Hi Inspy Romance Readers!
Last month I had such a blast at the Christian Fiction Readers Retreat in Rockville, Maryland! One of the authors I enjoyed talking to and being on a panel with was Melissa Tagg. We had to pretend to be one of our characters and answer questions as they would. I ventured to my quirkiest character Elinor Bosarge from Blown Together, even bringing a poster of her hairless cat Mr. Darcy. But… Melissa ventured out to pretend to be her character Bear McKinley from All This Time! A dude! So funny! With Melissa and Bethany Turner on either side of me, there were plenty of laughs!
Today, I’m excited for Melissa to share a little about her latest novel Now and Then and Always releasing May 28.
Welcome Melissa!
Yay, thank so much for having me!
I had such a wonderfully overwhelming time at the Christian Fiction Readers Retreat, I have to ask, what were some of your favorite moments?
Oh, wasn’t that such a blast? By far, my favorite moments were conversations with readers, particularly during the book-signing at the end. I was so touched that readers would actually travel—in some cases—across the country to meet authors. I had several meaningful and/or hilarious conversations with readers I’ve gotten to know online. And our panel was super fun, too.
I agree!
About the new novel, what was the story inspiration or background that led you to write it?
Well, this is the first book in a new series that takes place in a made-up town called Maple Valley. Ten of my 12 books so far take place in that town and even after I’d finished my last series, I continued to get notes from readers asking if there’d be more stories set in that town. Plus, there were so many interesting side characters from past books whose stories I wanted to explore. So that was the initial inspiration.
But then also, in one of my past books (Like Never Before), I mentioned a creepy B&B located on the edge of Maple Valley, tucked away in a little grove. I knew when I first mentioned it that eventually I’d want to come back and set a full book there. So I’m finally doing it! It’s the story of a woman who has been hiding out at the B&B and a heartbroken detective who lands there after being placed on leave from his job. They work together to save the house while trying to solve the mystery of its missing owner.
Wow! That sounds great!
I love this quote on your blog:
“Other than stories, I love, love, love talking about faith, my insanely cute nieces and nephew, classic movies, baby goats, Pop-Tarts and the bookworm life. Finally, I probably love Needtobreathe, flannel and candy corn more than any other person you will ever meet.”
I get most of this, but can you explain the baby goats? (By the way, Elinor Bosarge might tell you that candy corn could be bad for your teeth and general health, LOL.)
Haha about candy corn!
I looooove baby goats. I just do. I think they’re absolutely adorable. A few years ago, I wrote a baby goat into one of my books (Keep Holding On) solely to give myself an excuse to visit goat farms. I started gushing about my goat love online, too, and I think I received four or five invitations from farms around the state to come visit! I did, in fact, visit a couple of them. So yeah…it’s just a silly love of mine.
Well, that just sounds fun!
(Free Image by Christian B. from Pixabay )
Thank you so much for being with our Inspy Romance family today!
And thank you for having me!
Melissa Tagg is the award-winning author of the popular Walker Family series, the Where Love Begins series and the Enchanted Christmas Collection. She’s a former reporter, current nonprofit grant writer and total Iowa girl. Her recent releases include Carol Award-winning One Enchanted Noel and RT Reviews TOP PICK! All This Time. When she’s not writing she can be found hanging out with the coolest family ever, watching old movies, and daydreaming about her next book. Melissa loves connecting with readers at www.melissatagg.com and on Facebook and Instagram.
Connect with Melissa
Website: http://www.melissatagg.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/authormelissatagg
Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/melissatagg
About Now and Then and Always
Last year, after traumatic circumstances forced her from her job as a nanny, Mara Bristol finally found a place to belong—the winsome Everwood Bed & Breakfast at the edge of Maple Valley, Iowa. For months, she’s helped its owner, Lenora, maintain the ramshackle property despite their shortage of guests. But when Lenora fails to return from a month-long trip and the bank threatens foreclosure, Mara worries she’s once again alone . . . abandoned . . . about to lose the only true home she’s ever known.
Detective Marshall Hawkins is no closer to whole today than he was two years ago . . . the day his daughter died. Between his divorce, debilitating migraines, and a dependence on medication, his life is falling apart. And when a reckless decision on the job propels him into administrative leave, he has no other plan but to get in his truck and drive. A one-night stay at the Everwood was supposed to be just that. But there’s something about the old house—or maybe its intriguing caretaker—that pulls him in.
Together, Mara and Marshall set out to save the Everwood. But its secrets run deeper than they could’ve imagined. As they renovate the house and search for its missing owner, they’ll each confront the pain that brought them to the Everwood in the first place . . . and just maybe discover a faith and love to help them carry on.
Preorder your copy! Amazon
Melissa has graciously offered one eBook copy to someone who comments by June 2, 2019 (void where prohibited)! Do you have a fun animal or candy or fabric you’re just nuts about?
I’m becoming quite fond of baby goats after seeing videos of them in pajamas on YouTube. I also enjoy hedgehogs after meeting my friend’s little pet.
No fun animal or candy. I’m really looking forward to the book though!
I love this book! I was recently at the zoo and saw some goats and thought of you , Melissa!
Hi Janet and Melissa:) My parents had goats around the time that I was born and my mum will sometimes joke that I was named after one of the goats! (Not sure I’m too impressed by that one!!) . One of my boys’ favourite series features fainting goats- we had never heard of them until reading that series- that led to looking them up on youtube and laughing at the crazy ways people make them faint.
Blessings:)
I fell in love with Pansy in Secrets of Sunbeams so I will say goats too!!
I love Candy Corn, too. I am just glad it’s only featured for a short time in the fall or I’d be eating it year-round, negatively affecting my girlish figure. LOL
Hi Janet! Welcome Melissa! Our family is nuts about squirrels. (No pun intended.) Started with our two year old granddaughter who watches them out of our patio window. For Easter I wrote and published through Walgreens a personalized squirrel story “Squirrels Everywhere.” Their Easter basket also included a Ferraro Rocher chocolate hazelnut squirrel. My favorite chocolate. My oldest grandson for Languages wrote poems about squirrels. And now my 5th grade grandson is studying fairy tales. Instead of the Three Billy Goats Gruff and the Troll, he is writing The Three Squirrels and the Evil Tree. As I was planting my geranium pots, I received a scolding from the resident squirrels. I found his stash of acorns. Nature is so much fun.
Our local kindergarten and Young Fives classes had pajama kids (goats) visit their classroom. The pictures where adorable. Grandkids love Candy Corn, as does Oma.
Best wishes. Happy Writing. Thanks for sharing.
Hi Wemble! While teaching high school English, one student worked on a farm with fainting goats. He was telling the class how he makes them faint. Some of his classmates did not believe that goats fainted. Thank goodness for the internet. Kids loved that I let them us their cell phones to find the answer. Best wishes.
I would love to win an ecopy of Now and Then and Then and Always . Thanks for being here today and sharing your thoughts with us. I am an animal lover and especially love puppies. However, goats can be pretty adorable too. My favorite candy is Redhots because I like the cinnamon taste.
This book sounds soooo good!! I love all baby animals! They are all soo cute!! My favorites would be kittens, from the big cats down to house cats!!
Is there other things that you love, that we might see in your next book?
Hi Janet and Melissa! Some friends had a billy goat that was tied right next to the path to their house. I remember him trying to butt me as I walked past. So no, I’m not fond of goats. I love candy corn but try to avoid it. It’s all sugar! And kittens. I love kittens.
I adore kittens and am not a fan of candy corn. Thank you kindly.
LOL, they are cute!
Fair enough!
I can’t wait to read it!
How strange! I need to Google it!
Goats in pajamas are the best!!
Glad you’re looking forward to it!
Aw yay for seeing goats, Toni! :)
I LOVE fainting goats! I had a friend from England visit me once and he’d never heard of them (nor had he ever been on a farm) so we visited a friend’s farm and he got to see fainting goats firsthand. I’ll never forget how hilarious that was!
Hahaha same! (Although I saw it at Easter this year in pastel colors. It had a super weird taste to it, though. So not the same as classic fall candy corn!)
Yay, another goat fan!
I love that your grandson is writing a squirrel story! :)
Mmm I love redhots too. Especially when added to apple cider!
I have to admit, I’m not a huge fan of cats (although I did put a cat in Now and Then and Always!) but I loooooove kittens. I don’t know why I don’t love them as much when they grow up…maybe I’ve just never had a positive cat experience. Haha!
Hmmm, great question! I’ll have to think about that. References to classic movies show up in almost every story I write. Come to think of it, big old houses tend to show up quite often in my books, too…and I already know which house from my made-up small town will be one of the main settings in my next book, so there’s that! :)
“it’s all sugar!” –> Haha, that’s the appeal for me. LOL!
Kittens are awfully cute! :)
I don’t know Pansy! I need to watch that!
It is good! I miss candy. I’ve been doing paleo for two years..
Oh how sweet! We have herds of squirrels in my yard! They just knocked down the bird feeder, ha!
Puppies are so cute! I just to eat pounds of Hot Tamale cinnamon candy!
Kittens are often much sweeter than grown cats, LOL! I can’t resist them though!
I love big old houses!
I’m a sucker for kittens too! I have two cats right now, one sitting on me.
Another kitten fan! They are so cute.
Congrats on your release of Now and Then and Always, Melissa! I agree that baby goats are super adorable. My favorite things are dogs, chocolate and floral prints. Thanks for the giveaway!
I love my dog! Chocolate is a health food, and floral prints are awesome!
I love that you taught German and Literature:) Lit is a new subject for me this year, but I am absolutely loving it. It would be cool to hear your ideas on how you taught it.
Blessings:)
I just love any mint flavoured candy ?
I think farm animals in general are the cutest but I love chickens ?❤️?
I’ve read and enjoyed all of Melissa’s books up to now, so look forward to the new one! (And wouldn’t mind winning it :-)). I was born a cat lover! When I was 3, I announced I wanted a cat for Christmas. My parents thought I was too young for a real cat, so put a stuffed one in my stocking. I was not amused :-) Right now I have a 9 year old cat and at 13 year old cat. It’s fun to wake up to one purring on each side of me.
Oh how sweet! They do keep you warm at night.
I enjoy Melissa’s books though unfortunately I haven’t yet read all of them. Almost any kind of chocolate is my favorite for candy, though candy corn brings back fond memories of my Grandma. She always had candy corn in a big square jar that she’d give us.
Oh chocolate is so good. Isn’t funny how a treat can bring back memories?
Congratulations on your new book, Melissa! And thanks for the fun chat, Janet & Melissa! My favorite candy is most anything chocolate.
It was such fun seeing you both at CFRR! I had a great time! What a joy to get to talk with some of my favorite authors! Hugs!
Chocolate is good! It was so wonderful to meet you and Melissa!
Hugs
I enjoyed this interview and I loved meeting you both at the CFRR! I have liked llamas for as long as I can remember. It’s a good thing they weren’t as popular when I was in high school and college as they are now or I would have wanted llama everything!
That’s hilarious about llamas! Never would’ve guessed! It was so nice meeting you too. I really enjoyed CFRR. It was just too short, ha!
Love the sounds of Melissa’s book and it is always fun and interesting getting to know new authors.
It is fun to find a new author!