by Crystal Caudill | Jul 23, 2024 | Character Interview
It’s been a while since we’ve had a character interview, and I’m excited to dive in and get to know Bailey Donovan. Bailey is from Carolyn Miller’s latest book, Pointe, Shoots, and Scores. But before we meet this ballet heroine, let me introduce you to the story.
Pointe, Shoots, and Scores by Carolyn Miller
Opposites can attract, but can they dance?
For as long as she can remember Bailey Donovan has loved dance, especially ballet. When her dance studio faces the risk of closure, she takes a God-given miracle of a gig training a complete non-dancer for a TV show. Only problem is, he’s a real grump to her sunshine, and for an athlete, seems to be lacking all the moves. Or does he?
Luc Blanchard has sworn off wine, women, and definitely dancing as it sure doesn’t fit his macho image. He loves hockey, God, and his family, with no time for more, until an unexpected promotion sees him forced to swallow his pride for the sake of his team.
Sparks soon fly as these two opposites spend time together, and TV ratings push for their onscreen partnership to make a fake relationship real. But as they discover a certain magic under the spotlight, will issues from the past ever let them truly soar?
Pointe, Shoots, and Scores is the third book in the Northwest Ice Christian hockey romance series, can be read as a standalone, and is perfect for fans of banter-laden romance with hope, heart and humor.
Purchase Links: Amazon | More Options
Now for our interview with Bailey.
CC: I’m so excited to get to introduce you to my readers, Bailey. Would you mind telling them a little bit about yourself?
BD: Hi! My name is Bailey Donovan. I’m a dance teacher who has danced professionally in Europe and in North America. I like to think I’m encouraging, supportive, and I care for those who have had tough breaks, because I certainly understand what that’s like. I love teaching dance but a girl still has to pay the bills, so that means I work in a cafe and need some other ways to pay off my bank loans. So when this amazing opportunity comes my way, to dance on national TV on Dance Off Canada, I can’t help but think it’s God answering my prayers…
CC: I love the way God can work in the most unexpected ways.
What or who is your biggest problem in life?
BD: Apart from money issues facing my dance studio, I think the biggest problem is one my family is facing. My sister is estranged from the family after a bunch of terrible events, and it’s really caused tension between us all and fractured us as a family. Not that we ever talk about it. My dad hates anything that might be construed as violent, and it’s causing problems with Luc, my dance partner, who’s been known to stand up for his teammates on the ice. So I guess we’ll see if Dad can learn to let me stand on my own two feet and trust me -and trust God – so I can live independently.
CC: As a parent, I can understand your dad’s not liking Luc’s . . . way of standing up for his teammates, and it’s so hard to let our babies grow up. It will be interesting to see how you manage to stand on your feet with all that is going on. Add a dance competition with Luc as your partner, and I know it can’t be easy.
How would you describe your relationship with God?
BD: I love God, and pretty much always have. God has been my comfort and my strength through some very bad days, and I’m trying to rest in who I am in Him. But it’s sometimes hard to take the performer out of the relationship and just trust and not feel like I’ve got to be perfect. But I know this is what God is wanting me to learn to do. Trust Him, not me.
CC: Ouch. That is a lesson that hits me hard. It’s so easy to slip into trusting ourselves, isn’t it?
Tell us a little about the personal journey you go on throughout this story. What areas of growth do you find yourself facing?
BD: I love my family, but something I’ve noticed is that my family has always tended to tiptoe around the truth. We don’t like confrontation, so we’d rather sweep things under the carpet, which is why Luc is good for me as he’s so strong and direct and makes me speak what I actually mean, rather than what I think others want to hear. It’s hard to do though, especially after a lifetime of keeping the peace and being nice. I’m trying to be more honest.
CC: Wow. I love that Luc is bringing that out in you and teaching you to speak truth instead of what people think you should say. That can be an uncomfortable journey to walk for sure.
What is your greatest skill that helps you through the story or makes you appealing to a possible love interest?
BD: I think I’m a pretty positive person, because I’m trusting God to work things out for my good, even when things seem pretty tough. I’ve had people tell me I’m sweet, good-natured, and perky!
CC: Those are all attractive qualities in a potential love interest. So tell us about YOUR love interest.
BD: Luc Blanchard is in many ways my opposite. He’s big, intense, and can come across as fierce, but he’s been a total marshmallow with me. He has such a good heart, and yes, he’s not perfect, but he’s perfect for me. He’s amazing how he took to dance, which was something he REALLY didn’t want to do, but he’s doing it for the sake of his mom (who had breast cancer, so he’s raising money for cancer research) and he just committed to the routines and has tried so, so hard. He’s a godly Christian guy, and a real sweetheart. I just love him to bits!
CC: Awww. That is such a sweet thing.
So, can you see a future with Luc?
BD: Do I see a future with Luc? Gosh, I’d like to think so. But since some stuff went down in my family (which may have involved my sister’s ex going to jail) my parents are pretty protective of me, especially my dad. He’s not a fan of hockey players, as he thinks they’re too rough, and he’s definitely not a fan of men with tattoos, and as Luc fits into both categories I can’t see that he’d ever accept him. Especially when he sees us in some of the outfits and dances we’ve got to do. I might not think of myself as Daddy’s little girl but he still does, so we’d need a miracle for Luc to ever be accepted into the family. But I’m someone who believes God can do anything!
CC: Ha ha! My husband had to work to earn the approval of my family so I totally get it! I thought it would take a miracle too!
Last question: If there is one thing you could tell the reader, what would it be?
BD: We often are too quick to say ‘I can’t’ when really God is wanting us to remember that ‘I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me’. So whether it be stepping out in dance, learning to let go, or having those hard conversations, we can do it; we just need to try. And if we’re Christians, we need to remember that God is with us wherever we go and is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all we can ask or imagine. But that means saying yes and having a go, rather than sitting back or sitting on the sidelines. We get one life, people, so make the most of it and live it!
CC: So true and such an important thing to remember. And boy is it uncomfortable stepping out of our comfort zones.
Readers, if you haven’t had the chance to read Pointe, Shoots, and Scores by Carolyn Miller, now is your chance to pick up a copy.
About Carolyn Miller:
Carolyn Miller lives in the beautiful Southern Highlands of New South Wales, Australia, with her husband and four children. A longtime lover of romance, especially that of Jane Austen, Georgette Heyer and LM Montgomery, Carolyn loves drawing readers into fictional worlds that show the truth of God’s grace in our lives. Her contemporary romance series includes the Original Six hockey romance series, Muskoka Romance series, and the Independence Islands series, and her historical series include the Regency Brides and Regency Wallflowers series.
Connect with here here: Website | Newsletter | Facebook | Instagram | Amazon | BookBub | GoodReads
by Crystal Caudill | Jul 9, 2024 | Author Interviews
I love how this blog allows me the opportunity to meet so many other authors that I might not have otherwise. Sara is a new-to-me author (at least with the release of her previous book), and I’m so excited to get to talk to her here. Also, Sara is generously giving away a copy of The End Begins. Check out the details at the end of this post.
If you haven’t met her yet, here is a bit about Sara:
Sara Davison is the author of The Night Guardians, The Rose Tattoo, Two Sparrows for a Penny, and In the Shadows series, as well as the standalone, The Watcher. A finalist for more than a dozen national writing awards, including the Christy Award, Davison is a Holt Medallion, Cascade, and two-time Carol Award winner for romantic suspense. She lives in Ontario with her husband, Michael. Like every good Canadian, she loves coffee, hockey, poutine, and apologizing for no particular reason. Get to know Sara better and subscribe to her short, monthly newsletter at www.saradavison.org.
You can connect with her through: Website | Facebook | Instagram | Amazon | BookBub | GoodReads
Now for the fun stuff! I have to admit I am partial to my Fast Five. 🙂 So settle in as I hit Sara with rapid-fire.
CC: Pineapple pizza or candy corn?
SD: Candy corn! (I don’t do fruit on pizza)
CC: Test the waters or dive in the deep end?
SD: Test the waters.
CC: Guacamole or salsa?
SD: Salsa if I have to choose, both if I don’t. Plus sour cream.
CC: Silly hats or silly socks?
SD: Silly socks. All hats look silly on me.
CC: Passwords or secret handshakes?
SD: Ooh, secret handshakes. I can’t remember a password to save my life.
LoL, isn’t that why password apps exist? I know I’d be lost without mine. So let’s dive into getting to know you a little more.
What fiction book has most impacted you?
SD: So many novels have impacted me and my writing, but I’d have to say the one that impacted me most was likely Love Comes Softly by Janette Oke. Oh, and A Wrinkle in Time by Madeline L’Engle. Can I say two? Love Comes Softly because, as a Canadian, I was impacted by the idea that a fellow Canadian author could have such an impact in the writing world. I was also deeply moved by the storyline, which demonstrated to me the power of a well-written romantic novel. A Wrinkle in Time because it showed me that an author can push boundaries and write something completely different than what is out there and despite that (or maybe because of it) produce a story that continues to resonate and shape and influence stories in multiple genres. Those two books ignited a spark in me to write powerful, action-packed, romantic, boundary-pushing stories that have an impact on readers’ lives.
CC: I love that! It never fails to astonish me just how impactful fiction can really be.
When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?
SD: Two things happened when I was around nine years old that I look back on now as evidence that the desire to write has always been in me. First, we went on a class trip in fourth grade and had to do a write-up on the experience afterwards. Mine was chosen to go in the school newsletter, and to this day I remember how it felt to see my words in print and know others were reading them. I knew then that was what I wanted to do with my life. Secondly, we moved a lot when I was growing up, and the first thing I would do in my new town (and still do) was find the library. I have a clear memory of walking up and down the aisles one day, running my fingers along the spines and thinking, all these people wrote a book. It can be done. I can do this. So that was the pivotal year that really set my course for this career that I love and am so blessed to have (even when it drives me crazy).
CC: I love that. My library was a safe-haven for me. There is just something refreshing and comforting to be surrounded by books.
What is your writing Kryptonite?
SD: Definitely discouragement. Like most, maybe all writers, I struggle with feeling as though nothing I write is good enough. No one is reading it and, if they are, they probably don’t like it. It’s not having an impact. Why am I doing this to myself? So often putting stories out into the world not only feels like the most terrifying, vulnerable thing to do, it feels like shouting into some deep, black void. I truly believe God uses writers and words and stories to change lives, which the enemy does not want, and discouragement is the tool he wields most often in an attempt to get them to give up and stop writing. So, it’s a mental, emotional, and deeply spiritual battle to keep going. I have to remind myself daily (hourly, sometimes) that my job is to be obedient to the calling, to produce work that is as excellent as I can make it, to market and promote that work to the best of my ability, and then to leave the results to God. I know He gives me the stories and that, therefore, He has a plan for them, so I can trust that if I do my part, He will do His and get them into the hands of the people He wants to read them. That may be five people or five hundred thousand people – that’s up to Him. Every Christian writer needs prayer that they will not give in to discouragement and give up but will be faithful and obedient to do what God has called and gifted them to do.
CC: Oomph. I cannot tell you how much I needed that reminder right now. This truly is a mental, emotional, and deeply spiritual battle. Sometimes I have to remind myself of that in order to keep moving forward.
Do you have any advice for those who want ot write their own stories?
SD: If you believe in your story, never give up on it. Study and learn and accept feedback and constantly strive to get better with your writing, as excellence honours God. And find your community – other writers who understand what you are going through, people who will support, encourage, and pray for you, and readers who need the message God has laid on your heart to weave into your stories. And did I mention never give up?
CC: Amen. And maybe add, prepare for spiritual battle. You need God’s protection with you every step of this journey.
Now I’m excited to talk about The End Begins.
Which of them is the prisoner and which one is free?
Bookstore owner Meryn O’Reilly and Army Captain Jesse Christensen are on opposite sides of a battle. After a series of terrorist attacks in 2053, martial law has been declared in Canada and the military has taken over. When a radical Christian group claims responsibility, Jesse and his platoon are sent to Meryn’s city to keep an eye on the Christians and ensure they are not stepping outside the confines of the law.
Fiery and quick-tempered, Meryn chafes under the curfew and other restrictions to her freedom. Jesse is equally amused, intrigued, and terrified by her spirit, knowing she could end up in prison if she shows defiance to the wrong soldier, namely Lieutenant Gallagher.
Jesse watches out for Meryn when possible, although she wants nothing to do with him. His worst fears are realized when she commits a crime he cannot protect her from. Now they both face an uncertain future and the very real threat of losing everything, including their lives.
With time running out, Jesse works feverishly to convince the authorities to show leniency—and to convince Meryn that love can overcome any barrier that lies between them.
Purchase your copy at Amazon (US) | Amazon (Canada)
CC: Where did you get the idea for The End Begins?
SD: Often, I’m not able to answer this question, but in the case of The Day Draws Near Series, I can pinpoint the moment the seeds for the stories were planted. Our pastor was teaching an excellent series on the book of Revelation, and I came to deeply love that book of the Bible. The End Begins, The Darkness Deepens, and The Morning Star Rises came out of that teaching, as it ignited in me a deep desire to write stories that paint a picture of what very well might be coming for believers in a society increasingly hostile to Christianity. To ask the question, are we ready? And to instill, not fear, but a deep joy and hope in the knowledge that, whatever we face, we will never be alone. God is sovereign and in control and everything that will happen in the end days will happen according to His plan. He will be with us and give us the courage and strength to persevere to the end. And one day all will be set right, and we will be in His presence forever.
CC: It is both a terrifying and encouraging concept. I do pray that I am ready, for it really does feel like it is drawing near.
What about this story drew you to it?
SD: The fact that this story drew me so strongly surprised me, as I grew up in those years when terrifying books and movies about the end times were coming out, and I never thought I would want to write about anything remotely like that. What I hope and pray I have done, with God’s help, is create stories that clearly convey that the end is drawing near and that instill a sense of urgency in believers to prepare themselves and to share the gospel at every opportunity while offering a deep sense of hope (not fear). As my heroine, Meryn, says to the hero, Jesse, when he asks why God is allowing all this to happen: “To show himself to us. To call people – and nations – who have turned their backs on him to return to Him… We may feel as though we are being beaten and tossed around by the overpowering wind and waves right now. If we keep our eyes on that distant light, though, on the promise that we are not alone and that, whatever happens, the one who created the wind and the waves will bring us home to that safe harbor, the storm has no real power over us.”
CC: Wow. That is immensely powerful. Seriously, it just took my breath away and I slowed down to reread it.
What do you hope readers will take away from your story?
SD: Hope. I put my characters through some terrible things, and my stories can be challenging or heartbreaking (while, hopefully, interspersed with banter, humour, and strong relationships – always the main thing for me). What I always desire for readers take away from any of my stories is the hope – the absolute, rock-hard conviction – that whatever they have gone through, whatever they have done or has been done to them, whatever they might face in the future – they never have been and will never be alone. The world of The End Begins is speculative but, I have been told, highly plausible. My prayer is that, as they experience the story, readers will be reminded that hard times are coming for believers and they need to be prepared for that, but they don’t have to be afraid. God is on his throne and has promised to be with us always, giving us the strength and courage to persevere to the end with hope and joy.
CC: This interview has totally convinced me to buy the entire series in paperback, and I’ve really dialed back in what I purchase in print. Wow. Such a powerful message. Unfortunately, we’re out of time, so I’d like us to end with one more fun question:
You are in the back of a police car on your way to jail. What did you do, and is anyone with you?
SD: I have no doubt that I will one day, likely soon, find myself in this exact situation. When I do, it will one hundred percent be for what I have in the search history on my computer. For recent novels, I have done in-depth research on types of guns and ammunition as well as how to treat gunshot wounds with items found at home. I’ve looked into what is involved in becoming a drug lord and how gang initiations work. Most recently, I learned online how to make and to defuse homemade bombs. Even if I don’t get arrested, I’m positive I’m on numerous watchlists in North America and quite possibly beyond.
CC: LoL, sounds like it might be in your best interest to not travel internationally.
Readers, I hope you’ll check out The End Begins and then leave a review on Amazon, Goodreads, and/or BookBub. You wouldn’t believe how important that is to an author.
Giveaway Info
Sara is graciously providing one U.S. resident, 18 years and older, with a signed copy of The End Begins. Use the Rafflecopter below to enter. Entries open until 11:59 p.m. EST on July 17.
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Reader, what do you know of the Asian front during WWII? What things interest you about this story?
by Crystal Caudill | Jul 5, 2024 | Reading Challenge
It’s another month our challenge: Unlocking Ecclesiastes 3. I’m so excited to join you again this year with guest reviews from our reading challenge participants. If you want to submit a review for upcoming months, feel free to email me using my contact form. If you are looking for reading suggestions, I’ve cultivated a page just for that. (Note that it is still being updated throughout the year, so feel free to message me with suggestions.) I recommend you also checking Inspirational Historical Fiction Index or the Facebook Group Avid Readers of Christian Fiction or my Facebook group Crystal Caudill’s Reading Friends. I’ll also include a short list at the bottom of this post.
Don’t forget to comment at the bottom of the post for your chance to win a book off my prize shelf. *The list of prizes available from my prize shelf can be found here.*
Unlocking the Past: Ecclesiastes 3
Just as Ecclesiastes has two opposites in each verse, most months will leave you with two options to choose from.
“For everything there is a season,
a time for every activity under heaven.”
June Verse: A time to grieve and a time to dance.
Challenge Theme: A book with a funeral or with a character who is a dancer.
July Verse: A time to embrace and a time to turn away.
Challenge Theme: Second Chance Romance or Family/Friend Reconciliation
A Midnight Dance
by Joanna Davidson Politano
Due to deadlines and family needs, I did not get my challenge book read, although I’ve made it 1/3 of the way through and have been enjoying it. So I snuck over to GoodReads and stole some reviews from friends. 🙂
Review by: Multiple people
“This book held within its pages as much grace and drama as ballet itself. Politano is an artist who painting pictures with her words and digging deep into far corners of every reader’s heart. I loved this unique view into the history of theater and ballet and how we can worship God in the form of dance. The mystery woven within kept me turning the pages until the very last with a satisfied sigh.” – Sarah Monzon
“Politano crafts the world of the Victorian ballet with depth and beauty. Her writing is evocative and immersive. All of her characters are well-rounded and layered, but this stirring story best highlights the faith of a young woman in a time when it was believed God and the theatre could never mix. Well-paced and thoroughly mesmerizing, I both savored and devoured every page.” – Stephenia McGee
“The prose of A Midnight Dance is gorgeous. There’s a lyrical flow to this book as graceful as a ballet itself. Highly recommended.” – Rachel McDaniel
Genre: Historical Romance
Plot Overview:
All theater romances are tragedies. Ella Blythe knows this. Still, she cannot help but hope her own story may turn out different than most–and certainly different than the tragic story of the Ghost of Craven Street Theater. Yet as she struggles to maintain her tenuous place in the ever-shrinking ballet company, win the attentions of principal dancer Philippe, and avoid company flirt Jack, Ella cannot deny the uncanny feeling that her life is mirroring that of the dead ballerina.
Is she dancing ever closer to the edge of her own tragic end? Or will the secrets that are about to come to light offer release from the past?
Mystery and romance make the perfect dance partners in this evocative story from fan-favorite Joanna Davidson Politano.
Giveaway
For your chance to win a print copy, comment with what book YOU read for this month. Use the Rafflecopter below for extra entries and to mark that you left a comment. Entries end on the 7th of each month at midnight EST, and the winner will be drawn sometime that week and notified by email. The winner will be announced on the Rafflecopter widget.
*Open to all residents of the contiguous USA, legally able to enter, and an e-book format or Amazon Gift Card will be awarded to those outside that range who are legally able to enter.
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Recommendations for July:
- Counterfeit Love by Crystal Caudill
- Shadow of Truth by Susan Sleeman
- The Sea Before Us by Sarah Sundin
- The Metropolitan Affair by Jocelyn Green
- Curse of Misty Wayfair by Jaime Jo Wright
- Flight of Fancy by Laurie Alice Eakes
- Butterfly Palace by Colleen Coble
- “A Flood of Love” by Tracie Peterson in Serving Up Love: A Harvey House Brides Collection
- Remembered by Tamera Alexander
- The Lady of Bolton Hill by Elizabeth Camden
- A Life Once Dreamed by Rachel Fordham
What did you read for the challenge? What were your thoughts on it? Would you recommend it?
by Crystal Caudill | Jun 25, 2024 | Book Reviews
Man of Shadow & Mist
by Michelle Griep
Review:
From the very first time I read The Noble Guardian from Michelle Griep, I thought there was no book–no hero–I could love better. And once again, Michelle Griep has proved me wrong. This may be my absolute new favorite from her, and that is saying something. Mobs, a man who cannot expose himself to the light, a romance that overcomes it all, AND Dracula? What more could I ask for? Fans of gothic romance are going to swoon over this story. Seriously, just writing this review makes me want to go back and read it again just for pleasure. This a book NOT to be missed, especially if you are a fan of Dracula on any level. Once again, Griep’s attention to historical detail is amazing, and I learned so much while being completely consumed by this enthralling tale. If you’ve not read it, be prepare: I WILL force you to read this book. 🙂 So save yourself the trouble. Hanging garlic won’t stop me. Go read this book.
Genre: Historical Romance, 1880s England
Plot:
“The world seems full of good men—even if there are monsters in it.” –Bram Stoker, Dracula
England, 1890
Vampires are alive and well in North Yorkshire, leastwise in the minds of the uneducated. Librarian Rosa Edwards intends to drive a stake through the heart of such superstitions. But gossip flies when the mysterious Sir James Morgan returns to his shadowy manor. The townsfolk say he is cursed.
James hates everything about England. The weather. The rumours. The scorn. Yet he must stay. His mother is dying of a disease for which he’s desperately trying to find a cure—an illness that will eventually take his own life.
When Rosa sets out to prove the dark gossip about James is wrong, she discovers more questions than answers. How can she accept what she can’t explain—especially the strong allure of the enigmatic man? James must battle a town steeped in fear as well as the unsettling attraction he feels for the no-nonsense librarian.
Can love prevail in a town filled with fear and doubt?
Author Website: https://michellegriep.com/
Purchase Link: Amazon | Baker Book House | Barnes & Noble | Christianbook
What is the most recent book you’ve read? What did you like about it? Who would you recommend it to?
by Crystal Caudill | Jun 18, 2024 | Author Interviews
The Christian Fiction community is a wonderful place to meet other writers who love to support one another. I’ve yet to meet Greta in person, but we have “met” online a few times through various writing conferences and groups. I am pleased to introduce her to you and her historical romance, The Rejected Mail-Order Bride.
Greta Picklesimer is a Christian historical romance author with two traditionally published books under her belt and another one in the works. Her books are set in Kentucky because she spent many happy summer family vacations visiting relatives and exploring the hills in the eastern part of the state. She was raised by Kentucky transplanted parents in Michigan.
When she is not writing, she spends her time working on her art/scrapbook journal, listening to audiobooks and dreaming up her next novel. She is owned by one rescue cat she named Pearlie Blue after one of her father’s favorite Bluegrass songs. By day, Greta works as an office assistant. At night, she writes.
You can connect with her through: Website | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter/X | TikTok
Now for the fun stuff! I have to admit I am partial to my Fast Five. 🙂 So settle in as I hit Greta with rapid-fire.
CC: Pineapple pizza or candy corn?
GP: Can’t I have both together? Candy corn on a pineapple pizza? (Um, yuck!) Okay, so if I have to choose one pineapple pizza.
CC: Test the waters or dive in the deep end?
GP: Test. Always test.
CC: Guacamole or salsa?
GP: Guacamole–yum.
CC: Silly hats or silly socks?
GP: If the silly hats are really small and hard to see from a distance, then silly hats. I would love to wear silly socks, but I wear compression stockings to keep my lymphedema under control.
CC: Passwords or secret handshakes?
GP: Passwords. I have 35 pages of passwords. I did have 40 pages but spent part of this morning paring them down.
Passwords are so hard to keep track of! I use an app to help me. Alright, let’s dive in to the meat of this interview.
What book has most impacted you?
GP: The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis. I was transported into the magical world of Narnia each and every time I read it. I was so impressed by Aslan (as a form of Christ) that I opted for the face of a lion on my class ring instead of the school mascot.
CC: That seems to be a pretty popular answer. How cool that you chose Aslan over your school mascot for your ring.
When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?
GP: When I was eight years old, I started writing stories about imaginary worlds. I wrote short, one-act plays that my cousin and I acted out. Or tried to act out. They were mainly about monsters.
CC: How fun! I hope you kept some of those stories around.
What does your writing process look like in general?
GP: I usually write in the evenings when I get home from my job as an office assistant. Sometimes that means I go to bed right after eating and wake a few hours later to write. I don’t have a husband or children to interrupt me, but find I work better when I am rested. A nap is a wonderful thing. When I get an idea for a novel, I mull it over in my mind and let it take shape. I write out a very rough draft like one or two or more pages getting the most important details down on computer or paper. After the idea “cooks” for a while I start the actual process of writing and just let the words flow. I usually try to write 1,000 words in one sitting which can take about an hour or so. Don’t let that fool you. I’m a slow writer and don’t always come home from work and write. I’m a panster. Meaning I write by the seat of my pants (mostly). I don’t know everything that happens in my novels from start to finish. Sometimes the characters surprise me with their antics.
CC: It sounds like you are very disciplined, and I concur. Naps are beautiful things.
What is your writing Kryptonite?
GP: What kills writing for me? Fear. Fear of not being able to come up with the next sentence in my novel.
CC: I can relate to that.
What has been the biggest challenge for you on your writing journey?
GP: I fell back in October 2022 and ruptured my left patella tendon. I spent ten days in the hospital and two and a half months in a nursing home. That injury took a toll on my desire to write. I still struggle to get words on the page as often as I like.
CC: That is definitely something hard to come back from.
How have you seen God work through your writing journey?
GP: He’s helping me discover my gift for writing and use it (try to use it) for His glory. My books have to do with second chances by imperfect characters that have made plenty of mistakes. The Lord plays a role in forgiving their sins and directing their lives.
CC: It is definitely a blessing to write for the Lord and try our best to reflect Him in our stories.
Do you have any advice for those who want to write their own stories?
GP: Yes, don’t let anyone stop you or say you can’t do it. You can do it. Read how-to books in the genre in which you want to write. Get involved in local groups for writers.
CC: All fantastic advice. Writing can be a very discouraging profession.
Now I’m excited to talk about The Rejected Mail-Order Bride.
When Rose Henderson steps off the train at the Harrisville Depot, she is confident that she can make a new start as a hatmaker and create a home for herself as far away from her father and his plans for her as possible. But when she meets the man who has promised to marry her, she suddenly finds her plans beginning to unravel. With barely any money to her name and an unstable future ahead of her, will Rose be able to find a place for herself in Harrisville, or will she have to succumb to her father’s will instead?
Harl Adams is a self-proclaimed bachelor, content to live on his family’s apple orchard and take care of his mother and the farm. Harl’s past as a soldier in the Civil War still haunts him, keeping him from any possible future with a wife and children. But when he meets Rose Henderson, Harl sees things quite differently. Rose is unlike any woman he has ever met before, and she challenges him to see things in a whole new way. Unfortunately, Rose has come to Harrisville to marry someone else, and Rose does not share the same faith that Harl does.
With a past chasing at her heels and an unsure future in front of her, what choice will Rose make?
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CC: Where did you get the idea for this story?
GP: For The Rejected Mail-Order Bride historical novel, I knew I wanted to have a plump woman who is rejected for her size by her would-be groom as soon as she gets off the train to meet him.
CC: Rejection is so hard to walk through, especially when done strictly on the basis of looks.
What about this story drew you to it?
GP: I am a larger woman and could relate to Rose’s plight. Though I’ve never been a rejected mail-order bride or left at the altar, I could relate to being rejected for my size.
CC: I am so sorry that is something you’ve had to walk through.
Which character was the most fun to create?
GP: I really enjoyed highlighting just how much of a scoundrel Cletus Tooth, a character from the first book, Second Chance at Happiness, was in this book. He has some great lines. I think writing a pseudo-villain was fun.
CC: Villains really as so much fun to write. It’s been great having you here, but now it’s time to wrap up our interview with a fun question.
What animal is most like you?
GP: Cat because I love solitude and taking naps.
CC: Naps are soooooo delightful. In fact, I think I’m ready to take one now. Although I don’t think my family will appreciate me ditching them to do so.
Readers, I hope you’ll check out The Rejected Mail-Order Bride and then leave a review on Amazon, Goodreads, and/or BookBub. You wouldn’t believe how important that is to an author.
Giveaway Info
Greta is graciously providing one U.S. resident, 18 years and older, with wither an e-book or print copy of The Rejected Mail-Order Bride. Use the Rafflecopter below to enter. Entries open until 11:59 p.m. EST on June 25.
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Reader, what types of characters would you like to see more of in Christian fiction?
