LOVE IN PICTURES - Alexis A Goring - One Free Book

Bio: Alexis A. Goring is a passionate writer with a degree in Print Journalism and an MFA in Creative Writing. She loves the art of storytelling and hopes that her stories will connect readers with the enduring, forever love of Jesus Christ.

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

I write Contemporary Romance books (fiction) and devotionals (nonfiction) because I want to infuse hope into situations that seem hopeless in real-life.

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

Wow that’s quite a question that I’m not sure how to answer because I’ve had many happiest days of my life! But when it comes to my writing, I’d have to say that the happiest day of my life was when I received my complimentary copy of my first published book Hope in My Heart: A Collection of Heartwarming Stories. Everything really came together for that book and the Hand of God was over everything, especially with the creation of my dream book cover design by Brenda McClearen and her creative team in Nashville, Tennessee!

  

How has being published changed your life?

Being a published author has changed my life in the way of more people knowing my name and reading my work. It’s been an adventure filled with book signing events, author interviews on blogs, podcast interviews like the ones with Mantle Rock Publishing, radio interviews like the one with WGTS 91.9 FM and LIVE television interviews to promote my books!

What are you reading right now?

Right now, I am reading Building Friendships that Fit by Holly Furtick. She’s the wife of Pastor Steven Furtick who is the lead pastor of Elevation Church in North Carolina. The ministry that God’s given Pastor Furtick and his wife is beautiful and making such a positive impact on people around the world!

Praise the Lord for that. What is your current work in progress?

My current work in progress is a food and romance story about a formerly fat baker who is now every woman’s dream catch. But he’s not dating every woman who throws herself at him because his heart is set on the one girl he loved at first sight in high school. However, he was too shy to ask her on a date. What he does not know is that the same girl grew up to become a food writer and she works at the magazine office down the block from his family-owned bakery!

Sounds interesting. I’ll want to feature it on my blog when is releases. What would be your dream vacation?

Another great question that I don’t know how to answer because I have several dream      vacation spots! But if I had to choose just one place to visit for now then I’d say Paris, France, because it may or may not be an international setting in my next book! *Hint, hint!

How do you choose your settings for each book?

Pure imagination helped by my favorite settings in movies, TV shows, and real-life experience.

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

Ben Patton (the brother of former Bachelorette JoJo Fletcher, who was a contestant on Ready for Love) because he seems like a fascinating person!

What are your hobbies, besides writing and reading?

Photography and food! I love to practice natural-light photography. I have an eye for color and design that compliments my clients’ complexion and brings out their natural beauty. I also love good food. I love cooking it, baking it, buying it, and sharing it with loved ones!

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

My most difficult writing obstacle is writing fiction stories when my heart is troubled by the woes of the world or a situation in my real life. I still have not completely overcome it.

What advice would you give to a beginning author?

The advice I would give to a beginning author would be to never quit if this is a dream that God placed on your heart. Pray about it and work at it. Keep writing! But don’t just write, read! Read books by notable authors who write books in the genre that you want to write. Study books on the craft of writing. Maybe even take a few creative writing classes at your local community college or university. Be encouraged in your journey because if God wants you to become a writer and you work for it, it will happen!

Tell us about the featured book.

My newest novella, Love in Pictures, was published in June 2018. It’s a Contemporary Romance about a wedding photographer (Michelle) who’s never been in love until she meets the one man (Logan) who she cannot forget. Logan is recovering from a bad breakup with his fiancée. She ended their engagement to pursue her dream career in another country, leaving him heartbroken in Maryland. Since then, he’s focused on his work as he climbs the Journalism career ladder while steering clear of the dating scene. But something about Michelle awakens Logan’s desire to love again.

Please give us the first page of the book.

Michelle Hadley stared at the Lightroom editing screen on her computer and studied the newlywed couple she’d captured in the photo.

The bride held a beautiful bouquet of soft blue and pastel pink hydrangeas near her waist, while the handsome groom with skin the color of coffee stood close behind her, holding her in a loving embrace, kissing her forehead.

Michelle sipped her favorite green tea as she sat and worked at Marie's Mocha Café and sighed. The forehead kiss. So romantic. Meant he loved her brains, not just her beauty.

The bride’s olive skin glowed, and her dark brown tresses cascaded down her shoulders and rested at her waist. She peered at the flowers she held in her manicured hands, her golden-brown eyes sparkling, a sweet smile tugging at the corner of her lips. Everything about this picture showed that this couple was in love and happy to say I do, not only on their wedding day, but every day they spent together thereafter.

Ah, love. Something she might never experience.

She bit her bottom lip. Would she ever meet a great guy and be blessed with a real-life happily ever after?

She reached for her cup and took a sip to the calming accompaniment of the smoothie machine.

She tapped her fingers on her computer keyboard and opened Facebook Messenger. Writing messages to her best friend, Juliana Fernandes, who worked as a writer for Bridal Mode Magazine, also soothed her nerves.

Michelle: Hey, girl. What’s up?

Juliana: Michelle, mi amiga, it’s been such a long day! Want to meet me for lunch? I could      

use a little girl talk.

Michelle: Sorry. I’m editing photos, and I’m on deadline.

Juliana: Oh yes, my lovely friend the wedding photographer who’s all work and no play.

Michelle: What do you mean?

Juliana: You never make time for fun.

Michelle: Yeah, I do. I meet up with you, and we go shopping and for coffee.

Juliana: Yes, and I love our time together, but girl, you need to meet a man and go out on a   

date, several dates, with several eligible bachelors. I could find one for you. I meet plenty in

my line of work.

Michelle: Aren’t most of those men you interview getting married?

Juliana: Oh yeah, that’s right. L But they have brothers, cousins and friends! Amiga, I could

totally hook you up!

Michelle: Lol. Thanks, but no thanks. God is my matchmaker.

Juliana: Yeah? Well, sometimes God uses good friends like me to pull the strings.

Michelle: Sorry to cut this short, but I need to get back to work.

Juliana: And then you do that.

Michelle: Do what?

Juliana: When I get too close to the truth, you end the conversation.

Michelle: Jules, you’re taking this way too personal.

How can readers find you on the Internet?

They can find everything about me as a creative professional on my official website, https://alexisagoring.jimdo.com.

Thanks for the interview, Lena!

And thank you, Alexis, for sharing this book with my blog readers and me. I’m eager to read it, and I’m sure they are, too.

Readers, here is a link to the book.

Love in Pictures

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