Welcome to Author Spotlight! Each week will feature a different author. We’ll get the scoop behind their writing life and dish a little. The authors will also be giving away a copy of their latest book. FUN.
The winner from last week’s Author Spotlight giveaway of A Bride for Keeps is Cathy Cermele! Please email info@suzannewoodsfisher.com with your mailing address to claim your prize.
This week we are featuring Anita Higman! To enter to win a copy of her new book A Marriage In Middlebury (Abingdon Press), leave a comment on this post.
Tell us a little about your new book . . . A Marriage in Middlebury is lighter fare than my other new release, Winter in Full Bloom. This latest story is set in a small town in Texas, and it’s about the complex, quirky, and sometimes prickly interworkings of the folks who frequent the local tearoom in Middlebury. I hope readers find it to be a fun ride.
The idea for the heroine and the story, A Marriage in Middlebury, came from my absolute love of tearooms in Texas. 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. Throughout the years I’ve enjoyed her wonderful tearoom fare as well as the quaint ambiance. Linda’s tearoom isn’t just a café—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.
How can readers find you and your books? Please visit my website or chat with me on my Facebook Reader Page.
Why do you write? I don’t seem to have a choice in the matter. I have to tell these stories in my head.
What are you best known for . . . writing or otherwise? I like to say that I write stories with a soft landing, because life is hard. That sort of summarizes what I do. Also, I’m known for my fancy teas and brunches. I have been collecting pretty tea dishes for many years, and I know how to put on a tea that would make Jane Austen envious.
If you could wish one thing for your future, what would it be? Two of my novels are optioned for movies, so my dream is to see one or more of my stories made into a film for TV or the silver screen.
Best author moment? When a reader said he wanted to try to reconcile with his family because of reading one of my novels.
Worst author moment? I’ve had sooo many, I’m really not sure where to begin or end.
If you weren’t able to write, what would you do? I’d be a decorator or a landscaper.
Right this moment, what does your office look like? Like a dust devil hit it and no one bothered to do any clean-up.
If you could write any book—on any topic—and be guaranteed a publishing contract, what topic would it be? (Or genre?) Edgy YA from a Christian world-view.
Ever had a bad review? How did you handle it? I cried. I whined to my husband. I talked to God about it. Then I got over it (hopefully) and moved on.
What’s one thing you learned about the publishing industry in last five years? Last year? Last six months? This industry is changing faster than I can keep up. But I’m trying!
How do you solve a grammar dilemma? I change the sentence so I don’t have to look up the rule.
Are you an introvert? Extrovert? In between? In Between. My mom was kind of a hermit and my dad never met a person he didn’t want to visit with. It was an interesting and complicated ride growing up. But I see both of those qualities in me.
Do you enjoy public speaking as an author? Why or why not? I do speak, but I can’t say I enjoy it all that much. I’d rather be home with my imaginary friends.
Describe your ideal circumstances to write. I imagine a tiny rustic cabin in the woods that overlooks a burbling stream. Every weekday morning I stroll along a fern-laden trail to the cabin, have a cup of French roast coffee by the stream, and then go to my loft (with a window that overlooks the stream) in the cabin and start dreaming. Okay, doesn’t that sound like a corner of heaven?
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There is one tea room about half an hour from me which is nice, although I have not been there for quite a while. They have very nice mis-matched old china and tea pots and there are two tiny tables with child-sized tea sets in the front bay windows where children can sit to eat.
Good luck with your book!
I think a tea room would be a delightful place to go. There isn’t one close to me so I will just have to go to one through your book. I can’t wait!
melback at cebridge dot net
I love the idea of gathering at a local tearoom and can’t wait to read about the quirky characters and Southern charm in A MARRIAGE IN MIDDLEBURY!
Sounds like a wonderful read! Glad to be introduced to a new author and delightful book. Hope to win it!
susanlulu@yahoo.com
The last time I visited a tearoom was with my great grandmother. Great memories! Would love to read your book.
Your tea room in A Marriage in Middlebury sounds like a fun place to visit.
susanmsj at msn dot com
Love to find new authors to read, am anxious to get this book. It really sounds like a good one.
I enjoy going to tea rooms and meeting new people.
I LOVE your answer re: grammar problems! I do the same thing! LOL! Your book sounds like one that I won’t want to put down until the last page!
Hello Suzanne and Anita. Very interesting answers to the interview questions Anita. I’d have to agree with you about changing the wording in a sentence. 🙂 and, loved the answer about the dust devil.
We have a Tea Room here where I live. Our Widows Friendship Group meets there now and then. Love it. Small and cozy. It was started by the older sister of one of my friends. And she use to live there when it was her sister’s home. This lady is older than me she was a young girl at that time. Some of the original things that belonged to her sister are still there. Makes it extra special going there. And, especially for this friend. How neat it would be to have movie’s made from your books. Please put my name in the drawing. Maxie mac262(at)me(dot)com
I love the dust devil comment. 🙂
I live in a small town, so this book should be a good one for me!
I love the fact you change the sentence when you have a grammar issue! In the family & church I am known as the “grammar police” because I was always reading papers & trying to teach my children & others about punctuation, sentence structure, etc. Seems as though it would have saved me a lot of red ink if they would have followed your lead! But perhaps they learned something – both made it through college & grad school. Good luck with your writing!
Hi Everyone,
Thanks, Suzanne, for featuring my work on your blog. I enjoyed reading the comments. And yes, I too would love to see films made out of my novels. What fun that would be!
Merry Christmas to you all!
Anita Higman
Loved your interview. Love tearooms as well – there is such an old world atmosphere. Can’t wait to read your book!
would love to win.
Cant wait to read this.
Great interview Anita! Love a good tearoom!!Love to win your book too!
What a nice interview! I, too, envision a spot similar to her piece of heaven to write in, but for me to do my quilting!! The book sounds great! chendryx(at)nctv(dot)com
A tearoom locale is wonderful. Love tea and tearooms. Best wishes.
I have often thought of opening a tea shop/bakery. I attended my first tea last year and LOVED it. What an amazing experience. I would love a spot like she described in the interview. Sounds quite heavenly to me.
Wouldn’t it be fun to find a tearoom in the middle of a bookstore’s tall shelves?? Now, that would be heavenly! I love tearooms! And… of course, books even more. To snuggle down in a leather chair with a favorite book. I am looking forward to reading A Marriage in Middlebury and have read Winter in Full Bloom ~ with the most beautiful cover like you could feel the snowflakes coming down. So appreciate these writings. Kathleen ~ Lane Hill House lanehillhouse[at]centurylink[dot]net
Lovely interview tea rooms sound wonderful
When I was visiting my sister and husband when they lived in Frisco, TX, they took me to a Christmas Tea at the Dallas Arboretum. Have also been to High Tea on a cruise.
Enjoyed your interview. Looking for lighter reading right now, so this book seems to fit the bill.
An early Merry Christmas!
Thank you for your generosity in giving a free copy out to a lucky reader.
I would love to have the tiny cabin with the burbling stream. Sounds like heaven to me. I can’t wait to read your book.
Thank you and God bless
Sounds like a fun book, I would love to win it.
There is a neat tea room about 30 miles from me. It is in a quaint little town, in an old building on Main St. You and your party can have your picture made in stylish hats, enjoy tiny sandwiches, small deserts, etc
Thanks for the interview ladies! I ma really looking forward to reading this book.
I’d like to sit in a tea room and read A Marriage in Middlebury.
Thanks,
Carolyn J.
My daughters and I love a trip to a tea room to experience lovely tea cups, pots and delicious teas. Please add me for Antia’s book, it sounds delightful.
Never been to a Tea Room but sounds like it’s something I would enjoy since I love to Drink Tea
And talk with others..
Great book, it seem like Charlotte really enjoys serving up delicious uniquely blend of tea. I really like the way that Anita Higman always put GOD in each of her character lives. Fantastic interview Anita and Suzanna, great questions and answers. GOD blessings .
Norma
I love how you change the sentence so you do not have to look up the rule. I do that and change the words so I spell them correctly.
Would love to win this book!
Always like to learn about new (to me) authors!! Would love to read this book!!
Wow, Cathy’s ideal setting to write is what mine would be. I very much enjoyed reading about tea rooms and her love for them and her collecting of tea sets. I would love to read her book: A Marriage in Middlebury and I would love to win a copy. Thank you for sharing!
I’m sorry, I meant to say Anita instead of Cathy. Anita Higman, I will be checking out your books.
Thanks for the giveaway and for introducing me to many new writers.
I have not been to a tea room…but it does sound fun! For now I will have to enjoy it through your book. Would love to win!
I enjoyed the interview. What I like about these types of interviews is that I learn more about the author and their book types. This book sounds like a great read. I hope I win.
I enjoyed the interview and getting to know more about Anita Higman. Even tho I have never visited a tearoom, I have read about them and always enjoyed the stories. I know I would enjoy this book. Thank you for the chance to enter.
would love to win
I love new books from new authors!!
went to a tea room in Victoria, BC and loved it; we took our Mom on a trip after she found out she had little time to live. All of us enjoyed the dainty sandwiches, scones, tea and dainties
I would love to visit a tearoom.Looking forward to reading this book.
I have Winter In Full Bloom and would love to win and read your new book. sharon, ca
I would love to read this book. And I love your name!
There’s a Tea Room in the town next to mine and every once in a while, my cousin’s and I get together to enjoy each others company and drink chia tea and have finger sandwiches! Also, I have always dreamed of owning a tiny rustic cabin in the woods that overlooks a burbling stream. That does sound like a corner of heaven!
Small towns? Quirky folks and going-ons? Sounds like it could be my small town, however we don’t have a tea room. Wish it we did…love em!
Can hardly wait to read this book!
Thanks so much for the fun interview! I hope one of your books gets made into a movie, too. And your description of the ideal writing spot sounds like the perfect place to write … and read your books!
A local tea room would be a great idea. I love tea, as do my friends. Our church holds a Ladies Christmas Tea every year, which is always overcrowded with attendees. Everyone loves the idea of sitting in a pretty room, sipping delicious teas, and fellowshipping. Thank you for the interview!
love tea, tea rooms, tea pots, tea cups, love the story so much !
Blessings
Linda Finn
I would love to read this.
Sounds like an interesting book to read!
I loved reading about your fantasy place to write!
Wish we had a tea room here in my neighborhood…there aren’t any in my area at all….tea room, closeness, family, can’t wait to read
Sounds like a great book. Enjoyed the interview.
Tammy Hudson
HUBTIVOLI1@YAHOO.COM
I LOVE tea rooms! One of m BFF’s used to have a room in her house set up for tea’s and would do them for hire. One year for my youngest daughter’s 6th birthday, we had a tea party at our house with my friend’s help. I also enjoy when we go to Boulder, CO–they have Celestial Seasonings Tea Factory tour (for free!) outside of town and they also have an Oriental Tea House in town, that is beautiful & I love going there for lunch, even o my own (but more fun with my husband or a friend). I would love to spend an entire day in a tea house, sipping on tea and reading a great book, such as yours. Thanks for the opportunity to win your book–(pick me!). 😉
I love tea rooms!
I would love to read this book ! Thanks for the opportunity
A tea room sounds like it would be such a nice place to go! I wish we had one down here where we live. Enjoyed your Blog and meeting you also. I would love to win this book. Thanks for the chance to do so. Judy F
I love to read books that the setting is in a small town. Maybe it’s because I’m from a small town. I’ve never had the opportunity to go to a tearoom. Hopefully, I will have that opportunity. Would love to win your book. Thank you for the chance to enter this giveaway.
Sounds like a fun book! Would love to win!
Hi, Anita!
Teas, & tea rooms, are a passion of mine, also, Anita! There is a beautiful tea & gift shop near me, owned & operated by 2 Christian sisters (who used to have bible studies one night a week in the tea shop). Each of the 3 tea rooms is decorated differently, there is a tea bar, also. The delicious food is prepared on site, & I love trying the different tea flavors. I have had a full tea there numerous times, they also have themed tea parties, & teas, especially for young girls.
I loved your interview, & learning more about your, your writing, & your books. I haven’t read any of your books, & would love to read “A Marriage in Middlebury”! Thanks for the giveaway opportunity!
Will read this book for sure. Would love to read it as my own copy
Would love to win.
I enjoyed reading the interview! Sounds like a great book!