One of the privileges I've discovered with being published by multiple houses is that I have multiple publishing families. I'm still getting to know the authors over at Anaiah Press, but I'm enjoying it, too. And I hope you'll enjoy getting to know brand new author Jennifer Chastain with me. Here's the fun interview about her and her new novel, which sounds like so much fun! How does it feel to have your first book "birthed?" How do I describe my first book being published? When I saw the email saying, "Congratulations! We'd like to offer you a book contract for "The Mistletoe Contract", I started crying. But these were happy tears of joy. It's surreal, exciting, scary, and all those other adjectives thrown in! It's been a long awaited dream coming to fruition with a lot of long nights of writing. I guess I can sum it up in one word - overwhelming. I completely agree with all those adjectives. :-) When did you first decide to become a writer? Oh wow, this is another tough question. Over twenty-five years ago I felt this strong urge to write. However, I was unsure and scared and really had no idea where to start. I have loved to read since I was a young child and was always making up stories for my Barbie and Ken dolls. However, six years ago, I felt God's call again and I said "I should write a book. I think I could do that." Before this, I lacked confidence in myself and my abilities but God kept nudging my heart to do this. And to be honest, He wouldn't let me rest. So I did a Google search for "How to write a novel" and up popped Novel Academy/My Book Therapy, with Susan May Warren teaching the StoryCrafter classes. I learned so much and am still learning. I have heard so many good things about that course. I'm glad it helped you gain the confidence you needed. Okay, with one book releasing now, what are you working on for the future? I am working on a trilogy about three brothers - the Jamison family. And the stories are set in the same small town as The Mistletoe Contract. I just finished finished editing Preston's story. He is the youngest of the three brothers and has always felt like he was in the one who was unseen, in his older brother's shadows. Preston, is a CrossFit athlete. I'm hoping to send this to the acquisitions editor by the end of October. I have also written about the middle brother, Tanner, a former NFL quarterback, but since this was the first story I had written, it needs a serious overhaul. And finally, the oldest brother, Brennan's story is almost finished. I also have a couple of novella ideas that need to be developed as well. I'm planning on putting my nose to the grindstone during NaNoWriMo in November. Nanowrimo is also my major writing time every year. It's a crazy challenge but so rewarding! Your website says you write Second-Chance romance. I love that trope. What made you decide to write that type of story versus another? I love the idea of second chances. And third. And fourth, etc. From a personal perspective, we all make mistakes. I've made a ton of mistakes over the years, but God will always forgive me if I only ask for His forgiveness. His forgiveness is not conditional, it's freely given. That's what I love about this trope. My main characters are flawed and have made a lot of mistakes. And as a result of those mistakes, they feel so guilty, so unworthy, and so unloved. But when the right person enters the main character's life, they want to be a better person, and they actively seek to make changes in their lives. Perhaps the main character hurt the other in the past through actions or their words. My characters have to work through their issues, and with a little help from their love interest, they learn to let go of the hurt and the pain. Their journeys are uncomfortable but they learn so much about themselves and are able to grow as a person. The same is true for me and my personal walk. I can't allow the shame and guilt of the past to hold me back from God's purpose for my life. I love that. Now, onto something personal. You're a Yankee transplant? What's the hardest thing you've had to adjust to since moving south? We moved South when I was a teenager. As you can imagine, it was very difficult to leave all my friends, and start over. There were two things that I had to learn to adjust to when we moved south: the southern accent and the food. Believe me, I've picked up a slight accent after all these years and now enjoy most southern dishes - well, I enjoy everything except grits, boiled okra and boiled squash! I can't do boiled okra, either, and I've lived in the south my whole life. :-) I ask the same question at the end of all my interviews: can you tell us one thing about you that very few people know? Let me see...I think most people don't know that I attended school to become a Paralegal. Nice! I'm so happy you've discovered your writing voice. I look forward to seeing how far you go. Thanks so much for stopping by today. If you want to know more about Jennifer and her new book, keep reading. Confirmed bachelor, Nathan Rutledge shut his heart to romance when he was forced to break the heart of the only woman he loved. Now, with his father’s retirement from the family conglomerate, the torch has been passed to him. But there are two problems—first, he needs a wife in order to take over the family business. Second, someone has been embezzling company funds. With the pressure mounting, and time expiring to find both a wife he can trust and the thief, Nate needs a Christmas miracle. Forensic Accountant, Meredith Mitchell’s life is in a shambles. Her mother needs a lifesaving transplant, Mom’s medical bills have bankrupted Meredith’s meager savings, and she’s sold everything of value, but it’s still not enough. Worse, she’s now tasked with discovering accounting errors for a new client—none other than Nathan Rutledge—the same man who gave her a broken heart for Christmas eight years ago. Meredith wants to run. Nate wants the chance to right his wrongs. When he proposes a modern-day marriage of convenience, she balks at the idea. But he desperately needs a wife, and she really needs the money he offers. Is this the answer to her prayers? Or will this mutually beneficial arrangement re-open old wounds that can’t be healed? It sounds good, doesn't it? Here's where you can order it. More about Jennifer
Ever since she was a little girl, living in her small town in New York State, Jennifer has been a voracious reader. During the summer months, she would ride her bike to their library and return with a basketful of books. Her dad’s job moved them to Charlotte, NC in her teen years, but the memories of growing up in a small community have stayed with her. A Yankee transplant, she has grown to love the grace and charm of the South. In fact, she even married a native Charlottean. For the past five years, she and her husband have been host parents to several international high school students. They have experienced the joy of seeing these students blossom into young adulthood. Jennifer is a member of ACFW, ACFW-NC, and My Book Therapy/Novel Academy. Several of her other stories were finalists in the Blue Ridge Mountains Foundations contest and she was a finalist in the Touched by Love contest, sponsored by the Faith, Hope, and Love chapter of RWA. Her contemporary romance stories contain the themes of redemption, grace, forgiveness, and second chances. A hopeful romantic, Jennifer loves dark chocolate, Diet Coke, old movies, and a good romantic movie. She loves to experiment with new recipes in the kitchen, and when not cooking, she’s baking. Growing up in the snowy North, Christmas has always been her favorite holiday, with the scents of cinnamon, vanilla, and pine scenting the air. She and her husband have been married for over 25 years, and they are permitted to coexist with their black rescue cat. www.jenniferchastain.com Newsletter signup
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