A first-year teacher claims God’s grace outwardly but wonders if God really cares, while an unbelieving doctor's trials propel him toward God in a way he never imagines.Before we meet today's author, I want to announce that the winner of the free copy of The Watch on the Fencepost, by Kay DiBianca, is subscriber:
momrain@...
Congratulations! We'll get your book right out to you. I encourage readers to keep commenting and/or subscribe at right (above my list of books) in order to learn about new releases! U.S. subscribers are entered in the drawings a second time when they comment.
And now let's meet novelist Regina Merrick, author of the contemporary romance, Carolina Grace (Mantle Rock Publishing, LLC, February 2019).
Regina Rudd Merrick began reading romance and thinking of book ideas as early as her teenage years when she attempted a happily-ever-after sequel to “Gone With the Wind.” That love of fiction parlayed into a career as a librarian, and finally to writing full-time.She began attending local writing workshops and continued to hone her craft by writing several short and novel-length fan-fiction pieces published online, where she met other authors with a similar love for story, a Christian worldview, and happily-ever-after.
Married for 30+ years and active in their church in Marion, Kentucky, Regina and her husband have two grown daughters who share her love of music, writing, and the arts.
Regina is the author of three books: Carolina Dream (Apr. 2017), Carolina Mercy (July 2018), and Carolina Grace (February 2019) in the Southern Breeze Series.
Please tell us one random thing we might not know about you.
While I love writing and I love music, I have a passion for interior design and organization. I can spend hours poring over floorplans, online shopping sites, Pinterest, etc.!
Oh, me too. The last time I moved, I had to part with a couple of boxes of Architecural Digest. A reality check convinced me that I would never mimic any of the grand design schemes in there!
Please tell us a bit more about the plot of Carolina Grace.
She knows about God’s grace for her life, but pushes it away. He hasn’t experienced it, but finds grace in a way he never expected.First-year Special Education teacher Charly Livingston demonstrates God’s love on the outside, but is resentful that God allowed back-to-back tragedies to happen to her family.
Rance Beaumont is a top-notch medical intern. He’s on his way to the top, and when he meets Charly, he knows things can only get better. When he discovers family secrets and a dying father he never knew, his easy life seems to disintegrate. Even in the idyllic ocean breezes and South Carolina sunshine, contentment can quickly turn to bitterness and confusion except for God’s amazing grace.
What is it about your lead characters that will make your readers care about them?
Charlotte (Charly) Livingston is a 24-year-old new teacher with her life ahead of her. Having always been a “good girl,” she seems to have everything under control, but there’s a part of her that’s rebelling against God. Where was He when her dad passed away suddenly? Where was He when her mom went blind? Outwardly, she’s all about the Christian life, but inwardly, she’s distancing herself from God. It’s something that most of us, as Christians, go through at some point in our lives.
Rance Butler, on the other hand, seems to have it all – but he doesn’t have God. When a major heartbreak comes his way, he’s not sure how to cope with it, but when he gets to know Charly, he wonders about her God.
Please share with us a quote about writing that you find inspiring.
“If you find a book you really want to read, but it hasn't been written yet, then you must write it.” -- Toni Morrison
What is the last novel you read that you would recommend?
I always have a novel going! The book I’m currently reading is Where the Fire Falls by Karen Barnett. It’s the second in her Vintage National Parks series, and is amazing. Set in the early 1900’s, this series reminds me of Grace Livingston Hill’s novels, but updated, and I’m in love with the settings. The early days of the National Park system is so interesting, and she does an wonderful job creating the settings in print, as well as the love story and other characters. I highly recommend this series. There is a third coming out in June!
What are you working on now?
At present I am working on a novella that will tie in with the Southern Breeze Series! It’s part of a 4-novella collection with three other Mantle Rock Publishing authors. We all picked an island on the Eastern Seaboard, and that’s where our story will take place! Mine is Pawley’s Island, which is in the same neighborhood as Carolina Dream, Carolina Mercy, and Carolina Grace. You’ll see some familiar characters and places in this story! When that’s done, I have an idea for a new series that will include a brother/sister duo who own a design/build firm!
Where else can readers find you online?
Social Media:
Website: www.reginaruddmerrick.com
Publisher Website: mantlerockpublishing.com
My Amazon author page
The book can be purchased online via the following button:
Finally, what question would you like to ask my readers?
What is the book you want to read that hasn’t been written yet?
Good question, in keeping with your Toni Morrison quote above (but readers, we won't demand that you write that book, if you don't want to). Thank you, Regina, for visiting and telling us about yourself and your book. Readers, Regina has offered to give away a free copy of her novel. To enter, leave a comment and your email below in answer to Regina's question, above. "Please enter me" won't get you entered. Remember that U.S. subscribers are entered an additional time in each drawing. The drawing is done by email, so leave your email address, like so: trish[at]trishperry[dot]com.
Only United States residents are eligible for the drawing, but anyone can subscribe to the blog posts via the GDPA-compliant Feedblitz box above my list of books, at right.
Also readers, I'd love it if you'd connect with me on Facebook. Just click on my name at the right of today's post title.
Remember, if you'd like information on additional new releases, check out Christian Book Heaven, an email newsletter for Christian book deals in whatever genres you select. You can subscribe here: ChristianBookHeaven
Annoying legal disclaimer: drawings void where prohibited; open only to U.S. residents; the odds of winning depend upon the number of participants. See full disclaimer, GDPA notice, and my Disclosure of Material Connection HERE
14 comments:
Wow, what an awesome interview! The book sounds like a real good page turner, i really like the cover also. Well, one book I would love to read is one that i have in my mind, i just have to get started on it. :) jThank you so much for sharing this.
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THE GIVEAWAY I LOVE TO READ SO I FEEL THAT EVERY BOOK THAT HAS BEEN WROTE IS A GREAT READ! SARAHTAYLOR601973atyahoodotcom
I enjoyed reading this interview and the Carolina books sound great! (So does the upcoming one set on Pawley's Island!)
Gee, I have a couple of nonfiction books I'd like to see (and hope to write) in my head. But for fiction, I'd love to read a YA, historical fiction about the native Americans who lived along the Potomac River near Lucketts, Virginia. I have a research file for this story--collected years ago when I lived there.
I read a collaboration between writers Colleen Coble, Dian Hunt, Denise Hunter and Kristen Billerbeck called Smitten which became a three book series. It was so good!
A now non existent blog called Coffee Cups and Camisoles, featured authors Anne Love, Erica Vetsch, Jaime Jo Wright and Gabrielle Meyer. I followed them for years and so wanted them to collaborate on book of their own or possible series. Never could talk them into it. I’m still patiently waiting.
tumcsec(at)gmail(dot)com
I would like to read books about love after loss in the later years of life. fishingjanATaolDOTcom
Alicia, start writing it, or you’ll never get it out of your head - believe me, I know!! Lol!
There are certainly lots of books out there!
Thanks, Vie! Sounds like you’re already thinking about it! Go for it!!
Smitten keeps coming up on my radar! I need to read that!
Older main character stories keep coming up as things agents and editors are looking for! Who knows? Maybe you’ll be the one to write it!!
Vie, I don’t know if you and I were in our critique group in VA when I was writing that novel that involved some Native American history (the Catawbas, I think). I agree, the history is fascinating. I took a Native American course at George Mason when I was working on my degree, and there are so many different tribes/groups, I was unable to keep track. I think that’s a part of American history about which YA (and adults) would enjoy and certainly benefit from knowing.
It sounds like a book I would like to read. Hope it's a paperback as I cannot read e-books or downloads.
This sounds like a very interesting story and I would like to read it to see what other secrets are revealed and what happens. Vivian Furbay jtandviv (at) q (dot) com
Thanks for the wonderful interview! I have the other books in this series and am so looking forward to reading Carolina Grace!! I can’t think of an answer to your question, Regina, but I am so thankful for all of you authors who come up with your book ideas, and then use your incredible writing talents to weave and develop those ideas into delightful books that provide readers with hours of reading pleasure. It is a true God-given gift! Thank you for the chance to win a copy of Carolina Grace! ~ Alison Boss
nj(dot)bossman(at)gmail(dot)com
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