Meet author Anne Greene
Anne Greene delights in writing about alpha heroes who aren’t afraid to fall on their knees in prayer, and about gutsy heroines. Anne hopes her books transport the reader to awesome new worlds and touch hearts to seek a deeper spiritual relationship with the Lord Jesus. Read More about Anne at www.AnneGreeneAuthor.com.
Tell us about your newest book, Trail of Tears, The Story of John Ross
One man fights overwhelming odds to survive and protect. Caught between the love of two beautiful women, which one will he choose? What if you are a twenty-year-old, about to attend college, and your whole world collapses? Your mother and sister are missing, and soldiers murder your father, burn your mansion, and take you prisoner.
Trail of Tears relives one of the most heartrending chapters in American history as the US Government transports the self-governing, wealthy Cherokee nation from their ancestral homeland to relocate in hostile Indian Territory. The Georgia militia force John Ross, with only a trickle of Indian blood flowing in his veins, to walk the thousand-mile Trail of Tears. After John protects a full-blood Indian girl from the lustful wagon master, the cruel soldier targets John for retribution—until John’s shoved too far.
What inspired you to write Trail of Tears, The Story of John Ross.
Many people living in the South have been interested in the historic Trail of Tears, but I was born and raised in the North. I had never heard what happened to the very civilized Cherokee people, including those with even 1/16 Cherokee blood. When I heard the story, I decided the history needed to be told.
How would you describe this book to someone in a 30-second blurb?
This adventure tells the adventure of one man who grows in faith and insight as he faces the worst disaster of his life.
What genre do you focus on?
I write mostly Historical Fiction with Large Elements of Romance because schools no longer teach history. If our young people don’t know history, they miss learning about their heritage, whether good or bad.
Why do you write?
First, I write to entertain and uplift. I want to introduce people to new worlds where they can forget their everyday lives for a day or two. Also, I like to give my readers experiences they may have never thought about or heard of. It’s my way of sharing.
Who is your main character, and how did you choose that name?
The historic John Ross was such a great man. But the John Ross in my book is the grand-nephew of the real John Ross. Using that name is a means to honor the real man who also appears in the sequel – For Such A Time, The Story of Jarrett Ross which will be released in 2024.
What is your work schedule like when you’re writing a book?
I exercise in the mornings and work usually from 1:00 to maybe 7:00 or 8:00 p.m. with breaks when something must be done such as spending time with family and friends, errands, etc. It’s wonderful to be able to set my own time schedule.
What is the hardest part of being an author?
Every author must participate in publicizing her book. This takes time and often is a learning experience. I find it difficult to publicize myself. I don’t enjoy putting myself in the spotlight.
What’s the best part of your author’s life?
I love writing the book. I’m a seat of the pants writer which means I don’t plot out the story ahead of time. When I sit at my computer, once I know my characters and what my final objective is, I turn my characters loose. The experience in watching what they do is like watching a movie. So much fun.
How have you changed or grown as a writer?
Oh, absolutely I’ve grown as a writer. Grown in the respect that for each book I’ve completed, my writing has grown better and better. I also think the research I’ve done, and I do research even for my romantic comedies and novellas, has given me greater insight into people.
What is your favorite pastime?
I love to read, of course, but even more I love to travel. Many of my thirty-five books have resulted from an inspiration I received while traveling.
Do you have other books? We’d love to know.
Yes, I have 35 other books and am working on another Christmas novella, The Codebreaker’s Christmas Surprise, to be released in 2024. Please go to
https://www.amazon.com/Anne-Greene/e/B004ECUWMG to see my books.
https://www.bookbub.com/profile/anne-greene
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/1873472.Anne_Greene
Happy Valentine’s Day!
All of my novels have a sweet and clean romance in them. I thought you’d like to get to know my main character in A Summer at Thousand Island House, so here’s an interview with her. Hope you enjoy it
Happy Valentine’s Day, Addison Bell—I mean, Addi. Why don’t you tell us a little about yourself.
I taught at the Watertown Center one-room schoolhouse for five years, and I’m ready for a change. I love the little ones, but the older children are too much of a challenge. Each Valentine’s Day, I took time for my students to make Valentines for their parents and siblings. They loved it!
But after my papa passed and forced me to board with grouchy old Mrs. Baumgardner, I need an escape. Hearing about the position at Thousand Island House is just the ticket out.
Tell me something about you that readers may find surprising?
I love the Thousand Islands, just seventeen miles from my hometown. The 1,864 islands are shared almost equally between New York state and Ontario, Canada. It’s where Lake Ontario narrows and becomes the St. Lawrence River. Here the Great Lakes and the St. Lawrence River intersect to become the world’s largest inland navigation system. Huge freighters pass by tiny islands along the main channel and share the waterway with all kinds of boats including kayaks and canoes.
Tell us more about the Thousand Island House where you work.
Thousand Island House is one of the grand Thousand Islands hotels accommodating up to 600 patrons who flock to the Thousand Islands from East Coast cities and beyond during the summer. The hotel has one of the finest views of the St. Lawrence River, the most refreshing breezes around, and the most modern amenities too. The hotel’s recreation pavilion on tiny Staples Island is a great place to work.
Who is this Liam Donovan I keep hearing about?
He’s the Staple’s Island recreation pavilion manager, and he’s a great boss. He’s a little overconcerned with the natural noise children make, and he has some kind of hurt in his life that I’d like to get to the bottom of, but he’s helpful, kind, and a charming Irish gentleman.
And the Lighthouse Inspector, USN Lt. Maxwell Worthington? What about him?
Yes, he’s a lighthouse inspector from Buffalo, and I think he’s tired of leaving his little boy, Jimmy, with a nanny while he travels the St. Lawrence River and Lake Ontario inspecting lighthouses. So, I get to take care of Jimmy this summer. He’s a delightful little boy.
If you could leave readers with one message, what would it be?
Trust in God and His plans for you. Hope for a better future. Hope for love. Hope for healing. I want to give readers hope that God can heal a broken heart and help you forgive those who hurt you. He did that for me.
Here are a few fun, quick questions:
What is your favorite hobby? Reading, of course.
Are you a glass-half-full or glass-half-empty kind of person?
That’s easy. I always look on the bright side of things, except when I get in trouble.
What is your biggest pet peeve?
People misunderstand me. Though I try, folks often challenge and judge me wrongly.
What is your greatest achievement?
Teaching children. I love their zest for life.
Please describe yourself with three words. Joyful, friendly, and creative.
What’s your most precious possession? My deceased mother’s silver locket.
What is your biggest secret?
I dream about Liam. Shhh….don’t tell him, please.
What is your heart’s deepest desire?
That’s easy. To love and be loved. After losing both of my parents and being an only child, aloneness is a terrible place to be.
What have you learned about yourself in the course of your story?
I’ve learned to trust in God and His plans for me. God can heal a broken heart and has helped me forgive those who hurt me.
About A Summer at Thousand Island House
By Susan G Mathis
She came to work with the children, not fall in love.
Part-nanny, part entertainer, Addison Bell has always had an enduring love for children. So what better way to spend her creative energy than to spend the summer nannying at the renowned Thousand Island House on Staple’s Island? As Addi thrives in her work, she attracts the attention of the recreation pavilion’s manager, Liam Donovan, as well as the handsome Navy Officer Lt. Worthington, a lighthouse inspector, hotel patron, and single father of mischievous little Jimmy.
But when Jimmy goes missing, Addi finds both her job and her reputation in danger. How can she calm the churning waters of Liam, Lt. Worthington, and the President, clear her name, and avoid becoming the scorn of the Thousand Islands community?
ABOUT SUSAN:
Susan G Mathis is an international award-winning, multi-published author of stories set in the beautiful Thousand Islands, her childhood stomping ground in upstate NY. Susan has been published more than twenty-five times in full-length novels, novellas, and non-fiction books. She has ten in her fiction line including, The Fabric of Hope, Christmas Charity, Katelyn’s Choice, Devyn’s Dilemma, Peyton’s Promise, Sara’s Surprise, Reagan’s Reward, Colleen’s Confession, Rachel’s Reunion, Mary’s Moment and A Summer at Thousand Island House. Her book awards include two Illumination Book Awards, three American Fiction Awards, two Indie Excellence Book Awards, and four Literary Titan Book Awards. Reagan’s Reward is a Selah Awards finalist. Susan is also a published author of two premarital books, two children’s picture books, stories in a dozen compilations, and hundreds of published articles. Susan makes her home in Colorado Springs and enjoys traveling around the world but returns each summer to enjoy the Thousand Islands. Visit www.SusanGMathis.com/fiction for more.
Buy links: Amazon | Barnes&Nobles | Wild Heart Books
Book trailer: A Summer at Thousand Island House book trailer
Social media links: Website |Author Central | Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest | Blog | Goodreads l Instagram| Book Bub|
Meet author Lori Closter
Lori Closter is a wife, mom, and grammy fulfilling her dream of giving people hope and faith through stories. A lifelong Northeasterner with degrees from Cornell and Temple, she was writer/assistant producer on educational films for National Geographic. She has published several stories, and her coming-to-faith novel Topping the Willow and feature screenplay version have been multiply recognized in contests. Lori and her retired pastor husband now live in coastal NC.
Tell us about your newest book.
Topping the Willow is a contemporary, mature Young Adult novel for ages 15-99. A rebellious New York teen accidentally puts her ambitious attorney mother into a coma, and winds up spending the summer on a Vermont horse farm owned by Christians—where she learns about God, forgiveness, and faith.
What inspired you to write Topping the Willow?
As a lifelong reader, I’ve always known I would write a book—but not about what. When a family member told how she’d been the last to see a vacationing family before a tragic accident, I knew it was the set-up for a novel even as she spoke. When I later learned two of my cousins knew this family, 1500 miles away, it became personal. Then I had to figure out the story …
How would you describe this book to someone in a 30-second blurb?
Brittany Warner, 15, “hates” her mother—but never meant to put her into a coma. The guilt-ridden teen winds up stuck for an entire summer on a Vermont horse farm run by Christians. When family secrets threaten her very identity, her risky decisions create a dangerous spiral that endangers herself and Will, a hot young believer. But a greater love is at work, giving her hope…
What genre do you focus on?
I’m straddling three—but all deal with family and personal relationships and are meant to bring hope. 1) My stories are secular women’s fiction, from a Christian worldview. 2) My faith-based YA novel Topping the Willow and 3) my feature screenplay version are gritty and realistic, but with clean language—and hopefully non-preachy. As Frederick Buechner said, “I always hope to reach people who don’t want to touch religion with a ten-foot pole.” And writing a screenplay is a different skill, which is why this project has taken me years to develop.
Why do you write?
I came from an outwardly normal family with deep dysfunction. It’s taken my whole life to see it clearly. So I began writing to process pain and achieve forgiveness and freedom. As I matured, I came to understand God’s hand and grace at work in our lives, and wanted to depict that realistically.
What is the hardest part of being an author?
The usual modern hurdles—a website, social media, publicity, reviews … but also, persevering despite what has seemed very strong, long-term spiritual opposition. Months ago, I again felt so stuck that it was as if I were slogging through concrete. Then one morning God allowed a real concrete truck to block my driveway completely, proving I wasn’t imagining it! I had to laugh.
What’s the best part of your author’s life?
Being creative, as God designed us to be, brings great satisfaction. But the very best feeling is of impacting His Kingdom. The full harvest isn’t in, but not long ago I clearly discerned the words in prayer, “It is beginning, the fruitfulness.” So inspiring. When I hear my novel positively affected someone, it’s a huge blessing.
What’s one unusual fact about you?
As a young child, I was terrified of death for the same reasons as Brittany in the opening scene of the novel: my parents said that someday I would die, and the world would go on forever without me. Talk about trauma. Little kids need better than that. Also, the horse subplot is based on real life. I owned that horse for two awful years; careful what you wish for. But it became a huge God story, and an abridged version—spoiler alert—is on my website in the About section.
How have you changed or grown as a writer?
I’ve been honing my craft for a long time. But more importantly, I’ve gained deeper and deeper insights into God’s lovingkindness and purposes for suffering. I hope it shows in my writing. He wants us to know him personally!
What is your favorite pastime?
Spending time with my husband, family, and friends. My six little grands are spread over the East coast; we’re an I-95 family, but at least we don’t have to fly. And reading, of course.
What are you working on now?
I’ve drafted True North, a sequel to Topping the Willow, which may become a Narrowgate Farm Trilogy. I don’t know of many—or any?—contemporary series that seriously trace the spiritual growth of a contemporary teenage girl in a realistic way, and hope I do it justice. And if anyone would like quarterly email updates, please shoot me an email with YES in the subject line; I’m currently between servers.
Other info:
Website: www.loricloster.com
Amazon link to book: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BJNG6RPQ
Library of Congress Control Number, to request a library buy the book: 2022360943
Social media links:
Facebook: Lori Closter
Instagram @lori_closter
linkedin.com/in/lori-c-007b6255/
Meet author J’nell Ciesielski
With a passion for heart-stopping adventure and sweeping love stories, J’nell Ciesielski weaves fresh takes into romances of times gone by. Bestselling author of The Socialite, she is a Florida native who now lives in Virginia with her husband, daughter, and lazy beagle. Learn more at www.jnellciesielski.com.
Tell us about your newest book.
To Free the Stars. Ten years have passed since Jack and Ivy, elite operatives for the secret agency Talon, rescued their friend Philip and completed their fateful mission. The 1920s are in full swing as American speakeasies thrive amid Prohibition, and despite the team’s best efforts, the deadly cult, the Order of the Rising Moon, lives on in the shadows. Which is no surprise to Ivy; nothing has gone as she expected since that day after Poenari Castle.
When a wave of assassinations strikes world leaders, intel confirms the Order’s involvement. Ivy holds them responsible for the tragedy that changed her life, and she is determined to find and destroy the villains once and for all—but she must do so before their relentless assassin eliminates his next target. Her. Except, there’s something oddly familiar about the way he moves, the way he anticipates each of her moves. It’s as if he knows her. But that’s not possible. Is it? Ivy will have to rely on every skill she’s learned if she hopes to survive—and save those she loves. No matter the cost.
What inspired you to write To Free the Stars?
TO FREE THE STARS is the second book in the Jack and Ivy novels and was the part of their story that I was most excited to tell. It’s a Jason Bourne meets Captain America’s the Winter Soldier mashup with tons of action and adventure set from bustling DC to the quiet farmland of Virginia, to a Paris cemetery, to the folklore mountains of Romania. There are assassins, and the fight between good and evil, but the heart of this story is about a marriage. More specifically, a marriage on the rocks and trying to gain its footing again through love, hope, shame, tears, and even a few thrown dishes.
How would you describe this book to someone in a 30-second blurb?
A thrilling adventure filled with glamorous espionage and a boundless romance inspired by The Winter Soldier.
What genre do you focus on?
I usually stick to historical with heavy romance threads, but for this story I decided to throw action/suspense into the mix because it’s all about spies and their globe trotting adventures.
Why do you write?
I write because I can’t NOT write. All these stories well up inside me and won’t leave me alone until they’re told. It’s freeing to tell these bits of myself. At the end of the day, I just want to tell good stories, and if readers enjoy them and maybe learn a bit of history along the way, even better.
Who is your main character, and how did you choose that name?
Because this story is inspired by The Winter Soldier character from the Captain America movies I wanted to give a nod to that winter connection. Ivy, the heroine, is often associated with Christmas time, particularly in the song The Holly and the Ivy. Jack, the hero, is named after Jack Frost.
What is your work schedule like when you’re writing a book?
I’m up early to get my daughter off to school by 9 am, then I do errands and chores, and then finally sit down to write for a few hours until it’s time for my daughter and husband to come home. I never work on the weekends because that is family time. The only exception is if edits are due.
What is the hardest part of being an author?
I am very much an introvert so I love being tucked away in my office, just me and my imagination. Unfortunately, authors can’t squirrel themselves away forever because so much of the marketing and publicity has been placed on our shoulders. It can be very difficult to put myself out there, but hopefully readers won’t think I’m too weird.
What’s the best part of your author’s life?
I get to spend my days doing the thing I love most, write. Not many are able to commit to full-time writing and I am so grateful each day that I can tell these stories and enter these worlds that fill my head.
What’s one unusual fact about you?
I’m an Air Force veteran. Not many people know that, but I come from a long line of military service. It wasn’t something I ever planned on, but after graduating college I still didn’t know what I wanted to do with my life so I signed it over in service of our great country for four years.
How have you changed or grown as a writer?
Every book I change. My process evolves as I grow more confident in my skills, and as my life changes those are the subjects I want to start including for my characters to experience.
What is your favorite pastime?
Eating and traveling! I have a habit of dragging my family around to historical sites.
Do you have other books? We’d love to know.
Among the Poppies
The Songbird and the Spy
The Socialite
Beauty Among Ruins
The Ice Swan
The Castle Keepers (part of a collaborative novel)
The Brilliance of Stars
What are you working on now?
I haven’t quite announced it yet, but it’s glamorous, frothy, and set during the jazzy 1920s! Stay tuned for details in the new year.
Website: J’nell Ciesielski | Historical Romance Author (jnellciesielski.com)
Link to book: Books | J’nell Ciesielski (jnellciesielski.com)
Social media links: https://www.facebook.com/jnellciesielski
https://www.instagram.com/jnellciesielski/
https://www.goodreads.com/jnellciesielski
Meet author Felicia Ferguson
Felicia achieved master’s degrees in Healthcare Administration and Speech-Language Pathology, but has written since childhood and dreamed of authoring books that teach and inspire others. An award-winning fiction and non-fiction freelance writer, she’s the past president of the Destin chapter of Word Weavers International and member of the American Christian Fiction Writers Association. When she’s not glued to her laptop, Felicia enjoys hiking, meandering with her twelve-year-old Frenchie, and looking forward to the next story.
Tell us about your newest book.
The Choices She Made is a time slip women’s contemporary fiction book set in a fictional ranching town in east Texas. Madeline, the main character, was sexually assaulted at seventeen by an acquaintance, who was the son of a wealthy rancher and she becomes pregnant. The first timeline is of Madeline at seventeen working through the assault and the options of whether to terminate the pregnancy, put the child up for adoption, or keep her. To complicate matters, she is dating a boy who wants to marry her, but he is waffling between going into the military or staying in their ranching town.
The second timeline is of Madeline as a 30-year-old. She kept the child, but moved away so Georgia, her daughter, wouldn’t grow up with small town gossip about her conception. Madeline has never told Georgia who her father is. She’s always said God is her father. This timeline starts with Madeline finding out 1) Georgia has been given a family tree assignment by her history teacher and 2) Georgia’s biological father is on trial for assaulting other women. It follows Madeline’s working through how to tell Georgia about her father in light of the assault and trial and whether or not she will testify about her experience.
What inspired you to write The Choices She Made?
I actually woke up one morning with the vivid image of walking into the auction house where Madeline was assaulted. From there the story just came to life. The setting was inspired by my own childhood growing up on a horse and cattle farm in Kentucky as well as my early years in Texas. Madeline just somehow joined the story.
How would you describe this book to someone in a 30-second blurb?
Madeline’s story follows a woman leaning into (and growing) her faith after a devastating, life-changing experience and learning to trust God’s word when he says he will make all things work together for good for those who love him and are called according to his purpose (Romans 8:28).
What genre do you focus on?
I write in the women’s fiction genre. But I think it more chose me than me it. I love strong female characters and my reading preferences tend more to that love than any particular genre. From Star Trek and Star Wars to all of Jane Austen’s works, I’m interested in characters. Why they do what they do. Who they are below the surface. How they grow and change over the course of the novel or a series of novels. Women’s fiction really allows for delving into those questions.
Why do you write?
Writing is really who I am. It’s an extension of myself. The ability to see scenes in my head, hear characters in my ears, and then translate their stories to text is probably my favorite thing about writing. Although I really do enjoy rewriting and tweaking to find just the right words once the story is actually down on paper. Deepening the characters, the scenes, the situations so that they truly come to life for the reader.
Who is your main character, and how did you choose that name?
Madeline Williams. My main characters always name themselves as their story begins to form in my head. It’s like they introduce themselves and then say it’s time for their story to be written.
What is your work schedule like when you’re writing a book?
I’m a morning writer. So I’ll grab my mug of tea, a protein ball, and do my devotions, then hit the keyboard by seven AM at the latest. I’ll usually write until around 10AM when the furchild needs a walk, then come back and write until lunch. If I’m pushing to get through the muddle of the middle, I’ll start back up after lunch and write until my brain is numb.
What is the hardest part of being an author?
Writing the middle of a novel. They don’t call it the “muddle” for nothing! I have to force myself to get a certain word count or number of chapters done a day when I get into the 45,000 word count mark.
What’s the best part of your author’s life?
I love being able to tell stories of regular people who wrestle with God, his plan, their wounds, and the people around them. It’s life. And while it’s beautiful, God never promised it would be easy. Being able to show readers how they can work through their own doubts, hurts, and traumas toward healing is extremely fulfilling. It feels like kingdom impact, which is my biggest goal for writing.
What’s one thing your readers should know about you?
I’ve never been a fan of stories where the characters bring out all of their issues only to repack them at the end and go on with their lives. Or worse, they all-of-a-sudden change into a better or more whole person, but the reader doesn’t get to walk with them through the growth process to see how they did it. So in my stories, I show readers that “how” and let them experience and empathize with the hard work so they can celebrate and appreciate the character’s moving into or at least toward a life of freedom (which should be the normal, abundant Christian life). And then perhaps be inspired to do their own hard work toward healing.
How have you changed or grown as a writer?
Oh, goodness. I’ve grown so much thanks to reading craft books, attending conferences, participating in critique groups and working with writing mentors. I feel like my characters are deeper, their emotions are more vivid and experiential, and I’ve learned how to weave more story threads into a plot and still provide a satisfying ending.
What is your favorite pastime?
Outside of writing, it would be exploring. I moved to Colorado in June 2023, and I love pulling up Google Maps, finding some point, putting Lillie in the car, and driving around.
Do you have other books? We’d love to know.
Yes, I have two hybrid published books set on Florida’s 30A and in Fairhope, AL. The Paths We Walk: Trails and The Paths We Walk: Bridges. Tunnels, the third and final book in that series, has been sitting on my hard drive for years while I pursued the stand-alone books. But I have promised one of my readers from church that writing it is next on the list. I also have another book releasing in October with End Game Press. The current title (which I hope I’ll keep) is When Secrets Come Calling. It is set in Montgomery and Gulf Shores, AL. Another one is finished and ready to be published, but I’m researching publishing options for it right now. It’s set at Eglin Air Force Base in Florida during the Bosnian War. Its focus is on repeating family choices and behaviors and the strength and courage it takes to follow another path.
Lastly, in December, I finished a novel set in the Florida panhandle after Hurricane Michael and in Golden, CO. It’s overarching theme is, “How do you recover from betrayal? And what happens if you don’t?”
What are you working on now?
Edits of the completed novels, the last book in The Paths We Walk series, and coordinating the 2024 Write in the Springs conference.
Website: www.feliciafergusonauthor.com
Link to book: https://feliciafergusonauthor.com/books/
Social media links:
https://www.facebook.com/feliciafergusonauthor
https://www.instagram.com/felicia_writes/
Meet author Cindy Huff
Cindy has been writing since high school in a variety of genres. Novel writing came late in life and she’s enjoyed getting all those voices in her head down on paper. She and her hubby of 50 years recently moved to Purcell, Oklahoma. She has five married children and 11 grandchildren.
Tell us about your newest book.
I started a contemporary romance series: Dog Groom Love Stories. Book#1 Loving the Dog Groomer came out last month. I’m nearing the end of the first draft of book #2 Finding the Dog Groomer’s Soulmate. And I’ve ideas for at least one more. This is only my second self-published book. Being a high breed author is a challenge. Learning to do the things a traditional publisher does for you was a learning curve.
What inspired you to write Loving the Dog Groomer?
I wrote Loving the Dog Groomer to honor my kids who did that job every day. My daughter had a bad breakup and Bria is loosely based on her. The single-dad Marc is very relatable. I want to remind readers that God makes all things beautiful in His time. (That is the theme of all my stories.) With the Lord’s help, we can rebuild our lives and find His happily ever-after for us. Because this is the first book in the series you meet a few characters who show u in the next books. I’ve never intentional written a series before. I have some sequels to historical romance t wrote. Those I wrote because various characters grabbed my attention. While the Dog Groomers Love Stories is more intentional in setting the stage for a sequel.
How would you describe this book to someone in a 30-second blurb?
Former model Bria Willis loves working with her quirky brother in their dog grooming shop. She prefers dogs over people. They don’t manipulated you and rob your self-esteem. Single Dad Marc Graham is struggling to parent his traumatize son and dealing with Tyler’s service dog is way out of his comfort zone. Can these two broken people find a future together?
What genre do you focus on?
I write Historical and Contemporary Romance. I like to write romances with a bit of an edge to them because that is how life is. Nothing is perfect and even getting to the “ I do” can be a challenge. I love historical settings because I can create strong women that defy the restraints of their day. I write contemporary romances because a problem set in the present resonates more with readers.
Why do you write?
I started writing because I created a story in junior high that impressed my eighth-grade teacher. I continued writing in various genres as I raised my children. After a ten-year break from writing when my life raising five kids got too busy, I found at the end of it I was hungry to write. I needed to create. And when God answered my fleece by providing funds for me to take a writing course that gave me the tools I was missing, I knew He was giving me direction.
Who is your main character, and how did you choose that name?
Bria Willis is the female character. I saw or heard the name somewhere and thought it fit a woman who was once a model. Marc Graham is my hero. His name is spell different because it is short of Marcellus. His mother found the name in a historical romance novel.
What is your work schedule like when you’re writing a book?
I try to write Monday through Friday. Sometimes my writing takes on other forms than my WIP novel. I can usually write until I reach about two-thousand words, then my brain shuts down. If I’ve been writing blog posts etc. then my creative juices for my novel end up being closer to five hundred a day. Sometimes I’ll write on Saturday but having the weekends free gives me time to do boring things like housework. I have never been one to write for hours without stopping. I once wrote a chapter late into the night and then I clicked don’t save instead of save and had to recreate it. That was so not fun. I know my limitations and that keeps me from being frustrated that I can’t write a novel in thirty days. I edit what I wrote the day before, then continue on to the next portion. Sometimes I’ll reread from the beginning of the story if I feel I may have holes or can’t recall portions.
What is the hardest part of being an author?
Marketing. I hate putting myself out there. I would rather write and let someone else do the marketing. But even though I’ve delegated some things to my VA I still have to interact on social media and create memes and videos. Keeping my name out there is much harder than writing.
What’s the best part of your author’s life?
Having people tell me how much they enjoyed my books. If I’ve made a difference in someone’s life, even if it’s only taking them away from the day-to-day stresses for a while, I feel blessed.
What’s one unusual fact about you?
I grew up as a military brat. Which means you are making new friends every few years and leaving the old ones behind. That means I don’t have those friends I’ve known since kindergarten. That’s why I enjoy books about small towns where characters have known each other forever. Because I’ve had to make friends often, I am not afraid of interacting with strangers and meeting new people feeds my soul. That said, I love meeting fellow writers and readers of my genre.
How have you changed or grown as a writer?
I have had to work hard at craft and waited ten years for my first novel to get published. I’ve become wiser in the ways of the publishing world and am not afraid of rejections. I know so much more than I did about craft and the industry and am confident after all these years that I can help other newbies reach their goals.
What is your favorite pastime?
I’m addicted to reading. I love going to museums and farmer’s markets and live theater is great fun for me.
Do you have other books? We’d love to know.
Yes. Here is the link to all my books on Amazon. https://bit.ly/48ljLJY
I have four historical romances and two contemporary at present. I have three others completed and two in process as I write this.
What are you working on now?
The sequel to Loving The Dog Groomer that is currently titled Finding the Dog Groomer’s Soulmate. I also have a Historical Romance title Protecting His Heart in the editing stage.
Website:
hhtps://www.cindyervnhuff.com
Link to book: https://bit.ly/3twXnNw
Social media links:
https://www.facebook.com/author.huff11
https://www.instagram.com/cindyervinhuff/
https://twitter.com/Cindyhuff11Huff
https://www.tiktok.com/@cindyehuff?lang=en