Gayle Ropers "Shadows in the Sand"

Book Title: Shadows on the Sand
Publisher: WaterBrook Multnomah

Cover blurb:
Carrie Carter’s small café in Seaside, New Jersey, is populated with a motley crew of locals…although Carrie only has eyes for Greg Barnes. He’s recovering from a vicious crime that three years ago took the lives of his wife and children—and from the year he tried to drink his reality away. While her heart does a happy Snoopy dance at the sight of him, he never seems to notice her, to Carrie’s chagrin.

When Carrie’s dishwasher is killed and her young waitress disappears, Greg finds himself drawn into helping Carrie solve the mysteries…and into her life. But when Carrie’s own painful past becomes all too present, her carefully constructed world begins to sink. She and Greg struggle with God’s help to find a way to keep the fragile relationship they’ve built from imploding under the weight of the baggage they both carry.

1. How did this story come to you?
Shadows on the Sand is the fifth story set in the Jersey shore town of Seaside, a fictitious version of Ocean City, NJ. The story came out of wanting to tell the story about Greg, the cop that showed up in the four preceding books. He is one of the things that ties the series together since each book has different lead characters. Clooney, the guy with the metal detector looking for treasure in the sand, reappears here too, as does Pastor Paul. But Carrie is new as are most of the other characters. (In other words, you don’t have to read 1-4 to understand 5)

2. Tell us about the journey to getting this book published.
I guess the journey began when I imagined the first four books which were sold under the Seaside Seasons series (say that four times fast!). Those titles were Spring Rain, Summer Shadows, Autumn Dream and Winter Winds. Since there were four seasons, there were four books. But my editor and I thought the setting and the peripheral characters were worth their own book. So here’s Shadows on the Sand showcasing Greg.

3. Tell me three things about yourself that would surprise your readers.
I just went white water rafting and loved it.
I’m getting ready to leave for France to teach at a camp for MKs.
I LOVE my Kindle.

4. What are you working on now and what's next for you?
I have a couple of novellas I’m working on, and a couple of novels looking for homes after the publisher that had contracted them decided not to do adult fiction after all. The novellas are set in Seaside and are something I’m doing just for fun. As for the two novels, I’m praying they find a home because I think the stories are great and the points they make about life are things we need to be reminded of all the time.

5. Parting comments?
Life is short. Love God. Love your family. Read books. And enjoy each day!

6. Where can fans find you on the internet?
My web page is http://www.gayleroper.com/. Come visit!