A WINNING RECIPE - Bonnie Engstrom - One Free Book

Welcome back, Bonnie. Why do you write the kind of books you do?

Gosh, because they are fun to write. I love romance, and I’ve discovered I love to write in the first person, as I did in Butterfly Dreams. I enjoy putting my heroines and heroes in gut-wrenching emotional situations. Maybe I have a cruel streak in me. I hope that isn’t why.

Besides when you came to know the Lord, what is the happiest day in your life?

Of course the day I married my Dave. But, also the days each of my children were born, and especially when I finally had the daughter I longed for. And, when she had my first grandchild, another daughter. I guess those were days, not just one.

It is hard to choose just one. How has being published changed your life?

I used to think I spent a lot of time at my computer. Now, it’s more – more self-promotion via emails and on Facebook. For years I have moderated a small online prayer chain, a group of women all over the U.S. and one in Norway. That hasn’t changed. My husband gave me a Fit-Bit (hoping to get me to move more?), but I still haven’t worn it.

What are you reading right now?

A Christian romance that is just so-so. So, I put it aside when Ane Mulligan sent me her Chapel Springs Revival, a super entertaining book.

What is your current work in progress?

The sequel to Butterfly Dreams, then a sequel to A Winning Recipe. I recently turned in A Cup of Love, one of my novellas. My publisher combined all three in an anthology called Recipes for Romance.

What would be your dream vacation?

I think I already had it thirty-eight years ago when we went to Sweden to visit Dave’s relatives. I would love to go again, but I don’t think many relatives are still living.

Second place would be to go back to Lake Louise, B.C. where we stayed in the gorgeous resort Dave’s parents spent their honeymoon in.

I’m not terribly adventurous. I’ve been blessed to travel quite a bit, in my younger years, and if I loved a place, I always want to return to it. I guess I’m big on memories.

How do you choose your settings for each book?

Super simple. I really do like to write about places I’ve lived and visited. Newport Beach and Scottsdale are givens because I know every street and entertainment venue; and Family Secret, a novel yet to come, is partially set in Sweden. My latest novella is set in Cambridge Springs, Pennsylvania, of which I have fond memories.

If you could spend an evening with one person who is currently alive, who would it be and why?

Probably Deb Macomber, but Dan Walsh is a close second. Of course I’ve spent a lot of time with wonderful authors at ACFW conferences – Deb Raney, Katy Kushman, Gail Gaymer Martin, Janice Thompson, Cynthia Hickey and you – the list goes on.

As for Deb Macomber, I am fascinated with her non-fiction books, such as One Word and Knit Together, and what inspired her to write them. I would love to pick her brain for ideas for my only non-fiction book, Email Angels.

I’ve spent time with Dan Walsh and his wife. You’d really love them. What are your hobbies, besides writing and reading?

I love to go to real estate open houses. I am an open house junkie. That’s probably what inspired me to write about “the house,” as Kate calls it in A Winning Recipe.

Writing is no longer a hobby, but reading is my one biggie. In addition to seven devotionals each morning, I love to read the newspaper, and I read fiction every night.

What is your most difficult writing obstacle, and how do you overcome it?

The beginning of each story is frustrating and draining for me, except for the beginning of A Winning Recipe. That just popped into my head.

I re-write beginnings until I’m blue in the face, and sometimes have other writers and my husband critique them. Yet, I’m never totally satisfied.

What advice would you give to a beginning author?

The old “never give up” line and pray, pray, pray. God didn’t put stories on your heart for no reason. God doesn’t mumble or stutter, and His Word is never void.

Persist!

Tell us about the featured book.

Kate is a bit of a control freak, who likes to know ahead of time where she is going and what is going to happen. Lance is a go-to guy who eats huge breakfasts and has no problem praying in public in restaurants. Both are meatloaf contestants in a national cooking contest, thus the subtitle Meatloaf Magic for Love Everlasting. Kate resists falling for Lance until he almost forcibly grabs her elbow and steers her to a cab for an evening of coffee and chocolate. She decides it is fun, and at least she isn’t obligated to pay for the cab or the treats. Still, after dating for months, Kate has no clue what Lance does for a living. When he buys a house for them she almost freaks out and ends their relationship. Kate does become rather adept at solving the mystery of the dead roses delivered to her door. Her Golden Retriever Sandy plays a big part in healing their romance, as does Mr. F.F. who owns the company that sponsored the cooking contest.

Note: A few readers had issues with Kate’s Christianity, yet she is a strong believer and a loving person, even to the one person who tries to destroy her romance with Lance. I hope readers will see that in her.

Please give us the first page of the book.

Kate Williams leaned over the snaking line of moving luggage, anchored her feet firmly, bent her legs and reached for her suitcase.

“Watch it!”

A man three times her size elbowed Kate aside. Her suitcase passed by, out of reach. She sent him a venomous glare as he strolled off in his three-piece navy suit. Frustrated, she put her hands on her hips and bit her lip. The bags came around the carousel again, and she snatched at the handle of the oversized case tugging with all the toned muscle in her slender arms. Just when she thought she could pull it over the rubber edge, she lost it.

“Dog gone it!” The black monster with its identifying pink ribbon lumbered around the carousel for the third time. Maybe if she ran to the other side where there were fewer people.

But then she’d have to schlep her bulky carry on, and by the time she got there the errant bag would be back here. It was the crowd around her, people pushing close to get their own bags, that prevented success. If only everyone would give each other a little space. She decided to yell.

“Excuse me!” No one moved. Her voice got louder. “Excuse me!”

Still they ignored her. If she didn’t get through it would pass by—again.

How can readers find you on the Internet?

I love to hear from my readers. I can be contacted at bengstrom@hotmail.com (be sure to put book title or BOOK in the subject line; Facebook https://www.facebook.com/bonnieengstromauthor?fref=ts or check out my website at www.bonnieengstrom.com. You can write to me at 8776 E. Shea Blvd., 106-528, Scottsdale, AZ 85260.

This has been a special treat, Lena, to be interviewed by you. You ask such good questions. Thank you so much for this opportunity.

It's my pleasure to feature you again on my blog.

Readers, here are links to the book. By using one when you order, you help support this blog.

A Winning Recipe: For meatloaf magic and love everlasting - Paperback
A Winning Recipe (Christian Contemporary Romance): For meatloaf magic and love everlasting - Kindle

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