Valerie Comer – Romantic Fictional Interview – Part 2 of 3

Shannon here: Contemporary romance author, Valerie Comer shares insight into her characters’ romance from Topaz Treasures, her novella included in the 4 in 1 collection, Rainbow’s End. Every time you comment on any post dated May 7 – 11, your name goes in the drawing for a copy. Deadline: May 19th, 11:59 pm central time. Here’s Valerie:

“Topaz Treasure:” Lyssa & Kirk’s Romance
*    What’s the most romantic thing your hero ever did for your heroine?
Being as Lyssa is the Rainbow’s End Treasure Hunt coordinator and needs to double check the geocache locations before opening day, Kirk prefers to accompany her rather than participate in the hunt himself. It would have been mighty sweet to go for the grand prize, but he’s looking for something of even greater value–love.
*   Where is the most romantic place your hero and heroine have ever been?        Many would say Osage Beach on Lake of the Ozarks in Missouri, where the stories take place, is a romantic setting. For Lyssa and Kirk, this area is chock-full of geocaches, which means lots of hiking. . .and opportunities to talk. If only they could break through the barriers that keep them from sharing what matters most. 
*   What simple gesture does your hero do that melts your heroine every time?
It’s so hard for Lyssa to keep in mind she once knew Kirk in a very different setting, though he doesn’t remember her at all. She can’t keep her eyes off him when he’s stretching before a hike. It drives home to her how different he is than the old Kirk. If only she could get up her nerve to ask him what changed, but that would mean admitting the past to him.
*   Do your hero and heroine have a favorite romantic restaurant?                           Because they both love to cook, Lyssa and Kirk don’t eat out a lot. Still, a favorite lunch and coffee shop they frequent is On the Rise Bakery & Bistro, a real Osage Beach hangout featured in each of the Rainbow’s End novellas. It’s a hot, muggy summer, and the bistro’s Java Chillers hit the spot every time. http://ontherisebakery.com/ 
*   How soon after meeting the hero did the heroine know he was the one?
Lyssa is playing with fire dating Kirk at all or, as she tries to convince her roommate, simply allowing him to be her hiking companion. It won’t do to have any romantic dreams about him.
*   How soon after meeting the heroine did the hero know she was the one?
Kirk is intrigued by Lyssa from the moment she walks into his store, Communication Location, and tries to sell him on sponsoring the Rainbow’s End Treasure Hunt. It takes him a week or two to fall head-over-heels for her, but much longer to find out what is holding her back.
*   Who is most romantic, your hero or your heroine?
Kirk is more of a romantic than Lyssa. He’s seen his brother’s beautiful marriage–who wouldn’t want one like that for himself? And besides, Lyssa’s eyes remind him of his favorite gem, the topaz. Of course they lure him right in.
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 grows much of her own food and is active in the local food movement as well as her church. She only hopes her imaginary friends enjoy their happily ever afters as much as she does hers, gardening and geocaching with her husband, adult kids, and adorable granddaughters. Learn more and connect with Valerie: http://valeriecomer.comFacebook, http://www.facebook.com/valeriecomer.author,  http://twitter.com/valeriecomer, http://pinterest.com/valeriecomer, http://valeriecomer.com/blog,  http://romancingamerica.com.
About the book: Rainbow’s End (4-in-1 collection published by Barbour, May 1, 2012)
Join a geocaching adventure in the spectacular Lake of the Ozarks wilderness, with Lyssa, the reluctant volunteer whose former nemesis is now her chief sponsor; Madison, a city girl paired with an outdoorsy guy who gets on her very last nerve; cautious Reagan, who meets an equally cautious guy; and Hadley, who doesn’t know enough about guys to realize she’s met a womanizer. Will they find the treasure they’re looking for … or something else entirely?
“Topaz Treasure” (first novella in Rainbow’s End) by Valerie Comer: Closet believer Lyssa Quinn steps out of her comfort zone to help coordinate the Rainbow’s End geocaching hunt her church is using as an outreach event. She’s not expecting her former humanities prof–young, handsome, anti-Christian Kirk Kennedy–to be at the Lake of the Ozarks at all, let along in a position to provide sponsorship to the treasure hunt. How can she trust someone who once shredded her best friend’s faith? 
Kirk’s treasure hunt takes him down a path he hadn’t intended as he searches for opportunities to connect with Lyssa and her intriguing sparkle. How can he convince Lyssa there is more than one kind of treasure? And can she remind him of the greatest prize of all? 
Purchase Rainbow’s End: http://valeriecomer.com/bookshelf/fiction/rainbows-end/
Come back May 11th for Valerie’s romantic destination.