It's a joy to welcome author Laurean Brooks to Gina's World of Good for a visit and giveaway this week. Laurie is kicking off my Summer of '17 Blog Tour with a discussion of her book "A Medley of Inspirational Romance". She will be giving away a copy and I will award a $10 Amazon gift card. We look forward to your comments.
1. How and when did you know you were destined to write?
My fifth grade teacher, Mrs. Mary Brann first inspired me by announcing to the class, “One day, Laurie will be an author.” She must have seen something in me that I didn't see in myself. I was a self-conscious, timid child, but when I read aloud the stories I'd written, the timidity seemed to dissolve. Within a few seconds I would have the class laughing. I still add plenty of humor and wit to my stories. I enjoy making readers laugh, even when the tone is serious.
2. What is A Medley Of Inspirational Romance about?
This book includes four heartwarming romances that portray true-to-life characters who struggle to let go of their pasts through God's healing, and move on to find enduring relationships.
3. Where did you get your inspiration for these stories?
Some came from personal experience. Others came from other people's experiences. The first title, Jonquils In The Snow was inspired by an ice storm that hit our area a few years ago. Most residents were without electricity nine days.
4. Which character in these four stories do you most admire?
I fall in love with all my main characters, but one comes to mind now. Amanda Wilkes in, A Decision Of Trust, is spunky and persistent, no matter what life throws at her. After her playboy husband's body is found in his mangled Porsche with his young secretary's, Amanda has important decisions to make. Especially since her deceased husband gambled away their savings. This story is longer than the other three, so Amanda's character is more developed. I delved into her emotions—got inside her head to show readers her anger and fears, and built on her growing attraction to Attorney Jake Tyler.
5. Which character was your favorite antagonist?
This is a tough decision. I can't decide between these two--the conniving Nelson in Severed Hearts who schemes to get Julie for himself, or jealous secretary Corinne in, A Decision Of Trust, who steals a file to get newcomer Amanda fired.
6. Which character touched you the most out of these four stories?
Rob Canter in Over The Coals. His boisterous, flirtatious personality is an attempt to hide a long-kept secret from even his closest friends. Jill sees more to Rob than meets the eye. Why does he change the subject when she asks about his past? She digs to uncover the truth. Will it destroy their relationship?
About The Author:
Inspirational Romance author Laurean Brooks grew up in Palmersville, Tennessee, a small close-knit community where everybody knew everybody's business and nobody got away with anything. Your parents knew the whole story (usually embellished), before you got home.
A Medley Of Inspirational Romance is available in print or e-book at Amazon, Barnes & Noble or Smashwords. Also, each story is available separately for download at Smashwords and Amazon.
Amazon link: (complete book, 4 titles) https://www.amazon.com/Medley-Inspirational-Romance-Laurean-Brooks-ebook/dp/B007JCP2BY/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1494262405&sr=8-3-
Laurie, thank you so much for visiting with me this week. I wish you all the best!
Readers, don't miss out on a chance to win this heartwarming book and an Amazon gift card. Leave your questions and comments for Laurie now!
And join me June 9-19 for our next Summer of '17 blog tour author, an exciting visit with author Larry Hammersley as well as a giftcard giveaway.
Welcome, Laurie! Always good to see you around the net. One thing that I enjoy about Laurie's stories is that they're always "clean". I can trust to not ever get red in the face when I read a Laurean Brooks. Yay!!
ReplyDeleteShew, Miss Mae. I thought ut was because you were in love with my heroes. Especially Austin in Journey To Forgiveness. LOL. Thanks for stopping in.
DeleteHello Laurie and thank you for visiting this week. I am looking forward to learning more about you and your writing.
ReplyDeleteGina, Thank you for hosting me. This is fun. I'm meeting new people. Can't wait to see who wins the Medley book.
DeleteVery good interview, Laurie. I'm so proud of what you've accomplished in your writing.
ReplyDeleteThanks for dropping in, Kathy. You are always encouraging, and are an inspiration to me and to so many.
DeleteLaurean, I really enjoyed your Q&A! Your stories sound fantastic! My kind of writing. I wish you tons of success with the anthology.
ReplyDeleteIt's amazing how much a teacher can inspire their students...or not. I'm thankful that my boys have had some good teachers at least.
And, thanks, Gina, for the opportunity to get more familiar with Laurean's writing. Always helpful.
Thanks for your support, Laurean, with my family struggles. You've been a rock and it's much appreciated. I hope to get back to my writing soon. Hugs to both of you.
Yes, this teacher gave me the encouragement I didn't get at home. I was the middle child of 7. My parents didn't have time to give each of us individual attention, so I tried hard to please my teachers to get affirmed. I always loved making up stories. Came naturally.
DeleteYou are a talented wrtier. I'm blessed to have friends like you. Asking God to give you and your family a special blessing.
Enjoyed the interview. I love Lauren's books and would love to win a copy of this one.
ReplyDeleteHi Ann, Good to see you here. Thank you for commmenting, especially saying you enjoy my books. I'm glad you enjoyed the interview. Haven't done one in a while. I'd forgotten how much fun they were.
DeleteEnjoyed the interview, and of course!!! Your parents ALWAYS know the whole story!!!!! We are good at that :)
ReplyDelete@Brices Mice: Girlfriend, you know exactly what I'm talking about. LOL. Thank you for dropping by to comment. I love meeting new people.
ReplyDeleteI read this interview and it made me want to read your books! I'm so glad to have said, "I know this chick." (:
ReplyDeleteThanks, Mariah. I hope to say this about your books some day soon. You've got it in you to write, young lady.
ReplyDeleteHi Laurean and Regina, Thanks so much for the interesting interview. These characters sounds like they'd be lots of fun to get to know. Laurean, what a cute picture of you.
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by to comment, Gail. Linda Swift or Danielle Thorne took that pic of me at our Paducah Book signing a couple of years ago. I'm glad you enjoyed the interview and the characters.
ReplyDeleteHi Laurie: I enjoyed your medley series of short stories. As you know I have read those so don't put me in the drawing. I especially liked your source of inspiration to become an author. If your fifth grade teacher is still living then thank her for me.
ReplyDeleteShe's been gone over 30 years, Larry. But I did get to meet her son at the alumni banquet book signing. He was curious to know who this author was that spoke highly of his mother. He's in his 80s now. Thanks for commenting. Glad you enjoyed the stories.
DeleteWe are winding up a wonderful week - still time to comment and be eligible to win a prize!!
ReplyDeleteYes, everyone who comments is eligible to win a copy of "A Medley Of Inspirational Romance" filled with inspiring, heartwarming stories and interesting characters. Thank you for hosting me this week, Regina. It's been fun interacting with everyone who left a comment.
ReplyDeleteThanks for visiting, Laurie, it has been great. And thanks to all of you readers for your comments.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations to Mariah Elizabeth, winner of Laurie's book and an Amazon gift card from me - sweet!
Hope everyone will visit again.
Next stop on the blog tour begins June 9 with guest Larry Hammersley! Until then, blessings to all.
I enjoyed Gina's blog about you Laurie. Your book looks so good and I love the cover! Did you design it?
ReplyDelete