Cleopatra Margot Interview

Today, please join me in welcoming Cleopatra Margot to Interviews & Reviews. Cleopatra resides with her family and their golden retriever in small town, rural Nebraska. Inspiration for her novels comes from both real life and fictional characters and storylines in her brain. The town of Believe is based on her own hometown, but with embellishments.

She and her two younger siblings are homeschooled, and enjoy traveling with their parents and the dog. When she’s not writing, Cleopatra enjoys Bible journaling, time with family and friends, playing cards, being outside (when it’s not subfreezing temps), laughing, singing, and enjoying life.

​Today, Cleo is going to talk to us about her latest book Healing Their Hearts. And she is giving away one print copy to someone in the U.S. and one ebook to those outside the U.S.

Cleo, welcome to Interviews & Reviews!

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What authors have inspired you?

Authors that have inspired me over the years include Janette Oke, Tina Radcliffe, Belle Calhoune, Katlyn Grace, and Anna Catherine, among others. Janette Oke was the reason I started writing in the first place. Her Canadian West series inspired me to write!

How many books have you written?

​I have now written a total of eight books, *almost* six of which are published.

That is quite an accomplishment for one so young. When is Healing Their Hearts due out, and can you tell us about it?

My next book, Healing Their Hearts, releases on June 21, 2020. It is a contemporary faith-based romance with hints of suspense. This book is unlike my other books for a couple reasons: 1) It features four main characters, two couples. 2) I have designed the covers for all my books using stock images, but for this one I got to take the actual cover images!

You mentioned that you took the cover photo of your book. We are living in such a volatile time in relation to police violence. Does your book address this issue?

Because this book was written before all of the riots broke out, it does not directly correlate with police violence, no. It is a police officer in uniform on the front, and I think that will both attract people to read it and it might turn some people off. My goal with this book is to shed light on our good law enforcement officers who so badly need our support during this time. 

What inspired you to write this book?

I was inspired to write this book mostly because I wanted to write Liam McKay’s story. (Laughs) But when Evangeline Taylor, a completely new character, introduced herself to me, I knew that this story was going to be unique. And it is. It is the first novel I’ve written which has two couples, and it was a lot of fun to write.

Which character do you like the most?

Oh, this is a tough question. I love all four of my main characters, but I think my most favorite character is Lainee, Mark’s three-year-old foster daughter. I have never written a book where a young couple is getting together and there is a child involved (I’ve read a lot of them like that) and it was fun to step out of my comfort zone. Lainee is the sweetest little girl who comes from sad circumstances, and I can’t wait for her to be introduced to my readers.

Do you talk to your characters?

Hehe, I’m not sure if I necessarily talk to my characters, but I do talk about them a lot. I love talking about my writing and sharing different character quirks with people. I like to joke that I have well over a hundred people living in my head!

Is there anything you would like to say to your readers?

I would like to say, “thank you.” Whenever I hear that someone enjoyed my book, or that they passed it onto someone else to read, I get warm fuzzies. There are times when it doesn’t always feel like it pays off to be an indie author because of doing everything yourself, but when just one little compliment or word of encouragement comes along, it makes everything completely worth it!

And finally, what do you do when you aren’t writing?

When I’m not writing I love to be with family. I love being outside and playing cornhole, doing chalk art, swimming, waterskiing, and lots of other activities. (Or building snowmen or snow tubing in the winter.) We play a lot of card games, namely Pitch and Canasta, as a family. I love taking walks and adventuring around our tiny little Nebraska town. I also love to dream about what I’m going to write next!

Thank you for sharing Cleo! For those who would like to win a copy of Healing Their Hearts fill out the form below! This giveaway will end on June 22, 2020. One print copy is available to win for U.S. residents only. One ebook is available to win to people outside the U.S. Winners will be contacted via email and will be posted here. Failure to claim your prize within three days will result in another winner being chosen.

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Congratulations to Beverly Laude! You have won a print copy of Healing Their Hearts!
​Watch for our email!

After spring's many trials, Knox County Sheriff Liam McKay is ready for a season of restoration. He needs time to grieve the loss of his grandmother and work on becoming a better husband and father. Liam learned the hard way that life is fragile, and he doesn't want to miss out on any precious moments.

Emma McKay loves her role as a wife and mother. After she lost her parents, the McKay family became her saving grace. Being married to a police officer brings both challenges and adventures into her life, though, and when something hits on a more personal level, will her past be brought into the light?

Officer Mark MacLaughlin is motivated by two things: his family and his job. Add a beautiful stranger to the mix, and Mark can't help but want to get to know her better. But when he takes on fatherhood for a three-year-old girl, he has to learn how to blur the lines between his personal and professional life too.

​Evangeline Taylor was on the way to confront her past, until her plans came to a grinding halt. Now injured and stranded in a tiny Nebraska town, Eva's heart opens up. The town, the people, and maybe one handsome police officer in particular help her to heal...but will they be enough to make her stay?

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