Interview with Candace Calvert

By Kelly Bridgewater

Candace Calvert's Writing Bio:

From Amazon

Often called the author of "medical hope opera," Candace Calvert is an ER nurse who landed on the other side of the stethoscope after the equestrian accident that broke her neck and convinced her love, laughter--and faith--are the very best medicines of all.

Her popular medical drama series (Mercy Hospital, Grace Medical and Crisis Team) offer readers a chance to "scrub in" on the exciting world of emergency medicine, along with charismatic characters, pulse-pounding action, tender romance, humor, suspense--and an encouraging prescription for hope. Think "Grey's Anatomy finds its soul"!

A native northern Californian, mother of two and proud grandmother to eight, Candace is a passionate "foodie," equally at home with a whisk in her hand as she is penning stories. Folks who follow her on Twitter and Facebook will find photo-embellished recipes,funny insights into the writing life, snippets of upcoming work, and a chance at book giveaways. Please visit her website at: www.candacecalvert.com.

The Interview:

Let's get the interview started:

     1. Maybe It’s You is the third installment in your latest trilogy, the Crisis Team series. What is the background on this series?

The Crisis Team series features the selfless and compassionate work of volunteer community chaplains—true heroes, in my opinion. The stories are set in my native California, this one in the “City of Angels,” Los Angeles.

    2. How do you expect this series to resonate with your audience? What are     you most excited for your readers to experience through reading these novels?

I love that my readers agree crisis responders are very special heroes. Because these selfless men and women are volunteers, it’s fun to show how their day jobs differ from what they encounter when they pull on those volunteer jackets. The hero of Maybe It’s You is the hospital’s public relations guy: coat, tie, media

-speak, very different. As with all of my series, the Crisis Team stories are hospital based. Readers will feel as if they’ve been dropped into the adrenaline

-infused action of the ER, experience team camaraderie, taste that day-old coffee—and glimpse the good hearts behind the stethoscopes and badges.

    3. Crisis teams are becoming increasingly vital and active in the world today.   How would you describe their role, and how can we learn more?

    Crisis responders are trained to assist survivors of tragedy, whether it be from a major disaster (weather-related catastrophes, fires, bombings, mass shootings, etc.) or of a more personal nature like the sudden death of a loved one from a heart attack, accident, suicide, homicide, sudden infant death, or other unexpected cause. These volunteers work alongside other community service personnel (fire, police, rescue) offering support, a compassionate ear, and resources to folks trying to cope in the wake of an incident that will

forever change their lives. In creating my stories, I’m grateful for the assistance of U.S.Crisis Care. 

    4. As a former ER nurse who has had crisis chaplain training, what has been your most rewarding or memorable experience in the field?

In my role as a CISM (Critical Incident Stress Management) peer counselor, I was part of a team that ministered to fellow medical team members affected by work-related tragedy. We responded to (and conducted debriefings for) hospital staff after situations involving infant and child death, mass casualties, personal assault, and accidental death (or suicide) of fellow team members. One of the more heartbreaking situations I dealt with involved a hospital ER team caring for a critically injured youngster—who was the child of their favorite trauma surgeon.

      5. What was your inspiration for Maybe It’s You and the main characters, Sloane and Micah?

Interestingly, I never intended to feature Sloane Ferrell as the heroine of

Maybe It’s You. In Step by Step, she is the nemesis teammate to the story’s heroine. She’s cynical, troubled, and dare we say unlikable? Probably. And rather mysterious, too—for very good reason. As an author, crawling inside Sloane’s head was a challenge. It raised more questions than answers. I suddenly needed to know why she was the way she was. And what it might take

to change that. As this third story opens, Sloane has a new name, new zip code, new job, and a life-and-death need to keep a low profile. But the opening scene puts our reluctant heroine in the media spotlight and at serious odds with Micah Prescott, the hospital’s equally determined PR man.

     6. What lessons or truths will your readers find in the pages of this novel?

The unifying message in Maybe It’s You is one of forgiveness and healing, brokenness and worth—that no matter our mistakes, we are loved by God. Saved by grace.

     

      7. As an author, what did you particularly enjoy about crafting this story?

I have been known to randomly invite readers into my stories—as characters. It was especially fun, this time, to feature the husband of one of my readers as hospital worker/handyman Jerry Rhodes; from what I’d learned of him on Facebook, he seemed a perfect match. My reader and I had a great time getting the details right, and in the end, I also “borrowed” her adorable doxies, Gibbs & McGee, her dear, elderly mama—and then I invited this generous reader to make a cameo appearance of her own. I think you’ll agree they were a great addition to the story.

        8. What are some of the unique challenges of writing contemporary romance in a medical setting?

I think the challenge of the medical aspect is to provide realistic (and accurate) medical detail without talking over the heads of readers, but not talking down to them either. Because of the popularity of medical TV drama and the opportunity for people to google their way into medical jargon, symptomology, and treatment adjuncts, readers are far more savvy these days. I try my best to sort of parachute my readers into the medical scenes, allowing them to feel as if they are part of the team. As far as the romance aspect goes, while it’s true

that teammates working in life-and-death situations often develop strong (and sometimes romantic) bonds, I can guarantee there are no TV-type trysts going on in hospital storage rooms!

      9.Have you received any feedback from your fans on the Crisis Team series? How are they responding?

The response (I’m grateful) has been very positive; readers love these compassionate crisis responders. And of course, I’m so honored that

Booklist

chose this series’ first story, By Your Side, as a Top 10 Inspirational Book of 2015.

   

    10.What is the best advice or encouragement you have received either personally or professionally?

I often receive e-mails (and even handwritten letters) from my readers. They are always a blessing. One that particularly stands out was a note from a young woman after her Alabama town was devastated by a tornado. She wrote from a shelter, exhausted, after finally getting her child to sleep. She’d picked up

one of my books for a few moments of escape—and found unexpected comfort, hope. Her words, in part: “During this time of chaos and confusion. Thank you for providing shelter in my storm.” No better encouragement for any author.

    11.What are you most proud of in your writing career?

I feel really good that I’m a trailblazer when it comes to medical romance in Christian fiction—I love being called the author of “medical hope opera.” That my long years as a nurse are now the basis for stories that touch readers’ hearts, offer hope, and perhaps even healing, seems so right, God’s plan, for sure. I’m definitely proud of my publishing team—Tyndale House is beyond awesome. 

Thank you for stopping by today, Candace!

Don't forget to pick up Maybe It's You and the first two installments in the series, By Your Side and Step by Step. 

Candace Calvert: Maybe It's You

By Kelly Bridgewater

ER nurse Sloane Ferrell escaped her risky past—new name, zip code, job, and a fresh start. She’s finally safe, if she avoids a paper trail and doesn’t let people get too close. Like the hospital’s too-smooth marketing man with his relentless campaign to plaster one “lucky” employee’s face on freeway billboards.

Micah Prescott’s goal is to improve the Hope hospital image, but his role as a volunteer crisis responder is closer to his heart. The selfless work helps fill a void in his life left by family tragedy. So does a tentative new relationship with the compassionate, beautiful, and elusive Sloane Ferrell.

Then a string of brutal crimes makes headlines, summons responders . . . and exposes disturbing details of Sloane’s past.

Can hope spring from crisis?

www.relzreviewz.com

My Review:

Having read the first two books in Candace Calvert's first two books in the Crisis Team series, I really enjoyed them. Her stories always have characters that dig at my heart and make me want to keep turning the page. With her final book in the Crisis Team series, Maybe It's You, I felt the same way. I enjoyed the strong, yet flawed characters with a plot that kept me focused on the story.

Like the previous novels, Calvert uses her knowledge of the medical field to make her story shine. The inner workings of the medical hospital is proven with Calvert's incorporation into the story.  While the medical research is important, Calvert also understands how to create an interesting, yet concise story where characters stay in their point of view and have me empathize with them.

Sloane Ferrell is a strong heroine who is an ER nurse. I enjoy stories where the past comes back to haunt the individual characters. It makes the story better. With Sloane, it is no exception. Sloane is a caring and loving nurse who tries to escape her past, but it catches up and interferes with her current movements. I really enjoyed spending time with her. I loved seeing her flawed and trying to put her life back together. As for Micah, he is a PR person who works with the crisis team on the side, so he wants to help others out in his spare time too, which makes him perfect for Sloane.

While the individual characters are well-written, the romance wasn't too cheesy or over the top. I really enjoyed watching the love story of Sloane and Micah slowly unfold. Their romance takes time to develop and moves at a nice pace. But one thing about their romance bothered me . . . It was the proposal at the end of the story. I understand completely that it is formulaic to throw the type of endings in a romance, but I really, really don't like those type of endings.

The plot centers around Sloane's past and a young women named Zoey who is wrapped up in human trafficking. The story gripped me pretty early on and kept my attention glued to the page. I liked being lost in a world where the innocent is downtrodden, but then strike to victory in the end. I loved when justice is served. Maybe It's You does exactly that.

Maybe It's You is a predictable and unoriginal novel. The story idea has been done a number of times, but I really enjoyed it. While the story keeps me glued to the page, Calvert gently reminds me that God loves you no matter what you have done in your past. Something all of us need to remember. Fans of Calvert's other stories and Beth K. Vogt's novels should pick this novel up. I highly recommend it.

In conclusion, Candace Calvert's Maybe It's You, is a gripping story with flawed, yet realistic characters and non-stop moving plot with a predictable element that kept me glued to the pages.

I received a complimentary copy of Maybe It's You from Tyndale Publishing and the opinions stated are all my own. 

My Ratings: 4.5 out of 5 stars

I really enjoy stories where Justice is served, especially to the innocent. What about you? What draws us to the this genre?

Candace Calvert: Step by Step

By Kelly Bridgewater

Description (From Amazon):

Three years after a tragic accident left her a widow, ER nurse Taylor Cabot is determined to move on, checking off one item after another on her survival list. Her relationship with a handsome plastic surgeon even gives her hope for the last point―“fall in love again.” At least until crisis chaplain Seth Donovan steps back into her life, reawakening unanswered questions about her husband’s death.

While in San Diego to train community volunteers, Seth hopes to learn why Taylor is backing away from the crisis team and from their friendship. But nothing prepares him for the feelings that arise when he sees Taylor again . . . and sees her moving on with another man.

When a community crisis hits home and puts lives at risk, emotions run high and buried truths are unearthed. Will hope make the survival list?

From Amazon

My Review:    

Candace Calvert’s book Step By Step gave me an emotional rollercoaster. I just lost my father this past Halloween, and I still can’t imagine moving out without him. He was my biggest fan and supporter, so when Calvert allowed Taylor Cabot to grieve and show how she was moving on after the death of her husband Greg, I totally understood what she was going through.  Even though the story is three years after her husband’s death while my father just passed three and a half months ago. Calvert created characters that were completely related to anyone who has lost someone important.

The action on the page centered on Taylor who is working her way through a number of steps to move on with her grief. Taylor is determined to eat healthier and walk more while going through Greg, her late husband’s belongings. Calvert tugged at my heart with the aspect of Hooper, Greg and Taylor’s older golden retriever who was fighting cancer. I also have a golden retriever who is my only daughter and eight years old. If she goes anytime now, I will probably fall apart. This story didn’t have the non-stop action that I enjoy seeing in a story, but it really gripped me and kept me turning the pages because I wanted to see how Taylor would move on.

As for the romance between Taylor Cabot and Seth Donovan, I think it slowly grew. It didn’t appear to be too rushed like some romances I have read in the past. Seth was a genuine hero because he waited for three years while Taylor moved to San Diego and tried to date other men. He never gave up on Taylor. He kept praying for her and waited on her to make the first move. I really liked Seth. I hope to see him come back in later novels.

Calvert proves that she has worked for many years in the medical field because of her knowledge of the procedures and all the medical terminology. I am a huge fan of the television series ER, so some of the words just rolled off my tongue when I read it because I have heard it mentioned a number of times. I never once doubted Calvert’s words. It sounded completely genuine and right on target.

Emotionally draining, Candace Calvert’s Step by Step kept my attention as I watched Taylor struggle with how to continue on living without her husband while the romance felt realistic and moving.

I received a complimentary copy of Step by Step from Tyndale Publishing and the opinions stated are all my own. 

My Rating:  4.5 out of 5 Stars

Purchase Step by Step

Q and A with Candace Calvert about Step by Step

1. This is the second installment in your latest trilogy, the Crisis Team series. What is the background on this series? 

The Crisis Team series, set in my native California, offers exciting medical scenarios within the fictional Hope medical system, and features the selfless and compassionate work of volunteer community chaplains—true heroes.

2. How do you expect this series to resonate with your audience? What are you most excited for your readers to experience through reading these novels?

 I have found, almost universally, that most of my readers weren’t aware of the vital work done by crisis responders (chaplains). It’s an honor to feature these dedicated volunteers and puts an intriguing new slant on my exciting and highly emotional medical fiction. I also think it adds to the element of hope for my readers, to know that these teams are “out there” in real life.

3. Crisis teams are becoming increasingly vital and active in the world today. How would you describe their role, and how can we learn more?

Crisis responders are volunteers from all walks of life, trained to assist survivors of tragedy, whether it be from a major disaster (weather related catastrophes, fires, bombings, mass shootings, etc.) or of a more personal nature like the sudden death of a loved one from a heart attack, accident, suicide, homicide, sudden infant death, or other unexpected cause. These volunteers work alongside other rescue personnel (fire, police, rescue) offering support, a compassionate ear, and resources to folks trying to cope in the wake of an incident that will forever change their lives. Crisis responders have been referred to as “emotional paramedics,” and I think that says it well. In creating my stories, I’m grateful for the assistance of U.S. Crisis Care. Here is a link: U.S. Crisis Care

4. As a former ER nurse who has had crisis chaplain training, what has been your most rewarding or memorable experience in the field? 

In my role as a CISM (Critical Incident Stress Management) peer counselor, I was part of team that ministered to fellow medical team members affected by work-related tragedy. We responded to (and conducted debriefings for) hospital staff after situations involving infant and child death, mass casualties, personal assaults, and accidental death (or suicide) of fellow team members. As often seen in my stories, medical (rescue, fire, law enforcement, and chaplaincy) workers are not immune to the heartbreak of tragedy. The cliché of a self-protective, indifferent, “professionally distant” service provider couldn’t be further from the truth. We cry, too.

5. What was your inspiration for this particular book and the main characters, Taylor and Seth?

Nurse Taylor Cabot and Chaplain Seth Donovan were secondary characters, friends and volunteer team mates, in By Your Side. In this new story readers have the opportunity to learn more about them and follow their heart tugging journey. The setting is beautiful San Diego, California where, in opening scene, a small plane crashes onto the beach. The continuing story offers exciting medical drama, an in depth look a crisis chaplaincy, warm humor, romance . . . and a few tears (Kleenex advised).

6. What lessons or truths will your readers find in the pages of this novel?

The unifying message in Step by Step is one of forgiveness and healing, by allowing God’s loving plan to guide the way instead of stubbornly insisting on personal control.

7. As an author, what did you particularly enjoy about crafting this story?

Readers have come to expect animals in my stories, and in Step by Step the relationship between Taylor and her aging Golden Retriever, Hooper, was particularly poignant for me. I also got a kick out of showing Taylor’s (controlling) tendency toward checklists, calorie counting, and tracking her exercise by logging every “step”—I have a Fitbit bracelet, too!

8. What are some of the unique challenges of writing contemporary romance in a medical setting?

I think the challenge of the medical aspect is to provide realistic (and accurate) medical detail without talking over the heads of readers, but not talking down to them either. Because of the popularity of medical TV drama and the opportunity for people to “Google” their way into medical jargon, symptomology, and treatment adjuncts, readers are far more savvy these days. I try my best to sort of parachute my readers into the medical scenes, allowing them feel as if they are part of the team. As far as the romance aspect goes, while it’s true that team mates working in life-and-death situations often develop strong (and sometimes romantic) bonds, I can guarantee there is no TV-type trysts going on in hospital storage rooms!

9. Have you received any feedback from your fans on the Crisis Team series? How are they responding? 

The response (I’m grateful) has been very positive; readers love these compassionate crisis responders. And, of course, I’m so honored that Booklist chose this series’ first story, By Your Side, as a Top 10 Inspirational Book of 2015.

10. What is the best advice or encouragement you have received either personally or professionally?

I would have to say the best advice I’ve received both professionally and personally is also a tenet of crisis chaplaincy: to simply listen. We all (especially service providers) have a great need to “do and fix.” And certainly talk, advise . . . sometimes lecture. One of the biggest blessings, gifts, we can give another person is to listen, really hear them. It also speaks, of course, to one of my favorite verses: Psalm 46:10 “. . . Be still, and know that I am God . . . ”

11. What are you most proud of in your writing career?

I’m not sure “proud” is the word, but I think I’m most pleased (still pinching myself) that readers say my stories have touched their hearts, encouraged them at a time of despair-- even changed their lives. It’s powerful, humbling, amazing. I’m definitely proud of my publishing team—Tyndale House is beyond awesome.

12. What are some future projects you’re working on?

At this moment, I’m preparing for the redline edits on Maybe It’s You, the third Crisis Team story, scheduled for release in early 2017.

Chance of Loving You

By Kelly Bridgewater

Back Cover Copy:

An anthology by three bestselling romance authors

For Love of Money by Terri Blackstock Trying to launch her own design firm while waitressing on the side, Julie Sheffield was drawn to the kind man she waited on at the restaurant last night . . . until he stiffed her on the tip by leaving her half of a sweepstakes ticket.

The Recipe by Candace Calvert Hospital dietary assistant Aimee Curran is determined to win the Vegan Valentine Bake-Off to prove she’s finally found her calling. But while caring for one of her patients—the elderly grandmother of a handsome CSI photographer—Aimee begins to question where she belongs.

Hook, Line & Sinker by Susan May Warren Grad student Abigail Cushman has agreed to enter the annual Deep Haven fishing contest. She’s a quick learner, even if she doesn’t know the difference between a bass and a trout. But nothing could prepare her for competing against the handsome charmer she’s tried to forget since grief tore them apart.

One chance for each woman to change her life . . . but will love be the real prize?

My Review:

Chance of Loving You is an anthology by three bestselling romance authors, including Terri Blackstock, Susan May Warren, and Candace Calvert. I am a huge fan of all of their writings individually, so when I found out they were teaming up to write a book together with common themes, I couldn’t wait to get my hand on a copy.

This sweet anthology features three couples who run into each other: one after many years and the other two were first encounters. The idea of three couples falling in love after meeting seemed like a good idea. Happens all the time.

The story by Candace Calvert, “The Recipe” was my favorite story. I truly enjoyed how Lucas and Aimee had a connection with strawberries. Lucas’s grandmother used to paint strawberries while Lucas was fascinated his grandparents’ love story and has been recording it through photography for years. Aimee, however, has enjoyed how her mother used to make this Strawberry Rhubarb Crumble for her birthday.

The nursery home story world created a nice feeling to grab the affection and interest of Lucas and Aimee. I enjoyed watching the transformation of Aimee and Lucas by the story’s end.

While “The Recipe” was my most favorite novella of the collection, “The Love of Money” by Terri Blackstock seemed unrealistic. Blackstock is known for her romantic suspense, so I think she should stick to that. “The Love of Money” has Julie and Blake winning twenty thousand dollars and deciding how much it can change them. I had a hard time swallowing the concept behind the story. Plus, the romance between Julie and Blake was too fast for my taste. I don’t even think Julie and Blake really like each other. The money tied them together.

I read “Hook, Line, and Sinker” by Susan May Warren before. It has way too much fish terminology that I forget that I’m reading a contemporary romance novel in the process. Being a huge fan of Susan May Warren, this is a short novella that I would have a hard time recommending to my friends.

Overall, Chance of Loving You by three best-selling authors has one enjoyable story while the other two really didn’t capture my attention.

I received a complimentary copy of Chance of Loving You from Tyndale Publishing and the opinions stated are all my own.

Each author’s Bio Links:

Author Terri Blackstock - view author info
Author Susan May Warren - view author info
Author Candace Calvert - view author info

  

Where to purchase Chance of Loving You:

Amazon

Barnes and Nobles

Christianbook

Your Local Favorite Bookstore

What aspects of reading a an anthology by three bestselling romance authors appeal to you?