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PM: Thank you so much for joining us today, Denise! I appreciate you taking the time out of your busy schedule to chat with me!

DW: Thank you for having me!

PM: If you couldn’t be a writer, what career path do you think you’d choose to be on?

DW: Probably the one I almost chose rather than a degree in journalism with a history minor — preservation/restoration. My parents took me to historic sites across the Southeast as I was growing up. They expected me to be bored during long-winded tours, but I was listening intently and would start asking questions. I just love old houses and how they whisper the stories of the past. In fact, my Restoration Trilogy and my new contemporary release, Fall Flip, are romances centered around restoration projects.

PM: I have a love for old homes as well, I always enjoyed looking at them and wondering about the people that used to live there! If we were to open you your refrigerator right now, what would we find in it?

DW: LOL. Not a lot, because my college age daughter and my high school age daughter keep it cleaned out. Eggs, fresh fruit, two casseroles, lunch meat and cheese, and, um, a whole shelf of various flavors of coffee creamers.

PM: I see you write both historical and contemporary fiction – which genre do you prefer?

DW: I enjoy both for different reasons, but my roots are with the historicals. Especially since I’m also an editor for historical fiction and romance.

PM: What’s the most difficult thing about writing characters from the opposite gender?

DW: That question makes me smile because I just taught a class at the North Georgia Christian Writers’ Conference on that very thing. I actually love writing from the male POV. The differences in the way a masculine hero and a feminine heroine think and communicate makes for great romantic tension.

PM: I completely agree with you on that! I love getting the different perspectives, too. If there was a news story about your life, what would the headline say?

DW: Construction Zone: Work in Progress

(me AND my stories)

PM: That is so well said! Do you ever get “too attached” to your characters? And if so, do you want to share which one?

DW: Too attached in terms of not wanting them to be edited, or too attached in that I want to have conversations with them and I miss them when they’re gone? LOL. I’ve gone through enough editing rounds that I realize all characters need some polishing, but I did become rather sad when I finished writing my most recent work in progress this past spring. It’s about a mixed-blood Cherokee son of a chief — he’s actually a student at the mission school in The Witness Tree, my recent historical release — who grows up to fight in the Cherokee Regiment against the Red Stick Creeks in 1813-14. Sam falls in love with his colonel’s daughter, Susanna. It’s an exciting frontier romance that my publisher is shopping right now. It was hard for me to “come in from” the Alabama wilderness back to modern life.

Thankfully, I’m not the only one who seems to have trouble keeping my characters on the page. My Restoration Trilogy was inspired by the renovation my parents did on a doctor’s house and apothecary shop. They frequently have visitors who ask if their bedroom is “Michael’s room.”

PM: You have got me so interested in reading these books now! I take it you live in Georgia, which is where my hubs is from, have you lived there all your life? What would you tell someone who has never been there is the best part of Georgia?

DW: Oh, how neat! Where is your husband from? I have lived in Georgia my whole life — except for a brief stint at Asbury University in Kentucky. The thing I love most about our state is its varied topography — from the mountains to the coast to the piedmont to the South Georgia pines.

PM: My hubs is from a little near Augusta….GO DAWGS! What are you reading for fun right now?

DW: I’m part of Elva Cobb Martin’s endorsement/launch team for her November release, Marisol: Spanish Rose. When I’m not writing or editing myself, a lot of my fiction reading is to help endorse, beta read, and promote for author friends.

PM: That is so generous of you! I know they must appreciate your assistance so much. When do you find the time to write? Where is your favorite place to write?

DW: Whenever my family is gone to work and school — because I work from my kitchen island. One day … sigh … one day, I might have an office with a door that closes. 🙂

PM: How can readers keep up with you and your new releases?

Thank you so much for asking. I’d love to connect with new readers on social media.

Connect with Denise here:

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Denise Weimer writes historical and contemporary romance and romantic suspense set in her home state of Georgia. She’s authored over nine novels and a number of novellas. As a managing editor at Smitten Historical Romance and Heritage Beacon Fiction, Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas, she also helps others reach their publishing dreams. A wife and mother of two daughters, Denise always pauses for coffee, chocolate, and old houses.

PM: Finally, coffee or tea? Cream, sugar?

DW: Coffee in the morning and tea in the afternoon. And for sure, Stevia and flavored creamer!

I am so thrilled to have Tanya Stowe in for coffee with us today! Please help me give her a warm welcome!

PM: I must tell you, I was so surprised when reading your bio on your website! What a fascinating life you have! One of my all time favorite authors from back “in the day” was LaVyrle Spencer! In fact her book Bittersweet was one of my absolute favorites, I was only in my twenties when I read it the first time and I searched high and low to get it in hardback after reading the paperback to the point of destruction, lol! Did you get to meet her in person?

TS: Yes, I did meet LaVyrle Spencer at a conference many, many years ago. She was a very gracious, kind lady who did not enjoy the spotlight.

PM: That is so nice to hear! I was also shocked about you having 20 grandchildren! Are you able to spend time with most of them?

TS: I actually have 21 grandchildren, my youngest is 3 and the oldest is 28. In the past I was very close to my grandchildren. It has been more difficult to sustain that closeness since we’ve been on the road. But we always spend Christmas with the family and we’re working on spending time in the summer with our grandchildren. We like to take them on the road with us whenever we can and we always take the high school graduates on a road trip. I look forward to those especially!

PM: I bet they will have some wonderful memories! When do you find the time to write? Where is your favorite place to write?

TS: I used to have an office which gave me a lot of silent time. My husband is very good about giving me time and space to write but we’re in a small space and he can’t help but rattle around. So I get up at 5:30 every morning to write in that silence, just to get me started. Once I get rolling, nothing stops me.

PM: What was your favorite subject in school?

TS: I had two. English and history. I took every English class available at my high school and usually ended up working ahead because I loved it so much.

PM: Do you have any family pets that currently own you?

TS: No. Our dog passed away while we were still overseas and since we knew we would be in transition when we returned, we decided to leave things the way they were. Because we are always on the move or sight-seeing we have no regrets.  

PM: Aww, so sorry for your loss! What have been some of your favorite travels in the motor-home?

TS: Once we were parked on a high mesa on the Navajo reservation with no electricity or running water. Our camp looked out over the vast flat lands south. When the sun set the sky turned pink and mauve and purple and in the distance, we could see storm clouds and lightning that streaked the sky downward and seemed to hit the ground. It was beautiful. Last summer we were in Oklahoma City after a beautiful day. Later that night when we were preparing for bed, I saw lightning in the sky, flashing like a strobe light. A storm with 60-80 mile an hour winds and hail the size of softballs was headed our way. Fortunately, it passed us by, but it gave me a taste of what life in tornado alley is like. I love feeling, smelling and tasting our country at its grass roots. Those are the things that add depth to my stories.

PM: That sounds absolutely amazing! What’s your favorite color? Any reason why?

TS: Mauve. I have no idea why. I do know my favorite color has changed over the years. Maybe it has something to do with what colors look good on me. LOL. When I was younger, I loved red and purple…all those jewel tones. Now I like something a little softer.  

PM: If you couldn’t be a writer, what career path do you think you’d choose to be on?

TS: I don’t know. I’ve wanted to write since I was eleven years old and I’ve worked toward that goal ever since. I suppose it would be something to do with public relations. I love meeting new people and I do a pretty good interview. I suppose that would be the way I would go.

PM: Can you tell us what was the one thing that stood out to you most when living in the Middle East?

TS: That’s a really hard question because there were so many amazing things that stood out. Looking back, I was part of a very large international community and knew people from India, Russia, Europe, Australia, the Philippines and China. We all had very basic fundamental differences in how we saw the world. At the same time we were all people who loved our children and our parents, wanted security and a good quality of life. It was important to accept people where they were and to find that common ground. When I did that, I found those differences weren’t so very important after all.

PM: With so many published novels, what book would you tell a new to you reader to start with of yours?

TS: I laughed when I read this. Like most authors I’m basically insecure. I like to think I’m always improving so the latest book is always the best. Read Fatal Memories!

PM: I know what you mean, I am always so insecure, lol! How can readers keep up with you and your new releases?

TS: I have a monthly newsletter where I share my latest travels as well as my releases, book signings and social media adventures. You also receive a short read just for signing up. Here is the link if you’re interested. https://www.subscribepage.com/c7i1q9

You can find other ways to contact on my website https://tanyastowe.com

I’m also easy to find on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram

PM: Finally, coffee or tea? Cream, sugar?

Latte. Coffee with lots of cream and a little sugar.

Tanya’s newest release:

She was framed! Or was she?

If only she could remember…

Border patrol agent Jocelyn Walker has no memory of how she turned up unconscious with a cache of drugs—or why a gang is dead set on killing her. With evidence stacking up against her, Joss takes refuge with driven DEA agent Dylan Murphy, who guards—and suspects—her. But will finally trusting each other lead them into a trap they’ll never escape?

About Tanya Stowe

PM: What was your most beloved book to read as a child?

SS: Oh, wow…thats hard. I think I was born with a library card in my hand. I read Tom Sawyer multiple times, Harriet The Spy, and by seventh grade I’d discovered Victoria Holt. I read most everything she wrote.

PM: I have loved every one of the books I have read by you – and while I can’t claim to have read every one, I have read many! One of the the common things I enjoy most is the intense friendships among the women. Do you draw from your own close friends to apply to your writing?

SS: I do. I’ve attended the same church since I was 14. A lot of the women there have been friends almost that long. That’s been Fift–hand over mouth, stifling the rest of the answer–years! These women have taught me the meaning of “forever family”.

PM: That is absolutely lovely! I love hearing that. What is one thing about you that your readers would be shocked to know?

SS: I’m a die hard Star Trek fan. I have uniforms in my closet.

PM: If you could have dinner with anyone from history, other than Jesus,  who would it be, and why?

SS: There are a lot of people I’d have dinner with, but few of them have been born yet (Star Trek—remember) I’d have to go forward in time. I’d have dinner with Spock of Vulcan.

PM: That is too funny! If you couldn’t be a writer, what career path do you think you’d choose to be on?

SS: Well, I just retired from federal employment. (32 years of service) so I’m past dreaming of another career. When I was a kid, I wanted to be a nurse, an airline hostess, or an astronaut. Not really in that order.

PM: Do you create your characters with all their personalities in place, or do they evolve as you are writing the story?

SS: They evolve. When I wrote the first book, I just knew it was going to be about 4 friends. I developed their personalities and jobs as the story had need of. I needed someone fairly good with computers…Pam became that person. I needed a day care worker…So Terri owns the day care.

PM: Tell us what you enjoy doing the most when you are not writing or reading?

SS: I love to travel. I love DOING things instead of just watching them done. I don’t want to be the person who experiences God’s creation through a screen.

PM: Do you write stories more from your own experiences, or do you spend a lot time doing research on the type of characters your creating?

SS: I write contemporary so I don’t have to research. LOL Really…There are bits and pieces of me in all of the main characters. I try to give them all interesting jobs, but the job isn’t the story. I do just enough research to be able to write a couple of work scenes for each of my women without making a total mess of it.

PM: Who was your greatest influence when you decided to become an author?

SS: Not who…what. OCFW the Oklahoma chapter of American Christian Fiction Writers was a godsend. They too a newbie wanna be and molded a writer.

PM: What is your most favorite thing about living in Oklahoma?

SS: Probably my husband. The beach is my happy place. I’d retire to a little house on the water if he’d go with me, but my husband is Oklahoma grounded so I guess I’m staying right here.

PM: That is so sweet….maybe someday you can create a man-made lake and have the best of both worlds, lol! How can readers keep up with you and your new releases?

SS: The best thing they can do is sign up to receive my newsletter. They can find the link on the first page of my website: sharonsrock.com

I promise not to flood their inbox. I send a newsletter once a month, twice if I have something important to share.

PM: Finally, coffee or tea? Cream, sugar?

SS: Cold: raspberry tea.

Hot: coffee with lots of creamer and sweetener.

I generally drink equal amounts of both through the day.

Sharon Currently has two books FREE on Amazon, I have read both and absolutely loved them! You need to check these out and fall in love with her writing as much as I have! Just click on the covers and it will take you right there!

She can’t escape the mistakes of her past…

Callie Stillman has done everything she can to bury the memories of a tiny, baby-sized coffin. She lives life one day at a time, basking in the love of a good man and doting on her grandchildren. Until she crosses paths with a little girl who is obviously in trouble—but tries to hide it.

They can’t trust anyone…

Iris and Samantha Evans are living on borrowed time. Deserted, orphaned, betrayed, and deceived, they need rescuing in the worst way.

He’s praying for a miracle…

Steve Evans had his life changed by God. A reformed drug addict, he’s searching for the family he abandoned ten years ago…

When Callie can no longer ignore the signs that Iris needs help, her interference sends four people on a collision course that will force her to face the past she’d rather forget.

After separating herself from the oppressive cult where she was raised, Mackenzie Soeurs has two dreams: to give her son Riley a better life than she had, and to live in peace, as far from the harsh God of her past as she can get. At least that was the plan until her son got hauled to jail for theft and she lost the mother she never truly understood. In the darkest moments of her life, Mac finds herself surrounded by a group of Christian women she can’t understand and a handsome man, willing to take her son under his wing.

Dane Cooper, Garfield’s former bad boy and groom left at the altar, can’t deny his initial attraction to Mackenzie. Neither can he resist the urge from God to mentor her delinquent son. How can he guard his battered heart and still give Riley the same second chance he was given?

When Jesse, Charley, Randy, and Alex signed up for Mac’s first fitness class, they were looking for someone to whip them into physical shape. What they found was a woman bound by a cruel history, suffering through a tragic present, and in desperate need of a friend…or four.