Welcome back to Fresh Fiction, Emily! Please tell us a little bit about yourself and your new book, Eternity Springs: Tucker. I’m a native Texan and spend most of my time at our home in the Texas Hill Country. When I decided to do a trilogy set within the Eternity Springs world but in a locale outside of Colorado, Texas was a perfect fit. Gillian Thacker owns a bridal salon but hasn’t had the best luck when it comes to her own dating life. I love that contradiction – someone who works in the wedding business but isn’t really ready to settle down herself. What do you think readers will find relatable in Gillian? Gillian is a strong, capable person, but when she is thrown a big life curve, it takes her a little while to recover. I believe life is like that. It can knock you down, and we don’t all climb back on our feet at the same pace. I try to write my characters realistic. They’re not perfect, but they’re real. After a career in the Army, Tucker McBride is trying to navigate civilian life, and the last thing he wants is a boring desk job. So…

Caroline had faced many challenges in her life. She’d tackled some serious life-and-death trials. She’d persevered. She’d emerged if not victorious, then at least still standing. So why was she trembling in fear at this relatively minor task laid before her? It’s ridiculous. It made no sense whatsoever. “Are you ready?” Jackson asked. No! her inner self screamed. “Sure,” she said, lifting her chin. The music started. He emerged from behind the stage onto the empty dance floor at the Last Chance Hall. It is my last chance, Caroline thought. My last chance to bolt for the door. As a native Texan, it had been her biggest secret, her greatest shame. She didn’t know how to two-step. She’d never learned. She’d listened to pop music in high school and college. Robert introduced her to classical music, but he didn’t like to dance. So, she’d never learned. That, apparently, was about to change. Keen-eyed Jackson had noticed that she always made excuses not to dance at the Last Chance and called her on it. When she finally fessed up to her lack of skill, he’d declared himself her teacher. She wanted to learn. She did. So why was she so embarrassed…