Interview with Joy K. Massenburge about "A Heart Surrendered" (book)

Join me in welcoming Joy K. Massenburge to the blog today!

She's a pastor's kid, pastor's wife, mother of children, and a talented author.

Today, she's here to talk about her new novel, A Heart Surrendered, that released yesterday!

She's also agreed to give away one copy of her book! Enter the book giveaway contest via the Rafflecopter widget toward the end of this blog post for your chance to win Joy's book.

This is the cover for Joy's book:

Isn't it lovely?

Learn more about Joy and her book in the author interview feature below...

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Interview with Joy K. Massenburge about her book, 
A Heart Surrendered:

Alexis: Why did you write this book?

Joy: Have you ever been in a church service and saw that one person and asked, what’s their story? I’m a PK, a preacher’s kid, who’s spent her life people watching. I can’t help it. Being the romantic I am, I put people together in my head, answering the “What if’s.”

Alexis: What is the significance of your book title, A Heart Surrendered?

Joy: This romantic tale asks the same question Jesus asked of the rich young ruler. Would you forsake your treasures here on earth for all that I have promised you in heaven? Okay, that’s not verbatim, but you get the point. For Sharonda, it was the one memory she held dear and refused to see it as wrong. To release that one treasure would mean, we trust… we love… the one who asked for it more than anything. That’s the picture of a heart truly surrendered.

Alexis: Tell us about the heroine of your story, Sharonda Peterson. What is she like?

Joy: Sharonda is smart. A bit in rebellion so her snide remarks spoken under her breath can be funny. She is loyal to her parents, family, and church work even when she resents it.

Alexis: Tell us about the hero of your story, Carl Ray Everhart. What is he like?

Joy: Carl Ray is a heartthrob who’s tired of the fast life he’s been living. Imagine confidence, swagger, and talent walking in the room. Total alpha male.

Alexis: Why does Sharonda think that finding comfort in Carl’s arms was a mistake?

Joy: Because he left her behind to chase his real love, acting and singing. She’d given him her best, mistaking their one night to be more than it was.

Alexis: Why does Carl want to be an actor and singer?

Joy: Carl Ray, hadn’t always been the heartthrob. He started out the pimpled, skinny kid who had one thing he was good at. Singing in the school choir opened the door to acting. Sharonda was a friend when no one noticed him. Sharonda introduced him to her talented older brother and he helped launch Carl Ray’s career.

Alexis: Why does Sharonda want to focus only on church service and solitude rather than facing her pain?

Joy: Sharonda has accepted that the life she dreamed of will never be. She feels she owes God for the thing she did, so she’ll make up for it with church deeds. Then there are the health issues that threaten the peace in her home, so she takes on work to ease her parents’ burdens. Solitude is her safe place. Working hard has its reward and she’s too busy to feel her pain, or face her pitiful life.

Alexis: What makes Carl want to leave the spotlight and his adoring female fans to pursue Sharonda’s heart?

Joy: Nearly losing his life, Carl Ray soon realizes none of those things fulfill the gaping hole in his life. He was alone at the hospital. He was alone during his recovery, except for a few nurses. All of his best memories were in Longview, Texas, with his church family…with Sharonda.

Alexis: What is it about Carl that Sharonda cannot forget, making him hard to resist?

Joy: Carl had a way of making her feel she could do anything. He looked at her in a way that made her believe she was the only one in the room, transfixed by her beauty. He listened as if she said the most profound things. With him, even if only at that moment, she was special.

Alexis: Why is Carl drawn to Sharonda and willing to fight for her affection?

Joy: In the beginning he is set on making his wrongs right. Championing her, he is reminded of the friendship he’s missed. Her pending engagement also helps him to realize he doesn’t want to see her with anyone else. Then there are his own abandonment issues that make Carl Ray want to fight for her as he wished his loved ones would have done for him.

Alexis: If you were a professional counselor with Carl and Sharonda as your clients, what would you tell them to help them heal their wounds and trust each other again?

Joy: Healing begins within first. I would direct them to journal their questions to God.

1. God, why did you create me?

2. What is my purpose?

I’d assign scripture reading. Then I’d have them to list everything they feel God did not do in a, “I don’t trust you because…” format. I’d try anything to get the communication lines open again. Only God can heal. Once we’re healed, we can begin to trust and open up enough to share our true hearts with others.

Alexis: What do you want readers to remember most about A Heart Surrendered?

Joy: God is worth us surrendering all to Him. His plans for us are far greater than anything we hold dear. With that relationship in the proper place, we are able to love others and receive love.

Alexis: Thanks for the interview, Joy! 

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Author Bio:

Joy K. Massenburge crafts contemporary love stories of pastors and their kids. She was born the sixth child of a pastor. She married a football player turned pastor…they raised pastor’s kids: a son and two daughters.

During the week, she works as an assistant to a CPA. She serves as American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW East Texas) chapter’s President. 

She is the audio voice of Beatrice “Mama B” Jackson in Michelle Stimpson’s Mama B Books series. 

When she is not writing or recording, she is speaking at retreats and conferences throughout the East Texas area.

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Buy Joy’s book online via Amazon or Barnes and Noble

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Connect with Joy:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorJoyMassenburge/
Website: https://www.joykmassenburge.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joymassenburge/

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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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Interview with Ann Malley about her NEW novel, "Rodeo King"

Let's welcome Ann Malley to the blog! 

She's an author published by Winged Publications which is the same company that published my most recent two books!

Today, she's here to talk about a book that's close to my heart because I loved it that much! Her story is called Rodeo King and it's a romance that leaves a lasting impression on the heart of the reader.

Here's the book cover photo:

Isn't her book cover captivating? Look at all those wide open spaces in Montana! 

The woman on the book cover is Leigh Ann Lacie (heroine of the story).

Best of all, ONE of you will receive an e-copy of this book to download to your Kindle for FREE because the author has agreed to a book giveaway contest! 

Remember to enter the giveaway contest via the Rafflecopter widget that is located at the end of this blog post.

Enjoy the interview! God bless you.

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Interview with Ann Malley about her book, Rodeo King:

Alexis: What inspired you to write this book?

Ann: Rodeo King began as a lifeline, a means to stay sane during difficult times. Moved to action by my absolute bestie and long-time critique partner, I picked up the fiction writing that I’d abandoned to homeschool and manage endless cross country moves. Our family wasn’t moving after all. We were stuck in cramped temporary housing that lasted 36 months instead of three, limited to one car, and facing down the “hot” prospect of being redirected to any part of these United States or abroad for my husband’s next position. (Hurry up and wait works best when one has a pen and a mind to take a mental holiday!)

I would have taken anything to avoid that three-year helicopter hiatus. And yet God works as He wills. The particulars of when and where are strictly His domain. We didn’t move again. Well, not across country, but to our own home in Northern Virginia. SIGH! But Harlequin closed their western line. So I dug deeper and transformed Rodeo King into an inspired romance that touches the heart in a way I understood from personal experience. (Conflict and dark moments aren’t limited to romantic love.) And I decided to make Leigh Ann’s struggles a little more personal, something to which I could relate and I hope you will, too.

Alexis: What is the significance of your book’s title, Rodeo King?

Ann: I wanted Frank to represent man at the pinnacle of success, the king of all he surveys. At least that’s what he believes prior to encountering his high school sweetheart. It’s the small things that often trip us up, memories we can’t shake, feelings left unresolved. The Rodeo King is no exception. And Providence has its way with us all, even kings.

Alexis: Let’s talk about the heroine of your story, Leigh Ann Lacie. What does she look and sound like? What is her secret hope? What is her greatest dream? What does she love? What or who makes her mad?

Ann: Beneath a sassy exterior, Leigh Ann looks and sounds like that sad, seasoned friend you wish you could set up with the right guy. She’s only 33, but thanks to a past she refuses to unpack, she’s determined to move ahead. Alone. Unloved. And convinced she’ll never achieve that happily-ever-after she’s longed for as a child of a broken home. Her greatest dream, not that she realizes it, is to form her own legacy of love where she’s accepted for who she is, but one where her unspoken needs are met. She loves children—the hope for the future. If anything, she’s mad at herself for not having made that discovery long before she married the man who’s now left her widowed and somewhat jaded. But having wasted too many years, she’s determined to seek her dreams now, and not allow others to alter their course for fear they’ll harbor the same regrets that are breaking her heart.

Alexis: What’s Leigh Ann’s backstory and how does it affect her outlook on life?

Ann: The product of a disruptive mistake-of-a-marriage, Leigh Ann looks upon life as an antagonist (at least for herself). She’s determined to protect herself from all manner of pain. She doesn’t appreciate being the subject of Wild Horse Montana’s evening news, even if the broadcasting system is limited to Main Street Mercantile gossips. She prefers the anonymity of city living. And yet, when circumstances draw her back home, she can’t deny the satisfaction of returning to the scene of so much childhood drama only to discover that she’s been truly missed. By people who care enough to seek details and not only for something to talk about.

Alexis: Describe the setting of your story “Wild Horse, Montana.” What makes it special for your characters?

Ann: Wild Horse, Montana is a purely fictional town, one that embodies the spirit of big sky country…Big dreams…Family values…And, of course, the vestige of isolation that can give way to the heightened scrutiny of small town living. But small towns can grow just like people. Wild Horse, despite its distance from big cities and burgeoning industry, is finding itself increasingly on the map. This character of sorts will interact with those living the town as the series progresses, challenging everyone to expand much like when people we love change, requiring a different outlook to keep the ties that bind firmly in place.

Alexis: Let’s talk about the hero of your story, Frank Ferguson. What does he look and sound like? What is his worst fear? What or who is his heart’s desire?

Ann: Frank, as we’ve discussed, is the king of all he surveys. His parents didn’t raise him that way, but Providence deigned it would be so. That’s why, contrary to popular opinion, he doesn’t have the big head that Leigh Ann imagines. Quite the opposite. Beset by his own self-recriminations, Frank’s worst fear is that he’ll fail his family, and fail to live up to Leigh Ann’s high expectations. Although it’s masked for self-preservation, his heart’s desire is to settle down with the one woman who’s rejected him since day one, at least where it counts. His rise to rodeo fame came about after Leigh Ann rejected his teen-aged marriage proposal. But even a king can’t always get what he wants.

Alexis: What is it about Leigh Ann that is irresistible to Frank?

Ann: Frank is admittedly drawn to Leigh Ann by the challenge she represents. Competing is what he does for a living. And Leigh Ann is a beautiful woman, more alluring for having matured into life with grace, dignity, and an unwavering strength that he can’t help but admire. His attraction to her goes far deeper as he sees a part of himself in her, a vulnerability that thirsts for family and love without strings. The unconditional acceptance given to him by his family – a gift he’d be lost without – is something he longs to share with Leigh Ann. And he will, whether she reciprocates or not.

Alexis: Why did Leigh Ann reject Frank’s marriage proposal years ago?

Ann: Unlike Frank, Leigh Ann wasn’t reared in the bosom of love and kindness. She’s seen betrayal up front: broken dreams, forgotten promises, and the worst—love turned to loathing. She did love Frank. She loved him enough to let him go. That charity, though seemingly cruel, was a means to preserve the one good thing she had growing up. Seeing him now, unmarried despite his name having appeared in countless news stories associated with other women, she knows she did right. Fame is what Frank truly wanted, not the wife and family that would only tie him down and turn him sour.

Alexis: How does Frank feel when Leigh Ann re-enters his life but doesn’t want anything to do with him and what is he doing about it?

Ann: Frank isn’t surprised when Leigh Ann adopts a frosty demeanor. Her fiery temperament often expressed itself in coolness, but that was something he’d always been able to break through in the past. He secretly enjoyed the spats they used to have, although he’d never say as much, for fear that Leigh Ann would believe he was mocking her. Her parents’ infamous bouts were no joke. But Frank isn’t about to let Leigh Ann get under his skin this time. He’s determined to treat her in kind, be kind, but be cool. He can’t make her love him. But muscle memories are difficult to control, and so is the urge to uncover what’s still hurting the woman he’ll always consider a dear friend despite her angry armor.

Alexis: Why does Leigh Ann behave adversely to fame?

Ann: Leigh Ann considers fame to be a third wheel in marriage, a mistress of sorts that demands ever-increasing attention. For those who seek fame via extreme sports, the courtship involves a death dance as thrills are harder to come by. That spells anathema to a long-term love affair. For Leigh Ann has no desire to compete for a husband’s affections or give her heart to anyone who treats their life – or her love – so lightly.

Alexis: What is it about Frank that warms Leigh Ann’s heart and why does she fight her feelings for him?

Ann: Despite guarding herself, Leigh Ann can’t ignore Frank’s readiness to learn, love, and be there for his family. Yes, he was wrapped up in being the Rodeo KING, something she commented on in the stinging column about him that got her fired, but that hasn’t prevented him from humbling himself. He’s there for his family and for her, no strings attached when circumstances require. But he’s still in love with his work. Frank was born to ride, to risk, and maybe to die. Leigh Ann can’t afford to be a widow again. Her heart can’t take it. And even if Frank gave up riding, the knowledge that she can’t give him the family of his own that he still talks about keeps her guarded. She knows too well what it’s like to hunger after something you can’t have and she won’t limit Frank.

Alexis: What was your favorite moment in this story? Why?

Ann: My favorite – absolute favorite – scene in the story is where Leigh Ann struggles to soothe little David when he’s crying for his mother. Frank walks in and the resulting action is exactly the opposite of what she expects. I get misty just thinking about it. Why? There’s a lot of me in this book. I have six sisters and have had so many examples of what it means to be a woman with all manner of nuanced differences. That said, I’m pretty partial to the balloons scene as well. You’ll have to read Rodeo KING to find out what I mean!

Alexis: If you could step into this story as a licensed counselor and have a session with Frank and Leigh Ann, what would you say to help them resolve their issues with each other?

Ann: I’d ask them both, “What do you want now? Tell me without any reference to the past.”

Then I would encourage them to look to one another as they are today without the baggage. But that’s the trick. We all carry baggage and our eyes and minds are often clouded by it. That’s why we continue to unpack such similar situations across the span of our lives. The ability to move forward only happens when we’re willing to throw out those items we’ve outgrown.

As Christians, we are told to forgive one another, but often we forget to include ourselves in that number. But if we’re to succeed in loving one another as we love ourselves, there can be no true measure if we continue to beat ourselves up with a past we cannot change.

Alexis: What do you want readers to remember most about Rodeo King?

Ann: I don’t know, Alexis. That’s a tough one as I firmly believe that the measure of what one gets out of something is based on what is brought to the situation. Perhaps the take away is an openness to trying and never giving up hope. Leigh Ann and Frank had to become open to the prospect of trying with each other and with the circumstances presented to them. We give up too often – on ourselves and others – relying on fixed ideas instead of what God has planned. I’m glad that Leigh Ann and Frank gave way to grace and accepted the reality that happily ever after is a possibility. That’s the first step to finding it.

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

Ann: I’d like to thank you, Alexis, for a tough interview. I feel like I’ve spent the morning on the therapist’s couch or in a protracted discernment with my spiritual director. Both can be very good things. Difficult, but well worth the effort as the answers found therein make one live more fully and open the door for true encounters.

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Author Bio:

A believing Christian, seasoned by Providence, Ann writes about real women battling their way to a happily ever after. 

Deadly situations that demand faith and perseverance feature in her romantic suspense stories. While personal demons, the kind that only faith and honest self-reflection can defeat, fill the pages of her sweet contemporary romance.

Tucked securely inside the National Capital’s outer reaches, Ann keeps busy when not writing with her husband of 32 years, three grown kids, and a little kitty named Boo.

She’s a member of RWA, FHL, ACFW, and Inked Voices.

Find out more at AnnMalleyBooks.com.

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Book blurb for Rodeo King:
Widowed too young, childless, and hurting for money, Leigh Ann Lacie leaves the city behind and travels back to her home town of Wild Horse, Montana. 

She hadn’t planned to bump into her high school sweetheart Frank Ferguson, now the famed Rodeo King. Fame is something she never wanted. It killed her husband.

Frank never quite got over Leigh Ann’s rejection when he proposed marriage all those years ago. Though he’s riding high on his career as a rodeo star, he’s bitter at her return. When his flighty sister dumps her twin toddlers on him, Frank makes Leigh Ann an offer she can’t refuse: to care for the children in exchange for financial aid.

Leigh Ann won’t rekindle the rocky romance with her old flame, but she has a secret reason for needing money – a secret that would devastate Frank if he knew.

As for Frank, he lives for a challenge. He won’t rest until he learns what brought Leigh Ann back to Wild Horse – and why she wants to leave again…

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Buy Rodeo King on Amazon

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Connect with Ann:
WordPress Blog - https://annmalleybooks.com/
Amazon Author Page - https://www.amazon.com/-/e/B07NVT5ZY5
Twitter - https://twitter.com/AnnMalleyBooks
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/AnnMalleyBooks
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/annmalleybooks/

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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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When Love Inspires: Delia's story

When Love Inspires: Delia's story

Don’tcha just love, love?

I do, and I suppose I always will…especially clean, godly, respectful love. And that, my friends, is why a 60-something grandmother has been writing about love, life, and happily ever after for over a decade.

I’d never written a book when I got the first little mustard seed of an idea for a romance novel—but I’d been promising myself I would for a very long time. The seed took root when I read the Salinger Sisters series by Shari MacDonald. Book Two, A Match Made in Heaven, grabbed me by the imagination and held on tight. I determined to write the novel I’d been promising myself for years.

I don’t remember much about that pivotal story line, other than there was a dating agency involved. I started thinking about the matchmaking profession—which, at that time, it wasn’t the huge industry that it is now. Wouldn’t it be fun to write about a place where Christian singles could go to find—in a phrase borrowed from King Solomon—he (or she) whom their soul loveth?

I stored the idea away in my brain, and every once in a while, I took it out and played with it (the idea…not the brain). I wrote two other novels and actually found publishers for them. Neither had anything to do with a dating agency, but they are romance novels. I started a couple of new manuscripts. But I hadn’t really found my stride.

Then one day it was as though something clicked in my heart—like God was saying, “It’s time. Let’s do this!”

Well, okay then, Lord!

I started brain writing, which is my ‘normal’ pre-writing process. I thought about the idea while I washed dishes and made beds; mulled it over while driving down the road all by myself; worked out a fun little scenario or three as I lay in bed on nights when sleep was elusive; dreamed up and discarded a number of storylines and subplots. Weeks and months went into mentally laying the groundwork.

By the time I actually sat down to start writing this long-dreamed-of novel, I had several scenes all cozied up in my head, just waiting to be put on paper. And…I was no longer just writing a book based around a dating agency. Now it was a series…three books, maybe more. Plus, God threw in a real surprise for me. My dating agency would be no ordinary, run-of-the-mill love connection. Sometime during all of those mental writing sessions, it received a touch of the divine—an extraordinary connection to Heaven.

That’s how my Solomon’s Gate Series was born. It marked the point where I knew writing “Heaven’s touch in earthly tales” was the path God had laid out for me to follow. Kinda makes sense. After all, I’ve read and loved Christian romance since I was a young girl. I remember walking a mile or so to the library twice a week as a teenager. I’d borrow as many Grace Livingston Hill books as I could carry. As time went by, many other Christian authors became favorites…but now and then, I still see glimmers of Hill’s style in my writing.

I love imparting God’s truth into my storylines, and praying that these seeds of hope and joy take root in someone’s heart. Nothing gives me greater pleasure than hearing a reader say, “I think God had you write this book just for me.”

Most recently, I’ve had the opportunity to be a part of several multi-author collections. The latest of these—just in time for Valentine’s Day, and already an Amazon bestseller!—is “Love, Sweet Love.” 

My novella, Like a Dance (Hummingbird Hollow, #3), is one of five in the collection, which also boasts great stories by Mary Manners, Dora Hiers, Zoe M. McCarthy, and Tanya Hanson. I’m honored and blessed to be included in this line-up of wholesome, heartwarming stories that demonstrate the beauty of Christ-centered romance.

I like to say this collection is like a box of chocolates…in books! Sweet, rich, and irresistible. You can’t read just one of the five—you won’t stop reading until the box is empty.

Find Love, Sweet Love on Amazon and get ready for a sweet Valentine’s Day!

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Author Bio:

Writing Heaven’s touch into earthly tales, Delia Latham puts her characters through the fire of earthly trials to bring them out victorious by the hand of God, His heavenly messengers, and good, old-fashioned love. You’ll always find a touch of the divine in her tales of sweet romance.

Delia and her husband Johnny live in East Texas, where their pampered Pomeranian, Kona, kindly allows them to share her home. 

The author enjoys multiple life roles as wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and friend, but above all, she loves being a princess daughter to the King of kings. She admits to a lifelong, mostly unbattled Dr. Pepper addiction, and loves hearing from her readers.

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Blurb for Delia's novella:

A former celebrity dancer with a child she adores. A successful but burnt-out therapist to Hollywood’s rich and famous. 

When they show up in Hummingbird Hollow at the same time, sparks fly…but they can’t fan the flames. She’s vowed to dedicate herself solely to her daughter. 

He has a long bloodline of reasons not to be a dad. They’re burning stars on a collision course. Will the result be a delight…or a disaster?

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Connect with Delia:
Website: https://www.delialatham.net
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/delialatham
Twitter: https://twitter.com/delialatham
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/delialatham/
Amazon Author Page

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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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Falling for Books: Sally's book

Interview with Sally Bradley about her book, Homestands:

Alexis: Why did you write this book?

Sally: It started years and years ago just as a what-if. What if a superstar athlete had a child he didn’t know about? And what if he and that child met at a game and he autographed a baseball for his own son? What would happen next?
 

Alexis: What does your book’s title, “Homestands” mean?

Sally: Homestands is what you call a bunch of baseball games that are all played at the home team’s stadium, all in a row. A team may have a ten-game homestand. That means those ten games in a row are all at home. And since this was a story of a broken home being put back together, there was a play on words in there too.

Alexis: Homestands is book number one in your Chicago Wind book series. What inspired this series? Tell us about it and give us a hint about the plot for book number two.

Sally: The inspiration behind this series is second chances for people, for couples, for families. Book two, Shelf Life, is about a woman who has become a Christian while her husband has not—and instead of helping their ailing marriage, her new faith only makes it worse. And then there’s that pesky death threat her husband’s receiving that makes life difficult!

Alexis: Why do you call Homestands a Christian reconciliation romance?

Sally: Honestly? To make it clear to book buyers what they were getting into! When my book released as a stand-alone (it had first released in a box set that hit the USA Today bestseller list), a lot of my readers had already bought it and it somehow seemed that general market romance readers found it instead—I think because the cover was so amazing. But the problem was that those general market romance readers HATED it! They absolutely hated the forgiveness aspect, which I found so interesting. They did not want to see my heroine forgive a man who had hurt her. So I added that little phrase to information about the book so people would realize what kind of a book they were going to be reading.

Alexis: What role does your faith in God as an author play in your storytelling?

Sally: It colors everything! My plot, my characters and how they think and behave… I don’t believe every story by a Christian has to be solidly Christian. I am fine with a good story that’s just a great read. But when I sit down to write a book, what I’m learning in my relationship with God will bleed into the story. It just does. God is so important to me that I can’t keep Him out of my books.

Alexis: Let’s talk about the hero of Homestands, Mike Conner. Describe his looks, background, and purpose in life. What are his strengths and weaknesses?

Sally: Mike is that extrovert who really knows how to get along with people. He’s the life of the party, but he’s not an attention grabber. He can have fun with people and not have it be all about him. He’s got a bit of a baby face—he’s always looked younger than he is. He’s tall, dark-haired, and extremely athletic. That’s how he makes his very good living!

He’s also the youngest of three kids and was a surprise who came along when both his sisters were in high school. His sisters adored him, and he felt the same about them. So family has always been important to him, but because his parents were so much older than him, he wanted to have kids—and lots of them—immediately. This was a big issue between Mike and Meg, who wanted to wait to have kids so she wouldn’t be raising them alone while Mike traveled the country and played baseball.

Alexis: Who is Terrell and what role does he play in this story?

Sally: Terrell is Mike and Meg’s little boy who got away from Meg to ask his hero—who just so happened to have the same last name as him—to autograph his ball. He was a lot of fun to write. He’s the entire reason Meg and Mike are reunited and forced to be together, and sometimes he could just say things that no adult would say!

Alexis: Let’s talk about the heroine of Homestands, Meg Conner. Describe her looks, personality, and heart. What are her biggest dreams and fears?

Sally: Meg’s biggest fear is that Mike would find out she’d hidden her pregnancy from him. It was also her best way to take revenge on him, which she now regrets. She’s much quieter than Mike, more content to be alone and work on her business, interior design. She’s made a life for herself without Mike, but it’s been very hard and she’s struggling now with doing the right thing—telling Mike he has a son—when Terrell just lays it out there for her.

Alexis: What brings Meg and Mike back together and what threatens to drive them apart forever?

Sally: Terrell brings them together, but it’s holding on to their own hurts and refusing to acknowledge their part in their failed marriage that could drive them apart.

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

Sally: Meg is a new Christian who’s growing—until she realizes she’s done wrong by keeping Mike from his son. For the first time, she’s faced with dealing with something she’s done wrong and moving forward—or not—in her Christian walk. None of Mike’s relationships since Meg have worked, and he begins to think it’s because he threw the perfect girl away, when the reality is that he needs fulfillment in God, not in a woman.

Alexis: What was the most challenging part for you as the author in writing this book?

Sally: Getting inside my male character’s head. This was the first contemporary novel I wrote, and early drafts had Mike thinking and acting too much like a woman would! I’d like to think I fixed much of that before the book met my readers.

Alexis: What’s your favorite scene in this story? Why?

Sally: I love the scene where Meg visits Mike’s house for the first time. You can see how they would have complemented each other as a couple if they’d just worked at loving each other instead of themselves. And then so much happens in that scene that it leaves you wondering how they will ever get back together. 

Another favorite scene I just remembered is when they spend some time on one of Lake Michigan’s beaches as a storm is nearing. Meg and Mike are starting to feel their way back to each other—and then Meg asks a simple question that sends them both reeling. Love the drama in that scene!

Alexis: If you could step into your story as a licensed marriage counselor, what counsel would you give to Mike and Meg? Why?

Sally: Focus on loving God. If you love God, you’ll be deep in His Word, and you’ll be obeying it. If they would just commit to following God and what He says before anything else, they’d find their way back to each other.

Alexis: Thanks for the interview, Sally!

~*~
Author Bio:

Sally Bradley writes big-city fiction with real issues and real hope. 

A Chicagoan since age five, Sally has been fascinated by all things Chicago (except for the crime, politics, and traffic) for almost as long. 

She now lives in South Carolina with her family, but they get back to Chicago from time to time for important things, like good pizza and a White Sox game.

A USA Today bestselling author, Sally has won a handful of awards for Homestands, Kept, and another work-in-progress.

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Book Blurb for Homestands:

A Christian reconciliation romance from USA Today bestselling author 

Sally Bradley

When baseball star Mike Connor stumbles across his ex-wife six years after their divorce, he’s stunned to find that she's the mother of a kindergartner who wears his jersey. And shares his last name.

The last thing Meg Connor wants is to be around Mike. After all, he was the one who hurt and abandoned her. But she can’t deny him—or their son—time together to build a relationship, which means Mike is around too often, reminding her of why she fell in love with him so long ago. If only she could forget their past… The painful and the good.

Between their guilt and closely held hurts, Meg and Mike struggle against each other, their feelings, and God as they fight their own desires for the future, a future that might never happen when the past that tore them apart collides with their present.

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Buy Sally’s book on Amazon

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Connect with Sally:
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/SallyBradleyAuthor/
Twitter - https://twitter.com/sallybwrites/
Website - sallybradley.com

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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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Character Interview: Estelle from Kimberly Rose Johnson's new book, "An Encore for Estelle"

Let's welcome Kimberly Rose Johnson's new character Estelle Rogers to the blog today!

Estelle is the star of Kimberly's story, An Encore for Estelle (Melodies of Love Book 2) and you're in for a real treat! She shares insights from her world as a professional actress and gets real with what's on her heart.

Enjoy her character interview and remember to enter the book giveaway contest toward the end of this blog post for your chance to WIN the book, An Encore for Estelle.

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Interview with Estelle (a character) from Kimberly Rose Johnson’s new book, An Encore for Estelle:

Alexis: What is the significance of the title to your story, An Encore for Estelle?

Estelle: I used to act, but gave it all up when the parts stopped coming. When I went to visit a friend for the summer, I never expected to help at the local children’s theater. Let’s just say it’s my second act.

Alexis: What drew you to a career as an actress? Now that you’re back home with Blake and Helen, are you thinking of a career change? Why or why not?

Estelle: When I was a kid, I was involved in children’s theater and the acting bug bit me. I knew from that point I wanted to be an actress. Oak Knoll isn’t really home. It’s more of a home away from home. A career change is the furthest thing from my mind, but you never know.

Alexis: What is your relationship with Helen Wood? Why do you feel that she loves you completely, flaws and all? 

Estelle: Helen is a dear friend. I met her six years ago when I was in a different place in life. She led me to the Lord and has been my spiritual mentor these past six years. I know she loves me for me because she saw me in spite of how I behaved six years ago, and she didn’t turn her back on me. She showed me how Jesus loves.

Alexis: Paint a picture of Helen’s garden that you love, with words. Why is it special to you?

Estelle: Helen’s garden is like a magical oasis. It’s situated between the main house and the guest cottage. It’s green and lush, with trees, and a walking bridge over a dry creek bed turned water feature. There are twinkle lights as well as lovely shade plants and flowers tucked here and there. And in the middle of it all is a bistro table set that draws you into the garden. If that wasn’t enough, the sound of singing birds and the trickle of water create a relaxing atmosphere.

Alexis: Blake, your hero, is quite a good-looking character! What about his features or traits were you most attracted to at first? How did that change as you got to know him?

Estelle: He is a ruggedly handsome man. Not Hollywood perfect, but cowboy kind of perfect. As I got to know him he became even better looking to me.

Alexis: How did you meet Jeff and why are you hesitant to say “yes” to his marriage proposal?

Estelle: Jeff is or rather was the chef at my restaurant in California, and that’s how we met. We were together for a long time, and I care deeply for him, but I don’t love him the way a woman should love her husband and that’s why I hesitated to answer him when he proposed.

Alexis: Would you describe your former self as a mean girl? Why or why not? 

Estelle: Oh, I really don’t like to talk about the way I was, but I suppose some people would have considered me a mean girl. I think I was more self-absorbed than anything though. I expected everyone to jump at my command, and I didn’t show compassion or understanding when I should have. I’m not proud of who I was, and I’m glad I’m not like that anymore—at least I try not to be.

Alexis: What role did Helen play in your faith journey with God and how did it change you? I noticed that you now go out of your way to be nice.

Estelle: Helen showed me kindness and patience when everyone else turned their back on me. She was there for me and introduced me to the Lord.

Alexis: In what ways do you hope to impact the children that you’re working with at the theater for the musical production? What do you love most about them?

Estelle: I want to be a good role model and an encouragement to them. I love their innocence. They haven’t been scarred for the most part and see life with stars in their eyes. They are so hopeful!

Alexis: What lesson do you want people to learn from your story?

Estelle: That no one is perfect and we need to forgive ourselves and move on rather than hang onto guilt.

Alexis: Thanks so much for the interview! It’s an honor to interview a movie star! Do you have any closing comments?

Estelle: I enjoyed this interview. Thanks for having me on your blog. I hope you will read my story and tell all your friends about it. Lol. I suppose I still have stars in my eyes.

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Author Bio: 

Kimberly Rose Johnson married her college sweetheart and lives in the Pacific Northwest. 

From a young child, Kimberly has been an avid reader. That love of reading fostered a creative mind and led to her passion for writing.

She especially loves romance and writes contemporary romance that warms the heart and feeds the soul.

Kimberly holds a degree in Behavioral Science from Northwest University in Kirkland, Washington. She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers.

You can sign up for Kimberly's newsletter via her website at this address, http://kimberlyrjohnson.com/index.html

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Book Blurb: The theater ties them together but a painful past could pull them apart.

At a crossroads, former movie star Estelle Rogers, returns to the place that set her life on a new course. Although she expects a rough reception she is pleasantly surprised and quickly settles into her new position at the local children's theater. But her road back to acting isn't as smooth as she would like.

Tragedy brought Blake Price to Oak Knoll, Oregon, but it's love that keeps him there. His late wife and daughter loved acting, and he owes it to them to honor their memory with the children’s theater, but his new assistant is making changes he isn’t ready for both at the theater and in his heart. 

Can he forgive himself and move forward, or will he forever be tied to the biggest mistake of his life?

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Buy Kimberly's book on Amazon

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Connect with Kimberly on Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Amazon Author Page

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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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