Interview with Alana Somers: Main Character Monday

Interview with Alana Somers: Main Character Monday

Happy Labor Day! And welcome to another Main Character Monday and my interview with Alana Somers from Melody of Life by Beth E. Westcott. Melody of Life is the second book in the Love’s Refrain Series. The genre is contemporary Christian romance. Published by Scrivenings Press, this book is available in both paperback and eBook. And if you’re a member of Kindle Unlimited, this book is available with that subscription as well.

As always, please stick around after the interview for more about the author and book, including a purchase link. And now, on to the interview.

Interview with Alana Somers

Alana, I want to welcome you to Main Character Monday. It’s always a pleasure meeting new characters and finding out a little bit about their stories. To start us off, please, tell us a bit about yourself.

I’m twenty-five years old, single, and I grew up in Millvale. I’ve been an aid worker with the International Aid Society since I graduated from college, and I help refugees suffering from war and natural disasters. I’m home now to recover from malaria and reconsidering my future. My parents are away caring for my grandmother who is suffering from dementia. My sister Ellie, her husband Ben, and her baby boy Ian live in Millvale. Ian is the sweetest baby ever! And then there’s Mark Chambers, someone I’ve admired for a long time.

Hmm. Mark Chambers sounds interesting, but maybe we will come back to him. For now, tell me something about you that readers may find surprising?

When I was six, I wanted to be a cowgirl.

That’s fun. I think we gain insight into a person when we see what people dreamed of as children and what they actually become. Another area where I think we get insight is from the scriptures people hold onto most. What is your favorite Bible verse and why?

Proverbs 3:5,6 has become a significant Scripture for me since I contracted malaria and I’m facing some major decisions in my life, including the direction of my relationship with Mark Chambers. I need to trust God and believe He will direct me in the right way. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.” (NKJV)

I knew we’d come back to Mark Chambers! But for the moment I want to stick with the scripture theme. Is there a person from the Bible that you relate to most?

If I must choose one, it would be Ruth. Ruth learned to trust God through the many challenges and changes in her life.

Given what you’ve told us about dealing with malaria, I can understand that comparison. The fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Is there one of these characteristics you find is easier to show than the others?

 I think joy.

I imagine working with refugees has been a great help in looking at your own life and finding reason for joy. Is there one that is more challenging than the others?

 Patience

If you could give one message to those reading this interview, what would you tell them?

Never say no to God.

A great reminder for whatever choices come our way. Since we’ve been talking about the more serious side of life, I’d like to end with some fun questions. Nothing too deep. Just little glimpses into the mind of Alana Somers. If you could visit just one place your entire life, where would you go? 

This is a hard one because my work has taken me to South America, Africa, and Europe. Maybe Hawaii.

If you could choose one talent you don’t already have, what talent would you choose?

Public speaking.

Dark or Milk Chocolate? Dark

Beach or Mountains? Beach

Sweet Tea or Lemonade? A mixture of the two.

One final question for you. We’ve talked a lot about you, but I’d like to focus on your storyteller, Beth E. Westcott for a moment. Given only three words, how would you describe Beth?

Sometimes she’s grumpy

Okay. I admit, I may have chuckled about that answer. I think you may be the most honest person I’ve ever asked that question to. And it makes me want to know more about her journey from the beginning to the end of telling your story. Sounds like you may have butted heads along the way.

Thank you for joining me today, Alana. It was a pleasure to meet you.

Readers, if you’ve enjoyed my interview with Alana Somers, stick around. I’ve got more for you about her story and about Beth E. Westcott, who I’ve had the pleasure of speaking with many times and never found grumpy.

More About the Author

A life-long lover of books and reading, Beth has four previously published contemporary romance novels: Meadow Song (Love’s Refrain Book 1), Heart’s Desire, A Heart’s Journey, and Her Heart’s Longing, comprising The Three Sisters Series, and a rom-com novella, Snowflakes and Puppy Love, included in thePets Amore collection. Her short story “Sadie and the Princess” appeared in Heart-warming Horse Stories on Amazon.

After graduating from Hartwick College in Oneonta, NY, she married Frank Westcott. They raised three children and have five granddaughters and one grandson who is in heaven.  First with Child Evangelism Fellowship and then in pastoral ministry in several churches, Beth worked alongside Frank for 38 years. She became a 4-H leader when her children belonged to 4-H, and she home schooled her children for twelve years.

She enjoys reading, music, gardening, sewing, and photography and now resides with her husband in Otego, New York.

More About the Story

Alana Somers returns home to Millvale on medical furlough to heal from malaria. She loves her work with refugees although it’s emotionally and physically draining. She must fulfill her present contract with the International Aid Society and decide whether to renew her contract for another five years. A nursing degree will open new ways for her to help people, and her growing attraction for Mark Chambers unlocks other new possibilities for the future.

Widower Mark still grieves the death of his daughter fourteen months ago when he is blindsided by unexpected job loss. Reeling from his losses, he questions God’s purpose. God gives him a new calling and new direction, which may include a second chance for marriage and a family of his own.

Will their commitments keep them apart, or does God have something more than friendship in store for them?

Purchase Melody of Life