Shannon here: Historical romance author, Eileen Key shares insight into her characters’ romance in A Hint of Lavender which is included in the 4 in 1 novella collection, Sundays in Fredericksburg. Comment on any post dated April 12th – 19th for a chance to win the collection. Deadline: April 27th, 11:59 pm central time. Here’s Eileen:
Interview with Gwen Zimmerman – heroine from A Hint of Lavender
- Are you open to your own romance?
Oh yes. Especially after I met Clay Tanner. Wow, he’s good-looking, interesting and funny.
- What’s the number one quality you’d require in a mate?
I feel his walk with the Lord is what I most want. I’ve seen my parents go through tough times and it’s only by leaning on the Lord they’ve made it. So he has to be a Christian. Which, right now, leaves out this guy next door! Sigh.
- Where is the worst place you can think of to find a mate?
I have friends who go to bars and other places to look for guys. I don’t think that’s where a guy who loves the Lord would be. Ergo, I stay at home.
- Where do you dream of getting married?
We have a wonderful church and I think walking down the aisle there would be awesome. I can’t imagine anywhere else.
- Where do you dream of spending your honeymoon?
Certainly not a cruise! I am a feet-on-the-soil girl. Anywhere my honey would swoop me away. It would be dreamy if he did the planning and surprised me.
- What would be the best gift a potential mate could buy for you?
My dream man would know my preferences. I’m not a diamonds and frills sort of girl. I’d probably prefer farm equipment! Say a John Deere tractor? He could put a bow on the grill.
About Eileen: Eileen Key retired after teaching school for thirty years. She is a freelance writer and editor, with two mysteries and three novellas published. Mother of three, grandmother of three, Eileen resides in San Antonio, Texas, where she is an active member of Grace Community Church. Learn more: Eileenkey.com
About the novella – A Hint of Lavender: After a rainy season, the Texas hill country is dotted with bluebonnets, Indian paintbrush, and other brightly colored flowers. Springtime is breathtaking. After a drought, not so much. The landscape holds less color but it’s still beautiful to me.
In Fredericksburg, TX, you can visit this colorful vista at any point in time because of the wildflower farms. The largest, the Wildseed Farms, grows an amazing variety of plants for seedlings. When I was there for research, despite the August heat, I could only imagine my character, Gwen, desiring to create fields which would yield such a magnificent sight. And turn a profit! Her dream of a lavender field could well come to fruition in this town. And her parents’ peach grove would be a reality. (Did I mention the sweet , juicy flavor of a Fredericksburg peach? I await the road side stands and their bounty every year. )
I hope you enjoy the romance which blooms between Gwen and Clay. It’s difficult when a strong believer encounters a wonderful person and discovers he doesn’t walk the walk. But God, in His infinite mercy, is in the business of changing hearts! Find a shade tree and a juicy peach and enjoy Sundays in Fredericksburg.
About the collection – Sundays in Fredericksburg: Come down to Fredericksburg, Texas, where four generations of couples encounter romance in Sunday Houses. Having become a schoolteacher to avoid marriage, Amelia Bachman finds her resolve crumbling before a smitten carpenter. Determined not to fall in love, Mildred Zimmermann carefully nurses an army medic crippled in love and war. Somewhat of a homebody, Trudy Meier isn’t sure she has the courage to love a roving reporter. Gwendolyn’s beautiful wildflower field is threatened by a geologist’s search for knowledge. Will these four women risk their hearts for the love a stranger?
Come back April 22nd for Cynthia Ruchti!
joanne elliott says
Wow these books sound amazing! I love all the different couples you talk about…carpenter,army medic, geologist, reporter…all of them peek my interest. Thank you for the opportunity to win them!
Kim F says
Sounds like a great read! Thanks for sharing
Bonnie Traher says
Wonderful.
Jaime Wright says
Neat cover and intriguing book! Nice interview too! Good to meet a new author!
Cherie Kasper says
I have not read one of your books yet. I have seen a lot of comments on Kim Sawyer’s facebook posts from you, I used to go to church with Kim. We live in Ohio now though. Your book sounds like a lot of fun to read, your part anyway, don’t know for sure what the others wrote. I don’t know Texas much, born in Oklahoma, raised in Kansas. That area sounds like a wonderful place to be though. Sorry, I like to ramble
Shannon Taylor Vannatter says
Hey Cherie,
The last three posts on this blog are from the other authors in this collection. You can scroll down and read about each author and their novellas.
ELIZA ELLIOT says
I love the cover…what an interesting story – would love to read it.
thanks for the chance…truckredford(at)gmail(dot)com
Deanna Mundy says
This collection sounds good. Thanks for the chance to win.
Maxie Anderson says
I would love to win Eileen’s book about Fredericksburg. I want to visit there. A grandmother that I never got to see is buried. She died when my mother was only five. Please put my name in.
Maxie mac262@me.com
Veronica Sternberg says
This looks so good! I’d love to win.
Martha J. Sturm says
I never went to bars to meet a man (but plenty do!) I met my husband in church.
I have never seen bluebonnets, but my sister (who lives in Dallas) says they are breathtaking.
shelia hall says
your book sounds like it would be so good!
Shannon Taylor Vannatter says
I have a winner! Bonnie Traher won the copy of Sundays in Fredericksburg. I appreciate Connie, Margie, Lynette, and Eileen for being here and everyone else for stopping by.