Hey! I’m so glad you are taking a little time out of your day to hang out with me. Let’s start with a few easy questions.
What do you drink when you’re writing? Coffee, then I switch to water late in the evening.
What was the last book you read? Nancy Fraser’s Coming up Daisy
What author(s) has/have really influenced you? Nora Roberts/JD Robb, Kathleen Woodiwess
What does your family think of your writing? They are very supportive. If I have plot questions, I bounce ideas off them. My granddaughters love to give me names for my characters.
How did you come up with the title for your book (and what is the title)? Actually, I had a hard time coming up with Unsung Hero. I knew I wanted the story to be in Mount Rushmore, since I’ve been there twice and loved it so much. I was driving to go grocery shopping, and then the title popped into my head. The hero’s character just flowed after that.
How quickly did you connect with your MC? I connected with them right away. Now creating their pets was more of a challenge, but the critters are a very important part of the storyline.
Did any part of this story make you cry while you were writing it? Yes when I wrote about the sacrifices the men and women in our military, made and are making.
What part of writing this book did you struggle with? The black moment for the heroine. I knew what was supposed to happen and I cried, knowing it had to be since this turn of events was part of the heroine’s acceptance of who she was.
What part of writing this book did you celebrate the most? Writing the epilogue since this made me pull everything together.
When a reader reaches the end of your book, what do you hope you’ve left them with? I hope they get all the true-to-life feels of what it was like visiting one of the most patriotic national parks in the US. I hope they get to go there one day.
About Unsung Hero:
Shane Wallace never considered himself a “hero.” He loved his country and served honorably in the U.S. Navy, retiring six month ago. His life is in a holding pattern, waiting to figure out which direction to take.
Shane and his German Shepherd, Liberty, stay in a campground close to Mt. Rushmore, the first week in July. When a cat from the neighboring campsite takes off after a squirrel, Liberty joins the free-for-all, chasing the cat up a tree. The owner is beside herself with worry, so Shane volunteers to save her pet. Shane flinched when everyone called him a hero and reluctantly held back claiming, I’m no such thing.
Taylor Parish spends ten months of the year teaching history to middle school children. The rest of her time is spent driving a converted school bus, nicknamed Tillie. Her co-pilot, is a striped Toyger cat, named Winnemucca.
The next book in her YA series, Adventures with Tillie, is about Mount Rushmore. She didn’t count on her mischievous cat needing to be rescued by her neighbor. She wrote about men and women of courage in her books, but this was the first time she’d met one in real life. Puzzled by his strong aversion to the word hero, she decides to make Shane Wallace understand the true meaning of the word “hero.”
Sweet, contemporary romance, with a bit of humor provided by two mischievous pets.
About Judy Kentrus:
I’ve always been a romantic at heart and I married my high school sweetheart. I make my home in the Poconos of Pennsylvania. Before I let the dog out, I make sure there aren’t any bears around. I’m a mom with two grown children who have given me six grandchildren.
We love to travel. Many of the places we’ve visited have inspired me to use as a storyline. I loved my land/sea tour of Alaska so much, I wrote Frozen Hearts, a romantic suspense that re-creates the entire trip. I live fifteen minutes from the Delaware Water Gap. A Timeless Kiss, the third book in my US Park Ranger series, is based on the troubled history of the national recreation area. I never know what will give me an inspiration, but my mind is always working.
I can hear you asking the question, does she ever stop writing? That’s a Yes! When I’m not giving couples their happily-ever-after, you can find me in the kitchen, baking, especially cookies. I’ve been dubbed the cookie queen by my family and friends. You’ll find a new recipe every month on my website.
Website: http://www.judykentrus.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/judykentrusauthor/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/JudyKentrus
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/judykentrus/?hl=en
Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/judy-kentrus
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7389513.Judy_Kentrus
Thank you for spending time with me today! It’s been a pleasure having you on the blog and getting to do this interview with you. Do you have any final words for our readers?
I’d like to thank Regina for having me as a guest on her blog. In addition to writing sweet contemporary romance, I write romantic suspense, later-in-life romance, and historical romance.
Want to find out more about my books and what’s coming? Be sure to sign up for my newsletter, via my website. My stories are fun romances that will make you laugh, cry, and fall in love.
I hope you check out all the books in the Summer Vacation Romance series. Have a wonderful summer and happy reading!
Regina Walker 