It’s that time of year! Yes, Christmas time–but also book giveaway time! You can enter the annual 12 Days of Christmas Giveaway here between today and December 12. And entries roll over, so the earlier you enter, the more days you’ll be entered to win!
This fall, I had the chance to meet and get to know Carmen Schober, contemporary Christian romance author of After She Fallsand Pretty Little Pieces, releasing in December!
Carmen writes gritty, edgy romance with Cuban-American characters–stories you are not going to want to miss!
I asked Carmen to share a little bit about her writing process for Pretty Little Pieces.
1. The protagonist of Pretty Little Pieces was called the next Joanna Gaines. I’m curious how much HGTV-watching went into the research of this book…and which shows are your favorite?
I used to live on HGTV-style shows! I don’t watch much TV anymore (looking at you, kids) but those shows are perfect for days when you just want something in the background, but you can also get super engrossed and have cozy day-in marathon.
I had a brief Fixer Upper phase, but my absolute favorites are Rehab Addict and While You Were Out (with the OG cast, not the new one.)
2. Naming novel characters (like naming kids) is HARD. You chose really cool names in Pretty Little Pieces. What’s your process? For novel characters and for kids, too!
They honestly just sort of come to me.
But I am a pretty avid Pinterest user and online shopper, so that gives me some good ideas (brands these days often name their products after women) but I usually start with a name that inspires me and then I use Nameberry to find names that sound like they belong in the same world.
Cassidy and Georgina from Pretty Little Pieces
3. Cara Putman’s review on Goodreads called Pretty Little Pieces “A story I kept coming back to because I cared about the characters.” Which character in the story do you love the most, and why?
I really do love Cassidy and Georgina individually and as a couple. Poppy was a joy to write too, and I so relate to Savannah in some ways, but Cass and Georgie stole the show…and my little hopeful romantic heart.
Pretty Little Pieces is the featured novel in my December Wings of the Morning book box. Get yours here! Use coupon BLACKFRIDAY for $5 off all weekend.
Who knew you could meet an author in an elevator and end up being a huge fan of their books? Well, that’s exactly what happened to me when I ran into Ashley Clark at the ACFW conference this year.
I read her book Where the Last Rose Blooms in a single sitting. It was that good.
So I thought I’d invite Ashley to do an interview here so we can share this book with you and talk about some of the little-known historical facts behind its plot and characters!
Did you notice that her dress matches the dress on the book cover??
Hi Ashley! Thanks so much for taking the time to answer some questions.
Thank you so much for having me, Breana! It was such fun to meet you at the ACFW Conference. I’m looking forward to chatting on the blog today.
I learned a lot about the messages of various flowers in Where the Last Rose Blooms. I had no idea a bouquet can actually be a secret code–which is exactly what ends up happening in your story!
What is your favorite flower, and what is the meaning behind it?
I had a great time researching flowers for Where the Last Rose Blooms, and I have to confess… I even bought my own flower dictionary!
Honestly, I love all flowers, but if forced to pick a favorite I’d probably choose peonies. I think their intricate petals are so stunning. They typically symbolize love, romance, and beauty, which makes them the perfect flower for weddings! Alice in Where the Last Rose Blooms probably sells a lot of them. 🙂
You named one of your characters “Ashley,” which was very Jane Austen of you. What’s the story behind giving a character the same name as yourself?
I am so glad you asked about Ashley’s character because there is a story behind this one!
Rose and Ashley are actually based on real people, who were named… you guessed it… Rose and Ashley!
History has left us very little information about their stories, but we do know a bit from the Ashley’s Sack artifact which was discovered at a flea market and is now on display at the National Museum of African American History and Culture in D.C. I hope to see it in person someday!
Ashley’s cutting of the Peggy Martin Rose, which survived being underwater during Hurricane Katrina and plays a role in Where the Last Rose Blooms
I enjoy a good fictional romance, but it’s also fun to hear the love stories of real-life couples! Would you share yours?
My husband and I met in college at our campus ministry. He invited me to Starbucks after a prayer event, and I initially told him no because I needed to study… on a Saturday.
Y’all, I was such a nerd back then!
Okay, I’m still a nerd, but I digress… needless to say, he talked me into the shindig, and I remember calling my mom that night and telling her one of the “cool guys” had invited me to coffee. Ha!
He bravely learned to swing dance in the weeks that followed because he knew I used to dance every Friday night, but the real kicker was one rainy night at Steak and Shake… he pulled his car up close to the door so I wouldn’t get wet, and “coincidentally” had Switchfoot playing on his car radio. I think his great taste in music sealed the deal for me. Hahaha!
We’ve now been married thirteen years and have a seven year old son, as well as a senior cocker spaniel.
I hope you enjoyed getting to know Ashley as much as I did! If you want to know more about her books and flowers, you can follow her on Instagram or visit her website.
Did you know that former Disneyland cast member Sara Ella, who played Alice, just released a retelling of Alice in Wonderland? Yes, that’s right! Alice herself wrote a book about Wonderland! Author Sara Ella was kind enough to answer a few questions about The Wonderland Trials:
Other than Alice, who’s your favorite character in The Wonderland Trials?
I feel like it’s no longer a spoiler to say Chess Shire, but to be safe I won’t say why. 😉
I’ll also say Madi Hatter because she’s the opposite of me and reminds me of one of my dear friends who always makes me feel bold and brave when she’s around.
And then I have to mention Charlotte. As a mom, I relate a lot to her character.
I guess that’s more than one, haha. I love them all!
Sara as Alice at Disneyland
You used to be Alice at Disneyland. How did your experience in that role shape the Alice character in The Wonderland Trials?
I’ve always had a love for Alice’s character and curiosity. I think the biggest similarity between Disney’s Alice and mine is that they are both no-nonsense characters.
My time at Disney feels like another lifetime now. I guess part of me missed being in that world and I wanted to create one of my own. And thus The Wonderland Trials was born.
Enjoying my copy of The Wonderland Trials
It’s obvious from reading your first four books that you write the goal of impacting readers—not just entertaining them. What do you hope your readers will gain from your book?
Wow. That means the world to me. Thank you.
With this book I hope those readers who may feel alone or have trouble making friends will feel seen. I hope they find their own version of “found family” like Alice does in the book.
Most of all, I hope this book inspires readers to believe in impossible, unseen things.
Thanks for talking, Sara! I loved reading The Wonderland Trials and can’t wait for my next trip to Wonderland.
Books make the best Christmas gifts! If there’s someone on your list who already has everything, you can always get them a new book. Here are some of my favorite Christian fiction books that make great gifts.
This year, I started reading a lot more romance. The Red Door Inn is one of my favorites! Every book in this series made me cry. And want to visit Prince Edward Island.
This novel healed a wounded place in my heart. This story is about two widowed sisters-in-law who decide to run an New Zealand ultramarathon in memory of their husbands. The problem? The women have nothing in common. Can they overcome their differences to support one another through their grief, and maybe find hope along the way?
Some books have the potential to make your whole year. Over the summer, as an escape from the oppressive Arizona heat, I headed into a Barnes & Noble to browse the fiction section. When I came across a historical romance novel set in Ireland and written by a local author & autographed, I thought, Oh yes, I need this. To be honest, I rarely impulse buy.
Then I posted a picture of my find on Instagram and about died of fangirldom when Jennifer Deibel, the author, commented on my post.
Spending time with Jen (right) and local author friends Sarah, Erin, and Sara
Fast forward several months, and I’ve been lucky enough to call Jen my friend. I’d love for you to meet her, too, and hear about her NEW Irish romance, The Lady of Galway Manor, which will be releasing in February 2022!
Hi Jen! What was your inspiration for The Lady of Galway Manor?
I love the legend of the Claddagh ring, and the tensions between England and Ireland are always coloring things, even today. And I began to wonder what it might be like if a British woman was apprenticed to an Irishman in the jewelry shop. And the story idea grew from there.
As events take a dangerous turn for Annabeth and her family during the war for Irish independence, she begins to see that the bonds of friendship, love, and loyalty are only made stronger when put through the refiner’s fire.
Which character was the most fun to write?
I really love all of them, but I think Seamus—the hero’s father—was my favorite to write. He’s quirky and funny, loves his tea, and is wise beyond his station.
How have you incorporated favorite Irish locations, traditions, or experiences into the book?
Oh yes!! We lived in the Galway area for four years, so I tried to work in some of my favorite places. Some, like the Claddagh area of the city, are the same. Others, like the fish and chip shop, have been changed a little to protect the innocent 😉 and allow me a little more creative license. The jewelry shop itself was also a huge inspiration and still exists and is in business today. But, I changed the name and location in town slightly, again, so I could have a little more creative freedom within the story.
Thanks for stopping by to meet one of my favorite people! I hope you enjoyed getting a glimpse into her writing process and hearing a bit about her own experiences living in Ireland.
If this sounds like a book you’d love to read or gift, you’re in luck! At the time of writing, Baker Book House is offering 30% off The Lady of Galway Manorand 40% off A Dance in Donegal as well as free shipping.
P.S. – If you haven’t heard, Jen and I and a few of our friends are doing a giveaway for book lovers, including a historical romance novel, YA fantasy, middle grade fiction, contemporary romance and bookish goodies! It ends December 4, 2021, so be sure to enter ASAP 🙂
