Today I am interviewing Gaynell Parker, author of the contemporary Christian romance Dear Maddie. Gaynell, I’m excited to have you here with me today. Let’s start by telling us a little bit about yourself.

I’m happily married to a wonderful man, we have 7 children and 4 grandkids.  When I’m not writing I’m painting – and try to read as much as possible.  I love nature, especially flowers and birds.  I live in a lovely area of Utah, but I’d love to live on the beach or way up in the mountains so summer would be cooler!

What is Dear Maddie about?

Maddie writes a lovelorn column for a local paper.  It’s decided that she has to run a contest for a date with her.  Picking the date is the most difficult thing she’s ever done, and then she falls for the winner.  It’s a sweet romance that has a few twists.

Do you have a day job?

Yes, I work for a school district, so summers are my favorite time of year.  I discovered a site almost 15 years ago called NaNoWriMo that encourages aspiring writers to write 50,000 words in a month.  That has taught me a lot about meeting a set goal of words each day.

Are you a plotter or a panster? 

I am a pantser!  Though, there have been times I’ve fully plotted a story out, and I’ve been glad I did it.

What are your three favorite books? 

That’s a hard question!   Coast Road…which is a romance.  The Summer House…which is kind of a romance, but a bit of fantasy; and Beauty – a retelling of the story of Beauty and the Beast.

What does your family think of your writing?

 Fortunately they think I’m pretty good at it, and they’re pretty patient…  I’m lucky that there aren’t any little children and everyone can contribute to making dinner and cleaning so when I really get going, the house doesn’t totally fall apart.

Do you experience writer’s block? What do you do to get through it?

 I don’t experience it very often…and usually stepping away for a bit and then coming back helps.  Or, working on something else.  Sometimes even a mad-write will do the trick.

Excerpt from Dear Maddie:

My heartbeat was loud in my ears as I watched him approach, his eyes warm. I opened my mouth to say something, but he pulled me into his arms and kissed me. I was vaguely aware of the audience clapping and hooting, but my world shrank to the strong arms around me and the warm lips on mine. Oh my.

As suddenly as he’d kissed me, he let me go and steadied me on my feet. I gulped and tried to get my brain to function.

Jason frowned and inserted himself between us. “Okay, young man, there’ll be no more of that.”

Nick wasn’t the least bit repentant as he grinned at me, and I was glad, despite my blushing cheeks. “My name is Nick.” He told the audience, who were still cheering. “I’ve wanted to kiss her for a long time.”

Where can readers find you online?

My Website: Gparkerartwork.com  

Twitter: @GParkerartworks

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Gaynell-Parker/e/B0714BL3Z6?r

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/16577174.Gaynell_Parker

Dear Maddie releases August 18, 2020!

https://www.anaiahpress.com/s/shop

My guest today is Beverly Varnado, author of the contemporary Christian romance, A Plan for Everything. Beverly, I am so pleased to have you join me today. Let’s start by telling us a little bit about yourself.

I am a novelist, screenwriter, and blogger who writes to give readers hope in the redemptive purposes of God. I’ve written a nonfiction memoir as well as several novels and screenplays, one of which was a finalist for the Kairos Prize in Screenwriting. I also have pieces in anthologies and periodicals. I’m an artist, so when I’m not writing I’m working on a new painting. I live in Georgia with my husband, Jerry, and our chocolate Aussiedor who is outnumbered by several cats. I am Mom to three children and Mimi to two grandchildren.

What is your A Plan for Everything about?

Connie’s Coffee and Cones is thriving and owner Connie Spencer believes it’s because of her remarkable ability to plan. In fact, she thinks she has a plan for everything until Michael Cole appears in Worthville with an agenda of his own which threatens to derail all Connie hopes for professionally. Even so, Connie finds herself attracted to Michael, but the troubles mount as Michael carries a secret that could cause a backlash for them both. An accident on a rain slicked highway presents Connie with a dilemma she never saw coming and she begins to question if her plans are enough. As she searches for the answer, she must come to terms with her deepest hurt in order to embrace a higher plan for her future.

Who was your favorite character to create?

Connie Spencer showed up in the first book in this series, The Key to Everything. She was such an intriguing character, I wondered what her back story was. So I began to pursue that. My friend, Terry Kay, who wrote To Dance with the White Dog and The Valley of Light, both developed into Hallmark movies, says “We don’t write to tell a story. We write to discover a story.” The story I discovered when I began digging into Connie Spencer’s past was she carried a deep hurt―one that fueled so much of how she lived her life. This hurt is what brings her to a moment of decision.

What does your family think of your writing?

My family has always encouraged me. During the time I was struggling to be published, their belief in me never failed.

What book or author has inspired you the most?

Jan Karon’s Mitford series is at the top of the list. Jan Karon took the time to communicate with me at one point at the beginning of my writing journey and encouraged me to write, so she and her work will always be dear to me. I hope my readers can see a little of her influence in what I write. Karon has such an interesting personal story of perseverance despite overwhelming odds. I’d love to talk to her about what inspired her to keep pushing toward her dream of seeing At Home in Mitford published. I keep hoping I will meet her someday.

What’s next for you as an author?

I just received the exciting news that A Season for Everything, a Christmas novella I finished during the pandemic quarantine has been accepted and will release December 11. It is the third book in this series set in Worthville, Georgia.

Where can readers find you online?

My weekly blog, One Ringing Bell, peals of words on faith, living, writing, and art at oneringingbell.blogspot.com. Also at http://www.BeverlyVarnado.com , on my Facebook author page https://www.facebook.com/BeverlyVarnadoAuthor, Twitter @VarnadoBeverly, or BeverlyVarnado on Instagram.

Beverly Varnado’s Contemporary Romance Novels:

A Key to Everything: https://amzn.to/3639f9p

Available on Amazon / FREE with Kindle Unlimited

A Plan for Everything  https://www.amazon.com/Plan-Everything-Beverly-Varnado-ebook/dp/B082WK758L/

Available on Amazon / FREE with Kindle Unlimited

I’m excited to bring you the cover reveal for Dear Maddie, a contemporary romance coming in August from Anaiah Press:

About the Book

The public turns to her with their relationship woes, but does she really know anything about love?

“Dear Maddie – My boyfriend and I have been together for almost two years, but…”

Maddie never dreamed she’d be writing a newspaper column to the lovelorn. Her co-workers think her nights are filled with glamourous dates, but in reality, her life is boring. Until the day her boss insists on running a contest to win a dream date… with her.

Now Maddie is searching for someone genuine in the mountain of letters from fame- seekers, braggarts, mama’s boys, and stalkers. Does God’s plan include finding true love through a marketing stunt? Or will she only have more loveless fodder for her column?

About the Author

Gaynell Parker has been writing since she was 12.  When not writing, she’s painting, cooking and tries to read anything she can get her hands on.  She lives with her wonderful husband, assorted children and animals and loves to hear from her readers. 

Drum roll, please!

Cover reveal:

You can find the author at:

Email Paintingspaz@gmail.com  

Website   https://www.gparkerartwork.com/new-published-books.html

Blog  https://gparkerpencilandpaint.blogspot.com/