Guest blogging today is the lovely Kimberly Rose Johnson, a fellow Inspy Romance author! Kimberly’s latest book Island Hope, book 4 in the Wildflower B&B series, is available on preorder ready for release next week!
Kimberly is doing a blog tour with her publishers Mountain Brook Ink to celebrate the new release.
Featured Authors:
Heather L.L. FitzGerald – Debut author of young adult fantasy series, The Tethered World Chronicles
Kimberly Rose Johnson – Multi-published author of sweet romance series, The Wildflower B&B Romance
Angela Ruth Strong – Multi-published author of Finding Love in Sun Valley, Idaho, book one in the Resort to Love series
Each stop will include an opportunity to enter for a FREE KINDLE FIRE as the grand prize, as well as three runner-up opportunities to win a $10 Starbucks gift card! Check the bottom of the post for either a Rafflecopter FORM or a Rafflecopter link for your chance to enter!
Now, over to Kimberly!
Thanks for hosting me, Autumn! True story, when I was pregnant with my first child, I wanted a girl, and I planned to name her Autumn. 🙂 I ended up with a boy and named him Austin. Ah, memories.
Which brings me to my topic today—the story behind the story.
Island Hope is the fourth and final book in the Wildflower B&B Romance series. I wasn’t sure there was going to be a book four since I was originally only contracted to write three books for this series. However, my publisher pushed hard and convinced me to write a fourth book.
It wasn’t that I didn’t want to write it, but rather, I wasn’t sure I could. At this point it was late August, and I didn’t even have a solid storyline in mind! We were both attending the same writer’s conference and I pitched my vague idea, but still hesitated to commit. What if I couldn’t write it fast enough?
My youngest was heading off to college for the first time this past August and my emotions were in a whirlwind. Knowing I’d probably be feeling out of sorts, my wise husband planned a mini-vacation to my favorite destination, Sunriver, Oregon and while there inspiration struck. We walked the paved pathways through the woods discussing my ideas and brainstorming together. I finally had a solid plot. However, at this point it was already the middle of September and time was not on my side.
Knowing my publisher really wanted a fourth book, I sent an email to her while I was on vacation detailing my fleshed out idea. We went back and forth a bit and came up with something we both liked. Within a couple weeks I had a contract and a short amount of time to write.
I honestly can’t remember what kind of timeline I was working under, only that I had to write quickly—thankfully I had more than enough time and turned the manuscript in two or three weeks early.
Metal sculptor Hope Michaels gave up on art when her creativity was zapped by another person who was close to her. Burying herself in her electrical contracting business, Hope takes a job on Wildflower Island. She never imagines that a job at the Wildflower Resort will turn everything in her life upside down. But that’s exactly what happens when her best friend and employer, Piper, plays matchmaker.
A lonely widower throws all his energy into raising his teenage daughter, but when he is promoted to manager of the Wildflower Resort, things at home don’t go as smoothly as planned. Worried about his relationship with his daughter, he seeks advice from a feisty-but-sweet newcomer. Will she help smooth his path or will things only get more complicated?
Did you notice the connection of Hope’s name to the title of the book? That was my publisher’s brainchild. I can’t even remember what I’d originally titled it. 🙂
There you have it—the story behind the story. I hope you enjoyed a glimpse behind the scenes.
Feel free to ask questions about the process or any one of the books if you’d like. On a side note, remember when I mentioned being in Sunriver when I came up with a solid plotline? Well the next series I have contracted with Mountain Brook Ink is set in Sunriver. 🙂
February 22, 2016 at 3:56 pm
Thanks for hosting me on your wonderful blog, Autumn!
February 22, 2016 at 6:55 pm
Kimberly, thanks so much for visiting the blog today! The new story sounds wonderful, it’s high on my TBR list 🙂
February 22, 2016 at 7:54 pm
My husband and I took a trip out west several years ago and visited the Grand Canyon, Arches Nat’l Park and Sedona. That was the best vacation ever! So far, those are some of my favorite vacation spots. Congratulations on the new release.
Autumn, thanks for the fun blog post.
February 23, 2016 at 2:12 am
Oh wow, that sounds gorgeous, Carrie!
I realised I forgot to mention my favourite vacation spot. It would have to be going home to Sydney. My parents live in a suburb just north of the city, surrounded by beautiful forest, yet only ten minutes away from the beach. I love it there!
February 23, 2016 at 6:33 pm
I have never been to Arizona, Carrie but based on the comments I’ve been getting on this tour, I think I need to. Thanks!
February 22, 2016 at 11:02 pm
I can’t even imagine writing under all of that pressure, and stress. I love that your husband knew you’d need a break, and even helped you with story ideas. What a wonderful blessing!
February 23, 2016 at 2:10 am
Husbands can be a huge help to writers! Or a huge hindrance. It’s a blessing to have the right sort 😉
February 23, 2016 at 6:34 pm
He is a sweetie and pretty creative too. 🙂
February 23, 2016 at 12:15 am
Thanks for hosting Kimberly, Autumn! I enjoyed this post and I’m thrilled you took part in the blog tour!
February 23, 2016 at 2:13 am
I’m so glad to have Kimberly here and be part of the tour 🙂
February 23, 2016 at 3:47 am
My current favorite spot is San Diego, CA. We went there for the first time this year just before Christmas. It was like a second joneymoon!
February 23, 2016 at 4:33 pm
Becky, lovely!
I do love travelling with my husband. There’s something about getting away from our everyday. It feels like we are on honeymoon again, every time 🙂
February 23, 2016 at 6:34 pm
I Love San Diego! Such a beautiful place.
February 23, 2016 at 5:09 am
This is an incredible post. I really enjoy it when I can find out information from behind-the-scenes for a book that has been written.
February 23, 2016 at 4:34 pm
I love hearing about other author’s writing processes, too 🙂
February 23, 2016 at 6:35 pm
Thanks, Debora. I’m glad you enjoyed it. 🙂
February 23, 2016 at 3:39 pm
We like to just do road trips and maybe an overnight stay. Often we end up visiting faraway family 🙂
I enjoyed the post!
February 23, 2016 at 4:35 pm
Travelling to visit family can be the best sort of trip. LOL, sometimes the worst too! 😉
February 23, 2016 at 6:36 pm
Hi, Deanna. Road trips are a nice and relaxing alternative to a mega vacation. It’s what we usually do to. 🙂
Thanks for stopping by and commenting.
February 23, 2016 at 6:37 pm
I like visiting my family for vacation. Or just relaxing at home. 😉 Someday, though, I’d love to visit Japan. That was sweet of your husband to distract you when you were feeling down!
February 23, 2016 at 6:56 pm
Japan would be interesting! It’s one of the spots my husband really wants to visit as he’s been learning the language. 🙂
February 23, 2016 at 7:09 pm
Now Japan is a place I’ve never considered. I hope you get to go there someday.
Yes, my husband is a sweetie. 🙂
February 23, 2016 at 8:55 pm
Thank you so much for hosting this giveaway, love reading your blog
February 24, 2016 at 10:53 pm
Thanks for visiting, Christina, I’m glad you enjoy the blog 🙂
February 24, 2016 at 3:45 am
Thanks for hosting!!! <3
February 24, 2016 at 10:53 pm
I’m glad you visited, Tiffany 🙂
February 27, 2016 at 10:50 pm
Isn’t it amazing how things work out in the long run. It is wonderful that your husband brainstorms with you.
February 29, 2016 at 1:27 pm
Thanks for visiting, Jan! I was impressed that Kimberly’s husband brainstorms helpfully too. LOL, I’ve tried with my husband but he’s more crime/ thriller oriented so his suggestions for plot problems are along the lines of killing people off! Not the best fit for sweet romance 😉
Pingback: Behind The Story: Heather L.L. FitzGerald (plus win a Kindle!) | Sparks of Ember