Today we welcome Amy Anguish as she talks about her latest book.
You asked why I chose this setting and time period for my book. Want to know the truth? Normally, I just write it without an actual date so that whoever is reading it can just have it in her mind as whatever time it is now. I wrote this story in 2011, and wasn’t going to set it in that year, not knowing if or when I might ever get it published. Instead, as I started writing, I realized I needed to set the time in stone, so to speak, so that the history of the story wouldn’t get too far away. Are you confused? Let me give you some background.
My two main characters, Jessica and Chad, meet at a smoothie shop near Austin, Texas, and start to fall in love. Of course, like any good romance novel, there is something to hold them back. In their case, it happens to be family history. Their families are from the same town in Arkansas, and her mom and his dad dated in high school. Before Jessica and Chad can work out their own relationship problems, they have to go back and figure out what broke their parents up back in the 70s.
When I had written a few chapters, I got the idea to drop in some backstory along with the main plot. By having scenes written in the 70s, I couldn’t have my contemporary scenes set too far away or the main characters would be more like grandchildren than children. It’s the only book I’ve written that way, but I ended up loving the way it turned out with the dual layers of family drama going on. It keeps you on your toes until the very end.
I chose Texas because the idea that spurred this novel on in the first place was a Smoothie Shop my husband and I visited a few times in the Austin area. We moved down there not knowing what to expect since neither of us had ever lived in Texas before. When we moved away, we felt like we left pieces of heart there. And Arkansas is the other setting because I spent quite a few of my growing up years in that beautiful state. You’ll find most of my stories have different places I’ve actually lived or visited. And with me having lived in so many different places through the years, you never know where my characters will be.
Are you intrigued? I hope you’ll check out my book! Thanks for “listening” as I shared some of my crazy process.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Amy Anguish
Author of An Unexpected Legacy
Amy Anguish grew up a preacher’s kid, and in spite of having lived in seven different states that are all south of the Mason Dixon line, she is not a football fan. Currently, she resides in Tennessee with her husband, daughter, and son, and usually a cat or two. Amy graduated with a degree in English from Freed-Hardeman University and hopes in all her creative endeavors to glorify God, but especially in her writing. She wants her stories to show that while Christians face real struggles, it can still work out for good.
Follow her at http://abitofanguish.weebly.com or http://www.facebook.com/amyanguishauthor
ABOUT THE BOOK
“Smoothies brought them together, but would the past tear them apart?”
When Chad Manning introduces himself to Jessica Garcia at her favorite smoothie shop, it’s like he stepped out of one of her romance novels. But as she tentatively walks into a relationship with this man of her dreams, secrets from their past threaten to shatter their already fragile bond. Chad and Jessica must struggle to figure out if their relationship has a chance or if there is nothing between them but a love of smoothies.
PROLOGUE
1978
“Don’t even think about it.”
Sandy stared across the room at Rob’s eyes. Spellbinding. The brightest shade of blue she had ever seen. “About what?”
Ruth stepped between Sandy and her view. “That boy.”
“Which one?” Sandy asked, although she had a guess. She trailed her finger along the snack table, reached for a pretzel as a way to get a better view. His new letterman jacket hung loosely on his lean frame, his long fingers playing with the edge of his Bible as he stood talking to several other boys in the youth group.
Ruth turned Sandy to look at her. “You know which one. That Manning boy. That family’s no good.”
“How can you say that?”
Ruth huffed. “Are you coming or not?” She motioned toward the door. “Daddy’s waiting in the car.”
Sandy intentionally walked around the table in the opposite direction of her older sister so she could get a little closer to Rob as she left. Her heart sped up a bit as she wondered what it would feel like to have her hand in place of his Bible. He looked up, noticed her stare, and gave her a grin before she could duck her head.
Ruth caught up and nudged Sandy again as she slowed down. “Do you know where they’re living?”
“In the old Potter house.” Sandy frowned. “What does that have to do with anything?”
Ruth opened her mouth, as if to say something, then shook her head. “Just leave him alone, Sandy. He’s no good for you. You’re going to end up with your heart broken.”
“Don’t be silly, Ruthie.” Sandy pushed the door open. “I’m going to marry that boy.”
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