Meet author Sherri Wilson Johnson

Sherri Wilson Johnson has always been a sucker for a good love story—whether it’s real life or fiction (both historical and contemporary). She writes faith-based Contemporary Romantic Suspense and Historical Romance with a splash of suspense and/or mystery. Sherri and her husband are empty-nesters and live in Georgia with their two dogs. When not working as a publishing assistant, she spends time with family, does jigsaw puzzles, or curls up with a book.

Tell us about your newest book.

A Season at the Grand is set in the Mobile Bay Area of Alabama, specifically in Point Clear. Amelia Harris is a traveling photographer with The Photographic Times, and she’s commissioned to take pictures of the wealthy vacationers at the resort. Her matchmaking aunts are trying to marry her off because they think she’s a spinster. But she’ll have nothing to do with it. Little did she expect to fall in love while at the Grand!

Here is the official blurb:

Can the perfect picture reveal the truth before it’s too late? Photographer Amelia Harris has had enough of her aunts’ meddling matchmaking. So when The Photographic Times commissions her to spend the summer on Mobile Bay taking portraits of the elite and capturing nature for penny postcards, Amelia happily accepts. But this job is not as simple as it appears, and Amelia must defend against naysayers if she’s to ever gain respect in a man’s world. And that doesn’t leave any room for romance.

Point Clear Resort General Manager Titus Overton never wanted the position he inherited when his cousin passed away. If it were up to him, he would be traveling with the Audubon Society to far-off places, enjoying the solitude of nature instead of providing relaxation for his guests. And now he has to deal with the big-city photographer stomping her way through sand dunes that house the migratory birds nesting there. But when she reveals an admiration for his feathered friends, it reawakens a longing in his heart he’d buried after the death of his fiancé. When threats arise against Amelia and the other resort guests, Titus knows he must step in to help. But she insists they trust God for deliverance. How can he turn to a God who took away his first beloved? As the danger closes in, he must find the courage to overcome his past before someone gets hurt—especially the woman he’s come to love.

What inspired you to write A Season at the Grand?

My love for the Mobile Bay, Alabama area, the ocean, and birds. Mobile Bay, specifically the Gulf Shores area, is my favorite vacation spot. Every time we’re there, I am inspired to write another story. This story was birthed out of one of those trips.

Also, the heroine, Amelia Harris, is a photographer making her way against all odds, and she’s loosely based off my daughter, who is a professional wedding photographer. Amelia refuses to take no for an answer and refuses to accept defeat. She’s inspiration for us all–much like my daughter who struggled to keep her business afloat during Covid when all weddings and large group activities were canceled. God was so good to her during that time, and she’s become quite resilient through it all.

What genre do you focus on?

I focus primarily on Contemporary Romantic Suspense because I like the excitement of solving a crime or finding a killer. I also love the romantic aspect, writing how a hero and heroine come to need and want each other and work together to solve problems.

Why do you write?

I write because it’s my favorite thing to do. I love to tell an entertaining and inspiring story but one that also brings to the reader the message of hope and perseverance. I’m not a super competitive person, but I’m competitive with myself. So I’m driven to write the next book and tell the next story in a better and more well-crafted way. In a way, I guess I’m driven to outdo myself.

Who is your main character, and how did you choose that name?

The heroine is Amelia Harris, a photographer for The Photographic Times. Her name comes from the name of one of my husband’s great-great grandmothers.

What is your work schedule like when you’re writing a book?

I work fulltime as a virtual assistant for Christian authors and speakers, publishers, and agents. I also am a self-publishing coach and a graphic designer. Because of that full schedule, I write in the mornings before work, in the evenings, and on the weekends whenever time allows. I set word count goals for myself, and I try as hard as I can to meet those goals.

What’s one unusual fact about you?

I’m much younger in my mind than I am in real life. I’m probably more playful than I should be at my age. I love to sing and dance around the house, love to ride roller coasters, love to splash like a child in the ocean. I try hard not to take myself too seriously.

How have you changed or grown as a writer?

I’ve learned how to let go of my book babies and move on to write the next one rather than spend years and years on the same book. Author Carrie Turansky told me once that I needed to let go of my book baby and not act like it was the only book I would ever write. She said this because my first book took from 1993 to 2011 to write, edit and see published. That was probably the best advice I’ve ever received. Now, even though I love each book and all my characters, I can let them go and meet some new friends in the next story.

What is your favorite pastime?

Besides writing and reading, I love to put together jigsaw puzzles, try my hand at oil painting (I’m not any good), go to church and hang out with friends and family.

Do you have other books? We’d love to know.

Yes, I have thirteen published books and am currently writing book fourteen. Readers can find all my books on Amazon here:

https://www.amazon.com/stores/Sherri-Wilson-Johnson/author/B004VLWLR4

What are you working on now?

I am currently writing book five in my Jeopardized Reunions series, also set on Mobile Bay, Alabama, like A Season at the Grand. This book is set on an offshore oil platform out in the Gulf of Mexico.

Website: https://sherriwilsonjohnson.com/

Link to book: https://www.amazon.com/Season-Grand-Romance-Gilded-Resorts-ebook/dp/B0BTDW31DB

Social media links: https://linktr.ee/sherriwilsonjohnson