Inspy Romance

Inspy Romance—Fall in Love With a Good Book

Let’s Meet Author Jennifer Vander Klipp

by

Hello again,

Has summer found your neck of the woods yet? It certainly seems to have found Texas, that’s for sure. But we’re big and easy to find, right? Ha.

Last time I was here, I talked about the book collection I was invited to join titled – Be Still My Heart. 

Seven authors got together with their seven Christian Romance stories and put them all together in a collection that’s going for only .99¢. What a deal, right? And right on time. Summer break is right around the corner. Here’s a bunch of clean, yet fun, stories to while away the long drives or flights, sitting in the sun or while trying to keep cool in the air conditioning.

After you’ve met one of my new friends and co-contributors to this sweet collection, click over and have a look. See what all the fuss is about.

But first, let’s take a moment to get to know Jennifer Vander Klipp.  Jennifer, tell us a little about yourself and the kind of books you enjoy writing.

I’m a mom to two young adults. In my other life, I’m a managing editor of a small publishing house. I love hiking, being outdoors, and fixing things up. I love writing romance because I think there’s something there that appeals to a woman’s heart.

 

What inspired you to write that first book?

I’ve always written stories, even as a little girl. My first published book, Coming Home, is a historical romance that takes place at the end of the Oregon Trail in 1881. The very first germ of that idea started as an AP history project in high school!

Do you write alone or in public?

I write alone for the most part. My cats are usually around somewhere. They think that the birds outside live behind my computer!

 

Do you like to write to music or silence?

Generally silence. I do sometimes like nature sounds like the waves or rain, especially to block out other noises. Sometimes, I put together movie soundtracks that give the feel of my book. I did this for my historical series using songs from famous Western movies like The Magnificent Seven and Bonanza.

What have you put most of your effort into regarding writing?

Writing about characters comes a lot more naturally to me than plotting. So while I do a lot to learn more about characters and make them come off the page, I’ve done far more work on understanding how the plot and structure of a book work to pull the reader through the pages.

 

What are are your books about?

I write contemporary romance, historical romance, and romantic suspense. No matter the genre, there is an ordinary woman who gets put in an extraordinary situation that she can only get through with God’s help. I never set out to write that, but that’s what comes out every time!

 

Does your book have a lesson? Moral?

Not overtly, but when you look back you see that all of the characters have to learn to trust God and His plans for them to move forward. I’m guessing since it’s a recurring theme in my books, I must be learning that lesson too!

 

What is your favorite part of the book?

The end! Kidding! Seriously, like most writers, it is so satisfying to finish writing that book. It never quite comes out on the page the way you envisioned it in your head, and that’s okay. Every time I finish, I’m amazed that I have finished another book. It all seems like a bit of a magical process when it comes down to it.

 

What is something memorable you have heard from your readers?

That they couldn’t put my books down. That’s music to any writer’s ears. We hope we keep you up reading all night!

 

Anything you would like to say to your readers and fans?

Writing can be a lonely business. Follow your favorite authors on social media and get their newsletters and interact with them. Leave reviews about their books and share your favorites with your friends. Nothing means more to authors than knowing people are reading and loving their books.

 

Could you tell us a bit about your most recent book and why it is a must-read?

The Inn at Cherry Blossom Lane is in Be Still My Heart collection, and it takes place near Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore in Michigan. It was named one of the top beaches in the US, so the setting is fabulous. I loved doing the research for this book! Claire is helping her grandma turn her house into a B & B. And the contractor Grandma has hired is Claire’s schoolgirl crush, Alex. It’s a lot of fun to see them working together and rekindling their old flames. And there’s a bit of a mysterious twist when they discover an old diary and a secret room.

Where can we find you online?

You can get a short story about Claire’s crush, Alex, that takes place just before the book starts called “Never Met a Stranger” when you sign up for my newsletter on my website: www.JenniferVanderKlipp.com.

  • I’m also on Facebook at Author Jennifer Vander Klipp,
  • Twitter: @jvklipp
  • Instagram: jlvklipp
  • Pinterest: Author Jennifer Vander Klipp

Thanks for having me! This was a lot of fun!

Thanks for joining us, Jennifer.

Now it’s your turn, dear reader, tell me what inspires you to first, pick up a book, then decide to read that book. 

I’ll pick one person to win a copy of Be Still My Heart. 

Thanks for stopping in,

Blessings and peace,

Jackie Castle

Jackie Castle (36 Posts)

Jackie Castle is the author of The White Road Chronicles a fantasy series, The Sentinel Archives for school-age readers, and newly released Madison Creek Bed & Breakfast romance series. She has also published articles and short stories in numerous magazines. She’s enjoyed many crazy adventures from working as a hairstylist, to her bravest quest: teaching children in daycare and elementary schools. Eventually, she settled down to a somewhat safer pursuit of being a Story-weaver. Now she lives in her comfortable Texas home where she spins marvelous tales and enjoys relaxing in the evenings with her husband Bob, their children and grandchild. She looks for the extraordinary in every ordinary day that she experiences.


Comments

  1. Hi Jackie, welcome Jennifer:) Thanks for sharing about your writing- I find the process interesting. I like hiking and being outdoors too:)
    If an author is new to me, then typically it is the title/cover that initially attract me. Then, it is the blurb- then (because I mostly read on Kindle) it is the sample/reviews, then I buy the book. If the author is a familiar one to me, typically their books are an auto buy:)

  3. Hi Jackie and welcome Jennifer! No need to include me in the drawing, as I enjoyed reading the selections in the boxed set Be Still My Heart. Jennifer, as a Michigander I always enjoy reading stories with a Michigan setting. While I have never personally visited the Sleeping Bear Dunes, I have climbed the sand dunes since a teen at Warren Dunes State Park in SW Michigan. Delightful boxed set. Best wishes.

  5. Thanks, Renate.
    I was thrilled to find another author who wrote stories set in Michigan and plan to read some of Jennifer’s stories. =)

  7. Hi Jennifer, I love the chair you’re sitting in. I’m thinking of getting one like that for my office. I mean every writer should have a chair with words on it. And I have cats. One stays in my office with me and I call him my muse. Sounds like we’d get along great.

  8. The cover usually draws me first, then the back blurb can definitely inspire me to want to read the book. Or, if it’s by an author I already know and read, those books are automatically my want-to-read ones. I’m never opposed to discovering new authors though! Lastly, genre can draw me. Historical and suspense are my top favorite, though I read quite a mix.

    I really enjoyed the author interview! The cover to the book looks so inviting, like I want to open the door and step right into the house! :-)

  9. I love covers. But I usually zero in on a certain, favorite author. Then I’ll end up reading the back cover. I have read the novella by Jennifer and really enjoyed it! No need to enter me for the boxed set. I already have it! Thanks, Jennifer is an author to watch!

  10. First, the cover of the book. I know you shouldn’t judge a book by it’s cover but I do.
    Second, I turn the book over to read what it is about.
    Third, I always check to see who the publisher is.
    I volunteer in the church library and have for almost 40 years. This is the criteria I use when buying or accepting donations of books.

  11. Hey, Jackie and Jennifer! First, I check the genre. Horror and sci-fi get ruled out automatically. I admit the cover plays a part. Sometimes a big part, sometimes a small part. If the book description sounds interesting, I look at the reviews. Excessive grammatical errors will turn me off. If the book isn’t classified as Christian, I search the reviews for references to heat levels and bad language. Of course, if it’s written by a favorite author, I can skip all of the above.

  12. My answers are similar to many above – if I know the author and he/she is a favorite, it doesn’t take much for me to buy. If it’s a new author, the cover is a definite draw. If I’ve hear others recommend the title, I’ll read several reviews, and then look at the price. I’ve got so many books to read right now that I’m pretty picky about new books…

  16. That chair is so comfortable too! I spent a lot of time in it! And the cats like it :) Someone who likes words and cats sounds like a great person to spend time with :)

  23. I don’t need to be entered into the book giveaway since I already have the collection. Just wanted to say that I met you as an author through this novella collection and enjoyed your story.
    The cover first draws me in when I see a book written by an author I don’t know. But the blurb cinches the deal as to if I’ll read the book or not.

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