Interview with Romance Author Larry Hammersley

Please write a brief bio in 3rd person, about 5 sentences. You can tell us how many books you have written, how many children you have, etc. It’s up to you. Larry is age 78, married for 54 years, has two children and seven grandchildren.  He has three novels, two nonfiction books, and several short romance stories all available on Amazon.  He has two romance novels for which he is seeking acceptance at two different publishing companies.  He has a B.S. and M.S. in chemistry from Purdue and Indiana University respectively.

Welcome to my blog, Larry. Please tell us about your novel: Marcy’s Struggle.

For those who have read my romance novel, A Change of Heart will recognize Marcy as a minor character from that novel.  Since she lost the battle for Leroy’s heart, she seeks romance with the quarterback at Purdue where she is working on her PhD in chemistry.  This story is cast into the early 1960s.

Where did you get your inspiration for this story?  

I liked the character of Marcy and felt sorry for her so I wanted to write a story where she finds romance.  She overcomes the obstacles standing in her and Ross, the quarterback’s way.

I read A Change Of Heart and loved it. So now Marcy gets her own story. What kind of research did you do?

My background in chemistry helped me to write about Marcy going for her PhD.  Although I didn’t get a PhD myself I know what the grad students must go through to get their degree such as synthesis of a new compound, the fact she must face an oral exam before professors and other requirements.

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

Marcy is beautiful, intelligent, faces problems with determination, has deep felt emotions, is persistent in convincing Ross of her love for him and faces danger in her research where she is hurt in an explosion.

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

My books are available on Amazon by typing in my name, Larry Hammersley which would be the easiest way to find the books.  My writings are available via several publishers including Wild Rose Press, Wings e-Press, Champagne Books (Burst Books division), Rebecca Vickery Publishing, Create Space, Smashwords and one free read short story, Ice Rink Romance located at www.read-a-romance.com/contemporary_romance/ice-rink-romance/. It is currently in second place in voting at 4.2 stars.

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

Thank you for this interview, Larry. It’s so fun to learn about men who write clean romances for us to read. I hope my followers will check out your new book.

Interview with Inspirational Romance Author Regina Andrews

A resident of Providence, RI, Regina grew up in nearby Barrington. After graduating from Providence College she attended the University of Delaware, eventually earning her Master’s Degree in American Civilization from Brown University. She is inspired by anything to do with nature, and she and her husband enjoy visiting nearby Cape Cod. Regina’s hobbies include Travel, Museums, Theater, Classical Music, Choral Singing and Gardening. She is a radio host for In-Sight, an association dedicated to providing services to the visually impaired of all ages.

Welcome to my blog, Regina.  I love your cover. Please tell us about your novel: Destiny’s Designs.

Thank you so much for hosting me, Linda!

Destiny’s Designs tells the story of Lisa Machon, an interior designer in Newport, Rhode Island. Running her own business is not easy, but when she wins the job of coordinating a New Year’s Eve gala for the wealthy Lamont family, she becomes an overnight success. In addition, she forms an affectionate bond with Countess Lamont - and she meets her handsome son, Neil. The Countess has a priceless vase, which she treasures, and when it is destroyed, Lisa agrees to help Neil find a replacement. This quest takes them to many exotic cities and finds them falling in love.

This sounds like a fun love story. Where did you get your inspiration for this story?

A lot of Destiny’s Designs is based on my personal experience. I am from Rhode Island and actually worked for a very well-known interior designer in Newport, who taught me so much. The natural beauty of the area and the corresponding milieu of luxury and opulence definitely inspire me, too. The Lamont family is completely from my imagination, and they have conflicts and problems just like the rest of us even though they are so wealthy.

What kind of research did you do?

Many of the details of the book concerning the interior design are based on my experiences as an assistant interior designer. The various locations in Europe are all places I have visited and loved very much. As for the romance with a sailor...well, we’ll leave the kind of research I did on that part up to your imagination!

Oh yes. Imagination is good. I have read your books and really love your characters. They are so well developed. Tell us about one of the main characters and what you love about him or her?

I would have to say the heroine Lisa Machon is one of my favorites in this book. She is completely self-made and had a rough start in life, being orphaned at a very young age. Also I love Bliss Lamont, the hero’s sister. She is a glamorous fashion model and seems to have the world at her feet - but her heart is broken from losing custody of her son in a bitter divorce.

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

http://www.reginaandrews.com

http://www.writers-exchange.com/Regina-Andrews.html

http://worldofgood-gina.blogspot.com

Thank you so much for hosting me, Linda! I love hearing from my readers!

Thank you for this interview, Regina. I hope my followers will check out your book. For those familiar with Regina's works, here are the books that she has reissued.

Regina’s inspirational romance DESTINY’S DESIGNS has been reissued by Writers Exchange E-Publishing  . Also available are LIGHT OF THE HEART, ANGELS OF THE HEART, PRAISE OF THE HEART, and GLORY OF THE HEART, Books 1- 4 of the Sterling Lakes Series, also reissued by Writers Exchange E-Publishing and THE PERFECT PROPOSAL and SPOTLIGHT ON LOVE. Look for REFLECTIONS OF THE HEART, book 5 in The Sterling Lakes Series, as well as more brand new titles in her Sterling Lakes Series, along with the reissue of  IN GOOD FAITH soon. 

Interview with Inspirational Romance Author June Foster

An award-winning author, June Foster is a retired teacher with a BA in education and MA in counseling. June has written four novels for Desert Breeze Publishing. The Bellewood Series, Give Us This Day, As We Forgive, and Deliver Us, and Hometown Fourth of July. Since then she's also written Ryan's Father, Red and the Wolf, a modern day retelling of Little Red Riding Hood, The Almond Tree Series: For All Eternity, Echoes From the Past, What God Knew and Almond Street Mission. Also available are Misty Hollow and Lavender Fields Inn. Find all June's books at Amazon.com. June enjoys writing stories about characters who overcome the circumstances in their lives by the power of God and His Word. Find June online at junefoster.com.

Welcome to my blog. This is a beautiful cover. Please tell us about your novel: Lavender Fields Inn.

Thank you for having me, Linda. Lavender Fields Inn is set at a relaxing resort in the Rocky Mountains. Wren Tabor is escaping her teaching job in busy Denver, Colorado for a week's vacation. She hopes to heal after her last boyfriend's betrayal, and she's determined she'll never trust men again.

Graham Maier, a Denver accountant, has always lived in the shadow of his successful brother, Greg. Graham's registered for a fishing tournament at Gold Pan Lake in hopes of impressing his father, an avid fisherman. When Graham arrives and sees the dark haired beauty, Wren Tabor, who's haunted his dreams for years, he's mystified.

Wren literally bumps into Graham one evening while running from a "bear" she later discovers is the maintenance man. Against her resolution, she finds Graham attractive. When Graham's brother, Greg, announces he will stay a few days at the inn, Graham's frustrated. He'd hoped to just be Graham and not Greg's brother for a week. Later Wren sees Graham kissing another girl, and she believes she's been betrayed. Love grows amid the flowers in the magnificent Rockies, but sometimes romance isn't as it seems.

Where did you get your inspiration for this story?

We love to go fishing in the Rockies, and I've always wanted to try out one of the luxurious hotels with relaxing spas, massage therapy, exercise rooms, and all the fabulous restaurants. So far I haven't checked into one, but that's okay, my characters Wren Tabor and Graham Maier did. 

What kind of research did you do?

In the story, the lavender plant plays a huge part, to include a lavender festival at the inn on the last day before Wren and Graham go home. I had to research facts like how lavender was used in the past, the growing season for lavender, various products made from lavender, and what does a lavender festival look like. Besides learning more about the plant, I had to discover the intricacies of a fishing tournament. But I have an in-house expert—my husband.

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

My hero, Graham, has always strived to live up to his father's expectations. Graham has never felt affirmed or valued by his dad. Not like his brother, Greg. But in the story, Graham learns that there is One who cherishes him more than any earthly father could. I love Graham because his perspective changes, and he finds freedom in the Lord.

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

Readers can find me at www.junefoster.com. Thank you again, Linda.

Thank you very much for this interview, June. I hope my readers will check out your inspirational stories.

Interview with Inspirational Romance Author Gail Pallotta

Award-winning author Gail Pallotta’s a wife, mom, swimmer and bargain shopper who loves God, beach sunsets and getting together with friends and family. A former regional writer of the year for American Christian Writers Association, she won Clash of the Titles in 2010. Her teen book, Stopped Cold, was a best-seller on All Romance eBooks, finished fourth in the Preditors and Editors readers’ poll, and was a finalist for the 2013 Grace Awards. She’s published five books, poems, short stories and two-hundred articles. Some of her articles appear in anthologies while two are in museums. Gail loves to hear from readers. To learn more about her books, visit her website at http://www.gailpallotta.com

Welcome to my blog, Gail. You enjoy writing young adult suspense and inspirational romance. What inspires you to write these stories? In other words, where do you get your ideas?

From things I see and hear. Often, I see an event or hear a conversation and think that would make a good story. If it’s a subject that nags me, I end up writing a blog, short story, article or book about it.

Stopped Cold nagged me for years. As a young adult I knew several people whose goals were to be the best rather than do their best. Then after I married and had a child, I saw quite a few children with the drive to always be number one. Later, I met three young adults who suffered devastating consequences because they couldn’t cope with not being the best. I’m not sure if this crossed my path more than that of others, but I kept thinking that God doesn’t ask us to be the best, but to use our gifts to the best of our abilities. Romans 12: 6, tell us “We have different gifts.” Finally, I put that on paper. I wanted to write an entertaining book with hope. I’d always loved mysteries, so I turned Stopped Cold into a sports mystery with a touch of first-love romance.

Mountain of Love and Danger is the fifth book in the Fairwilde Fairy Tale Series. One of my friends suggested five of us write the novellas. I selected Jack and the Beanstalk because I thought the story lent itself to a romance with mystery, and I love reading and writing who-done-its. All of the novellas, including Mountain of Love and Danger, are Christian versions. I chose “With God All Things Are Possible” as my theme, since the hero had what appeared an impossible task. The other stories are Red and the Wolf (Little Red Riding Hood) by June Foster; At the Edge of a Dark Forest (Beauty and the Beast) by Connie Almony; Mirror on the Fall (Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs) by Mildred Colvin; and Swept Away (Cinderella) by Vanessa Riley.

Please give us a description of Stopped Cold.

Flirting, swimming, friendships—it all changes when Margaret’s brother, Sean, suffers a stroke from taking a steroid. He’s unconscious in the hospital, and Margaret’s angry at Dad for pushing him to be a great quarterback. However, hatred burns inside her to make the criminals pay. She and her friends, Jimmy and Emily, explore a drug-filled, sub-culture to find them. While Margaret yearns to cure Sean and heal the hate, she sees Jimmy in a new light.

Excerpts from Five-Star Reviews:

 “The story and the characters grab you from the get go and keep you reading more to find out what happens next. Romance, mystery, love of family, teen drama, drug abuse, peer pressure...” Patrick

“…follow Margaret’s journey to discover the depth of true character and faith not only in school and friends, but family.” Author and Book Reviewer Lisa Lickel.

“They…” (the characters) “..are as finely tuned as a lovely stringed instrument, each having a different song to play in the story.” Book Reviewer Barbara Shelton

Now tell us about Mountain of Love and Danger.

Jack Greenthumb finds romance in Fairwilde Kingdom—a different day—a different girl. Then a cruel mystery begins. Dad’s beaten, the family farm destroyed and Jack’s true love, Gwenie, kidnapped. Jack must not only save the estate, but also scale a treacherous mountain, rescue Gwenie from the huge man holding her captive and bring her to safety.

Excerpts from Five-Star Reviews:

“...Fantasy? Sure, and we need that in our world today. Suspense? You betcha! Romance? Yep, it is in there too. Adventure? Oh my, yes! Throw in some Christian inspiration, and you have a wonderful read.” Lewis

“...a moving tale of prevailing love concerning Jack Greenthumb and Gwenie. Jack wonders who kidnapped Gwenie. He is resolute to find her as well as rescue the family business. Laden with Christian values this tale repeats the old folk-tale Jack and the Beanstalk. It emphases faith, forgiveness, commitment, the high standard of friendship and loyalty. It was a wonderful and refreshing read.” VMLM

“This is a story filled with danger, sweet romance and faith... (It) kept me reading and wondering what was going to happen next.” Larry Hammersley

Did you have to do much research for these books?

Yes, for Stopped Cold I used the library and internet and interviewed a narcotics agent and an undercover policeman. Since I wrote the book, Winstrol V, the drug sold to Sean illegally has been approved for human consumption. However, a person must meet stringent requirements and have a doctor’s prescription to obtain it legally. Even though my daughter was a U.S. Swimmer and a swim team coach, I consulted with a U.S. Swim Team Coach and a county parks and recreation administrator for the swimming scenes.

Even though Mountain of Love and Danger is a fantasy, it also required research for a scene where Jack enters a prison to gain information about the huge man holding his true love captive. Also, I researched mountain climbing and the equipment needed online. I’m fortunate to know a young man who scales mountains and rock precipices. He supplied and verified information for the mountain climbing scene.

Who is one of your favorite characters in these books and what do you love about him or her?

Margaret in Stopped Cold has such a strong love for her brother and her family and a passion for seeing the criminals brought to justice. I also love that she never stops asking God for help, even though she’s upset about her brother’s stroke and struggling to maintain normalcy in her life.

Jack in Mountain of Love and Danger. I love watching him grow from a young man about town to a responsible adult in a short period of time. I’m proud of the way he realizes how deep his love is for Gwenie. He takes on the responsibility for rescuing her as well as helping his parents save the farm.

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

http://www.gailpallotta.com

I’d like to invite readers to sign up for my new newsletter while visiting my site. I’ll send it on special occasions and for new releases.

Thank you for this interview, Gail. Below is my review of one of your books.

“Mountain of Love and Danger is a modern day fairytale of Jack and the Beanstalk, with cell phones and all. And yes! There is definitely a giant beanstalk, which Jack climbs. This beanstalk does not reach into the heavens as the fairy tale. It reaches to the top of a tall rocky dangerous cliff. There is no other way to get to the top, other than the beanstalk or by helicopter. What is at the top of the cliff? A shack where the giant resides! Why does Jack want to climb the beanstalk? To save his beloved, whom the giant has captured. There would be no other reason to put his life in danger but to save someone he dearly loves.

This story is fast paced and delightful. From chapter one to the last chapter there is plenty of suspense as you watch Jack try to figure out where his girlfriend has been taken. This story was written for young adults to appreciate. As an adult, I totally enjoyed it.” --Review by Author Linda Weaver Clarke