Dear Readers, please join me in welcoming back Julie! She has been a guest on the blog before and is now featuring a follow-up to her earlier book!
Introduce yourself—name, where you’re from, and something people notice when they meet you.
Thanks for having me, Christina! I’m Julie Arduini (Are-due-we-knee) and I’m a small-town romance author who features Christian surrender themes and chocolate mentions. I’m originally from Upstate NY, and that’s where my romances are based. I have lived in NE Ohio for 20 years.
I absolutely get noticed for my hair. It’s either ladies asking how I got the curls, or admiring the gray.
Tell us about your book—title and back cover blurb?
Repairing Hearts is Book #2 in Surrendering Hearts
What happens when a reality show creates a blight on sextuplet Ryan Hart’s life harsher than his dump of a home? Ryan, the independent, brooding second oldest of the Hart sextuplets, can’t enjoy the solitude he craves when he agrees to star on a reality show. The plan is to discover a project manager to renovate his hole of a property. The show reveals that it's more about Ryan’s dating life. Can he keep his guard up when everything around him is falling apart faster than the shingles on his roof? BJ Wallace loves her quiet life in Wisconsin that she’s created far from her traumatic childhood. Everything changes when she learns she's competing on Repairing Ryan's Heart. As the show focuses more on Ryan than the house, BJ falls for him. Will she win the show and destroy Ryan with her secret, or sacrifice her heart to protect Ryan?
A small-town, reality show romance with family drama and a Christian thread of surrendering pride and anger.
Share one thing that you found difficult or challenging about writing this book.
I had no idea when I was writing Anchored Hearts, Book #1, that to move the series along, it would revolve around a reality show. I’m not super familiar with the genre, so I was intimidated. However, I read up on it, interviewed a friend who loves reality shows, and started watching Dance Moms for my own research. Turns out I got hooked and watching the show really helped me write the story.
Ask the blog reader a quirky question or two. I want to encourage comments and engagement. An example might be their best or worst Christmas memory. Share your answer and then look for theirs.
Do you watch reality shows? What’s your favorite?
What do you think of a series that features a large family?
Share your social media and buy links!
Hi Julie and Christina! Julie, I must admit I have not read either of the books in your new surrender series, but I must put them on my TBR list. As you know, Julie, I also have ties to up-state N.Y. I have to agree with the other commenter that the beauty of the autumn colors there is hard to beat! I wish you much success with this new series.
I have watched reality shows in the past. I am taking a break from them at the moment and watching Madam Secretary. I notice I enjoy getting fully plugged into an ongoing series. I used to live in NE Ohio but now live in Chattanooga, Tennessee. :)
I am also originally from upstate NY! I get to go back soon, to visit and I am SO looking forward to the changing colors of fall and seeing my family!!