Must-read romance: 'Let's Do It'; a chat with author of 'The Ultimate Love'
Join me every week as I share a few shout-outs on romance author goings-on, related events and recommended reads.
Let's Do It by Ann Christopher
Let's Do It (Journey's End series) by Ann Christopher will satisfy the appetite of the hungry reader. The author's skillful delivery of this solid story is served up with a powerful cast of characters. Herein lies one of Christopher's strengths — rich, bold, relatable hero and heroine. Edward, such a great guy, arrives on the scene with layers and textures to enrich his role as hero. And the heroine, Reeve, also will easily connect with readers, while pushing the story's forward momentum with her inner desires and overall goals.
And that brings us to the story — multipublished Christopher brings solid positive consistency to her writing game. Small-town romance will never get old with serious themes and deep personal problems, as included in Let's Do It. The conflict mounts with good pacing. As a result, we can enjoy the hard work it takes for the couple to find the solution at Journey's End.
What it's about (courtesy of Blue Iris Press):
Deep in upstate New York, in the heart of the Hudson River Valley, lies a small town where five brothers, all world-weary and battered by life, are about to find the loves of their lives … at Journey's End.
A woman trapped inside her past…
When veterinarian Edward Harper stops to help a woman stranded on the road outside Journey's End, his only goal is to make sure she gets safely to her destination. His personal life is complicated enough without any new distractions, thanks. But one look into Reeve Banks' eyes, which are as haunted as they are beautiful, scuttles all his best-laid plans…
The one man who can free her…
A recent medical school graduate, Reeve is returning home to Journey's End to start a new chapter in her career and close the book on her unhappy past—nothing more. But her unlikely Good Samaritan is the most intriguing and engaging man she's met in a long time, and his steady determination to vault the brick walls around her heart is irresistible.
The timing may be bad, but when the sexiest man she's ever known serves up his love on a silver platter and wants to build a life with her, there's only one possible response Reeve can give…Let's Do It!
A CHAT WITH CARLA VICTORIA WALLACE
Carla Victoria Wallace's first novel with Peace in the Storm Publishing is The Ultimate Love.
What it's about:
Have you ever wondered what it would be like to fall in love with someone of a different race? According to Jada Calloway, she has never considered dating outside of her race. When Jada is introduced to Pete McKnight, the handsome single brother of her co-worker, she suspects that he's interested in more than friendship.
Pete's mother, Mrs. McKnight, fears that Jada is getting too close to her son. Mrs. McKnight does not approve of Jada because of her race and has no shame in letting everyone know. With each encounter that Jada has with Mrs. McKnight, the tension increases and Jada's insecurities resurface. Will Jada put her bitterness and insecurities aside to pursue a new relationship, or will she go back to what's familiar?
Michelle: Please tell us about you, Carla.
Carla: I am an elementary school teacher by day and an author by night. I have been married for nine years, and I have a 2-year-old daughter. I also serve in the children's ministry at my church. My first novel was published in 2010, and in 2015 I became an author for Peace in the Storm Publishing. I currently contribute to the Peace in the Storm Publishing blog, and my first novel through this publisher is titled The Ultimate Love, which is debuting on Kindle and Kindle Unlimited on July 28.
Michelle: What inspired the story for The Ultimate Love? What did you hope to bring to the readers with this story about finding romance in the least-expected places?
Carla: The Ultimate Love was inspired by my diverse family. Although I am of African-American decent, I have a Caucasian aunt, a Japanese aunt and mixed-race cousins. I thought about the challenges that one faces when dating outside of one's own race. Sometimes a person may have a romantic preference, and I wanted to write about stepping outside of one's romantic comfort zone. Although an interracial relationship may not be an issue for the couple, sometimes it may be an issue for the other family members involved. Relationships link a couple to each other's families, and therefore cultural differences and possible racial stereotypes may come into play. Conflict due to racial differences can begin to impact a couple's relationship. I wanted to explore these different scenarios in The Ultimate Love.
One of my biggest inspirational role models is my Savior, Jesus Christ. I believe God gave me the gift of writing, and I use my gift to write from a Christian perspective. My husband is a big inspiration for me. The love he's shown for me over the years inspires me to write about love, and falling in love. My parents have been an inspiration, as they have encouraged me in my gifts from childhood to adulthood. Finally, author Kendra Norman has been an inspiration, as I am a fan of her books. I also had the privilege of meeting her in person when she visited Connecticut. Kendra Norman's passion for pursuing writing as her purpose encourages me to never give up on what I believe I've also been purposed to do, which is to write.
Michelle: Thank you, Carla. Readers can connect with Carla on Facebook.
Michelle Monkou writes for Harlequin Kimani, Evernight Publishing and Boroughs Publishing. Michelle's website is michellemonkou.com. You can also connect with her on Facebook.