Amy R. Anguish's Blog, page 39

Behind the Story: Summer Camp

The picture above isn't actually from my new book, Faith & Hope, but it is from a time when I was starting to think about the story line. This picture is from late summer 2011. My husband and I were fixing our house up to sell because he had taken a new teaching job in another city. My sister and mom had come down to help for a few days. I am the one on the right and my sister on the left. I had been working all summer at Camp Doublecreek in Round Rock, TX. Let me tell you, it's a great camp, and I had a blast. But it was hard work. However, please note the AMAZING tan I had that year. I do miss that part.
At that point, my plot consisted of throwing two sisters together for a while who didn't get along. It was very loosely based on my own relationship with my sister. Don't get me wrong. I love my sister and always have. But we had several years where we didn't see eye-to-eye at all, and got along much better when we lived three states apart. So, my brain played with the idea of, "What would happen if two sisters who barely got along with each other were forced to live in the same house again?" Then, I had to figure out what would force that to happen. Several years before this, my sister had lost her teaching job. I though, okay. Why not use that. So, would she move for a job? Sure. But would it need to be permanent or temporary? What would she do? Then, I got the job at Camp Doublecreek. Perfect. A temporary summer position for the fictional sister to be able to work that would be in the area of her other sister. I didn't actually end up writing the novel for a few more years, after I had worked out a few more plot points in my brain.
In my book, Hope ends up spending the summer working at Camp TwinCreeks. See the resemblance? I fully admit I based the summer camp in my book on the one I worked at. What's the point of having all these different jobs throughout the years if I can't use them in my books? It's hot, sweaty, and exhausting. But it's also fun and ends up rewarding Hope in more ways than one. You'll just have to read the book to find out how!
To give you just a little extra, I went back and found a post I had written for the blog I kept back then at the end of the first summer I worked camp, and I'm sharing it below. Enjoy! I worked at camp all summer and all I got was. . .
two staff t-shirts (slightly sweat and sunscreen stained)tan lineschigger bitesmosquito bitessore musclessweet memoriesnew friendsfunny storiesnew experiences like climbing the rock wall and leading horses around to kidsseveral Chick-fil-A sandwiches and Sonic drinksa couple icee popsa really great summer

Behind the Story: Hope

This week, I'm introducing you to the other main character in my newest book, Faith & Hope. Obviously, her name is Hope. She's Faith's younger sister.
She lives in Oxford, MS, teaches high school math, rooms with her friend Cassidy, and loves TexMex. Problem is, she's been laid off and no one else is hiring right now. What's a girl to do? Her mom suggests she go live with big sister Faith way over in Texas. Hope can imagine nothing worse. Although she does love a good chicken enchilada.
My husband and I had never considered moving to Texas when we first married, but we ended up living in the Austin area two years into our life together. It was a bit of culture shock at first, but we grew to love it. Some of the experiences that happen in my book happened in my real life all those years ago. Even though I had sworn to never move to that state, it has come to be one I consider home, and I'm missing parts of it now that I'm back in Tennessee.
In honor of Hope, I tried out a new recipe on my family the other day. I've pinned several recipes mentioned in the book over here on my Pinterest board dedicated to this book. I hope you go check them out, as well as looking around at other pins I've saved on there that reminded me of the escapades the girls go through during their summer together.
If you had to move to another state, could you find something good in the situation? Chicken enchiladas with sour cream sauce are definitely something good I found in Texas.

Cover Reveal: Faith & Hope

Nothing makes a book feel more real to an author than seeing the cover for the first time. To see the title and your name there mixed with images that depict something about your story ... it's thrilling.

Last week, my cover artist, Diane Turpin, sent me a photo that was fairly close to what I wanted. I asked her to change just a few things, but I think she did a great job finding models that matched my mental images of my two main characters, Faith and Hope. 

Are you ready to see it, too?

Really ready?

How about now?

Can I get a drum roll please?

Okay, okay. Without further ado ...









​
Hope is on the left and Faith on the right (opposite in the small picture). But I think it looks very Texas-y, don't you?

What do you think?

Behind the Story: Announcement Card

My new book, Faith & Hope, will be out in less than 40 days! Can you believe it?
To get you even more excited for it, I'm going to be doing some posts over the next month or so to help you get to know some of my characters a little better, and give you a peek into their lives.
Today, we're talking about Faith McCreary. She married her college sweetheart, Sam, and they're happily living just north of Austin, Texas. Now, after four and a half years of infertility struggles, they're finally expecting their baby. Needless to say, she's thrilled.
Faith teaches preschool during the school year, helps with a summer camp most summers--although the doctor has warned her against getting too hot while pregnant--and sells stamps so she can support her card-making hobby. Because she loves to make cards, she's had tons of ideas over the last few years of just how she could announce her pregnancy to family and friends. Unfortunately, the timing of this year didn't work out. She isn't due until December, so an Easter card won't cut it. Maybe for Mother's day.
Good news. Because she can't use the idea for herself, she's sharing it with you today in case you know someone who might like to send a cute card like this. Want to know a secret. This could be used for anything? You could make the inside into a chick with your child's picture as the face instead and send to a grandparent. But for today, here's what Faith would do.

​First things first, let's gather some supplies. You need:one envelopeone piece of cardstock for the outside of the eggone piece of cardstock for the insidegluescissorsa small brad (brass fastener)a pencil/pencup of tea (optional) First, I used my envelope to measure and make sure I cut my eggs out small enough to slide inside. To do that, I folded the white to the right size and used the envelope as a template to cut a regular shaped card first. After you get your rectangle, cut it into an egg shape. You might want to use some scrap paper to make sure you get it the right shape and size and then trace onto the white to cut out that way. Cut the yellow into a slightly smaller egg. You should end up with two white eggs and one smaller yellow one. Time to crack the shell! Figure out about where on the egg is the widest, and mark it on either side with a pencil so you can have a goal for cutting. Only on one white piece, cut a zig zag across the widest part. Now, we assemble. Glue the bottom half of your cracked shell, only around the edges, to the bottom of the uncut white egg. Then, using your brad, fasten the top piece at a corner so it can open and close. Make sure your yellow part still fits. If you're like me, you might have to trim the edges again. Time to decorate our yellow part. On one side, I wrote "Hatching this September." Obviously, you can use whatever phrase fits you best. "Happy Spring" or "Happy Easter" would also be cute. On the other side, I attached an ultrasound picture (this one happens to be of my son from several years ago).  I hope you had fun with this. I can't wait to share more of Faith's story with you!
Did you have any fun ideas for announcing your pregnancy? I'd love to hear about them!

Author Interview: Hope Toler Dougherty

Ever read a book and absolutely love it only to discover that you sort of already know the author? No? Well, I did. I read this amazing book, ​Irish Encounter, and pretty much couldn't put it down. Then, after I signed a contract with Mantle Rock Publishing for my book that's coming out in April, I was thrown into a Facebook group with Hope Dougherty, the author of that book. Even though Hope and I haven't gotten to meet face-to-face yet, I'm thrilled to have her here on my blog today so you can get to know a little more about her and her books, too.

Hope, I read your book Irish Encounter and thoroughly enjoyed it. I know the heroine owns a yarn shop in your story. Did you have to research yarn to write it, or did you already know a lot about it because of your love for crochet?
 
I do love crocheting and knew some things about yarn, but I visited a local sheep farm to find out more. Carolyn Beasley, the farmer, was patient with all my questions and showed me around her family farm. She shears the sheep and sends the wool to Maine to be spun into yarn, although she can spin it herself. She tried to teach me on a beautiful spinning wheel, but I need more practice. I took a dyeing class with her. I have three skeins of hand-dyed yarn still waiting for the perfect pattern!
 
I have tons of yarn waiting for projects, too, although none of mine are that special. That sounds like so much fun!
Your descriptions of the area in Ireland were beautiful. Have you been to Ireland? Is that what inspired your book, or did you go specifically for writing research?
 
Thank you. I’ve been three times in 1993, 2000, and 2007. The last two times were for home exchanges. We swapped homes with families in Galway and Bandon, County Cork in 20000 and in Blessington, County Wicklow in 2007. We had wonderful experiences that I drew on for Irish Encounter, and I researched on-line what I didn’t know. I’m ready for another trip. Galway is my favorite international city!
 
Tell us about your other books. Are they similar to the first?
 
Mars...With Venus Rising is a sweet romance set in Mars, Pennsylvania, near where we lived for fourteen years. Because of a childhood tragedy, Penn likes her life to be calm and predictable. John is a bungee-jumping pilot who enjoys life to the fullest.
 
Rescued Hearts is a Romantic Suspense. I love reading suspense but never thought about writing one. Our sheriff graciously granted me an interview and then connected me with two undercover detectives. I also attended the Writers’ Police Academy to learn about writing suspense. Mary Wade is a children’s clothing designer who accidentally gets into trouble. Brett is the undercover deputy who saves her.
 
Ooh. Those sound like fun! What inspired you to start writing? Have you always wanted to be a writer?
 
I used to teach English before my children were born. I think most English teachers desire to write a book. I did, but the process intimidated me. Instead, I wrote articles for newspapers and local magazines. In 2009 when my oldest daughter was weeks away from high school graduation, I began to consider life after children. I wanted to focus on writing, not teaching again. Irish Encounter grew from a daydream I had when I was supposed to be writing something else.
 
Daydreams are where a lot of my writing comes from, too. Is that where a lot of your story ideas come from? Where else? Are you working on anything new right now?
 
Story ideas come from different places for me—a daydream, a former job, a surprise thought. I use lots of family and personal stuff in my stories, but they’re little things. For example, I have two sons, Lane and Quinn. In Irish Encounter, I named a street Quinn Lane. That street makes me smile. People who know me pick up on the little things and enjoy finding the “Easter Eggs.” I’ve never used a story from my real life as a plot point.
 
I just began a new story this week, but it’s going very slowly. I have more questions than I do answers!
 
I know you live on land that used to be your grandparents' farm. What is it like to be surrounded by that kind of heritage? Does any of it play into your stories?
 
Honestly, I do feel the weight of living on that land. We host a family reunion for the descendants of my great grandparents every June. One of the original five children, my great aunt, is still alive and joins us. The older ones tell stories of working the farm, sending brothers to fight in WWII, pulling practical jokes. The best part of the day for me is sitting around the tables after the meal, listening.
 
That sounds like an amazing heritage. I hope you're writing down all the stories to save for later! 
Okay, let's wrap up with something fun. Can you tell us one interesting thing about yourself that very few others might know?
 
I know how to drive a lot of different vehicles. I can drive a tractor and a stick shift. I’ve soloed a Cessna 150 several times. People are always shocked to hear I drove a school bus during high school. Eons ago, my county allowed students to drive those buses. Yes, I’m serious. Sixteen- and seventeen-year-olds were responsible for transporting precious cargo in those huge tin cans without seat belts! Shocking, but true.
Thanks so much for having me. These were fun questions!

Thanks for joining us, Hope! This was a lot of fun.
If you'd like to learn more about Hope and her books, check out the information below.
Hope holds a Master’s degree and taught at East Carolina University and York Technical College. Her novels include Irish Encounterand Mars…With Venus Rising. A member of ACFW, RWA, SinC, she writes for SeriousWriter.com. Residing in North Carolina, she and her husband enjoy visits with their daughters and twin sons.

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Instagram After almost three years of living under a fog of grief, Ellen Shepherd is ready for the next chapter in her life. Perhaps she’ll find adventure during a visit to Galway. Her idea of excitement consists of exploring Ireland for yarn to feature in her shop back home, but the adventure awaiting her includes an edgy stranger who disrupts her tea time, challenges her belief system, and stirs up feelings she thought she’d buried with her husband. After years of ignoring God, nursing anger, and stifling his grief, Payne Anderson isn’t ready for the feelings a chance encounter with an enchanting stranger evokes. Though avoiding women and small talk has been his pattern, something about Ellen makes him want to seek her—and God again. Can Ellen accept a new life different than the one she planned? Can Payne release his guilt and accept the peace he’s longed for? Can they surrender their past pain and embrace healing together, or will fear and doubt ruin their second chance at happiness?

​Click here to buy.

Writing About Readers

Not too long ago, I was rereading Jane Austen's Northanger Abbey. I hadn't read it in quite some time, preferring Pride & Prejudice, Sense & Sensibility, and Emma. But I had just finished rereading Katherine Reay's Austen Escape, and she mentions the gothic novel quite a bit, so I decided to refresh my memory. Let me just say, I giggled through the whole thing. I love Austen's ability to make fun of herself as well as everyone around her, including those she is writing about.
But I was struck quite a bit by some lines she wrote in Chapter five, as she's describing her heroine enjoying a gothic novel. She defends herself for writing about novels, finding it ridiculous that other authors who write novels never let their characters read such drivel. And then, she says this: "Alas! if the heroine of one novel be not patronized by the heroine of another, from whom can she expect protection and regard? I cannot approve of it." In other words, let's make our characters readers.
Yes! And I say again, yes! I don't think it ever would have dawned on me that my characters might not be readers. After all, they come from my head, and I can't imagine a day without reading at least a page or two. So, in An Unexpected Legacy, Jessica owns a bookstore and reads romance novels. In Faith & Hope, coming out in April, Hope escapes from an argument with her sister by hiding out in the bookstore down the street and reading away the afternoon. I want my characters to be someone you can relate to, and you must relate to readers, because you are one!
What do you think? Have you ever read about a character who didn't read and wonder how they got in a book in the first place? Does it seem strange to you, or do you expect characters to mirror real life, and even include those who will never know there are characters in a book that are just like them? Any strong feelings one way or another?

Author Interview: Erin Howard

Remember last summer when I interviewed Erin Howard the first time? No? Well, if you'd like to see that one, too, click here. Otherwise, we'll just enjoy the discussion she's bringing today.
Erin and I met at the KenTen Writers' Retreat last June and have become cyber friends since then. She's spunky, crafty, and writes a great speculative fiction. Without further ado, let's chat with Erin.

Welcome back! You've been busy since we last chatted on here and have a second book coming out. How exciting! Several people have encouraged me to write a sequel to my book, but I just can't wrap my mind around continuing a story I feel is complete. Was it hard to write a sequel or had you already had the story line in place when you finished the first book? How was writing a sequel different from writing the first book?

Hi Amy, I’m glad to be back! Thank you for having me again.
I knew going into The  Seer, that I wanted it to be a series. This story world has so much room for multiple books that I didn’t know how to contain it to one story. I’ve actually tried several times to write a stand-alone novel, but I can’t seem to do it. Short stories are hard for me as well. Perhaps I just have too much to say? LOL. But I like to think it’s because I don’t want to leave my characters and I have to keep exploring their stories. The sequel in a lot of ways was easier. I was already in a nice groove with the story, and I felt like I knew my characters. Bringing in a brand new character’s POV was a lot of fun. It was difficult sometimes because I’ve read books were the second one was kind of slow, and I didn’t want that to happen. But I can honestly say that this story picks up right where book one ends and doesn’t let you go. I’m really proud of it.

I just finished reading your first book and loved it. What made you come up with the idea of writing about a world that interacts with angels and demons? Demons aren't something everyone wants to think about.

Thank you so much! I’m glad that you loved it. Demons aren’t something that people want to think about. I always knew that I wanted to write a supernatural book, but kept putting it off. The book actually started off as a short story that I wrote for a writing workshop. We had to write a story from the villain's or an unlikely hero’s POV. I started asking “what if” questions, and it grew into a whole series. I’ve learned that I really like writing from an unlikely hero’s point of view, and Viktor is my absolute favorite character.

I loved the idea of the supernatural beings eating manna as their primary food. I don't think I ever would have even considered what an angel ate, if he did. Do these ideas just come to you as you read the Bible or what kind of research does it take to write something like this?

This is a question that came up in one of my plotting sessions with my husband. He loves sitting down with me and plotting, and I always discuss the story with him because he can come up with some excellent ideas. We were talking one day about their characteristics and abilities, and food came up, and we wondered if they would have to eat to keep up their strength, and I mentioned about how God feed people with manna. To me, if they did eat, why wouldn’t it be something that God made? I did a little research on what it looked like and then got a bit creative with it. I love the scene with Thea and Matthias, and he’s dipping the manna in honey.

I know in the past, you've talked about leaving Easter eggs, little personal touches in your book that mean something to you and your loved ones. Can you let us in on a few of them?

Yay! I love this question. All of your questions have been great by the way. One of my characters, Sentinel Cobb, always has a coffee cup in his hand. My husband loves coffee and always makes fun of me since I don’t like to drink it. Also, Cobb was my husband's nickname growing up, and he still has friends that call him that. (His name is Jacob). The way that Thea and Sam joke back and forth is inspired from how Jacob and I pester each other. All of the settings in the book are locations that mean something to my family. The character, Elnora, is named after my Grandmother that passed away while I was writing my book. In book two, The  Soul Searcher, Elnora wraps a crocheted afghan around herself, and my Grandmother loved to  crochet, and that’s where I got my desire to crochet as well. She made the most beautiful afghans. Those are a few of the most special ones to me. I plan on throwing new ones in the next books that I write.
 
You're quite creative outside your writing, too (like crocheting!). Got any non-writing projects going on or that you're looking forward to right now?

Right now, I’m in between projects. But I got some pretty yarn that was given to me at Christmas, so I plan on making something for myself this time, maybe a cute scarf. I’ve been watching videos on wood burning as well, and I’m looking forward to learning more about how to do that. I plan on making some jewelry.

I love getting pretty yarn! Wood burning sounds fun, too.
With the second book out this month, are you straight into writing the third, or are you going to catch your breath for a moment before starting again? Will the third book be the final in the series? Anything else in the works after that?

I took a short breather and then jumped right into the third book. I’m hoping that I can do a prequel for the series and then that would be the end of this series. I’m also plotting a new series, perhaps a novella series, which will be in the same story world as The Kalila Chronicles but will have new characters and new societies. It will also tie into the third book (kind of like a crossover), so if you’ve read the first two books, you’ll catch some Easter eggs in the new series, and if you read the original series, you can go back and read the first series and see how they line up on the timeline. I’m really excited to explore deeper into this world.
 
Wow! That sounds like a lot of fun and a lot of work at the same time. Good for you!
Can you leave us with a fun fact that almost no one knows about you?

I absolutely love chocolate, but every time I eat it, I sneeze. The richer or darker the chocolate, the more I sneeze and my face itches, so I have to be careful.

That sounds absolutely miserable, especially this time of year! Bummer. Hopefully you can find something else sweet to munch on, because we're all excited about your new book coming out and we need to celebrate.

Keep reading to learn more about Erin and her new book. ​Upcoming Release: The Soul Searcher (The Kalila Chronicles, #2)
 
Release Date: 2/19/19
 
Back cover blurb:
 
Elnora’s parents gave her one rule:
Stay hidden away at all costs.
Elnora Scott is used to her survival depending on the decisions of others. Locked away in her safe house, it is easy to follow her parents’ dying wishes until an angel, demon, and seer show up on her doorstep. Now, waking up in a dirty cell, she wishes she would have gone with them when she had the chance, because the very ones who unknowingly ushered the kidnapper to her location may be the only ones who can save her.
When Thea learns that Elnora may be in danger, she doesn’t hesitate to go find her. Thea thought stepping through the portal would be her greatest obstacle, but it only reveals a more sinister threat.

Pre-order it on Amazon now!
Erin R. Howard is a developmental editor, fantasy author of The Kalila Chronicles, and has earned a Bachelor’s degree in Creative Writing/English from Southern New Hampshire University. When she's not writing, Erin enjoys spending time with her family, fueling her craft addictions, and teaching writing workshops. Erin is a member of the American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW) and the KenTen Writers Group. She resides in Western Kentucky with her husband and three children.

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Sneak Peek into my New Novel

Want a peek into the world of my newest novel? Here's a pinterest board where I've been adding things that relate to the story. I've been playing with the title some this week. When I originally wrote it, I had titled it The Greatest of These. But there are many, many other books with that title on Amazon, so now I'm thinking of other things that might work just as well, if not better. What do you think of the title, Love is the Greatest? Is that a title you might grab off a shelf?
This board has different pages saved that relate to locations, recipes mentioned in the story, a summer camp that I worked at a couple years and based the one in the story on, as well as a few other goodies. I haven't pinned people who might look like my main characters because I haven't been able to find any. If you'd like to search, my main characters are sisters Faith and Hope. They're a few years apart, both blonde and semi-petite, mid-twenties. Faith is happily married, a crafty preschool teacher, and a few months pregnant. Hope is a high school math teacher who is working at camp for the summer. Her hair is usually in a ponytail or braid. If you find girls you think might fit those descriptions, I'd love to add them to my board.
And after the book comes out in April, I'd love for you to share other pages you think might fit with the story as well. Are you getting excited? I am!

Plans and Upcoming Events

It's been a while since I updated you on what's going on in my writing life. With the second book coming out in April, I'm doing edits every few days as they're sent my way. Then, I send them back for her to find some more. ;-)
I'm also working on another manuscript, which I have several grammar-loving friends helping me clean up a bit more so I can start sending it out to try and find a publisher. This one's about a girl who wants to adopt a baby, the only other survivor of a car accident she was in. But she has to figure out why the odds seem to be stacked against her.
And I've decided to rewrite a book I first wrote back in 2006, which is a good premise, but needs a lot of work. More character development and growth, slower timetable, new timetable, and maybe even a tweak or two on the secondary characters. Sounds like fun, right? It's about a widow who is trying not to fall in love with her husband's best friend. Just a bit emotional.

Next week, I'll be packing up this box of books and taking it to lovely Henderson, TN. The annual Freed-Hardeman University Bible lectureship will be in full swing, and we plan to spend a few days with family and friends, soaking up the Word, and feeling a bit like we're back in college. I'll have my books out for sale in the gym, so if you're in the area, swing by. I'd love to meet you and sign your book!

Author Interview: Regina Rudd Merrick

Do I have a treat for you today! I'm going to introduce you to a sweet lady I got to meet last summer when I attended the writing retreat. She's got a great sense of humor, a huge love of literature, and is about to release her third book! I just read her first one a few weeks ago and it was really good. Without further ado, here's Regina Rudd Merrick!

Regina, I loved getting to know you last June at the Ken Ten Writers' Retreat. How has being a member of that group impacted your writing career?

Thanks so much for having me on your blog, Amy! I was so happy to meet you and get to know you better at last year’s retreat! The retreat has been an outpouring of the work the KenTen Writers Group accomplishes on a monthly basis. It’s been such a blessing to me both in my writing and in my personal life. Impact? It has had a major impact. When I was just starting the writing thing, I met author Kaye Dacus, who kept telling me, “You need to meet Kathy Cretsinger.” When I finally met her and was invited to meet with the fledgling writing group with Susan Page Davis and Sandra Robbins, I found my writing home. I actually stopped writing for a while, and missed the group so much that when the itch to begin writing again came along, my first instinct was to rejoin KenTen. It was a life-saver for my writing, and through it, I met my publisher and my editor!

I know you were a librarian. Do you think that helped your writing? I know librarians read a lot of books. What other author do you think your writing style is most similar to?

I’ve been both a school librarian (media specialist!) and a public librarian, and both impacted my writing. As a school librarian, I learned the importance of encouraging people to read for enjoyment as well as knowledge. As a public librarian, I learned more about Christian writers and their books. It helped my writing tremendously. I found that no longer were there only “bonnet” books in the Christian Fiction section, but a wide variety of romances, mysteries, and historical novels. This only increased my desire to write in this genre! As for who to compare myself to, the two authors that I found first, that really inspired me, were Janice Thompson and Kaye Dacus. Their contemporary romances have wonderful humor in them, and I can say I have read some of both of their books more than once!

You write stories set in South Carolina, but you're from Kentucky. How does that work? Is it a good excuse to go on vacation? ;-)

I wish!! I first went to South Carolina in 2003, when my extended family went on vacation to celebrate my parents’ fortieth anniversary. I fell in love with the area, and we went back again a few years later, after I had the idea for the first book in the Southern Breeze series, Carolina Dream. I’ve been told that reading my books makes people want to visit!

Sort of playing off the question above, if you had your 'druthers, where would you most like to live?

I would move to Litchfield Beach, SC in a heartbeat! :)

Tell us a little about this series. You have two books out (one of which I'm reading), and the third releases next month. Will this wrap up the series? Are the book stand-alones?

The Southern Breeze series is a continuing story, but each book has a satisfying ending. They could be read out of order, but I think you’d enjoy them even more in order. There is the Kentucky/South Carolina connection, although in my February release, Charly and Rance are both South Carolinians!

In book 1, Carolina Dream, I explore trusting God. Sarah Crawford wants more from life than to attend the wedding of her ex-fiancée. An unexpected inheritance in South Carolina comes at the perfect time, just as Sarah is willing to use any excuse to get out of town.
When she meets potential business partner Jared Benton and discovers that a house is part of the inheritance, she is sure that God has been preparing her for this time through a recurring dream. But will a dream about an antebellum mansion, many rooms to be explored, and a man with dark brown eyes give her the confidence to take a leap of faith, leaving friends, family, and her job behind?

Book 2, Carolina Mercy, features Sarah’s best friend Lucy and Jared’s best friend Tom. Both characters have a difficult time accepting the truth of God’s mercy and provision. Her best friend’s wedding is foremost on Lucy Dixon’s radar. Her biggest concern is once again meeting Tom Livingston, who has ignored her since an idyllic date on the boardwalk of Myrtle Beach the previous summer. At least, it is her biggest concern until tragedy strikes. Where is her loving, merciful God, now?
When Tom Livingston meets Lucy, the attraction is instant. Soon after, his mother is diagnosed with an untreatable illness, and his personal life is pushed aside. His work with the sheriff’s department, his family–they are more important. He knows about the love of God, but circumstances make him feel as if God’s mercy is for everyone else, not him. Can a wedding and a hurricane–blessing and tragedy–bring them together?

For book 3, a little time has lapsed – five years, in fact, and the key players are Charlotte Anne (Charly) Livingston, Tom’s sister, and a new character, Rance Butler! In this story, I explore God’s amazing grace in the face of bitterness and anger.
First-year Special Education teacher Charly Livingston demonstrates God’s love on the outside, but is resentful that God allowed back-to-back tragedies in her family. Rance Butler is a top-notch medical intern. He’s on his way to the top, and when he meets Charly, he knows things will only get better. When he discovers family secrets and a dying father he never knew, his easy, carefree life seems to disintegrate.
Even in the idyllic ocean breezes and South Carolina sunshine, contentment turns to bitterness and confusion except for God’s amazing grace.
I can’t wait for you to read Charly’s and Rance’s story!!

Now that your girls are grown, and you're retired from working at the library, do you find it easier or harder to write, and why?

Would you believe a little bit of both? It’s hard to be at home with housework staring at you. For some reason, the older I get, the more I appreciate a clean house! LOL! I can structure my time, but when things get out of kilter – like over the holidays! – it takes that much longer to get back in the groove!

One last thing, because I love asking everyone this. Please leave us with a little-known fact about you. Thanks!

People who know me personally know this, but most people don’t – I come from musicians on both sides of my family!
On my Dad’s side, my grandmother was a singer and church pianist, my Dad was in quartets and played the banjo, his first cousin’s son (on HIS dad’s side) is Steven Curtis Chapman, and other cousins were in the quartet, The Jordonaires, who sang with Elvis Presley.
On my Mom’s side, her grandfather was an organist and song leader in his church, and his daughter, my great-aunt, played the piano for him! My mother refuses to be musical, but she knows when we get it wrong! LOL

Wow! That's amazing! Thanks for sharing.

Amy, this has been fun! Thanks so much for inviting me to be on your blog, and I hope you and your readers have an amazing 2019!

​Thanks so much for joining us, Regina.
​To my readers, if you'd like to know more about Regina or her books, keep reading below. Carolina Grace

She knows about God’s grace for her life, but pushes it away. He hasn’t experienced it, but finds grace in a way he never expected.
First-year Special Education teacher Charly Livingston demonstrates God’s love on the outside, but is resentful that God allowed back-to-back tragedies to happen to her family.
Rance Beaumont is a top-notch medical intern. He’s on his way to the top, and when he meets Charly, he knows things can only get better. When he discovers family secrets and a dying father he never knew, his easy life seems to disintegrate.
Even in the idyllic ocean breezes and South Carolina sunshine, contentment can quickly turn to bitterness and confusion except for God’s amazing grace.

​Click here if you're interested in Regina's books.
Regina Rudd Merrick began reading romance and thinking of book ideas as early as her teenage years when she attempted a happily-ever-after sequel to “Gone With the Wind.” That love of fiction parlayed into a career as a librarian, and finally to writing full-time. She began attending local writing workshops and continued to hone her craft by writing several short and novel-length fan-fiction pieces published online, where she met other authors with a similar love for story, a Christian worldview, and happily-ever-after. Married for 30+ years and active in their church in Marion, KY, Regina and her husband have two grown daughters who share her love of music, writing, and the arts. She is the author of three books: Carolina Dream (Apr. 2017), Carolina Mercy (July 2018), and coming in Feb. 2019, Carolina Grace in the Southern Breeze Series.

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