Monday, July 25, 2016

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?


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

17 comments:

Melanie Backus said...

This sounds like a great book. Thank you for the giveaway opportunity.

mauback55 at gmail dot com

Sonja said...

Looks like an awesome book! sonja dot nishimoto @ gmail dot com

Linda Moffitt said...

looks like a great book thanks for the interview and the chance to win I just love Christmas stories iamabho @ gmail. Com

Unknown said...

I love reading Christmas books!
oh.hello.hiya@gmail.com

I am not a robot. 😊

apple blossom said...

I love Christmas books thanks for the chance to win a copy

Robin in NC said...

I love Christmas themed books anytime of the year! Thanks for sharing the interview, excerpt & chance to win!
rw620 AT aol DOT com

Nancy said...

Sounds interesting. Thanks for this opportunity.

Mary Preston said...

I do like the sound of this.

marypres(AT)gmail(DOT)com

Marty Curtis said...

I do plan to read this book. I have known Linda since college and she is a wonderful writer!

Ann Bell said...

Congratulations, Linda. It sounds like another fantastic story from you.I love your books.

Janet Hernandez said...

Your new book sounds wonderful, Linda. I'll have to order a copy in case I'm not the lucky winner.

Library Lady said...

I eat, sleep, and breath books. I volunteer in the church library and have for 37 years.
Our patrons read Christmas books all year long.
Janet E.
von1janet(at)gmail(dot)com

Unknown said...

Sounds like another terrific story, Linda! I always love the characters you create.

Unknown said...

It is a terrific story! Keep writing Linda, you have a wonderful gift!
Sherry K

Linda said...

Linda Weaver Clarke,
Some of the readers of the interview didn't realize you were teasing about the "yummy" Christmas crackers. They are holiday decorations which resemble a giant tootsie roll, but are wrapped in festive paper. They make a beautiful centerpiece or can be placed on individual plates.

At an assigned time, guests stand in a circle and pull both ends of their cracker. The cracker makes a crack when pulled open, so the room is filled with popping sounds. Each cracker contains a paper crown, a small toy, a joke, and a special saying.
Linda Baten Johnson

Linda Kish said...

Christmas books just bring a smile to your face no matter what time of year you read them. Thanks for explaining the crackers.

lkish77123 at gmail dot com

Linda Weaver Clarke said...

The author of this book picked Melanie Backus as the winner of this awesome book. Congratulations. Thanks, everyone, for your support and your comments.