If you love small town romance books, you’ll appreciate my (Jen Conner’s) interview with Word Museum founder and Hoosier author Lori Soard. Lori lives in a small town in southern Indiana with a population of about 3,000. She loves a good story that pulls you in, such as those written by Nicholas Sparks and Jane Austen.
This romance novelist loves to read and learn so much that she wound up getting a PhD in Journalism and Creative Writing. However, she is far from a stuffy professor type and believes everyone has something they can teach you. We pulled in one of our long-time assistants to help with this interview, since Lori is usually the one sitting in the small town romance books interview chair.
The Small Town Romance Books Interview Setting
We like to weave a story and set the stage for our interviews with a pretend setting. We talk to the author about their home, beloved city, favorite place to eat or other small town romance type place or location they love. It’s a lot of fun to learn about different settings and Lori didn’t disappoint for those who love small town Hallmark-style romances. The following isn’t something that really happened but we discussed what it would be like IF we met in person rather than over Zoom. It made for a fun interview. I have an advantage because I know Lori pretty well, but she still had to fill in a lot of gaps for me.
I pretend joined her in the beautiful southern Indiana town of Henryville, Indiana. The town is around 20 minutes north of Louisville just over the Ohio River. Lori shared that the town is the birthplace of Colonel Harland Sanders of KFC fame.
She asked me to join her at a local coffee shop called Java Station 31. We grabbed a photo off their Facebook page to show you how cute this little beverage shop is.
In our make believe meeting, she greeted me with a huge smile on her face and stories about the 2012 tornado that swept through the town of Henryville and demolished the school across the street and threw a bus into the building we were entering.
“It was called Budroe’s Bus Stop when the owner reopened,” she told me. She also shared how kind the owner was to her family when they moved to the area twenty years ago and how she missed chatting with him. The coffee shop is still a welcome addition to the town that has two restaurants, a tiny grocery store, a post office, two gas stations, a laundry mat, a tiny library and a myriad of stores.
Lori shares that she doesn’t care for coffee, even though she’s tried to teach herself to like it. So, she orders a seasonal pumpkin cheesecake shake instead and encourages me to order any coffee I’d like.
“We only have a four-way stop, but that’s the way we like it,” Lori Soard shares. This small town romance author clearly adores her little town and happily shares stories for a few minutes before we get into the interview part of our visit.
Before moving to Henryville for her husband’s job transfer to Louisville, Lori lived in Greenfield, Indiana, which she reminds me was the home of Hoosier poet James Whitcomb Riley. She quotes a few lines about how the “goblins’ll get ya if you don’t watch out” and laughs with good humor. I think I like her little town and this meeting.
The Interview with Small Town Romance Author Lori Soard
I flip open my notepad as I’m still old school in how I do interviews. I have a list of questions written out in longhand I want to get through. I also ask Lori Soard if it’s okay to put my phone on record in case I miss writing anything down. She agrees and I launch into my questions.
Why small town romances?
Lori: I fell in love with romance novels when I was nine. I had one aunt who would bring me bags full of them and I devoured them. There is something about a happy ending and the journey to it that speaks to my soul. I do sometimes write in other genres, but I always come back to romance.
Do you read mainly romance, too?
Lori: Surprisingly, no. I do read in my genre, of course, and support my friends and fellow authors. However, I read very eclectically. I might read a non-fiction history book, self-improvement topic or switch over to mystery.
I love reading Jane Austen and try to reread one of her books every year. She had such a handle on the social undercurrents of the time. I really enjoy Nicholas Sparks’ books and movies–at least when he doesn’t murder my favorite characters LOL
What Is Your Latest Novel About?
Lori: Anna’s Fresh Start released in September 2024. It’s my first historical in a bit and I’ve never written one set in the Reconstruction era in America. I had the idea for a female Civil War spy character for many years, but it wasn’t until Lisa Prysock invited me to be part of The Brides of Pelican Rapids that my brain clicked and all the research about female spies came into focus.
I lost yet another of my beloved cousins a couple of years ago. My cousin Anna was special. She loved and accepted everyone. She was probably the least judgmental person I’ve ever met. She was about eight or nine years older than me and so good to me growing up. She would give me dolls she’d outgrown, talk to me about makeup and hair and was always just kind. As we grew older, she just let me know she loved me and thought I was great. My cousin could also be spunky if she needed to battle for her child or another family member. I miss her and my other cousins. They are all supposed to be here until we’re very old, but life had other plans. We all need an Anna in our life and it is my great honor to not only name my character after her but to model her personality after my cousin’s. She would have been tickled pink over it.
You just made me cry. I’ve lost cousins, too. It’s so hard. They’re our first childhood friends.
Lori: There is nothing like family. God blessed me with some of the best out there. I don’t know why He chose to take some of them sooner than I would have liked, but I trust him. He has walked with me through the pain and heartache and let me know they’re okay and I’ll see them again one day.
This is the type of thing you say that makes me love your books so much. Do you intentionally put heavy themes in your lighthearted romances?
Lori: (laughs) Sometimes. I am a deep thinker but I also try to have a sense of humor about life. There is usually something to laugh about if you look hard enough. I will cry ugly, crocodile tears and let it out and then I’m ready to get up and go about my business.
I think a lot of my attitudes come from being a Gen Xer. We are built different than other generations. We are pretty tough but we also care a lot. We can laugh at ourselves and situations without laughing at or making fun of others. We are resilient. I hope that attitude shines through in my characters.
It does! You already know I’m a huge fan of you and your writing.
Lori: You’re too kind. You’re making me blush. I so appreciate it, but not sure I deserve it. You wouldn’t believe how many readers help edit my work, friends who give me input, family who brainstorms with me and my dear friend JoAnn Durgin, who does a lot of my book covers. It isn’t a one-woman show and I wouldn’t want it to be.
I know you adore your grandkids. Share a little with me about what they mean to you…
Lori: My husband often jokes that we should have skipped having children and gone straight to grandkids. They are such a hoot. It’s different than with your kids. You don’t feel all the pressure to make sure they’re perfect humans, you have more experience, you’re older and more patient most of the time. For me, my faith is deeper than it was when I was in my 20s. I see the big picture and the eternal things. I think more about the legacy I’m leaving behind with those babies.
I saw a meme on social media the other day that said you can’t take money or things with you when you die, but you can take your kids and grandkids with you (when they are old and gray, of course). You can teach them about Jesus and show them God so they accept him and one day when have hopefully lived a full life, they will follow you to heaven.
I also am much more aware than ever before about what I put out into the world. Little eyes and ears are watching. I’m not a perfect person by any stretch, but when I hear a little voice pipe up that the guy in front of us can’t drive and he needs to get out of the way, I know it’s time to check myself. LOL
You’re married to your high school sweetheart. I met you right before your wedding. How have you stayed married for 34 years. Any advice?
I would like to say because we are just so perfect for each other, but the truth is that it is sheer stubbornness and putting God first. He drives me up the wall some days and I him.
I heard a sermon once about how love is a choice. You have to choose to keep loving your spouse even when they aren’t very lovable. I choose to love him until I finally do again and it’s worked for 34 years so far.
You are stubborn!
Hey! You aren’t supposed to be the one to say that. LOL I know I am, though. I think it’s an advantage in most situations, but of course it can make me hardheaded at times, too. God’s not done with me yet.
You adore animals. I don’t think I’ve met many people who greet the dog or cat before their friends. That’s you, though.
It really is. I went to a close friend’s house last night and I said hi to her beagle first. ha ha I’ve always loved animals. I wanted to be a veterinarian growing up, but I’m horrible at math. It wasn’t going to happen, so I got an undergrad in teaching and then went on to eventually get the PhD. I still sometimes wish I’d worked a little harder or gotten a math tutor so I could have helped animals, but God has a plan. I can write about a veterinarian.
Why do you beeline for the animals? Do you know? I know that’s a deep question in some ways.
I think it’s because they don’t judge you. If you treat them well, most of them love you. I’ve never had a dog or cat hurt my feelings with mean words. God definitely put a tender spot in my heart for His creatures. They appear in most of my books, too.
What pets do you have now?
I have a house full. I have two miniature dachshunds, Daisy Mae and Dolly Pawton. I also have two rescue kitties, a yellow cat named California and a calico named Harper. My daughter moved back in with her two kitties a few years ago and she has another calico named Harley and a big black tomcat named Bagheera.
I enjoyed Anna’s Fresh Start. I felt like I was stepping back in time. What’s next for your writing?
That’s so nice. Thank you for saying that. I researched like crazy, right down to words they used back then, so it’s satisfying to hear it transported you to 1870.
I am outlining and brainstorming a book called Chasing Snowflakes that will release in January, 2025. It is the first book in a sweet contemporary small town romance series my dear friend JoAnn Durgin and I came up with about a small town called Dogwood Creek filled with some crafty matchmakers. We are very excited about the project because we prayed and came up with four other authors to invite. We know it was God’s plan because every single one of those authors said yes and are now part of the multiple author project.
Next, I will release the fifth and final book in my Cupid’s Crossing series. The title is Wrecked Wedding. Anything that can go wrong does go wrong. Gracie and Brandt are wondering if their marriage isn’t meant to be. I’m estimating a summer release for that one but maybe sooner if my schedule allows.
Then, I have a project I’m working on that is set in the 1920s and inspired by the fairy tale The Little Mermaid. The book will be part of a larger project with some wonderful authors. I’m very excited about it and the preliminary cover. I am still working on the title.
Thank you for your time today. I love your little town and can’t wait to read more books by you.
Thanks for chatting with me. I want to leave everyone with a few words of encouragement, if I could.
Of course! I love when you get all encouraging and positive.
Ha ha! This is what happens when you let a long-time friend and colleague interview you. They know you too well, but it’s been a lot of fun. Here is what I wanted to say:
I might write a lot of lighthearted stuff, but I know things are hard in our country right now. People are suffering. The weather patterns are scary. School shootings have every parent, teacher and a lot of students worried. Groceries are expensive. Vacations? Almost impossible with rising costs. It seems like new stresses pile on everyday.
But, hear me, God is still in control. There are still good people out there who love Jesus. One of my favorite childhood idols was Mr. Fred Rogers. That man shaped me as a person in ways I didn’t realize until decades later. One thing he said that has stayed with me forever was that bad things would happen. When they do, look for the helpers. Watch for the people who run into danger or show up to work after a disaster. They are the bright spot and they will remind you that we are created in God’s image and we will rise above.
I think about the people in North Carolina. One of my dear, longtime friends is there but thankfully is okay. She has shared some of what they’re facing, though, and it’s horrific. I’ve also been watching the videos coming out of there and I noticed something. Everyday people are getting it done. They are showing up with boats, chainsaws and dry ice carried on a mule’s back to get help to the diabetic who needs to keep his insulin cold. They are throwing open the doors of their local restaurants and serving what food they have. Businesses are taking their emergency food services and supplies where needed. The helpers have arrived and they are shining examples of what makes America great and how God does show up.
When hard times come, I hope that something I’ve said in a book or an interview or a social media post resonates and sticks with someone the way Mr. Rogers’ words have comforted me all these years. If I reach just one person, I will feel I have fulfilled God’s purpose for my life.
