SUMMER'S LIST - Anita Higman - One Free Book

Dear Readers, here's another Texas Author.

Welcome back, Anita. How did this book come about?

My mother read me fairytales when I was a little girl—my favorite being Cinderella. These whimsical stories had quite an influence on me. People have told me my novels read a little bit like modern fairytales. That might be how Summer’s List came into being—from my delight in adding a few fairytale elements to my stories—such as exploring human weaknesses, innocent characters facing malevolent people, an honorable quest in the form of an adventure list, and of course, a happily-ever-after.  

Tell us about the book’s cover and what makes it unique.

My daughter seems to think this is the best cover I’ve ever had on one of my books. Maybe she’s right. I think it’s different because it’s a bright and breezy cover that looks like a summer beach read. I hope you’ll consider taking my characters on vacation with you!

Please explain and differentiate between what’s fact and fiction in the book.

Most of Summer’s List is fiction. However, Laney, the little Chihuahua in the story, was based on a real dog that belonged to my daughter-in-law. Laney was such a blessing to my daughter-in-law, helping her get through a particularly hard crisis in her life. Laney passed away, and Summer’s List is dedicated to the memory of this beloved dog.

How much research did you have to do for this book?

I didn’t have to do a lot of research for this book. At least not as much research as I had to do with my other Moody novel—Winter in Full Bloom—which dealt with identical twins and was partially set in Australia.

What are some of the most interesting things you found about this subject that you weren’t able to use in the story?

I am learning about Cystic Fibrosis because I have a relative who suffers with this terrible disease. I was going to have my hero have a mild form of CF, but in the end, I decided to reserve that character-struggle for a future novel.

What inspired and surprised you while you were writing the book?

I was inspired by Summer’s grandmother because of her growth as a character and her acceptance of God’s will. On the surprise side, I discovered that I can have just as much fun writing male characters as female characters.

What do you hope the reader takes away from the story?

I am hoping readers will be entertained, challenged, and inspired by Summer’s List.

What is the next project you’re working on?

I’m heading out on a new adventure in my writing career. I’m writing young adult books with my daughter, Hillary. I’m very excited about the future, and I hope you will follow along with me on this new journey!

What do you do when you have to get away from the story for a while?

I run errands or read or watch a movie. That all helps me to get recharged so I won’t get burned out or feel like I’ve degenerated into a word-machine. So, refreshment is essential in this creative business.

Please give us the first page of the book.

The engagement ring was stuck—just like her life. Summer glanced toward the heavens and sighed the sigh of love gone awry. Again.

Martin, where are you now, and what would you think of me? Here she was, thirty-three years old, and still floundering in every part of life that mattered. In Martin’s fanciful vernacular, he’d probably say that her life had gone the way of monsters. How true. And so went the mental ramblings of Summer Snow as she continued to twist Elliot’s engagement ring on her finger, trying to pull it off. She looked across the table at her fiancé and said, “Honestly, Elliot, you don’t need a wife. What you need is a good PR person.”

Elliot smoothed a crimp in the linen tablecloth. “You’d think a five-star restaurant could have wrinkle free linens.” He emitted a slow breath that strangled itself into a groan. “Now, no more talk of leaving me, my pearl. You’re going to make the perfect senator’s wife. You’re articulate. You’re beautiful. You can hold a smile for hours.” He grinned. “With a few tweaks, you could be my Summer Eleanor Roosevelt. And with you by my side I now have an eight point lead over my opponent,” he added in his pretend British accent, the one he used when he was kidding around. “Come on. You know I’m joking.”

I can’t wait to see if she gets that ring off. How can readers find you on the Internet?

Feel free to drop by my website at www.anitahigman.com or connect with me on my Facebook Reader Page at https://www.facebook.com/AuthorAnitaHigman. I would love to hear from you!

Thank you, Anita, for sharing this new book with us. I know my readers will be interest in it.

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Summer's List - Christianbook.com
Summer's List - Amaon
Summer's List - Kindle

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