Psst! Readers of Inspy Romance, I’ve got a treat for you today: an interview with Marisa, Bren, and Heather, the heroines of the Christmas in Montana series. I caught up with the three of them just before the third book, Better Than a Crown, was set to open.
Valerie: It’s been a while since we’ve got together for a good chat. What is everyone up to these days?
Marisa Hiller
More Than a Tiara
Marisa: Busy! It’s a good thing I thrive on it. Jase and I are headed to Nicaragua to shoot a documentary soon. We’ll be gone for a few weeks.
Valerie: That sounds interesting. What’s the topic?
Marisa: With Jase and me, it’s always all about food and self-sufficiency. We’re driven to let people know what conditions are really like in third-world countries, and how they can help the locals help themselves.
Valerie: That’s a great cause. You were crowned Miss Snowflake (checks notes) almost two years ago. What was that like?
Marisa: (laughs) That kicked off a crazy year. Jase proposed during the final section of the competition on Christmas Eve, but then I spent most of the year traveling and speaking while he stayed in Helena to build our house and establish his photography business. We couldn’t be married while I was reigning, of course. With my mom remarrying that year, we were so thankful Bren came along, able to run the farm and its commitments to the Tomah Community Supported Agriculture organic box program. I have no idea how we’d have managed to run the business with the amount I was away from Helena.
Valerie: What a huge undertaking for someone without a high school education, Bren.
Bren: It was, but so worth it. I studied hard for my GED and then took some agriculture courses by distance education. But the big things were being gainfully employed and having so much room for my two kids, Davy and Lila. We’d been jammed into a two-bedroom apartment before that. Marisa might be thankful for me, but I’m forever grateful to her and her mom, too, for taking a chance on me.
Valerie: What’s been your involvement in pageantry?
Bren Haddock
Other Than a Halo
Bren: Man, I decided long ago it was a total waste of time. I mean, I could see it for Marisa, right? She’s talented and gorgeous.
Marisa: (chuckles)
Bren: And then she and her sister-in-law, Kristen, ganged up on me to enroll my seven-year-old in the Little Miss Snowflake. I really didn’t want to do it. Not at all.
Valerie: Something obviously happened to change your mind.
Marisa: (giggles) Rob Santoro happened.
Bren: (glares at Marisa) Well, yes. But the whole thing was so silly, anyway.
Valerie: Fill me in. What did Rob have to do with it?
Bren: Kristen’s husband, Todd, hired Rob to market the pageant. He caught my attention. I mean, have you seen the man? And he’s as sweet as he is hot.
Marisa: (lifting coffee mug) Like a caramel macchiato.
Heather: (giggles)
Valerie: So the rest, as they say is history?
Bren: (patting a six-month-pregnant belly) That’s one way to put it. When he finally convinced me that he and God both totally loved me, we didn’t see much reason to wait to get married. Davy and Lila wanted a baby brother or sister — guess who wanted which! — and, well, so did Rob and I. Want a baby I mean.
Valerie: Before I forget, how did Lila enjoy the Little Miss Snowflake? That was last year, right?
Bren: She had a great time, honestly. It was good for her. Plus, she’s such good friends with Kristen’s daughter, Charlotte, that it worked out well all around. They can’t wait to enter again this year.
Heather Francis
Better Than a Crown
Valerie: Heather, how did you get into all this?
Heather: Pageantry? You can blame my mother. She entered me in over twenty-five pageants when I was a kid, baby through teen. The last one I entered, I came in as third runner-up. (points at Marisa) And there’s your winner.
Valerie: How many have you won?
Heather: (sighs) Not a single one. Can we talk about something else?
Marisa: I’m sorry, Heather. You do know that you are a jewel in God’s crown, right?
Heather: Um, yes. But it’s hard to remember when there are pageant moms like Priscilla Abercrombie who insist on reminding me I was always a princess and never a queen.
Bren: Want me to tell Priscilla where to stuff it?
Heather: Thanks, but no. I’ll handle it.
Valerie: Your current job, or part of it anyway, is to coach girls who are entering the junior competitions. How do you like it?
Heather: I love the girls, for the most part. I love seeing them blossom as they become more self-confident. They learn some public speaking skills, how to perform in public, and, by the time I’m done with them, they even know which fork to use for which course during a formal banquet.
Bren: Speaking of all the banquets, Grizzly Gulch Resort has a new chef, I hear. Kinda cute.
Marisa: Yes, I’ve noticed, too. Levi is here to replace his brother while Jared and Aimee head to China to adopt. You might want to get to know him, Heather.
Heather: (turns red) Aimee promised to introduce me to him. But that probably won’t help.
Bren: Why not? You’re lovely and available. He’s single—
Marisa: Don’t forget cute.
Bren: Right, and cute. A Christian. I mean, what’s not to like?
Marisa: Although I hear he thinks pageantry is stupid.
Valerie: So did Bren, but she got over it.
Bren: But Levi is taking care of Shelby while Aimee and Jared are away, right? She’s in your etiquette classes along with Lila and Charlotte, isn’t she, Heather? So you’ll have a chance to bring him around.
Heather: Stop! He’s a big city chef, okay? Just using his vacation time to help out his brother. He’ll see soon enough that I’m a fraud—
Marisa: You are not a fraud.
Heather: —and a klutz. It’s never going to happen, but thanks for believing in me.
Bren: Oh, we do believe in you. Valerie, can I have a word with you when Heather steps out? Because I have some ideas you might be able to use.
Valerie: I’m all ears…
About Better Than a Crown
As a runner-up in 27 competitions, Heather Francis tries to teach young contestants there’s more to pageants than winning, even though her mother never got that memo. It’s hard enough to focus and ignore the inner voice calling her a fraud without being attracted to Grizzly Gulch Resort’s brooding temporary chef.
Levi Esteban’s temp job as chef in Helena, Montana, and caregiver for his niece, Shelby, would be perfect if it weren’t for the Miss Snowflake Christmas festivities at the resort. Levi’s been against pageantry all his life and isn’t about to change his stance, regardless of his fascination with Shelby’s coach.
When Shelby’s parents’ trip is extended, Levi and Heather must join forces to care for her and pull off the pageant. Is there something better than a crown in their future?
Interested in winning one of the Christmas in Montana Romances? If you’d like to put your name in the hat, please comment below and let me know which heroine intrigues you the most. You have until October 19. Winner will be announced in Sunday Edition on October 22.
“Void where prohibited; the odds of winning depend on the number of entrants. Entering the giveaway is considered a confirmation of eligibility on behalf of the enterer in accord with these rules and any pertaining local/federal/international laws.”
Valerie Comer is a USA Today bestselling author and a two-time Word Award winner who writes where food meets faith and fiction. She injects experience laced with humor into her green clean romances. Her life on a small farm in western Canada provides the seed for stories of contemporary inspirational romance. Like many of her characters, Valerie and her family grow much of their own food and are active in the local foods movement as well as their church. She only hopes her creations enjoy their happily-ever-afters as much as she does hers, shared with her husband, adult kids, and adorable granddaughters.
Hi Valerie, how fun, thanks for sharing:) Beauty pageants have never been a big thing here in Australia, it is always interesting learning something new.
Blessings:)
Hi Valerie! Thanks for sharing. I enjoyed reading all your stories in the Christmas in Montana series. In Berrien County Michigan every spring the community has a Miss Blossomtime pageant. About 27 communities crown a local girl. Then these girls compete for Miss Blossomtime. Each community has a float in the Blossomtime Parade, held the first Saturday in May. There is a junior pageant and also a Mr. Blossomtime pageant. Not really a beauty pageant, but girls are judged on poise and community contributions. Being an agricultural community, many a Miss Blossomtime are superior horse women or milk cows. The Sunday before the parade is the Blessing of the Blossoms, held in a local apple orchard. Many of my students competed in these festivities. Two years ago our neighbor was Miss St. Joseph.
Because of our local experience, I relate with Heather (Better Than a Crown). Always enjoy the asstainable food aspect of your stories. Love the names of your characters in Better Than a Crown – Pricilla Abercrombie & Pastor Grunewald (nice German name). Best wishes and Happy Writing.
Yes, there are “Contestantzilla mothers” pushing, “You arent anything unless you enter and win” on their daughters.” Thank you for showing a different way of (and reason for) loving a daughter.
This is such a fun interview, Valerie! All three books have such great covers and Better Than a Crown sounds like a wonderful read.
Fun read today! I like Heather but I already bought Better Than a Crown, so I’d like to read Marisa in More Than a Tiara. I love 2 of the names – Aimee and Levi, because we have a daughter and a son with those names.
This is a new author to me and I would love to win one of her books. They sound like fun reads! Thanks for the chance! ? Blessings on you.
Don’t put me in the drawing because I already have all 3 books, and have read them all. Just wanted to say “great job, Valerie!”
They’re really not a big thing in Canada, either, or if they are, I missed the memo!
I’m delighted that you enjoyed Better Than a Crown! I think pageants focusing solely on beauty are rare today. Most truly are about a well-rounded young woman who gives back to her community and lives life fully.
Thanks, Walter. That was one of the main themes to come out of this story. That, and God is the God of Second Chances!
Thank you!!!
Oh, fun on the names! Promise I wasn’t stealing them!!!
Hi there! You’re definitely entered. :)
Thank you, Margaret! Much appreciated, and thanks for the reviews. :)
What a great addition to the church library this book would be.
Thanks for entering me in your giveaway.
Hi Janet! The giveaway is for an e-book, but all three books do have paperback editions. Feel free to contact me directly (valerie@valeriecomer.com) for my church library pricing on paperbacks!
I loved Marisa’s story :)
Heather intrigues me….would love to read her story.
Maybe you’ll win a copy! Thanks for entering.
I loved the blog post.
It’s always fun to read what’s happening in the characters lives.
I’m intrigued by Heather. I wonder what’s going to happen between her and Levi?
Since I’ve never read any of your books before, I would like to start with Book #1 More Than A Tiara. Thanks for the chance to win this book.
I’m glad you enjoyed it :)
Hmmm, I wonder… ;)
Great choice :) You’re in the draw.
Your characters’ interviews are always fun but this one was a winner. Favorite of them all.
Aw, thank you! I loved seeing their personalities shine through as they teased Heather!
I think my favorite is Bren. As a mom, I find her super-relatable. She doesn’t hold anything back and speaks her mind, yet her heart is as big as all outdoors. I would love a copy of Other than a Halo!
I think you pegged Bren in one! She definitely has a big heart.