While I was traveling I came across the cutest tearoom , Rose Cottage Tearoom in the small village of Middlebury. I just had to go in and see if they had my favorite tea. Once inside I couldn't believe it. Right there sitting waiting to get her tea was Anita Higman. I just couldn't believe it. I have been wanting to chat with her. Come on over to our table and join us with a cup of your favorite tea. While I interview Anita.
Pssst... while your here I want to let you know we will be giving away 3 yes that's right 3 books of " A Marriage in Middlebury". Maybe we can even get her to sign them. Please enter at the end of the interview. While your here will you join my blog?
Diana:
What
was your inspiration for A Marriage in
Middlebury?
Anita:
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
cafĂ©—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.
Diana:
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?
Anita:
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.
Diana:
Charlotte
was pressured into breaking off her relationship with Sam by Sam’s father - how
should we react to family pressures and difficult
relatives?
Anita:
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.
Diana:
Is
there a certain Bible passage or verse that goes along with the theme of A Marriage in
Middlebury?
Anita:
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)
and he will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3:5-6 (NIV)
Diana:
Are
any of the characters or events in A
Marriage in Middlebury based on your own experiences?
Anita:
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!
Diana:
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?
Anita:
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.
Diana:
What
do you hope readers will walk away with after they turn the last page of A Marriage in
Middlebury?
Anita:
That
with God all things are possible!
Diana:
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?
Anita:
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.
Diana
Before
becoming a writer, you had number of interesting jobs - what was it about
writing that drew you in?
Anita:
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.
Thanks so much Anita for chatting with me. I really enjoyed it. The tea is wonderful here at
Rose Cottage Tearoom .
Rose Cottage Tearoom .
Now Anita is so kind to giveaway three copies of her book . Please take a chance below to win.
Wonderful interview! And also a wonderful book, I very much enjoyed it when I read it!
ReplyDeleteBlessings to both of you ladies!
Jasmine
Thanks for stopping by! Love Anita's books,
DeleteI enjoyed this interview. First time to this blog. I'll be coming back. Would love to win a copy of the book. Sounds delightful!
ReplyDeleteRose thanks for stopping by my blog. You will love this book. Anita is a wonderful writer.
DeleteThanks Diana and Anita . Loved the interview. Would love to win and if I did I would give it to a friend so they could learn about Anita Higman and her wonderful books .
ReplyDeletelizd225(at)gmail(dot)com
awesome way to spread a good book around. Thanks for stopping by Liz. I know you know how wonderful this book and Anita are.
ReplyDeletevery nice. Love the tea cup header, too (shared on Google+)
ReplyDeleteThanks so much Vera, Glad you stopped by. I know you will enjoy the book. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteI love the banner of this blog. So cute and clever and inviting! Thanks for featuring my work and for all the comments. You gals are terrific!
ReplyDeleteAnita Higman
Thanks Anita for letting me be a part I have really enjoyed it. I love your books hope to keep on your team.
ReplyDeleteDiana and Anita great interview i like the way you did the question and how Anita answered them. Went you are hit with things, the best thing to do is always turn to God for the answer, He will guide you through it all if you truest in Him. I enjoyed ever book of Anita's, that i have read. She is a wonderful author.If i win i will give it to a friend so she can tell other people about Anita book.Thank you Diana.
ReplyDelete