Nicole Deese, Crystal L. Barnes, and Angela Strong | New Novel News

A Season to Love 
by Nicole Deese

February 2, 2016
Waterfall Press, Amazon Publishing
Purchase: A Season to Love

At this point in her life, bravery is not a trait Willa Hart would readily claim. She believes her seven-year-old daughter, Savannah, who never knew her father and successfully tackled chemotherapy, is truly the courageous one. Yet after Willa has a fateful encounter with handsome young doctor Patrick McCade, her outlook—and her view of herself—begins to change.

Patrick, a thrill-seeking world traveler and temporary resident of Lenox, Oregon, sets out to show Willa the value of adventure, even within her tiny town. But just when their friendship shows signs of turning into something more, Patrick’s life as a traveling doctor calls him back. Will his last days in town signal the end of their journey, or will Patrick and Willa find the courage to transform a single season into a lifetime?

Get to know Nicole...

What are the names of your pets?
We have a new little golden doodle puppy who is stinkin' adorable. His name is Warner, named after one of my favorite fictional heroes. (From the YA series Shatter Me.)

If you were stranded on an island which three things couldn't you live without?
I'll list them in order of importance:
1. My husband (kinda like that guy)
2. A charged kindle (to remain charged because this is a magical island, right?)
3. Music (preferably from my Spotify channel)

Favorite place you've ever traveled?
When I was twenty-one I joined a YWAM (Youth With A Mission) base in Queensland, Australia. I lived there for six months and had the opportunity to travel to Fiji, Vanuatu, and New Zealand. And though I consider Australia my heart country, New Zealand is definitely the most beautiful place I've ever seen. I can't wait to go back!

*Check out Nicole's giveaway on her website (it ends February 9th).

Love, Stock, & Barrel
by Crystal L. Barnes

February 4, 2016
Amazon Publishing
Purchase: Love, Stock, & Barrel

Hiding from a rat of a fiancé, Dinah Lexington makes tracks for Texas and who she hopes is her late mother’s relative. She’s seeking answers but finds more than she bargains for when she gets caught in a shotgun wedding—with the rifle pointed at her.

Russell Cahill can’t believe his father is demanding he marry the feisty redhead. The sharpshooting female would only add to his troubles, but how does one argue with a gun and an attraction he's fought to ignore?
Sparks fly. Secrets surface. Loss threatens.
Will a dream for love shatter forever, or will the pair find a marriage worth lock, stock, and barrel?


Get to know Crystal...

What actor/actress would play you if your life was a movie?
Either Poppy Montgomery or Scarlett Johansson. (I’d pick Maureen O’Hara, but there’s a bit of an age discrepancy, not to mention she died last year. :D )

What’s your favorite book?
If we’re talking fiction, The Princess by Lori Wick

If your main characters were animals, what would they be?
Dinah would be a wild cat. Russell…hmm…a black lab.

Finding Love in Sun Valley Idaho

by Angela Ruth Strong

February 1, 2016

Amazon Publishing

* Previously released as Love Finds You in Sun Valley in 2010 by Summerside Press

Purchase: Finding Love in Sun Valley Idaho

 
Actress Emily Van Arsdale has returned to her Idaho hometown - with an entire film crew in tow! With its stunning scenery and reputation for hosting celebrities, Sun Valley is the perfect setting for Emily’s newest romantic comedy. Tracen Lake is happy to work as a stunt consultant for the movie but not as thrilled to deal with a bunch of high-maintenance Hollywood types. But Tracen is surprised to discover in Emily a down-to-earth Idaho girl who does all her own stunts and loves the outdoors. As filming wraps up and Emily heads off to her next gig, will she be able to leave Sun Valley - and Tracen - behind?



Get to know Angela...

If your book became a movie, who would you cast as the main characters?I love this question because my book IS being considered for production as a movie. (http://www.beliefnet.com/columnists/faithmediaandculture/2012/07/mpi-to-bring-popular-love-finds-you-book-series-to-television.html)

My main character, Emily Van Arsdale, is a stunt woman who ends up acting and becomes famous for playing the role of Wonder Woman. As Wonder Woman is coming out soon, I would be tickled pink to have the same actress, Gal Gadot, play the part of Emily. As for Tracen Lake, the rafting guide, I wrote him with Josh Duhamel in mind.

Who is your favorite secondary character?
Tracen grew up with four brothers, and I've decided to write his little brothers' romances as part of a new series titled Resort to Love. Currently I'm working on Finding Love in Big Sky, Montana, which is about Josh, but the youngest brother Sam keeps trying to steal the show. His romance is next--Finding Love in Park City, Utah--and with as much personality as Sam has, it's going to be a doozy. Sam returned from serving in the Army overseas just in time to give his brothers unwanted relationship advice, which is funny because he's a free spirit who refuses to settle down. But don't worry. After fighting forest fires over the summer and helping out Josh as a ranch hand, I'm pretty sure he'll meet his match in the reporter who keeps trying to get past him to interview his sister-in-law Emily at the Sundance Film Festival.

Favorite place you've traveled?
Traveling is one of my favorite parts of writing. Either I'm inspired by a place I visit and I want to set a story there, or I research a setting for my story and I want to travel there. Last year the most fascinating place I visited was a mission in inner city San Francisco started by Roger Huang. You can read about it in the book Chasing God. Life changing. I had a whole story plotted when I left, but I've had to put it on hold for a couple other projects. In a week I'm heading to the Sundance Film Festival to research for Sam's story. Friend me on facebook to find out if I run into anyone famous!

::WINNER::

I had Dani Pettrey on the blog last week and she offered up a copy of her new release, Cold Shot, as a giveaway! We've got one lucky winner....

Just Commonly

Congrats :)

I too am looking forward to reading this - I just go my review copy so be on the look out for my review in a few weeks!

Angela Strong {Writer Wednesday}

A little bit about Angela...

Angela Ruth Strong sold her first article to a national magazine while still in high school. Her debut novel Love Finds You In Sun Valley, Idaho released in 2010. Lighten Up is the first in her Body and Soul Series, with the second book Shake It Up releasing March 2014. When she’s not writing, you can find her at home in Idaho with her three teen/tweens and hubby where life is always an adventure.
How to connect with Angela...


Blog: http://angelaruthstrong.blogspot.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/angela.r.strong
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4746114.Angela_Ruth_Strong
Purchase her book on Amazon

Author Interview | Angela Strong 

 

You and Writing

Tell us a little bit about yourself: How did you start writing? What has kept you writing?
...Creative Writing was always my favorite subject. The kids in my carpool would read my assignments out loud and everyone would laugh all the way home. I’d sometimes pretend that I lost one of my stories so I had to write another one to turn in for credit. That’s what I did for fun. In fact, when I took journalism in high school, I’d finish my assignments early in case anybody else needed me to do their writing/editing/layout for the newspaper. After that came college then writers conferences. It’s nice to be able to make money from the business, but really I’m still that same little girl in the carpool van who gets joy out of the enjoyment her writing brings others.

Do you have a favorite book or work that you’ve written?
...My favorite book is always my next book. :)

What was the hardest thing about publishing? The easiest?
...It’s all hard until it’s done, and then I’m like “that was easy!” Like a mother going through childbirth. It’s horrible and painful and she doesn’t know if she can make it, but then the baby is born and it’s so beautiful and worth the effort that she can’t wait to do it all over again.

Your Writing
Tell us a little bit about your book or what you’re working on currently? Why are you/did you write it?
...Lighten Up: Bethany is a pastor’s daughter who can’t forgive her dad for running off with the church secretary until she falls in love with her pastor.
...I wrote it because I’m a pastor’s daughter who grew up in the church, and I saw a lot of things Christians do that aren’t discussed in Christian fiction. I was hurt by one of these things. Then I found freedom when I realized that “mercy triumphs over judgment every time.” I want to share that freedom with the world.

Do you have a favorite character in this work? If so, why?
...Mick. He’s not attractive. He has a large head and pock-marked face. Think mafia movie. The kind of guy you would run away from if you saw him in a dark alley. But he is the sweetest, most enthusiastic guy ever. He’s also very honest about his many embarrassing stories. As the church’s token single male, every woman wants to set him up/marry him off. Unfortunately, he falls for Bethany who so isn’t interested.

What is one take-away from your book that you hope readers identify with?
...We are all capable of messing up big time. So first, we need to set up accountability to keep us from falling to temptation, and second, we need to grant mercy to those who have fallen.

Writing
Where do you find inspiration for your story/characters? Are they based on real life or pure imagination or both?
...Both. Though I love the moments when something happens, and I can be like, “That is so going in a book.” I also love the moments when I create a character, and then I run into them on the street. And I stare. Because I thought they only existed in my imagination.
...I know some authors have systems for this kind of thing. I use their systems on occasion. But more often than not, I make up this writing thing as I go. Sometimes I’ll have an idea and write the novel in one month, other times I write multiple synopses over years until it finally comes together.

When you write, what is your overall intention with your stories?
...I have a mission statement for life that also applies to my writing: 

 

My mission is to inspire, create, and encourage hope in myself and others.

What advice would you give to aspiring authors for writing and/or publishing?
...Don’t think of your writing as right or wrong, think of it as working or not working. Enjoy the process and learn as you go.

You
What is your favorite activity during the summer?
...I’d have to say that as of my 2nd anniversary celebration this past weekend, it’s zip-lining! Though I love everything about summer.

What are you currently reading?
...Jonah. I’ve got a deadline at the end of the month, so I’m not reading anything except the Bible right now. And Facebook. But that doesn’t really count, does it?

Apparently August 15th is National Lemon Meringue Pie Day (who knew). What is your favorite dessert?
...Crème Brulee. Had it served in an actual pineapple on the last day of my honeymoon in Maui. Worth going back for.

____________________

Thank you so much for joining us on the blog today, Angela! What a great interview :) I can tell that you love to write not only for others, but for yourself which is such an encouraging thing to hear.  I also love your mission statement. I think every author should have one.  I can't wait to hear about more books from you.

Readers, make sure you check out her blog and purchase a copy of her book!