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Author Interview,  Giveaway,  Hope-filled Fiction

Betsy St. Amant: Romance, Christmas, Fake Date & More

December 13, 2023 / 36 Comments

I’m thrilled to welcome Christian Romance author, Betsy St. Amant, to the blog this week. She’s sharing about her Love Inspired Christmas release, Their Holiday Secret, and giving away a paperback copy. (US winner only)

Simply comment below by December 19 for a chance to win!

Welcome, Betsy! Tell us what genre you write and what inspired you to write that particular genre.

I write contemporary romance because I loved reading it as a teenager and young adult. Robin Jones Gunn’s “Glenbrooke” series was a huge inspiration to me as a teenager. I wanted to write books that celebrated romantic love as well as the love Christ has for us, just like Robin did. 

If you wrote in a different genre, which would you choose and why?

I’ve written a YA novel before (“Addison Blakely, Confessions of a PK”) and would probably do that again, because I just love teenagers and young adults. We teach the College & Career Sunday School class at our church, and they impress me regularly! (And they keep me young!)

Every church needs people like you and your husband who pour into the younger generation. Who was your favorite book character as a child and why? 

Oh there’s too many to narrow down to one! But I really loved Claudia in “From The Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler.” I think I related to her a lot. (I still do! Ha!) Very meticulous, cautious, a deep-thinker…and she was careful and organized, even in her rebellion! 

I’ve never heard of that book, but your description fits me too. Haha. Do you have any pets? Do they find their way into any of your stories? 

I have a mini-Schnauzer named Cooper, who is usually featured in my newsletters and on my Instagram! He’s too cute not to include. In my 2022 Love Inspired novel, “Second Chance Christmas”, Cooper was a cameo, along with several other dogs as part of the “save the dog shelter” storyline. 

I’ve seen your pooch online. He’s adorable. What does your writing space look like? 

I work a day job from home too, so my desk set up is for both day job and writing! I have two monitors which helps for work tasks, and then all my favorite things are gathered around me. To name a few: a turquoise keyboard, a pale pink wrist pad, a Pop Funko of Jim from The Office, essential oils, some decal stickers featuring various images of coffee or Gilmore Girls, an aesthetic framed print of Kylo Ren and Rey, a tiny toast lamp, stacks of fiction novels waiting to be read…

Your office sounds almost as adorable as your dog! Let’s talk about the setting of your most recent novel. Is it a real location or fictional? Tell us about it.

My new release, “Their Holiday Secret”, is set in Tulip Mound, Kansas (a loosely related sequel to “Second Chance Christmas”) which is a fictional town I created. I set a lot of stories in Kansas when I need four seasons, and snow! I’ve been to Kansas several times, and I named my town Tulip Mound as a tribute to the beautiful tulips Kansas City had in abundance one spring when I visited. I was enthralled! (Those are my favorite flowers!)

What is the premise of Their Holiday Secret?

This story is a fake date trope, which was really fun to write. I’ve only written that trope one other time in novella form, so it was fun to take it a little further in both premise and word count. Because of that, I had to really dive deep to figure out a good reason for the characters to create the lie and, why as believers who are obviously prone to NOT lying, they let the lie continue. You’ll have to read the story to see what that reason was, and journey with the characters as they process that out along with their faith. 

Speaking of faith, how do you incorporate Christ and hope into your writing? 

My books vary in regard to how strong the faith thread is, some being more subtle, some being more overt. But all my novels are written from a Christian worldview, so the characters are behaving, making decisions, and processing things from that perspective. I hope that my books entertain readers and also cause them to draw closer to the Lord as they relate to various experiences alongside my characters. 

Which character in Their Holiday Secret was easiest for you to write and why? 

My heroine, Lulu! I loved getting in her head and developing her quirks and helping her through her insecurities. I think a lot of women will relate to her internal mindset. 

Quirks and insecurities. Yep, lots of women will relate. Which character presented the biggest challenge?

Preston was harder to figure out, which is usually the opposite for me. Usually, I write my hero’s point of view easier than my heroine’s, for some reason. But I like where he ended up and his arc. 

What is one of your favorite quotes from Their Holiday Secret? 

It sounded…nice. Comfortable. And not in the “stretched-out–old-sweater” kind of way, but in the “fits just right” way. (The hero thinking about a real relationship with the heroine vs. their current fake one)

I love it! Who is your favorite fiction author? Favorite novel? 

I recently discovered Charles Martin novels and am obsessed. I blazed through The Murphy Shepherd series, and will never be the same. He’s definitely on my top 5 favorite author list. Other “auto-buy” authors I read are Denise Hunter, Melissa Tagg, Jaime Jo Wright, Becky Wade, Liz Johnson, and Katie Ganshert, to name a few!

I’ve read most of Charles Martin’s books, too. His Murphy Shepherd series was my favorite of his! And I love every other author you listed. What’s next from you? 

I’m working on a three-book series right now for Sunrise Publishing as their first prime author! This will be a southern romance trilogy set in a fictional town south of New Orleans, with lots of Cajun flavor! Think beignets, crawfish, and a beautiful coastal town, with tropes of second chance romance, marriage of convenience, and frenemies-to-lovers. They’ll stack release in 2025. So far, I have one down, two more to write! 

Sounds great! I look forward to your future books and catching up on some past ones, too. Thanks again for sharing on my blog this week.

Comment on Becky St. Amant’s author interview by 12/19 for a chance to win a paperback of #TheirHolidaySecret. (US winner only) #amreading #giveaway

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Join the conversation. Do you read Christmas books in December? What do you love most about a Christmas Romance novel? Does a fake date trope appeal to you?

Be sure to scroll to the comments section and add your voice to the conversation by Dec. 19 for a chance to win a paperback of Betsy’s book! (US winner only)

Their Holiday Secret book cover

Their Holiday Secret by Betsy St. Amant

Click cover for purchase link

Can their pretend relationship turn into a true Christmas gift? 

Preston Green will do anything for a fake girlfriend—even bid on one at a charity auction. Sweet and quirky baker Lulu Boyd is the perfect choice to stop his mother’s constant matchmaking. And it’s just for one holiday family dinner—until his father’s failing health makes ending their ruse impossible. Soon it feels all too real…but another secret might make this their last Christmas together.

Betsy St. Amant is the author of over twenty romance novels and novellas. She resides in north Louisiana with her hubby, two daughters, an impressive stash of coffee mugs, and one furry Schnauzer-toddler.

Betsy has a B.A. in Communications and a deep-rooted passion for seeing women restored to truth. When she’s not composing her next book or baby-talking her dog, Betsy can be found somewhere in the vicinity of an iced coffee. She writes frequently for iBelieve, a devotional site for women, and offers author coaching and editing services through Storyside LLC. 

Connect with Betsy: Website / Newsletter / Instagram

Betsy St. Amant headshot

Please share Betsy’s interview on social media to help spread the word about her book!

Check out these interviews with E.V. Sparrow, Heidi Glick, and Michelle Shocklee.

As a Jesus girl for more than thirty years, Deena Adams understands how important hope is to daily life, which fuels her passion to inspire others through hope-filled fiction based on true to life stories. She is represented by Tamela Hancock Murray of the Steve Laube Agency and is a multi-award-winning writer, an active ACFW member, and ACFW Virginia president. Connect with Deena through her website, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

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