Allison Wells enjoys the classics and historical fiction, so it’s no surprise that her 2021 release — Living Water — was inspired by historical events. Today, she’s going to tell us about some of the books she loves and what she can’t wait to read.

Welcome, and thanks for being here today. What was your favorite picture book as a child? What did you love about it? 

I had an old copy of Heidi at my grandmother’s house that had belonged to my aunt in the 1960s. My grandmother gave me a little basket of books and she kept them in the back of the hall closet and when I was little I would curl up on a coat and read them all. Heidi was my favorite. I loved the bright colors, I loved that Heidi played with her grandfather, and I loved that it was about a place far from where I was. It was magical.

What was the last book you read that you couldn’t put down? 

This would be most books I read. I go through most books in a day. But I think the last one I was totally swept up in was Yellow Crocus by Laila Ibrahim. It’s about an enslaved wet nurse and the white child she cares for. I was just completely entranced by the main characters Mattie and Lisbeth, their relationship, and by Ibrahim’s ability to spin a masterful story.

Have you ever had a book recommended to you that you didn’t like? No names, but what didn’t you like about it? 

Sadly, yes. I’m part of a book club and the choices aren’t always books I would necessarily love. Often, I’m pleasantly surprised, but we read one last year that I just didn’t care for. The overall story was very sad, with no redemption at the end, it was just over. However, I did appreciate the author’s ability to tell the story, her writing was powerful. I just didn’t care for the storyline.

If you could have dinner with any fictional character, who would it be? 

Just one? Anne Shirley from Anne of Green Gables. I would have to pick a classic because Anne is so enthralling and entertaining. And maybe, just maybe, we could be bosom friends and share a Raspberry Cordial.

If you could turn any of your books into a movie, which would you pick? Who would cast as the main characters? 

I would love to see Living Water turned into a movie. I think it would be an audience favorite, I mean, who doesn’t love an underdog? D’Arcy Carden would be a great Roxie, she has a look that would work well. I would love to see Chris Pratt play Adam Joyce. I think he would be perfect. And it would be a dream to have Kirk Cameron in there as well.

Who’s your favorite author? 

Liz Curtis Higgs is definitely my favorite author. She is a masterful storyteller and an amazing encourager. She’s the one who encouraged me to try writing a novel after I read her Lowlands of Scotland series years ago. She uses fiction to tell Biblical stories (Jacob with wives Leah and Rachel, as well as Ruth and Naomi) in a new way. She’s also the author of the Bad Girls of the Bible study series that I have loved doing.

Share five books from your TBR (to be read) pile.

The Indigo Girl by Natasha Boyd
The First Emma by Camille di Maio
The Art of Inheriting Secrets by Barbara O’Neal
The Book of Lost Friends by Lisa Wingate
Love’s Pursuit by Siri Mitchel

Is there anything else you’d like to share?

I don’t think so, but I am so appreciative of the chance to connect with your followers.

Roxie DePrivé gets married five times. Yes, five. One is puppy love, one is still in love with his ex, one is an abusive alcoholic, one is a marriage of convenience, and one is the love of her life. In the end, Roxie discovers that the love of a man isn’t what defines her, but the love of God. Living Water (Monster Ivy Publishing) is a modern retelling of the woman at the well from John 4.

Allison Wells is an avid reader, a wife, and a mother. With one daughter and three sons, she is always shuttling her children from one place to another, which gives her a lot of time to read. She has started writing more books than she cares to admit, and hopes to one day finish them all. She is a devoted friend and enjoys making her friends minor characters in her books. She and her family make their home in the upstate of South Carolina. Allison’s motto is, “Life is short, eat the Oreos.”

www.allisonwellswrites.com
facebook.com/allisonwellswrites
Instagram @whatallisonsaid
Twitter @whatalli_said