Shannon here: Regina Merrick shares insight into her characters’ romance in her latest Contemporary Romance, Carolina Grace. Comment or answer the question at the end to enter the drawing for winner’s choice of e-book or print. Deadline: March March 2nd, 11:59 pm central time. Here’s Regina:
Interview with character Charlotte (Charly) Livingston:
Hi Shannon! You caught me at a really busy time. I’m in the waiting room at the hospital waiting to hear from my sister-in-law, Lucy . . . You had some questions for me? Forgive me if we get interrupted!
Shannon – I’ll try to make it fast:
- Are you open to your own romance?
Yes and no. I long to have a home and a family of my own, but I have responsibilities! My mother is blind, my brother and his wife are expecting their second child, I’m in my first year of teaching Special Ed at the middle school and working on my Master’s degree . . . you get the idea. Who has the time to find Mr. Right. (sigh) Maybe I’m meant to be single the rest of my life. I mean, God didn’t heal Mom’s vision when I prayed, and He didn’t keep Dad from dying when I prayed, so why would He care if I’m alone?
- Where is the worst place you can think of to find a mate?
That’s easy. My own home town. If it weren’t for people moving in, I’d basically be related to everyone here. My family has lived on the Grand Strand of South Carolina since the 1600’s!
- What type of character traits are you attracted to?
Hmmm . . . I would have to say I would be attracted to a man who cared about his family. That would show me that he would care about mine, as well.
- What type of features are you attracted to?
I’ve never really thought about it, but that guy over there at the nurses’ station . . . is he a doctor? He has the bluest eyes I’ve ever seen in my life. Oh! He’s looking this way!
- What would be a reason to end a potential romance for you?
Being unfaithful. There are many ways to be unfaithful – there’s actual infidelity, and there’s doing things that are hurtful. Drunkenness, violence, and so much more. That’s a tough question, because then I have to remember that God says to forgive, and I’m not a fan of forgiveness if something could be avoided. I mean, why not just NOT DO that thing that hurts someone? I’ll have to think about that one a little more . . .
- Where do you dream of getting married? Oh good! Another easy question!
I’ve been working part-time for a wedding planner, so I’ve seen pretty much every venue in the area. My dream is simple, though. I’d like to get married at Calvary Church and then have my reception at Pilot Oaks. You don’t know Pilot Oaks? It’s beautiful! It’s an antebellum mansion owned by some friends of mine, Sarah Crawford Benton, her parents, and her sister! The gardens are exquisite. There’s a private beach, a glass summer house, AND a swing in a tree overlooking the marsh, which is one of my favorite spots in the world. So peaceful! There’s a new wedding venue on Pawley’s Island, though, that I just heard about. A historical church building on the beach that’s been renovated into a wedding chapel. I’m sure I’ll see it eventually!
About Regina: Regina Rudd Merrick began reading romance and thinking of book ideas as early as her teenage years when she attempted a happily-ever-after sequel to “Gone With the Wind.” That love of fiction parlayed into a career as a librarian, and finally to writing full-time. She began attending local writing workshops and continued to hone her craft by writing several short and novel-length fan-fiction pieces published online, where she met other authors with a similar love for story, a Christian worldview, and happily-ever-after. Married for 30+ years and active in their church in Marion, KY, Regina and her husband have two grown daughters who share her love of music, writing, and the arts. She is the author of three books: Carolina Dream (Apr. 2017), Carolina Mercy (July 2018), and coming in Feb. 2019, Carolina Grace in the Southern Breeze Series. Learn more and connect:
Regina’s Facebook Regina’s Twitter Regina’s Instagram
Regina’s Pinterest Regina’s Website Mantle Rock Publishing
About the book – Carolina Grace:
She knows about God’s grace for her life, but pushes it away. He hasn’t experienced it, but finds grace in a way he
never expected.
First-year Special Education teacher Charly Livingston demonstrates God’s love on the outside, but is resentful that God allowed back-to-back tragedies to happen to her family.
Rance Beaumont is a top-notch medical intern. He’s on his way to the top, and when he meets Charly, he knows things can only get better. When he discovers family secrets and a dying father he never knew, his easy life seems to disintegrate.
Even in the idyllic ocean breezes and South Carolina sunshine, contentment can quickly turn to bitterness and confusion except for God’s amazing grace.
Can’t wait for the drawing, worried you won’t win, or want the whole series? Get your copy now! Regina’s Amazon Page
Question for Readers: Shannon and I have been cyber friends for several years and have met face to face twice at writer’s conferences. Do you have any cyber friends you have or haven’t met in person? Tell us about it.
Come back Feb 26th for Laura V. Hilton!
Thanks for having me, Shannon! I want to hear about your readers’ “cyber-friends!” Have you had your coffee yet? 😘
No, I haven’t had my coffee yet. And I’ve been a terrible host. Our son is home sick and has been most of the week. My schedule is all off track. But I’ll go have my coffee now and things will get better immediately.
I haven’t yet met any of my online friends. I am a reader, not a writer, so don’t have a good reason to attend writers’ conferences. If I could work at the conference behind the scenes as a fan, I might go. That would be kind of stalkerish though. The CFRR sound interesting and I have considered attending it, but never have.
Regina, I would love to read your books. Your face is very familiar to me around the various websites and I know we both like some of the same authors’ books.
Thank you, Sylvia! I hope you get a chance to read them! Thanks for commenting! Would you believe that my first writing conference I stayed in a hotel room three nights with three ladies I’d only met online? And I got in the car to ride from Louisville to Indianapolis with Shannon and Linda Fulkerson, having never met them, either! LOL! It’s been a great ride, though!
Yes, I do have some cyber friends I haven’t met and some like you that I feel blessed beyond measure to hug in real life!
I used to be on forums for selling kids’ clothes and had a lot of online friends, but once my kids grew up I stopped visiting the sites. So, no, I don’t really have online friends now.
I have several cyber friends I have not met in person, started out as a group of women who have ties to Norway. The group is no more but the cyber friendship has lasted.
Yes, I do have several reading and writing cyber friends that I’ve never met, and a few that I have met. It’s been a blessing getting to know them. BTW, I’m reading Carolina Dream now and love it.
I met the author Sharlene MacLauren online through Facebook. We have a mutual friend. Our friend told me that Sharlene was going to be at a book signing near me. I made plans to meet Gertie, our mutual friend, at the place where Sharlene was going to be and we’ve been friends ever since.
I do have cyber friends that I have never met!
Regina, Carolina Grace looks so good!
Thanks for this fun & creative interview 🙂 I do have cyber friends, but have not met them in person. I have the first two books in this series and am looking forward to Carolina Grace! Thanks for the chance to win a copy!!
nj(dot)bossman(at)gmail(dot)com
yes ,have several cyber friends that I have never met in person
I have a winner! Sylvia M. won the drawing. I appreciate Regina for being my guest and everyone else for stopping by.