Author Interview with Meghann Whistler & a Giveaway
I hope you enjoy my interview with Meghann Whistler as she shares about her new release, Their Unlikely Protector. Comment below by July 16 for a chance to win a copy. Paperback or ebook for a US winner or an ebook for international.
Welcome back to my blog, Meghann. Tell those who may not know you a little about yourself and your family.
I grew up in Canada and moved to the U.S. for college. I met my husband on a blind date when I was finishing up graduate school in Boston, and it turned out that he was Canadian, too! We now live in Texas and have been married for almost eighteen years—boy, does time fly!
We have three children:
- My oldest son just turned thirteen and is now as tall as me! He also broke his foot in January and his wrist in May! 😰
- My middle son is eleven, and he wants to be a Monster Jam truck driver when he grows up! I’m shocked that he’s never broken a bone, because he’s my most active child, and he can be a daredevil, too!
- My littlest guy is eight, and he just knocked out two of his front teeth when he tripped and fell on a concrete path at school. He was very proud to tell me that, when it happened, he didn’t even cry. (His poor, sad mama might have made up for that, though… 🥺)
Oh, my goodness. Sounds like you have an active household. Let’s talk genre. What genre do you write and what inspired you to write that particular genre?
I write contemporary Christian romance. I’d never really enjoyed romance novels before I stumbled onto a couple of Christian romance novels by Linda Goodnight in 2017, but after I found her books, I was hooked on the whole genre!
I’ve always loved writing fiction and actually have a graduate degree in creative writing, but after I left grad school, I focused on my family and my career in software marketing. I wrote a women’s fiction novel back in grad school, and I wanted to write more books, but for fifteen years, I couldn’t nail down a plot well enough to start and finish another full-length project.
I like writing Christian romance because the structure of a romance novel gives me a good starting point for figuring out my plot! Plus, who doesn’t love a happy ending? 😍😉😎
Happy endings are the best! What is the setting of your current novel? Is it a real location or fictional? Tell us about it.
The setting of Their Unlikely Protector is a small, fictional town on Cape Cod called Wychmere Bay. It’s closely modeled after the real-life town of Harwich Port, where my grandparents lived and operated a small beachfront inn. I have tons of fond memories of visiting them there, and it was a pleasure to revisit those memories as I wrote this book. ❤️
Visiting your grandparents at their beachfront inn as a child must’ve been so cool. How did you select the names for your characters?
I have three boys, but if my husband and I had had a girl, we would have named her Valerie, which is the name of the heroine in Their Unlikely Protector. I used it in this book because, now that I’m in my mid-forties, I know that I won’t be having another child!
Perfect! What is one of your favorite quotes from Their Unlikely Protector?
Just being in the same room with her made him happy, like he was skimming the surface of the ocean at dawn—cool and deep, dark and beautiful. When he was with her, he felt settled. Centered. Essential in some primitive, hard-to-articulate way.
Beautiful. I love it. How do you incorporate Christ and hope into your writing?
I love writing about my characters’ faith journeys. Watching them learn to trust God as they go through the trials and tribulations they’re facing in the book helps me better understand my own faith. I hope it does the same for my readers, too!
That’s one of my favorite aspects of Christian Fiction. Do you enjoy marketing and social media? Which platform are you most active on?
I do enjoy marketing (I used to be a marketing communications manager), but I do not enjoy social media! I find it very draining, and it’s too easy for me to get distracted, so I try not to spend too much time there.
I have a lot of fun with my newsletter, which is where I spend the majority of my marketing time. To put together my newsletters, which I typically send twice a month, I get to connect with other authors whose books I think my readers will enjoy, and I also get to interact with my readers. It truly is a joy!
I agree with you, Meghann. I love getting email responses from newsletter friends. What’s next from you?
I’m thrilled to have another book from Love Inspired coming out next March! This will be the fourth of my books set in Wychmere Bay, Cape Cod, and it features Pastor Nate Anderson, a widower with a twelve-year-old son. I don’t have the cover yet, but the title is The Pastor’s Hope.
Sounds great! Thanks for sharing on my blog this week. I pray the Lord will continue to bless your writing journey!
Comment on @MeghannWhistler’s author interview by July 16 for a chance to win her upcoming #LoveInspired #newrelease, Their Unlikely Protector. #giveaway
TweetJoin the conversation. Are you a Contemporary Romance fan? Have you read any books set in Cape Cod? What do you love about small-town romance stories? What questions or comments do you have for Meghann?
Be sure to keep scrolling and leave a comment by July 16 for a chance to win a copy of Meghann’s new book, releasing July 23! US winner will receive their choice of a paperback or ebook. International winner will receive an ebook.
Their Unlikely Protector by Meghan Whistler
Click the book cover for Amazon purchase link.You can also find it here.
To give two little boys a home…
She must take a chance on forgiveness.
The last person Valerie Williams expects to rescue her and her toddler twin brothers from a fiery blaze is Brett Richardson, her high school nemesis. But with her house burned down, Valerie is forced to stay at the same inn as Brett and work with him on the town festival. Now Brett has the chance to make things right, but can Valerie let go of the past to make way for a future together?
From Love Inspired: Uplifting stories of faith, forgiveness and hope.
Meghann Whistler writes sweet Christian romance novels that won’t make your grandmother blush. A hopeless romantic who met her husband on a blind date, Meghann has a passion for writing inspirational stories that demonstrate the power of love and grace.
Before settling down with her husband and raising three rambunctious boys, she earned an M.F.A. in creative writing from Emerson College. She loves to hear from her readers.
Connect with Meghann: Website / BookBub / Goodreads / Amazon
Please share Meghann’s interview on social media to help spread the word about her upcoming release!
If you missed Alyssa Schwarz’s spotlight last week, find it here.
36 Comments
Deena Adams
Congratulations to Vickie, the winner of Meghann’s book! Thanks to all who commented. Continue to engage on the giveaway posts, and maybe you’ll win next time!
Cherie J
I love contemporary romance and small town settings are my favorite. Also one of Meghann’s newsletter subscribers.
Deena Adams
Awesome, Chrie! Thanks for sharing. 🙂
Joannie Sico
I would love to win a copy of this book!!! Thank you for the chance! Oh my two front teeth and at that age it wouldn’t be his baby teeth either. It takes me back to my childhood when my brother saw something on TV and thought we could play a game together(it was suppose to be an adult and a kid). Anyway I ended up on his back sliding off face first on to the tile floor breaking my top front tooth in half. At least they have come a long way in fixing teeth now. Back then, in the long run, they actually did more damage to the surrounding teeth over the years.
Deena Adams
Oh, no, Joannie! That had to hurt. When my middle daughter was almost four, she was riding a push car on the sidewalk and it tipped nose down and she smashed her chin and mouth on the concrete and knocked both her front teeth loose. Lots of blood everywhere! And a few months later, both teeth turned black and had to be pulled. I’m so thankful they were baby teeth!
Meghann Whistler
Ouch, Joannie! I’m sorry that happened to you! Yes, they were my son’s adult teeth. 😢 The dentist bonded them, and the bonding seems to be staying in place… 🤞
Emma
Their Unlikely Protector sounds good. i LIKE THE COVER.
Deena Adams
Hi, Emma. The cover is definitely a huge draw to reading Meghann’s book!
Christina Ford
Love this author’s books.
Deena Adams
I’m sure your comment will encourage her, Christina!
Faith D. Cox
I look forward to reading “Their Unlikely Protector.” Meghann Whistler is a new author to me. I’m going to check out her website and sign-up for her newsletter! Thank you, ladies, for the enjoyable interview!
Deena Adams
I’m so glad you enjoyed Meghann’s interview, Faith. Thanks for reading and supporting her!
Ruth Richardson
Meghann is an amazing author, I would love to win a copy. Thanks for the chance!
Deena Adams
You’re welcome, Ruth! Thanks for reading Meghann’s interview and joining the conversation.
Jane Daly
I am a hopeless romantic! I want everyone to live their happily ever after like I have
Deena Adams
We all want a happily ever after, right? That’s why the romance genre is the bestselling genre there is! Thanks for chiming in, Jane.
Veronica Brooks
This book sounds like a great book to read. I wound love to read it myself.
Deena Adams
I hope you get a chance to read it, Veronica!
Kim Vizzini
This looks like a great read on my list!!
Deena Adams
Great, Kim!
Teresa Warner
I enjoy this author and am a newsletter sibscriber of her’s! Looking forward to her latest!
Deena Adams
Thanks for supporting Meghann, Teresa! I’m sure she appreciates your support as much as I do!
Doris Lankford
This sounds like a great story. I look forward to reading the book.
Deena Adams
Thanks for reading Meghann’s interview and commenting, Doris!
Roxanne C.
I love Meghann’s books set in her small town on Cape Cod. Small towns are my favorite setting, especially for contemporary romance.
Deena Adams
Yes, I agree, Roxanne … small towns are perfect for contemporary romance. 🙂
Vickie
Loved this interview! Meghann sounds like a down to earth person who enjoys life. The book sounds great. I loved the story of how you met your husband.
Deena Adams
I’m so glad you enjoyed Meghann’s interview, Vickie! Thanks for saying so!
Lori
This sounds like another great book by this author!
Deena Adams
Thanks for chiming in, Lori!
Priscilla Bettis
Great discussion! Their Unlikely Protector sounds good!
Deena Adams
Thanks for adding to the conversation, Priscilla!
Angie
Your favorite quote from your book told me I have to read this. Then the blurb confirmed it. I look forward to reading it!
Deena Adams
Happy reading, Angie!
Dana McReynolds
I love Meghann’s newsletter and books!
Deena Adams
I’m sure she’ll be thrilled to hear that, Dana!