[author title=”Lisa Belcastro” image=”https://www.almostanauthor.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/lisa_belcastro-439×320.jpg”]Lisa Belcastro lives with her family on Martha’s Vineyard. She loves time with her family and friends, running, gardening, outdoor activities, cooking, chocolate, reading, traveling, a healthy dose of adventure, and her cat, Ben, who keeps her company while she creates fictional lives for the numerous characters living inside her head. Lisa runs as an ambassador for TEAM 413 (www.team413.org), and has completed a marathon (26.2 miles) in all fifty states. Lisa’s stories are set on the Vineyard amidst the magnificence of the ocean, the beauty of sandy beaches, rolling hills, and ancient cliffs, as well as the people and events that make the Island so very unique. When she’s not at her desk, Lisa is living in paradise, volunteering at her daughter’s school, serving in her church community, planting and weeding her numerous gardens, training to run the Walt Disney World Dopey Challenge in January 2016, walking the beach looking for sea glass, or enjoying a great meal while she pens the cuisine column for Vineyard Style Magazine.[/author]
What is the title of your book?
A Shenandoah Family Christmas
What is it about?
Disease, freezing temperatures, and the Revolutionary War bring bitter reality to the Reed home in December 1777. Captain Benjamin Reed is ordered to sail a supply shipment south to General George Washington. Days before Shenandoah’s scheduled departure, Ben’s first mate succumbs to smallpox.
Rebecca Reed had never feared the dreaded disease until her one-year-old daughter Felicity breaks out in the telltale rash. In the cold, dark days of Advent, Rebecca, Ben, and the Reed family wait in prayerful hope as Felicity fights for her life and they wonder who could be next.
With the rest of the family at risk, they decide to obtain the forbidden cowpox vaccine. Ben’s brother Jonah, his uncle Isaiah, and Shenandoah’s cook Adam Greene venture off in search of the outlawed vaccine. A blizzard hits. A tree crashes. Jonah crumbles to the ground. A woman with the face of an angel aids Jonah, but is it too late? And where are Adam and Isaiah?
As the death toll rises throughout the Colonies, the Reed family prays for more than one Christmas miracle.
Why do you write what you do?
I write both historical fiction and contemporary fiction. Growing up outside of Boston, I’m an avid history fan of the American Revolutionary War time period. When I began writing my first novel, Shenandoah Nights, I knew I wanted to have part of the story set during the War. I can spent hours, or days, immersed in research. A research trip to Boston is an extra-special treat, especially walking the Freedom Trail again and climbing aboard the USS Constitution.
All of my novels are set in part or in whole on Martha’s Vineyard. I love the Vineyard. I summered here for years, and then ten years ago I decided to stay on. My contemporary novels are very Vineyard, with my characters walking, swimming, fishing, dining and living just as my family and friends do. When I’m writing in present day, I get so caught up in the story that I occasionally forget that I my character was the one who went to the grocery store, not me, and I’d better get there if we want dinner. At times my family was less than amused. 😉
What are you currently working on?
I have three books for 2016 — Audition for Love, which is the second book in my Possible Dreams trilogy. I’m having a blast with this one. I’ve got a Broadway star on Island for a month as she’s starring in a summer theatre production. She meets an attorney, also from New York City and also on vacation. They have nothing in common and absolutely no interest in each other. At least that’s what they keep telling themselves.
The next book, Shenandoah Song, is the sixth installment in the Winds of Change series. Set in 1778, Shenandoah Song tells the love story of Jonah and Ava, who were minor characters in A Shenandoah Family Christmas. I absolutely LOVE Jonah and Ava.
I’ll also have a Christmas novella next November, but I haven’t decided which series will be represented in the novella. I guess it will depend which characters I’m missing the most. Right now I’m leaning toward Ryan, Laurel, and Gracie for A Dream for Love.
How does your work differ from other work in its genre?
My stories are set on Martha’s Vineyard. I think I’m the only faith-based author writing inspirational novels on Island. Whether you’ve visited the Island or want to visit, my books will give you a true taste of what life is really like on Martha’s Vineyard. It’s not all presidents and movie stars. I portray the “real” everyday life, with a romance, history, adventure, and a happily ever afters.
How does your writing process work?
I wish I could tell you that I plan every chapter, and make copious amounts of wonderful detailed notes. I don’t. I picture the story in my head, jot down a page or two of notes so I don’t forget, and then I start writing. If I have to break for research, then I’ll do a quick notion of my thoughts about where the story should be going. So far, this method works best for me.
At the end of each writing day, I print out the pages that I’ve written. I bring them to the gym the next morning, and edit while I’m running on the treadmill or elliptical. It might sound crazy, but I have my best ideas while running.
Social Media and Blog:
www.lisabelcastro.com
www.facebook.com/belcastrolisa
www.twitter.com/VineyardRomance
Amazon Link: http://amzn.com/B01789P77Q
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