Interview with Nancy Naigle about her new novel "Home No Matter Where"

Author Interview with Nancy Naigle about “Home No Matter Where”

Alexis: Congratulations on the release of a new novel! Why did you write this book?

Nancy: After To Light the Way Forward came out last year, I wasn’t ready to leave these characters behind. I fell in love with Tug and Rosemary’s relationship, and while Nina found her footing by the end, I knew there was more healing to come. That thread stayed with me and wouldn’t let go. Whelk’s Island was calling. And then there was Fisher. He showed up with a quiet strength and a story of his own that unfolded in such a meaningful way. Writing him was a joy.

This book came from that place, wanting to see what happens next when people choose to keep showing up for each other, and for themselves.

Alexis: How does the title “Home No Matter Where” play into the theme of your story?

Nancy: Home No Matter Where is about discovering that home isn’t a place on a map, it’s the people who hold you steady when life shifts. On Whelk’s Island, three generations of women learn that even when everything changes, love, grace, and connection can lead you back to a place of peace, and a feeling of home.

Alexis: Is the setting of your story, Whelk’s Island, a real location on Earth or completely imagined by your mind? Share how you created this setting for your story.

Nancy: Whelk’s Island is a fictional town on the coast of North Carolina, but it’s rooted in places that feel very real to me. I’ve always loved the Outer Banks, especially around Kitty Hawk, and those beautiful barrier islands like Atlantic Beach and Emerald Isle. When I created Whelk’s Island, I imagined a stretch of coastline that doesn’t really have anything built out yet and let my heart fill it in. I pulled from my own memories of growing up in Virginia Beach, along with years of visiting the North Carolina coast, to shape the rhythm, the charm, and the sense of community you feel there.

It may be imagined, but it’s built from places and moments that are very real to me, and I think that’s what makes it feel like somewhere you’ve been, or somewhere you’d like to go.

Alexis: Why is Whelk’s Island special to the characters in your story?

Nancy: Whelk’s Island is special to these characters because it becomes home in all the ways that matter. For some, like Tug and Fisher, it’s where they’ve always belonged. For others, like Rosemary and Amanda, it’s where they found healing, connection, and a fresh start. It’s not just a place on the map, it’s where life changes, hearts mend, and people find their way back to what matters most.

Alexis: Tell us about Nina, who is the leading lady of your story. What are the desires of her heart as she tries to heal from her divorce?

Nancy: Nina is trying to find her footing after a life she counted on falls apart. More than anything, she wants peace, for herself and for her daughter. She isn’t one to ask for help, but when Kendra starts acting out, Nina lowers her guard and asks for help. As she and Kendra both heal, they begin to see that home and happiness don’t have to look the way they used to.

Alexis: Kendra is Nina’s daughter and she apparently is a challenge to her mother. Why does Kendra give her mother such a hard time?

Nancy: Kendra is giving Nina a hard time because she’s hurting. Her world changed in a way she didn’t choose, and she doesn’t know how to handle it. The anger and acting out are really about feeling lost and unsure. At her core, she just wants to know she’s still safe, still loved, and that her family isn’t completely broken, even if it looks different now.

Alexis: When Nina brings her daughter to Whelk’s Island, planning to spend a restorative summer with Rosemary, who is Nina’s mother, does everything go as planned? Why or why not?

Nancy: Not exactly, but in some ways it turns out even better than Nina expected. Her relationship with Rosemary becomes a source of comfort and strength. But Kendra struggles more than Nina anticipated, even running away when things get overwhelming. It’s not the smooth summer she planned, but with the help of Tug and Fisher, it becomes something deeper, a season of growth, healing, and second chances.

Alexis: What was your favorite part of telling this story featuring three generations of women (Rosemary, Nina and Kendra) being under one roof for the first time in years? Describe the conflict and the sweetest moments of their time together.

Nancy: I loved writing the dynamic between Rosemary, Nina, and Kendra because it’s full of love, history, and real-life tension. The conflict comes from each of them handling change differently, Nina trying to hold things together, Kendra pushing back, and Rosemary gently holding space for both.

The toughest scenes to write were when Kendra runs away. I could feel Nina’s urgency and fear as I was writing them, and that stayed with me.

The sweetest moments are in the quiet shifts, softer conversations, shared laughter, and the way they slowly find their way back to each other. I especially loved the family getaway in the mountains. There’s a sense of breathing room in those scenes that lets their relationships settle and grow.

These folks aren’t perfect. But the situations are real and rooted in love.

Alexis: Who is Fisher? Describe his role in this story and explain what makes him so attracted to Nina as well as what draws her to him.

Nancy: I love Fisher! We first meet Fisher in To Light the Way Forward as the easygoing surfer who’s always willing to lend a hand, just a genuinely good guy. But in this story, he steps forward as the hero, and we get to see so much more of who he is, his backstory, his quiet strength, and even a few hidden talents that make him stand out in ways Nina doesn’t expect.

Fisher has a way of showing up without being asked, which is exactly what Nina needs, even if she’d never say it out loud. He offers steady support without pressure, and that allows her to start letting her guard down.

What draws him to Nina is her strength. She’s doing her best to hold everything together for her daughter, even when it’s hard, and he sees that. And for Nina, there’s something about Fisher’s calm, grounded presence that makes her feel safe in a way she hasn’t in a long time.

Together, they find a balance, he brings a sense of peace to her world, and she reminds him what it feels like to truly connect and open his heart

Alexis: How do the real-world themes of forgiveness, growing up, letting go, and healing from pain play into your fiction storytelling with these characters?

Nancy: These themes are at the heart of the story because they’re part of real life. Each character is facing something, and their journeys show that forgiveness, growing up, and letting go don’t happen overnight. Healing comes in small steps, in choosing to show up for each other, and in finding hope again, even after things fall apart.

Alexis: Why does it require bravery to start anew? Explain how you showed this in your story.

Nancy: Starting over takes bravery because it means stepping into the unknown. It means letting go of what you thought your life would look like and trusting that something good can still come from what’s ahead.

In this story, Nina shows that kind of courage. She leaves behind the life she knew and brings her daughter to Whelk’s Island, not because she has all the answers, but because she knows something has to change. That’s not easy, especially when things don’t go as planned.

Kendra shows it too, in her own way. Growing up and facing hard truths about family and change takes a kind of bravery that doesn’t always look pretty.

And even Fisher, with his quiet strength, has his own journey of opening up and letting someone in again.

I wanted to show that starting anew isn’t about having it all figured out, it’s about taking the next step, even when you’re unsure, and trusting that healing and hope are still possible on the other side.

Alexis: In what ways do you hope this beautiful book will impact people who read it?

Nancy: I’ve always said if one of my books helps one girl through one bad day, then it’s done its job. My hope for this story is that it reminds readers there is still hope, even when life doesn’t turn out the way they planned. That healing is possible, that some relationships can be mended, and sometimes loving someone might mean making hard, healthy choices when it comes to protecting your heart.

If someone closes this book feeling a little more patient, a little less alone, or a little more open to what’s ahead, then that means everything to me.

Alexis: Thanks for the interview, Nancy! Would you like to share closing thoughts? If so, please write that now.

Nancy: Thank you for sharing The Shell Collector novels with your friends. You know, this all started with The Shell Collector written as I grieved the loss of my husband.

These characters have walked with me through the toughest times of my life and have become so special to me. It means more than I can say to share their stories with readers. These are the books of my heart. I hope this release, Home No Matter Where, leaves folks feeling encouraged and maybe reminds y’all that no matter where life takes you, you’re never as far from home as you think.

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Author Bio:

USA TODAY and ECPA bestselling author Nancy Naigle writes uplifting coastal women’s fiction and sweet romance that feels like a deep breath of salty air. Her stories invite readers to slow down, escape to the shore, and rediscover hope, healing, and the comfort of close-knit seaside communities. 

Her breakout novel The Shell Collector debuted in the Top 20 on the ECPA Bestseller list and was adapted as a Fox Original Movie. Along with beloved coastal reads like Sand Dollar Cove, later brought to life as a movie on the Hallmark Channel, Nancy’s stories deliver heartfelt summer escapes filled with family ties, second chances, and quiet moments of grace found along sun-washed beaches and weathered piers.

A former Senior Vice President at Bank of America, Nancy now writes full-time from small-town Virginia, inspired by coastal traditions, handwritten notes, and the simple joys that make a place feel like home. Her books are perfect for readers who love clean romance, emotional women’s fiction, and feel-good beach reads that linger long after the tide rolls out.

If you’re dreaming of a story that feels like a seaside getaway and a gentle reset for the heart, welcome to Nancy Naigle’s coastal story worlds.

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Book blurb for Home No Matter Where:

Three generations of women confront their pasts and discover it's never too late for new beginnings in this heartwarming novel of second chances and unconditional love—from the bestselling author of The Shell Collector. 

“In Home No Matter Where we travel to beautiful Whelk’s Island, where a close-knit community puts us right at home. Along the way we meet compelling characters caught in realistic storms and learn faith-filled lessons about weathering them.” —Denise Hunter, bestselling author of More Than Friends

Nina is at her wit's end with her teenage daughter, Kendra. Still dealing with her own wounds of divorce, Nina hopes a change of scenery will help. She and Kendra head to the serene coastal town of Whelk's Island to spend a restorative summer with Nina’s mother, Rosemary—bringing three generations under one roof for the first time in years. Amid the island's charm, old wounds begin to heal, and as new friendships bloom—especially with the steady and enigmatic Fisher—light begins to break through the cracks of Nina’s tightly controlled life.

Kendra's reckless behavior continues but Fisher’s intervention during a critical moment for Kendra sparks a sense of hope in Nina that she thought was lost. Still, change is never easy.

As the women navigate the tides of forgiveness, growing up, and letting go, healing begins and new love brings surprises. While Whelk’s Island may not hold all the answers, it has a way of reminding people that moving forward doesn't follow a set path—it requires the bravery to start anew.

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Buy Nancy’s book:

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Christian Book

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Connect with Nancy:

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But most importantly, sign up for my newsletter and stay connected with me on my website www.nancynaigle.com where I post a blog under the FOR READERS tab, and my event calendar is kept, plus I keep subscribers up to date on sales, events and other cool happenings.

Romantic Reads: Avoiding Marriage

The Story Behind the Story Avoiding Marriage by Karin Beery:

Boyne Heights, MI: population 1,482. Cherry trees out number people by a 10:1 ratio. Kids graduate high school with the same 100 other kids they went to kindergarten with. Home of the Russell family, first introduced in Practically Married and revisited in Avoiding Marriage, my latest romantic women’s fiction novella.

This story wasn’t planned. It started as a way to keep me writing. I don’t have another publishing contract yet, so I don’t know how long it will take before I see another book published. I wanted to keep writing, though, and I wanted to give my fans something suitable for and fun to read on a day at the beach.

Enter Jess—the ex-girlfriend in Practically Married. Also, one of my best friends. My Jess wasn’t thrilled about being the crazy ex in the story. I assured her she wasn’t the inspiration for the character (aside from the long blonde hair), but her point made me think:

If Jess was crazy, why would Russ have dated her? If she wasn’t crazy, why would he have broken up with her? What could have made Jess crazy for a short period of time without permanently derailing her life?

I love rabbit trails, and the more questions I asked, the more trails I found. I didn’t take the easy-to-find trails though. I like to make my characters work for their happy endings. Let’s face it: If a situation drove Jess crazy, it has to be bad, right? 

As one of my endorsers said: Karin Beery must be a bit of a fiend to toss her characters into the messes they find themselves in, but it’s always a blast to watch them battle their way out.

Two of the inspirations for how to tell Jess’s story were two of my favorite TV shows. The first is Mom. The situations on that show are more adult-focused than I usually write (it’s not appropriate for everyone and definitely not a Christian show), but what I love about the series is the humor: a group of recovering alcoholics in AA with criminal records and less-than-reputable pasts who still manage to find the fun and humor in life. I’ve cried while watching that show, but I also laugh. A lot.

My other inspiration is Gilmore Girls. A single mom who got pregnant at sixteen and struggles to maintain healthy relationships. That could easily have been a drama with lots of angst and tears. Instead, every episode is a race to the finish with humor, heartache, and lots junk food. Sure, there are episodes when characters make mistakes and everyone’s upset or mad. But there’s also love and laughter and a reminder that you don’t have to focus on the bad things.

Those were the influencers in my head while writing Avoiding Marriage. They inspired me to create awkward situations (like having Jess work for her ex-boyfriend) and make them more awkward (like having her ex-boyfriend’s new wife offer her the job). Then they inspired me to look for the humor and hope amidst the heartache.

Did I succeed?

You tell me!

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Author Bio:

Karin Beery grew up in a rural Michigan town, where she wrote her first novel in high school. 

Today, she writes contemporary stories with a healthy dose of romance. 

When she’s not writing fiction, she’s reading, editing, or teaching it.

In her free time, she enjoys watching University of Michigan football and action-adventure movies with her husband and fur babies.

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Blurb for Karin’s book, Avoiding Marriage:

Two years ago, Jessica Miller made a mess of her already confusing life. 

Now, she’s back in Boyne Heights, and she’s determined to fix her reputation. 

She can’t seem to avoid the past that haunts her, but that’s the joy of small-town life—word spreads and people remember. 

Intent on her mission, however, she faces her past head-on, taking a job with her ex-boyfriend while avoiding her grandmother’s attempts to find her a new one.

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Buy Karin’s book on Amazon 

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Connect with Karin:
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/authorkarinbeery/
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/karinbeery/
BookBub - https://www.bookbub.com/profile/karin-beery
Goodreads - https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/2666258-karin

Romantic Reads: The Shell Collector

Interview with Nancy Naigle about her book, The Shell Collector:

Congratulations on your new novel, The Shell Collector! Let’s talk about it …

Alexis: Your new novel is categorized as “Friendship Fiction” on Amazon.com. What does that mean?

Nancy: The publisher selects three categories for each novel. I’m not entirely sure how they select them. In the case of The Shell Collector I think “friendship fiction” fits. This story features several really great friendships. The old woman, Maeve, who walks the beach collecting shells with the young widow and mother of two, Amanda. Amanda is reunited with her late husband’s best friend, Paul. Maeve and Tug, the owner of the diner, have a really special relationship too.

Alexis: What are the themes of this story?

Nancy: Love, friendship, trusting your journey, and sharing your gifts.

Alexis: Describe your heroine to me. What are Amanda Whittier’s hopes, dreams, fears, and strengths?

Nancy: She is focused on her children, and still trying unbraid herself from her past with her husband Jack.

Alexis: Describe your hero to me. What are Paul Grant’s greatest strengths, worst weaknesses, and quiet dreams?

Nancy: He is the kind of friend we all want. Genuine, kind, trustworthy and sincere.

Alexis: What kind of business did Amanda dream of starting? Why?

Nancy: She had dreamed of starting a business creating herbal salts. It was a perfect combination of her love for herbs and cooking, while giving her something she could do from home to still be with her young children.

Alexis: How is Amanda adjusting to life after her husband’s death?

Nancy: It’s been two years since her husband passed away, and she’s just moved to Whelks Island to try to get a fresh start.

Alexis: How did Paul Grant arrive in the area where Amanda lives? Does he like his new place?

Nancy: Paul Grant just opened his second location of Paws Town Square. It’s a unique business that repurposes Ghost Box buildings in tourist towns that enable families to kennel their dogs near the vacation site. But it’s more than just that. Paul also works to reunite retired military working dogs with their handlers, and helps veterans by offering the jobs in his corporation.

Alexis: Why does Paul enjoy working with military dogs? How does that help him and others?

Nancy: Paul Grant worked with military working dogs while enlisted in the Marines. When his best friend doesn’t make it back from his last deployment, Paul feels guilty and becomes reckless. He left the Marines out of necessity, and Paws Town Square is his healing path.

Alexis: Why does Paul believe that he’s not suited for romance?

Nancy: He once met the girl of his dreams, but she was already spoken for. Now Paul’s focus is solely on his business.

Alexis: Who is Maeve Lindsay? What role does she play in this story?

Nancy: Maeve is in her eighties. She grew up in Whelks Island and walks the beach every day, rain or shine, searching for shells and sea glass. She’s still very involved with the town. She doesn’t miss a town meeting, and works hard to help preserve this small town feel of the beach town.

Alexis: Why did you write this book?

Nancy: This story was inspired by a true story of a friend of the family who was once walking the beach with something heavy on her heart. She found a shell with a scripture written in it in the surf. It was the right message at the right time. That, coupled with the loss of my husband in 2014, had this story churning in my heart for several years. This is truly a book of my heart. I can’t wait for readers to grab a copy to join me in this beautiful setting with the colorful residents of Whelks Island.

Alexis: What do you want readers to remember most about The Shell Collector?

Nancy: I hope readers will realize that friends can originate in unexpected places. The cross-generational friendship is really special. I hope they’ll also find themselves wanting to share small moments of joy with others.

Alexis: Complete this sentence: If I were not an author, I’d ____________________ because ______________________.

Nancy: If I were not an author, I’d definitely still be working in big business because that’s what I was good at. I never aspired to be an author. I was a senior vice president with Bank of America. My original goal was to write one book, to help one girl through one lousy day. That’s it. But my first book deal was for three books and I really loved writing them. My husband was diagnosed with cancer at the end of October 2013. He died on January 30th, 2014. I felt the need to shift the focus of my life. I took an early retirement at that time to write full-time. It’s truly been a blessing.

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

Nancy: Thank you for letting me share a little inside information about The Shell Collector. This book is available in digital, trade paperback and audio formats. The audio book is narrated by Erin Cahill who starred as Kelly in the movie based on my novel The Secret Ingredient on Hallmark Channel. It’s a wonderful audio book. This book will also be available in hard cover large print on September 8. It’s available for preorder now.

Please stay in touch with me on my website www.NancyNaigle.com. You can subscribe to my newsletter there too to be the first to hear about books, movies, sales, events and contests. You can read the first chapter of the book at www.NancyNaigle.com/theshellcollector.

Hugs and happy reading!

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Author Bio:

USA Today bestselling author Nancy Naigle whips up small-town love stories with a dash of suspense and a whole lot of heart. She began her contemporary romance series, Adams Grove, while juggling a successful career as an SVP for Bank of America and life on a seventy-six-acre goat farm.

Now enjoying an early retirement from the financial industry, she devotes her time to writing, antiquing, cooking, trail riding on her Palomino, and the occasional spa day with friends. A native of Virginia Beach, she now calls North Carolina home.

Best known for her small town stories set in Adams Grove, Sweet Tea and Secrets leads off this small town series. Stay tuned for news about the release of Porch Swings and Promises.

Nancy writes romance and women's fiction for Montlake Romance and St. Martin's Press. She enjoys the diversity of adding mysteries to her list of accomplishments through Crossroads Publishing House. She's also working on several projects with Hallmark. Watch for Nancy's novels Christmas Joy, Christmas in Evergreen and Christmas in Evergreen: Letters to Santa on Hallmark Channel, and Hope at Christmas, on Hallmark Movies & Mysteries. New in 2020, The Secret Ingredient made its Hallmark Channel debut, and stay tuned for news about the movie based on Sand Dollar Cove.

Sign up for Nancy's newsletter at the bottom of this page to be the first to hear about the new movie. Stay in touch with Nancy through social media and her newsletter.

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Book blurb for The Shell Collector:

“The Shell Collector is a beautiful story full of love, loss, and second chances.” 

– #1 New York Times bestselling author Debbie Macomber

From USA Today bestselling author Nancy Naigle, The Shell Collector is a touching novel of a friendship that crosses generations, and learning how even the smallest gifts can change a life for good.

Two years after her husband’s death, Amanda Whittier has two children to raise alone, an abandoned dream of starting a business, and a fixer-upper cottage by the sea. She has no room in her life for anything else and little interest in moving on after losing the man she loved.

Paul Grant is a relative newcomer to the area, and his work with former military dogs needing rehabilitation has been good for the town. Though he loved once before, he’s convinced he’s not suited for romance and is determined to find meaning—alone—through his work and role in the community.

Widowed Maeve Lindsay was born and raised on Whelk’s Island. Spirited, kind, and a little mischievous, she pours her life into the town. But she carries a secret that shapes her every move.

Together, these three souls find encouragement in the most mysterious places and discover a love that’s bigger than their pain, healing their wounded hearts in ways none of them could have hoped for or expected.

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Buy The Shell Collector on Amazon, CBD, TARGET, or Walmart

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Connect with Nancy:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NancyNaigleAuthor
Twitter: https://twitter.com/NancyNaigle
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nancynaigle/
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/nancynaigle/
YouTube: https://bit.ly/3h1JQVr
BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/nancy-naigle
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4575284.Nancy_Naigle

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Romantic Reads: Here for You

Welcome Pat Simmons to the blog today! 

She's going to talk about her book, Here for You.

Pat is also giving away one copy of her book! Remember to enter the book giveaway contest toward the end of this interview via the Rafflecopter widget.

Enjoy!

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Interview with Pat Simmons about her book, 

Here for You (Family Is Forever Book 2):

Congratulations on the September 2020 release of your new novel! Let’s talk about it … 

Alexis: What inspires you to write women’s fiction?

Pat: Everyday life issues that affect us. God’s gives me the parables, so He can minister to them.

Alexis: Why are the hero and heroine in your story, Here for You, better at taking care of other people than themselves?

Pat: They are committed to those they love and love hard. Both had strong family ties and when a trial hit, Rachel and Nicholas needed to fall back on those who loved them.

Alexis: What made you want to write a book about caregivers?

Pat: The thought came to me after I had been a caregiver for my late grandmother more than 10 years ago. It was hard work, and on the days where she hid my purse, left food on the furnace, let a four-pound Yorkie roam the neighborhood, or other acts that frustrated me, I had to remind myself that she was the best grandmother that I ever had and she wasn’t doing things purposely to hurt me.

Alexis: Tell me about your story’s heroine Rachel Knicely. What makes her happy? What makes her sad? Describe her looks, personality and heart.

Pat: She enjoys life—socially, career wise, and family. Those things gave her a balanced. Because she loves hard, Rachel took Aunt Tweet’s sickness hard. Her death represented a circle broken. Rachel is pretty. Ridiculously long hair, she’s smart, fashion conscious, known for her big-hoop earrings, and confident in a man’s world.

Alexis: Tell me about your story’s heroine Nicholas Adams. What makes him mad? What or who softens his heart? Describe his appearance, personality and heart.

Pat: Nicholas is even-mannered. He takes his God responsibility seriously. When people get in the way of that, he has a problem, such as some instances in the book. He’s attracted to Rachel’s beauty first, then her heart. He looks like actor Daniel Sunjata. Basically, fine!

Alexis: How did you do the research for this book?

Pat: Latonya Wilson, who I give a shoutout in the book, brought Rachel’s character to life. Of course, I do my standard research via online, and I like to interview subjects who are authorities on topics in my story.

Alexis: Who is Aunt Tweet and what role does she play in this story?

Pat: Aunt Tweet was the foundation in the three sisters’ lives since they were young. She supported them in every way, whether it was her presence at their events, or helping financially, but mostly their role model. Each of the sisters had inherited something from Aunt Tweet. Rachel had the sassiness of a diva.

Alexis: How do Rachel and Nicholas meet?

Pat: At her front door when she slams it in his face over a misunderstanding.

Alexis: What role does faith in God play in the minds and lives of your story’s main characters?

Pat: Faith in God is part of Nicholas’s makeup. It’s the trying of his faith that is tested.

Alexis: As a woman of faith, how does your relationship with God impact your writing?

Pat: The Lord directs my thoughts, points me to the Scriptures and many other emotional scenarios. I think that’s why a lot of readers connect with the stories.

Alexis: How would you describe your storytelling style?

Pat: I’m a scene-by-scene writer, not chapters or page count. I like to be the fly on the wall and see and feel the characters’ plight and emotions.

Alexis: What do you want readers to remember most about this book, Here for You?

Pat: None of us are exempt from trials, but remember how you treat people because you never know when you will walk in their shoes.

Alexis: If you could step into the story as a professional counselor, how would you advise Rachel and Nicholas concerning their relationship?

Pat: Trust God no matter what they see or hear.

Alexis: Thanks for the interview, Pat! Would you like to share closing comments?

Pat: I want to thank the readers and book clubs for their continued support throughout my writing career, and my developmental editor, Chandra Sparks Splond, and cousin, Darlene Simmons, both always push me to give my best. 

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Author Bio:

Pat Simmons is a multi-published Christian romance author with more than thirty-five titles. She is a self-proclaimed genealogy sleuth who is passionate about researching her ancestors, then casting them in starring roles in her novels. 

She is a three-time recipient of the Romance Slam Jam Emma Rodgers Award for Best Inspirational Romance. Pat’s first inspirational women’s fiction, Lean On Me, with Sourcebooks, was the February/March Together We Read Digital Book Club pick for the national library system.

Pat describes the evidence of the gift of the Holy Ghost as a life-altering experience. She has been a featured speaker and workshop presenter at various venues across the country.

She has converted her sofa-strapped sports fanatical husband into an amateur travel agent, untrained bodyguard, GPS-guided chauffeur, and administrative assistant who is constantly on probation. They have a son and a daughter.

Pat holds a B.S. in mass communications from Emerson College in Boston, Massachusetts.

Visit her online at www.patsimmons.net.

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Here for You book blurb:

Emotional, poignant, and clean women's fiction from acclaimed inspirational romance author Pat Simmons featuring a hero and heroine who are better at taking care of other people than themselves, a dark moment that shakes their faith, and a well-earned happily ever after with a forever family.

Caregivers sometimes need a little TLC too.

Rachel Knicely's life has been on hold for six months while she takes care of her great aunt, who has Alzheimer's. Putting her aunt first was an easy decision—accepting that Aunt Tweet is nearing the end of her battle is far more difficult.

Nicholas Adams's ministry is bringing comfort to those who are sick and homebound. He responds to a request for help for an ailing woman but when he meets the Knicelys, he realizes Rachel is the one who needs support the most. Nicholas is charmed by and attracted to Rachel, but then devastating news brings both a crisis of faith and roadblocks to their budding relationship that neither could have anticipated.

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Buy Pat's book on Amazon or Barnes and Noble

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Connect with Pat:
Website: http://www.patsimmons.net
Pinterest: pinterest.com/patsimmonsbooks/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/patsimmons
Facebook Author Page: https://www.facebook.com/patsimmonsauthor
Facebook Group Page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/patsimmonsreaders/
Amazon Author Page: amazon.com/author/patsimmons

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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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Book feature with Mary Marie Allen, women's fiction author

Let's welcome Mary Marie Allen to the blog today! 

She's an author who writes under the women's fiction category of books.

Mary is here to share an excerpt and review of her book, God's Love Most Gentle.

First, here are a few words from Mary:

God wrote, and is writing, the greatest love story day by day with each of us. It’s a love I (Mary Marie Allen) hope others become acquainted with through my writing. 

My primary goal is to encourage women believers who have experienced love and joy in life along with sadness, loss, failure, and guilt. Hurting women often need help remembering God forgives and His love is most gentle. Then they can find love and joy in life once again. 

This is what happens when a pregnant woman with a harmful secret returns from the missionary field.

~*~

Excerpt from God's Love Most Gentle:

Kim sat cross-legged on the bedroom floor with a basin of tepid water nestled in her lap. She dipped a wash cloth and without wringing it plastered it to her neck. Water drenched her blue cotton dress and pooled about her waist and hips. She prayed for rain. Secretly, of course, for Kurt counted each dry dawn as a gift from God and devoted most of each day to construction of the new church.

Nsia entered the room with the laundry basket on her hip.

Kim plunged the cloth again and raised it over her head. She lifted her face. Clumps of wet hair clung to her cheeks and neck. “They said September was the start of the cool rainy season, but this humidity is more oppressive than any Midwest-summer day I remember. I hate the heat.”

Beneath a red headscarf, round dark eyes studied Kim. “I do not think it is the weather that causes your problem, Mrs. Kim. I will ask Mrs. Thema about a drink to help with baby sickness.”

“Are you saying I’m pregnant? I’m not pregnant.” Kim gave a dismissive wave of her hand letting droplets from the soggy washcloth fling about the room. Nsia knelt and set about sponging Kim with the water. Kim sighed. “That feels so good. You’re a blessing, Nsia, and a good friend.”

Nsia said, “You cry. Yesterday you cry over a watermelon.”

“I was thinking of my father. We won a prize for our watermelons one year. He died five years ago. I miss him terribly.”

“You get sick every morning. Eat or not, you get sick.”

Kim bolted upright. Her mouth gaped.

Nsia laughed and covered her smile with her fingers, but her luminous eyes were big with mirth. “You should see your face. You will give Pastor Kurt a fine, fat baby.”

“But, I don’t know what to do. There weren’t any babies around when I was growing up.”

Nsia patted her hand. “Do not worry. I care for you and the baby. I am the oldest of six.”

She smiled at Nsia. “You are like a little mother.”

“Thank you.”

“I miss my mother.” Tears burned in Kim’s eyes. She pushed homesickness away and pressed her stomach through the thin cotton material of her dress. “I don’t feel pregnant.”

Nsia rolled her eyes. “That comes later.”

Kim stood and hugged herself. She giggled. “I’m going to be a mommy. Kurt’ll be thrilled.” She twirled around then nausea overwhelmed her. She grabbed a bucket near the bed and groaned.

Nsia laughed. “Maybe you should rest a bit. Will you tell Pastor Kurt tonight?”

“No. I can’t wait that long.”

“Mrs. Macomb! Mrs. Macomb! ” Uzachi’s urgent voice blasted through the open window. His face appeared and he saw her. “Kim!”

Nsia scurried to fling open the front door. Men carried Kurt into the room and Kim ran to him. “Kurt! Take him to the bed. What happened?”

Uzachi’s face twisted. “Heat stroke. He never complained. None of us noticed anything until he collapsed and fell off the roof.”

A short man with a scarred face snatched up a braided palm frond beside the bed and fanned Kurt. “He fell on his head.”

Kim whimpered at Kurt’s still form. Nsia pressed the dripping cloth into her hand. “Wet him.” She moistened Kurt’s head and worked down his flushed frame.

His body was hot and dry. His breathing rasped in and expelled with a ragged sigh as his chest rose and fell unevenly. Her own lungs seemed frozen and she gulped for air. Kim re-moistened the cloth and gripped Kurt’s wrist. His pulse surged against her fingers. She swallowed back the bile that rose in her throat as the stench of hard-working bodies thickened the air in the small room.

More men, speaking in low, worried tones gathered outside the open window. Soon their voices rose in a clamor of supplication to God.

“Bring the pills from the desk drawer, Nsia,” Uzachi ordered. Nsia hurried off and trotted back, her hand extended as if to get help to Pastor Kurt more quickly. He placed two salt tablets under Kurt’s tongue. “Keep doing what you’re doing, Kim. I’ll call for help on the ham radio.”

A short time later he returned. His face was grim. “The helicopter can’t come. It’s on a call up in the mountains. That's the other direction entirely. We’ll have to do the best we can and let God do the rest.”

Fear stole words from her mind; a coherent sentence wouldn’t come together. Kim sank onto the edge of the bed and stared at Kurt’s still, pale form. 

~*~

Blurb for God's Love Most Gentle:

When a pregnant widow returns from the mission field family and friends rally to help, but she harbors a secret that may lead to her spiritual downfall. Kim Macomb returns from Zaire, Africa where the 1995 coup has claimed her missionary husband’s life. 

Grief-stricken and pregnant, Kim is only a shadow of herself. Hoping to promote her daughter’s healing, Carol sends Kim, to the calm, godly man who once rescued her. 

Jack’s Montana ranch seems to have the desired effect, but as his son, Mitch, and bad boy Hank vie for Kim’s affections, an agonizing secret drives her further from God. 

Swept up in Kim’s search for peace and forgiveness, those around her face their own frailties and the sometimes unexpected, yet overwhelming truth – God’s love is most gentle.

~*~
Book Review of God's Love Most Gentle:

“I thoroughly enjoyed God’s Love Most Gentle and highly recommend this read! It captivates from the start and takes the reader through the gamut of emotions. I laughed, I cried, I held my breath anxiously waiting for resolution, and my heart warmed at the faithfulness of our Heavenly Father. Seeing the hand of God move in the lives of the characters as He holds them, protects them and carries them through the joys and trials of life. I felt as if the characters became friends of mine and I often wonder how they are doing now! Lol! I’d love to meet up with all of them in a sequel!!” – Myra's 5-star review on Amazon.com

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Author Bio:

Women’s Fiction author Mary Marie Allen lives in northwest Indiana with her high school sweetheart husband, a feisty 97-year-old mother, and a rambunctious German Wirehair Pointer. 

She’s authored four books of poetry, including one children’s Bible story. 

After five surgeries in two years, she’s happy to continue the story of the characters first seen in “God’s Love Most Gentle”. 

She expects book two to release fall on 2018 as “God’s Love Most Faithful”.

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Connect with Mary:
E-mail - marymarieallen2015@gmail.com
Website - https://www.marymarieallen.com
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/PoetAndWriterMaryAllen/
Pinterest - https://www.pinterest.com/marymakingmerry/