Q: Give us a little preview of Thyme
for Love.
A: April Love has
always dreamed of being a chef. When her Aunt Kitty hears of a in-house chef
position for a non-profit organization housed in a lakeshore mansion next door,
April returns to Canoga Lake, Wisconsin, where she’d spent many summers growing
up, to apply for the job. When she discovers her former fiancé Marc Thorne
working there, she wonders if this position was really God’s intention for her.
After all, Marc all but left her standing at the altar to chase his own dreams
in California. It doesn’t take long to realize Marc is hiding secrets and
despite returning feelings for the man, April determines she will not make the
same mistake as she did eight years earlier. But when their boss is found dead
and Marc is framed for his murder, April has no choice but to turn sleuth to
keep Marc from being accused of a murder he didn’t commit.
Q: What made you want to write this book?
A: I’ve always loved
romance and mysteries, and decided to write a story that married the two
elements together. I grew up in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin and have always been
fascinated by the many 20th Century mansions that dot the lake’s
shoreline. I toyed with the idea of setting the story in one of those homes,
but decided to create a smaller lake and village just to the east of Lake
Geneva to gain more freedom with some of the details of the story and its
characters. I loved having the area located close enough to Lake Geneva that
April and Marc could go there for a meal at one of the actual restaurants
there. I also gave them backgrounds that involve working on Geneva Lake as many
college students do during the summer months.
Q: Have you always wanted to be
a writer?
A: In one way or
another I’ve always written almost since I could hold a pencil. When I was
eight years old I asked for a diary for Christmas and I wrote in it at
different times of my childhood. I still have that little book and it contains
bits and pieces of my life from age eight until sometime in high school. Even
into my adult years I’d journal from time to time, but never thought of turning
that “need” to put words to paper into a career until years later. While
completing my bachelor’s through an accelerated adult program, one of my
professors suggested I could make a living writing. I published several
magazine articles, but as the hankering to write stories grew stronger, I began
taking fiction writing classes. At a local writer’s conference a multipublished
author suggested I could turn one of my short stories into a novel. That was
all I needed to hear. I soon joined American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW) while the organization was in its infancy
and through their writing courses and conferences I continued to grow in the
craft.
Q: Have you written other novels besides Thyme for Love?
Oh yes. My first novel which I would classify as a women’s
fiction languishes in my computer at the moment. Authors very seldom publish
their first written work as that often turns out to be a practice project. The
storyline still resonates with me and I’d love to one day pull it out and
rework it. There are a couple other stories that will probably never see the
light of day. I’m very excited to have a novel set in my hometown of Lake
Geneva, Love Finds You in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, coming out in June 2012 from
Summerside Press. It’s a 1933 historical romance, and I had a blast researching
for the story.
A. I’m so glad you asked. Thyme for Love is part of a
three-book series called “On the Road to Love.” Books 2 and 3 involved April
and Marc, and both are set in Canoga Lake. In Book 2, Love Will Find a Way, April moves into an old Victorian home with
plans to turn it into a restaurant and catering business. It isn’t long before
a discovery made while they are renovating the home threatens to hijack plans
for the grand opening. In Book three, Love’s
Reward, April and Marc’s wedding plans are in full swing, until it becomes
apparent there is someone who doesn’t want them to marry.
Q. How do you get your story ideas?
A. There’s an old adage to write what you know. I might add
to that, to always keep your eyes and ears open for a possible story line. That
first novel I wrote was sparked by something someone said to me when she showed
me a picture of my great-grandfather’s grave. My Love Finds You in Lake Geneva,
Wisconsin, story grew out of wanting to know the history behind the beautiful
lakeshore recreational building that has become an icon of the area. Just today
a newspaper article sparked an idea I’d like to develop into a proposal.
Q. What is your daily writing routine?
A. My best writing time is morning, but I’ve had to make myself
work outside the box at times when that kind of schedule doesn’t work. Since I
am a morning person, I find it best to set my alarm as if I’m going to work. I
get up at 5:30 and spend at least an hour in my Quiet Time with God. Then I try
to walk daily for exercise before settling down in my home office to write. I
recently converted unused space in my dining are into an office and that has
helped tremendously with getting the sense of “going to work.” This helps me
stay on task. Too many years actually working Monday through Friday probably
contributes to that. On days I have an obligation away from home in the
morning, I have had to force myself to be creative in the afternoon and early
evening. I think as I start working on deadlines more and more that’s going to
be essential.
Q. What advice do you have for new authors?
A. Persevere, persevere, and persevere. I started out
aspiring to be published in novel writing more than ten years ago. I had the
raw ability and desire to write, but that skill had to be trained and honed,
much like a young colt has to be trained. I have learned that writers need to
develop what we jokingly refer to as rhino skin and also we need a positive
teachable attitude. Join critique groups, take writing courses, attend writing
conferences where great teaching occurs and you’ll have opportunities to meet
with industry professionals and pitch to editors and agents. ACFW has a great
yearly conference ever September that is for fiction writers only. I cannot
tout ACFW enough. It is a must organization to join for anyone who writes
fiction from a Christian point of view.
Q. When you aren’t writing, what fills your days?
A. I volunteer at my church in the multicultural ministry,
helping Japanese women learn to speak English and lead a women’s small group
Bible study. I’m also chapter president of my local ACFW chapter which meets
monthly. Also, I enjoy reading (surprise, surprise) and movies. Love to cook
and find new ways of making things. You’ll find an adaptation of a recipe someone
gave me called Chicken George at the back of Thyme for Love. I loved having
April prepare it in the novel, and look forward to experimenting with more
recipes for the sequels.
Thank you, Pam, for spending this time with us.
Readers, you can find out more about Pamela at this site: http://www.pamelasmeyers.com/
Here's a link to the book. By using it when you order, you help support this blog.
Thyme for Love
Thank you, Pam, for spending this time with us.
Readers, you can find out more about Pamela at this site: http://www.pamelasmeyers.com/
Here's a link to the book. By using it when you order, you help support this blog.
Leave a comment 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 Feedblitz, Facebook, or Amazon, please come to the blog to leave your comment if you want to be included in the drawing. Here’s a link.
Http://lenanelsondooley.blogspot.com
31 comments:
Mystery & romance, always a fun combination! It's fun that Pamela can include her love of cooking in the book.
Patty in SC
Yum, sounds delicious!
wfnren at aol dot com
Oh, Lena how do you consistently find great authors and novels? i would love to read Pamela's Thanks for the opportunity to win!
mitzi[underscore]wanham[at]yahoo[dot]com
Arizona
I absolutely LOVE this kind of book! Loved the interview as well. Thanks for the chance to win!
Molly in NC
Oh... This book sounds intriguing! Great interview.
rosesaved2@gmail.com
rosesaved2{at}gmail.{dot}com
we live about abou 90 minutes from Lake Geneva and love spending time boating and hanging out there - this sounds like a wonderful read
cheryl in IL
msboatgal at aol.com
Love hearing where your story ideas sparked from! Fund to hear the history of those books.
coolestmommy2000 at gmail dot com
NE
I'm looking forward to reading THYME FOR LOVE. A great title by the way. It is very telling.
Mary P
QLD AUSTRALIA
Great combination. Sounds like such a great book and am looking forward to reading it. Please enter me.
Blessings,
Jo in Southern Arizona
ladijo40(at)aol(dot)com
I enjoyed the interview. Please enter me for this book - sounds like another great one!
Beth from Iowa
thanks for a chance to win this book
i live in ND
ABreading4fun [at] gmail [dot] com
sounds like a very interesting book i would Love to read it enter me in the drawing Thanks
Joanna Richmond
Blanch NC
Can't wait to read your books.
Hugs,
Frances
Missouri
Yesterday I tried to post a comment here and Blogger was not cooperating. It still isn't today, but I'm trying a workaround.
Thanks, Lena, for inviting me to visit your blog this week! I consider it an honor to be here :-).
And thanks to all of you who have signed up for a chance to win Thyme for Love.
Frances Divine, one of my crit partners from Penwrights has stopped by also!
Thanks to all for showing interest in my debut novel! I'm busy working on Book Two in the series, so I'd best get back over there and make sure my characters are behaving :-)
Enter me!
Abigail
Blanch, N.C.
Food, Romance & Mystery - sounds like a great book! Elaine in Iowa
I love romatic intrigue and would love to read this book. Thank you for the giveaway!
Rebecca in NC
Enter me I would love to win a copy of this book it sounds like a great story!
Sharon Richmond
Blanch, NC.
God Bless!
Looks interesting!!
Please enter me in the drawing.
God Bless,
Sarah Richmond
Blanch,N.C.
Thanks for the Interview, I love reading about the Author. Please add me to your contest.
Blessings to all
I live in S.Illinois
ingrids62448(at)yahoo(dot)com
Romance and mystery is a mix that promises to deliver a great read. Please enter me in this giveaway!
I live in New York
Sounds like a really awesome book. I enjoyed the lovely interview, thanks ladies :)
from SD
This is right up my alley :) I'm from NC.
God bless!
Always nice to hear about how an author comes up with story ideas.
Ann
Would love to win. Book sounds great. Thank you for a great interview.
Lourdes from Long Island, NY
Sounds great - would love to read a new mystery! Thank you for the chance to win! I live in Phoenix
I'd love to read this!
Jane in OR
Sounds great! Angie in Illinois
Sounds like a great book! Thanks for the chance.
Nancye in Kentucky
nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net
It's interesting that your heroine meets up with her former fiance. Sounds like they need closure. I don't usually read mysteries but this one has a large dash of romance thrown in and sounds great. I'm from Ohio. kristiedonelson(at)gmail(dot)com Thank you. Happy 2012!
Post a Comment