- Sep 14, 2022

A Belief In Beautiful Tomorrows

JOSIE RIVIERA

USA TODAY Bestselling Author

“Have you ever tried something you were afraid to try because it mattered so much to you? I did when I started writing. Take the chance everyone and just do something you love.”

Josie Riviera is a USA TODAY bestselling author of contemporary, inspirational, and historical sweet romances that read like Hallmark movies. She lives in the Charlotte, NC, area with her wonderfully supportive husband. They share their home with an adorable shih tzu who constantly needs grooming, and live in an old house forever needing renovations.

VBD: Why do you write?

JOSIE: I am inspired to write because I want to provide joyful romance books that are inspirational, light, and positive, with a guaranteed happily ever after. Books are meant to be delightful, and transport us to another place. While I touch on serious topics such as opioid abuse, international adoption, and spousal issues, I hope my books are lighthearted, sweet, and wholesome. My goal is to deliver a well-written book to my readers and leave them with a happy sigh.

VBD: What genre do you write?

JOSIE: I write sweet and inspirational Christian contemporary and historical romances and have written over 40 books. These books are available in ebook, paperback, large print paperback, hardcover, and audiobook.

VBD: Tell us about some of your writing accomplishments.

JOSIE: I am a USA TODAY bestselling author. In addition, I have been awarded the Golden Pen award by RWA for Seeking Fortune, my historical inspirational romance about the Romany Gypsies, as well as being a two-time finalist for InD’tale magazine for 1-800-Summer and Seeking Rachel. Both my Christian contemporary romance, Seeking Rachel, and inspirational historical romance, A Homecoming To Cherish, have been reviewed by Publishers Weekly.

VBD: What are three elements that are always present in your writing?

JOSIE: Three elements that are always present in my writing are ethics, positivity, and representing Christian values.

VBD: What inspired your latest book?

JOSIE: The inspiration for my latest book, A Summer To Cherish, came from a real-life experience. The book centers on a renowned painter, the hero, who is going blind. He is bitter and struggling with his faith.

VBD: What did you learn from writing this book?

JOSIE: From this book, I learned that perseverance pays off. The heroine is encouraging and upbeat, and her faith never wavers. The hardest part of writing this story was writing the hero. I loved him from the beginning of the book, and his struggles became my struggles.

VBD: What would be the Scripture verse that fits this story and why?

JOSIE: There are many Scripture verses that fit this story. The one I always kept in mind is, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7, NIV

VBD: What message do you hope readers will take away after reading this book?

JOSIE: I hope readers will understand that people matter, not what they do for a living. God will call you at any age and in difficult seasons. You just need to listen for His voice.

VBD: What is something readers would be surprised to know about you?

JOSIE: I am a professional pianist. My readers may be surprised to learn that I also taught music and piano to deaf children and learned to sign. Several of my books feature musicians, and Seeking Fortune, an inspirational historical, features a deaf child.

VDB: What’s next for you?

JOSIE: Coming next is a sweet romance holiday book featuring puppies. After that, I plan to finish my Romany Gypsy inspirational Regency series, The Seeking Series. So far, there are 4 books in the series—Seeking Fortune, Seeking Charity, Seeking Patience (the book of my heart), and Seeking Rachel. I’d love to round out the series with the final 2 books—reintroducing well-loved characters from previous books, as well as creating new heroes and heroines. Regency romances are a different mindset, and facts about the Romany Gypsies during that time frame in England are scarce and require lots of research.