The Heart of Splendid Lake: Q&A with Amy Clipston
Hi Friends, I am so excited to be sharing a very special interview on the blog today with award-winning and bestselling author Amy Clipston to tell us a little about her new contemporary romance novel, The Heart of Splendid Lake.
Before we get started, I want to share a little about Amy.
Amy is an award-winning bestselling author and has been writing for as long as she can remember. She’s sold more than one million books, and her fiction writing “career” began in elementary school when she and a close friend wrote and shared silly stories. She has a degree in communications from Virginia Wesleyan University and is a member of the Authors Guild, American Christian Fiction Writers, and Romance Writers of America. Amy works full-time for the City of Charlotte, NC, and lives in North Carolina with her husband, two sons, mother, and six spoiled rotten cats.
Writing The Heart of Splendid Lake was a fun and emotional journey for me. While the story’s setting is fictional, I had a blast writing about North Carolina and incorporating part of my home state. I also poured my heart and soul into the book and included a lot of my own life experiences. I hope readers enjoy spending time at Splendid Lake. I dedicated this book to the memory of my father and my special childhood memories of family vacations at Schroon Lake, located in the Adirondacks in New York State.
Bestselling author Amy Clipston transports readers to a picturesque lakeside town in this heartwarming contemporary romance.Brianna is the youngest of the three Porter sisters and the only one who chose to stay in the small town of Splendid Lake, North Carolina. She followed in her father’s footsteps and became an expert boat mechanic, helping him run their small resort with cabin rentals, a convenience store, and a marina.
When Brianna’s father unexpectedly dies, Brianna is steeped in grief and guilt—then left alone to clean up the mess. To make matters worse, a constant stream of real estate brokers begins marching through her property, offering to buy the family land. In particular, she keeps running into handsome real estate mogul Scott Gibson.
As Brianna struggles to keep it all together, Scott finds his way into her heart. And as the two fight against their feelings, they just might find themselves forging a surprising and exciting new love at Splendid Lake.
Release Date Tuesday, September 14th!
Order Your Copy of The Heart of Splendid Lake
Q. I noticed The Heart of Splendid Lake takes place in North Carolina, are the roots of this story based on your personal experience? Tell us a little about how this story first came to be.
A. “Splendid Lake is a fictional town set in the mountains of North Carolina near Asheville, but in my head, I see Schroon Lake, which is a real lake located in the Adirondacks of New York. I spent many summer vacations at Schroon Lake as a child. I remember swimming in the lake, shopping in the little downtown area, and going to the one-screen movie theater. I based the shopping area in Splendid Lake on the little town of Schroon Lake and incorporated some of my favorite stores there—a Christmas shop and many little gift shops, as well as a mini-golf course. Brianna Porter, the main character, loses her father, and then her mother faces a scary health situation. I poured my heart and soul into this book, and I hope that comes through the story.”
Q. If a film were made of your book, who would you cast in the leading roles?
A. “That would be a dream come true. In my mind, Brianna is actress Olivia Holt, Scott is Grey Damon, who stars on my favorite television show, “Station 19,” and I see Taylor as Alberto Frezza, who was also on “Station 19.” I would love to see them in a movie version of this book!”
Q. I know you have a love for cats and include them in your books. Will there be any furry friends in this story?
A.Oh yes! The resort cat is named Bucky, after my favorite Marvel character, and I see him in my mind as my sweet tuxedo cat, Leo.”
Q. Is The Heart of Splendid Lake the first contemporary romance book you have written?
A. It’s the first contemporary romance book that has been published. I have very old (and poorly written) contemporary books I wrote years ago that would never be published.
Q. Will the characters introduced in this novel be featured in any other novels or short stories in the future?
A. Yes. I wrote a contemporary Christmas novella set in Splendid Lake which will be featured in a novella collection next year. Brianna’s best friend, Ava, who runs the coffee shop, will make an appearance.
Thank you so much, Amy, for sharing a little more about The Heart of Splendid Lake with us. I am looking forward to reading more about Brianna and Scott and a new furry friend, Bucky.
