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More from Sara Beth

I’d had the beginnings of the story that is When Hearts Collide, in my mind for many years after I graduated high school. There are a number of personal experiences both from high school and after, which have influenced this story. Attending a memorial service for a fellow high school student who died in a car accident heavily influenced the early drafts of my novel; however, over time the accident itself, and the surrounding circumstances morphed into something else entirely.

The more books I read, no matter the genre, the more I am drawn to authentic, broken characters, who long for (and hopefully achieve) a second chance – both in love and in life. This is the essence of When Hearts Collide. Both Lacey and Jay long for a second chance in many aspects of their lives.

One of the key components in my writing and storytelling is creating authentic characters who experience real life challenges while embarking on a journey of faith.

I hope you truly enjoy this story of romance, faith, forgiveness, and second chances.

Mindy Houng’s Q&A with Sara Beth

Which part of the book was the most difficult to write?

My goal as a writer is to craft authentic characters going through realistic difficult experiences. Characters with layers. Difficult backgrounds. Not the cookie cutter characters you used to find in romance novels back in the day. Writing about an ex con was challenging. How gritty do you go for a Christian audience? How does their background affect who they are now? How did serving time affect who they are now? Did I go deep enough? Did I create a believable Christian character? That aspect of the storyline was challenging for me.

What inspired this book?

I’d had the beginnings of the story that is When Hearts Collide, in my mind for many years after I graduated high school. It was partially inspired by a YA book I read in high school that I cannot remember the name of, and it’s almost Romeo & Juliet-esque. (You’ll have to read it to figure out why.) I recall reading a handful of contemporary YA Romeo & Juliet retellings and being inspired by those.

I remember, junior year in high school, sitting in the balcony at a memorial service for a young high school kid who died in a car accident; many of my early drafts began with recreations of that very event. The car accident, the memorial service, how the family reacted, who might have been involved. Even now, in the final draft, you’ll see images and references of the memorial service. Over the years, the car accident itself morphed into something much different.

Which author influenced the you most?

The moment I picked up the first book in the Jewel Series by Hallee Bridgeman, I began to entertain the idea of actually publishing the stories taking up so much space in my head. I felt at the time (2013) that we had a similar writing voice and style. Now the more I’ve written and honed my craft, the more stories I’ve drafted, I think I’ve finally found my own unique style and tone. But all her books have been and continue to be inspirational to me – they seem to act as an unvoiced encouragement to me to keep going.

 

What are you reading right now?

I’ve just finished up Knox by Susan May Warren and I’m thrilled. I can’t believe it took me this long to get into her books. What a fabulous read. I’m currently reading any CF book with a musician as a main character in preparation for my next two book projects. One which comes out in 2021. Both have musicians as heroes.

If you could have one book or piece of art or music on a deserted island, what would it be and why?

Ok this is going to sound so cliché, but I would love to have a good, solid hardback Bible with me. I’d love to have absolutely no distractions and poor myself into reading the Bible. From every single angle – spiritually and historically, it’s fascinating to study all the stories and verses through the Bible and to see how they all connect in the bigger picture of God’s plan. The Bible is not only a spiritual guide for my life, but a beautiful piece of literature in so many, many ways.

Thank you, Sara Beth, for letting us get to know you better!

Blog Stops

Inklings and notions, September 9

Remembrancy, September 10

Simple Harvest Reads, September 11 (Author Interview)

Godly Book Reviews, September 12

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, September 13

Artistic Nobody, September 14 (Guest Review from Joni Truex)

Texas Book-aholic, September 15

Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, September 16

A Baker’s Perspective, September 17 (Author Interview)

Mypreciousbitsandmusings, September 17

For Him and My Family, September 18

Locks, Hooks and Books, September 19

Sara Jane Jacobs, September 20

Blossoms and Blessings, September 21 (Author Interview)

Cultivating Us, September 21

Ashley’s Bookshelf, September 22

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Sara is giving away the grand prize package of a $25 Amazon gift card and a signed copy of the winner’s choice of one of Sara’s books!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

https://promosimple.com/ps/10096/when-hearts-collide-celebration-tour-giveaway