Interview with romance author Sarah Dressler

Novelist Sarah Dressler joins me today to chat about her new sweet contemporary romance, Christmas Cove.

During her virtual book tour, Sarah will be giving away a $25 Amazon or Barnes and Noble (winner’s choice) gift card to a lucky randomly drawn participant. To be entered for a chance to win, use the form below. To increase your chances of winning, feel free to visit her other tour stops and enter there, too!

Bio:
Sarah Dressler, originally from Florida, now calls the mountains of Colorado home. Beginning her writing career as an award-winning fashion blogger, Sarah now writes fiction full time. She has spent her life traveling the world, first as the daughter of a US Air Force officer, and later as a military spouse. She enjoys sunset walks with her husband of nearly twenty years and raising her two very busy teenagers.

Welcome, Sarah. Please tell us about your current release.
With only three weeks left in December, travel editor, America Greene, arrives in the idyllic Christmas Cove to find it… Christmasless!

America needs a story, and fast, so she teams up with the town’s good-looking (and eligible) mayor, Leo, to light up Main Street and salvage her chance at being a full-time writer. The connection between them heats up, halls are decked, sleigh bells ring, and lights twinkle. Just when she thinks the holiday is saved, a nearby city threatens the future of Christmas Cove. With her heart, and career, hanging in the balance, she must learn that Christmas is much more than just a place on a map before time runs out.

What inspired you to write this book?
On the morning of July 17, 2022, I woke up from an incredible dream. It was unlike any dream I had ever had. It was the complete story of Christmas Cove as though it had been downloaded into my consciousness. I know not how else to describe it other than to say it was inspired, God given. I had been praying about what my next project should be, and bam! Here it was. The previous three novels that I wrote were in a completely different genre and I hadn’t considered writing sweet contemporary romance. But boy, did that dream have a huge impact on me. That morning, I got my notebooks out and regurgitated every detail that I could remember, and by lunch time, I had a detailed twenty chapter outline drafted. I dove head first into writing Christmas Cove and never looked back.

Excerpt from Christmas Cove:
The paper left [America’s] hand as though she was throwing a baseball in a World Series game. She wanted to be certain the fire would devour her fear.

“Open your eyes,” Leo whispered into her ear.

The tiny hairs perked up and tickled her neck, causing her hand to reach up and cover them. He stood close. Too close. She swallowed hard at the sight of his rapid breaths condensing and dissipating into the chilly night air. Was he going to kiss her? Because she wanted to kiss him.”

What exciting project are you working on next?
I’m thrilled to share the news that my next novel, Spring Showers, will be released in mid-2024. Spring Showers is a stand-alone sequel to Christmas Cove. It features a brand-new cast of main characters. While some of the original cast makes guest appearances, Spring Showers follows the healing journey of two strangers who are desperately running from their pasts. When they collide at a wellness retreat, their lives change forever. 

When did you first consider yourself a writer?
I’ve been a writer for as long as I can remember. In my youth, I would spend my time writing little poems, song lyrics, or more first-chapters than I can count. But I never considered myself a real writer. Until I did.

I know the exact day that I beat imposter syndrome. February 21, 2023 someone asked me what I do, and I answered “I write novels”. It was the first time that I didn’t hesitate in my answer, and my boldness was freeing.

Do you write full-time? If so, what’s your workday like? If not, what do you do other than write and how do you find time to write?
Let me begin by saying that there is no right or wrong way to be a writer. One piece of advice I hear often is that a writer should write every day. I totally disagree and have spoken on this topic at length on my social media and blog. It is important for a writer to be consistent, but have grace for the fact that life is messy and unpredictable.

Being a mother is my full time job. I am a home educator and have been homeschooling for over a decade. Teaching my children, now teens, has been the best and most rewarding decision of my adult life, and doing it well takes up the better part of my brain power. I have and always will put my family’s needs first. Now that my children are older, I have more time, and energy to devote to my writing.

I have a lovely office from which to work. The space helps me transition into writing mode amidst all the chaos. I set time aside almost every afternoon to work on my writing career. I say writing career and not writing, because some days the words don’t flow, but there are still a million other things I can work on to propel me towards my goals. I have a list of things that include blogging, social posting, recording reels, researching, reading in my genre, connecting with other authors or readers, and more that I can pull from when I dont have the mind to work on a project or the time.

Links:
Blog | Instagram | Threads | Facebook | Amazon | Barnes and Noble | Goodreads | iTunes | Kobo | Smashwords | Google Play | 5PP

a Rafflecopter giveaway