Tag Archives: interview

Breana Johnson and Liz Johnson

Interview with Romance Author Liz Johnson

Author Interview, Blog, Books, Uncategorized, Writing, , , ,

Do you love the setting of Anne of Green Gables? Then this blog post is for you! Today, PEI romance author Liz Johnson is talking about her latest book, Summer in the Spotlight with me, Breana Johnson–no relation to the author ; )

Visit PEI with author Liz Johnson
Liz Johnson at PEI’s Victoria Playhouse, a location featured in Summer in the Spotlight

I love the theater setting of Summer in the Spotlight! What’s your experience with drama, and which play did you see most recently? 

I absolutely love theater! I try to see at least a few Broadway shows in Phoenix each year, and it’s been a great way to bond with my nieces, who also love to see shows. My oldest niece has been in a number of high school and community productions, so I love seeing her perform.

Read my blog post on Broadway

My personal experience is confined to audience member. Though one time I auditioned for a role in The Importance of Being Earnest (the same show they’re producing in Summer in the Spotlight). I was terrible and did NOT get a call back. But I had so much fun!

Read my interview with Jennifer Deibel

The last production I saw was a community production of Beauty and the Beast. It was wonderful! A couple weeks before that I saw Anne & Gilbert: The Musical on Prince Edward Island. It’s one of my all-time favorites.

Which character from Summer in the Spotlight do you resonate most with, and why? 

Oh, man. I don’t know. I think maybe I see myself most in Violet—the older sister, giving counsel character. I’m rarely without words like Levi—though I do enjoy reading like he does. And I’m not one to faint at the sight of blood like Kelsey. But like her, I enjoy organizing events and coordinating things that matter to me.

6 Phantom of the Opera facts you didn’t know
Liz Johnson at the coast of Prince Edward Island
Liz Johnson at the coast of Prince Edward Island

What do you hope readers will gain from Summer in the Spotlight? 

I hope readers will enjoy a fun escape to Prince Edward Island. And I hope they’ll be reminded of the power of the words we say. We can speak life, or we can speak death. I hope Summer in the Spotlight will encourage readers to encourage and uplift others every day.

Read my interview with Lori Dejong
Liz Johnson at the Anne of Green Gables house in PEI

Would you like to visit Prince Edward Island with author Liz Johnson? Explore the setting of Anne of Green Gables and Liz’s books when you join her PEI tour in July 2024! Find trip details here.

Color Magic with Ashley Bustamante

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On a recent escape to Northern Arizona, I devoured Vivid by Ashley Bustamante, a YA fantasy book about dark secrets at a boarding school for teens with a talent for color magic. The school teaches red and blue magic, but yellow magic, which involves mind control, is banned.

But are the yellow magic people really all as evil as everyone thinks? When precocious Ava Locke runs into an escaped Yellow Magic user, she begins to question everything she’s ever known.

I was also lucky enough to get an advanced reader copy of Book 2, Radiant, which releases May 9! After enjoying these two books, I asked Ashley if she’d share a bit about the world of color magic and what comes next in the Color Theory series.

Preorder Radiant

Your books feature magic that is divided in color categories. What gave you the idea for color magic?

It was actually something I used to daydream about as a kid! I’d see colorful objects and would imagine what it would be like if I could take all that color and turn it into magic.

Read my interview with YA fantasy author Sara Ella

If you could pick just one color, which type of magic would you like to have and why?

That’s such a tough choice! I think Blue magic would be so useful, so if I’m being practical I’d probably go with that.

Woven into your stories are themes of trust and acceptance. What do you hope readers will take away from your book?

I hope readers will feel inspired to become more unified and maybe seek to understand the who are different. I think so much of the contention among people that arises in today’s world is because of lack of understanding.

Read my interview with fantasy author James R. Hannibal

Can you share anything about your upcoming projects?

Right now I’m hard at work on book 3 of the Color Theory series, which is due in a few weeks! I’m really focused on that right now because I want to make sure this series finishes strong. It’s bittersweet.

All images courtesy of Ashley Bustamante

The Maid of Ballymacool by Jennifer Deibel

Romance and the Irish Language with Jennifer Deibel

Author Interview, Blog, Books, Expats, Expats and TCKs, Writing, , , , ,

Today I am watching for the mail truck, awaiting the delivery of an Irish romance book I’ve been eagerly anticipating: The Maid of Ballymacool by Jennifer Deibel.

Not only does the heroine share my name (although spelled Brianna… sigh), but the book comes out the day after birthday, February 21!

Read my last interview with Jennifer Deibel

While waiting for my copy to come in the mail (and while you’re waiting for yours!), I had the chance to interview Jennifer about her upcoming release.

1. The Maid of Ballymacool is set in 1930s Ireland. What is your favorite aspect of this setting? 

It might be easier for me to say what I don’t love!

Jennifer Deibel and Breana Johnson

Seriously, though, I love just about everything involving a historical Irish setting.

One thing I enjoy about the 1930’s is that it’s not a time many people write about when it comes to Ireland. We tend to focus on the Great Hunger and the Irish War of Independence—and rightly so.

However, exploring more unfamiliar time periods really gets my imagination going—especially because rural Ireland was so much slower to get the more modern conveniences, so 1930 in County Donegal was more like the 1910’s were everywhere else in the world.

The Maid of Ballymacool is the featured novel in my March 2023 book box!

Visit cratejoy to order

2. As a romance writer, you are a queen of love stories! What’s your own love story in a nutshell?

Awww, thank you! My love story began my freshman year of college, when I met my now-husband.

Though, really, it started much earlier in our lives, as both our parents had prayed for each of our future spouses. In fact, when we got engaged, my husband’s grandmother gave me a garter to wear on our wedding day that she had bought right after Seth was born. And then she’d prayed over me—even though she had no idea who I would end up being—every day.

But, once we met, it would be two more years before our romance really began to bloom. If we were a romance trope, it would be friends to lovers. 

3. Each of your books shares vocabulary from the Irish tongue–your second language! What’s one of your favorite Irish terms or phrases? 

Oh, there are so many! And I’ve added almost all my favorites in my books already. But there’s one that always makes me smile. When we were in our langauge class, we were talking about a specific area of County Clare called The Burren, and we were describing it.

I asked our teacher how to say “It’s unique.” He thought for a moment, and then answered: Níl a mhac a samhail in aon ait. It means, “There’s not the likes of it to be found anywhere.”

Irish romance The Maid of Ballymacool

4. What do you hope readers will come away with after reading The Maid of Ballymacool? 

My prayer for this book is that anyone who feels—or has ever felt—unseen, overlooked, or stuck in a seemingly impossible circumstance, would realize just how seen and loved they really are. And that they would turn to God to find it. And for those who are secure in who they are and how much they’re loved to reach out to those around them who don’t know.

Read my interview with Gabrielle Meyer

Thanks for talking with me, Jen!

If you’re putting The Maid of Ballymacool on your To Be Read list, here’s a tip– preorder before February 21 from Baker Book House and you’ll get 40% off and free shipping.

Historical Eras and Faith with Gabrielle Meyer

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If you’re a historical fiction fan, then you’ll love the Timeless books by Gabrielle Meyer. These split-time Christian romance novels take place in TWO or THREE historic eras–not just one!

After devouring book one, When the Day Comes, I was lucky enough to get to interview Gabrielle Meyer about book two, In This Moment, which releases in May of 2023.

In both When the Day Comes and In This Moment, the main characters are time crossers–individuals who have lives in more than one time period at a time. If you were a time-crosser, what other era would you like to live in? 

I’ve thought about this question, and because I love several historical eras, it’s always hard for me to choose.

I think the one that is most appealing is the Gilded Age, from about 1880-1910. I love the industrial boom, the rise in recreational activities, traveling, and entertainment, and I love the clothing from that era.

Gilded Age fashion as depicted by Mary Cassatt

All in all, it was a prosperous and happy time for many Americans. They were between wars and starting to enjoy some of the modern conveniences we use today, like telephones, automobiles, and electricity.

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In In This Moment, Maggie lives in 1861, 1941, and 2001. If you could have dinner with anyone from any of these eras, who would you choose and why? 

I would definitely say Abraham Lincoln, in 1861. He’s often touted as one of the greatest American presidents, but for good reason.

Everyone needs a photo with half their face and this book cover.

I loved researching this time period and learning more about him and Mary Todd Lincoln (most of it didn’t even appear in the book). I can’t imagine Lincoln’s job—he is truly a remarkable man that endured incredible hardship and heartbreak as an American president. I’d love to have dinner with him and Mary in the White House.

Perhaps that’s one of the reasons I write, because I feel like I did have dinner with them through my character, Maggie.

The first of your Timeless series, When the Day Comes, carries rich themes of surrendering self for others and surrendering to God’s plans. What spiritual message do you hope readers will take away from In This Moment? 

I wanted the themes to be quite different between the two books, so in In This Moment, Maggie deals a lot with the idea that God hasn’t revealed His plan to her, so she’ll need to take several steps of faith.

Read my interview with historical romance author Jennifer Deibel

Often, there are no clear cut right or wrong answers in life. This is true for Maggie. She loves each of her paths equally and doesn’t know which ones to give up. She does a lot of soul-searching, asks a lot of questions, but, in the end, she has to trust that she’s making the right choice.

I think this happens a lot in life—at least for me—and it was fun to explore this theme with Maggie.

Thanks for talking with me, Gabrielle! Can’t wait to read In This Moment.

If your interest is piqued, good news–preorders for In This Moment are currently 40% off, and you’ll get not only a bookplate signed by Gabrielle but also free shipping and a bookmark!

Carmen Schober and Breana Johnson

Author Carmen Schober on HGTV and Naming Babies

Author Interview, Blog, Books, Uncategorized, Writing, , , , ,

This fall, I had the chance to meet and get to know Carmen Schober, contemporary Christian romance author of After She Falls and 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.

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.)

Carmen Schober Breana Johnson
Hanging out with Carmen at the ACFW conference

Read my author interview with Ashley Clark

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. 

Pretty Little Pieces Characters
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.

historical romance author Ashley Clark

Historical Romance Author Ashley Clark on Flowers and Falling in Love

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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!

Where the Last Rose Blooms on Amazon
Breana Johnson and Ashley Clark
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.

Ashley Clark

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. 🙂

Read my author interview with historical romance author Jennifer Deibel
Ashley Clark with a stack of Where the Last Rose Blooms

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!

You can read more about Ashley’s Sack in my debut novel, The Dress Shop on King Street.

Peggy Martin Rose
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.