After many years of writing and publishing in the nonfiction world of academia, Claire turned her energy, humor and creativity towards the production of compelling romantic fiction. Claire writes captivating stories that fit the genres of contemporary, historical, and inspirational romance. Claire creates heroes any woman would want to be with and heroines who overcome all obstacles to find love. Written with wit and tenderness, her stories engage the readers’ hearts and imaginations. Readers will find themselves anxiously turning the pages to find out what happens next. Claire lives in the greater Houston area with her daughter and one well-loved dog. When she isn’t writing, you’ll find her cooking, gardening, and dreaming of places to travel.
Fascinating! Please tell us more about yourself, Claire. I have just a few questions for you, and I can't wait to hear your responses.
1. What was your inspiration for this story? As Christians, we're taught to forgive those who hurt us. But I've often struggled with the idea of how did one forgive oneself. The theme of this story is learning to forgive yourself for mistakes.
2. What is its take-away message? I hope the readers will find "A Thousand Little Blessings" a thoughtful story with a message about forgiveness.
3. Tell us a bit about your writing routine. Do you have set hours? Do you get dressed first? Do you travel for research? Where and when do you do your best work? I write whenever I can find the time. I sometimes travel for research but most of my research is done through the internet and the local library.
4. What’s your next writing project? My work-in-progress is a romance set in 1910. The working title is "The Baseball Bride". It's about a girl who learned to play baseball alongside her four brothers. When the town team needs her, will she break the rules and play in the most important game of the season?
Just for fun:
1. Coffee or Tea? Tea, please.
2. Snacks: Sweet or Salty? I like all things sweet!
3. Dream vacation A year in the U.K. would be quite nice.
4. #1 on your Bucket List. Actually, the only thing I really wanted to do before I died was to have a child. My daughter is now 20 years old.
Thank you! Take note, dear readers: Ms. Sanders has graciously offered the choice of an e-copy or print copy of A Thousand Little Blessings to one lucky commenter. So don’t forget to leave a comment below for your chance to win!
A lovely, young woman, accustomed to living in her father’s shadow and a wounded warrior, seeking forgiveness are brought together by fate in a small town in the Texas Hill Country...
Henrietta Davis wants to please her father. It’s no secret Henry Davis had hoped for a son who would one day assume his position as president of Davis Bank and Trust, so after graduating from college, Etta returns to her home in Burnet, Texas to work as her father’s unpaid assistant. But try as she might, she cannot live up to her father’s expectations. It’s 1919, and a woman can’t become president of a bank.
But then tragedy befalls. Uncertain and grief-stricken, Henrietta Davis must find the courage to take over her father’s position as bank president and find the embezzler who is slowly ruining her family’s business and good name.
Lieutenant Gabriel Benson returns to his hometown after fighting in France. Besieged by memories of the battlefield and unable to adjust to the quiet life of Burnet, Texas, he wonders if he will ever be able to forgive himself for leading his men to their deaths.
Gabriel and Etta have no one to confide in except each other, and as their friendship grows, so does their love for each other. But their love won’t survive unless each conquers the demons that threaten to keep them apart.
This story touched me deeply, especially since I identified with Henrietta (Etta) in her grief and distress. Her father’s stroke echoed what happened very recently in my own family, making that part of the story an emotional journey for me. Ms. Sanders expressed young Etta’s sorrow vividly, as well as portraying her strength of resolve and her faith. Etta is a worthy heroine.
Gabriel’s wartime trauma continues to haunt him in what we now know as Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome. Of course, in the early 1900’s there were no resources for returning soldiers. But Gabriel finds solace in Etta’s beautiful faith, and she yearns to help him as he encourages her.
This is a wonderful story of love and faith that overcomes all kinds of trauma. I thoroughly enjoyed A Thousand Little Blessings for its message and for the pleasure of visiting a time unfamiliar to me. It easily earns four stars.
Ready to get your own copy? Here’s the link: http://amzn.to/1EeGas5. And don’t forget to leave a comment below (right down there ↓) for a chance to win your choice of a print or e-copy.
Merry Christmas to you all, my dear readers, and to you, Claire Sanders, for visiting us and bringing your fine novel, A Thousand Little Blessings.