A Proof of Love by Merida Johns - Book Tour - Author Interview - Giveaway - Enter Daily!

This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. A randomly drawn winner will receive a $25 Amazon OR Barnes and Noble Gift Card (Winner's Choice!!!). Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.

A fictional story with a memoir overlay as narrator Katie Blake reflects on life in small town America and the principles, influences, and big personalities she wants you to never forget.

It’s Memorial Day weekend, 2009, and the town gossips have their shorts in a twist about a mysterious newcomer who wears tie-dye, colorful headbands, clunky necklaces, and rings on every finger.“Who installs a ceiling fan on a Victorian porch?” cries Ned Boomer, Woodburg’s grumpiest man, and the town gossips concur, “She must be a hippie, witch, or maybe worse . . . a socialist.”

Hell-bent on preventing a neighborhood blow-up, precocious, nine-year-old Katie Blake launches a covert investigation to gather the truth about the enigmatic Rose. But when she discovers a decades-old secret binding her, Rose, and bad-tempered Ned Boomer, her world takes a turn.

Penning a memoir sixteen years later, Katie is forced to reconsider whether the real proof of love was in preventing a neighborhood war or finding friendship and comfort among three unlikely grief-stricken souls who should never be forgotten.

EXCERPT ONE:

Gram taught me to be independent, manage my anxieties, and have confidence in myself, showing me how to use my imagination to wiggle out of a jam or face the “grim crossroads” when confused or sad.

The first time I cried and lost it over a complicated computer problem, she said, “Be inventive, Katie! What can you do to calm down and think things through?”

We put our heads together to come up with ideas. Gram said she brewed herself a cup of tea when needing a break. Mom worked on crossword puzzles. Dad played solitaire. My one decadent delight was a FatBoy ice cream, and that’s how Gram and I hatched the plan of taking two ice cream sandwiches and hiding them under the frozen vegetables to create my private emergency stash.

“Close your eyes, breathe, take a bite, and replace the leftovers. No one will suspect anything. Our little secret. . .”

AUTHOR INTERVIEW:

What are your favorite TV shows?

A good British mystery. Among my favorites are Endeavor, Vera, Broadchurch, Foyle’s War, New Tricks, Grantchester, and the list goes on.  In fact, for the observant reader, there is a reference made to Sam in Foyle’s War in my current release, A Proof of Love!

What is your favorite meal?

Hands down, breakfast. The odor of fresh-brewed coffee and the sweet, savory aroma of maple sausages crackling in the frying pan, paired with the delicious taste of blueberry pancakes and cheesy scrambled eggs, can’t be beat.

If you were to write a series of novels, what would it be about?

It’s a tough choice between a cozy mystery series and a family saga. A cozy mystery series might feature a knitting group of senior citizens in a small rural town—in fact, in my current novel, A Proof of Love, such a group exists and is ready to unravel the clues.

Is there a writer you idolize? If so who?

You might ask (and rightfully so) why the king of thrillers and horror, Stephen King, would attract a women's fiction writer. The story starts with, "Once Upon a Time, a woman's fiction writer read Stephen King's Writing: A Memoir of the Craft, which led (horror of horrors) to reading his first novel, which led to reading his last novel . . .

King’s memoir of his journey with the craft of writing threw open windows of insight for this author who had switched from authoring nonfiction to fiction. What a storyteller! The first part of the book is the memoir of the author's early days. I enjoyed these tales so much that I found myself laughing out loud with many passages. I could so relate! The early memoir laid the groundwork for the rest of the book, which focuses on encouraging authors and providing a writing toolbox. Simple sentences, strong verbs, minimal attributions in dialog (said preferred), limited adverb use, and a few well-chosen details are among the tools in the kit that resonate with me.

Aside from King’s writing style, his stories are more than a thriller or horror fiction—the bedrock of each is a moral and a lesson to be learned.

How did you come up for the title of this book?

All of my novels have had an initial placeholder title. For A Proof of Love, the placeholder was “Katie and Rose.” As the story evolved, however, the major theme went beyond two individuals to a story about the inseparable nature of grief and love and the special people in their lives who should never be forgotten. Using memoir as an overlay to the fictional story, the remembrance of the special people in Katie’s life became A Proof of Love.

AUTHOR BIO:

At heart, I am a storyteller who writes women’s fiction and stories of courage and discovery, showcasing the protagonist’s journey toward a more fulfilled self.

My passion is writing women’s fiction and exploring the human experience—how ordinary people tackle challenges, endure sorrow and betrayal, wrestle with doubt, and act on their aspirations to achieve flourishing lives. My insight into the power of fiction came during a conference call in late 2017 with a group of fellow life coaches. “What would it be like to help women and men achieve a flourishing life through storytelling?” I asked them.

After that phone call, I got started answering that question. The result was my debut novel titled Blackhorse Road, a compelling story of womanhood and the power of choice, gratitude, and forgiveness, published July 21, 2020, by Coffee Cup Press, followed by Flower Girl (2022), Flawless Witness (2023), and now A Proof of Love (2026)

Before embracing writing fiction, I was the author of health informatics and leadership textbooks. Later, I put my leadership experience to use as a leadership coach, focusing on supporting others to fulfill their leadership and economic potential. My range of nonfiction is available on my Amazon Author Page.

Substack: https://meridajohns.substack.com
Facebook: https://meridajohns.substack.com
Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/MeridaJohns
Website: https://www.MeridaJohnsAuthor.com

GIVEAWAY:

A Duchess With A Secret by Alix Nichols - Book Tour - Guest Post - Giveaway - Enter Daily!

This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Alix Nichols will be awarding a digital box set of her bestselling series The Darcy Brothers to a randomly drawn winner. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.

For sixteen years, they’ve hated each other...
and craved each other.

Widowed and betrayed, Eva Castellane will do anything to protect her daughter’s inheritance.
Standing in her way?
Alex Castellane—her late husband’s steely, magnetic half brother.
The man poised to take it all.
Her worst enemy.
Her forbidden temptation.

Stuck together in the family castle, their legal fight spirals into war…
until a common threat forces a reluctant alliance.
Desire blurs the lines.
Chemistry sizzles.
Rules get broken.

But as the verdict nears, one slip could unravel Eva’s explosive secret…

A Duchess with a Secret stands alone within the Montevor Royals Saga. It is a spicy contemporary enemies-to-lovers romance with forced proximity, family secrets, and a hard-won HEA.

EXCERPT TWO:

Alex

The air outside the basement at Mount Evor Secret Service feels colder than it did inside. It isn’t exactly chilly; just crisp enough to bite, which I welcome wholeheartedly. It clears my head.

“I’m going to walk to the hotel,” Eva says. “I need air.”

“I was about to say the same.”

She shoots me a look. “Please don’t. I don’t want to start thinking we have things in common.”

“What about the duchy?” I taunt.

“Of all the things we don’t have in common,” she quips, “the duchy is the one we don’t have in common the most.”

I smile despite myself. The pretty shell has some humor.

“May I walk beside you?” I ask.

“If you must,” she says after a beat. “But don’t think I’m warming to you.”

“Understood.”

We fall into step, heading toward the hotel located in the city’s historic center. She keeps her arms folded tight across her chest like a shield.

“I want you to know I will fight you with everything I’ve got. Dirty. No-holds-barred,” she warns. “My lawyer, Pauline, is very good at her job.”

I glance over. “So, this is your idea of small talk?”

“If you’d prefer silence…”

“No, this is delightful.”

We keep walking. Pombrio glows in the late-September dusk. The limestone facades catch the last golden rays and appear to be lit from within. Lined with old trees starting to turn, cobbled streets stretch ahead, winding gently. Cafés hum with end-of-day energy, clinking glasses, and low laughter. A faint whiff of woodsmoke rides the breeze.

I’d enjoy this stroll more if Eva weren’t so close. Her presence is magnetic and annoying in equal measures. Her perfume doesn’t help. It has none of the sugary sweetness most ladies favor. Instead, it’s seductive in a sharp, provocative way that’s so much her.

GUEST POST:

World-building can be the most important element of your book.  What media outlets, role-models, and real-life inspirations did you draw from while writing this book?

World-building is one of my favorite parts of writing, especially when the setting feels so real that it almost becomes a character in its own right. In the Montevor Royals series, and particularly in A Duchess with a Secret, the fictional principality of Mount Evor and one of its grand castles, Fort Vauclairt, play a huge role in the story. Here’s where I drew my inspiration from while creating this world.

Real-life travels and European castles

A lot of the atmosphere and visual details came from my own trips to the Alps. The principality of Mount Evor is tucked between France, Italy, and Switzerland, so I spent time exploring both the French and Swiss sides of the border. The dramatic mountain landscapes, misty valleys, and imposing castles left a lasting impression. Fort Vauclairt itself was heavily inspired by real historic castles I’ve visited, especially Chillon Castle in Switzerland and the Château de Neuchâtel in France. I wanted the castle to feel ancient, lived-in, and almost alive — with its echoing corridors, hidden passages, and that constant sense of history pressing in on the characters.

This is my favorite table at the neighborhood café where I've done some of my best work.

Medieval legends and fairy tales

The deeper lore of the world, particularly the mysterious nine keys that appear throughout the series, draws heavily from medieval European legends. I was fascinated by the story of Melusine, the mermaid fairy (sometimes called the Serpent Goddess) who is said to have founded the royal house of Lusignan. You might even recognise her from the Starbucks logo! Blending this old fairy-tale tradition with the political intrigue of a modern European principality allowed me to create a rich, layered history that feels both magical and grounded.

History books and real European micro-states

I also spent time reading about the history of small European principalities and the complex relationships between neighbouring countries. The idea of a tiny sovereign state with its own ancient rules, royal family, chivalric orders and delicate political balance (especially with bigger neighbours like France) gave me the foundation for Mount Evor’s current predicament. I even wrote a detailed (though not entirely complete) history of the realm, starting all the way back in 986 with its founder, the brigand-turned-prince Isidore Pox-Face. These real-world echoes helped make the fictional politics and traditions feel authentic.

This is by Danish painter Viggo Johansen, has been translated as Silent Night in English. I don’t mention Johansen’s painting in the book, but a scene toward the end draws heavily on it.

Role models in storytelling

When it comes to authors who inspired my approach to world-building, I’ve always admired writers who make their settings feel lived-in and essential to the story — whether it’s the intricate social worlds of Jane Austen or the deeply atmospheric historical settings in many classic romances. I wanted Mount Evor to feel just as vivid and important as the characters themselves.

Creating this world has been such a joy, and I love how the principality shapes every major choice my heroes make. If you enjoy stories where the setting feels rich and alive, I hope you’ll enjoy stepping into Mount Evor with them.

AUTHOR BIO & LINKS:

Alix Nichols is a caffeine addict, a longtime fan of Mr. Darcy. She pens sexy romantic comedies and romantasy. Her books have been described as "pure pleasure" (Kirkus Reviews) that “keep fans of romance hanging off the edge of their seat” (Romantic Times).

At the age of six, she released her first book. It featured highly creative spelling on a dozen pages stitched together and bound in velvet paper.

Decades later, she lives in France and still writes. Her spelling has improved (somewhat), she has become a Kindle Scout winner, Chanticleer First Place winner, USA Today bestseller, Book Riot's Top 100 Must-Read International Romance author, and Amazon All-Star for being one of the 100 most-read authors in Kindle Unlimited.

Amazon Author Page: http://www.amazon.com/author/alixnichols
Website: http://www.alixnichols.com
Goodreads: http://goodreads.com/alixnichols
Facebook: http://facebook.com/AuthorAlixNichols
BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/alix-nichols
Newsletter Signup (and a free bundle!): http://bit.ly/alix-freebook

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