THE COMPLETE HEART SEEKERS SERIES (Bundled) - Jennifer Hallmark - One Free Ebook

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.

Thanks so much for allowing me to visit!

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

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