The Accidental Bride
Two high-school sweethearts, a wedding reenactment, and one absent-minded preacher. Is it a recipe for disaster or a chance for a new beginning? Shay Brandenberger is a survivor. She's lived through a crazy childhood, a failed marriage, and single parenthood-with her confidence intact. But not for long. Because when Shay participates in her town's Founders Day wedding reenactment, she finds herself face-to-face with the one man who takes her breath away: Travis McCoy. Travis is back in town after years away on the rodeo circuit. His one regret in life is breaking Shay's heart when they were high-school sweethearts. He's determined to get it right this time. So when their Founders Day "marriage" is accidentally made official, Travis seizes the day. Can Shay put aside her pride to let Travis help her, or will their accidental marriage be dissolved before it can begin?
- ISBN: 1595548025
- Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Interview with Denise Hunter
Reflecting back, what do you see as most significant to your publication journey?
Getting started was the biggest obstacle for me. I dreamed of writing a novel but, busy with young children, I put it on the back burner. It wasn’t until my grandfather’s passing that God pricked my heart with the truth: No one is guaranteed another day on this earth, and a dream worth dreaming requires a plan of action. I started my first manuscript the next week, writing while my boys napped. It was later published as Stranger’s Bride by Heartsong Presents.
What’s your biggest challenge in balancing writing time with your other responsibilities?
I’m one of those writers who needs peace and quiet, so during the school year I write while the boys are at school. Once their day is finished, I shift to resident chauffeur/chef/sports fan.
Then comes summer! With publishing deadlines, there’s no way to schedule summers off, so that often leaves me working in my car between running them to practices and games. Not ideal, but somehow everything gets done!
And how do your faith and spiritual life play into the picture and affect your storytelling?
I often find myself exploring in my fiction things I’m learning on my own spiritual journey. As I explore, I bring the reader along with me. Hopefully we all learn something new!
What do you consider the greatest moment of your writing/publishing career?
I don’t know that I have just one. Every contract is a miracle, every book release a blessing. I’m so grateful God gave me the ability to write stories, a publishing team to make them fit for public consumption, and readers to share my heart with.
Who/What spurs you to write? Where do your story and character ideas come from?
I’m not sure how to answer that. I do have story ideas and characters that pop into my head, seemingly out of nowhere sometimes. But I’m not one of those writers who HAVE to write. I write because I enjoy the process, because I feel it’s my calling, and because I’ve been blessed with contracts.
Tell us three things about you that would surprise your readers.
I play the drums, I live in a log cabin, and I don’t use milk with my cereal. ☺
Any parting words?
I’d be remiss if I didn’t include that some of my biggest blessings on my writing journey are the friends I’ve met along the way. From editors to publishers to fellow writers, this industry is filled with inspired and inspiring people. The wonderful friends I’ve made through ACFW brighten my day, and meeting up every year at the conference is pure joy.
A special writing friendship recently culminated in a book collaboration! Smitten (released in Dec.) is the first of a new series I’m writing with BFFs Colleen Coble, Kristin Billerbeck, and Diann Hunt. What a joy to work together on a project with best friends!
Thanks for sharing with us, Denise!
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