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Welcome to
Christian Bookshelf Reviews, Regina!! Will you tell us a little about yourself?
You bet. I married my high school
sweetheart before graduating from Oklahoma Baptist University with a degree in
English and a history minor. My professional life included employment at The
Mustang News and First Baptist Church of Mustang, along with time at the
Oklahoma National Stockyards. I currently write historical romance for Bethany
House and homeschool my four children.
What is
your newest book, Love in the Balance, about?
Bailey Garner is an earnest young
cowhand with a reputation for godliness, but he knows he’s got everyone fooled.
In a search for accountability, Bailey pops up before the church and confesses
a temptation that continues to beset him. Of course it doesn’t take much
imagination for the congregation to surmise that the block he’s stumbling over
closely resembles beautiful, sassy Molly Lovelace.
For a year, Molly’s parents have
been after her to drop Bailey and marry for money. Now he’s asking for some
time and space to make himself worthy of her, robbing Molly of her best friend
and support. When her family’s finances force a decision, how will she choose
between her duty and her heart?
Love in
the Balance is a
sequel-like to Sixty Acres and a Bride. Do you plan on writing
more novels with characters from these books?
Oh, yeah. The third book in the Ladies of Caldwell County
series, Caught in the Middle, is the
mysterious Anne Tillerton’s story. Although the story stands alone, readers
will get to see more of Bailey and Molly as they watch her brother Nick try to
manage Anne’s reentry into society.
What is
something the average reader wouldn't know about you?
I’m a huge fan of European history,
particularly British History. How did I end up writing cowboy books? Well,
knights and cowboys have a lot in common when you think about it. They ride,
they fight, they love their land and they know how to treat a lady. The accent
is a bit different, but when you’re reading you can supply your own voice.
When did
you first realize you wanted to be a writer?
I’ve
always wanted to be a writer. In the sixth grade a friend and I wrote a sequel
to Gone with the Wind. It was epic,
all 30 pages of it, but it wasn’t until 2010 that I made a second effort to
write something marketable.
How many
books have you written/published and do you have a favorite?
Love in the Balance is my second book. Since then
I’ve written a novella and two more full-length novels that are currently being
revised and edited. The novella comes out this December and the novels will be
out over the next few years. And my favorite book changes constantly. Usually
it’s whichever one is giving me less grief at the time.
What would
you say is your most interesting writing quirk?
Because of
the kids, I rarely get uninterrupted time to write. I drag my laptop with me
everywhere and maybe only get a paragraph here or there. Eventually I have to
go somewhere quiet and really polish it, but that first draft is written on the
run.
Where do
you like to write?
Anywhere
and everywhere. I have a desk. I have a bed. Sometimes if I’m waiting for the
kids at choir practice I’ll hide in an empty Sunday School classroom or sit in
the car.
What is
the best and/or worst part about being a writer?
The best
part is getting to share stories. I love stories. I love telling stories, but I
don’t necessary want to be the center of attention. Books let me tell stories
without everyone looking at me. J
The worst
part is just the time it takes. I enjoy researching, writing, even revising,
but I have to fight Mommy-guilt. There’s always something else you can do for
your children and there’s always more polishing you can do on a manuscript, but
you can’t do both at the same time.
What do
you like to do when you're not writing?
I read a
lot, of course. I also like to travel, play the piano and play games with the
kids. And then in the fall there’s college football.
What is
your favorite genre to read and why?
No
surprises here. My favorite genre is historical romance, although well-written
historical non-fiction is even more captivating.
Is there a
place you’d like to visit, but haven’t yet?
This fall
we’re headed to the UK. I’ve been to London once, but didn’t get to spend much
time there. This time we’re going to hit London, Bath, Stratford, York and
Edinburgh. Excited!
Do you
have a favorite Bible verse?
It changes
all the time, but here’s one that’s blessing me recently:
“It is
vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows, For
so He gives His beloved sleep.” – Psalm 127:2
This
reminds me to stop striving and rest in God. Without His help my efforts are in
vain, anyway.
Do you
have a favorite song?
This
changes, too. As of July 2013 my favorite song would be “I Will Wait” by
Mumford and Sons.
A few
this-or-that questions:
Snowstorms
or Thunderstorms? Thunderstorms, although in Oklahoma they are deadly.
Call or
Text? I like email because I’m less likely to lose my laptop than my
phone.
Early-bird
or Night-owl? Strong early-bird. It’s in my DNA. I can’t sleep late even
when exhausted.
Are you
currently working on any new novels? If so, could you give us a
hint?
The next project to be released is a Texas-sized novella
collection in December 2013. A Match Made
in Texas includes novellas by Karen Witemeyer, Carol Cox, Mary Connealy and
me. Writing with these authors has been all kinds of fun. I can’t wait for this
collection to be released.
Then, next spring Caught
in the Middle will be released. It begins with Anne Tillerton saving Nick
Lovelace’s life during a train robbery. Although more suited to her job as a
buffalo hunter, Anne must stay in town when she’s left with an unexpected
bundle…of joy. She turns to Nick for help finding the child’s parents, but he’s
even less equipped to manage a baby than she is. His association with the
unconventional Anne threatens his political aspirations, but can he turn his
back on the woman who saved his life?
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?
Thank you for inviting me! I’m so appreciative of my
readers. You wouldn’t believe how encouraging your notes, emails and comments
are. I want to thank you all for making this dream come true and I pray that
God keeps letting me bring you stories.
I love hearing from y’all online. You can find me
here -
Book Giveaway!
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Love in the Balance by Regina Jennings! Giveaway is only open to
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