INTERVIEW | Betsy St. Amant
By editor on Jul 13, 2009 in Featured, Interviews
Betsy, describe yourself for our visitors.
Outside of reading and writing, I love spending time with my sweet family, kickboxing, singing, seeing movies, and shopping! I have an addiction to shoes, chocolate, and Diet Coke. =) I’m very involved with World Vision, and my sponsorship of two girls there has blessed me so very much. I highly recommend checking it out if you are interested in new ministry opportunities. They do wonderful things and are partnered with the well-known Women of Faith team.
How do you find time to connect with God?
I admit, this is often a struggle, as I stay SO busy with my full time job, writing, being a wife and new mother to my 9 month old daughter…but the days I skip that morning Bible reading are the worst days! I’ve learned to make it a priority, even if I’m yawning the entire time from getting up earlier. Without the grace of God and His blessings, I wouldn’t be where I am today.
Who are your favorite authors? Favorite books?
My favorite authors are Susan May Warren, Dee Henderson, Rachel Hauck, Nicholas Sparks, Lisa Wingate, Lyn Johnson, Allison Pittman, Rene Gutteridge, and sooooo many others. Favorite all time books include The Notebook, Rene’s "Boo" series (hilarious!) and Lynn Austin’s "All She Ever Wanted". There are more, but I could sit here all day and still not list everything!
Tell us about your journey to publication.
I started my journey with The Wild Rose Press and had a full length novel MIDNIGHT ANGEL published with them in 2007. I also published two short story e-books. After attending the 2007 ACFW conference, I joined with agent Tamela Hancock Murray, who shortly after sold my romance to Steeple Hill. I now currently have three contracts with Love Inspired, with plans for many more!
Tell us about your current book?
My first release with Steeple Hill Love Inspired is RETURN TO LOVE, and is set in New Orleans. The heroine, Gracie, works as the penguin keeper at the Aquarium of the Americas, and needs to raise money for an expansion to house a new batch of birds, recently homeless from the hurricanes. Gracie must reluctantly partner with her childhood best friend and unrequited love, Carter, an ex-rock star, to save the penguins–and discover a little bit about themselves and in the mean time.
How did you come up with ideas for this book?
I’ve always loved and collected penguins growing up, and it seemed fitting that Gracie would too. The neat thing is during my research at the Aquarium of the Americas in New Orleans, I was granted permission to use the names of the actual current penguins living there. (with the exception of one my editor requested to change!) I also love the idea of best friends realizing love for each other. My husband was one of my best friends before we dated, and with our five year anniversary approaching in August, I’d say it worked out well =)
List your three most recent books.
Midnight Angel, Return to Love, and it’s sequel, A Valentine’s Wish, releasing February 2010.
What’s next for you?
I’m working on a newly contracted novel, working title TO LASSO LOVE, set on a dude ranch in Texas. I’m having a blast with my country girl roots with this one =)
Where can visitors find you online?
You can visit me at www.betsystamant.com or my blog www.betsy-ann.blogspot.com
Don't Miss ...
Thank you for joining us today! Subscribe to Christian Bookworm Reviews & Podcast.
Post a Comment