Hello, blog friends! I hope you are all having a wonderful week! This week, I am participating in the Books & Beverages Blog Tour. Here is a little bit of information about that:
“Welcome to the Books & Beverages Blog Tour hosted by Mountain Brook Ink publishing! We’re so excited that you are joining us for the next two weeks of fun. We look forward to introducing you to some new authors -- maybe you’ll even find a new favorite! The tour begins at Annie Douglass Lima’s blog on February 15, 2016 and goes through March 1, 2016, ending with Anna Weaver Hurtt's. Please check below for the complete schedule of the tour.
Featured Authors:
Heather L.L. FitzGerald - Debut author of young adult fantasy series, The Tethered World Chronicles
Kimberly Rose Johnson - Multi-published author of sweet romance series, The Wildflower B&B Romance
Angela Ruth Strong - Multi-published author of Finding Love in Sun Valley, Idaho, book one in the Resort to Love series
Each stop will include an opportunity to enter for a FREE KINDLE FIRE as the grand prize, as well as three runner-up opportunities to win a $10 Starbucks gift card! Check the bottom of the post for either a Rafflecopter FORM or a Rafflecopter link for your chance to enter!
The lovely Angela Ruth Strong is joining us today to tell us a little about herself and her writing, so let's get this interview started!
“Welcome to the Books & Beverages Blog Tour hosted by Mountain Brook Ink publishing! We’re so excited that you are joining us for the next two weeks of fun. We look forward to introducing you to some new authors -- maybe you’ll even find a new favorite! The tour begins at Annie Douglass Lima’s blog on February 15, 2016 and goes through March 1, 2016, ending with Anna Weaver Hurtt's. Please check below for the complete schedule of the tour.
Featured Authors:
Heather L.L. FitzGerald - Debut author of young adult fantasy series, The Tethered World Chronicles
Kimberly Rose Johnson - Multi-published author of sweet romance series, The Wildflower B&B Romance
Angela Ruth Strong - Multi-published author of Finding Love in Sun Valley, Idaho, book one in the Resort to Love series
Each stop will include an opportunity to enter for a FREE KINDLE FIRE as the grand prize, as well as three runner-up opportunities to win a $10 Starbucks gift card! Check the bottom of the post for either a Rafflecopter FORM or a Rafflecopter link for your chance to enter!
The lovely Angela Ruth Strong is joining us today to tell us a little about herself and her writing, so let's get this interview started!
Author Mini-view:
#1. Tell us a bit about yourself and your writing. (How did you get started? How many books have you written? Where are you on your writing journey?)
In high school I had a basketball player run into me when I was cheerleading. I flew into the bleachers and broke four ribs. I wrote about it and sent it to American Cheerleader Magazine. They bought it and paid me one hundred bucks. That was the easiest I'd ever made money before. I wish it was always that easy.
I studied journalism at the University of Oregon finished my first novel in 2006 and a second one in 2007. I got interest from a publisher at a conference and then interest from an agent because I had interest from a publisher. While I was waiting for her to sell those books, the Love Finds You line of books put out a call for submissions. I honestly threw together three chapters in a day. When my agent called with good news, I was shocked to find out I'd sold the book I hadn't written yet rather than the other two that I'd spent months sweating over.
Since then, I've written in all kinds of genres. The books in my middle-grade series include The Water Fight Professional, The Snowball Fight Professional, The Food Fight Professional, and The Pillow Fight Professional. Fun for kids who enjoyed The Diary of a Wimpy Kid. My women's fiction title Lighten Up is about the daughter of a pastor who can't forgive her father for running off with the church secretary until she falls in love with her own pastor. Then I tried my hand at romantic suspense in a book set with my amazing critique group titled Team Love on the Run.
Currently, I just signed a contract for a 2017 release with Love Inspired Suspense, and I'm rereleasing my debut novel as Finding Love in Sun Valley since it is being considered for a movie (http://www.beliefnet.com/columnists/faithmediaandculture/2012/07/mpi-to-bring-popular-love-finds-you-book-series-to-television.html). This will be the first in my Resort to Love series with Finding Love in Big Sky, Montana releasing in November and Finding Love in Park City, Utah coming out next year. I love hanging out with the old characters again!!!
#2. What is your favorite Bible verse?
My favorite verse right now goes along with my word for the year, which is SATISFIED. I want to be satisfied by the things of God.
"Like a baby content in its mother's arms, my soul is a baby content." --Psalm 121:3b
#3. What have you read lately that you would recommend?
When I mentioned that I have awesome critique partners, I meant it. Heather Woodhaven writes for Love Inspired Suspense, but my favorite book she wrote is The Secret Life of Book Club. It follows the four members in book club as they decide to stop just reading about exciting stories and actually make their own lives an adventure. I laughed and cried and couldn't get the story out of my head for a long, long time. If you enjoy reading, you're sure to relate to these characters in some way.
#4. What book are you featuring today?
Finding Love in Sun Valley--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?
If you could tell people who are going to read/have read your books one thing, what would it be?
I used to think that writing romance was silly. I wanted to write "deeper" stuff that would change lives. But I've learned the hard way that there is nothing more important to write about than love. Love changes lives. And whether it's through my stories or through them smiling at a stranger, that's how we get to be Jesus to the world.
In high school I had a basketball player run into me when I was cheerleading. I flew into the bleachers and broke four ribs. I wrote about it and sent it to American Cheerleader Magazine. They bought it and paid me one hundred bucks. That was the easiest I'd ever made money before. I wish it was always that easy.
I studied journalism at the University of Oregon finished my first novel in 2006 and a second one in 2007. I got interest from a publisher at a conference and then interest from an agent because I had interest from a publisher. While I was waiting for her to sell those books, the Love Finds You line of books put out a call for submissions. I honestly threw together three chapters in a day. When my agent called with good news, I was shocked to find out I'd sold the book I hadn't written yet rather than the other two that I'd spent months sweating over.
Since then, I've written in all kinds of genres. The books in my middle-grade series include The Water Fight Professional, The Snowball Fight Professional, The Food Fight Professional, and The Pillow Fight Professional. Fun for kids who enjoyed The Diary of a Wimpy Kid. My women's fiction title Lighten Up is about the daughter of a pastor who can't forgive her father for running off with the church secretary until she falls in love with her own pastor. Then I tried my hand at romantic suspense in a book set with my amazing critique group titled Team Love on the Run.
Currently, I just signed a contract for a 2017 release with Love Inspired Suspense, and I'm rereleasing my debut novel as Finding Love in Sun Valley since it is being considered for a movie (http://www.beliefnet.com/columnists/faithmediaandculture/2012/07/mpi-to-bring-popular-love-finds-you-book-series-to-television.html). This will be the first in my Resort to Love series with Finding Love in Big Sky, Montana releasing in November and Finding Love in Park City, Utah coming out next year. I love hanging out with the old characters again!!!
#2. What is your favorite Bible verse?
My favorite verse right now goes along with my word for the year, which is SATISFIED. I want to be satisfied by the things of God.
"Like a baby content in its mother's arms, my soul is a baby content." --Psalm 121:3b
#3. What have you read lately that you would recommend?
When I mentioned that I have awesome critique partners, I meant it. Heather Woodhaven writes for Love Inspired Suspense, but my favorite book she wrote is The Secret Life of Book Club. It follows the four members in book club as they decide to stop just reading about exciting stories and actually make their own lives an adventure. I laughed and cried and couldn't get the story out of my head for a long, long time. If you enjoy reading, you're sure to relate to these characters in some way.
#4. What book are you featuring today?
Finding Love in Sun Valley--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?
If you could tell people who are going to read/have read your books one thing, what would it be?
I used to think that writing romance was silly. I wanted to write "deeper" stuff that would change lives. But I've learned the hard way that there is nothing more important to write about than love. Love changes lives. And whether it's through my stories or through them smiling at a stranger, that's how we get to be Jesus to the world.
About the Blog Tour:
TOUR SCHEDULE:
2/15 - <a href="http://anniedouglasslima.blogspot.com/”> Annie Douglass Lima</a>
2/16 - <a href=”www.ghostryter.blogspot.com”> Beckah </a>
2/17 - <a href=”http://www.gingersolomon.com/blog/> Ginger Solomon </a>
2/18 - <a href=”http://www.sandrarobbins.net/> Sandra Robbins </a>
2/19 - <a href=”http://www.jlmbewe.com/> Jennette Mbewe </a>
2/20 - <a href=”http://plentifulpursuits.com> Erika Keswick</a>
2/21 - <a href=”https://mdeshaies.wordpress.com/”> Marisa Deshaies </a>
2/22 - <a href=”http://faithhopeandheartwarming.com/blog/”> Autumn Macarthur </a>
2/23 - <a href=”https://agreateryes.wordpress.com/”> Crystal Scott </a>
2/24 - <a href=”http://thegatheringfire.wordpress.com”> Stephanie Florentino </a>
2/25 - <a href=”http://dianasbookit.blogspot.com/”> Diana Montgomery </a>
2/26 - <a href=”http://www.liztolsma.com/”> Liz Tolsma </a>
2/27 - <a href=”http://sarahruut.com/”> Sarah Ruut </a>
2/28 - <a href=”http://notbybread.wordpress.com”> Ashley Taylor </a>
2/29 - <a href=”https://sparksofember.wordpress.com/”> Kat Vinson </a>
3/1 - <a href=”http://www.annaweaverbooks.com/giveaways”> Anna Weaver Hurrts </a>
2/15 - <a href="http://anniedouglasslima.blogspot.com/”> Annie Douglass Lima</a>
2/16 - <a href=”www.ghostryter.blogspot.com”> Beckah </a>
2/17 - <a href=”http://www.gingersolomon.com/blog/> Ginger Solomon </a>
2/18 - <a href=”http://www.sandrarobbins.net/> Sandra Robbins </a>
2/19 - <a href=”http://www.jlmbewe.com/> Jennette Mbewe </a>
2/20 - <a href=”http://plentifulpursuits.com> Erika Keswick</a>
2/21 - <a href=”https://mdeshaies.wordpress.com/”> Marisa Deshaies </a>
2/22 - <a href=”http://faithhopeandheartwarming.com/blog/”> Autumn Macarthur </a>
2/23 - <a href=”https://agreateryes.wordpress.com/”> Crystal Scott </a>
2/24 - <a href=”http://thegatheringfire.wordpress.com”> Stephanie Florentino </a>
2/25 - <a href=”http://dianasbookit.blogspot.com/”> Diana Montgomery </a>
2/26 - <a href=”http://www.liztolsma.com/”> Liz Tolsma </a>
2/27 - <a href=”http://sarahruut.com/”> Sarah Ruut </a>
2/28 - <a href=”http://notbybread.wordpress.com”> Ashley Taylor </a>
2/29 - <a href=”https://sparksofember.wordpress.com/”> Kat Vinson </a>
3/1 - <a href=”http://www.annaweaverbooks.com/giveaways”> Anna Weaver Hurrts </a>
Giveaway!
To enter the giveaway, just fill out the Rafflecopter form! Thanks for participating and God bless!
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