Author Interview: Kimberly Rose Johnson

Hi all, Angela here, and I am so excited to introduce you to author Kimberly Rose Johnson! Here is a little about her:

Kimberly Rose Johnson married her college sweetheart and lives in the Pacific Northwest. From a young child Kimberly has been an avid reader. That love of reading fostered a creative mind and led to her passion for writing.

She especially loves romance and writes contemporary romance that warms the heart and feeds the soul.

Kimberly holds a degree in Behavioral Science from Northwest University in Kirkland, Washington. She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers.

You can sign up for Kimberly's newsletter via her website at: http://kimberlyrjohnson.com/index.html

Welcome! We're so glad you could visit us today.  

Thank you! I’m really happy to be here.

What made you decide to become a writer?  

I have always loved reading and often thought to myself I could do that. I’m the annoying person who can tell you what a character will say before he does it because that’s the way I would have written it.

When I hit my thirties, I guess I was bored, because I randomly began to write a story that was in my head. From then on I’ve been writing.

Where did the inspiration for your latest book come from? 

The first book in the series inspired an Encore for Estelle. When I wrote Estelle into A Love Song for Kayla I sensed this woman needed her own book.

How does your faith and spirituality work in with your writing? 

My faith is at the core of who I am and therefore it comes out in my writing. I don’t set out to write spiritual elements into my story, but they form organically.

I’m what they call a seat of your pants writer, which means I don’t spend much time plotting. I have a concept in my mind and how I want the story to end. I fill in the blanks as I write and that’s when the spiritual element is developed.

What do you want readers to come away with after reading your books? 

I have discovered that each reader latches on to something they can relate to. It will be one thing for one person and another thing for someone else. That being said, I hope they come away with a satisfying experience that left them wanting more.

What are you working on next? 

I am currently writing A Waltz for Kelly, which is the third book in my Melodies of Love series.

When you are stressed, maybe a deadline’s approaching too fast, what is your favorite snack food? Or do you have another way to cope? 

Sadly I turn to chocolate. I wish I’d crave healthy food like carrots. My waistline would be much smaller.

I'm afraid I'm there with you with the chocolate! Thank so much for visiting with us today!

The theater ties them together but a painful past could pull them apart.

At a crossroads, former movie star Estelle Rogers, returns to the place that set her life on a new course. Although she expects a rough reception she is pleasantly surprised and quickly settles into her new position at the local children's theater. But her road back to acting isn't as smooth as she would like.

Tragedy brought Blake Price to Oak Knoll, Oregon, but it's love that keeps him there. His late wife and daughter loved acting, and he owes it to them to honor their memory with the children’s theater, but his new assistant is making changes he isn’t ready for both at the theater and in his heart. Can he forgive himself and move forward, or will he forever be tied to the biggest mistake of his life? 

Meet Kimberly Rose Johnson

Howdy y'all! Crystal, here. I've got a fun gal for you to meet. Join me today as we chat with Kimberly Rose Johnson and learn about her newest series.

So, Kimberly, tell us a bit about yourself.

Well, I’m a blonde, and I have a blonde dog and the strongest kid in the world whose nickname is bam-bam. I write all day and play piano when I need a break. LOL This description was just given to me by “bam-bam” my seventeen-year-old son. :) Okay in all seriousness now. I live in the Pacific Northwest and will soon be an empty nester when my youngest heads off for college in August.

I began my writing career with Harelquin’s Love Inspired Heartsong Presents line. I wrote a four book series for them and a stand-alone before selling my current series to Mountain Brook Ink. Sunshine makes me happy. I enjoy coffee while visiting with friends and have a serious love of chocolate. My current vice is plain M&M’s.

Congratulations on your new release! You mentioned this is a series. Can you tell us a bit about what the series includes and what your newest story is about?

Thank you! I love the Wildflower B&B Romance series. The first book, Island Refuge, takes place on a fictional island off the coast of Washington State at Wildflower B&B. The second book, Island Dreams, which will release in July, continues the story of Zoe and Nick who we met in book one and we meet newcomer Piper Hunt. Piper has come to the island to develop a large portion of the land into a destination resort. Chase Grayson will do just about anything to keep her from destroying the island with a resort. Here is the back cover blurb.

Piper Hunt arrives on Wildflower Island to develop family property into an upscale resort knowing this may be her last chance to prove her worth to her father. With grandiose ideas, she soon finds herself at odds with adjoining property owner, Chase Grayson. As she begins to appreciate the simplicity of the island, she struggles to maintain balance between her father’s wishes, preserving the natural beauty of the island, and her attraction for Chase.  

Chase Grayson values the peace and quiet of Wildflower Island. That serenity is threatened when Piper Hunt discloses her plans to develop an upscale resort that not only butts up to his property, but will turn the island into a busy tourist destination. In fighting her plans, he also finds himself fighting his attraction to her. If he doesn’t stop her plans for the resort, his life will be altered forever. If he succeeds, it means he will never see her again. Can he live with either choice? 

Sounds like a great read! Where did you get the inspiration for your story?

Island Refuge was inspired while I was researching for another book series in Washington. I had taken the train up to Leavenworth, WA and while there I visited a B&B. My brain went into overdrive and over the next several months a story grew in my mind. I ended up stopping work on my contracted series to write Island Refuge. Island Dreams was born from the first book in the series. I knew I wanted to write a series and brainstormed with my husband until we came up with an idea.
The third book, Island Christmas, will release in October. I’m super excited about that one for two reasons, the first being Rachel from book one comes back as the heroine and it’s a Christmas book. I love Christmas stories. :)

What an interesting setting. This series must be fun to write. Do you have a favorite scene in the book? If so, can you tell us a bit about it?

It’s difficult to pick a favorite, but there is one spot in the book where disaster strikes. I don’t want to give it away, but let’s just say I wasn’t very nice to Piper.

What do you plan to work on next?

I started a fun romance/mystery a while back, and I want to finish it. The more I think about revisiting that project the more excited I get. :)

Ooo, that does sound fun. :) Where can readers connect with you? Where can readers buy your book?

The best place to find me is my website kimberlyrjohnson.com/. All my social networking links can be found there, as well as a sign up for my newsletter. Readers can also follow me on Amazon and never miss one of my new releases. You just click follow.

Thanks for that info. Last but not least, apart from writing, what is your favorite creative outlet?

I enjoy music. I taught piano lessons for eighteen years and still enjoy sitting down at the piano. I also love to read and enjoy taking long walks with my husband and our yellow lab.

Eighteen years! Wow, that's awesome! I'd love to learn how to play the piano. :) Thanks so much for joining us today, Kimberly. Hope this series is a blessing to many.

Okay, everyone, here's your chance to ask Kimberly questions about this series or her past books. No questions? Well, then how about a couple for you: Have you read one of Kimberly's books before? or Since Kimberly enjoys music, which is your favorite kind of music to listen to or play?