Anita, welcome to Encouraged in Heart. I read A Marriage in MIddlebury, and I have to say I loved the story of Sam, Charlotte and the other wonderful characters you created. I'd love to stop by Charlotte's tea room and enjoy a pastry and tea. Tell us more about this delightful book.
What
was your inspiration for A Marriage inMiddlebury?
The idea for this book came from my
absolute love of tearooms in Texas. In fact, here’s my note to readers on that
very subject:
More than a decade ago I met a woman named
Linda Becker
who
opened a tearoom in the Houston burbs called, Tea for
Two.
Her eatery and gift shop did so well, she opened a second
shop.
Over the years I’ve enjoyed her wonderful tearoom
fare
as well as the quaint ambiance. Linda’s tearoom isn’t just
a
café—it’s a gathering place for friends, a place to eat home
cooked
food, and a place so cozy you don’t want to leave.
As
a writer I thought it might be fun to create a heroine who
owns
a tearoom similar to Linda’s and set her shop in a small
town
on the gulf coast of Texas. So, that’s how the novel, A
Marriage in Middlebury,
was born. Even though my story, the
characters,
and the town are fictional, Linda’s tearooms are
real
places you can visit and enjoy. Thank you, Linda, for the
great
food, and the fellowship, and the inspiration.
Everything
was going smoothly for the main character when suddenly everything changes with
the return of her ex. What advice do you have when life throws a curveball?
As
a Christian we should trust in the One who made us, the One who’s known us from
the first day when we were being knit together in our mother’s womb, the One
who loves us best. Trusting in Him during life’s storms is the only answer, and
it’s more than enough.
Charlotte
was pressured into breaking off her relationship with Sam by Sam’s father - how
should we react to family pressures and difficult relatives?
Bathe
the situation in prayer and then talk things through no matter how painful. But
once the air is clear, forgive and move on. Don’t keep going back over and
over. Forgiveness is not easy, but it’s the only way to live free. It helps to
remember that forgiveness is what God offered us when we sinned against Him.
Is
there a certain Bible passage or verse that goes along with the theme of A Marriage in Middlebury?
Trust
in the Lord with all your heart and
lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3:5-6 (NIV)
Are
any of the characters or events in A
Marriage in Middlebury based on your own experiences?
Well,
I love art, flowers, quirky characters, and tearooms, and I managed to put them
all into the novel. It was a fun ride!
Do
you find yourself returning to the similar themes in your novels (i.e.
forgiveness, trust, etc.) or do you have a new message with each release?
Yes,
I tend to go back to the themes of forgiveness and reconciliation. These are
not only good themes for a story, but they are paramount in living the
Christian life.
What
do you hope readers will walk away with after they turn the last page of A Marriage in Middlebury?
That
with God all things are possible!
Like
several of your other books, A Marriage
in Middlebury is set in your home state of Texas - what are some of your
favorite things about Texas?
Overall,
Texas is an inexpensive place to live, it’s a great place to raise a family,
and it’s one of the friendliest places on earth. I’ve lived here for about
thirty years, and I’m proud to call Texas my home.
Before
becoming a writer, you had number of interesting jobs - what was it about
writing that drew you in?
I
had an incredible need to tell stories. I don’t think I had a choice in
becoming a writer—the profession sort of chose me. But
I’m content in that truth.
'Tis the season for Hallmark Christmas movies. I'll admit, I enjoy a good romance, especially romantic comedy. The Hallmark Channel starts showing holiday films early in 
