Nicole Deese

“When I first started writing, I had no clue how to go about structuring a novel.. but I’m so glad I didn’t let the fear of the unknown stop me from pursuing a dream."

Q. Thanks for interviewing with us. Tell everyone who you are and what you do.

A. Hello! I’m Nicole Deese and I’m the author of fourteen contemporary romance novels. My most recent novels, Before I Called You Mine and All That Really Matters have been published by Bethany House Publishing.

Q. What or who influenced you to be an author?

A. I’ve been an avid reader and lover of stories since I was a young girl, but the year I turned thirty, after reading several popular trilogies I couldn’t set down, I decided to put some of my own story ideas to paper. When I first started writing, I had no clue how to go about structuring a novel, but when I look back at that time now, I’m so glad I didn’t let the fear of the unknown stop me from pursing a dream.

Q. What’s one of the greatest rewards in your career so far?

A. One of things I’m most grateful for is my writing/plotting group— we call ourselves The Coast To Coast Plotting Society. For the past seven years I’ve met with the same four authors for a week-long plotting retreat where we brainstorm new story ideas and encourage each other in our writing pursuits. We’ve become close friends despite living a part, but I simply couldn’t imagine doing life without any of them.

Q. Tell us about your book “All That Really Matters” & the motivation behind the book?

A. All That Really Matters features Molly McKenzie, whose bright personality and beauty advice has earned her an impressive following on social media. When a career-making opportunity requires a unique type of life experience from her, she decides to volunteer at a residential program for agedout foster kids. Only the program’s director, Silas Whittaker, doesn’t seem to find Molly nearly as charming as her online followers do. At least, not at first. Molly’s influencer platform may have taken her years to build, but it will only take one summer to discover what really matters most. As an adoptive parent myself, I wanted to create a realistic, yet uplifting story that highlights both the heartache and hope involved in working with this vulnerable group of people.

Q. Out of all the books you’ve written which one was your favorite?

A. I don’t think I can choose a favorite, but there is one book that will always hold a special place in my heart due to the inspiration behind the subject matter. My 2020 release, Before I Called You Mine, was inspired by the international adoption of our daughter, Lucy Mei in 2017. It’s a multifaceted love story with many ups and down involving the depths of sacrificial love.

Q. If you were making a movie of this book, who would you cast?

A. For Molly McKenzie I’d cast actress Blake Lively, and for Silas Whittaker, I’d cast Alex Gonzales.

Q. What are some of your other hobbies?

A. In addition to writing, I also enjoy playing the piano and singing, thrift store shopping, serving in my local church, social outings with my girlfriends, game nights with my family, and traveling, traveling, traveling!

Q. What advice can you give to other authors?

A. My advice to authors is to simply focus their energy and attention on their own pages. It’s so tempting to compare ourselves to other authors and our first drafts to finished publications, but comparison will only ever rob us of the joy and creativity needed to finish our own works in progress—so let’s keep our eyes focused on our own pages and write, write, write.

Q. Are you working on any new projects or upcoming events?

A. Yes! All That It Takes, my upcoming release (April 2022) has many connections to All That Really Matters, including two familiar characters, Val Locklier and Miles McKenzie (Molly’s twin brother). Also, I recently signed a new threebook contract with Bethany House Publishing for an angsty contemporary romance series that will start releasing in spring of 2023. I’m super excited about these stories and can’t wait to share them with the world!

Q. Where can the readers follow you?

A. I’m most active on my Instagram account: nicoledeeseauthor and on my Nicole Deese, Author page on Facebook.com. For the most up-todate announcements on book news, giveaway events, special sales, and behind-the-scenes info, please subscribe to my newsletter at nicole@ nicoledeese.com

Author BIO:

Nicole Deese has written over a dozen humorous, heartfelt, and hope-filled novels which include a Carol Award winner and a RITA finalist. When she’s not working on her next contemporary romance, she can usually be found reading one by a window overlooking the inspiring beauty of the Inland Northwest. She lives in small-town Idaho with her happily-ever-after hubby, two tech-nerd sons, and one princess daughter with the heart of a warrior.

Learn more at :

www.NicoleDeese.com

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Photographer: Gudrun Gabriel Stylist: Vivian Dinkins-Stith Make-up Artist: Yolanda Marshall Hair: Lisa Newton, Hair Game