THE CHRISTMAS PROMISE - Kimberly Rose Johnson - One Free Book

Welcome Kimberly. Rose is my middle name, too. Tell us how much of yourself you write into your characters.

I don’t set out to write myself into my characters, but there is a piece of me or aspect of my personality in each of them. For example, Keira in The Christmas Promise, is terrified of driving in winter weather. I’m not quite as bad as her (at least most of the time) but my fear inspired hers.

What is the quirkiest thing you have ever done?

Hmm, I’m not really a quirky person, but once when I was a kid a friend had this birthday party where she went to each of the guests houses and “kidnapped” us from our beds. Of course my mom was in on it.

We weren’t allowed to change from our nightclothes! Then we all went out to breakfast in our nightgowns and PJ’s.  Being a rather quiet and shy girl, I was mortified, but I eventually got into the spirit.

When did you first discover that you were a writer?

I enjoyed creative writing in high school but failed miserably at it in college, according to my writing professor. Fortunately, I didn’t let her opinion stop me forever from writing, and in 2006 I made the decision I was going to write. LOL I am a little impulsive, but I had a story in my head that I couldn’t stop thinking about. I’ve been writing ever since.

Tell us the range of the kinds of books you enjoy reading.

I tend to stick to Christian books because I know they are clean. As far as genre goes, I love romance and romantic suspense. That being said, I also read mysteries and thrillers if they seem to have a romantic thread. Generally I don’t enjoy a book unless there is at least a little romance in the story. I also enjoy reading Young Adult every now and then. Now here is an odd quirk—I prefer contemporary in all genre’s except YA.

How do you keep your sanity in our run, run, run world?

LOL, good question! I have a wonderful husband who helps with cooking, cleaning, and running the kids where they need to be. For the most part, I’m good at organizing my time and not over-committing. I know what I can handle, and I’m careful to stick to my boundaries.

How do you choose your characters’ names?

First I figure out how old my character is, then I look up popular names for the year he/she was born. From there I have to know my character’s personality a little to know what name would suit. I always try to pick strong names.

What is the accomplishment that you are most proud of?

Today I’m most proud of getting traditionally published. It was a long time coming. J

Many of us had a long learning curve before we were traditionally published, myself included. If you were an animal, which one would you be, and why?

A dog because I’m loyal.

What is your favorite food?

My favorite meal is probably lasagna, but I can’t turn down pie, especially berry pie.

What is the problem with writing that was your greatest roadblock, and how did you overcome it?

I tried to get published in romantic suspense for years and even made it to committee, but never made it beyond that.

My agent and a good writer friend suggested I try writing straight romance. I finally listened and wrote The Christmas Promise. I guess I overcame the obstacle of publication by changing my approach.

Copyright © 2013 by Harlequin Enterprises Limited

Cover Art used by arrangement with Harlequin Enterprises Limited

Tell us about the featured book.

The Christmas Promise takes place in Leavenworth, Washington, a quaint Bavarian village nestled in the Cascade Mountain Range. Here is the back cover blurb:

DR. PETE HARDING DOESN'T DATE SINGLE MOMS

No matter how lovely Keira Noble's smile, or how adorable her four-year-old son. He's been down that road before and knows it can lead to a broken heart. But that doesn't mean he can't help the pretty widow find a puppy to put under the Christmas tree for her son….

Pete claims he only wants to help her find the perfect gift for Cody. Yet Keira can't deny the tender feelings in his eyes whenever he looks at her. Could this handsome Scrooge have a change of heart, and create a new family for Christmas?

Please share the first page for my reader.
(This is the first two pages.)

Keira Noble peered out her apartment window at the first snow of the season, and a shiver ran through her. Snow set her on edge. Winter in the quaint Bavarian village of Leavenworth, Washington, always meant snow, but it was only the middle of October—much too early. Taking a sip of her morning coffee, she tucked her feet under her legs and snuggled deeper into the quilt. She closed her eyes, unwilling to gaze at the one thing that tortured her every winter.

“Momma.” Four-and-a-half-year-old Cody padded out from his room and climbed into her lap. He nestled his head against her chest. “What’s for breakfast?”

“How about oatmeal with blueberries?” She didn’t open the candy shop until ten on weekdays, and treasured this time with her son.

“No.”

“Really? I thought you loved blueberries.”

He shook his head. “I like gummy worms. Can I have them in my oatmeal?”

“Eww. I don’t think so.” She gave him a squeeze and stood, setting him on the chaise. “Maybe after lunch you can pick out a few gummy worms from the bin.” She smiled to herself, imagining he’d be the most popular kid in school someday with his access to candy.

She heard footsteps on the stairs that led to the alley. Right on time. Her best friend, Susan, had a way of showing up a couple of mornings a week for breakfast. She especially appreciated the visit today considering the weather. Susan knew the fear snow brought on. Just the thought of driving now… She shuddered. A rap on the door sounded and Keira flung the door open. “Morning.” She gave Susan a quick hug and stepped back.

“Brrr. It’s freezing out there.” Susan unwound her scarf, pulled off her boots and hung her coat on a hook by the door. “Where’s my little buddy?” She tiptoed over to the chaise. “Boo.”

Cody squealed and laughed. “Aunt Susan, you always do that.”

Sitting beside him, Susan wrapped an arm around Cody. “And you always laugh.” She poked his belly. “What’s for breakfast?”

“Oatmeal, but Mom said no gummy worms.”

Susan snapped her fingers. “Bummer, but I’m sure she’ll let us have brown sugar.” Susan got up and walked into the kitchen. “I have a surprise for you.”

Keira looked over her shoulder and raised a brow at her eccentric friend with the purple streaks in her long black hair. “I’m not a fan of surprises.”

“You might like this one.”

“Might?” She measured out the water and poured it into a saucepan. “I don’t like the sound of this. Spill.”

“Sorry.” Susan pulled a card from her pocket. “Be at this address tonight at six and look hot.”

“Huh?” Her friend had never told her to look hot. She turned around and took the card. “Visconti’s?” She narrowed her eyes and crossed her arms. “What’s going on? I’m not going to show up someplace unless I know why.”

“Oh, all right. But you have to hear me out without interrupting.”

“Su-san!”

“We set you up on a blind date.” The words tumbled from her lips. “Pete is great. He’s a veterinarian. Josh knows him from church and got to talking with him when he took his dog in the other day and realized the man has no social life—”

“And he immediately thought of me. I need to have a few words with your brother.”

“You’re interrupting.”

“The two of you set me up? Why don’t you go out with him?” It had to be an all-time low when her friends thought they needed to find her a man.

“He’s not my type.” Susan grinned and batted her lashes.

“Don’t try that on me, missy.” She’d date again when she was ready. “I’m not going.” Keira turned her back on Susan and measured out the oats.

“But you have to. Josh already told him you’d be there.”

“He will have to un-tell him. What kind of person agrees to a blind date at the last minute?”

“Actually Pete’s known about it for a week.” She ducked her head. “I didn’t know how to tell you, and then time got away from me and…” She shrugged. “You can’t cancel now. It’s too late.”

Her friend knew her well. Of course she would’ve canceled. Keira bit her lip. Maybe it wouldn’t hurt to meet the man. Besides it would be rude to back out at the last minute and she had always wanted to try the food at Visconti’s, one of the best Italian restaurants around. Considering how small the village was, it was crazy she’d never been there before.

But there was one problem—Cody. Who would take care of her son and what would she tell him? Since her husband was killed four years ago in a car accident, she had gone out only once. Keira didn’t want him to get confused or attached to a man who wasn’t going to stick around. Ack! She was getting ahead of herself. It was only one date.

Susan touched her arm and lowered her voice. “You need this. It doesn’t have to be anything serious, but it’s time you started getting out there again. You keep yourself holed up in this apartment or the candy shop all the time. Live a little. And don’t worry about Cody. I’ll take care of him.”

“Will you come here to watch him?”

Susan nodded. “Whatever you want.”

How can readers find you on the Internet?

WWW.kimberlyrjohnson.com from there you can follow me on Twitter or Facebook, check out my blog, or send me an email.

Thanks for having me!

It’s my pleasure, Kimberly. I read Christmas books in November and December. I read yours and loved it.

Readers, here are links to the book. By using one when you order, you help support this blog.
The Christmas Promise - Christianbook.com
The Christmas Promise (Heartsong Presents) -Amazon.com
The Christmas Promise (Heartsong Presents) - Kindle

Christian Book Store

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