Happy Monday, Reader Friends!!
Thanks for joining me today. I’m sharing an Interview with Valerie Comer as she discusses her novella, Sow in Love. Have you read it yet? I haven’t but I can’t wait!
Be sure to say hello! Blessings to you!!
About the Book
From the back cover:
“Romance Grows in Arcadia Valley is the gateway to a shared world where you will find:
Spring’s Blessing (Seasons of Faith series) by Mary Jane Hathaway
A librarian’s desire for a simple garden is complicated when a large white rabbit, a motherless child, and a mysterious neighbor encroach on her carefully laid plans.
Loaves and Wishes (A Baxter Family Bakery Romance series) by Elizabeth Maddrey
Inheriting her friend’s Bed and Breakfast in Idaho is a second chance to succeed, but falling for the farmer next door wasn’t in the plan.
Sheltered Hearts (Romance from the Heart series) by Lee Tobin McClain
A curvy jilted bride gets stranded in a snowstorm with a handsome restaurant cook who’s not what he seems to be.
Sow in Love (A Garden Grown Romance series) by Valerie Comer
A real estate consultant charged with repurposing two abandoned greenhouses bumps heads — and hearts — with a garden center owner.
The Scent of Romance (Legacy of the Heart series) by Danica Favorite
A high-powered lawyer must convince a woman determined to protect her family’s legacy to sell the family farm, but finds his heart softening.
A Romance Rekindled (A Homegrown Love Story series) by Annalisa Daughety
After more than a decade apart, a formerly engaged couple is thrown together again with the future of the Arcadia Valley Farmers Market at stake.“
“Romance Grows in Arcadia Valley is the gateway to a shared world where you will find:
Spring’s Blessing (Seasons of Faith series) by Mary Jane Hathaway
A librarian’s desire for a simple garden is complicated when a large white rabbit, a motherless child, and a mysterious neighbor encroach on her carefully laid plans.
Loaves and Wishes (A Baxter Family Bakery Romance series) by Elizabeth Maddrey
Inheriting her friend’s Bed and Breakfast in Idaho is a second chance to succeed, but falling for the farmer next door wasn’t in the plan.
Sheltered Hearts (Romance from the Heart series) by Lee Tobin McClain
A curvy jilted bride gets stranded in a snowstorm with a handsome restaurant cook who’s not what he seems to be.
Sow in Love (A Garden Grown Romance series) by Valerie Comer
A real estate consultant charged with repurposing two abandoned greenhouses bumps heads — and hearts — with a garden center owner.
The Scent of Romance (Legacy of the Heart series) by Danica Favorite
A high-powered lawyer must convince a woman determined to protect her family’s legacy to sell the family farm, but finds his heart softening.
A Romance Rekindled (A Homegrown Love Story series) by Annalisa Daughety
After more than a decade apart, a formerly engaged couple is thrown together again with the future of the Arcadia Valley Farmers Market at stake.“
Purchase: Amazon, B&N, iTunes, Kobo
Add to shelf: Goodreads
Interview
Thank you so much for joining us today, Ms. Comer. I’m excited to talk about Sow in Love, your release in the Romance Grows in Arcadia Valley collection. First though, why don’t you tell readers what’s so special about Arcadia Valley.
Thanks for inviting me! Arcadia Valley is the brainchild of a group of six authors who wanted to write, not only a 6-novella box set — everyone does that! — but also a series of three contemporary romance novels each in a shared world. Arcadia Valley is a fictional town near Twin Falls, Idaho. You can check out the overarching series here: http://arcadiavalleyromance.com
I’m so excited about this series! Can you give us some background on the two main characters in Sow in Love?
Sow in Love is the novella in Romance Grows in Arcadia Valley that kicks off my series. In it, a real estate consultant charged with repurposing two abandoned greenhouses bumps heads — and hearts — with a garden center owner.
To expand that a little, the Akers family has operated the garden center in Arcadia Valley for several generations. When Grady’s dad took over the business 25 years ago, he expanded and moved the business, while Grady’s aging grandfather continued to live in the house next to the two now-decommissioned greenhouses until he headed into fulltime care. Then the old man entrusted the property to the church he’s attended all his life. That’s where Sow in Love starts: with the church hiring a consultant (Joanna) to work with the family (Grady is the spokesman) to create a plan of action for this property. Let’s just say it isn’t a smooth process!
Sow in Love is the first book in A Garden Grown Romance series. What’s next for this series?
Three novels releasing six months apart — between the six of us, we have one release every month through July, 2018! Sprouts of Love debuts in May, 2017, and takes secondary characters from Sow in Love on their own romantic journey with the greenhouses as the backdrop once again. In Sprouts of Love, an overzealous community garden manager delivers more than the food bank manager can handle. Can love sprout amid the tsunami of vegetables?
Rooted in Love (November 2017) and Harvest of Love (May 2018) will continue with shared characters and background.
I love series! Can’t wait to read them all.
What is the message you hope readers will take away after reading Sow in Love?
This wasn’t a particularly message-driven story. It’s a feel-good romance with a strong faith thread. Mostly, I hope the readers will be intrigued with the set-up for the following three books and feel at home in Arcadia Valley.
Do you have any personal experiences that helped you in writing this novel?
Only in a general sense! I’m not a real estate consultant, nor have I ever been responsible for greenhouses. However, my community college used to run assorted programs from their greenhouses. The intriguing variety of their offerings was the jumping off point for my series.
What are three elements that are always present in your writing and why?
Faith, romance, and food. Faith, because Jesus is part of my life every day. I could no more excise spiritual content from my writing than I could turn myself into an extrovert. So not happening! Romance, because I believe every reader needs a chance to laugh and feel hope.
Food is perhaps the most unique thing about my stories. In real life, I’m an advocate of locally grown organic food, gardening, farmers markets, food cooperatives, and the like. Most of my stories explore how Christians might look at those topics… while falling in love.
Thanks for sharing with us! However, before you go I have one last question. How can readers help support you in your writing journey?
The most obvious ones are buying my titles and then reviewing them. But they can also support me by praying for me, subscribing to my email list, emailing me directly, letting their friends know about my stories, and giving them as gifts.
Thanks so much for asking that question, Toni. Sometimes being an author is a lonely job. When one of our stories touches someone’s heart, it’s encouraging to hear about it.
Thanks for inviting me! Arcadia Valley is the brainchild of a group of six authors who wanted to write, not only a 6-novella box set — everyone does that! — but also a series of three contemporary romance novels each in a shared world. Arcadia Valley is a fictional town near Twin Falls, Idaho. You can check out the overarching series here: http://arcadiavalleyromance.com
I’m so excited about this series! Can you give us some background on the two main characters in Sow in Love?
Sow in Love is the novella in Romance Grows in Arcadia Valley that kicks off my series. In it, a real estate consultant charged with repurposing two abandoned greenhouses bumps heads — and hearts — with a garden center owner.
To expand that a little, the Akers family has operated the garden center in Arcadia Valley for several generations. When Grady’s dad took over the business 25 years ago, he expanded and moved the business, while Grady’s aging grandfather continued to live in the house next to the two now-decommissioned greenhouses until he headed into fulltime care. Then the old man entrusted the property to the church he’s attended all his life. That’s where Sow in Love starts: with the church hiring a consultant (Joanna) to work with the family (Grady is the spokesman) to create a plan of action for this property. Let’s just say it isn’t a smooth process!
Sow in Love is the first book in A Garden Grown Romance series. What’s next for this series?
Three novels releasing six months apart — between the six of us, we have one release every month through July, 2018! Sprouts of Love debuts in May, 2017, and takes secondary characters from Sow in Love on their own romantic journey with the greenhouses as the backdrop once again. In Sprouts of Love, an overzealous community garden manager delivers more than the food bank manager can handle. Can love sprout amid the tsunami of vegetables?
Rooted in Love (November 2017) and Harvest of Love (May 2018) will continue with shared characters and background.
I love series! Can’t wait to read them all.
What is the message you hope readers will take away after reading Sow in Love?
This wasn’t a particularly message-driven story. It’s a feel-good romance with a strong faith thread. Mostly, I hope the readers will be intrigued with the set-up for the following three books and feel at home in Arcadia Valley.
Do you have any personal experiences that helped you in writing this novel?
Only in a general sense! I’m not a real estate consultant, nor have I ever been responsible for greenhouses. However, my community college used to run assorted programs from their greenhouses. The intriguing variety of their offerings was the jumping off point for my series.
What are three elements that are always present in your writing and why?
Faith, romance, and food. Faith, because Jesus is part of my life every day. I could no more excise spiritual content from my writing than I could turn myself into an extrovert. So not happening! Romance, because I believe every reader needs a chance to laugh and feel hope.
Food is perhaps the most unique thing about my stories. In real life, I’m an advocate of locally grown organic food, gardening, farmers markets, food cooperatives, and the like. Most of my stories explore how Christians might look at those topics… while falling in love.
Thanks for sharing with us! However, before you go I have one last question. How can readers help support you in your writing journey?
The most obvious ones are buying my titles and then reviewing them. But they can also support me by praying for me, subscribing to my email list, emailing me directly, letting their friends know about my stories, and giving them as gifts.
Thanks so much for asking that question, Toni. Sometimes being an author is a lonely job. When one of our stories touches someone’s heart, it’s encouraging to hear about it.
Happy to help!
About the Author
Valerie Comer’s life on a small farm in western Canada provides the seed for stories of contemporary Christian romance. Like many of her characters, Valerie grows much of her own food and is active in the local foods movement as well as her church. She only hopes her imaginary friends enjoy their happily-ever-afters as much as she does hers, shared with her husband, adult kids, and adorable granddaughters.
Valerie is a USA Today bestselling author and a two-time Word Award winner. She writes engaging characters, strong communities, and deep faith laced with humor into her green clean romances.
Valerie is a USA Today bestselling author and a two-time Word Award winner. She writes engaging characters, strong communities, and deep faith laced with humor into her green clean romances.
Connect and follow: Website, Arcadia Valley site, InspyRomance, Twitter, Pinterest, Arcadia Valley pinterest
Toni Shiloh 