Candy Apple Kisses Author Q&A with Amy Clipston

Amy Clipston has been writing for as long as she can remember. Her fiction writing “career” began in elementary school when she and a close friend wrote and shared silly stories. She has a degree in communications from Virginia Wesleyan College and is a member of the Authors Guild, American Christian Fiction Writers, and Romance Writers of America. She is the author of the bestselling Kauffman Amish Bakery series with Zondervan, which is part of HarperCollins Christian Publishing.

FF: Candy Apple Kisses is full of fall charm—from orchards to small-town traditions. What inspired you to set this story in such a distinctly autumnal world?
Fall has always been my favorite time of year. When I was a kid, I called it “jean jacket weather.” Every fall, I look forward to pulling out my cold-weather clothes and decorating the house with pumpkins, scarecrows, and colorful wreaths. I was thrilled when my editor agreed that the story should take place during this special time of year.

FF: Emily returns home to help her childhood best friend save his family’s orchard. What drew you to this “returning home” storyline?
I’m a huge fan of reunion stories, so the hook for this novel was natural for me to bring Emily back to her small hometown. But coming home means facing the heartbreak she ran from, including the crushing loss of her parents, and the sweet, stubborn feelings she’s buried for years when it comes to Jake.

FF: At its heart, this is a friends-to-lovers romance. What do you love most about exploring that dynamic between Emily and Jake?
Jake and Emily are such a fun couple! I love the friends-to-lovers trope since it gave me the opportunity to examine their friendship—how did they become best friends, what drew them together, and what inspires Jake to see Emily in a new light after more than two decades? I had a blast building up that tension and pushing the characters through all of the emotions that they had to face before they found the courage to accept their feelings and admit them to each other. I’m happy with how their relationship takes shape, and I hope readers love the journey as much as I do.

FF: The orchard itself feels like more than just a setting—it’s a legacy and a symbol of family. How did that shape the emotional core of the story?
The orchard took on a life of its own as I wrote the story. Not only is it important to Jake, his family, and Emily, but it also is a place where the residents of Splendid Lake created their own special memories. While preparing for the orchard’s opening, Jake and Emily explore how much the orchard means to them, and it’s a place where their friendship began and also where their friendship transforms into so much more. I did my best to incorporate their love for the orchard into their love for each other.

FF: Emily is an artist who reconnects with her creativity when she returns home. How does her creative journey mirror her emotional one?
Emily is a layered character. She’s an artist at her core, and she’s always expressed herself through her drawings. When she first arrives in Splendid Lake, she’s lost her muse. While she struggles to bring her muse back to life, she’s forced to finally face her grief over losing her parents and also come to terms with her unrequited love for Jake. Her creative journey is painful but also productive. As she struggles to find her muse, she also has to deal with all of the burdens in her heart, and it all just might work out for her in the end.

FF: There’s an added layer of tension with the pressures facing the orchard and the reappearance of Jake’s ex. How did you balance those external conflicts with the romance?
The external conflicts help to push the romance forward. While Emily and Jake work together to plan a special orchard grand opening and celebration, they are forced to examine their feelings for each other. And adding Jake’s ex-girlfriend to the mix created roadblocks that they had to overcome while figuring out how to take their friendship to the next level. And, by the way, I had so much fun with Jake’s ex! 🙂

FF: Small-town community plays such a warm and inviting role in this novel. What do you hope readers experience as they step into Splendid Lake?
Small-town romances are my favorite to write and also read. I love creating communities where everyone knows each other, and they go out of their way to take care of each other. I hope that readers feel a connection to Splendid Lake and also consider it a place that they would love to visit.

FF: Candy Apple Kisses blends sweetness, nostalgia, and emotional depth. What do you hope readers feel when they reach the final page?
I hope Emily and Jake’s journey stays with readers long after the last page. I also hope that the story leaves them with a smile and a reminder that love can find its way when we’re brave enough to believe in second chances.