviously important to the Lord. He didn't just tell us He serves us and takes care of us. He showed us in so many metaphors, parables, and allegories that He cherishes us. He woos us to Him. And regardless of my personal comfort
with the whole thing, that means something to me.

I try to allude to that picture He paints every time I interject a romantic element into one of my novels as both a reminder to the reader and as one to me. We are loved, cherished, adored. Wow.

--
Chautona's Author Bio:

Chautona Havig lives in an oxymoron, escapes into imaginary worlds that look startlingly similar to ours and writes the stories that emerge. 

An irrepressible optimist, Chautona sees everything through a kaleidoscope of It’s a Wonderful Life sprinkled with fairy tales. 

Find her on the web and say howdy—if you can remember how to spell her name.

--
Blurb for Chautona's novella, "Random Acts of Shyness":

“That man is going to be single for the rest of his life!”

What began as a coping mechanism as a little boy became highly-effective date repellent as a man. He knows girls don’t care about the life cycle of a dung beetle, but Heath can’t help but spew facts like a docent at the zoo anytime he’s on one of his many first and only dates.

His sister is determined to fix that. So, she signs him up for the new matchmaking service. Her plan: simple. Just let him practice on a bunch of girls until it becomes second nature. Simple, right?

But Heath can’t get one girl out of his mind. So, with his boss’ help, and a little creativity, he embarks on a sorta-secret admirer scheme to induce her into giving him a second chance.

He’s a good guy… and someday he’ll figure out how to show it.

--
Connect with Chautona:
Website: https://chautona.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/justhewriteescape
Twitter: https://twitter.com/chautona
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chautonahavig/
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/chautonahavig/

~*~
Enter this book giveaway contest for your chance to WIN a copy of the "Betwixt Two Hearts" boxed set of books by filling out the entry form on the Rafflecopter widget from yesterday's blog post. You can find it here. 

Cozy Christmas Reads: Delia's story

~*~

Prologue for A Christmas Beau by Delia Latham

Christmas, twenty-two months ago

This Christmas gathering in the Knowles’ home provided the perfect venue for Katie’s sister to introduce her new fiancé and for them to welcome him into the family. Christmas was always a big deal in their family, and Belle’s engagement made this one even more memorable. Watching her sister show off her ring, Katie grinned. Belle glowed brighter than any of the Christmas lights scattered in a glorious display across their mother’s living room—and she deserved that glow. She also deserved a great guy like Nick Santini. Handsome. Rich. Italian gorgeous.

But despite the excitement of her older sister—and best friend—getting engaged, and the pleasure of meeting her future brother-in-law, Katie’s gaze drifted across the room again and again. Kicked back in her mother’s recliner, Cameron Hilliard’s face was lit by a broad smile. Owner of the Hilliard Agency, and her sister’s boss and dear friend, Cameron set Katie’s heartbeat to a racing rhythm.

She’d met him five years ago. Barely nineteen, she’d made the ninety-minute drive to Pohono on her own to visit Belle. They’d made a special trip to the agency so Katie could meet her sister’s co-workers on Belle’s day off.

That’s all it took. One look into those gentle eyes—blue as the purest sapphire—that sweet face and shy smile, and Katie’s heart was lost to Cam Hilliard forever.

A man eight years her senior. A man who thought of her—if he thought of her at all—as nothing more than his prize employee’s little sister.

The only man in the world for Katie…and that meant she had to make him see her as the woman she’d become in the years since they’d met.

Starting right now.

She turned from the little crowd of family and friends gathered around Nick and Belle and plopped into the matching recliner next to Cam.

“So why aren’t you over there admiring my sister’s new ring?”

Cam’s grin widened. “Already saw it. Some rock, huh?”

“Uhm…yeah. And perfect for Belle. She’s so classy, but not in a ‘hey-look-at-me’ kind of way. It doesn’t surprise me her ring would be stunning, but not too large or…uhm, ostentatious.”

Cam laughed. “Wow. Careful there, Katiekins.” He used her sister’s pet name for her. “That’s a pretty hefty word for a little sprite like you.”

Groan. So Cam did still think of her as a child…and she couldn’t deny she was a bit on the small side. Even Belle, at five-foot-two and noticeably petite, stood taller and boasted more womanly curves than Katie. Her miniscule five-foot frame had not been counterbalanced with any real shapeliness, much to her own regret. Still, she’d never lacked admirers, so someone recognized her as a grown-up woman.

Would Cam ever see her that way?

She studied him for a moment, her teeth gently tugging at her lip. “So when are you going to put a ring on someone’s finger?”

Now Cam laughed outright. “Take a good look at this baby face. Come on. Do it.” He stretched his neck in a deliberately comical fashion and turned his face side to side.

Katie laughed. “I’ve seen your face before. What does that have to do with anything?”

“Well…now look over there and let your eyes feast on the man your sister’s hanging onto like there’s no tomorrow. That, my dear Katie, is what modern women are looking for.”

For a moment, her breath refused to be found. Surely this wonderful man didn’t really believe that nonsense?

In one slow, deliberate movement, she vacated the chair she’d claimed only moments earlier, took two steps, and knelt at his side. Drawing on every ounce of courage she possessed, Katie reached over and laid her hand on top of his.

Cam’s eyebrows shot toward his hairline, but he didn’t remove his hand from under hers. Maybe that was a good sign.

“Let me tell you something, Cameron Hilliard—and you listen up. Not all women want a man like Nick.” A sudden, uncharacteristic shyness threatened to overwhelm her, but Katie determinedly captured his gaze with her own and refused to let go. “I don’t.”

~*~
Author Bio: 

Delia Latham is a born-and-bred California gal, raised in a place called Weedpatch and currently living in East Texas with her husband, Johnny. 

She enjoys multiple roles as Christian wife, mother, grandmother, sister and friend, but especially loves being a princess daughter to the King of Kings. 

She has a "thing" for Dr. Pepper, and loves to hear from her readers. 

~*~
A Christmas Beau book blurb: Katie Knowles’ life is going just as she planned. Even her long-time crush on her sister’s boss, Cameron Hilliard, has fallen into place. The two have become what most people consider “an item,” and Katie knows Cameron cares for her. Deeply. But something keeps him from committing completely to their relationship.

Cam finds himself wading the murky waters of love a bit later than most men. He’s thirty-two when the love bug finally bites. At twenty-four, Katie’s so young. So pure. So innocent. Although he’s at peace with his past and has found Christ, Cam can claim none of those things. Is it fair to ask a special woman like Katie to tie her future to his?

Then Katie comes face to face with a ghost from a part of Cam's past he’d like to erase, and he faces the very real possibility of losing her. Suddenly their differences no longer matter. He has to find a way to set the situation right, face the consequence of his most shameful secret, and win back Katie’s trust and love.

But when the clock strikes midnight on Christmas day, it’ll be too late. Is their faith and love strong enough to bring them a real-life Christmas miracle?

~*~
Review of A Christmas Beau by Deborah Stone:  

Delia Latham has given us another captivating romance full of twists and turns that keep you wondering what happens next. Delia’s characters are realistic, flawed and charming. This story brings us romance, success, failure, heartache, happiness and, in the midst of it all, is the message of God’s love and His ability to see us through every aspect of our lives. 

As Katie and Cam navigate the complications that could overwhelm their relationship, they are reminded to seek God. Delia Latham provides us with a heartwarming romance, along with a story of family bonds, strength, and unconditional love. 

As always, Delia Latham presents us with a believable story that warms the heart and may cause a few tears. This is a charming love story filled with life lessons, all wrapped up as beautifully as any gift under the Christmas tree.

~*~
Connect with Delia through her website or send an e-mail to delia@delialatham.net. Find her also at the following online locations:

Chirp and Chatter (Blog) ~ Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Amazon Author Page

~*~


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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Summer Love: Character Interview of Katherine Newman from On The Rails

Character Interview with Katherine Newman from On The Rails, by Linda Shenton Matchett:

Alexis: Katherine, why did you think your boyfriend Henry Jorgensen was going to propose to you? Describe how you felt when he dumped you.

Katherine: Henry and I had been dating exclusively for nearly a year. He was a regular guest at our home for meals and family events. When he asked me to dinner at the new, fancy restaurant in town I assumed it was because he felt the date was a special occasion, and what’s more special than a proposal? I was heartbroken and embarrassed when he broke up with me. I felt like it was my fault that he was dumping me.

Alexis: Why did you decide to become a Harvey Girl. What was that experience like once you started working for Fred Harvey’s company?

Katherine: My mother was a Harvey Girl and loved it. She thought if I started over somewhere, it would be good for me, and I agreed. I was very nervous in the beginning. I had heard that Mr. Harvey’s son who ran the company was very exacting. I wasn’t sure I would be able to make the grade, but my boss, Miss Stewart was an excellent teacher, and I learned a lot. It was a very positive experience.

Alexis: Who is Pamela? Why did you think after a scene that she was out to get you?

Katherine: Pamela is one of the other Harvey Girls, and she seemed intent on creating difficulties for me and for making me look inept. Several times she made me spill or drop things in a way that seemed to be my fault. When Miss Stewart reprimanded me, Pamela didn’t own up to her part in the incident.

Alexis: What makes Eunice such a good friend of yours? How did she help you cope with your heartbreak that Henry caused?

Katherine: Eunice is a sweet, giving person. I met her on the train to Arizona, and she helped me get over my nerves of starting the new job by reminding me that I wouldn’t have been hired if the company didn’t think I could do the job. Her excitement for the opportunity was contagious. She also helped me focus on the new job, and when she became a Christian she encouraged me to pray about my hurt feelings. 

Alexis: How did becoming Head Waitress for the Harvey Girl Company change your life?

Katherine: Other than a classroom, I had never been in charge of anything, and it never occurred to me that I could hold a leadership position. Being promoted to Head Waitress gave me a tremendous amount of confidence because I gained additional skills and abilities that I could use throughout my life.

Alexis: How did you deal with the backlash from some of your colleagues who were jealous about your job promotion? 

Katherine: Initially, I wasn’t very mature about their behaviors, and I became aloof and standoffish to them. Eunice helped me see that the way I was acting exacerbated the situation, and she encouraged me to be firm and fair, but also friendly. Eventually, that made the relationships less contentious. 

Alexis: Who is Alice Jorgenson and why were you hesitant about working with her?

Katherine: Alice is Henry’s sister, and our families have known each other for a long time; since all of us were children. I thought she would expect special treatment because of that relationship, that I would overlook any errors she made or poor performance. My hurt feelings also seemed to surface every time we were in the same room, and I didn’t want to have to deal with that every day.

Alexis: How did you like your life in Arizona working as a Harvey Girl? 

Katherine: The geography of Arizona is very different from that of Ohio, and I wasn’t crazy about the heat, but it is a beautiful state in its own way. The Grand Canyon is magnificent, and Red Rock Country is intriguing. Because I loved my job, I loved being in Arizona. 

Alexis: Did you miss your home in Ohio? Why or why not?

Katherine: My family is very close-knit. We shared everything, so being far away from them was difficult. We wrote lots of letters to each other, but it’s not the same as being together. I missed them very much. I also missed my friends, but the excitement and enjoyment of being a Harvey Girl kept me busy enough that I didn’t get homesick too often.

Alexis: Is there hope of a happily ever after for you and Henry? Why or why not?

Katherine: Readers will have to wait and see!

Alexis: What was the most devastating part of leaving home to work in Arizona? Or was it an enjoyable experience for you? Explain.

Katherine: It was hard to leave my family behind to strike out on my own. As I said, we are very close, so it was difficult being apart, but because I made new friends that I still keep up with, and gained confidence and new skills, it was a wonderful experience.

Alexis: What lessons did you learn while working in Arizona? 

Katherine: I learned that God is in control and has our best interests at heart. He loves us no matter what our shortcomings. 

Alexis: Would you say that your experience as a Harvey Girl and Head Waitress made you stronger? Why or why not?

Katherine: The experience working for the Harvey Company definitely made me stronger. I learned how to work quickly and efficiently. I gained the ability to juggle multiple tasks and how to work with people who may be different than me. I am able to be on my own and make my own decisions.

Alexis: What’s the moral of your story?

Katherine: God is a God of second chances.

Alexis: Thanks so much for the interview, Katherine! Do you have any closing comments?

Katherine: Thanks for speaking with me! I hope readers will enjoy my story, discovering the role Harvey Girls played in taming the West.

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Author Bio: 

Linda Shenton Matchett is a journalist, blogger, and author. 

Born in Baltimore, Maryland a stone’s throw from Fort McHenry, Linda has lived in historical places most of her life—from Edison, New Jersey (named after the famed inventor of the lightbulb) and Washington, D.C. to Wolfeboro, New Hampshire (reputed to be the oldest summer resort in America). 

A freelance writer for over ten years, her articles and devotionals have appeared in numerous print and online publications. A varied career has included stints as a crisis counselor, human resources professional, bed and breakfast owner, and youth center director. She is currently the Front of House and Catering Manager for a boarding high school. She volunteers as a docent at the Wright Museum of WWII and as a Trustee for the Wolfeboro Public Library. 

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Book blurb for On the Rails: Warren, Ohio, 1910: Katherine Newman loves being a teacher, but she loves Henry Jorgensen more, which is why she’s willing to give up her job to marry him. But instead of proposing, Henry breaks up with her.  

Devastated, Katherine seeks to escape the probing eyes and wagging tongues of her small town. A former Harvey Girl, Katherine’s mother arranges for Katherine to be hired at the Williams, Arizona Harvey House. Can she carve out a new life in the stark desert land unlike anything she’s ever known? 

Henry Jorgensen loves Katherine with all his heart, but as the eldest son of a poor farmer can he provide for her as she deserves? The family’s lien holder calls in the mortgage, and Henry must set aside his own desires in order to help his parents meet their financial obligation. 

But when Katherine leaves town after their break up, he realizes he’s made the biggest mistake of his life. Can he find her and convince her to give their love a second chance?

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Buy Linda's book on Amazon

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Connect with Linda:
Website/Blog - http://www.lindashentonmatchett.com/
Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/LindaShentonMatchettAuthor
Pinterest - www.pinterest.com/lindasmatchett

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