Shannon here: Alexa Verde shares how she picks the setting for her books. Comment or answer the question at the end of the post to enter the drawing for an e-copy (winner’s choice) of Alexa’s books to be gifted via BookFunnel. Deadline: August 27th, CST. The winner will be announced in the comment to this blog. Here’s Alexa:
Small Town, City, or Country? Plus Giveaway!
Many thanks to Shannon Taylor Vannatter for having me on her blog! I truly appreciate this opportunity.
I’m Alexa Verde, and I write Christian romance and romantic suspense. As an only child, I often escaped into fascinating worlds of books where I could find friends and experience great adventures. A few years ago, I noticed a pattern that while I read books set in the mountains, cities, and foreign lands, I often gravitated to small town, USA settings. I live in a tiny town in Texas, and though I had a few chances to move to a large city, I resisted them. Don’t get me wrong. I do love diverse books and diverse settings, but something about the sense of community, slower pace of life, and friendly neighbors speaks to me.
So, it’s no wonder that most of my books are set in Rios Azules, a fictional town in south Texas. It’s a town I’d love to live in myself, and its characters are people I’d be thrilled to have as friends. And while it’s quiet and friendly, life there is vibrant and fun. It’s a place where neighbors care about each other, and you’re welcome to come for a visit or stay forever.
I admit I’m a bit attached to Rios Azules, so it surprised me when this year I found myself near the ocean (Heart Unbroken) and then on a ranch (new release Heart Healed). While I enjoy the breathtaking sunsets and whisper of the ocean, I’ve never lived in the country or been on a ranch. But that’s what the book called for, so that’s where my characters went, and I loved it. The vast horizons, the scent of hay, horses neighing in the distance, and the feeling of joy and beauty of God’s creation…
Heart Healed, released today, is an encouraging, uplifting love story with humor and a dash of suspense, and I hope so much it’ll touch readers hearts.
About Alexa: Alexa Verde writes sweet, wholesome books about faith, love, and hope. She penned her first literary masterpiece, a rhymed poem, at the ripe age of eight, and since has had 200 short stories, articles, and poems published in the five languages that she speaks. She has bachelor’s degrees in English and Spanish, a master’s in Russian, and enjoys writing about characters with diverse cultures. She’s worn the hats of reporter, teacher, translator, model (even one day counts!), caretaker, and secretary, but thinks that the writer’s hat suits her the best. After traveling the world and living in both hemispheres, she calls a small town in south Texas home. The latter is an inspiration for the fictional setting of her popular series Rios Azules Christmas and Secrets of Rios Azules. For giveaways, news, and recipes, please sign up for Alexa’s Newsletter.
Connect & learn more: Alexa’s Twitter Alexa’s Facebook
About the book – Heart Healed:
Can a scarred man running from his past and a beautiful star running from her future survive a murderous attack
and find healing in God’s loving arms?
Country music sensation, Miriam Lizzaraga, thinks her world’s crushed when she loses her voice. But that’s before her first love decides to marry someone else and the man who nearly killed her sets out to get her again. In desperation, she accepts help from a stranger, Philip Barlow. But with a target on her back and pain in her heart, can she love again?
When Philip Barlow goes on a vacation, he doesn’t expect to meet his celebrity crush. Realizing Miriam is in danger, he’s ready to die to protect her. But scarred after an accident and struggling with anger issues, can he hope the gorgeous star will one day return his feelings?
As the day nears when their lives will be in danger and their courage tested, can they find strength in God?
Question for Readers: What kind of setting do you prefer: small town, city, country, mountains, coastal, or something I didn’t mention? I look forward to reading your comments!
Come back August 24th for Mary Ellis!
A small town out in the country always leave room for suspense, not knowing who will find you when you break down and run out of gas. I hope this never happens to me or you either.
You have a point, June Horne! Thank you very much for stopping by!
I love a variety of settings!
Great answer! Thank you for commenting, Shelia Hall!
I love settings in the country, mountains, or a small town. And I also love settings in the UK! Your book sounds great!
I love setting in the UK, too! My friend and a great author Autumn Macarthur has several awesome Christian romances set in UK. Thank you very much for commenting, Candace West Posey, and huge thanks for your kind words about my books!
I love all settings – city, small town, rural, coastal, mountain, contemporary and historical. I love that I can learn something from each book I read.
That’s a great variety of settings, MJSH! And I couldn’t agree more. One of the things I love about books is that I can learn from them. Thank you so much for stopping by!
I like small town or country settings usually…..tend to choose many books based on where family members live or stories in the southern states.
I love small town settings. And I totally understand. It must be easier to relate to books if they are set where family members live. Thank you for commenting!
Huge thanks for featuring me on your blog, Shannon Taylor Vannatter!
Glad to have you. I grew up in large cities, then moved to the country in my tweens. I hated small town life at first, but it grew on me and now I hate large cities. I like small town and country settings.
Glad you grew to like small towns!
I have a winner! June Horne won the drawing. I appreciate Alexa for being my guest and everyone else for stopping by.