Welcome! Set your ski poles by the door and waddle on in. We're ushering in snow with this new debut author, Kerry Johnson with her Love Inspired Suspense book, Snowstorm Sabotage. And Kerry is giving away one paperback book to one blessed person who leaves a comment or leaves their information on our contact form! Before we freeze over, let's find out more about our guest.
KJ: I’d written several stories before signing my first book contract in 2020, and three of them are part of a middle grade speculative/adventure trilogy that’s near and dear to my heart. I adored writing the action scenes in those stories. I mean, I’d choose a Marvel movie over a rom-com most days (except Christmastime, when I love me some While You Were Sleeping). After writing the middle grade trilogy, I tried contemporary romance, a full length one and a shorter, category romance-length. Then an author friend nudged me to try writing romantic suspense—and I was hooked. It mixed exactly what I love most—action and romance.
PT: Suspense grabs us doesn’t it? Now, what’s your motivation for writing?
KJ: Books and stories feed my heart and soul. They’re inspiring and comforting. I grew up reading tons and making up stories in my head in the woods of Connecticut, talking to trees and acting out scenes. For many years, I truly thought I was a weirdo. Nope, I was just a budding author. 😊 Friends have told me I said I wanted to be an author even back in elementary school, so there you have it.
PT: What helped hone your writing craft?
KJ: Entering contests, writing more books (this is a biggie; don’t spend years focusing on one story like I did—keep writing more!), finding critique partners who have different strengths than I do, and reading craft books. Oh, and attending writing conferences! Those connections and friendships are so important.
PT: Where is Snowstorm Sabotage set?
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KJ: It’s set at a New England ski resort, in a fictional town in Vermont called Maple Creek.
PT: Have you been in a real live blizzard?
KJ: Yes, growing up in Connecticut we had a couple blizzards in the 80s. I enjoyed them because we got to make fires in our fireplaces and snuggle up together as a family, and of course, school was cancelled. Also, my toddler years were spent in Columbus, Ohio, and my parents often recount a huge blizzard in 1977, I believe? Or maybe 1978. Obviously, I don’t remember that one.
PT: Do you ski?
KJ: The ironic thing is that I’ve water skied but never snow skied. So, I watched lots of videos and researched snow skiing for Snowstorm Sabotage.
PT: Do any of the characters in the book have similar personality traits to you or someone you know?
KJ: I would say Everly, my heroine, is very independent and take-charge. I’m independent, too, though not as strong-willed as Everly. I’m not sure I’d be up for running a ski resort like she does.
PT: Is there an inspirational/Biblical theme in this book?
KJ: Yes. The verse I chose for
Snowstorm Sabotage is 2 Corinthians 5:7, “For we walk by faith, not by sight.”
For Everly, it’s trusting God even though it feels like He’s abandoned her. For
Isaac, my hero, it’s about recognizing he has value despite what others say about
him, because God values him.
PT: What’s your current favorite Bible verse?
KJ: I have so many I pray and
recite during the day, Prov. 3:5-6 being one of the main ones. But lately it’s
been Psalm 147:3. “He heals the brokenhearted, and binds up their wounds.” My
dad just passed away after a brief, difficult battle with cancer, and I’ve
clung to this verse as my family and I mourn.
PT: On behalf of our readers and myself, we are so sorry to hear of your loss. Our prayers are with you and your family. So, what direction are you headed in now in terms of writing?
KJ: I’m currently finishing revisions for my next romantic suspense, then sending it to my editor at Love Inspired. I’m excited about this new story, and hopeful it turns into a series, because I so enjoyed creating these characters. For NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month, in November), I’ll be finishing up a timeslip story that I started last year. For now, though, I love writing romantic suspense for Love Inspired!
PT: My favorite part! Tell 5 things about you that have nothing to do with writing.
KJ: I’m highly distracted by babies and animals.
I’m obsessed with peanut butter.
I love lizards of all kinds and
would own ten if I had the room and money, etc…
I tell my bed I love you, bed at
night sometimes (this is sadly not a joke. I just love that feeling of slipping
into a comfy bed at the end of a long day, especially if it has newly washed
sheets)
My husband and I went to high
school together, but we never met until we both worked at a local Burger King.
He made Whoppers and I did the drive thru. We were sixteen.
PT: Well, that's a wrap. Let's hit the slopes! (You know, turn on a Youtube fireplace and snuggle up to read Snowstorm Sabotage!)
Kerry is giving away one paperback copy of Snowstorm Sabotage. Please leave a comment with your email or contact me on the contact form.
Kerry
Johnson has
been conversing with fictional characters since her childhood in the
Connecticut woods. A long-time member of ACFW, she’s a seven-time Genesis
Contest finalist and two-time winner. She lives on the west coast of Florida
with her engineer husband, two teenaged sons, her nine-year-old niece, and way
too many books. She loves Jesus, long walks, all creatures great and small, and
iced chai tea.
