Shannon here: Contemporary Romance author, Valerie Comer shares insight into her characters’ romance from her latest release, Memories of Mist. Comment or answer the question at the end of the post to enter the drawing for an e-book copy. Deadline: August 5th, 11:59 pm central time. Here’s Valerie:
Today we’re interviewing Adriana Diaz, a widowed mother of two, and Myles Sheridan, a second grade teacher. Shhh… don’t tell them they’re both starring in Memories of Mist!
- Are you open to your own romance?
Adriana: No. My firefighter husband, Stephan, died not quite five years ago in the line of duty. No one could measure up to him, and I’m keeping busy with my kids, Sam, age eight, and Violet, age seven. I’m president of the PTA and stay active in the church and community. My life is full.
Myles: No. I value peace and quiet, and I don’t really like change.
- What’s the number one quality you’d require in a mate?
Adriana: Funny question, since I said I’m not looking! But he’d have to be bold and strong. A take-charge kind of man, you know?
Myles: She’d have to be peaceful, as I avoid conflict. I don’t mean mousy or weak. Just someone who’s quiet.
- Where is the best place you can think of to find a mate?
Adriana: in the church, definitely. My faith is all that held me together after Stephan’s death, and my church family has been there for Sam and Violet, too.
- Where is the worst place you can think of to find a mate?
Myles: At school. The only thing I can think of that’s worse than dating another teacher would be dating the mother of one of my students. Talk about awkward.
- What type of character traits are you attracted to?
Adriana: I’m an extrovert, and so was Stephan. I find spending time with friends to be invigorating, so I’d want to share that with a potential mate.
- What’s the one habit or lifestyle that would make you run the other way?
Myles: Gossip would be a big one.
- What would be a reason to end a potential romance for you?
Myles: Hmm. That’s hard. I’d like to think I’d be a good enough judge of character not to get involved with someone unsuitable in the first place. So, I guess I’d have to say, secrets. If I found out she’d hidden things from me or pretended to be an expert in something she wasn’t. That kind of thing.
Adriana: The man would need to bond with my kids, not just tolerate them, and Violet can be… shall we say, challenging? If he was unwilling or unable to step in for her and Sam, I’d have to walk away to protect them, even if I were hurt in the process.
About Valerie: Valerie Comer’s life on a small farm in western Canada provides the seed for stories of contemporary Christian romance. Like many of her characters, Valerie grows much of her own food and is active in the local foods movement as well as her church. She only hopes her imaginary friends enjoy their happily-ever-afters as much as she does hers, shared with her husband, adult kids, and adorable granddaughters.
Valerie is a USA Today bestselling author and a two-time Word Award winner. She writes engaging characters, strong communities, and deep faith laced with humor into her green clean romances. Learn more and connect:
Valerie’s Website Valerie’s Pinterest Valerie’s Facebook Valerie’s Twitter
About the book – Memories of Mist: Single mom Adriana Diaz isn’t about to let the new teacher
derail the PTA’s hard work in securing a greenhouse and garden area for Bridgeview Elementary School, but taking matters into her own hands turns awkward when she realizes her attraction to the teacher.
Pro-level conflict-avoider Myles Sheridan finds himself against an entire community with his reluctance to incorporate gardening into his classes. The only thing that could make his situation worse is falling in love with the ringleader, whose child is his most difficult student and whose husband had died a hero.
How can Myles compete with the man from Adriana’s memories? He’s not the material champions are made of. Or is he?
Question For Readers: Who was your favorite teacher? What subject did he or she teach? Tell a little about the impact your favorite teacher made on you.
Come back July 28th for Anne Greene!
My favorite teacher was Mrs. Charlotte Pearson! She taught me in 2nd grade and in 6th grade!She always has a sweet attitude and really cared about her students! My daughter also had her for 2nd grade and still loves her as do I
How wonderful for your daughter to experience the same great teacher! We moved so much (both in my childhood and in my kids’ childhood) that could never have happened. It was sheer luck when my kids, three grades apart, were in the same school with the same teacher. I think it happened once. Thankfully a teacher they both loved.
I don’t remember a favorite teacher. But my husband’s was Miss Tagge,his fifth grade teacher. She inspired him to like math– through pages of long division after school as punishment! But he finally liked it and excelled! We kept in touch with her through letters for many years until she passed away! We both had teachers for mothers. And hubby’s Dad was a teacher, too. We value teachers. I homeschooled our four kids for many years( there are 19 years between the oldest and youngest).
Kudos on Miss Tagge for inspiring a love of math!
My favorite teacher was Mrs. Edwards. She taught science and biology. Not my favorite subjects at all. But she was also the librarian. We moved to rural Arkansas from a suburb of Atlanta when I was 12. For a few years, I had a hard time fitting in. Rather than sit alone at lunch, I went to the library and visited with Mrs. Edwards. It was probably her only time all day that she didn’t have to deal with kids, but she always acted like she was happy to see me. She got me through some difficult years.
Wow, blessings on Mrs. Edwards! Maybe she knew what a bright light she was for you.
Years later, when I started writing, I wrote an essay about the impact she made in my life. It won a contest at a local conference. Afterward, I took her a copy of the essay and the award certificate.
That’s awesome! I bet she was tickled pink. 🙂
My favorite teacher was Mrs. Whitney, my high school French teacher. I had her for 3 years. She taught us about the chateaus in the Loire valley, let us play petanque (like bocce) in the classroom, and organized an extracurricular trip to a French film festival at a college the next state over. We didn’t just learn the language, but learned the culture as well. I majored in French in college, and while I was studying abroad my parents and I visited one of the chateaus. I sent her a postcard from there.
I remember my high school French teacher, Miss Burleigh, fondly as well! She was quite a character.
I have a winner! Mandy won the drawing. I appreciate Valerie for being my guest and everyone else for stopping by.