https://www.etsy.com/listing/1792087908/book-tropes-sticker-kindle-stickers?
What is your favorite story trope? Hero’s journey? Mistaken identity? Love lost–love found? One of my favorite tropes is books about books. Stories where books are an important part of the setting–the ambience, the character development. So, when I learned that this month’s featured author had a new series, Checking Out Love, about a small-town library, I was giddy. But more on that later.
Award-winning and bestselling author, Sarah Monzon is
my November guest on Author 2 Author. HOLT Medallion, Selah Award-winner, and Carol Award finalist, Sarah Monzon is a stay-at-home mom who makes up imaginary friends to have adult conversations with (otherwise known as writing novels). As a navy chaplain’s wife, she resides wherever the military happens to station her family and enjoys exploring the beauty of the world around her.
Sarah’s second book in the series, Hearts in Circulation was a joy to read. I laughed–hard–and cried, and fell in love with the characters.
While this book is the second in the series, I had no trouble keeping up. Still, I’m planning to read book one. What is Hearts in Circulation about?
My 5-Star Review:
Haley Holt is drafted into driving Little Creek’s bookmobile, which is more of a death trap on wheels than a vehicle of literary delights. Haley white knuckles it toward her first stop Turkey Grove when the bookmobile breaks down and a rockslide traps her on the side of the road. With only one bar on her cell, she manages to call the only mechanic within miles.
In drives the reclusive mechanic, Levi Redding. He can handle getting the bookmobile running again, but the endless chatter and unsettling touch from the vibrant librarian leaves him overstimulated. When forced proximity leads to a misunderstanding, a note of apology begins an epistolary friendship, proving that sometimes the happiest of endings aren’t contained within the bindings of a book.
This is my first novel by Sarah Monzon, and Hearts in Motion made me laugh and touched my heart, much like the quirky journey aboard the character’s rickety bookmobile. The protagonist’s resilience and witty banter, especially during the tense breakdown on the road and the unexpected friendship that blooms with Levi, made their journey especially memorable. I loved how the story blended humor with heartfelt moments, creating a contemporary romance that truly stands out.
Let’s get to know, Sarah more!
What inspired you to create a story centered around a bookmobile and a small-town mechanic?
I love bookmobiles. Both the history of them as well as how they are utilized today. I wanted to
highlight and celebrate this interesting facet of library services by featuring a bookmobile in this story.
As far as the small-town mechanic, well, that just made sense to me—like two ends of a puzzle piece
fitting together
Do you have a bookmobile story? Share it with us in the comments section below!
Hayley and Levi have a very contrasting dynamic—her bubbly personality versus his need for solitude. What challenges and opportunities did writing this dynamic present?
I love a good opposites-attract trope, so it was fun diving into that with this story. Hayley’s exuberance
and chattiness, while well-meaning, affect Levi in ways she never could have imagined. What could
have led to hurt feelings and miscommunication actually becomes an avenue for the pair to understand
each other on a much deeper level.
The epistolary elements of your story add a unique dimension. My husband was also in the Navy and when he was overseas, we wrote letters nearly every week. Before email and cell phones, it was letters. I still have them. [Friends, did/do you have a pen pal?]
What drew you to include letter writing in a contemporary romance?
Levi isn’t really a sociable guy and definitely not one for lengthy conversations. But just because he
seems like the grunting grumpy guy, doesn’t mean there isn’t more going on under the surface. Some of
us find it easier to express ourselves when we can write our thoughts and feelings down, and I thought
showing Levi as having this sort of dimension added layers to not only his character, but as a means of
developing a budding romance as well.
Books and reading play a central role in your story. How has your own love of reading influenced your writing?
Reading nourishes my creativity and love of story. It inspires story ideas as well as hones my craft.
What did you read as a child? Or, what did/do you read to your children/grandchildren?
The Mandie series by Lois Gladys Leppard really launched me into an insatiable reader. I remember my mom buying me the first book from a small Christian bookstore when I was in the second or third grade. I read it in a day and asked to go back to buy the next book. I think she said something like, “Oh no, what have I done,” because she realized she’d go broke if I read a book a day.
My kids are ages 14 and 11 and I still read to them every night before bed. Right now, we are making our way through the Warrior Cats series as well as the Wings of Fire series.
Do you have any strange writing habits/quirks?
I’m not so sure if it’s strange or quirky, but I have to have it completely silent in order to write. The dishwasher or washing machine can be going, but I can’t listen to music or hear the TV in the background or really have anyone in the house with me who would talk. Also, before writing new words for the day, I have to go back and reread the chapter before. I can’t just pick up where I left off.
What are you working on now?
I just turned in the content edits for the third book in the Checking Out Love series! It has some Sabrina vibes with tropes like an age-gap romance and her family working for his family, but it is also a love letter to children’s literature, which was super fun to write.
Oh, I love that! I can’t wait!
How about a wonderful giveaway from Sarah and Bethany House?
November’s A2A Giveaway!
Yes! Thanks to Sarah and Bethany House Publishing, this month’s giveaway winner will receive a paperback copy of her latest release, Hearts in Motion.
How? Well, by entering! Not just once, but up to SIX times– (see the YouTube interview)!* Leave a comment below and share this blog and if you haven’t already, please subscribe to my newsletter at the bottom of this blog and receive a free gift from me — and an extra entry.
NOTE: WANT TO INCREASE YOUR CHANCES OF WINNING THIS INCREDIBLE GIVEAWAY?*
Check out my YouTubeA2A interview with Sarah. Because, in the video interview Sarah answer different fun questions–and we have some funny discussions!
By Liking and Commenting on the video episode, you will have one more entry.* Sharing the video, another entry.* Subscribe, and you have TWO entries for a chance to win.*
The Deadline is November 13th
Watch our interview–
That means, my friends, if you comment and subscribe -– or are already a subscriber -– to my blog, then watch the video and LIKE, SHARE, and COMMENT on the VIDEO, then Subscribe to my YouTube Channel, your name will be entered SIX TIMES–SEVEN!*
Next month: Award-winning and bestselling suspense author, Kate Angelo.
Thanks so much for stopping by. I hope you enjoyed getting to know Sarah–I certainly did! Until December, God bless and KEEP READING!
*So sorry, entries from the contiguous US only.
