Thursday, November 19, 2015

ISLAND CHRISTMAS - Kimberly Rose Johnson - One Free Book

Bio: Kimberly Rose Johnson writes sweet inspirational romance. She married her college sweetheart 25 years ago. Her hobbies include reading, watching chick flicks, playing the piano, long walks with her hubby and their yellow lab, drinking coffee, and eating way too much dark chocolate. Kimberly holds a degree in Behavioral Science and is a member of ACFW.

Island Christmas
Mountain Brook Ink
October 30, 2015
Should Rachel take a risk, or play it safe and possibly lose the man who could help fulfill her dreams? 

Welcome back, Kimberly. How would you classify the genre of your novel?
I have always thought of my writing as contemporary romance, but it actually sells better in the women’s Christian fiction genre. I’m not sure why, but it may have something to do with my covers. I’ve learned since expressing my vision for the covers to my publishers that romance readers like to see people on the covers and the first three books in this series do not have people. I’m hoping the next book will. J

Please tell us three random things we might not know about you.
--As a kid I wanted to be a secret agent when I grew up.
--When I first started writing I wrote romantic suspense, but never sold any of those manuscripts. I switched genres to contemporary romance and sold the first one I wrote.
--I changed my major three times in college. I started as an elementary Ed major, switched to piano performance, and ultimately ended up with a degree in Behavior Science with a minor in music.

I changed my major three times in college, too. I started as an English major, then changes to speech, and finally went with Drama. Please tell us a bit more about the plot of your novel.
Sous Chef Rachel Narrelli returns to Wildflower Island looking for a fresh start for herself and her young son, but discovers that life has a lot of bumps in the road even on idyllic Wildflower Island. She is grateful when new friend Chris Campbell offers support as she faces obstacles with her new job and new life. She cares for Chris but must decide if she is willing to risk her heart to a man with an uncertain future.

A self-proclaimed workaholic, Chris Campbell comes to Wildflower Island hoping to take life at a slower pace. When a new guest at the Wildflower B and B catches his eye, he is drawn to her. But how will a woman and her young son fit into his future—a future that’s uncertain at best? And most of all, how can he reconcile her lack of faith in God with his strong religious beliefs. 

What is it about your lead character that will make your readers care about her/him.
Rachel is a courageous young widowed mother who has worked hard to get where she is, but life keeps knocking her down.

All the men in Chris’s family have died young from heart attacks. Chris believes this could be his fate as well and has worked hard to stay heart healthy, but when it’s not enough he moves to Wildflower Island for a slower pace. While there he meets Rachel and her young son and suddenly he’s not content to accept his family history.

If you were the casting director for the film version of your novel, who would play your lead roles?
Chris would be played by Bradley Cooper and Rachel would be played by Alexis Bledel—I’m a huge Gilmore Girls fan and would be honored to have her play the part. J

What is something in your writing-industry experience that made you laugh or at least smile?
Several years ago at one of the summer Oregon Christian Writer’s Conferences Liz Curtis Higgs was the keynote speaker. My goodness she is funny. I think I was crying at times from laughing so hard.

I love to listen to Liz Curtis Higgs. She was one of my first online writer friends, way back in the early days of the public Internet. What is the last novel you read that you would recommend? Why do you recommend it?
I just finished reading My Brother’s Crown by Mindy Starns Clark and Leslie Gould. At first I wasn’t sure I would like it because it has two stories within the storyline, one takes place in present day the other several hundred years ago. Then I realized how important one story was to the other and how you wouldn’t have the present day story without the historical one. It was exceptionally well written and a page-turner. It’s also part of a series so there is a continuing mystery thread.

I also really liked Kept by Sally Bradley. This book is unlike most books Christian books I’ve read. It’s one of those stories you need to read to understand what I’m saying, but I couldn’t put it down.

What are you working on now?
I’m currently writing Island Hope the fourth book in the Wildflower B and B Romance Series. This book will release in April 2016. The release spread between books is farther on this one. I hope readers will subscribe to my newsletter so I can let them know when it releases. It’s easy to subscribe from my website at kimberlyrjohnson.com.

Where else can readers find you online?
My website J kimberlyrjohnson.com
I am a contributing blogger at http://www.inspyromance.com/

Finally, what question would you like to ask my readers?

Since this is a Christmas book, what is your favorite Christmas memory?


I’ll share mine. When I was a kid my family drove to California to spend Christmas with my Grandma. We were still traveling Christmas morning and had stopped at a rest stop. In those days, seatbelts weren’t required, and my sister and I sat in the back of our Datsun pickup on beanbags. There was a boot that connected the back to the cab. Anyway, my parents stopped to give us our Christmas stockings and handed them to us through the boot. She opened our gifts in full view of anyone who cared to watch through our windshield. I’ll never forget this one woman who stood there the entire time with a big smile just watching my sister and I enjoy our Christmas morning stocking at the rest stop. J

Thank you, Kimberly, for sharing this new book with us. I enjoyed reading the first two in the series, and I'm eagerly awaiting my copy of this one. I know my readers will be eager to read this one as well.

Readers, leave a comment, answering Kimberly's question, for a chance to win a free copy of the book. Please tell us where you live, at least the state or territory. (Comments containing links may be subject to removal by blog owner.)

Void where prohibited; the odds of winning depend on the number of entrants. Entering the giveaway is considered a confirmation of eligibility on behalf of the enterer in accord with these rules and any pertaining local/federal/international laws.

The only notification you’ll receive is the winner post on this blog. So be sure to check back a week from Saturday to see if you won. You will have 4 weeks from the posting of the winners to claim your book.

If you’re reading this on Goodreads, Google+, Feedblitz, Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin, or Amazon, please come to the blog to leave your comment if you want to be included in the drawing. Here’s a link:

29 comments:

Anonymous said...

would love to win. angela in ky

scottsgal said...

I love reading any holiday books. Thanks for the interview.

Cheryl in IL

Kimberly said...

Angela in KY and Cheryl in IL, do either of you have a favorite Christmas memory?
Holiday books are a favorite of mine as well. I have several loaded on my Kindle waiting to be read. :)

Connie Porter Saunders said...

Thanks for sharing your special Christmas memory. I have one from the Christmas when I was in third grade. I was given a doll and the new pajamas that were a gift every year but my Dad also picked out a tin schoolhouse that had figurines you could play with. A teacher, students, teacher's desk, students' desks and even a blackboard. To say that I loved it is an understatement and I still have the schoolhouse and it is one of my dearest treasures! Knowing that Daddy thought I needed this has always given me a wonderful assurance of his love and understanding of a ninr year old girl!
Connie from KY
cps1950 (at)gmail (dot)com

Kimberly said...

Connie, what a wonderful memory. I love the duel specialness of that gift. :)

Melanie Backus said...

Thank you for a great interview. My favorite Christmas memory is getting a doll For Christmas that I wanted so badly.

Melanie Backus, TX

JackieW said...

One of my favorite Christmas memories was getting to visit my grandparents farm in Colorado at that time of year and getting to play in the snow...it was fun because I lived where it never snowed.
JFWisherd(at)aol(dot)com

Kimberly said...

That does sound fun, Jackie W! :)

Mary Preston said...

I had a wonderful childhood, so every Christmas was very special. Decorating the Christmas tree each year was always such fun.

Mary P

QLD AUSTRALIA

rubynreba said...

My favorite Christmas memory is all of my aunts, uncles, and cousins getting together on Christmas Day and my Grandpa reading the Christmas story from his big Bible. I can still see him sitting in his chair reading. Brings back a lot of great memories.
Beth from IA

kim hansen said...

Spending christmas day at my grandmother's or Aunt's houses. kamundsen44ATyahooDOT.com North Platte NE

Brenda Arrington said...

Going to Gramma's house was so special. As soon as we ate breakfast, we'd pile into our car with presents galore and head to Gramma's. Wonderful memories.
Brenda in VA

Kimberly said...

Brenda, that does sound wonderful. :)

Kimberly said...

Mary, it so great that you have so many fond Christmas memories. I think my oldest really enjoys decorating the tree to. He asked me to wait for him to come home before we decorate the tree this year. :)

Kimberly said...

Kim, sounds like fun. :)

Kimberly said...

rubynreba, I think it's so neat that your grandpa made reading from the Bible a priority.

apple blossom said...

never read this author before thanks for the chance to win live in ND

ABreading4fun [at] gmail [dot] com

Sharon Richmond Bryant said...

Enter me in your awesome giveaway!!
Conway, SC.

Trixi said...

I got lots of good Christmas memories :-) But I think the best one is when I was about 11 or 12 and I got my first wind-up watch, a Mickey Mouse one just like I asked for!!! I had that thing for years and wore it everyday. If I remember correctly, it had a denim watch-band too. I loved it so much, don't know what happened to it over the years and wished I still had it :-)

Thanks for the author interview! I have the first book in this series "Island Refuge" so I'd love to add this to the collection. This takes place in one of my favorite spots...the Puget Sound just a few hours away from me on the Oregon Coast. Plus it's a B&B and we LOVE to stay at those when we can afford it! I like reading fiction set in areas I know, it's always a fun adventure!

Trixi in OR

Anonymous said...


Kimberly, my favorite Christmas memory was in 1958 when I had a baby girl in the middle of the day. A real life baby too. Such a gift. But my first Christmas as a mother was special too. Would love to win your book. Thanks to you and Lena for the chance. GOD bless the both of you. Maxie (TX) > mac262(at)me(dot)com <

Terrill R. said...

My favorite memories from Christmas' past are from my earliest childhood. My mom is one of 15 kids and many of those siblings lived all within driving distance in Western Washington. Before many of my cousins started marrying and having their own children, we would have big family events for most of the holidays. Christmas' were always the most fun. As kids, we would bring and show off our favorite gifts and just play hard all day.

Terrill - WA

Cindy W. said...

My favorite Christmas memory was the year I received my Hope Chest. My mom had hid it behind the Christmas Tree and I guess it had been there for weeks with a blanket over it and I never saw it. I loved opening it up and smelling the cedar. It still smells that way.

I would love to be entered to win.

I live in Indiana.

Smiles & Blessings,
Cindy W.

Kimberly said...

Cindy, what a fun memory. :)

Kimberly said...

Terrill, it sounds like you all had a great time!

Kimberly said...

Maxie, that was definitely a special Christmas!

Bonnie Roof said...

My fave Christmas memory is actually a memory for my mother - it is a cold, snowy Christmas day in 1943 when I was born at home in the drafty old farmhouse on a hill, in which my parents resided.

Bonnie R., Ky.

Kimberly said...

A Christmas baby! I'm sure that was your mother's most memorable Christmas ever. :)

Abigail Mitchell said...

Enter me.
Blanch NC

Unknown said...

My magical Christmas memory is my daughter being born 2 days after Christmas 12 years ago. The book sounds delightful and the cover is so pretty. I can
t wait to read this.

Deanne in PA