We're launching the Book Tour for HER KEEPER'S HEART by Krystal M. Anderson

What inspired you to write Her Keeper’s Heart?

The short answer: a trip to the Oregon coast. When my sister, daughter, and I visited Yaquina Head, I couldn't tear my attention away from the sight, sounds, and smells of it all. Bald eagles roosting in a bare tree; the sound of black rock clacking as the waves retreated from the beach; thick mist that clung to the lighthouse tower, creating an enchanted feeling; vicious pounding of the basalt in the water; driftwood littering the beach. It was all so magical I could see in my mind's eye exactly where a shipwrecked maiden might wash up on the shore for a keen lighthouse keeper to rescue. The experience spurred the beginning of this multi-author series and the three titles I've contributed, including Her Keeper's Heart.

What do you love the most about this story?

I love the quiet, peaceful nature of the heroine, Orissa. Maybe I feel a little closer to her than others I've written about because I chose her name from browsing my own family tree.

What challenged you about writing it?

Honestly, I struggled with the conflict in this story. I had written down to the second-to-last chapter before the epiphany hit. I hope readers find it satisfying. Nothing like cutting it close to deadlines.

Which character do you most relate to and why?

I'd say Charlotte Tucker, the principal keeper's wife. I wrote their second-chance story first and this book takes place several years later. She has a few kids, a garden, chickens, and a home to care for. I can definitely relate to all those things!

What do you hope readers will take with them after they’ve read it?

I hope readers will have a vivid sense of what the Oregon coast feels like. I've never seen anything like it, and if you've never been, hopefully you'll feel like you had a small taste by reading my story. I'd also love to impart a deeply-set gratitude for lighthouse keepers and the isolation and sacrifice their job often demanded. I can only imagine what it was like to keep and care for a lighthouse that so many depended upon for safety with little-to-no recognition.

What do you enjoy doing when you're not writing?

My husband and I have four young kids (yes, I have to manage all my writing when they're asleep at night or I get interrupted seventy-nine times) and we love to go camping, ride four-wheelers, and take our dog on walks. I also have a horse that I attempt to slip away every chance I get to ride.