HER VALENTINE PROMISE - Bonnie Engstrom - One Free Book

Welcome back, Bonnie. What are some of the spiritual themes you like to write about?

A few of my minor characters are unsaved, but most of the major ones are Christians who struggle with answers about what God is doing in their lives. I have underlying situations in every story that the heroines have to overcome with strong faith. Physical abuse is one (although all off stage), alcoholism is another, fear of not being in control is also another. Book four of the Candy Cane Girls Series will have a surprise. I met the hero the other day at the bank! I can’t wait to write about him, but I can’t decide who will fall in love with him – Connie or Doreen or Melanie. Maybe Emily. Mmm.

I love the covers for her Candy Cane Girl Series. Here’s the cover for her Christmas one.

What other books of yours are coming out soon?

The third book in The Candy Cane Girls Series should be out next month. I haven’t titled it yet, but I’m toying with Her Wild Ride. It will feature two girls instead of just one – Natalie and Candy. There are six original Candy Canes, members of a winning high school swim team, and one honorary one, Melanie. All the women are currently in their mid-twenties, but still fast friends. There is potential for an extended series beyond the Candy Canes themselves. Several of their parents, especially their mothers, are begging me to tell their stories, too. Also, a few minor characters have special stories to share. One story may even be told from a cat’s perspective. Star, the cat, has a lot to say.

The Candy Cane series is set in Newport Beach, California, as are some of my other books. Some others, including my debut novel Butterfly Dreams, are set in Scottsdale, Arizona. There is one on the back burner set in Cambridge Springs, Pennsylvania, and another partially set in Sweden and Norway. I do not make up towns or cities, but I do make up fictional businesses and homes. During a book signing for Butterfly Dreams one of the women asked me exactly where the coffee shop is in Scottsdale because she wanted to visit it. She was disappointed when I told her it was a fictional place. But another reader loved recognizing the streets.

If you could spend an evening with one contemporary person (not a family member of yours), who would it be and why?

I would love to spend time with Debbie Macomber. I missed doing that at the ACFW conference where she was the keynote speaker. I love her Cedar Cove series, but I have a fond memory of the personal email she sent to me some years ago. I had asked her if she was a Christian because although she doesn’t write for CBA, her stories seem to reveal her faith. In her email she told me the exact date when she had accepted Christ. I treasure that letter.

I didn’t really get to spend time with her at the ACFW conference in Denver, but I did have my picture taken with her. I treasure that. What historical person would you like to meet (besides Jesus) and why?

I had to think about that for a while. I’ve decided if I could only meet one, I would like to spend a few hours with Martin Luther King, Jr. He had such a passion for his beliefs, and it’s really because of him so much progress has been made in integration. But not enough. I imagine him looking down from heaven with tears on his face.

How can you encourage authors who have been receiving only rejections from publishers?

I think if you really believe you have a story to tell, if God put story-telling on your heart, you should trust the reason why. If only one person’s faith is changed you have done your job and honored Him. My biggest fan is a Jewish friend who devours my books. Only God knows why.

Tell us about the featured book.

Here is the back cover blurb for Her Valentine Promise:

The Candy Canes are a tight knit group; the six girls are like sisters. They share everything from successes to secrets. Even marriage doesn’t keep them apart. Then …

Cindy caught the bridal bouquet, and Rob caught the blue garter. Neither of them believed in fate or tradition. But, something happened when she stepped on his toes dancing.

When Rob agreed to help his brother by working in the Love In Bloom Floral Shop while Braydon was on his honeymoon, he asked Cindy to join him. He didn’t know what to expect, especially over Christmas break. Would she take over with her promotional ideas and anger his mother, the owner?

Would their relationship flower? Could Cindy accept Rob’s secrets? How would that change her love for him? And, what about Emily, the woman who claimed Rob loved her?

Cindy has decisions to make. She is supposed to receive her unique engagement ring on Valentine’s Day. Should she accept it, or say no to Rob because of the secrets he recently shared? If she accepts, they will have a lifelong commitment and have a wedding on the beach. Is she strong enough to go through with the plan, or should she back out and be safe?

Please give us the first page of the book.

This is the prologue:

“Ouch!”

“What?”

“You stepped on my toes.”

He said it so matter of factly that Cindy wondered if he was kidding. She looked down at his  black patent shoes. Aw, oh. A scuff on the right one. Guess Rob was right. Question was … his fault for not being a good leader or hers for being a bad follower?

“Sorry.”

“S’okay.” He pulled her closer, and she felt her body melt into the warmth of his.

How can readers find you on the Internet?

I can be reached at my email bengstrom@hotmail.com (be sure to put the word BOOK in the subject line); via my website www.bonnieengstrom.com and my author page on Face Book. I love to hear from my readers, so please contact me, and be sure to sign up for my upcoming fun newsletter.

Thank you, Bonnie, for sharing this new book with us.

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

Her Valentine Promise (The Candy Cane Girls) (Volume 2) - Paperback
Her Valentine Promise (The Candy Cane Girls Book 2) - Kindle

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