Welcome Contemporary Romance Author, Emily Conrad, to the Diamond Mine!

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! 

Emily Conrad writes contemporary Christian romance with emotional and spiritual depth from her home  in Wisconsin, which she shares with her husband, their coonhound, and two lop-eared rabbits. Though she likes to think her husband and her heroes are pretty great, the ultimate hero of her story is Jesus. 

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

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

www.emilyconradauthor.com

https://www.facebook.com/emilyconradauthor

https://www.instagram.com/emilycornadauthor

Donna Mumma Talks Hurricanes, Vintage Covers, and her New Release!

 Are you in for a treat??!! I think so! I've got Donna Mumma here talking about her new vintage release Dressed for Success…Turned out for Murder. It's all about a retro department store, murders, and a group of ladies that…well, I can't tell you everything! Wanna know more? Keep reading…and don't forget to stay for the book giveaway!

PT: Welcome to the Diamond Mine, Donna.  What set you on the path of writing?

DM: I have always loved stories. I can remember my mom reading fairy tales to me when I was very young. My sister also read Alice in Wonderland and The Wizard of Oz books to me long before I was able to read them myself. I grew up in a household where reading, storytelling, and imagination were a big part of life. Though I love books, I love movies a tiny bit more, and this planted the desire to write and create worlds and characters of my own. When our boys were very small, my husband encouraged me to write as a way of keeping my brain active after caring for small kids all day. I had an idea for a story, and he surprised me with a computer and told me to write the book. I dedicated my first published book to him, because he always believed I could become an author.

PT: It’s great to have your husband’s support! So where do you hail from?

DM: I am a Florida native. I grew up in what used to be a rural area in the center of the state and now live on the West Coast in the Tampa Bay area.

PT: Now, you grew up on a dairy farm. Did you manually milk cows or was it all automated?

DM: My dad used automatic milkers that had to be put on by hand. Not as much work as hand-milking but still required a lot of tiring labor. I had four older brothers who did that work. My chores were much lighter, like feeding newly weaned calves and helping my mom around the house. When my brothers were older and moved out, I did work at the dairy barn, but I washed the cow’s udders before the milkers were applied. I learned fast how to dodge cow-kicks and being smacked in the face by dirty tails.

PT: I so understand. I used to hand milk! Could you tell some things you learned from growing up on a farm?

DM: When you grow up on a farm, you learn very early that good and bad situations come along and you have no control over either one. When things go wrong, you don’t have time to despair. Cows still need to be milked and fed, fields need to be plowed, crops need to be planted or harvested. Farms are great teachers of how to live on faith and trust in God because trouble and tragedies come very quickly. If you’re going to make it, you have to take on a “these things happen but tomorrow is another day and God’s in control” kind of attitude. That has stayed with me my entire life, though I have to remind myself who’s in control.

PT: What a great Biblical analogy! Since you were in Florida, were you ever caught in a hurricane?

DM: Many times. Growing up in the interior of the Florida peninsula, we would get the heavy winds and rains, sometimes tornadoes that spun off from the hurricane, and you weathered through, then cleaned up once the storms passed. Now that we live on the coast, we’ve been through several, but it is a very different situation. We must deal with flooding, far greater wind damage, and long-term power outages. If the storm is in the stronger range, we evacuate to family members who live further north and inland in Florida. The flood damage from Helene and Milton was the worst we’ve ever seen in our area. Milton hit in the night, and even though we were inland, I’ve never in my life heard winds scream and blow like that. We didn’t sleep much that night.

PT: Oh, my! But God protected you through it all. Let’s get to books. Do you like writing historicals, contemporaries, or mysteries? Or something else?

DM: I once declared that I would never write a historical because I didn’t want to do all the research. But, God has a sense of humor, and here I am writing my fourth historical mystery in the series. I’ve had more fun than I ever thought and have thoroughly enjoyed the research journey. The very first book I ever published was a contemporary seasoned with suspense, and I have ideas for others set in current times. I also have an idea for a book about spies working during the Cuban Missile Crisis that I hope to write someday. My imagination enjoys the challenge of writing and creating an adventurous mystery.

PT: What genre do you enjoy reading? Favorite place to snuggle up and read?

DM: I don’t have a favorite genre but pick books on how much the premise catches my interest. I like crime thrillers, true crime, mysteries, women’s fiction, and action-adventure/science fiction or spy thrillers. As far as where I like to read, anywhere that’s comfy, quiet, and comes with a fuzzy blanket will do.

PT: A quiet spot and fuzzy blanket is a must! Do you have a current favorite hymn and Bible verse?

DM: My favorite hymn right now is It Is Well With My Soul. I love so many of the old ones I grew up on, and my favorite tends to change according to what is going on in my life at the time. My favorite Bible verse is Hebrews 12 :1.

“Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,” King James Version (KJV)

PT: I love the 1950s vintage look of your new book Dressed for Success…Turned out for Murder! Where did you get the concept of the book and what Biblical truths are intertwined?

DM: The idea for Dressed for Success…Turned out for Murder, along with the other two books in the series came from my being captivated by a picture of two stunning models dressed in 1950s style dresses, hats and gloves that I saw in the dressing room of a store. I immediately began think about who were these two women, what did they do, and where did they get those beautiful clothes? Later, when I was researching for book 1, The Women of Wynton’s, I discovered that the picture I’d seen was actually a cover photo for an issue of Vogue magazine from the 1950s. From there, I started thinking about what if there were four women, and they worked in a department store, didn’t like each other much, and they somehow got caught up in a murder that forced them to come together in order to solve it? The idea grew from there. In this current book, we focus on one of the women of Wynton’s, Mary Jo Johnson, a young wife and mother who wants nothing more than to quit working at Wynton’s and return home to take care of her family full-time. Just when it seems her dream is coming true, tragedy strikes, and she must stand tall and fight for what she loves most, with the help of her friends.

The Biblical truths I tried to weave in came from Proverbs 31, as well as our being called to stand by friends when they are going through tough times, sharing their struggles and uplifting them whenever we can. There is also a character in the book who was meant to be a great example of why no one should be like the quarrelsome spouse mentioned in Proverbs.

PT: You have me intrigued! Gives us a hint of the most exciting scene in Dressed for Success…Turned out for Murder.

DM: There are a couple of scenes that I think would fit this. In one, the ladies have banded together to search for a piece of vital evidence. This search takes them deep into the wilds of Florida where they happen upon an active moonshining operation. The owners of the still show up, and the ladies must deal with the situation while avoiding being the next names listed in the daily obituary column in the local newspaper.

PT: Ah, readers, this sounds like a book we won’t want to miss! Now my favorite part. Tell 5 things about Donna Mumma that have nothing to do with writing.'

DM:

        1. My favorite breed of dog is a rough collie, like Lassie. We currently have a handsome white and sable boy named Duke.

        2. I do not drink coffee.

        3. I love classic Christmas movies and start watching them Thanksgiving night.

        4. I play two musical instruments, piano and saxophone.

        5. I think soup and French fries make a perfect meal combination, second only to tomato soup and grilled cheese.

PT: Do you have another 1950s vintage book in mind or are you heading in a different direction for you next book?

DM: I’m currently writing the final book in The Women of Wynton’s series, titled A Bad Penny Returns. It is set in 1958, and centers around the character Gigi, who is dealing with the reappearance of her ex-husband plus the death of one of her beloved cosmetics clients. Mayhem and murder abound, causing Gigi to be the most likely suspect. Her friends jump to her aid to prove her innocence while searching for the truth. The ladies are also seeing the beginnings of the civil rights movement in Florida as Wynton’s Black employees decide to stand up to the unfair system going against them at the very store they all work for. These characters are also witnessing the first great development boom in Florida, and all the swindlers who turned up to take advantage of those looking to move to a tropical paradise. The winds of change are beginning to blow at Wynton’s Department store, and each of the ladies finds herself in a new situation none of them ever imagined.

PT: Now that’s a hook right into a reader’s heart! Thanks so much for being on The Diamond Mine of Christian Fiction, Donna. We can’t wait to dive in to Wynton’s tangled mystique! Want to know more about Donna? Keep reading!

Donna has graciously offered not one, but two books! Both Women of Wynton's books,  First Comes Marriage...Then Comes Murder and Dressed for Success...Turned out for Murder are being offered as giveaways! Leave your name on the contact for or leave a comment with your email to be entered!

Donna Mumma perfected storytelling in her first grade classroom, spinning tales exciting enough to settle a roomful of antsy six-year-olds. She is an award winning author of both fiction and nonfiction who loves to blend history, mystery, and a touch of faith in her stories. A native Floridian, she now lives on the Sunshine State’s west coast, sharing life with her family, and her energetic collie, Duke.

Visit her at www.donnamumma.me

Donna Mumma's Links For Dressed for Success...Turned out for Murder

Amazon

https://www.amazon.com/Dressed-Success-Turned-Out-Murder/dp/B0GK5SXKR3/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3T6PVWPD96A75&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.me9Ny_IdmE-AzNoKtb_5Ai9 

Donna's website and newsletter-

www.donnamumma.me 

Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/donna.mumma.3

Author page

https://www.facebook.com/donnamummawriter/

Instagram

Donnamumma_writer

Interview with Author Rachel Chamberlayne!

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 author Rachel Chamberlayne!

Rachel is a Christian romance writer who lives in the heartland with her husband and two children. With a Bachelor's degree in English and Creative Writing, Rachel loves crafting love stories that will make you swoon, sigh, and give you all the butterflies. When she's not daydreaming about her book characters, you might find her reading, writing poetry, or spending time with her family. 

Connect with Rachel on her website or her Instagram @authorrachelchamberlayne!

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?

Coffee all the way!

Welcome, friend! ;-) If you could order anything in the world to eat (we can dream, can't we?), what would it be?

Sausage and pepperoni pizza :)

Classic! Where is your favorite place to write, and why is that your favorite place?

Anywhere! As long as I get to write.

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

I like to chew on highlighters while I write. I don’t know why, but it helps me stay focused.

That's a new one, and I love it! What inspired you to write It's Only Ever Been You?

I wanted to write a story about the raw, realistic struggles of a Biblical marriage. Marriage is often depicted as the happily-ever-after in romance, especially Christian romance (and it is to a certain degree). But it is hard, too. I wanted to explore that from a Biblical perspective with my favorite characters.

They say time heals all wounds, but some wounds have left scars that refuse to fade for Genevieve Wright.

Despite their rocky beginning, Brandon and Evie Wright found their happily ever after. But when a very beautiful reminder of Brandon’s promiscuous past pops the bubble oftheir newlywed bliss, Evie must confront an insecurity that’s rooted in her childhood—her fear of abandonment.

After all, Brandon left once before. What makes her think he won’t do it again?

It’s Only Ever Been You is a fade-to-black/closed-door companion novella to Brandon and Evie’s stand-alone Christian romance novel, It’s Always Been You. Physical intimacy between a married couple is implied.

Nice! What led you to write in this genre? 

It was natural! I have always wanted to write romance, and after I became a Christian, I couldn’t separate my faith from my writing. It all happened organically.

Love it! What message do you hope to convey to your readers?

My hope is that readers see themselves in my characters. Not just the good parts, but the messy, raw, relatable parts, too. The parts that aren’t talked about, especially in Christian spaces. I like to shed the light of Christ in dark and taboo places.

Love that! Can you tell us a little about your next project(s)? 

I am currently writing a story about a woman named Daisy who loses her husband unexpectedly early in their marriage. Her late husband’s estranged twin moves back to town after his death, and as former childhood best friends, their messy past is unraveled as they spend more time together.

Sounds interesting! Do you have a favorite Bible verse or story that inspires you on a soul level? 

Psalm 73:26. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. This verse reminds me that I don’t need to be perfect, or do things perfectly all the time to be called His, which tends to be my heart’s default setting. This verse reminds me that He is my strength, and He will never forsake me.

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

I am currently reading We Drank the Dawn by Ashley Dill, and I am about to start Stay With Me by Becky Wade. :)

Awesome! Thanks for answering all of my prying questions, Rachel! 

Check out Rachel's other books! 

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. 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, Instagram, and Amazon Author Page!

THRILLERS AND TRUE CRIME BY AMY SAN MIGUEL

Amy San Miguel is a friend of mine from American Christian Fiction Writers, and I have come to love her curiosity in the world of thrillers and the world of true crime. I want to introduce you to my Nebraska friend!

 

Hi, Amy! What on earth took you to Nebraska? (It is one of the great states, but I’m still asking, lol) And please tell us you have adventures there. I mean, it does go beyond corn. Right?

I grew up in Nebraska and have been here most of my life. Sadly, for the most part, it’s just corn. However, I have been to Carhenge in Western Nebraska. That was pretty interesting. A bunch of old cars set up like Stonehenge. I’ve thought of setting a book there, but it’s in an open field, so I’m not sure how I’d work it in. Not a lot of people to include in a cast of characters. J

Oooh. Carhenge. What a place to explore for car lovers! And I totally think you could set one of your spine-tinglers there. A field could be an interesting and scary story setting…

I really love corn, by the way. 

Wait, you have cats and a dog? I want to hear stories. Please.

We have two cats, Oliver and Kassie Elizabeth, and a French bulldog named Ripley. If I let Ripley outside to go to the bathroom, and she decides I’m taking too long to let her back inside, she sits at the back door and shrieks like a human being in the process of dying. She’s frightened people when we’ve taken her to stay with friends. The sounds she makes are otherworldly.

This is hilarious. Now you’ve gotta make a recording of that otherworldly sound to share on your social media. 

You have already shared this book… endorsed by Jaime Jo Wright! Amazing!

 

I mean, whoa! The Purple Nightgown—a series of history, romance, true crime stories. Do tell!

I’ve always loved historical true crime, so when I found out Barbour was putting together the True Colors series, I was excited for the opportunity to dig deeper into a crime I’d heard about years earlier. Personally, I think the story of Linda Hazard and her ‘health spa’ would make an interesting movie. What a twisted woman!

A health spa with a twisted woman? Yeah, you can go without me. ;)

How did you get drawn to true crime writing? And thriller writing?

I’ve wanted to write since I was a kid but never thought it would actually happen. About ten years ago, a friend of mine told me she was writing a book. Romance, I believe. We started writing together, holding each other accountable, and sharing our stories. I started writing a romance novel, but the further into the story I dived, the more I realized someone needed to be murdered or at least deal with a home invasion. That was when I realized I fit into the thriller mold better than the romance mold. I needed dead bodies and crime!

There is a lot of darkness in the world. To create characters who are forced to face it—what a great place for your writing to land.

How is your faith a part of your writing journey, and your writing itself?

My faith plays a big part in my writing and the journey to publication. As far as the journey goes, I’ve had highs and lows. Long stretches between interest with publishers have brought some discouragement, but I can look back and see God’s hand and His kindness—even during the times where I didn’t see movement.

As I write, many of the faith arcs my characters struggle through mirror the things I’m learning in my own life. Every time I go back to edit a story, I’m amazed at the ways God grows me and teaches me more about Him through the eyes of my fictional characters.

Amen and amen! Funny how writing does exactly that, even when we don’t mean for it to. God is always at work in our lives.

What are you working on right now? Just share a taste of where your creativity led you, please?

Right now, I’m working on a domestic thriller. It includes more psychological than physical danger which was a fun challenge. The working title is: The Other Mother. Spiritually, it delves into what faith and love really look like. The main question surrounding the suspense is “What would happen if the woman who helped you build your family suddenly decided to take your place in it?”

That sends chills and shivers. Love it! I’m praying for you, your writing, and for the perfect place for this particular story. 

Hey, y'all, check out Amy at her website! https://www.adlawrencebooks.com/ or on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/amysanmiguelauthor/

And she has offered a free ebook of her Purple Nightgown book…comment below to get put in the drawing!

A Visit to Caroling Creek with Debut Author Rebecca Meek

 I have been looking forward to introducing all of you to today's author. Last year, Rebecca Meek entered the Scrivenings Press Get Pubbed contest and won. A year later, her debut novel is out in the world. Be sure to read to the end to find out how to win a copy of Summer at Caroling Creek.

About the Author

Rebecca Meek is a lover of stories, maker of music, and dreamer of dreams. She writes tales that tell of home, family, and leaving a legacy that matters. When not writing, she can be found paddle boarding with her family, or enjoying a good book. She married her high school sweetheart, and they have three adult children and two cool sons-in-law. She resides in Spokane, Washington.

Connect with Rebecca: website | newsletter | Facebook | Instagram 

Suzie: Welcome, Rebecca. We're delighted to have you here. 
Tell us a little about yourself to get started. 

Rebecca: I’ve been a lover of stories since I broke my leg in third grade during after-school ski lessons. Since plaster casts and Montana winters don’t mix, I spent the rest of my winter recesses in the library, making lifelong friends with Meg Murry, the Sweet Valley Twins, and the Babysitter’s Club. Growing into books like Little Women, The Lord of the Rings, and the

Anne books taught me even more about the power of story, especially fiction, to inspire and encourage the average wallflower that life can be something more extraordinary than we can imagine.

Suzie: Fiction can carry so many lessons and encouragements for us, can't it? Tell us about the inspiration for your debut novel.

Rebecca: The inspiration for Summer at Caroling Creek began in the first days of Covid. My daughter was participating in an internship in London, and as rumors of global airport shutdowns swirled, the idea of a travel blogger stranded and unable to travel began to take shape. Thankfully, we were able to get my daughter home before any major shutdowns. As the pandemic wore on, I quickly shelved the idea of trying to write a pandemic romance, the general consensus being that we were reading to escape, not to relive it. When my husband and I started a kitchen remodel during the winter of 2021, my stranded travel blogger’s story came back to me in full force, this time, with the cabin renovation as the central part of the story.

Suzie: I loved the cabin renovation in the book. It gave Mylze a lot of character-building challenges.
Do you have a day job? And if so, how do you find time in your day to write?

Rebecca: You might say I have several different day jobs. After leaving public school teaching in 2024, I pivoted my skillset to reopen my private music lesson studio alongside my husband. Between the two of us, we teach over thirty students every week! I’m loving working one on one with students and seeing how they grow as musicians from week to

week. I also work a couple of shifts each week at a local screen printing and embroidery business, where I get to pretty much take over the embroidery side on the days I’m there. Seeing the finished outcomes of the stitching and hearing excitement from the clients always makes my day. With these two jobs, plus the volunteer work I do for our church, it can be easy for my long to-do list to steal away my writing time. We’ve worked hard to make it so that our monthly budget allows for me to dedicate one day each week to writing. Of course, I always try to sneak in some writing or writing-adjacent work on other days because I just can’t stay away.

Suzie: Wow, you are busy. It's great you get at least one focused day for writing.
How did you come up with the names of your characters?

Rebecca: Character names aren’t always easy for me. In Summer at Caroling Creek, Mylze Moore’s name came from a silly conversation with my husband about the stranded travel blogger idea, and how her website could be miles more to go dot com. We ran with the idea, making it her name with a unique spelling, based on the childhood nickname given to her by a cherished aunt. Since her name is so unique, of course we then had to come up with a fun backstory. Other characters' names were more challenging. Finding the right name for the male protagonist, Jeff Matthews, was harder. I think he was three or four different people before he was finally Jeff. Lina, Chelle, and Rachel all just sort of came out when I introduced them in the book. And Aunt Carol? Mylze’s beloved aunt’s name came from my amazing 7^th and 8^th grade English teacher, who always supported my writing adventures.

Suzie: Character names can be tricky. Sometimes the name just fits and other times you have to try a few of them on. 
What does your family think of your writing?

Rebecca: My family is super supportive of my writing. We are all lovers of story, with one of our favorite family pastimes being rewatching our favorite seasonal and/or epic movies. My son, who has his masters degree in Creative Writing, is often my first editor, and we all love to bounce ideas around during family dinners. My mom, dad, and stepparents are also very supportive, and have encouraged my creativity since I was a child. I’m blessed to have such a solid and encouraging community around me.

Suzie: I love that you all share ideas during family meals.
Do you reward yourself when a book is finished? If so, what is your favorite reward or treat?

Rebecca: My favorite reward when I finish writing a story is a date with myself to Barnes and Noble. I often treat myself to a slice of spinach and artichoke quiche and an Americano from their Café. Sometimes, I find a fun new journal to bring home, too.

Suzie: That sounds like the perfect way to celebrate completing a novel.
What's next for you as an author?

Rebecca: What’s next? So many people have asked for a sequel to Summer at Caroling Creek, especially for Lina. She’s such a fun character and an all-around good friend, that I think everyone wants to see her get her own happily ever after. The good news is that the sequel is already partially written, so that’s currently where my time and attention is going. Once it’s completed, I’ll be pitching it for publication, and seeing where that road leads. I also have two other works in progress that I’ll be revisiting once I tell Lina’s story.

Suzie: I agree that Lina needs her own story. She is a good friend, but she also has a great sense of humor. 
Before you go, how can we pray for you?

Rebecca: The most appreciated prayer for me right now would be that I’m able to continue to tell the stories the Lord gives me authentically and to the best of my ability. My romances are clean and written from a Christian worldview, but do not always contain direct faith elements. My prayer is that the themes of redemption, forgiveness, family, and hope still shine through because that is what God has done in me.

Suzie: We will pray for you and your writing journey. Thank you so much for joining us this week, Rebecca.

About the Book

She came to sell a cabin. She never expected to find a place to belong.

Mylze Moore lives to travel. As a travel writer, she has built her career chasing horizons, collecting stories, and leaving before anything can tie her down. But when she and her sister inherit their aunt’s lake cabin in Caroling Creek, Mylze’s next destination comes with peeling paint, unfinished repairs, and a whole lot of family baggage.

The plan is simple: fix the cabin, sell it, and move on.

Contractor Jeff Matthews has other ideas. The cabin is in worse shape than Mylze wants to admit, and her budget, timeline, and enthusiastic DIY confidence may not be enough to save it. His steady competence frustrates her. Her stubborn independence tests him. And neither of them expects their tension to turn into something warmer beneath summer stars and twinkle lights.

But as Caroling Creek begins to feel like home, Mylze must face more than a renovation. Keeping the cabin could deepen the divide with her sister, change the future of her career, and force her to admit that the life she thought she wanted may not be the one her heart has been searching for all along.

Perfect for fans of The Summer of Yes by Courtney Walsh, The Fixer Upper by Mary Kay Andrews, and Summer by the Tides by Denise Hunter, Summer at Caroling Creek is an inspirational women’s fiction novel with sweet small-town romance, enemies-to-lovers spark, sibling tension, grief and healing, and one determined woman learning that home is sometimes the place you least expect.

Amazon | Goodreads

Giveaway

Rebecca has generously offered to give one of our readers a copy of Summer at Caroling Creek. To enter, leave a comment and tell us what your favorite escape is or a place you'd like to visit. Be sure to include a way for us to contact you.

*Contest is not valid until there are 5 entries. If applicable, a winner will be chosen on September 15, 2026.