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By Judith Keim

Hi, everyone! I’m so excited that A ROAD TRIP TO REMEMBER is finally out and available on all sites. It’s a story I loved to write. Most readers like second chances, family connections, and happy endings, and this has it all.

But the story behind the story lies in family memories. My grandmother, Gram, and my great-aunt, Weezie, used to ride around town together because my grandmother couldn’t drive and my great-aunt loved to be behind the wheel. The combination worked…almost. Because as sweet as my great-aunt was, she loved to be in control of the driving situation and my grandmother was the passenger. You get my drift.

Several stories emerged from their times together. Weezie loved to get a new car every couple of years. When power steering first came out, she was ecstatic. Why? Because she could steer the car with one finger! You can imagine how well Gram liked that. LOL

Another cute story was when Weezie was driving alone down a one-way street with an impatient taxi cab driver behind her. When they finally got to the corner, the traffic light turned red. In his fury, the cab driver got out of his car and marched toward her, ready to give her a “lecture”. She waited until he was near, saw that the light had turned green, and zoomed away.

As all writers do, I believe, we take pieces of our lives, memories of others, and meeting new people as threads from which we can weave a story. In this book, there is a scene at the Abraham Lincoln Memorial which I drew from a vivid experience I had there with my husband when we went there, and then to see the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall.

In addition, I’m a grandmother and what grandmother doesn’t dream of special moments with her grandchildren.

So, behind every story is real, remembered, or imagined moments to share with our readers in a way that we hope they appreciate. Enjoy, A ROAD TRIP TO REMEMBER!

Judith Keim is the author of the new book A Road Trip To Remember

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What can you tell us about your new release, Landon?

Landon is set in the world of my long running Gentry Boys family saga, however may absolutely be read as a stand-alone. In this unpredictable roommate romance you can expect small town vibes, slow burn romantic tension, dangerous local bullies, brotherhood battles and a HEA that will bring on all the happy tears.

What or who inspired you to become an author?

Every book I’ve ever read, each in its own way, has been inspirational.  From my childhood obsession with The Babysitter’s Club series to my adolescent fascination with horror authors such as Stephen King and Dean Koontz, to my later discovery of such fabulous epic romance authors as Diana Gabaldon and Nora Roberts, every story I’ve ever invested time in has had a participating role in motivating me to tell stories of my own.

What's on your top 5 list for the best books you've ever read?

GAH, that’s a tough question!  Outlander by Diana Gabaldon is a book I’ve turned to time and again when I need the comfort of a familiar world to get lost in. Dune by Frank Herbert is so astonishing in the sheer fantastic breadth of its own unique universe that it deserves a mention. The Outsiders by SE Hinton was a story I first read in junior high and influenced my early perceptions of friendship, family and class struggles. Little Women by Louisa May Alcott is a sentimental favorite. The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah is a perfect example of superb historical fiction.

Say you're the host of a literary talk show. Who would be your first guest? What would you want to ask?

The extraordinarily talented Amy Harmon would be at the top of this list.  The historical aspects of her fabulous stories are so breathtakingly meticulous and I imagine the time she spends on research is considerable so I’d love to hear what her process is.

What's your favorite thing about writing?

There is nothing comparable to receiving positive feedback from a reader who was touched by the words you wrote.  This is my favorite thing about writing.

What is a typical day like for you?

I’m horrible about sticking to a schedule and so one day won’t look anything like the one that follows.  I can tell you what today was like.  I woke up at five a.m. to look over the final proofreads for my upcoming release.  Then I fixed breakfast and got the kids off to school.  Spent some time on social media, answering messages and participating in a scheduled event.  Added some brainstorming ideas to the outline of the next book I plan to write.  Searched for graphics to use for marketing.  On a different day I might spend ten hours doing nothing but furiously typing words while still in my pajamas.

What scene from Landon was your favorite to write?

While I loved writing the witty, sarcastic banter between Autumn and Landon and the steamy scenes were all kinds of hot fun, my favorite scene is actually a rather sweet one. As a gesture of friendship, Landon accompanied Autumn to a very uncomfortable family wedding where Autumn’s ex fiancé was marrying her sister.  Following an angry blow up with members of her family, a distraught and somewhat drunk Autumn storms out of the reception. Landon steps up and comforts her in the manner of a true friend, remaining by her side and assuring her that she deserves so much better than the way she has been treated by the people who were supposed to be in her corner.  Autumn begins to see Landon as more than the sexy, arrogant college football star who now lives down the hall.  She sees that he is thoughtful and considerate and funny and she begins to realize that she likes him far more than she ever intended to.

Do you have a motto, quote, or philosophy you live by?

Perform random acts of kindness. Take nothing for granted.

Cora Brent is the author of the new book Landon

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