Dear Readers, today I am interviewing one of the authors in The Complete Heart Seekers Series. There are a lot more authors. I've actually read two of the books in the series. I'll be glad to read them all together. I think you will, too.
Bio: Jennifer
Hallmark has published articles, short stories and been part of four book
compilations, A
Dozen Apologies, Sweet
Freedom A La Mode, Unlikely
Merger, and Not
Alone: A Literary and Spiritual Companion for Those Confronted with Infertility
and Miscarriage. Jennifer’s website and the group blog
she co-founded focus on her books, love of the South, and helping writers.
Welcome, Jennifer. Tell
us how much of yourself you write into your characters.
A lot. I usually draw on feelings I had from situations I’ve
lived through, both good and bad. It doesn’t have to be the same circumstance.
Just the same emotion: happy, sad, angry, etc.
What is the quirkiest
thing you have ever done?
Hmm. By nature, I’m not too quirky. How’s this? I watch The
Wizard of Oz, the 1939 version, yearly.
When did you first
discover that you were a writer?
When I was nine years old, our English assignment was to
write and illustrate a book of poetry. I was enthralled but no poet. (Think the
cat is fat and sat on a hat) J
Tell us the range of
the kinds of books you enjoy reading.
I read most genres of books. I love the Golden Age detective
stories, fantasy, contemporary women’s fiction and non-fiction books,
especially inspirational help and devotionals.
How do you keep your
sanity in our run, run, run world?
I set boundaries and try to stick to them. I’m introverted
and my alone time is precious to me. I’m learning how to say no.
How do you choose
your characters’ names?
I usually go with what first comes to mind. Sometimes when I
do that, they are too similar. Then I type in men’s or women’s names in a
search engine and narrow it down. In my fantasy series I’m working on, some of
the names have deeper meanings.
What is the
accomplishment that you are most proud of?
Does 33 years of marriage to a man who is your polar
opposite count? If so, that would be it. J
I understand that. I’ve
spent 51 years of marriage with a man who is my polar opposite. But that’s a
good thing. At first, it’s hard, but if you learn that his strengths are your
weaknesses and your strengths are his weaknesses, and you learn to use that
together, it’s wonderful. If you were an animal, which one would you be, and
why?
My first thought is that I would want to fly so let’s say an
eagle. Majestic, brave, and high up on the food chain.
Speaking of food
chain, what is your favorite food?
Any type of potato. And I adore hot tea.
What is the problem
with writing that was your greatest roadblock, and how did you overcome it?
Fear. Fear of failure. Fear of success. Fear of what people
think. I overcome it daily through lots of prayer. I also remind myself of how
far I’ve come and that I truly believe God has a plan and purpose for my life
and it is good.
That is so true. Tell
us about the featured book.
The Heart Seekers Series is a collection of four contemporary
romance novellas.
A Dozen Apologies:
Mara Adkins, a promising fashion designer, has fallen off the ladder of
success, and she can’t seem to get up.
In college, Mara and her sorority sisters played an ugly game, and Mara
was usually the winner. She’d date men she considered geeks, win their
confidence, and then she’d dump them publicly. Now, Mara stumbles, bumbles, and
humbles her way toward employment and toward possible reconciliation with the
twelve men she humiliated.
The Love Boat Bachelor:
What’s a sworn bachelor to do on a Caribbean
cruise full of romance and love? Brent will either have to jump ship or embrace
the unforgettable romantic comedy headed his way.
Unlikely Merger: If her best friend has her way, Mercy will
simply marry one of the single, available men she meets, but they overwhelm
her. So handsome and kind. And so many. Even if she felt obliged, how could she
ever choose?
The Christmas Tree
Treasure Hunt: Grace takes delivery of a package and her life is turned
upside down by nine sealed mystery envelopes from her late grandmother.
Grammie’s instructions require Grace to take the journey of her lifetime, not
only to far off places, but also into the deepest parts of her heart. As she
follows the trail laid out for her and uncovers her family’s darkest secrets,
Grace is forced to confront the loss and betrayal that has scarred her past and
seek the greatest Christmas Treasure of all.
Please give us the
first page of the book.
Mara Adkins
opened the door to her parents’ house with the key she hadn’t used in over five
years. Good. Some things never changed. She toted her huge suitcase containing
the only possessions she had left in the world over the threshold. She rolled
the luggage forward and stopped.
What had
happened to the dark draperies and the heavy furniture her father swore he
couldn’t live without, the ones that her parents fought over constantly? In the
place of the light-stealing swags hung lightweight pale blue curtains. Sheers
floated in a cool breeze sweeping through her family home. The dark plaids of
the red, green, and yellow sofa and chairs and the dark oak tables were
replaced with a cream colored couch and beige and soft blue striped chairs. The
tables were cherry wood.
She took a
deep breath. Yeah, she hadn’t called home much, but surely her mother would
have mentioned the fact that she’d murdered Dad and placed him in a freezer.
However, Dad—if he’d offed Mom—wouldn’t say a word. He never spoke much. Just
sat and watched television. She’d never know about an untimely demise until she
arrived home. Like now.
Her only hope
was that whichever spouse survived, they hadn’t changed her childhood room. She
lifted the heavy tote and made her way up the stairs. When she got to the door,
she put her hand on the doorknob, closed her eyes, and pushed the door open.
“There’s no place like home. There’s no place like home. There’s no place like
home.” She peered inside and released a whoosh of breath. “Sanctuary.” She
rolled the suitcase beside her French provincial dresser. Some would call her
bedroom furnishings old fashioned. She preferred vintage. After all, in high
school, and in college, she’d been the trendsetter. She’d carried that into her
career as well, and look where it had gotten her.
Right now, Spartanburg , South
Carolina , was the last place on earth she wanted to
return, but she found great comfort in falling onto the canopied bed of her
youth. Despite everything that had happened to her, Mara had a sneaking,
stinking suspicion that she deserved what had happened to her…
How can readers find
you on the Internet?
I enjoy social media so you can find me on Facebook. I have
a personal page there
and an author page.
I’m also on Twitter and Pinterest. My website is http://www.jenniferhallmark.com and
group blog is http://writingpromptsthoughtsideas.wordpress.com.
It is my pleasure to introduce both you and the book to my readers.
Readers, here are links to the book. By using one when you order, you help support this blog.
The Heart Seekers Series: (Plus FREE Bonus of #1 Bestseller) - paperback
The Heart Seekers Series - Kindle
Leave a comment for a chance to win a free copy of the Ebook. You must follow these instructions to be in the drawing. 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:
Http://lenanelsondooley.blogspot.com
23 comments:
Each book sounds wonderful. I would be honored to to the lucky winner of this collection.
California
lkish77123 at gmail dot com
Thanks for stopping by, Linda! We had fun writing the books :)
would love to win. Angela in KY
I've read "The love boat Bachelor" and actually voted for the girl who ended up being picked! I've wanted to read the first one and I'm excited about these other books. Sign me up!
J.C. -Indiana-
All of these sound like great reads. Thanks for this giveaway.
Merry Christmas!
Connie from KY
cps1950(at)gmail(dot)com
Thanks, Anonymous. The girl in The Love Boat Bachelor is a great character. Maybe you'll win. If not, you can get the Kindle version of all four books for only 99 cents in December. :)
Hi, Connie! Thanks for the visit!
What a fabulous collection.
Mary P|
QLD AUSTRALIA
It's so great to read the interview. I love that. Greetings from Europe
I'd love to read a story set in Spartanburg. I live just one county over in Greenville.
I do enjoy collections and this one sounds great!
Dee S from NEBR
Thanks, Mary!
Glad you dropped by for a visit, Jedidja!
You'll love it, BJM!
Hi, Dee! Glad to see you here :)
Oh this sounds so good. kamundsen44ATyahooDOTcom North Platte NE
I feel sure my wife would enjoy these and I probably would also. She reads hundreds of books each year.
Edward A in VA
I love to read a series all at one time!
MeLoDy from Donna, TX
Thanks, Kim!
I know she would, Edward!
I do too, Melody! You'd enjoy it!
Love that first page blurb, Jennifer! These books sound fun!
Pam in OH
Thanks for dropping by, Pam! It is a fun read...
Post a Comment