Showing posts with label novellas. Show all posts
Showing posts with label novellas. Show all posts

Saturday, December 12, 2020

12 Days of Christmas Joy: A Christmas Romance Collection ... Six heart-warming holiday romances


Interview with the authors of
A Christmas Romance Collection: 
Six heart-warming holiday romances

Alexis: Why did each of you write your story to be part of this Christmas Weddings collection? Share the title of your holiday story or stories (for those of you who wrote two stories for this book) and share the plot of each story in two or three sentences.

Kimberly Rose Johnson: Island Christmas is part of a series set on an island in the Puget Sound. I brought back one of the original characters and to allow readers to get to know her better. Though I didn’t set out to write a salvation story, in the end there is a beautiful one included in this book.

A Christmas Homecoming is also a part of a series. This one takes place in one of my favorite places: Sunriver, Oregon. The story has some mystery woven in but ultimately it’s a sweet Christian love story. Here’s the tagline: Can the mystery of Christmas unite two hurting hearts? It really sums up the premise.

Angela Ruth Strong: Finding Love in Big Sky is written as a sequel to my debut novel Finding Love in Sun Valley, which had been optioned for film. I wanted to get more work in front of the movie producer, and I knew that she was looking for Christmas stories on a ranch, so I wrote one. I didn’t know much about horses going in, so I had to go visit a friend’s farm as research. The book is currently in development for film.

A Caffeine Conundrum was also written because this producer wanted a mystery set in a tea house or coffee shop, so I gave her both. My heroines both want to buy the same shop, but one wants to serve coffee while the other wants to serve tea. The owner dies before deciding who to sell it to, and they both become suspects. Of course, it’s set during the holidays and they both have love interests, which makes the mystery both festive and romantic.

Vickie McDonough: The Fruitcake Scandal started as a “what-if” story. What if a young pastor sent home for his bride-to-be, and when she arrived, she had trouble fitting in with the ladies of his church? I thought it would be an interesting premise and allow for some uncomfortable situations for both the hero and heroine—situations that would be fun for a reader.

Miralee Ferrell: The Nativity Bride was originally written for a novella collection of 12 different Christmas books bound into one printed volume, released by Barbour. I had such fun with this book, as I was able to go on and write a short sequel (different characters, same location/time period) for another novella collection with the same authors, a year later. I now have the rights to both books back, and this was a perfect fit for this collection. It’s also the only Christmas book I’ve ever written!

~*~
Alexis: What was your inspiration for your main characters? Describe the hero and heroine’s looks, personality and heart. Angela and Kimberly: Please answer this question for both of your stories featured in this book.

Kimberly: In Island Christmas, Rachel is a twenty-six-year-old windowed mother of a little boy. She has returned to the island after going to culinary school and is excited to follow in the footsteps of someone she greatly admires. Being a good mom and providing for her son is her top priority.Chris, mid-thirties, has brown hair that tickles his collar, blue eyes, and black-rimmed glasses. He is a workaholic who needs to take a break before he has a heart attack. He is on the island for some much needed R&R. He is a driven and successful man with a strong faith in Christ.

In A Christmas Homecoming, Bailey wears glasses that are a bit too big for her face. She has long, kinky hair and stands at five foot seven. She has a caring and sweet disposition and is a people pleaser. She has a wound that runs deep and greatly affects her self-image. Stephen is tall with blue eyes and broad shoulders. He is caring, loyal, and an awesome uncle to his niece and nephew.

Angela: In Finding Love in Big Sky, Paisley is a cowgirl through and through. She’s got long, dark hair and doesn’t wear much makeup except for the lip gloss that keeps her lips from drying out. Josh is the handsome city guy who makes a fool of himself on her farm and eventually ends up in overalls.

In A Caffeine Conundrum, Tandy and Marissa are total opposites. I patterned them after Jo and Blair in The Facts of Life. Their love interests also help balance them out. Beauty queen Tandy falls for the contractor who drives a truck, and biker chick Tandy reconnects with her childhood friend when he arrives at the jail to represent her as her lawyer.

Vickie: The Fruitcake Scandal is what’s called a “fish out of water” story. Karen, the heroine, has landed in a place unfamiliar to her. She has honey-brown hair and brown eyes. She’s a kind-hearted woman who has left her hometown to come to a new place where her fiancé is the new town minister. She’s a bit apprehensive about meeting so many people at once, but she’s excited to be reunited with the man she loves. Clay Parsons is a bit concerned the big move will cause Karen to change her mind, but he puts his faith in God and trusts him to work everything out. 

When the church ladies get upset with Karen, his faith is sorely tested.

~*~
Alexis: Paint a picture with words of your story’s setting. What makes it special to your hero and heroine? Angela and Kimberly: Please answer this question for both of your stories featured in this book.

Kimberly: Island Christmas is set on a picturesque island on the Puget Sound. Imagine a small island without much commerce and the only way on or off is via a small ferry. Most of the island is undeveloped and wooded. It feels even smaller than a small town.

A Christmas Homecoming is set near and in Sunriver Oregon, a resort community in the high dessert. The trees are pine and very tall. In the summer it smells like baked pine needles. The resort isn’t basically a small town, with all the amenities a town needs. They have a village for shopping and recreation that is quite popular and my characters spend time there too.

Angela: In Big Sky, the setting is everything. The ranch in the ski resort town is what brings Josh and Paisley together. She inherited it from her grandfather, so her Norwegian heritage plays a part from the kind of horses she rides to the kind of ornaments she hangs on her tree.

In A Caffeine Conundrum, the small town of Grace Springs was even named after the message of grace in my story. It’s also on the river in Ohio, which is important because they go on a Riverboat cruise. When I was facing writer’s block with this one, I tried to get my husband to take a day trip (10 hours round trip) to the Columbia Gorge in Oregon to go for a cruise on the Sternwheeler, but, lucky for him, they were shut down that time of year.

Vickie: Bakerstown, Missouri, is the fictional setting for The Fruitcake Bride. It’s a typical small town with about a dozen streets—a place where everyone knows each other and knows everyone else’s business. Clay, my hero, has only been pastor at the church for a few months and is still getting to know people. Bakerstown is special to him because this is his first church to pastor. He wants to make a good impression and also meet the needs of the townsfolk, and he is eager to finally wed his fiancée.

Miralee: My story takes place in the late 1800s in a little valley in WA state. It’s actually only about an hour drive from my home, and a place I’ve visited many times over the years, when we purchased hay from farmers there. It’s contains a lovely small town (still small even now) and a wide valley of farms and ranches with a breathtaking view of Mt. Adams in the near distance. The perfect setting for a historical romance!

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Alexis: What is the main conflict in your story? Angela and Kimberly: Please answer this question for both of your stories featured in this book.

Kimberly: In Island Christmas the major conflict between the characters is that Rachel doesn’t believe in God. This poses a big issue for Chris who is determined to be with a woman who believes the same way as him. There are other issues to, but this one stands out the strongest to me.

In A Christmas Homecoming there is quite a bit of tension between the main characters. Bailey does her best to please her boss but it’s never good enough. Stephen is caught in the middle of his mother who wants to fire Bailey and his desire to keep her around because of his growing attraction toward her and he doesn’t think Bailey deserves to be fired.

Angela: In Big Sky, Paisley wrestles with worth, and Josh unknowingly added to her feeling worthless when they were teens. I’m really trying not to give away too much backstory here, but there was a Cinderella type kiss that affected them both greatly, and they think they want different things.

In A Caffeine Conundrum, they both want to buy the shop and not go to jail, so they join forces to prove themselves innocent of murder while still being enemies in every other way.

Vickie: Clay is the new pastor in Bakerstown and is still finding his way and trying to make a good impression. Then his fiancée arrives, stirring up the young women who were aiming their bonnets for Clay. Also, some of the busy-body ladies take a disliking to Karen. She tries so hard to fit in that she makes mistakes along the way and begins to wonder if she’s the right woman for Clay.

Miralee: The conflict is more between the hero and his father. Curt left home years ago over a disagreement with his father that couldn’t be resolved. He left his sweetheart behind with the promise he’d return, but it was years before he finally came home. She waited for him, but much has changed, and his father’s disapproval is still a very big issue. He must somehow find a way to reconcile with both to save the relationships he needs in his life.

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

Kimberly: I generally don’t play any music when I write. I find it distracting. I’m a musician and either end up counting the beats in my head if there are no words, or singing along in my mind if there are, which not conducive to writing at all since I can no longer hear myself think.

Angela: Always. I listen to the songs I imagine my characters listening to during a scene. The lyrics inspire jokes. I love to joke, but it has to be relevant to the setting and the character. Like Josh’s pickup line of, “Aren’t you supposed to be on top of a Christmas tree this time of year?” and Paisley’s retort of, “Aren’t you supposed to be giving Mary a ride to Bethlehem?”

Vickie: I can’t listen to music while writing. I need total quiet to be creative, so I hide out in my office with the door shut when I’m working on a book. When I’m not writing I enjoy listening Christmas music. One of my favorite songs is "Mary, Did You Know?"

Miralee: I’m afraid I don’t listen to music at all when I write. I actually need a very quiet space for writing, as I can get distracted too easily, otherwise.

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

Kimberly: My favorite Christmas treat is peppermint ice cream. I didn’t write either of my books during Christmastime. Since peppermint ice cream is seasonal, eating it wasn’t an option.

Angela: Both my stories have coffee shops, so spent a lot of time researching holiday treats. Even as I’m currently writing A Mug of Mayhem set in October, Marissa is looking forward to specific Christmas goodies she plans to bake in her shop. My personal favorite to bake is chocolate chip pumpkin bread, and my secret ingredient is cinnamon.

Vickie: Since I wrote this story in the spring, I wasn’t snacking on Christmas goodies. I’ve never been one to make lots of munchies for holidays, but we do like Magic Cookie Bars and Chex Mix. I’d have to say my favorite dessert is pie. I make pumpkin pie each Christmas and then splurge by buying a French Silk pie—my favorite.

Miralee: I have two favorites—I love what we simply call our Christmas cookies, but are a kind of sugar cookie, rolled out, cut with different shaped cutters, then frosted and have sprinkles applied. They shouldn’t be overcooked, so they stay slightly soft rather than crunchy. Yum! The second is Angel Sweets—chocolate balls mixed with chopped nuts (walnuts, peanuts or cashews) and mini marshmallows, then rolled in shredded coconut. These are sinfully delicious, and you don’t want to make them if you’re on a diet.

~*~
Alexis: If you could give one of your characters a Christmas gift, what would it be? Why? Angela and Kimberly: Please answer this question for both of your stories featured in this book.

Kimberly: I’d give Rachel the gift of a babysitter who is always reliable because that was an issue for her. I’d give Bailey a beautiful outfit that she would feel confident in because she needs to feel good about herself.

Angela: Josh and Paisley gave each other the perfect Christmas gifts, but I’d go with Paisley to get her own Min Skatt tattoo. As for Tandy and Marissa, I think I’d bring them a busload of tourists to their shop from Cincinnati for the town’s lighting ceremony.

Vickie: This is hard because it’s been so long since I wrote this story. I think Clay and Karen got a better gift than any I could bestow on them—they got married on Christmas Eve.

Miralee: A handmade nativity figures prominently in my story. That’s something most families would treasure (I know I would) and I’d love to see my young couple have one for their home.

~*~
Alexis: What do you want readers to remember most about your story? Angela and Kimberly: Please answer this question for both of your stories featured in this book.

Kimberly: When readers are done reading any of my books I hope they will remember being entertained and that the characters will stick with them like familiar friends.

Angela: I want my readers to feel loved. In Big Sky, they can realize how treasured they are by God. In A Caffeine Conundrum, I want them to realize that they both need and have God’s grace because Christ loved them enough to offer it to them in the ultimate Christmas gift.

Vickie: I hope I’ve given my readers a story that makes them chuckle at times. I also hope to encourage them that even though hard times come our way, God will help us through them and that things will get better.

Miralee: I hope my story will help my readers remember how important family connections are, and that it’s critical we not only forgive, but accept forgiveness when given.

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

~*~
Author Bio for Angela: 


Angela Ruth Strong sold her first Christian romance novel in 2009 then quit writing romance when her husband left her. Ten years later, God has shown her the true meaning of love, and there's nothing else she'd rather write about.

Her books have since earned TOP PICK in Romantic Times, been optioned for film, won the Cascade Award, and been Amazon bestsellers. She also writes nonfiction for SpiritLed Woman.

To help aspiring authors, she started IDAhope Writers where she lives in Idaho, and she teaches as an expert online at WRITE THAT BOOK.

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Author Bio for Kimberly: 

Award-winning author, 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 romantic mystery and suspense.

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

Kimberly’s hobbies include reading, watching chick flicks, playing the piano, long walks with her hubby and their yellow lab, drinking coffee and eating dark chocolate.

Learn more about Kimberly and her books at https://kimberlyrjohnson.com/

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Author Bio for Miralee: 

I love life, love my family, love writing Christian fiction, reading, riding my horse and puttering in my garden are all ways I relax. I often have my little 7 lb Chihuahua, Lacey, on my lap when I'm working
 — there's nothing like a warm ball of love on your lap to act as a stress reliever!

First and foremost I'm a child of God and daughter of the King. I've been involved in women's ministries for years, I'm married to a wonderful man, have two grown children, two cats, two dogs, 10 chickens and ride my son-in-law's Arabian mare since my old mare passed in 2013. We live about 9 miles from the nearest town on 11 acres, in a peaceful setting surrounded by trees.

I started writing shortly after I turned 50, and discovered I loved it so much I don't want to stop. I have 15 novels out & a five book set of horse novels for middle-grade girls. I write both women's contemporary fiction, historical & contemporary romance, and horse/mystery novels for girls. 

One of my Western romances (Love Finds You in Sundance, WY) was awarded the Will Rogers Medallion for Western Fiction, three books have been optioned as movies, and several books have been on the ECPA best seller list. 

You can find out more about me and my books at http://miraleeferrell.com/

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Author Bio for Vickie:

Vickie McDonough is the CBA, EPCA and Amazon best-selling author of 50 books and novellas. 


Vickie grew up wanting to marry a rancher, but instead, she married a computer geek who is scared of horses. She now lives out her dreams penning romance stories about ranchers, cowboys, lawmen, and others living in the Old West. 

Vickie’s books have won numerous awards including the Booksellers Best and the Inspirational Readers’ Choice awards. When she’s not writing, Vickie enjoys reading, doing stained-glass projects, gardening, watching movies, and traveling. 

To learn more about Vickie’s books or to sign up for her newsletter, visit her website: www.vickiemcdonough.com

~*~
Blurbs for the novellas within 
A Christmas Romance Collection: Six heart-warming holiday romances 


Get in the mood for Christmas with six heart-warming holiday romances from 
best-selling, award-winning authors!

Island Christmas by Kimberly Rose Johnson 


Sous Chef Rachel Narrelli returns to Wildflower Island looking for a fresh start for herself and her young son. She is grateful when new friend Chris Campbell offers support as she faces her new job and new life. She cares for the Chris, but is 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. He’s drawn to Rachel, but how will a woman and her young son fit into his future—a future that’s uncertain at best?

A Christmas Homecoming by Kimberly Rose Johnson 


Bailey Calderwood gives all she has to her job as an interior design assistant, but her best isn’t good enough for her demanding, bed-ridden boss. Stephen Belafonte rushes home from France to be with his mother after her stroke, and is surprised by the rift between his mom and her assistant. When his mom demands he fire Bailey, he’s torn between respecting his mother’s wishes and doing what’s best for the business. Can Stephen find a way to heal the rift in his family as well his own heart, or will he be forced to let Bailey go?

A Caffeine Conundrum by Angela Ruth Strong 


Sassy city girl Tandy Brandt moves to a small town to start a coffee shop, never imagining she'll be competing with local beauty queen Marissa Alexander and her dream of running a tea house. Unfortunately, the current store owner dies before selling the location to either of them, and they both become murder suspects. The unlikely pair teams up to find the real killer, and hopefully, with help from Marissa's ex and a charming lawyer, they'll be able to keep from going to jail...or worse.

Finding Love in Big Sky, Montana by Angela Ruth Strong 


The last thing Paisley wants for Christmas is to spend time with Josh Lake—the guy who broke her heart in high school—but until her bank loan goes through, she has to take all the free help she can get on the ranch she inherited. Unfortunately, Josh seems to want back in her life again, and the town’s quirky coffee shop owners don’t help by hanging mistletoe at every opportunity. Will Paisley succeed in driving him away, or will she find the healing needed to have hope for a future together?

The Fruitcake Scandal by Vickie McDonough 


Pastor Clayton Parsons waited a year to bring his fiancée, Karen, to his new church post. They plan a Christmas wedding, but in the meantime Karen helps the church ladies with various projects, including a bake sale. But revealing her fruitcake recipe could spell disaster for her future with Clay.

The Nativity Bride by Miralee Ferrell

Deborah Summers has waited five years for Curt Warren to return home, passing up another marriage proposal by believing in her first love. But when tragedy finally brings him home a rift with his father threatens to drive him away. Can Deborah help him reconcile and possibly save their future?

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Buy A Christmas Romance Collection on Amazon

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Connect with all the author friends ... 

Connect with Angela:
Website: www.angelaruthstrong.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1557213161269220
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ang_strong/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/AngelaRStrong
BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/angela-ruth-strong

Connect with Kimberly:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KimberlyRoseJohnson
Twitter: https://twitter.com/kimberlyrosejoh
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kimberlyrosejohnsonauthor/

Connect with Miralee:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/82316202888/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/MiraleeFerrell/
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/MiraleeFerrell/

Connect with Vickie:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/VickieMcDonough
Twitter: https://twitter.com/vickiemcdonough
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/VickieMcDonough/

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Friday, December 11, 2020

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


Interview with the authors of 
Something Borrowed: Christmas Weddings Collection

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

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

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

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


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


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


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


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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Toni:
The new Xbox series X or PS5.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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


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

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


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

Visit her at www.tonishiloh.com

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


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

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

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


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

Visit Teresa at www.teresatysinger.com.

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


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

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

Visit her at www.andreaboyd11.com.

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

Old friends, new loves, and a borrowed tiara.


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

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

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

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

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

~*~
Buy Something Borrowed on Amazon

~*~
Connect with all the author friends:

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

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

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

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

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

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

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Monday, November 30, 2020

12 Days of Christmas Joy: The Introduction for this holiday series



Dearest blog readers,

Hi! How are you?

Can you believe that we're in the month of December already?

2020. It's been quite the year, hasn't it? Good and bad. Some would say mostly bad.

All the more reason why I'm hosting this holiday book promotion series on my blog!

It' s called "12 Days of Christmas Joy" and my hope is that these author interview features that are paired with book giveaway contests, will bring JOY to your heart!

Every day from Dec. 1 through Dec. 12, one of my author friends will be featured! They will talk about their Christmas stories and will offer to give away ONE signed, paperback copy of their featured book (and in some cases an e-book for your Kindle).

I hope that you will enjoy your time with these awesome authors who each have sweet skills as storytellers! If you don't win one of the books, you can always buy the authors' books wherever books are sold such as online like Amazon and in physical locations of bookstores that you can walk into, like Barnes and Noble and Books-A-Million.

Merry Christmas!

Take care and God bless you.

Love,

Alexis A. Goring, MFA
Founder of "God is Love" blog

Tuesday, December 19, 2017

Celebrate Lit Tour: Blog Stop for Mimi Milan's NEW collection of stories


Note from Alexis: Welcome to my blog's stop on Mimi Milan's book tour for "The Angel Paws Collection"! It's a book containing three novellas that were each written by Mimi. I hope that you will enjoy this feature and my review of her stories.


Name of book: The Angel Paws Collection  
Author: Mimi Milan  
Genre: Multicultural, Contemporary Romance  
Release date: December 7, 2017  

Scent of an Angel

To fight… or fall in love? The only thing Tanner McKoy wants is to disappear into the backwoods of North Carolina, hopefully forgetting about his tour in Afghanistan. However, forgetting seems improbable. And disappearing is impossible when a determined grad student uses her new shelter rescues to track him down. After a miserable breakup with her fiance, Eva Perez returns to grad school to complete her thesis and become a physical therapist. Unfortunately, that means assisting on several case studies – one of which includes a surly army veteran who refuses help. How can she win a battle with someone still stuck in combat mode?  

My Review of Scent of an Angel: This was my favorite story in the collection! The author does an excellent job with character creation and knows how to set the scene. The characters were likeable, challenging, multi-layered and amazing! I loved the way the author told this story and brought the hero (Tanner) and heroine (Eva) together. It was a perfect portrayal of the power of love to heal hurting hearts and rejuvenate the body. Eva is just what the doctor ordered to help Tanner heal completely and Tanner is just the type of man that Eva needs. This story was more than romance, it was about relationships and what happens when you trust God (and a meddling Mom) to work everything out for your good.

Touched by an Angel

*Sweet Contemporary* An explosion during a tour in Afghanistan took Rhett Marshall’s sight, but not his mind. Too bad his family can’t seem to grasp that fact. He’ll do anything to regain control over his life again… even take drastic measures like marrying a complete stranger just so he can call his own shots. Luciana Lopez came to the United States on a student visa – which is about to expire. Unfortunately, finding an employer to petition for her so she can stay in the country has proven impossible. Could marriage to a desperate army veteran be the answer to her immigration problem? Enjoy the second novel in the groundbreaking, heartwarming series, Angel Paws Rescue, that donates twenty percent of proceeds to help army veterans and shelter animals.  

My Review of Touched by an Angel: I enjoyed this story because it was the perfect balance of being sweet on the elements of love yet strong in addressing the real-life issues of racism and discrimination. The author painted a vivid and believable picture of her main characters. The dialogue was crisp in some parts and engaging throughout the story. As a reader of color, I empathized with the characters of color when they faced race-related roadblocks and other ethnic issues that people of color know so well in the real-world. It was refreshing to see some of these issues addressed in Christian fiction because that is rare. So it was great that this author brought a variety of real-world experiences into her fictional story world. Her honesty in storytelling made this novella all the more engaging. 

When Angel Sing

Fast food, fast cars, and fast women… Eddie Rivera, a Chicano rock star hoping to break into the American music scene, has always lived life in the fast lane. The last thing he planned on was a country cutie with the belief that a guy “won’t buy the cow if he’s getting the milk for free.” Can a shot at her lifelong dreams and a rescue kitty help him change her mind? From boys to battlefields, Rachel Linden may have lost her hearing but she has never lost a fight. Of course, she’s never had her dream of singing dangled in front of her either. Is there a strategy she can employ to win a war of wishes… without losing her heart?

My Review of When Angels Sing: As a woman who as a little girl, dreamed of marrying a musician man who can sing, the love story between Eddie and Rachel made my heart smile. I liked the curveballs that the author threw into this story. You'll have to read it to find out what they were but all I can say is that this story will keep you turning the page, wanting to know what happens next! Rachel is spunky yet sweet. Eddie is wounded but wonderful. Even the secondary characters have a life of their own! My only drawback of this story is that the pacing of the plot seemed to move too fast. But overall, it's a great story!

*Celebrate Lit provided me (Alexis A. Goring) with a complimentary copy of "The Angel Paws Collection". My opinions in this book review are my own.

Click here to purchase your copy.

About the Author


Mimi Milan is an award winning, bestselling author of both historical and contemporary romance. Currently pursuing her MFA in Creative Writing at Queens University, she spends most of her time in the suburbs of Charlotte, crafting stories her family and imaginary friends inspire.

~*~
Guest Post from Mimi Milan

I have to be honest. I don’t know why I wrote Scent of an Angel

The journey first began when I was asked to join a box set of sweet contemporary romances with seven other authors. Eager for a new experience (my first box set), I immediately agreed. However, I wasn’t sure what I would write. I had never written a sweet contemporary before – only historicals. While clean and even inspirational, my stories were all full of action and suspense, too. That didn’t exactly sound like “sweet contemporary” to me. So, I set out to find stories that would draw inspiration. 

At the same time, I was assigned to read The Things They Carried by Tim O’Brien. (Did I mention I’m now in grad school?) I couldn’t get the story out of my mind. I kept dwelling on all the pain and suffering soldiers must endure in order to keep the rest of us safe here at home. Their pain doesn’t end, either. Many return to the States with both physical disabilities and mental illnesses that most civilians couldn’t imagine living with. Right then, I knew I wanted to do something that helped the ones that made it back to us. Since the books in my first series, The Jericho Resistance, donates funds to fight against human trafficking, I liked the idea of copying the same model to help support our veterans. That’s when Tanner McKoy and Eva Perez came to life, driving the story and my mission onward.

Touched by an Angel and When Angels Sing were natural follow-ups for the Angel Paws Rescue anthology. Today, I’m pretty fortunate. I was asked to join yet another series, The Twelve Days of Christmas Mail Order Brides. So, I’m about to finish up edits on my contribution, The Dancing Lady. I’m at my kitchen table in my nice, warm two-bedroom home with a cup of coffee and a muffin from my favorite local bakery. The children are still asleep, making the house unusually quiet. Looking out the frosted window at a yard lightly dusted with white, I feel safe and at peace. All is right in my small corner of the world. I thank God for that. I thank Him for the veterans that make it so.


~*~
Blog Stops

Artistic Nobody, December 8 (Spotlight)
A Greater YesDecember 9
Carpe Diem, December 10
Texas Book-aholic, December 11
Blogging With CarolDecember 12
The Power of Words, December 14 (Spotlight)
margaret kazmierczak, December 14
Christian Bookaholic, December 15
Reading is My Superpower, December 16 (Interview)
God is Love, December 20
~*~
Giveaway details:

To celebrate her tour, Mimi is giving away a grand prize of The Angel Paws Collection Celebration Tour Giveaway!

Click below to enter. Be sure to comment on this post before you enter to claim 9 extra entries! https://promosimple.com/ps/c5db

Friday, June 23, 2017

A Guest Post by Christina Lorenzen about her new book "Healing Seas"

From Pirates to The Titanic 
A guest post by Christina Lorenzen

I was the kid in high school who had absolutely no interest in history. I loved English, creative writing and literature classes. I didn’t figure out how they could connect until years later.

It started when I picked up my first historical novel by author Julia Quinn. I had just finished that book when I saw a friend on Facebook talking about a Mary Balogh novel. So I picked it up. I was in the bookstore when the cover of a Sarah MacLean stopped me as I was making my way to the magazine aisle. No magazines went home with me that day, but that Sarah MacLean book did. I was pretty surprised at how much I liked reading historical romance. That’s when it dawned on me that history could be fascinating to write about. I regretted not putting more effort and interest in my history class in high school, but I was ready to write my first historical romance. But life gets in the way, and I was busy at the time as a freelance writer and working on another novel.

I’ve long since stopped freelance writing but writing three novellas and a novel has kept me busy. The push I needed to write my first historical novel came when my publisher, Forget Me Not Romances, announced they were putting together collections of novellas for each of the fifty states. I knew I wanted to write a story about my state, New York. When I queried about a novella, I asked to write a historical one. In my mind, I dreamed of finally writing a story about pirates that had been rattling around in my head for ages. And since I live on Long Island, just an hour from New York City, I knew I had the perfect setting. Long Island has a rich history that includes Captain Kidd himself staying here back in the late 1600s. I was buzzing with excitement, eager to get started.

Excitement was quickly replaced by anxiety and discouragement. While there was plenty of research and facts about Kidd’s visit to Long Island, too many doubts nagged at me. Would I be able to portray a time period so accurately? Would I be able to make the dialogue believable? I started reading advice from historical novelists. Don’t use period slang. Do use period slang. Within a few weeks, I scrapped my pirate story and decided to write about the rum runners on the island during 1923. As I thought about it in bed one night I realized I didn’t feel anything. No excitement. No anticipation. No real rush to get writing. The next night my daughter, having her own stressors over her college senior thesis, asked if I wanted to watch a movie with her. We’d watched The Titanic at least a dozen times together. It felt like the perfect escape.

Enjoying a late night snack, my daughter brought up the memory of her great-grandmother’s love of that movie. Grandma Dorothea was born March 3, 1912, just weeks before the greatest tragedy of that time took place. She used to love to talk about the stories she’d heard about the Titanic as a child. When the movie came out in 1997, my mother-in-law had no choice but to take grandma to see it. Up until she died she talked about that movie. Remembering the excitement in her eyes was a light bulb moment for me.

Forget pirates and rum runners. I was going to write a story about a woman who had survived the Titanic. The excitement was there. The eagerness to get started. The research was enthralling. And all along I felt as if Grandma Dorothea was right there as I wrote Healing Seas, looking on with that look of excitement she had all those years ago.

~*~
Author Bio:

Christina started writing as a young teen, jotting stories in wire ring composition notebooks. Her first typewriter made it faster to get all those stories out of her head and down on paper. Her love of writing has sustained her through a myriad of jobs that included hairdresser, legal secretary, waitress and door-­to‑door saleswoman.

Luckily for her, writing proved to be successful and a lot less walking than going door to door. Healing Seas, her first historical romance, is Christina's fifth book. She is also the author of A Husband for Danna, its sequel, A Wife for Humphrey, Snow Globe Reunion and Harvest Blessings. She is busy working on a modern retelling of the classic tale, Rapunzel. 

When she isn't writing or reading, she can be found walking her dog, talking to her herd of cats and spending time with her family.

~*~
Book blurb for Healing SeasIn just a matter of days, Addie Mayfield’s life is upended. Through an arrangement her father makes, she sets sail on the RMS Titanic as governess to the two young Fairchild children. 


When tragedy strikes, she finds herself rescued alongside strangers on the RMS Carpathia, headed for New York City. Far from home, she is taken in by the O’Reilly family to wait for her family to send for her. With no money for her passage home, she’s brought to the small hamlet of Montauk to become a caretaker for a great aunt she has never met. 

Captain Frank Shea is a man without a ship. Removed from duty as captain of the RMS Morrow, he’s come to Montauk to recover from a leg injury. More painful than the injury is his fall from grace after spending his entire life at sea. The ocean was his home and he has never needed anyone. Now faced with an uncertain future, he’s desperate for a way back to the sea. Until he meets Addie Mayfield, a woman who is just as lost as he is.

Can these two people find hope for the future after all they’ve lost? Can an unexpected love heal two broken souls?

~*~
Buy Christina's book, available exclusively on Amazon

~*~
Connect with Christina:
Facebook Author Page ~  TwitterWebsite ~ Goodreads ~ Amazon Author Page