Tonight I am happily welcoming Ms. Eide to my blog, as our paths originally crossed whilst watching the First Season of “When Calls the Heart” on Hallmark Channel. I was joyfully thrilled to support a series of heart-warming drama and inspiring story-lines as I readily became caught up in the joy of being a “Hearties” girl! Through my enthused and joyful tweeting on behalf of the series, cast, and crew, Ms. Eide and I started to cross paths with each other through the twitterverse. It was through this connection to each other, she had reached out to me to see if I would be interested in reading her debut novel “Like There’s No Tomorrow” for which I was happily excited about learning more about!

I have always been drawn into inspirational fiction stories where the cast of characters not only endear you to their lives but they have a wonderful uplift of spirit attached within the heart of where the novels lead you to go as a reader. I believe this is one reason I have always read between markets of Inspirational & Mainstream Fiction — in order to capture a well-rounded selection of classical and contemporary writers who knit heart and soul into the backbone of their releases.

I was thankful I could converse with Ms. Eide ahead of posting my thoughts on behalf of Like There’s No Tomorrow, not only a chance to explore the back-story of how the novel was created but to get to know a follower and chatter of mine from Twitter! I am including her in my showcase for #IndieWriterMonth as she is published by a small independent publisher: Ashbury Lane Publishing. You can read the full story of how this Indie Pub began and how it is run by a mother-daughter team, but what interested me is how beautiful of a job they did with the cover art for Like There’s No Tomorrow as much as the arrangement of the book in print; from the back-cover copy to the typography they picked for the text of the novel itself. I was quite impressed by the way in which they packaged the book and how they highlighted both the story and the author.

To me, Indie Publishers are the publishers who operate outside the Major Trade market, are independently run, owned, and support publishing those writers who want to have the flexibility and the freedom which indie pub affords those who want to maintain their creative liberties. Throughout November, it is my pleasure to highlight the writers who are choosing alternative avenues towards being published, such as Ms. Eide and who are releasing stories outside the Major Trade market.

The small press branch of publishing are creating beautiful opportunities for readers to read stories that otherwise might not have become published and available in print. Likewise, most writers cross-release their stories in ebook & print formats, but for me, novels will always remain read in print.

Book Synopsis:

Like There’s No Tomorrow is an amusing yet tender love story about two kind, single caretakers, two quirky, old Scottish sisters bent on reuniting, and too many agendas. It’s a tale of family, fiery furnaces, falling in love, faith, and the gift of each new day.

What if loving means letting go?

Scottish widower Ian MacLean is plagued by a mischievous grannie, bitter regrets, and an ache for something he’ll never have again. His only hope for freedom is to bring his grannie’s sister home from America. But first, he’ll have to convince her lovely companion, Emily, to let her go.

Emily Chapman devotes herself to foster youth and her beloved Aunt Grace. Caring for others quiets a secret fear she holds close to her heart. But when Ian appears, wanting to whisk Grace off to Scotland, everything Emily needs to protect—including her heart—is at risk.

As you debuted as a short story author, what do you feel is the best part about releasing your first debut novel? Do you find that you appreciate writing one style of story over the other or enjoy each equally?

Eide responds: Since my first book, a Christmas novella, released only as an eBook, the best part of releasing a full-length novel is the ability to hold the book in my hands! I enjoyed taking a break from full length stories to write the shorter one when the opportunity arose, and it was gratifying to see a story come together in such a short time – in one month instead of nearly a year. But at this point in my writing journey, I feel a full-length story is where my heart is. It allows for deeper exploration of each character’s heart and soul, allows for a little more complexity of conflict and some interesting subplots. And of course, more room for those kooky secondary characters who try to take center stage.

Letters & Correspondences play a role in the story “Like There’s No Tomorrow” – did you have a moment in your life where the exchange of letters inspired this thread of narrative? Why do you think today’s world is so focused on immediate responses when taking time to compose our thoughts on paper and inside a card gives the receiver the benefit of hearing our innermost thoughts?

Eide responds: Unfortunately, we are so used to quick responses that leave so much unsaid, and tone and so much is lost. There is a true story that inspired the letter-aspect of the story. My Norwegian friend’s sister met my American brother when she visited the US, and when she returned home, they began corresponding and married soon after. Of course, their correspondence was via email, but the idea of a couple getting acquainted by letter rather than face to inspired this story. I wanted to use letters for this setting instead of email (at first) because it provided a better look at the type of bond between the two elderly sisters. Since I happen to appreciate the “voice” that comes through in a person’s written words, I wanted Emily to “know” Ian through his written voice, his word choice, his subtle wit, etc. I find the written word (fully formed thoughts and dialogue) fascinating and think it’s becoming a lost art form.

Scotland is a classic setting for a Romance, how did this curiously attractive locale stitch itself into your heart when you chose it for your story? 

Eide responds: First off, it made best sense that both countries in this story should be English-speaking, which narrows the field a bit. And yes, Scotland is a very attractive locale. I suppose it’s a place I’ve longed to visit. So setting a story there allowed me to visit it the next best way—via research—while crafting and dreaming up the story.

I was most appreciative to see that you included a story about Foster Care and Foster Children inside “Like There’s No Tomorrow”. I was curious if you based Emily Chapman on someone you knew in real-life who was dedicating their lives to fosters? 

Eide responds: The home where Emily works, Juniper Ranch Group Home, is the setting for my second book coming May 2015, Sandcastles in Snow. By the time I put Emily to work there, I was already planning the second story which focuses on Sue Quinn, the home’s director. Juniper Ranch was inspired by a real group home. The idea for Sandcastles in Snow came to me after I received a Christmas letter (see, some people still write them!) from my niece who was a live-in counselor at a similar foster group home for teens. Her heart for kids with diminishing prospects for adoption touched and inspired me to write about a place where unwanted kids lived, run a woman who sympathizes because her own history of abandonment. It’s a painful subject, one that I wanted to bring into the light with the hope offered in the Psalms. Read More