One of the benefits of the A2A program is that I have the honor of interviewing so many authors. Some authors I’ve know for years–and others are new to me, like Nicole Deese. But, hopefully, this is the beginning of getting to know her.
When Bethany House sent the Spring List of upcoming books, the first title that caught my eye was Nicole’s book, The Words We Lost. Over the years, I’ve discovered that the best titles are those that grab my imagination and cause me to think, “I wonder what this book is about!” Nicole succeeded in not only capturing my imagination, but offering readers an incredible book!
NICOLE’S BIO: Nicole Deese is a Christy and Carol Award-winning, bestselling author of hope-filled, humorous, and heartfelt contemporary romance novels. When she’s not sorting out character arcs and story plots of her own, she can usually be found listening to an audiobook and multitasking at least four different chores at once. She’s a hoarder of sparkling water, a lover of long walks and even longer talks with friends, and a seeker of fun and adventure at all times. She lives in small-town, Idaho with her happily-ever-after hubby, two freakishly tall teenage sons, and one princess daughter with the heart of a warrior.
How could we not like a woman who hoards sparkling water? Now, wait until you read the synopsis of her latest book which will probably be in my TOP FIVE for 2023!
Nicole’s latest release, The Words We Lost:
As a senior acquisitions editor for Fog Harbor Books in San Francisco, Ingrid Erikson has rejected many a manuscript for lack of defined conflict and dramatic irony—two elements her current life possesses in spades.
In the months following the death of her childhood best friend and international bestselling author Cece Campbell, Ingrid has not only lost her ability to escape into fiction due to a rare trauma response, but she’s also desperate to find the closure she is convinced will come with Cece’s missing final manuscript.
Take a close look–Not only did Nicole match her book cover, but her nail stylist painted the flowers and nautical symbols.
After an editorial meeting jeopardizes Ingrid’s career, she fears her future will remain irrevocably broken. But when Joel Campbell—who shattered her belief in happily-ever-afters—offers her a sealed envelope from Cece, his late cousin, asking them to put their differences aside and retrieve a package in their coastal Washington hometown, Ingrid must confront a past riddled with secrets before she can discover the true healing she’s been searching for.
What is one of your favorite quotes from The Words We Lost, and why do you love it?
“No heartache has ever gone unseen, and no darkness is ever too dark for light to overcome.”
This quote reminds me that even in the hardest, darkest moments of grief and hardship, God’s light and love are strong enough to penetrate through it. I’ve needed to encourage my own spirit with this truth many times in my life, just as my characters do in The Words We Lost.
Yes, I love that quote. It truly speaks to the hope we have as redeemed children of our Heavenly Father!
What are you working on now?
I just turned in book two in the FOG HARBOR ROMANCE series. This is an entirely new cast of main characters with a couple connecting characters from book one. It features a cross-country road trip, a backward glance at band life in the 1970s, a destined-to-be romance, family secrets, estranged best friends, generational legacies, and the bond between sisters.
BTW, readers, Nicole gives even more peeks into her upcoming book in the A2A YouTube interview. Be sure to check it out–especially that important release date.
Do you have any strange writing habits/quirks?
I can’t start my day of writing until I’ve found the right song to fit the “mood” of whatever scene I’m needing to draft that day. Sometimes, once I’ve found that perfect song, I’ll set it to repeat and listen to it over and over until I’m finished with that scene. And yes, there have been songs I’ve listened to more than a hundred times, but it’s kind of neat to look back at my book playlist and remember what song paired with each moment in the story.
Awk! I just can’t do it. Maybe my ancient brain can’t handle doing two-right brain things at once anymore.
What is the best writing tip you ever received? How was it helpful?
“Every finished book I pick up once started as a first draft.”
I think of this quote I read many years ago quite often, especially during the months of drafting a new story. It’s easy to get caught up in the game of comparison when I’m reading an awesome novel I’ve pulled off a bookstore shelf.
It’s just as easy to make assumptions about the kind of naturally gifted and talented storyteller that author must be while in turn recalling my own pitiful work in draft form on my computer.
But what my comparison brain always fails to consider in those moments (and this is exactly why comparison is so harmful to us) is all the hours and revisions and drafts that particular naturally gifted and talented author must have gone through before that title was ready to be read by an audience.
Hard work is always required for greatness. The truth is: judging my first draft by comparing it to someone else’s final draft is simply ludicrous. Instead, I try to use the fantastic books I read throughout the year as examples of inspiration of what can happen when I push through the tough moments during the drafting process.
Any writers out there? These tips are golden! So encouraging. Thank you, Nicole.
A friend once asked me, “What are you passionate about? So passionate that you cry out and pound your fist on the table?” What is your pound-on-the-table passion?
I’m super passionate about living known in a community of other believers. I wholeheartedly believe that we are not supposed to walk through this life alone, and I often write about this concept in my novels. I love to encourage people to get connected and plugged in to their local churches, find a small group to join, and share their lives with people who can challenge, edify, equip, and encourage them in their faith. My husband and I have been engaged in a small group in some shape or form for the better part of fifteen years, and the benefits are priceless.
And you are just the encourager to help make that happen. You are a blessing, Nicole!
The May A2A Giveaway!
Yes! Thanks to Bethany House
, this month’s giveaway is a not one, but TWO copies of Nicole’s latest book, The Words We Lost! Thank you, Bethany House!
Isn’t this exciting! And you could be the WINNER! How? Well, by entering! Not just once, but up to SIX times!* Leave a comment below and share this blog and if you haven’t already, please subscribe to this newsletter 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 Nicole. Because, in the video interview she will read an excerpt of Within These Walls of Sorrow, answer different fun questions! Really fun! 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 May 12th!
Watch our A2A 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!*
If you already have a copy of The Words We Lost, be sure to let you friends and family know so that they can enter!
Thanks so much for stopping by. I hope you enjoyed getting to know Nicole— I sure did!
June’s Author Highlight is the [Christy] award-winning and bestselling author Tosca Lee.
Thanks for stopping by! God bless and KEEP READING!
*So sorry, entries from the contiguous US only.
