"When Hearts Collide" by Sara Beth Williams -- Author Interview, Blog Post, and Giveaway

 

About the Book

Book:  When Hearts Collide

Author: Sara Beth Williams

Genre:  Contemporary Christian Romance

Release Date: September 10, 2018

A reckless mistake landed Jacob “Jay” Mathews behind bars, but it was his inescapable guilt that led him to God. Upon his release, with the help of a spiritual mentor and friend, he strives to move forward with his life. Determined to graduate college, get a job, and follow God’s word, the last thing Jay needs or wants is a girlfriend. Until he meets Lacey Bennett.

When fervent prayers for reconciliation between her divorced parents go unanswered, and her older sister tragically dies, Lacey questions how God could allow such tragedies to befall her family. Turning her back on her past and God, she focuses on her future. College and theater are her ultimate goals; falling for the one type of guy she swore to avoid—a Christian—is not. No matter how much she wants to resist, Jay is irresistible.

 As their relationship deepens, Jay struggles with Lacey’s unresolved anger and her unwillingness to even discuss faith. All he wants to do is reveal how God changed his life, but doing so would mean revealing his status as an ex convict. Finally, as she begins to rekindle her faith, past secrets collide, threatening to destroy everything they’ve built. Now, Jay must rely on his faith more than he ever has before. Can they learn to forgive—or is their relationship fractured beyond repair?

 

Click here to get your copy!

 

Author Interview

1. Do you set a plot or prefer going wherever an idea takes you?

I prefer to free-write when I am in the beginning of a new story. If it’s part of a series, it’s less free-writing and more paragraph-plotting, if you will. Because I already know the main characters (unless I’m adding a brand new character)

But if I’m beginning a brand new story with brand new characters, free-writing is the easiest, most exciting way for me to get to know the characters, and to be able to listen to the characters, as well as to generate new ideas that will help progress the story forward. 

2. Do you pen down revelations and ideas as you get them, right then

and there? – if I have a notebook, yes. I try to carry a little notebook around with me. I also try to use my phone but that’s not always reliable and then I never go back to look at the notes. A notebook stays on my bookcase or in my purse until I’m ready to go back to look at it. 

3. When did it dawn upon you that you wanted to be a writer?

I think I’ve wanted to be a writer since junior high. However, after high school I recognized that the publishing industry was rapidly changing, and that it was going to be very difficult to get into it without some research. Also, directly after high school, as I began the skeleton draft of When Hearts Collide, I warred with myself for years as to what genre I actually wanted to write. I could not pin one down – so I abandoned the entire idea for quite a while. 

4. How long does it usually take you to write a book?

It really depends on what you mean by ‘write a book’. How long does it take to finish my first draft? Probably about 3 to 4 months. How long does it take to finish a manuscript to where it’s ready to pitch to agents/editors/publishers? About a year – if I work at it consistently. Generally longer, because I don’t have time to work on it constantly. I go through a lot of drafts haha. 

5. Do bits of yourself/friends show up in your characters?

Yes!! Especially in When Hearts Collide. I think Matt is the only character out of the 6 who does not have attributes and characteristics of friends or family.  I used to love theater in college – and a lot of Lacey’s personality as well, resembles me. A lot of Tara’s personality reflects that of one of my best friends. Not everything is exactly the same of course. Joel’s personality and likes/dislikes resemble a combination of my brother, and my husband. All the characters have a mix and match of physical characteristics from friends and family. 

About the Author

Sara Beth Williams is a wife, mother of two daughters, and temporary caretaker of a lovable old lady pit and a spunky Pomeranian-Shih Tzu mix. She lives in Northern California. When she’s not held hostage by the keyboard, she enjoys music, teaching, reading and spending time with her family. She is all about connecting with readers! Find her on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Goodreads, Bookbub and AllAuthor.

 

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. 

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