Author Interview with Patti Stockdale!

About the Book:

Title: Three Little Things

Author: Patti Stockdale

Genre: Historical Romance

Release Date: February 4, 2020

★ ★ ★ ★ ★ “I fell in love with Aron and Hattie!” – Debbie Macomber ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

“A well-drawn cast of supporting characters creates a strong sense of community, and colorful colloquialisms (“whip-thin and homely as a cow pie”) add flavor. Lovers of G-rated historical romance will be charmed by the earnest, emotionally vulnernable connection between these young lovers.” – Publisher’s Weekly

One forbidden love. Two broken hearts. Three little things.

Hattie Waltz should forget the troubled neighbor leaving for boot camp in 1917. He forgot about her ages ago. It had always been the Waltzs verses the Kregers, his family pitted against hers. When she hands him a farewell gift, a chemistry lesson unfolds. The good kind.

Arno Kreger can’t leave Iowa or his old man fast enough. He’s eager to prove his worth on the battlefield and stop blaming himself for his brother’s death. Before entering the train, he bumps into Hattie. He’s loved her forever, always from the sidelines, because nobody crosses Hattie’s pa.

One innocent letter soon morphs into many. Arno and Hattie share three little secrets in each letter and grow closer together. But he’s on his way to a war across the ocean, and she’s still in her father’s house. Their newfound love will need to survive dangers on both fronts.

Purchase your copy HERE

Interview:

What makes your main characters tick?

Three little things make Hattie Waltz tick: her faith, can-do spirit, and love of family and friends. At the beginning of the story, she’s a bit of a wallflower. By the end of her story, she comes full circle, gaining confidence to tackle whatever lands in her path.

What was the highlight of writing this book?

The highlight of the book was writing and publishing a novel inspired by my grandparents’ love letters. Authors rarely admit they have a favorite book, but this one holds a special place in my heart for that reason. After the book released, I attended a book talk at my hometown library. It warmed my heart to see friends, family, and strangers in the audience full of love and support. Less than 1,000 people live in my hometown.

Did you have an “aha” moment where everything came together?

I had a giant “aha” moment writing “Three Little Things.” When I first started writing the book, I tried to tell my grandparents’ story. But great heroes and heroines have flaws. I couldn’t flaw my grandparents and struggled for months. Finally, I saw the light, changed my tunnel vision, and created one-hundred percent fictional characters. Then, my story fell into place.

Do you write in one genre or several?

Whenever I sit down to write, I crave chocolate chips and peanuts. Growing up, we rarely had sweets in the house because my sister was diabetic. I’ve always preferred salty foods over sweet, but not lately. Now, I can’t get enough Ghirardelli milk chocolate chips. Please send coupons!

What genre would you choose to write that you don’t already?

I’d probably write fairy tales or young adult novels if I switched genres. Some of my earliest memories are of my Mom reading from a book titled “Story and Verse for Children.” No pictures, only words. I fell in love with Cinderella, Snow White, Rumpelstiltskin, and many other fabulous characters. The idea of letting my imagination run wild in this genre excites me more than a little. Initially, I intended to write “Three Little Things” for the young adult market, but my mentor persuaded me to go in a different direction. No regrets. I’m glad I did.

Author Bio:

Patti loves hope, history, and a good happily ever after. She can’t remember numbers, so she married a statistician. Thanks to him, she’s lived all sorts of places and worked all sorts of jobs. While employed by an NFL team, she once answered the phone by the wrong team name. She doesn’t work there anymore. For 11 years, she directed the programming at a nonprofit senior center and hosted an annual talent show, rocking a Dolly Parton wig, Annie Oakley boots, and a sweet–although snug–Batman costume. She no longer works there either. These days, Patti writes books and occasionally educational assessments and magazine articles.

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