Hello, reader friends! Author friend Courtney Walsh is joining us for a quick chat in honor of her new release Is It Any Wonder!
about the author
Courtney Walsh is the author of ten inspirational novels including the Sweethaven series.
Her debut novel, A Sweethaven Summer, was a New York Times and USA Today e-book bestseller and a Carol Award finalist in the debut author category. In addition, she has written two craft books and several full-length musicals.
Courtney lives with her husband and three children in Illinois, where she is also an artist, theater director, and playwright.
Visit her website or connect with Courtney on facebook, twitter, and instagram!
q&a
What inspired you to write Is It Any Wonder?
C: I’m such a sucker for a romance about a couple who grew up together. The shared history, the potential for conflict in their backstory, the deep connection—I think these are my favorite relationships to explore, so it started there for me.
B: Me too! I love those friends to romance stories so much!
What do you love about the Nantucket setting?
C: Can I say everything? I’ve been to Nantucket twice, and both times I was just completely smitten by how charming everything is. It’s like everything you imagine when you think of an idyllic island setting. The beaches, the ocean, the cobblestone, the brick, the cottages, the history—it’s just perfection!
B: Yes, you can!
Was there a character in this novel that you especially enjoyed crafting?
C: I always love writing older, wiser, feistier characters, so Maggie was definitely fun to write in this story. But I really enjoyed writing Louisa. I think writing a character who is a little quirkier than my other heroines was particularly fun.
B: Feisty and quirky characters are the best.
Were any characters or events in the story inspired by people in your life or experiences you have had?
C: Honestly, no. This one was all fiction. Ha!
B: Oh, how fun!
What role does faith play in this story?
C: I think faith comes into play in every story I write, whether it’s overt or more subtle. I tend to really lean into the theme of forgiveness because I’ve had to learn over and over how crucial it is—to forgive others, to forgive ourselves, to not grow bitter when someone hurts or wrongs us, or even to not foster anger with God when life doesn’t go as planned.
These are all things both Cody and Louisa are learning and wrestling with. I feel like these are the kinds of universal things we can all relate to because for whatever reason, no matter how much we know we need to forgive, it’s never easy to do.
B: Amen to that.
In your view, why do we love stories of second chances so much?
C: There’s something about two people who were always meant to be together finding their way back to each other when life or circumstances have thrown them off course. We’re instantly cheering for them.
B: Completely agree with you there! Thank you so much for visiting with us today, Courtney!
about the book
Is It Any Wonder by Courtney Walsh (Nantucket Love Story book 2)
Can a promise made as kids bring them back together as adults?
In this Nantucket-set beach read, “master of the genre” (Midwest Book Review) Courtney Walsh delivers a sparkling inspirational romance about first love and second chances.
Twelve years ago, Cody Boggs and Louisa Chambers made a pact that no matter where their lives took them, they’d return to Nantucket Island’s Brant Point Lighthouse on July 30, their shared golden birthday, and continue their tradition of exchanging birthday wishes. But that was before a tragic accident upended both of their lives, irrevocably pulling them apart.
Their worlds collide just months before that particular day when Louisa’s fledgling event planning company is hired by the local Coast Guard station, where she discovers Cody has recently returned to the island as the second in command. As they plan a regatta fundraiser, hoping to promote positive PR in the community, neither can deny the fireworks each encounter ignites. But working together also brings up memories of the day Cody’s father died, revealing secrets that have Cody and Louisa questioning everything they thought they knew and felt about their families and each other.
goodreads | amazon | bookdepository | indiebound | christianbook | bookbub
giveaway
Thanks to the publisher, we have a print copy of If for Any Reason by Courtney Walsh for one fortunate Faithfully Bookish reader!
US only | ends 4/18 | complete giveaway rules
enter giveaway here
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Nantucket Love Story series
Join our chat by sharing your thoughts in the comments!
I am looking forward to reading If for Any Reason & Is It Any Wonder by Courtney Walsh!
Are you adding this title to your tbr, reader friends?
Faithfully Bookish 
This is definitely going on my TBR.
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I already have this on my TBR list. ?
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Courtney Walsh writes an awesome contemporary romance! This one is definitely going on my TBR list!
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Oh, yes! I always want to read any book by Courtney Walsh.
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I love Courtney’s books! This one is on my TBR pile.
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Already on my want to read list. Thank you for sharing.
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Absolutely adding to my TBR list!
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Second chance love stories are my favorite, and a visit to Nantucket sounds wonderful right now. Is It Any Wonder sounds like the perfect ticket.
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Can’t wait to read it! Love her books.
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I reallyb want to read this!
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It sounds like a great read and the book cover is Beautiful! I will be adding it to my TBR list.
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