Celebrating Christmas Books Featuring Jill Kemerer

Today's featured author is a Publishers Weekly bestselling author of heartwarming, emotional, small-town romance novels often featuring cowboys. She is a multi-published author of Christian romance novels with Harlequin Love Inspired with over half a million of her books have sold worldwide. Now, let's get some more details about her books.

How did you come up with the idea for your Christmas book? 
I was taking a walk one day and the Bible story about the prodigal son popped into my head. I started wondering what this story would look like in today’s world. Before long, I had a hero who was orphaned at a critical time in his life and who then lost his inheritance through unhappy circumstances.

Once I had Sawyer figured out, I turned to the heroine. I realized Tess was a single mom taking care of her terminally ill father, and she’s struggling when the story opens. These two hurt people are forced to overcome their trust issues, and what better time to do that than at Christmas?

Sounds like a good basis for a storyline. Could you give a short synopsis on the book for my readers?
Here is the back blurb of The Prodigal’s Holiday Hope.

When Sawyer Roth is hired to work on his childhood ranch, he knows he has a damaged reputation to repair. Tess Malone, the new ranch owner’s daughter, is the hardest to win over. But as Christmas approaches, Tess and her toddler son find a way into Sawyer’s heart. He lost everything the last time he put his trust in love. Can he risk it all again?

What are some of your favorite Christmas traditions?
I love going to church on Christmas Eve with my husband and kids. After the service, we go home and have special snacks while we play games. Sometimes, we attempt a family photo, too! Later in the week, we’ll celebrate Christmas with both extended families. It’s always great to see everyone.

What’s next in books for you?
Book two in the Wyoming Ranchers series, A Cowboy to Rely On, releases on December 28, 2021. I’m excited about this series! The second book follows Jet Mayer as he’s confronted with some shocking secrets his youngest brother hid from him before he died.

What’s the best writing tip you’ve learned or been given you’d like to share?
Always address the emotional side of the story. An exciting plot can fall flat if there isn’t any emotion behind it. It’s not enough for a house to burn down. We need to convey how the house burning down affects the characters.

What do you know now about writing and publishing you wish you had learned sooner?
Everything? Haha! No, seriously, I think the mental game can be really tough. It’s difficult to wait to hear from agents and editors. Rejections are always depressing. Or if you decide to self-publish, it’s hard to get your book to stand out and get sales. I doubt myself often, and I struggle with envy at times. But I’m doing what I love, and I am thankful every day for the blessing of this career.

Any last words or tips?
Yes, I want to encourage all the aspiring writers out there. Your journey might be easy or it might be excruciating, but it’s worth the effort. Write your stories! If you don’t, who will?

Are there any other books that you’d like to tell my readers about?
If you’re interested in my backlist, please go to my website. I write a Christmas story every year, so there are several Christmas romance novels in my backlist. 

Thanks for that info. I love reading Christmas stories and I know I'm not alone. So, if you'd like to learn more about Jill's books, here are some links to get you started

Website: https://jillkemerer.com/books/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jill.kemerer

Amazon: https://jillkemerer.com/books/

An Alaskan Christmas: Author Interview with Teri Wilson

How did you come up with the idea of your Christmas themed book?
SLEIGH BELL SWEETHEARTS is a Christmas romance about a woman who unexpectedly inherits a struggling reindeer farm that comes complete with three dozen unruly reindeer and one handsome, brooding ranch hand. I first got the idea for this book when I was watching the Westminster Kennel Club dog show on television and saw a dog that had been bred for herding reindeer. I'd already written two books set in Alaska and really wanted to write a Christmas-themed story set there. When I saw that dog on television, the rest of the plot just came to me.

You've had one book that became a Hallmark Movie (Unleashing Mr. Darcy) and I understand this book is also in the process of becoming a movie. Could you give me the details about that?
The book has been optioned for film by the Hallmark Channel and is currently in pre-production. The script has been written, and filming should start soon. The movie will most likely air on Hallmark during the 2017 holiday season.

Could you give me a short synopsis on the story for my readers?

Owning her own plane is all charter pilot Zoey Hathaway's ever dreamed of. So when she inherits a struggling reindeer farm, with three dozen unruly reindeer and one dangerously attractive ranch hand, Zoey's well-crafted plans seem to fly out the window. Now she must put her trust in Alec Wynn, and hope that the troubled cowboy's past won't interfere with her plans to save the farm. Zoey knows that if she wants to succeed, she can't do everything on her own. But as she accepts Alec's help, she'll soon realize it's not just her farm that's at stake—but her heart.

What made you decide to do a Christmas themed book?
SLEIGH BELL SWEETHEARTS is part of my Alaska series for Harlequin Love Inspired. As soon as I started writing books set in Alaska, I wanted to write a Christmas story set there because it's just the perfect setting for a holiday story. Alaska looks like a gorgeous Christmas card all year round.

What are some of your favorite Christmas traditions?

I love to go see the living nativity scene at our church, and going to the candlelight service on Christmas Eve is also a family tradition. Afterward, we come back home to eat chips and queso and open Christmas gifts. On Christmas Day, my family always goes to see a movie together. I'm a huge fan of Christmas movies. My favorite is It's a Wonderful Life. Every year I watch it while I bake a batch of cookies during the weeks leading up to Christmas.

What’s next? (future books, novellas, special appearances you want to mention)
I have six books releasing in 2017. Three of them are part of my Drake Diamonds series for Harlequin Special Edition. The other three are a new series I'm writing for Pocket Books called The Royals. The first book in The Royals series is called ROYALLY ROMA, and it's a modern retelling of the Audrey Hepburn/Gregory Peck movie, Roman Holiday.

What’s the best writing tip you’ve learned or been give that you’d like to share?
Write every day whether you feel like it or not. It's important to develop the habit of writing. Once you start, the inspiration will come. If you wait to feel inspired before you start writing, you will never finish anything.

What do you know now about writing and publishing you wish you had learned sooner?
Every writing career has ups and downs, but you will have countless opportunities to reinvent yourself. If you love writing, don't give up.

Any last words or tips?
Read, read, read!

That's all for today's interview. If you'd like to learn more about Teri's current books and upcoming projects, here are some options for you. 

Website: www.teriwilson.net

Twitter: @teriwilsonauthr

Amazon link for SLEIGH BELL SWEETHEARTS: https://www.amazon.com/Sleigh-Bell-Sweethearts-Love-Inspired-ebook/dp/B00D4MVG7W/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1477275894&sr=1-1&keywords=sleigh+bell+sweethearts

Amazon link for ROYALLY ROMA: https://www.amazon.com/Royally-Roma-Royals-Book-1-ebook/dp/B01JGQAHQU/ref=la_B002BLJIU4_1_14?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1477276894&sr=1-14&refinements=p_82%3AB002BLJIU4

In Love with Small Towns: Author Interview with Jill Kemerer

When did you decided to write your first novel?

I was just out of high school and frustrated by a book I’d just read, so I decided I would write my own book! It ended at page twenty-two. Needless to say, I realized there was more to writing a book than deciding I could! The writing bug bit me, though, and I started writing full time years later when I had my first child.

 

Why did you choose to write contemporary romance? Who are some of your favorite contemporary romance writers? 

I love reading contemporary romance, and it seemed a natural fit. I have so many favorite authors! I’ve been reading a lot of Christian contemporary romance lately. Becky Wade, Beth Vogt, Carla Laureano, Mellissa Tagg, Denise Hunter and Rachel Hauck have released terrific books in the last year or two. I’m a huge fan of Love Inspired, also. Jill Lynn, Allie Pleiter, Gail Gaymer Martin, Missy Tippens, Tina Radcliffe and Brenda Minton are all must buys!

 

How long did it take you to write the first book? How many rewrites did you do on it? Who helped you with the editing? 

I wrote my first full length novel eight years ago. I didn’t know much about revising, so I did very little. Small-Town Bachelor, my debut novel, was actually the thirteenth book I’d written. I did extensive rewrites!

 

Both your novels are published with Harlequin’s Love Inspired Line. How many other publishers or agents did you pitch?

I’ve had a terrific agent, Rachel Kent with Books & Such Literary, for four years. We pitched several books to various publishers, including Harlequin Love Inspired, and I’m very thankful to have sold this book. As anyone trying to get traditionally published knows, there’s a lot of waiting involved. From the time we submitted the proposal (and there were requested revisions on that) to the time I got the call was about a year.

 

Have other books been started and stopped along the way? 

Oh, yes! As I mentioned previously, I’ve written thirteen novels. My early books were great practice, but they are not fit to be published. I’m proud of the last six books I wrote, though, and hope to see them in print someday, too.

 

What is your writing discipline? How many hours a day do you write? Do you have a word count goal daily? 

I track my writing/revising progress daily. From plotting to the final polish, it takes me four months to write a short novel (55,000 to 60,000 words). It takes me around six months for a longer novel (85,000-95,000 words). Writing is my full time job. I spend at least an hour every morning on the business and promotion side. I usually write, revise, or plot six hours a day, four days a week. I set one weekday aside to run errands and manage my household, and weekends are spent with my family.

 

What type of publicity do you do to promote your book? What has worked best for you in generating sales?

 I do the typical publicity. I have a reader-focused website. I scheduled a month-long blog tour, sent out press releases, sent review copies out and hosted several giveaways. I’m not sure what will work best, but I’ll be tracking it in the future.

 

You were part of a collection of 22 stories and recipes with other “Love Inspired” writers a few months back. How did that come together? 

I was blessed to be approached by Dana Corbit, an amazing Harlequin Love Inspired author. She asked if I would be interested in submitting, and, of course I was! I’m thrilled to be included with so many of my favorite authors. All of the proceeds benefit children’s charities, which to me is the best part!

 

What do you know now about writing/publishing now that you wished you had known sooner?

When I first started writing, I believed in talent. But after seven years of rejections, I learned it was really all about hard work and a willingness to study and grow.

 

What is the best advice you’ve been given about writing or that you’ve learned that you would like to pass along? 

The best advice? Keep writing! Never quit.

 

That's it for today's interview. If you would like to learn more about Jill's writing, here's some great links to get you started:
Website: http://jillkemerer.com      Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/AuthorJillKemerer

Twitter: http://twitter.com/jillkemerer

Interested in purchasing Small-Town Bachelor? Click on http://jillkemerer.com/books/small-town-bachelor/ for links to purchase!