
I am thrilled to have my very first Coffee with Paula Marie author interview back with us today – one year later – to catch up and see what has been happening in the last 12 months! Please join me in welcoming back Alexa Verde.
PM: Alexa, first off, thank you for taking the time to allow me to pester you once again! I hope this year has been wonderful for you, I know you have written several more stories, and I have had the pleasure of reading them all! I can’t name my favorites, as they have all been amazing, but I can say how excited I am for the series taking place in Chapel Cove! The intersecting characters all living in one small town is wonderful, and having two other authors (Autumn Macarthur & Marion Ueckermann) writing stories with the same cast of characters has been so much fun for us readers! How challenging is it writing a series collaborating with other authors?
AV: I love talking to you, so no pestering at all! And it was such a privilege to be the first interview on your wonderful blog. Writing Chapel Cove Romances with Autumn and Marion is a lot of fun. We help each other with ideas and feedback. We build the new storyworld together, and we all love Chapel Cove already. If it was a real place, I’d probably consider moving there! Marion kindly designed covers for all the books in the series, and I think they are beautiful. So much better than anything I could’ve done myself. The biggest challenge for me was the same timeline for the first three books in the series. I wrote Love Me the way it flowed, without thinking what other characters did at the time, and boy, did it require a lot if fixing later! But really, it’s a great pleasure working with Autumn and Marion.
PM: Aw, thank you so much, you are such a dear! I can only imagine the challenge that the time line presented! As a reader of all three books, I can tell you that you all did an amazing job of it!
What’s your favorite color? Any reason why?
AV: Light-blue. Color of the sky on a sunny day.
PM: Will you be doing any more Potter’s House books in the coming year? Curious minds want to know, lol!
AV: I hope I won’t disappoint anybody if I say no. I’m grateful for the experience and for the amazing support readers showed this series. But I got involved in so many upcoming projects, and there are only so many hours in the day. I need to learn to sleep fast. 🙂
PM: As long as you keep writing your amazing stories, I don’t think people will be too disappointed <grins>! I admit I did not read ALL of the Potter’s House series authors, but did find a couple of new authors I liked from being introduced that way!
What has been the most surprising event that happened to you in the last year?
AV: I hope it won’t be considered as bragging, but having #1 releases in their category.
PM: Bragging?? LOL, that is awesome, and so deserving – definitely not bragging!
Tell us what you enjoy doing the most when you are not writing or reading?
AV: Talking to God.
PM: Amen to that! I just love talking to God like an everyday friend, I did not have that growing up. ANd I love to sing along to worship music (as long as no one else can hear me, hehehe). What kind of music do you enjoy listening to?
AV: Mostly pop music. Sometimes country. I do like good lyrics, too.
PM: I love when you add pets in a story. Do you have a lot of personal experience with animals? You always give them such great personalities!
AV: Thank you so much for your kind words! I wish I had a lot of personal experience with pets. I love them, and they always love us unconditionally. One day I hope to have a dog. Alaskan Huskies are such gorgeous dogs.
PM: I am not trying to embarrass you here or anything, but I want to take this opportunity to just try and tell you how grateful I am for your mentorship this past year while I was getting this little blog of mine launched! You mean so much to me, and it had me wondering who some of your mentor’s might have been when you started writing Christian Fiction. Can you share – without specifics, if need be – who has been influential on your journey?
AV: I believe this blog was a gift from God to you. It shows your talents and your love for Christian fiction. I’m tremendously grateful for your friendship and treasure it. As for my mentor, I pray to be guided by God. It probably won’t come as a surprise to anyone if I say that I think Autumn Macarthur was the answer to my prayers years ago, even unspoken ones. She’s a true Christian and an amazing author. A lot of different authors helped me on the way, but if I have to name one person, this is it.
PM: That is so sweet of you to say…I feel that your friendship has definitely been a gift from God to me! I love Autumn as well, she is amazing!
So, you have departed Rios Azules for a time and are currently writing about a small town on the Oregon Coast. How different has that been for you? Have you ever had the opportunity to visit Oregon?
AV: It’s much colder! I’m used to the fact that it’s nearly always warm in south Texas, so I tended to dress my characters too lightly for Oregon weather! Chapel Cove is a lovely town with a great community, and I’m already getting attached to many characters there. I haven’t had an opportunity to visit Oregon. Hopefully, one of these days. A wonderful reader of ours, Marylin Furumasu, was incredibly helpful to us to get facts about Oregon right. And she created graphics for the series that I absolutely love!
PM: I just adore Marylin’s work, happy to share her website with everyone! Her graphics can be found at http://www.mfliteraryworks.com!
Finally, I’ll ask you to remind us about your coffee drinking…love it, like, don’t care for it all??
AV: Looooove it! Got to have my coffee in the morning. Preferably with a creamer and a cookie (okay, it’s usually several cookies, but no need to count). Thank you so much for the interview and a virtual cup of coffee, Paula! Always a pleasure to talk to you, and you know I love your blog. Heartfelt thanks for all the support you give Christian authors.
To get your copy of Love me click here: https://amzn.to/2J3ubTr
Alexa is part of an awesome new series of books coming out with another of my favorite authors – Autumn Macarthur!
The first one is up for pre-order, get it on line now: https://amzn.to/2RFfTME
You will fall in love with these characters as the journey is romantic, mysterious and suspenseful…..but most of all filled with God’s goodness!
To keep up with Alexa Verde and her news click on the link to follow her on Amazon: https://amzn.to/2X4RHcu
To follow The Chapel Cove stories click here: https://amzn.to/2RtDTCk
Alexa is being so generous – again – as to offer one of our commenters an Amazon Gift Card for $5.00 (winner must have an Amazon account). Contest will run for one week from today and winner will be notified via email. To enter simply comment here and tell us what you love best about book series / collaboration with authors!
Series usually follow sibling, Cousins which is fun to read.
Thank you very much for sharing, Kim!
Thank you for dropping in, Kim! Appreciate your input too!
Many thanks for the interview, Paula! Always a pleasure to be on your blog.
Thank YOU for always being available for us readers!!
I’m so thrilled that I’ve found Alexa, Autumn, and Marion, and you, too, Paula!! I’m loving the Chapel Cove books, and I adored Brett!!! Can’t wait to read Colt’s story!!
Same here for me, Trudy, you are as much a blessing to me as well!
Trudy, and we’re thrilled to have you as a friend and a reader!!!
Thanks so much for sharing. I love the Chapel Cove stories and the wonderful authors Alexa, Autumn and Marion. I love their books and hearing them share about themselves and their love of God and how it shows and is incorporated into their stories. I really love Brett’s story and cannot wait to read about Colt and David. God bless you all from a grateful reader.
Thank you so much for visiting with us, Lorel!
Lorel, awww! God bless you! You nearly made me cry (in a good way). Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your kind words!
I like series because the story continues:) Thanks for the opportunity to enter a giveaway! Would love to win a print copy!
It is so nice to see you, Lual! Hope all is well with you! Thank you for sharing today!
Best wishes in the giveaway, Lual, but this is giveaway for an Amazon gift card. I hope it’s okay with you.
I can’t wait to read these! Paula, this is such a delightful interview! I agree that Alexa & Autumn are some of my favorite authors also! These covers are stunning!
I have read Brett so far, and it is wonderful!! Thank you for visiting, Becky!
Becky Smith, thrilled to be among your favorite authors! And so glad you like covers. Autumn Macarthur and Marion Ueckermann designed them.
WOW,
I loved this post!
Paula and Alexa you two are such wonderful ladies.
It was fun reading all about Alexa and the things she’s doing. I hope someday you both can come to Oregon and visit for real! I’d love to have you here!
By the way,
I just got done reading Brett and I hope to make a graphic soon!
Also – If anyone wants an easier web-address for me it’s:
http://www.mfliteraryworks.com
Oops, thank you! I updated the post to reflect the easier link!!
Aww, you are definitely on, Marylin! I would love to meet you in person as well!! You and I have so much in common, like meeting a soul sister!
Marylin, I’d soooo love to meet you in person! Thank you very much for the invite. And oops about the website. Loved your graphics for Brett.
Hi Paula & Alexa!
I have to say my fav thing about authors collaborating in a series is finding new authors! Interestingly – Autumn is an author that I ARC for – she led me to Alexa’s work. I never really thought I would enjoy romantic suspense until I read Alexa’s work. I was led to Paula’s blog too! And that’s led me to tons of new authors.
I guess I have Autumn to thank for my ever growing TBR pile! Lol
That is so sweet, Erica! I just love the connections we make in today’s digital world!
LOL, Erica! Not sure whether to apologize about adding to your TBR or shout “Yay!” 😉
Gotta love the way God makes all these connections possible.
Erica, lol! I’m grateful to Autumn that she led you to my work! And I second Autumn. Love the way God makes all these connections!
Nice to hear about the new books.
I always get excited over new books too, Mary! Thank you for stopping by!
Thank you for stopping by, Mary!
Awww, Alexa and Paula! You know I’m blessed to count you both as friends, and I love working with you both!
It’s been a busy year since that first ever Coffee with Paula, and a good one in so many ways.
I love seeing how many of our wonderful readers comment here.
You are so sweet, Autumn! Thank you so much! I think we need to do another Coffee chat soon too!❤️
So grateful to have you as friends, too, Autumn and Paula! And difficult to believe it’s already been a year since the time of the first interview here.
Love you both!
I enjoy book series because usually there’s more about the main characters from previous books. I like series that author’s collaborate on because I get introduced to new authors. Paula and Alexa, you’re both a great blessing to me!
Thank you, Lisa! I have been blessed by your friendship as well!
Lisa Stillman, the feeling is mutual! Thank you so much for your friendship and all your support!
I can’t even get my head around anyone being a billionaire, but they seem to be popping up all over the place recently. 😊 The covers are wonderful, and I know the books will be, too. Can’t wait to read them!
Right, Grace? That is a lot of money, lol….but even as this first book, Brett, shows…money cannot buy true love!
Grace, you’re so right! I think there are way more billionaires in fiction now than in reality. 🙂 Thank you for your kind words about our covers, and I hope you’ll enjoy reading our books!
I’ll have to make “Love Me” be the next book on my to-read list. I enjoyed “Cherish Me”, so I know I’ll enjoy seeing some of those characters pop up in this one.
Love Me is a great book, good choice, Susan! I love the series and look forward to more time in Chapel Cove!
Susan, thank you for commenting! I hope you’ll enjoy reading Love Me! That book was so much fun to write and we had great time collaborating on the series!
I love book series because you can get more into a family, a group of friends, a group of people, etc… You just get more details of a store. I love reading a book and trying to see were it is going next and sometimes being completely off track. But it is even better. Oh but after 3 or 4 books you just can not wait for the next one. Series are great.
Those are the same reasons I enjoy series as well, Dorothy! Thank you for sharing!
Dorothy, I agree! All those are great thing about the series. Thank you so much for commenting and all your support, and best wishes in the giveaway.
I love series since we get to know the main characters in different books, even when they have passed the main character baton on to someone else. I also love multi author works, like Chapel Cove and a couple others I’ve read, where you meet the same people, even if just briefly, in the different books.
That’s some of the reasons I like a series too, Andrea! It’s like catching up with an old friend!
Andrea, so glad you enjoyed the Chapel Cove Romances series, and many thanks for all your support! And I agree on those reasons to like the series.
Hi, your books sound really good, and the covers are super nice! I really like series because they keep on adding to the original story, when i read a very good book, and it is a stand alone book , a lot of times it’s pretty sad because it ended, so I am Thankful for series because they keep on adding more to the story! I enjoyed reading this interview and getting to know you and your books better, Thank you. God Bless you both.
Hi, Alicia! Thank you so much for sharing! I always feel a little sad when a story ends as well…. especially when a series ends!! Bless you as well, friend!
Hi Alicia! I agree, it’s sad sometimes when the book ends. I appreciate your kind words about our books and covers. Thank you very much for stopping by. God bless you!
I want to read your books now!! I love a series because I have something to look forward to when I finish a book.
Thank you for visiting, Laura! I know you will love Alexa’s books too!
Hi Laura! That’s what an author wants to hear. 🙂 Thank you for your wonderful comment and for stopping by!
What I love most about series, is that I get to read about different characters in the community which helps me get to know everyone and their families. Also because I can see how the characters evolve as the series continues with each new character!
Thank you, Alma, these are such great reasons to love series! I agree with getting to know them on a deeper level as well!
Hello, Alma! Yes, seeing characters evolve is great. Thank you so much for stopping by. God bless you!
Love books written by Christian authors as they have a different perspective then worldly writers. I loved your answer “talking to God”. It is fine to collaborate with other authors as long as they are of the same mind.
Thank you for visiting, Roseann! I agree, talking with God is a beautiful answer – to just about any question, lol! All Iread is Christian authors now!
I love Christian fiction and reading all your books.
I’ve just purchased Brett and can’t wait to read it.
That is awesome, Denise, I know you will enjoy it!
Awww,Denise, so glad to hear it!
I love being on pins and needles waiting for the next book to be published so that I can know for certainty who did what and to whom. I love collaborations with other authors because I get to know other authors as well.
Those are all very fun reasons to love series, yes! I agree with them all, Denise, thank you for sharing!
Enjoyed reading the interview comments.
I am always looking for new authors to read. You write the kinds of books i enjoy reading.
So happy to have you share with us!❤️
This sounds like a great series! This is a new author to me, I think it’s something I’d enjoy.
I hope we helped you find a new author, Julie!!
She’s a new author you’ll love reading!
Would love to win…tks for chance
Thank you, Susie for stopping by and visiting with us today!
I’d love to win, to feed my reading habit! I enjoy reading collaborations because people have different styles. I enjoy the differences.
Thanks, Kim! We all have that habit here😊
I find it amazing when authors collaborate and everybody keeps all of the details straight!
They do such a great job, Patty!
So looking forward to getting acquainted with Chapel Cove!
You will love it, Louise!
Enjoyed reading all of the many comments and looking forward to reading some new books I discovered here.
I love to hear that, Gladys! Hope you enjoy!❤️
One of the perks of modern technology is the ease to interact with people around the world. So different than in the age of snail mail and ev n emails. As an avid reader I have enjoyed watching new development in writing. From boxed sets to series with a variety of authors. While in the past there have been books Co-authored, the authors were husband and wife, or siblings, or mother and daughter – not authors on different continents with different time zones. I enjoyed reading Brett. Looking forward to the next two releases. Great blog.
You are so correct, Rneate, I still marvel at how we can communicate to others all over the world! Thank you for visiting with us today! It is always a pleasure to hear from you!❤️
I love when authors I follow combine their talents into new, exciting adventures! Just like I love bringing in characters from different series to cross and, so far, everyone has loved this change up! I look forward to reading more books and entering giveaways helps me do just that!
Yay, Cheryl, glad you joined us!❤️
I like series that have different authors and different storylines . I especially like the Annie’s Attic series and The Mayflower Brides which traces a genealogy . And several suspense series that are four books each. Those are about different friends or siblings.
Thank you for sharing, Paula! I need to look into those books!😊
Coffee with friends! Thank you, Paula and Alexa, for this kaffeeklatsch.
I’m privileged to beta read for some of these authors. Love being in on the development – even if my part is minuscule. Have posted the review of Brett and mentioned that I’ll read it again when I’m able to purchase a finished copy.
Hi, Judith! I feel so lucky to beta read as well! Thank you for visiting today❤️❤️
Heartfelt thanks to all who commented! Loved reading your comments. The winner will be announced soon.
Randomly chosen winner is Deborah D! Congratulations! Amazon gift card was gifted.
Congratulations, Deborah D and a huge thank you to Alexa for this amazing gift!
I appreciate each and every one of you that participated!❤️❤️❤️