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Author Spotlight: Kimbra Drake: “Where the Heart Meets the Sea”

  • 7 minutes ago
  • 5 min read

Kimbra Drake is the renowned author of Where the Heart Meets the Sea, a novel intricately woven with themes of bravery, renewal, and the liberating power of secrets.

Kimbra explores emotional and poignant family themes set against the breathtaking scenery of Lyngør, Norway. Lyngør provides an ideal backdrop for this novel, full of character, beauty, and intrigue. The novel captivates readers by examining the journey of revisiting our past and the revelations it uncovers. Kimbra approaches this theme with love and empathy. In Where the Heart Meets the Sea, Kimbra creates emotional, character-driven stories focused on heritage, healing, and the landscapes of Northern Europe. Where the Heart Meets the Sea is currently being adapted into a feature film by producer, writer, and actress Helene Cardona.


Backstory

Ella Nielsen has never known her parents -- or even how her mother died. Raised by her emotionally distant Norwegian grandmother, Hilda, Ella has long accepted that the topic of her parents is off-limits. When Hilda passes away, Ella is shocked to find out her inheritance includes a summer cottage perched above the sea in a place called Lyngør, a remote island in Norway. To sell it, she'll have to visit the cottage and take stock of what's there--and maybe Lyngør holds the key to her mother's mysterious passing, if she can get the locals to talk.


For as long as he can remember, Leif Arnesen, a thirty-four year-old boatbuilder in Lyngør, has carried grief and shame from his father's death, an accident that upended their small community. When Ella breezes into Lyngør looking for answers, her very presence stirs up old ghosts and earns her the villagers suspicions, As sparks begin to fly between Leif and Ella and their relationship blossoms quickly, everything Leif knows to be true threatens to capsize.


Perfect for the fans of Jennifer Probst's Our Italian Summer, and set and amid the rough and wild beauty of the Norwegian archipelagoes, Kimbra Drake's Where the Heart Meets the Sea asks what happens when we're forced to re-write the stories that have defined our lives--and what we do with the next chapters. The story is one where love and mystery intertwine.




In this interview, Gemma Magazine converses with Kimbra Drake regarding her inspiration for writing the book, how she developed such detailed and engaging characters, her unique perspective on crafting this novel, and the importance of the Norwegian sea in relation to specific themes within the book. Our aim was to gather Kimbra's perspective and intriguing insights.




What inspired you to write Where the Heart Meets the Sea? Did some of your own life experiences shape your novel?

The book is set in Lyngør, a remote and stunning island community off the southern coast of Norway. I spent many summers there and countless hours boating through the Norwegian archipelago. I learned firsthand, through one misadventure or another, that the sea is unpredictable and a powerful force that demands respect; otherwise, the situation can turn dangerous. That conflict between risk and beauty mirrors the inner lives of my characters, particularly Leif and Ella, whose journeys through grief, family secrets, identity, and love unfold in step with the cadence of the waves.  



Your novel is incredible. Can you tell me more about the slow-burning romance?  

Their chemistry is hot and undeniable. Intense attraction between two people can blur their perspective of the world around them, especially during vulnerable moments. I wanted them to remain compassionate about each other’s pain and problems while staying aware of the troubles around them. Hopefully, their love story shows how two people can help each other grow, find the courage to confront past limitations, and move forward with their lives in ways that honor their present and future selves.  


Your novel has become so successful! Can you tell me about your creative process?

Thank you! You’re very kind! I find that writing consistently creates inspiration. Life is often super full, and so carving out blocks of time on certain days of the week to write can be helpful, in my experience.



Ella is such a great character! Her journey intertwines loss, family secrets, and love in a very human way. How did your own life or experience influence the emotional core of the story? If any?

When I was growing up, my family was very small. I was lonely as a child. Over time, I came to realize that family doesn’t have to be blood. Sometimes it can be built through friendship, shared care, and trust. This became one of my story themes: chosen family.


This novel explores how discovering the truth can reshape one’s sense of self. What was most important when portraying that shift in perspective for both Ella and Leif? Perhaps it’s the idea that someone else’s truth might not be your own truth. Or maybe it’s that sometimes the things people are told about themselves and/or their histories can keep them stuck in life. Through Ella and Leif, I explore the possibility that choosing to reinterpret the past and rewrite your own story could open a path to a more contented life, even if it does not erase what came before.


Many readers will connect with Ella’s complicated relationship with her grandmother, Hilda. What was it like to write that dynamic? Did any relationships in your life inform their bond? Most people have likely experienced a complicated relationship in their lives, and I guess I was exploring how the bonds of love can remain even in conflict.


What was the most fun to write about?

Both the mystery and the romance were fun to plot and write. I also found joy in researching Norwegian culture and customs. Ella is a fashion designer who finds inspiration in the enchanting Lyngør Landscape. Leif is a boat builder who carves images culled from Viking art onto wooden boats. My story weaves in Norse mythology, Scandinavian folklore, and Viking history. I was intentional about where I placed cultural references in the novel, though. Rather than overwhelm the narrative, I wanted these elements to add texture and depth, enriching the Norwegian setting without interrupting the characters’ journey.



Kimbra Drake lives and writes in Virginia and Ireland. She is also a certified book coach and developmental editor. When not crafting stories, some of her passions include traveling, hiking in nature, photography, and watching gigs and readings at indie bookstores. Kimbra is a member of the Writer's Guild, The Gotham Film and Media Institute and Film Independent.

To keep up with Kimbra Drake, you can follow her the following social media platforms:


You can also learn more by visiting the website : https://kimbradrake.com/


It can also be purchased at Barnes and Noble, Bookshop.org, and at any Indy bookstore. (If the bookstore doesn't carry it, the bookstore can order it).




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