Interview with Contemporary Romance Author Linda Baten Johnson

Linda Baten Johnson has spent many hours packing and unpacking as she and her husband George have lived in 20 different places in the United States and enjoyed a stint in England. In between moves, Linda worked as a Realtor, a teacher, and logged many volunteer hours. One of her favorite volunteer assignments was at a lighthouse in a National Park where they were housed in the assistant keeper’s cottage.

Growing up in White Deer, a small town in the panhandle of Texas, Linda won blue ribbons for her storytelling ability. She still loves telling stories, reading stories, and sharing stories.

We’re celebrating Christmas in July this week. Welcome to my blog, Linda. Please tell us about your Christmas novel, Cocoa and Christmas Crackers.

Joy Young, an attractive, young waitress at the Cozy Cocoa Shoppe, intends to graduate with top academic honors and without a penny of debt. She believes that working hard and doing the right things will bring the rewards she desires. Her philosophy works until Dane Michaels threatens to take the coveted award she considers to be hers.

But Joy refuses to back off from this fight, even with Dane, her handsome rival. Can she win without sacrificing her principles? Or her heart?

Where did you get your inspiration for this story?

All three of our daughters were involved in academic rivalries for college scholarships, which gave them an opportunity to grow in many ways. As for the Christmas crackers, we were introduced to the tradition when we lived in England, and I thought it would be fun to incorporate the crackers into a novella.

What kind of research did you do?

I learned how to make Christmas crackers, so we’ll have a bowl of them for guests this holiday season.

Yum! Christmas crackers sounds delicious. Tell me about one of the main characters and what you love about him or her?

I like Joy Young because she is hard-working, loyal, and loving. Oops! That makes her sound like the ideal dog. She is not a dog—she’s a spunky, attractive heroine with a good sense of humor. However, she must resolve some past issues before she can move toward the future she craves.

Where can my readers find you online?

www.lindabatenjohnson.com

Thank you so much for this interview. Your book sounds wonderful. I hope my followers will check it out.

Interview with Adventure Author Andean White

It does not matter if it is peddling on a skinny seat, looking for a little white ball, or laying a fly on a riffle, Andean and Nancy enjoy the outdoors with their dog Sage.

Andean is a work-from-home writer. He retired nine years ago when diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease, although it has not slowed him down much. He is writing his fourth book to be published this autumn. On weekends you might find him on his bike participating in a fundraiser.

“I am completely amazed at your story telling abilities…” Lynda Logan

“I really enjoyed this book!” --Cindy Paret, artist

“I finished reading your third book, and it is FANTASTIC!” Dale George, writer

Welcome back to my blog, Brad. After reading your bio, I have the greatest respect for you. Please tell us about your new book, Summer’s Swarm.

Summer’s Swarm is the story of a queen and prince frightened by dark visions foretelling the death of their unborn son. Prince Kendrick’s long lost, mystic uncle arrives predicting a bleak and devastating future with thousands of marauders attacking the castle. Several schemes are developed to protect the kingdom, but a bold plan becomes the central hope.

Summer’s Swarm is the third book of the “Seasons” quartet.

Where did you get your inspiration for this story?

I had the same set of elements as many other quality medieval tales—dragon, mystic, over protective mother, gifted son, angel, archery, and so on. The challenge of creating a unique story is what inspired me. Early reviews have been very positive.

What kind of research did you do for this book?

Research focused on angels and dragons—both topics were fun to study. I had thought that angels were basically God’s emissaries, but they have numerous jobs—attendants at God’s throne, spiritual soldier, messengers to mankind, and much more.

Tell me about the main character and what you love about him or her?

Kendrick is the son of the Captain of the Guard resulting in excellent weapon skills, but he prefers using his creativity to defeat a foe. He lives today, but thinks about how a decision impacts the future.

Where can my readers find you online?

Email:              Andean.White@gmail.com

Website:          www.AndeanWhite.com

Twitter:           @AndeanWhite

FaceBook:       www.facebook.com/AndeanWhite

Amazon:         Click here.

Thank you so much for this interview, Andean. I hope my readers will check out your book.

Interview with Science Fiction & Romance Author Larry Hammersley

Larry is 78, married to Sue for 53 years, has two children and six grandchildren. He has published one romance novel and two science fiction novels along with a number of short romance stories. He is active in the local church, enjoys amateur radio, jogging, astronomy and some woodworking. He has a BS degree in chemistry from Purdue University and an MS degree in chemistry from Indiana University.

Welcome back to my blog, Larry. Please tell us about your new science fiction book, The Silver Dart.

Thank you for having me again. The Silver Dart is a high tech spaceship built by Jade Cromwell’s genius wife, Darla. She willingly went with aliens two years prior to the beginning of the story. Living on Mars, Jade, Missy, their daughter, and Spike, their Australian Sheep Dog lose a fight against seven aliens who abduct Missy, also a genius. Jade and Spike take the Silver Dart and hunt for Missy and Darla. They must leave our Milky Way Galaxy and span the space to a distant galaxy. Along the way Jade and Spike encounter other aliens, some militant and some who help and need help themselves. They learn why the aliens took Darla and Missy.

Where did you get your inspiration for this story?

My love for astronomy and the love for our dear deceased dog, Roscoe who is Spike in the story, have inspired this story. I admit the model from istockphoto.com sparked me to create a strong heroine. I had a hand in the cover by providing the blond and the dog.

This book has plenty of action. It’s different than your others. I know you as a romance writer. You’ve now stemmed off to science fiction. What intrigued you to try a new genre?

Actually, science fiction is not a new genre for me. It came along over forty years ago when I kept submitting short science fiction stories to magazines. I never gained acceptance from the SF magazines. It is an extremely difficult market to break into but I’m still trying. Most all my SF stories have clean romance and lots of action.

Tell me about one of the main characters and what you love about him or her?

How about four characters? Jade is a tough but family oriented man, fights for his loved ones and gains loving attention of alien women. Darla and Missy are pure geniuses, skilled in fighting ability and risk their lives for family. Spike is a beloved dog who will do anything for family and fights to protect them no matter the odds.

Where can my readers find you online?

My blog address is http://larryhammersley.blogspot.com/

Email address is lhammersley@comcast.net

Thank you for a wonderful interview, Larry. I hope my readers check out your new book.

Interview with Mystery Writer JoAnn Arnold

JoAnn Arnold lives in Santa Clara, Utah, with her husband, Brent. The Buckskin trail is her sixth book. Miracles for Michael, Journey of the Promise, Pages from the Past, The Silent Patriots, and her first fantasy, Prince Etcheon and the Secret of the Ancient, have taken her on some amazing imaginative journeys. The Buckskin Trail is no exception. Writing it invited her into yet another realm, one that charts a higher path. JoAnn is also an artist, a family history sleuth and Assistant to the Matron in the St. George Temple while Brent serves in the Presidency. JoAnn and Brent are the parents of four amazing sons and the grandparents to fifteen delightful grandchildren. 

Welcome to my blog, JoAnn. Please tell us about your new book, The buckskin Trail.

A miracle saved Kelzi's life when she was a child.  Now it's her turn to save others. When Kelzi discovers the truth about her parents deaths, she steps onto a dangerous path, one where she much avenge those who have died while protecting the land of her Cherokee people . . . at any cost. Now, unlocking the past, is the only way to save her people.

Where did you get your inspiration for this story?

That's an interesting question. I'm not sure when inspiration stepped in. It seems that an idea comes then inspiration simply follows. I rely on my characters to help deliver the development of the story, itself.

I know what you mean. Sometimes the characters begin to take a shape that an author didn’t see before. What kind of research did you do for this book?

Once I decided that Kelzi was part Cherokee and part Irish, I decided to study the Cherokee people and their past. I found some amazing information in my research and I let it add truth to fiction.

Tell me about the main character and what you love about her?

Kelzi is a very intelligent child and though her past has been tragic, she lets herself become a student of learning. She has the faith and the courage to do all she has to do as she learns the truth. She is blessed with the wisdom of Shannon, an old mountain man, who is more than he seems, at first. I might add, she also has a stubborn streak that proves to add to her strength.

Where can my readers find you online?

Amazon, Facebook, LDS Storymakers, and My web sights at authorjoann.blogspot.com, joannarnold.com. 

Thank you, JoAnn, for this wonderful interview. I hope my followers will check this book out. This mystery is for both young adult and adult alike.