Hallmark For All Seasons

Back in December, I had the opportunity to read a novel by Tammy L. Grace.  My mother had recommended her books to me in the past, and when Tammy was gracious enough to send me a note about how much she enjoyed this website, I knew I had to return the favor and finally sit down to read one of her books!

I chose Finding Home, which came out in 2014, even though she had just released a Christmas novella entitled The Magic of the Season.  “Finding Home” had a nice cast of characters and made me long for summer to arrive.  While I was reading the book I got in touch with Tammy to ask if she’d consider letting me interview her for HFAS.  She graciously agreed.  And while I have only read one of her books thus far, I can say that I am confident that a lot of Hallmark fans would enjoy her stories, especially her Christmas novellas, and her new book that comes out in just two days, A Dog’s Hope.  Check out the interview below and then consider checking out her books!

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Jane: You have written a number of books in your career. Do you have a favorite one or is your latest one always your favorite because it’s DONE and is now out there for everyone to enjoy?

Tammy:  It’s so hard to pick a favorite. When I’m writing a series, it seems like the latest book is always my favorite and I would say in my Hometown Harbor Series, that is the case, as Kate’s story in “Finally Home” is my favorite. I’ve always loved Christmas stories, and enjoy writing them and “A Season for Hope” is my favorite of the ones I have written to date. It’s based on an encounter with a woman whose car broke down during the holidays and I’ve woven in several traditions from my hometown that are special to me. With my private detective series, it’s more difficult to choose only one and I’m not sure I have a favorite…yet.

Just a few months ago you released the second novella in your Christmas in Silver Falls series. What can you tell us about “The Magic of the Season?”

This story came about because of my readers. I received several notes last year after I released “A Season for Hope” and readers wanted to know more about the characters, so I decided to write another book set in the quaint mountain town of Silver Falls. This fictional town is located not far from my hometown in the Sierra Nevada Mountains and offers readers an idyllic escape to a town filled with kindness and the spirit of the season.

Readers are reconnected with the family featured in the first book and this one focuses on Grant, the son who owns the local bakery. The story is about a woman who is forced to return to Silver Falls for the holidays after leaving for the big-city life and her career. As she experiences all Silver Falls has to offer, she’s reminded of the loving community and small-town values she left behind. Readers have commented that they are both perfect Hallmark-style stories.

Do you tend to write one book at a time and publish it or have you stashed a few unpublished or half-finished books just waiting for you to circle back to them?

I don’t have any unfinished books stashed in drawers, but I do have notebooks full of ideas for new stories. I tend to focus on one book at a time and once it’s published, move on to the next project. I’ve been busy this past year and am hoping to take a bit of a break once I finish up my current projects, but my ideas won’t allow for much of a break.

You write everything from mysteries to Hallmark-esque romances – which is your favorite genre to write?

I enjoy writing mysteries more than anything. I love crafting the puzzle and the clues, coming up with suspects and motives, and plotting the murder. Mysteries have always been one of my favorite genres to read and although they are more challenging to write, I enjoy them. They aren’t your typical cozy mystery, in that the protagonist is a male detective, so being that he is a professional, they require a more realistic approach to solving the murder than other cozies that feature amateur sleuths. My main character, Coop, does have a loyal sidekick of the furry variety, Gus, and he provides a bit of humor and softness to the whodunits.

Your books always seem to feature dogs in some way – given that Hallmark Channel loves to promote the Humane Society and pet adoptions, I think you need to try to get in with them somehow – have you considered approaching Hallmark Publishing about possibly joining forces on a novel?

I enjoy the dogs in my novels and agree that they would appeal to readers who enjoy Hallmark stories. I would love to talk with the folks at Hallmark about my work. While I’m more interested in their television productions, I would certainly consider a project with them, especially one involving dogs. Maybe they’re listening!

What is up next for you in 2020?  What can readers look forward to?

I’m in the midst of finishing up the second of a two-book contract I have with Bookouture. They are a London-based publisher and I’m writing two emotional stories about our connections to dogs for them. The first one, A Dog’s Hope, will publish on March 6. Once I’m done with those two books, I have a fun project I’ll be starting with four other authors. We’re writing a connected series and are in the planning stages now for what will release in the fall of 2020. After that, I’ll be returning to another case for Coop in my mystery series and my Glass Beach Cottage Series, my latest women’s fiction series set on the coast of Washington.

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If you want to find out more about Tammy L. Grace, her main website is:  http://www.tammylgrace.com

Born and raised in Nevada, Tammy L. Grace loved reading at a young age. With the help of her middle school teacher, she discovered the joy of writing. When Tammy isn’t working on ideas for a novel, she’s spending time with family and friends or supporting her addiction to books and chocolate. She and her husband have one grown son and a new golden retriever puppy.

She is on both Instagram, as “authortammylgrace”, and Twitter as “tammylgrace”.

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