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An Unexpected
Blessing
Where did the
idea come from for the book?
I wanted to write a Thanksgiving story, so I had a lot of the
background details in my head. I knew it would include all the best things
about the holiday: food, things to be thankful for, and time with family. I
also knew I wanted the setting to be a small town. The actual plot for the
storyline just came to me one day.
What genre does
your book fall under?
Contemporary romance. I’d call it cozy with some spice!
Which actors
would you choose to play your characters in a movie rendition?
Well, he’s not really an actor, but country singer Justin Moore
has the right look and the right smile to play Joe. I think Natalie Portman
would make a good Katy.
What is the
one-sentence synopsis of your book?
When an ex-con and the girl he’s had a secret crush on for years
reunite, the sparks fly and attraction blooms, but their love is put to the
test by small town gossip that can’t get over his past.
Is your book
self-published or represented by an agency?
How long did it take
you to write the first draft of your manuscript?
About two months.
Who or what
inspired you to write this book?
Thanksgiving has always been my favorite holiday, but it so often
gets pushed aside and forgotten in the rush to get to Christmas. I wanted a
book to celebrate all of the wonderful things about Thanksgiving.
What else about
your book might pique the reader's interest?
My heroine, Katy, shares my views about Christmas needing to wait
its turn in order to give Thanksgiving its rightful due!
Links:
Excerpt:
“Are you going to dance
with me or not?”
“Yes,
ma’am, I am.” He stood and offered his hand.
She slid
hers into his warm grasp. As always, his touch caused a little shock in her
heart. The weight of a hundred pairs of eyes followed them out onto the floor.
The dirt was packed smooth, and a ring of hay bales marked the area. Her tummy
quivered with a combination of nerves and anticipation.
He found
an open spot, which wasn’t difficult with the other couples affording them a
wide berth, and then curved his arm around her waist to draw her close. Her
body fit perfectly against him. A shiver tingled through her. She rested her
free hand on his shoulder.
His thigh
brushed hers as he rhythmically shuffled his feet to the music. His gaze
captured and held hers. The rest of the room faded as she stared into the warm,
melted chocolate brown of his eyes.
She didn’t
care that people whispered. Snuck glances. Or outright gaped. All she cared
about was swaying to a soft, slow beat. The quicker thud of her heart. Strong
arms wrapped around her. And the desire to stay right where she was. Maybe
forever.
Please welcome Debra St. John by leaving a comment.
To see my review of Unexpected Blessing, go to:
http://www.amazon.com/An-Unexpected-Blessing-ebook/dp/B00A53KMSC
Wow, Morgan! You are ahead of the game with this post! Thanks for having me here today, and thanks, as always for your constant support. It helps to have a good buddy in this business, doesn't it?!
ReplyDeleteMy Pleasure, Debra! Keep supplying those great romances for us to read!
ReplyDeleteMorgan Mandel
http://morganmandel.blogspot.com
Really liked the excerpt. It says a lot about both characters. The book sounds great - and I like the idea of having a focus on Thanksgiving. That holiday seems to get forgotten in books!
ReplyDeleteHi Ginger, Thanks for popping in and leaving a comment. Thanksgiving surely does seem to get passed by. It was fun to write a story with it as the focus.
ReplyDeleteHi Debra, Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays too--I have such great memories from my childhood! Your choice for Katy makes me laugh, because my husband has a HUGE crush on Natalie Portman! :)
ReplyDeleteHi Debra,
ReplyDeleteSounds like a cozy holiday story. Great job getting your first draft done in two months.
Too often people are "pegged" by gossip. Believing someone is better--and finding out you're right--would make for a heart-warming story, Debra. Well done!
ReplyDeleteJennifer, Yea, Natalie would probably be on my hubby's 'list', too!
ReplyDeleteKathy, Thanks! I definitely like cozy. I was pretty proud of myself for the turnaround time.
Ana - Thanks! It's always so easy/tempting to believe everything you hear, isn't it?
Great excerpt, Debra! And I agree that Thanksgiving seems to get shoved out of the way to make way for the mad Christmas rush.
ReplyDeleteHi Susan...thanks. I actually walked into Wal-Mart this year on Halloween and they had a decorated Christmas tree in the entryway. Every year it seems to get earlier and earlier.
ReplyDeleteI'm looking forward to reading this, Debra, especially as we don't have Thanksgiving here in the UK so it's something I've never experienced. I'm very impressed that you wrote the first draft in only two months too!
ReplyDeletePaula, I always work better on a deadline...and not a self-imposed one. I hope you enjoy the story and that it gives you a little taste of life here in the U.S.!
ReplyDeleteGreat interview. It looks like my kind of book.
ReplyDelete