Blogside Chat | Denise Hunter [And GIVEAWAY]

Last year I attempted to start interviewing some of the authors whose books I was reading. I posted three and then stopped. Oops! So here's my latest foray into author interviews. I present to you . . . Blogside Chats!

I'm thrilled to have Denise Hunter with me today! Denise has been incredibly busy lately with not one but TWO new releases: The Accidental Bride and a novella in Smitten. They're both fabulous, so be sure to check them out when we finish chatting.

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i blog 4 books: Welcome, Denise. Thanks for stopping by! For any readers who might not be familiar with you, please tell us a bit about yourself.
Denise Hunter: I’m a wife and the mother of 3 teenaged boys. I’ve been writing for 15 years and have been blessed to publish 18 books so far. Besides writing, I love to travel, play drums, and eat chocolate, preferably dark.


ib4b: Give us a little background on your latest novel.
DH: The Accidental Bride is the story of Shay Brandenberger, who participates in a wedding re-enactment only to find that it becomes very real! Shay is raising her daughter in Moose Creek, Montana, on her childhood ranch. Despite the hard work, she can't seem to keep her head above water-and now the bank is threatening to foreclose. She prays for a miracle, but the answer she receives is anything but expected.

Having agreed to play the bride in the Founders' Day wedding reenactment, Shay is mortified to be greeted at the end of the aisle by none other than Travis McCoy, her high-school sweetheart-the man who left her high and dry for fame and fortune on the Texas rodeo circuit.

Then the unthinkable happens. Thanks to a well-meaning busybody and an absentminded preacher, the make-believe vows result in a legal marriage. But before Shay can say annulment, Travis comes up with a crazy proposal. If she refuses his offer, she may lose her home. If she accepts, she may lose her heart.

Shay isn't sure if the recent events are God's will or just a preacher's blunder. Will trusting her heart to the man who once shattered it be the worst mistake of her life? Or could their marriage be the best accident that ever happened?

ib4b: What was the inspiration for your latest book?
DH: I was watching a TV movie in which a wedding was taking place, and I thought, “Hmmmm, what would happen if that was an ordained minister instead of an actor? Would the actors find themselves married for real?”

ib4b: What do you hope readers will take away from reading it?
Other than just pure entertainment and that feel-good happily-ever-after sigh, I hope readers come to realize the importance of making decisions based on what God says, not on what people think.

Ryan Gosling as Travis (credit)

ib4b: I'd say you definitely accomplished both goals. If your book was being made into a movie, who would you cast as the main character(s)?
DH: Mandy Moore [as Shay] and Ryan Gosling [as Travis]

ib4b: Ooh . . . I didn't think of them, but I totally see it. It seems like most authors have quite an interesting journey to getting published. What did you do in your "former life”?
DH: A little art, but mostly I was a stay-at-home mom. I still am, I just work at home now too.

ib4b: What were some of your favorite books growing up?
DH: The Little House books by Laura Ingalls Wilder got me hooked on reading in elementary school.

Mandy Moore as Shay (credit)

ib4b: I loved those too! What was the last "must read" Christian fiction book that you read?
DH: Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers--it was my 5th time reading it. I also love Jenny B. Jones, Rachel Hauck, Susan Meissner and so many other authors.

ib4b: Now for the totally random portion of the interview (grin!). What are your "can't miss" TV shows right now?
DH: Castle and Parenthood

ib4b: What's your favorite vacation spot?
DH: The next place I go! I prefer to go someplace new each vacation instead of hitting the same spot year after year. Thankfully, my husband feels the same way.

ib4b: My Hubs and I tend to agree with you! We love visiting new places. :) What kind of snacks do you have in your pantry right now?
DH: Granola, walnuts, sunflower seeds, dried cranberries, whole wheat crackers. Not very exciting, but I try to follow a low carb diet.

ib4b: Changing the subject again, do you have a "life verse" or favorite Scripture?
DH: "...For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future...” Jeremiah 29:11

ib4b: That's a favorite of mine too . . . since junior high. Can you tell us a bit about what you're working on now? When can we expect to see it in stores?
DH: I just finished the 3rd and final Big Sky story, The Trouble with Cowboys. It features Dylan and Annie, and it’ll be in bookstores in October ’12.

ib4b: I just knew it would be about Dylan! Can't wait to finish the series--although it will be hard to say goodbye! Is there anything else you'd like to share with us before we go?
DH: I love to connect with my readers. That’s the wonderful thing about the internet; it’s just so easy to form connections now.


ib4b: Denise, thanks again for chatting with us today! Stop by again soon!

Connect with Denise

Website  |  Blog  |  Facebook  |  Twitter

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I hope you enjoyed our little chat. Make sure to check out both of Denise's latest releases. You can also read my review of A Cowboy's Touch, the first book in the Big Sky series if you want to start at the beginning.

AND . . . because I enjoyed The Accidental Bride so much, I want to share the love with one lucky reader. My once-read ARC is up for grabs. (It's in very good condition!)

You know the rules:
- Mandatory: Leave a comment for Denise to enter. Make sure to leave your email address. No email, no entry.
- Giveaway is open through January 27 to US residents.

Extra entries will be given for the following. Be sure to leave comments/links to let me know what you did!
- Being or becoming a follower (+2)
- Tweeting about the giveaway (+1 per tweet, max of 1 tweet per day)
- Posting about this giveaway on your blog or Facebook (+1)