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1. How did you get started as an author?  What or whom inspired you?
My father, Gerald N. Lund, is an author. But growing up, I hadn't planned to follow in his footsteps. I loved to read, but that was about it. It wasn't until seven years ago when a story got stuck in my head, that I ever considered writing. Now I can't seem to stop. I love it! Now I ask my dad lots of writing questions, which has been a huge help.

2. How did you get started as a musician?  What or whom inspired you?  How long have you been composing and arranging music?
I've been playing the piano since before I can remember. My mother, Lynn S. Lund, was a composer and piano teacher for all of my life. She tells me that I wrote my first song when I was six. I have perfect pitch, which is fun, and I wrote several songs by the time I was in high school. I love music! Even when I'm writing books, I usually have music playing in the background. Now I teach piano, accompany choirs and other performers, and I continue to write and arrange songs.

3. How many books have you written and in what genres?
I have four books published to date: 

SADIE and AUGUSTINA are LDS Christian Romantic Suspense novels (wow, that's a mouthful). 

CITIZENS OF LOGAN POND is a dystopian trilogy set five years in the future after the financial collapse of America. The first books, LIFE and LIBERTY, are out now, and THE PURSUIT will be released in 2016. 

4. What writing projects are you currently working on?  What can you tell us about these projects?
Currently I'm working on THE PURSUIT, book 3 in CITIZENS OF LOGAN POND. But I also have a YA Medieval Romance novel that is 80% complete. It's tentatively titled HEART OF RED, BLOOD OF BLUE. 

Then I have many--too many--other books on the back burner. Several are already plotted and just waiting for me to get to them.

5. What does your writing process look like?
I'm an outliner/plotter. I use a combination of Blake Snyder's SAVE THE CAT method and THE HERO'S JOURNEY to plot my books. 

I write the first several drafts in Scrivener, which allows me to move chapters, plot on 3x5 cards, check pacing and word count, and just be flexible overall. Then once I'm nearing the final drafts, I'll move it over to Word to do several polishes of the manuscript. 

I also do in-depth character studies before I start. I chart character motivations, goals, past defining experiences, and weaknesses. I also gather pictures of the characters (or as close as I can get), to help me visualize them (see the CITIZENS of Logan Pond to get an idea of how crazy I am about this:). 

I do the same for setting. Basically, a lot of work goes into the story and characters before I ever write a word. I'm a daydreamer by nature, so I often visualize scenes for a long time before a single word is written.

My first drafts stink. I've had to learn to be okay with that. Really, I'm more of a refiner than a writer. I love the editing process, so I slowly tweak things until they feel right. When I get stuck on a chapter or scene, I'll skip ahead and write what I know. So I'm not a linear writer by any means. I circle back several times if I need to refresh myself on what I've written or the mood of a scene. It's a slow process, but it works for me. 

6. Where is your favorite place to write?
My favorite place to write is anywhere I can take my laptop. I have 5 kids, so I've learned to be flexible. I take my laptop to the park, to gymnastics practice, or just whichever room in the house requires my presence. My kids are getting older, so they need less supervision. That helps. But I still like to have an ear open, so I move around a lot. 

When they're all in school or not home, I love to take my laptop onto my deck and write outside. We live on a pond (the inspiration for Logan Pond), so it's very peaceful back there.

Best-selling author Loree Lough has nearly 6,000,000 4- and 5-star books in circulation, 7 book-to-movie options, and contracts for additional series slated to release by year-end 2018. Books 105 & 106 (Harlequin Heartwarming’s Sweet Mountain Rancher, #2 “Those Marshall Boys” series, and Guardians of the Heart, #2, “Secrets on Sterling Street” historical series from Whitaker) released this summer, and the third book in each series will hit store shelves early in 2016. Loree loves interacting with readers on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and email (and answers every letter, personally). Keep up with all the latest at http://www.loreelough.com. 

1. How did you get started as an author?  What or whom inspired you?
I once wrote articles (2,500+ under my byline). Upon noticing a disturbing trend--publishers changing salient facts to appease advertisers--I decided I needed something more honest. Something like fiction! LOL So I tried my hand at a novel. Pocketful of Love was released in August of '94, and earned the Readers Choice Best Contemporary that year. After that, I was hooked!

Writers like London, Hemingway, and Steinbeck were my inspiration.

2. How many books have you written and in what genres?
When Book #3 in Whitaker's "Secrets on Sterling Street" historical series and #3 in Harlequin Heartwarming's "Those Marshall Boys" contemporary series release in February, there will be 107 'Loree' books in print. I've written historical, contemporary, and fiction and non-fiction for kids. 

3. What writing projects are you currently working on?  What can you tell us about these projects?
Currently, I'm working on two books at the same time: Healing of the Heart (#3 Sterling Street) and Nashville Dreams (#3 Marshall Boys). 

Healing of the Heart is set in Fairplay, Colorado (near Denver), 1889, and features a heroine who is trying to make amends for the wrongs committed by her deceased outlaw father...and keep the reasons for her good deeds a secret. The local sheriff is mighty suspicious of her motives, even though he's guarding some dark secrets of his own. 

Nashville Dreams is the story of a young woman with good reason not to trust musicians and singers who come to town to fulfill their dreams of stardom. And that's precisely what brought the hero--full time firefighter and part time entertainer--to Music City.

4. What does your writing process look like?
I use what I call a timeline to plot out every story. Picture a big-squares calendar, with boxes going across the page (each is a chapter) and boxes going down the page (each is a scene). I fill it in with very brief descriptions of what needs to happen in each scene. In the corner of each box, I draw a symbol: Heart = romantic scene; ! = action/adventure; smiley face = upbeat; frownie = sad; and for inspirational scenes, I draw a cross. That way, I can tell at a glance if I'm creating a good balance of all the elements. I never use a computer program because I find the cluttered computer screen distracting. The timeline is hands-on, and I can take it with me anywhere. I also work 100% alone, because I keep very peculiar hours and would feel guilty waking my friends at all hours of the night!

5. Where is your favorite place to write?
If I'm on a deadline (which is most of the time!), can write just about anywhere: On our sun porch or deck, in the family room, at the little table near the windows at our mountain cabin, or in my official office...balanced on my purple exercise ball.

6. How important are the names in your novels? How do you choose names for your characters?  Do you have any name resources you would suggest?
Just as parents take extra care in choosing the names for their babies, authors spend a lot of time researching names--and their meanings--of their characters. It's rarely something we mention in our stories, but just as words mean things, so do names. Strength of character, ancestry, a particular trait, etc. If I'm writing a contemporary about a cowboy who's Irish, for example, I'll get online and Google "Irish male names." A bunch of different sites pop up, and I peruse them until I find one that provides a name that 'sings.'

7. What authors/novels that you enjoy would you recommend?
I've read Jack London's stories a couple dozen times. His descriptions are amazing! When teaching a writing class, I often recommend Dean Koontz's Watchers. It's scary (and gave me a few nightmares!), but Koontz has a talent for making readers truly care about what's happening to his characters.

8. Where is your favorite place to read and why? (Can I get a picture of this?)
On the rare occasion I have time to luxuriate with a book, I do it in my little reading nook out on our sun porch. Rain or shine, summer or winter, it provides the perfect ambiance for getting lost in someone else's story for a change!

9. What period of history interests you the most?
Although I've written lots of books set before, during, and after the Civil War, and stories that take place out West during the 1800s, I love the WWII era. The clothing, the music, the movies, and mostly, the patriotism of Americans is something I think we're sorely lacking today.

10. If you could choose someone famous to star in one of your books made to a movie, who would you choose and for which character?
Without exception, I've chosen a male and female star for every book I've written. For Guardians of the Heart, for example, I chose Tayler Kitsch as Asa and Yvonne Strahovski as Nell.

11. What inspired the idea for your Secrets on Sterling Street series?  How many novels are you planning to include in this series?
These days, most publishers prefer 3-5 books. "Secrets on Sterling Street," like most of my other series, fits that parameter to a T. All of the books in my series can stand alone, meaning readers do not have to buy all three to follow the story. Instead, the novels are connected by a town, a time period, an event.

12. What other hobbies do you enjoy when you are not writing?
When I'm not at the keyboard, you'll find me puttering in the garden, cooking or baking, or whipping up some craft or sketch. In other words, if it gets me dirty and sweaty or makes me fat, I love it!

Thank you, Sydney, for this opportunity to meet your followers! It has been a privilege being interviewed by you, and I hope everyone will find and follow me on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest so we can stay in touch!

Check out my reviews for:
CURRENCY OF THE HEART & GUARDIANS OF THE HEART (current giveaway too)

Author Information
Sarah Sundin is the author of seven historical novels, including Through Waters Deep (Revell, August 2015). Her novella “I’ll Be Home for Christmas” in Where Treetops Glisten is a finalist for the 2015 Carol Award, and her novel On Distant Shores was a double finalist for the 2014 Golden Scroll Awards. A mother of three, Sarah lives in California, works on-call as a hospital pharmacist, and teaches Sunday school.

1. How did you get started as an author?  What or who inspired you?
Although I grew up in a home wallpapered in books, I never seriously considered writing as a career. Since I loved science, I became a pharmacist, a career that allowed me to stay home with our three children and work on-call. Then in 2000, I was slammed by a story idea—in a dream, of all things—and I felt compelled to write it down. That first book was never published, nor should it be, but it got me started. I began attending writers’ conferences and a writers’ group, and I kept writing and learning. I started submitting in 2003, and after five years of rejection letters, I received my first book contract. My first novel, A Distant Melody, was published in 2010.

2. How many books have you written and in what genres?
I’ve written seven published novels and one novella, all Christian historical romance set in World War II. I also have two unpublished Christian contemporary romances, my “starter novels,” which should never, ever be published.

3. What writing projects are you currently working on?  What can you tell us about these projects?
The second book in the Waves of Freedom series, Anchor in the Storm, is complete and is going through edits at the publishing house. I’m currently outlining the third book in the series. In this book, Lt. Dan Avery, a no-nonsense naval officer, is working on radar development at the height of the Battle of the Atlantic. The last thing he wants to see on his radar is fun-loving glamour girl Quintessa Beaumont, even when she joins the WAVES—and is assigned to his unit. This story promises to be a lot of fun to write!

4.    What does your writing process look like?
I’m a heavy outliner. Before I get started, I do basic research to make sure the story idea works. To get to know my characters deeply, I fill out long and detailed character questionnaires, which I love. To wrangle my plot into submission, I fill out a plot chart outlining each scene. Then I write one-page sketches of what will happen in each chapter. That kind of pre-writing would kill some writers’ creativity, but it unleashes mine! My rough draft flies, and editing is a breeze.

Michele Paige Holmes spent her childhood and youth in Arizona and northern California, often curled up with a good book instead of out enjoying the sunshine.  She graduated from Brigham Young University with a degree in elementary education and found it an excellent major with which to indulge her love of children’s literature

Her first novel, Counting Stars, won the 2007 Whitney Award for Best Romance.  Its companion novel, a romantic suspense titled All the Stars in Heaven, was a Whitney Award finalist, as was her first historical romance, Captive Heart.  My Lucky Stars completed the Stars series.

In 2014 Michele launched the Hearthfire Historical Romance line, with the debut title, Saving Grace. Loving Helen is the companion novel, with a third, Marrying Christopher released in July 2015.

When not reading or writing romance, Michele is busy with her full-time job as a wife and mother.  She and her husband life in Utah with their five high-maintenance children, and a Shitzu that resembles a teddy bear, in a house with a wonderful view of the mountains.

Connect with Michele on:
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1. How did you get started as an author?  What or whom inspired you?
I was an only child for the first ten years of my life and spent much of that time reading so I wouldn't feel lonely. My love of reading continued into high school and naturally flowed into a love of writing as well. I wrote for and then was editor of the school newspaper. But it was fiction, rather than fact, where I felt most comfortable. When my husband went to graduate school, I used the evenings he was in class to begin writing some of the stories in my head. I joined the League of Utah Writers and URWA, found a critique group, started entering contests and getting valuable feedback and was on my way. Note: It was a long process. And I am still constantly learning. 

2. How many books have you written and in what genres?
I am all about romance! I've written historical, contemporary, YA, and even a fairy tale or two. My seventh novel, Marrying Christopher, the third in the Hearthfire Historical line was published last month. I've also published a novella in the Timeless Romance European Collection. My first four novels were published through Covenant Communications, the last three are through Mirror Press. All can be found on Amazon. 

3. What writing projects are you currently working on?  What can you tell us about these projects?
I have a novella coming out late this fall, in a Timeless Romance Regency Midwinter Ball collection. I am working on two additional titles for the Hearthfire Historical line, and I am writing a contemporary romance for the Power of the Matchmaker series that will be released next summer. I am also hoping to start a new line of fairy tales sometime in the next few months. Many good stories are in the works, and I anticipate having the time to edit and polish those, as my youngest starts first grade soon. Bittersweet :)

4. What does your writing process look like?
My writing process begins with some scribbles on a notepad or back of the checkbook or whatever I happen to have with me when an idea strikes. From there I think about the idea for quite a while (several months to a few years, as I am usually busy writing other stories). When I am actually ready to begin I take the time to make a character bible and really get to know my characters and what their background is and what makes them tick. Sometimes I am tempted to be lazy and skip this step, and I always pay for it, either with hitting a dead end quickly or writing a tangent that has to be cut. After the characters are solid I begin writing--whatever scene is most prominent in my mind. I rarely write a story in order. I used to bring each and every chapter to my critique group, but we have all progressed to the point that we have deadlines and no longer have that luxury anymore. Instead I'll bring particularly troubling or difficult chapters to my group, so they can help me see where the problems are and how to fix those. Each manuscript takes me approximately 4-5 drafts. That's before the editing process even begins! Readers and editors search for content issues, and I address those. Then the manuscript has a line edit and a copy edit and a proof. By the time I am finished with those, I never want to see it again, and I am eager to begin on the next story.

5. Where is your favorite place to write?
I don't have a favorite place--yet. I have plans and dreams for a wonderful home office. Currently my "home office" is the room where everything that we don't know what to do with gets put. Not always the best for the creative mode, but I do have a door I can close, and that's an improvement over the kitchen table. The most productive place for me to write is at the Provo Library. Many of my novels have been drafted in the second floor carrels there.

6. How important are the names in your novels? How do you choose names for your characters?  Do you have any name resources you would suggest?
I end up using a lot of names of family members, though not those of my immediate family. I have a niece named Grace and another named Adrielle (main character in a fairy tale I hope to publish soon). I've also taken names from family history sheets. I know there are name generators out there, but I haven't used any yet. When writing historical romance, I do check a name with the time period to see how common or uncommon it was during that period. Mostly I just try to find something that I feel fits the character's personality. It is a fun and sometimes difficult part of writing. 

7. What authors/novels that you enjoy would you recommend?
It might be easier to ask which I don't enjoy! We are currently in the process of moving, and it has literally taken me days to pack all of our books. We have a lot, and there aren't too many I want to part with. My favorite book when I was growing up was Little Women. I still love that series and Jane Austen's works and many historical romance novels, both those written long ago and those written by contemporary authors. I used to read a lot more contemporary romance but have found myself gravitating toward YA more in recent years. I really like Jennifer E. Smith's novels, particularly This is What Happy Looks Like. I also love fairy tale retellings and have been reading/rereading some of my favorites lately, trying to examine what it is about them that makes them my favorite. 

8. Where is your favorite place to read and why?
Like my dream office, my favorite place to read is also a fantasy. It would be some place where no one would bother or interrupt me because they need food or a ride to the mall or a bandaid or money or . . . Haven't found this place yet. Any recommendations?

9. What period of history interests you the most?
I love mid to late 18th century Scotland. I have ancestors from Scotland and am fascinated by all things leading up to and resulting from the Jacobite uprising in 1745. My next Hearthfire novel takes place in Scotland about twenty years after the uprising.  It's a challenging time period to write about for many reasons, not the least of which is that other authors (Diana Gabaldon) have already done it so fabulously. Writing  fiction surrounding real events and places can be a lot of fun (so much material to work with) but also carries with it a definite weight as I try to be true to what reality was at that time. I believe there was romance and love during such turbulence and sorrow, but it often came at a price and amidst great difficulties. All of which makes for a very poignant tale.  

10. If you could choose someone famous to star in one of your books made to a movie, who would you choose and for which character? (Possibly share an image of this famous star.)
Showing my age here--Harrison Ford. 

11. What inspired the idea for your a Hearthfire Romance series?
My twenty-four-year-old son came up with "Hearthfire" when I had decided I wanted to have a historical romance line and was batting ideas around. He gets all the credit!

*Spoilers ahead
I first had the idea for the story that became Saving Grace--of a young woman devoted to and responsible for her younger siblings while caught up in the difficulty of being female at a time when that meant very few options. I imagined the scene when Grace ends up in Nicholas's bed and knew I needed a time period when the consequences of such would be significant. I wrote the story and set it aside and went to work on the above mentioned story set in Scotland about two brothers, Collin and Ian MacDonald. When I returned toSaving Grace several months later, I reread it and realized I had ideas for her siblings to have their own stories as well. I had also planned a second story of the MacDonald brothers and realized that it might be a good idea to start putting all of my historical novels together in one place. I love the name Hearthfire, because "hearth" is symbolic of a story about home and family and happiness and warmth. "Fire" is symbolic of what the characters are going to have to go through to get that happy ending and also that there are going to be some sparks and chemistry in the story, though a very clean read.

12. What other hobbies do you enjoy when you are not writing?
Most of my other hobbies (sewing, scrapbooking, piano etc.) have been left by the wayside in the wake of writing. I still read quite a bit and feel that is a significant part of the job of being an author. I also spend a lot of time at my children's school and with them when they are not at school. Being a wife and a mother and writer is plenty to keep me very busy.

Check out my reviews for the novels in the A Hearthfire Romance Series here:
1-Saving Grace (coming soon)
2-Loving Helen (coming soon)
3-Marrying Christopher

1. How did you get started as an author? What or whom inspired you?
I wrote my first short story when I was nine years old and continued to pursue writing short stories and poetry until I graduated from high school. My mother most inspired me. Although she never published her writing, she penned six novels. I always wanted to be like her.

For years I abandoned my passion for writing while I attended college, worked, got married, and started having children. I renewed my passion when I was confined to my bed for seven months during my second pregnancy. That is when I wrote my first novel. Two years later it was published and the rest is history.

2. How many books have you written and in what genres?
I have written 14 novels/novellas in two genres using two pen names. My primary genre is Historical Fiction/Jane Austen Adaptations, however I have one contemporary romantic suspense novel and one contemporary romance novella.

3. What writing projects are you currently working on? What can you tell us about these projects?  ?  I always have four or five books in process, but my main project right now is my Pemberley collection. This is a collection of stand-alone novellas which all take place at Pemberley they first year of Darcy and Elizabeth’s marriage. The fun part about this collection is that each story reads like an episode of your favorite T.V. show.

Cowardly Witness was book 1 in the collection. In it, Matthew Poe is the only witness in a case of murder and corruption in the lead mining industry. After an attempt is made on his life, he seeks refuge at Pemberley. When Mr. Poe’s secret is revealed with disastrous consequences, Darcy has to protect not only those he loves, but also the witness. He is forced to make some hard decisions. 

Pompous Schemes is book 2 in the collection. It picks up a few weeks after book 1 ends. Book 2 has less criminal activity and more of a love story.

Colonel Richard Fitzwilliam is Mr. Darcy’s cousin. On his way to attend a fox hunt he is thrown from his horse and left to find his way to Pemberley on foot. He is offered a ride by the de Bourbon’s a family he knew years ago. When their carriage is robbed, the lady’s dowry stolen, and Lord Agen is injured, Colonel Fitzwilliam directs the driver to take them to Pemberley where the Darcy’s take them in and offer refuge and a place to heal. 

There are plots and schemes afoot though and those at Pemberley become entangled amongst them.

Presently I am working on book 3; Blinded Recluse. The book begins with Elizabeth visiting a Pemberley tenant who just had a baby. With this opening, I begin to show Elizabeth’s motherly instincts and her desire to have children. On her way home, her carriage comes upon an accident where a father is seriously injured and a little girl is stranded in the river. We learn the little girl and her father were on their way to find her estranged grandfather.

The Darcy’s take in the father and his daughter and provide him a safe place to convalesce while Mr. Darcy takes it upon himself to find the grandfather who is a recluse and wants nothing to do with people in general, even his own kin.

Book 3 in the collection tugs a little more on the heartstrings than either book 1 or 2 did.

4. What does your writing process look like?
My writing process begins with a walk. I love to talk through book ideas with my husband. He has worked extensively in the publishing industry always has ideas to help me design a book concept. Once I have a concept I sit down and plot.

I use Martha Alderson's plotting methods. I have attached a picture of the plot graph for The Illegitimate Heir. Each of my books has a similar plot graph like this. I try to weave together three key elements into each novel/novella; dramatic action, emotional development, and thematic meaning. When I write I attempt at the 25% mark of the book to have my end of the world event, the beginning of the end. It is this event that sinks my character into the depths of despair (to quote Anne Shirley in Anne of Green Gables). The event they believe they will never recover from. Then I build up to my crisis which happens about 75% through the book and leads to my climax and resolution.

The second element is to chart my hero and heroines character development. How are they going to grow and change throughout the novel.

Then I dive in and write, not coming up until the novel is complete.

5. Where is your favorite place to write?
First you must understand, my family and I sold our home and everything we owned over three years ago and moved into an RV. We have spent the past three plus years exploring the USA. So, now that you realize I have a family of four living in less than 250 square feet you will realize my writing space is unique compared to others. We call it the command station. When we bought our RV there was a couch here. We removed the couch and built in a desk.

6. How important are the names in your novels? How do you choose names for your characters? Do you have any name resources you would suggest? I have a love-hate relationship with character names. I love to pick unique and awesome names, but writing historical fiction that is hard because most people used the same fifteen names for men and women. All right, that is a slight exaggeration, but not too far from the truth. My favorite resource for names is Ancestry.com. I love to give my characters names from my families past. For instance let's talk about a couple characters. Amalie Aldrich (Threat of Scandal), Amalie is the middle name of one of my husband's ancestors. Aldrich is my oldest son;s name. He wanted to be a duke so I gave the Duke of Blachedone the surname of Aldrich. Now, he had a large presence in the book. Helen Malham (The Illegitimate Heir) is a variation of another of my husband's ancestors names. Malum was their last name, but its etymology is Sweden and so I adapted the name for England.

7. What authors/novels that you enjoy would you recommend? My pleasure reading is vast. First, I have to recommend Jane Austen. If you haven't read her novels, particularly Pride and Prejudice you must! In fact, you should start reading it today! Right now even. *Smile* I recently read books by Danelle Harmon, C. S. Harris’s Sebastian St. Cyr Mystery’s, Agatha Christie, and Ashley Gardner. In my book hopper are books by Anne Perry and Tasha Alexander. Right now I am trying to focus my reading on Romantic Suspense and Mysteries since that is what I am writing. I try to not read too far outside the genre I am writing because if I read too much contemporary while writing historical my writing takes on a contemporary feeling which has to be edited out.

Check out my reviews from the PEMBERLEY series:
COWARDLY WITNESS & POMPOUS SCHEMES

E. C. Jackson began her writing career with the full-length play Pajama Party. For three and a half years, she published the Confidence in Life newsletter for Alpha Production Ministries, in addition to writing tracts and devotionals. Teaching a women’s Bible study at her church for eleven years led naturally to her current endeavour, writing inspirational romance novels. Her mission: spiritual maturity in the body of Christ through fiction.

1. How did you get started as an author? What or whom inspired you?
One day at work I borrowed a co-worker’s book. Though the first chapter hooked me, I flipped past the detailed sex scenes. That day, I became determined to write engaging stories free of sex scenes and profanity. Contrary to popular belief, lots of readers appreciate clean reads that are well written. Inspiration comes from watching anything that springs to life before my eyes. Then I can’t help but continue writing until the story is finished.

2. How many books have you written and in what genres?
A Gateway to Hope, an inspirational romance, is my first book.

3. What writing projects are you currently working on? What can you tell us about these projects?
Currently, I’m writing book two, which follow the same hope theme as A Gateway to Hope. I’m also working on an adaptation of my play, Pajama Party. The second hope-themed book will take place in a college town in Oklahoma, while the YA book is set in Missouri.

4. What does your writing process look like?
Sitting at the computer and allowing my imagination to take over. I only have an idea of how the story will play out.

5. Where is your favorite place to write?
I have yet to discover that place. Out of necessity, I write in my bedroom/office.

6. How important are the names in your novels? How do you choose names for your characters? Do you have any name resources you would suggest?
Very important. Naming the protagonist before fleshing out their character forces them to live up to my image of their name. With James Copley, I placed my fingers on the keys and typed his name. I liked the sound of Nikhol Lacey. As for resources, just my imagination.

7. What authors/novels that you enjoy would you recommend?
Of course, Jane Austen and my all-time favorite book Pride and Prejudice. Actually, I enjoy a hodgepodge of books from diverse authors ranging from Betty Neels and Agatha Christie to Louise Gouge and Julie Klassen.
  
8. Where is your favorite place to read and why?
Curled up on my couch. The living room is like a sanctuary. I only use it to read and entertain infrequent guest.
 
9. What period of history interests you the most?
Regency

10. If you could choose someone famous to star in one of your books made to a movie, who would you choose and for which character?
Maybe this will set a precedent, but I would love it if the models on the book cover were actors and could star in the movie version. Both models epitomize how I view their characters.

11. What inspired the idea for A Gateway to Hope?
It was the hope of writing an inspirational romance that chronicled real-life issues.

12. What other hobbies do you enjoy when you are not writing?
Since A Gateway to Hope was published, I’ve taken up book promotion on the side, but reading is my favorite way to relax.

This author interview is in correlation with the Loving the Book blog tour for the novel A Gatway to Hope.

Check out my book review of A GATEWAY TO HOPE.

A Florida girl and former bookseller, Kate Breslin migrated to the Pacific Northwest where she lives with her guitarist husband and a persnickety cat. Author of travel articles and award-winning poetry, Kate received Christian Retailing's 2015 Best Award for first time author, and her debut novel, For Such A Time, is a Christy award, RITA award, and Carol award finalist. Kate's second novel, Not By Sight, will release in August, 2015. When she's not writing inspirational fiction, Kate enjoys reading or taking long walks in Washington's beautiful woodlands. She also likes traveling to new places, both within the U.S. and abroad, having toured Greece, Rome, and much of Western Europe. New destinations make for fresh story ideas.

1. How did you get started as an author?  What or whom inspired you?
I wrote poetry as a child, and then a few short stories, and in my adolescence I composed song lyrics for my guitar. I was always an avid reader, but left the writing world for the corporate world and it was many years before I returned to take up the pen. I’d been reading thrillers and suspense for the most part, but then I discovered historical romance and I was hooked!  After exhausting my supply of favorite authors, I decided to try writing my own. I’d have to say most of those historical romance authors inspired me, and novels by Francine Rivers, Dee Henderson, and Linda Nichols spurred me on to write inspirational fiction. I am so grateful to all of them.

2. How many books have you written and in what genres?
I’ve published two novels, both inspirational historical romance. I’ve written two others as well, one a Scottish historical romance and the other a contemporary romance. One day I hope to pull them out the drawer and revise them for inspirational fiction, but with two more novels to write for Bethany House, that may take me awhile. :)

3. What writing projects are you currently working on?  What can you tell us about these projects?
Right now, I’m working on another WWI historical romance set close to the time period of Not By Sight. As I’m still plotting, I can’t tell you much except that it will have romance, espionage, and adventure. :)

4. What does your writing process look like?
I like to create an outline once I’ve done my research. When I start to write, I choose mornings when I’m the most creative,Monday through Friday, weekends if I’m on deadline. Each day I review the pages I wrote the day before, then try and write at least 4-8 new pages. Some days are more prolific than others, so allowing myself an average keeps me motivated. I may spot-research during my drafts, checking details or looking for something new and interesting to put into the story. And I drink copious amounts of hot Lemon tea!

5. Where is your favorite place to write?
I love writing in my office, a tower room which we added on to our house several years ago. I’ve included a view overlooking the bay, my Celtic weapons against one wall, and another wall that holds my library. I think you can tell I used to be a bookseller!

10. If you could choose someone famous to star in one of your books made to a movie, who would you choose and for which character? (Possibly share an image of this famous star.)
For Not By Sight’s red-haired, green-eyed heroine, Grace Mabry, I have three choices—actresses Emma Stone, Eleanor Tomlinson (I loved her character Demelza in Masterpiece Theater’s Poldark) and actress Bryce Dallas Howard (director Ron Howard’s daughter.) In fact, when I created my Pinterest board for Not By Sight, I chose Bryce wearing this green gown (see photo) despite the too-daring neckline for 1917. To me, she’s the epitome of the mythical Pandora. :)

11. What inspired the idea for Not by Sight?
I love MT’s Downton Abbey and that's what originally sparked the idea for my story. I never forgot the episode in which the young footman, William, received a white feather from a local feminist crashing Lord Crawley's soldiers' benefit. I began to research the time period and my story grew from there.

12. What other hobbies do you enjoy when you are not writing?
I enjoy my daily walks, and camping when we get the chance. And when time permits, I love making my own herbal oils and vinegars. My favorites are fennel oil and rosemary garlic red wine vinegar. They make great gifts for friends or I’ll use them in my own cooking.

Thank you for hosting me today, Sydney, it’s been fun! And I enjoy hearing from fellow readers, so please visit me at www.katebreslin.com, to sign up for my newsletter, or simply click on the social media links to find me and say hello.

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1. If you had 3 wishes, what would they be?
I think they’ve already come true.

2. Given unlimited resources, what would be your ideal writing environment?
In the last fifteen years, I’ve written seven novels in my spare time. In September, when my youngest enters Kindergarten, I will have more time than I’ve had in…forever. Will it help my writing or hinder it? I’m so well versed in writing under pressure within time constraints. What will happen when the hours open up in a wide yawn ahead of me—and then disappears after a second, as it always does? I recently applied to a 2-week no Internet, no phone, no communicato…writers’ retreat. I’m almost scared I’ll be accepted. Will I be able to be productive? Will I miss my family too much? Or—will I be ruined for the real world upon my return?

3. Where do you actually write? Do you write on a schedule?
 Wherever it works, whenever I have time. I told you about my coffee shop time. I’ve been known to take my laptop to bed. I write on the couch with a vanilla candle burning beside me. I write at the dining room table. On the kitchen island. Outside in an Adirondack chair. Sometimes in front of the TV while my husband watches a golf tournament. It’s a priority for me. I sneak in scenes whenever I can.

4. What was the most surprising part of writing this book?
Writing in the fantasy genre does not come naturally to me. Even though this is urban fantasy, which I like to say has “just a touch” of magic, I was surprised at how tricky it was to build rules around how the magic and its prophecy work. Once I figured it out, though, it was liberating and totally fun!

Author interview quesitons provided by Loving the Book.

Check out my book review for FORTE.

1. How did you get started as an author?  What or whom inspired you?
I was an avid reader growing up. Fantasy, mystery, romance. During and after college, I was reading a lot of category romances—Harlequin, Loveswept, Silhouette. I read one that made me want to write one myself. The old cliche of thinking I could do better. Not as easy as I thought, but I got hooked on writing and finally learned enough that I could sell. I was inspired by the romance authors I met through RWA: Pat Warren and Christine Flynn from my first chapter in Phoenix, Arizona, Barbara Freethy and Louise Vernon from the San Francisco chapter as well as many then-unpublished friends who started this journey at the same time I did. 

2. How many books have you written and in what genres?
I've written thirty-seven novels, novellas and short reads. Thirty for Harlequin (sweet contemporary romances), six for Tule Publishing Group (sweet contemporary romances) and one for Zondervan (Christian romance.)

3. What writing projects are you currently working on?  What can you tell us about these projects?
Right now I'm writing a Christmas story for Tule. The working title is A Christmas Homecoming. It's set at a dude ranch in Montana and part of a series that I've been writing. But each title is standalone so you don't have to read all the books to know what's going on. 

4. What does your writing process look like?
I start with an idea. I do a quick fill-in-a-chart to get an idea for a plot, then I start writing to get to know the characters. I'll go back and try to fill in the plot a little better once I know who they are. I'll write the first three chapters, then skip to the end and write the last chapter. Then I go back and fill in the middle and whatever else is missing. 

Two days a week I write at a local Panera. This gets me away from all the distractions of home. I set a timer and write in 20 minute spurts. Sometimes I'm alone. Other times other writers are there. 

8. What period of history interests you the most?
I love the Edwardian time period. Growing up I was obsessed by the Titanic. This was well before the James Cameron movie! I have a collection of books and items. 

9. If you could choose someone famous to star in one of your books made to a movie, who would you choose and for which character?
Well, the actors who've provided the biggest inspiration for characters in my stories are Ioan Gruffudd (Silhouette and Harlequin Romances - Prince Richard and Drake Llewelyn), Chris Hemsworth (Harlequin Romances - Adam Noble) and Charlie Hunnam (Special Edition - Justin McMllian).

10. What inspired the idea for your novel The Cinderella Princess?
I introduced the heroine Emily Rodgers in a story that came out in July '14 called The Honeymoon Prize. I knew I wanted to tell her story and since reality TV played a role in the first book I wanted that to tie them together. I also imagined her with a prince. I love writing royalty. When I told the senior editor I wanted to make Emily's story a royal romance, we came up with the "Royal Holiday" series and three other authors were asked to contribute. Each book is standalone with a different set of characters and setting.

11. What other hobbies do you enjoy when you are not writing?
I'm a huge reader. I also love doing crafts, doesn't matter what kind. But the truth is, I'm the mom of three kids with a husband who travels most of the time so most of my spare time is spent with them. Usually driving them somewhere!

Check out my book review for THE CINDERELLA PRINCESS.