Author Interview + Giveaway: Jill Kemerer, author of the Lake Endwell series

Welcome to Just Commonly, Jill Kemerer. I'm so thrilled to have Jill on the blog today. Her covers are gorgeous. Her books are sweet with a beautiful message in each. I look forward for everyone to get to know her, and for one reader a chance to win a copy of her latest release!

1. Hi Jill!  Welcome to Just Commonly! For readers that are new to your books, can you tell us what kind of books or subject matter do you like to write about?

Thank you for having me! My books feature characters at a crossroads—men and women who’ve gotten the courage to chase their dreams or who are facing challenges where they must rely on others for help. Since I write romance, my books always have a happily ever after.

2. How about giving us 5 words to describe your current fiction release, Hometown Hero's Redemption?

Obstacles, emotional, romantic, relatable, satisfying

3. What was your inspiration? How does this tie into your other books in the Lake Endwell series?

My inspiration came from my love of football. One day while walking, I got to thinking about the stereotype of the star quarterback dating the cheerleading captain and began playing around with the theme. I thought wouldn’t it be fun if they never dated and couldn’t stand each other in high school? Drew and Lauren were the perfect pair to explore the theme. This book does not feature any of the Sheffield siblings, but Drew is renting Claire Sheffield’s cottage and living in Lake Endwell.

4. Can you describe your main characters in 3 words or less for each?

Drew: Regretful, honorable, firefighter
Lauren: Feisty, conflicted, giving

5. What would you like your readers to take away from your stories, specifically with this one?

I want readers to close one of my books and know God has a plan for them. Whatever is going on in their lives, they can trust Him. And I hope they also have a smile on their face from watching two people fall in love!

6. Let's chat a little more about you. When you're writing, what's your favorite place to write?

I love writing in my office. It’s quiet. I’m surrounded by my “things.” I have a Barry Sanders bobble-head staring at me, a pen shaped like a dachshund a dear writer friend gave me, files, reference books, pens galore and pictures of my family. I love my office!

7.  Do you like to plot out all details or sort of just wing it?

I would love to be able to just wing it, but my brain does not work that way! I’m a plotter. I know the characters very well before I begin writing, and I also nail down the setting, major plot points and spiritual issues the characters face. Only then am I comfortable writing the actual story.

8. You've also recently released a nonfiction, Game On: A Christian Parents' Sports Survival Guide. Now, how and where did the inspiration for this come from?

Game On was my heart project. I have two children—a daughter in college and a son in high school—and I’ve been a sports mom since they were very small. Sports, especially higher level competitive teams, are very stressful on parents. I wrote the book because I wanted more than just bragging rights for my kids—I wanted sports to make them strong adults. The book is full of tips for Christian parents to lower their stress, avoid the politics and enjoy watching their kids play.

9. How is it different writing this versus fiction?

The structure was the big difference for me. I’m very comfortable writing fictional stories. I know how they flow. With nonfiction, I had to play around with the outline and hope the order of the chapters made sense.

10. What's one tip you can give aspiring writers, of fiction or non-fiction?

Success isn’t only measured in contracts and dollars. Success is consistency—writing, revising, starting a new project, studying the craft, learning about the industry—daily, weekly, monthly, yearly. Celebrate each milestone whether it’s finishing a draft, querying an agent, attending a conference, entering a contest, getting a rejection, finishing another draft…you get the idea. And never give up because you’re discouraged, envious, or insecure. I know you have another book in you, so…keep writing.

11. What do you love to do besides writing?

I love reading! Books—oh, my, yes! And I also enjoy hiking through our pretty parks here in northern Ohio, hanging out with my family, cooking, and watching sports—college football in the fall and MLB in the summer.

12. What can we expect from you next?

My new series with Love Inspired, Wyoming Cowboys, kicks off in October with The Rancher’s Mistletoe Bride. I’m very excited about this book!

13. What's currently on your nightstand?

I just finished Becky Wade’s True to You (loved it!), and I’m getting ready to read Jessica R. Patch’s Deep Waters. Jessica’s books are always so fun and suspenseful—I know I’m in for a treat!

14. And last, a fan favorite, please give us 5 random facts about you.

1. I’m obsessed with M&Ms, and I’m still mad they changed the “King Size” to “Sharing Size.” I kind of felt like royalty before, and now they want me to share? Not going to happen.
2. When I’m reading, I lose track of time and will stay up all night reading a good book. It’s not a good idea to interrupt me when I’m reading an excellent novel.
3. My car always has country music, contemporary Christian music or top 40 pop music cranked up loud.
4. At Christmas, I love singing “Silent Night! Holy Night!” in German, but I only know the first verse.
5. Our miniature dachshund, Sophie, follows me around all day and is my writing partner-in-crime.

LOL. I'm with you on number 1 and I can speak for all booknerds that number 2 is a given!

Jill Kemerer is a multi-published author of Christian romance novels for Harlequin Love Inspired. Jill's essentials include coffee, M&Ms, reading, her miniature-dachshund, and taking long nature walks. She resides in Ohio with her husband and two children. Jill loves connecting with readers, so please visit her website, jillkemerer.com, sign up for her Newsletter, and connect with Jill on Facebook and Twitter.

TO CONNECT WITH JILL:  website,  facebook,  twitter,  pinterest,  instagram

Title: Hometown Hero's Redemption

Series: Lake Endwell, Book 5

Author: Jill Kemerer

Publisher:  Love Inspired

Release Date:  May 23, 2017

Genre: Inspirational Contemporary Fiction

A Temporary Father

When he becomes guardian to his friend’s troubled ten-year-old boy, firefighter Drew Gannon knows he needs help. But before he can get former social worker Lauren Pierce to agree, he’s got to prove he’s changed from the sports jock who gave her a hard time back in high school. Returning home, Lauren wants no part of her old profession. She only wants to forget the unspeakable tragedy she left behind. She can’t take responsibility for another child. Or a reunion with Drew—no matter how generous he’s become. But a desperate boy and his handsome guardian may be more than Lauren can resist…

TO PURCHASE A COPY OR ADD IT ON GOODREADS

     

(1) Winner will win a copy of Jill's Hometown Hero's Redemption.
(US/Canada addresses only).

a Rafflecopter giveaway

                                                                                                                                           

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