Firefighter and all-around tough girl Vee Bishop keeps everyone at arm’s reach. So how did she find herself having to make the difficult choice between two good men?
Q: WHAT WERE YOUR GOALS WRITING MEETING MR. RIGHT?
As always, my first prayer is for my readers. I never know who is going to pick up a copy of my book, but God knows and directs them into the hands of those who need His message of love. It’s an incredibly humbling experience to hear from readers whose hearts have been touched by my work. I hope in some way my stories might be a blessing to those who read them. I enjoy tackling universal themes common to all individuals, but especially those struggling within the framework of their faith.
Meeting Mr. Right came about after I watched an obscure indie flick about an e-mail romance. Believe it or not, I didn’t even recall You’ve Got Mail or The Shop Around the Corner until I was well into the novel. My muse was captured by the notion that you can recreate yourself on the internet, be anything you want to be. Why would a person feel compelled to present themselves in a different light online than they do in their everyday world? What circumstances might come into play, especially romantically? Then Vee and Ben jumped into my head and answered those questions for themselves.
Q: HOW DO YOU CHOOSE WHICH STORY TO WRITE?
I’m a character-driven writer, so generally, and as my contract allows, I write the story of the heroes and heroines making the most noise in my head at the moment. Right now my stories take place in a lovely fictional town, Serendipity, Texas, which is brimming with fun and interesting characters to explore. Some of them just clamor to have their own stories written.
Q: WHAT ARE SOME EXAMPLES FROM THE STORY WHERE YOU DREW ELEMENTS FROM REAL LIFE?
I have to admit that sometimes when my car breaks down, I pop the hood to peer thoughtfully at the engine, even though I know less than nothing about how automobiles work and don’t even know what I’m looking for. Anyone else do this? I plead the Fifth on the cell-phone reception dance. It wasn’t me! I also enjoyed writing about Ben’s nephews winning live goldfish at the church carnival. One of my most treasured moments from childhood is the live goldfish I took home from winning a game at an elementary school fair. My mom wasn’t thrilled, but I loved it.
Q: IN YOUR NEW NOVEL, WHO IS THE CHARACTER IN THIS STORY WHO SURPRISED YOU MOST?
I guess that would have to be my heroine, Vee Bishop. I was stunned by the depth of her internal conflict and her spiritual journey as she discovered her self-esteem in Christ and learned to let other people into her heart. I learned so much about my own heart and faith.
Q: WHAT PROJECTS ARE YOU WORKING ON NOW?
I am currently writing the second book in my new series, Serendipity Sweethearts. The heroines in these novels are the Little Chicks, three lovely ladies who appear in my earlier books. The first book in this series, The Soldier’s Sweetheart, will be an August 2013 release.