Thanks so much for joining me as I welcome Kimberly Rose Johnson. We're chatting about her new release, An Encore for Estelle (Melodies of Love Book 2). 

Kimberly Rose Johnson married her college sweetheart and lives in the Pacific Northwest. From a young child Kimberly has been an avid reader. That love of reading fostered a creative mind and led to her passion for writing.

She especially loves romance and writes contemporary romance that warms the heart and feeds the soul.

Kimberly holds a degree in Behavioral Science from Northwest University in Kirkland, Washington. She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers.

​The theater ties them together but a painful past could pull them apart.
 
At a crossroads, former movie star Estelle Rogers, returns to the place that set her life on a new course. Although she expects a rough reception she is pleasantly surprised and quickly settles into her new position at the local children's theater. But her road back to acting isn't as smooth as she would like.
 
Tragedy brought Blake Price to Oak Knoll, Oregon, but it's love that keeps him there. His late wife and daughter loved acting, and he owes it to them to honor their memory with the children’s theater, but his new assistant is making changes he isn’t ready for both at the theater and in his heart. Can he forgive himself and move forward, or will he forever be tied to the biggest mistake of his life? 

Me: Welcome, Kimberly, and thank you for joining us!
Kimberly: Thanks, Melanie! I’m happy to be here.
 
Me: What inspired you to write your newest release?
Kimberly: An Encore for Estelle is the next book in my Melodies of Love series. I hadn’t intended to make this a series, but after the first book, A Love Song for Kayla released readers wanted to know when the next book in the series would release. I didn’t want to disappoint anyone, so I got busy writing Estelle’s story. We first meet Estelle in book one.

Me: What is one of the most challenging things you’ve faced as an author?
Kimberly: Time and eye fatigue have been my biggest challenges lately. That being said there are so many other challenges. I think my biggest challenges change depending on where I’m at in the process. For example when a book first releases my biggest challenge is getting the word out about the book.

Me: What do you usually use when you’re writing? A computer? Paper and pen?
Kimberly: I almost always write on my laptop. On occasion if inspiration strikes when I’m not at my computer, I will write it down or type a note to myself on my phone. When I am brainstorming I will often do that with pen and paper. I like to see things on actual paper, when I’m working things out in my head.

Me: Is there a special treat or drink that helps you during your writing process?
Kimberly: I love a good chai tea latte. The little bit of caffeine and sweetness gives me a boost. I used to be a coffee girl, but it bothers my stomach now.

Me: Are you an introvert or an extrovert?
Kimberly: I am an introvert. For me social media is that greatest invention because it’s not nearly as tiring as visiting with people in person. That being said, I love meeting friends for coffee/tea.

I can definitely relate! I'm so thankful to be able to reach readers through the internet because I get so nervous in person! lol

Me: What project are you working on now?
Kimberly: I am currently writing A Waltz for Amber. It is the next book in my Melodies of Love series. Each book focuses on one of the arts.

That's great! I love that you're continuing the series.

Me: What part of writing is your favorite? Plotting, writing, editing, etc.
Kimberly: I enjoy the writing. I don’t love plotting—I prefer to write as the story comes to me rather than plot the book out in advance. I plot as much as necessary before I start so I know how it begins and ends, but that’s it. I really dislike editing.
 
Thanks again for joining us and congratulations again on your latest release.

Faith, Hope & Love is a special interest chapter of Romance Writers of America. They provide support to authors (and aspiring authors) who write Christian fiction. Every month, they host a Facebook party where readers can chat with several authors. 

This month, I'm excited to be one of those authors. I'll be joined by Theresa Lynn Hall and Anne Greene. I hope you'll come by and chat with us. You might even win one of our giveaways! 

Here's a nice selection of new releases from my fellow authors. I hope you'll load up your Kindle with some of these great titles!

May 29th:
An Encore for Estelle (Melodies of Love 2) by Kimberly Rose Johnson

June 1st:
Falling for the Rancher (Aspen Creek Crossroads) by Roxanne Rustand
Illuminating Days of Discover by Sharon D. Tweet
5 Steps to Better Blurbs by Julie C. Gilbert

June 3rd: 
Rose of the Oath: A Beauty and the Beast Novella by Hope Ann

June 6th:
Heart on the Line by Karen Witemeyer
Echo of the Cliffs by D. G. Driver

June 8th: 
Once Upon a Time (Serendipity, Indiana Book 8) by Magdalena Scott

June 10th: 
Thinking About Love by Audrey Rich

June 13th: 
Clair (Beach Brides Book 4) by Grace Greene

June 15th:
Coiled by H. L. Burke

June 17th:
Between Heroes and Villains: A Superpower Anthology by Heather Hayden and 11 Other Authors

June 20th:
The Cowboy’s Baby Blessing (Cowboy Country) by Deb Kastner
Jenny (Beach Brides Book 5) by Melissa McClone

June 27th:
Lisa (Beach Brides Book 6) by Denise Devine

Contemporary Romance:
​Amish Brides by Jennifer Beckstrand, Molly Jebber, Amy Lillard — Under bright blue skies, wedding bells ring–fulfilling sweet dreams, impossible wishes, and joyous new beginnings among these three new stories. (Contemporary Romance from Kensington Publishers)

Sprouts of Love by Valerie Comer — An overzealous community garden manager delivers more than the food bank manager can handle. Can love sprout amid the tsunami of vegetables? (Contemporary Romance, Independently Published)

Summer Dreams by Delia Latham — God’s love…reflected in the waters of the Pacific, and in the eyes of a young couple who walk its moonstone shores. (Contemporary Romance from White Rose Publishing [Pelican])

Right Where We Belong by Deborah Raney, Melissa Tagg, Courtney Walsh — Three sweet stories of small-town romance by three tried-and-true authors. Whether in a quaint home bakery in Langhorne, Missouri, a cozy boho coffee shop in Maple Valley, Iowa, or a charming lakeside cottage in Sweethaven, Michigan, love grows best in small towns just like this! (Contemporary Romance, Independently Published)

A Spring of Weddings by Toni Shiloh and Melissa Wardwell — Two Spring wedding novellas, “A Proxy Wedding,” and “Hope Beyond Savannah.” (Contemporary Romance from Celebrate Lit Publishing)

True to You by Becky Wade — Former Navy SEAL John Lawson hires genealogist Nora Bradford to help him to uncover the identity of his birth mother. As they work side-by-side, this pair of opposites begins to suspect that they just might be a perfect match. (Contemporary Romance from Bethany House [Baker] Publishing)

Cozy Mystery:
What the Bishop Saw by Vannetta Chapman — A fire blazes out of control in the San Luis Valley of Colorado, leaving an elderly, Amish bachelor dead. Bishop Henry Lapp rushes to the scene, and he learns the fire was no accident. When the police point the finger at a suspect Henry knows is innocent, the bishop must decide whether or not to use his mysterious, God-given gift—one he’s tried desperately to ignore all these years—to try and set the record straight. (Contemporary Romance from Harvest House Publishers)

General Contemporary:A Season to Dance by Patricia Beal — The heart wrenching love story of a small town professional ballerina who dreams of dancing at the Met in New York, of the two men who love her and of the forbidden kiss that changed everything. (General Contemporary from Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas)

Looking Glass Lies by Varina Denman — A poignant and relatable novel, Looking Glass Lies captures the war women wage against themselves, and the struggle to see beauty reflected in a mirror not distorted by society’s unrelenting expectations. (General Contemporary from Waterfall Press)

Historical:
Blind Ambition by Carol Ashby — What began as a bored man’s decision to try a different road turns into an emotional and spiritual quest that changes the direction of his entire life. (Historical from Cerrillo Press)

Wings of the Wind by Connilyn Cossette — A broken and bitter Canaanite woman dresses as a man to fight against the invading Hebrews, never expecting that she would live to be captured and married to one of her enemies, and certainly not to find love and healing among the very people who killed her family. (Biblical/Historical from Bethany House [Baker] Publishing)

Historical Romance:
The Secret Admirer Romance Collection by Amanda Barratt, Lorraine Beatty, Molly Noble Bull, Anita Mae Draper, CJ Dunham, Jennifer Uhlarik, Becca Whitham, Kathleen Y’Barbo, Penny Zeller — Shy expressions of love lead to nine historical romances. Declaring one’s love can be hard–even risky–especially when faced with some of life’s greatest challenges. (Historical Romance from Barbour Publishing)

The Noble Servant by Melanie Dickerson — She lost everything to an evil conspiracy . . . but that loss may just give her all she ever wanted. (Historical Romance from HarperCollins Christian Publishing)

My Heart Belongs in Ruby City, Idaho: Rebecca’s Plight by Susanne Dietze — It’s a mail-order disorder when newlyweds realize they’ve married the wrong partners with similar names. An annulment seems in order–and fast. But when the legalities take longer than expected, Rebecca Rice wonders if Tad Fordham wasn’t the right husband for her all along. . . . (Historical Romance from Barbour Publishing)

A Love So True by Melissa Jagears — They begin with the best of intentions, but soon the complications pile up and Evelyn and David’s dreams look more unattainable every day. When the revelation of a long-held secret creates a seemingly insurmountable rift between them, can they trust God still has a good plan for them despite all that is stacked against them? (Historical Romance from Bethany House [Baker] Publishing)

Road to Harmony by Sherry Kyle — When Jonas returns to Harmony, Elena’s heart is torn between her secret love, and the storeowner her parents hope she marries. (Historical Romance, Independently Published)

Hills of Nevermore by Janalyn Voigt — Can a young widow hide her secret shame from the Irish preacher bent on helping her survive? (Historical Romance from Mountain Brook Ink)

Romantic Suspense:
​Fatal Mistake by Susan Sleeman — Each day could be her last…but not if he can help it. An FBI agent must protect the woman who can identify a terrorist bomber in bestselling author Susan Sleeman’s riveting romantic suspense novel. (Romantic Suspense from Faith Words [Hachette])