Interview with Inspirational Fantasy Romance Author Katrina Hart

Katrina Hart, who is always called Katie, 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 lifetime 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. This book is a fantasy romance and a perfect story for Young Adults. Please tell us about  The Flower Angel.

My novella follows Chris and Lara as they meet at Forget-Me-Not Inn. However, it soon becomes clear they both have suffered in the past year, and both are on a path to finding just what they need to try and bring peace back into their lives.  Could they even find love at the Inn?

Where did you get your inspiration for this story?

I was inspired to write this novella after enjoying writing Love In Little Snow a few months back. When I sat to write The Flower Angel, I got inspired by my boyfriend and the feeling of new love, of unexpectedly crossing paths with another person, be it a good experience or not, and after that moment, never being the same again. Like that person left himself or herself somehow into one's life even if it was a brief encounter.

I love the idea of second chances and looking at someone, not just for their one mistake, one moment of panic, but for the person they are, like Lara is forced to do when she crosses paths with Chris.

Also my Nan who sadly passed away in December 2016 inspired my writing and I was blessed she got to hold a copy of my novella just before she passed away and I read her the story.

What kind of research did you do?

I did a little on bible quotes, but most was just sitting and letting the characters tell their story.

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

Lara has been through a long recovery before she gets to the Inn and I found that she was such a kind and mostly forgiving character, who is brave and determined. That's what I love about her.

Chris suffers, he's scared, he's guilt ridden and yet he's not a bad man. He's human and humans make huge mistakes. But I loved that he finally found a path to try and put his past mistake right.

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

Links

Kindle

Paperback

Social media links:

Twitter: @Katrinahart2015

Katrina's Blog

Author page

Facebook Author page

Thank you, Katie, for this wonderful interview. It was a pleasure speaking with you. I hope my readers will check out your books. Here is my review of the novella:

“Forget-me-nots, a bit of magic, angels, and miracles! This is an adorable story about finding one’s soul mate and forgiveness. Forget-me-not Inn is a magical place where everyone can find true love. And how about the Forget-me-nots? They hold a special secret. I feel this story was written with the young adult in mind but can be enjoyed by all ages.” –Written by Linda Weaver Clarke

Interview with Christian Romance Author Mary L. Ball

Mary L. Ball is a multi-published author and a member of ACFW. She resides in the heart of North Carolina. When Mary isn't working on her latest story, she enjoys fishing, reading, and singing with her husband at church functions.

Visit Mary’s singing ministry site: http://heirsofsalvation2.webs.com

Readers can connect with her on Face Book, Twitter and Goodreads.

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Inspirational-author-Mary-L-Ball/200478210087932

https://twitter.com/inspires4mary

https://www.goodreads.com/Marywrites

Welcome to my blog, Mary. Please tell us about your novel: Sparks of Love.

Linda, thank you. It’s always a pleasure to visit with you. Sparks of Love is my seventh book out. The main character is a fictional woman who has lost faith and felt the Lord turned away from her life. It’s about that age-old question: “Why do bad things happen to good people?” Here’s the blurb.

Sparks of Love

Misjudged and accused, Lynette Cunningham walks away from God and everything she loves.

Ten years later, a phone call from her father offers hope when he announces he may have a clue to the unsolved crime that forced her to run. She’s scared, but encouraged. This could clear her name from slander in her small North Carolina hometown.

Tragedy strikes. A Fire destroys her childhood home and kills her father. While she sorts through the ruins and hopes to find the clue, Lynette meets the new pastor, Price Fletcher.

She must face the two things that scare her most. The past and a man of God.

Someone wants the past to stay buried. Will Lynette stay alive long enough to prove her innocence and accept the Love that is offered?

This sounds like a suspenseful romance. Where did you get your inspiration for this story?

For most of my novels I can go back to the hour the idea flourished or the time I felt a nudge from the Lord. But “Sparks of Love” is unique for me. All I felt led to do was write about a character that loses faith and feels God has turned away. I know that’s not a new concept for a writer but the trials she goes through as she learns more about believing are. Most of the story was a process that developed as I worked on the character’s inner battle with her life.

What kind of research did you do?

I didn’t need to do much research but I checked into the laws concerning arson. The location of the story is based on a place nearby which I visit often. I rode through the small town to get the scenery and building facts straight. I did change the street names a little.   

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

Lynette Cunningham left home at an early age, fueled by disappointment. She’s strong on the surface but lacks faith. Tragedy strikes her life (again) and confirms her belief that God doesn’t care. I like Lynette’s determination to get past the hurt.   

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

http://www.marylball.com

Linda, thank you again for having me on your blog. You’re a great lady who gives me inspiration to keep smiling.  

Thank you, Mary, for this wonderful interview and for sharing one of your creations with my readers. I hope everyone will check out your book. Here is my review of this book below:

Sparks of Love is a sweet love story that takes place in a small town in North Carolina. In this inspirational romance, Lynette learns to trust the Lord and realizes the importance of coming back to the fold once again with the help of Price Fletcher. When she realizes that she is attracted to Price, she never dreamed that she would fall in love with such a handsome Pastor. She soon finds out that he is just like any other man and has the same feelings and desires in life. And his kisses? They really are “sparks of Love.” First and foremost, this is a love story, surrounding this couple. Secondly, it is a mystery that slowly unravels as time slowly passes. I thoroughly enjoyed this book.  –Written by Linda Weaver Clarke

Interview with Inspirational Romance Author Jo Huddleston

Jo Huddleston is an Amazon Bestselling author of books, articles, and short stories. Novels in her West Virginia Mountains series and her endearing Caney Creek series are sweet Southern historical romances. The redeeming story of God’s pursuing love is the foundation of her novels, and in them you will find inspiration, hope, and gentle stories that are intriguing and entertaining. Jo is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers and the Literary Hall of Fame at Lincoln Memorial University (TN). Learn more at http://www.johuddleston.com

Welcome to my blog, Jo. I have admired that name ever since I read Little Women as a young girl. Jo was my favorite character. Please tell us about your Romance: Tidewater Summer.

Will Rose find the solitude she seeks during her island summer or is solitude what she really wants? 

A compelling story of one woman’s pursuit of restoration from physical abuse at the hands of her fiancé. Rose Marie Henley’s Great-Aunt Clara convinces Rose to spend the summer at her South Carolina beach house. 

Aunt Clara’s handyman sends his nephew to repair Rose’s water heater. Last year Rose would have been excited to see her over-the-top handsome nephew, Frank Sutton. But now she doesn’t want any man in her life again. 

Frank has an instant attraction to Rose. Can he break through her defenses? He’ll do anything to protect her, but will she open her heart to trust him? 

This sounds like an intriguing romance. Where did you get your inspiration for this story?

I've loved being at the beach--any beach--since the first time my parents took me when I was preschool age. Time at the beach always makes my troubles lighten while there. I wanted to set a story on a beach and thought about a heroine who might visit the beach for an extended stay for restoration from whatever problem she had. I write novels set in the 1950s, so I came up with my heroine's problem of physical abuse at the hands of her fiancé. In the 1950s, the attitude toward abuse was often to ignore it or to blame the victim. I started with the above and my characters grabbed the story and ran with it. I don't plot, plan, or outline my stories on paper. I'm what is called a panster--I write from the seat of my pants.

You are right. The beach is a peaceful setting for someone who is troubled. What kind of research did you do?

Although I’ve traveled to many places, I’ve lived in the U.S. South—Tennessee, Florida, Mississippi, and Alabama. I’ve also spent time at many beaches, including those in South Carolina. So I didn’t have to do research to get the setting correct. Closely observing life around me filled in what I needed to know to make Rose’s character authentic.

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

The male main character in Tidewater Summer is Frank Sutton. Rose, the main female character, is struggling in the aftermath of physical abuse, and her fears are too raw to appreciate the kindness of Frank. But he’s a true Southern gentleman and a godly man who refuses to give up on Rose. I love his determination to tread softly and to be patient with Rose.

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

My website is http://www.johuddleston.com, where readers can learn about all my books, read first chapters of my novels and novellas, and sign up for my mailing list.

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

Interview with Inspirational Romance Author Jewel Adams

Jewel Adams is a wife and the mother of eight children, and a grandmother. She has been writing inspirational romance for over twenty years, and has over thirty published works. Always one to share a message of God’s love through her stories, Jewel is a devout Christian Latter-Day Saint who loves the Lord with all her heart and has experienced many blessings and miracles in her life because that love, and she is secure in the knowledge of God’s love for her and all men. She is an inspirational and motivational speaker to both youth and adult audiences, and she considers The Gladiator’s Day of Grace the most important story she has ever written.

“The Gladiator’s Day of Grace is a Christian short-story of a servant girl, a centurion, and forgiveness. Is it possible to be forgiven for all that Maximus has ever done, all the lives he has taken in the arena? It takes the servant girl, Andromeda, whom he loves, to help him learn about forgiveness. She has seen the Savior and she describes what it was like. Then she describes how she had learned to forgive those who had hurt her deeply when Jesus Christ came into her life. “He made me whole again,” she says. This is a story of forgiveness and love.” –Linda Weaver Clarke, Author

Welcome to my blog, Jewel. I love your book cover. Please tell us about your historical romance: The Gladiator's Day of Grace.

This story takes place about three months after Christ’s crucifixion. It is about Maximus Vitruvian Messalla, a decorated centurion who is betrayed and charged with treason. He is forced to become a gladiator of Rome to earn his freedom. He is a friend to Alexius, a fellow centurion, whose story is well-known in the New Testament book of Matthew. After witnessing the healing of his friend’s servant by the Rabbi, Maximus begins his own spiritual quest as he searches for answers.

I enjoyed reading about his search for truth. Where did you get your inspiration for this story?

Believe it or not, this story really just came to me one day and I knew I had to write it. I hadn’t planned on writing any more fiction and have been concentrating on my inspirational blog, but it seems God still had a message for me to deliver through my storytelling. The story just flowed together.

Did you have to do any research for this book?

Oh, yeah! Since it was my first crack at historical (something I never thought I would write,) I really had to do some reading about ancient Rome and the gladiator games. For such a short story, I did a lot of research because I wanted the writing to be accurate. It was actually a lot of fun.

I understand what you mean about research being a lot of fun. That’s how I feel, too. Tell me about one of the main characters and what you love about him or her?

I really love both the main characters. I love that Maximus was this tough and hardened warrior who longed for peace and wasn’t afraid to search for it. I love Andromeda for her strength and the ingrained goodness she possessed.

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

I have a fewJ

www.Gladiatorsgrace.blogspot.com

www.Angelospromise.weebly.com

www.Mercedesmountain.weebly.com

www.Jeweladams.com

Thank you, Jewel, for this wonderful interview. I hope my readers will check it out and enjoy it as much as I did.

Fantasy, Magic, Romance, and Mystery!

Fantasy has become one of the most popular genres because you are taken into a completely new world. A world of magic and mystery, where almost anything can happen! In The Isian Series by Serena Clarke, we have a tender love story, an enchanting kingdom, and mystical creatures that reside in the forests.

The Treasure of Isian is the first book in the series. Prince Garin is a brave, proud, adventure-seeking prince. Elani is his most trusted servant and she would do anything for him. Their quest to find the mystical Treasure of Isian is immediately interrupted and they find themselves confronted by giants, elves, dragons, and a vengeful water-witch. Elani must face her greatest fears to save her prince and her kingdom. Will they be able to make a great sacrifice to save the kingdom?

“The Treasure of Isian was a stirring tale of an enchanted servant and a handsome prince. The adventures they face together as they search for the fabled treasure of Isian that will grant the bearer any wish they desire. Once I picked it up, I couldn’t put it down. The author did a wonderful job pacing the story and connecting me to the characters. Superb story that brought a smile to my face and helped me remember that sometimes, we can overlook the most valuable treasures in life if we’re not careful.” --Author Charissa Stastny

In the second book, The Alliance of Isian, the queen decides to make an alliance with their long time enemies.  Isian sends a proposal, offering their daughter to the prince, in order to ensure an alliance. Princess Gabrielle and Prince Alec must learn to work together and trust each other in order to triumph in the approaching war. With a mysterious beast attacking the kingdom, their lives in danger, and overcoming their vast cultural differences, will love grow despite their trials?

This fantasy has magic and mythical creatures, but it also has a beautiful love story where Alec and Gabrielle have to learn to understand one another because their society and culture is so unlike their own. Cheryl Larson wrote: “I am always intrigued by stories of arranged marriages and how they turn to marriages filled with love. There is plenty of action and intrigue in the storyline.”

The Secret of Isian is the last book in this series. Many prophecies have been uttered about the impending war and those who will seek to stop it. With the war finally upon them, Rimelda, a talented seer, has heard the prophecies and believes she can help. Prince Ander, doubtful of her abilities and her true intensions, but determined to save his kingdom accepts her help and they proceed on a quest to end the war. Hindered by enemies as well as their own doubts, Ander and Rimelda must search for guidance in unlikely places and unravel the mysteries of the prophecies. With the world shrouded in darkness, will Ander accept his destiny in time to save the kingdoms and will he admit his true feelings for Rimelda?

“The Secret of Isian is a fast moving tale. Not only does it have romance, but also lots of action, intrigue, and battles as the characters make their trek to save the kingdom. While Prince Ander learns to accept his destiny, he also realizes that his love for Rimelda is growing day by day. For the first time in his life, he has met his match! She is spunky, obstinate, and frustrating…but at the same time, she intrigues Ander because she demands respect. Even from the prince!” –Author Linda Weaver Clarke

About Author:

Serena Clarke is from Sunny Southern Utah and has taken several writing classes in college. She loves fantasy with a dash of romance. Serena has a Bachelors Degree in Graphic Design and is a member of the Red Mountain Shadows Publishing team. She not only is an author, but also creates book covers for authors. She is passionate about learning, education, art and design.

Links:
The Treasure of Isian: http://www.amazon.com/Treasure-Isian-Serena-Clarke/dp/1477540105

The Alliance of Isian: http://www.amazon.com/Alliance-Isian-Book-ebook/dp/B00I11H7N8

The Secret of Isian: http://www.amazon.com/Secret-Isian-Book-ebook/dp/B01AOU7VZM

Links for Audible Audiobooks:

The Treasure of Isian: http://www.audible.com/pd/Romance/The-Treasure-of-Isian-Audiobook/B01F7U4V4I

The Alliance of Isian: http://www.audible.com/pd/Romance/The-Alliance-of-Isian-Audiobook/B01L2A5ACY

The Secret of Isian: 

http://www.audible.com/pd/Romance/The-Secret-of-Isian-Audiobook/B01MQVA4PP

Interview with Inspirational Author Colleen L. Reece

Colleen L. Reece learned to read by kerosene lamplight in a former one-room school house where her mother once taught all eight grades. There Colleen dreamed of someday writing a book. God has multiplied her “someday” book into 150+ “Books You Can Trust,” with six million copies sold.

Welcome to my blog. Please tell us about Joy to the World. What is it about?

“Joy” contains 40 short true and fictional stories, articles, poetry, hymns with their origins, and inspiring author-narration. 

Where did you get your inspiration for this book?

My niece, Julie Reece-DeMarco, and I have co-authored a dozen+ books with more than a million copies sold. Many are Christmas novels: i.e., Homespun Christmas, Patchwork Christmas, Seasons of the Heart.

Wonderful stories of God’s grace and mercy have come down through generations of our family. They provide the foundation for Joy to the World.

You love to write Christmas Stories. What is your motivation for writing seasonal works like this?

Our goal is to encourage readers to stop in the midst of their “busyness,” look beyond the tinsel, and remember Whose birthday we are celebrating.

Will you please give us an example of one of the stories in this book?

“The Blessings of Grace”

A single mother struggles to reflect joy when the “Baker family tree” is a tilting branch trying to pass itself off as a Christmas tree in the corner of a barren room. Hanging snowflakes cut from old newspapers doesn’t help. Or the lone, newspaper-wrapped presents: two-liter bottles of soda

Sleeping on mattresses on the floor with macaroni and cheese as the designated Christmas dinner, the last thing Grace needs is to help deliver care packages to the needy. Yet the church has been there for her and her five-and -seven-year-old daughters. She reluctantly agrees—and begins an unexpected journey.

Where can my readers find you online?

At Amazon: amazon.com/author/colleenreece_booksyoucantrust

Thank you, colleen, for this interview. I hope my readers will check out your new Christmas book.

Interview with Romance Author Brooke Williams

Brooke Williams is a stay at home mom/freelance writer/author. She writes both children’s books and romantic comedy novels. Brooke has two young daughters, Kaelyn and Sadie and has been married since 2002. She is excited about her next romantic comedy release, “The Leftover” in June.

Welcome to my blog, Brooke. I noticed that you love to write romantic comedy. Please tell us about your novel: Backwards Christmas.

Backwards Christmas is about the fictional town of South Pole, Alaska. This town is very touristy around Christmas because they do Christmas completely backwards. Every tradition is backwards. People bring presents TO Santa. The mistletoe is painted on the ground. Carolers come to your home and then you have to sing to THEM. The town created Backwards Christmas to get through a hard financial time and it really took off. In the midst of the backwards everything, there’s a very heartfelt love story. A “What could have been” type story between two people that used to date, but broke up when tragedy hit the little town.

Where did you get your inspiration for this story?

My publisher asked me to be a part of a compilation that included Christmas stories. Using Alaska in a story had always been in the back of my mind. The rest fell into place and came together in my mind bit by bit.

What kind of research did you do?

I’d like to say I went to Alaska to research. Actually, I HAVE been there, but that was over a dozen years ago. I used that experience for some of the backdrop. The rest, I just made up. Tis the joy of a fiction writer.

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

I loved Noelle because her name symbolizes everything for the season. She is sweet and kind and would do anything for anyone. At the same time, she doesn’t let people walk all over her.

Where can my readers find you online?

They can visit my website www.authorbrookewilliams.com

@authorbrookew

https://www.facebook.com/authorbrookewilliams

Thank you so much for this interview, Brooke. I really appreciate it. I hope my readers will check out your book. Humor is so important in our lives.

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.

Amazon buy link

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.