_MG_7085Rosanna Huffman has spent much of her life near the farming communities of southwest Ohio, where she grew up on a busy produce farm with a country store and bakery. After she left the farm, she spent thirteen years as a teacher. She now writes Christian school curriculum for Christian Light Publications—and novels about single women who live happy and fulfilled lives whether or not their story includes a walk down the aisle to say, “I do.”

When she’s not reading or writing fiction (or curriculum), you’ll find her with a crochet hook in her hand, a pastime she learned from her grandmother. About five years ago, Rosanna was inspired to design afghan patterns. She has sold several designs to Herrschners and Mary Maxim.

What started you on your writing journey?

I have always loved to read and to write. One day I realized that I would like to read a book about a single woman who did not get married in the story and yet lived a happy and fulfilled life even though her dreams of marriage were unfulfilled. “I will write that book,” I said. My first novel, Hand Me Down Husband, is not that book, but hopefully it is a way of getting my foot in the door to publish the stories of my heart.

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Just as all good novels include a plot twist, the Author and Creator of our lives often writes in a twist that ultimately blesses us more than our original plan. Have you ever experienced such a “Divine Detour”?

At one time I planned to be a teacher for the rest of my life. Instead I left the classroom and that opened up writing opportunities—including the time and inspiration to write Hand Me Down Husband.

Cover+jpgLet’s talk about Hand Me Down Husband (Abingdon Press, March 2015). Please tell us about it.

Suzanne Bloomer has resigned herself to never achieving her dream of marriage and motherhood. She pours her heart into her high school students and the school where she teaches. Life is good even if it is not the one she wanted.

When a rich, handsome suitor comes to town with his eye on Suzanne, he may be all that she thought she dreamed of. But the spark just isn’t there. As she sorts through her life with the help of her new friend and confidante, Mitchell Sanderson, she doesn’t see the true love growing right in front of her.

What led you to write this particular story?

The genre of my heart is women’s fiction, not romance. But romances sell, so I decided to put the topic of single women in the church into a romance—for practice writing and for an opportunity to break into the publishing world. A friend of mine used to say she would never marry a widower, and while her reasons were not the same as Suzanne’s in my story, it was an idea. I also once heard a young wife declare her fear that her husband would marry again if she died first, and that was the seed idea for Mitch and his late wife.

Hand Me Down Husband is set in a small Christian day school quite like the school where I taught for many years and in a rural farming community of southwest Ohio where I was born and lived most of my life.

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A few fun questions…

When the words aren’t flowing—or when you want to celebrate if they are—what is your favorite comfort food and why?

McAlisters Deli’s California Turkey Reuben and a large sweet tea.

This website features musicians as well as writers. Do you have musical, as well as literary, talent?

Nope. I can carry a tune and sing along, but have never played any instruments. My voice, though sincere, is not one that you want to hear behind the microphone!

In the story that is your life, are you the strong, female lead; the girl next door; the mysterious woman behind dark glasses; the super heroine; or the little girl trying to walk in high heels?

Probably the strong female lead. I tend to be a decisive leader, especially when those around me are indecisive.

I’m a dog lover. Please tell us about your pets, if any, or your favorite pet as a child.

Meow! I’ll never be the crazy cat lady, but I am a cat person. Right now I live in a 400 sq ft apartment and have no pets. But I’ve had various cats over the years. Samson was my house cat for a while. He was a stray, but had obviously been someone’s inside cat before he showed up on our farm. Once when he was stretched out on my couch, I measured him from nose to tip of tail. It took the whole yard stick! Samson was an easy cat; he would not use a litter box, but walked to the door and let me know he needed to go outside to do his business. And the only water he would drink was from the toilet. If it had not been flushed, he would come to me and let me know that there was a problem with his water supply. One summer day, Samson left. I hope he found a good home.

Thanks, Rosanna! It’s great to have you as a guest at DivineDetour.

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For more information about Rosanna, visit her website. Visit her handmade afghan page to see the beautiful designs she creates.

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