PM: I am so pleased to say I have Autumn Macarthur back in this morning for a coffee break with me! Autumn is a wonderful author and has become a great friend as well, so let’s welcome her here and get to know her even better a year later!
AM: Thanks, Paula, I’m so glad to be back, and I’ve loved getting to know you better over the past year.
PM: You have created so many loveable and remember-able characters in your stories, I wonder if you could tell us which of them you can relate to the most?
AM: I’m glad you think that about my characters. 🙂 I relate to ALL my characters, and there’s secretly a little bit of me in all of them.
The secret part is that I’m not telling which bit! But the faith and personal growth lessons the characters gain are the same ones God is teaching me as I write.
This is a tough question! I probably relate most to Claire in Midnight Clear, having spent my own wilderness years angry with God. That book was sooooooo healing to write. God snuck it up on me – I didn’t know Claire had a big issue let alone what it was till I was drafting Chapter 7.
The character I’d most like to be like is Anita in Teapots & Tiaras. Love her attitude! That girl rocks plus-size. No body shame or diets for her!
PM: What is one thing about you that your readers would be shocked to know?
AM: LOL, now how to answer this one? The serious answer: you know that saying “every saint was once a sinner, and every sinner is a potential saint”? Let’s just say – I have a past. Thanks to God, it’s now well in the past and forgiven.
The fun answer: I’ve tandem skydived twice. First time I was so terrified I screamed all the way down. Next time a skydiving team was back in town, I knew I had to jump again to overcome that fear. Second time was great! But twice is enough. Never again!
PM: In your humble opinion, what do you think is missing in Christian Fiction today, or at least what would you like to see more of in Christian Fiction?
AM: Christ! It breaks my heart to see how little Christian fiction really shows Jesus making a difference in the characters’ lives. I don’t want preachy stories with sermons and salvation scenes in every book, but if God isn’t right in there with the characters, if they don’t somehow change and grow even a little in their relationship with Him, I’m not sure it should be labelled Christian.
PM: If there was a news story about your life, what would the headline say?
AM: LOL, easy. Queen of Procrastination Finally Meets a Deadline!
PM: What’s your favorite color? Any reason why?
AM: I love most colors, especially browns, purples, greens, blues.
Lately I’ve been drawn to teal green a lot. It’s a beautiful, restful color. Reminds me of the colour of the sea, when you look down into it from a boat.
PM: What was the most unique inspiration you have had for one of your stories?
AM: I’m not sure of that one. I find inspiration everywhere. Story ideas just keep coming. Sometimes nothing seems to inspire them, the idea is just there. Something I see on the internet. A news item. Something a friend says. People-watching when I’m out (not so much now as I’ve become very stay-at-home. A minor character in a previous book wants his or her own story. I have such a long list of story ideas. I need to keep writing a long time (till I’m 150 should do it) to write them all, and new ones arrive regularly!
PM: I know you have a deep love for the animal kingdom, and have written them into your stories, but tell us do you have any family pets that currently own you?
AM: LOL, “own you” is right! We share our small house with three cats, plus a neighbor’s cat we frequently mind as she travels a lot. Jeremy Boxer Bear is my special boy, a cute little tabby. He just decided to move in one day, though it took me six months to tame him enough to just stay in the room when a human was in it, let alone touch him! We also live with two guinea pigs, funny little characters. We’ve set our little garden up to be a little wild, so we also have many birds and hedgehog visitors. There’s even a rare variety of newt in our tiny pond!
PM: What is it you hope most to get across to your readers in your books?
AM: That there’s nothing too bad for God to forgive. He loves us so much, and He wants us sharing all our life with Him. He wants us to surrender all our guilt, worries and fears to Him, so He can give us peace and joy instead. LOL, sermon over! I hope my books aren’t preachy, but I do want there to be a faith message in every one.
PM: Why don’t you tell us a little about your current / upcoming projects – The Billionaires and Chapel Cove?
AM: I’m so excited about both of these, though they’re very different! Chapel Cove Romances started from several readers asking for more stories with older couples. Marion Ueckermann, Alexa Verde and I came up with the idea of three friends all coming back to their small home town around their fortieth birthdays. That’s only the start! We hope to do 12 books, but with new characters and story ideas popping up all the time, I have a feeling that will grow!
Billionaire Protectors is a totally new direction for me – Christian romance with suspense, co-authored with Alexa Verde. This is a full-co-authoring, so the books aren’t quite like either of our solo books, but have a blend of both our voices. I don’t normally do suspense, and yet I’m enjoying it and finding my brain CAN do suspense, after all. Makes sense. Alexa and I actually met, over five years ago, in a Harlequin writing group for aspiring Love Inspired Suspense authors! Much as I love those books, I’m glad to be indie. We get better covers!
PM: How can readers keep in touch with you and your new releases?
AM: Lots of ways! I have a weekly reader newsletter with book news from me and my author friends. Readers can sign-up here and get a free romance novella: https://dl.bookfunnel.com/xgzyx4s1fh
Or just get the free ebook – you don’t need to tick the box to join my newsletter unless you really want to!
I’m in a fab shared Facebook group with my closest author friends, Marion and Alexa, as well as this awesome book blogger, Paula Marie!
If you use Facebook, you’re welcome to join in the fun there: https://facebook.com/groups/247218999320897
Or anyone who doesn’t do Facebook or want weekly emails can follow me on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Autumn-Macarthur/e/B00N9KRHKY/ or BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/autumn-macarthur and only get emails when I have a new release.
It’s been fun having coffee with you today, Paula! Thank you!
Autumn is going a HUGE giveaway – for THREE winners, an ecopy of both Brett AND Colt for each of you!! Just comment on this post and tell us what you think of co-authored stories! Winners will be selected after one week and notified via email!
This sounds amazing. I look forward to reading these books. Those two voices blended together to make something that is different from the solo-authored books. I love it!
These stories are amazing, Heleen! You will love them!
I hope if you get the chance to read them, you enjoy the stories, Heleen. 🙂
I LOVED these books!! I found out a little more about Autumn today, too!! Thanks, Paula!!
Trudy, so thrilled to hear it! Thank you so much!
Isn’t Autumn awesome, Trudy? I love she writes too, lol!!
Aww, thank you, Trudy! <3 Love the support you give us.
I love getting to know you Autumn and Paula. After I read each of these “coffees” I feel like I know you both a little more! I hope some day to travel to Ireland/England and see it in person! And dare I say it, I consider you both my friend!
Aw, thank you, Carol! I love getting to know all of you and these fabulous authors as well – and YES, I do feel a very special friendship with you and others I have grown close to from this blog!
Hi Carol! I hope you get to make that trip sometime. And I’m blessed to be considered your friend! <3
So glad to see Autumn on Coffee with Paula! I might be partial, but I looooove Autumn’s books, and she’s also a super sweet and kind person!
Of course you are not partial, Alexa – Autumn is a super sweet and kind person, just like YOU!!!
LOL, and so are you, Alexa! Why we work so well together! 🙂
I love Co-Author stories, the story develops totally different when you have collaborative thoughts. It also becomes more meaningful if they are using their own life experiences through the characters in the stories.
Good luck everyone, thanks for this awesome chance. 💜📖💜
Thank you for sharing with us, Betty! I agree with you, these co-authored books bring so much to us, the reader, it makes it extra special!
Hi Betty! This is my first time truly co-authoring, and it’s an amazing process. I found with multi-author projects each author always brings something extra to the series and the story world, and that process is even more intense with co-authoring, where each book is truly a complete blend.
I do hope you enjoy the stories, if you get to read them. 🙂
I love co-authored stories and I look forward to reading this new series!
I am sure you will enjoy it, Lori!
Hi Lori! I do hope you enjoy the books!
I don’t mind coauthored books if they’re done well.
Hello, Carol! I think you will enjoy these series! The books are seamless, so well written!
I do hope you enjoy these ones, Carol! 🙂
Hi Paula & Autumn!
I just wanted to say that I absolutely love both new series. Chapel Cove is perfect because it’s about more mature adults finding love later in life. I have to say I am not a fan of the billionaire romance genre, so I was leery of the series. But when I read Brett’s book I couldn’t believe how much I loved it. Autumn & Alexa working together are putting out some amazing books!
The characters have so much depth. The Christian messages are relevant to us in today’s world. I just love reading how God is working in their lives and changing them. It’s very motivational for me and helps keep me on track in my own relationship with God.
I can’t wait for the rest of the books in each series to come out so I can devour them. I’ve learned to work it into my schedule so I can hide for a few hours and read the entire book at once after I get it. Lots of nights with minimal sleep, but so worth it!
Please don’t enter me in the contest as I have already read both books & would rather see them go to new fans – because they will be hooked once they read them!
Thanks & I hope you both have a great week!
Aw, you are so sweet, Erica! I did the same thing with Colt, was up all night, lol!! I just adore these co-authored books!
Aww, thank you so much, Erica! So blessed to have you as a reader! 🙂
Hello Ladies! Thank you for a great interview <3
Skydiving…twice…sigh, I can't make my hubby say yes to skydiving lol it's a constant battle – I want to do it with him and he doesn't want to do it at all…maybe…one day 🙂
I love the new series in suspense. They turned out AWESOME! Even though I'm reading backwards he he he Book 2, and now Book 1.
Thank you for your time! Blessings!!!
LOL, Natalya! I can kinda understand where your hubby is coming from! Definitely never again for me, even though the second time was amazing. But I hope you get to make that jump someday.
And I’m so glad you enjoyed the books so far. Alexa and I are enjoying the process and working so well together! We might just do this again next year. 🙂
That has always been a dream of mine as well, but I don’t see it happening either, Natalya! I hope you get the chance!
Hi I enjoyed reading this interview, getting to know the author a little more is always very nice! Thank you for sharing , and you are a very brave person, skydiving that is something !! I will be adding your books to my TBR list they sound like very good books. Have a Great week. God Bless you ladies.
Thank you, Alicia! I hope you enjoy the stories. 🙂
Thank you, Alicia! I agree, it is so wonderful to get to know our favorite authors on a more personal level!❤️
I love Autumn’s books. They are so very enjoyable to read. When I finish the book I am reading now, I will read one of Autumn’s co-author books. Keep up the good work Autumn.
Thank you so much for dropping by and visiting with us, Lucy! I know you will love these stories!
Thanks so much, Lucy! I love your encouraging emails and comments!
I enjoy reading books that have been coauthored. I was like trying to figure out which author wrote which part- most of the time I can figure it out
We do have very different styles, Mary! Though LOL, even our editor, who knows our writing can get it wrong. There was a section she commented was pure Alexa. Nope. I’d added it!
Thank you so much for stopping by, Mary! It is always a pleasure to hear from you!
I think I’ve only read one truly co-authored book and that was between four authors! I’d love to read one in this genre.
Thank you for a super interview both of you. I feel as if I know you both well!
Wow, true co-authoring with four authors would be a big challenge!
I’m boggling a bit trying to imagine that. 🙂
So glad to hear from you, Shirley! You are special to me as well!
Hi Paula, Autumn! I just love your comments, Autumn. I can tell they come from the heart. I really like co-authors. I think it puts a spin on certain stories. Autumn, Marion and Alexa blend well together. I think being good friends is what makes it work so well. Your love for Christ touches my heart. It’s so important to hear about him as much as we can, especially now with the world in such turmoil. Enough of my preaching. lol
Thank you Paula and Autumn, for your friendship and prayers. God bless!
Thank you, Kathy, for reading and supporting us. Yes, friendship and a shared love for Jesus makes a big difference. And I agree – the world needs HIm more now than ever. Not preaching. Just stating a fact!
I agree with you 100% Kathy! Your friendship means the world to me!
Awesome interview! I’ve only read one of Autumn’s books so far (The Wedding List) but I absolutely loved it and really look forward to reading more! 😊💕
You will not be disappointed, Caitlyn!!
I’m glad, Caitlyn! You can get another short novella in that series free here: https://dl.bookfunnel.com/xgzyx4s1fh You don’t need to sign up for my newsletter unless you want to, no need to tick the box for that. 🙂