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.