(Book Giveaway! See below)
I’m very excited to welcome author Becky Wade to my blog today! In 2012, Becky’s contemporary romance novel, MY STUBBORN HEART, jumped to the top of many readers’ favorite’s list. Mine included. After that sparkling debut, I couldn’t wait to read more from her and, finally, a few weeks back, I spotted her new release UNDENIABLY YOURS at my local bookseller.
Although Unbelievably Yours doesn’t officially release until tomorrow (May 1), it’s already garnering well-deserved rave reviews. In this book you’ll find a fun story, great prose, and, best of all, authentic characters–they’re believable, tangible. What you won’t find is a formulaic writing. Many romance authors have a discernible pattern from one book to the next. Even though names and situations change, you feel you’ve read the book before. Not so with Undeniably Yours. While many readers like the safety, and find comfort in sameness, I love authors who can change it up from one story to the next. I can’t wait to see what Becky brings us next year.
And now for the interview …
Hi Becky! Thanks so much for taking the time to stop by my blog today. Could you tell us us a little about yourself?
I’m originally from Southern California, but once I married a Texan my future as a Texan was set in stone. My husband and I live in Dallas with our three children (ages 12, 9, 4). I spend a great deal of time every week caring for my kids and trying to keep up with all the household chores. Maybe partly because of this, my writing days feel like vacation days instead of work days. I absolutely love writing Christian contemporary romance. I feel incredibly blessed and humbled to get to do this work for God’s glory.
I just finished reading your latest release, Undeniably Yours and loved it! For my readers who haven’t picked it up yet, can you tell us what it’s about?
Sure! Undeniably Yours is about a wealthy heiress who inherits her father’s thoroughbred racehorse ranch. The good-hearted (and handsome, let me add) cowboy who runs the ranch falls hard for the heiress. It’s a story about trust, about growing stronger, about love. Like all my books, it’s modern, hopefully fun, humorous, and emotional.
I understand Undeniably Yours is the first in a series. What is the common strand that binds the series together? When can we expect the 2nd book to come out? The 3rd?
You’re absolutely right. Undeniably Yours is the first in the Porter Family series. I’ve been wanting to try my hand at writing connected books for a very long time. I’m honored that Bethany House has given me the chance!
The Porter Family has four siblings. Bo, the hero of Undeniably Yours, is the oldest sibling. The three books that follow will each tell the love story of a different sibling in the Porter family. The second book will come out in May of 2014, the next one the May after that, the final one the May after that.
Oh, I’m excited about that! I loved the Porter siblings–I’m especially curious about Jake–and see lot’s of potential for fun story lines.
It’s been nearly a year since My Stubborn Heart came out. What has this past year been like for you?
Oh, my! It’s hard to capture it all in words. I’ve had mountaintop moments like when I…
- first saw the book in print.
- opened my email to beautiful messages of encouragement from readers.
- attended my first ACFW conference.
- answered a phone call from a lady who informed me that My Stubborn Heart had made the finals of the RITA Award.
There have been valley moments, too. It’s hard for authors to receive criticism for their work, their ministry. I’ve received my share!
And then there have been lots of quiet times of walking along a scenic track in between the valley and the mountain when I simply had my head down working on the writing of the next book.
Which authors do you enjoy reading?
I read a mix of general and inspirational fiction, but I most enjoy authors who write novels focused on romance. Some of my favorite Christian authors include Deeanne Gist and Susan May Warren. In the general market, I really enjoy reading Susan Elizabeth Phillips, Laura Kinsale, Kristan Higgins, Shana Abe, Lisa Kleypas.
Oh fun, a bunch of authors I haven’t tried yet! More books to add to my to-be-read list.
Have any authors influenced your writing?
Kristin Billerbeck did! I published novels before I had children, then left my career behind to become a stay at home mom. I had no plan to return to writing but when I read What a Girl Wants, it thoroughly inspired me. I thought, ‘If she can write this kind of novel for the Christian market then maybe I can one day write the kind of novel I’d like to write for the Christian market.’ Her book was hip and funny and relevant, and in some way it gave me freedom and permission to follow my own author’s voice and God’s leading when He called me back to writing.
I’m so glad you listened to the call. You really do have a fresh, unique voice that’ll keep readers coming back. Assuming you have time to read, what’s on your reading list right now?
I have two advanced reading copies sitting on my bedside table and they’re both contemporary romances from debut authors. Melissa Tagg‘s Made To Last, coming from Bethany House in the fall. Also Five Days In Skye by Carla Laureano coming from David C. Cook this June.
Oh, I love reading novels by debut authors! I’m putting those two on my ever-expanding, to-be-read list. When you’re not writing, what do you enjoy doing?
I love to play tennis, to have tea parties with my kids, to read in the tub. I look forward to lunches out with friends or restaurant dinners with my husband. I don’t get to travel as often as I like (my children’s pesky school schedule gets in the way) but I really do enjoy taking trips. Browsing Facebook is fun for me, as is getting together with fellow writers. Whenever time allows, which it hasn’t lately, I like to stretch out on the couch and watch TV or movies with my husband after the kids are in bed.
Reading in the tub? I can just picture a bubble bath with candles, maybe some light music, chocolate, and a good book. Now that sounds divine! Speaking of chocolate, I know you’re a connoisseur of fine chocolates—See’s Candies to be specific. Do you have a favorite flavor?
I could angst over this difficult decision for ages! I believe I’m craziest about See’s Bordeaux and Almond Square.
Thanks for the recommendations. I’ll have to give them a try next time I head to the Mall of America.
And thank you again for stopping by, Becky! It’s fun getting to know you even better. 🙂
~*~*~
Becky Wade makes her home in Dallas, Texas with her husband, three children, and one adoring (and adored) cavalier spaniel. Her inspirational contemporary romance, Undeniably Yours, releases May 1, 2013 by Bethany House.
Web Site: www.beckywade.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authorbeckywade
Twitter: https://twitter.com/beckywadewriter
Pinterest: https://pinterest.com/beckywadewriter/
Books:
Undeniably Yours (Bethany House) – May 2013
My Stubborn Heart (Bethany House) – May, 2012
*** Contest Info ***
If you’d like to win a copy of UNDENIABLY YOURS by Becky Wade, plus a small box of See’s Candies (Becky’s favorite!), in the comments below tell me what your favorite romance novel is. This contest ends Sunday, May 5, 2013 at 11:59 p.m. (CST). I will post the winner on Monday, May 6, 2013. The contest is open to residents of the contiguous United States.
Also, it would be super-nice if you’d Subscribe to my blog, but it’s not required.
TO FIND MORE OPPORTUNITIES TO WIN BOOKS, CHECK OUT
Comments 49
Thanks very much, Brenda, for inviting me to join you here on your blog. You do so much to support Christian fiction, books, and authors. I appreciate your ministry!
You’re very welcome, Becky! I love supporting excellence in fiction–regardless of genre–and your novels are very easy to talk up. I’m excited to read book #2 in the Porter series–wish I didn’t have to wait another year!
A) Thanks so much for the shout-out, Becky
B) Ahhhh, I so enjoyed reading Undeniably Yours (which has an undeniably adorable cover, btw). Bo is enough to make a girl swoon and Meg captured my heart right from the beginning.
C) Loved this interview. And I loved that you mentioned both Susan May Warren and Deeanne Gist as they’re two of my author faves. 🙂
Hi Melissa,
I agree that the Undeniably Yours cover is sooo adorable. (I’m looking forward to seeing the results of Becky’s & Katie Ganshert’s Pinterest war, with them duplicating the cover with their husbands. What a fun idea!)
Congratulations on your upcoming debut release!!! How exciting that must be for you! I’ll be cheering you on. 🙂
And it looks like I’ll get to meet you in October when you speak at our ACFW MN NICE meeting. We’re looking forward to having you visit us!
Blessings!
Brenda
I’m honored to have earned a space on your nightstand, Becky! Undeniably Yours was fantastic– I literally read it in one sitting, ignoring all other obligations for the entire afternoon and evening. And then I read my favorite bits again the next night!
In answer to your question, Brenda, it would be pretty easy to guess that Becky’s books earn top slots on my favorites list!
Hi Carla!
Becky’s books are fun to read, aren’t they? And they’re so much more than romance. (My husband even enjoys her novels!)
Congratulations to you as well on your debut release!!! How exciting! I’m very eager to read Five Days in Skye. The story description has me hooked already.
Blessings!
Brenda
One of my favorite novels from last year was Sunrise Point by Robyn Carr.
Thanks for introducing me to a new book, Katie J!
I read a romance from Robyn’s ‘Virgin River’ series this past year. I see she’s become a #1 NTY bestselling author. Awesome accomplishment!
so fun to be mentioned on your list, Becky!! (with so many of M^ favorite authors!) I have My Stubborn Heart in my carryon right now…can’t wait to dive in. (I hear there is a hunky hockey player in it!). Congratulations on all your sucess this year! I look forward to meeting the Porter family! Warmly, SusieMay
Thank you, SusieMay! There is indeed a hunky hockey player in My Stubborn Heart. The brooding, wounded kind. 🙂 My favorite part of my romance novel writing job? The heroes!
Hi Susie May!
You’ll love My Stubborn Heart! Be sure to set aside a block of time to read, because you won’t be able to put it down. And having a hunky hockey player doesn’t hurt either–it really resonates with Minnesota women, doesn’t it?
Blessings,
Brenda
A favorite romance novel?? Yikes! How will I ever pick? I guess I would go with Deanne Gist “A Bride Most Begruding” or “A Bride in the Bargain.” Loved My Stubborn Heart and I can’t wait to read this one. I have been patiently waiting for it to come out…. 🙂
I know, it’s tough to narrow it down, isn’t it? But you made excellent choices.
Thanks so much for your kind words, Candice. I hope you enjoy Undeniably Yours!
I agree – A Bride In the Bargain was terrific.
Nicely done, Ladies. Becky knows her romance!
Yes, she does. 🙂
Hi, Well my favorite romance novel is Persuasion by Jane Austen…but a VERY close
second is My Stubborn Heart…I read it and just loved it to pieces I practically forced my mom and sister to read it as well – which of course they thanked me in the end! Such a wonderful story and gripping till the end…so I can’t wait to read your next!! truckredford(at)gmail(dot)com
Bless you, Eliza! I’m really delighted to hear that you loved My Stubborn Heart. Thank you!
I can’t get over when Matt comes to her house at the end…I can picture it so clearly as he stand at the door..then he walks in and looks out the window and I was held in such suspense through all the small talk. I really loved it when he just gave up and talked directly to her. Thankfully they are no longer standing in awkward silence but I have to admit I read that part over when I’m too busy to read a whole book. =) Just love it!!
Anything by Jane Austen seems to be a favorite for romance readers. How fun that My Stubborn Heart is right up there with Jane!
i enjoyed reading Deep Haven Series by Susan May Warren
Me, too, Karen!
Hi Karen – that’s a great series. I especially enjoy it because it takes place in my home state.
What a great interview. This sounds like a great book and defintely wnt to read it. Have added it to my wish list. A favorite of mine for romance is Janice Thompson. I love reading her books as there is humor as well as romance.
Blessings
Jo
azladijo(at)aol(dot)com
Hi Jo – Glad to see Undeniably Yours is on your wish list. I know you’ll love it!
Yep, Jo! Romance + humor is one of my favorite combinations in a novel.
A shout out to those from MN! I live in WI right across the river.
Becky, our book club read My Stubborn Heart. It was a unanimous hit.
One of my favorite romances is Edenbrooke.
Hi Martha – waving to you from MinneSNOWta. (Can’t believe it’s snowing on May 1st!).
My Stubborn Heart is a great choice for a book club. I’m not surprised it was a hit.
Ooh wow!? Really!? I simply had to interject — snow in May! *swoon!* I’m a Southern girl whose itching to trade in the Sun for a heap of snowballs!! Ooh boy — that’s seriously wicked sweet!! I’d be decked out in snowshoes, as long as it wasn’t a blizzard!!!
You’ve got the right attitude, Jorie. I’m afraid that we’re not too thrilled to see snow on May 1st, though. It’s time for spring!
But, if it’s snowing outside, that means we can stay inside & read. 🙂
Martha,
Many thanks to your book club for selecting My Stubborn Heart! That’s wonderful to hear.
Ms. Anderson,
I completely concur with you, on the level that there is a formula that you can taste, smell, and feel in certain books ~ I’ve never quite understood why the same framework has to be used so very widely, as I thought, most if not all writers shoot from the hip, write their hearts out, and see where the characters lead them!? I am noticing that some appear to do what your musing about, finding solace in the familiarity of a technique that is used repeatedly! Having said that, I still do read a few of those types of stories, as if the characters or thread of thought reach out to me, I overlook the ability to see the imprint of their techniques! And, sometimes I think even those who are technique writers, have a flaire for not allowing the reader to always notice! Those are the writers I celebrate too, as it’s like in art, you don’t want the appreciator to always see how the painting was first sketched out!
Ooh, how wicked sweet! A connection to throroughbreds! I used to ride when I was younger, and that is singularly my favourite breed of horse! I’d love to be in a position one day to adopt a retired racehorse, bring him home, and re-direct him into Dressage! 🙂
Thank you for introducing me to this author, as I happen to love reading serials where you get to follow more than one main character straight through until you get to get wrapped up inside a family you were thankful to meet! 🙂 Thank you for offering this bookaway! And, when I have the chance I’ll follow your blog via RSS feeds, as I know I will be stopping back regularly!
Until then, I will conclude by mentioning that one of my absolute favourite romances in recent years was *The Pajama Girls of Lambert Square* by Rosina Lippi. Mostly because not only is it set in a small towne in South Carolina, which happens to be a locale in Southern literature I am drawn into quite often,… but it involves characters who are flawed and conflicted! I love when writers dig into the human condition, and take the reader on a journey whereupon the main character goes through the arc of resolving her conflicts but also, unexpectedly meeting people who start to affect her life in a way that she didn’t necessarily expect in the beginning!
I had borrowed this book numerous times through my local library, until I just realised I *had!* to have it on my bookshelf, so I bought a hardback copy through Powells! Every time I pass it, I smile! The narrative floats off the page and into your mind’s eye,.. if you pick it up sometime, I hope it leaves you with a breath of pause and a heartwarming glow of reflection when the last chapter ends! 🙂
Welcome, Jorie!
The Pajama Girls … sounds exactly like what I love to read. I’m adding that to my to-read list right now.
Like you, I crave books that dig deep into the human condition, novels that take us on character journeys. Stories that show messy lives also brightly display God’s handiwork.
Thanks for stopping by!
Ms. Anderson,
I am so very thankful to hear that you want to read this book! 🙂 I hope you’ll enjoy it! And, your quite right, in what you said, that even in character journeys in mainstream novels you see how He knits together our lives and gives us the free will to change our stars! 🙂 I read books across both spectrums of literature, as to me, it’s all about the adventure of discovering stories — whether secular/mainstream or inspirational, I draw out a breath of inspiration and humanity! And, yes, that is quite the eloquent way of putting it — her life IS messy on all fronts,.. but it’s how it winds itself back together that had you cheering for her, shedding happy tears, and wondering if there would be a ‘next’ chapter!?
Hi, Jorie
There’s a charity in DFW that’s called Remember Me Rescue and it does exactly what you mentioned. It saves retired racehorses, rehabilitates them, and adopts them out to new owners.
I was once a girl who asked for a horse every Christmas and never got one, so it’s great fun for me to add horses to my stories!
Thanks so much for this interview Brenda!
I read quit a bit, mostly historical romance, not sure i could choose a favorite. But I did read My Stubborn Heart and LOVED it! It has me taking a second look at some more contemporary romance novels=)
Thank you, Patty! Blessings.
Patty – I’ve always said that when a novel is good, the genre doesn’t matter. Anyone can enjoy them. Becky’s books definitely fall in that category.
thanks for the chance to read this fabulous novel 🙂
i’m a subscriber, too!
You’re welcome, KarenK! Thanks for subscribing!
I don’t really have a favorite romance, unless you count Gone with the Wind. It’s pretty hard to top. More recently, I read one I really enjoyed, A Promise to Love by Serena B. Miller. It is a historical romance with a wonderful heroine.
You’re right, KayM, how can anyone top Gone With the Wind? I’ll have to check out A Promise to Love…
My favorite romance novel is Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers.
I currently have My Stubborn Heart on my TBR stack! I CANNOT wait to start it!!! 🙂 Undeniably Yours looks super cute.
Hi Marissa – Redeeming Love is on many readers favorite’s list. I hope you’ll be adding My Stubborn Heart to that soon.
I would love to win this book to add to our church library collection.
Thanks!
Hi Janet – This would be a perfect addition for your library!
I loved My Stubborn Heart! I’m super excited to read your new one! Tough decision on my favorite romance, but As Time Goes By and Hawk and the Jewel by Lori Wick I’ve reread over and over. My Stubborn Heart’s in my top 5!
Hi Veronica – Nice to see My Stubborn Heart in your top 5!