Welcome to the blog, Kerry. I’m so excited to have you here today and talk about your new release, Snowstorm Sabotage.

Thank you for having me, Savanna! It’s so sweet to see how God has grown us both as writers and how your family has grown since I first met you at ACFW a few years ago.

Yes! I had another baby and you had your first book baby! 🙂 So many blessings! I’m so thankful God crossed our paths at that writers’ conference and today we’re talking about your debut book!

Can you tell us what first sparked the idea for the story?

Sure! My family and I visited a ski resort a couple years ago while on vacation. I remember wondering what it would be like if someone found a body in a cabin or chalet—and my imagination took it from there. At the time, I was between stories and curious to write a romantic suspense (I’d written other genres but not romantic suspense). The first draft took about three months, and there were lots of revisions (over a year’s worth) before it was clean enough to send to the editor at Love Inspired. I tend to have many ideas and not enough time to write them all!

I’m so excited to read it. Writers really do find inspiration for their stories everywhere. 🙂

Did you relate to one character more than the others? If so, can you explain how?

My heroine, Everly, is an independent, strong-willed person. I’m also pretty independent, though I don’t think I’m as strong-willed as she is. I couldn’t run a ski resort like she does. I also related to my hero, Isaac, because he struggles with feelings of not-enough. You know, those thoughts that others are better than you because ___. I hope readers take away the message that no matter your past, God loves you and can redeem beauty from ashes in your life.

Yes! What a beautiful message. It’s His fingerprints over our lives that make all the difference.

What do you love most about writing romantic suspense?

The nonstop action. It took me a few years to realize I just love writing action scenes. I’m a huge Marvel fan, so there you go. Add to that romance, which I also love? Then it’s writing joy for me. So much so, my critique partner commented that I had too much action in my latest romantic suspense wip, LOL. I can go overboard.

Haha! Where would writers be without their critique partners? 🙂 Love it!

Do you enjoy reading different genres?  If so, can you name a book you’ve recently read set within your own genre and another set outside your genre?

Yes, I’ll read any genre except horror or sci-fi. (Also, nothing inappropriate). I just love a good story! I have a soft spot for historical romance especially. It’s like a mental vacation, getting swept into the past. I recently read Husband Auditions by Angela Ruth Strong, a Rom-Com. It’s definitely not my genre of choice, but it was a unique, romantic, hilariously fun story. I laughed and cried. Within my genre, I read Jerusha Agen’s debut with Love Inspired Trade, Rising Danger. It’s romantic suspense and was very good.

Those sound wonderful. They’re definitely going on my list. 🙂

You have finaled and won in several various writing contests. What’s something you’ve learned through those experiences?

Soak in the good, learn from those who take the time to give you critiques, and ignore the bad. And by bad, I mean, the comments and scores that are super low, unkind, or clearly from someone who just did not like your story or writing. It can be brutal, but it made me realize not everyone will like my stories and writing once I’m published. And that’s okay. Also, I’m quite poor at accepting compliments, so I try to keep positive emails and entries so I can reread them when I’m low, because nine times out of ten I remember the negative comments and forget the positive.

I’m guilty of that too at times. What a great idea for holding onto the encouragement!

Is there anything else you’d like to add? Any upcoming projects you can share with us?

I finished my next romantic suspense, which Lord willing will be the first in a series. I’m almost done with another revision then we’ll send it to my editor at Love Inspired. This one is fairly different from Snowstorm Sabotage but also action-packed and romantic. And—look for a feathered character in this one (I have a sun conure, Mango). I can’t wait to share it with readers! 😊

Ahhh, I love it. Thanks for sharing with us today, Kerry! I’m so proud of you and your hard work and can’t wait to read what’s next!

GIVEAWAY!!

Kerry has graciously offered to give away a paperback copy of Snowstorm Sabotage to one lucky winner. Enter below and it could be YOU! 😉

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Thanks for entering! Contest is open to US residents only and ends November 18, 2021 . The winner will be notified by email. Happy Reading, everybody!