I’m delighted to host fellow Anaiah Press author, Michelle Lowe, on the blog today. Her latest release, The Autumn Keepsake, came out on September 6th.
Fresh out of a broken engagement, Tessa Stanley is in desperate need of a distraction from her ex-fiancé’s betrayal—and she finds it in the form of a man lurking around her 84-year-old neighbor’s home. Little does she know when she calls the police, the trespasser is none other than Nicholas Beck, local fireman and her neighbor’s great-nephew. Talk about a bad first impression!
Thankfully, Nicholas shows her the beauty of grace and forgiveness, and as the seasons turn, the two grow closer. But when her ex shows up on her doorstep, begging for forgiveness, Tessa might be at risk of losing more than just her heart.
Tell us three things we’d find if we looked under your heroine’s bed? How about the hero’s?
Under Tessa’s bed you’d likely find an old family picture of her with her late parents, a book about North Carolina history, and one of her dog’s old collars.
Under Nicholas’s bed, you’d find a rumpled-up fireman’s t-shirt, a receipt from the local farmer’s market, and an old church bulletin from a past service at his family’s church.
What is the theme of this book? If it’s part of a series, how does this book fit into the series?
The theme for THE AUTUMN KEEPSAKE is based on the knowledge that God has a perfect plan for our life, no matter the hardships or tragedies we face. And even when we’re not particularly feeling His presence, He’s always there with us. And in the case of Tessa Stanley, a tragedy-filled childhood and a broken engagement lead to a love deeper than she ever envisioned.
Why do you write this genre? What inspired this story? Do you write any other genres?
I’ve always loved romance novels and I’ve always enjoyed writing. My mom was my biggest fan but she is no longer living. She suffered with Multiple Sclerosis for many years. I have many of her favorite old hardback books, which I treasure and wouldn’t get rid of for any amount of money. All of my stories are written with her in mind and the gentle, Christ-like love with which she showered our family growing up.
Any tips to share with fellow authors/aspiring authors? What’s the best advice you’ve ever heard.
I’ve always heard you should write daily, even if you are busy and only have a few minutes. I do believe this practice keeps the creative juices flowing!
I tend to get in a hurry when writing. My thoughts are always ahead of my typing, so I make so many typos! I would suggest to proofread, proofread, and proofread! I have to remind myself constantly to slow down and do this. I also keep notebooks handy, I have one in each room of our home, so that I can jot down ideas when they come to mind.
Rachelle Paige Campbell 