Thanks for joining us today, Jessica. I loved your story, and I know all your readers will, too. 

Melanie: Romance, Oregon is a beautiful place with a small-town atmosphere and big personalities. If you could visit Romance yourself, what one shop or person would you want to make sure was on your itinerary?

Jessica: Just one? I'm going to have say Uncle Earl would be the top of my must-meet list. He is such a fun character and has that way of being both sage and ornery at the same time.

Melanie: Animals are a big part of the stories that make up our Fall Into Romance compilation. Tell us a little about the critter(s) in your novella.

Jessica: When I was first invited to take part in the Fall Into Romance boxed set, Chance was the first character who galloped into my head. He's a beautiful buckskin gelding who has some trust issues. But Katie's not going to let that stop her from loving him. I also knew I wanted dogs in the story, because I love dogs. So Katie has a dog Loverboy and then adopts the timid Roxette. And yes, those names do come from their classic rock counterparts. I didn't originally plan on Mike adopting any animals, but since he lives a little outside town, a mouser was important. Unfortunately, Pooka was not the mouser he was hoping for. He then goes back to Finding Forever and adopts Puppy the cat to be Pooka's trainer.

Melanie: Which of the characters in your story do you relate to the most? Why is that?

Jessica: Hmmm, I relate a lot to Katie because she shares a lot of personality traits with me. But I think I relate most to Aunt Viv. She's a spunky woman who always has a little mischief up her sleeve. But she also has a way of being tender and loving when needed. She likes to tease and is the perfect companion to Uncle Earl who would live a very boring life without her.

Melanie: What’s your favorite snack food or drink to have on hand when you’re writing?

Jessica: When I'm writing, I have to have chocolate. Whether in candies or hot cocoa, I love to have chocolate with me while I'm working. It works well as motivation when the words are coming slow. I have to be sure to hide it though or my children would steal it all away.

Melanie: If you’ve been to Oregon, what did you like best about the state?

Jessica: It's been a long time since I had a real visit (I don't suppose driving over the Snake River into Ontario just to say I've been in Oregon counts), but I remember it being beautiful. It was September when I visited and the trees were just starting to turn. I'm definitely going to have to make another trip out there at some point.

​Melanie: What was your favorite part about writing your novella?

Jessica: Uncle Earl and Aunt Viv, hands down. They made the story so much fun between their teasing and the way they love Katie with all their hearts. I had so much fun writing snippets of their relationship and seeing into their personalities.

Melanie: If you could have any animal as a pet, what would it be?

Jessica: Like Katie, I love horses. Someday I hope to own a couple myself. In the meantime, I'll let my characters own the beautiful horses I wish I had.

Melanie: What state do you live in? What’s the weather like there in the fall?

Jessica: I live in southwest Kansas and love the fall here! Fall means harvest, which can be challenging for my little ones' allergies, but it also means the prairie changes color. It's such a breathtaking sight to see the grasses turn orange and gold, especially when we've had a good, rainy year. Fall tends to still be pretty warm, but snow can start falling as early as October. 

Happy Wednesday, everyone! I have a free book for you all. Calming the Storm is free through September 1st. This was my debut novel, and it's still one of my favorite stories. I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I did writing it! 

Hi Shanna! I'm so excited to have you on my blog today so we can chat for a bit and talk about your novella. Thanks for coming! 

Melanie: Romance, Oregon is a beautiful place with a small-town atmosphere and big personalities. If you could visit Romance yourself, what one shop or person would you want to make sure was on your itinerary?

Shanna: Do I have to pick just one? If so, I think I’d visit Finding Forever Animal Rescue  because it’s central to all the stories in Fall Into Romance. It would be fun to see all the animals. If Captain Cavedweller went with me, we’d definitely come home with a new pet. If I could pick more than just one place to visit, I’d stroll around the town square because in my head, it’s just a lovely place to hang out. I’d also visit the Sweet Retreat gift shop and Pages of Romance bookstore then enjoy a piece of pie at Della’s Diner.
 
Melanie: Animals are a big part of the stories that make up our Fall Into Romance compilation. Tell us a little about the critter(s) in your novella.

Shanna: In Blown Into Romance, Brooke Roberts has never stayed in one place long enough to set down roots. She decides to settle in Romance and what better way to make it home than to adopt a pet. Only, instead of adopting one pet, she adopts a mama pot-bellied pig and four piglets. Winnie the Pig (the mama) quickly wins Brooke’s heart, as do her adorable offspring, appropriately named Roo, Tigger, Robin, and Eeyore. Tigger proves to be a bit of an escape artist, and Roo is the little runt of the litter (and may be my favorite, but don’t tell the others). The piglets were such a fun addition to the story, even if they did make rather unusual pets, especially for a woman who has a store full of beautiful, breakable glass works of art.
 
Melanie: Which of the characters in your story do you relate to the most? Why is that?
 
 Shanna:  I probably relate more to Blayne Grundy (the hero), than Brooke, just because Blayne grew up on a ranch, knows all about living in small towns, and is someone who tries to always do the right thing. But I love Brooke’s creativity and her willingness to open her home and heart to the little family of pigs.
 
Melanie: What’s the most unique pet you’ve ever had?

Shanna: A calf named Blackie. I bottle-raised him and he thought he was a dog for the longest time. He’d follow me everywhere. I’d whistle and he’d come.
 
Melanie: If you’ve been to Oregon, what did you like best about the state?

Shanna: I’ve lived in Oregon all my life except for a few months when I moved to Arizona for a college internship. I think one of the most incredible things about Oregon is the diversity of the landscape. So many people picture lush green forests when they think of Oregon, but the state has so much more than that. The Northeast corner is filled with rolling hills of wheat, apple orchards, and vineyards. The Southeast section features desert landscapes and vast open spaces. Central Oregon has spectacular rock formations, winding rivers, and outdoor activities galore. The Southwest corner is dense with forests (Crater Lake, anyone). Around Portland, you’ll see those lush forests, but drive a few hours west and you’ll discover the amazing and rugged Oregon coastline. 

Melanie: What was your favorite part about writing your novella?

Shanna: Being able to work with this great group of authors and create the town of Romance and all these fantastic characters was definitely my favorite part of writing the novella. When we first started the project, I never dreamed we’d have so much fun!

Melanie: If you had to describe the town of Romance with one word, what would it be?

Shanna: Home. I think the one word that best describes Romance is home. Yes, it’s a small town where everyone knows everybody’s business, but it’s a warm, welcoming community that gives people a place to belong and makes them feel loved. Isn’t that what home is all about?
 
Melanie: Coffee, hot cocoa, or tea. Which do you prefer during the fall and winter? 

Shanna: Tea! I’ve never liked coffee, and, unfortunately, drinking unlimited cups of hot cocoa disagrees with my testy scale (or maybe the person weighing on it is the testy one). So I stick with tea. During autumn, I like to drink pumpkin spice tea, then during the holiday season, I have Christmas-flavored teas. The rest of the winter, I drink peppermint tea.
 
Melanie: There are a lot of wonderful pumpkin-flavored treats at the Fall Festival in Romance. Do you like pumpkin? If so, what’s your favorite pumpkin-flavored food?

Shanna: Pumpkin is one of my all-time favorite flavors. I would eat pumpkin pie year-round if someone would make it for me! I think my favorite pumpkin treat is Pumpkin Roll. I usually make it once during the holidays from a recipe my aunt shared with me years ago. (Here’s the link for the recipe: https://savvyentertaining.com/2011/12/24/pumpkin-roll/ )

USA Today Bestselling Author Shanna Hatfield writes character-driven romances with relatable heroes and heroines. Her historical westerns have been described as “reminiscent of the era captured by Bonanza and The Virginian” while her contemporary works have been called “laugh-out-loud funny, and a little heart-pumping sexy without being explicit in any way.”
 
Convinced everyone deserves a happy ending, this hopeless romantic is out to make it happen one story at a time. When she isn’t writing or indulging in chocolate (dark and decadent, please), Shanna hangs out with her husband, lovingly known as Captain Cavedweller.
 
Shanna is a member of Western Writers of America, Women Writing the West, Romance Writers of America, Sweet Romance Reads, Cowboy Kisses, and Pioneer Hearts.

Artist Brooke Roberts spent her life without roots, wandering from town to town. When she seeks refuge from a freak storm in the town of Romance, she decides to stay and open a blown glass studio. Determined to immerse herself in the community, she adopts a family of pigs. Brooke is unprepared for the chaos and comfort they bring to her world, or the dashing cowboy who rescues her heart.

Solid, dependable Blayne Grundy runs a busy ranch, volunteers on various committees, and takes in stray animals too large to stay at the local animal rescue. Then a chance encounter with a beautiful, beguiling woman leaves him so befuddled, he can barely remember his own name. His predictable organized life is about to be blown away by free-spirited Brooke.
​
A sweet, lighthearted novella, Blown Into Romance highlights the mighty power of love and letting go.

Blown Into Romance by Shanna Hatfield is one of ten sweet novellas in the Fall Into Romance collection. 
​
Surround yourself in the romance of the autumn season with 10 heartwarming, sweet novellas from the USA Today, national bestselling, and award-winning authors. Each story takes you inside the heart of a small town-its people-and features adorable animal friends in need of a forever home. Take a trip to Romance, Oregon, where falling in love has never been easier and happily-ever-after is guaranteed! 

Hi everyone! I'd like to introduce you to my latest book: Marrying Mandy. This is a contemporary marriage of convenience, and it was such a fun book to write! I can't wait for you all to read it. 

I'm very fortunate to have Victorine E. Lieske with Blue Valley Author Services designing the covers for all my books. Isn't this one just gorgeous? 

As of now, I don't have a release date, but I'll let you know when I do. 

I can't begin to tell you what a blessing it's been to work with the wonderful authors involved in the Fall Into Romance collection. I'm going to be chatting with one of these amazing people each week leading up to the release of Fall Into Romance. I hope you enjoy these interviews as much as I have! ​

Welcome, Franky! I'm excited to have you on my blog so you can share more about Wired for Romance. I loved the story, and I know everyone else will, too!

Me: Romance, Oregon is a beautiful place with a small-town atmosphere and big personalities. If you could visit Romance yourself, what one shop or person would you want to make sure was on your itinerary? (This can be a place in your novella, or one in someone else’s) 

Franky: I would love to visit Blown Away, because I love blown glass art.

Me: Animals are a big part of the stories that make up our Fall Into Romance compilation. Tell us a little about the critter(s) in your novella.

Franky: My story, Wired for Romance features a lovable basset hound named Toby. He’s an older dog my heroine, Audrey, adopts because he melts her heart. He naps a lot, tends to moan when he wants something, and sometimes sits down and won’t move in the middle of a walk. But Toby has some secretly stored energy for mischief and he’s ready to defend his home. He is modeled after my 12-year-old basset hound, Samantha.

Me: Which of the characters in your story do you relate to the most? Why is that?

Franky: Audrey. I also melt at the sad look of a basset hound’s droopy, brown eyes.

Me: Which season of the year do you look forward to the most?

Franky: I love fall when the weather cools down and it’s time to plant my favorite flower, the pansy.

Me: What state do you live in? What’s the weather like there in the fall?

Franky: I live in Alabama. In the fall, the brutal summer heat subsides and it cools down, but that doesn’t mean we don’t go back and forth from temperatures in the eighties/nineties then down to 70 the next day. One day it is a nice comfy temp, the next day it’s chilly, then the next day may be hot again and bring severe weather. What we can count on is unpredictable weather, but the heat indexes in the hundreds is over.
​
Me: There are a lot of wonderful pumpkin-flavored treats at the Fall Festival in Romance. Do you like pumpkin? If so, what’s your favorite pumpkin-flavored food?

Franky: There are so many delicious pumpkin treats. I love pumpkin bread, pumpkin cookies, pumpkin cake. My favorite is a recipe called Pumpkin Pie Cake. It’s a pumpkin pie filling on the bottom with a butter/pecan/cake mix topping.

Wired for Romance by Franky A. Brown is one of ten sweet novellas in the Fall Into Romance collection. 
​
Surround yourself in the romance of the autumn season with 10 heartwarming, sweet novellas from the USA Today, national bestselling, and award-winning authors. Each story takes you inside the heart of a small town-its people-and features adorable animal friends in need of a forever home. Take a trip to Romance, Oregon, where falling in love has never been easier and happily-ever-after is guaranteed! 

All he needed was a bride…
Who said anything about falling in love?

Orphaned at birth and a loner all his life, the last thing Sergeant Klayne Campbell needs is for feisty Delaney Danvers to entangle his thoughts.  Bravely volunteering for a top-secret mission almost certain to get him killed, Klayne can’t bear the thought of dying utterly alone. All he wants is to face death knowing his life meant something to at least one person. Offering Delaney a marriage of convenience, he plans to leave behind a war bride as his beneficiary. After just one night as her husband, Klayne realizes he’ll do anything to survive and return to her.

The moment she met handsome Sergeant Campbell at a holiday party, Delaney’s whole world shifted off kilter. Full of fun with an unquenchable zest for life, she isn’t afraid to go after what she wants. And what she wants is Klayne. When he prepares to join a hazardous mission, she seizes the opportunity to give him a reason to fight his way back home — to her heart.

A tender, sweet romance rich with history and enduring love, Home of Her Heart captures the era and emotions prevalent during America’s entry into World War II.

Garden of Her Heart | Home of Her Heart

USA Today Bestselling Author Shanna Hatfield writes character-driven romances with relatable heroes and heroines. Her historical westerns have been described as “reminiscent of the era captured by Bonanza and The Virginian” while her contemporary works have been called “laugh-out-loud funny, and a little heart-pumping sexy without being explicit in any way.”
 
Convinced everyone deserves a happy ending, this hopeless romantic is out to make it happen one story at a time. When she isn’t writing or indulging in chocolate (dark and decadent, please), Shanna hangs out with her husband, lovingly known as Captain Cavedweller.
 
Shanna is a member of Western Writers of America, Women Writing the West, Romance Writers of America, Sweet Romance Reads, Cowboy Kisses, and Pioneer Hearts.

Author Links: 
Website: http://shannahatfield.com
Newsletter: http://tinyurl.com/shannasnewsletter
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorShannaHatfield
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/shannahatfield/boards/
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4981400.Shanna_Hatfield
You Tube: https://www.youtube.com/user/ShannaHatfield?feature=watch
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ShannaHatfield
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shannahatfield/
Amazon: http://amzn.to/2cYfAcI

     ​“What kind of man spies on a woman from behind a Christmas tree?” she asked, stopping in front of him and crossing her arms in front of her chest. Her face held a look of suspicious scrutiny.
      Dumbfounded and caught in the act, Klayne lost the ability to speak.
     The scornful look she’d given him melted into a warm smile. She laughed and placed a hand on his arm. “I’m teasing you, soldier. What’s your name?”
     He stared at her another moment before he looked down to his arm where her hand rested. Her palm threatened to sear through the fabric of his shirt and brand his skin. Although he expected her to have soft hands with manicured nails, her hands were work-roughened, chapped, and with nails broken down to the quick. A scab covered the backs of two knuckles and a cut stretched along the length of her index finger.
     “You’re a quiet one, aren’t you?” she asked, continuing to look at him as she dropped her hand.
     “Most of the time, ma’am,” he said, silently urging his tongue to regain function. “My name is Klayne. Sergeant Klayne Campbell.”
     “It’s nice to meet you, Sergeant.” She gave him a beaming smile and held out a hand to him. “I’m Delaney Danvers, but most of my friends just call me Dee.”
     “Miss Danvers, it’s a pleasure to meet you.” Klayne took her much smaller hand in his, astonished by the calluses on her palm and the strength in her grip. Whoever this girl was, she wasn’t afraid of hard work. “Did you happen to provide a trick riding performance at the rodeo a few months ago?”
     She shrugged, as though it was nothing. “I did. My dad and his friends talked me into doing it.” Delaney leaned closer to him, as though she might confide a secret. “Did I look like an idiot? That costume gave me ten different kinds of fits.”
     Klayne swallowed down a laugh and shook his head, recalling the leather-fringed outfit she’d worn. “No, ma’am. You looked…” Before he voiced his thoughts, he snapped his mouth shut. He couldn’t very well tell her she looked magnificent and dazzling, and had him on the edge of his seat the whole time she performed. The way she’d ridden her horse was poetic in its raw, wild beauty. The outfit in question made him wonder if she was a descendant of Annie Oakley or a heroine from the Old West. Each movement of the horse she rode caused the fringe to dance around her, leaving him spellbound. His gaze roved over her face again and he saw a glimmer in her eyes, as though she dared him to bombard her with idle flattery. ma’am.”

I can't begin to tell you what a blessing it's been to work with the wonderful authors involved in the Fall Into Romance collection. I'm going to be chatting with one of these amazing people each week leading up to the release of Fall Into Romance. I hope you enjoy these interviews as much as I have! ​

Me: Romance, Oregon is a beautiful place with a small-town atmosphere and big personalities. If you could visit Romance yourself, what one shop or person would you want to make sure was on your itinerary?

J.J. - I think I’d have to go to the roller rink (which appears in “Finding Forever in Romance” and also “Lost in Romance”), if only because I haven’t been to one since high school and (unlike most of my high school years) I have fond memories of that.  And of course I’d want to stay at the Interlude Inn.
 
Me: Animals are a big part of the stories that make up our Fall Into Romance compilation. Tell us a little about the critter(s) in your novella.

J.J. - My animal is Little Tee, who’s mostly a Standard Poodle (with something else mixed in, because she’s not quite as big as a purebred Poodle).  My heroine describes her as “cute and charming, but absent the day that God handed out good sense.”
 
Me: Which of the characters in your story do you relate to the most? Why is that?

J.J. - Probably Lucas, the hero, because when it comes to relationships, he’s his own worst enemy, and that’s how it always felt to me before I finally met my wife. 

Me: How many pets do you have? Tell us a little about them. 

J.J. - Right now, I have one pet (it often feels as though he has me, though!).  He’s Danny, a white cat (Domestic medium hair, we think).  He’s full of energy and mischief, but he’s also very sweet and unlike our first cat, he loves strangers and will go right up to them.
 
Me: If you haven’t been to Oregon, where would you visit if you could make a trip there?

J.J. - Probably my first pick would be Crater Lake National Park.  It looks amazing, and it seems like it would be a great experience.
 
Me: What was your favorite part about writing your novella?

J.J. - I enjoyed the whole process. It all came pretty easily.  As soon as I figured out who my heroine was, her story basically wrote itself.  I especially liked working in characters and locations from the other novellas in the set.
 
Me: What state do you live in? What’s the weather like there in the fall?

J.J. - Virginia (specifically northern Virginia, right outside Washington, DC).  Fall varies wildly here.  Sometimes we don’t really have one – we get summer heat through to mid-October and then straight to winter-like conditions.  And sometimes we get fall-like weather from late September right through until Christmas.
 
Me: When you go to a festival or fair, is there a particular type of food you look forward to getting that you don’t usually buy at any other time?

J.J. - Funnel cakes!  Especially with plenty of sugar and maybe even chocolate drizzled on top.

​J.J. DiBenedetto is author of the Dream Series and the Jane Barnaby Adventures and lives in Arlington, Virginia with the love of his life and a white cat who rules the roost. 
​
His passions are photography, travel, the opera, the New York Giants, and of course writing. 

Mr. DiBenedetto is devoted to writing books with a sense of mysticism to entertain and perhaps invite his readers to suspend belief in a way they might never have.

Since he was very young , he has always been intrigued with the supernatural and things that can't be explained rationally.

By always asking way too many questions, it piqued his interest to the point of setting his writing off and running when he grew up! All the curiosity building up all those years were finally getting put into words to captivate readers. And it hasn't ended. His main goal is to share all the stories he has inside, putting pen to paper. And that's how the Dream Series was born.

Dori came to the town of Romance to help a friend. She wasn’t looking for a romance of her own. But when she broke her leg and found herself stuck in Romance for two weeks, romance found her – with the very man who caused her accident.

Lucas wasn’t looking for romance, either. But when the woman who almost killed herself by running in front of his truck turned out to be his next client, romance found him, too.
​
Dori has two weeks until her leg is healed and she can travel back home to New York. Lucas has two weeks until his job is finished and he won’t have see Dori again. Can the two of them stop sabotaging themselves long enough for Romance to work its magic on them?

Finding Dori by J.J. DiBenedetto is one of ten sweet novellas in the Fall Into Romance collection. 

Surround yourself in the romance of the autumn season with 10 heartwarming, sweet novellas from the USA Today, national bestselling, and award-winning authors. Each story takes you inside the heart of a small town-its people-and features adorable animal friends in need of a forever home. Take a trip to Romance, Oregon, where falling in love has never been easier and happily-ever-after is guaranteed! 
​

Join me on Thursday, August 10th, for author Shanna Hatfield's Release Party! Not only are we celebrating the release of her latest book, Home of Her Heart, but this is also Shanna's 50th title. Both are big reasons to throw a party! 

​There'll be prizes, guest authors, games, and much more. You won't want to miss it. 

Invite your friends and then comment on this post to be entered for a chance to win a $25.00 Amazon gift card!

All he needed was a bride. . .
Who said anything about falling in love?

Orphaned at birth and a loner all his life, the last thing Sergeant Klayne Campbell needs is for feisty Delaney Danvers to entangle his thoughts. Bravely volunteering for a top-secret mission almost certain to get him killed, Klayne can’t bear the thought of dying utterly alone. All he wants is to face death knowing his life meant something to at least one person. Offering Delaney a marriage of convenience, he plans to leave behind a war bride as his beneficiary. After just one night as her husband, Klayne realizes he’ll do anything to survive and return to her.

The moment she met handsome Sergeant Campbell at a holiday party, Delaney’s whole world shifted off kilter. Full of fun with an unquenchable zest for life, she isn’t afraid to go after what she wants. And what she wants is Klayne. When he prepares to join a hazardous mission, she seizes the opportunity to give him a reason to fight his way back home - to her heart.
​
A tender, sweet romance rich with history and enduring love, Home of Her Heart captures the era and emotions prevalent during America’s entry into World War II.

Author Theresa Lynn Hall's newest title, Ransom in Rio, came out in June. She's here to tell us a little more about herself and her book. 

As a native Texan, Theresa loves to write suspenseful stories that happen in small Texas towns with old fashioned Southern values. She’s an elementary teacher and mom to two boys—the oldest being in law enforcement, which comes in handy when she’s researching. When she’s not teaching kids or writing, she loves to cook, read a good suspense, and binge-watch episodes of Dateline. She is a member of RWA (Romance Writers of America) and ACFW (American Christian Fiction Writers). She actively promotes fellow Christian Fiction authors on her blog. She also loves to hear from readers who enjoy Christian Fiction

Private Investigator, Braden McCoy wants nothing more than to finish out the week doing a little fishing from his boat.  The ex-special ops vet enjoys his peaceful life and loves his new career.  He’s learned to put his past behind him and enjoy his blessings.  Until a mourning redhead walks into his office and changes his plans. 
Lexi Ramos always knew her family was dysfunctional.  Until the sudden death of her brother, she never knew exactly how much.  Consumed with questions surrounding his accident, she seeks the help of a private investigator.  What starts out as a murder investigation in Cozumel, quickly crosses borders and escalates into a race against time to save them both from Brazilian kidnappers, who somehow know more about her family secrets than she does.  Lexi soon realizes that life comes with a price.

Me: Welcome, Theresa. Thanks so much for joining us today. What inspired you to write your newest release?
Theresa: My publisher, Pelican Book Group, began a series called Passport to Romance.  They posted a list of international cities with a list of three things that had to be written into each book. My husband had recently traveled to Rio on a business trip and I knew that was the book I wanted to write.  When you’re reading Ransom in Rio, be on the lookout for an emerald necklace, a formal event, and a family secret.

It sounds intriguing! 

Me: If there’s one thing you hope readers come away with after reading your book, what would it be?
Theresa: The one thing I want all readers to come away with is a sense of hope. One of my favorite verses that I live by is Philippians 4:13--I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Lexi’s life hasn’t been easy and it only gets harder. She has to learn that there is always hope and she has to find the strength to keep going.

Me: Is there a special treat or drink that helps you during your writing process?
Theresa: Oh, my goodness, yes! Coffee and chocolate!!

Me: Are you an introvert or an extrovert?
Theresa: I would have to say that I’m in introvert. Even though I’m a teacher, I don’t like to be the center of attention or be in a crowd of people. Unfortunately, I think that with being an introvert comes the self-esteem issues. As much as love to write, I always cringe when I know someone is reading my books. Crazy, I know!! I wish I could be more outgoing, but forcing it doesn’t help much. Once I get to know people, I’m more at ease, but it does take me a while.

I completely understand what you mean! I'm also an introvert and struggle with putting myself out there and worrying about what other people think. 
 
Me: What project are you working on now?
Theresa: I’m working on a suspense novella set in central Texas. It’s about a young woman who sees something she never should have seen and now is running for her life. The police officer trying to keep her safe is torn between running from his own past and helping her, which puts her in even more danger.  I can’t give too much away, but hopefully it will be contracted soon!

Me: What inspired the cover for your latest book?
Theresa: I absolutely love the cover of Ransom in Rio. Nicola Martinez at Pelican Book Group produces the most amazing covers. I sent her a picture my husband took of the Christ the Redeemer statue when he was in Rio and they incorporated it into the cover.  It turned out amazing!

Me: Thanks again for joining us, Theresa. It’s been fun chatting with you!
Theresa: Thank you so much for having me here today, Melanie. I enjoyed it!

Are you looking for a relaxing way to spend the rest of your summer vacation? How about a collection of 35 books to read? Enter the Book Your Summer Vacation Giveaway and you could win all of the books shown above!

Finding Peace

My book, Finding Peace, is one of the titles you could win. Here's a little more about it:

Police Officer Tuck Chandler is good at his job. He’s also good at holding women at arm’s length. Jilted by his fiancée for his dedication to his job, he’s not about to open himself up to hurt like that again.

Laurie Blake is a struggling photographer. After growing up in a wealthy family, she’s determined to make it on her own, even if it means doing it the hard way. 

When Tuck is assigned to a puzzling burglary involving Laurie’s fledgling photography business, he goes into it with his usual perseverance. He wants to help her – if she’ll let him. As the case unfolds and the mystery deepens, another question arises. 

Will the past get in the way of their future? 

Click here to enter or see the form below

Hi Everyone! I could use your help. I've submitted Finding Peace for Christian Women Reader's Club's Literary Lighthouse Award. All submissions are open for voting through August. 

You don't have to sign up for anything to enter. But if you'd like to register for CWRC's newsletter, you'll be entered for a chance to win a Kindle Fire. 

If you've read Finding Peace and enjoyed it, I'd really appreciate your vote. 

Thank you so much! 

I can't begin to tell you what a blessing it's been to work with the wonderful authors involved in the Fall Into Romance collection. I'm going to be chatting with one of these amazing people each week leading up to the release of Fall Into Romance. I hope you enjoy these interviews as much as I have! 

Hi, Liwen! Your novella, Chasing Romance, is such a fun story. I can't wait for everyone to meet Izzy and Chase! 

Me: Romance, Oregon is a beautiful place with a small-town atmosphere and big personalities. If you could visit Romance yourself, what one shop or person would you want to make sure was on your itinerary?

Liwen: Great question! After researching Oregon for my story and also reading some of the other stories in the set, I almost feel like Romance is a real place. J If I could visit this small town, I’d definitely want to meet Mrs. Cooper, the all-too-helpful and curious neighbor from my book. She was such a fun character to write. She also wins the pumpkin pie contest every year at the Fall Festival, so I’d have to try a slice of her pie.

Me: Animals are a big part of the stories that make up our Fall Into Romance compilation. Tell us a little about the critter in your novella.

Liwen: The animal friend in my story is a black lab/pit bull mix named Thor. He’s actually based off the dog my sister and brother-in-law adopted two years ago whom I lovingly refer to as my fur-nephew. He’s a sweet dog with the softest, velvety ears.

Me: Which of the characters in your story do you relate to the most? Why is that?

Liwen: This is a hard one. I think I’d have to say the female main character, Izzy, only because she’s a songwriter and I used to write song lyrics back in the day. A couple of college friends and I wrote a song together that became the official song for our church’s college group. I heard they were still singing the song years after we graduated! Bonus fact: I let my inner songwriter loose again when I wrote this story and included some song lyrics. Unfortunately, I don’t write music, but if there’s someone who wants to put the words to a melody, I’d be thrilled!

Me: What’s your favorite snack food or drink to have on hand when you’re writing?

Liwen: I always drink tea when I write. During the colder months, I drink chai or peppermint tea; during the warmer months, I like something more fruity and sweet. When I splurge on tea, it’s usually from a local boba place that sells tea with toppings (my favorite is crystal boba, which is also known as white boba).

Me: What was your favorite part about writing your novella?

Liwen: My favorite part about writing this story was getting inspiration from music. I based the male main character off a real artist, Shawn Mendes, who’s a bit younger than Chase, but is just as passionate and charming. I listened to his songs non-stop and even watched interviews of him online so I could get a good sense of who he is. If you haven’t heard of him or his songs, you need to check him out!

Me: What about writing your novella was the most challenging?

Liwen: The most challenging part was writing about a relationship between a younger man and an older woman. I have no experience in this area, but I did ask my hubby for a male perspective and also researched some celebrity couples who are in similar relationships. (Hugh Jackman and Deborra-Lee Furness are a great example of one).

Me: If you had to describe the town of Romance with one word, what would it be?

Liwen: Familiar. Familiar because it’s a small town and everyone knows everyone else, but also because the people who live there are like the people you’d meet in your town/city.

Izzy Sutton shelved away her own needs when her ex-boyfriend left town eighteen years ago, leaving her to raise their daughter alone. With Gracie away at college now, she has time to invest in her Bed and Breakfast, as well as her secret job as a songwriter. Trouble starts though when a handsome singer comes looking for a room, forcing Izzy to decide if it’s worth opening up her heart again, especially to a much younger man.

Pop sensation Chase Lockhart owes his overnight fame to one song penned by an anonymous writer. Desperate for more chart-toppers, he travels to Oregon to collect the other songs she owes him. Finding her is the least of his troubles; getting past her defenses, including her dog who hates him, proves to be the real challenge.
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Can a shared love of music lead a young singer and a single mom to fall in love? Anything’s possible in the small town of Romance.

Chasing Romance by Liwen Y. Ho is one of ten sweet novellas in the Fall Into Romance collection. 

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What happens when you mix together a group of authors, add laughter, lovable pets, and a dash of pumpkin spice? The perfect combination resulting in ten sweet novellas that'll have you falling in love all over again!

We can't begin to tell you how much fun we've had working together on this project. It's our hope that you'll fall in love with Romance, Oregon and the people who live there just like we did!

Lost in Romance by Stacy Claflin
At Second Glance by Raine English
Blown Into Romance by Shanna Hatfield
Wired for Romance by Franky A. Brown
Restoring Romance by Tamie Dearen
Finding Dori by J.J. DeBenedetto
Katie’s Chance for Romance by Jessica L. Elliott
Chasing Romance by Liwen Y. Ho
Lessons in Romance by Kit Morgan
Finding Forever in Romance by Melanie D. Snitker​

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Being a part of this boxed set has been an amazing experience and a blessing. My novella, Finding Forever in Romance, was so much fun to write and I can’t wait for you all to read it! 

From the time he was a child, Brent Todd has helped lost pets find healing and homes. Now, he runs Romance's Finding Forever Animal Rescue. Amid the dogs, cats, donkeys, goats, and exotic animals in his care, he convinces himself he has everything he needs. Then a beautiful woman and her son volunteer to help at the shelter. Brent soon realizes he needs more than the rescue animals to fill the empty spaces in his heart and home.

Dedicated to raising her son, Nicole Crawford views romance as a lovely idea. But between being a single mom and the pain of her past, she refuses to dwell on something so out of reach. To teach her son about helping others, they volunteer at Finding Forever on a temporary basis. But the more time she spends with Brent, the more she realizes it'll be impossible to walk away from him and the shelter with her heart intact.

Together, maybe Brent and Nicole will discover a forever family of their own.