Kimberly Rose Johnson ~ A Romance Rekindled

Kimberly Rose Johnson holds a degree in Behavioral Science from Northwest University. She is the author of sweet Christian romance for Heartsong Presents.

Kimberly began writing ten years ago but kept her work secret, afraid to step out of her comfort zone. She credits her first Oregon Christian Writers conference as instrumental to her success, starting with the sale of a short story. Her third book for Heartsong releases this year. 

She lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband, their two teenage sons, and a yellow lab.

What sparked your writing journey?

I’ve had a love for books since I was a young child. I have memories of my grandmother taking me to the bookstore in the mall and telling me to pick out a book. She would buy me amazing hardback picture books, many of which still hold a place on my bookshelf.

As I grew older I discovered romance books and one day decided I could write one of these. I chewed on the idea for years and finally decided to stop thinking about it and just do it.

Creative writing in school was always something I enjoyed and I never had a problem coming up with a short story. Now that I look back I suspect I was destined to be a writer.

God sometimes sends us down an unexpected path in life—one that ultimately blesses us more than our original plan. Have you ever experienced such a “Divine Detour”?

I’m a little hesitant to admit this publicly, but being a mom is not something I aspired to become, but my husband wanted children. We have two fantastic boys, now in their late teens. I don’t know that I’d call them a detour, but they have taught me so much and made me a better person. I seriously doubt I would be a writer today were it not for them, simply because being a mom has forced me to dig deep within myself.

It’s the best “Divine Detour” God could have given me, and I’m so thankful for my boys and the life lessons I’ve learned from them.

How does your faith play into your work?

Because I write for a conservative Christian line all my writing comes from a Christian world view.

Let’s talk about A Romance Rekindled (Heartsong Presents, June 2014). Please tell us about it.

Here is the back cover copy.

Susan Hill isn’t ready to forgive. The small-town CPA can’t forget how Blake Mitchell jilted her and left their hometown without an explanation. But when her first love returns to Leavenworth, the ruggedly handsome writer evokes conflicting emotions, especially when Susan meets the child she assumes is his daughter.

Since his parents’ deaths six years ago, Blake’s been raising his little sister on his own. But he’s never forgotten the woman he left behind. Now, he can’t undo the past, but maybe he can change the future . . . if he can convince Susan to give him one more chance.

You are releasing multiple books this year. What’s your favorite part of the writing process? Least favorite?

Yes, A Holiday Romance releases in October. It’s the third book in my series that takes place in Leavenworth, WA. I love that I was able to write a series in this small town and give each of the women we met in book one their own story. There will be four books in total, but they all standalone.

My favorite part of the writing process is the creating aspect of it. I really enjoy dreaming up storylines.

My least favorite part is writing a synopsis before I’ve written the story. I don’t like to completely plot a story before I write it. I like to have a basic idea in my head then allow the story to play out in my mind and write what’s happening.

A few fun questions…

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

Coffee and not decaf either. I’m not supposed to have caffeine, but when I’m really struggling to reach my word count caffeinated coffee works every time. I just have to be carefully this doesn’t happen too often. I also reach for dark chocolate.

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

Actually I do. : )  I taught piano lessons for eighteen years. I also sing, but not in public anymore. I received a college scholarship for singing. I also used to enter talent contests through my churches denomination when I was growing up. I always had a dream of “being discovered” and becoming a famous singer. LOL That was definitely a dream. : )

If you were a song, what kind of song would you be?

An upbeat, happy song sometimes and other times I’d be a reflective ballad.

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?

I’m the girl next door.

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

I’m a dog lover too. We have a yellow lab who turned seven in April. Sometimes I think she reads minds. She has the uncanny ability to know exactly what I’m going to do and she knows enough words that she clearly understands me. I’ve never had such an intuitive and intelligent dog.

Thanks, Kimberly! It’s nice to have you as a guest at DivineDetour.

Thanks for having me. It was fun!

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For more information about Kimberly, visit her website.

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