Talkshow Thursday: Welcome Bonnie Engstrom
Bonnie: My
parents and I used to visit Cambridge Springs every summer, so I had fond
memories of the old hotel and where I first rode a horse named Traveler. There
was a cute stable boy there, too, but not as cute as Jake on the book cover.
(Isn’t he adorable?)
LM: The age old
question for writers – are you a planner or a “pantster,” and what is your
favorite part of the writing process?
Bonnie: I am an
off the cuff, maybe sometimes off the wall, writer. I do have ideas for every
story I write, but each story evolves by itself. No outline, no plotting. Too
boring, too restrictive. Although I admire authors who can do that. Just not my
style.
LM: Research is a
large part of any book. How did you go about researching Restoring Love at Christmastime, and did you discover any extra
special tidbits of information?
Bonnie: Most of
the actual details of the hotel were embedded in my memory. But, sadly, I
decided right before I sent the manuscript to my publisher to check out the
three turrets to be sure there was an angel one. I was devastated to learn the
historic hotel had burned down just a week prior to my search. I was torn about
the story but decided to honor the old inn and publish it.
LM: What is one
thing you wish you knew how to do?
Bonnie: Knit! Deb
Macomber is one of my favorite authors, and she centers many of her books and her life around knitting. I always thought it would be fun to join one of her
knitting meetings. I do know how to quilt, though, and used to own a children’s
shop that featured just about everything quilted. My poor sons had to wear quilted
patchwork shorts when they were two and four. I don’t think they’ve ever
forgiven me!
LM: You live in a
beautiful area of the world, a place many people visit. If money were no
object, what is your idea of the ultimate vacation?
Bonnie: We’ve
dreamed of going back to Sweden to connect with our roots, but I’m not sure I
want to endure the long flight. Besides, we are so busy with our four Arizona
grandkids, we are tied down. We have visited our son and his two boys in Costa
Rica, but not recently. Instead we pay for them to come here to connect with
their cousins ~ all of whom adore each other.
LM: Here are some
quickies:
Favorite movie: Dirty Dancing! In spite of what some
Christians might say, I think it was a poignant and powerful love story. That’s
another thing I wish I could do – dance like that.
Favorite food: Sushi. Actually, sashimi. Salmon and crab are
close seconds.
Favorite childhood book: Anything Nancy Drew.
LM: What is your
next project?
Bonnie: I
promised my publisher I would write one more book in the Candy Cane Girls Series. Doreen needs her own story. After that . .
. I have several books started – a love story about an older couple (sort of
like my debut novel Butterfly Dreams)
and one that involves a family secret and a trip to Sweden.
LM: Where can
folks find you on the web?
Bonnie:
I’m running a weekly contest, WACKY WEDNESDAY, on my
Facebook author page https://www.facebook.com/bonnieengstromauthor/.
I hope everyone reading this will stop by every Wednesday and answer my
question to win fun prizes.
My website will be updated soon, but it’s still a place to
see all those grandchildren. http://bonnieengstrom.com. See if
you can pick out the two surfing boys and the little imp who got baptized with
me recently.
My favorite way to connect with readers is via email bengstrom@hotmail.com
where we can chat and exchange ideas. I do ask that they put BOOK in the
subject line so they don’t fly off into cyberspace.
I’m not very good at Twitter, but my handle is
@BonnieEngstrom1.
I’ve given up on Instagram – don’t understand it.
Book blurb:
Why was Jenni taking this journey back in time
during the Christmas holidays? Surely, she didn’t expect to see Jake the stable
boy. She had moved on from sneaking kisses in the barn after trail rides. He
must have, too. Who on earth would stay in the tiny town of Cambridge Springs?
She planned for a respite from teaching, time to
read, take quiet walks and indulge in delicious hotel meals. At least no one
knew where to find her, none of her friends, and not even her family.
She wanted to soak up memories, alone. Unless by
a Christmas miracle Jake was still there to share them.
Can
romance still flourish after fifteen years? Will a teacher and a former stable boy remember
their first kiss?
Purchase Link: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B073Q13V8P
Bonnie
will gift two Restoring Love at Christmastime books to two people who comment; an eBook and a signed
print copy. She hopes you will give a review on Amazon or Goodreads after you
read and enjoy it.
Author Bio: Bonnie spends her time between writing and driving four Arizona grandkids to and from school, with Starbucks stops on the way. Her psychologist husband, Dave, takes his turn, too, when he isn’t on a Skype meeting with his University of Phoenix colleagues or preparing dinners as the resident chef. Life is busy for Bonnie and Dave, but filled with love and blessings, soccer games, spelling bees and strings concerts.
Author Bio: Bonnie spends her time between writing and driving four Arizona grandkids to and from school, with Starbucks stops on the way. Her psychologist husband, Dave, takes his turn, too, when he isn’t on a Skype meeting with his University of Phoenix colleagues or preparing dinners as the resident chef. Life is busy for Bonnie and Dave, but filled with love and blessings, soccer games, spelling bees and strings concerts.
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