Monday, November 4, 2013

Christmas Release 2013 series: The Christmas Promise by Kimberly Rose Johnson

Kimberly Rose Johnson
Happy November, friends! Annette here. Today we're beginning a new Christmas-focused series on Mondays at Seriously Write. Many of our fellow authors have an inspirational Christmas release, and we'll be highlighting a few with interviews. To start things off, please welcome Kimberly Rose Johnson as she discusses her Heartsong Presents title, The Christmas Promise.

Interview with Kimberly Rose Johnson

Welcome, Kimberly! 

How did this project take shape?

I had been writing romantic suspense for several years and was unable to get a contract from a traditional publisher. My agent and a good writer friend suggested I try writing contemporary romance and leave out the suspense. This got me to thinking about what draws me to particular books and it's often location.

That's when I thought of Leavenworth, Washington. My husband and I had been there several times and it fit well with the idea that was percolating in my mind. A few weeks later my mom and I took a train to Leavenworth to do research. While there, the story started to form in my mind and the rest is history. :) 

Share some themes of your novel.

Overcoming fear of winter weather driving is a huge issue for my female lead. Her husband was killed on an icy road and she now has a paralyzing fear of driving on ice.



What makes your project stand out from other Christmas titles?

For starters, the setting. I can't think of a better setting for a Christmas story. :) If you want to know what Leavenworth looks like, check out the cover of The Christmas Promise. It is an actual picture of the town. 

I think the thing that makes The Christmas Promise most different though is that the story is not centered around Christmas. It takes place in fall and moves through the season into Christmas. But because of the location and events that take place in the story it feels festive. It's definitely a story that makes you want to curl up in front of a warm fire with hot chocolate and settle in.

Tell us one interesting fact about your book.

This is my debut novel. LOL, although the story takes place in a real town, I took creative license—the Christmas Ball does not exist.

What’s next for you as an author? 

The Christmas Promise is the first book in a series that takes place in Leavenworth. The next book is due out in June, then another in October. A fourth will conclude the series in the Spring of 2015. I am currently writing book four.

What else would you like to share about this project?

This book is special to me because it takes place in a town with a lot of family history for my husband. I interviewed his relatives to get a feel for life in Leavenworth. My husband actually took me here for the first time when we were in college. I went cross-country skiing at the fish hatchery—a first for me.

Thanks for visiting today, Kimberly! Great to hear about this novel. 

Learn more below:



Kimberly married her college sweetheart and is a graduate of Northwest University. She lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband, two teenage sons and their yellow lab. Kimberly is an avid reader and loves romance, suspense and romantic suspense. She enjoys playing the piano, hiking and coffee with friends. She loves hearing from her fans. You can connect with her on her website at www.kimberlyrjohnson.com


The Christmas Promise*
DR. PETE HARDING DOESN'T DATE SINGLE MOMS

No matter how lovely Keira Noble's smile, or how adorable her four-year-old son. He's been down that road before and knows it can lead to a broken heart. But that doesn't mean he can't help the pretty widow find a puppy to put under the Christmas tree for her son….

Pete claims he only wants to help her find the perfect gift for Cody. Yet Keira can't deny the tender feelings in his eyes whenever he looks at her. Could this handsome Scrooge have a change of heart, and create a new family for Christmas?


 


*Copyright © 2013 by Harlequin Enterprises Limited
Cover Art used by arrangement with Harlequin Enterprises Limited