Amy R. Anguish's Blog, page 33

Saving Grace Book Trailer

Know how movies have trailers to whet your appetite and get you ready to go see them? Well, my publisher made this amazing trailer for my book! Check it out and see if it makes you even more interested. :-) I'd love to hear your feedback!

Author Interview: Sarah Floyd

Today, I'm pleased to have Sarah Floyd back with us. It's been a while since she's been a guest on my blog, and she has all sorts of exciting news about TWO new releases in her series. Read on to find out more.

Sarah, congrats on publishing the third book in your series. Does this complete the series? Can you tell us just a bit about this one?

Thank you very much! I was beginning to wonder if I’d ever finish this book. I think Joy Complete is the final book in my Voice of Joy series. The only reason I’m not 100% sure is that I’m having a hard time letting go of my characters. I’ve been writing about them, and them only, for almost 8.5 years!
Joy Complete is a story of Joy’s experiences in marriage and motherhood. It takes place a few years later than the first and second books in the series, so quite a bit has changed. Joy finds herself overwhelmed, as so many women do, with the many different responsibilities that she must juggle simultaneously, but she learns to lean on God and the loved ones who support her.
 
You've been so busy! You also published a novella earlier this year, right? Can you tell us what it's about? It's a prequel, right?

Yes, life has been extremely chaotic! My novella, Joy Begins, came out in late February. It is a prequel to the Voice of Joy series and details Joy’s time with her aunt and uncle on their farm back in 2001; Joy is a troubled 14-year-old during this book. Joy Begins is unique because it is told from the perspective of Joy’s aunt, Joann, whereas the three novels are written from Joy’s perspective. ​Was it hard to go back and write a book that came before the other two books you've written or did that make it easier?

The timing wasn’t difficult at all, because I wrote Joy Begins almost immediately after I finished my second book, and many of the plot details in it were already floating around in my mind. It was slightly challenging to write from Joann’s perspective after creating two novels from Joy’s perspective, but the lengthy character studies I’ve done were helpful.
 
I know in the past (from personal experience as well as chatting with you) that time isn't always easy to come by for writing and editing. What are some tricks you've picked up this year to make sure you were able to work a little as well as being a mom?

That’s certainly the truth! My kids are just young enough to need my attention constantly but just old enough not to nap anymore, so I rarely have time to write before 10 pm. I don’t have any special tricks…I choose a time when my husband is able to watch the kids, and I hide…in my bedroom with the door shut and locked (I asked for a door knob with a lock for Christmas last year!) or on the front porch swing if the weather isn’t too drastic. I play classical music to drown out the background noise. And I hope for the best!
 
You've lived in quite a few different places, including overseas. Would you ever have an interest in writing a story set somewhere like that?

Yes, I’ve lived in California, Texas, Georgia, Tennessee (twice), South Korea, New York, and Vermont. My time in South Korea (2011-2012) was one of my most productive periods for creative writing, and I wrote one short novel and part of another one that were set there.
 
What's up next for you--besides a huge sigh of relief? If you're like me, several plots are always simmering in the back of your mind.

Well, speaking of South Korea, I am strongly considering finishing and publishing a novel that I began while I was living overseas. It isn’t related at all to the characters of the Voice of Joy series and has a completely different style and tone than those books. It’s about two-thirds of the way written already, but I write all my books by hand first, so it still needs a lot of work. For now, though, I’m taking those huge sighs of relief and obsessively checking Amazon for reviews!
 
One last question I ask everyone. Can you tell us something very few people know about yourself?

My husband and I own and service over 60 candy vending machines throughout southern Vermont and eastern upstate New York, so we usually have an entire bookshelf full of bulk candy in our laundry room. It makes for interesting conversations when someone comes to our house for the first time!

Well, that's a lot of fun!
If you enjoyed getting to know a bit more about Sarah and her books, keep reading to find out more about where to find the books themselves and how to keep in touch with Sarah.
In Joy Complete, the third novel of the Voice of Joy series, Joy takes on a new role: motherhood. Joy is busier than ever these days, chasing her children, loving her husband, coping with unexpected delights and disasters, managing her home and her career, and occasionally squeezing in a few moments to write. Will she be able to overcome the insecurities from her past to meet the challenges of her present life? Join Joy as she struggles to balance faith, family, and personal fulfillment.

https://www.amazon.com/Finding-Joy-Sarah-B-Floyd (Finding Joy, Book 1)***Now with updated cover!
https://www.amazon.com/Enough-Joy-Voice-2 (Enough Joy, Book 2)***Now with updated cover!
https://www.amazon.com/Joy-Complete-Voice-Sarah-Floyd (Joy Complete, Book 3)
https://www.amazon.com/Joy-Begins-Voice-Sarah-Floyd (Joy Begins, prequel)***Now with updated cover!
​Sarah Floyd lives deep in a Vermont hollow with her husband, two little boys, and Australian Shepherd dog. It took her more than fifteen years of dreaming to get to Vermont, but she finally made it. Sarah enjoys reading, writing, traveling, crafts, sports and games, learning languages, spending time with family and friends, and occasional moments alone. And hugs. Oh, how she loves (and misses) hugs. It is 2020, after all. She doesn’t enjoy folding fitted sheets.
Sarah is the author of the Voice of Joy series: Finding Joy (2015), Enough Joy (2017), Joy Complete (2020), and Joy Begins (2020). Sarah loves to hear from her readers. To contact her, send her an email at voiceofjoy123@yahoo.com or contact her through the Voice of Joy series Facebook page or Sarah Floyd, Christian fiction author Facebook page.

Behind the Story: Greg

In my upcoming book, Saving Grace, Gregory Marshall, or Greg to his friends and family, is the fun-loving youth minister at the local church. He drives a Jeep and loves going to eat the greasy pizza at the local high school simply because it means he can hang out with his youth group kids, and maybe even reach a few others, too.
It wasn't easy at first, coming back to the church where he grew up. But despite it taking a few years for him to prove he was more than the goofy teenager they'd watched grow up, he's now beloved by everyone more than ever. Including some of the youth group girls who rather wish he'd stay single long enough for them to be old enough to marry him.
The only thing that would make his life perfect is having his best friend Michelle move back ... and may start to return the romantic feelings he's kept hidden all these years. But when she really does return to Cedar Springs, she brings a bit more trouble than he was counting on, despite her penchant in the past for plans that don't always work out.
Have you ever had a dream come true only to find it wasn't exactly what you wanted? Do you have any friends who tend to cause trouble with their good intentions?

Behind the Story: Michelle

My newest book, Saving Grace, releases in just over a month, on October 6th. Over the next weeks, I'm going to be giving you behind the scenes peeks, insight into my characters, a deleted scene, and even a glimpse of a chapter or two to get you ready to hold this book in your hands. Today, here's my main character, Michelle Wilson. Michelle Wilson grew up in the little town of Cedar Springs, Arkansas. Her goal in life? To be one of the star reporters on the local paper.
When the job goes to the nephew of the main editor instead of Michelle, she takes a job in Little Rock for a few years. But now the position is open once more, and Michelle is headed home. She plans to start up a small photography business on the side, and already has a wedding booked. Michelle's parents are loving and can't wait to help her get settled back into their hometown. Her dad works in the marketing department at the local greeting card factory and her mom keeps house. In the past, they've fostered dozens of children, bringing up Michelle and her brother Mark to have a special place in their own hearts for needy children.
The other person Michelle is excited to live close to once more is her lifelong best friend, Gregory Marshall. 
Little does Michelle know that her plans are about to have several major kinks added to them.
Saving Grace is the story of how Michelle deals with the changes in her plans, and learns that God always works good from a bad situation, even if it isn't in the way she expected. Are you ready to read more? Have you ever wanted to move back to your hometown or are you one of those people who never left in the first place?

Short Story-A Writing Surprise-Day 5

Thanks so much for joining us this week. This is the final part of my birthday gift to you, a fun short story. I hope you loved it, or that it at least made your week a bit brighter.

If you need to catch up, the first day is here, Tuesday is here, Wednesday is here, and Thursday is here. Enjoy the end! ​Rachel mulled over what she thought she heard in the background on Chris’s end. Had his GPS actually told him to take the exit she was about to turn on? Maybe she assumed that’s what she heard because it was on her brain.
“We’re getting close now.” Kathy pointed to the right. “It says turn here and go about five miles.”
“Sounds good.”
“Are you rooming with someone or did you reserve a room to yourself?” Kathy leaned back. “I hate sharing a room. I always fear my snoring will keep them awake.”
“Oh. No. I’m rooming with someone I met at a local group a year ago. She’s coming up from a different direction. But we both needed the discount.”
“I understand. Anyone who thinks writers do this for the money are crazy. I always want to apologize to my accountant when I turn in my expense report at the end of the year.” Kathy rambled on for the rest of the ride and even halfway through the state park as they meandered their way through cathedral-like trees and past the golf course.
Rachel gratefully parked and grabbed her two bags before heading into the hotel and conference center. She’d check in to her room first and then figure out where everyone was meeting. The man at the counter held up a finger while finishing up a phone call.
“Yes.” He hung up and lifted a brow.
“I have a reservation. Rachel Hall.” “Yes.” He typed something in the computer. “Your roommate has already checked in.”
“Great.” Rachel accepted the key card from him and then followed the signs to the third floor.
No one was in sight when she opened the door, and the view through the glass windows on the other side of her room drew her across without noticing much else. The lake shimmered down below, and peace washed over her as she took in the idyllic scene. If she couldn’t write here, she wouldn’t be able to write anywhere.
A shuffling sounded behind her and the bathroom door opened. She turned and dropped her bags. Chris stood before her, a sheepish expression on his face, flowers in his hands.
“What are you doing here?”
“I might have looked on your phone and gotten your roommate’s number a few weeks ago to work it out that I could pay for her to have her own room if she’d let me come up and surprise you.” He took a step closer. “I know it’s not the cruise you always wanted to take for this anniversary, but I didn’t want to spend it apart, either.”
She swallowed a lump in her throat. She wanted to say something, but it was like writer’s block had taken over her tongue. He was here. For her.
“Rachel? Are you okay with this?” His face went from expectant to worried. “I knew it was a long shot, but I hoped it would go over better than the coffee did this morning.”
Guilt kicked her in the gut. “Oh, no. Chris, are you kidding me? This is amazing. I didn’t do anything for you. Not even saying ‘thanks’ for all the little things you did this morning or making sure the kids were okay so I could attend this retreat—Wait. Who’s taking care of the kids?”
“My mom. She was about fifteen minutes late this afternoon and Maddie panicked. But she’s there now. I promise.” He set the flowers down and stepped even closer.
“You’re amazing.” She moved into his arms. “But this isn’t going to be fair to you at all. I’ll be attending sessions and there’s a dinner tonight ...”
“I’ve already been invited to join you for the dinner. As well as lunch and dinner tomorrow and any sessions I might find interesting. Though I’ll probably work while you do those.”
“I felt so guilty leaving you for this.”
“Don’t. Even if I hadn’t been able to work this out, you needed to come. You’ve spent so much time taking care of us, this is your time. Now that the kids are older and my company is more established, you can finally go chase this dream. And I’m behind you one hundred percent.”
“I woke up thinking this was going to be the worst anniversary ever. Even trumping that one where we both got food poisoning.”
He grimaced.
“But you’ve made it the best.”
“It’s my job, right?”
“You’re my favorite poet, you know.” She pressed a kiss to his lips. “Thank you for the coffee and the card and taking care of the kids and arranging this surprise and giving me your support. I’m so glad we’re doing life together.”
“Me, too. How about twenty more years?”
“Oh, at least!”
Well, what do you think? Was it everything you hoped? I came up with idea a few years ago when I was at writers' retreat, believe it or not. I just didn't do anything with it and decided this would be a fun time to pull it out.

Wishing you could give me something for my birthday? You can, and it only takes a few minutes. Reviews are the best gift you can give an author, so if you haven't already left a review for one of my books, go drop a few lines on amazon, goodreads, bookbub or anywhere else you find them to let others know what you thought.

And thanks to all who have already blessed me that way. I'm glad I could share this birthday week with you!

Short Story-A Writing Surprise-Day 4

Thanks so much for joining us this week to read my birthday gift to you, a short story. If you need to catch up, the first day is here, Tuesday is here, and yesterday is here. Have fun! If it were any other ringtone, Chris would ignore it. After all, he had a fifteen-year-old he had to set an example for, and breaking the law wasn’t the way to do it. However, it was Rachel’s song, and with her on the road, he didn’t want to risk missing something important.
“Hey Rach.” He pushed the button to send the call through his car’s speaker system.
“Chris, where are you?”
“What?” He glanced around, making sure she wasn’t actually in one of the cars nearby. “Why?”
“Maddie just called and said you didn’t come back to pick her up after practice.” Rachel’s voice was near tears.
“Calm down. I talked to her about the plan earlier and she knows what it is. She’s not stranded. I promise. She probably forgot it would be a different vehicle and looked for yours.” He searched his brain to make sure he hadn’t said anything he wasn’t ready to reveal yet.
“So, you picked her up?”
“It’s taken care of.” He hated that he was having to phrase things in a way it was almost a falsehood, but she’d understand soon enough.
“Okay. I just worried. I mean, she was supposed to have left half an hour ago and she just called in the last ten minutes ...”
​Chris stifled an aggravated huff. She didn’t trust him to take care of their children. Granted, Maddie should have been picked up before that. But she also should have remembered to look for her grandmother in the parking lot instead of him. And definitely shouldn’t have called Rachel.
“You still there?” Rachel’s voice interrupted his scattered thoughts.
“Yes. I’m here.”
“You sound far away. Am I on speaker?”
“I was driving.” He cut a quick glance at his GPS and made sure there weren’t any turns coming up soon so she wouldn’t hear the directions. “I assumed you’d be driving right now, too.”
“Kathy wasn’t quite ready when I got to her house, so I’m waiting on her porch while she finishes packing.”
Good news for him. It extended his cushion.
“Ah. Okay. Well, don’t worry about the kids. They’re taken care of. You go have a good time, okay?”
“Okay.” Her voice sounded uncertain.
“Rach, you’re going to have a blast. Soak it all in. This is what you’ve been working for.”
“I know. You’re right.” Doubt still lingered around the edges.
“I love you. Can’t wait to hear all about it.”
“I love you, too. Oh. Kathy’s ready now so I guess I need to hit the road, too.”
“Okay. Be careful.”
He cringed as his GPS started announcing the next turn before the call completely disconnected. Had she heard? Too late now. She’d find out soon enough anyway.
Hopefully, his plan wouldn’t backfire or disappoint her like the coffee and card had that morning. You’d think after twenty years, he’d know how to make her happy. One more day to go! Be sure to stop back tomorrow to read the conclusion. How do you think it will end?

Short Story-A Writing Surprise-Day 3

Thanks so much for joining us this week to read my birthday gift to you, a short story. If you need to catch up, the first day is here and yesterday is here. Have fun! Rachel pushed through the garage door, arms full of plastic bags. Chris’s voice carried from the direction of his office—must be on a phone call. Of course. And Maddie was nowhere to be found. Looked like two more trips to the car for her.
She set the last bags on the counter and started putting things away. There should be enough time to throw Benjamin’s stinky things in the wash before she left this afternoon. Assuming he came home right after practice.
“What’s that?” Maddie appeared at Rachel’s elbow as she unbagged several frozen meals.
“Food that’s easy for you guys to fix while I’m gone. I meant to make a few things in advance, but then I got busy with a new story idea and the next thing I knew, I was out of time.” Rachel stuffed the pasta and veggie dish into the freezer. “At least this way I know you’ll eat something besides pizza or burgers.”
“What’s wrong with pizza and burgers?” Maddie opened a pack of cookies and stuffed one in her mouth.
“Besides all the carbs and fat?” Rachel snatched the package away and stashed it in the top of the pantry before her daughter could eat another. “Nothing. But veggies are better for you.”
“You act like you’re going to be gone forever.” Maddie rolled her eyes. “It’s only a weekend.”
​“My job is to take care of my family. So, it’s hard for me to be away from you even for only a weekend.” Rachel gathered up the plastic bags and threw them in the recycle bin.
“I thought your job was to be a writer now.” Maddie flipped her hair over her shoulder. “That’s why you’re skipping your anniversary, right?”
Rachel’s heart twinged. “I’m not skipping my anniversary. We just aren’t doing anything big this year because the retreat happened to be on the same day.”
Chris was okay with that, wasn’t he? He’d encouraged her to go, assuring her they could do something to celebrate another time. Probably not the cruise they’d always planned for, because they were both too busy. But maybe a weekend away. A bed and breakfast somewhere?
Rachel penned a note about what was available for snacks and meals, glanced at the clock, and sighed. So much for washing Benjamin’s clothes. He must have found friends to hang out with.
She gathered up the last few things and moved her bags to the door so she’d be ready. The map and schedule were printed, her shoes waiting, and nothing left to do but go.
Chris was still working away, seemingly oblivious to her presence in the house. This was the joy of having a husband who sometimes worked from home. He was there, but he wasn’t.
She made grilled cheese for her and Maddie, complete with salsa for dipping. And then, it was time. Her first writers’ retreat. Moths flitted about in her tummy. What other authors would she rub elbows with that evening? Would they be just like anyone else? Supportive? Condescending?
“You’re already leaving?” Chris stepped out as she moved toward the door.
“Yes. I’m supposed to pick up another writer on the way. I want to give myself plenty of time, in case I get lost.” She twirled the keys around her fingers.
“Be careful.” He pressed a kiss to her lips that left her once again wondering if this had been the right decision. When was the last time they’d even gone on a date? “I love you.”
“I love you, too.”
Too late now. Kathy was waiting a couple hours away and then they had another half an hour past that to get to the state park. Time to go face her future. Two more days until we see how the story ends. What do you think will happen?
Be sure to stop by tomorrow to read more!

Short Story-A Writing Surprise-Day 2

Thanks for joining us this week for a short story. If you missed the previous section, read it here. Why couldn’t he do anything right?
The coffee—it was supposed to be a sweet surprise for her. Fixed exactly the way she liked it. And he knew he’d gotten the ratio of creamer to sugar to roast right because he’d seen the blissful expression on her face as she took another sip.
She hadn’t even said anything about the card. That had been a stupid idea. A poem. Who did he think he was? Wordsworth? Browning? Store-bought would have been a better idea. And maybe flowers.
Well, he still had time to do those, but they’d just wilt while she was gone.
“Dad, are we going?” Benjamin waved a hand in front of Chris’s face.
“Yes. Got your gear?” Chris grabbed his wallet and keys. “Come on, Maddie. Time to drop your brother off at practice.”
“Why can’t I stay home?” She gave him attitude better known for someone a year older.
“Because I don’t trust you.” He motioned with his head for her to head to the truck.
Benjamin filled up the passenger side with his long legs, pads, and helmet. “When can I drive?”
“When you have your permit.” Chris reversed out of the garage. “Have you even been studying for the test?”
“Some.” Benjamin ran his fingers through his hair, combing it over to one side. The curls flopped back into disarray almost immediately, but Chris didn’t tell him. The helmet would mess up any fancy ‘do Benjamin tried to achieve right now anyway.
“Dad, what about Grandma?” Maddie spoke up from the back.
“What about her?”
“You said—”
“I know what I said. And the plan still stands. I’m just going to have to do some finagling to make sure it works now. I had forgotten you had theatre camp this month.” Chris shot her a look in the mirror.
“Well, I don’t know why you’re trying to do all this to surprise Mom. It’s not like she even notices or anything.” Maddie slumped with her arms crossed over her chest.
“You’ll understand when you find someone you love enough to spend the rest of your life with.” Chris pulled up to the field and barely had the truck in park before Benjamin was out and waving over his shoulder.
“Javier is bringing me home.” Benjamin called out before he ran to join his friends.
“Did he ask permission for that?” Maddie asked in a way obvious to show she wanted her brother to get in trouble.
“I’ll let it slide this time. The schedule’s too packed to do anything different.” Chris drove home, listening for the beep to alert him to a message from his assistant. If she couldn’t get that meeting rescheduled, he was sunk.
“Do you have to work this morning, too?” Maddie pouted as Chris grabbed his phone and started scrolling immediately upon getting back in the house
“Do you like to eat?” Chris raised an eyebrow.
“Ugh.” The almost-teen stalked off to do whatever it is she did.
Chris sat down at his desk and pulled up the notes he needed for his morning conference call. Please let the other meeting get rescheduled. Thanks for stopping by today. I hope you're enjoying the story. Be sure to swing back tomorrow for the next piece.

Short Story-A Writing Surprise-Day 1

Last year, for my birthday, I wrote a short story and shared a piece each day of that week. Everyone seemed to enjoy it so much, I am doing it again. This year, the story isn't about a birthday girl, but I hope you enjoy it just as much. Make sure to check back every day through Friday this week to keep reading more. I can't wait to hear what you think. (Maybe this will hold you until my next book comes out in October. ;-))
​Rachel rolled over and reached toward Chris’s side. The sheet was smooth under her hand ... and cool, letting her know he’d already been up a while. A glance at the clock confirmed the alarm hadn’t even gone off yet. She swallowed the disappointment of not being able to kiss her husband good morning first thing on their twentieth anniversary.
Twenty years. Had it really been that long? Surely it had only been a few revolutions around the sun since she was a bride. Not two decades.
She silenced the buzzing that started next to her head. Time to start the day, even if it wasn’t how she had envisioned when she drifted to sleep last night. And the chaos to be organized for the next eighteen hours was enough to make her want to dive back beneath the covers. No time for a celebration this year.
After a quick run through the shower, she slipped into the outfit she’d laid out the evening before. It wasn’t anything fancy. The retreat she was headed to later that day was casual—jeans and a nice shirt. She’d been warned to take a sweater, too, as the conference room tended to run cold.
“Mom, we’re going to be late if we don’t leave right now.” Benjamin stuck his head out of his bedroom door, his hair standing up in every direction imaginable. Football was the only thing exciting enough to pull her sophomore out of bed before ten on a summer morning.
“Your father is taking you today. Remember?” She tweaked his ear before he could dodge her. “Besides, you have half an hour before practice starts and we only live five minutes away. Calm your bones.”
​The aroma of her favorite coffee lured her down to the kitchen, and the sight of a sink devoid of dirty dishes made her heart skip a beat. Had she accidentally walked into someone else’s house when she wasn’t looking? A red envelope sat under the mug of still steaming brew and she pulled it out to slip the card from inside.
“Twenty years ago, we promised forever.
Through good times and bad, come what-may-ever.
We had no idea what we might be facing.
But hand-in-hand, we’ve won at this racing.
That blushing bride, forever you’ll be,
In my eyes, now to eternity.”
It wasn’t the most well-written poem, but she knew it had taken him a while to get the rhymes the way he wanted. His perfectionist ways wouldn’t allow for otherwise. And to her, that made it the best poem she’d ever read.
She took a sip of the coffee. Perfect. Eyes shut, she enjoyed another swallow.
“I see you found your surprise.” Chris’s voice drew her gaze to him in the doorway.
“I did. Thank you.”
“I’m glad you like it.”
“I had hoped to steal a kiss before you got up this morning, but you beat me out of bed.” The words slipped out of her mouth before she could swallow them. How ungrateful she sounded.
His smile faded some and he straightened. “I had to get up so I can get that boy to football practice on time, right?”
“Of course.”
“Mom, don’t forget play practice this afternoon.” Maddie flew into the kitchen, grabbing a box of cereal as she breezed past the pantry. There was no middle speed on their twelve-year-old. She either sludged or rushed.
“Maddie, I’m leaving for my retreat shortly after lunch. We talked about this.” Rachel set her mug aside. “Your father is in charge for the next few days.”
“Wait. Play practice?” Chris frowned. “When does it start?”
He scrolled through his phone, probably pulling up his calendar.
“One.” Maddie sloshed some milk over the side of her bowl but didn’t move to clean it up. Instead, she left the jug on the counter, too.
Rachel grabbed a sponge and swiped at the small puddle, then replaced the milk in the fridge. “You said you had it all under control. That this would work.”
“It will. I just forgot about that one thing. I’ll have my secretary push that meeting back and it will be fine.”
Rachel debated back and forth as to whether or not she could wait a bit longer to leave, drop Maddie off on the way out of town. “Maybe ...”
“No.” Chris touched her shoulder. “You have been planning this for months. Go. I’ve got this.”
“Okay. I’m heading to the store to make sure you’re stocked on everything needed for the weekend, but I’ll be back in time to make lunch.”
Chris nodded and accepted the quick peck she threw at his lips. No time for romance this anniversary. Check back tomorrow for the next part!

Author Interview--Laurean Brooks

Today, I'm pleased to introduce you to a very sweet author friend, Laurean Brooks. I had the pleasure to meet her two years ago at KenTen Writers' Retreat, and we've kept in touch ever since. Her stories are fun and full of easy-to-love characters. Read on to get to know her better and hear about her newest book, which sounds delightful!

Laurean, how long have you been writing and what inspired you to first get started?
 
Amy, first of all I want to thank you for taking the time to interview me. I’m honored to be your guest. To answer your question, I’ve been writing since 5th grade, but first had essays published in our local Hometown magazine in December 2002. It was six years later before I finished my first book, Journey To Forgiveness. This book will always be close to my heart because it’s based on my parents’ lives during the Great Depression. A romance with plenty of angst, but also plenty of humor.
 
I'm always interested when I notice another author has a similar work listed on her resume. We were both legal assistants (although I only did it for two years). Has your work history influenced your writing? Do you tend to write a lot of characters who have jobs you've had in the past? Any examples?
 
I only worked as a legal assistant two years, also. Four attorneys in four years. They kept downsizing, and guess who was let go. Yeah, me. I think I was too friendly for the job. LOL. Anyway, I decided to take the computer lessons I’d had in college and try my hand as a writer. It has always been my dream. My heroine in To Trust Her Heart is a legal assistant. I was able to use my experience to develop her. And believe me, Amanda’s nemesis was not far from what I was exposed to. I don’t think I could work in an office environment for long. I’ve noticed a lot of conflict among the ladies who are coworkers. And each one tries to get you to take her side.
 
Most of my working years was spent in a garment factory. I loved the people, but hated the grueling work on a production line sewing machine. I was eventually promoted to Quality Control, but then I grieved because I was the bad guy who sent imperfect work back to the other workers. Probably I was hated as much as Matthew, the tax collector. LOL.  ​ I know you're a pet person with two dogs and a cat (who also goes on walks with you sometimes). Do you have a favorite animal or a preference, or do you tend to love all pets equally?
 
I used to think I was solely a dog person, due to a bad experience with a couple of attack cats a couple of decades ago. But that changed when I found an abandoned kitten in a ditch while on a morning walk in July 2011. We thought it was a female and named it Sassy. He was 8 months old before I discovered she was a he. Sassy disappeared after 18 months, but we adopted another kitten in 2013. Tux is the apple of my husband’s eye. I love him too, but I love our dogs Spence and Leo, equally. Wouldn’t take a home in Georgia (as the saying goes), for any of my fur babies. Spence stays on guard for anything or anyone that might be on the premises. Leo helps bark, but mostly he’s a charmer. Both are well-behaved and adorable.
 
Congratulations on your newest release. Can you tell us a bit about it?
 
Half-Price Bride is an inspirational mail-order bride Western Romance about Emily Hammons, who answers an ad from a dentist to get away from a chaotic home situation. She travels from Memphis to Abilene, Texas to find her intended (a dentist) repeating his vows with another woman.
 
The bride at the altar changes her mind and flees the church, knocking Emily off the porch and into the arms of a handsome cowboy. With a sprained ankle and only four quarters in her purse, she’s in a fix. Cowboy, Clint, feels responsible for her accident. He’s come for the doctor because his ma’s sick. Doc is attending the wedding.
 
Since Emily has no place to go, Clint takes her to his ranch, telling her the doctor will look at her ankle after treating his ma. Along the way, Clint voices his negative opinion of mail-order brides. Then and there, Emily decides she will never reveal that she came to town in answer to the dentist’s ad.
 
When the doctor suggests that Clint find someone to care for his ma, Emily volunteers because she is out of options. She learns that the mule-faced dentist she had agreed to marry, has also sent for two other women—as He must marry within 60 days or lose his his inheritance. Trouble is, the first bride fled. Emily is sure he will be searching for her next since he suspects she’s in town.
 
Clint’s ranch should provide a good place to hide from the dentist. Or will it? And how will Clint react when he discovers Emily, the woman he’s fallen in love with, has kept a big secret from him?
 
Oooh! That sounds so good!
What are you working on now? If you're like me, you're always brimming with new ideas. Anything simmering for future publication?
 
At this time it should be okay to let the secret out of the bag. We were asked to wait until early August for the reveal. I have signed up to write a book in a series called Matchmaker’s Mix-Up, and am so excited to be a part of it. So far, 19 authors are involved. We will each write our own book in the series. One book per month will be released from this August until May 2022. Mine is due out in May 2021.
 
The stories will be set in the spring of 1870 around a mishap that occurred. An elderly woman runs a matchmaking business to send brides to men out west. Each applicant must fill out a questionnaire. One day her cat jumps up on the desk and topples the box, scattering the files across the floor. The sight of it causes the woman to have a stroke. She must now entreat her teenage granddaughter to match up the men with brides. The granddaughter tries to match up the files correctly, but instead sends all the brides to all the wrong grooms. Every groom gets exactly opposite of what he asked for. But, he decides in the end, she’s exactly what he wanted.
 
Can you imagine the mishaps and the humor involved? I can’t wait to get deeper into my story.
 
Oh my! Congratulations, and I can't wait to hear more about those. They sound like fun.
To wrap up, can you tell us a fact about yourself that not many people know?
 
Although I’m a people person, and there was a time I had to force myself to stay home, today it’s hard to nudge myself away from my computer. I prefer to be involved in writer-related things than to get out and shop, or even take a vacation. Can you believe that? Mostly, I don’t like leaving my babies (my pets) in someone else’s care. I worry about them.
 
My heart is in my writing. Another story and its characters are always pressing me to be written. Stifling those characters in my head is like trying to get an ADD child to calm down
 
Also, I’m an avid researcher and student of natural supplements. The diseases and disorders that can be prevented, helped, or even cured, fascinates me.


Thanks so much to Laurean for stopping by today and chatting. Be sure to keep reading to learn more about her new book and to find links where you can continue to follow her. Half-Price Bride

To escape a contentious relationship, Emily Hammons answers a mail-order bride ad from a dentist in Abilene. Arriving a day late, she is shocked to find him exchanging vows with another woman.

Handsome rancher, Clint McCall came to town to fetch the doctor, but Doc is attending a wedding. As he waits outside the church, the bride tears out, slamming a pretty brunette into him. Clint tries to steady her, but loses his balance, becoming a cushion for her fall.

With an injured foot and an empty purse, Emily accepts Clint’s offer to care for his ailing mother.

Clint has arguments to back his opinion of mail-order brides. His mother suffered years of abuse at the hand of an angry man when she answered an ad.

With no relatives in Abilene, why did Emily travel more than 600 miles from Memphis? Clint feels she is hiding something.

The dentist in on the hunt for his “other” bride. Will he find Emily? Will Clint’s love be strong enough to endure Emily’s secret, or will it destroy them?

Available here. Laurean Brooks enjoys writing heartwarming Christian romance with leap-off-the-page characters.
Her stories address life's deeper issues, but doses of humor lighten the load. Ms. Brooks' books are
chocked full of intrigue, romance, and witty dialogue, enhanced by spunky heroines who are no
strangers to the taste of their own shoe leather, and those chivalrous heroes who rescue their ladies
from distress.
Laurean's fifth-grade teacher was the first to encourage her to hone her writing. Once, after Laurean
read a book report to the class and her classmates scrambled to be the next in line to read that book,
Mrs. Mary Brann announced, “Someday, Laurean will become an author.”
Laurean guarded those words in her heart. Decades later, her elusive dream became reality when
Pelican Book Group requested Journey To Forgiveness. To date, Ms. Brooks has five full-length books
in print, plus four novella ebooks. All are available at Amazon and Barnes & Noble, for purchase and
download.
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