Sunday, May 18, 2014

Featured Author Interview: Denise Hunter

Denise Hunter is the award-winning author of more than twenty novels, including The Accidental Bride and Convenient Groom.

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In 1996, Denise began her first book, a Christian romance novel, writing while her children napped. Two years later it was published, and she's been writing ever since. Her books often contain a strong romantic element, and her husband Kevin says he provides all her romantic material, but Denise insists a good imagination helps too!

Denise lives in Indiana with her husband Kevin and their three sons. 


The following is a May 2014 interview with Denise.

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ENTER THE GIVEAWAY
AT THE END 
OF 
THE INTERVIEW


Be in to win a copy of 
Dancing with Fireflies
by Denise Hunter


One copy to be won
Contest open to entrants with USA addresses only.
Contest runs from 16-30 May NZDT


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Tell us a little about yourself. 

I'm a mother to 3 boys ages 15, 18, and 21. On March 18 of this year my husband and I will celebrate our 25th wedding anniversary. I've been writing since 1996, and I wrote my first several books during my boys' nap times!


How did you become a novelist, and did you always want to write? 

I started toying with the idea of writing a novel in my early 20s. It wasn't until my grandfather passed away several years later that God gave me the nudge I needed to sit down and pen my first book.


What do you think is significant about Christian fiction? 

My favorite thing about fiction in general is that it makes us feel. We experience all the emotions the protagonist does in the course of a story. I think this causes our hearts to open, causes us to be more receptive to the message that flows out of the story. Authors of Christian fiction have an opportunity to reach people with the message of God's love as readers open themselves to story.


How do you hope your readers react to the stories you write? 

I hope they'll take away whatever message they got and apply it to their lives.

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What responses to your novels have affected you the most and why? 
I recently got a letter from a lady who said that she was plowing through my books. She thanked me for helping her grow in her faith. It's such a blessing to hear your words are having an impact on someone's life.


How has being a novelist impacted your relationship with Christ? 

It's funny the way themes sometimes work in novels. Sometimes I find myself halfway into my story and realizing I'm writing about something God's been working with me on in my life. I usually don't plan it that way, but God seeps into my fiction the same way he seeps into my heart.


Other than writing great novels, what other goals do you have for your life? 

I aspire to be a great mom, a great wife, a great friend. I have my share of failures, but I hope to be the very best for the people I love the most. 


What do you like to do in your spare time? 

Read, travel with my family, and play drums.

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What can you tell us about your latest novels? 

Dancing with Fireflies is the 2nd book in the Chapel Springs Series. It features a young woman who's returning to her hometown pregnant, the man who's been secretly in love with her for years, and their journey of love. It's actually my favorite book that I've written to date--and there've been 24, so that's no small thing. :-)


What stories can your fans expect from you in the days ahead?

I'm finishing up the Chapel Springs series now. These are set in the midwestern river town of Chapel Springs, Indiana. Next it looks like I'm headed to Seabrook, Maine and 3 brothers in want of some happily ever after!


What would you like to say to your fans in New Zealand, and others worldwide? 

I'm so tickled that I even have readers halfway across the globe! It's a privilege to share my heart with you through the power of story.


Do you have any parting words? 

Writing is a solitary life, so I particularly enjoy being able to connect with readers. I do so on my Facebook page (www.facebook.com/authordenisehunter) and through my website www.denisehunterbooks.com Readers can email me from there.


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Barefoot Summer (Chapel Springs Romance #1) 
by Denise Hunter
  • Thomas Nelson Publishers
  • Contemporary/Romance
  • 28 May 2013
  • ISBN: 9781401687007

Purchase: 
[Kindle Amazon The Book Depository]


Madison’s heart has been closed for years. But one summer can change everything.

In the years since her twin brother’s drowning, Madison McKinley has struggled to put it behind her. Despite the support of her close-knit family and her gratifying job as a veterinarian in their riverside town, the loss still haunts her.

To find closure, Madison sets out to fulfill her brother’s dream of winning the town’s annual regatta. But first she has to learn to sail, and fast.

Beckett O’Reilly knows Madison is out of his league, but someone neglected to tell his heart. Now she needs his help—and he’ll give it, because he owes her far more than she’ll ever know.

Madison will do anything—even work with the infamous Beckett O’Reilly—to reach her goal. And as much as she’d like to deny it, the chemistry between them is electrifying. As summer wanes, her feelings for him grow and a fledgling faith takes root in her heart.

But Beckett harbors a secret that will test the limits of their new love. Can their romance survive summer’s challenges? And will achieving her brother’s dream give Madison the peace she desperately seeks?


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Dancing With Fireflies (Chapel Springs Romance #2) 
by Denise Hunter
  • Thomas Nelson Publishers
  • Contemporary/Romance
  • 11 March 2014
  • ISBN: 9781401687021

Purchase: 
[Kindle | Amazon | The Book Depository]


Jade returns home to Chapel Springs after years ofprotecting her fragile heart. Then along comes Daniel, making her long to danceagain.

Creative and complicated,Jade McKinley felt like a weed in a rose garden growing up in Chapel Springs. When she left, she thought she’d never look back. But now, pregnant, alone, and broke, she has no other choice but to return.

The mayor of Chapel Springs, Daniel Dawson, has been an honorary member of the McKinley family for years. While his own home life was almost non-existent, Daniel fit right into the boisterous McKinley family. He’s loved Jade for years, but she always saw him as a big brother. Now that she’s back, his feelings are stronger than ever.

As Jade attempts to settle in,nothing feels right. God seems far away, she’s hiding secrets from her family, and she’s strangely attracted to the man who’s always called her “squirt." Finding her way homemay provemore difficult than she imagined.


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The Wishing Season (Chapel Springs Romance #3) 
by Denise Hunter
  • Thomas Nelson Publishers
  • Contemporary/Romance
  • 9 December 2014
  • ISBN: 9781401687045

Pre-Order: 
[Amazon The Book Depository]


She daydreams of whipping up sauces and soufflés in her own restaurant. His heart is set on helping foster children. Both dreams are at stake. So are their hearts.

With grand plans to open her own bed & breakfast in Chapel Springs, PJ McKinley can't afford the most crucial part: the brick and mortar. But when the owner of a local historic home announces a contest and promises her property to the worthiest candidate, PJ makes a fervent wish and tosses her name into the hat.

Cole Evans is cool, confident, and successful, but he'll never forget his roots. He's thankful for how far he's come and knows his life could have turned out drastically different. If he can win the stately old mansion, he’ll turn it into a home for children aging out of the foster system.

When the eccentric house owner narrows the entries down to only two applicants, she extends the contest, giving PJ and Cole one year to prove which one of them can make the best use of her beloved home. As the pair competes in close proximity, something deeper than rivalry sparks between PJ and Cole. And in this battle, they're likely to lose their hearts.


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Winter Brides (A Year of Weddings Novellas) 
by Denise Hunter, Deborah Raney & Betsy St. Amant
  • Zondervan Publishing
  • Contemporary/Romance
  • 25 November 2014
  • ISBN: 9780310338284

Pre-Order: 
[Kindle Amazon The Book Depository]


Happily ever after begins today. The honor of your presence is requested at three winter weddings . . .

A December Bride by Denise Hunter
When Layla O'Reilly and Seth Murphy make their engagement public, she knows it's only to convince a major client that she's high-society enough to work for his agency. Seth has secretly loved Layla for years, but she's never given him the time of day. For Layla, this romantic illusion is the chance to save her career. And for Seth, it's the chance to finally win her heart.


A January Bride by Deborah Raney
Novelist Madeleine Houser arranges a temporary office in a local bed and breakfast to escape the distracting renovations on her own house. Although she's never laid eyes on the inn's owner, an unlikely friendship blossoms between them as they leave daily notes for each other, and before long, Maddie finds herself falling for her mysterious host---a man likely many years her senior---and a man she's never even met.

A February Bride by Betsy St. Amant
History repeats itself when Allie Andrews escapes the church on her wedding day---wearing the same dress passed down for generations of women in her family, all women with histories of failed marriages. Allie loves Marcus but fears she's destined to repeat her family's mistakes. When thrown unexpectedly together for a wedding months later, Allie and Marcus discover their own story might be far from over.



Buy Denise's Books at The Book Depository

Free Delivery on all Books at the Book Depository

ENTER THE GIVEAWAY

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Be in to win a copy of 
Dancing with Fireflies
by Denise Hunter

One copy to be won
Contest open to entrants 

with USA addresses only.
Contest runs from 16-30 May NZDT



Please comment about the interview, or leave a message for Denise Hunter. 
Simply commenting about entering the draw or wanting to win the books does not qualify for valid entry into the draw. 
All entries must be made using the Rafflecopter contest to be eligible for drawing. 
Winning entries drawn will have their entry options validated before being accepted - if incomplete another entry will be drawn.


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