Connie Keenan

Biography

Connie Keenan, who has also written under the pseudonym Consuelo Vazquez, is the author of more than twenty-five novels and novellas and over one hundred short stories. With many more works to come, she's mostly written Christian fiction and sweet contemporary romance. She loves hiking, discovering fun little shops, trying out new recipes, and spending time with her family. Connie and her husband Bill live in North Carolina with a spoiled German Shepherd and two sassy Chihuahuas.

Smashwords Interview

Where did you grow up, and how did this influence your writing?
Up until my husband and I moved to North Carolina almost seven years ago, I spent most of my life in Northern New Jersey, right across the river from New York. I was actually born in Cuba to Cuban parents and came here at the ripe old age of one month! For the first two years of my life, we lived in Miami until my parents divorced. My mom then moved to Hudson County--we lived in the towns of West New York and later Union City--which has provided the setting for GLIMMERS OF HEAVEN and one of the characters in ONE SWEET DAY, Ileana Cardenas. It's an interesting place, and the bonus is that you have Manhattan very close by, so your characters have the best of both worlds! Because the Jersey shore figured very strongly in my childhood and youth, it also gets some play in my stories.
When did you first start writing?
When I was about my granddaughter's age (five), I scribbled on a piece of paper, showed it to my aunt, and asked excitedly, "What does this say?" My aunt, a busy lady, (also my godmother, or in Spanish "Madrina") said, "Nothing. It's scribble," and continued mashing fried plantains for dinner. At the age of twelve, I began writing stories in black and white composition notebooks and sharing them with my friends, one of whom also wrote, so we critiqued and encouraged each other all through seventh grade. I wrote in my diary back then, "When I grow up, I'm going to become a writer." Today, I'm grateful to say that my dream came true!
Read more of this interview.

Where to find Connie Keenan online

Books

Whatsoever Things Are Lovely--A Guide to Christian Simple Living
Price: $2.99 USD. Words: 24,560. Language: English. Published: November 30, 2018 . Categories: Nonfiction » Inspiration » Spiritual inspiration
"Whatsoever Things Are Lovely--A Guide to Christian Simple Living" explores and touches upon minimalism, simple living, and seeking after those heavenly treasures, including true purpose and priorities as outlined by God's Word. This book seeks to encourage the reader to the treasures that are eternal.
Goodnight, My Love
Price: $2.99 USD. Words: 54,170. Language: English. Published: November 29, 2015 . Categories: Fiction » Romance » Action/adventure
While still in high school, Gina Bertoletti's life takes an exciting turn when she lays eyes on handsome and charming Tony La Rosa, who dreams of becoming a star. Enter rugged fisherman Kelly Whelan, the polar opposite of Tony. One is her first love, but only one can be her true love.
Once Upon A Painted Horse
Price: $2.99 USD. Words: 55,670. Language: American English. Published: September 19, 2015 . Categories: Fiction » Christian » Romance, Fiction » Christian » Suspense
Having lost her dream job and her apartment, Heather Blackburn is not having a stellar year. Deciding to start over, Heather moves to North Carolina, where she agrees to house-sit for her parents' pastor. While there, she discovers an amusement park that is said to be haunted...and its intriguing owner, Tom Clayton. A sweet Christian romance with elements of the supernatural.
If I May But Touch
Price: Free! Words: 6,440. Language: English. Published: April 13, 2015 . Categories: Fiction » Christian » Short stories, Fiction » Christian » Historical
(5.00 from 3 reviews)
The fictionalized account based on the true story of the woman with the issue of blood that lasted twelve long and desperate years, as told in the gospel of Mark, who came to Jesus seeking a miracle and found much more. Please note that this work is a short story.
Crystal Waves
Price: $2.99 USD. Words: 80,240. Language: English. Published: March 9, 2015 . Categories: Fiction » Christian » Fantasy
things begin to happen—events that some are calling modern-day miracles. Reporter Carissa Brilhart believes she’s there to investigate, discovering there’s even more to the story than meets the eye. The same, too, can be said of Katie Howard, the mysterious young waitress who works at the diner on the pier. Or has the town received a divine touch from Heaven?
Distant Fire
Price: $0.99 USD. Words: 45,790. Language: English. Published: July 31, 2014 . Categories: Fiction » Christian » Romance
Linda Cuthbertson doesn't pay much attention when she hears the news that her church has just hired a new music director. That is, until she comes face to face--again--with Drew Lingerfelt. Years, miles and life itself have come between Linda and the man she has always thought of as her first love.
Unconditional
Price: Free! Words: 53,880. Language: English. Published: April 6, 2014 . Categories: Fiction » Christian » Romance
(4.67 from 3 reviews)
Valerie Welch works at the public library, but her real passion is music. Summer has just gotten a whole lot more interesting--and romantic--now that she has met Josh Coleman. But will the truth about his past destroy any hope of a future with the pretty violinist he loves?
One Sweet Day
Price: $0.99 USD. Words: 71,020. Language: English. Published: January 5, 2014 . Categories: Fiction » Christian » General, Fiction » Christian » Contemporary
An abandoned baby, a young girl, a funeral director and a troubled teen. They are all strangers, struggling, having unusual dreams and visions. They will be brought together by a day that was foretold in prophecy over two thousand years ago. A Christian novel by the author of THE LARKSPUR VALLEY SERIES.
Greetings From My Sandy Dreams
Price: Free! Words: 55,010. Language: English. Published: June 29, 2013 . Categories: Fiction » Romance » Contemporary, Fiction » Women's fiction » General
(3.50 from 4 reviews)
Cherry Martinez has always wanted to live at the beach. So she does the unthinkable—she cashes in her savings, quits her job, and moves to a tropical seaside town. Love still knows where to find her, though, in this lighthearted summer romance.
Forever in My Heart
Series: The Larkspur Valley Series, Book 3. Price: $0.99 USD. Words: 58,120. Language: English. Published: April 18, 2013 . Categories: Fiction » Christian » Historical
Take another trip to Larkspur Valley, that small town in rural Pennsylvania. Five years has passed since then, enough time for some new people to have moved in. The third and final book of THE LARKSPUR VALLEY SERIES.
More Than Sparrows
Series: The Larkspur Valley Series, Book 1. Price: $0.99 USD. Words: 61,320. Language: English. Published: February 18, 2013 . Categories: Fiction » Inspirational, Fiction » Historical » USA
Big changes are coming to the people of Larkspur Valley in this 20th Century historical novel about the power of love, the special bonds of family and friendship, and lives that are supernaturally transformed by faith. A Christian novel by the author of GLIMMERS OF HEAVEN.
The Christmas Waltz
Series: The Larkspur Valley Series, Book 2. Price: $0.99 USD. Words: 10,280. Language: English. Published: December 10, 2012 . Categories: Fiction » Romance » Short stories
(4.33 from 3 reviews)
Eighteen years have passed since music teacher June Sheppard's fiance died in the war. Yet on a snowy day in 1962, while conducting the school choir at a Christmas concert in the park, she sees Paul Everett again--just a face in the crowd. Not one to believe in ghosts, she's nonetheless haunted by dreams of long ago and a love that has never been forgotten by her...or Paul.
Champagne Taste
Price: $2.99 USD. Words: 39,040. Language: English. Published: April 1, 2012 . Categories: Fiction » Romance » Contemporary, Fiction » Women's fiction » Chick lit
In this chick lit/romantic comedy fusion, Kara Childers finds her heart torn between the man she thinks she should marry and the man who's about to rock her world.
Glimmers of Heaven
Price: $0.99 USD. Words: 28,030. Language: English. Published: March 12, 2012 . Categories: Fiction » Christian » Romance
Zachary Phillips has left his small town in upstate New York to work as the youth pastor in a struggling city church. He hadn't counted on meeting the pretty teacher's assistant, who is also the church caretaker, or the sparks that fly between them. A touching, sweet Christian romance.
Dimension
Price: $1.99 USD. Words: 23,200. Language: English. Published: January 11, 2012 . Categories: Fiction » Romance » Paranormal » General
People in town always believed the place was haunted. Goodson’s Furniture Store had been abandoned for years. It had stood there, dark and decaying, beside an old cemetery, for decades. The former owners left in a hurry, though no one’s ever been quite sure as to why. Callie Drennan, a local young woman, often went there to hide as a troubled young girl, to find solace from her painful life. One
'Twas the Spy Before Christmas
Price: $0.99 USD. Words: 20,050. Language: English. Published: November 26, 2011 . Categories: Fiction » Holiday » Humorous, Fiction » Romance » Contemporary
All Beth Gardner wants for Christmas? Forget diamonds and perfume. The holiday wind is blowing into her life a tall, hunky former spy named Dan O'Neal! This is one secret agent man who's about to turn her world upside down. Will this just be a quick holiday romance...or will those fireworks between Beth and Dan turn into a love as enduring as Christmas itself?

Connie Keenan's tag cloud

adventure    amusement park    beach    beach book    beach fiction    beachside town    chick lit    christian    christian devotional    christian mainstream    christian romance    christmas    contemporary romance    divorce    end times    faith and character driven    faith based romance    family drama    farmer    firefighter    fisherman    fishing village    florida    greenville sc    hispanic heroine    historical 1960s    historical 20th century    historical america    holiday    inspirational    inspirational action    inspirational adventure    inspirational and religious fiction    inspirational fiction    inspirational literature    inspirational romance    intrigue    italian bakery    italian family    jersey girl    jersey shore    love after 40    mature hero    mature heroine    minimalism    miracle of faith and belief    miracle stories    miracles    miracles in bible    miracles of god    mountains    musician character    musician hero    musician romance    north carolina    novella    novella by female authors    paranormal    pennsylvania    prophecy    rapture    remarriage    romance    romance sweet    romantic comedy    seaside    series    simple living    single dad    small town    spy    summer    summer romance    supernatural    suspense    sweet romance    time of jesus    time travel    unwed mother    violinist    young bride