Novel PASTimes: If you had a free day with no responsibilities and your only mission was to enjoy yourself, what would you do?
Amelie: I can’t imagine such a luxury since my parents died. I would love to go into Oregon City and pick out some new clothes.
Pierre winks: You mean a regular day for me. I am kidding. I do have some responsibilities. I usually go out for the evening with friends after I handle my business affairs. *He turns to Amelie* By the way, I can take you into Oregon City any time you like and make that happen.
Novel PASTimes: What’s your idea of a good marriage?
Amelie: Both the man and woman have the same ideas and beliefs and they need to respect one another, allowing each to be their own person.
Pierre: Finding someone who makes you happy and you love them not despite their flaws but because of them.
Novel PASTimes: What are you most proud of about your life?
Amelie: I’ve been able to take care of my younger sister after our parents’ deaths.
Pierre: I’ve done my best to protect the people I love.
Novel PASTimes: What are you most ashamed of in your life?
Amelie: I refused to accept help from those who offered and I ended up putting myself in a dangerous situation because of it.
Pierre: I refused to see the reason why the two women I loved in my life both picked God over me.
Novel PASTimes: What do you believe about God?
Amelie: He is always there for me. His strength and love is what got me through the loss of my parents.
Pierre: I was raised without God. I continued on that road until I met Amelie Leclaire. She showed the power of God’s love and mercy.
Amelie blushes: You flatter me. I’m glad to see the changes in your heart.
Novel Pastimes: Is there anything you’ve always wanted to do but haven’t done?
Amelie: I want to travel to France one day and see where my parents came from as well as sample French cuisine.
Pierre: Since Amelie wants to go to France, I would love to take her there. I can’t help giving her whatever she wants.
Amelie: I have to admit, he loves to spoil me.
Novel PASTimes: What’s the worst thing that’s happened in your life? What did you learn from it?
Amelie: Both my parents died in a tragic accident. I learned to lean on God as well as the friends God placed in my life.
Pierre: I lost the woman I thought I loved to another man. I learned that what we consider an awful turn of events often can be a blessing in disguise. If I had ended up with Margaret, I never would have met Amelie. She is the true love of my life.
Novel PASTimes: Tell me about your best friend.
Amelie: Debbey McCoy is funny, loyal and a good Christian. She had been my friend since as far back as I can remember. Her father is the pastor of West Linn’s only church.
Pierre: William Almonbury speaks his mind, loves adventure and thinks he’s witty, but between you and me, he’s not as funny as he thinks. However, he is a good and loyal friend.
Novel PASTimes: What’s the worst thing you’ve ever done to someone? Why?
Amelie: I judged someone before I knew them. I thought all the women who worked at the local saloon where disreputable women but due to circumstances, I ended up working with them. As I got to know the women, I realized I was wrong. Just because you have to do certain things to survive doesn’t make you a bad person.
Pierre: I belittled their beliefs. I didn’t understand why they were so important to them and instead of asking why, I just avoided it.
Novel PASTimes: Describe your ideal mate.
Amelie: I’m drawn to tall, dark haired men with a handsome smile. He has to enjoy my independent nature and love the Lord as much as me.
Pierre: *He looks at Amelie* I am glad to fit your description. For me, I love a smart and loyal woman. I also tend to be drawn to when with strong faith and gumption. Physically, I don’t really have a type but after meeting Amelie, I would say my favorite combination is golden brown hair with blue eyes.
Novel PASTimes: What are you most afraid of?
Amelie: My aunt will take my sister, Elise, back to Paris with her if I can’t manage to take care of her.
Pierre: Failing the people I love.
Novel PASTimes: What do you like best about yourself? Least?
Amelie: I like that I am loyal to my friends and family. I wish I could stand up for myself, especially with my aunt.
Pierre: I like my protective nature. I wish I was better at accepting rejection.
Novel PASTimes: One last thing. Will you share an excerpt and blurb from your book The Oregon Pursuit as well as a buying link?
Blurb:
Surrender to destiny: a window to heart opens, when one door closes.
The Oregon Pursuit (Book 4) After Amelie Leclaire’s parents pass away in a tragic accident, she must return home to West Linn, Oregon to take over the family bakery. Amelie was training to be a midwife but must give up her plans in an attempt to provide a stable life for her younger sister. Pierre Girald, the Vidame of Demoulin, is traveling to West Linn on business. A chance meeting at the bakery and Pierre is instantly intrigued by the alluring Miss Leclaire, she on the other hand, is less impressed until she gets to know him. Through many trials and setbacks, will the couple be able to form a lasting relationship or will his past and her financial problems put an end to their potential?
Window to the Heart Saga: a recountal of the trials, adventures and relationships of the family and friends of Lady Margaret. The first three books detail her journey and book four focuses on the cousin of her best friend. The series has compelling themes of love, loss, faith and hope with a supremely gratifying conclusion in book 3 and 4.
Exceptionally sincere and wondrously engaging, The Oregon Pursuit shows the journey between letting go of a troubled past and finding new hope.
This book can be read on its own as a stand alone book or as part of the series.
Excerpt:
“I am glad you allowed me to take you to dinner tonight, Amelie.”
“I am glad you asked me to join you.”
“You have no idea how badly I want to lean down and kiss you right now, but with your aunt sitting in the carriage watching us, I will abstain. I do not want our first kiss to be a spectacle for others.”
“How considerate of you, but how do you know I would let you kiss me in the first place?”
He gently let his hand travel along the length of her upper arm and felt her skin prickle under his touch. “Because if this happens when I touch you, I know you want to know what will happen, as much as I do, when we kiss.”
“If we kiss,” Amelie corrected, with a playful smile.
“Oh, I am certain, mon étoile, it will happen. It is only a matter of when,” he stated as he moved towards her, as close as proper etiquette would permit, “and how.”
Amelie looked up into his eyes through her bounty of thick, dark lashes, and Pierre felt himself go weak in the knees. This woman had an effect on him unlike anything he had ever encountered. Every time he thought he had the upper-hand, she managed to cause him to become off kilter again.
You can buy The Oregon Pursuit on Amazon
About the Author:
Jenna Brandt would love for you to follow her on Amazon. Just click the above follow button. She is a Christian historical fiction author and her books span from the Victorian to Western to WWI eras with elements of romance, suspense and faith. You can find out more about her any time at http://www.jennabrandt.com and sign up for her newsletter.
She has been an avid reader since she could hold a book and started writing stories almost as early. Jenna has been published in several newspapers as well as edited for multiple papers and graduated with her BA in English from Bethany College where she was the Editor-in-Chief of her college newspaper. She’s an on-going contributor for The Mighty Website and her first Blog was published on Yahoo Parenting and The Grief Toolbox as well as featured on the ABC News and Good Morning America websites.
Writing is her passion but she also enjoys cooking, watching movies, reading, engaging in social media and spending time with her three young daughters and husband where they live in the Central Valley of California. She’s active in her local church where she volunteers on their first impressions team as well as writes for the church’s creative team.
Visit Jenna on her Website, Facebook, Twitter or Goodreads
Novel PASTimes 