What's the story behind
your Sterling Lakes Series and your newest release in it, GLORY OF THE HEART,
Book 4?
This series is based, in
part, on the town where I grew up. By that I mean all the good parts! As I grew
older I realized how idyllic my background was in Barrington. It was filled
with natural beauty and kind-hearted people. We never locked our doors. Things
change over time, and that became a theme I wanted to explore in my work. So I
added the dimension of life’s problems and challenges to Sterling Lakes. I
think it makes the books more true-to-life and easier for my readers to relate
to. I hope so anyway! They are all stand-alones but flow as a cohesive series.
The nine books in the
series all deal with the renovations of the town church and thematically are
divided into three sections. The first three deal with the past, the middle
three with the present and the last three with the future. Of course, past,
present and future overlap, but that is the general story arc.
GLORY OF THE HEART deals
with a hero who is grappling with the past and a heroine who is starting a new
future, trying to put the past behind her. CC, the heroine, has just moved to
town and purchased the house that the hero used to live in as a child before
his family left Sterling Lakes. He finds a stash of letters from his father in
CC’s attic, and they reveal a shocking truth about the past that shatters his
image of what his family really was. Both characters struggle to find the
truth, and both struggle to move on from the past. Faith and doubt play a huge
role in how their romance develops.
What about the
characters/plots/settings intrigued you?
I think this series must
have been swirling around in my subconscious for quite some time, because when
I started writing it everything flowed naturally, titles, characters,
settings—everything. The whole town was alive, walking around and doing
things—I could hardly keep up with them! I am fascinated when good people face
bad problems; what does that do to individuals? Couples? Communities?
Interesting things that
happened while you were working on these books?
One very interesting
thing that happened while I have been working on this series is that I left my
original publisher and joined another publishing house. This has been a
wonderful move for many reasons. One of the best aspects is that I have had
extra time to step away from the series and look at it again, re-assessing
where it should go. I think there are more than nine books in this series and I
have decided to continue it after the nine are completed. Or should I say, this
is what the folks in Sterling Lakes have decided. ;-)
About the cover designs…
Oh, these beautiful
covers! They have all been designed by Karen Wiesner. We discuss the premise of
the story and the main theme(s) and then brainstorm with our ideas. She is
quite gifted. These covers have been a challenge for me because of the nature
of my writing. I am technically an ‘Inspirational’ author, but the spectrum of
that genre has really broadened since I published my first novel in 2009. Some
‘Inspirationals’ are very heavy Christian, and some are lightly sprinkled, like
mine. The cover art needs to convey the book’s theme without limiting its
message. Karen is very good at that and I am grateful for her expertise.
Where do you like to
write and what tools do you use?
I have a corner nook in
my house that’s right by a big bay window, so it’s very pretty. Also in our
media room, there’s a soft cappuccino leather loveseat that’s perfect for
curling up with my iPad.
Fill in the blank: To get
myself in the mood to write, my favorite music is…
I LOVE music but I can’t
write when I understand the lyrics of the song that’s on, lol! I guess it
crosses the wires in my brain. So I found this station, SKY.FM that has a
“World” channel. It’s all interesting, upbeat music with people singing their
hearts out—and I don’t understand a word. PERFECT!
What are you working on
now?
Exciting! Right now I am
working on Book Five of the Sterling Lakes Series, REFLECTIONS OF THE HEART,
which deals with two sisters and their family story. It will be completed early
this summer.
What can readers look for
next from you?
I’m working on a
‘blockbuster’—at least that’s what I refer to it in my mind. ☺ It’s a longer,
page-turner of a contemporary romance novel that people will love to take to
the beach or the pool or on vacation. Something completely escapist and
enjoyable and uplifting.
Is there anything you’d
like to tell readers?
Thank you so much for
your interest in my books. I love to hear feedback from you and am working very
hard to write books that will please you. Keep reading my books and visit my
website or my blog, listed above, and let me know what is on your mind. I love
to hear from you!
GLORY OF THE HEART, Book 4
Download and paperback from the publisher
Download from Smashwords
Download from Amazon.com
Download
from BN.com
Download
from AllRomance
Perrin Marlowe, a war
hero, has based his life on the ideals of his father and pursued a livelihood
in the realm of stonework and masonry. Returning to Sterling Lakes, he finds
the truth about his past in the attic of CC Cogshell’s house--and for CC, who
has started a new life in the rural New England town, this seminal move in her
life as she leaves a terrible relationship may lead her to places she never
dreamed of going. It is through the past that they will both be able to move
into their futures...will it be a future that they can share together?
So anyone interested in this one? The giveaway will be a PDF file so that means it is international!! So long as you can get a PDF file, you may enter. Giveaway will end 3/27 and winner will be chosen through Random.org. They will have 48 hours to respond or another winner will be chosen.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
**DISCLOSURE: I was given a free product in exchange for an honest review. No other compensation was given, and all thoughts are 100% mine. Please read my full disclosure policy HERE.**
15 comments:
Hi Regina: I admire you for being able to write about your home town and crank out so many stories from there. I've just ordered the paperback version of your first book in the series, Light of the Heart, and am looking forward to seeing how you handle the beginning of your series. I promise to write a review when I get done. How wonderful to find a great cover artist too. I want to thank you for showing up during my interview at Linda's blog. Your storyline for the fourth book sounds very interesting. Finding letters from the past are intriguing. I found documents about my grandpa that showed me his great character. He died when i was four years old. Best of luck to your continuing series.
Love the interview. And your series sounds great. Beautiful covers. And I know exactly what you mean about how your characters determine how many books there are. lol
Larry, thank you so much for stopping by and for your encouragement. I am so excited to hear what you think of LIGHT OF THE HEART. Thanks for your supportive friendship :-)
Hi Charity and thank you for having me on your wonderful blog. I am looking forward to getting to know you and your visitors during this giveaway!
Sorry to comment late-- I forgot to do the security test the first time.
Hi Patricia, so nice to hear from you, thanks for your kind comments :-) My sister's name is Patricia and one of the main characters in Sterling Lakes is Patty O'Malley. Thanks again!
Hi Regina,
Congrats on your latest release. I like how your characters struggle with real issues.
Hi Kelley, so great to hear from you. Thanks for stopping by and for your encouraging comment! Hugs:-)
Hi Gina. I'm looking forward to reading Glory of the Heart. You are a gifted writer. Your stories flow effortlessly. I enjoyed the interview which gave a glimpse into your creative process. Best of luck.
In one of our churches during a live play, adults were reenacting Jesus turning over the moneychanger's tables in the Temple. One little four year old boy in the audience yelled out, :Good job, Jesus!"
Nancy
allibrary (at) aol (dot) com
Hi Dana, thanks so much for visiting and for you kind, encouraging words. I appreciate your support, and look forward to hearing your thoughts about GLORY OF THE HEART.
Nancy, that little four year-old boy has the right idea! Thanks for commenting.
Glory of the Heart seems great...
The covers are great!!!!!
Please keep up the good work!!!!!!!!!! REGARDS BEN SMITH
GINA- wonderful interview and book
sounds wonderful ......is there a sequel planned!!!!!
Thank you, Ben. Great to hear from you. Best of luck always.
Charity, thank you so much for letting me visit with you. I have really enjoyed our time together. YOur blog is awesome! Look forward to seeing you again soon. Blessings to you, my friend.
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