Meet the Author: Sherry Kyle
Here’s Sherry’s bio: Sherry Kyle is the author of Delivered with Love, The Heart Stone, Watercolor Dreams, and Road to Harmony. Sherry also writes books for tweens and is a Gold Mom’s Choice Award winner. When she isn’t writing, she enjoys taking walks, decorating her beach home, and having coffee with friends. She lives on the California coast with her husband and their four children. Find out more at www.sherrykyle.com
Tell us about your newest book.
Road to Harmony is a historical romance set in a small dairy farming community in Harmony Valley, California in 1907.
A cattle thief is loose in the valley, and Elena Seifert wants to help her father guard his dairy farm, but everyone thinks that’s a man’s job. When her childhood sweetheart returns to Harmony, her heart is torn between Jonas Bollinger, her secret love, and Lars Rissler, the wealthy middle-aged storeowner her parents hope she marries.
Jonas Bollinger never imagined he’d be back in Harmony Valley, but his pa isn’t well. When Jonas makes a promise he wishes he didn’t have to keep, he is torn between loyalty to his family and the woman he has loved since he was a boy. Will Elena and Jonas find the inner peace to choose love and still do what is best for their families?
What genre do you focus on and why?
I enjoy writing stories, both historical romance and contemporary women’s fiction, that connect people together, whether it be families, long-lost loves, or childhood sweethearts. There’s something about that re-connection that speaks to me. I also write books for kids, specifically for the tween market, because I still connect with that inner child within.
Why do you write? What drives you?
I have a big imagination and love to be creative! More than that, however, I want to share how much God loves us and what better way than through story. It’s how Jesus connected with people, and it’s the best way to bring others to him.
Who is your main character, and how did you choose that name?
My main character is Elena Seifert, and I chose that Swiss name because Swiss immigrants settled in the town of Harmony in the late 19th century. Plus, I like how it sounds. I think it has a nice ring to it.
What does a day in your writing world look like?
Right now my youngest is a senior in high school, so my schedule is determined by where I need to drive her—to school, events, etc. I try to write 1000 words a day, but it depends on the project I’m working on. Right now I’m writing a lot of articles, guest blog posts, and blog interviews to spread the word about Road to Harmony.
What is the hardest part of being an author? Why?
My most difficult writing obstacle right now is finding my own space to write! At our former home, I had a writing shed, a little room all to my own, that I could sneak off to and focus on my writing. Our new home provided the bedrooms for my kids, but has an open floor plan, which makes it hard for me to concentrate. So when I’m on deadline, I end up at a coffeehouse. Currently, I’m researching how to add a sunroom addition to our home. Wouldn’t that make a cool office?
What’s the best part of your author’s life? Why?
The best part of an author’s life is connecting with readers and making new friends! Come find me on social media.
What is your favorite pastime?
I enjoy decorating our beach home. I love watching HGTV and really get inspired to let my creativity flow. For example, we have a wall between our dining and family room that is ten feet long and twelve feet high. Even after my husband painted it three times, I still wasn’t happy with it. I researched the Internet, and discovered a product to make new wood appear to have a weathered finish. That was it. I wanted a wood wall! We purchased tongue and groove pine boards and had them cut into 2’, 3’, and 4’ sections, and I stained each piece—twice! I also put on a coat of polyurethane to seal it. My husband and younger son helped me put it up one afternoon. And I love it! It’s just the thing we needed to add warmth and coziness to the room. Besides decorating, I enjoy taking a walk every afternoon so my Fitbit (and body) is happy!
Do you have other books? We’d love to know.
Yes, I have three other novels in print, another historical romance, and two contemporary women’s fiction. I also write books for tween girls. The Girl’s Guide to Life and Love, Lexi: Letters to God, are my newest titles.
What are you working on now?
Last month I completed a tween devotional, and right now I’m doing a lot of reading to get inspiration for my next novel.
Website: www.sherrykyle.com
Link to book: http://amzn.to/2nPIKRs
Social media links: Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Audible
Meet the Author: Jayme H. Mansfield
Jayme’s Bio: Jayme H. Mansfield is an author, artist, and educator—and feels a bit incomplete when she’s not juggling all three balls. An award-winning author, her debut book Chasing the Butterfly, is an Amazon bestseller. RUSH (Nov. 1, 2017 release) provides a tension-filled, moving tale of a pioneer woman’s determination to survive. She and her husband live near the base of the beautiful Colorado Rocky Mountains, having survived raising three hungry, hockey-playing sons. Currently, a very needy Golden Retriever runs the roost. When Jayme isn’t writing, she teaches art to children and adults at her long-time art studio, Piggy Toes.
Tell us about your newest book.
Chasing the Butterfly was initially inspired by my love for painting and traveling in France, coupled with the intricacies, fallibilities, and need for loving human relationships. The novel has received several awards in the areas of women’s fiction, romance, inspirational, and book club favorite—causing my publisher to scratch his head as to its specific genre.
From a vineyard in the south of France to the sophisticated city of Paris, Ella Moreau searches for the hope and love she lost as a young girl when her mother abandoned the family. Ella’s journey is portrayed through a heartbroken child, a young woman’s struggles during the tumultuous times surrounding World War II, and as a reflective adult. Through a series of secret paintings, her art becomes the substitute for lost love, the visual metaphor of her life. But when her paintings are discovered, the intentions of those she loves are revealed.
What genre do you focus on and why?
I’m drawn to historical fiction and contemporary women’s fiction. Recently, I wrote a contemporary story and it ended up in split-time. Both big and small events, notorious and obscure people, and poignant memories of the past never cease to amaze me how they are tied to the present.
Why do you write? What drives you?
Writing, much like painting, is a means for me to create—that mysterious need that’s instilled in every human in a unique way, and in some form or another, demands to be met. For me, writing taps into my innermost thoughts—celebrations, praises, fears, desires, and dreams—allowing access to a sacred and transparent place. Writing is a form of intimate prayer—a time and place to listen, speak, and create with God.
Who is your main character, and how did you choose that name?
Ella Moreau is the main character. Her American mother chose the name, wanting to name her daughter after Eleanor Roosevelt. Ella’s’ French father didn’t care for the U.S. Presidential couple, or much of anything American for that matter. In a backhanded attempt to maintain her heritage, Marie Moreau gave her only child a name in close proximity to Eleanor … Ella Moreau.
What does a day in your writing world look like?
Early coffee, time with the Lord, a clean desk, acoustic music, and my dog underfoot are the ingredients for a successful launch into dedicated writing time. Although I continue to search for the perfect daily word count (of which I’m not convinced exists), I default to composing in long blocks—sometimes in all-day and into the night stretches. The other time is spent marketing and promoting—a never-ending and necessary endeavor. Often I envy other writers who subscribe to a succinct and predictable schedule. Adventurous, distracted, curious, social … maybe an ounce of being rebellious … short of having a personal playground supervisor, my writing days will inevitably vary.
What is the hardest part of being an author? Why?
Balancing the time required for effective marketing, constantly learning about and improving the craft of writing, and good ol’, nose-to-the-computer time to produce writing is a challenge. There are so many avenues to market and an abundance of writing craft resources that my head often spins. I’ve found the best “cure” is to return to the initial passion … create images, description, and all that goes into making a meaningful story with those magical letters that link together to express.
However, it’s a slow release medicine and a great deal of patience and perseverance is needed because, plain and simple, writing a novel takes a long time. So while new scenes, and even stories evolve, the task at hand is composing the next word, sentence, paragraph…moving forward.
What’s the best part of your author’s life? Why?
The gratification of journeying with characters, putting them in a time and place, and bringing them to life through life’s trials and celebrations is one of the richest experiences in my life. Through fiction, the stories become part of my reality. Endless story seeds carry on the wind and wait to settle into fertile writing ground. As an author, there is always inspiration and a new story to tell. From a big picture perspective, I love the people I’ve met—readers, other authors, marketing folk, editors, and publishers—all enriching my life in so many ways.
What is the craziest thing you’ve experienced as an author?
When Chasing the Butterfly was initially written, my ambitions weren’t for publication. It was a story between God and me. Upon its completion, doors of opportunity flew open on an imaginable level and a conviction to follow a passion to write was confirmed.
What are you most proud of?
I’m blessed that God has given me lots of interests and opportunities. Most importantly, I’m proud that fear, procrastination, and doubt didn’t take hold, and instead, those gifts have been embraced and taken along on my life’s journey. The exciting part is watching and listening for other passions to be realized, and then following the intended direction in which I’m led to go.
What is your favorite pastime?
It’s hard to beat spending time with my family—especially if it involves a beach! But from a day-to-day perspective, playing tennis, walking my dog, reading, and painting bring me joy.
Do you have other books? We’d love to know.
My second novel, RUSH, releases November 1, 2017. Based on a true story of my great-great grandmother’s participation in the 1893 Oklahoma Land Run, it provides a historically fascinating and moving tale of a pioneer woman’s determination to survive while paying tribute to the brave people who shaped America.
What are you working on now?
I just completed a beautiful love story entitled, Seasoned–A Vintage Love Story With a Modern Day Flavor. It’s about an elderly couple and proves love knows no age. This story has a hold on my heart!
My newest endeavor is The Lesson, inspired by my many years in education and the life-long relationships of a special group of teaching colleagues. Besides that, I’m dabbling with a children’s book and prioritizing several other ideas for novels bubbling around in my heart and head.
Website: www.jaymehmansfield.com
Blog: http://www.jaymehmansfield.com/inspirations—blog.html
Social media links:
Author FB – https://www.facebook.com/JaymeHMansfieldAuthor/
Twitter – @jaymemansfield
Pinterest – https://www.pinterest.com/jaymemansfield/
Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/jaymemansfield/
Meet the Author: Ane Mulligan
Here’s Ane’s bio: While a large, floppy straw hat is her favorite, bestselling author Ane Mulligan has worn many different ones: hairdresser, legislativeaffairs director (that’s a fancy name for a lobbyist), drama director, playwright, humor columnist, and multi-published novelist. She firmly believes coffee and chocolate are two of the four major food groups. Ane resides in Sugar Hill, GA, with her artist husband.
Tell us about your newest book, When the Bough Breaks.
Rookie lobbyist Sienna O’Shea is determined to make a name for herself in New York’s capitol city and use that influence to gain easier access to her birth records. For years she’s searched for her birth mother, but when she’s handed her first assignment—to lobby support for the permanent sealing of all adoption records—her worlds collide. Swept up into the intrigue of backroom politics, falling in love was not on Sienna’s agenda, but the candidate for Lt. Governor runs a formidable campaign to make her his first lady. When an investigative reporter discovers foreign money infiltrating political campaigns, the trail leads to Sienna’s inner circle.
What genre do you focus on and why?
Women’s fiction, because I love it and read it the most. I have to say When the Bough Breaks has political intrigue in it because it’s a world I know well. I was a lobbyist for Christian Coalition of New York and part of a team that was brought to Washington on accession to lobby important issues. I learned there can be a lot of skullduggery on both sides of the aisle. Backroom politics isn’t just a word … or two words.
Why do you write? What drives you?
Whenever something touches me, I want to know all about it. A house … who lived there? What happened? Then characters begin to form in my mind and want their story told. Literary agent and author Karen Ball said it best: “God whispers to our hearts. Our hears whisper back in stories.” That’s exactly what happens to me.
Who is your main character, and how did you choose that name?
Sienna is a young woman of Italian descent. As a baby, she was adopted by an Irish couple. As often happens, once they adopted her, they went on to have 4 more natural births children – all redheads. I chose her name because it’s a color, always reminding us that she’s not the fair redhead her brothers and sisters are. Yet, she is the center of her family’s world and something she needs to learn.
What does a day in your writing world look like?
Never the same! I try to start my day writing, but often get pulled away by an errand, the new puppy, my husband, or the theatre. I am the managing director and board president for a Community theatre in my town. It’s my other passion and I often am called to the local high schools to collaborate.
What is the hardest part of being an author? Why?
I’m a true extrovert, meaning I recharge my batteries by being around people. Writing is a lonely profession and most days it’s me and my laptop alone in my chair, pounding away. I crave being with people. A phone call won’t do.
What’s the best part of your author’s life? Why?
Getting to entertain people with my stories. I believe people let down their guard when the think they’re being entertained. Then when it’s least expected, the words in my story and the truths just beneath the surface, can reach out, touch hearts, and change lives.
What is the craziest thing you’ve experienced as an author?
When characters hijack my story and take it in a direction I never saw coming. It’s such fun for them to take on life. I just hang on, following them and recording as fast as I can.
What are you most proud of?
Truthfully, I have to say my son. I’ve watched him get saved, then a few years later he strayed away. Praying for and loving my Prodigal has been as 25 year journey. But I believed God and trusted Him. I continued to pray that the Lord would send someone who would reach his heart. And he did. Oh how He did! Today, my son is a sold out, fully committed disciple of Jesus. He lives to bring glory to God. So if anyone out there has a prodigal, trust and believe. Love them and pray. Because God’s promises are trustworthy.
What is your favorite pastime?
Community theatre. My husband and I are both involved. He acts and I write and direct plays.
Do you have other books? We’d love to know.
I have my Chapel Springs series: Chapel Springs Revival, Chapel Springs Survival, Home to Chapel Springs, and coming in September 2017, the final book (maybe) Life in Chapel Springs. There’s also a cookbook with all the recipes from the characters in the books. I also have a novella in a collection comeing out in May, 2017: Coming Home ~ a Tiny House Collection, and my title within that is Love is Sweeter in Sugar Hill.
What are you working on now?
I’m excited about my latest series. It’s set in the Great Depression and each book has an ensemble cast of strong women helping one another. The first book is called In High Cotton. Southern women may look as delicate as flowers, but there’s iron in their veins. While the rest of the world has been roaring through the 1920s, times are hardscrabble in rural Georgia. Widow Maggie Parker is barely surviving while raising her young son alone. Then as banks begin to fail, her father-in-law threatens to take her son and sell off her livelihood—the grocery store her husband left her. Can five Southern women band together, using their wisdom and wiles to stop him and survive the Great Depression?
Thanks, Ane!
Here’s how you can connect with her:
Website: www.anemulligan.com
Link to book: http://amzn.to/2kt3l8W
Social media links: Amazon Author page, Novel Rocket, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, LinkedIn, and Google+.
What did you like about this interview, and what other questions would you like my author friends to answer?