Shannon here: Brenda S. Anderson shares insight into her characters’ romance from her latest Contemporary Romance, Home Another Way. Comment or answer the question at the end of the post to enter the drawing for an e-book copy. Deadline: Feb 16th, 11:59 pm central time. Here’s Brenda:
- Are you open to your own romance?
Dani ~ Well, I’m always open to romance, but I’m not looking for anything long term. I just like to have fun.
Austin ~ Romance? Who has time for that?
- What’s the number one quality you’d require in a mate?
Dani ~ I’m very attracted to free spirits who aren’t afraid to try new adventures on the spur of the moment.
Austin ~ She would have to be grounded in her faith. No question about that. And I’m also attracted to someone who’s thoughtful, who thinks things out, and doesn’t act impulsively.
- What’s the one habit or lifestyle that would make you run the other way?
Dani ~ Someone who only has time for work would be so boring! Life is too short not to have fun!
Austin ~ Someone who doesn’t take life seriously, and acts without thinking really annoys me.
- What would you consider a fun date?
Dani ~ I know it probably sounds childish, but I love to go sledding. And I love sledding races! Top that off with hot cocoa, and I’m a happy girl.
Austin ~ I love video games, so if I could find someone to compete with me, I’d love it.
- What is something you’re passionate about?
Dani ~ I LOVE to bring attention to social issues such as homelessness. We can’t just stand by and do nothing!
Austin ~ Serving the homeless and teaching life skills is very important to me!
- What does serving the homeless look like to you?
How do you serve?
Dani ~ Well, in the past, I participated in protests to bring attention to the homeless. I’ve slept in a cardboard box in winter—in Minnesota. Not fun! I’ve also collected food and supplies, but the authorities weren’t too happy with my methods and I got arrested. It was worth it, though, because it brought a lot of attention to a new homeless encampment in the area. Even better, though, as part of my sentence, I’m doing community service at the Family Table Meal, a weekly meal that serves the homeless in my community. I love talking with all the people and hearing their stories. I want them to see themselves as loved and not forgotten.
I must also say that I’m rather attracted to the Family Table Meal coordinator. Talk about someone who is God’s hands and feet! You asked about romance earlier … well, if he asked me out, no doubt I’d say yes.
Austin ~ When I was eighteen, I aged out of foster care and became homeless. I lived in my car. I ate a community meals. I did other things I’m not proud of. But God put amazing people in my path who loved me and helped me out of my situation and taught me important life skills. Now as a Family and Consumer Science teacher, I get to teach others those important skills. And on Saturdays now, I’m coordinating the Family Table Meal, the very meal I once went to as a homeless teen. God is good!
Another benefit of working the meal is meeting so many other people who live to serve and do it without bringing attention to themselves. They’re amazing.
And then there’s this new volunteer. Well, she’s not actually a volunteer as she’s doing community service rather than spend time in jail. But I’ve never seen someone with such passion for the people we serve. She really sees the heart of these people. She’s a bit—very!—impulsive, but that shows her heart. To say I have a crush on her is an 
understatement. But I can’t imagine her, a senator’s daughter, being interested in a nobody like me.
About Brenda: Brenda S. Anderson writes gritty and authentic, life-affirming fiction. She is a member of the American Christian Fiction Writers, and is Past-President of the ACFW Minnesota chapter, MN-NICE, the 2016 ACFW Chapter of the Year. When not reading or writing, she enjoys music, theater, roller coasters, and baseball, and she loves watching movies with her family. She resides in the Minneapolis, Minnesota area with her husband of 31 years, their three children, and one sassy cat. Connect and learn more:
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About the book – Home Another Way:
She’s a senator’s daughter.
He’s a convict’s son.
Can they overcome their differences and learn what it really means to serve and to love?
Realtor Dani Chamberlain’s passion for bringing attention to the homeless, regardless of the method, has once again backfired. Along with being sentenced to one-hundred hours of community service feeding the homeless, she’s also being kicked out of her home—by her own mother! She has less than two months to find a new place, or she’ll be living on the street herself.
Once a homeless teen, Austin Lang is now a school teacher and coordinator of the Family Table Meal for the homeless in his community. And he can’t wait to purchase his own home. When Dani Chamberlain breezes into the Family Table Meal wearing high heels and a haughty attitude, his life and plans are upended.
Dani is instantly drawn to the quiet, selfless man who puts his faith into action, and Austin can’t stop his attraction to the passionate woman who dives in to help people without thought to her own safety. Along with working together serving the community, they join forces to search for their new homes, deepening their attraction.
Then each of them receive news that shakes their foundations and threatens to tear them apart permanently. Can they overcome their differences and learn what it really means to serve and to love?
Can’t wait for the drawing or worried you won’t win? Get your copy now! Home Another Way – Amazon
Question for readers: Both my hero and heroine are passionate about serving the homeless. What is a social issue or service organization that you’re passionate about serving and/or supporting?
Come back Feb 8th for Sandra Ardoin!
Thank you for welcoming me back, Shannon!
Glad to have you, Brenda. I love your cover, as usual. Our church supports missionaries and Samaritan’s Purse Operation Shoe Box. I love both because they spread the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Our family has headed up Operation Christmas Child for our church. The kids have now taken over coordinating, which is fun to see. 🙂 Someday, I’d love to travel with those distributing the boxes.
Our church has a perpetual education fund to provide money for people who want to further their education but don’t have the means to do so. The church provides the funds for them, and the person then pays back in to the program when they have a job and can do so. They are able to help people mostly in poorer countries to support their families.
Oh, I love that, Winnie! Thank you for sharing!
I have a winner! Winnie Thomas won the drawing. I appreciate Brenda for being my guest and everyone else for stopping by.