About the Book

Book: The Characters Within

Author: Sunshine Rodgers

Genre: Inspirational Fiction / Romance / Humor

Release date: July 30, 2020

Brittany Myers is stuck. She hates her role as a Cheese Crusader to Florida’s popular Cheddar and Such theme park! She is sick of the guests, the heat and working at the Fun at the Parm Attraction which features the animatronics Patty the Pretzel and Peter the Breadstick.

Her only relief from the monotony is writing chapters in her upcoming novel “The Carnival Ride” where she tells stories with theatrical scenes about her co-workers, her fears and the struggles she faces day in and day out.

With the help of her work family, the man of her dreams and her best friend, Brittany discovers that the magic she is looking for was right inside of her the entire time.

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Sunshine Rodgers is   an International Best-Selling Author on Amazon. She has written 11 books which have landed on 26 different Best Seller lists, including #1 in the United Kingdom, #2 in the United States and #25 in Canada. Her books have been translated in several languages (Spanish, English and Portuguese). She has participated in 5 book tours and dozens of book signings. When she is not writing, Sunshine is a guest and featured author on radio, podcasts and online magazines. Sunshine is a Brand Ambassador, a Blogger and an Entrepreneur to her 32,000 social media followers. Sunshine is married to the love of her life, Travis, and they reside in sunny Florida.

More from Sunshine

“This book is about…me. I spent over 5 years working at a theme park, barely surviving the mess, the mayhem and the craziness that often occurred on-stage and backstage. I used that immersive experience to write my novel,  “The Characters Within.” This story is about Brittany Myers, a Cheese Crusader who has to wear this silly costume and repeat these corny sayings and hear the same annoying tunes playing over and over again. But she really wants to be an Author. 

And that’s where I found myself. At a backstage break room, writing this book as Brittany was writing hers. I have included 35 real-life people as characters (those who survived the madness with me!) and together we invite you to join us…as I now lift the curtain to “The Characters Within” – a Book-within-a-Book, Part Musical, Part Love Story and 100% pure entertainment!” 

Interview with Sunshine

What was one of the most surprising things you learned in creating your book?

The Characters Within is my first book with theatrical scenes and musical numbers. The story is part-Musical but the problem is…I know nothing about the terminology and how to properly describe notes and rhythms. I learned a lot from my Musical Consultant, Quinn Rhyne who decorated the text with musical numbers that truly came to life! I would give Quinn lyrics to a song, like when The Jokesters performed the song,  ♫  I Dare You! ♫ and my Consultant would read the text and give me advice like, “this is how the music should be written and these are the instruments that should be used to create this particular sound.” I certainly learned a lot!

 Do you hear from your readers much? What kinds of things do they say?

I do hear from my readers (thank you ALL!)!

I have a large social media following, and I receive messages from fans and readers. Some virtual letters in my inbox are marriage proposals (not kidding!)  and others are aspiring writers who want my advice on how to succeed as an Author. Then there are those who ask me questions about God and my faith.

I also love reading reviews that are written about my books!! You can read just some of the reviews on my website (http://www.sunshinerodgers.com/reviews1.html).  

I love when I read reviews written about how my books remind readers of specific movies. That gets me excited because maybe that particular book can be sold for movie rights one day.

For example, here are some reviews written about my Christian Romance novel, The Ring Does Not Fit :  

“I would love to see this as a Hallmark Movie” – Deb’s Book Reviews

“This story reminded me of It’s a Wonderful Life with a twist.” – Deana D

“This book kind of reminds me a little bit of the movies 13 Going on 30 and Isn’t it Romantic?” – Caitlyn S.

“Similar to Scrooge, Sunshine Rodgers takes the main character on a journey to understand the power of prayer and faith.”  – Poetess April J, host of Your Oral Diktion Academy on Black Love Poetry Series Network

How did you come up with the title for your book?

The Characters Within features 35 real-life people as characters (the individual names can be found on my website (http://www.sunshinerodgers.com/home.html).

The story is about Brittany Myers who works in a theme park as a Cheese Crusader and this book honors the theme park family I worked with for more than 5 years. I used my friends as characters in this novel.

The main character, Brittany, is also writing a novel, “The Carnival Ride” where she uses her co-workers as characters.

It’s a story within a story and it takes on a double meaning…we live here but we are also characters in another reality…

What’s your favorite writing snack, drink, and/or music?

I am guilty of playing the same songs on the same CD’s over and over again as I write. If I am writing the first draft of any novel, I will pull out one of three CD’s:

Pure Moods (contemporary, released 1994)

The Holiday Movie Soundtrack (music by Hans Zimmer)

The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe Movie Soundtrack (composed by Harry Gregson-Williams and released in 2005)

I need to write with music that contain no vocals because any lyrics will just interrupt my flow.  These three CD’s offer romantic melodies, adventurous tunes and out-of-this-world music that make me think, make me feel, offers nostalgia and truly inspires my creativity.

Is your writing space pristine or organized chaos?

My writing space is pristine! I need to have everything organized! I am often working on several novels at one time and collaborating with talented professionals (i.e. artists, literary contributors or audio book producers)… so, I need to keep everything together…every page, every edit, every draft… in their own folders, in their own files with the newest dates attached so I am fully aware of where I stopped, what I need to do next and which deadline I need to focus on for submissions.

Blog Stops

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, September 16

Inklings and notions, September 17

Simple Harvest Reads, September 18 (Author Interview)

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, September 18

Texas Book-aholic, September 19

Beauty in the Binding, September 20 (Author Interview)

deb’s Book Review, September 21

Locks, Hooks and Books, September 22

For Him and My Family, September 23

Blossoms and Blessings, September 24 (Author Interview)

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, September 25

Susan K. Beatty, Author, September 26 (Author Interview)

Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, September 26

Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, September 27

Guild Master, September 28 (Author Interview)

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, September 29

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Sunshine is giving away the grand prize of a $40 Visa card!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

https://promosimple.com/ps/21813/the-characters-within-celebration-tour-giveaway