So exciting to be staring about these authors. Three Authors are sharing. See below to find out who.
Here are the questions…
-Share or describe your writing style.
~Which of your characters would you most like to meet and get to know and what book are they from?
~What are you looking forward to in the coming months?
Thank You Penny Frost McGinnis
~Share or describe your writing style.
My writing style has been described as cozy. I want my readers to relax and settle into my books. To do that, I try to create a warm atmosphere with the setting and likeable characters with the promise of hope.
~Which of your characters would you most like to meet and get to know and what book are they from?
I love all my characters, but I think Marigold from Home Away From Home would be fun to talk to and craft with. She runs a kayak business on Abbott Island and supplements her income by making arts and crafts. She’s in her fifties and has had an interesting life.
~What are you looking forward to in the coming months?
Book three of the Abbott Island series, Home At Last, releases on August 1, 2024, also I get to attend the Blue Ridge Christian Writers Conference.
My writing styles are narrative and descriptive. It’s important to use a storyline that readers can relate to. I love to show emotion and describe what’s happening. I tend to write the best when I am feeling a strong emotion. I also re-read my story many, many times so that it’s the absolute best it can be. And finally, I love writing at the local Caribou. I easily get into my writing “zone” there. 🙂
~Which of your characters would you most like to meet and get to know and what book are they from?
I’d love to meet Faith and Michael from Finding Faith, and also, Mari, Theo and Matteo from Theo’s Heart.
~What are you looking forward to in the coming months?
I am looking forward to Theo’s Heart being published on 5/17/24. I am also looking forward to summer. I don’t work in the summer, and can’t wait to get back into sleeping in, doing whatever I want, getting together with friends, writing a non-fiction book about grief and fostering rescue dogs.
When people ask what my writing style is, I say it’s character driven. That’s not completely accurate because books need a plot, right? Otherwise, it would be like reading text messages. Interesting for a while but not 170 pages worth.
Dialogue is my favorite. I guess I have more than one favorite. I like to keep secrets with and from my main characters. We don’t go through daily life knowing everything, why should a reader be different? I enjoy the unexpected.
Muldoon’s Minnesota Darling was my first self-published book. As an eBook novella, it’s a prelude to my current series: Those Resilient Muldoons. The eBook is a ten-year portion of Mick’s life after he arrives in the USA in 1866. This author certainly surprised him with all that happened then.
It’s also a tender love story of acceptance and trust between him and Shauna McMann. I can’t say more, or it will spoil the surprises I have for readers.
Muldoon’s Misfortunes is published by Celebrate Lit Publishing. I have a 3-book contract with them, and they’re lovely to work with.
This is Book 1, with Mick as the main character. Readers receive only his POV. It begins in 1866 Ireland, when he is 26, and spans about 50 years. It’s an edgy, gritty tale of a man who eventually forsakes his faith in God to live unfettered as the men around him do. Although God isn’t deterred by Mick’s choices, the misguided man suffers mighty consequences from being lost. God gently, persistently pursues him as He promises to in His Word.
There are no sex scenes or swearing. He makes some awfulchoices. My great grandfather’s life inspired Mick’s story, and I left the trauma from repeated losses intact. The tragedy in hislife brought tears to my eyes and a lump in my throat when I gathered the information.
Mick was also a blatant sinner, drinking, living with women, children born out of wedlock, multiple marriages, and the divorces so uncommon then.
The saving graces about Mick are his tender heart, familial devotion, his craving for relationships, and his impossible hopes.He was an injured, lost man who took a long time to recover and mature. But I know the end of his story and it’s written in his book.
I hope this book encourages readers to never give up on their faith in God, or to never stop growing up in it.
This has been so much fun. I love getting to know these outstanding authors better.
See which three authors have shared below.
Thank You Penny Zeller
~Share or describe your writing style.
Hello, Dawn! Thank you so much for having me as your guest. My writing style could easily be described as “random”. Just like someone who has a zillion tabs open on her computer at any given time, my writing is much the same. I am a pantster who does not write scenes in order, but rather writes them as they come to me.
~Which of your characters would you most like to meet and get to know and what book are they from?
I love all of my characters, but my three favorite female characters I’d love to meet in no particular order are Charlotte from When Love Comes, Emilie from Love in Disguise, and Carleigh from Love in the Headlines. My favorite male characters I’d love to meet in no particular order are John Mark from Dreams of the Heart, Silas from Love’s Promise, and Thad from Love in Disguise.
What are you looking forward to in the coming months?
I have some crazy deadlines in the coming months as I finish my Horizon Series with Dreams on the Horizon and Beyond the Horizon, and Love in Store, the second book in my Hollow Creek Series. I’ve joined a group of fantastic authors for the Hearts of the West Collection with my standalone book Heart of Courage. I’m also working on a brand-new Christian historical romance series that releases in 2025.
Thank you so much for having me as your guest, Dawn. It was wonderful to be here, and I so appreciate all of your support and encouragement of authors.
Readers can snag their free copy of An Unexpected Arrival by going here.
~~~~~
Thank You R. Marshall Wright
~Share or describe your writing style.
I’m a complete pantser—complete! I believe God gives me what I write as I write. When I sit down, I never know where the story is going or how it will end. I’m a storyteller, and my stories are targeted to women, although I have male readers. I don’t write romance per se, but my stories have romance. I write about real issues women (and men) face from a male perspective. It’s a niche. A Christian Nicholas Sparks. A romantic story with real situations and a strong, subtle, and often not-so-subtle Christian message. I always write about hope, healing, redemption, and a second chance. I always assume Jeremiah 29:11
~Which of your characters would you most like to meet and get to know, and what book are they from?
That’s easy—Reagan Lamb from my Grace Like a River Flows series. Reagan Lamb is my alter-ego who does the things I only dream about. I, too hate men who abuse women.
~What are you looking forward to in the coming months?
My new book, Broken Chains, will be out in May. It will be my fourteenth, and seventh in the Grace Like a River Flows series.
My name is Barbara Goss and I’ve written 61 Christian Romance books (61 is in the works now). My writing style is simplistic, down to earth, and often emotional. I tend to be a sensitive person so that finds its way into my stories.
After 61 books it’s hard to pick out one character I’d most like to meet but an older book comes to mind: Shadow of Shame. It’s book one of a series of 7 books about fourconnected families in Abilene, Kansas. I loved my male character, Jonas Armstrong from book one. He’d made a huge mistake in his life and thought he had to live the rest of it in shame. Then he learned about God and forgiveness. Then, he was ready to move on with his life.
In the coming months, I plan on writing more non-series books. Not that I don’t love series, but I have story ideas that don’t fit any of the series out now. After doing a lot of fast writing I now have slowed down and am writing slower. I’m enjoying the life around me more and getting out of the office. I may put out just two or three books a year.
As most of my readers know I have been sharing author interviews featuring some authors you may not know about.
Here are a few more!!!
Three More Author!!!
I am so excited!!
Here are the questions.
~Share or describe your writing style.
~Which of your characters would you most like to meet and get to know and what book are they from?
~What are you looking forward to in the coming months?
Thank You Heather Blanton
-Share or describe your writing style.
If this question means describe “my voice,” I’d say I’m almost conversational in my writing style and I always have a lot of internal dialogue. I love sharing my characters’ thoughts, as opposed to just describing what they’re thinking or seeing. It’s fun to get in the head of an uptight English Lord who is out of his element on a real ranch. Or a backwoods country girl raised as a tomboy who has to figure out how to be a lady. I have a ball when I write.
OR…
If you mean my style as applied to my writing environment, I float. Meaning, I have a favorite chair I like to sit in and write, but I also like a spot on the couch, and when weather permits, I like sitting by my pond.
Which of my characters would I most like to meet?
That’s a tough one. The spiritual side of me would like to meet Miss Sally from my Burning Dress Ranch books. She is so wise and peaceful and full of the Lord. Just writing her brought me peace and many of my readers have said the same thing.
For the carnal side of me, though, I’d like to meet Charles McIntyre from the Defiance books. He’s a suave, Southern bad boy with dark, piercing eyes. Oh, yeah…
I’m looking forward to two things.
My script, Unbridled Hearts, is a nominee for Best Script at the International Christian Film and Music Festival in Orlando in May. This is “the Oscars of Christian film and music.” I’m beside myself with joy to have been nominated. I’m still pinching myself! I had to listen to the announcement twice to make sure I’d heard it right! God is good!
And, I’ve also had an invitation from a major literary agency to submit Unbridled Hearts–the Novel to them when I’m finished writing it! Which will be in the next month or so, Lord willing and the creek don’t rise. That is exciting, too! God is on the move. To Him all the glory!
I prefer writing historical fiction for women and contemporary children’s stories for kids. My writing has a poetic flare, due to my weekly endeavor of writing poetry. I like to get to the heart of a character’s issues. All my stories have biblical truths laced in the lives of my characters. I do include some romance, but it’s tasteful and real.
~Which of your characters would you most like to meet and get to know and what book are they from?
I would like to meet Jemi, and her family, she was the first fictional character I ever developed. Jemi appears in “Jemi’s Noble Quest” the first book in the series “I Am the Light”. We meet her in the follow stories of book two and three, then later in the second series “When Pages Turn”.
~What are you looking forward to in the coming months?
This year will be busy with publishing. I just released “Abigail’s 40 Days”. My “Apron Strings” book, “Beatrice” will be released on April 9. It is the fourth book in the series. I’m excited about “Beatrice” which is set in 1950. My next kid’s series, “Teddy’s Tales” is with my editor. I’m hopeful that it will be ready this summer. There’s a few other projects I’m working on, but only God knows what will be accomplished.
I think it would be easier for someone else to describe my writing style than for me, because I suspect it varies depending on the subject matter. I have been heavily influenced in my historical romances by authors like Georgette Heyer and Charles Dickens, but also by Louis L’Amour and Anthony Trollope. But I read so very broadly and in just about every subject available, fiction and nonfiction, romcoms, mysteries of all sorts, sci-fi and paranormal, even every once in awhile a bit of Horror, although not at night. In some ways, my style is an amalgam of everything I’ve ever read, but mostly I try to keep things grammatically accurate ( thank you Mrs. Harris in 7th grade who taught me to diagram sentences ). Although I must confess I still fight commas. I tend toward the run-on sentence and do have to edit those out.
When I can, I try to dictate because the ideas flow more freely if I’m not having to stumble over my own fingers. Of course, since I don’t always watch the screen carefully ( too busy thinking of what to say), I often find myself trying to interpret what I must have meant from the very odd things that get captured.
I hope that I include a lot of humor in what I write, because I have always been a Pollyanna and really believe that life is a musical comedy. Unfortunately you cannot hear me sing. Although I do occasionally write a lyric or two.
Regarding my characters, I have already met most of them in real life, although each tends to incorporate characteristics of many people. Because I like writing a community, many of them appear more than once through my novels although I make every effort to have each story stand entirely alone. A couple of times I have done interviews with characters for various online parties. I find myself surprised by what they reveal when answering questions that have nothing to do with the story. Wrangling characters is much like working with a group of 3-year-olds. 2-year-olds are easier because they are just beginning the why phase, and they really do want to know. Their minds are exploding so rapidly as they take in more knowledge at a time than they ever will for the rest of their lives. I had someone complain one time that I had a young child speaking far too well for her age, but I have known quite a few very verbal young children and a number whose skills were far less. Part of that of course is because each child grows at his own pace, but a larger part frequently has to do with the child’s surroundings and how much verbal interaction he or she is getting from parents, siblings, other adults and other children. I’ve gone way off topic, I like watching people in real life, so when I meet my characters I’m watching them in the same way as they reveal themselves to me.
That said I would think that Abigail Barnett, nearsighted and with a quirky outlook on life, would be a lot of fun to get to know.
My very first published work, and actually my first attempt at a novel, which is presently out of virtual print because it was part of a Kindle world and I haven’t had a chance to restructure it to eradicate the elements that tied it in to that world, featured a heroine called Melissa, after the founder of the world. Since the events of the novel include a bit of autobiography, I’ve always felt I already know her.
I suspect I would have been happy to date most of my heroes, although one or two of them would have been absolute nightmares for me to deal with thanks to my own personality.
The next question is what am I looking forward to in the next few months. In the writing world, I have two upcoming novels, one for the Rejected Bride series and another for the Double Trouble series.
Those who already know me are aware that I spent a couple of years fighting health issues and I’m now fully recovered physically, although I find I do not have the stamina I had 2 years ago. Okay yes I am getting older, but I am finding the stamina coming back very gradually as my core health returns to 100%. Thank you everyone for your prayers, which helped see me through.
But I travel quite a bit for various reasons, many of them business connected since I work with my husband. You will note I don’t talk about him much because he’s a very private person and prefers not to be included in the conversations. My job as helpmeet includes managing the office side of things, which seem to have troubled and complexity as I fell behind on paperwork while dealing with health. So playing catch up while trying to keep up with current events has been keeping me exceptionally busy.
Nonetheless, I plan to spend some time in Texas in April seeing the eclipse at the beginning of the month and visiting Texas Women’s University in Denton and the WASP Museum in Sweetwater. Mom was a World War II WASP – the Women Airforce Service Pilots. Of the original approximately 1100 women who graduated from the program, flying every single aircraft the military had at the time, ferrying planes or dragging tow targets or serving as test pilots, fewer than half a dozen remain, all in their hundreds. The reunion that honors them is now attended by family and friends of the women whom we celebrate. This is the first one I will have attended in about 20 years, although my family and I all participated in the ceremonies when they were awarded the Congressional Gold Medal.
So excited to be sharing these Author Interviews with everyone. Learn about these authors.
Here are the questions…
-Share or describe your writing style.
~Which of your characters would you most like to meet and get to know and what book are they from?
~What are you looking forward to in the coming months?
Below are the Amazing Authors that answered…
Thank you Janice Cole Hopkins
~Share or describe your writing style.
Before I start writing a book, I’ve done research, know my setting well, have lived with the main characters in my head until they’re like family, and understand how the story will begin and generally where it will end. From there, I write just like I read, quickly to see how the story unfolds.
~Which of your characters would you most like to meet and get to know and what book are they from?
I find this a very difficult question to answer. I have about seventy books listed on Amazon, so that’s at least 140 main characters, and I get to know my characters so well that I have no questions for them. I guess if I had to choose one, today it would be Hawk from Cleared from Planting, the first book in the Appalachian Roots series. But on another day. you might get another answer. I’ve always found my Native American characters fascinating, and I actually cried when I wrote about Hawk, a Cherokee Indian, walking away from Emma with his heart breaking. I hadn’t planned to bring Hawk back, but he kept telling me I needed to, and since I liked him so well, I listened. He returns in the third book in the series, Uprooted by War.
~What are you looking forward to in the coming months?
I wrote sixteen books last year, which was too many for me to keep up with had I continued to write at that pace. This year, I’m scheduled to write eleven, which I find doable. A Journey for Jillian just published and is doing very well. My next book, Zoe, is another wagon-train book and publishes on April 20. Beckett’s Brides, set in Deadwood, SD, releases on June 1, Carmen’s Wedding Dilemma on August 5, A Match for Milton on September 2, Noah’s New Bride on October 3, A Match for Reece on November 1, and Andrea: Christmas Quilt Brides on December 6. All the books I published last year and this year have been parts of multiple-author projects. Next year, I plan to publish twelve and have some of my solo books as well as MAPs.
I hope that when you read my Valley of Artisans Christian fiction series, you’ll find a style that is positive and brings you life. Proverbs 16:24 talks about words that are enjoyable and also strengthen a person. That’s how I think of these books.
In my Christian non-fiction books, including How to Journal with God and Faith with Wings, I believe you’ll find an authentic voice that invites you into even deeper communication and relationship with God.
~Which of your characters would you most like to meet and get to know and what book are they from?
I think it would be fun to take a day trip with Vera. It’s easy to be around her, and she is someone who really knows her identity in Christ. Vera is in books 1, 2, and 4 of the Valley of Artisans series: Remembering, Open for Miracles, and Ordinary Miracles.
~What are you looking forward to in the coming months?
I look forward to hearing from readers what God is doing as they read. It always encourages me to hear about God working through books!
Also, Lord willing, I’ll be writing a new standalone Christianfiction book, as well as sharing a fresh email message each month.
My writing style… I’m a Christian Author who simply writes from the heart. I’ve been told that when you read my amazing testimonial, you’ll feel as though we’re simply sitting around the kitchen table over a cup of tea and are telling my story of miracles, healing, and the true power of prayer. You’re suddenly transported to 1990 to find I am twenty-nine years old with three small girls; an eleven-year-old, an eight-year-old, and my four-month-old baby. You’re then reassured that the good that came from enduring the horrific journey has been used to inspire others across the globe!
My favorite character… Against all odds I not only survived a terminal cancer diagnosis, and three strokes – one of which was completely debilitating; having to relearn how to walk, talk, feed, and even bathe myself, but by the grace of God, I’ve actually flourished. I completely credit The Lord and Our Lady with any and all of my successes, therefore, I’d love to sit around my coffee table and chat with them both.
The future… I love, love, love, the spring and summer months! The days are longer, so we spend more time outdoors. There’s something about eating breakfast while sitting in the cockpit of our sailboat. In addition, I enjoy relaxing on the screened back porch; simply reading a good book, relishing the warm sunshine, or visiting with friends and neighbors. Cuddling with hubby around an evening campfire is also a favorite of mine. The extended hours of daylight allow me to attend more author signings and to conduct my presentations– which I truly LOVE!
~Which of your characters would you most like to meet and get to know and what book are they from?
~What are you looking forward to in the coming months?
Below are the Amazing Authors that answered…
Thank you Danielle Grandinetti
-Share or describe your writing style.
I write historical romance with threads of faith and suspense. The majority of my stories thus far are set in Chicago/Wisconsin during The Great Depression. I also write for Love Inspired.
~Which of your characters would you most like to meet and get to know and what book are they from?
Hmm, this is a hard one. In a way, I feel like I’ve not only met them all, but have had heart-to-heart conversations with each. Though, Silas, from Refuge for the Archaeologist, has been one of the hardest to get to know.
~What are you looking forward to in the coming months?
I cannot wait to share Buck’s story with my readers. His is the sixth and final book in the Harbored in Crow’s Nest series. I’m currently writing it now.
To be honest, I don’t think much about my style and simply attempt to write the story that’s in my mind. In the two novels that I’ve completed (one is in the editing stage), I have known how the stories begin and basically how they end before I dig into the writing process. The bulk of the story happens organically as I get to know my characters. I’m sometimes surprised at where the plot takes me.
Since I tend to make use of numerous historical facts and international locations, there is quite a bit of research throughout the writing process. Many times I discover a fact or detail during the research that leads to a new wrinkle in the plot. Because I work in another full-time career and have a variety of responsibilities outside of work, the writing process usually happens in chunks, with a gap in between periods of progress. This doesn’t make for a speedy writing process, but does allow time for the story to simmer in my mind and the direction of the plot to become clearer.
When I read, I’m pulled into characters who find themselves in difficult situations outside of their everyday experiences. I want to follow every-day characters and discover how they develop and grow because of their out-of-the-ordinary circumstances. My desire is to bring those types of relatable characters and growth-inducing situations to my writing. While not overly “preachy”, I also aim to include scenes that prompt readers to contemplate some bigger issues, like grace and redemption within the Christian faith.
~Which of your characters would you most like to meet and get to know and what book are they from?
While not the protagonist in my book The Medici Quest, I would love to meet the true historical character of Cosimo Medici. In my fiction, he plays a vital role in the plot by leaving the clues that are discovered and followed 500 years after his death.
Cosimo—and the entire Medici clan—are an amazing story of one family’s reign of control over a region of Italy for nearly 300 years. Try to imagine that George Washington’s descendants were still presiding over the United States. Not only did the Medici rule in Florence for all but a few years from 1434 to 1737, the family line produced four popes of the Roman Catholic Church and numerous other dignitaries, including two queens of France.
Starting in the mid-1400s, the Medici’s support for art, science and the humanities played a major role in the rise of the Renaissance period. Many artists of the time received backing from the Medici, which allowed those like Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, Raphael, and Filippo Brunelleschi to create art and architecture that is among the most revered in history. Michelangelo even lived with the Medici family for a period of time. Cosimo sparked a family interest in books and amassed an impressive collection for the time. His chief book scout, Poggio Bracciolini (also a character in my book), traveled throughout Europe—as well as Syria, Egypt and Greece—looking for special volumes for the collection. Cosimo funded the start of at least three libraries, while other family members later commissioned the building of the Laurentian Library in Florence in 1571.
~What are you looking forward to in the coming months?
On the writing side, I look forward to completing the editing of my next book and getting to the publication stage. I also hope to make some progress on my third novel.
On the personal side, my wife and I are taking a trip to Paris this summer to attend events at the Olympic Games. I collect Olympic memorabilia (5ringscollecting.com) and have also attended the last two Olympics in the United States: Los Angeles in 1984 and Atlanta in 1996. If I had a true Bucket List, one item would be to attend an Olympic Games outside of the U.S. We have been planning this trip since Paris was named the 2024 Olympic host several years ago. We will also spend a few days in Amsterdam.
Since I make substantial use of international sites in my stories, maybe I will find some locations for my next novel.
My writing style has been described as engaging, immersive, highly detailed and descriptive, and emotionally evocative. I love exploring the complexities and dimensions of the characters in my fiction books. Being a Christian counselor for 45 years has given me a unique perspective on the human psyche and motivations, which I bring into the development of my characters.
I enjoy writing first person POV. I believe it allows the reader to connect with the main character on a deeper level and truly experience the story through their eyes.
I also love taking on controversial topics and gritty, real-life scenarios in both my fiction and nonfiction books. I write solely Christian books, but something unique about me is I choose to write in multiple genres (against all advice) – to date, I’ve written historical fiction, Biblical fiction, fantasy, science fiction, and contemporary allegory, along with devotionals and Bible studies.
~Which of your characters would you most like to meet and get to know and what book are they from?
This is a hard one. My first instinct was to say Mac from This Hallowed Ground and Scorched Earth because he has gone through tremendous adversity, suffering, and loss, yet he maintains his integrity, his ability to love, and, ultimately, his strong faith.
But upon contemplation, I would choose Elora from Time Forgotten and Infidel Wars. First of all, she is a strong, confident, and determined woman who stands up for what she believes, even though it costs her freedom and could cost her life. She is highly intelligent and a natural leader. She sacrifices everything to save Danny, the love of her life, and then sacrifices herself to save her daughter. I love her fierce spirit, her warmth, and her passion. I believe she and I could be great friends.
~What are you looking forward to in the coming months?
In April, I’m releasing the second book in the This Hallowed Ground series, entitled Scorched Earth. The book continues the story of Mac and Ester as they face the wilds of the American West in the 1870s. In November, Naomi Craig and I arereleasing the follow-up book to our Biblical fiction, And Their Numbers Grew, entitled And They Were Persuaded, which continues our exploration of characters from the Book of Acts. I will also be working on Book Three (No Man’s Land) and Book Four (A Barren Field Frozen) of the This Hallowed Groundseries, which continues the MacAlister’s story into the next generations. Beyond that, I have planned two new series: an epic fantasy series called Fractured and a dystopian futuristic series tentatively entitled The Ice Kingdom.
I’m also looking forward to having my grandchildren stay with me over weekends this spring and spending this summer in Colorado visiting with my daughter and enjoying the beauty of God’s creation.
I’ve always said I’m a Pantser, but since I started using Jennifer Crosswhite’s Novel Blueprint I guess I’m more of a hybrid? Dunno. I find comfort in getting to know my characters first and asking them hard questions. I also like how setting up certain things like a word count goal; chapter/scene goals; first, second, and third act boundaries; where I want the first door of no return, the man-in-the-mirror moment, and whether my scenes are action or reaction. Those types of things. The rest is just as the Lord reveals it in my mind and I start writing–or brainstorming with a friend. 😉
~Which of your characters would you most like to meet and get to know and what book are they from?
I’ve written about a LOT of characters and some I’ve loved so much I had to have them make guest appearances in other stories. But maybe Hien from Relentless Heart. She’s been in several other books and I love her spunk and heart. I imagined one of my former students as I wrote her story and was able to get her to model for the cover.
~What are you looking forward to in the coming months?
What I’m looking forward to: oh, so much! First my book Cracklin’ Rosie is set to start a blog tour with Celebrate Lit the end of this month. My next book Ronnie is my 20th book and will release mid June with a Facebook Live celebration and I’m giving one person all 20 books as a prize. I’m also giving away a board game based on my Weather Girls books and the spin off series Weather Girls Wedding Shoppe and Venue. It’s pretty cool and a one of a kind–okay, I made a prototype but they aren’t identical 😉. And then in July I get to go back to Kokomo where so many of my books are set for my 50th class reunion. We were the 100th graduating class so this is the 50/100. 😁 And they’ve asked me to bring books.
Speaking of which, my book Sylvia’s Mother (which is set around Kokomo High School) is a Selah Award finalist. I should learn more about that this summer too.
~Which of your characters would you most like to meet and get to know and what book are they from?
~What are you looking forward to in the coming months?
Below are the Amazing Authors that answered…
~~~~~
Thank you
Dianne Marie Andre
-Share or describe your writing style.
If you visit my author’s FB page, it says that I share stories of love, grace, and hope. On my website, I state that my purpose is to inspire readers to pursue their dreams. This is my prayerful intent, to encourage others to know their value and to nurture their God-given gifts and talents with care.
~Which of your characters would you most like to meet and get to know and what book are they from?
Miss Sullivan in Ashley’s Gift because she knows how to be a good neighbor and loyal friend without meddling. Sonny Pace in Kiss Under the Lemon Tree because he’s such a nice guy, and he knows how to cook!
~What are you looking forward to in the coming months?
First, some rest from the hard work of my recent launch of Country Perks and Grit. This will clear my mind and allow room for me to begin creative work on one of the two stories whispering for my attention.
While my books have romance, there is also suspense, and an emotional connection I try and build between the readers and the characters. I would say that I am what’s called a pantser. In my mind, an idea forms and from there I just start writing. It might take me longer than others to write because I don’t always know what is going to happen next as I don’t outline it, but I enjoy seeing the story unfold, and looking back to see how it all flows well together. I tend to go over my books 3-4 times before I nod and say, yes, that’s how it should be. That’s just the story I was meant to share.
~Which of your characters would you most like to meet and get to know and what book are they from?
That’s pretty hard. I’m very fond of most all of my characters. Right now, I’m really loving the three gunslinging men who are hitting Amazon in 2025. I’ve started writing the third of seven books and those guys are fantastic and play very well off of each other.
But, if you mean who currently published do I like? I’d say Alyssa, from Alyssa’s Desperate plan which releases in March. She’s scared to be vulnerable but does it anyway and finds an incredible strength inside of her. Another favorite is Louise, who released last year by that title, Louise. She had to go from getting everything in life to caring for her sister, nearly penniless, and making choices that would affect not only her but her sister, and the new families they both were forming. She also has an incredible amount of strength in her.
Those are the kinds of females I like to write about. Those who have challenges and difficulties, but through them all find the determination to keep pressing forward.
~What are you looking forward to in the coming months?
Two things have me so excited!
The first is audiobooks! I connected with a fantastic guy who has been recording several of my books into audio. He doesn’t just read, he acts, and it’s been an incredible thing to watch as the stories have come to life and been elevated in a way I never could have imagined. Instead of reading about someone’s fear, you hear it. Instead of reading someone’s confession, you feel it. He’s tremendous. I’m looking forward to getting several more from my back list done, as well as upcoming titles.
I’m also incredibly excited that I’m working on my own series. There will be seven books, and a free short story for readers to enjoy. I can’t wait to share those.
I write fast-paced, character-driven medieval adventures with wholesome romance. Although I firmly believe in the importance of world-building, I avoid info-dumps and extended descriptions of scenery like the plague. All my books are appropriate for ages 13 and up, although my youngest reader has been 11 and she loved my debut novel, Healer’s Blade (Enemy’s Keeper Book 1).
~Which of your characters would you most like to meet and get to know and what book are they from?
I would love to meet Aelfric, the runaway thrall (medieval slave) boy in The Thief’s Keeper, my next release in March. Aelfric may have a stingy and rough exterior, but he is tender-hearted and fiercely defends those he loves.
~What are you looking forward to in the coming months?
The Thief’s Keeper (An Enemy’s Keeper Prequel) will be published March 22, and I am SO looking forward to sharing it with the world. I wrote it during a time of grieving for two friends whose funerals were the same weekend, and writing had been my way of processing grief and grappling with my faith in God. The happy ending of Aelfric’s friend had been my way of rewriting the ending for the friends I’ve lost.
For anyone interested, I’m recruiting ARC readers and giving away free swag (bookmarks and stickers) internationally. Also, there will be a 25$ gift card raffle for the ARC team. Cover, synopsis, chapter 1, and signup form here: Kyriewang.com/arc
I think my writing style is similar to my singing voice. People have said it’s simple and clear, not overly trained, but pleasant to listen to––soothing like Karen Carpenter’s mellow tones. My plots are like my vocal range, where I can hit alto and tenor notes, but I don’t go deep and dark. Life already holds enough complication and darkness. And I certainly try to avoid going high and squeaky. I don’t want my readers to cringe while reading my novels. Even when writing humorous scenes, I don’t totally mortify my characters.
~Which of your characters would you most like to meet and get to know and what book are they from?
You are asking me to pick a favorite? How could I do that to my paper children? If I were going to have a party though, I think Nellie would be great entertainment. Now that she has Mrs. Canfield’s Cookery Book and some cooking lessons under her belt, she could put out a good spread. Plus, she could sing for us and do some comedy skits. If she somehow managed to bring her handsome employer along, Mason Peale, I’d love to pick his brain about what it was like to be a mine owner and community leader during the Great Depression. These characters are from my latest release as part of the Apron Strings Book series.
~What are you looking forward to in the coming months?
My youngest is graduating high school, my oldest is turning thirty, and I am turning…… you must guess. Anyway, we are hoping to go on a girls-only road trip this summer. As for writing, I have some collaborative projects that haven’t been announced yet, and they are super cool. Plus, I am working on some sequels to some of my novels. Right now, I am spending a lot of imaginary time along the River Deben in southern England in a mansion with all sorts of intriguing secrets. It’s been a blast, especially since my main characters include two fiddlers, McKay a college student from Wyoming and Huntley Milne, a master fiddler from Scotland. Swoony!
I write contemporary Christian fiction, stories of the everyday infused with love, joy and peace. Readers often tell me they identify with my characters and the situations they find themselves in. My novels are based in Scotland, just like me!
~Which of your characters would you most like to meet and get to know and what book are they from?
I’d probably like to meet Paul from my Raincoats & Sunglasses series. He’s a good guy. He’s new to faith, filled with wonder about discovering God, and aware of those around him. Plus, he’s a really talented hairdresser who knows the perfect cut for his clients – who wouldn’t want to make an appointment with Paul?
~What are you looking forward to in the coming months?
In the next few months, I’ll be releasing my sixth novel, Shades of Autumn. This is the first book in a new series set at a Christian outdoor centre in the Scottish Highlands – so you can expect lots of outdoor activities, a good mix of characters and stunning Highland scenery complete with unpredictable Scottish weather.
~Which of your characters would you most like to meet and get to know and what book are they from?
~What are you looking forward to in the coming months?
Writing style is something that a reader notices more than the author, I believe. It’s what draws a reader to a particular writer. They feel comfortable and/or enjoy reading what the author has written because it engages them in the story. My personal one-liner to describe my style of writing is, “Making the story real.”
Generally, I use descriptive writing in order to help my readers picture the story, instead of simply hearing a story. Scenes must be described to the reader enough that they can picture the characters in a room or other setting, and also feel that they are right there with the characters, listening in. The characters themselves must be described enough for the reader to imagine what they look like. I like to leave a few details out so the reader can supply that themselves, if it’s not an important detail. In this way, the reader has their own hand in the creation of the story.
When I think about all the characters I’ve created in my eleven fictional stories (going on twelve for this summer), I could no more pick only one character out of the group than a mother could pick one child over another. These are the people I’ve created for my stories. And I’ve already met them over and over. They have become a part of my life. I’ve already gotten to know them personally and have met and argued with each of them more often than I could count. They are as close to me as any member of my family. Shannon the school teacher, Rick, Angi, and Ken, Marines all from A Very Present Help. Kathryn the office manager and Jacob the new doctor from Paths of Righteousness. Lynne the Navy nurse and Nick the junior pastor from There Abideth Hope. Patricia the office clerk and Sean (can’t tell you who he is – no spoilers) from His Perfect Love. Alanna and Christopher from Icicles to Moonbeams. Haley and Rob from Treasure in a Field. Kyleigh and Jer from Ko’olau’s Secret. Faith and Josiah from Tall Pines Sanctuary. Jillian and Lylan from Amethyst Lights. Máire and Ethan of Trust Never After. And all their family members and friends. Not to leave out all the characters in my short story collection, Sharon’s Shorts.
Yes, we writers really do get close to our creations.
And now I’m working on my twelfth story, Wyoming Called. I’m getting to know Crystal and Brett very well. All their fears and desires. Even how they like to drink their coffee. I have to get to know them very personally so that I can have my readers know them too.
Wyoming Called is almost finished in its first draft. Crystal and Brett are fascinating characters, if I do say so myself. They have their own hangups and good points. Right now, I’m working on making sure they don’t kill each other before the story is complete. (Just kidding)
I’m not sure how to answer that, actually. I guess I’m more of a pantser than a plotter. I allow the characters to come alive in my head as I prepare to write the story. Sometimes, they hang out with me for a long time until their story is written and they usually bug me when I really don’t need them to. They say being an author is a lonely job, but they should come and live in my head for a bit. It’s never quiet. Other than that, I like to have certain characteristics that I have started to plan for my characters in mind. It’s called an SEQ, which helps me to keep in mind certain character points.
~Which of your characters would you most like to meet and get to know and what book are they from?
That’s like asking who is my favorite child. SOOOOO hard. But I’d have to say, because she was my first character… I’d love to meet Jacqueline from the Royal Skater Chronicles. I love her and the characters in that series. Another one I’d love to meet is Mitch, from the Liberator series. He’s just so cool! I’d love to meet Grant and Cady from Yellowstone. Just because I’d love to call him Ranger McSwoony or something like that and see how he reacts. Another couple would be Shane and Dakota… because of the dog.
Shane and Dakota’s story can be found in To Protect and Serve series. And I’d love to hang out with Amira and Fatima from the Arabian Nights series. That’s pretty much most of my characters. See… I can’t pick.
~What are you looking forward to in the coming months?
I look forward to taking a much-needed break next week. I also am gearing up for another release, Dare to Dream. It’s book 2 in Arabian Nights and I can’t wait to send it out there into the world. It’s gonna be great. It should be out in March or April.
I like to write Monday through Friday so the story will be fresh in my mind. I wouldn’t really say I’m a plotter or a pantser, but somewhere in the middle. I get an idea about a book and jot down where I want the plot to go, but often this changes drastically as the story unfolds. I’ve written cozy mysteries, contemporary and historical romances, all under the Christian umbrella. I’ve enjoyed writing all of these genres, but the historical romance was the hardest for me. I love learning about ways to improve my writing and hopefully, it gets better with each book.
~Which of your characters would you most like to meet and get to know and what book are they from?
I think it’s a toss up between Katy Cross from my cozy mystery series and Orville Robinson, the father in the Red Creek Redemption series. Katy Cross is always stumbling into trouble and I think she would be a hoot to talk to. Orville Robinson is such a down to earth, Christian family man. He is also a song writer and plays a lot of musical instruments. He sort of reminds me of my dad.
~What are you looking forward to in the coming months?
Releasing the next book in the Red Creek Redemption series which I’m over halfway done writing. I am ready to share Oscar Robinson and Fifer McKenzie with my readers and see what they think. I’m working on my own online bookstore. I’m excited and a little nervous about this big step. Once I have the store up and going I plan on learning how to narrate my books. I think I will enjoy making my books into audiobooks . . . if I can figure it out and make it happen.
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