Interview with Myra Johnson & GIVEAWAY | The Engrafted WordMyra Johnson’s roots go deep into Texas soil, but she now enjoys living amidst the scenic beauty of North Carolina. Myra’s debut novel, One Imperfect Christmas, was a September 2009 release from Abingdon Press. She has also written six novels for the Heartsong Presents line. Her 2009 release, Autumn Rains, won the 2005 RWA Golden Heart for Best Inspirational Romance Manuscript, and she is a two-time ACFW Carol Award finalist. Most recently she has completed a three-book historical romance series, “Till We Meet Again,” for Abingdon Press. The first book in the series, When the Clouds Roll By, won the historical fiction category of the 2014 Christi an Retailing’s Best Award. Book 2, Whisper Goodbye, and book 3, Every Tear a Memory, both received 4½-star reviews from Romantic Times. Myra and her husband, Jack, have two married daughters and seven grandchildren. For more, visit myrajohnson.com.

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Savanna:  Welcome to the blog, Myra. We’re so glad you could join us today. Congratulations on your newest release, The Sweetest Rain.

Interview with Myra Johnson & GIVEAWAY | The Engrafted WordWithout giving too much away, can you tell us what was your favorite scene to write in this book and why?

Myra:  Wow, let’s start with the hardest question first, why don’t we! 🙂 One favorite is when Bryony first meets Michael. There’s the innocence between them—Bryony’s curiosity about Michael, and Michael’s realization that there’s something special about her. When the hero and heroine meet for the first time in any story, there’s always the anticipation about where this will lead. What new things will they discover about each other, or about themselves? What will keep them apart? When will they realize their love was meant to be?

For that very reason, my second favorite scene was the ending, when everything leading up to this moment culminates in their happiness, settledness, and hope for the future.

Savanna:  How is your character Bryony like you and how is she different?

Interview with Myra Johnson & GIVEAWAY | The Engrafted WordMyra:  Bryony is a whole lot more courageous than I am, that’s for sure! She’s more of a take-charge kind of woman, while I’m usually content to work in the background. We do share a love of family, though, and would do whatever it takes to protect the people we care about.

Savanna:  Since you write Inspirational Romance and obviously appreciate sweet love stories, what is your favorite romantic movie and favorite romantic book?

Myra:  One of my favorite romantic movies is White Christmas, with Bing Crosby, Rosemary Clooney, Danny Kaye, and Vera Ellen. Singing, dancing, romance, the holidays . . . what more could you ask for? I don’t think I can name a single favorite romantic book. I’ve read so many good ones! There were a few authors of Christian romance who were definitely my early inspiration to write in this genre—Francine Rivers, naturally, and also Deborah Raney and Robin Lee Hatcher.

Savanna:  Ah, I LOVE White Christmas. I watch it every year. 😉

I read on your website that you’ve attended several writers’ conferences. Can you share with us a special memory from your very first conference?

Interview with Myra Johnson & GIVEAWAY | The Engrafted WordMyra:  That takes me back a long, long way! At my very first conference, it had to be the thrill of hobnobbing with widely known authors and editors, and the dream of someday actually feeling like a part of their world. A more specific memory would be from my first American Christian Fiction Writers national conference. I still remember author Robin Lee Hatcher’s workshop and her description of how she writes. She explained that she never plotted out her stories before beginning, that the joy of writing for her was in the discovery along the way. Since that’s the way I write, too, just knowing a “seat of the pants” writer could be as successful as Robin gave me encouragement for my own process.

Savanna:  That’s so neat, Myra. Thanks for sharing with us today.  Is there anything else you’d like to share? What project are you currently working on?

Myra:  I recently turned in book 2 of the Flowers of Eden series to my editor and have begun writing book 3. These stories continue with the lives of Bryony’s sisters—Larkspur in book 2, and Rose in book 3. I enjoy writing connected books because I already feel like I know the characters fairly well, and yet I’m still discovering new things about them.

Savanna:  That’s so exciting! Best of wishes to you, Myra. Happy Writing!

GIVEAWAY!!

Myra has graciously offered to give away an ebook copy of The Sweetest Rain to one lucky winner. Enter below and it could be YOU! 😉

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Thanks for entering! Contest is open only in the U.S. and ends October 15, 2015.  The winner will be notified by email. Happy Reading, everybody!