I grew up in…Branson, MO. People are often surprised people grow up in Branson instead of just vacation there. It’s great place for a teenager because there are so many flexible seasonal jobs. I didn’t have any really fun ones like running go-karts, but I worked at several stores in the mall and I met my husband as a banquet server at Chateau on the Lake. And then when you’re a singer in your church and/or school, you get some cool opportunities. I think my favorite was singing in the backup choir for Sandi Patty.
I was inspired to write my first published novel by…unending days of washing diapers and playing patty cake. My brain desperately needed something more stimulating to do.
The books that have most influenced my life are… Decision Making and the Will of God by Friesen, Love your God with all Your Mind by J.P. Moreland, Knowing God by J. I. Packer, and several of John Piper’s and C.S. Lewis’s books.
My biggest challenge when writing is…putting in the right emotion and enough of it, especially for the female character. I’m actually not a very typical person in regards to emotions. My critique partner almost always at least once per book writes a critique in my manuscript something along the lines of: “Now, you might be the only female in the world to respond this way, but no. Change it so I think she’s human.”
One of my favourite authors is… Lori Wick. She’s a throwback, but she’s why I read and write this genre. A friend gave me Whatever Tomorrow Brings for my 13th birthday and I was hooked from then on, even named my firstborn after the hero in that one!
If I wasn’t a writer, I would be… An editor, an English as a Second Language Teacher, or I’d love to teach algebra.
The superhero talent I would love to have is…freezing time, as long as I didn’t freeze myself, that way I could get more done!
While Lydia King’s reasons for joining the Teaville Moral Society might be suspect to some members, her heart is in the right place. Because of her father’s debts and her mother’s persistent illness, her best chance at a secure future and curing her mother is to impress the politician courting her. Her first task–to ask the town’s wealthiest man to donate–seems simple enough . . . until he refuses.
Despite appearances, Nicholas Lowe wants to help others, but prefers to keep his charity private. When Lydia proves persistent, they agree to a bargain, but Nicholas still intends to do things his own way. Neither predicts what they’ll learn about true charity or foresee the complications their actions will bring to the town, forcing Lydia to decide where her beliefs and heart truly align.
My latest novel can be described by these 5 adjectives…deeper, fairy-tale like, engaging, heartfelt, romantic. (I stole these out of early reviews!)
My main characters are…
Nicholas Lowe – a handsome, reclusive miser with a great smile. He’s got very particular ways of going about things and can be impatient with those that don’t see things his way. Despite his crusty exterior, he’s a softy on the inside.
Lydia King – a young bookaholic whose family situation is precarious. And poor thing doesn’t have enough money for more books!
My main characters resemble….
Nicholas – Kai Wiesinger
Lydia – Michelle Trachtenberg
A previously unknown fact about this novel is… it’s working title was “The Charitable Miser.”
My story’s spiritual theme is… pretty much in this sentence from p. 344 “She couldn’t let fear that He [God] would not help her the way she wanted Him to keep her from doing what was right.”
While writing this novel I learned…that God can write something to me in my own writing years before I need it. I wrote this rough draft in 2012, and it ministered to a need I had in 2015.
The title was chosen by…a back and forth between my agent, me, and the team at Bethany, but I’m the one that first came up with this title.
As an author, the hardest scenes for me to write are…The emotional ones and the kisses! Because hitting the emotions right is not only difficult as I mentioned above, but it takes me 5 times as long to make it up and pull it out of myself.
The story I’m currently working on is… Well I just turned in A Love So True which follows this one, so I’m about to start plotting A Chance at Forever which will be the final one in the series.
You may not know this about me, but I…don’t drink coffee. From what other writers tell me, it’s magic writing juice, so maybe if I could just muster up the desire to drink it, I could hit the NYT bestseller list! 🙂
If I could be a character in any novel, I would want to be… Hadassah from A Voice in the Wind, if only I was as strong in my faith as she!
Thanks Melissa – I don’t drink coffee either!
Relz Reviewz Extras
All Things Jagears @ Relz Reviewz
Visit Melissa’s website
Download Melissa’s free novella, Love by the Letter, from Amazon
Buy at Amazon: A Heart Most Certain or Koorong
September 17, 2016 at 1:17 pm
I have read nearly every Lori Wick book and own many of her series. They are good to read and re-read. Glad to hear about another Wick fan!
September 18, 2016 at 12:50 am
Nice interview! I learned many new things about Melissa. I’m also not a coffee drinker.
Really enjoyed A Heart Most Certain and look forward to the next in the series.
September 18, 2016 at 1:04 am
No not yet!
September 18, 2016 at 1:38 am
Hi Melissa,
Hope things are going well with you! I sure do love the cover of this book and it’s on my wish list for sure!
I have trouble writing emotional scenes too. Just struggling with my newest heroine who learned of her sister’s death. I think I’ll have to wait until a day I’m in the right mood to add to that scene!
Best of luck with your writing!
Cheers, Susan
September 18, 2016 at 3:43 am
I have to say I am glad to hear of a couple of other people who do not drink coffee. The truth for me is I have never tasted it as I think it smells horrible. And several people have told me it smells better than it tastes so… Anyway, Dr. Pepper is my juice, so I think it can be something else. And with your success, I would say you are doing just fine without the coffee, Melissa. 🙂 Oh, and I actually prefer the working title. I love the oxymoron, like some of Gilbert’s Winslow titles or a Dickensian character.
September 18, 2016 at 10:11 am
I read most of Lori’s early series as a teen or young adult. Haven’t read any in a long time!
September 19, 2016 at 12:09 am
I read a few Lori Wick books when I was younger but it has beena long while!
Your book sounds incredible, and I’m biased but the heroine has a terrific name!
September 19, 2016 at 4:19 am
Never have read any Lori Wick books…
September 19, 2016 at 6:42 am
I haven’t read any of Lori Wick’s books.
September 19, 2016 at 9:15 am
I used to wish I was the heroine from ‘Whatever Tomorrow Brings’ – Kaitlin Donovan. Little did I know that I would grow up and marry a Donovan, making me Katie Donovan! And I don’t drink coffee either. I’m obviously in good company here!
Great interview, and I can’t wait to read the book. The cover alone is worth having on a shelf 🙂
September 20, 2016 at 8:08 am
So COOl that you’re Katie Donovan. Maybe one day you’ll get to meet my Marshall. 🙂
September 19, 2016 at 10:09 am
Have read several of Lori Wick’s books, including the one mentioned in the interview!
September 19, 2016 at 9:38 pm
Great interview. There was a glitched and missed the chance to review this one. I would LOVE to win this! Melissa Jagaers is a go to author and I have several of her books!
September 19, 2016 at 9:38 pm
As to Lori Wick, no. I have not had the pleasure of reading her books yet.
Thanks!
September 20, 2016 at 1:20 am
Add me to the list of non-coffee drinkers. Love the smell, hate the taste. Yes, I’ve read all of Lori Wick’s books. She was one of my first trips into the Christian Fiction world.
September 20, 2016 at 4:04 am
I have read a few of Lori Wick’s books, but it’s been years since I last read one.
September 20, 2016 at 6:23 am
I haven’t read any Lori Wick’s books as of yet. I can’t wait to though.
September 20, 2016 at 6:32 am
I haven’t read any of Lori Wick’s books
September 20, 2016 at 6:48 am
I am a fan, Melissa! Really enjoy your books.
September 20, 2016 at 7:53 am
I believe I have read every one of Lori Wick’s books!!
September 20, 2016 at 8:13 am
No, I haven’t read a Lori Wick book.
September 20, 2016 at 8:26 am
I don’t think I’ve ever read a Lori Wick book…although the name sounds really familiar so maybe I have but not recently at least…
September 20, 2016 at 8:59 am
I have enjoyed Melissa Jagears books, and am looking forward to this one!
I have not read any Lori Wick books, although my mom and sister are huge fans and insist I should. Will have to do so!
September 20, 2016 at 9:35 am
Yes, I have read EVERY lori wick book and my favorite is the Hawk and the Jewel. Congrats on the new book! I loved your other ones. =)
September 20, 2016 at 10:06 am
I love Lori Wick books. Have read many of them. TY for the chance.
September 20, 2016 at 1:15 pm
I have read 4 of Lori Wick’s books–The Tucker Mills Series of 3 and A Texas Sky. I need to read the rest of the Yellow Rose Trilogy.
September 20, 2016 at 2:05 pm
I loved the Inside Scoop! It was nice getting to know some things I didn’t know before. Maybe, if I had someone as nice as Melissa teach me algebra I would have learned it, I doubt it but maybe. I love all of Melissa’s books! They are great. A Heart Most Certain is one of my most favorite books. I am so very blessed to have my own signed copy.
September 20, 2016 at 2:17 pm
I think I’ve read all of Lori Wick’s books unless I missed one. Loved them all.
September 21, 2016 at 5:20 pm
I think I have read almost every Lori Wick book out there. Thanks for this interview! Great to learn more info about the book and you!
September 21, 2016 at 11:58 pm
I’ve read almost every Lori Wick book and loved them all!
September 22, 2016 at 4:36 am
No I have heard other authors mention Lori Wick but I don’t really know anything about her.