Spotlight on: Sherrie Hansen
Author of: Night and Day and Stormy Weather
Publisher: Second Wind Publishing
Night & Day: ISBN-10: 1935171283 ISBN-13: 978-1935171287
Stormy Weather: ISBN-10: 1935171461 ISBN-13: 978-1935171461
Release Dates: March 2009 and November 2009
Genre: Romance
Available from Second Wind Publishing and Amazon, locally at gift shops and grocery stores in Saint Ansgar, Osage, and Mason City, IA, Blooming Prairie, Austin, and Albert Lea, MN
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Night and Day: It's midnight in Minnesota and Jensen Marie Christiansen is dreaming of a rosy future. It's daybreak in Denmark and Anders Westerlund is waking up to a world full of stark realities. When parchment paper and faded ink meet computer screens and fax machines, the old-fashioned magic of a great-grandmother's letters sets the stage for a steamy Internet romance... and the unraveling of a hundred year-old mystery. Night & Day... Will fantasy become reality, or will oceans and time keep a second pair of lovers apart?
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Stormy Weather: An ill wind is brewing up a storm and as usual, Rachael Jones is in the middle of the fray. If the local banker succeeds in bulldozing the Victorian houses she's trying to save, she's in for yet another rough time before the skies clear. The only bright spots on the horizon are her friendship with Luke... and her secret rendezvous with Mac...Is Rachael meant to weather the storm with Luke, who touches her heart and soul so intimately, or with Mac, who knows each sweet secret of her body?
AMY: Thank you for joining me. What else would you like to share with us regarding your book?
SHERRIE: I recently bought a plaque that says "Home is where your story begins." This really resonated with me, as my books are have small town settings and are very centered in family dynamics. Many of the conflicts in both of my books arise when out of differing sets of expectations between family members, and discrepancies between what the characters were raised to expect from life, and the realities of what life has brought them. In many romance novels, parents and siblings seem to be conveniently dead or vacationing in Europe... not so in my books!
AMY: Were there any surprises that came about while you were writing Stormy Weather, or did you story stick with the plan you had set?
SHERRIE: One of the main characters, Mac, came to life in a way that really surprised me. You'll have to read the book to find out what happened to his wife, Laura, and daughter, Maggie, but I will say that his experiences gave Mac a rich personality, and a wisdom about the ways of the world that he wouldn't have had otherwise.
AMY: What inspired you to write this book or these particular characters?
SHERRIE: Stormy Weather is the first of a trilogy about three sisters. Rachael is the oldest child, as am I. Like me, Rae is not afraid to speak her mind or stand up for what she believes, and as a result, she is always "upsetting the applecart", as her Grandma would have said. When stormy weather interferes with her plans, she thinks God is "out to get her" or punishing her for being headstrong and going her own way. Rae is convinced she's met the man of her dreams (Luke), so when providence brings another man into her life, one who thinks he is perfect for her (Mac), a lot of stormy weather ensues. A few of the key characters and situations are lifted from personal experiences (I'll never tell which ones...), and the rest is a fancy of my wild imagination... what might have happened if...
AMY: Tell the readers about your writing journey and how you ended up with your publisher.
SHERRIE: I've been writing for about 16 years, and have 7 rough drafts / manuscripts completed. I've been a member of Romance Writers of America, and have been honing my craft in an online writing workshop called Jenny's Cherry Writers (now just Cherry Writers since author Jennifer Crusie no longer participates) for almost that long. I was "discovered" after entering a writing contest at Gather.com, when a publisher saw and liked the first chapter of Night and Day, and wanted to publish my book.
AMY: If there is one piece of advice you could give an unagented / unpublished author, what would it be?
SHERRIE: Never give up. Keep working on your craft, learning from other authors, reading quality work, attending writing conferences and classes, and most of all, writing. Write your heart out, then rewrite, and rewrite, until you get it right. Don't be afraid to put your work out there.
AMY: Besides Stormy Weather, which we highlighted here, have you published other books or are there some that are yet to be released?
SHERRIE: I've included information about my first book, Night and Day. My next two books, which follow Stormy Weather, will be Waterlily, and Merry-Go-Round. Waterlily was written soon after my 20 year class reunion, and I'm hoping it will be released the summer of 2010, when my 35 year class reunion will be held.
AMY: How can we find you on the internet (facebook, twitter, myspace, blog, website addresses)
SHERRY:
Website: www.BlueBelleBooks.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1244516892
Gather: http://sherrieh.gather.com/
Wordpress Blog: http://sherriehansen.wordpress.com/
Twitter: http://twitter.com/SherrieHansen
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/2870454.Sherrie_Hansen
AMY: Is there anything else you would like to share with the readers?
SHERRY: My books have a few steamy scenes, but I think they will also appeal to Christian readers who struggle with issues of faith and the changing nature of the family. I'm a pastor's wife, and have written a Christian inspirational called Love Notes that I hope will be published one day.
AMY: Is there anything you would like to ask the readers?
SHERRY: I would love to hear your thoughts after reading either Night and Day or Stormy Weather!
AMY: Sherrie has been generous enough give away an autographed copy of Stormy Weather. I am sorry but this is limited to U.S. residents only, due to the cost of postage. If you would like a chance to win the book, simply comment and leave your e-mail address. A winner will be picked and announced Saturday night. Good luck.
AMY: Thank you for joining me. What else would you like to share with us regarding your book?
SHERRIE: I recently bought a plaque that says "Home is where your story begins." This really resonated with me, as my books are have small town settings and are very centered in family dynamics. Many of the conflicts in both of my books arise when out of differing sets of expectations between family members, and discrepancies between what the characters were raised to expect from life, and the realities of what life has brought them. In many romance novels, parents and siblings seem to be conveniently dead or vacationing in Europe... not so in my books!
AMY: Were there any surprises that came about while you were writing Stormy Weather, or did you story stick with the plan you had set?
SHERRIE: One of the main characters, Mac, came to life in a way that really surprised me. You'll have to read the book to find out what happened to his wife, Laura, and daughter, Maggie, but I will say that his experiences gave Mac a rich personality, and a wisdom about the ways of the world that he wouldn't have had otherwise.
AMY: What inspired you to write this book or these particular characters?
SHERRIE: Stormy Weather is the first of a trilogy about three sisters. Rachael is the oldest child, as am I. Like me, Rae is not afraid to speak her mind or stand up for what she believes, and as a result, she is always "upsetting the applecart", as her Grandma would have said. When stormy weather interferes with her plans, she thinks God is "out to get her" or punishing her for being headstrong and going her own way. Rae is convinced she's met the man of her dreams (Luke), so when providence brings another man into her life, one who thinks he is perfect for her (Mac), a lot of stormy weather ensues. A few of the key characters and situations are lifted from personal experiences (I'll never tell which ones...), and the rest is a fancy of my wild imagination... what might have happened if...
AMY: Tell the readers about your writing journey and how you ended up with your publisher.
SHERRIE: I've been writing for about 16 years, and have 7 rough drafts / manuscripts completed. I've been a member of Romance Writers of America, and have been honing my craft in an online writing workshop called Jenny's Cherry Writers (now just Cherry Writers since author Jennifer Crusie no longer participates) for almost that long. I was "discovered" after entering a writing contest at Gather.com, when a publisher saw and liked the first chapter of Night and Day, and wanted to publish my book.
AMY: If there is one piece of advice you could give an unagented / unpublished author, what would it be?
SHERRIE: Never give up. Keep working on your craft, learning from other authors, reading quality work, attending writing conferences and classes, and most of all, writing. Write your heart out, then rewrite, and rewrite, until you get it right. Don't be afraid to put your work out there.
AMY: Besides Stormy Weather, which we highlighted here, have you published other books or are there some that are yet to be released?
SHERRIE: I've included information about my first book, Night and Day. My next two books, which follow Stormy Weather, will be Waterlily, and Merry-Go-Round. Waterlily was written soon after my 20 year class reunion, and I'm hoping it will be released the summer of 2010, when my 35 year class reunion will be held.
AMY: How can we find you on the internet (facebook, twitter, myspace, blog, website addresses)
SHERRY:
Website: www.BlueBelleBooks.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1244516892
Gather: http://sherrieh.gather.com/
Wordpress Blog: http://sherriehansen.wordpress.com/
Twitter: http://twitter.com/SherrieHansen
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/2870454.Sherrie_Hansen
AMY: Is there anything else you would like to share with the readers?
SHERRY: My books have a few steamy scenes, but I think they will also appeal to Christian readers who struggle with issues of faith and the changing nature of the family. I'm a pastor's wife, and have written a Christian inspirational called Love Notes that I hope will be published one day.
AMY: Is there anything you would like to ask the readers?
SHERRY: I would love to hear your thoughts after reading either Night and Day or Stormy Weather!
AMY: Sherrie has been generous enough give away an autographed copy of Stormy Weather. I am sorry but this is limited to U.S. residents only, due to the cost of postage. If you would like a chance to win the book, simply comment and leave your e-mail address. A winner will be picked and announced Saturday night. Good luck.
how fun to learn how she went about writing her book. please put me in your drawing. lin at sunrivertoday dot com. thanks
ReplyDeleteGreat interview. Thanks to both of you.
ReplyDeleteSherry, Thank you ever so much for the inspiration and insight. I found you on Facebook from a friend of a friend and have truly enjoyed your updates on your book release. Thank you for be- friending me. It was not until reading this blog that I learned so much about your previous book, Night and Day. I love the fact that you are able to live a serene life with your beautiful Victorian Bed and Breakfast. The fact you were able to hone your writing talents, gives aspiring authors hope and encouragement. Thank you for sharing your art with us. I hope to learn alot from you and your accomplishments. When I was in second grade, my teacher came to me and told me one day I would be an accomplished writer. Many, many years later that dream still exists and just knowing it is attainable is enough. Now is the time to make it my reality. The challenge to get the ideas down for others to read seems to be the only obstacle.I truly admire your success and thank you from the bottom of my heart for giving me a reason to have my voice heard.
ReplyDeleteI'm looking forward to unraveling Stormy Weather while sitting by the fire after the holidays.
Blessings,
Rhonda Michels - James
Night and Day was great - can't wait to read Stormy Weather!
ReplyDeleteI'm very interested to read the book!
ReplyDeleteGreat interview, ladies! It's wonderful to hear about your journey, Sherrie! Thanks for sharing with us!
ReplyDeleteI haven't been able to read either book yet, but they are on my list.
ReplyDeleteLove to read all kinds of books. Please add me to your drawing.
ReplyDeleteThanks.
Enid Stratton
stratedie@mchsi.com
I read an excerpt from Stormy Weather and it sounds like a good book.
ReplyDeleteTrinity Foreman
d2jeter_fan@tmail.com
Great interview! Happy Friday to you both!
ReplyDeleteThank you all for stopping by! Your enthusiasm is much appreciated!
ReplyDeleteBoth books sound great! I'm sure you've balanced the love scenes with the faith ones to make it a wonderful read. :O)
ReplyDeleteI would definitely love to read Sherrie's book. The plot really sounds exciting, and I think it is fantastic that she has so many books in the works.
ReplyDeleteI forgot to leave my email address. It is smartmomj@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteSherrie Hansen is such a talented lady! I really enjoyed this interview and would love to win a copy of her book!
ReplyDelete