Dee Interviews Local Author - MJ Stringer

AUTHOR INTERVIEW

MJ Stringer

In February of 2025, I had the pleasure of meeting and interviewing local bookstore owner, Sherrele Goloversic.  Sherrele owns and operates a small, independent bookstore, The Book Reader's Venue, located in Humble, Texas.  Sherrele's shop  is a cozy corner, and she is the perfect welcoming host.  Please take a few minutes to check out our conversation and her bookstore. 

One of the perks of my time with Sherrele, was her mention of local romance author, MJ Stringer, as a possible interview candidate.  It took us quite a while, nearly two years 🥹, but we finally got together for a sit down. As it turns out, I owe Sherrele a big "thank you".  MJ was a great interviewee; open, candid, and generous with her time.  Beyond that, she is a kindred spirit who enjoys the reading and writing experience as much as I do.  Thank you to MJ Stringer for the gift of her time.  

MJ Stringer-

                                                                              

Ms. Stringer is the author of Restoration Heights, a romance novel, set in Austin, TX with a focus on faith, love, and forgiveness.  As MJ says faith is always the "most important" aspect of her writing and set at the heart of this novel.  Here's a bit about Restoration Heights:

"Restoration Heights is a story set in Austin, Texas that follows best friends, Katherine and Lauren, struggling with motherhood, career, friendship and love; searching for faith as they navigate separate and interwoven paths.

Katherine is married to her college sweetheart with two young children and seems to have the perfect life. But she feels disregarded by her husband, Nathan, who neglects quality time with his family due to the never ending pressures at work. When Katherine decides to take some time for herself to unwind at a local restaurant, a young waiter begins to give her the attention that she craves.

Lauren, Nathan's sister and Katherine's best friend, is a single mother who has finally healed from heart-break by Daniel, a ruthless real estate broker. But her world is turned upside down when Daniel unexpectedly comes back into the picture and learns that Lauren has kept a secret from him that changes everything."

Published in December of 2024, Restoration Heights is the first book written and published by MJ Stringer.  She has two others in the works, but with her busy schedule consisting of three jobs and two children, there's not a lot of wiggle room for writing.  Nonetheless, MJ perseveres and continues to write. 

An Austin native,  MJ has always been a writer, beginning with many short stories written as a kid.  She continued her love of the written word, attending school at Texas State University pursuing a degree in journalism.  However, when her dad pointed out that she needed to be able to make a living with her degree, she switched to accounting and that is her nine to five, so to speak. 

Restoration Heights was born in 2012 when MJ had some health issues which challenged her focus.  During that time, she began working on this book, simply writing what came into her head.  Not really narrative or outline form, but some of both.  She continued working on this, her first book, for about four years.  Once she had a presentable project she sent out many, many inquiries to publishers, pursuing the conventional publication route for about three years.  Finally, in 2024, she decided to publish herself using Kindle Direct Publishing and her work of more than twelve years became a reality.  

Thoughts and feelings from Restoration Heights are "close to home" for MJ, faith being prominent.  She was also looking for something in the romance arena that was "cleaner" and felt she'd struck on it while reading some Karen Kingsbury.

Her two other books in process, feature some of the same feel and sentiment.  One is a friend to romance trope.  The other is the love story of a man suffering from a chronic illness who meets his love online. Do these brief glances pique your interest?  If so, let's hope Ms. Stringer is able to get them completed and published soon.  

As I do with most interviews, I asked about the subject's reading life.  MJ says she probably got the reading bug from her mother, who is a fan of Elin Hilderbrand. The two of them often share books back and forth, especially good library reads.  Her sister is a fan of non-fiction and fantasy, while her brother enjoys a good transformative book.  MJ, herself, says she enjoys romance (you guessed it), drama, and mystery.  We have those three in common.

Family and family support have been important to MJ, both in her writing and the publication of Restoration Heights.  Her sixteen year old son had a hand in the design of her book cover and her 21 year old attended her first book signing.  That sort of pat on the back has got to feel great.  

Again, thank you MJ Stringer! 

 

HAPPY READING MY FRIENDS!