Jessica Greyson's Blog, page 14

Jansina with Shrouded Jewels & As Fairy Dust Settles

Hello Dearest Readers!

Today, I am delighted to introduce to you Jansina! I've had the privilege of meeting Jansina in person, and my editor for Annabeth's War.  Jansina is not only an author but an editor & publisher of her very own Rivershore Books! (if you are looking to sail out into the world of publishing and don't feel like you want to do it alone Janisna is the one to talk to!)

I am super delighted that Jansina is able to offer us two of her books (a series! Series are so exciting.) Though I haven't had a chance to read them myself, I know that you will love them. (The stack of books beside my bed will someday fall on top of me and bury me in a book grave.) I've had a chance to talk with Jansina about her books and the way she talks about her characters there is such a warmth and delight in them, they are perfectly wonderful!


However delightful Jansina....What do you love about writing?
The limitless possibilities, the way even your own characters can surprise you, and the unique things you notice about people when you’re in a writing mindset.
Who is your favorite book couple ever?
Catherine Morland and Henry Tilney, from Jane Austen’s Northanger Abbey. I know there are a lot of other great ones, too, though!
What is your favorite “first meeting” between a story couple?
Anne Shirley and Gilbert Blythe…hehe.
What couple did you ship, only to be disappointed? 

I can’t remember a book like that. If I was ever hoping for a romance that didn’t happen, I was still happy with the way the book ended up. With The Hunger Games, I was worried I’d be disappointed, but I wasn’t.
What couple ended up together, but you wish they hadn’t? 

Again, I don’t think there were any!
What confession/proposal or wedding touched your heart? 

The one in Freckles(by Gene Stratton-Porter) is just so beautiful and sweet…since I don’t want to spoil it, that’s all I’ll say – but do read the book if you have a chance!
On a different kind of love, what is your favorite bro-mance or sisterhood in a novel? 

Winnie-the-Pooh and Christopher Robin. Oh…that’s not a novel. Legolas and Gimli!
What book really illustrates the love of God for us in a way that caught your attention?
The Shack by William P. Young. I borrowed the term Papa from there. I also love Ransomed by Elizabeth Ender and think everyone should read it!
What is your favorite form of love to write into your own books? 
The romantic form is what I naturally lean towards, but I also really enjoy the friendship and family forms.
Do you have a favorite couple of those you’ve written? Why?
I do, but I’m not sure I can say without giving spoilers, since the book is in the editing stage now. Let’s just say they’re an unlikely and flawed pair, and I like the way they help each other improve.
Was there ever a couple in your stories that you were not planning on ending up together but finally ended up writing in?
Yes – a couple secondary characters in Shrouded Jewels and As Fairydust Settles will eventually end up together. I’ll probably give them their own books at some point to complete their stories.
Do you find it harder or easier to write romantic love or friendship love in your books? 
Romantic love is easier to write as the main focus; friendship is easier as a backdrop. (Of course, friendship can lead into romantic…)
Do you have a favorite friend pair in your books? 
Davey and Jonathan from Shrouded Jewels and As Fairydust Settles, because they respect and learn from each other, but aren’t afraid to call out the other when they’re acting dumb.
Favorite love story you’ve written?
It hasn’t fully been written yet…of the ones I’ve written already, I think Forgotten Memorieswins, because it’s not as complex as Mical and Davey’s, and Joe is just thilly.
What is your definition of love?
Oh boy. Talking romantic (not unrequited) love: It’s part attraction, part commitment, mostly unselfish, and can only be perfected through Papa. It takes work and dedication, but it’s absolutely worth it.
About Jansina:
I can’t remember a time when I wasn’t writing. I finished my first short story when I was eight, and my mom had it bound into a book. From that point on, publishing became my dream. I now have three novels and two short stories published – more soon to come!
In 2012, I began my editing and publishing company, Rivershore Books. I now have three secondary proofreaders, a backup graphic artist, and an illustrator working with me, and the business continues to grow.
My goal is to honor God in my writing and encourage other authors to do the same with their own.

Sarah Holman & The Destiny of One

Hello Dearest Readers!

Today I am super tickled to be introducing you to one of my new favorite authors Sarah Holman of The Destiny of One. One of the queen bee's of busy authors, who keeps her days fill with writing epic book reviews, blog posts, researching, and her own lovely works.

This is one author who is really becoming a kindred spirit, and I know from chatting with her that the words she write flow directly from her tender and talented heart. I am currently reading her latest book Adventures and Adversities, it is beautifully and brilliantly written, drawing you right into the pages of her sweet story. I have a hard time keeping track of time as she slowly carries me away into the world of her wonderful characters that I find real and exhorting. It's certainly going on my "Give this really good book, as a gift list." I can't wait until my sister adds this to her long "To Read" list.

I am so excited that she is offering The Destiny of One to all of you, I read the first chapter of the ebook (I have a terrible confession to make, I am horrible at reading ebooks no matter how wonderful and gripping they are I can't seem to find the drive as I am sitting at my computer.) And I really loved it, but I need to save up and buy all of her books in paperback so I can read to my heart's content.


However lovely Sarah Holman in her own words...

What do you love about writing?I love following a character through a story and seeing where it leads. I rarely have the story mapped out, so I am as surprised by many of the twists and turns that it takes as my readers.
Who is your favorite book couple ever?Out of books I have read I would have to say it is Christy and Neil from Catherine Marshall‘s Brilliant work Christy. They actually aren’t that romantic of a couple, but the realism of the characters was amazing.
What is your favorite “first meeting” between a story couple?This is a very hard one. I think to me one of my favorite first meetings out of any book was in Janette Oke’s series Season of the Heart between Auntie Lou and the minister. It was so funny and real, I just loved it.
What confession/ proposal or wedding touched your heart?Jane Austen takes the cake for this one all of her confessions and proposals are amazing. However, I think that Captain Wentworth’s letter to Anne has to be one of the most touching confessions/proposal ever.

On a different kind of love, what is your favorite bro-mance or sisterhood in a novel?You really like asking tough questions, don’t you? Coming from a large family of girls, I think that it is a toss-up between Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice and Louisa May Alcott’s, Little Women. Both of these books portray sisterhood much like that I share with my own sisters. However, unlike Pride and Prejudice, I have a wonderful mother and my two youngest sisters do not flirt with every boy they meet (they do have a thing for men in uniform though).

What book really illustrates the love of God for us in a way that caught your attention?Christy by Catherine Marshall, hands down. This book had a profound effect on me and my faith. The love of Christ that Miss Alice and Christy have for the very broken people of Cutter Gape inspired me to look differently at the people around me.
What is your favorite form of love to write into your own books?I like to write about all kinds of love, however, I am coming to enjoy writing about love between a man and woman that is based in strong character, and the love of God. It is easy to write a romance that is based on feelings and people ‘falling-in-love’ but I want to write love stories based on something deeper and more lasting. Of course, I do want to have a dash of feelings in there as well. ;)
Do you have a favorite couple of those you’ve written? Why?Maria and her future husband. Perhaps it is because Maria is so much like me and I put so many of the qualities I really admire in guys into Maria’s future husband.
Was there ever a couple in your stories that you were not planning on ending up together but finally ended up writing in?So far, that hasn’t happened. However, I would not be surprised if that happened in the future.

Do you find it harder or easier to write romantic love or friendship love in your books?I find both easy to write. I have had many wonderful friendships to learn from and even though I have never been in a romantic relationship myself, I have a good imagination and plenty of books, movies, and real life people to draw from. The only thing I find hard to write sometimes is guy friendships. Those are a little tougher.
Do you have a favorite friend pair in your books?Christy and Miss Alice, or maybe Jane and Elizabeth. It is hard to choose between the two. Christy and Miss Alice had a friendship and Alice was Christy’s mentor as well. Jane and Elizabeth were sisters as well as close friends. Both friendships say them though the good times and the bad.
Favorite love story you’ve written?My latest one between Selah and William. William is so unsure of himself and Selah is so strong. Yet they both see the good and bad in each other.  It was so fun to write! Watch of the book A Different Kind of Courage coming later this year.
What is your definition of love?Love is patientLove is kindIt does not envyIt does not boastIt is not proudIt is not rudeIt is not self-seekingIt is not easily angeredLove believes all thingsLove hopes all thingsLove never fails

Yes I took this from the Bible but it truly is my definition. If there any mistakes in my quotation it is because I did it from memory. This is what is ingrained within me. For the greatest virtue is true love.

Rachel Rassano with Duty & Word and Deed

Hello Dearest Readers!

Today, I am so pleased to introduce to you Rachel Rassano from Rachel Rassano's Words, a weathered veteran in the world of indie publishing, a friend, mentor and so much more. I first met Rachel via her blog (Thanks to Elizabeth E.), where she was writing the story of Wren (now available for purchase!!!!!). I fell in love with her style of writing sweet clean romances. I tend to avoid romance as a general rule, but Rachel has such a sweet touch with it I didn't really even notice it was romance. This led me to reading a few more of her books, a few web chats and creating a dear friend who had great wisdom about launching into the world of self-publishing and cover design, both of which she does fluently.

For this giveaway, I am super excited about her books. I had a chance to beta read for Duty and enjoyed it very much, I know you will too. It's a lovely story set in fictional medieval lands--another reason I love Rachel's writing. Then her lovely short story Word and Deed, this is a super fun quick read, with a great deal of adventure and fun suspense that I am sure you will love! If you love romance--you will LOVE RACHEL'S BOOKS FOREVER!!!!!



Enough of my babbling...Rachel Rassano in her own words...
What do you love about writing?
I love creating characters and worlds, playing with words and situations, and never knowing what is going to happen next. I write my stories a bit how my readers read them. I meet the characters and discover things about them at about the same time in the story that the reader does. Dialogue becomes a conversation between me and the characters. Writing is a challenging adventure with vast rewards, the greatest of which is a story to share with my readers.
Was there ever a couple in your stories that you were not planning on ending up together but finally ended up writing in?
While writing Wren: A Romany Epistle Novel, Wren and Tourth were not my first choice as the main couple. When I first sat down to write, Arthus and Wren were to be a pair. I got eight chapters into the novel and realized that my two main characters were not going to end up together. Wren was interested in a character that had just been introduced, Tourth, and Arthus wanted to court Tourth's sister, Kat. I ended up rewriting the whole novel from scratch.
On a different kind of love, what is your favorite bro-mance or sisterhood in a novel?
In the Novels of Rhynan series, I am really enjoying the brotherly friendship between Tomas Dyrease and Simon Cordale. The two come from drastically different backgrounds. Tomas is an illegitimate son of a wandering healer woman, and Simon Cordale is the son of an earl with an ancient family name. The two should have never rubbed shoulders, but they did. Simon became the older brother Tomas never had, someone to guide and help him along in life. Meanwhile Tomas became the replacement for the brothers Simon lost. Bound by war, shared experiences, and common ideals, the two of them have forged a friendship that withstands seasons of plenty and famine. Their friendship is a thread I hope to stumble over repeatedly as I write the next stories in the Novels of Rhynan series.
What confession/ proposal or wedding touched your heart?
I love the scene in Duty where Tomas convinces Brielle to marry him. It isn't particularly romantic. He asks her question after question, knocking down possible reasons for her to say no. Then he tells her why he wants to marry her beyond the obvious motivations of the proxy wedding and the king's orders.
“I am a soldier, a man accustomed to grueling marches, meager fare, and long, cold nights sleeping in the dirt. Alive by the strength of my sword arm and the speed of my feet, I need a wife who can stand at my side, not cower behind me. The more I know of you, the better suited you appear, my lady. Should you have me, I would willingly take you to wife.”
Summing up in his direct fashion, he concludes: “Then I suggest a solution. We marry. I will give you protection, children, and companionship. I believe we can hope for at least friendship, but…” He studied her face. “…I haven’t completely given up on the possibility of more. What do you say?”
Do you have a favorite couple of those you’ve written? Why?
I can't say I do. Each of the couples I have written have been very different from the others. They play off each other in different ways that I (and hopefully my readers) enjoy. The sword fight between Wren and Tourth (Wren),Tomas' directness with Brielle (Duty), Dentin's tenacious pursuit of Elsa (Honor), and the fast paced conversations between Verity and Byrn (Word and Deed), each couple remains special to me in their own way. They are like old friends that I have known forever.
What is your definition of love?
1 John 4:10 “In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins.”
1 Corinthians 13:4-7 “Love is patient, love is kind and is not jealous; love does not brag and is not arrogant, does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered, does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.”
Every act of love is a reflection of the perfect love Christ demonstrated for us on the cross. I am honored to reflect Christ's love in my writing whether it is romantic love or friendship.

Author's Biography
Rachel Rossano is a happily married homeschooling momma of three. Midst the daily chaos of mothering and teaching, she plots and daydreams about high adventures and romance. Then at nap times and after the children are tucked in for the night, she captures her stories on the page to be enjoyed time and again. Check out her work on her blog: http://rachel-rossano.blogspot.com/

Amy Dashwood & Only A Novel

Hello Dearest Reader!

I am so excited about the giveaway, and I am super excited that I get to introduce you to one of my very favorite of very favorite authors. Miss Amy Dashwood of Yet Another Period Drama and The Quest for Stories two absolutely delightful blogs that I suggest you go and follow at once! Make haste, make haste! For there you will find Miss Amy Dashwood's brilliance, wit, wisdom and dear stories.

For this giveaways she is offering her novel and one of my favorite stories that I have read over and over and over again. Only A Novel. It's truly a little wonder of delight, wit and humor that will warm your heart and tickle your funny bone until everyone (your family and even you coworkers in the lunchroom) will beg you to read aloud. It has the sweetest touch of romance, realistic growing up and such a cast of lovable characters. (There is one character who I almost squeal when their name appears on the page. Their initials are R.B. shh, don't let any of my characters know!) This is one of my go to books when it comes to giving a good book to a friend.


However, enough babbling I want to introduce you to our wonderful Miss Amy Dashwood...

What do you love about writing?
I read a quote somewhere once that said, “I do not love writing; I love having written.”  I don’t remember who wrote that, but it definitely struck a chord with me-- I love rereading something and thinking, “this is good, I feel accomplished, this came out the way I wanted it to,” but I don’t really like the struggle of getting the words onto paper and making them flow the way they do in my head.  The accomplished feeling that accompanies getting it right is a rare thing, indeed, but when it does come it’s like that famous ninth cloud. 
Who is your favorite book couple ever?
Oh, dear, you would ask this.  I find it very hard to choose favorites in general, and when it comes to favorite fictional characters it’s just as bad as trying to pick a favorite family member.  Maybe Emma and Mr. Knightley from Emma?  They’re just so perfect together.  They understand and put up with each other’s quirks and failings, they have the same sense of humor, they feel comfortable and safe with each other... it’s basically the ideal relationship.
What is your favorite “first meeting” between a story couple?
Hmmm, now perhaps this is a little easier to answer. :) *thinks for three hours* Um, scratch that...
Well, all right, I suppose I’ll go with Anne and Gilbert in Anne of Green Gables.  That’s probably the most hilarious first meeting of all time-- the slate incident, that is.  And it totally counts as the first meeting because in the book it happened on the same day that they met, so it’s still legitimate.  Second place might go to Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy, if only for the “tolerable, but not handsome enough to please me” line.   Heehee.
What couple did you ship, only to be disappointed?
Enjolras and Eponine in Les Miserables.  THEY NEED TO BE TOGETHER.
What couple ended up together, but you wish they hadn’t?
I tend to be a very canonical person, if that’s even a thing... if the book says it, that’s that.  Off the top of my head, I’m having a hard time thinking of a couple I wish hadn’t gotten together.  As far as protagonist-couples go, that is.  People like Lydia Bennet and George Wickham don’t count.
What confession/ proposal or wedding touched your heart?
Oh, so many. SO MANY.  The second proposal/confession of love in Jane Eyre, the entirety of chapter 49 in Emma, practically every time Sir Percy and Marguerite get soppy with each other, heehee, Jo and Professor Bhaer’s discussion under the umbrella, that scene at the very end of Rilla of Ingleside when Ken comes back... yeah, I could be here all day.
On a different kind of love, what is your favorite bro-mance or sisterhood in a novel?
I’ve always loved the friendship between Cordy and Chrys in Carol Ryrie Brink’s Two Are Better Than One... a darling book that’s often overlooked where classic children’s literature is concerned. 
What book really illustrates the love of God for us in a way that caught your attention?
(I assume we’re taking the Bible as the obvious answer here, and talking about other books in addition to that?)  The first book that did that for me was probably The Hiding Place by Corrie ten Boom, which is just about the best book ever for showing how He cares for us and leads us through trials without ever abandoning us.  Stepping Heavenward by Elizabeth Prentiss is also a great reminder of how patientGod is with His wayward children!
What is your favorite form of love to write into your own books?
I’ve written a few romantic bits in my own stories but my favorite kind of relationship to write is that between siblings... I have a three amazing sisters and one fabulous brother with whom I’m really close, and I feel there’s a tremendous dearth of books these days that portray healthy, loving sibling relationships.  Someday I want to write a book about a really close friendship between two girls (I happen to have the best friend in the whole world, so I have lots of source material), which hasn’t come about yet since I’m still working on other projects, but it’s definitely a subject close to my heart.
Do you have a favorite couple of those you’ve written? Why?
Rodney and Elizabeth from Only a Novel-- I had so much fun developing their relationship and getting them to like each other and finally fall in love.  Plus they’re funny because he has an overdeveloped sense of humor and she has rather an underdeveloped one, so they balance each other out brilliantly.  :P
Was there ever a couple in your stories that you were not planning on ending up together but finally ended up writing in?
Ditto to the above question.  Heehee.  I never intended to have a love interest in Only a Novel, but once Rodney popt up and made his presence known, I started to think maybe he and Elizabeth ought to be a Thing.
Do you find it harder or easier to write romantic love or friendship love in your books?
Definitely friendship love-- I’ve enjoyed that in large doses throughout my life, whereas I have yet to fall in love in a romantic way.  And though I strongly advocate that you do not need to have lived through something in order to write about it (otherwise there would be no such thing as fiction) it’s definitely easier to write from experience.
Do you have a favorite friend pair in your books?
Sylvia Lemmins and Celia Rochester in my unfinished novel How It Began With the Rocehsters, I do believe. 
Favorite love story you’ve written?
Rodney and Elizabeth’s in Only a Novel is the only one so far, so by default it wins!
What is your definition of love?
This may seem like taking the lazy way out, but really I couldn't possibly express it better than Paul did in 1 Corinthians 13-- love is patient, love is kind, it does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud... it always trusts, always hopes, always believes and never fails.

Thanks so much for inviting me to this interview, Jessica and Elizabeth! Miss Amy Dashwood is a daughter of the King of Kings, a scribbler, a Janeite, a homeschool graduate and a bookworm.  She began writing at age seven, as a preventative measure so she'd never run out of books to read.  Stories are her passion, but she also finds time to dabble in other interests (musical theatre, historical costuming, and tea in a teapot, to name a few).  She believes in windy walks, long period dramas, pretty clothes and the power of words. You can find her at Yet Another Period Drama Blog or The Quest for Stories.

Elizabeth Ender & Ransomed

Hello Dearest Readers!
I am super excited to start introducing you to one the authors of this giveaway, and for starters, I thought I would put my best friend on the hot seat. My favorite author of all time. (That might be just a little prejudiced, but who would really know?) The girl who when she writes has power in her fingertips touches hearts and moves souls, and whose words and characters more than once have caused me to cry myself to sleep at night. For me she is really an example of someone who seeks first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, and He is rewarding her.
She is offering her beautiful book Ransomed.Oh, words. There are very few words that I can say about this book that don't bring tears to my eyes. This book that was put into my hands so many years ago on a few simple sheets of paper. The most moving allegory that I had ever read. I told her right then she had to publish it. Many years later the story and dream finally materialized into what it is today--something completely beautiful, heart warming and deeply touching. The story of Christ's love for His bride, in a way I've never heard it told.
What I really appreciate about Elizabeth is her heart--all of the profits of her book are going to a beautiful cause! You can read about it more Ransomed's website. Really consider giving this little beautiful book to everyone you love, it will touch their life!


But down to the questions...
What do you love about writing?Stories in my head and my fingers itching to write them…the way a chance meeting can start an entire series spinning in my brain…sending my stories to people and getting to squeal over their responses…learning more about myself, others, and God than I would in almost any other way…I can’t imagine not writing. And I have a decent imagination. XD Basically, everything but not having the time to do it. :) 

Who is your favorite book couple ever?ohhhh, favorites…no fair…I’ll give first three favorites that come to mind. XD
The main couple in The Queen’s Thief series/Megan Whalen Turner. (more on this series later. And I won’t say their names because spoilers. XD)
Mir & Eva - Monster/Mirriam Neal (not least because after everything she did he still ended up loving her…it was beautiful)
Jack & Ivyanna - To Be Published/Jessica Greyson (I’m trying to do only 1 per author…and I love them terribly to pieces. XD They’re just so perfect together.)

What is your favorite “first meeting” between a story couple? Too hard to pick. :) And it’s the ending that matters, after all. 
What couple did you ship, only to be disappointed?Cap Garland and Laura Ingalls. Okay, maybe that’s not fair since they were real people, but…Laura liked him an awful lot. Just sayin’. 
I can’t think of anybody in recent reading…partially perhaps because my free reading has been severely curtailed of late… :P but usually I tend to agree with the final couple, even if I originally “shipped” someone else. 
Otherwise…Jo and Laurie, Rose and Archie or Charlie, Bess and Dan...Eventually I could see why Louisa May Alcott had written those stories the way she did, but it sure made me mad the first time through. Really, pretty much every couple I shipped in her books I ended up disappointed. :P  I still haven’t forgiven her for what she did to Laurie and Amy’s daughter Bess and poor Dan…that was absolutely miserable. I really haven’t decided how I feel about that in real life…I may have made it a point in several of my own stories to have overcoming the impossible and forgiving the unforgivable a part of various love stories, but whether or not I would actually recommend myself or anyone I know marry a murderer…I don’t know.
Ah, the book A Penny Parcel. They were all kids, but I was shipping people anyway, hoping they all grew up safe and sound and that my favorite two eventually fell in love and lived happily ever after…The last you see of Jack, he is going home with his abusive father after the man broke his arm. That drove me so insane I emailed the author and asked if she was planning a sequel, but never heard back from her. I’m still worried about him. 
What couple ended up together, but you wish they hadn’t? I might have to fall back on Jo March and Professor Baer…I’ve often thought Louisa May Alcott had a bit of a grudge against the expected ending and always had to change it up a bit. See above answer/question. :P 
What confession/ proposal or wedding touched your heart? 
I’m going to say By Far Euphrates. Now there’s a book if you want a romance to break your heart…there was something so scattered and awkward and beautiful about the proposal though…and they were adorable together period. I’m not going to say anything about the fact that he’s the third Jack I’ve mentioned so far… XD
On a different kind of love, what is your favorite bro-mance or sisterhood in a novel? That’s hard…Regina Doman’s The Shadow of the Bear has two brothers who are quite awesome together…they make a great team, and are ridiculously fun together and apart. I do not see as many of these as I’d like, sadly... 
What book really illustrates the love of God for us in a way that caught your attention?This is an odd one, but The Queen of Atolia. The Queen’s Thief series is a different one, and one for older readers…but I’ve never read a romance like it. And at one point in the romance, after one person had done some truly horrible things to the other, I was amazed to see how  all had been forgiven and the love that was still there. Unrealistic? maybe….which is when it hit me how we done the exact same unforgivable sin against the One who Loved us…and still He came to rescue us and save us and love us yet. The romance was beautiful, and pointed me back to True Beauty. 
On that series, though…it is written in the fashion of the Greek and Roman legends, but it is one of the most beautiful salvation stories I’ve ever read. If it had been written about the real God, instead of a pantheon, it might be my favorite series ever. As it is, I read it aloud to my younger siblings, editing as I went…someday I will do it again and tape it, because I entirely love those books. :D


What is your favorite form of love to write into your own books? All forms. Romantic and Brotherhood I probably find easiest, which is somewhat amusing. Sisters/best girl friends are hard for some reason…any form of sibling I enjoy. :D But family/friendship/romantic all tend to fit in to varying degrees…even super-villains-created-by-the-same-source-and-therefore-acting-as-siblings end up with a form of love and loyalty that surprised me a bit. (They're villains. They shouldn’t love each other that much. Don’t even try telling them that. You won’t survive.)

Do you have a favorite couple of those you’ve written? Why?Tsk, tsk, how can you ask that?? And oh, yeah, that was one of my questions…*facepalm* Sorry, guys…Um…In general, my favorite couple is the one I’m writing at the moment. Overall…I like them all for different reasons. Healthiest relationship? Jim Arrington and Josie Adair. They’re very much alike. Their initials even match. It was meant to be. XD Mostly, though, they are fairly stable individuals with relatively normal issues to work through. Unlike…a lot of my characters. Most fun? Will and Rosalia. Mostly because Will makes every relationship fun and he has character chemistry with everybody. Most satisfactory? Jaden Beorn and Tyrielle Sen Aransadorien (River). They had MAJOR issues to deal with, and I was never so happy with everything at last falling into place. Most unexpected? That would have to be the couple in Contract to Time Travel. I was writing a silly time travel story and suddenly all these other people showed up and I ended up with actual relationships happening and yet neither person mentally in a place to fall in love. (Which is good, because despite being over 100,000 words in length already, less than a week has passed chronologically. I’m not a big fan of insta-love.) So how far it will go I’m not sure yet…but there are definite hints of a future. :) 
My favorite though…might actually be in Hope Sprang Up. It started as a tragic romance and resulted in a trilogy spanning decades…there was something about a romance where faith in Love gave hope that I really liked. :) 

Was there ever a couple in your stories that you were not planning on ending up together but finally ended up writing in?Will Arrington and Rosalia del Cordoba. Will wasn’t even supposed to be, let alone steal my main character’s girl…but my main character liked somebody else and Will stepped in before I could say boo. *shrug* My western characters rarely listen to me…(This doesn’t go to my Time Travel story simply ‘cause they haven’t ended up together yet. I may think of them as a couple, but they sure don’t think of themselves that way. *sadface*)

Do you find it harder or easier to write romantic love or friendship love in your books? It depends. Romantic is easier than sister-friends…but for example, in And It Was Love, River and Jaden drove me crazy, while Osbeorn and his friendship with Jaden was absolutely one of my favorite parts of the story. 
Do you have a favorite friend pair in your books? I love Jaden and Osbeorn’s relationship in And It was Love….they were both fun and easy to write, and Osbeorn is kinda one of my favorite secondary characters ever anyway, so… XDThough at the moment I’m writing a villain bromance which is insanely fun…also horrible, because duh, they’re villains. Aaaaaand…well, villains in my stories generally have some bad things happen to them. Although actually…they might get off easier than some of my heroes, now that I stop and think about it. :P 

Favorite love story you’ve written?what. come on….okay, let’s go with Hope Sprang Up - it may have been more a story of hope than of love, but it was Love giving hope. And the love story was not so much that he loved her…it was that he showed her the love of Another.
What is your definition of love?That, I guess. What you feel for someone else that makes you want their best. That makes you willing to do whatever you must for them to have the best, be the best, seek the Best. Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us, and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. That which makes you willing to sacrifice, not for the beautiful, the sweet, the lovely, but for what sense would tell you was not worth the price. 
The glorious, beautiful, marvelous thing that makes life worth living.

Valentine Book Lover Link Up!

Since we are going to be asking the authors questions until Valentine's day! I thought it would be a great time to ask all of you some! So here you go, feel free to link up at the bottom so we can see your answers!
What book do you love but everyone else seems to hate (or dislike)? What book does everyone else seem to love, but you just can’t get into? Love in books—love or hate it? What is your favorite friendship/brotherhood/sisterhood in a book? Do you “ship” couple when you read? What are some of your favorite ships—that sailed or didn’t? Do you still exchange Valentines? Your favorite Valentine gift, chocolate, flowers or something else? Chocolate, dark, milk, white—other?
Your personal views on Valentine’s day? Favorite sweet Read?Favorite fairytale and why?Favorite romantic gesture in a book?Do you have a favorite “romantic movie” for that you like to watch?Favorite Literary couple and why?
Favorite opinion about love from a Character? (like Jo in little woman...to her it was an awful idea).Favorite quote about love? 

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Book Lover Giveaway

Hello Dear Readers,

A few months ago the wonderful Authoress Elizabeth Ender and I were storming up ideas for a fun giveaway, so we decided we'd give away our books--then some more.

However if it was fun just for the two of us, wouldn't it be more fun if there were...more of us? After all, don't we all just love, adore, and drink in books?

So we contacted some of the MOST BRILLIANT AUTHORS that walk the face of this earth, and received a wonderful response. They even let us pester them with a million questions about books, love, love in books and out, some even volunteered to write up some wonderful guest posts, I am really looking forward to getting to know these marvelous authors even more. I know you will find some to be kindred spirits.

I am so thrilled to be offering you a beautiful selection of books that covers a vast variety of genres, interests and that will assuredly peak your interest and warm your book loving heart. A giveaway, that I want to break all of my own rules and enter...

So without further ado I give you!!!!!!


Rewards that aren't pictured include a 5 dollar Starbucks gift card and a wonderful little booklight!

Don't forget to enter and spread the word!!!!
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Coming Soon To A Blog Near You

I am super excited to be working with 10 other authors on this project.Soooo blessed!
Keep your ears open for more!

Introducing Captive of Raven Castle and...

The troubled people of war-torn Chambria are on the brink of starvation, and a delicate princess with a recurring nightmare is their only hope. Alexandra knows that her value to her country consists mainly in her ability to marry well, but when she is kidnapped by the rebels and taken to meet the man claiming to be both Chambria’s true king and her real father, her entire world falls apart. Will Princess Alexandra be able to untangle the web of lies and discern who is the true king and her father?

This lovely book cover was painted and design by Louie Roybal you can check out more of his art work here and contact him about purchasing prints of his work (You could have Annabeth's cover art hanging on your wall if you REALLY wanted to!) here @ louieroybal.com. He is a fantastic artist, and so fabulous to work with!

And the cover I had a privilege to design... 
Adventures and Adversities, By Sarah Holman. One day Alditha is content living with her family, the next she is taking her friends place to serve at the king’s castle.  Her father's final instructions, to keep smiling and to do what is right, will be harder to live out then she ever imagined. She will face a royal nephew who delights in making people miserable, an angry servant girl that will stop at nothing to get what she wants, and noblemen who plot murder. Will she be able to keep the promise she made to her father? Will she find the faith she longs for during all her Adventures and Adversities.

I've really enjoyed working with Sarah and getting to know her more as a writer and friend!
And don't forget that Anne Elisabeth is giving away Annabeth's War on her blog!

Interview and Giveaway

Check it out over at lovely Anne Elisabeth Stengl's blog! 
And the readers are asking some pretty interesting questions I hope to answer soon, don't forget to add yours if you are interested!