Regina Rudd Merrick – Romantic Character Interview – Part 1 of 1

Shannon here: Regina Rudd Merrick shares a romantic interview with her heroine from Mr. Sandman, her Contemporary Romance Novella, included in the Candy Cane Wishes & Saltwater Dreams novella collection. Comment or answer the question in any post dated Sept 28th – Oct 12th to enter the drawing for a copy. Deadline: Oct 23rd, 11:59 pm central time. Here’s Regina:

Hi! I’m Taylor Fordham, and I work in the hospitality industry. In fact, I work at Pilot Oaks, a historic mansion-turned-B&B and event space in Murrels Inlet, SC, on the Grand Strand. It’s awesome. The beaches, the history, the beaches, the people . . . did I mention the beaches? LOL! Anyway, I’m excited to spend Christmas here. My mom wants me to come home, but I’m not sure. It’s too hard with everyone trying to fix me up with every eligible bachelor around.  But, after the events of the last few weeks, I might have a reason to stay here . . .

• Are you open to your own romance?

Can I give you a firm “Maybe?” My heart was broken a couple of years ago, so basically, I’m not looking, but everyone around me wants to set me up with somebody’s brother or cousin. So over that. After Mike, I’m not entirely sure I want to submit my heart to the possibility of that much hurt again.

• What type of character traits are you attracted to?

Hmmm . . . They would have to be patient (or, hopefully, involved with!) my hobbies, which include this one Sci-Fi show that I tend to watch on the regular, even though it’s been out of production for over ten years. They’d have to be strong, but let me be strong, too. I’m no simpering fool! I’d rather live alone than with an overbearing or impatient man!

• What type of features are you attracted to?

This is funny. I didn’t know, until very recently, that dimples do it for me. As a matter of fact, even now, thinking of a particular person, I’m wondering if I’ll ever see a dimple on BOTH cheeks? I hope so . . .

• What would be a reason to end a potential romance for you?

I will not subject myself to the devastation I suffered with Mike. It was too much. I would probably end things before it got serious rather than face those issues. What issues? I’ll have to let you know in the story . . .

• Where do you dream of getting married?

Oh, that’s an easy one! There’s a spot on the beach between North Litchfield Beach and Huntington Beach State Park (SC, not CA!) that I love. It’s quiet, because it fronts park wilderness property, and the tourists don’t usually find it. It would be a small, intimate wedding, with just family and close friends attending. I feel a sigh coming on just thinking about it.

• Where do you dream of spending your honeymoon?

Okay, don’t laugh, please?! I want to go to Comic-Con – it’s a convention focused on lots of areas of pop culture, including my favorite Sci-Fi show, StarPort: SP1. You meet actors, sit in on interview panels, and, for the die-hard fans, you can dress up as your favorite character! I guess that would mean my dream mate would be willing and excited to go, too, harking back to question #2. 🙂

Thanks for spending this time with me! Be thankful I didn’t fall asleep on you. No, it’s not you, it’s me. I’m not sleeping well, lately. I hope you enjoy my story. Come on out to Pilot Oaks and meet everybody. They’re great, and a big part of why I stayed here after Mike . . . But enough of that. Did I tell you we hired a new chef? His name is Ian. Pretty cute. Nice, too. The jury’s still out on him, especially after that first day we met. 

About Regina: Regina Rudd Merrick is a multi-published writer, church musician, wife, mother, former librarian, lover of all things beachy and chocolate, and grateful follower of Jesus Christ. Married to her husband of 35-plus years, she is the mother of two grown daughters, and the keeper of a 100-year-old house where she lives in the small town of Marion, KY. Learn more & connect:

Regina’s Website            Regina’s Facebook            Regina’s Twitter

Regina’s Instagram              Regina’s Pinterest

About the novella collection – Candy Cane Wishes and Saltwater Dreams by Amy Anguish, Hope Toler Dougherty, Linda Fulkerson, Regina Rudd Merrick and Shannon Taylor Vannatter

Mistletoe Make-believe by Amy Anguish – Charlie Hill’s family thinks his daughter Hailey needs a mom–to the point they won’t get off his back until he finds her one. Desperate to be free from their nagging, he asks a stranger to pretend she’s his girlfriend during the holidays. When romance author Samantha Arwine takes a working vacation to St. Simons Island over Christmas, she never dreamed she’d be involved in a real-life romance. Are the sparks between her and Charlie real? Or is her imagination over-acting … again?

A Hatteras Surprise by Hope Toler Dougherty – Ginny Stowe spent years tending a childhood hurt that dictated her college study and work. Can time with an island visitor with ties to her past heal lingering wounds and lead her toward a happy Christmas … and more? Ben Daniels intends to hire a new branch manager for a Hatteras Island bank, then hurry back to his promotion and Christmas in Charlotte. Spending time with a beautiful local, however, might force him to adjust his sails.

A Pennie for Your Thoughts by Linda Fulkerson – When the Lakeshore Homeowner’s Association threatens to condemn the cabin Pennie Vaughn inherited from her foster mother, her only hope of funding the needed repairs lies in winning a travel blog contest. Trouble is, Pennie never goes anywhere. Should she use the all-expenses paid Hawaiian vacation offered to her by her ex-fiancé? The trip that would have been their honeymoon?

Mr. Sandman by Regina Rudd Merrick – Events manager Taylor Fordham’s happily-ever-after was snatched from her, and she’s saying no to romance and Christmas. When she meets two new friends—the cute new chef at Pilot Oaks and a contributor on a sci-fi fan fiction website who enjoys debate—her resolve begins to waver. Just when she thinks she can loosen her grip on thoughts of love, a crisis pulls her back. There’s no way she’s going to risk her heart again.

Coastal Christmas Charade by Shannon Taylor Vannatter – Lark Pendleton is banking on a high-society wedding to make her grandparent’s inn at Surfside Beach, Texas the venue to attract buyers. Tasked with sprucing up the inn, she hires Jace Wilder, whose heart she once broke. When the bride and groom turn out to be Lark’s high school nemesis and ex-boyfriend, she and Jace embark on a pretend romance to save the wedding. But when real feelings emerge, can they overcome past hurts?

Check out the book trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-spm0_wQcZ0

Can’t wait for the drawing? Worried you won’t win? Interested in Regina’s other titles?

Get your copies now!

Candy Cane Wishes & Saltwater Dreams – Amazon

Mosaic Collection Books            Scrivenings Press Books

Question for Readers: What is your favorite beach (if you’re a beach person), and what’s your first thought when you think about it? If you’re NOT a beach person, what’s your favorite place to get away from it all?

Come back Oct 5th for Amy R. Anguish!