What made you decide to write Christmas themed books?
Growing up in a dysfunctional family, I always longed for those picture-perfect Hallmark-style holiday moments. I'd daydream about what it would feel like to experience a cozy, love-filled Christmas. Now, I get to write those holiday stories for my readers! My books blend inspiration from real life with a generous dash of holiday magic to create heartwarming, feel-good romances. They’re like a big, cozy blanket on a cold winter’s day, where love always finds a way—whether it's under the mistletoe or in a small-town snowstorm. Could you give a short synopsis on the books for my readers?
I love writing interconnected series, so whichever book you pick up, you’ll always find familiar faces tucked inside. My characters are real and a bit broken, but that’s what makes their happily ever afters so satisfying—they find someone who loves them, flaws and all. I’m passionate about supporting our military, and many of my stories revolve around ex-military characters who face challenges after returning home.
My Mountain Men of Whispering Pines series is where it all starts. It’s about three military men who come home to heal and rebuild their lives in a small town, Hickory Falls, which becomes a sanctuary for those dealing with trauma—whether from military PTSD, mental, or physical wounds. My first book, The Grumpy Mountain Man, follows Eric, an Army Ranger Staff Sergeant who’s recovering from a severe injury sustained during a mission. He’s carrying a lot of personal baggage, and the last thing he wants is to be tasked with protecting his best friend’s sister all winter. But sometimes life has a funny way of giving us exactly what we need, even when we don’t realize it.
Just released is Sleighed by the Farmer’s Daughter, a Christmas book about Eric’s older brother, Seth. This story dives into childhood trauma and feelings of abandonment that have shaped Seth and Eric. It focuses on the importance of family and healing from those early wounds.
Next, The Best Mistletoe Bet (releasing 11.23.24) takes place in a neighboring small town and introduces Tim, a childhood friend of Seth and Eric. Tim, a former Spec Ops pilot, is haunted by memories of his military service. He works with the men of Mountain Men of Whispering Pines to keep their communities safe, running rescue operations that tackle both human threats and the harsh forces of nature. Tim also teams up with characters from my Bad Boys Club series, who run BraveHeart Securities, providing protection and retrieval services where the government can’t—or won’t—intervene. My Bad Boys Club series revolves around a group of five orphaned boys who’ve formed a tight-knit found family. Each of them has worked hard to lift themselves and each other up, pursuing different careers but always staying connected. Their stories weave in and out of my Hickory Falls and Mountain Men of Whispering Pines series. Book three, Finding Love at Sea (releasing 12.14.24), follows Gabriel Knight, a billionaire financial and real estate mogul known for his charitable work around the world. Despite the tabloids painting him as a playboy, Gabriel is a man with a deep sense of duty and honor. This series centers around a New Year's Brotherhood pact, with each man on a journey to find love.
What are some of your favorite Christmas traditions? Honestly, I didn’t grow up with many holiday traditions, and I think that’s the bittersweet part of writing these stories. But one tradition I’ll always cherish involved my great-grandfather. Every year, during the week before Christmas, he’d randomly pick a day and call the family with the announcement: “I think today feels like Christmas!” We would pile in our mom's station wagons and head to my grandmother's to open gifts. It wasn’t about the presents—half the time it was socks, underpants, or some other basic necessity—but it was the surprise that made it magical. The whole week, we’d be on tenterhooks, waiting for that call and wondering when “Christmas” would arrive. It was such a special way to build anticipation and make the holiday a little bit more exciting. It’s the one holiday memory that still brings a smile to my face.
What’s next? (future books, novellas, special appearances ets.)
2025 is going to be an exciting year for me. I’ll be finishing my Bad Boys Club series early in the year, and my first Valentine’s Day book, A Heart in Bloom, a Hickory Falls story, will release on 2.6.25. After that, the rest of the Hickory Falls series will roll out in the spring and summer.One big milestone I’m really looking forward to is my first-ever in-person book signing at the Feel the Heat Book Bash in Tampa, Florida, on July 12th. I’m thrilled to finally meet readers face-to-face.
Then, later in the year, probably late summer or early fall, I’ll be releasing the start of a brand new series. It’s a project I’ve been dreaming up for two years, and I’m really excited to bring it to life—though I’m keeping the details under wraps for now.
What’s the best writing tip you’ve learned or been given you’d like to share?
One of the best writing tips I’ve learned? Be cautious when reading your reviews, especially the one- and two-star ones. More often than not, those reviews aren’t a genuine reflection of your work, but someone behind a keyboard venting. I used to read them, hoping for constructive feedback, but all they did was chip away at my confidence and make it harder to write my next story. Now, I avoid them altogether.If you’re writing from the heart and telling a story you love, focus on that. Write it for you, not for everyone else. But if you’re in this to make money, you’ve got to do your research—it’s a tough industry, and knowing your market is essential.
What do you know now about writing and publishing you wish you had learned sooner?
If you have a story burning a hole in your heart, get it out there—it doesn’t take much to self-publish. But if your goal is to make money, save up first because it’s going to take a serious investment to get off the ground. Making a living as a writer is hard. It takes countless hours, and you really have to want it, because this dream is going to make you work for it. The saying in this industry is “No risk, no reward, and no pain, no gain,” and it’s true. You don’t have to be fully ready—take those messy first steps—but be prepared for the grind. I wasn’t, and the debt piled up fast.
Any last words or tips?
You’ve probably heard the saying, “Everyone has at least one story in them that needs to be told,” and I really believe that. But here’s the thing—it might not be a story for everyone, and that’s okay.
Sometimes it’s a story just for you, a part of your own healing process, or maybe it’ll touch one person and change their life. Don’t be afraid to share your story, and when someone tells you it’s not good enough—because someone will—shrug it off. Your story just wasn’t for them.
I wish you well on your journey, wherever it takes you. Embrace it. Grow from it. Find joy in the process.
Are there any other books that you’d like to tell my readers about?
I have a feel good later in life romance (carribean cruise/vacation romance that takes place at Thanksgiving) for those looking for a quick easy, fun read with only warm fuzzy feelings. I don't believe every love story needs to have drama and angst, especially later in life when they have learned their life lessons and have earned the right to be happy. This book is not for everyone but if you enjoy low drama romance reads then Best Friends' Unexpected Love might be a story for you. It is connected to my other characters. Beth is the mother of my main characters Sarah and Tom (they are in almost all of my stories). This book is free if you join my newsletter. You get a feel good book and a sample of my characters then you can choose which character you would like to learn more about as my books are all standalones.
That's all for today's interview. Hope you'll check out Deanna's books. Here are some links to get you started.
And here's a special bonus... Sign up for her newsletter, and you'll get a free eBook of Best Friends' Unexpected Love. I've already signed up for my copy! Here's the link: https://dl.bookfunnel.com/7zhpb7nnme
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