She also has won Best Novel and Best Writer awards (Florida Christian Writers Conferences), and Bronze Medalist (My Book Therapy Frasier Contest).
A graduate of Rollins College (Orlando) with a Master of Liberal Studies degree, Johnnie treasures family memories, classic movies, road trips, and stacks of books. She lives in the Memphis area where her morning chores include feeding dogs, cats, chickens, and a small herd of alpacas.
For more, visit her at www.johnnie-alexander.com.
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Savanna: Welcome to the blog, Johnnie. I’m so honored to have you here today. Congratulations on your new release, Where She Belongs. What a beautiful cover!! 🙂
Who do you most relate to in this story and why?
Johnnie: In a way, Shelby fulfills my dream. I lived in an old brick house as a teen which stood empty for several years after my parents moved. As a young woman, I hoped to someday live in the house again but that never happened.
In the story, the house was built by one of Shelby’s long ago ancestors. The current owner has let it fall into ruin, and Shelby buys it so she can raise her daughters there. (I still wish I could go back in time and raise my family in that house.)
Savanna: Oh how neat! Do you have a favorite setting, a particular place, in this book that you enjoyed spending time at with your characters?
Johnnie: I truly enjoyed setting this story in a house I love. We used to roast hot dogs and marshmallows in a fire ring made up of large stones on chilly autumn evenings. The story’s hero, AJ Sullivan, hauls stones from the creek to rebuild the stone circle Shelby remembered from her childhood. It was important to me to include those kinds of details in the story.
Savanna: Which is easier for you to write – historical or contemporary? Can you tell us why?
Johnnie: Historical is more time-consuming because of the research and the double-checking, sometimes triple-checking, for accuracy. But I’m not sure there’s much difference in the actual writing. I am a slow and deliberate writer, and I learn a great deal about my characters while sharing their stories.
My hope is that all my characters, whether historical or contemporary, are so engaging that readers miss them after they finish the story.
Savanna: I loved seeing pictures on your website of you and your farm animals. Looks like you have a lot of great company! 😉 What would you say is your favorite part of living on the farm and what’s the hardest part about it?
Johnnie: My wish for an alpaca turned out to be one a crazy pipe dream that actually came true. However, you can’t have just one because they’re herd animals and need a friend.
I love early mornings—the birdsong, the tranquility, the alpacas crowding around for their feed. The hardest part is death. Several months ago a fox family brazenly dined on our chickens. We don’t raise chickens anymore.
Savanna: Ohhh, I’m sorry. I know that feeling. My parents have chickens and occasionally one will just disappear. 🙁
You’ve won several awards in your writing career so far. What’s something you’ve learned along the way as you’ve entered in these contests?
Johnnie: A hard judge can be your biggest blessing.
Because of one judge’s comments, I wrote a different opening chapter to Where She Belongs so our first introduction to Shelby is from AJ’s perspective. When I wrote that judge a thank you note, she wrote back, and we still stay in touch.
Naturally, I love the positive and encouraging comments, but it’s the harder (yet helpful) feedback that helps the most. Only once did I think a judge was totally off base.
Savanna: That’s just what aspiring writers need to hear. Authors never stop learning. 😉 Thank you so much for sharing with us today! Is there anything else you’d like to add? Any upcoming projects you can share with us?
Johnnie: I’m very excited to have two more stories releasing in 2016. When Love Arrives, the second book in the Misty Willow Series, comes out in September. AJ’s cousin and rival, Brett Somers, stars in that story.
My first novella, The Healing Promise, will appear in The Courageous Brides Collection which releases in July. This story is based on true events that occurred during the Ponca Trail of Tears in 1877 Nebraska.
Savanna: That sounds great, Johnnie! Can’t wait to read your upcoming books. 😉
GIVEAWAY!!
Johnnie has graciously offered to give away a copy of Where She Belongs to one lucky winner. Enter below and it could be you!
Thanks for entering! Contest is valid for US residents only. Contest ends February 2, 2016. The winner will be notified by email. Happy Reading, everybody!
I grew up on a farm, and my favorite animal was the barn cats – especially the tiny kittens.
Kathryn, I agree. Babies are always so much fun. We had three baby alpacas born last spring and each one was adorable. When I grew up, we had barn kittens. Too cute!
Hi Kathryn! Yes, little kittens are so adorable. 🙂 Good luck in the giveaway!
I enjoyed the interview with Johnnie. I really enjoy her books. I have read and loved Where She Belongs.
Wonderful, Ann! We’re so glad you could join us. Thanks for sharing!
Hi, Ann. I so appreciate you! Thanks for joining us!
I have never lived on a farm but we had chickens growing up. I can not say they were my favorite since I knew they were a part of my meal.
Haha, Sonnetta, I understand that. I love my fried chicken. 😉
Sonnetta you have such a lovely name. We raised chickens for the eggs and also because of the variety. The different breeds are interesting–orpingtons, danvers, banties, crested creams. I miss having them around but not enough to provide lunch for the wildlife.
I have never lived on a farm, but both of my grandparents on my mothers side were raised on the farm. If I had to pick a favorite farm animal, I think it would be the horse. I have only ridden on one a few times in my life, but I think they are so beautiful.
I agree, Heather. I didn’t grow up on a farm either, but my mom grew up on a dairy farm. I’ve always enjoyed horses. Thanks for stopping by!
Hi, Heather. My horse-riding adventures never went well–I was thrown off once and another time I just sort of slid sideways right off the pony I was riding. So I’m not too keen on horses. However, I’m now researching them for my next book which has a horse-riding hero. (I’m not sure how that even happened but I blame it on a brainstorming session with friends.)
I haven’t lived on a farm but I do live in the country. My next door neighbor has had chickens in the past but like yours the foxes showed up and that was the end of them. I would love to win a copy of your book.
Poor chickens! Living in the country is so nice, though isn’t it, Donna? 🙂 Thanks for joining us. Good luck in the drawing!
Donna, there is solace in knowing we’re not alone! We had snow here last Friday and saw a fox for the first time in months. He was wandering around the front yard and along the driveway without a care in the world.
I grew up on a farm – my parents still live there, although they no longer have crops and animals. When I was young we had pigs, cattle, ponies, mules, chickens. My fave was probably my pet hen “Ole’ Ripe”, we had no roosters then, however. Before moving to the farm, a rooster spurred my face, nearly putting my eye out – a scar & effects from the trauma still!!
Really enjoyed the interview, Johnnie and Savanna – thank you!! I love the story line of “Where She Belongs”, have read wonderful comments about it and would love to read it. Thanks for the giveaway opportunity!!
Shared post!!
Hi Bonnie! It’s great to have you here. Wow, your family’s farm had a big variety of animals. 🙂 Cute name for your pet hen. 😉 Though I’m sorry to hear about the rooster incident. Ouch!!
Thanks for stopping by and sharing the post. I hope you get to read Johnnie’s book real soon!
Bonnie, I am so sorry about that rooster. My childhood experience wasn’t that traumatic–I was merely chased–by I had to confront that fear when I moved here. Fortunately only the banties were aggressive and I learned to keep an eye for them. And to wear thick boots!
Did you like your mule?
I love country life. My favorite animals are horses.
Awww, yes!! I agree, Melanie. 😉 Thanks for visiting!
Hi, Melanie. I’m hoping to get more comfortable around horses while researching my new novel. Any tips?
Nope. Nuh-uh. No way. I’m a proud city slicker right here! I love most animals but don’t particularly care for the farm-fresh smells that come from the cow pasture near my home. (Yes, it’s even “in town.”) haha
Haha, Karen, your comments cracked me up! I definitely understand your feelings toward the cow pasture. 🙂 City life does have its benefits, I”m sure! So glad you could stop by.
Karen, believe me, I understand. Some smells you never get used to! Though honestly, the alpaca manure isn’t bad. Not like pigs. (Which are yuck.)
I would like to live in a city or small town someday–a place where I could walk to the library, post office, a diner, and a park.
I have never lived on a farm but my favorite farm animal are horses.
Horses are so beautiful. Thanks for sharing, Virginia! Have a great day!
Horses are winning the popular vote here! Thanks for stopping by, Virginia.
This is my second blog contest to enter for a chance to win Johnnie’s book. May the second time be the charm. 🙂
I read Where Treasure Hides and enjoyed it very much.
I’ve never lived on a farm. I’m a morning person so the early to rise lifestyle would work well for me.
Awww, Staci, here’s hoping for a giveaway win, right?! 😉 So glad you could join us. I used to be a morning person myself, but then I married a night-owl and now I’m much slower to rise in the mornings than I used to be. 🙂
Staci, I’m so glad you enjoyed Where Treasure Hides and I appreciate your participating in the giveaways. Thank you!
One positive about having chickens–I got up early to let them out of the coop and got a start on the day. In this cold weather though, I’m glad to stay in the house a while longer before tending to chores. LOL
Hi! I’d really love to read this book, so thanks for the giveaway!
I’ve never lived on a farm, though I’ve visited a couple. My favorite animal was the horses, I think. Though they kind of frightened me a bit at first (being so much larger than I), but once I got past that, I was fascinated. 🙂
Hi Sarah! So good to see you here. 🙂 Yes, you can certainly admire the animals without living on a farm. Horses have always been a favorite of mine too.
Sarah, that’s encouraging to me–I’m not really afraid of horses but I am wary of them. I hope to spend enough time around a couple of nice ones to overcome that. Thanks!
I lived on hobby farm at my grandparents years ago. I think I would have to choose a horse.
thanks
Becky B
How special, Becky! Thanks for sharing. Good luck in the giveaway!
Hi, Becky. What did your grandparents raise on their hobby farm? Thanks for visiting!
I have never lived on a farm, but growing up did have some family friends with a farm. We loved to go visit and see the chickens and cows. We loved to go to the barn and play in the hayloft.
That sounds like such fun, Patty. Living here in Missouri, I grew up around a lot of cows even though I didn’t actually live on a farm. 😉 My grandpa was a dairy farmer for a long time. Appreciate you stopping by!
Patty, playing in a hayloft brings back memories. We used to do that, too. Actually it was a huge pole barn where the hay was stacked and stored. We’d move the bales around to create rooms and tunnels. So much fun!
I have never lived on a farm, but growing up we had a big vegetable garden and my mother canned most everything. I always had pets, usually more than one, dogs and cats!
That sounds perfect, Bonnie. I love my garden and canning fresh veggies! 🙂 Growing up, we always had dogs. Love them too. 🙂
Bonnie, my parents had gardens when we were growing up but my job, as the oldest, was to look after the two youngest so I didn’t do much gardening. My thumb isn’t very green.
Never did. I did visit a beef ranch were they would go out in the cold winter and get the dead calfs. Interesting.
Oh wow. I’ve never heard about that kind of thing before. I bet that was weird to see. Thanks for visiting, Kim!
Oh, Kim! That’s . . . I don’t even know what to say! Except good to see you here!
I grew up on a farm and my favorite animals were always the barn cats! But the favorite farm animal I guess would be the lambs in spring, sooooo cute.
Oh my, spring lambs are SO cute!!! Every video I see makes me wish we had some when we were kids. 🙂 Thanks for joining us, Laurie!
Laurie, we raised a couple of orphaned lambs when I was a kid. So sweet. A couple of orphaned calves, too. You’d love to see our newborn alpaca. They’re just as adorable.
I have not lived on a farm, but I am surrounded by farms & live in a rural county–I am partial to dogs! (grin)
Me too, Barb. I love living in the country! And I’m partial to dogs too. (Just don’t tell that to my little kitty. Yep, we have a cat) 😉
Barb, a dog will always be my favorite pet. My little papillon Rugby is a sweet companion. Though he tends to bark a little too much.
I’m stuck in a place between the city and the country…I have been wanting chickens for a long time…not too sure if the town would allow it!
Hi Joanne. Awww, that is so frustrating you may not be able to have them and you want them. I’ve never lived close enough to a city for that problem. Hope you can get it worked out and have some little chickies. 🙂
Joanne, some towns allow chickens but they frown on roosters. And a couple of chickens don’t take up a lot of space. Check into Danvers–they’re so round and cute.
I grew up on a farm but really liked the horses and dogs best. Wonderful and inspirational interview.
Hi Stella! I’m so glad you enjoyed our little chat. Horses and dogs are some of my favorites too. 🙂 Good luck in the giveaway!
Hi, Stella. So fun to “see” you again. I am so grateful I grew up on a farm. After years of living in subdivisions, I’m glad to be in a rural area once again.
Nice interview. I will add this to my to-read list! Lokks good!
Wonderful, Emilee! I hope you get to read it soon. I appreciate you stopping by. 🙂
Hi, Emilee. Thanks for adding Where She Belongs to your reading list. I appreciate it!
I’ve never lived on a farm, grew up in the suburbs of L.A., then moved to the Seattle area, but we live now in a rural area and I love it. Wouldn’t move back to the city unless I’m forced! The book sounds really good. Thanks for doing a giveaway. 🙂
Karen, I lived in bedroom communities of Orlando but I have a feeling those areas weren’t as congested as LA or Seattle. I love rural life but I’d like to try town life for awhile–as long as I could walk to all the places I want to go. I’m not sure how long I’d last though because I really enjoy the quiet of the country.
Hi Karen! So glad you’re enjoying your place in the country. It’s hard to beat the quiet. 🙂 Good luck in the drawing!
I grew up in the city (Indianapolis) and my husband too (Boston), but we have a little hobby farm now. Our 50lb tortoise named Turbo is my favorite pet. He’s very low maintenance. The hens are a close second.
@AmandaGeaney
A tortoise?! Amanda, that’s amazing. How did you end up with something like that?
Oh how fun, Amanda! Love his name too. 🙂 I’d love to have a hobby farm someday. Enjoy!
I’ve never lived on a farm, but my cousin, her husband and kids are farmers. I know it’s a hard life, but very rewarding. They just love doing it 🙂 I’m almost jealous of all the fresh produce they have each year!
Thanks for the interview & chance to win a copy of your latest book Johnnie! And Savanna for featuring you!
Hi, Trixi. Like I said before I never got into gardening though I did help pick green beans and ears of corn on occasion. I agree with you–farming is hard but the reward is worth it. Thanks for being here.
So good to see you, Trixi. Hope you’re doing well. Yeah, the fresh produce off the land is one of my greatest joys of summer. It is hard work, but it’s worth it! 😉 Good luck in the drawing!
I lived on a farm as a child. We raised ducks for a while and I liked them.
I hate to see an old farmhouse sit empty and fall into ruins.
Joan, I hate to see abandoned farmhouses, too–especially one that I’d lived in! I’m so thankful that the house featured in Where She Belongs has been restored and is home to a family again.
We’ve never had ducks. I imagine the foxes would enjoy them, too. (Eek!)
Hi Joan! I always thought ducks would be fun to have too. 🙂 I agree, there’s something so intriguing, yet sad, about an old farmhouse now vacant. They each look like they have such a story to tell. Thanks for visiting us!
Thank you SO much, Johnnie, for taking the time to chat with us in the comments here. It’s been such fun having you!! 🙂
I have loved reading and responding to the comments. Thanks to you, Savanna, for hosting the giveaway, and thanks to everyone who stopped in to talk about their favorite animals and farm life. This is great!
My uncle had a farm and we would take a road trip to visit him every summer. My favorite animals were the cows.
Hi, Merry. What kind of cows did your uncle raise? This reminded me of a time when a herd of cows chased my brother and me to the fence. I quickly climbed over but wouldn’t let my brother climb over until he’d lifted the dog–a lanky retriever–over the fence first. We laugh about it now but he didn’t think it was funny then.
That sounds like such fun, Merry! I’ve always enjoyed my grandpa’s cows. Our neighbor also has some and they pasture right out my backyard. 😉
I have never lived on a farm, but always wish I had. My great grandfather worked in a mill when he came from Hungary until he saved enough for a farm. That farm stayed in the family almost my entire life and I was able to visit often. 🙂
Vicki, thanks for sharing about your great-grandfather’s farm. I admire people who left their homes to start over in a new country and worked so hard to provide for their families. Have you ever been to Hungary?
Sadly no, but that is my dream trip for sure! I would love to visit Hungary! 🙂
Oh wow, Vicki! That’s incredible. Thanks for sharing that and visiting us today. Good luck in the drawing!