Interview with author Carrie Walker

 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 Carrie Walker!

Winner of the 2025 Faith Hope and Love Reader's Choice Award, Carrie Walker lives in Michigan with her husband and seven children. From her ten years serving as a high school youth minister, adventures around the globe, and raising a family, many stories have been knit within her heart.

As an avid reader she pens what she loves to read, contemporary stories that bring hope to a hurting world. Weaving romance among story lines of characters in struggle, she aims to show God working in all situations. When she’s not playing board games with her husband, shuttling kids in the Walker bus or wishing for snow, Carrie can be found at the keyboard bringing those stories to life.

Carrie’s writing has been recognized in many contests. Her debut novel, Emma’s Hero, won the silver medal in the Selah Awards, won the IAN Book of the Year for Christian Fiction, was a double finalist in the International Book Awards. 

Connect with Carrie on her website, Facebook, Instagram, BookBub, and Amazon!

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!! (Though I like all 3 haha)

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

That’s a tough question, as I enjoy many things. Today a turkey sub and a smoothie :)

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

I really enjoy sitting on my sofa, with a footrest and a lap desk and writing there. It’s relaxed and cozy.

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

Hmmm. I do have random piles of notebooks dedicated to each of my stories. If anyone were to open them up they literally make no sense. I often will just open to any page and write down whatever random thought/idea/quote/character name pops in my head. It 100% only makes sense to me.

I love that! What inspired you to write Someone to Lean On?

It was a combination of things. Firstly, the underscoring theme in this series is the impact of each human life. So I always envisioned, a story that showed in a small way how the baby from book one of the series, Emma’s Hero, was still touching lives years later. For this story, specifically, I really connected with Lucia as a foster teen in the second book and I see in her what I’ve seen in so many teens and adults. A good person, trying hard to do the right things, but being dealt a rough hand and struggling. So I really wanted to walk in her shoes, and watch her grow and find her happily ever after.

What a journey! What led you to write in this genre? 

I was led to write Romantic Women’s fiction because it’s my favorite genre to read. I love a story with depth and an inspirational message . . . but, for me, every story is better with romance :)

I wholeheartedly agree! What message do you hope to convey to your readers?

That even when things in life are hard, and not going the way you’d hope, that God can still work in the mess. Also, to follow the peace.

What a great message! Can you tell us a little about your next project(s)? 

My next story is the beginning of a new series. In this story, a cosmetologist searching for the daughter she placed in safe haven adoption years ago joins a dairy farmer on a quest to find the nameless love of his life. But she's been hiding under a false identity and this venture might risk their lives and their hearts.

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

I really love Lamentations 3:22-24. There is something so hopeful in remembering that the Lord's mercy is never spent and that we can always hope in Him. 

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

I’m currently reading “Not what we pictured” by Becca Kinzer. I love a good rom com. When life is really busy (and it is SO busy in spring), laughing helps. And Becca is so, so funny.

So fun! Thanks for answering all of my prying questions, Carrie!

Check out Someone to Lean On below!

About the Book ~

They're seeking a peace they can't seem to find...

Aged out of the foster care system and struggling to raise her young daughter, Lucia Roberts loses her only source of income. When she’s offered a position caring for a four-year-old foster child, Timothy, it feels like the answer to a prayer—except for one catch. She must work in the home of Jordan Nowak, Timothy’s overly vigilant foster father who scrutinizes her every move.

Jordan has built his life around one promise: protect a foster child until they can find a happily ever after. But while Jordan fights to keep Timmy safe, his own world spirals out of control. The music store he co-owns with his brother is on the brink of bankruptcy after months of mismanagement. Torn between protecting Timmy, saving the store, and guarding his heart, Jordan grasps for any possibility to fix it all.

Mason Hughes is in his final year of medical school, on rotation under a difficult neurologist, and doubting his call to be a doctor. As the walls between Lucia and Jordan soften, Timmy starts displaying puzzling symptoms. Soon Mason must choose whether he trusts his medical instincts enough to fight an ethical battle.

As three adults seek control in their lives, a young child with no guarantees teaches them to trust.  

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!

Braving the Elements with Tonya B. Ashely

Let's give a warm Diamond Mine welcome to this week's guest Tonya B. Ashley. Tonya's newest release came out earlier this month. Romancing the Elements is a novella collection, so you get to read stories by four authors, including Tonya. And she's graciously offered to give one of this blog's readers an digital copy of the book.

About Tonya B. Ashley

Tonya B. Ashley writes stories of resilience wrapped in adventure, blending heart-deep faith with a quirky compass for navigating life’s shadows. Her characters often face hard places with a little too much baggage and just enough courage to try again. When she’s not writing, Tonya can be found hiking and exploring nature with family and friends, creating faith-infused junk journals, or experimenting with latte flavor combos that probably shouldn’t work—but somehow do.

Connect with Tonya: Facebook | Scrivenings Press | Amazon

Suzie: Thank you for spending some time with us this week, Tonya. We are excited to have you here. Tell us a little bit about yourself.

Tonya: I have loved the outdoors since I was a young child. A babbling brook or waterfall, a moss-covered rock face, a rotten log. I could never resist these things.

Nature is also where I discovered my fear of heights. I remember the first time I stood on a mountain trail overlooking a river valley. I was perhaps eight or nine. My breath caught in my throat, and my heartbeat pounded in my ears.

Since then, I have climbed many trees, rappelled a tower, and ziplined. I’ve sat atop rocky scenic

overlooks with the sun melting low in the sky. To some, it might appear I had overcome my fear of heights, but it’s still with me. I’ve learned adventure doesn’t mean fearlessness, but rather taking a deep breath and the next step forward. Stepping into my fear has often rewarded me with a fresh new perspective, whether a more magnificent view, a creative spark, or a greater sense of my Creator. And it has always been worth the trembling.

SW: I love it, and this explains how you painted such a rich setting in your newest release. Do you have a day job? If so, how do you find time in your day to write?

Tonya: I have a day job as a substitute teacher. I especially love encouraging students in reading, writing, and social skills. On more than one occasion, students have been so swept up in the excitement of revision and editing lessons with me that we’ve run long and forgotten to line up for an activity like music or P.E. It’s a beautiful relationship because my creativity feeds theirs, and their creativity feeds mine.

Serving as a substitute teacher allows some flexibility in my weekly schedule. I sometimes take days off to write. Occasionally, I’m able to write on breaks. I’ve even been known to turn on soft instrumental music and write with students during their writing time. There’s nothing like the smile of a child who has a story to share.

Suzie: It is so sweet that you get to share your joy and passion of writing with young minds. Are you a night owl or morning person?

Tonya: I’m more of a night owl. I enjoy the winding-down time of a household. I love to soak up the quiet moments when my boys seek me out for one last chat of the day before heading to bed. Our lab makes rounds to check on everyone before circling back to lie beside me. There’s a sweet silence after everyone else is tucked in and I have time to reflect, journal, write. It’s almost like my mind is a crockpot and the ideas spend all day on the back of the counter bubbling until they’re ready to be spooned out. In the mornings, I prefer quiet until after coffee. Unless I’m traveling. Then it’s like a switch flips, and I become a morning person, eager for the adventure.

Suzie: That crockpot analogy is great. Do you reward yourself when a book is finished? If so, what is your favorite treat?

Tonya: Yes, I do! Writing a story is like life. It’s a journey of ups and downs, joys and challenges. Writing requires a willingness to lean into emotions. It’s fun, but it’s also hard work. So I think it’s important to honor the milestone of completing a story.

 When I finished my first novella, a dear friend gave me a Beanie Baby “The End” Bear. So, I usually take Bear on a hike, or I’ll take it along on a girls’ dinner to celebrate. My oldest son gifted me a portable hammock stand for Christmas, so my next reward may be an entire day spent in a hammock with Bear…listening to other writers’ stories.

Suzie: Who was your favorite character to create?

Tonya: I dearly love creating characters. My most recent release is "Grace and Grit," a novella featured in the Romancing the Elements novella collection. It focuses on McKenna Carter, a counselor, and Rough Scott, a wilderness survival instructor. They take four women on a backcountry retreat. I’m always quite attached to my main characters, and McKenna and Rough’s story was so much fun to write. But CeCe, a supporting character, took me by surprise. She made me laugh more than I had anticipated. I never knew what she might pull out of her backpack next. She brings a touch of her wedding planner flair to her backcountry lean-to. CeCe has this city girl tough streak that adapts so well to the wilderness, even though she’s clearly out of her element. She’s a girly-girl with a lot of grit.

Suzie: CeCe was one of my favorite characters too. But I loved all of them by the ned of the book. 

How did you come up with the names of your characters?

Tonya: "Grace and Grit" features the natural element of fire. I knew I wanted the counselor to symbolize a cozy campfire. She had to be someone who could gather others and help them connect. The name McKenna, meaning born of fire, seemed a perfect fit, and so McKenna Carter stepped onto the page.

Rough Scott hails from Arkansas, the only diamond-producing state in the U.S. He is a diamond in the rough with the personality to match. Diamond in the rough is a nod to my grandfather and his military history. He was a great encourager of my writing and told everyone I was a writer long before I was brave enough to call myself one.

Suzie: So fun. McKenna and Rough were the perfect names for your hero and heroine in this tory. What are your three books on your current tbr?

Tonya: Hope Even After by Heather Greer—A story of addiction, healing, and hope. This book is on my TBR because so many lives are touched by addiction, and I’ve already heard how honestly and beautifully this story is written.

A Certain Mercy by Linda Dindzans. This will be my first time reading a story in the biblical fiction genre. A journey with Yeshua of Nazareth to His suffering on the cross will be a great read leading up to Easter.

Some Like It Scot by Pepper Basham. After some deep dives in reading, a grumpy/sunshine romcom sounds like the perfect way to come up for air.

Suzie: Sounds like you've got some great stories to enjoy ahead. What’s next for you as an author?

Tonya: I’m currently writing the last of a set of historical romance stories in The Lost and Found series. The Lost and Found stories are reverse treasure hunts: an object surfaces, and the owner must be found. But the main characters also find something they were missing in their spiritual lives.

After I finish my current project, I’ll begin work on a middle-grade series inspired by the students I work with. Fantasy stories with a hint of nostalgia and themes of resilience, hope, and imagination.

Suzie: I can't read to read you next book in your series, and the middle-grade series sounds like will be a lot of fun to write. How can we pray for you?

Tonya: The year 2026 is off to an overwhelmingly difficult beginning for my family, so sustaining prayers for endurance and wisdom are much appreciated. We are thankful for the goodness of God and His unfailing love, and for the love and prayers of others.

Romancing the Elements

When love is rooted in God, no force of nature can stand against it.

Four heartfelt novellas. Four forces of nature. One unshakable truth—faith-filled love can weather any storm.

Romancing the Elements brings together four uplifting romance stories where ordinary people discover extraordinary love when life pushes their comfort zones. From icy porches to coastal winds, rugged wilderness trails to unyielding stone, each story explores how faith, love, and surrender intertwine in unexpected seasons.

In this collection, readers will meet:

• A driven career woman and a gentle small-town engineer whose opposites-attract romance unfolds during an unexpected ice storm
• A television anchor starting over in a coastal city, learning that home—and love—may look different than she planned
• Two battle-tested veterans facing old wounds and new hope amid Montana’s untamed beauty
• A counselor and a survival expert leading a wilderness retreat where healing, faith, and love walk side by side

Blending small-town charm, emotional depth, and gentle humor, these novellas offer tender reminders that God often does His best work when hearts are stretched and plans are surrendered.

If you love the heartfelt faith, emotional warmth, and hopeful romance found in stories by Denise Hunter, Irene Hannon, or Becky Wade—settle in and let these stories carry you through every season of love.

Buy | Add to Goodreads

Giveaway

Enter to win an ebook copy of Romancing the Elements by leaving a comment and answering this question: Are you more of an adventurous outdoors type—or a cozy-campfire-and-book type? Winner will be chosen on March 6, 2026.

Interview and GIVEAWAY with Author Suzie Waltner!

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 Suzie Waltner!

Suzie Waltner is a lover of fiction and is first and foremost a reader. When she’s not reading or writing, you can find her cheering on the Nashville Predators (hockey) or dancing an hour away in Zumba class. Until her second year of college, her life plan was to become a veterinarian. A fainting spell while watching a surgery performed on a sheep changed that plan. Now she works in the corporate world during the day while creating stories in her free time. Suzie resides in a suburb of Nashville, TN and is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers as well as Faith, Hope, and Love Christian Writers and The Christian PEN (Proofreaders and Editors Network). Her book Midnight Blue was a 2023 Holt Medallion and Maggie Award finalist and the First place winner of the 2023 Angel Book Award for contemporary fiction.

Connect with Suzie on her website, newsletter, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram!

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?

I am not a fan of coffee, so a chai tea (hot) is usually my drink order at coffee shops.

Love a good chai! If you could order anything in the world to eat (we can dream, can't we?), what would it be?

Oh goodness, this is a difficult question because it would really depend on what I was in the mood for. Now, if that food also includes travel, I would hands-down order pasta anywhere in Italy!

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

I usually write at my desk but if I need a change of scenery or I’m stuck on something, I’ll switch it up and go to my library. The library has these great study rooms that you can reserve for up to eight hours each week with great views. I love to take a couple of snacks and shut myself in there for a few hours while I get lost in my story.

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

For a long time, I wrote the first draft of every book longhand. I’m slowly getting to where I can type my first draft on the computer but will pull out my faithful pen and notebook if I’m stuck. There’s something about the way my brain works when I’m writing vs the way it works when I’m typing.

There's something special about pen and paper! What inspired you to write Ever Green?

This is the final book in my Love in Color series. Andi Buchanan has appeared in each book of the series, but for the first couple of books, she was not my favorite character. Once she opened up enough to show me why she was so closed off and focused on how the world perceived her, I discovered how deep her hurt ran.

That's so cool! What led you to write in this genre? 

Contemporary romance is my favorite genre to read, so the writing came naturally.

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

That no matter how far we stray from God, He is always waiting for us to return to Him.

Great message! Can you tell us a little about your next project(s)? 

I am not very far into my next book but am loving what little I’ve written so far. This story features a plus-sized heroine who tries to be everything to everyone to compensate for her weight. When a guy who isn’t interested in her help with his business, she tries even harder (to little success at first).

Because I’m a straight pantser (I write as I go along and don’t plot anything), that’s about all I’ve got to share right now on this next project.

Already love this! Do you have a favorite Bible verse or story that inspires you on a soul level? 

For the past year, Micah 7:7 has been my verse. I’ve had a lot of life changes in the past several months, and this verse has sustained me.

“But as for me, I will look to the Lord; I will wait for the God of my salvation; My God will hear me.” (ESV)

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

I’ve usually got an audio book and a physical book going at the same time. Right now, I’m reading Coal Black Lies by Cindy K. Sproles and I’m listening to When Hope Sank by Denise Weimer.

Those sound great! Thanks for answering all of my prying questions, Suzie!

Scroll to check out Suzie's new release, Ever Green, and the giveaway for the first book in the Love in Color Series, Midnight Blue!

New Release ~

Andi Buchanan has everything a person could want—a successful music career, loyal fans, and a beautiful home. But ever since her fiancé broke their engagement only to marry her sister two years later, Andi makes a point to show no one—not even her friends or family—the pain of that rejection. Especially since she’s surrounded by so many happy couples. Until a shocking invitation from her ex exposes the cracks in her perfect façade.

As the manager of a successful country group, Noah Weston tries to ignore his crush on the band’s beautiful and talented singing bassist. After all, she’s his boss. But if his brothers have their way, he’ll be leaving Nashville behind to join the family business instead. Then again, if he could launch his own artist management company, he’d be free to stay, so long as his current clients—including Andi—don’t accuse him of abandoning them by branching out.

As the holidays loom, Noah prays a professional relationship and supportive friendship can help Andi’s dead heart come to life again… and maybe lead to something more.

Giveaway Rules, Info, and Such ~

The author is giving away 1 copy of the first book in the Love in Color Series, Midnight Blue!

This giveaway is open internationally! 

A US winner will receive a print copy. An international winner will receive an eBook.

This giveaway will close on 7/4/24 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 take flowery photos 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, personal blog, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, Goodreads, and Amazon Author Page!

Romance, Road Trips and Recipes with Nancy Lavo

 This week, we welcome Nancy Lavo to the Diamond Mine. Nancy writes contemporary romances. Keep reading to find out how you can enter to win a copy of her newest release.

About Nancy

A lifelong love affair with romance novels and a fiction writing course at the community college started Nancy on the road to publication. She’s published in sweet and inspirational fiction. After a decade-long hiatus to care for her family, Nancy decided to answer the tug of her heart and rejoin the ranks of writers.

When she’s not writing, which happens more often than it should, she can be found taking long walks or lunching with friends. She is married to her college sweetheart and they have three children.

Connect with Nancy: Website | Facebook | Instagram

Suzie: Welcome to the Diamond Mine, Nancy. It’s a pleasure to have you join us this week. I always like to start with a couple would you rather questions.

Would you rather live without internet for a year or without air conditioning and heating for a year?  

Nancy: Easy one! Goodbye, internet. I might survive without heat, but Texas air conditioning is a must.

Suzie: Same in Tennessee. Summers tend to get unbearable.

Would you rather give up social media or eat the same dinner for the rest of your life?  

Nancy: Tough call. I could cheerfully eat a diet of tacos the rest of my life, but if I wasn’t on social media I might get more writing done. I frequently gripe about social media, but the truth is I have a wonderful community there who I would miss terribly.

Suzie: I have a love-hate relationship with social media. Alright, that’s enough of those. Tell us a little about you—family, hobbies, day job, or whatever you’d like to share that’s not in your bio.

Nancy: I love a good road trip. I love to hop in the car, gps at the ready, and head to someplace new. And I’m a bit of a tea snob. My husband and I travel with an iced tea maker and tea bags to insure a decent glass or cup along the way.

Suzie: I enjoy a good road trip too. What are three books on your current tbr?  

Nancy: The Do-Over by Bethany Turner; Finding the Road Home by Tina Radcliffe; and The Right

Kind of Strong by Mary A Kassian

Suzie: And I just The Right Kind of Strong to my tbr. :)

What does your writing space look like? 

Nancy: Chaos. 

Nancy: I write out my manuscripts in longhand—I use pretty Vera Bradley notebooks, then I type it into the computer and print a hard copy. I make changes on the hardcopy and type them into the computer and print a new hard copy. And on and on. By midway through the book, I’ve created a mountain of papers. Chaos!

Suzie: I can imagine!

Would you share with us a little about your road to publication? 

Nancy:  I started writing back in the nineties. I published six books over the next ten years then quit writing completely. It felt like that season of my life was over. After that, I worked in a library, surrounded by books, and in time, felt the pull to come back to writing. I joined a critique group in 2015 and have been writing ever since. 

Suzie: What are some of your favorite things about writing romance? 

Nancy: I love watching the character’s relationship and attraction develop. The first time their eyes meet… the first time they kiss… I just love it. Funny that even though I’m writing the story, they sometimes surprise me. And I love happy endings.

Suzie: As a reader of romance, I love everything you just said (especially the happy endings).

Tell us more about your latest release. 

Nancy: A Slice of Paradise is a sweet, light-hearted romance—enemies to lovers. I had so much fun writing it. Some books are a battle to get down on paper and others just flow. A Slice of Paradise just flowed.

Suzie: In A Slice of Paradise, Eden is a baker. Would you share a favorite recipe from your kitchen (or Eden’s) with us? 

Nancy: Eden first wowed her new friends with blueberry muffins, so here goes:

6 TBSP butter, melted and cooled, plus extra for greasing the pan

2 cups all-purpose flour

1 TBSP baking powder

Pinch of salt

Heaping ½ cup light brown sugar

1 cup blueberries, fresh or frozen

2 eggs

1 cup milk

1 TSP vanilla extract

Preheat oven to 400 degrees

Grease a 12-hole muffin pan. (Or line pan with muffin papers)

Sift together flower, baking powder, and salt into large bowl. Stir in sugar and blueberries.

Beat two eggs lightly in a large bowl, then beat in the milk, butter, vanilla extract.

Suzie: Yum! And it's berry season. The perfect time to try these out.

Thank you for spending some time with us and sharing more about yourself.

About the Book

Can a taste of love cure the scars of yesterday?

Single mother and baker Eden Lambert arrives in quaint Village Green looking for a home for herself and her 18-month-old son, Jake. Her warm welcome by her elderly hostess, Mary Jo Piermont, is offset by the cold disdain of Mary Jo’s self-appointed protector, Joe Wolfe.

At first, the long-legged blonde and her kid look like trouble to Joe. Mary Jo saved the builder’s life years ago, and he will do no less for the woman he considers a surrogate mother. But as he keeps an eye on the unwanted guests, Joe’s suspicions soon become replaced by admiration and respect for Eden’s resolve and dedication to her son. With his background of abuse and abandonment, Joe is aware of the dangers facing the vulnerable and wants better for Eden and Jake. He offers her a business arrangement—he’ll build her a bakery, and she can run it.

As they join forces to start the bakery, can they overcome the scars of the past to find a recipe for love?

Amazon | Goodreads

Giveaway

Nancy is giving one of our blog visitors a print copy of A Slice of Paradise. To enter, leave a blog post comment and let us know what you enjoy baking. Giveaway is valid with 5 entries. Open to US addresses only. Giveaway ends on 5/14/24.

INTERVIEW AND GIVEAWAY WITH AUTHOR M. JEAN PIKE!!

Today on The Diamond Mine we welcome author M. Jean Pike. She is offering a free copy of her book, The Little Things. 

All you need to do is click on the comment button at the end of the interview and leave a comment with your email and you'll be entered in the drawing!

Let's get a little taste of the book now: 

He’s everything she never knew she wanted.

 A decade ago, Rochelle Delany made a decision that changed her life forever.
Wanting more than just football games and potluck suppers, she boarded a bus for California and didn't look back. But instead of a glamorous life, she became trapped in a nightmare of labor trafficking. Now, she's made a daring escape and returns home to Ohio.

Sandy Fairbrother has a problem with trust.
Twice betrayed, he now puts his faith only in God. He' s a single dad doing his best to grow his construction business and raise his young son. But haunted by an impulsive kiss Rochelle gave him fifteen years ago, her unexpected return has him rethinking things. He' s been given a second chance to win her heart. And this time, he plans to succeed.

Sounds like a great read! On to the interview!

Can you tell us a little more about your book?

Thanks so much for the opportunity! I’d love to share a little about my book. The Little Things is a modern take on the parable of the Prodigal Son. As a young woman, Rochelle Delany leaves her small Ohio town of Redford’s Crossing and her family in search of glamour, fame, and fortune. Like the prodigal, things don’t turn out the way she’d hoped. After nearly a decade enslaved in human trafficking, she makes a daring escape and returns to Ohio, realizing that all she ever wanted was right there all along. But when her past catches up to her, she finds herself desperately in need of help from a man she rejected ten years before. And from the God she’s forgotten how to pray to.

How did you get your idea for this story?

After watching a documentary on the horrors of human trafficking, and how so many young people are deceived by vultures online, I felt compelled to write something that would bring awareness to this terrible condition.

Good for you!! That's great!

What made you decide to be a writer?

As far back as I can remember, I have used words in the form of poetry, short stories and journals to try and make sense of life. In college, an English instructor encouraged me to pursue writing more seriously but it was years before I started sending my work out. It just seemed too personal to share. But when my work started getting published in magazines, I was hooked! I wrote short stories and inspirational essays for about ten years before I decided to try my hand at novel writing!

I'm glad you made that decision! What was your first story?

The first one I can remember was a three-page mystery called Mac the Mysterious Mutt. I wrote it when I was in the third grade!

I bet it was cute!

So, do you write from an outline, or just from inspiration, or both?

I always start with a very basic outline, or at least a skeleton of what my major plot points will be. It keeps me from getting off track.

Good idea! Sometimes it's easy to get off track!

Do you have any underlying themes that you want your readers to come away with?

Mostly, I hope my readers will see in my stories portraits of how amazing the Lord is, and what a beautiful adventure life can be with Him in it! Sometimes you go miles out of your way to get to where you need to be, but nothing takes God by surprise.

That is SO true!!

Do your characters share any traits with you or someone you know?

My characters are usually a combination of many people that have crossed my path. In one scene my heroine might possess my best friend’s astounding capacity for kindness. In another scene she might borrow the sharp tongue of a stranger in an overheard argument in the supermarket. Basically, my characters are a big, beautiful, messy, melting pot made up of human nature as I have experienced it.

Wow!! What a great way to describe the process of developing characters!

Do your characters ever surprise you?

Oh, all the time, lol.

Mine, too! 

What are you working on now?

I’m currently writing another romance set in the small town of Redford’s Crossing. I’m a New York girl who fell in love with Ohio and I love setting my stories in its small towns!

I'm looking forward to it!

Well, that's it for our interview. I'm so glad we had this chat today! Thanks so much!

Here's a little more about our author, and don't forget to leave a comment for the free book drawing!

Author Bio: Changing seasons. Unexpected blessings. Love that lasts forever. These are a few of M. Jean Pike's favorite things. With a writing career that has spanned two decades, Jean combines an insatiable curiosity about humans and why they do what they do with a keen interest in the quirky and offbeat things in life to bring readers unforgettable tales of life, love, and the inner workings of the human heart. 

Author Blog:

https://mjeanpike.wordpress.com/

Buy links: Amazon : 

https://www.amazon.com/Little-Things-M-Jean-Pike-ebook/dp/B0C1ZYD5VB/ref=sr_1_1?crid=12CWJE4SFID0O&keywords=m+jean+pike&qid=1685235087&sprefix=%2Caps%2C523&sr=8-1

Pelican:

https://pelicanbookgroup.com/ec/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=37_46&products_id=162