Denise Hunter is the internationally published bestselling author of 30 contemporary romances. In 2016 two of Denise’s novels, The Convenient Groom and A December Bride, aired as Hallmark Original movies. When Denise isn’t orchestrating love on the written page, she enjoys traveling with her family, playing drums, and reading as much as humanly possible. After raising 3 boys in Indiana, she and her husband are rapidly approaching an empty nest.
Visit her at https://www.denisehunterbooks.com/
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Welcome back to the blog, Denise. I loved getting to meet you at ACFW this fall and I’m so excited to have you here today.
If someone has never read your books before, what would be the one thing you’d hope they take away from your novels?
My primary job when writing a novel is to make the reader feel something. Specifically, I want the reader to experience the vicarious thrill of falling in love, feel each crushing heartache, and ultimately enjoy a satisfying sigh as the couple achieves their happily-ever-after. I hope to make the reader laugh and cry, because when we’re fully engaged in a story that way, we feel empathy, and we learn right along side the protagonist. Story can be a very powerful tool.
You’ve had 2 of your books, The Convenient Groom and A December Bride adapted into original Hallmark movies. What do you think makes your stories ideal for the Hallmark Channel?
The producer of those movies told me she felt my voice was a good match for the Hallmark channel. By that, I think she meant that the tone, plot, and content of my stories appeal to the channel’s core audience. Hallmark movies almost always revolve around romantic love, so contemporary romance novels that have lots of good “feels” fall right into their sweet spot. They also keep their content clean so it makes sense that they’d actively seek wholesome novels like mine.
Without giving away spoilers, what was your hardest scene to write in Blue Ridge Sunrise?
The most challenging scene for me is usually the last scene and epilogue of the book. I really labor over those last couple of chapters, making sure they strike just the right note. I’m not just a writer—I’m a reader too—and I know how frustrating it is when the ending of a book let’s me down. I try my hardest to make the ending of every book I write gratifying for the reader.
I can’t wait to read it! 🙂
Romances have a way of making us both laugh and cry. What is the first romance that made you laugh? First that made you cry?
When I was in the seventh grade my sister introduced me to Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë. That story met both of those requirements and then some!
“No sight so sad as that of a naughty child,” he began, “especially a naughty little girl. Do you know where the wicked go after death?”
“They go to hell,” was my ready and orthodox answer.
“And what is hell? Can you tell me that?”
“A pit full of fire.”
“And should you like to fall into that pit, and to be burning there for ever?”
“No, sir.”
“What must you do to avoid it?”
I deliberated a moment: my answer, when it did come was objectionable: “I must keep in good health and not die.”
“Do you think, because I am poor, obscure, plain and little, I am soulless and heartless? You think wrong! – I have as much soul as you, – and full as much heart! And if God had gifted me with some beauty and much wealth, I should have made it as hard for you to leave me, as it is now for me to leave you!”
Oh, how I love Jane Eyre! 🙂
Do you read your book reviews? How do you deal with bad or good ones?
I think I’m in the minority here, but yes, I do read reviews. The good ones encourage me, and the bad ones help me become a better writer. That’s not to say they’re always easy to read; a writer’s work is very personal. But the skin does get thicker with time, and I find that the potential for growth outweighs the momentary sting of criticism.
Thank you so much for joining us today, Denise. It’s an honor to have you here. Have a blessed November!
GIVEAWAY!!
Denise has graciously offered to give away a copy of Blue Ridge Sunrise. Enter below and it could be YOU!
Thanks for entering! Contest is open only in the U.S. and ends November 15, 2017. The winner will be notified by email. Happy Reading, everybody! 😉
Oh, my goodness! Jane Eyre made tears come to my eyes, too, the first time I read it. It still remains one of my favorite books.
Book-inspired movies…I really enjoy the movie version of Sense & Sensibility, as well as The Book Thief.
Hi Beth! I’ve been meaning to watch those two movies you mentioned. Are they both on Netflix by chance? 🙂
Fun interview! I don’t know if I’d be brave enough to read my reviews but I like how Denise uses the bad ones to grow as a writer!
I’m with you Natalie, but I can see how they would help you improve. 🙂 I just don’t know if I’m that courageous or not. 😉 Good luck in the giveaway!
No favorite movie inspired by a book…..but I do love the Marvel movies that have come out in the last few years since I was a huge fan during my adolescent years.
I’ve heard a lot about those Marvel movies. I should check them out! 🙂 Thanks for visiting!
I know that it doesn’t stick to the exact plot of the book, but I love A Little Princess that stars Liesel Matthews. It’s such a sweet, timeless movie with a beautiful message!
I’ve not heard of that one, Karen. It sounds like one I would like. 🙂
It would be difficult for me to come up with a favorite movie. I don’t have cable so haven’t seen any for a few years! I do love Denise’s books!
Hi Joan! Aren’t Denise’s books sooooo good?! Hope you get to read her latest book soon. Have a Happy Thanksgiving too!
It’s hard to say what my favorite Hallmark movie is. I love so many of them! I really like the series When Calls the Heart by Jeanette Oke.
I’ve not seen the series, but I sure did love the books! 🙂 Thanks for joining us, Faith. Good luck in the drawing.
I love Lord of the Rings and A Christmas Carol book and movie.
Yes! Love Lord of the Rings. And it’s about time to watch A Christmas Carol again. 😉 Thanks for sharing, Sonnetta.
I haven’t seen your movies yet but when I can find them on DVD I will buy them. I don’t go to movies but I buy clean movies to watch at home. So with that being said I think my favorite so far might be (Oh this is hard) Love Comes Softly Series of movies and Beverly Lewis’ The Shunning. Oh I could name several others I love.
Oh, Brenda, you mentioned some lovely ones. The Love Comes Softly movie was one of my favorites for sure. 🙂 Thanks for visiting us!
I really enjoyed Denise’s Hallmark movies. The December Bride was one of my favorite holiday movies last year. I hope Denise is able to adapt some of her other books for Hallmark…they really are a great fit for the network!
I soooo want to watch The December Bride. Wish I could watch Hallmark movies on my tv. 🙁
I love all Hallmark movies! My very favorite is The Christmas Card…..a very, very special movie!
I remember seeing that one a few years ago. It’s a real sweet story!
One of my favorite Hallmark-type movies is called A Christmas Kiss. It came out in 2011, and I may be the only one who has ever heard of it. It is a really sweet story. I watch it all the time, even when it’s not Christmas. LOL!
Is it on Netflix, Nicole? I think I may have watched that last year. I remember it being really cute. 🙂 Awww, just talking about Christmas movies is making me want to start watching one tonight!
There are SO many! 🙂 One of my faves is actually a tv show, “The Musketeers” but like Denise I am also a fab of the Bronte’s works, Jane Eyre is a favorite and Wuthering Heights as well. I also LOVE Jane Austin works (Pride and Prejudice an Sense and Sensibility top the list). There are just SO many! LOL!
Many Blessing, Amada (a.m.a.TH.a)
Yes, yes, and yes, Amada! 🙂 You mentioned so many good ones. The Musketeers is a new one to me, though. I’ll have to look that one up now. 🙂
Denise, ever since reading Sweetbrair Cottage when it came out recently, I am a HUGE fan of yours!! That book really touched on some issues in my own life and God spoke to me through it. I really value an author who allows the Lord to shine through in their books. So thank you!!
That being said, I already have this new series on my must-read list! I’m sure it’s just as good as anything else you’ve written 🙂
I’ll be honest and say my favorite Hallmark movie is December Bride based on your book. I’ve watched it twice already and look forward to catching it on TV at least once or twice more by Christmas! My favorite part is at the end where we get a glimpse of you & your husband. I also want to watch The Convenient Groom if I can catch it.
Thanks for the fun author interview and giveaway chance! I’ve already requested the Overdrive digital library to purchase the ebook of Blue Ridge Sunrise, and they did!! 🙂 Blessings and congrats again on the new book series, Denise!
Thanks for joining us, Trixi, and sharing your sweet words with Denise. Hope you get to watch the movies this Christmas! And Happy Reading!!
I haven’t seen the Hallmark movies. I like the Lord of the Rings movies that were inspired by the books.
They’re some of my favorites too, Merry!
I don’t usually watch TV or movies, since I’d rather read a book. I do love the Pride and Prejudice movies and Persuasion.
Denise Hunter’s books are wonderful. I’ve read several of them and enjoyed them all.
It’s hard to beat a good book, Winnie, I agree! 🙂 I need to check out Persuasion. I’ve heard about it, but not watched it yet. Good luck in the giveaway!
My favorite Hallmark movie is The magic of Ordinary Days.
That’s a new one to me, Emilee. Sounds really interesting! 🙂
I could not choose a favorite.
Joan
That’s alright, Joan. 🙂 I was having a hard time picking one myself. 😉 Good luck in the giveaway anyway!
I love The Magic of Ordinary Days as well! I’m more geared toward historical, but Blue Ridge Sunrise sounds like my kind of title!
Hi Cynthia! Isn’t that a pretty title? You know I love historicals too, but I’ve also really liked every one of Denise’s books I’ve read. They’re so sweet, unique, and romantic!
My favorite is Rebecca by Daphne Du Maurier. The Hitchcock movie with Lawrence Olivier and Joan Fontaine, although the PBS version is also very good. It stars Charles Dance and Emilia Fox.
I need to look those up. I’m not familiar with them. Thanks for sharing, Paula. 🙂
I loved Chocolat- it was way better than the book in my opinion. I also loved the Bourne Identity movies.
Hi Heidi! I didn’t realize that was based off a book. My sister and I watched that one years ago, if I remember right. It has Johnny Depp, right? 🙂 I love the Bourne movies too.
I adored The Convenient Groom!
I sooo want to see that one! 🙂
I don’t have a tv, so no movies
All the more reason to surround yourself with great books, right, Barb? 🙂 Good luck in the giveaway!
I’ve always enjoyed the movie Heidi, and the Little House on the Prairie.
Yes, those are so sweet. I’m glad you could join us, Megan!
We don’t get the Hallmark channel anymore, not for years, but I do remember the movies based on the Janette Oke books, which I very much enjoyed.
My grandma always had the Hallmark channel and those were some of my favorites to watch whenever we visited her. 🙂 Thanks for stopping by, Cathy!
I don’t watch movies,but I read a lot of books,would love to win
Hi Martha! Hope you’ll get to read Denise’s newest book real soon! 🙂
I really cannot pinpoint just one favorite Hallmark movie!
There’s a lot to choose from for sure! 🙂 We’re just glad you could join us for the interview and giveaway, Janice. Good luck!
One of my favorite Hallmark movies is The Bridge based on the book by Karen Kingsbury. 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
I’ve not seen that one. Sounds like another one I should check out soon. 😉 Thanks, Evangeline.
I think most of the Hallmark Christmas movies are favorites. Yes, some are way cheesier than others, bit the warm fuzzy feeling at the end is addictive.
Hi Katherine! Yeah, some can be a bit sappy, but they’re all pretty sweet! 🙂 Thanks for visiting us. Good luck in the drawing!
I really like the movie The Christmas Card, and other Hallmark Hall of Fame movies, like Grace and Glories. Thanks for the giveaway opportunity.
The Christmas Card is a sweet one for sure. I’ve not seen the other one you mentioned. Wish I got the Hallmark channel!
Going to comment with a book my 11 year old son is currently reading: The Secret Garden. I am planning on watching the movie with him this weekend (after he is finished reading though) because I feel that the movie did a pretty decent job of capturing the feelings of the book.
Yes, I loved that story. Good movie too! Thanks for sharing, Michelle. Hope you and your son have fun together. 🙂