Getting to Know you with Kimberley Rose Johnson

Please welcome Kimberley Johnson to my blog today. Kimberley is a Heartsong Presents author and she has a new book coming out in June.

1. Can you tell us a little about yourself?

I’m a mom of two teen boys, I’ve been married to my college sweetheart for 23 years and I live in the Pacific NW.

2. When you were a child did you have a favourite book or books?

I had a couple of favorites. When I was under the age of six I loved Sammy the Seal. I can’t tell you how many times I checked it out from the library. Then I’m guessing around the third grade I read a book call Can I Get there by Candlelight. I still have that on my bookshelf. Once I hit middle school I started reading romance books and have enjoyed them ever sense. (Jenny here love you mentioning a book from when you were so young. One of my favourites I still have is a book with 3 fairy tales and it introduced me to The Snow Queen which I loved.)

3. Do you have a favourite Genre to both read and right write?

My favorite genre to write is contemporary Christian romance, and I like to mix up reading between romantic suspense and contemporary romance.

4. Did you have favourite authors growing up who have influenced you?

Let me preface this with I never imagined I’d be a writer, so there is no one writer that influenced my writing directly. I read a ton of Grace Livingston Hill books growing up. I also really enjoyed a Christian book club that mailed out novels that are about the length of Heartsong Presents books, but I’m pretty sure they were a different Publisher—the name escapes me.

5. When did you know you wanted to be an author?

About ten years ago.

6. How did you go about becoming an author?

I didn’t have a clue about how to write, or get published. In fact, I didn’t know writer’s groups like American Christian Fiction Writers existed.  LOL, I didn’t even know how to send an email back then.

What I did know was that I had a story to write, so over the course of a year during snippets of time, I wrote. When the story was complete I started researching how to get a book published. Long story short I self published and in the process that company taught me how to get my feet wet in the world of publishing. I discovered writers groups and attended my first writer’s conference in 2006.

I studied the craft, wrote every day, and eventually acquired my agent who sold my first series to Heartsong Presents. A Romance Rekindled is the second book in that series, but each book stands alone.

7. If you were not a writer what would you like to be?

Before I was a writer I taught piano lessons. I imagine if I wasn’t writing fulltime I would still be teaching piano.

8. Outside reading and writing what do you like to do?

You mean there is more to life than reading and writing? LOL

I enjoy walks with my husband and yellow lab, coffee with friends, and attending my son’s band concerts. There really isn’t time for much else outside of my normal routine.

9. Do you have a place you love to visit?

This past year my husband and I went to Orland Florida. That had been on my bucket list since I was a young girl. I need to come up with someplace new now.

10. If you could have a meal with 3 living people who would you choose and why?

Debbie Macomber because I admire her writing and all that she has accomplished. I’d also choose my two critique partners I’ve never met in person, Margaret Daley and Vickie McDonough. I think these three writers would make for a very interesting and fun dinner party. (Jenny again, I would love to meet Margaret and Vickie also they both write books I love and contributed to my album I made for my birthday).

Finally can you tell us about your current books and/or any that will
be coming out soon. Also where we can find you on the web.

You can find me at http://kimberlyrjohnson.com/

I have a series with Heartsong Presents that takes place in Leavenworth, WA. Leavenworth is a Bavarian themed village nested in the Washington Cascades. The first book, A Christmas Promise, released this past November. Book two, A Romance Rekindled, releases in June. Here’s the back cover blurb.

SUSAN HILL ISN'T READY TO FORGIVE 
The small-town CPA can't forget how Blake Mitchell jilted her and left their hometown without an explanation. But when her first love returns to Leavenworth, the ruggedly handsome writer evokes conflicting emotions, especially when Susan meets the child she assumes is his daughter. 
Since his parents' deaths six years ago, Blake's been raising his little sister on his own. But he's never forgotten the woman he left behind. Now, he can't undo the past, but maybe he can change the future…if he can convince Susan to give him one more chance.

Thanks again for your time and agreeing to be on my blog. Thanks for having me!.