Welcome back to the blog, June! Tell us a little bit about your Christmas Novella:

The men in Noel Kendrick’s life have always lied to her. When she accepts her pastor’s plea to head the Christmas nativity scene project, she doesn’t realize the job requires her to work with Carson Shumate, the handsome youth pastor with midnight blue eyes. Despite her efforts to keep her emotional distance, she falls hard after a kiss under the mistletoe.

But Carson has a secret of his own. If he reveals the truth about his identical twin to his church, he fears they will fire him, and he could lose Noel.

A Kiss Under the Mistletoe is the sequel to An Unexpected Family.

What was the catalyst for your interest in writing?

In 2010, the Lord put a story in my mind and heart. I knew then I had to write it though I knew nothing about fiction writing. Since then, I’ve studied tons of how to books, attended writing workshops, and worked with many critique groups. My stories delve into difficult subject matter, and I write from a Christian point of view.

Are you a plotter or a panster?

I’m a plotter. Before I start writing the story, I do a GMC on both the heroine and the hero. Next is my favorite part. I scan the internet to find images of most of the main characters. They must look exactly like I have pictured them in my mind. The only drawback is, it’s difficult to later find pictures for the cover. Then my plotter self goes on to write a short synopsis of every scene all the way to the end. But on occasion, the characters tell me something I hadn’t known before – or they might change things up a little.

What does your family think of your writing?

I didn’t start writing until after my children were grown, for which I’m grateful. I truly admire people who can write as well as manage a job and a family. When I first started writing, my husband thought it was a hobby that would soon blow over. It didn’t. Now he’s my best support system. He even helps me plot at times.

Are you part of a writing group?

Yes, I just joined Word Weavers, a group of 5 other ladies. We meet once a month. Each member must be a member of the national Word Weavers organization. We critique a chapter or 1500 words for each member using the sandwich method. A positive remark, a helpful criticism, then another positive.

Who was the first person you allowed to read your completed book? Since I’ve worked with critique groups from the beginning, I’d have to say each member of my critique group – week by week.

What’s next for you as an author?

Right now, I’m working on a romantic suspense, The Inn at Cranberry Cove, which will be out in December. Ashton Price inherits her aunt’s B&B in Cranberry Cove, Washington. But when an intruder continues to invade her home, she must turn to the handsome gardener, James Atwood, for help. But James, heir to the thriving cranberry industry, hides a secret he can’t reveal.

That sounds exciting! Let’s show our readers your lovely cover for this book:

Share your favorite excerpt from your book:

Twenty feet away, a familiar-looking guy stood to the right of the tree, a woolen cap covering his head and scarf around his neck.

He reached for a slender young woman beside him and pulled her close.

Noel gasped.

Carson? What? She walked closer and peered at his midnight blue eyes, shapely nose, and the lips that had so recently kissed her.

The blond glanced up at him as if he were the most wonderful man in the world and tiptoed to whisper in his ear.

He leaned forward and nuzzled her neck.

Noel couldn’t move, transfixed by the surreal scene before her. Then reality smacked her in the face, stinging her cheeks.

Carson peered down into the eyes of another woman as if enthralled by her presence.

The absurd truth impacted her like a slap to the face. He’d looked at Noel the same way. The facts slowly washed over her. Carson wasn’t who she’d thought he was.

After he released the woman, he glanced in Noel’s direction as if he’d never seen her before.

Noel crept closer, first unbelief, then anger mixed with jealousy, threatened to explode. She dug her nails into her palms until it hurt. How could he kiss another woman after he’d promised he’d never do anything to hurt her? She’d been such a fool to believe him, to trust him. He even acted as if he didn’t care whether she saw him or not.

She closed the distance between him and the girl, fury creating a fireball in her gut, begging to be released. She’d believed him when he’d said he found her overweight body alluring. Ha. He cuddled a woman with an attractively thin shape. A burning tear fell to her cheek.

Noel tried to take a breath, but the effort didn’t force air to the bottom of her lungs.

Now standing no more than five feet from them, Noel glared. There was no denying the man in front of her was Carson Shumate. “I can’t believe it.” The words gushed like water rushing along a rain-swollen river.

Carson’s eyes grew large, and he stared at her. The creep. He never thought she’d spot him in Riverview, no doubt.

“Aren’t you going to introduce me to your other girlfriend?”

“Other girlfriend?” Carson took a few steps away from the girl. “What are you talking about?”

“Don’t play innocent with me.” Noel couldn’t gain control. She turned toward the petite woman. “You may want to know your boyfriend is a player. He’s been stringing me along while he’s with you.”

The other woman glared at Carson. “Is that true?”

“No.” He raised his palms like a thief in surrender. “Let me explain.”

Noel puffed a fast breath. Carson had denied dating her.

She wasn’t about to stand for his concocted story, trying to get himself out of trouble. As one last blast of anger shot through her, her hand obeyed the command her emotions ordered. She tightened her fist and punched him hard, under the sternum.

“Arg.” Carson grabbed his stomach and bent forward.

When he straightened, the girlfriend whacked his cheek. ” You jerk. Don’t bother calling me anymore.”

“Or me.” Noel never dreamed history would repeat itself. She marched in the opposite direction, breathing hard. She barely noticed Santa’s sled and his reindeer as she made her way to find Kathleen.

June is giving away an E-book copy of A Kiss Under the Mistletoe to one lucky commentator! Do you read Christmas Novellas? Do you prefer them to watching Hallmark movies? Leave a comment to be entered!

You can also buy the book here: https://amzn.to/2FjUR4a

Please check our June online at these sites:

1. www.junefoster.com
2. https://www.amazon.com/author/junefoster
3. https://twitter.com/vjifoster
4. https://www.facebook.com/authorjunefoster
5. http://pinterest.com/junefoster
6. https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5755395.June_Foster

An award-winning author, June Foster is also a retired teacher with a BA in Education and a MA in counseling. She is the mother of two and grandmother of ten. June began writing Christian romance in 2010. She penned her first novel on her Toshiba laptop as she and her husband traveled the US in their RV. Her adventures provide a rich source of information for her novels. She brags about visiting a location before it becomes the setting in her next book.

To date, June has written twenty-two contemporary romance and romantic suspense novels and novellas. She loves to compose stories about characters who overcome the circumstances in their lives by the power of God and His Word. June uses her training in counseling and her Christian beliefs in creating characters who find freedom to live godly lives. She’s published with Winged Publications. Visit June at www.junefoster.com to see a complete list of her books.