I am so thrilled to have Alexa Verde sit down with me for coffee today so we can all get to know her a little bit more! Plus, Alexa has a graciously offered ANOTHER free ebook! One randomly chosen commenter will be selected to win a copy of Rapsodia – part of the Tuscany Legacy series! See below for details!!
Alexa, from reviewing your online Bio, I see that you speak five languages, and I find that amazing! Can you tell me what they are and how that came about?
First of all, it’s my pleasure to be here, and thank you so much for the invite! As for languages, I speak Russian, Belorussian, Spanish, English, and German, though I’m starting to forget German. Two of them are my native languages. I studied German because I hoped to visit Germany, and I did, twice. Since moving to south Texas I discovered that a lot of people here speak Spanish but not English. I love studying languages, so I decided to learn Spanish. And if I was going to study Spanish, I figured I might as well get a degree in it.
So, I understand you can be quite the chef. What is your favorite meal to prepare for others?
I love writing about food, but I’m far from being a chef! Yes, I used to cook a lot, but not anymore. If I still did… I really enjoyed making salads, and I know a great variety of them!
Which was your favorite country to visit and why?
So far, I’ve been to France, Poland, Lithuania, Russia, Ukraine, and other countries. Germany remains one of my favorite places to visit. It’s a very beautiful country with amazing history. I loved walking cobblestone pedestrian streets (no cars allowed!) in Alte Stadt (“old town”), watching minstrels, noble women, jugglers (okay, people dressed like them) at the Katharinenmarkt in a small town Hoya (just like centuries ago!), enjoying the Rhine river cruise, taking pictures of castles… Not to mention great food, especially cakes!
I am sure you get asked this all the time, but people want to know – what inspires your writing and characters?
I hope I can say that God inspires me. If my books bring somebody joy and encouragement, to God be all the glory!
What is your favorite “cure” for writer’s block, or don’t you ever have that issue?
I usually just don’t have enough time for writing! I’d say, listen to music and let your imagination carry you away in a different world…
When is your favorite time of the day and what is your place to write?
I love writing in bed, but it’s not always possible. Frankly, I don’t have favorite time of the day to write. I write whenever I have a chance, mostly on the weekends.
Do you ever get “too attached” to your characters? And if so, do you want to share which one?
Oh yes, I get very attached to my characters! That’s why my secondary characters often show up as main characters in my future books, and vice versa. It’s so difficulty to say good-bye to them!
How can your fans keep in touch with you and all your new releases, etc?
Anyone can subscribe to my newsletter! In my newsletters, you will get my book news and special offers. You can unsubscribe at any time. The link is:
http://alexaverde.com/contact.html#newsletter.
Finally – Coffee or tea? Cream? Sugar?
Both! I like cold sweet tea. And coffee with cream, no sugar is a must. Got to have that energy kick! So I love the name “Coffee with Paula” (and some chocolate donuts wouldn’t hurt). Thank you for the coffee and the conversation, Paula! I had a great time, and I hope your blog readers will enjoy this interview.
Haha, okay, I will try to remember the donuts next time! Thank you so much, Alexa, for joining me and being so open with your answers! It is always a pleasure to get to spend time with you!
Please take a moment to read all about Rapsodia and comment below to enter to win an ebook copy of it! Contest will be open through June 20, 2018 at 6PM!
A risk taker with a crushed spirit and a control-addicted businessman with a crushed heart… Can they surrender themselves to God’s healing love?
After the woman he loved left him for a richer guy, Marco Carter turned all his passion toward the chain of pizzerias he founded. He can control his business, unlike love. Then his world is turned upside down. He meets Samantha Jenkins on his flight home to Texas after his grandmother’s eightieth birthday. Many hours with the guarded but beautiful Samantha has him questioning his career-centered mindset.
A born risk taker and fiercely independent, Samantha misses her former life as a travel photographer and extreme sports aficionado. But more than anything, she grieves her fiancé. On her trip from Italy on the anniversary of his tragic passing, the last thing she expects is to become drawn to her neighbor on her flight. Deep inside, she still blames herself for her fiancé’s death…
Though Marco is determined to forget Samantha, the arrival of a mysterious painting reminds him of all that is missing in his life. Hoping for a new chance with her, Marco opens a pizzeria in Samantha’s hometown in south Texas. Spending time with her, he’s learning to surrender control to the Lord. But apparently it’s easier to earn millions than to make Samantha open her heart again. What will it take for her to heal enough to trust in God and take the biggest risk of all-to love again?
Huge thanks for the interview, Paula Marie! And coffee…
Enjoyed spending time with you!
Thank you Paula! As always, you have wonderful interviews with wonderful people.
Alexa, such a beautiful name. Is there something related to it?
Your answers were very thought through. To speak five languages is very impressive. You have got to be a very smart lady!
My husband has German ancestors. We would love to go some day. Who knows.
Glad to have you and hope to hear more about you. By the way, l have several of your books. 😉
Blessings
Kathy
Thank you so much, Kathy! I cannot imagine being as accomplished as Alexa!! My ancestors are from Italy and I would love to go someday, for now will have to travel through the novels!
Thank you so much for your kind words, Kathy! I’m so glad you liked the interview. I hope you’ll be able to go to Germany some day and see the land of your ancestors. I truly loved visiting Germany. I enjoy learning about other cultures, including the food, traditions, and languages. And huge thanks for having my books!
Thank you Paula and Alexa. I can’t imagine being fluent in 5 languages! I’m just getting started on your books and have a few, including Rapsodia, that I’m looking forward to reading.
I have been enjoying reading through all Alexa’s books as well! I am happy to see you enjoyed the interview!
Thank you so much for being such a wonderful supporter, Andrea! I’m blessed to have readers like you. I hope you’ll enjoy reading my books!
What a beautiful blog, Paula. And a great interview, Alexa. I loved Rapsodia (do exclude me from the draw) and I can say that readers are in for a treat with this book.
Thank you so much, Marion, I really appreciate Alexa and her great books too!
Marion, thank you so much for stopping by and for your kind words about Rapsodia! I’m so grateful you organized A Tuscan Legacy series!
Hi Paul and Alexa
I enjoyed the interview and I learned something new.
Blessings on your new blog,Paul and on your writing,Alexa.
Thank you so much!!
Thank you so much for stopping by and for good wishes, Linda!
Fun interview, Alexa!
I know, Alexa is a joy to work with, and so are you!!
I’d love to find out if Marco and Samantha get an HEA.
Thank you very much, Lisa Stillman! 🙂 Best wishes in the giveaway!
I cannot wait to read this one too!
Thank you, Paula Marie! I hope you’ll enjoy reading Rapsodia.
I’m biased, of course, but it was great to get to know you better Alexa!
Hahaha…me too, Heather!
That’s so nice of you to say, Heather!
Thanks for the interview! My husband and I also travel a lot and enjoy it. Thanks for the chance to win.
Thank you so much for dropping by!
Hello Faith Creech! So glad you liked the interview, and best wishes in the giveaway!
What a wonderful interview and chance to learn a bit more about Alexa. I read my first book of Alexa’s in the Potter’s House Series. Through that she has quickly moved to my list of favorite authors, and I can’t wait to read every book she currently has available!
Besides her passion for writing Alexa speaks five languages. What an incredibly intelligent, talented woman.
I would love to visit Italy and eat at a real Italian pizzeria. Pizza is one of my most favorite foods – I think I could eat it every day without ever tiring of it.
Keep up the good work Alexa. I know current readers and new ones alike will be blessed by your stories! May God continue to richly bless your writing and use it to His glory!
I agree with you 100%, Bev!! Appreciate you stopping by to visit with us!
Bev, I’m so grateful for your wonderful words! They truly made my heart sing. I pray to God that my writing will serve Him and bring Him glory.
I always say that if I do something right, to God be all the glory.
I’m so honored and thrilled to become one of your favorite authors. Thank you so much for your kind words.
Great interview, gals! Alexa, I just love learning more about you because glimpses show up in your writing ✍️. Rapsodia is a great read. Marco and Samantha are two of my favorite in the series. I’ve had an inclination toward Italy for a long time but I learned so much through this series. Alexa has other great books too. She writes so well about Christmas 🎄 that I hope a few months from now, I’ll read an interview about her personal Christmas traditions, something I’ve been wanting to ask her about!
Good idea about Christmas Traditions!! I feel blessed to read Alexa’s stories as well, Kathy!
Thanks for your thoughts!
Hello Kathy T! Yay! I’m thrilled that Marco and Samantha are two of your favorite in A Tuscan Legacy series. I loved writing about them, and I’ll confess they are among my favorites from my characters, too (though as authors we’re not supposed to have favorites, I heard). I was thrilled about a Christian contemporary romance series with Italian flavor, and couldn’t sign up up fast enough. It was interesting to learn more about Italy and especially pizza!
Thank you so much for the mention of Christmas trilogy! It’s close to my heart because I love Christmas. And what a great idea to talk about Christmas traditions, maybe sometime in December! (Hint, hint, Paula).
I love the books I have read by Alexa, I am sure this one will be great too. Thank you
Thank you for entering to win it!
Rose Blackard, you just made my day! I’m so happy you love my books! Huge thanks for your kind words.
I love my coffee with just cream. I hate the taste of sugar in coffee and tea. Oneof my dream trip is Tuscany to see the area but also to attend an Andrea Bocelli ‘s concert.
I love stories with there are some healings to take place by the mighty hand of God.
Thank you so much for sharing! I am a mocha latte girl, myself!
I love being able to travel through books, and agree 100 percent about healing through God!
Thank you so much for stopping by, Sonnetta Jones! I love to see the transformation and healing in people by the might hand of God, and I strive to show that healing in my characters.
Andl I’d so love to hear Andrea Bocelli in concert! Andrea Bocelli’s Rapsodia is one of inspirations for my book. 🙂
So thankful for all the wonderful response!
Rose Blackard, you’re the winner! Congratulations! I hope you’ll enjoy reading my book. Thank you so much to everybody who commented.
Congratulations to Rose! I am so happy for you! A HUGE thank you to Alexa for sharing this time with us and the giveaway!! You are so appreciated!! ♥️♥️
The by sounds so good and I enjoyed the interview.
Thank you! It is an awesome book!!
Great Blog! Great interview! I love the name of the blog. I’m a coffee snob. I love a good cup of coffee.
Thank you, Daphnee, I do love my coffee!!!