Marji Laine, here. I LOVE new books, and Kristen Hogrefe
Parnell has just released a brand new book, HOLD YOUR BREATH. I can’t wait
to read it, and I’m delighted to visit with Kristen today! Yea! Welcome! So
tell me about your new release. Is this a suspense or mystery or both?
Hold
Your Breath is Christian romantic suspense, and I
enjoy writing this genre because it is such an effective vehicle for showing
how God can use the problems in our lives to draw us to Him. Plus, our own
lives are full of suspense—just not usually to the degree we find in fiction!
LOL! I certainly hope my life is never full of suspense to
that degree! So, what ignited this book? Was there a particular situation or
place that gave it the first nudge?
Beech Mountain,
North Carolina, is a setting near and dear to my heart. My husband taught me to
ski there when we were dating, he proposed near there, and we are now making
new memories there with our young son (Pictured with Kristen at Fred's General Mercantile). This setting is stunning during any
season, and so, I wanted to write a series that captured that beauty. Beech
Mountain isn’t the only setting in the Crossroads Suspense series, but it
features into every book. Characters not only face literal crossroads between
Beech Mountain and another setting, but they but also face spiritual crossroads
as they fight for truth, justice—and their lives.
Tell me about your characters at the beginning of your
book.
At the beginning
of the book, Jayna is outwardly a travel blogger wanting to bring awareness to
the recovering communities of the Bahamas (post hurricane), but inwardly, she
is a young woman desperate for love. Unfortunately, she once again seeks it in
the wrong place, this time, with dangerous consequences.
Liam Bracken is a
private investigator with a big heart that has been disappointed more than
once. The last woman he liked chose his best friend over him, and now, he’s
helping that same best friend plan a surprise engagement in Beech Mountain
during his church group’s trip there. His Irish red hair earns him the nickname
Ginger Ale from the mysterious Jayna who joined the group at the last
minute. He is not only a surprisingly good cook, but he also has a keen
intuition about people—and he can tell Jayna is not only running from, but
terrified of, something.
Since tomorrow is Thanksgiving, what advice would your main
character give to readers for this holiday? How would she plan to celebrate tomorrow
After her
harrowing ordeal, Jayna would tell the reader to savor time with family. She
would celebrate with her sister Beatriz’s family and their parents. They would
serve Puerto Rican dishes, including Pavochon (turkey seasoned to taste like
pork), Mofongo stuffing, and tostones (twice fried plantains). A certain Ginger
Ale might also be invited to the festivities.
How do you plan to celebrate Thanksgiving this year? What
are you most thankful for in your family? In your writing career? In your
relationships? In something else?
This year, my
immediate family is all traveling to visit my brother’s family. Their five
children adore my adventurous one-year-old, and thankfully, they have the
energy to keep up with him!
Ah, those one-year-olds! My grandson is the same age and has
gone from barely toddling to running in what seems like a moment! So, what are
you most thankful for this year?
I am most
thankful for another year together, because this year has surprised us with
some unexpected health challenges with my mom.
Treasure the moments! I’m so glad you are all able to be
together! And thanks for joining us today! Kristen is offering one copy for
free to one of you! Leave a comment below sharing what you are most thankful
for in this season of gratitude!
Kristen has also shared a little tidbit of her story, this
part told from Jayna’s perspective. I can’t wait to read it!
Liam
was just pulling his cinnamon rolls out of the oven when the rest of the crew
arrived. TJ beelined for the coffee. Matt looked as though he had tumbled out
of bed, but he perked up when he spotted Olivia. Reef reached for Kaley’s hand,
and the girl literally glowed.
Oh.
Shoot.
Mood
music.
A trip
to the mountains.
With
your girlfriend and her crazy friends.
Reef
was going to propose.
Jayna’s
stomach turned sour, and her perfect eggs didn’t look so appealing anymore. It
wasn’t that Kaley didn’t deserve to be happy. She did. But Jayna couldn’t be at
the epicenter of a perfect proposal when her own magical moment had ended so
awfully days before.
She
fumbled for her empty coffee mug and got in line behind TJ. “So, what are we
doing again today?”
TJ
chugged his black coffee. “Ask Reef. He planned everything.”
The
knot in her stomach only grew. Of course, he had.
Get your own copy of HOLD YOUR BREATH at this LINK
or by clicking the cover.
