Interview with Holly Cohen

Happy Monday, Reader Friends!

I hope you had a fantastic week! If you’re ready for some bookish fun, grab a cup of tea (or coffee) and chat with me and Holly Cohen! She’s stopped by to talk about her book, The Christmas Angel in Apt 3C. 

Let’s get started!

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Interview

Toni: Thank you so much for joining me today! I’m so excited to talk about The Christmas Angel in Apt. 3C. Tell us

about Angel. What makes her happy? Sad?

Holly: Thank you for the opportunity to join you today, Toni. I’m excited to be here. Angel finds joy in the sights, sounds, and wonders of the Christmas season. Her rascally cat named Mr. Mustachio, reading, writing, drawing, and chasing down her dreams are also sources of happiness for her. Things that make Angel sad are missing Mama, seeing Papa’s sorrow, not getting to spend enough time with him, feeling like she doesn’t fit in anywhere, plans that don’t succeed, and bullies.

Toni: She sounds like a great character. If you could pick a celebrity to play Angel, who would you pick?

Holly: Cailey Fleming could do a great job playing Angel. Cailey has experience playing a character with some of the same challenges that Angel faces. She succeeds in portraying Judith Grimes as someone with a big heart who is tenacious and does not let life’s tragedies destroy her.

Toni: I had to look her up. I’ve never watched The Walking Dead. 🙂 What would Angel say is the perfect Christmas Day?

Holly: For Angel, the perfect Christmas Day would be one spent with Papa enjoying the simple pleasures of a tree, Christmas music, a shared meal, and the loving exchange of simple gifts. The icing on the cake would be Mr. Mustachio purring contentedly under the tree.

Toni: Sounds wonderful! If you had to pick one Bible verse to sum up The Christmas Angel in Apt. 3C, what would it be and why?

Holly: “And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.” – Luke 2:10

This verse speaks of tidings of great joy for ALL people. This is the hope to which Angel clings. She strives to be the messenger of joy for Papa by sharing the nativity with him. The words “Fear not” are significant, too, because, in her quest, Angel has to conquer her fears time and time again.

Toni: Great verses! Now, let’s talk about you! What three authors shaped your writing and how did they do so?

Holly: Three authors that have shaped my writing are Betty Smith, Louisa May Alcott, and Harper Lee for their ability to craft unforgettable characters who find a place in your heart and never leave. If I were to add two more authors, they would be Amy Tan and Karen Hesse for their beautiful, lyrical stories.

Toni: Great choices! What book are you currently reading?

Holly: I’m currently reading three books. They are:

• Living the Psalms Life by Dave Branon
• The Naked Years by Marianne Mackinnon (This is research for my next novel.)
• Total Immersion by Terry Laughlin with John Delves (I’m working on honing my swimming skills.)

Toni: Sounds like a eclectic bunch. Do you like coffee or tea and how do you doctor it?

Holly: I’m a coffee person, although I do occasionally enjoy tea. I like my tea with nothing added, and my coffee with hazelnut creamer and sweetener.

Toni: Yay for tea and hazelnut creamer. Last but not least, how can we pray for you on your writing journey?

Holly: Please pray that I will always listen to the “still small voice” of God to direct me in my writing projects, and that I will do so joyfully. Thank you!

Toni: Will do! Readers, do you have any questions for Holly?

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About the Author

Holly Cohen lives in Southern California with her beloved husband, whose sense of humor she treasures. They are blessed with two wonderful sons and a daughter-in-law they adore. Holly is a grateful Christian, who loves spending time with her family and friends. When she’s not writing, she enjoys reading, creating, swimming, riding waves, kayaking, and hiking. Her secret talent is extracting stuffed animals from claw machines.

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About the Book

Without Mama, Christmas has ceased to exist for Papa, but this year, Angel is determined to bring some Yuletide joy back into their lives. With little money, no decorations, and not much time left until the big day, she is facing an uphill climb all the way. Help comes one night in the form of an ethereal voice that drifts through her window, singing words of comfort. Angel vows to find the singer, and what she discovers inspires a plan with the nativity at its core. Making it work won’t be easy, though, with bully Brian tormenting her and obstacles springing up like weeds. Angel must rely on new friendships and deepening faith to spur her on in the face of mounting uncertainties, but will that be enough to return Christmas to Papa’s world?

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