I’m so excited to be with you today! I noticed that I’m not on the blogging schedule next month, so I decided to take this opportunity to tell you about Designing Love.
Designing Love releases April 1st and is the final book in my Sunriver Dreams series. I had such a fun time writing a series set in one of my favorite vacation spots. The picture above of the Deschutes River was taken in Sunriver last May by my son. We went over on Mother’s day, and he took a lot of photographs for me since I have a book series set there.
Here is the back cover blurb.
Someone is framing Sierra. Can Spencer Preston discover the true criminal before he loses her?
Sierra Robbins, single mother and interior design assistant, wants to provide a stable home for her teenage son and become a successful interior designer. She’s well on her way to both goals when she agrees to house sit a home in Sunriver, Oregon. It couldn’t be more perfect. She’ll be close to her job at Belafonte Designs while living rent-free. But things don’t go as expected beginning on day one when a police officer responds to the alarm they set off at the house. Was that alarm a sign of trouble to come?
Spencer Preston, lives for his job as a police officer in Sunriver, but when he responds to a house alarm and finds Sierra and her son there everything changes. Suddenly he finds himself torn between the upholding the law and protecting the woman he believes is innocent.
Since chapter one is printed at the end of A Christmas Homecoming I thought I’d give you something new. :) Here’s a little teaser from the middle of the book. This story has more mystery and suspense than the other two books in the series.
Friday morning Spencer typed up a proposal for the mentor program to give to the captain. Now that he had Mark and Sierra on board, he felt comfortable trying to make it official. A couple of firefighters at the station next door were interested, as well. Who would have thought a silent alarm call would have led to this?
His phone rang. “Spencer speaking.”
“Hi. It’s Sierra. There’s been another incident.”
“Are you filing an official police report?”
“Yes. Bailey is onboard. It happened at the project she’s working on. The owners are beside themselves, and if they haven’t called the police already, they will soon.”
“Are you sure this has anything to do with Belafonte Design?” It sounded like it might be a random act.
“Yes. Whoever did it spray painted a message on the homeowners’ living room wall, and it was directed at us.”
He grabbed a pen and pulled out his notepad. “This changes things.” He wrote down the address. “Okay. I’m not working today, but I’ll check into this. Thanks for the call.”
“Sure. Will you keep me in the loop?” Her voice sounded weary and scared at the same time.
I hope you enjoyed this pre-view of Designing Love. It is currently available at a pre-order discount.Amazon: http://amzn.to/2iZUAqG
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Let’s talk about inspirational romance. What draws you to it? Why do you read it?
Wemble says
Hi Kimberly, looking forward to Designing Love, I enjoyed the first two books. I love inspirational romance because I enjoy reading stories that have depth to them, that are not just about how quickly the hero and heroine get physical, and because I feel like relationship issues are explored in a Biblically based manner- in other words, God at the center, rather than self. Thanks for writing great stories:)
Blessings:)
Jill Weatherholt says
I enjoyed the preview of Designing Love, Kimberly. I’ve always been drawn to the message of salvation and redemption often portrayed in inspirational romance. Good luck with your release!
Renate says
Looking forward to reading Designing Love. Best wishes. Even as a teenager, I have been drawn to inspirational romances. I agree with Wemble. I enjoy reading stories with a moral theme, a well written plot with believable conflicts and characters while struggling to live Godly principles. Thanks for writing delightful fun to read stories.
Diana says
I enjoy the fact that if it inspirational it will be clean. Not that there aren’t struggles, but they are handled according do biblical standards. It’s interesting seeing different authors insight into different verses. I’m not sure why i like the romance part. I definitely like happy endings. Thanks for writing!
Kimberly Rose Johnson says
I love the way you explained that, Wemble! The depth is key for me too.
I’m glad you are enjoying the Sunriver Dreams series. :)
Kimberly Rose Johnson says
Thanks, Jill. Yes, those issues are key in many Christian romances. I think I’ve written two or three books where the salvation of one of the characters was key.
Kimberly Rose Johnson says
I think that moral theme will resonate with most readers of Christian fiction. Before I became I writer I remember thinking after finishing one that it was like going to church.:)
Kimberly Rose Johnson says
Hi Diana, I sometimes feel like Christian romance could be classified as women’s fiction with romance. lol When I promote my Island series I often say sweet romance meets women’s fiction.
As a reader and in the early years of my writing, I would say if a book doesn’t have at least a little romance it’s not worth reading. lol I’ve since matured and found a few books with no romance that I enjoyed. :)
Melanie D Snitker says
Designing Love sounds great and the cover is beautiful! Congratulations on your upcoming new release!
Marylin Furumasu says
Kimberly,
I love your Sunriver series, you know it has a special place in my heart.
I love how you and many other authors bring out God’s message to us. I find lots of wonderful lessons in each story. It’s like a fun way of having a Bible study lesson. Reading how God works in the fictional characters’ lives and knowing He can do the same with me.
Thanks to you and all the Inspy writers for being willing to be used by God to bring us great lessons.
Kimberly Rose Johnson says
Yes! You said what I had tried to say in another comment. It’s like a fun Bible study lesson. Hugs to you, Marylin. I’m especially thrilled that you enjoy that series since you lived in Sunriver.:)
Kimberly Rose Johnson says
Thanks, Melanie.:)
lelandandbecky says
This is a WONDERFUL book, and I’m excited that the release is only a couple of weeks away! I love your writing, Kimberly!
Jackie Smith says
Hi Kimberly,
Thanks for the info on your books! I am an avid reader of Christian fiction, but have not read your books! I MUST correct that and today may be the right day to hop over to Amazon. Blessings on your writing~
Margaret Nelson says
I think I’ve only read the first one in this series… My problem is that I’ve got so many unread books on my Kindle, I’m trying to be disciplined about getting new ones…
Kimberly Rose Johnson says
Thanks, Becky. :)
Kimberly Rose Johnson says
Thank you, Jackie!
Kimberly Rose Johnson says
I hear you, Margaret. I have the same problem, but then I see another one I just have to read and it gets added to my ever growing collection.
Do you find that you are pickier about the books you read and finish when you have so many books to choose from? It used to be that I’d finish a book no matter what, but now if a book doesn’t grab me by the end of chapter one, sometimes even by the middle of the first chapter, I close it and find another one that will hold my attention.
Priscila says
I’m looking forward to Designing Love. The story sounds really interesting. I love the sweet encouters and experiencing God’s guidance that we see in Christian contemporary romance.
Kimberly Rose Johnson says
Thanks, Priscilla. I appreciate the sweet nature of many Christian romance novels as well. I know a lot of people disagree with me, but when I pick up a book I don’t want gritty. I need sweet. The world is gritty enough.
Priscila says
My thoughts exactly. I like some conflict (totally necessary for a good story), but there’s a limit.
Winnie Thomas says
I love reading inspirational romance, because I don’t have to worry about running into foul language or steamy scenes. I don’t want those in my mind. I also enjoy the inspirational thread that weaves through the story. I find it uplifting and comforting.
Kimberly Rose Johnson says
I agree, Winnie.
JoAnn Durgin says
I’m cheering on your comments. You’re rightin that the “real” world IS gritty enough, and it’s my firm belief that “sweet” romance can certainly reflect God’s grace as effectively as other more “messy” stories (as I hear them often called). Congrats on your new release, Kimberly! :)
Kimberly Rose Johnson says
Thanks, JoAnn.:)
Sally Shupe says
Congratulations on your latest release!
I look for the inspirational thread. How did the character(s) rely on God in their situation, or grow in God from their situation. I like that they are clean. I don’t have to block every other word or scene, like some movies. I know when I pick it up, I won’t have to hide it in case someone reads over my shoulder.
Merrillee Whren says
I like the Christian worldview.
Kimberly Rose Johnson says
Yes! All great reasons to read inspirational romance.
Joelle Hawkins Teague says
This book sounds great! Looking forward to reading it!
Priscila says
Great to hear from you again JoAnn. Your books are indeed sweet with a lot of God’s grace. Lewis legacy series is still up there among my favorite books.
JoAnn Durgin says
Thank you, Priscila! :) Kiss that baby for me, please.
Margaret Nelson says
Yes, I am a lot pickier. When I first got my tablet, I was grabbing any e-book that was free or cheap and sounded interesting. Now I only get books from my favorite authors, or if some friend highly recommends a book… or if there’s a freebie that looks REALLY good :-) And I put off again and again some of those books I got early on.
Kimberly Rose Johnson says
Same here, Margaret.