Valerie Comer – Romantic Character Interview – Part 1 of 1

Shannon here: Contemporary romance/Farm lit author, Valerie Comer shares insight into her characters’ romance, plus a chance to win a digital copy of her latest release, Raspberries and Vinegar (Book #1 Farm Fresh Romance series). Winner’s choice of pdf, epub, or mobi. Comment on any post dated August 5 – 9 to get your name in the drawing. Deadline: August 17th, 11:59 pm central time. Here’s Valerie:

Hi, my name is Josephine Shaw. The lady who runs this blog asked me a bunch of questions about the story my author is telling the world about me. It’s a good thing I don’t mind talking to people (some would say I’m too opinionated and talkative), but still, there are a lot of folks snooping around my story. You might as well join them.

• Are you open to your own romance?

Well, yes. But no. See, once I graduated from college, I figured I’d lost my chance to find a like-minded guy. Out here on the farm in northern Idaho? They’re all taken or (pardon me) duds. So I figured it was just going to be me, my girlfriends, and God. That’s not so bad, right?

• What’s the number one quality you’d require in a mate?

There are two, really. I can’t pick. I mean, I know the right answer is that he’s got to love God. That’s a given. But it’s not all. The guy has to be passionate about taking care of God’s green Earth and he has to care about where his food comes from. I know you asked for one answer. That looks like three, but it’s really two. Honest.

• What type of character traits are you attracted to?

Hmm. Well, he has to have a sense of humor and be respectful. An all around nice guy, you know?

• What type of features are you attracted to?

Kind of blond, curly hair. Not too long. Love some facial hair. Tall. Hey, wait. I shouldn’t be telling you this. Next thing I know, you’ll figure you know this guy I should meet. And honestly, his looks aren’t as important as the loving God and the environmental stuff I mentioned. (Though hot doesn’t hurt…)

•  What’s the one habit or lifestyle that would make you run the other way?

The same one that has kept me single until now. All guys are addicted to junk food and drive-throughs. That’s not the way I’ve chosen to live my life, and I can’t respect a man who does. Period.

•  Where do you dream of getting married?

Look around you. Smell the fresh fir-scented breeze off the Idaho mountains. See the trees and the pastures and the fields of Green Acres Farm. Listen to the creek tumbling down the mountainside. There’s no place I’d rather get married than right here. I never want to leave.

•  What would be the best gift a potential mate could buy for you?

A few more acres, right next door. That sounds bad, though, because I really like our next-door neighbors, Steve and Rosemary. And their son. But we weren’t going to talk about him, being as he isn’t so sure about God and he makes fun of my lifestyle and beliefs. So…what was the question again? Right. More acres. Some Percheron horses to farm old school. That would be the coolest thing ever.
Does that answer all your questions? Because I don’t want to talk about Zach. Guys never pay much attention to me, other than in a little sister sort of way. I kind of expect it, but it still hurts. My author keeps telling me it will all work out in the end, but I don’t think so. When you get to the part in the story where he…oh, never mind. You’ll see. He can be such an idiot.
About Valerie: Valerie Comer’s life on a small farm in western Canada provides the seed for stories of contemporary inspirational romance. Like many of her characters, Valerie and her family grow much of their own food and are active in the local foods movement as well as their creation-care-centric church. She only hopes her characters enjoy their happily ever afters as much as she does hers, shared with her husband, adult kids, and adorable granddaughters.
Valerie writes Farm Lit with the voice of experience laced with humor. Raspberries and Vinegar, first in her series A Farm Fresh Romance, released August 1, 2013. Visit her at http://valeriecomer.com and http://farmlit.com. Connect: http://www.facebook.com/valeriecomer.author, http://twitter.com/valeriecomer, http://twitter.com/towritestory, http://pinterest.com/valeriecomer, http://valeriecomer.com/blog, Free eCourse: http://towriteastory.com.
About the book – Raspberries and Vinegar: Josephine Shaw: complex, yet singleminded. A tiny woman with big ideas and, some would say, a mouth to match. But what does she really know about sustainable living as it relates to the real world? After all, she and her two friends are new to farming.
Zachary Nemesek is back only until his dad recovers enough to work his own land again. When Zach discovers three helpless females have taken up residence at the old farm next door, he expects trouble. But a mouse invasion proves Jo has everything under control. Is there anything she can’t handle? And surely there’s something sweet beneath all that tart.
Purchase Links: http://valeriecomer.com/bookshelf/fiction-2/raspberries-vinegar-farm-fresh-romance/ and http://www.choosenowpublishing.com/posts/books/raspberries-and-vinegar-farm-fresh-romance/

Come back August 7th for Louise M. Gouge!