Trish Perry's Blog, page 9

Cathy Richmond and Free Books!

She wants to race Amelia Earhart. He's afraid of flying. Will their relationship ever get off the ground?

Before we meet today's author, I want to announce that the winner of the free copy of Denise Hunter's contemporary romance, Carolina Breeze, is:

teamob4@...

Congratulations! We'll get your book right out to you. I encourage readers to keep commenting and/or subscribe at right (above my list of books) in order to learn about new releases! U.S. subscribers are entered in the drawings a second time when they comment.

And now let's chat with novelist Cathy Richmond, author of the historical inspirational romance, Off the Ground (November 2019).

Cathy Richmond was working as an occupational therapist and raising her children when a special folk song sparked a story within her. Nineteen years later, her mail-order-bride story, Spring for Susannah, was published.

Her novel, Through Rushing Water, gave her the opportunity to share an untold chapter of the civil rights movement and use her experience as a missionary in Jamaica.

Third Strand of the Cord is her tribute to the amazing families of special needs children she's worked with.

Since her mother is a Virginia history librarian, Cathy took advantage of her expertise and set Gilding the Waters at mineral springs resorts in the Blue Ridge Mountains.

And now in Off the Ground, she shares her love of flying and her grandfather’s courage in starting a business during the Great Depression.

Please tell us one random thing we might not know about you.

I have a private pilot’s license.

So you definitely wrote Off the Ground from a place of knowledge! Please tell us a bit more about the plot of the book.

As the Roaring Twenties come to a close, Mac McFarland falls head over heels for live-wire Corrie Tinley. Now that she’s graduated, they’re allowed to date. But before he can sweep her off the dance floor and into his life, her father gives her a winged death trap—a biplane. Refusing to stick around to see her crash, Mac leaves without saying goodbye.

Corrie’s family treats her like a dumb Dora, but her former basketball coach is respectful and attentive. Mac has a noble air like Lindbergh and dark hair waving over his forehead like Gary Cooper. She can’t wait to take him flying in her new biplane, but he’s disappeared. If she can’t find him, is she destined to fly solo the rest of her life?

What is it about Corrie that will make your readers care about her?

When flying becomes an obsession for Corrie, Mac wonders how to rein in her enthusiasm without crushing her spirit. He discovers the fear that drives her and gives her the love she needs to heal.

If your publisher asked you to write a novel incorporating the coronavirus in some respect, what might you write about?

I work in a hospital, so the story would have heroes overcoming fear and conquering COVID!

Again, you would be able to write from personal experience! 

What is the last novel you read that you would recommend?

I just finished Julie Lessman’s A Wing and a Prayer , about another female pilot who has a big lesson to learn. What fun to be back with the O’Connor family again!

And I’ve been on a Kellie Coates Gilbert kick. I’m in awe of her skill weaving plots and propelling the story with cliffhangers.

What are you working on now?

America is known as the land of the rugged individualist, but the US was also a hotbed of communes, cults, and utopian societies. Most of these groups imploded after a few years. I’m exploring one in Iowa. Why did people join? What caused the group to fall apart? How do you recover from that?

What a fascinating subject, Cathy. I'll bet there aren't that many people aware of that part of our history (I wasn't). 

Where else can readers find you online?

I love to hear from readers! You can find me at www.CatherineRichmond.com, and Facebook

The book can be purchased online via the following button:



Readers, if you would like to read a sample reading from the book, click HERE (and click on Look Inside).

Finally, what question would you like to ask my readers?

Corrie’s biplane has two seats. What’s the smallest plane you’ve ridden in?

Thanks, Cathy, for visiting and telling us about yourself and your book. Readers, Cathy has offered to give away a free copy of her book. To enter, leave a comment and your email below in answer to her question, above. "Please enter me" won't get you entered. Remember that U.S. subscribers are entered an additional time in each drawing. The drawing is done by email, so leave your email address, like so: trish[at]trishperry[dot]com.

Only United States residents are eligible for the drawing, but anyone can subscribe to the blog posts via the GDPA-compliant Feedblitz box above my list of books, at right.

Also readers, I'd love it if you'd connect with me on Facebook. Just click on my name at the right of today's post title.

Annoying legal disclaimer: as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases; drawings void where prohibited; open only to U.S. residents; the odds of winning depend upon the number of participants. See full disclaimer, GDPA notice, and my Disclosure of Material Connection HERE

Denise Hunter and Free Books!

When a jilted starlet flees Hollywood to the location of her would-be honeymoon, she finds unexpected love in the form of a handsome innkeeper.

Before we meet today's author, I want to announce that the winner of the free copy of Suzanne Woods Fisher's contemporary novel, A Coastal Breeze, is:

gcwhiskas@...

Congratulations! We'll get your book right out to you. I encourage readers to keep commenting and/or subscribe at right (above my list of books) in order to learn about new releases! U.S. subscribers are entered in the drawings a second time when they comment.

And now let's chat with novelist Denise Hunter, author of the contemporary romance, Carolina Breeze (Thomas Nelson, May 2020).

Denise Hunter is the internationally published bestselling author of more than 35 contemporary romances, three of which have been adapted into Hallmark original movies.

When Denise isn't orchestrating love on the written page, she enjoys traveling with her family, playing drums, and reading as much as humanly possible. After raising three boys in Indiana, she and her husband are rapidly approaching an empty nest.

Please tell us one random thing we might not know about you.

When I was in my early 30s I taught myself how to play the drums, having never played an instrument of any kind. For about 15 years I served as my church’s drummer.

I remember seeing you play during worship at a conference years ago. I thought that was about the coolest thing I'd ever seen a fellow author do!

Please tell us a bit more about the plot of Carolina Breeze.

Rising Hollywood star Mia Emerson is looking for a safe place to land in the wake of a public breakup and celebrity scandal, and she finds it in the lake town of Bluebell, North Carolina—the location of her canceled honeymoon. She wants nothing more than to hide and wait for the tabloids to die down.

Soon after her arrival at the Bluebell Inn, Mia meets Levi Bennett, who runs the inn along with his two younger sisters. Drawn to one another from the start, Mia trusts Levi to keep her location from the press, and Levi confides in Mia about the precarious financial state of the inn—a secret he’s been keeping from his sisters.

When Mia and Levi discover an old journal that hints at a rare diamond necklace hidden in the inn, they set off on a treasure hunt to find the long-lost heirloom. What they don’t expect to surface are feelings they thought were safely locked away. Mia and Levi must decide if falling in love again is too big a risk—or if it will uncover a treasure of its own instead.

What is it about Mia that will make your readers care about her?

Even though Mia is a celebrity, readers will relate to her longing for family and a real home. When the media invades her life, and the trolls judge her unfairly, readers will empathize with her desire for privacy and justice.

If your publisher asked you to write a novel incorporating the coronavirus in some respect, what might you write about?

Since sheltering-in-place would be a given, I’d write about a man and woman who share a mutual dislike for one another, being quarantined together. I love a romance with lots of chemistry—even more so if there’s a crucible holding them together.

Oh, yes, so do I. Like It Happened One Night. That dynamic really can be so romantic, if the spark-inducing friction is there.

What is the last novel you read that you would recommend?

I’m Colleen Coble’s critique partner and have been for over 20 years, practically since we both started writing. I love her writing! Her current series, the Pelican Harbor series, is my all-time favorite of hers. It starts with One Little Lie .

Colleen weaves a riveting tale about a woman who must step into the role of sheriff, a position formerly occupied by her father, who is now accused of murder. The twists and turns will keep you entertained, and the slow-burn romance will make you swoon!

What are you working on now?

I’m currently plotting out a novella about a woman who must take a road trip with the man who once broke her heart. See what I mean about loving a good crucible?

Can't have a good story without conflict, right? We'll keep our eyes peeled for that one.

Where else can readers find you online?

I’m on a few social media sites:

Facebook
Instagram
Twitter

My website is always a good source of information. Also, for readers who’d like to stay in touch, there’s my newsletter—I give away Amazon cards and signed books with each one.

The book can be purchased online via the following button:



If you would like to read a sample from the book, it's available HERE

Finally, what question would you like to ask my readers?

If you could read a series set anywhere, what town or city would you like it to be set in?

Thanks, Denise, for visiting and telling us about yourself and your book. Readers, Denise has offered to give away a free copy of her book. To enter, leave a comment and your email below in answer to her question, above. "Please enter me" won't get you entered. Remember that U.S. subscribers are entered an additional time in each drawing. The drawing is done by email, so leave your email address, like so: trish[at]trishperry[dot]com.

Only United States residents are eligible for the drawing, but anyone can subscribe to the blog posts via the GDPA-compliant Feedblitz box above my list of books, at right.

Also readers, I'd love it if you'd connect with me on Facebook. Just click on my name at the right of today's post title.

Annoying legal disclaimer: as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases; drawings void where prohibited; open only to U.S. residents; the odds of winning depend upon the number of participants. See full disclaimer, GDPA notice, and my Disclosure of Material Connection HERE

Suzanne Woods Fisher and Free Books!

As summer comes to Three Sisters Island in Maine, Maddie Grayson has to answer this question: What takes more courage--holding on or letting go?

Before we chat with today's author, I want to announce that the winner of the free copy of Beth Vogt's new women's fiction release, The Best We've Been, is subscriber:

love2stitch@...

Congratulations! We'll get your book right out to you. I encourage readers to keep commenting and/or subscribe at right (above my list of books) in order to learn about new releases! U.S. subscribers are entered in the drawings a second time when they comment.

And now let's chat again with novelist Suzanne Woods Fisher, author of the contemporary novel, On a Coastal Breeze , book 2 in the Three Sisters Island series (Revell Books, May 2020).

With over one million copies of her books sold worldwide, Suzanne Woods Fisher is the best-selling, award winning author of more than thirty books, ranging from non-fiction books, to children’s books, to novels.

She lives with her very big family in northern California.

Please tell us one random thing we might not know about you.

I play tennis. Quite a bit of it. In fact, I’m a captain for several USTA and recreational leagues. Years ago, I played against an elderly woman who gave me a wonderful piece of advice. “Don’t ever stop,” she said. She meant it for tennis, but I took it as wisdom for aging in general. By the way, she beat me soundly.

Oh, she's so right! My daughter and son-in-law have become avid players, and they're in far better shape than I was at their age. I can see how sticking with it could keep one healthy. But you're right, as well. It's so important to stay active both physically and mentally. 

Please tell us a bit more about the plot of On a Coastal Breeze.

Life is good for Madison Grayson. Newly licensed as a marriage and family therapist, she can’t wait to start her practice. Maddie feels like she’s finally found her sweet spot. Not even one panic attack in the last year. Not one.

And then Ricky O’Shea drops in. Literally. The one man in the world she hoped never to see again—the one who’d been her archnemesis from kindergarten through Senior Prom—parachutes into town, landing on Boon Dock. Now Pastor Rick, the new minister on Three Sisters Island.

Time to panic.

What is it about Maddie that will make your readers care about her?

Maddie is in between two sisters, a middle child in every way. She’s the heart of the family, holding everyone together through thick or thin. Her sisters would call it Velcro, or perhaps a sticky, suffocating glue.

Maddie has a tendency toward catastrophic thinking, but when you’ve faced the worst-case scenario, you know it can happen. And probably will.

Have you ever written a novel with a seasonal (or holiday) setting/theme? If you had to choose a seasonal or holiday setting, which would you choose?

I’ve written two novels set during the Christmas season (Christmas at Rose Hill Farm and A Lancaster County Christmas). I’ve loved writing them for two reasons: winter scenes create a wonderful backdrop. And Christmas novels have happy endings. After all, the entire point of Christmas is a joy-filled miracle: Emmanuel, God is with us.

Amen to that. I love being able to read a good Christmas novel during the season.

What is the last novel you read that you would recommend?

A Gentleman in Moscow , by Amor Towles. Such a creative story about a life lived in community in the most unlikely setting.

Hmm. I visited the book's page on Amazon. Towles has wonderful ideas for his novels, including the one you mentioned. Truly creative. Thanks for that recommendation.

What are you working on now?

Book 3 in the Three Sisters Island series. It’s such fun to swoop back to this island—I know it so well that I feel as if I’m jumping right into it. Every nook and cranny, bird and beach, quirky characters. You know what they say: A small town is just like a big family.

I've never been to Niagara Falls or anywhere in the area of Three Sisters Island. I'll have to check out your series and visit that part of the country vicariously (which is the only way any of us can visit anywhere at the moment).

Where else can readers find you online?

Well! I’m so glad you asked. I love connecting with readers. Here’s lots of places to cross paths:

www.suzannewoodsfisher.com
Facebook
Twitter @suzannewfisher
Instagram @suzannewoodsfisher
Bookbub
Goodreads
Amazon Author Page
Pinterest
Join my list

The book can be purchased online via the following button:



Finally, what question would you like to ask my readers?

What silver lining have you discovered during your state’s Shelter-in-Place order? I know all the bad stuff (anxiety, worry, missing special events and celebration, just missing a regular life)…but what about the good stuff? Like…having extra time? Slowing down? Cleaning out closets? Reading good books? I’d love to hear about your silver lining.

Thanks, Suzanne, for visiting and telling us about yourself and your book. Readers, Suzanne has offered to give away a free copy of her book. To enter, leave a comment and your email below in answer to her question, above. "Please enter me" won't get you entered. Remember that U.S. subscribers are entered an additional time in each drawing. The drawing is done by email, so leave your email address, like so: trish[at]trishperry[dot]com.

Only United States residents are eligible for the drawing, but anyone can subscribe to the blog posts via the GDPA-compliant Feedblitz box above my list of books, at right.

Also readers, I'd love it if you'd connect with me on Facebook. Just click on my name at the right of today's post title.

Annoying legal disclaimer: as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases; drawings void where prohibited; open only to U.S. residents; the odds of winning depend upon the number of participants. See full disclaimer, GDPA notice, and my Disclosure of Material Connection HERE

Short-term Sale on Two-Novel Set!

For the ninth week in a row, I hope to provide you some accessible fun over our period of lockdown by dropping my book prices.

For five more days--through Saturday, May 23 --my two-novel set, Love at Millicent's Tea Shop, is  available in e-book format for only 99 cents. (I'll continue to feature other books at sale prices in future weeks.)

The set includes two of my contemporary romantic novels.

"Pull up a comfy chair, settle in with your favorite cup of tea, and enjoy this romantic-comedy two-novel set from award-winning novelist Trish Perry.

British expat, Millicent Ashford Jewell, welcomes friends and strangers to Milly’s Tea Shop in charming Middleburg, Virginia, where more than one romance has found its spark. Two such stories are featured in LOVE AT MILLICENT’S TEA SHOP. If you enjoy the novels of Debbie Macomber, you’ll love these romances set in a small town with a big heart."

The Perfect Blend

Steph Vandergrift is in need of a job. She left everything behind to elope with Middleburg attorney Rick Manfred, never imagining he would stand her up at the altar. Now, hoping just to get by until she can decide what to do next, Steph thinks she’s found the perfect position at the local tea shop.

Kendall James, one of the kindest and most eligible bachelors in the area, meets Steph and proceeds to pursue her. But by the time Steph feels able to consider dating again, her runaway fiancé returns and tries to win her back. Steph is wary, but she and Rick always seemed to blend so well. Are they truly meant to be together, or does God have something else in mind?

Tea for Two

Counselor Tina Milano has been visiting Milly's Tea Shop regularly for the past several months. She has many friends but no steady man in her life. Zack Cooper is a local farmer who provides Milly with fresh fruit and vegetables. As a single parent, Zack is doing his best to raise his teenage son and daughter on his own.

When the kids get in minor scrapes with the law, Milly gently encourages Zack and Tina to work together to draw the teens back before their rebellious natures land them in even hotter water. At first Tina sees the relationship in only a professional capacity, but soon her friends notice the luscious scent of romance in the air and decide to help things along.

Tea for Two is a faith-filled novel that explores the delight of second chances, warm friendship, and unexpected romantic encounters.

The set can be purchased via the following button:




I hope you'll take advantage of this story while it's so readily available. And please remember to read about featured author, Beth Vogt, below, and subscribe and/or leave your answer to her question to be entered in the drawing for a free copy of her new release!

Beth Vogt and Free Books!

How can you choose what is right for you when your decision will break the heart of someone you love?

Before we chat with today's author, I want to announce that the winner of the free copy of Tara Ross's contemporary YA novel, Fade to White, is:

duhpaynes@...

Congratulations! We'll get your book right out to you. I encourage readers to keep commenting and/or subscribe at right (above my list of books) in order to learn about new releases! U.S. subscribers are entered in the drawings a second time when they comment.

And now let's chat with novelist Beth Vogt, author of the new women’s fiction release, The Best We’ve Been (Tyndale House Publishers, May 2020).

Beth K. Vogt believes God’s best often waits behind the doors marked “Never.” Having authored nine contemporary romance novels and novellas, The Best We’ve Been, the final book in Beth’s Thatcher Sisters Series with Tyndale House Publishers, released May 2020. Other books in the women’s fiction series include Things I Never Told You, which won the 2019 AWSA Award for Contemporary Novel of the Year, and Moments We Forget.

Beth is a 2016 Christy Award winner, a 2016 ACFW Carol Award winner, and a 2015  RITA®  finalist.

An established magazine writer and former editor of the leadership magazine for MOPS International, Beth blogs for Learn How to Write a Novel and The Write Conversation and also enjoys speaking to writers group and mentoring other writers.

Please tell us one random thing we might not know about you.

For years, I had a secret desire to skydive. It was a way to confront my fears in a big way – just jump out of a plane, right? But since having back surgery, I’m thinking my surgeon would say no to that. And the reality is, I’ve confronted a lot of my fears through my writing.

Wow, that's quite a head-on approach to confronting one's fears! I know sometimes writing can feel just as daring, though.

Please tell us a bit more about the plot of The Best We've Been.

Having abandoned her childhood dream years ago, Johanna Thatcher knows what she wants from life. Discovering that her fiancé was cheating on her only convinces Johanna it’s best to maintain control and protect her heart.



Despite years of distance and friction, Johanna and her sisters, Jillian and Payton, have moved from a truce toward a fragile friendship. But then Johanna reveals she has the one thing Jillian wants most and may never have—and Johanna doesn’t want it. As Johanna wrestles with a choice that will change her life and her relationships with her sisters forever, the cracks in Jillian’s marriage and faith deepen.

Through it all, the Thatcher sisters must decide once and for all what it means to be family.

What is it about Johanna that will make your readers care about her?

It would be easy to just label Johanna a control freak, someone who has to hyper-manage her life and everyone else’s life, too. But there’s more to Johanna than that – more to her story. And isn’t that true for all of us? Don’t we all want to be understood for more than just our surface actions? To be truly seen and understood?

Definitely. And control freaks don't usually choose to be such. The story behind that behavior can be very interesting.

Have you ever written a novel with a seasonal (or holiday) setting/theme? If you had to choose a seasonal or holiday setting, which would you choose? Why?

My novella, A November Bride, is featured in the Autumn Brides section of the Year of Weddings novella collection. I wove in the Sadie Hawkins holiday, and had a lot of fun with it.

A lot of readers love Christmas stories, and so I’ve thought of writing one, but as women’s fiction author, it would have a complicated family relationship vibe.

Some of my favorite Christmas-themed stories have involved complicated family relationships! I still remember lying in the tub, reading The Christmas Shoes, crying like a baby. 

What is the last novel you read that you would recommend?

I’m trying to read more in 2020. Not being on a specific deadline plus the COVID19 social distancing requirement has helped with that goal. Susan May Warren’s Way of the Brave was a page-turner and I laughed out loud while reading Jenny B. Jones’s Enchanted Events Mystery Series . She writes the most unpredictable plots and characters.

What are you working on now?

I’m mulling over two different stories, both women’s fiction. One has a bit more humor in it, and one, well, it just may be the most challenging novel I’ve written. Mulling is an important part of the writing process for me. It requires a lot of walking around my house and also Face Timing with my friend and mentor, Rachel Hauck, to toss around ideas while I consider possible plot lines.

Rachel is a very giving author. What a great brainstorming partner!

Where else can readers find you online?

Website/blog
Instagram
Facebook
Twitter
Pinterest
Goodreads
Amazon Author Page
BookBub
My Dream Readers


The book can be purchased online via the following button:



Readers, if you would like to read a sample from the book, click HERE

Finally, what question would you like to ask my readers?

Have you ever had to make a choice that you know would hurt someone else? How were you able to make the decision?

Thank you, Beth, for visiting and telling us about yourself and your book. Readers, Beth has offered to give away a free copy of her book. To enter, leave a comment and your email below in answer to her question, above. "Please enter me" won't get you entered. Remember that U.S. subscribers are entered an additional time in each drawing. The drawing is done by email, so leave your email address, like so: trish[at]trishperry[dot]com.

Only United States residents are eligible for the drawing, but anyone can subscribe to the blog posts via the GDPA-compliant Feedblitz box above my list of books, at right.

Also readers, I'd love it if you'd connect with me on Facebook. Just click on my name at the right of today's post title.

Annoying legal disclaimer: as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases; drawings void where prohibited; open only to U.S. residents; the odds of winning depend upon the number of participants. See full disclaimer, GDPA notice, and my Disclosure of Material Connection HERE

Short-term Sale on A Special Kind of Double!

For the eighth week in a row, I hope to provide you some accessible fun over our period of lockdown by dropping my book prices.

For five more days--through Saturday, May 16 --my romantic suspense novel, A Special Kind of Double, is available in e-book format for only 99 cents. (I'll continue to feature other books at sale prices in future weeks.)

Here is the summary of this romantic suspense:

A Special Kind of Double

Franny and Grace Otterbridge were always the closest of sisters. But after their father’s death, Grace veered off in a different direction. Now Franny feels she’s lost her. Literally—Grace has gone missing. Franny assumes she’s taken off on another wild hair, but signs soon suggest otherwise.

Franny accepts amateur sleuthing help from new flame Nevan Burns, a young fine artist (who’s also a fine young artist). He proves himself more than good company, and Franny finds herself swinging from one emotion to another, from joy to fear, from anticipation to dread. She’s not equipped to search for Grace alone. She’s even less prepared for what she finds.

The book can be purchased via the following button:




I hope you'll take advantage of this story while it's so readily available. And please remember to read about featured author, Tara Ross, below, and subscribe and/or leave your answer to her question to be entered in the drawing for a free copy of her new release!

Tara Ross and Free Books!

Thea Fenton has a unique gift.

Now, she needs to figure out what to do with it.

Before we meet today's author, I want to announce that the winner of the free copy of Linda Shenton Matchett's historic romance, Spies & Sweethearts, is:

mauback55@...

Congratulations! We'll get your book right out to you. I encourage readers to keep commenting and/or subscribe at right (above my list of books) in order to learn about new releases! U.S. subscribers are entered in the drawings a second time when they comment.

And now let's chat with novelist Tara Ross, author of the Inspirational Contemporary YA (with a touch of Magical Realism) novel, Fade to White (IlluminateYA/LPC, May 2020).

As a teen, Tara K. Ross discovered how well-written prose can change the trajectory of a person's life. Case in point: her life. She now passes along this wisdom through her work as a school speech-language pathologist and mentor with local youth programs. She is also blessed with a ridiculously supportive family that grants her time to create stories that tackle the interplay of faith and mental health. Fade to White is her debut novel.

​When Tara is not writing or reading all things YA, you can find her rock climbing the Ontario escarpment, planning her family's next jungle trek, interviewing authors on The Hope Prose Podcast, or blogging at www.tarakross.com.

Please tell us one random thing we might not know about you.

In a previous life, I loved to act. My favorite role was playing Susy, a young blind woman in the stage production of Wait Until Dark (originally made famous by Audrey Hepburn in the 1967 film adaptation). After having children, finding time for theatre was difficult, so I turned my previous passion for reading scripts into a new joy for reading aloud to my children. Now with eight years of reading under my belt, I’m dabbling with the idea of audiobook narrating.

I remember that film! Terrifying! That's quite a role.

Please tell us a bit more about the plot of Fade to White.

Thea Fenton’s life looks picture-perfect, but inside, she is falling apart. Wracked by anxiety no one seems to understand or care about, she resorts to self-harm to deflect the pain inside.

​When a local teen commits suicide, Thea’s anxiety skyrockets. Unexplainable things happen, leaving her feeling trapped within her own chaotic mind. The lines between reality and another world start to blur, and her previously mundane issues seem more daunting and insurmountable than ever.

​Then she meets Khi, a mysterious new boy from the coffee shop who seems to know her better than she knows herself—and doesn’t think she’s crazy. His quiet confidence and unfounded familiarity draw her into an unconventional friendship.

​Khi journeys with her through grief, fear, and confusion to arrive at compassion for the one person Thea never thought she could love.

​Intriguing premise. What is it about Thea that will make your readers care about her?

Thea is like so many of us, trying to hold it together on the outside, while falling apart beneath the surface. In Thea, we are given permission to explore how grief, anxiety and confusion can be confronted. This is one girl’s story, but these emotional states extend to all of us. She journeys imperfectly – acts irrationally, speaks too quickly and lives with many regrets, but through her repeated mistakes we are reminded of our own humanity and need for hope.

That's beautiful, Tara. Especially during this very weird quarantine experience, I'm sure many people feel anxiety they never anticipated. It might be easier than ever to identify with Thea.

Have you ever written a novel with a seasonal (or holiday) setting/theme? If you had to choose a seasonal or holiday setting, which would you choose?

Both Fade to White and my current WIP are set in late fall. I chose this time of year very intentionally. It is ironically my least favourite season. I find the lead up to Christmas excruciating. It’s self-imposed and ridiculous, but my internal headspace is a fright from October to December. I wanted to draw attention to how challenging November can be for people who suffer from mental illness. In Canada, the days become progressively shorter, and colder. We begin to hibernate and isolate ourselves from others, and all too often, as the world around us begins to decay and freeze, we embody these same emotions. I wanted to share that even within this season of endings, there are possibilities for new beginnings.

The weather component of what you're describing really hits home for me. I've lived most of my life in the Washington Metropolitan Area, and over the years I came to dread the dark, icy winter months. I'm on the west coast now and thriving in the warm weather! I don't have SADS, but I completely understand why people experience it. 

What is the last novel you read that you would recommend?

I recently read and adored All Manner of Things , by Susie Finkbeiner. This was a novel that I did not know I wanted to read. I met Susie at a writer’s conference two years ago and knew from first conversation that I did want to be her friend. She has a genuine and warm personality and despite my nobody status, offered encouragement that will stay with me for years.

I don’t usually read historical novels, and I purchased a copy of Susie’s book not knowing what to expect. I wasn’t expecting to be deeply affected by her writing, or to reread portions of her story for the better part of a year. I didn’t know I would be taken on a journey to the inner most heart of a family. That her characterizations would leave new friends in my life. I didn’t expect that a plot without cliffhangers at each chapter end could keep me turning pages faster than a thriller. That with each letter or richly crafted scene, I would fall more in love with this novel. Susie is masterful at her craft and an author that every writer must read, if not for the emotional journey, then for the free lessons on craft.

Lovely recommendation! What are you working on now?

I can’t wait to blurt to the world about my next contemporary YA novel, but unfortunately, I am not at liberty to give too much away yet. I can share that some of the characters from Fade to White may make cameo appearances in this next novel. I continue to weave themes of faith and mental health into the story, but this time I dive more heavily into the use of technology and how it affects our self-image.

Where else can readers find you online?

Website
Instagram: @ tara.k.ross
Twitter: @tara_k_ross
Goodreads
Facebook
Amazon author page


The book can be purchased online via the following button:




Finally, what question would you like to ask my readers?

Do you read across genres or tend to stick closely to one? What would encourage you to step outside your reading comfort zone?

Thanks again for hosting me on your blog!

My pleasure, Tara. And thanks for visiting and telling us about yourself and your book. Readers, Tara has offered to give away a free copy of her book. To enter, leave a comment and your email below in answer to her question, above. "Please enter me" won't get you entered. Remember that U.S. subscribers are entered an additional time in each drawing. The drawing is done by email, so leave your email address, like so: trish[at]trishperry[dot]com.

Only United States residents are eligible for the drawing, but anyone can subscribe to the blog posts via the GDPA-compliant Feedblitz box above my list of books, at right.

Also readers, I'd love it if you'd connect with me on Facebook. Just click on my name at the right of today's post title.

Annoying legal disclaimer: as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases; drawings void where prohibited; open only to U.S. residents; the odds of winning depend upon the number of participants. See full disclaimer, GDPA notice, and my Disclosure of Material Connection HERE

Short-term Sale on Together by Design!

For the seventh week in a row, I hope to provide you some accessible fun over our period of lockdown by dropping my book prices.

For five more days--through Saturday, May 9 --my contemporary romance, Together By Design, is available in e-book format for only 99 cents. (I'll continue to feature other books at sale prices in future weeks.)

Here is the summary of this contemporary romance:

Together By Design

Elena Tafani is in control of almost every aspect of her life. But getting arrested is only the first in a number of experiences that throw her summer completely off kilter. She may know how to stage a home to show it at its best, but her life isn’t showing quite as well.

There’s her runaway niece, her hard-bitten sister, her over-indulgent parents, and her judgmental clients. Then there’s Chaz, the best friend for whom she’s developing very confusing feelings. What’s a good rule follower supposed to do?

The book can be purchased via the following button (the price will lower on the site):




I hope you'll take advantage of this story while it's so readily available. And please remember to read about featured author, Linda Matchett, below, and subscribe and/or leave your answer to her question to be entered in the drawing for a free copy of her new release!

Short-term Sale on Local Girl!

For the sixth week in a row, I hope to provide you some accessible fun over our period of lockdown by dropping my book prices.

For five more days--through Saturday, May 2
--my contemporary romance, Local Girl, is available in e-book format for only 99 cents. (I'll continue to feature other books at sale prices in future weeks.)

Here is the summary of this contemporary romance:

Miss Apprehension

Entrepreneur Edie Keegan achieves ever-growing acclaim for her popular Local Girl perfume. Her romantic life hasn’t been quite as successful, but that’s fine with her. As she insists to her matchmaking friend, Sara-Penny Butler, she’s not in the market for love. But Sara-Penny knows better, and she understands Edie and her painful past more than Edie realizes.

When Ben Walsh, the town veterinarian, turns Edie’s head, she questions whether love is worth the risk of getting hurt, whether Ben is the man for her (despite her cat allergies), and whether Sara-Penny is ever going to mind her own business.


The book can be purchased via the following button:




I hope you'll take advantage of this story while it's so readily available. And please remember to read about featured author, Linda Matchett, below, and subscribe and/or leave your answer to her question to be entered in the drawing for a free copy of her new release!

Linda Shenton Matchett and Free Books!

A secret mission…a fake bride…a run for their lives.

Before we chat with today's author, I want to announce that the winner of the free copy of Dawn Kinzer's contemporary romance, By All Appearances, is:

pepsi324@...

Congratulations! We'll get your book right out to you. I encourage readers to keep commenting and/or subscribe at right (above my list of books) in order to learn about new releases! U.S. subscribers are entered in the drawings a second time when they comment.

And now let's meet novelist Linda Shenton Matchett, author of the historic romance novel, Spies & Sweethearts (Shortwave Press, April 2020).

Linda Shenton Matchett writes about ordinary people who did extraordinary things in days gone by. A volunteer docent and archivist for the Wright Museum of WWII, Linda is also a trustee for her local public library. She is a native of Baltimore, Maryland and was born a stone’s throw from Fort McHenry.

Linda has lived in historic places all her life, and is now located in central New Hampshire where her favorite activities include exploring historic sites and immersing herself in the imaginary worlds created by other authors.

Please tell us one random thing we might not know about you.

I took shooting lessons last year.

What fun! I took handgun lessons years ago (and never shot another one, but that's beside the point). It was a fun experience. 

Please tell us a bit more about the plot of Spies & Sweethearts.

According to the OSS training manual, the life expectancy of a radio operator in Nazi-occupied France is six weeks. Partnered with one of the agency’s top spies, Gerard Lucas, newly-minted agent Emily Strealer plans to beat those odds. Then their cover is blown and all bets are off. The border to neutral Switzerland is three hundred miles away—a long way to run with SS soldiers on their heels.

Will Emily and Gerard survive the journey?

And what about their hearts? Nothing in the manual prepared them for falling in love.

What is it about Emily that will make your readers care about her?

Emily is the youngest of three sisters and as such, has always felt the need to prove herself. She tries to make good decisions, but often second guesses and compares herself to others. I think that many of us have “imposter syndrome,” and readers will be able to relate to her struggle with self-confidence.

What kind of brainstorming do you when beginning a new novel?

I am fascinated by the various jobs (paid and unpaid) women held during WWII, so the first thing I do is determine what my protagonist will do for a living. I have a list of jobs and women’s organizations that I created years ago when I first started writing about WWII. After figuring out my heroine’s job, I make a list of “what if” scenarios to see what sort of trouble I can subject her to. I also try to come up with an actual event that will impact her and her situation. The event may determine the setting, but if not, I brainstorm ideas as to what location makes the most sense for the story arc. The theme of second chances is often in my stories, so I also brainstorm past difficulties for my heroine.

That's an excellent path to follow in order to develop a compelling, conflict-riddled story. And you have the historic element to use as well. I love it.

What is the last novel you read that you would recommend?

I just read Barbara Britton’s Heavenly Lights: Noah's Journey (Daughters of Zelophehad Series) . I fell in love with the main characters on the first page, and they have stayed with me long after finishing the book. Noah is a complex woman who I related to immediately, and Jeremiah, a deaf/mute, is a hero in every sense of the word. I laughed, cried, and sighed through the entire book. The story also made me examine my own faith.

What are you working on now?

I’m finishing The Widow & The War Correspondent, the third book in the Sisters in Service series. The story is about Emily’s oldest sister, Cora who is widowed when her husband is killed at Pearl Harbor.

Where else can readers find you online?

Website/blog: www.LindaShentonMatchett.com
Newsletter signup (receive a free short story)
Facebook
Amazon author page
BookBub
Goodreads
Pinterest
Twitter: @lindasmatchett

The book is available for purchase online via the following button:



Finally, what question would you like to ask my readers?

Women in all walks of life stepped out of their comfort zone to serve the war effort during WWII. When is a time you stepped out of your comfort zone to do a good deed?

Thanks, Linda, for visiting and telling us about yourself and your book. Readers, Linda has offered to give away a free copy of her book. To enter, leave a comment and your email below in answer to her question, above. "Please enter me" won't get you entered. Remember that U.S. subscribers are entered an additional time in each drawing. The drawing is done by email, so leave your email address, like so: trish[at]trishperry[dot]com.

Only United States residents are eligible for the drawing, but anyone can subscribe to the blog posts via the GDPA-compliant Feedblitz box above my list of books, at right.

Also readers, I'd love it if you'd connect with me on Facebook. Just click on my name at the right of today's post title.

Annoying legal disclaimer: as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases; drawings void where prohibited; open only to U.S. residents; the odds of winning depend upon the number of participants. See full disclaimer, GDPA notice, and my Disclosure of Material Connection HERE