Interview with Kristen Hogrefe Parnell

 I'm so excited to chat with Kristen Hogrefe Parnell today. If you've read the first two books in her Crossroads series, "Take my Hand" and "Hold your Breath" you already know what a talent she has for weaving suspense, faith and romance in a story. Her new book, "Watch Your Back" released March 5 and shines with the same talent! Without further ado, here's Kristen.

Kristen Hogrefe Parnell writes suspenseful fiction from a faith perspective for women and young adults. A former English teacher, she now designs curriculum for a Christian academy and spends most of her time at her favorite assignment to date: being a mom to her toddler. Her books have won the Selah Award and the Grace Award, among others. She lives in the Tampa, Florida area with her husband and son. Learn more at KristenHogrefeParnell.com.

First let’s learn a little bit about you. Can you share a few things about yourself that have nothing to do with writing?

Thanks for inviting me to share on your blog! A little about me … My husband and I have been married for almost six years and have a two-year-old. Being a mom is teaching me more about how much I need God’s grace in my life and His wisdom every day. People tend to think I’m an extrovert, but I’m really an extroverted introvert. I love making connections and building community, but at heart, I’m a girl who would like to drink her coffee in a quiet place with a book as her only companion.

That’s a lot like me! I always say I’m a “complicated introvert” haha. What drew you to write?

My brothers, some of our friends, and I wrote chapter books together when I was in middle school. They grew tired of the project after a while, but I kept writing. That’s when I discovered my love for writing, and I’ve been writing ever since.

How cool! What’s your writing process? 

James Scott Bells explains that there are three camps of writers: pantsters, plotters, and tweeners. I fall into the “tweeners” camp. I used to start with a detailed outline, but since becoming a mom, I’ve whittled it down to a three-page synopsis that highlights the main crises. However, once I get to the middle of the story, the characters tend to take over, so the ending sometimes surprises even me.

Isn’t it crazy how they do that? It happens to me every time, too! How do you come up with your story ideas?

Many times, I’m inspired by a setting or an experience. In my Crossroads Suspense series, all the stories take the characters to Beech Mountain, North Carolina, a place that is dear to my heart. My husband and I have visited so many times that I felt inspired to craft stories around its seasons. 

I love how you have a personal connection there. We all loved “Take My hand” and “Hold Your Breath.” Tell us about your new release. 

I’m so glad you enjoyed the first two books in the Crossroads Suspense series! In Watch Your Back, Private Investigator Avery Reynolds gets her own story. She leads the charge to expose Tampa's supposedly “extinct” mob and bring to justice the crime boss responsible for her foster brother’s death. But she hits a wall in the form of Ethan Bridger, a Coast Guard veteran who unknowingly derails her sting operation. When the elusive “Big Eddie” comes out of hiding, he targets their mutual friends about to tie the knot. Avery sets aside her angst toward Ethan to work together, exposing her trust issues and his PTSD stemming from a comrade's tragedy. When Avery goes solo into a prisoner exchange operation, she discovers her vulnerability too late—and must lean on Ethan and the God she thought had abandoned her. 

Oooo. We all need a copy of that! Are there certain themes explored in the story?

Avery is fiercely independent due to the barriers she’s built around herself. She acts like everything depends on her to succeed and can’t imagine trusting God to be her Father since her biological parents abandoned her. Although I believe readers will draw their own personal takeaways from the story, one theme is that God didn’t design us to do life alone and that we need Him and other people to thrive. Even if others abandon us, He never will.

I love that! And it’s so true. Do you have any favorite characters in your books?

A secondary character named Miss Martha is one of my favorites. She’s a spunky lady in her early seventies who organizes aid for Cuba through her mission and network of Cuban diaspora. She’s not afraid to “tell it like it is” and shares the Good News as naturally as she breathes. 

What are you working on now?

I’m excited to be part of a Christian romantic suspense anthology releasing this summer. My novella follows a young widow who returns to her hometown to start over with her daughter, only to uncover a covert drug ring at her alma mater and cross paths with old classmates harboring scars and secrets of their own. I’ll be sharing more about it in my newsletter: https://landing.mailerlite.com/webforms/landing/g8f8x7. I’d love for readers to connect with me there.

When you’re not writing, what do you enjoy doing?

When I’m not writing, I’m spending time with my toddler. I love seeing the world through his eyes. Some of our favorite activities include fruit picking (strawberries and blueberries in the winter and spring), zoo time, play dates with friends, and a midweek story and music time at church. On weekends, we enjoy adventures as a family, biking together, hiking, going to the beach, spending time on the water, or seeing family.

You can’t watch your own back.

Private Investigator Avery Reynolds leads the charge to expose Tampa's supposedly “extinct” mob. The crime boss responsible for her foster brother’s death is within her grasp—until she hits a wall in the form of Ethan Bridger, a Coast Guard veteran who unknowingly derails her sting operation. When the elusive “Big Eddie” comes out of hiding, he targets their mutual friends about to tie the knot.

Avery sets aside her angst toward Ethan to focus on ending the crime boss’s reign of terror. But working together exposes her trust issues and his PTSD stemming from a comrade's tragedy. When Avery goes solo into a prisoner exchange operation, she discovers her vulnerability too late—and must lean on Ethan and the God she thought had abandoned her. But will that help reach her in time?

Watch your back is available for purchase on Amazon and Barnes and Noble and free on Kindle Unlimited!

Want to connect with Kristen? Here's where to find her!

Website: https://kristenhogrefeparnell.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KHogrefeParnell.author

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/khogrefeparnellauthor/

BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/kristen-hogrefe-parnell

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4774818.Kristen_Hogrefe_Parnell

Newsletter Sign Up: https://landing.mailerlite.com/webforms/landing/g8f8x7

Melissa Henderson and Her Delightful Children's Books Giveaway

 Dear Diamond Mine Readers,

       Thank you so much to the owners of this blog for having me as a poster. I appreciate the opportunity to get to know you all better--and introduce you to some of my author friends--and to perhaps make some new friends!

First up is a fellow Low Country of South Carolina American Christian Fiction Writers member. We're both charter members!

Hello. Melissa Henderson here. Thank you for the opportunity to be part of this blog message. 

I asked Melissa to introduce herself and learned some details I hadn't known before...

I was born in Hampton, Virginia and lived in the same house until I married my husband Alan. Young love continues to last. We celebrated our 46th wedding anniversary on March 3, 2025.  Alan was 21 years old and I was 18 years old when we married. My parents never felt a desire to move. So, when Alan and I married and we moved into our first apartment, I was excited about decorating and taking care of our home. 

One thing I find so endearing about Melissa is just how sweet she is--there's this feeling of meeting a good friend the first time you see her. I asked her what she thinks the first thing people notice about her might be...

People often say the first thing they recognize about me is my smile. I have the joy of the Lord in my heart and that makes me wear a smile most of the time. Yes, I have sad times and the tears flow. However, the good outweighs the bad and my smile shines for the Lord. Another reason for my smile is that I am a 20 year breast cancer survivor. Praise the Lord!

Praise the Lord that he extended healing to you.

So, Melissa, we loved getting to know you better, but we're also here for the books. Tell us about your writing?

I’m an award winning author of children’s books, “Licky the Lizard” and “Grumpy the Gator”. I write for many online and in-print publications. I’m also published in many anthologies. My messages are inspirational and uplifting, sometimes humming with a bit of humor. Writing has always been a passion for me and I am thankful to continue to write every day.

Visiting schools, medical offices, vendor events, and other venues gives me opportunities to connect with readers and share my stories.

Where do your ideas come from, if you don't mind me asking?

“Licky the Lizard” is based on my personal experience with lizards. Moving from Virginia to South Carolina eight years ago brought new experiences. When we first arrived and I noticed lizards everywhere, I was afraid of the little creatures. The more I saw the lizards, the more I wanted to learn more about them. In the story, the lady becomes friends with a lizard and names him “Licky”.

Blurb: Licky the Lizard is one nice lizard and just like you and me, he’s one of God’s own creations. Unfortunately, we sometimes forget that we’re really all the same—-

because He created everything in our world.

In Licky the Lizard, author Melissa Henderson offers parents, grandparents, and educators a tale that teaches young children a simple, yet important message: There is no need to fear any of God’s creatures because we are all created by Him—-and He loves us all.

People might think children's books are easy to write. Did you have any challenges?

One difficulty while writing this book was researching lizards and learning there are various types of lizards. Those fast running little lizards can climb through the smallest of cracks and sometimes find their way into a home. Yes, I screamed more than once upon finding a lizard in the house. I prefer the lizards over the snakes. 

I’ve also learned about alligators since moving to the Lowcountry. Gators are a normal sight in our area. Stay away from the gators and they will stay away from you.

Do you have lizards in your neighborhood? Have you found a lizard inside your home? How did you react? Or perhaps there is another animal that makes you pause and wait for it to move. Share your story in the comments.

How can readers get in touch with you--or perhaps learn more about what you're doing?

Please connect with me at these links. I look forward to hearing from you.

My Website | facebook | pinterest | twitter | instagram

My Writing:

“Grumpy the Gator”

“Licky the Lizard”

“Pandemic Moments"

“Heaven Sightings”

“Remembering Christmas”

“Divine Interventions”

“Charleston Light: Stories Inspired by Sullivan’s Island Lighthouse”

“A Holy Christmas: Charleston Holiday Tales"

Have a blessed day!

Melissa Henderson, Author

Thank you, Melissa--and I wish you a blessed day as well. Christina

Giveaway and Interview with Jill Chapman!

 Hi, guys! V. Joy Palmer here! Since we are all friends here, you guys can call me Joy. ;-) And one of my favorite things to do is talk with my friends at coffee shops then head to the bookstores. Yes, plural. After all, books and yummy drinks are the perfect combination! So consider this our virtual coffee shop. I'll wait a second for you to get your warm drink and a fuzzy blanket before we chat with today's guest. <3

Today we are going to pry into the private life of CHAT with Jill Chapman, author of Seaside SOS!

Jill resides in southern Indiana with her husband of forty-six years. They enjoy their country lifestyle and visiting with their children and grandchildren. She is an avid movie watcher, loves Mexican food, and paints watercolors. Most days, you’ll find her in her studio working on her next adventure story or crafting new projects.

Jill’s interest in books began in childhood when reading provided a wonderful outlet for her wild imagination. She loves to tell stories about her life experiences with humor mixed in to convey the sense of adventure she feels every day. Jill says her life is like a good plate of nachos, with a tiny kick of spice and a whole lotta cheese.

Connect with Jill on her website, Facebook, Instagram, and X (Twitter)!

Interview ~

This may be the most important question I ask -- no pressure or anything, LOL! 

*drum roll*

What are you drinking in our virtual coffee house? Coffee? Tea? Hot chocolate? Something else altogether?

Don’t hate me, but I’m not a coffee drinker. I love extra spicy chia tea, iced or hot. I’ve also began drinking green tea lately. It’s okay, but extra spicy chia tea in the morning is amazing.

Spicy chia tea is loved here! If you could order anything in the world to eat (we can dream, can't we?), what would it be?

Last year, while on vacation, we ate in a Bolivian restaurant in Fort Walton, Florida. It was amazing! We spoke with the owner. He was so passionate about feeding Americans his special dishes from his country. It was fun to see a young man excited about his culture. I expected the food to be spicy, but it had a delicate flavor. I’d eat from his restaurant again in a heartbeat!

That sounds awesome! Where is your favorite place to write, and why is that your favorite place?

I arranged a room in our house to be my studio. Most days, I’m at my desk in the studio, researching and writing. When I struggle to put a sentence together, I can go to my art table and create something there.

What a wonderful space to create! Do you have an odd habit that is only explained by your bookish, writer tendencies? Safe space. ;-)

I would say my CONSTANT internal monologue. I may be in the room with you, but in my mind, I may be in the woods being chased by a bobcat!

This is the way. What inspired you to write Seaside SOS? 

The Bomb Squad series revolves around the adventures of a boy named Bryan and his three friends. My girls loved to go to the beach when they were growing up, so I decided to have the boys solve a mystery on the beach. When they suspect sea turtle eggs are in danger, the boys must save them. Since sea turtles and ocean life can be so vulnerable, this was a way to have children see ways they can help with conservation.

Love that! What led you to write in this genre?

My desire is to create family-friendly stories filled with adventure for children. When I was teaching, some students longed for friendships but didn’t know how to be friends or develop friendships. Children learn from fictional stories in many ways, so I wrote a story about four boys navigating friendship and mysteries together. My stories have settled in middle grade, although I have plans to publish a YA mystery as well.

That's awesome! What message do you hope to convey to your readers?

Friendship with the element of loyalty is challenging for children today. I want to give children an example of how to be a good friend. My stories aren’t preachy, but they do contain Christian concepts and how the boys struggle with them at times.

It's so important! Can you tell us a little about your next project(s)?

Holiday Havoc is the next adventure with the Bomb Squad. In this adventure, the boys must help prepare a Christmas float for a parade, solve a mystery of stolen presents for a children’s event, and help care for a new pet. All of this while navigating a blizzard. 

Tell Yourself is another project very close to my heart. This testimony/journal book will include personal testimonies from my life while providing space for readers to journal about their own lives. It will encourage people to see how God works in our lives in extraordinary ways.

      Those sound great! Do you have a favorite Bible verse or story that inspires you on a soul level? 

There are so many verses that speak to me and have been favorites over the years. Philippians 4:11 has been my life verse for a long time now.  Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.

Life is a challenge for all of us at times. To walk faithfully, we must learn to be content in the knowledge that Jesus knows where we are, and he’ll take care of us. I’ve struggled with feeling out of place or out of touch. This verse helps me remember to be content in where God has me.

So true! What are you currently reading? Inquiring minds -- mine! -- want to know. ;-)

A book way out of my comfort zone! City of End by Katelyn Pfeiffer is a futuristic fantasy about a young woman who must save her city from an evil that is waging a war on humanity. It’s been an exciting read so far, and I can’t wait to see how it ends.

That sounds exciting! Thanks for answering all of my prying questions, Jill!

Check out Jill's books and a giveaway opportunity! 

Books ~

Bryan and his three friends hop on a plane to Florida for a fun-filled seaside vacation with their families. The Squad arrives with high hopes for a thrilling time on the beach. In typical Squad fashion, things don’t go as planned. Max runs away from his dogsitter back home, Tim tells them he might leave the Squad, and the boys see mysterious lights on the beach.

Before jumping into the waves, the Squad meets a new friend beside a sea turtle’s nest near their condo. Ava tells them her suspicions about egg pirates prowling the beach at night. Together, they visit a Sea Turtle Rescue to learn more about the dangers these creatures face in the ocean and on the beach. When they decide to help Ava guard the nest, the Bomb Squad finds themselves in troubled waters again!

Will Max be found and brought home before he gets hurt? Is Tim really going to leave the Squad? Can the boys join forces with their new friend to save the eggs?

Learn More!

Learn More!

Giveaway Rules, Info, and Such ~

The author is giving away a copy of Seaside SOS!

This giveaway will close on 3/20/25 at 12:00 A.M. for all the night owls.

A winner will be drawn within four days of close of giveaway. The winner must respond to our e-mails within one week of notification, or their prize will be forfeit. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Enter via the handy Rafflecopter link below. May the odds be ever in your favor. ;-)

ENTER THE GIVEAWAY HERE!

See you next time, and God bless you guys!!!

Hugs!

~V. Joy Palmer

V. Joy Palmer loves to write romantic and comedic stories that proclaim God’s deep love for us. She’s a member of American Christian Fiction Writers and an avid blogger. In her spare time, Joy loves to sing (especially Disney songs), drink large quantities of coffee, and create aesthetic content for Bookstagram. When Joy isn’t fighting with fictional people, she’s hanging out with her husband and their adorable daughters. Connect with Joy via www.vjoypalmer.com!

Connect with Joy on her website, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Amazon Author Page!