WHAT'S IT GOING TO BE?

What book should you read next? What words should you write next? Whether you're a reader, a writer, or both, you need look no further for ideas and pointers to help you make up your mind. You might even get your next book for free!

Sometimes I even give away my own novels. My Inspirational romances and devotionals are pictured below and are detailed on my Books page. You can always count on a trace of humor in my novels and nonfiction. Whether you're a teen or a woman mature in years, I think these stories will ring true.

Read on, and discover some of today's most appealing Inspirational novelists, their latest books, and their words of wisdom and imagination. Enjoy!

Monday, April 26, 2021

Denise Hunter and Free Books!

After raising her siblings, it’s finally time for Sophie to open her dream bookshop in Piper’s Cove NC—but she gets sidetracked when a hurricane strands her there with the man who broke her heart years ago.

Before we revisit today's author, I want to announce that the winner of the free Kindle copy of the historical suspense novel, The Nature of Fragile Things, by Susan Meissner, is:

psalm103and138@...

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 chat with novelist Denise Hunter, author of the contemporary romance, Bookshop by the Sea (HarperCollins Christian Publishing, April 2021).

Denise Hunter is the internationally published bestselling author of more than 35 novels, three of which have been made into Hallmark movies. She has appeared on the The 700 club and won awards such as The Holt Medallion Award, The Carol Award, The Reader's Choice Award, The Foreword Book of the Year Award, and is a RITA finalist.

Denise writes heartwarming, small-town love stories, peopled with layered characters who struggle with real-life issues. Her readers enjoy the experience of falling in love vicariously through her characters and can expect a happily-ever-after sigh as they close the pages of her books.

When Denise isn't orchestrating love lives on the written page, she enjoys traveling with her family, drinking coffee, and playing drums. Denise makes her home in Indiana where she and her husband are currently enjoying an empty nest.

Please tell us a bit more about the plot of Bookshop by the Sea.

After her mother became bedridden and her father bailed on the family, Sophie found herself serving as a second mother to her twin brother, Seth, and younger sister, Jenna. Sophie supported her siblings through their college years, putting aside her own dream of opening a bookshop in Piper’s Cove—the quaint North Carolina beach town they frequented as children.

Now it’s finally time for Sophie to follow her own pursuits. Seth has a new job, and Jenna is set to marry her college beau in Piper’s Cove. But the destination wedding reunites Sophie with best man Aiden Maddox, her high school sweetheart who left her without a backward glance. When an advancing hurricane strands Aiden in Piper’s Cove after the wedding, he finds the hotels booked to capacity and has to ask Sophie to put him up until the storm passes. 

As the two ride out the weather, old feelings rise to the surface. The delay also leaves Sophie with mere days to get her bookshop up and running. Can she trust Aiden to stick around? And will he find the courage to risk his heart?

Please tell us one random thing we might not know about you.

I guess because I’m introverted (and possibly because I’m a woman), most people are surprised to learn that I play the drums. 

I love that--you probably couldn't have picked a more noticeable instrument to play, but I saw you play before. You truly focus on the instrument, rather than the attention! 

Please tell us a bit more about the plot of Bookshop by the Sea.

There’s something very compelling about first love, and in Bookshop by the Sea we have a couple that was madly in love years ago but couldn’t quite make it work. They both had underlying issues that kept them from having a healthy relationship, and they needed to grow up a little in order to recognize this. So, when Aiden reenters Sophie’s life, there’s a lot at stake. The feelings are still there. The chemistry is still there. But so are the problems. Sophie has to learn to trust herself and others, and Aiden has to overcome his fear of abandonment in order for the couple to finally find their happily ever after. I so enjoyed writing these characters—and watching them grow—and I can’t wait to introduce readers to them!

What is it about Sophie that will make your readers care about her?

Sophie has always put others first. While still in high school, she cared for her bed-ridden mother. And after her mother’s passing, she finished raising her siblings, seeing them through high school and then college. I hope readers will be rooting for Sophie as she finally has the chance to follow her own dream—opening a bookshop by the sea!

It does sound like a dream!

Imagine you’ve been contracted to write a novel about a real person. About whom would you want to write?

Can I please make Beth Moore my next protagonist? Her romance story has already been told (and lived), but I just feel as if she’d bring a whole lot of spiritual depth to a novel—not to mention a whole lot of fun!

I've loved the answers to this question this month--I'd be interested in any of the novels suggested.

What is the last novel you read that you would recommend?

I highly recommend Colleen Coble’s Pelican Harbor series! It starts with One Little Lie and follows Sheriff Jane Hardy through a web of intrigue that’s related to her past. The series has all the suspense and romance to keep those pages turning.

What are you working on now?

I’m currently hard at work on my next series, set in a North Carolina town in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains. The first book, Riverbend Gap, releases in October, 2021.

Where else can readers find you online?

Readers can find out more about my books on my website: www.denisehunterbooks.com There they can also sign up for my newsletter, enter my monthly contest, or print off my booklist. I also love connecting with readers on social media:

Facebook
Instagram
Twitter

The book can be purchased online via the following button:



Readers, you can access a sample from the novel by going HERE and clicking on Look Inside.

Finally, Denise, what question would you like to ask my readers?

What is the last series you binge-read?

Thanks, Denise, for visiting and telling us about yourself and your book. Readers, Denise has offered to give away a free copy of her book. To enter, click on the word "comments" below to reach the comments page, and leave your answer and your email in answer to Denise'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, if you connect with me on Bookbub, you'll get alerts when my books release and when they're available at special sale prices. And if you'd like to connect with me on Facebook, just click HERE or on my name at the right of today's post title.

Annoying legal disclaimer: as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases; 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

43 comments:

Virginia C said...

Hi, Denise--I am a longtime fan, and I have collected a number of your book series. If I binge-read a series, it's usually when I am feeling nostalgic, and I will go back in time to my days as a young reader. Best Wishes for all releases!!! gcwhiskas at aol dot com

Linda R said...

The last series I read together was Legacy Of Faith by Robin Lee Hatcher. Looking forward to your upcoming books set close to home.

rayorr[at]bellsouth[net]

Denise Hunter said...

Virginia, I'm so glad you're enjoying my books. I'm with you--I love to curl up with old favorites. :)

Jackie Smith said...

Love your books; I try to read them all. I binge read your Blue Ridge Romance series. Am very anxious to read Bookshop by the Sea.

Patricia Bennett Barber said...

Love your books!!! And if I do binge read, its Robyn Carr's Virgin River :)

Denise Hunter said...

Hi Jackie! I’m so glad you’re enjoying my books! Hope you enjoy Bookshop by the Sea as well. ❤️

Denise Hunter said...

I hope you enjoy them. ❤️

Denise Hunter said...

Thank you, Patricia! She’s a wonderful writer.

Denise Hunter said...

Thank you, Patricia! She’s a wonderful writer.

Paula Shreckhise said...

The last series I binged was the one I’m reading now. The three Sisters Island series from Suzanne Woods Fisher. Book one was on my kindle, two us from the library and three will be here shortly for review. The one before that was Blue Justice series by Lynette Eason.

Trish Perry said...

Because I always want something totally different when I finish one book and move to the other, I don't think I've ever binged on any series--or maybe I did that for the YA books that were getting made into films years ago. But I do kind of cover many books by one author on occasion. Chris Bohjalian, PG Wodehouse, Anne Patchett, Edith Wharton.

Abigail Harris said...

The last series I binge-read would be a favorite author of mine under a new pen name.

readreviewerjoiceATgmailDOTcom

Sherbear said...

Last two books I read was smitten and secretly smitten but last series was brenda novak whiskey creek series. Love your books! Sherry at sherryspm@gmail.com

Margaret said...

The last series I binge read was A Chapel Springs Romance. I am looking forward to this book.
Mviss@selco.info.

Gail H. said...

My daughter got me started on the Baxter series by Karen Kingsbury. Fortunately my church library had them all so I went from book to book, no waiting.
Right now I’m enjoying the True Colors real life crime series. Each book has a color theme and they are all written by different authors. The books are fictionalized but some of the real characters are included.

tumcsec(at)gmail(dot)com

Denise Hunter said...

Wonderful authors!

Denise Hunter said...

Wonderful authors!

Denise Hunter said...

I miss Smitten! Brenda is a terrific writer and wonderful person. I’m so glad you’re enjoying my books! ❤️

Denise Hunter said...

I do miss those McKinleys! I hope you enjoy Bookshop by the Sea.

Denise Hunter said...

That sounds interesting, Gail. Thanks for sharing.

Denise Hunter said...

If I find an author I love, I am all over their backlist. Lol

Patty said...

I don’t know that I have truly ‘binge read’ any series at all recently. The Serendipity & Secrets series by Erica Vetsch, I recently read pretty much as soon as each released!

pattymh2000(at)yahoo(dot)com

Donamae Kutska said...

Laura Childs scrapbooking series. I enjoy reading them. I'm new to you. Your book sounds interesting and fun to read.

Donamae Kutska said...

Donakutska7@gmail.com

Joan A said...

I don't do much series bingeing! I believe it would have been a series by Deborah Raney but I don't remember the name! jarning67(at)hotmail(dot)com

Doris Lankford said...

The last series I binge read was the Whiskey Creek series by Brenda Novak. I love your books Denise. Thanks for the chance.
dl.mandmlover@gmail.com

Kirsten B said...

I actually am currently binge reading the Bluebell Inn series by Denise Hunter! 😁 I’m on the third and final book. I’ve loved this series!!

knkaufman93 (at) Gmail (dot) com

Jackie Tessnair said...

I love your books Denise. The last series I binged read was The Amish Greenhouse series by Wanda Brunstetter. jackie_ tessnair(at)yahoo(dot)com

Lynette said...

The last series I binged read was Jennifer Peel’s More Than a Wife series. I love Denise’s books!
lhdyer[at]gmail[dot]com

Nena said...

The last series I binged on was Tamara Leigh’s Age of Faith. 17Nena94@gmail.com

Karen said...

It’s been awhile since I binged on a series! The last one was probably the Chesapeake Valor series by Dani Pettrey!

mylittlebirdiebooks [at] gmail [dot] com

Denise Hunter said...

Thanks, Donamae!

Denise Hunter said...

Brenda is a terrific writer. :)

Denise Hunter said...

Thanks, Jackie. I’m so glad you’re enjoying my books.

Denise Hunter said...

❤️❤️❤️

Alice said...

Your book sounds very intriguing! I am currently reading, for the umpteenth time, Dani Pettrey's Chesapeake Harbor series.
Alice
myersalicem@gmail.com

Denise Turner said...

Last series I binge read is the 911 series by Karen Kingsbury - One Tuesday Morning and Beyond Tuesday Morning.

Lori91301 said...

I don't tend to binge read series because I like variety. But I've gone back and read several books in a couple of series that Christy Barritt has written. I did read the entire series of Left Behind by Tim LaHaye and Jerry Jenkins. I have also read a couple of Michael Phillips' series. I would love to read the Bookshop by the Sea. I confess I don't believe I've read any others by Denise. But I'm always looking for good clean stories. Thanks for the opportunity to win the book.
lorigeorgehotmailcom

Kathlene West said...

The last series I binge read is the Silver Springs series by Brenda Novak!

Klynn said...

The last book series I binged was the Bradford Sisters series by Becky Wade. Thanks for the chance to win your book.
kerrinorrod@yahoo.com

Caryl Kane said...

Hello Trish and Denise!

Binge reading a complete series is the only way for me. I recently read Kristy Cambron's Lost Castle trilogy.

psalm103and138atgmaildotcom

Unknown said...

Last series I binged: Blue Ridge. Loved them all!
pvkz96@gmail.com

Trish Perry said...

I love seeing all of these series suggestions!

 

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