Be good to those you love, help those who need your help, and never stop believing in your own dreams...
The first novel, Dance of the Heart, in the Moments of the Heart series, is a heartfelt romance that takes place on a strawberry farm in Washington State. I have posted a series of question below I've been asked by those who have read it.
DANCE OF THE HEART INTERVIEW QUESTIONS:
(1) Maggie faces the loss of her mother when she is just twelve-years-old and we watch her struggle with the feelings of love as an adult. Do you feel that someone can lose a parent at a young age and still find happiness?
My own mother died when she was only fifty- five. Even though I was an adult at the time, it was much too soon for me to lose her. I can only imagine how that feeling of loss would have been compounded if I had tried to heal on my own, as Maggie did, without the support of my family. We all need someone to lean on. Whether it is our family or friends, life’s struggles are meant to be shared. If we can open up and let someone in, we can overcome anything.
(2) Maggie’s grandmother is such a life-like character. Did you get inspiration for her from someone you know?
When I was writing the character of Maggie’s grandmother (or Gram as she is called) I really did not have any one person in mind. But, as the story went along, she took on more and more characteristics of my own grandmother. The way she fiercely loves her family and always puts them first, and her sometimes feisty nature which can get her into trouble. I really enjoyed meeting her and I know she will be an enduring character to my readers as well.
(3) What character(s) did you identify with most?
That is a very interesting question. I think I identify with a few of them. Maggie, as she deeply loves her family but tried to solve her problems on her own. Her sister, Jilly, a loving wife and mother who tries to give her all to everyone but sometimes finds even she can’t do everything. And finally, I would probably even identify with little Amber, who’s five-years-old. Her childlike enthusiasm for every event in her life is something I try hard to hold onto.
(4) Your book is set in Washington State. Why did you pick that area and did you have any other places in mind?
My family has lived in Washington State for generations. We were some of the founding members of Tacoma. I love the versatility of our State. We have beaches, mountains, and beautiful rain forests. So much to do year round, you never have to travel far to have some fun. This was the perfect setting for my book. The strawberry farms that the family owns are like the ones I used to work on as a kid every summer. Spending time picking berries with my family, in the summer months, are some of my favorite childhood memories.
(5) If you had to describe this book in just one word, what would it be?
I think I am going to need at least two... Surprising and intoxicating. The way Maggie finds her way through the tangled mess that is her heart is a wonderfully surprising journey. The way she mends that heart with the help of a handsome stranger is intoxicating.
Whether you're a fellow romance reader, a writer who is working on their first novel, a seasoned author, or an avid chocolate lover, I'd love to hear from you.
Please take a few minutes and send me a tweet, @susanberry111, email, [email protected], or scoot over to my bog and let me know what's on your mind.
Take care, keep your heart open, and happy reading...
DANCE OF THE HEART INTERVIEW QUESTIONS:
(1) Maggie faces the loss of her mother when she is just twelve-years-old and we watch her struggle with the feelings of love as an adult. Do you feel that someone can lose a parent at a young age and still find happiness?
My own mother died when she was only fifty- five. Even though I was an adult at the time, it was much too soon for me to lose her. I can only imagine how that feeling of loss would have been compounded if I had tried to heal on my own, as Maggie did, without the support of my family. We all need someone to lean on. Whether it is our family or friends, life’s struggles are meant to be shared. If we can open up and let someone in, we can overcome anything.
(2) Maggie’s grandmother is such a life-like character. Did you get inspiration for her from someone you know?
When I was writing the character of Maggie’s grandmother (or Gram as she is called) I really did not have any one person in mind. But, as the story went along, she took on more and more characteristics of my own grandmother. The way she fiercely loves her family and always puts them first, and her sometimes feisty nature which can get her into trouble. I really enjoyed meeting her and I know she will be an enduring character to my readers as well.
(3) What character(s) did you identify with most?
That is a very interesting question. I think I identify with a few of them. Maggie, as she deeply loves her family but tried to solve her problems on her own. Her sister, Jilly, a loving wife and mother who tries to give her all to everyone but sometimes finds even she can’t do everything. And finally, I would probably even identify with little Amber, who’s five-years-old. Her childlike enthusiasm for every event in her life is something I try hard to hold onto.
(4) Your book is set in Washington State. Why did you pick that area and did you have any other places in mind?
My family has lived in Washington State for generations. We were some of the founding members of Tacoma. I love the versatility of our State. We have beaches, mountains, and beautiful rain forests. So much to do year round, you never have to travel far to have some fun. This was the perfect setting for my book. The strawberry farms that the family owns are like the ones I used to work on as a kid every summer. Spending time picking berries with my family, in the summer months, are some of my favorite childhood memories.
(5) If you had to describe this book in just one word, what would it be?
I think I am going to need at least two... Surprising and intoxicating. The way Maggie finds her way through the tangled mess that is her heart is a wonderfully surprising journey. The way she mends that heart with the help of a handsome stranger is intoxicating.
Whether you're a fellow romance reader, a writer who is working on their first novel, a seasoned author, or an avid chocolate lover, I'd love to hear from you.
Please take a few minutes and send me a tweet, @susanberry111, email, [email protected], or scoot over to my bog and let me know what's on your mind.
Take care, keep your heart open, and happy reading...