Shannon here: Stacy Monson shares insight into her characters’ romance from her latest Contemporary Romance, When Mountains Sing. Comment or answer the question at the end of any post dated July 30th – Aug 2nd to enter the drawing. One print and one e-book up for grabs. Deadline: Aug 10th, 11:59 pm central time. Here’s Stacy:
An Interview with Mikayla Gordon of When Mountains Sing by Stacy Monson:
- Are you open to your own romance?
I’ve always thought that my twin sister (who’s tall, thin and gorgeous) is the one every guy wants to date, and my older sister is the one they’re afraid to date (she’s now a pediatric surgeon), I’m the one it never occurred to them to date. I love being outdoors doing pretty much anything—fishing, camping, hiking, being a trail guide. Guys have always liked that I can talk sports and outdoor stuff, but I’m not sure they ever actually saw me as a girl. So am I open to romance? Definitely! I’m just not convinced it will happen.
- What’s the number one quality you’d require in a mate?
Someone who sees me as female (see answer to #1!) but also as an equal when we’re out camping or fishing or whatever. I won’t say I’m as strong as some guys, but I’ve got a few tricks up my sleeve that help me hold my own. So it’s really important to me that he appreciates I’m a girl who can keep up.
- Where is the best place you can think of to find a mate?
No surprise – outdoors! As long as I can remember, I’ve loved being outdoors. I don’t want to just look at it through a window, I want to experience it. Out on a lake when the sun comes up, watching the sun set across a meadow, falling asleep in a tent listening to owls. It’s just all so amazing.
- What type of character traits are you attracted to?
Strength, a guy who knows who he is but doesn’t have to prove it to anyone. Humor, definitely. I like to have fun and I think a guy who can laugh is really attractive. Someone who’s a leader but knows how to raise other people up. I guess a guy that people like being around because it’s not all about him.
- What’s the one habit or lifestyle that would make you run the other way?
Someone who’s okay with spending their days at a desk. They don’t have to be a total outdoor nut like me, but if they don’t like spending time outside, we ‘d hardly see each other. And for me to have to spend a lot of time indoors would make me less than fun to be around. So for both our sakes, an indoor guy and an outdoor girl wouldn’t be a good match.
- Where do you dream of getting married?
Outdoors! While I live in jeans and a T-shirt, I picture myself in a pretty dress, and him in a nice shirt and dress pants. Nothing super fancy but pretty and simple and comfortable. Maybe in a beautiful garden, or beside a lake at sunset. I’ve never been to the mountains but the photos I’ve seen are stunning so maybe on a mountaintop somewhere with an amazing view.
- What would be the best gift a potential mate could buy for you?
I love to fish. I love the peacefulness of sitting quietly in nature. It’s impossible to be angry or upset when you’re out there whether you’re alone or with someone. So maybe a fishing boat? Seriously. How cool would it be to not have to rent or borrow one, just go when the mood strikes? And to take others out to experience that peacefulness, to get away from life for a while. That would be a really great gift. It won’t happen but I’d love it if it did!
About Stacy: Stacy Monson is the award-winning author of The Chain of Lakes series, including Shattered Image, Dance of Grace, and The Color of Truth, and also Open Circle. Her stories reveal an extraordinary God at work in ordinary life. She’s an active member of American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW) and the MN Christian Writers Guild (MCWG). Residing in the Twin Cities, she is the wife of a juggling, unicycling recently-retired physical education teacher, mom to two amazing kids and two wonderful in-law kids, and a very proud grandma of 4 (and counting) grands.
For news about upcoming books, contests, giveaways, and other fun stuff – stop by www.stacymonson.com and sign up for her monthly newsletter. You can find information about her speaking ministry there, as well. Learn more & connect:
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About the book – When Mountains Sing:
When the truth cost her everything, she thought there was nothing left to lose.
Mikayla Gordon loves nothing more than sleeping under the stars, reeling in the “big one,” and long hikes in the wilderness. A medical crisis reveals a 30-year-old secret that turns everything she’s known and believed upside down, unraveling her dreams and her identity.
In search of answers, she follows a trail from Minnesota to Colorado and discovers more unwelcome secrets even as she falls in love with the majestic beauty of the Rocky Mountains, and a wilderness camp leader who shares the greatest secret of all.
Knowing her life can never go back to what it was, she must make decisions that will impact far more than just her future.
Can’t wait for the drawing or worried you won’t win? Pre-order you copy now! On sale for .99 through August 6th! When Mountains Sing – Amazon
Question for Readers: Are you an indoor or outdoor type? What’s your favorite activity?
I am more a indoor person since I burn easily and allergic to mosquitos
Wow, Sheila. I didn’t know people could have mosquito allergies. That’s a bummer!! 🙁
Hey Stacy, glad you have you here. It depends on the time of year. I hate to sweat when I’m not even doing anything to break a sweat, I hate bugs, and I hate spiders. So I live in the South. During most of the Spring and all of Summer, I love inside. But I love being outside in the Fall and Winter.
Thanks for letting me stop by, Shannon. I hate spiders too! I’m glad (most of the year) I live in the north – the bugs and spiders pretty much die out or at least go into hiding when it’s cold!
Fun interview!
I’m an outdoor type when I’m not in the cities. If I lived in the country, I’d never be indoors, but living in the ‘burbs, nature is harder to appreciate. Going for walks past houses just isn’t the same as climbing hills or walking dirt paths.
(Don’t enter me–I’m purchasing my own copy!)
I really think I should live in the mountains. Hiking is the best!
outdoor – hiking
Me too!
It depends on my mood. I like fishing and being outdoors with my family, but I can also enjoy being inside curles up under a blanket reading a book.
Gayla, Living in Minnesota keeps me indoors a lot of the year – don’t mind the snow but HATE the cold!
I used to be more of an outside person but now that I am retired I don’t have as much energy and like the indoors the best!
Beth, weather has a lot to do with it too! (at least here in MN)
I am an indoor person. I love to read. But when it’s nice I sit on the porch and read or take walks in the neighborhood.
Paula, there’s nothing better than sitting outside on a beautiful summer day enjoying a good book!