Welcome to the Blog + Review Tour for With You I Am by Cleopatra Margot, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!
Title: With You I Am
Series: Bryant Family #1
Author: Cleopatra Margot
Publisher: Faith to Love Publishing
Release Date: June 21, 2021
Genre: Contemporary Christian romance
Series: Bryant Family #1
Author: Cleopatra Margot
Publisher: Faith to Love Publishing
Release Date: June 21, 2021
Genre: Contemporary Christian romance
Event coordinator Noelle Carter's main priority is running the successful company her grandparents founded. After all, they're the ones who raised her, and she's the one they entrusted their company to after their deaths. So when a letter comes across her desk inviting her to plan the Spring Fling in her grandmother's hometown of Balsam Falls, Nebraska, she's faced with a choice: stay and work on maintaining Carter, Inc.'s current success, or go and take a leap of faith--outside of her comfort zone.
For contractor Wynn Bryant, helping others is the key to life's greatest blessings. Over the past ten years, he and his brother have built homes for those who need them, creating a reputable name for themselves. Between that and helping out at the Serendipity Inn, his parents' bed and breakfast, he's put his other dreams on the back burner for now. Until the mayor ropes him into restoring The Gardens with a beautiful but guarded young CEO from Mississippi.
Connected by a desire to help others, Wynn and Noelle dive into restoring a neglected piece of Balsam Falls's history while learning from, and of, their own pasts. Together they uncover past secrets, current challenges, and help each other discover healing and forgiveness in ways neither imagined. Will their discoveries lead to love, or are some things better left as they are?
PURCHASE LINKS*: Goodreads | Amazon
Welcome Cleopatra! Thank you for taking the time to answer my questions and allow my readers a chance to get to know you and your new book With You I Am.
I like to start these interviews the same way, with something fun to break the ice. Can you share 5 random facts about you that we will not find in your bio.
First of all, thank you so much for having me! Five facts about me that you will not find in my bio are:
1. I am the oldest of three kids, but I’m also the shortest at 5’1 and I often get mistaken as the middle or youngest child.
2. I was homeschooled from fifth grade through high school and just graduated this year.
3. Summertime is my favorite. I love to waterski on early morning glass-like water, spend days in the sun, and laugh with friends/family over good food.
4. I used to be absolutely terrified of dogs, but now my family has two golden retrievers and I love them!
5. I very much appreciate the song “Brown Eyed Girl” because it’s one of the few songs where a guy sings about a girl with brown eyes.
When did you first discover you had a passion and talent for writing?
I’m not sure there was ever a time when I didn’t like writing, but it wasn’t until 2017 when I co-wrote my first novel that I realized I loved it. Then in 2018 I wrote my first solo novel and the rest is history!
What drew you to writing faith-based romance?
My faith is super important to me, so that would be in anything I write or do. But I was drawn to romance because I just love love! I love writing love stories and creating characters who were “meant to be”. I’ve always been a Hallmark girl (most of their movies, anyway) and I enjoy writing stories that take it deeper than that those movies.
When it comes to writing, are you a planner or a pantser? What does the writing process look like for you?
I’m both! I usually write up a blurb like it would be on the back cover to start with, and then I just start writing. If I ever get stuck or need to make sure I incorporate something at a specific time, I’ll outline a little bit, but for the most part I’m pantser. I’ve only outlined one book before I wrote it, and that was The Floods Came because it was based on a true story and I needed to make sure the details were accurate. It usually takes me between one to three months to write the first draft, and then I edit, edit, edit.
What was the most challenging part of bringing this story to life?
The most challenging part of bringing this story to life was that I was in completely uncharted territory. I was creating a brand new setting with brand new characters and it was all a bit overwhelming to start with. But I can now confidently say that all the tears and questioning if I’d ever get it “right” was one-hundred percent worth it!
Can you tell us a little bit more about With You I Am?
With You I Am is a story of forgiveness. And while that’s a theme in every book I write, to a certain extent, there are several things in this book that many different people need to forgive and heal from. It’s a spring story, set at a perfect time for new life and new hope, and I think that compliments my characters and their story. It’s also my longest novel to date, but I had someone read it faster than any of my other books, so I think all those words matter for this story. I will say that two of my favorite characters are John and Jackie Bryant, Wynn’s parents. I gave each of them a backstory of their own, and I’ll share more and more about them in each book. I’m also hoping to do a prequel novella of their love story at some point!
What do you hope readers will take away from the book?
I hope readers finish With You I Am and pause to reflect on their life. Is there someone they need to forgive? Is there a situation they need to heal to move on from something? Is there a risk that they need to take? Part of the beauty, for me, about writing is that it causes me to ask those questions. I often find myself taking little risks because my characters would too, and it inspires me.
Thank you again for taking the time to answer these questions. Before you go, are there any other projects you are currently working on that you can share?
Thank you for having me! Yes! I am currently in the drafting process of the second book in the Bryant Family series, which is Marshall Bryant and Jess Johnson’s story. I also have tentative plans for the following two books after that!
(1) winner will receive a signed paperback book, a bookmark featuring a quote from the book, a vinyl sticker with a quote, and a $10 Starbucks gift card!
Be sure to check out each stop on the tour for more chances to win. Full tour schedule linked below. Giveaway began at midnight July 12, 2021 and lasts through 11:59 PM EST on July 19, 2021. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.
Giveaway is subject to the policies found here.
Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!
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Sounds like a good book.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful cover, sounds really good .
ReplyDeleteThank you for the great interview!
ReplyDeleteI love the cover
ReplyDelete