Welcome back, friends!
I’m so excited to introduce you to Elizabeth—not because she’s written more than 30 novels, and not because she has hit the USA Today bestseller list, and not because a Hallmark TV producer reached out to her about the rights to one of her series—I’m excited for you to meet her because…
🥁🥁🥁 DRUMROLL 🥁🥁🥁
She’s my neighbor!
Well, we don’t live next door, exactly, but we do live in the same small town—so small that you can’t go to Walmart without bumping into your dental hygienist in the produce section and running into your best friend’s mom at self-checkout.
If you love sweet romances set in small towns like ours, then it’s your lucky day. Elizabeth has you covered.
I can’t wait for you to get to know her.
All About Elizabeth
I write small-town women's fiction and sweet romance. In my stories, I weave multi-generational family dynamics with the triumphs and trials of modern relationships.
I live with my husband, Ed, and son, Eddie, in the mountains of Arizona. We spend time together reading, taking walks with our sweet pups, Winnie and Tuesday, and working on puzzles.
As a girl, I produced full-blown performances of The Nutcracker, casting my cousins and promising I’d pay them. (I still owe my little brother, Michael, 14 bucks.) Later, I was lucky to be in Ballet Arizona’s production of The Nutcracker from sixth to eighth grade. I loved it!
I cherish family heirlooms. My mother gifted me our family’s baptismal gown for Eddie’s baptism. The name of each child who wore it is embroidered inside.
I come from a big Catholic family, and so does Ed. Our family get-togethers are pure chaos. As a girl, I loved it. As an adult, I need to plan recovery time after each event. Ha.
My grandmother was one of my best friends in the world. She passed away at the start of summer, and I was honored to write her eulogy. I couldn’t read it, however, but my sister-in-law did. One of my books, The House by the Creek, is based loosely on Grandma’s life.
Q: Which books/authors have most impacted or inspired your writing?
Heidi, Little House on the Prairie, the Nancy Drew series, the Ramona books…and even some of my teenage selections like The Shining and The Bean Trees.
I know. Wildly contradictory. Kinda sums me up. If it’s not obvious, I write different types of books than I read.
What I’m reading right now: The River We Remember by William Kent Krueger
I’m so bad at picking when I love both options :)
All About Elizabeth’s Books
The House by the Creek (2022)
I’ve written over 30 books, but here are the gateway novels into four series that are my personal favorites.
The Schoolhouse (Hickory Grove #1) A heartwarming second-chance romance nestled in small-town women’s fiction.
House on the Harbor (Birch Harbor #1) A true family saga, the Birch Harbor series includes sister drama, romance, and mystery.
The House on Apple Hill Lane (Harbor Hills #1) Peyton Place meets Hallmark in this neighborhood saga of small-town secrets.
The Summer Society (Gull's Landing #1) A spellbinding story of friendship, secrets, and the girlhood pact that started it all.
Books that Elizabeth read and loved
Heidi by Johanna Spyri
When I was little, Grandma Engelhard would read this book to me as she rubbed my back. I cherish those memories with her. Maybe one day I’ll visit the Swiss Alps, and roll down the grassy hills, too.
The Five People You Meet in Heaven by Mitch Albom
During a particularly bratty period of my teenagehood, my mom “punished” me by making me read this book. I credit her and the book with carrying me over the threshold of self-absorbed teenager to kind young woman (still a work in progress though).
The Mountain Between Us by Charles Martin
Ed gave me this book for Christmas when Eddie was a baby. I devoured it during a weekend snowstorm and found a love of romantic adventure stories. More than that, this story represents how great a husband (and book gifter) Ed is.
Ordinary Grace by William Kent Krueger
A midwestern up-market mystery, this book turned my attention from dime-a-dozen thrillers to a stunningly drawn period piece chock full of intrigue.
Rosemary’s Baby by Ira Levin
Though I saw the movie years ago, I discovered the audiobook just last year. Mia Farrow impeccably narrates a scary account of newlyweds looking for happiness in an eerie New York apartment with strange neighbors.
Funny Story by Emily Henry
I so rarely read romance, but this book distracted me during a difficult time. Heroine Daphne is relatable, and the hero is hunky but sweet. Henry has me cringing and laughing at every turn. Plus, her writing is reminiscent of Sophie Kinsella, whose books I read while spending a summer with Grandma Flanagan. Insert happy and sad tears here.
Here’s how you can connect with Elizabeth
This interview captures only a few of the books Elizabeth has written. See her full catalog on her website, and while you’re there, be sure to sign up for her email newsletter.
Here’s where you can find her on Facebook, Instagram, and Goodreads.
🎁 Finally, a giveaway! 🎁
Get a sneak peek of Part 1 of Copper Girl, a two-part series. Meet Amy and Laura Stone in this taste of the wild Southwest.
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Thank you, Elizabeth, for chatting books today!
And thank you for being here, readers.
Catch you next time,
Michelle
I have Ordinary Grace on my bookshelf, waiting its turn. I love your relationship with your grandma. I have one grandmother left, and she is so special to me, too.