But in the mean time, we have our next author, Tamie Dearan, and her novel Noelle's Golden Christmas. Oh! Before I forget, You can get her novel for $0.99 today, so hurry before the price goes back up! The link is down below.
Could you share a little about yourself and what led you to become a writer?
I’ve been writing songs and poetry since I was a little girl, but wrote my first book, Her Best Match, in 2013 at my daughter’s encouragement.
Do you write full time? How much of your life is set aside for writing?
I wish I could write full-time, but I’m a dentist with my own private practice. I have to sandwich writing between work, family, church, and every other obligation. One of my Karate students was a dentist, (Let's call him Bob), and while the school was in the midst of moving to a new local, many of my students were giving a hand painting and setting up. Bob came rushing in with papers about our overhead signs and after a few minutes he looks at his watch and mutters, "He must be frozen by now," and rushed back out. So I can imagine how you manage to sandwich in writing, LOL.
Could you tell us a little about your novel?
Noelle is a twenty-nine-year-old who hates Christmas because of trauma in her past. She’s single and is beginning to think singlehood is God’s plan for her life. She also has a problem with manufactured guilt because she feels responsible for the happiness of everyone in her life. An interesting combination.
What lead you to choose a Christmas theme?
I love Christmas! I love the decorations, having family around, giving gifts, and eating all the Christmas goodies. Most of all I love celebrating our Lord's birth. So when I decided to write my first Christmas novel, I knew it would have to be a Christian book. I simply couldn't leave Jesus out of Christmas, even in a romantic comedy. However, not everyone who loves Christ enjoys Christmas. I was inspired to write about a girl who feels the opposite of me--a girl who hates the Christmas holidays even though she's a believer. But perhaps this Christmas, Noelle will change her mind. We can feel your love of the season in your words. That is an interesting mix, a believer who hates Christmas. I can't wait to see how it plays out.
Where does the inspiration for your main character and story come from?
Noelle is a composite of several different friends, all of whom I love very much. Did you tell them? I love people's reaction when I tell them
What is the message behind the story? Was it something you specifically wrote a story around or did it develop as your characters came to life?
I wanted to write about an everyday Christian, struggling to learn how to walk in her faith and dealing with her mistakes. And yes, the story developed as the characters came to life. Now that's my favorite kind of writing.
Do you work from an outline or just go with the flow? If you use an outline, how detailed is it?
I am definitely a go-with-the-flow writer. My characters take on a life of their own and write the story. I love how we are surprised by what our characters do in this type of writing. It's such a thrill to write.
What is the time span in your novel, weeks, months, years? How much research went into it?
Noelle’s Golden Christmas takes place in a matter of weeks. This book didn’t require as much research as some of my others, but I did consult closely with a veterinarian.
Could you tell us how you go about your research, how you ‘catalogue’ information to make it all work?
I’m not very organized. I tend to rush into the writing and then do the research on an as-needed basis.
How does this book differ from what you have written in the past?
I’ve written a lot of Romance, but this is my first time to write a Christian Romance.
How have the changes in present-day publishing impacted your schedule as a writer?
I haven’t been writing long enough to recognize the “changes.” I published my first book in December of 2013.
How do you handle marketing? Do you have a plan, a publicist or just take one day at a time?
I take one day at a time, as with most aspects of my life.
Do you have any advice for aspiring authors?
Write for yourself. If you don’t enjoy it, you’ll never make it through the tough times.
Could you tell us what you’re working on now?
I’m working on my first Cozy Mystery and my first short story, another Romance.
Blurb:
When it comes to the Christmas season, Noelle Holiday is a real Scrooge...
December isn't filled with the magic of Christmas for Noelle, just the looming dread she's about to lose something else dear to her. Will she ever be rid of her Christmas curse?
When she adopts an injured shelter dog, she discovers the love of her life... a Golden Retriever named Abby. Perhaps being single is God's plan for her, but at least she isn't alone.
Her meddling family, however, is convinced she needs a man in her life. They introduce her to two irresistible men who couldn't be more alike. Or more different. Both men sweep into her life, testing her faith, and stirring up desire and confusion in equal measure.
If she can just get through this humbug holiday without another heartache!
In the spirit of Hallmark movies, this sweet Christian romantic comedy tells the story of a believer, struggling to implement her faith in her everyday walk and battling fear to find the agape love that drives it away.
Review quotes:
“A beautiful, heart-warming story that makes you believe again in the miracle of Christmas. It has romance, friendship, family bonds, love for stray animals, strong beliefs and spirituality.”
“Noelle's Golden Christmas is a Christian romance that focuses on overcoming fears and guilt. Her characters are so realistic and have a depth that will convince you they are real. They go through struggles that I think many people will be able to relate to, and they find love in ways that are realistic, but beautiful.”
Excerpt:
Let me set this up…
Noelle, a dental hygienist, is having a discussion at work with Nancy, a fellow hygienist.
“How can you ever get asked on a date if you don’t talk to any men in the first place?”
“I talk to men,” Noelle argued.
“Who? What guys have you talked to this week? This month? This year? When have you carried on a single conversation with an eligible guy?”
“I talk to my patients,” Noelle defended. “I can’t help that most of them are unavailable or old enough to be my father or grandfather.”
“Oh! I have a great idea!” Nancy’s grin split her face. “We should trade patients. I’ve got a new one, a man about your age, I think. I was looking at his chart, and he’s single.”
“Is he cute?” What am I asking? I can’t believe I’m actually considering this.
“I don’t know. I could peek into the waiting room and see.”
“No way. Forget it. I don’t want to meet someone while I’m dressed in scrubs wearing a facemask and nerdy glasses anyway. If he’s my age and single, he’s probably a loser. I bet he’s got periodontal disease.”
“Okay, but don’t say I didn’t offer. Not every single person your age is a loser, you know. You’re a perfect example,” Nancy quipped as she departed, without allowing Noelle a chance to retort.
Escaping to her hygiene room, Noelle grabbed the chart for her last patient, a cute six-year-old boy who’d proudly showed her a wiggly tooth on his last visit. Studying the notes as she stepped into the hallway, her shoulder collided with someone, knocking her off balance. A hand grasped her arm in a steadying hold.
“Oh, I’m sorry!” she exclaimed. “I wasn’t watching where I was going.” Startled, Noelle looked up to find a muscular chest, stretching the confines of a cornflower-blue shirt. Nancy’s new patient. Her eyes drifted upward, revealing a pair of broad shoulders. He must be six feet two inches tall… maybe even more.
“No problem, ma’am. I never mind being run over by a beautiful woman.” His deep voice boomed with a definite Texas accent, the resonance sending a warm tingle down her spine.
Taking a step backward and craning her neck, she locked gazes with the most incredible crystal blue eyes she’d ever seen. All coherent thought left her mind as she stared into their depths.
His brows drew downward, while those mesmerizing eyes filled with concern. “Are you okay?”
“I’m… uh…” A hot flush crept up from Noelle’s neck, spreading to the roots of her hair, as blood pounded in her ears. Blinking to break eye contact, she studied his face. His jaw was broad and strong, covered with the short stubble of beard that screamed masculine. His face was perfect, marred only by a tiny white line, a small scar, across his left cheekbone. The words ruggedly handsome came to mind. “I’m fine.” Her voice came out as a squeak.
“Are you Dr. Madison?” As he asked the question, his mouth curved upward, a deep dimple appearing at each corner. His lips parted in a smile to reveal perfectly-aligned teeth.
White teeth. Looks like he bleaches. Healthy gingiva. I bet he’s a daily flosser. Why didn’t I trade with Nancy?
Bio:
Tamie lives with her very romantic husband of thirty-three years. They have two grown daughters
Tamie met her husband as a freshman in college when she acted out of character on a whim. One night in the library lobby, she spied a cute guy with his first name written on the back of his shirt. She called out his name. When he approached to talk to her, she pretended that she'd met him before, asking about his classes and how he liked college. To her surprise and delight, he also pretended that he knew her, but of course he didn't know her name. They continued this false relationship for two months. Each time they saw each other, an event that occurred three times per week at the cafeteria, he would pretend he knew her. Meanwhile, all of Tamie's friends were careful not to reveal her name to him. When he finally admitted his ignorance of her name, he was astonished to learn the truth. And the rest is history.
Links: Want to learn more about Tamie or her books? Check out these links:
Any additional means of contact: http://tamiedearen.wordpress.com/, http://www.pinterest.com/adearen/
Thanks so much for hosting. Love your blog!
ReplyDeleteAw, thanks! I love hosting authors on my blog!, And I couldn't resist, I bought your Christmas book :D
DeleteCan't wait to read it!