I was privileged to have the chance to interview Betsy St. Amant, Christian fiction author with Steeple Hill. Along with writing romance novels, Betsy also writes for Crosswalk, Scribble Chicks, and keeps a personal blog.

Sarah: When did you first know you wanted to become a writer?

Betsy: I think I’ve always known. One year in elementary school for Career Day, I took a pen and notepad with me and said I was an author. I remember pounding out stories (usually never finished and without much of a plot line!) on my parents’ first computer when I was about 7 years old. I have disks after disks of saved manuscripts as a child that crack me up! But the dream was always there.

Sarah: What inspired you to start writing Christian romance novels?

Betsy: This is easy. Robin Jones Gunn inspired me to write Christian fiction. I read her Glenbrooke series as a young teen and was hooked and knew that was exactly what I wanted to do – inspire other teens/women toward strong faith in God and toward real romance, instead of wasting affection or time on men who didn’t deserve it. Robin helped teach me that true love was worth waiting for and was a gift from God, and I wanted to help pass on that message. My biggest dream come true was getting to interview her on the phone when I first started blogging and hosting book reviews several years ago, and getting to have lunch with her in person at a writer’s conference a year later.

Sarah: Tell me about your latest novel A Valentine’s Wish.

Betsy: A Valentine’s Wish is a fun story of romance, secret admirers, and of course, chocolate! Andy and Lori have been best friends for years but have never considered something more–or have they? When Andy is pressured by his church staff to find a wife, his eyes open to Lori in a whole new way. He tries to show her his love through secret gifts to warm her up to the idea of romance, but when Lori believes the gifts are from someone else, all havoc breaks loose! This story is also a sequel of sorts to my first Love Inspired novel, Return to Love. In Return to Love, the heroine Gracie is best friends with Lori. So this is Lori’s story and Gracie and Carter from the first book make a few appearances. =)

Sarah: Did any of your real life experiences tie into this book?

Betsy: I definitely share Lori’s penchant for chocolate and shoes. I’ve never had a secret admirer, but always thought the concept was really fun and super romantic. I also share Lori’s tendency toward being oblivious – turns out my husband had liked me for years as more than a friend back before we dated, and I never knew until he confessed later in our dating relationship!

Sarah: What was Valentine’s Day like for you when you were still single?

Betsy: It was actually pretty fun. My parents always made sure growing up that we, even as children and on throughout our teen years, had a gift on Valentine’s Day morning. Usually a small assortment of candy and a stuffed animal or piece of jewelry. Just something to show us that we were loved and worthy of receiving gifts even if they weren’t from a guy just yet! It’s a tradition I’m going to carry out with my daughter, who will be 19 months on Valentine’s Day.

Sarah: Do you have any advice for people who wish they had a special someone, especially on Valentine’s Day?

Betsy: I think my answer above partially applies here, the lesson I learned from my parents – I am loved and worthy of attention regardless of whether that attention comes from my family and friends or from a guy. But in addition to that, let me say that even if you don’t have family or friends who are able to show their love to you through gifts or flowers or cards, remember that our Heavenly Father loves you with an everlasting love, and He’s written you an amazing love letter already – The Bible. Earthly love is wonderful, but it can’t beat the affection the True Lover of our souls has for us.

Want to know more about Betsy? Check out her blog!

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Sarah Rupp is a freelance writer who loves God, reading, fashion, and music, as well as writing of course! You can find her over at her blog, Sarah’s Words of Witsdom,  or her fashion and beauty blog, Mod Style Lounge. She enjoys connecting with readers and other writers though comments.