Buttonholed by Anita Klumpers

Welcome Anita Klumpers, author of Buttonholed How did you come up with your title? My tendency is to come up with flowery, elaborate titles. To counteract this inclination, I've been trying to limit my titles to one or two words. Since buttons play a pivotal role in the story, I played…

Welcome Anita Klumpers, author of Buttonholed

How did you come up with your title?
My tendency is to come up with flowery, elaborate titles. To counteract this inclination, I've been trying to limit my titles to one or two words. Since buttons play a pivotal role in the story, I played around with ideas like "Buttoned Up," "Buttoned Down," "Pause Button" or "Bust Your Buttons." Everyone is relieved I didn't choose the last one!
Tell us about your hero and heroine. What makes them likeable?
Manderley isn't perfect, and she knows it. But she loves her family and is fiercely loyal to them. She takes her faith seriously and tried to live it out, although sometimes her attempts are misguided. And she is just plain fun.
Abram is more logical than Manderley, and not nearly as impulsive as she. He, too, has a sense of humor and, like Manderley, fiercely loyal to his family.
How much of the book is based in real life?
The historical duel is based on actual duels fought in the early nineteenth century. The present day story is entirely an act of fiction set in the very real hills of beautiful eastern Tennessee.

What makes this a "must read" and why?
Everyone needs to get away from pressures once in awhile, and go someplace delightful. Lowellton, Tennessee is delightful. Its residents are interesting and charming and the story almost verges on old fashioned screwball comedy. But the important message at the heart of the book is what makes it a "must read." If Christ could give up His perfect reputation and be made of no account for us, why do we try so hard to preserve our reputations—at the cost of God's honor and glory?

 

What is your hero's main character flaw?
Abram tends to take himself and his work too seriously. He verges on prideful.
What is your heroine's main character flaw?
Manderley is impulsive, and leaps before she looks.
What can readers learn from your villain?
There isn't really a villain! Other than excessive pride, which can be a very destructive villain.
What makes your hero heroic?
Abram is a proud man but also honest. He's strong enough to battle the negative aspects of his personality.

what makes your heroine heroic?
Manderley is willing to walk through fire for the ones she loves. She'll take risks for them.

 

 

 

Interview the Characters

Tell us your name and a little bit about yourself
I'm Manderley Jessup, and no, I am not going to tell you how I got my name. You'll work it out. My mother Tara is the epitome of southern belle. Me? Not so much. Even though I was Junior Miss Plunkett County in 6th grade. To assert a little independence, and forget my hopeless crush on Abram Coventry, I took a teaching job in Chicago. And then the SOS call came from my mom…
Where do you live, and why do you choose to live there?
I come from Lowellton, Tennessee. Also known as Coventryville, and no, I'm not going to explain that either. I choose to live there because even after taking a teaching job in Chicago, the family ties are too strong, and here I am, the umpteenth generation to live in this little town, and doing my best to guard my family's honor without going stark raving mad.
What is a quirk of your personality that people don't know?
I love food! No, that isn't right. Since my figure leans toward "pleasantly plump" I suppose most people can tell I love food. I suppose few folks know that I love to scare myself silly with Gothic horror novels. No blood, please, just lots of spine-tingling adventures, a plucky heroine and a really really evil villain. The villain is actually more important to me than the handsome hero.
What obstacles did you overcome in order to reach your happily-ever-after?
Nothing big. Just 200 years of bad blood between my family and the Coventrys. Did I mention I am battling a hopeless crush on Abram Coventry?
Tell us about your special lady (or your knight in shining armour, if you're the heroine). What makes him/her so special?
Hmmm. Handsome, hard worker, regular church goer, supporter of local artisans, likes strawberry ice cream, hates snakes. What's not to love? Don't ask my mom that! He's a Coventry and that's enough to make him the dregs of humanity in her eyes.
The first time you saw your special person, what did you think? Was it love at first sight or did he/she have to grow on you?
I can't remember the first time I saw him. We grew up together, went to the same school, church, played on the same playgrounds. He was a Coventry and therefore beneath my notice, according to my mother. But in high school I developed a huge (and not reciprocated) crush on him. That's probably a good thing. My mom would have swooned continuously for many years.

 

 

Other Articles of Interest

September Kindle Monthly Deals

September Kindle Monthly Deals

We're back! Pelican Book Group has more books selected by Amazon to be included in Kindle Deals, just like last month! All books listed in this post will be on sale for the whole month of September for only $1.99! A Time for Singing by James, Carol All or Nothing...

read more
Pelican Book Group Official Blog