Morgan Tarpley Smith: Louisiana, Small Town, Romance, & More
Help me welcome Morgan Tarpley Smith to the blog this week. She’s sharing about her writing and her story in the three-novella collection, “A Louisiana Christmas to Remember.” Be sure to comment below by December 26 for a chance to win a paperback copy! (US winner only)
Welcome, Morgan! Tell us a little about yourself and your family.
Hi, I’m Morgan, a world traveling author, mom, and wife who loves writing stories of history and heart. My travels to over a dozen countries, my faith in Christ, and my love of history fuel the inspiration behind these stories.
I have a background in journalism, and I worked for almost 14 years as a reporter and photographer for small town newspaper, which inspired the heroine of my novella, A Louisiana Snow, which is the opening story of Barbour’s three-novella collection, A Louisiana Christmas to Remember, that released this fall. This book is my debut for Christian fiction, and I’m so thrilled to be a part of such a wonderful collection with my amazing co-authors, Betsy St. Amant and Lenora Worth.
Congratulations on your debut! Do you have any hobbies? Have you incorporated any of them into your books?
I absolutely love to travel, and my stories are infused by first-hand accounts from these experiences as well as passion for history, culture, and languages. Besides traveling, writing, and reading, I also enjoy doing genealogy research, acting in plays, singing, photography, and visiting coffee shops and bookstores.
You have lots of creative outlets. That’s great. What genre do you write, and what inspired you to write that particular genre?
I write both contemporary and historical fiction and combine these genres to write dual timeline fiction. I love any story that connects the past to the present in some way, which honestly is nearly every story. It’s particularly why I love reading and writing dual timeline fiction.
Some nod to history always finds its way into my writing. Even in these Christmas novellas, we have history woven within the pages with our main characters being part of the town’s founding family from France who built a beautiful chapel that is a focal point of the town.
I love dual timeline stories, too. What is the setting of your current novel? Is it a real location or fictional? Tell us about it.
In A Louisiana Christmas to Remember, Lenora, Betsy, and I are proud Louisiana girls, who wanted to bring some of the warmth, humor, and spirit of our home state’s Southern culture to the page. Our stories are set in the fictional town of Moreau, which is loosely based on the lovely city of Natchitoches, the oldest European settlement in Louisiana.
Natchitoches was founded by a French explorer in 1714, and in the late 1700s, my ancestors were actually married there. I love visiting this charming place adored by tourists for its gorgeous scenery, delicious food, and friendly people.
It’s also known for being the setting of the hit 1989 film, “Steel Magnolias,” and for dazzling Christmas lights displays and decorations, which have drawn the masses each year for the Festival of Lights since 1927.
Sounds like a cool town! How did you select the names for your characters?
My main character is Mattie. She is named for my maternal great-grandmother who I share a birthday with. I thought it was a special tribute to her, and the name stuck to my character from the beginning. She had to be Mattie.
That’s so special. What is the premise of A Louisiana Christmas to Remember?
Three women from the same family face Christmas in a small town where everyone knows everyone and their pasts. Enter three men who shake up their world and open up a chance for love if these women can only step out in faith to seek restoration not only for the town but their own hearts. These stories are like wrapping in a cozy blanket with hot chocolate by a fire on a cold day.
A cozy blanket, hot chocolate, a roaring fire, and a great book? Yes, please. What do you hope your readers take away from A Louisiana Christmas to Remember?
Restoration is a theme that resonates through all three stories in more ways than one. One of the central focuses of our book is the physical restoration of a historic chapel that was built by our characters’ ancestors centuries before and damaged during a hurricane. Our main characters, Mattie, Jolene and Adale, also have their own journeys of restoration as they are forced to face the past during this Christmas season.
I love the theme of restoration. What do you enjoy most about being a writer?
I love getting lost in the story world and how my characters come alive on the page. The brainstorming and plotting process is a lot of fun for me. But I also love interacting with readers whether online or in person and attending book signings and events.
Do you have critique partners or a critique group? What are the pros and cons of participating in such a group?
I’m not part of a critique group, but I have a wonderful critique/writing partner—author Carole Lehr Johnson. She writes Christian fiction set in England and Scotland. We were even able to travel to England together in 2013. What a great trip!
We’ve been writing partners since 2011 and have daily brainstorming chats. I’m so thankful to God that He brought Carole into my life. After this many years, we can literally finish each other’s sentences and can draw out the best in each other’s ideas. She’s a blessing and a wonderful writer!
How awesome! Thanks for sharing on my blog, Morgan. It’s been fun getting to know a little about you and your journey.
Thank you so much for having me as your guest today, Deena!
Comment on Deena’s interview with @writerchic86 by 12/26 for a chance to win a paperback of A Louisiana Christmas to Remember novella collection. (US only) #giveaway #amreading
TweetJoin the conversation. Have you ever visited Louisiana or read books set there? Does A Louisiana Christmas to Remember sound like a collection you’d like to read? What questions or comments do you have for Morgan?
Be sure to keep scrolling and leave a comment by December 26 for a chance to win a paperback of A Louisiana Christmas to Remember!
A Louisiana Christmas to Remember – A Novella Collection by Morgan Tarpley Smith, Betsy St. Amant, and Lenora Worth
Click the book cover for purchase link
A Rare Snowfall Leads to a Christmas to Remember
Three heartwarming, interconnected stories of faith, love, and restoration, brought to you by three Louisiana-native authors. Will a rare snowy Louisiana Christmas bring restoration and hope to the hometown and hearts of three women from the town’s founding family?
In A Louisiana Snow by Morgan Tarpley Smith, meet Mattie: A passionate visionary who learns to forgive and finds love in unexpected places…
In Restoring Christmas by Betsy St. Amant, meet Jolene: An artist and prodigal daughter who discovers love exists in the very place she once called home…
In A Christmas Reunion by Lenora Worth, meet Adale: A beautiful widow who finally dares to love again…
And don’t forget Granny, whose feisty spirit, blunt dialogue, and quirky ways play an important and endearing role.
Morgan Tarpley Smith is a world traveler who weaves stories of history and heart. She loves to write inspirational fiction that transports readers to faraway places and intertwines past and present to explore questions of truth and faith.
Morgan is an award-winning journalist, freelance writer, and author assistant, who lives in Louisiana with her husband and son.
Connect with Morgan: Website / Facebook / Twitter / Instagram / Goodreads / BookBub / Pinterest / YouTube
Please share Morgan’s interview on social media to help spread the word about her book!
Check out these interviews with Betsy St. Amant, E.V. Sparrow, and Heidi Glick.
Deena Adams
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.
37 Comments
Deena Adams
Congratulations to Kera, the winner of Morgan’s book! Check your email. 🙂
Roxanne C.
Christmas novella collections are one of my most favorite type of books. The authors of A Louisiana Christmas to Remember have created a charming town setting.
Cherie J
This book sounds great! I love the Louisiana setting. My hubby was raised in Louisiana and we have visited often since he still has family there.
Deena Adams
I hope you get a chance to read A Louisiana Christmas to Remember, Cherie! It’s always fun to read stories set in a familiar location.
Kera bel/
I can’t wait to read this story I do love Christmas books
Deena Adams
Hope you had a wonderful Christmas, Kera! Happy reading!
Joyce McCullough
This sounds like a great book. I love historical fiction!
Deena Adams
I hope you get a chance to read it, Joyce!
Lynn Moore
The book cover alone is so inviting… made me want to read it “before” I even read the interview!
Deena Adams
I agree, Lynn! The cover is gorgeous.
Felicia Ferguson
My Louisiana connection is living in the boot heel for two years as a child when my dad taught at McNeese State (Lake Charles). Morgan’s story premise sounds interesting and Lenora is a friend of mine. Would love to read this novella trilogy! Merry Christmas all!
Deena Adams
Best of luck in the giveaway, Felicia! Merry Christmas to you!
Mary Strawbridge
Loved the interview and can’t wait to read this book as well as the rest of the series! Nice having more Christian writers putting their faith out in books. I have 2 daughters and cringe every time we go to the bookstore. Thankfully this sounds perfect for everyone. One thing I didn’t see was who the authors favorite write and book is. Curious what the people we look up to read. Keep writing we will keep reading!
Deena Adams
Thanks for reading and commenting, Mary. It really is a shame what’s out there for young people to read, but praise God for amazing Christian Fiction!
Paula Shreckhise
I am anxious to read these stories. I have never been to Louisiana but it looks like a great pkace to visit. Can’t wait to read these novellas!
Merry Christmas Blessings to you all!
Deena Adams
Thanks for stopping by, Paula. Merry Christmas to you, too!
Morgan Tarpley Smith
Thank you so much for having me as your guest, Deena! And Merry Christmas everyone! 🙂
-Morgan
Deena Adams
The pleasure is all mine, Morgan!
Roxanne C.
I have never been to Louisiana. I have enjoyed hisotrical CF set in the Louisiana bayou, and I believe I’d enjoy these lovely Christmas stories as well. The town that the authors have created sounds quite charming.
Roxanne C.
I have never been to Louisiana. I have read some historicals set in Louisiana, and I would enjoy reading Christmas stories set in Lousiana. It sounds like the authors have created a charming town for A Louisiana Christmas to Remember.
Jeanette Davis
This sounds like another great read! If I am understanding it is actually 3 novellas in one. So exciting. I am adding this on my goodreads want to read list. Please don’t enter me in the contest as I won the last and want someone else to have a chance! Merry Christmas!!
Morgan Tarpley Smith
Hi Jeanette! Yes, it is three novellas in one book AND they are all interconnected so they read like one novel. I hope you enjoy reading it when you get the chance. Merry Christmas! 🙂
– Morgan
Deena Adams
That’s very generous of you, Jeanette. Merry Christmas!
Alyssa Schwarz
This cover is absolutely gorgeous! I’ve never visited Louisiana before, but these stories sound wonderful. 🙂
Deena Adams
I love the cover too, Alyssa. Definitley draws you in and makes you want to read the story!
Morgan Tarpley Smith
Thank you so much, Alyssa! I’m so glad you think our stories sound wonderful. We love our cover too! Hope you get to Louisiana one day soon. 🙂
-Morgan
Danielle Hull
I love meeting authors via social media, blogs and interviews. But my TBR is HUGE lol! I need to add some of Carole’s books, too!
Deena Adams
My TBR pile is huge too, Danielle. I can’t imagine ever reading all the books I have on my Kindle!
Dana
I would love to read this!
Deena Adams
Best of luck in the giveaway, Dana!
Morgan Tarpley Smith
I would so love for you to read it too, Dana! 🙂
-Morgan
Perrianne Askew
I enjoyed the interview! I also have ancestors from the Natchitoches area, my great grandparents homesteaded outside the tiny little town if Robeline. My Daddy still lives on adjoining property and owns 13 acres of the original homestead. We just got back from seeing the lights in Natchitoches and it was hubby’s first time to see them. It was fun to see that he finally understood how magical the lights on the river are! We took an evening porch tour and saw the Steel Manolias house but there are lots of gorgeous historical homes beautifully lit up for Christmas. Everyone should try a meat pie and gingerbread man from The French Market! I only wish the train still ran through the area like it used to.
Deena Adams
That’s so cool, Perrianne! Thanks so much for sharing your sweet memories with us.
Morgan Tarpley Smith
Love this! And so glad you had a good time in Natchitoches! Hope we can meet up next time. 🙂
-Morgan
Priscilla Bettis
I read A Louisiana Christmas to remember. I think an anthology centered around a charming fictional town is such a cool idea. Good interview!
Deena Adams
So glad you enjoyed the interview, Priscilla. Thanks for reading and commenting!
Morgan Tarpley Smith
Thank you so much for reading and commenting, Priscilla! I’m so glad you enjoyed the interview too.
-Morgan