Whispers in Purple: Featuring Author Julie Arduini

I am so tickled to launch Peg’s Bookcase, a brand new blog, with my first guest author, Julie Arduini. So let’s not waste any time getting right to it.

Title: Entrusted

Author: Julie Arduini

Publisher: Write Integrity Press

Genre: Contemporary romance

Series: Book 1 in the Adirondack Surrender Romance series

Giveaway: 1 book Entrusted, paperback or ebook. Winner’s choice, but paperback choice would need to live in North America. (Note: Giveaway ends Wednesday, January 14, at midnight, CST. Be sure to leave a comment—with contact info so we can let you know if you win—to be entered.)

About the book

Jenna Anderson, sassy city-girl, plows–literally–into Adirondack village, Speculator Falls with a busted GPS. She gets a warning from the sheriff but has ideas for the senior center to prove she belongs in town as their director. Town councilman Ben Regan is as broken as the flower box Jenna demolished. He’s grieving and wants to shut down the center before there’s too much change and heartbreak. They work on community projects and build a slow relationship, but the council needs to vote on the senior center’s future. Can Jenna show Ben both her and the center are worth trusting?

Julie Arduini is the author of the new Adirondack Surrender romance release #1, Entrusted. She thought it would be fun to introduce readers to her heroine, Jenna Anderson through a character interview.

Entrusted starts out with you getting in a bit of trouble. Is that what you’re about, Jenna?

Not really. I think a more accurate statement is I find myself in unusual predicaments. Often. I still say that my little incident was all my GPS. Not me.

You spent most of your life in Youngstown, Ohio. What made you leave the area for the mountains?

I spent most of my childhood with an elderly neighbor who was a dear friend. Florence Owens made me promise before she passed away that I would live life to the fullest. After her death I looked around and realized my job didn’t leave room for advancement. I needed change. I found an ad in a rural magazine about a job opening and I called. When the call ended, I had a new job in Speculator Falls, NY.

One of the first people you meet is Carla Rowling. Tell us about her.

I was scared of her at first because she was meeting me on official business as the sheriff, but I quickly realized she was going to be a great friend. She’s warm, funny, sensitive and a great mom to Noah.

You seem to worry about not belonging, yet Pastor Reynolds comes to you for advice. How did that make you feel?

Honored. He’s a respected man in the community and I don’t think what I did by moving to Speculator Falls was that inspirational. And given how Ben reminds me at every chance that I’m not from the area, I’m sure there were better people to talk to than me. But I’m happy he chose me.

Speaking of Ben Regan, tell me about him.

Well, the first meeting didn’t go well. Nor did the second or probably the third. But once I realized it wasn’t so much personal against me but protecting himself from further hurt, he was easier to take. And those muscles from stocking shelves, that’s a perk to visiting JB’s. Ben also has the richest brown eyes. Like chocolate.

What’s your favorite part of your job?

Interacting with the senior citizens. They are wonderful people and I’ve learned a lot from them. At my old job in Ohio I didn’t have a lot of direct and consistent contact with them. I’m building deep relationships with everyone at the senior center and I love it.

What do you love about Speculator Falls?

That it’s like family here. The smells. I can’t begin to describe how wonderful it smells outside. The pine and air is so pure and fresh. Sara Bivins took me to the hunting cabin and showed me the journal everyone signs when they visit. That’s a precious memory for me.

What’s your biggest challenge?

I have a few. The senior center needs updating and that costs money. Ben is on the council and he’s definitely not rooting for the center to make it. Quite the opposite, actually. Howard Wheaton is a senior who is a bit grumpy with me, but I think he’s a teddy bear. Kyle Swarthmore is a mogul from New Jersey who has a summer home in the area. He’s nice to me, but I think he has an agenda. I’m on a campaign to have the food service to realize that a dessert is not a fruit cup. It’s chocolate. And, I’m homesick. I miss my parents and sister.