Interview with Inspirational Romance Author Christina Lorenzen

Christina Lorenzen juggled homeschooling her children and writing until her children graduated and moved on to college. She is the author of 3 books, A Husband for Danna, A Wife for Humphrey, and Snow Globe Reunion. She is currently at work on a pirate romance set on Long Island, New York where she lives. When she isn’t writing, she spends her time reading, watching old movies and wrangling her menagerie of pets, a Cocker Spaniel and 3 very stubborn cats. If she weren’t a writer she’s pretty sure she’d be running a hotel for cats.

Welcome to my blog, Christina. Harvest Blessings is a Christian Romance. Please tell us about your novel.

Professional musician Tacy Clark hasn’t been back home to Hill Top Orchards since the death of her beloved Uncle Jerry. When she gets an email from her aunt, the guilt she’s been feeling since her uncle’s death forces her to make the trip back home.. When her car breaks down, a ride from her aunt’s neighbor, Brody Porter, is the beginning of a roller coaster of emotions, as Tacy is forced to deal with guilt and the pain of never having known her mother. Intending to stay only as long as it takes to harvest the apples for the annual festival and be free from guilt, Tacy is determined not to get involved with Brody Porter and his little girl Cami.

Brody Porter was burned by his estranged wife, Carrie Ann, a struggling actress, who came into his life during a lull in her career and then left him alone to raise their daughter, four year old Cami. He’s vowed never to play the knight in shining armor again. His only interest in Tacy Clark is making sure she gets those apples harvested for the town's annual festival. Without that harvest, the festival might not raise enough funds for the church preschool. Without a place for Cami to go every day he won't be able to put the time he needs into his livelihood, his coffee shop, Brews & Bites.

Tacy Clark and Brody Porter are both determined to get what they want and go their own ways. Will the sweet scent of apples and a harvest moon soften the hearts of two people who need each other more than they know?

Where did you get your inspiration for this story?

Fall is my favorite time of the year. We always go pumpkin picking but I’ve never gone apple picking. It’s on my to do list this year. Because of that and the fact that I love small town stories, I thought it might be fun to write a story about a family owned apple orchard. From there the characters just came to me. Aunt Ruby is convalescing alone at home and a handsome, nosy neighbor decides it’s time her city living niece come home and give her a hand.

What kind of research did you do?

Since Tacy is a professional violinist I did a little research about the violin, but most of my research was about how apple orchards are run. I needed to learn about what who worked on the orchards and what was used to pick the apples. But in this story, since the orchard hasn’t been worked since Uncle Jerry died, I didn’t need all that information. The very small crew worked needed very little to get the job done.

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

I have to say that I really became fond of both main characters, Tacy Clark and Brody Porter, but Brody is my favorite. He’s a single dad that has one goal – to give his daughter the best life possible. After his wife leaves him alone with their little girl, Cami, he’s vowed never to let anyone get close to him again. His heart belongs to his little girl. So he thinks.

Where is your website so my readers can check out your recent and past books that you have written?

I love my readers and would love for them to find my home on the web. They can visit me at www.christinalorenzen.com and they can connect with me on my Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/ChristinaLorenzenAuthor/ . I encourage readers to sign up for my quarterly newsletter through my website for giveaways and a chance to win a $5 Amazon gift card every month.

Thank you so much for this interview, Christina. I really appreciate it. I hope my readers will check out your new Christmas book.

Interview with Inspirational Romance Author Katrina Hart

Katrina Hart but she is always called Katie. She lives in the East of England with her family, two hyper cats Holly and Smokey as well as Jessie her dog. Katrina always had a passion for reading and could spend her life time engrossed in a good book. In her twenties she joined an online writing class, where she fell in love with writing her own stories. She started her first Fantasy novel called Finding Destiny on the course and had it published some time later. She's always writing something mostly in the night because she doesn't sleep, but she always finds it magical writing when the stars are out in the sky. 

Welcome to my blog, Katrina. Please tell us about your Christmas Story, Love In Little Snow.

Thank you for having me... Love In Little Snow follows Dr Bailey Cartwrite who is devastated when his girlfriend, Lucy, is killed. However, in her last act of love, Lucy appears to Bailey as an angel and sends him to the world of Little Snow – the snow globe world for Christmas. Now he must open his heart to the new woman in his life and find his way back to God before the end of Christmas day.

Where did you get your inspiration for this story?

I've always loved Christmas, the lights, snow and festive feel that surrounds that time of year ever since I was very young. But one of the best things about Christmas is spending it with those you hold close to your heart.  It's a time for love and helping each other's magical wishes come true.  And the most perfect time of year to find a forever love. For me that was what inspired my story forever once in a lifetime love over one of the most beautiful times of the year...

What kind of research did you do?

For Love In Little Snow I had to do some bible verses research. However, because it's set in a fictional town I mostly just followed my characters through their journey.

Do you consider your female characters to be strong and feisty or meek yet spirited?

Both the female characters who feature in my book are strong in their own way. Lucy is strong because she has accepted her fate and with a loving heart sent Bailey to find love again. Holly is strong and caring, she's good a pushing down her inner feelings and helping others.

Now it’s time to tell us something about the real you that we’ll never forget.

I've always had a passion for reading ever since I was very little and used to keep my favourite little book Peter Rabbit under my pillow to read by mini torch-light once everyone was fast asleep. Mainly because I never could sleep at night and when I did I would go sleepwalking and move things about in our house or make tea but instead pour the water all over the floor. So books were a great way of making the night go faster while living many adventures in my mind and making up parts of the stories.

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That is so fascinating. Thank you so much for this interview, Katrina. I really appreciate it. I hope my readers will check out this Christmas story.

Interview with Inspirational Romance Author Linda Shenton Matchett

Linda Shenton Matchett is a journalist, blogger of all things historical, and author of Love’s Harvest and Love Found in Sherwood Forest. Born in Baltimore, Maryland, a stone’s throw from Fort McHenry, Linda has lived in historical places most of her life-from Edison, New Jersey (named for the famed inventor of the lightbulb) and Washington, DC to Wolfeboro, New Hampshire (reputed to be the oldest summer resort in America). A varied career has included stints as a crisis counselor, human resources professional, bed and breakfast owner, youth center director, and dining services manager. In her off hours, she can be found volunteering as a docent at the Wright Museum of WWII and as a Trustee for the Wolfeboro Public Library. She is active in her church where she serves as treasurer, usher, choir member, and Bible study leader.

Welcome to my blog, Linda. Please tell us about your novel, Love Found in Sherwood Forest.

Thanks for having me. Here’s the back of book blurb about my latest publication:

Award-winning Broadway actress Leighanne Webster has it all until an on-stage panic attack brings her career crashing to the ground. Returning to England to help produce the annual Robin Hood Festival play could be the diversion she needs. But with ex-fiance, Jamison Blake, as the play’s director focusing on her new job won’t be easy. Breaking his engagement with Leighanne so she could pursue her dream of being a Broadway star was the hardest thing Jamison Blake ever did. When she returns to Nottingham, his heart insists he made a mistake. Can he convince her to give their relationship another try or will he have to let her go again--this time for good?

Where did you get your inspiration for this story?

I wanted to try my hand at writing a romance, and one of the Christian publishers was asking for novella submissions for a series that centered around word trios and locations they provided. When I saw the prompt set in Nottingham, England I was hooked. I have been fascinated by the Robin Hood legend since I was a child and saw Errol Flynn’s 1938 film. Rather than rehash the legend, I decided to make the story a contemporary and embed the legend within the plot.

What a fascinating story! What kind of research did you do?

I researched the Robin Hood legend and the people associated with the legend as well as Sherwood Forest. That’s when I discovered Major Oak, a tree that is thought to be 1,000 years old and to have housed Robin and his men.

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

I love Jamison because he’s a lot like my husband whose love language is doing things for people. As much as Jamison loved Leighanne, he put her wants above his own and steps back so she can go to New York to pursue a career. Also, when he was a young man, he and his sister lost their parents in an accident, and he becomes her provider. He has regrets, but rather than making him bitter, they draw him closer to God.

Where can my readers find you online?

www.lindashentonmatchett.com

http://www.facebook.com/authorlindamatchett

https://www.linkedin.com/in/authorlindamatchett

http://www.pinterest.com/lindasmatchett

Thank you so much for this interview. I really appreciate it. I hope my readers will check out your book.

Interview with Childcare Author Melissa Martz

Melissa Martz has been a Nanny for 19 years, a writer for 10 years, and has interwoven her two passions together to help others find the best of the best childcare. “Finding and Hiring the BEST Childcare” is her second book, her first is entitled “Inclusive Playgrounds: Play for Every Child”. Before wriitng books, she wrote magazine articles, many on child related topics. When Melissa is not writing or taking care of children, she power walks in multiple races each year, along with being a community advocate for causes passionate to her. At any point of any of these activities, if she is offered a cup of tea, her answer will be YES!

Welcome to my blog, Melissa. Finding and Hiring the Best Childcare sounds like the perfect book for those young mothers who need help. Our children are dear to us and we must be careful. Where did you get your inspiration for this book?

I have been a Nanny since 1997. Since that time, I have been asked multiple times how to find reputable childcare, how I was found by families, if I knew any available childcare providers, and what should they ask a potential provider. It also gave me a chance to debunk the theories people have about hiring a nanny.

What kind of research did you do?

Because this book is filled with general information mixed with my experiences, not much research had to be done. Yes, I did ask a few people to do Q&A's, and their insights on different areas, but a majority of the information was learned information from 19 years as a Nanny.

Will you please tell us one bit of advice while finding childcare?

Listen to your instincts....not who others think you should get....not whose resumes read of who should hire. This has happened myself as a Nanny. I declined a job offer, because it just didn't feel right to me.

Where can my readers find you and this book online?

Facebook: Melissa Martz

Twitter: @write_nanny

Instagram: melissa.martz

Thank you, Melissa, for this wonderful interview. I hope my readers will check out your book. Anyone interested, you can buy her book on Amazon here.