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?
Purchase your copy at Amazon
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.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Reader, what types of characters would you like to see more of in Christian fiction?
by Crystal Caudill | Jun 5, 2024 | Author Interviews
I love getting the chance to meet new-to-me authors. This interview was one such blessing. Not only does Dr. Lisa L Dorsey have a thrilling split-time debut releasing this month, but she also has a Bible study in the works called The Making of Deborah. I encourage you to check out her website to find out more. Today we’re focusing on her and Petra: An Unbroken Legacy. If you order your copy of her book from www.petraanunbrokenlegacy.com, you will get a personalized signed copy of the book and a free bookmark.
Now allow me to introduce you to this woman who is passionate about God’s word and the stories He’s given her to write.
Dr. Lisa L. Dorsey has extensive experience in business and ministry and is accomplished in academia with two earned doctorates. She developed a passion for reading, writing, theater, and the arts in early childhood. She now combines her expertise, experience, and passions to write compelling stories that reveal the saving grace of Jesus Christ, building a spiritual legacy grounded in God’s Love, Word, and Wisdom. She resides in California with her husband and has four children, one daughter-in-law, and four adorable grandchildren.
Connect with her: Book Website | Author Webite | Facebook | Instagram | YouTube
Now for the fun stuff! I have to admit I am partial to my Fast Five. 🙂 So settle in as I hit Lisa with rapid-fire.
CC: Pineapple pizza or candy corn?
DrLD: PIneapple Pizza
CC: Test the waters or dive in the deep end?
DrLD: Test the Waters
CC: Guacamole or salsa?
DrLD: Guac
CC: Silly hats or silly socks?
DrLD: Silly Socks
CC: Passwords or secret handshakes?
DrLD: Secret Handshakes
I see we have a lot in common. I’d answer nearly identically.
What book has most impacted you?
DrLD: Pearl in the Sand by Tessa Afshar. This was one of the first biblical fiction books I read that impacted me to the point that I became obsessed with this genre. At the time, there were not enough books in this genre for me to devour. I would have to wait months before the next book came out. I would search hours on Amazon and other book sites for similar books. As a result, I now write in the genre I have come to love so dearly. I read voraciously because, at the time, it was my escape from a very demanding life. I would get lost in the biblical stories and characters and learn ways to navigate the stress in my life. It also fueled my love of the Bible, and I found myself fact-checking everything, and as a result, I became a self-made historian.
CC: I love how fiction can really change the direction of our lives. It’s such a beautiful ministry, and how cool that Tessa Afshar’s book was that for you.
What is one book you think everyone should read (aside from the Bible)?
DrLD: A Tale of Two Cities. I fell in love with this book in middle school because of the paradoxes it portrayed. It fueled my love of reading and thinking outside the box and beyond the mundane. Life is not always linear. It’s messy, chaotic, convoluted, and everything is not always as it appears. I began to formulate this concept of multiple perspectives and the best way to describe this is by quoting the Apostle Paul, “I have become all things to all men, that I might by all means save some.” 1 Corinthians 9:19-23. We are each created uniquely in the image of God and I strive to see the good parts of people that show glimpses of our Heavenly Father, even when outwardly they show us their worst.
CC: That is beautiful, and you are so right. Life is not linear, and it can be soo hard. I love that you practice seeing the good parts of people as a reflection of our Heavenly Father.
How have you seen God work through your writing journey?
DrLD: When I retired from the business world I planned to travel the world and enjoy the latter years of my life in retirement. The Lord had other plans. I received the first ten thousand words of my manuscript for “Petra: An Unbroken Legacy” in a series of dreams right down to the names of key characters. There was an overarching theme, or more like a clarion call to bring to the forefront the importance of building a spiritual legacy for our families grounded in God’s Love, Word, and Wisdom. There was a second call to the care of the human soul.
At first, I had difficulty finding the connections to my writing fiction. Over time the connection came like an “Ah ha” moment. I began to formulate character profiles and take key characters through a journey of healing or “soul care” tending to the issues of their heart, mind, and will or decision-making based on the issues that flowed from their heart and thought life. This has been an amazing process because I believe the novel will draw the reader into the narrative and the biblical stories, bringing the Bible alive and off the pages and into the minds and hearts of the readers. The personal trials and journeys of the characters will resonate with the reader’s own experiences of adversity, disappointment, resilience, and hope.
CC: It sounds like God has gifted you not only with a powerful story, but the journey in writing it that has drawn you closer to Him and deeper in understanding.
Let’s go ahead and talk about Petra: An Unbroken Legacy.
“Petra: An Unbroken Legacy” is a gripping tale of intrigue, adventure, and romance, set in a dual timeline that transports you to a realm where history and destiny collide in the heart of Petra. Follow the compelling journey of Kasim and Issa as they navigate a world of ancient secrets, where faith, love, and legacy intertwine to create an epic saga with twists and turns that will keep you on the edge of your seat.
Kasim, the inheritor of a profound heritage steeped in first-century Christian tradition, holds the keys to ancient secrets that need protecting. Issa, a renowned archeologist, joins Kasim on a quest to unveil centuries-old mysteries.
Kasim bears the weight of his family’s destiny, wrestling with the conflicting demands of duty, faith, and love. Issa grapples with loss, loneliness, and insecurity and struggles to find her place in Kasim’s world of wealth, power, and prestige. Some in Kasim’s family see Issa as a threat, yet they need her expertise to unearth the lost letters written by the Apostle Paul to the Arab Christians to validate their legacy.
As their journey unfolds, danger and hardships test their love and faith. Issa must have faith in God’s love to sustain her and trust His will for her life. Kasim must learn that trusting in the Lord means leaving Issa in God’s care, even if it means losing her. Together, their journey through biblical narratives and personal trials will resonate with the reader’s own experiences of adversity, disappointment, resilience, and hope.
Purchase your copy at Amazon | Book Website
CC: What about this story drew you to it?
DrLD: What drew me to the story was the diversity of people and groups who were present on the Day of Pentecost, and the Arabs were one of them. They appeared to be Jewish proselytes as they were gathered with Jews from every nation. The fact that there were Arabs who were converted to Christianity in the first century and that there are still Arabs who are dedicated to the Christian Faith today is no coincidence, given the unrest in the Middle East today. This leads to the deeper question as to what their role could be in opening dialogue and peaceful resolutions in times of great unrest.
CC: That is definitely an inspiring concept and so neat to see God’s faithfulness, even in areas of unrest.
What was some of your favorite research you discovered while preparing for this book?
DrLD: There were two interesting historical facts I discovered. The first is the findings at Tel Dan that were made by Dr. Avraham, whose name I maintained as a charcter in the book. There was a stela found during an archeological dig revealing the first evidence of the house of King David from the Bible. Second was the differing scholarly views of what the Apostle Paul did during his time in Arabia. The Bible only states he spent time in Arabia but we do not know what he exactly did during that time. I chose to align with the theory of Dr. Ben Witherington III that Paul had a life in Arabia.
CC: Fascinating. Now I want to go do some of my own research to learn more.
Which character do you resonate with the most?
DrLD: Like my protagonist Dr. Issa Stevens, I love all things ancient, especially when it relates to Biblical stories. I believe that history guides our path to truth and wisdom so that we cultivate the best of it while learning not to repeat its mistakes. As such, I believe Biblical fiction is where the past meets the present, and it speaks to the deepest parts of the human soul and offers hope in God. I also resonate with Dr. Issa’s past childhood experiences that have shaped her present insecurities, including self-doubt, perfectionism, and imposter syndrome. I take the readers on a journey with Dr. Issa as she navigates through life, learning to trust the Lord’s plans for her even in her darkest hours. Issa must have faith in God’s love to sustain her as she learns that her life is hidden in Christ and her identity and purpose are forged in the One who created her and He has given her a voice of hope.
CC: I can tell from what you’ve said that she must be a very deep and realistic character. Those are some hard things to overcome.
Which readers will be the ones who most love this book?
DrLD: Readers who like intrigue, adventure, and romance will love this book. “Petra: An Unbroken Legacy” has something for everyone. This dual timeline novel portrays real-life characterizations of the human soul with all the emotions and struggles we face as human beings. The historical component adds depth for the reader as the novel spans time, generations, and cultures exploring the depths of faith, family, legacy, and the pursuit of truth. Through the intertwined destinies of its characters, from Jerusalem to the ancient Arabian desert to the modern-day Middle East and beyond, the narrative captures the essence of the human soul and its resilience, and the impact of history on present-day life.
CC: Well, there you have it! If you’re that kind of reader, this is a book you’ll want to check out. Now It’s time to wrap up our interview with a fun question.
What animal is most like you?
DrLD: A Chihuahua. They are good companions and love hard, but don’t rub them the wrong way because they can be quite feisty.
CC: LOL We have a fifteen year old mix and I can testify to this.
Readers, I hope you’ll check out Petra: An Unbroken Legacy and then leave a review on Amazon, Goodreads, and/or BookBub. You wouldn’t believe how important that is to an author.
Reader, do you have any family legacies? Or perhaps things you hope are passed down through the generations?
by Crystal Caudill | May 21, 2024 | Author Interviews
I have had the blessing of knowing Grace Hitchcock almost from the very beginning of my writing journey. I have loved her stories, from her novella collections to her American Heiress and Aprons and Veils series, and now I’m in LOVE with her new Regency series, Best Laid Plans. To Catch a Coronet, book one in the series, is available wherever books are sold beginning TODAY. How incredibly exciting, and now I get to introduce you to the author herself.
Oh, and before the introductions, I wanted to let you know that Grace has graciously offered 2 autographed paperbacks of The Finding of Miss Fairfield. You can enter the giveaway for those at the bottom of this post.
Now let me introduce you to this wonderful author and friend.
Grace Hitchcock is the award-winning author of multiple historical novels and novellas, including the American Royalty, True Colors, and Aprons & Veils series. She holds a Master’s in Creative Writing and a Bachelor of Arts in English with a minor in History. Grace lives on the Northshore of New Orleans, with her husband, Dakota, sons, and daughter in a cottage that is always filled with the sounds of sweet little footsteps running at full speed. When not writing, or chasing babies, she’s baking something delightful and can usually be found with a book clutched in her fist.
You can connect with her through: Website (Download a free novella while there) | Amazon | BookBub | GoodReads | Instagram | Facebook
Now for the fun stuff! I have to admit I am partial to my Fast Five. 🙂 So settle in as I hit Grace with rapid-fire.
CC: Pineapple pizza or candy corn?
GH: Candy corn, 1000%
CC: Test the waters or dive in the deep end?
GH: Test for sure. You never know what is in the water (pool or rivers) in South Louisiana!
CC: Guacamole or salsa?
GH: Guacamole!
CC: Silly hats or silly socks?
GH: Silly socks. I love collecting bookish socks!
CC: Passwords or secret handshakes?
GH: Secret handshakes.
Yeah, I wouldn’t dive into Louisana waters either. LOL I’m no alligator wrestler. However, I’m not going to let you test the waters now. Let’s dive right in.
What book has most impacted you?
GH: I feel like every season, there is a novel that touches me. The one that stuck the longest has to be Tracie Peterson’s Westward Chronicles (a Harvey Girl series). They are moving, unique tales that inspired me to write my own Harvey Girls stories! I re-read them every few years.
CC: How fun to have them inspire your own series. I am totally with you on each season having its one novel that touches me.
When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?
GH: When I turned twelve, I began to read pretty exclusively Christian Historical Fiction and read pretty much every book our local library had to offer! I loved the romantic element that long gowns, courting, and etiquette lent stories. When I encountered stories that ended with the heroine marrying the wrong guy (in my opinion haha), I would re-write the endings in my head and eventually, decided to try my hand at writing a novel and I was hooked by the genre!
CC: I love it! If you can’t find what you want, write it!
What is your writing Kryptonite?
GH: Exclamation points!!!! Apparently, I’m a very excited writer in the first draft. Every time I finish writing the first draft, I text my mom and have her guess how many I used in a 330 page novel. She is generous and usually guesses lower than the count on the last book I wrote . . . but the count is always high no matter how mindful I think I am being while writing. I usually have about 200+ exclamation points for the 330 pages. I weed them down to 40 at most!
CC: Ha! Ha! I can totally see that fitting your personality. Now I will look at every story and wonder which ones were exclamation points before you changed them.
Speaking of stories, let’s talk about your debut Regency novel, To Catch a Coronet.
Sometimes the only way to outsmart a scandal is to find a crown big enough to silence it…
Muriel Beau, country baker turned heiress, can’t stop instigating outrage. She discards two arranged engagements, then further antagonizes Kent society by publicly proposing to a baron at a ball. His rejection leaves her with no choice but to flee to the city and to secure a coronet so splendid that her peers will forget her debacles. The glitter of the London courts convinces Muriel that it’s possible to find the future she dreams of, until she finds herself entangled in yet another escapade–one that may cost her more than her crumbling reputation.
After years of serving as a privateer under an assumed name, Captain Erik Draycott, heir to Draycott Castle and soon to assume his uncle’s title of Earl, returns to his London home to find it in disrepair thanks to his longtime nemesis. A staunch bachelor intent on returning to his ship, the captain is shocked when his mentor encourages him to take a wife. But while his alleged pauper status causes the potential London brides to turn their noses up at him, the ladies of Kent have no such qualms and are eager to fill his coffers with their fathers’ wealth.
Caught in a whirlwind of high society and high seas, Muriel and Erik navigate a risky undertaking that threatens their futures and creating stakes that soar above the masts of Erik’s ship. Will Muriel’s bold charm and Erik’s daring bravery be enough to outsmart the scandal and secure a future as glittering as the crown Muriel seeks?
Purchase your copy at Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Autographed Copy
CC: What about this story drew you to it? Does this story have any special meaning to you?
GH: I first had this idea when I was watching a Hallmark about a girl who proposes to a guy and it goes totally wrong. And the “what if” train of thought led to Muriel, a baker turned heiress during Regency England. The baking element is pretty special to me. After a devastating miscarriage, I needed a distraction, so I decided to bake my way through a Christmas baking magazine. I had my family mark which recipes they wanted to try, and I just baked and baked for two months. It was great therapy as God healed our hearts and I knew that my character, Muriel the baker, would use baking as her therapy too.
CC: So many hugs, my friend. Baking truly is one of the best therapies in the world. . . even if it isn’t great for a waistline.
What was some of your favorite research you discovered while preparing for this story?
GH: Oooh this was a goldmine to research! I bought so many great resources that Erica Vetsch so kindly recommended. My favorite discovery while researching was Vauxhall Gardens, a pleasure gardens in London that I had no idea existed. I, of course, had to add it to the book, To Catch a Coronet! And I have pics on my pinterest page if you want to see the gardens for yourself: https://www.pinterest.com/grace_hitchcock/to-catch-a-coronet-by-grace-hitchcock/.
CC: Erica is the best for sharing what she knows. And I loved getting to visit Vauxhall Gardens in your story.
What do you hope readers will take away from your story?
GH: I want them leaving feeling like they have met new friends that they want to visit again, had an adventure, visited castles, laughed until they were breathless, and looking forward to the next story!
CC: I can confirm that you achieved that! I loved To Catch a Coronet and even was ready to read it again only a couple months later! Now it’s time to wrap up our interview with a 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?
GH: I was found after hours inside the Biltmore because I accidentally got lost in time and thought, exploring the titles in the library. My husband would be with me because he is all for a great adventure!
CC: That library is amazing, and how awesome that your husband would join you!
Readers, I hope you’ll check out To Catch a Coronet and then leave a review on Amazon, Goodreads, and/or BookBub. You wouldn’t believe how important that is to an author.
Giveaway Info
Grace Hitchcock is graciously providing two U.S. residents, 18 years and older, with a signed copy of To Catch a Coronet. Use the Rafflecopter below to enter. Entries open until 11:59 p.m. EST on May 28.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Reader, have you read Regency stories before? Which ones are your favorite?
by Crystal Caudill | Apr 23, 2024 | Author Interviews
I had the blessing of Janyre Tromp being my editor for my Hidden Hearts of the Gilded Age series. Through that partnership, she became a dear friend. Her debut novel Shadows in the Mind’s Eye blew me away and I am chomping at the bit to read this newest release, Darkness Calls the Tiger, when it releases in just a few short weeks. If you preorder her book from the Faith and Life Bookstore, you’ll receive 25% off, as well as bookmarks and bookplates. If you preorder from Baker Book House, you will receive 20% off, as well as bookmarks and bookplates.
Janyre is also graciously giving away one signed print copy of her new release to one U.S. resident. You can enter by visiting the Rafflecopter at the end of this post.
Now let me introduce you to this stunning author, amazing editor, and wonderful friend.
Janyre Tromp is an award-winning and best-selling writer and editor with a deep love for history. If she isn’t editing or reading, most of the time you’ll find her writing mid-twentieth century historical novels with a healthy dose of deliciously creepy suspense. But she’s also a mom, wife, award-winning editor, and wrangler of all things, who hunts for beauty even when it isn’t pretty. Her books include Darkness Calls the Tiger, Shadows in the Mind’s Eye, O Little Town, and Lovely Life.
You can connect with her through: Website (Download a free novella while there) | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter/X | BookBub | GoodReads
Now for the fun stuff! I have to admit I am partial to my Fast Five. 🙂 So settle in as I hit Janyre with rapid-fire.
CC: Pineapple pizza or candy corn?
JT: Candy corn. There is no reason to put fruit on a pizza
CC: Test the waters or dive in the deep end?
JT: Dive in. I can swim like a fish 🙂
CC: Guacamole or salsa?
JT: Guacamole all the way. On chips, on rice, on chicken.
CC: Silly hats or silly socks?
JT: Bring on ALL the silly in all the places. I’m currently wearing an Edgar Allen Poe pop art T-shirt.
CC: Passwords or secret handshakes?
JT: Since I write suspense, let’s go complicated with password coded in a secret handshake. We’ll use Morse code tapped on the hand. And a random note, one of the missionary families I studied for Darkness Calls the Tiger is related to the guy who invented Morse code.
That is so cool! And I love the idea behind your complicated handshake password. LOL
What book has most impacted you?
JT: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe by Lewis was one of the first novels I ever read on my own. I love the imagination, the layers, the themes, and I’m pretty sure there’s a lot of Lucy in me.
CC: That was actually one of my favorite books to do a unit on with my fifth graders when I was a teacher.
What is one book you think everyone should read (aside from the Bible)?
JT: The Body Keeps the Score Bessel van Der Kolk, M.D. Even if you never experienced Trauma, chances are someone close to you has. This book shows the science behind how trauma literally changes our bodies and our minds and gives us the beginning tools to reclaim our lives.
And then, if you have trauma (big T or little t), follow that up with Try Softer by Aundi Kolber, which will give you hands on tools to do something real to help yourself. My copy is dog-eared beyond recognition.
CC: I can vouch for Try Softer. That book really, truly has impacted my life in ways I cannot fully express.
When did you first realize that you wanted to be a writer?
JT: I think I’m a little unusual. I didn’t get the itch to start writing until I was in my late 20s. I was always a storyteller and I loved reading. I wrote short pieces and marketing copy and just somehow never thought I could be an author.
I worked for a publisher in the marketing department and did work here and there for the editorial department. The managing editor is the first person who told me I should try my hand at writing a whole book.
And I did. Then fell in love with it.
CC: I love how story has always been a part of your life and that the push of colleague provided us with a glimpse into your wonderful gift.
What is your writing Kryptonite?
JT: All my stories have romance elements. I, in fact, won the Carol for a romance story. But romance is so incredibly hard for me to write. I often wireframe them and save them for last so that I’m not distracted by wanting to write the intrigue or suspense.
CC: LOL. We are definitely alike on that!
How have you seen God work through your writing journey?
JT: Patience is not one of my strengths.
I tend to have very good reasons for why I want something and when I want it. But sometimes it’s good for me to wait.
I finished writing Darkness Calls the Tiger seven years ago . . . and all the agents and editors raved about how well it was written, but told me they couldn’t sell the concept of a WWII book in a country no one knew anything about.
And so I set it aside. And about a year later . . . about the time the book would have released if I’d found a publisher, my daughter ended up in the hospital fighting for her life . . . and then a few months later the CRUDE hit the world.
If I’d gotten a contract originally, the timing would have been horrific. Not only that, but because I was determined to keep moving, I kept learning and moving and watching. In that way, I released three stories in the meantime and learned techniques that made the book even better.
AND the market has changed so that there’s more interest in WWII Asian stories.
SO . . . if there’s something out there that you’re stretching for and it is just out of reach, don’t give up. Maybe pull back, but don’t be passive. Work on something else, but keep your eyes open. And know that I see you.
CC: What a powerful story in God’s providence and timing and your obedience. I cannot wait to read this story.
Now I’m excited to talk about Darkness Calls the Tiger.
“Evocative and transportive, filled with nuance and spiked with the violence of war, Darkness Calls the Tiger is a story of redemption in the midst of hopelessness.” –Tosca Lee, New York Times best-selling author
After the attack on Pearl Harbor, Imperial Japan devours the southern portion of Burma, intent on taking over mainland Asia. Unaware of the coming darkness, Kailyn Moran drifts in her role as the only daughter of a widowed missionary. As whispers of war snake through the Kachin mountains, Kai’s father is convinced God will protect the mission. He entrusts the village to her and the kind yet inexperienced new missionary, Ryan McDonough, while he makes routine visits to neighboring villages.
War descends like a tempest upon the mountain peaks, and an unbreakable bond forms between Kailyn and Ryan as they unite to provide solace to both villagers and the flood of refugees. Despite their tireless efforts, a brutal enemy shatters almost everything they love, pushing Kailyn to embark on a path of unrestrained vengeance.
Afraid he’s losing the woman he loves, Ryan fights to protect Kai from the deadly consequences of her choices. But in the face of destruction, can he convince her of the power and freedom of forgiveness?
Purchase your copy at Amazon | Baker Book House | Faith and Life Bookstore
CC: Where did you get the idea for Darkness Calls the Tiger?
JT: I was looking for an unusual WWII story to tell. My mom told me that a friend of a friend’s parents were in India and did something with the Allies during WWII. I scoffed a little because I thought India was far from the fighting during WWII and then quickly realized Mom was right.
So I did what any self-respecting history nerd does—I researched. And y’all, there are SO MANY stories from the China-Burma-India theater.
But then I stumbled on the story of Father James Stuart, who literally stepped into the dirt path and convinced the Japanese soldiers to go away and not destroy a village. And then the Morse family whose young teenage sons hiked the very dangerous Himalayan mountains to save downed Allied airmen. They were all from the same basic area of Burma. That gave me the beginning part of the story.
From there I read the biography of an American soldier attached to the OSS Detachment 101 (these teams were the genesis of the US special forces tactics) and I knew I had my middle and end of the story.
CC: Seriously, the more I learn about this story, the more anxious I get to read it. I love little-known history stories. I’m not much of a WWII reader, but your stories are so unique that I can’t help but be drawn in.
What was some of your favorite research you discovered while preparing for this story?
JT: The coolest part of my research was stumbling on the main metaphor for the book. That way cool tiger on the cover? It comes from real mountain legends.
Some backstory first: The Hukwang Valley (where Darkness Calls the Tiger takes place in Northern Burma) is, in modern times, home to the largest tiger sanctuary in the world.
Because tigers are so much part of their culture, all the people groups in the area have legends about tiger-people. There’s different versions—some saying people become actual tigers and some saying people become tremendous, tiger-like warriors (kind of like berserkers).
So in the story, the traveling storyteller is a bit spiteful toward the missionaries and basically curses Kailyn Moran when she is a girl and tells this horrible tale of the world falling to pieces and Kai becoming this vengeful, angry tiger-person who burns to ash and dies alone.
It’s the perfect metaphor for a story about forgiveness, and that cover image is spot on for where Kai is in the middle of the book.
CC: That is so cool. I can imagine how riveting and hard it was to pull away from the research to actually write the story.
How did this story affect you as you wrote it? Did God teach you anything through the writing?
JT: This story is ultimately about the choice we all have when faced with hard things. We can try to take revenge or we can forgive. Despite the fact that Kailyn Moran has lived in the mountains for all twenty of her years, she’s an American and has always felt like an outsider.
Just as she’s beginning to find her way, the Japanese destroy her village and she has a choice to make. Much like we all have choices to make. When a doctor misses a diagnoses, when a coach bullies our kid, when our boss undermines us . . . we have a choice on how we react.
And it’s simple—not easy, but simple—We can trust, forgive, and find freedom, or we can burn to ash in our own quest for revenge. It’s crazy how often my characters say something that I need to hear. And let me tell you, Kailyn and Ryan preached a sermon to me through the whole book.
CC: I know you’ve walked a lot of those roads, just as I have. And man. You are right. It’s simple, but not easy. What a powerful message and reminder for us all.
What do you hope readers will take away from your story?
JT: Hope.
My books are heart-shattering books. But they are also always hope-filled.
Because I know the power of story to help us not just learn but also experience truth, I explore hard things because life is hard. BUT I also know that God is good. And if we can find our way through the darkness in the safe space of story, it makes us a map for how to find the light in real life too.
CC: I love how powerful fiction is. What a blessing and beacon of hope that God uses to reach so many who otherwise would not pick up their Bibles. It’s time to wrap up our interview with a fun question.
What animal is most like you?
JT: An otter. I’m a water rat. I LOVE being in, on, and around the water. I’m also driven to do what needs doing, but you better believe that all that work is done with a side of goof ball.
CC: Otters are so cool and fun to watch! Great choice.
Readers, I hope you’ll check out Darkness Calls the Tiger and then leave a review on Amazon, Goodreads, and/or BookBub. You wouldn’t believe how important that is to an author.
Giveaway Info
Janyre is graciously providing one U.S. resident, 18 years and older, with a signed copy of Darkness Calls the Tiger. Use the Rafflecopter below to enter. Entries open until 11:59 p.m. EST on April 30.
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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 | Apr 9, 2024 | Author Interviews
Hannah Linder is a new author to me, and I had the privilege of reading her upcoming release, The Girl from the Hidden Forest, early. I’ve reached the age, where she feels like a youngling, but she is already a successful cover designer AND author. It’s my pleasure to introduce you to her. And she’s generously offered to giveaway a signed copy of The Girl from the Hidden Forest, just be sure to visit the bottom to enter.
Hannah Linder resides in the beautiful mountains of central West Virginia. Represented by Books & Such, she writes Regency romantic suspense novels. She is a double 2021 Selah Award winner, a 2022 Selah Award winner, and a member of American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW). In way of career, Hannah is a Graphic Design Associates Degree graduate who specializes in professional book cover design. She designs for both traditional publishing houses and individual authors, including New York Times, USA Today, National, and International bestsellers. She is also a self-portrait photographer of historical fashion. When Hannah is not writing, she enjoys playing instruments—piano, guitar, and ukulele—songwriting, painting still life, walking in the rain, and sitting on the front porch of her 1800s farmhouse. To follow her journey, visit hannahlinderbooks.com.
You can connect with her through: Website | Facebook | Newsletter | Instagram | BookBub | GoodReads
Now for the fun stuff! I have to admit I am partial to my Fast Five. 🙂 So settle in as I hit Hannah with rapid-fire.
CC: Pineapple pizza or candy corn?
HL: Hands down, pineapple pizza! Literally my favorite—especially with hand-tossed crust and onions. Yum!
CC: Test the waters or dive in the deep end?
HL: Test the waters!
CC: Guacamole or salsa?
HL: Salsa!
CC: Silly hats or silly socks?
HL: Silly hats! I actually collect antique hats, and I have to admit, as cool as some of them are with their flowers and nets and feathers, they are rather silly. I wish they were still in style!
CC: Passwords or secret handshakes?
HL: Passwords!
That is so fun about the hats! I LOVE old hats, too, but you’re right. There really aren’t many occasions to wear them anymore. Lets find out a bit more about you and your writing life.
What fiction book has most impacted you?
HL: The Stonewycke series (book one and two) by Michael Phillips and Judith Pella had me sobbing and unable to get the story out of my mind, even weeks after it was over. I think it really showed me the power of fiction.
CC: Fiction really does have the power to transform and impact people. That is probably why I read so much of it. LOL
Aside from the Bible, what is one book you think everyone should read?
HL: I want to say “Pride and Prejudice” because, let’s be real, everyone needs Mr. Darcy at least once in their life. But in all seriousness, I love that you pose this question because I was just pondering this yesterday. I think it would benefit every Christian to read “Foxe’s Book of Martyrs”. It’s mind-blowing and heart-altering to read real stories about real people who died for the Savior they believe in. It truly sheds a new light on everything, makes you appreciate the religious freedoms we enjoy today, and challenges you to stand stronger and firmer for Christ.
CC: Oh, I’ve not read that one. I will have to check it out. We could all use a little bit of light and appreciation for the religious freedoms we have here in the United States, as well as a challenge to stand stronger and firmer for Christ.
When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?
HL: I first discovered my passion for writing when I was twelve years old. My mom had received a Christmas letter from family, and we were standing in the kitchen when she said, “Your second cousin is writing a novel.” I shrugged, thought about it for a minute, and said, “I think I’ll do that.” The first chapter in, I was hooked. I’ve never wanted to stop telling stories since.
CC: Oh that’s funny. Your cousin inadvertently got you started on this path. That is pretty cool.
Do you have any advice for those who want to write their own stories?
HL: I always feel like the strongest advice to anyone dipping their toes into the world of writing is to simply READ and WRITE. Those actions are the best teachers you can get. But going a step further, something I wish I had done earlier on in my writing journey is seek critique. After I began going to conferences, taking writing classes, working with an editor, and listening to critique partners, my craft developed so much faster. So while you’re hunkering down with books and scribbling stories onto paper, don’t forget to find your tribe of well-established authors or editors who can help fine-tune your work. And above all, have fun!
That is fantastic advice.
Now I’m excited to talk about your newest release, The Girl from the Hidden Forest.
The nightmares may free her…but destroy the man she loves.
Eliza Ellis has stayed hidden in Balfour Forest for as long as she can remember. Perhaps her only friends are the trees, or her little dog, or her story-telling father called Captain. But at least she is safe from the cruel world outside, a world Captain has warned her against and protected her from.
That is, until a handsome stranger named Felton Northwood invades her quiet forest and steals her away. Why does he tell such lies? Why does he insist that her name is Miss Eliza Gillingham, daughter of a viscount, who disappeared fourteen years ago after the murder of her own mother? A murder Eliza is said to have witnessed.
When Felton returns Eliza to Monbury Hall and reunites her with a man who is told to be her father, all she remembers are the strange nightmares that have plagued her since childhood. Why have they suddenly grown worse? Are the answers hidden inside her own mind?
As danger mounts and lethal attempts are made on her life, Eliza and Felton must work together to uncover the identity of a killer who has stayed silent for fourteen years. When she finally uncovers the horrendous memories trapped in her mind, will divulging the truth cost her the man she loves—and both of their lives?
Purchase your copy at Amazon
CC: Where did you get the idea for The Girl from the Hidden Forest?
HL: This is always a hard question, because it’s usually difficult for me to pin-point exact moments or ideas that inspired a novel. I think the main thought that stirred this story was, “How romantic would it be if a girl fell in love with her noble kidnapper?” Thus, we have our first scene. I hope you enjoy being carried off into the adventure as swiftly as frightened Eliza is carried off from her woods.
CC: I’m like you. I struggle to generally pin-point where the ideas come from, other than maybe research for another book. LOL
Who do you think will most love this book?
HL: I think readers who enjoy a strong “enemies-to-lovers” story will enjoy The Girl from the Hidden Forest!
CC: Enemies-to-lovers is definitely a fun book trope.
Which character was the most fun to create?
HL: Felton Northwood! From the beginning, I felt drawn to him, perhaps because he differs from so many other heroes in my books. He’s a little more rugged, a little too quick to pull out his fists, kinda passionate and determined and foolishly brave. But he felt real to me. And his gentleness—although perhaps less mushy than with past heroes—was all the more soft and endearing and precious for its rarity. He was easy to fall in love with. I hope you’ll fall in love with him too.
CC: I personally like how he wrestled with his anger and the feeling of being trapped by the rumors surrounding his family. It made for an interesting character arc.
What do you hope readers will take away from your story?
HL: As beautiful as stories are, as magical and lulling as our imagination can sometimes be, reality will always be just a little bit sweeter. Sometimes we need to step out of our dreams, put away our books, and embrace the real world around us. We all have a story to live. I hope the reader, like Eliza, can see the beauty in finding it outside of pages.
CC: Life outside the pages. That is definitely something to ponder on. Sometimes, it is a little too easy to want to escape reality every moment we get, but when we look up from our phones, step out of movies and books, and whatever else we escape to, the reality is sweeter than the escape into fiction.
What animal is most like you?
HL: I think a bird—because they always seem so happy, fluttering about in their own little world, playfully building their nests, singing away their cares, enjoying little things like blue skies and spring-budded branches. If I were anything but a person, I would want to be a bird.
CC: I can see that!
Readers, I hope you’ll check out The Girl from the Hidden Forest and then leave a review on Amazon, Goodreads, and/or BookBub. You wouldn’t believe how important that is to an author.
Reader, what do you think about the concept of living life outside the pages?
Giveaway
Hannah has generously offered to give a signed copy away to one reader who enters the Rafflecopter below. Open to U.S. Residents, 18 and over. Giveaway runs from April 9th until 11:59: p.m on April 16th.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
by Crystal Caudill | Mar 19, 2024 | Author Interviews
If you’ve not had the pleasure of meeting Sara Brunsvold before, let me tell you, she is one of the sweetest, humblest women I’ve ever met. Her debut novel, The Extraordinary Deaths of Mrs. Kip, was one that rocked the Christian Fiction world in 2023. Her newest release, The Divine Proverb of Streusel, is sure to do the same, and I’m excited to talk about it with her today. In fact, you can get she streuselkuchen (German crumb cake) recipe from the book straight in your inbox when you subscribe to her monthly updates here. First, let me introduce you to Sara.
Sara Brunsvold is a Christy Award-winning author who creates stories that speak hope and life. Influenced by humble women of God who find His fingerprints in the everyday, she does the same in her life and her storytelling. She lives with her family in the Kansas City, Mo., area.
You can connect with her through: Website | Facebook | Instagram | BookBub | GoodReads
Now for the fun stuff! I have to admit I am partial to my Fast Five. 🙂 So settle in as I hit Linda with rapid-fire.
CC: Pineapple pizza or candy corn?
SB: Pineapple (period)
CC: Test the waters or dive in the deep end?
SB: Test the waters.
CC: Guacamole or salsa?
SB: You ask impossible questions. I’ll go with guacamole.
CC: Silly hats or silly socks?
SB: Silly socks.
CC: Passwords or secret handshakes?
SB: Secret handshakes because I can’t remember one more password.
LOL. Oh man! I 100% get you on that last one. I use a program to manage all my passwords because it’s just ridiculous. Let’s start off with some get-to-know-you questions.
When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?
SB: I first knew I wanted to be a novelist when I was in middle school, and the revelation was largely thanks to my language arts teacher.
CC: Teachers can be some of the best encouragers! I’m sure we’re all thankful for that teacher that set you on this path.
What does your writing process look like from beginning to end?
SB: I create just enough of an outline for a story in the beginning to have a general idea of where the story needs to go, and then I discover the rest along the way. My first drafts are sloppy and incomplete, but I don’t mind. I am a stronger editor than I am a first-drafter.
CC: I’m with you, except I tend to edit as I go along.
How have you seen God work through your writing journey?
SB: I have a testimony video on my website in which I share more about this. Basically, every “failure” I have had in my journey has proven to be a blessing. God wasn’t saying “No”; he was saying “Trust me.” This journey has taught and continues to teach me to be still and know that he is God. It has taught me obedience and faithful servanthood.
CC: Amen. I’m sharing the testimony video link here for those who want to hear her more detailed answer. (And can I say that I love that you have a testimony video?) Scroll toward the video and you can see her videos about her favorite verse and author journey. https://sarabrunsvold.com/about/
Now I’m excited to talk about your newest release, The Divine Proverb of Streusel.
Cooking her way through her great-grandmother’s German recipes provides Nikki Werner an anchor in the storm of family crisis. But will it be enough to fill every hunger she has?
Shaken by her parents’ divorce and discouraged by the growing chasm between herself and her serious boyfriend, Nikki Werner seeks solace at her uncle’s farm in a small Missouri hamlet. She’ll spend the summer there, picking up the pieces of her shattered present so she can plan a better future. But what awaits her at the ancestral farm is a past she barely knows.
Among her late grandmother’s belongings, Nikki finds an old notebook filled with handwritten German recipes and wise sayings pulled from the book of Proverbs. With each recipe she makes, she invites locals to the family table to hear their stories about the town’s history, her ancestors–and her estranged father.
What started as a cathartic way to connect to her heritage soon becomes the means through which she learns how the women before her endured–with the help of their cooking prowess. Nikki realizes how delicious streusel with a healthy dollop of faith can serve as a guide to heal wounds of the past.
This contemporary Christian fiction story features unforgettable intergenerational characters, a touch of mid-life romance, small-town charm — and yes, unique recipes.
Purchase your copy at Amazon | Baker Book House | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop | Books-A-Million | Christianbook
CC: Where did you get the idea for this story?
SB: Two things inspired the premise of The Divine Proverb of Streusel. First was the movie Julie & Julia, about a young woman who cooks her way through Julia Child’s cookbook. After watching the movie, I wondered, “What if that concept was applied to a granddaughter cooking through her grandmother’s recipes?” The second inspiration came from a memoir I read. A grandson chronicled his German immigrant grandparents’ settling into Missouri. He mentioned the “common book” his grandmother wrote for her children. It was a dime store notebook she filled with practical life advice and wise sayings she had collected. Those two ideas — recipes and advice — collided, and the premise of The Divine Proverb of Streusel came into being.
CC: I love that concept! How perfectly wonderful!
Who was the most challenging character to create?
SB: The character of Uncle Wes represents the first time I have written from a male point of view. My husband was a gem in helping me understand Uncle Wes and how he might think and respond in a given situation.
CC: Husbands are a blessing in this for sure. I’m just learning how much of a gem my husband can be in the same way if I’m willing to be brave and talk to him about my story while still writing it.
Which character was the most fun to create?
SB: Hands-down the most fun was Aunt Emma. She was such a joy to write because she is witty and gregarious. All of her scenes came easily.
CC: She sounds like such fun character, and I can’t wait to get to know her better.
How did this story affect you as you wrote it? Did God teach you anything through the writing?
SB: The story is in many ways a tribute to what God had already taught me, specifically about forgiveness. I share in my author’s note at the end of the book that the story is loosely based on my own family’s story, specifically my relationship with my dad. Before my dad passed away, I sought his permission to write about our journey. I thank God that he understood why I asked and gave his permission. Because he did, what God first started in our real-life story can bear fruit in a fictional story as well.
CC: Hugs. I love that you have that personal connection and that your dad was willing to allow you to share that with us. There is a special beauty to writing stories that connect to use on such a meaningful level.
For my last question, I love to end with just a playful question.
You are in the back of a police car on your way to jail. What did you do and is anyone with you?
SB: I probably spray-painted grammatical corrections onto sign. My editing brain can’t overlook such abuse of language.
CC: LOL! I think there are many grammar police who would be sitting in the back seat with you!
Readers, I hope you’ll check out The Divine Proverb of Streusel and then leave a review on Amazon, Goodreads, and/or BookBub. You wouldn’t believe how important that is to an author.
Reader, if you were to sit down with someone over a meal or dessert and offer advice, what would the food be and what would the advice be?
