Interview & Giveaway!! Jennifer Delamere ~ An Heiress at Heart!!

Jennifer Delamere is here today with an interview and has included a giveaway (details below!). :)

Welcome to Christian Bookshelf Reviews, Jennifer!! Will you tell us a little about yourself?

Thank you! I’m glad to be here!

I was raised in a military family, so we moved a lot when I was young. It was a habit that continued with me for several years after college. I have been happily settled in North Carolina for a while now, but I still enjoy traveling. Like many writers, I have a “day job” too. I’m an editor of educational materials for standardized school testing.

What is your book, An Heiress at Heart, about?

The book is set in 1851 London. Lizzie Poole is a woman with a dark past who masquerades as a missing heiress in order to discover the truth about her own identity. Unfortunately, she finds herself falling in love with Geoffrey Somerville, the one man that her new identity prevents her from marrying. If she confesses the truth, they could be together--but Lizzie is sure that once Geoffrey learns about her deception he will no longer love her.

Geoffrey has weighty problems of his own. He’s a clergyman who suddenly finds himself elevated to a peer of the realm—he inherits a barony when his two older brothers die. He is dealing with the heartbreak of losing his brothers as well as the pressures of a position he never wanted. On top of all these things, he finds himself attracted to Lizzie, the woman he thinks is his brother’s widow! The circumstances put both of them in a terrible moral bind.

What is something the average reader wouldn't know about you?

I love the old Hollywood musicals. They were so uplifting and fun, and the tunes kept you humming long afterward. As a kid I took jazz and tap lessons so I could mimic what I saw in the movies.

When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?

I wrote short stories and kept a diary when I was in school, and by the time I got to college I decided that what I really wanted to do was write screenplays! I studied film and dabbled in writing while I pursued “real” jobs. Then one day I found a book on screenwriting by Blake Snyder called Save the Cat!  It was charming and funny (as you can guess from the title), and best of all it completely demystified the process of how to construct a ripping good story.

Shortly after reading that book, I took a vacation day from work just to contemplate how I might seriously pursue a writing career. In retrospect I can see that I was following the Biblical admonition to “ponder the paths of thy feet.” Certainly there was prayer involved. On that particular day I went to Blake’s website and discovered he was going to present his plotting workshop in Charleston, South Carolina, in just over a week’s time! I couldn’t believe it! Instead of me having to go to California, here was his workshop an easy half-day’s drive from my home. I knew I had to drop everything and sign up. Happily, my husband agreed with me. We had no idea what might be in store, but we both saw this as a tremendous answer to prayer. When I got there, I discovered that every other attendee was a member of Romance Writers of America, and most were published authors. They introduced me to RWA, and the rest, as they say, is history.

How many books have you written/published and do you have a favorite?

An Heiress at Heart is my first published novel, so I’m awfully partial to it! I am currently working on the next book in the series and enjoying the thrill of falling in love with a new set of characters.

What would you say is your most interesting writing quirk?

Like many writers, I can’t seem to write unless I’ve got a cup of coffee at hand! Also, I have to snack just before writing a particularly tough scene. Somehow it energizes me for the writing. (Wreaks havoc on my diet, though!)

Where do you like to write?

The big leather chair in my living room is a great place to settle in with my laptop and coffee.

What is the best and/or worst part about being a writer?

It’s exciting to brainstorm these stories and see the characters come to life as I write. With the release of my first book, it has been a thrill to meet readers and see their positive reactions to my book. The only real downside is that since I have a “day” job I often have to give up other things I’d like to do in order to keep to my writing deadlines.

What do you like to do when you're not writing?

In the evenings when I’m not writing I enjoy reading or occasionally watching something on Netflix. By day, my husband and I enjoying outdoor activities like hiking and snow skiing. We are also very active in our local Christian fellowship.

Is there a place you’d like to visit, but haven’t yet?

I’d love to visit Greece. One of my favorite authors is Mary Stewart, and many of her classic novels are set there. The way she described the countryside really makes me want to see it. While there I would love to go over to Turkey long enough to see the ancient ruins of Ephesus, which was once a magnificent city and which is described in the Book of Acts as a place where the Word of God lived so powerfully for a time.

Do you have a favorite Bible verse?

Ephesians 3:20: “Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us.”  God not only answers our prayers when we believe, but He does it super abundantly and in ways that are often different (and better!) than we expect.

Do you have a favorite song and/or movie?

My favorite movie is Singin’ in the Rain. One of my favorite songs is an old Gershwin standard called “Our Love Is Here to Stay.” It’s simple, tender, and romantic—especially as performed by Gene Kelly in An American in Paris. My favorite hymn is “Great Is Thy Faithfulness.” It’s a wonderful reminder of God’s love and care for us.

What is your favorite holiday?

Thanksgiving. I love that it’s a time when people of all religions pause and count their blessings. On a less spiritual note, it’s also the time when I start looking forward to winter, because I love downhill skiing!

A few this-or-that questions:

Snowstorms or Thunderstorms?

Snowstorms! Especially if I can spend it in a cozy cabin with a book and anticipate skiing in soft powder once the sun comes out.

Tea or Coffee?

I love both, but I usually drink coffee.

Call or Text?

Call. I have a “dumb phone” with no keyboard for texting!

Early-bird or Night-owl?

A not-too-early bird. I don’t get up at the crack of dawn, but I am definitely my best in the mornings.

Cats or Dogs?

Cats. Our black cat Scout has a great personality--a wonderful blend of independence and friendliness.

Are you currently working on any new novels? If so, could you give us a hint?

I’m working on the next book in the Love’s Grace trilogy, A Lady Most Lovely, which will be out next year. Readers will recognize some characters from An Heiress at Heart. It has as its central plot a marriage of convenience, which is one of my favorite kinds of stories.

Thank you so much for being here! Is there anything else you’d like to tell readers and where can we find you on the web? 

I love Twitter! My Twitter handle is @JenDelamere. I also have a Facebook page, which has been a great place for longer chats with readers (www.facebook.com/jennifer.delamere). Readers can also find updates about my books and blog appearances on my website: www.jenniferdelamere.com/news .

Thank you for having me here today!

Book Giveaway!!

Enter to win a copy of An Heiress at Heart by Jennifer Delamere! Open Internationally! Enter via the Rafflecopter below.

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