Kimberly Rose Johnson, Author
Greetings from Sarah Sundin in California! Today I have the joy of interviewing Kimberly Rose Johnson, a multi-published novelist whose stories have won the Faith, Hope, and Love Reader’s Choice Award and been a finalist for the Selah Award!
Please tell us about your book Certain Threat.
The co-owner of Protection Inc. has one thing on his mind for the week of Christmas—rest and relaxation, but when his favorite neighbor needs his help, he calls in his team. Unable to turn their backs on someone Frank clearly has feelings for, the co-owners agree to help out Katrina.
Sounds exciting! What inspired you to write this book?
When I started this series, Frank was a key character. He is the mastermind behind Protection Inc. and he inspired this story.
What do you hope readers will take away from this book?
I hope they will see relationship with God in action.
How do you share Christ in your writing?
Certain Threat by Kimberly Rose Johnson
I weave a story that includes Him organically. Every book is different. Certain Threat focuses on relationship vs. religion. Another one of my books focuses on forgiveness. I use the characters’ lives to show these themes.
That’s the beauty of fiction, isn’t it? So do you have any themes that turn up again and again in your writing?
Forgiveness and trusting in the Lord no matter how hard it is come up frequently in my books.
Great themes! How has being a writer impacted your relationship with Christ?
My relationship has deepened. I want to write what He wants me to write and the only way to do that is through relationship with Him.
So true. Why do you write romantic suspense?
I love the excitement and the whodunit aspect of writing and reading this genre. It’s fun to weave a story with action.
Do you have a “day job” or a previous career? Does it influence what or how you write?
I taught piano lessons for most of my adult life. Music has greatly influenced my life and it has absolutely impacted my writing. Several of my stories include musicians.
How fun to bring in such an important part of your life.
Everyone struggles with time management in our 24/7 world. How do you stay disciplined and meet your deadlines?
I write during the same hours my husband works. When my kids were still kids and attending school, I would write when they were at school. Because I need absolute silence to write, this forces me to be disciplined and write during the hours the house is quiet.
Regarding deadlines, I meet them as soon as possible. I don’t like having anything hanging over my head. I always have my books completed months in advance. The last book I wrote for my publisher was released two months early because they needed a book to fill a spot when another author missed their deadline. My publisher knew that I am always ahead of schedule and asked if I would be able to turn it in a couple months early.
This interview was turned in early too—which is much appreciated. A reputation for always meeting deadlines is a great thing to have as an author.
Like all authors I know, you have a long love affair with books. Please tell us about your favorite library memory.
As a kid I spent countless hours at the library. The school bus would drop off my sister and me there after school. We’d do homework, check out books, and then walk to my dad’s office. I have been an avid reader since middle school. I almost always had a book with me, so spending all that time at the library was a treat, even if I had to do my homework first.
What a lovely memory. Isn’t it fun to have your own books in the library now? And what’s next? What do you plan to add to your local library?
I am currently writing book four in the Protection Inc. Series. It features Dillon, the police officer who the team has come to rely on.
Sounds intriguing! Thanks for sharing with us today, Kimberly!
Sarah Sundin
To learn more about Kimberly and her books, please visit Kimberly’s website and Kimberly’s blog.
Writing for Him,
Sarah Sundin
