Join me in welcoming a contemporary romance author many of us know and love. Emily Conrad, to the Diamond Mine! Emily's stories have grit and heart and sweet romance. If you haven't had the chance to read one, do yourself a favor and check out one of her many amazing series. I can't wait to hear about her new book today. Without further ado, here's Emily!
Thanks again for visiting the Diamond Mine. I’m so excited to get to know you better!
I’m excited to be here! Thank you for inviting me to visit today!
First let’s learn a little bit about you. Can you share a few things about yourself that have nothing to do with writing?
A lot of elements of my life away from writing end up getting worked into stories, but let’s see if I can think of some things that haven’t made it into my writing . . . I am raising some swallowtail caterpillars. Here in Wisconsin, they overwinter in their chrysalises, so I’ve got them in an enclosure outside, where they will be protected and still get the environmental cues about when to emerge in spring. I enjoy growing things, so I have lots of houseplants, a garden that’s bigger than I realistically need, and love the portions of the year when I can grow my own bouquets to bring in the house.
Oh, I wish I could grow things! How fun :) What drew you to write?
I’ve always loved writing. Starting in middle school, I began writing about more challenging topics. I’m drawn to explore those through fiction because when I do, I feel like God shows up. Writing helps me grow and connect with Him in such a special way. But I also enjoy the escape and entertainment of a story, especially a romance.
I love how your stories do exactly that, explor challenging topics but also show us exactly how God can show up. What’s your writing process?
I start out by thinking about who my characters are and what their goals and motivations are, as well as what will stand in their way. I usually know where I want them to end up. Over time, I’ve gone from being a discovery writer who didn’t plan much in advance to being more of a plotter. I will at least plan major plot points, but sometimes I even write a full synopsis before I start. I still end up running into problems and having to change the plan, but I write my way into fewer dead ends when I spend more time plotting in advance. I’m still not a fast writer, but at least this way, I can use most of what I do get on the page!
Our writing processes sound very similar!! Those characters have a way of goofing up the plan sometimes haha. How do you come up with your story ideas?
Left to my own devices, one story will often grow out of a previous one. A character who’s mentioned or is a minor character will step forward as the main character for a future book. It’s why my Rhythms of Redemption Romances characters have ended up in the background of my newer Many Oaks Romances.
That's so cool (And fun for us readers who don't want to let characters go). Tell us about your most recent book.
I have a book releasing November 2nd called Lost Without You. It’s a romance set in northern Wisconsin where a sunshiny photographer and a grumpy park ranger are thrown together by a blizzard. She’s trying to cross the northern lights off her bucket list. He’s trying to save some at-risk land (and the lynx who’s recently moved in) from a mining operation. At first, their goals don’t seem to align very well, but they eventually discover how much they can help each other out. And maybe they even have chemistry, but she’s not planning to stay and he’s certainly not leaving the land he loves.
If you like a protective hero, an independent female lead, wildlife, and the northern lights, I hope you’ll love your time spent in Chimney Creek, Wisconsin, where the story is set.
It’s part of a loosely connected series where the past couple doesn’t actually show up on the page, so you can read it as a stand alone.
Ooo. Sounds so interesting! Are there certain themes explored in the story?
Foster care and adoption impact the story in major ways, so the themes of home and how to show up for the people we love are important to the story. The story also explores God’s presence with us through hardship.
Do you have any favorite characters in your books?
Sure, lots of them! In Lost Without You, I’d have to say Luke, the hero. He can be grumpy, but he knows his strengths and he’s dedicated to using them to protect the people and places that he loves. And he’s willing to apologize when he gets it wrong. He was such a fun character to tag along with into Wisconsin’s Northwoods.
There's something about grumpy characters that love their people that just tug at the heartstrings. What are you working on now?
A secret project! I’m not sure what’ll come of it yet, so I’m not sharing details. But I’m also working on a critique for one of my writing friends and finalizing the release that will happen after Lost Without You. It’s been fun to have a few projects overlapping—thankfully, in a low pressure way.
When you’re not writing, what do you enjoy doing?
My husband and I walk the dog every day, and we enjoy that steady part of our routine. I’m also a reader, so in the evening, I like to save time to sit with a book and my two lop-eared bunnies. They aren’t cuddly, but they will often sit near me so I can pet them while I’m reading, which is sweet.
Thank you so much for having me on the blog today! Reflecting on questions like these helps remind me why I do what I do, and I hope it’s been encouraging for your readers too.
Thanks so much for joining us!
Pre-Order Lost Without You
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To save the land beside Chimney Creek State Park from a mining operation, jaded park ranger Luke Fielding must show the Wisconsin legislature the property's value. The federally threatened Canada lynx that treks through might help him turn skeptics into allies, but the animal proves elusive and the legislature demands evidence that might not exist to find, even for a skilled outdoorsman like Luke.
Photographer Bailey Sterling is broke, but with her upbeat attitude, her camera, and her teardrop camper, she's set to camp out in Chimney Creek State Park until she can earn some income from the local tourism board. While there, she'll cross the northern lights off her bucket list, thanks to the park's famous overlook. Or so she hopes until a Northwoods blizzard brings trouble even the grumpy park ranger, who tried to convince her to leave before the storm, failed to predict.
Forced together by the storm and duty, Luke and Bailey soon discover they need each other, and not just to salvage her assignment and protect the land he loves. But claiming a future together would mean doing something neither is ready for-admitting they'd each be lost without the other.
Preorder: https://a.co/d/0foZkTaJ
Connect with Emily
https://www.facebook.com/emilyconradauthor
https://www.instagram.com/emilycornadauthor
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