Good morning, Anita. Thanks for stopping by to visit and tell us more about your delightful book. What was
your inspiration for A Marriage in
Middlebury?
The idea for this book came from my absolute love of tearooms in Texas.
In fact, here’s my note to readers on that very subject:
More
than a decade ago I met a woman named Linda Becker
who
opened a tearoom in the Houston burbs called, Tea for
Two.
Her eatery and gift shop did so well, she opened a second
shop.
Over the years I’ve enjoyed her wonderful tearoom
fare
as well as the quaint ambiance. Linda’s tearoom isn’t just
a
café—it’s a gathering place for friends, a place to eat
home
cooked
food, and a place so cozy you don’t want to leave.
As
a writer I thought it might be fun to create a heroine who
owns
a tearoom similar to Linda’s and set her shop in a small
town
on the gulf coast of Texas. So, that’s how the novel, A
Marriage
in Middlebury,
was born. Even though my story, the
characters,
and the town are fictional, Linda’s tearooms are
real
places you can visit and enjoy. Thank you, Linda, for the
great
food, and the fellowship, and the inspiration.
Everything
was going smoothly for the main character when suddenly everything changes with
the return of her ex. What advice do you have when life throws a
curveball?
As a Christian
we should trust in the One who made us, the One who’s known us from the first
day when we were being knit together in our mother’s womb, the One who loves us
best. Trusting in Him during life’s storms is the only answer, and it’s more
than enough.
Charlotte
was pressured into breaking off her relationship with Sam by Sam’s father - how
should we react to family pressures and difficult
relatives?
Bathe the
situation in prayer and then talk things through no matter how painful. But once
the air is clear, forgive and move on. Don’t keep going back over and over.
Forgiveness is not easy, but it’s the only way to live free. It helps to
remember that forgiveness is what God offered us when we sinned against Him.
Such great advice! Is there a
certain Bible passage or verse that goes along with the theme of A Marriage in
Middlebury?
Trust
in the Lord with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and
he will make your paths straight.
Proverbs 3:5-6
(NIV)
Are any of
the characters or events in A Marriage in
Middlebury based on your own experiences?
Well, I love
art, flowers, quirky characters, and tearooms. And somehow I managed to put them
all into the novel. It was a fun ride!
Do you find
yourself returning to similar themes in your novels (i.e. forgiveness, trust,
etc.) or do you have a new message with each release?
Yes, I tend to
go back to the themes of forgiveness and reconciliation. These are not only good
themes for a story, but they are paramount in living the Christian life.
What do you
hope readers will walk away with after they turn the last page of A Marriage in
Middlebury?
That with God
all things are possible!
Like several
of your other books, A Marriage in
Middlebury is set in your home state of Texas - what are some of your
favorite things about Texas?
Overall, Texas
is an inexpensive place to live, it’s a great place to raise a family, and it’s
one of the friendliest places on earth. I’ve lived here for about thirty years,
and I’m proud to call Texas my home.
Before
becoming a writer, you had number of interesting jobs - what was it about
writing that drew you in?
I had an
incredible need to tell stories. I don’t think I had a choice in becoming a
writer—the profession sort of chose me. But I’m content in that truth.
Readers, do you have a question for Anita? Be sure to leave a comment or question below with your email to be in the drawing for a copy of A Marriage in Middlebury. Winner to be posted on Saturday, December 14th so you could win a Christmas present for yourself or someone else.
