Forever Free by author Hope Toler Dougherty

Forever Free – I can’t wait to tell you about this amazing romance I just read by Hope Toler Dougherty. I met Hope through our mutual publisher, Scrivenings Press, and then I had the amazing opportunity to be an ARC (Advanced Reader Copy) reader for her 4th book in her Forever series.

It’s a wonderful romance and deals with real-life struggles. That’s my favorite kind of book! Hope was kind and answered some questions I threw at her. So, without further ado, here’s Hope!

Meet Hope Toler Dougherty

 Hi, Hope! Tell me about yourself and how you started writing.

I grew up loving books and words and became an English major in college. I taught English on the college level for a few years before I became a mother. During the years I reared my children, I also sporadically wrote pieces for local newspapers and magazines. I started writing fiction the summer our oldest daughter graduated from high school. 

What do you like most about writing – planning, research, writing, etc.? Are you a plotter or a pantser?

I love researching because I get to buy books! I love learning new things. I also love the rough draft part sometimes because I can allow myself to make mistakes. I try to remember that rough drafts don’t need to be perfect, just written. I am definitely a pantser, and I love that part, too. I love the surprises that come when I’m not sure where I’m going at the beginning of a writing session, and then all of a sudden, some new thought pops into my brain. That’s fun. 

(I totally agree with Hope about being a pantser. Watching those words and characters pop onto the pages – wonderful!)

What are your goals when you write?

When I’m writing a rough draft, my daily writing goal (Monday through Friday) is to write fifteen hundred words. I use the Scrivener writing program, so it’s easy to set those goals and see my progress five hundred words at a time. 

What has been the most difficult thing for you in your writing journey?

The most difficult part is the marketing! I love engaging with readers and especially enjoy speaking to different kinds of groups, but I dislike having to make the call to ask people if they need a speaker. I’d much rather people ask me. 

How have your life experiences shaped what you write?

I’m surrounded by loving family members and sweet friends, and I hope that contentment shines through in my writing. I’m also a Christian and share God’s love and strength and peace through my characters. 

What is your favorite thing to write?

I love writing interesting senior citizens. Every one of my books features at least one person who may be drawing retirement, but they’re still active, involved, and fun people. 

Tell me about your platform – social media, where to find your books, etc.

I have a website and send out a newsletter with recipes and giveaways. I’m trying to be more consistent with that task with my Facebook reader’s page and Instagram, too. Maybe I’ll be better in 2024! 

Readers can connect with me at:

https://hopetolerdougherty.com/

Hope Toler Dougherty Readers Page | Facebook

Hope Toler Dougherty (@hopetolerdougherty) | Instagram

Hope Toler Dougherty (Author of Irish Encounter) | Goodreads

https://www.amazon.com/stores/Hope-Toler-Dougherty/author/

Forever Free:

Phoebe Sinclair combines her love of flowers and teaching to nurture a cut flower business on her grandfather’s land. She’s got her hands full growing the farm, growing her customer base, and dealing with her growing attraction to the aloof man who’s volunteered to help make her farming dream come true.

Can she focus on her main job, or will a pair of yearning eyes and a hurting heart divert her worthy goals?

Heath Daniels has resigned himself to a life of singleness as he watches his siblings couple up and set wedding dates. Tracking their happiness, however, is more difficult than he expected. A real struggle, in fact.

Feeling the old troubles from his college years creeping back to tempt him, he’s propelled to volunteer for manual labor, leaving him exhausted every day, but out of danger. His additional hours of agri-business, however, lead to different struggles with an intriguing farmer.

Does he have the strength to resist old temptations as well as a beautiful new one too?

Hope Toler Dougherty holds a Master’s degree in English and taught at East Carolina University and York Technical College. Her early novels are Irish Encounter, Mars…With Venus Rising, and Rescued Hearts. Her Forever series includes Forever Music, Forever Home, “A Hatteras Surprise,” featured in Candy Cane Wishes and Saltwater Dreams, and Forever Free.

She and husband Kevin delight in visits with their two daughters and twin sons. 

Read A Guide to Setting SMART Goals for Writers, then follow me on Pinterest, Facebook, and Instagram, and subscribe to my newsletter to keep up with news about my book and any special offers! Be sure you grab your FREE 10-step checklist to plan your novel when you subscribe!

Hi, I’m Jen! I’ve been married for over 37 years, have 5 amazing kids and 3 adorable grandkids. I homeschooled our three youngest children, and I used to blog about homeschooling. I also taught Oral Communication as an adjunct instructor for over 5 years.

Jen Dodrill Writes is born of a passion of mine – to write a novel! My first cozy mystery – Birds Alive! – releases Feb. 27, 2024/available for preorder NOW!

When I’m not working, you’ll find me writing, spending time with my family, or curled up on the couch reading and drinking a mug of dark roast coffee. (Don’t forget to check out my mug shop – JDMugs!)