CFBA Blog Tour - Anita Higman and Love Finds You in Humble Texas

Today, I am honored to feature an author who is not only touring with CFBA this week, but she's also a web design client of mine. We just finished launching a brand new web site for her. Make sure you visit and take a look. :)

This week, the
Christian Fiction Blog Alliance
is introducing
Love Finds You in Humble Texas
Summerside Press - February 1, 2009)
by Anita Higman

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

ANITA HIGMAN is the author of 24 books including fiction, nonfiction, childrens books and plays. Among her published romance titles are Larkspur Dreams, The Love Song and Castles in the Air, all coauthored with Janice A. Thompson. Her mysteries include Another Stab at Life and Another Hour to Kill. Anita is a member of ACFW and the Christian Humor Writers Group and she has been recognized for her involvement in literacy programs. A Texan for the past 24 years, Anita has coauthored an awardwinning book about her home state, A Tribute to Early Texas. She lives with her family near Houston.

Other books by Anita are Another Hour To Kill and Another Stab At Life.

ABOUT THE BOOK

LOVE FINDS YOU IN HUMBLE TEXAS
by Anita Higman
Published by Summerside Press

The Abernathy sisters. One is bright, one is beautiful, but both are in love with the same man. One sister will let go of love, and like a kite string untethering in the wind, the choice will undo each of their lives. What will it take to heal their hearts, for love to find them in a place called Humble, Texas?

Trudie Abernathy is a little inelegant, and she's never had much luck in love. To make matters worse, her thirtieth birthday is fast approaching and her sister, Lane, has decided to treat her to a makeover and a few blind dates. Trudie is about to protest, but then she meets the kind and handsome Mason Williamson. In spite of her humble manner, Mason finds her attractive, funny and smart. But Lane inexplicably pushes Trudie away from Mason and toward the other willing suitors. The makeover has transformed Trudie from ordinary into stunning, but she isnt sure how she feels about all the attention from men. Can Trudie stay true to her humble self and find her hearts desire in the process?

If you would like to read the first chapter of Love Finds You In Humble Texas, go HERE.

Buy Your Copy of Love Finds You in Humble Texas today!

AUTHOR INTERVIEW

1. What gave you the inspiration for this story?

I have a friend who’s an image coach, and I’ve always been intrigued with her career. So, that got the little wheels turning in my head. Then I came up with a very simple concept—two sisters who were very different. One would be an image coach and the other would be in desperate need of an image coach. Then I thought, "What if both sisters fall in love with the same man?" Now that seemed like an interesting concept since it would have a lot of natural built-in conflict, especially if the sisters were close. I wrote an opening scene, and then my fingers began to fly. Even though I generally know where the novel is going, many times the story reveals itself as I go along.

By the way, I hired the amazing Circle of Seven Productions to do a book trailer for Love Finds You in Humble Texas. Visit my web site to see. Hope you enjoy it!

2. How much of your own experiences influenced your characters? What aspects became traits that are theirs and theirs alone?

The heroine, Trudie Abernathy, gradually reveals her passion for art. I took art in college, and even though I don’t have a lot of talent in that area, I do appreciate the artistic gifts of others. Another life experience that influenced my characters was the fact that I grew up on a farm in Oklahoma. My heroine grew up on a farm in Oklahoma. So, much of my own life does seep into my characters and into the plot. It’s impossible not to have our work influenced by where we’ve been, what we’ve done, or who we’ve met. All of it is reflected in our art, whether it’s fine art or music or creative writing.

You also asked what aspects of my characters were theirs alone? Well, Trudie’s sister, Lane Abernathy, is an image coach. Lane is elegant in every way. I’m not. I try, mind you, but in my opinion, I never quite hit the mark. So, that is a character trait I created that I can only dream about. :)

3. If one of your characters were an ice cream flavor, what would he/she be and why?

Since Trudie is an artist at heart, she thinks of life events in colors. And without giving too much away, rainbows become an important symbol in the novel. So I would say that the heroine, Trudie Abernathy, is a big earthen bowl of rainbow sherbet.

4. Are there any themes in Love Finds You in Humble Texas that you hope the reader sees? Are there any themes that weren't overt but developed as the stories progressed?

Even though the name of the town is pronounced, "Umble," I made the main theme about humility. A secondary theme is how God can redeem all things, turning impossible situations into miracles. Here is a tiny excerpt from the book. "Life can be a collage of pretty pictures as well as a thousand shattered moments, but God can bring marvel to it all as He takes those broken pieces and, with the light of His grace shining through them, makes something beautiful, something treasured." I hope the themes are an encouragement to readers.

5. What were your most difficult parts to write? Your favorite?

The romantic scenes are a lot of work, because I want to keep them fresh. I don’t want readers to groan, thinking that my falling-in-love scenes seem familiar with hackneyed terminology and overused descriptions. I strive to keep them full of surprise and fascinating enough so that readers keep turning those pages. The easiest and most fun parts to write were those with the character, Wiley Flat. He just sort of showed up, and introduced himself to me. And he was a delight. I hope readers enjoy him too. It was always fun for me as a writer when Wiley came back on the scene.

6. When is your next book coming out and what is the story?

I'd love for folks to drop my site at www.anitahigman.com to see all of my books. Thanks for inviting me to your blog, Tiff!

* * * * *

Thank you, Anita, for being in the spotlight with us.

Readers, leave a comment for your chance to win a FREE autographed copy of Love Finds You in Humble Texas.

If you wish to comment but don't want to be entered, say so when you post. Make sure you also leave your email address (name at domainname dot.com/net). Wouldn't want you to miss out on winning a book. :)

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This week, the contest is open to US/Canada residents only.