My Guest

I’m super excited to introduce my first guest, Jill Weatherholt. Let’s get to know her and find out what she’s been up to. I’ve asked her a few questions to get the conversation going, and guess what I learned? She just released her debut romance novel, Second Chance Romance. So, I started reading it and, well…WOW. So far I’m loving it. Here’s Jill.

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Thanks for inviting me to visit your blog today, Lori. When I started blogging in September of 2012, I had no idea I’d meet so many wonderful and talented people who I’d end up being friends with. Honestly, I don’t remember how we connected, but I’m so happy we did.

I’ve been writing seriously for several years. In the past, I wrote for myself, entering a few contests here and there. In the summer of 2012, things seem to take off when I was published for the first time in Southern Writer’s Magazine. Since then, it’s been an amazing journey. When I was offered a contract by Harlequin on August 17, 2015, it was clear to me that God had bigger plans for my writing.

What did you want to be when you grew up?

My earliest memory of what I wanted to be when I grew up is a babysitter. Growing up, my sister and I had the best sitter in the neighborhood. I wanted to be just like her. Next, I remember wanting to be a garbage man. LOL! Hanging on the back of the truck looked like fun. Next, I wanted to be a doctor, until I fainted while getting my ears pierced. I decided against any profession that involved blood or needles.

Is there someone outside of your reach whom you admire that you’d like to meet and ask questions (author, motivational speaker, etc.)?

As a writer, I’d love to sit down and speak with Debbie Macomber. She’s an award winning writer of romance and contemporary women’s fiction who’s dyslexic. Despite her learning disability, she persevered through countless rejections and achieved her dream. (Lori’s comment: Very inspirational)

What book would you enjoy reading again?

Gone with the Wind is my favorite book and one that I’d love to read again. Since GWTW is so long, and my free reading time is limited, I catch it on TCM when it’s televised.

Is there a specific moment in your life when you first knew you wanted to be a writer?

I had to stop and think about this one. When I pulled out an old journal, I read this, written on June 22, 2008:

I want to be a writer; not just a writer who keeps a journal or writes short stories here and there. I want to be a published writer.

Click on the book cover to purchase

Honestly, I didn’t remember writing this, so thank you for prompting me to take a look back. This is why I love to journal. (Lori’s comment: Don’t you just love going back and finding things in there you didn’t remember? I even posted a story here straight from my journal).

How did you come up with the idea for your novel?

The initial spark came after I’d read about a woman who’d lost her entire family in a horrific car accident. From there, the story took on a life of its own as it was written during my first participation in NaNoWriMo so I was just trying to get the words onto the page.

Tell us something about one of your characters that you know, but is not written into their story.

My heroine, Melanie Harper didn’t want to have children when she and her husband were first married. She thought they’d be a distraction to her career. Once she had her twin girls, they became her world. (Lori’s comment: Thanks for sharing this. I’m always curious, because I know so much more about my characters than I can put onto the page).

Thanks for inviting me over today, Lori!

Lori Here: Thanks for chatting with us, Jill. Now, anyone else care to share what they wanted to be when they grew up? Any garbage men or doctors? 😉

Small-Town Daddy 

Jackson Daughtry’s jobs as a paramedic and part-owner of a local café keep him busy—but the single dad’s number one priority is raising his little girl with love and small-town values. And when his business partner’s hotshot lawyer niece comes to town planning to disrupt their lives by moving her aunt away, Jackson has to set Melanie Harper straight. When circumstances force them to work side by side in the coffee shop, Jackson slowly discovers what put the sadness in Melanie’s pretty brown eyes. Now it’ll take all his faith—and a hopeful five-year-old—to show the city gal that she’s already home.

By day, Jill Weatherholt works for the City of Charlotte. At night, and on the weekend, she writes contemporary stories about love, faith and forgiveness.

Raised in the suburbs of Washington, D.C., she now resides in Charlotte, North Carolina, but her heart belongs to Virginia. She holds a degree in Psychology from George Mason University and Paralegal Studies Certification from Duke University. She shares her life with her real-life hero and number one supporter. Their relationship grew on the golf course, and now they have one in their backyard. Jill believes in enjoying every moment of this journey because God has everything under control. Visit Jill at JillWeatherholt.com.