A member of the American Christian Fiction Writers Honor Roll, Lenora Worth writes romance and romantic suspense for Love Inspired and sweet romance for Tule Publishing. She also writes for Kensington Books Inspirational line. Three of her books have finaled in the ACFW Carol Awards. She also received the Romantic Times Pioneer Award for Inspirational Fiction. Lenora is a NY Times, USA Today and Publishers Weekly bestselling writer and a 2019 RWA RITA® Finalist. With one-hundred-plus books and novellas published and millions of books in print, she enjoys adventures with her retired husband and loves reading, baking, and shopping … especially shoe shopping.
Visit Lenora Worth online
.jpg)
A Louisiana Christmas to Remember
Three heartwarming, interconnected stories of faith, love, and restoration, brought to you by three Louisiana native authors. Will a rare snowy Louisiana Christmas bring restoration and hope to the hometown and heart of three women from the town’s founding family? Join this holiday celebration and meet Mattie, the passionate visionary, Jolene, an artist and prodigal daughter, and Adale, the widow who finally dares to love again. And don’t forget Granny Eloise, whose feisty spirit, blunt dialogue, and quirky ways play an important and endearing role.
- ISBN: 1636096476
- Publisher: Barbour
Interview with Lenora Worth
Today we’re learning a bit more about Lenora Worth and her newest release, A Louisiana Christmas to Remember. Lenora writes romance and romantic suspense for Love Inspired and sweet romance for Tule Publishing. She also writes for Kensington Books’ Inspirational line.
Let’s get to know Lenora a little bit better.
Lenora, your recent release, A Louisiana Christmas to Remember, is part of a collaboration with two other authors, Betsy and Morgan. How did this collaboration with the other two authors come about?
I’ve known Betsy for years and watched her rise and grow as a writer. We lived in the same Louisiana town of Shreveport until I moved to Florida. I didn’t know Morgan, but this was her brain child, and once we got down to brainstorming, we all clicked and got to work. Betsy and Morgan’s agent pitched the stories and worked with my agent to make it happen. I was touched that they thought of me to be a part of this fun interconnected story.
How is it different writing a story that you know will need to not only stand on its own merit but also complement other authors’ styles? How did you prepare for this?
That was the fun part. We brainstormed on Messenger (the kids love that stuff) and by old-school email. We all worked hard to smoothly carry the story thread and the many strong character personalities all the way through the book. And we discussed and worked out any problems or concerns with grace and maybe a few tears, but a lot of laughter, too.
What message do you hope readers take away from your story?
That family matters, that second chances are there for a reason, that the Lord loves all of us.
How have you woven the Louisiana lifestyle and culture into this story?
We tried to do that in an organic, natural way since we all are so strongly familiar with the merged cultures of this notorious state. We talked about food a lot, but then the food is so good. We really wanted that authenticity of a family that has been in Louisiana for generations. I think we did a good job.
It really sounds as if you ladies had a wonderful time celebrating not only the Lord but also the amazing culture of Louisiana. Let’s shift gears and tell the readers a bit about your life as a writer.
What do you see as the most significant thing to happen during your publication journey? On the flip side, what is the funniest thing that has happened to you as an author?
The most significant thing to happen to me was when I made the New York Times Bestseller list with one of my Love Inspired books. That was also the funniest thing that happened, because I was cleaning house for a Cabi fashion party that night. Suddenly my doorbell started ringing, my phone went wild, and my email pinged. I got flowers and candy, and finally the delivery lady looked me over and asked me if I was sick. In her defense, I was in my PJs with no makeup. I explained what had happened, and she congratulated me. She probably thought I’d made the whole thing up and was just a bit addled!
Congratulations on the award! And, honestly, that is pretty funny. Maybe that delivery lady will find her way into a future story.
How do your faith and spiritual life affect and influence your storytelling? When you write, how do you decide what message God has for you to share with readers?
Every time I sit down to start a book, I pray and hold my hands out to the Lord, asking Him to fill my heart with a story that might touch one person. My faith and spiritual life go hand in hand with my storytelling. I couldn’t have done this without His help. I give Him all the glory.
That’s beautiful, Lenora! May we all, as Christian authors, follow that example to follow only His leading and give only Him the glory as we pen stories.
What is your research process like? Are you always on the look-out for new story ideas, even during your “down time”?
I am always finding little tidbits that lead to “What if?” and then I get scenes and characters in my head, asking when is this going to happen?
I think many authors have characters “living” in their heads. How odd we must seem to the folks around us!
What’s the best investment you ever made in your writing career? How did you see it pay dividends?
The best investment was going to conference and meeting people who would one day be a part of my future. That helped me to grow and learn as a writer, and most important, how to act as a professional and conduct myself accordingly (most of the time).
Readers would like to know about you and what makes you tick. Do your hobbies ever get a place in one of your stories?
I love to bake, love sweets, love to walk on the beach, and love shoes and books. I think I put a little of all of the above in most of my books.
What books are on your nightstand right now? Why did you choose them?
Oh, that’s tough because I have books stacked everywhere. I love sweet romance, women’s fiction, sagas, men’s fiction at times, Regency romance, and most anything that attracts my attention. The last best book I’ve read lately is Freedom’s Price by Peg Thomas. It was a sweet, amazingly authentic historical novel. I enjoyed reading it.
What does your family think about your decision to write? Are they supportive and helpful? Wary of being featured in one of your plots? Proud and ready to brag on you to everyone they meet?
My husband is my biggest supporter, and my grown children tolerate me!
Finish this statement: For me, a perfect Saturday evening is: a good meal with people I like and lots of conversation OR a good book and no one around. Both are perfect.
_________________________
A life-long reader, LeighAnne Clifton decided to take the plunge into the writing world after more than 30 years as an engineer. Now, she writes Christian romance, upcycles junk, and teaches 3rd grade Sunday school. LeighAnne and her husband live in South Carolina with their spoiled cats (are there any other kind?). You can read her Christian living blog and find out more about her book series on her blog at https://alive-leighjourney.com/
Let’s get to know Lenora a little bit better.
Lenora, your recent release, A Louisiana Christmas to Remember, is part of a collaboration with two other authors, Betsy and Morgan. How did this collaboration with the other two authors come about?
I’ve known Betsy for years and watched her rise and grow as a writer. We lived in the same Louisiana town of Shreveport until I moved to Florida. I didn’t know Morgan, but this was her brain child, and once we got down to brainstorming, we all clicked and got to work. Betsy and Morgan’s agent pitched the stories and worked with my agent to make it happen. I was touched that they thought of me to be a part of this fun interconnected story.
How is it different writing a story that you know will need to not only stand on its own merit but also complement other authors’ styles? How did you prepare for this?
That was the fun part. We brainstormed on Messenger (the kids love that stuff) and by old-school email. We all worked hard to smoothly carry the story thread and the many strong character personalities all the way through the book. And we discussed and worked out any problems or concerns with grace and maybe a few tears, but a lot of laughter, too.
What message do you hope readers take away from your story?
That family matters, that second chances are there for a reason, that the Lord loves all of us.
How have you woven the Louisiana lifestyle and culture into this story?
We tried to do that in an organic, natural way since we all are so strongly familiar with the merged cultures of this notorious state. We talked about food a lot, but then the food is so good. We really wanted that authenticity of a family that has been in Louisiana for generations. I think we did a good job.
It really sounds as if you ladies had a wonderful time celebrating not only the Lord but also the amazing culture of Louisiana. Let’s shift gears and tell the readers a bit about your life as a writer.
What do you see as the most significant thing to happen during your publication journey? On the flip side, what is the funniest thing that has happened to you as an author?
The most significant thing to happen to me was when I made the New York Times Bestseller list with one of my Love Inspired books. That was also the funniest thing that happened, because I was cleaning house for a Cabi fashion party that night. Suddenly my doorbell started ringing, my phone went wild, and my email pinged. I got flowers and candy, and finally the delivery lady looked me over and asked me if I was sick. In her defense, I was in my PJs with no makeup. I explained what had happened, and she congratulated me. She probably thought I’d made the whole thing up and was just a bit addled!
Congratulations on the award! And, honestly, that is pretty funny. Maybe that delivery lady will find her way into a future story.
How do your faith and spiritual life affect and influence your storytelling? When you write, how do you decide what message God has for you to share with readers?
Every time I sit down to start a book, I pray and hold my hands out to the Lord, asking Him to fill my heart with a story that might touch one person. My faith and spiritual life go hand in hand with my storytelling. I couldn’t have done this without His help. I give Him all the glory.
That’s beautiful, Lenora! May we all, as Christian authors, follow that example to follow only His leading and give only Him the glory as we pen stories.
What is your research process like? Are you always on the look-out for new story ideas, even during your “down time”?
I am always finding little tidbits that lead to “What if?” and then I get scenes and characters in my head, asking when is this going to happen?
I think many authors have characters “living” in their heads. How odd we must seem to the folks around us!
What’s the best investment you ever made in your writing career? How did you see it pay dividends?
The best investment was going to conference and meeting people who would one day be a part of my future. That helped me to grow and learn as a writer, and most important, how to act as a professional and conduct myself accordingly (most of the time).
Readers would like to know about you and what makes you tick. Do your hobbies ever get a place in one of your stories?
I love to bake, love sweets, love to walk on the beach, and love shoes and books. I think I put a little of all of the above in most of my books.
What books are on your nightstand right now? Why did you choose them?
Oh, that’s tough because I have books stacked everywhere. I love sweet romance, women’s fiction, sagas, men’s fiction at times, Regency romance, and most anything that attracts my attention. The last best book I’ve read lately is Freedom’s Price by Peg Thomas. It was a sweet, amazingly authentic historical novel. I enjoyed reading it.
What does your family think about your decision to write? Are they supportive and helpful? Wary of being featured in one of your plots? Proud and ready to brag on you to everyone they meet?
My husband is my biggest supporter, and my grown children tolerate me!
Finish this statement: For me, a perfect Saturday evening is: a good meal with people I like and lots of conversation OR a good book and no one around. Both are perfect.
_________________________
A life-long reader, LeighAnne Clifton decided to take the plunge into the writing world after more than 30 years as an engineer. Now, she writes Christian romance, upcycles junk, and teaches 3rd grade Sunday school. LeighAnne and her husband live in South Carolina with their spoiled cats (are there any other kind?). You can read her Christian living blog and find out more about her book series on her blog at https://alive-leighjourney.com/
For more great interviews, visit our Author Interview Archives.