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?
by Crystal Caudill | Mar 5, 2024 | Author Interviews
This week’s author interview is the wonderful Danielle Grandinetti. I’ve known Danielle for quite some time now, and it’s such a pleasure to know her. I love her unique time frame of the 1930s and her mix of history with romance and suspense. AND Danielle is generously doing a giveaway for a paperback copy of Refuge for the Archaeologist AND Relying on the Enemy (paperback, US only; ebook international). So make sure to go down to the bottom to participate.
Danielle Grandinetti is an inspirational romance author fueled by tea and books, and the occasional nature walk. An award-winning author and FHLCW Reader’s Choice Finalist, her stories span from the Great Depression to present day. Originally from the Chicagoland area, she now lives along Lake Michigan’s Wisconsin shoreline with her husband and their two young sons. Find her online at daniellegrandinetti.com.
You can connect with her through: Website & Newsletter Signup | Website Store | Book Blog | 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 Danielle with rapid-fire.
CC: Pineapple pizza or candy corn?
DG: Pineapple Pizza
CC: Test the waters or dive in the deep end?
DG: Test the waters
CC: Guacamole or salsa?
DG: Both!
CC: Silly hats or silly socks?
DG: Silly socks
CC: Passwords or secret handshakes?
DG: Passwords
I’m a huge silly socks fan. It’s the only socks I can almost guarantee my kids won’t steal. LOL So let’s dive in deep!
When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?
DG: I’ve loved writing stories since I was in early grade school. I vividly remember writing my first short story in 3rd grade after hearing an author speak in Assembly. It has led me to believe that there’s nothing like the power of story to change lives, including my own.
CC: Amen. The power of stories never fails to amaze me.
What is your writing Kryptonite?
DG: Funny thing, description is my kryptonite. Though it’s one of my favorite writing skills to teach, I don’t write it naturally. Instead, I have to layer it in after I’ve set the scene. I suspect that’s because I’m a math nerd, albeit a romantic one, at heart.
CC: Ah. So you are one of the rare birds who is both a writer and a math nerd. 😉 I must admit, I like my spreadsheets. LOL
How have you seen God work on your writing journey?
DG: My characters’ spiritual struggles lead me to the Bible so I can offer them guidance in order to help them grow—whether through their own interaction with God or through the voice of another character. In turn, I am challenged as I write those scenes, and I hope those truths touch the hearts of my readers, too.
CC: I think that is one of my favorite parts of writing–seing how God uses my own story to grow me.
Now I’m excited to talk about your newest release, Relying on the Enemy.
She’s protecting her children. He’s redeeming his past. But there’s nothing convenient about saving their patchwork family.
Wisconsin, 1931—All widowed mother Marian Ward wants is to provide for her girls. However, she faces the dead of winter with no income and dwindling resources. Then she overhears a nefarious conversation, putting her life and that of her children in immediate danger.
Aiming to make amends to the Wards, Gilbert steps in when the threat to Marian escalates. It costs him dearly. Either lose his career or marry her, and be tied to his past until death do them part.
He leaves the decision to Marian, who will do anything to protect her girls, even marry the son of the man who ruined her family. How will their fledgling trust prove strong enough to fulfill their vows as winter tightens its grip and desperation stalks at the door?
Welcome to Crow’s Nest, where danger and romance meet at the water’s edge.
Purchase your copy at Danielle’s Website and other retailers.
CC: What readers will most love Relying on the Enemy?
DG: If you love marriage of convivence tropes, then I hope you’ll love this story! And, doubly so if you also love Gilbert Blythe from Anne of Green Gables.
CC: You know, I’ve never read or seen Anne of Green Gables, but I’ve heard so much about Gilbert. He must be real swoon-worthy if this story has some connections to him.
What was some of your favorite research tidbits for this story?
DG: I love scouring old newspaper archives! And I found a gem of an article that provided a major scene in the story. On January 18, 1931, the first big snowfall of the year occurred. According to local newspapers at the time, it was a twenty-four-hour snowfall dropping six inches of blinding snow followed by cold weather.
CC: Oh my! That must have been something, and definitely a challenge for those who lived through it. (And I’m a huge fan of scouring old Newspaper archives too!)
Relying on the Enemy is book four in the Harbored in Crow’s Nest series. Can this story be read as a stand-alone?
DG: Yes, with a caveat.
All the books in the Harbored in Crow’s Nest series are stand-alone romances, meaning each book focuses on just one couple and their happily ever after. However, each book’s plot does build on the events in the previous one, though I do my best to avoid spoilers.
That said, this book is one that has a major spoiler. Gilbert is the son of the man who ruined Marian Ward’s family. Notice that I don’t use Gilbert’s last name. That’s because it’s a spoiler for events that happened to Marian’s brother-in-law in Refuge for the Archaeologist.
While you don’t have to read Refuge for the Archaeologist (book 2) before reading Relying on the Enemy, it is where you meet the Ward family, especially Marian’s two precocious little girls. And, it will help you understand why Gilbert could be seen as an enemy.
CC: Good to know! I have a few stories like that myself.
What do you hope readers will take away from this story?
DG: The verse I chose for the front of the book is “As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good.” Genesis 50:20a (KJV). That theme permeates this story. God can redeem. He can take awful circumstances and redeem them for His children. It might not always look the way we think it should, and we may not see the fruit of it as soon as we think, but I pray this story will offer hope.
CC: What a sweet and important nugget to walk away with. As always, I love to end off with a fun question.
What animal is most like you? Why?
DG: A golden retriever. Their personality seems so similar to the way other people describe me. 🙂
CC: LOL They are a man’s best friend, and you are a wonderful friend. So I definitely say that fits!
Readers, I hope you’ll check out Relying on the Enemy and then leave a review on Amazon, Goodreads, and/or BookBub. You wouldn’t believe how important that is to an author.
Giveaway – A copy of A Refuge for the Archaeologist and Relying on the Enemy (print US, ebook for International) Ends at 11:59 p.m. EST on 3/12/2024.
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Reader, what animal best describes you?
by Crystal Caudill | Feb 20, 2024 | Author Interviews
Amanda Wen is a fellow Kregel author, and it is my pleasure to introduce to you this Selah and Carol award-winning and Christy finalist author. She is an amazing woman that you don’t want to miss the opportunity to get to know. Even better, make sure to read all the way to the bottom where Amanda is generously giving away a signed paperback to one lucky U.S. resident.
Amanda Wen’s novels have released to both reader and critical acclaim. Her second novel, The Songs That Could Have Been, won both the Selah and the Carol Awards, and her debut, Roots of Wood and Stone, was a finalist for the Christy Award. In addition to her writing, Amanda is an accomplished professional cellist and pianist who frequently performs with orchestras, chamber groups, and her church’s worship team, as well as serving as a choral accompanist. A lifelong denizen of the flatlands, Amanda currently lives in Kansas with her patient, loving, and hilarious husband, their three adorable Wenlets, and a snuggly Siamese cat.
You can connect with her through: Website | BookBub
Now for the fun stuff! I have to admit I am partial to my Fast Five. 🙂 So settle in as I hit Amanda with rapid-fire.
CC: Pineapple pizza or candy corn?
AW: Probably pineapple pizza because I can pretend it’s healthy.
CC: Test the waters or dive in the deep end?
AW: Test the waters. I’m generally a pretty cautious person.
CC: Guacamole or salsa?
AW: Guacamole, forever and always.
CC: Silly hats or silly socks?
AW: Socks. Despite my author photo, I’m not usually a hat person!
CC: Passwords or secret handshakes?
AW: Secret handshakes.
I am a huge guacamole fan, too, especially when it’s homemade and fresh. Oh, man. Now I’m craving some. I guess I’ll have to pick up an avocado, tomatoes, and onion. So lets dive a little deeper into getting to know you.
When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?
AW: I’ve been writing stories since I was old enough to hold a pencil, and I have a vague memory of my dad paying me a penny a word in order to encourage me to write stories. (Decades later, I discovered editors don’t necessarily believe that more words = better, but hey, you gotta start somewhere!) My formal education was focused exclusively on music, resulting in two degrees in cello performance, but when I finished with school, fiction writing still called to me. I wrote a few stories for fun, but didn’t get serious about it until we moved back to my hometown in 2009 and I reconnected with my middle school BFF, who by then was a multi-published general market author. I finally got up the guts to show her my writing and she said I had promise! The rest, as they say, is history…
CC: How cool is that! I love that your dad paid you to write, and then your friend encouraged you too. (And can I admit I always wanted to play either the violin or cello but that was never offered at my school, so I got stuck with clarinet?)
What has been the biggest challenge for you on your writing journey?
AW: Making time for writing! The beginning of me getting serious about writing not-so-conveniently coincided with my beginning of Life As A Mom, so writing always came in snippets. I always wrote during my kids’ naptime, though, so most days I got 1-2 hours to focus on writing. Now that my kids are teens and tweens, my other job as a musician is what frequently gets in the way! I love love love my day job, and I can’t imagine not doing it, but balancing is sometimes incredibly challenging.
CC: I can only imagine. You frequently blow my mind with how much you perform, get to be an incredible mother, and yet still find time to write. You are a rock star.
Do you have any advice for those who want to write their own stories?
AW: Just do it! You’ll never know until you try. And hardly anyone is good at it when they first start–I know I wasn’t! Study the craft, dig into books you love and find out WHY you love them, then figure out how to incorporate those elements into your own stories. Finally, connect with the writing community. Those who are further along the path than you are will usually be eager to help you, and as you progress on your own journey you get to extend a hand to those further behind you. It is so rich and rewarding and one of the best parts of being a writer.
CC: I 100% agree. And I adore helping other writers. It truly is one of the best parts of being a writer.
Now I’m excited to talk about your newest release, The Rhythm of Fractured Grace.
The Rhythm of Fractured Grace by Amanda Wen
When a new customer brings a badly damaged violin into Siobhan Walsh’s shop, it is exactly the sort of challenge she craves. The man who brought it in is not. He’s too close to the painful past that left her heart and her faith in shambles.
Matt Buchanan has had a rough start as the new worship pastor. A car accident on his way into town left him with a nearly totaled truck, and an heirloom violin in pieces. When he takes it to a repair shop, he’s fascinated with the restoration process–and with the edgy, closed-off woman doing the work.
As their friendship deepens and turns into more, they both discover secrets that force them to face past wounds. And the history of the violin reveals more about their current problems than they could have ever expected.
On the nineteenth-century frontier, a gruesome tomahawk attack wiped out most of Deborah Caldwell’s family. Her greatest solace after the tragedy is the music from her father’s prized violin. Given her horrendous scars, she’d resigned herself to a spinster’s life. But Levi Martinson’s gentle love starts to chip away at her hardened heart, until devastating details about the attack are revealed, putting their love–and Deborah’s shaky faith–to the ultimate test.
Full of forgiveness and the message that no one is too damaged for God’s healing touch, the final book in the split-time Sedgwick County Chronicles will thrill fans of Rachel Hauck, Lisa Wingate, and Kristy Cambron.
Purchase your copy at Amazon
CC: Where did you get the idea for The Rhythm of Fractured Grace?
AW: The historical story comes directly from my own family tree, which my mom has been researching for the last 50 years or so. In 1782, my 6x-great grandmother, Delilah Corbly, then 7 years old, survived a tomahawk attack that wiped out her mother and three of her siblings and left her and her sister, Elizabeth, maimed and scarred. Despite her injuries, Delilah lived to adulthood, got married, birthed and raised ten children, and died at the age of 64, which back then was quite the achievement for anyone, let alone someone who’d been scalped! The idea that someone could survive something so traumatic has always been an inspiration to me, so when I started writing novels, I knew I wanted to explore that issue in fiction.
CC: Wow! That is both incredibly horrifying and intriguing. I can see why you would write a story around that.
What readers do you think will enjoy this book?
AW: Readers who like deep fiction that deals with tough issues, split-time fiction, the friends-to-lovers trope, and pioneer-era stories. Also, to anyone who enjoyed Jack and Annabelle in the historical timeline of my debut, Roots of Wood and Stone…they just might show up in this book, too. 😉
CC: Oh! How fun! I love it when characters from other books show up!
How did this story affect you as you wrote it? Did God teach you anything through it?
AW: The contemporary storyline deals with toxic churches, and narcissistic abuse. What I didn’t realize when I wrote the book was that I was trapped in a web of manipulation and gaslighting courtesy of a narcissist in my own life. It wasn’t until I’d submitted the manuscript and was in the final stages of editing that I realized how closely some aspects of what my heroine, Siobhan, went through mirrored my own experience. And just as Siobhan was able–by God’s grace–to forgive her abuser, you guessed it, God called me to forgive mine. And– by His grace–I am thrilled to report that I have.
CC: Praise the Lord for your obedience in forgiveness, and oh my, how my heart hurts that you had to endure it.
What do you hope readers will take away from your story?
AW: The idea that no one is too far gone, too broken, or too damaged for God to redeem and restore.
CC: Amen. Such a powerful thing. To wrap this interview up, I always like to ask a fun question.
If you were stuck on an island, what three items would you have with you? Why?
AW: Sunscreen so I don’t burn, food so I don’t get hangry, and my cell phone (with battery pack) so I could get off the island and get back to Kansas where I belong. (There might not be a big hurry, though; we Kansans don’t get to see islands very often!)
CC: Wise decisions, and I laughed out loud about the cellphone. LOL That is a wise woman, if I do say so myself!
Readers, I hope you’ll check out The Rhythm of Fractured Grace and then leave a review on Amazon, Goodreads, and/or BookBub. You wouldn’t believe how important that is to an author.
GIVEAWAY – U.S. Residents only, ends 11:59 p.m. EST on 2/27/24.
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Reader, have you ever played an instrument? Or did you ever dream of playing one? Which one?
by Crystal Caudill | Nov 7, 2023 | Author Interviews
There is an interesting dynamic in being both a reader and member of the Christian writing community. As a writer, I am SO incredibly blessed to get to know authors I read on a personal level. As a reader, I totally fangirl over getting to meet and know these incredible authors. Which means I’m often squealing on the inside every time I am meeting with each of these women. I’m a hot mess, y’all. So it’s an incredible blessing that I haven’t run them off yet, especially Erica Vetsch. While trying to be professional in this interview, know that I am absolutely squealing on the inside. I LOVE LOVE LOVE Erica’s writing, especially the Thorndike and Swann series. So now it is my immense pleasure to introduce you to one of my favorite authors.
Best-selling, award-winning author Erica Vetsch loves Jesus, history, romance, and sports. When she’s not writing fiction, she’s planning her next trip to a history museum and cheering on her Kansas Jayhawks and New Zealand All Blacks. You can connect with her at her website, www.ericavetsch.com where you can read about her books and sign up for her newsletter, and you can find her online at https://www.facebook.com/groups/inspirationalregencyreaders where she spends way too much time!
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 Erica with rapid-fire.
CC: Sweet or Salty?
EV: BOTH! I love popcorn with M&Ms
CC: Print, E-book, or Audiobook?
EV: Print for research books, and currently audio for fiction.
CC: Coffee, Tea, or Other?
EV: Tea, Black.
Morning Person or Night Owl?
EV: Night owl 🙂
CC: Favorite Holiday?
EV: Christmas
I am with you on the book formats. Unfortunately, my life has been too crazy for print. (Cue sobbing.) But I can’t wait for your book to come out on audio so I can really enjoy it. So let’s dive into the meat of this interview.
What does your writing process look like from beginning to end?
EV: I start noodling an idea, letting it marinate, and begin reading history books set in the place/time I am thinking of. I ask ‘what if’ kinds of questions. Then I schedule time with my adult daughter, who listens to the plot, and asks lots of ‘thread pulling’ types of questions to see what unravels. Then we write scene summaries on a white board, with the characters, settings, plot points, etc. After I have it the way I think it will go (which it does, sort of, but there are always changes as I write it.) I tell my girl the story again. Then I type out a synopsis, with a paragraph for each scene, and usually two scenes per chapter. Then it’s time to sit down and write. I keep the research books handy, and I make notes as I write about what else I might need to research that I didn’t know when I started. Each day, I go back over what I wrote the day before, tidying it up and then writing new words. When I get somewhere between the two-thirds and three-fourths mark of the story, I go back to the beginning and change and rewrite in all the things I’ve changed my mind about or discovered as the story unfolded. When that’s done, I’m able to write a smash-bang finish.
CC: It’s always so fascinating (and freeing) to hear how each author works differently. I have some similarities to your process and now have a few things from yours that I might try out on the next story. 🙂
What is your writing Kryptonite?
EV: The Internet. Social media, really. I help administrate a wonderful Facebook Group for Inspirational Regency Readers, and that takes quite a bit of time, but I also love Instagram Reels. 🙂
CC: Oh, that dreaded internet and social media. Although I have to admit, I LOVE the IRR group.
Do you have any advice for those who want to write their own stories?
EV: Write! At first, you may not know exactly what you’re doing or how to plot or craft a story, but write! Finger-paint your story. Then write some more. Don’t obsess over the first story, but begin a new one. Each time you write a story, you’ll learn more about what makes for good storytelling. Read books on the craft of writing, take a writing class online, or go to a conference and sit in the workshops. But above all, write.
CC: I echo this. Without the writing, you can’t have a book.
Now, I’m excited to discuss your newest release, Children of the Shadows, book three in the Thorndike and Swann series. It’s literally sitting next to me and taunting me to pick it up. Sigh. To-do lists first . . .
Detective Daniel Swann and debutante Juliette Thorndike once again team up to solve a dangerous mystery–while trying to keep their growing romance secret.
Someone is preying upon the street children of Regency London. They seem to think no one will notice when urchins go missing–and even if they are noticed, who will care?
Daniel needs to do something about the missing children. But with recent revelations about his past and an unexpected, somewhat unwelcome inheritance to deal with, this is a terrible time to dive back into the seedy underbelly of the crime world. Nevertheless, he’s still a Bow Street runner, and his partner Lady Juliette is sensitive to the plight of these wayward youngsters. They’re on the case, searching shadowed alleys and coal-drenched streets to find the missing.
But the tangle of expectation and the dynamics of power cannot be easily ignored, even if there are children in danger. When Daniel’s past threatens to overwhelm his future, he will need a miracle and the help of his friends to both apprehend the villain and unravel his tangled family web. And it may be that his new responsibilities demand that he leave the children of the shadows to their terrible fate–or lose everything.
Erica Vetsch’s popular Regency mystery series concludes with a bang, sure to satisfy readers who have hung on every page since book one.
Purchase your copy at Amazon | Baker Book House | Barnes and Noble | Christianbook
CC: Where did you get the idea for Children of the Shadows?
EV: This is the third book in the series, and the initial idea popped into my head about 6-7 years ago. What if a girl returned from finishing school to find her parents missing and discovered that she came from a long line of spies for the Crown?
CC: It has certainly been as fun a series to read as the idea was to entertain. I’m so glad you had the idea.
What about this story drew you to it?
EV: I think one of the things I like best about this story, aside from the justice aspect, is that the characters wrestle with some really thorny problems in their faith. Is God both Sovereign and Good? I think many people can relate to those wobbles of faith where they question God’s ability to act, or the goodness of His actions.
CC: That is definitely a true struggle that I think every Christian wrestles with. And I love how you call it a wobble of faith.
What character was the most fun to create?
EV: I love Juliette’s Uncle Bertie, and I’m thrilled that he will be the main character in the next series. He’s so droll with a dry wit and a nice line in irony. He loves Juliette fiercely and wants to see her succeed while at the same time protecting her from harm.
CC: WHAT!!!! Uncle Bertie gets his own series??? Where is the preorder link? I need that book, like yesterday. 🙂 I have to agree. He’s SUCH a fun character.
How did this story affect you as you wrote it? Did God teach you anything through the writing?
EV: It’s always good to revisit struggles that I’ve had in my faith journey, including the Sovereignty/Goodness balance. I was reminded again and again that those two qualities are not mutually exclusive but perfect in every way in the Person of God.
CC: Amen. It’s definitely not a one and done wrestle, and it’s so fascinating to see how much we’ve grown since the last time we wrestled with it.
What do you hope readers will take away from your story?
EV: First of all, an entertaining read with a satisfying ending. Beyond that, if they can see themselves in the characters, learn alongside them, and grow, even in a small way, in their faith journey, that would be icing on the tea cake. 🙂
CC: As a reader, I can say you have definitely achieved that icing on the tea cake. 🙂 Last but not least . . .
What animal is most like you?
EV: The Manatee. A few years ago, I visited my folks in Florida, and we went to a particular spot on the Gulf of Mexico known for its manatee sightings. As we walked along the pier, there were audio speakers along the rail at intervals, telling the listener about the life of the manatee. At one point, the recording said, “When the manatee isn’t sleeping, it can be found eating,” and I knew I had found my spirit animal. 🙂
CC: LOL, oh boy do I feel that one. Except I don’t eat my leafy vegetables as I should. Thank you so much for visiting us, Erica.
Readers, take my word for it. You do NOT want to miss this series. Grab the first one, The Debutante’s Code, if you haven’t started it yet. If you’ve read this newest and last one of the series, DO NOT tell me what happened. I can’t wait to dive in for myself. But please DO leave a review on Amazon, Goodreads, and/or BookBub. You wouldn’t believe how important that is to an author.
Do you think you’d make a good spy? What quality or trait do you think would be your strength? Your weakness?
by Crystal Caudill | Oct 24, 2023 | Author Interviews
There is nothing like the Christian writing community. I have met so many wonderful men and women through this process, and T. Elizabeth Renich is one of those people. She is a wonderful historical author who, after a break for life, has returned to the writing world and is working on some fun projects to get out to readers. Until those release, we decided she needed a reintroduction to readers, and it is my joy to provide that introduction to you. (And if you’re a fan of Literary Tours, you’ll need to check out what she’s offering at the end of this post.)
T. Elizabeth Renich has written four Civil War novels, worked for two NFL teams, and visited all 50 United States of America. International travel has taken her to Germany, Japan, Ireland, Israel, Scotland, and England. She hunts historical markers and shares hope as an ovarian cancer survivor. Her love of photography is evident as she documents research trips and life, giving glory to God for the great things He has done.
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 T. Elizabeth with rapid-fire.
CC: Sweet or Salty?
TER: Salty, then sweet
CC: Print, E-book, or Audiobook?
TER: Audiobooks for driving, eBooks for road trips, print books for research
CC: Coffee, Tea, or Other?
TER: Coffee (and protein shakes)
Morning Person or Night Owl?
TER: Night Owl
CC: Favorite Holiday?
TER: Thanksgiving (family, food, and 3 football games!)
I am definitely looking forward to Thanksgiving this year. I love the food, friends, and family, and then on the next day, we’ll have a Dungeons and Dragons day. Or rather, my husband, kids, and a friend will. I’ll be playing with the three-year-old and hopefully getting some writing in as well.
When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?
TER: I don’t remember a time that I didn’t write. It was always an escape for me… But in 12th grade, my Senior Composition teacher insisted that I should use my writing talent and just knew that one day I was going to write a book. She believed in me more than I believed in myself, but she was right.
CC: Those teachers who speak into our lives and really believe in us have an impact beyond words. My 2nd/3rd grade teacher, Mrs. Cooper, was that teacher for me. I am so grateful for the teacher in your life who encouraged you.
What is your writing Kryptonite?
TER: Internet rabbit trails… I can go chasing details for hours and then realize I didn’t write actual story-related words. (But I love details!)
CC: Oh man. I am soooooooo guilty of that. I love having a fellow detail nerd visiting with me today.
How have you seen God work through your writing journey?
TER: I thought I was done being an author in 2005, but in 2010 things started gearing up for the 150th Anniversary commemorations of all the Civil War events and battles. I did more book signings, appearances, and talks between 2010 and 2015 than I had in the previous five years. Once the anniversaries came to their chronological end, I decided I was done. But I kept getting invited back to the Museum Shop at Gettysburg National Battlefield, and in 2016, I found my books in the Library of Congress. By the time 2018 came, all four print editions were declared out of print. I was done. Except my Kindle books kept selling, and used copies on Amazon’s marketplace… I told God I was done. The stories had run their course. But in 2019, an author friend of mine told me I should write something else, a new set of characters, a different time period. It became a challenge, and I accepted. I’m now working on what I’m praying will be a 3-book series set in the 1770s — because apparently God’s not done with me yet. (My agent has my first manuscript, and I’m working on the second.)
CC: I love how God takes our plans and thoughts and says, “I’ve got a better plan. Come follow me.” Then, He proceeds to lead us on a journey that we never imagined taking, and yet the rewards are so wonderful as we grow closer to Him. And even though He calls many to write, each of our journeys are as unique as He created us to be. Speaking of which . . .
Do you have any advice for those who want to write their own stories?
TER: Start writing. The first step is getting words onto paper (or into your Word document). Words can be polished, rearranged, added, deleted, and re-written, but none of that can be accomplished until you have something written to work with. Then, read what you’ve written out loud. Hear how the words sound. In the meantime, get into community with other writers. ACFW (American Christian Fiction Writers) is a national group, but there are regional chapters. There are also online groups and Facebook groups where friendly, helpful, and encouraging people can be found. Two of my favorite reader events are the Fiction Readers Summit and the Mississippi River Readers Retreat. I’ve not yet been to Storyfest… Keep writing and keep reading.
Now it’s time to reintroduce your Shadowcreek Chronicles series–which are getting new covers soon, from what I remember. (Aka, sign up for her newsletter so that you can see them when they’re ready.)
With distinctive historical accuracy, skilled storyteller T. Elizabeth Renich brings the Civil War to life by blending documented facts and memorable characters in a moving account detailing a Confederate family and their determined struggle for survival amid crucial battles and daring cavalry raids…
Book 1: Word of Honor
In the summer of 1862, the War Between the States raged through Northern Virginia. The powers of loyalty and survival draw Salina Hastings into the service of a network of civilian spies organized by her father, a Confederate captain and spy.
Book 2: Matter of Trust
In this exciting second book of the Shadowcreek Chronicles, Salina Hastings faces the darkness of Alcatraz and a treacherous journey back east as she attempts to return to her home, her loved ones, and a life that can never be the same.
Book 3: Not Without Courage
This intense third chronicle of Shadowcreek brings to life a Confederate family’s personal struggle for survival in the midst of one of the fiercest battles in history–the Battle of Gettysburg. Stranded in enemy territory, Salina determinedly finds the measure of daring necessary to continue helping her fellow Rebels, but this time she must face a challenge that will require all the courage she can muster. She must count the personal cost of battle.
Book 4: Strength and Glory
The fall of 1864 finds Colonel John S. Mosby and his famed Partisan Rangers in a violent clash against Union Cavalry. Everyone Salina Hastings loves is threatened by the brutal crossfire when President Lincoln finally finds a commander in Ulysses S. Grant who will fight Robert E. Lee without mercy.
Purchase there series on Amazon
CC: Where did you get the idea for The Shadowcreek Chronicles?
TER: When I someone asked me to write a historical novel, I was told I could pick my time period. I had studied most about the Civil War, so that was where I decided the scratch the surface. I am not Margaret Mitchell, and I had no intention of re-writing “Gone with the Wind.” Being a native of Southern California, I extended the Mason-Dixon Line west and, by geography, would have been born and lived in the South. In looking at some old Virginia maps, I found the name Chantilly — so pretty, like the French lace — and then discovered there was a battle there on September 1, 1862. I decided I wanted to write about that battle. So, between the events leading up to the Battle of Chantilly and its aftermath, along with the California connection, I had the base of my story, which turned into a series…
CC: Actually, that is a really fascinating process. I would never have guessed that is how the stories came to be.
What about this story drew you to it?
TER: I wanted to learn what was going on in California during the Civil War. I found out that Abraham Lincoln signed legislation giving the missions back to the Catholic Church between 1860-1865, I found out that there were prisoners locked up on Alcatraz Island (there was an army fort there before there was a penitentiary, and since Lincoln had suspended the writ of habeas corpus, nothing had to be proven, so a few hundred political and southern-sympathizing citizens were incarcerated there until the end of the war. They wanted no trouble in San Francisco, as that’s where the bulk of the gold and silver to finance the Union war effort was coming from. There are thousands of books written about the Civil War and I wanted to find something unusual to include. My stories go from Virginia to California, back to Virginia, up to Pennsylvania, and back to Virginia. When I left California, I ended up living in North Carolina for a time, but then moved to Virginia (and for a while lived within 12 miles of where “Word of Honor” was set) because God has a sense of humor — and now my historical research is mostly within driving distance.
CC: Wow! I seriously had no idea of California’s involvement with the Civil War. I mean I knew it was around and was probably impacted, but I’d never stopped to consider how other than it was just his nebulous Wild West where they seemed to live a separate life from the rest of the US. Now I’m even more intrigued about your books.
Which character was the most fun to create?
TER: Salina Hastings was an interesting character to create because she is so much stronger and braver than me. She does many things I could never see myself doing. Over the course of the four Shadowcreek books, she grows from a barely sixteen-year-old little sister to a seasoned spy, wife, and mother. She finds herself in many a predicament where she must rely on God’s strength, provision, and protection to get her through to fight another day.
CC: It seems like she must have had a lot of hard growing up to do with all those descriptors.
What was some of your favorite research you discovered while preparing for The Shadowcreek Chronicles?
TER: I was able to go to the underground portion of Alcatraz, where the old fort used to be, and see the carvings on the walls where they kept prisoners. I had a permission slip from J.E.B. Stuart IV to have research access to his family papers collection held at the Virginia Historical Society. I was walked across the East Cavalry Battlefield at Gettysburg by a licensed battlefield guide so I would be facing the proper direction of the charges I was writing about (and thereby make injuries to cavalrymen characters in accurate locations on their bodies depending upon which way they were riding into the fray against the enemy).
CC: The history nerd in me is SO STINKING JEALOUS. Those experiences had to be incredible!
How did this story affect you as you wrote it?
TER: When I was working on the original manuscript of my Shadowcreek Chronicles (Book 1 is Word of Honor), our country was engaged in Desert Storm. I’d get up every morning and turn on the news to see if there were any updates of action that might have happened overnight. I had five friends who were in Iraq and the theater of war there in the Gulf. Lots of prayers were said for them. I was on hand to welcome an aircraft carrier back to San Diego, and the sailor for whom I had displayed a yellow ribbon somberly removed it from my car’s antenna, claiming it for himself. He said prayers are what kept him going. Those kinds of real-life anxieties, uncertainties, and triumphs made their way into my Salina character as she read newspapers, searched casualty lists, went to welcome home a transport ship for prisoner exchange, and exulted in victory of the Army of Northern Virginia’s cavalry regiments. War was real, and surreal during that time for me.
CC: My heart grieves for you, and for so many who have loved ones in the wars raging. I know know that the Ukraine War became very real to us as coworkers from Travis’ work were trying to escape the country with their children, but had to leave their husbands behind because of the mandate that all men must serve. I can only imagine their continued searching the papers and trying to find out anything they can as they continue to be separated from their loved ones in the midst of a war taking lives. And then we have the horrors of the Humas situation and Israel. I see how you were able to weave those emotions in so realistically.
What do you hope readers will take away from your story?
TER: I hope my readers will enjoy learning history they likely weren’t taught in school. That the places I write about, for the most part, still exist and can be visited. That historical markers along the side of the road are just the tip of the iceberg — but they can fuel ideas and make you want to dig deeper into the history. Homeschoolers have used my books as supplemental reading material. American history is not always pretty, but it is ours, and it is fascinating. There is something to be said for learning history so we don’t have to repeat the mistakes of the past — not whitewash or alter the truth. We owe a great debt to those who came before us — those who founded our country and those who have fought to preserve our freedom.
CC: I heartfully agree. And to be honest, I’m happy to see that southern perspective. As we deal with a current perspective that vilifies the South, I love that it brings us back to the fact they were human, that war is ugly, and that things are more complex than the black and white we like to view things.
Do you have any other fun facts you’d like to share as we wrap-up?
TER: I recently learned I am a “third generation” read. Initially, a friend of mine from church read my books and loved them. She gave them to her then-junior high aged daughters. Both daughters grew up and could recite passages of my books because they loved them. Both young ladies got married and had children — some of whom are named after my characters. An eleven-year old son (my friend’s grandson, if you follow) has read all four of my books and loved them. How cool is that?
CC: That is actually REALLY cool. How neat to know that your stories can pass through the ages and still be enjoyed.
Now would you take a moment to share with us the really cool literary and historical tour you’ll be hosting next year?
.
TER: I HAVE A BIG ANNOUNCEMENT! I am so excited to tell you all about plans for a new adventure taking place in Virginia, Washington, DC, and Pennsylvania! Places to go see and be seen… The historical sites we’re going to visit are those I’ve already written about in my Shadowcreek Chronicles series and those that will be included in the 1770s series I’m currently writing. If you’ve read The Lacemaker, Tidewater Bride, and A Heart Adrift by Laura Frantz, or Jenny L. Cote’s Epic Order of the Seven series, you will recognize places from those books, too! You can get more information HERE.
Readers, I hope you’ll check out The Shadowcreek Chronicles and then leave a review on Amazon, Goodreads, and/or BookBub. You wouldn’t believe how important that is to an author. And take a look at the travel opportunity. I know my history nerd little heart is giving it some serious consideration.
Reader, if you could travel anywhere for a literary/history tour, where would you want to go?
by Crystal Caudill | Oct 17, 2023 | Author Interviews
If you’ve never had the chance to meet Jaime Jo Wright, you NEED to. Even if it is only through her Facebook. This woman is down-to-earth, living off coffee, and loves God and Edgar Allan Poe. You can’t go wrong hanging out with her. And now I get the joy of introducing YOU to her.
Jaime Jo Wright is a coffee-fueled and cat-fancier extraordinaire who resides in Wisconsin’s rural woodlands. Her literary vocation involves penning chilling Gothic tales, with a strong preference to the master of dark, Edgar Allan Poe. Jaime’s books will keep you on the edge of your seat, with twists and turns that will leave you breathless. She is a multi-award-winning author, with numerous bestsellers under her belt.
You can connect with her through: Website | Facebook | YouTube | 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 Jaime with rapid-fire.
CC: Sweet or Salty?
JJW: Definitely salty
CC: Print, E-book, or Audiobook?
JJW: Print because you can’t smell the pages on an eBook!
CC: Coffee, Tea, or Other?
JJW: Coffee – duh.
Morning Person or Night Owl?
JJW: Neither – Sleeping is my hobby.
CC: Favorite Holiday?
JJW: Halloween – because Edgar A Poe and Ravens and Cats.
Your coffee habit cracks me up, and seriously, you can’t go wrong with Edgar Allan Poe.
When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?
JJW: When I got frustrated that there were none of the books I wanted to read! Then I realized they were in my head, so I decided I should write them. I was 9.
CC: I love how you took control of your reading life at such a young age. That is fantastic.
What does your writing process look like from beginning to end?
JJW: Absolute chaos. I’m unorganized, inefficient, and the last-minuter everyone gets annoyed by. Although, I actually have some structure in my actual story writing . . . once I start.
CC: I so relate to that “once I start.” Chaos is totally my writing kryptonite, which makes me wonder.
What is your writing kryptonite?
JJW: My short attention span. And no, I’m not ADHD. I just enjoy too many things and want to do them ALL!
CC: There really are too many things that need doing in a 24-hour period. I can never do them all . . . But I try.
What has been the biggest challenge for you on your writing journey?
JJW: The last two years for many unspoken reasons, but also my mom’s moving to Heaven was like a punch in the gut. Happy for her, but man, it’s been tough!
CC: I’ve yet to lose a parent, so I can only imagine. But know that my heart hurts for you and you are in my prayers as you face “all the stuff.”
How have you seen God work through your writing journey?
JJW: Gosh! The people in this community of books are AMAZING encouragers. Whether from the Christian community or general book community, readers are cheerleaders and deserve awards.
CC: Amen to that. The reading community is such a blessing from God.
Do you have any advice for those who want to write their own stories?
JJW: Just write. Seriously. I’m a firm believer people can study the craft too much, because I’ve talked to writers who’ve read every craft book and have yet to finish one manuscript. So WRITE!
CC: Yes, writing is the #1 thing to do. But this is where I’m also going to plug Jaime’s MadLit Mentoring services because she’s too modest to bring it up here. Jaime offers workshops, small group writing courses, mentoring opportunities, and focused group sessions. Check it out, because she is a GREAT mentor!
Now I’m excited to talk about your newest release, The Lost Boys of Barlowe Theater.
It promises beauty but steals life instead. Will the ghosts of Barlowe Theater entomb them all?
Barlowe Theater stole the life of Greta Mercy’s eldest brother during its construction. Now in 1915, the completed theater appears every bit as deadly. When Greta’s younger brother goes missing after breaking into the building, Greta engages the assistance of a local police officer to help her unveil the already ghostly secrets of the theater. But when help comes from an unlikely source, Greta decides that to save her family she must uncover the evil that haunts the theater and put its threat to rest.
Decades later, Kit Boyd’s best friend vanishes during a ghost walk at the Barlowe Theater, and old stories of mysterious disappearances and ghoulish happenings are revived. Then television ghost-hunting host and skeptic Evan Fisher joins Kit in the quest to identify the truth behind the theater’s history. Kit reluctantly agrees to work with him in hopes of finding her missing friend. As the theater’s curse unravels Kit’s life, she is determined to put an end to the evil that has marked the theater and their hometown for the last century.
Purchase your copy at ALL THE PLACES by visiting this link to pick your favorite vendor.
CC: Where did you get the idea for The Lost Boys of Barlowe Theater?
JJW: My psychotic brain? Seriously though. Local lore on this one. Lots of ghost stories surrounding our theater on which Lost Boys at Barlowe Theater was based.
CC: Local lore can be such a great inspiration for SO many stories!
What about this story drew you to it?
JJW: Honestly? The ghost stories. I’m not a theater junkie, although I do love beautiful architecture. But the ghost stories that still swirl around our local theater were demanding ot be used.
CC: Jaime Jo Wright intrigued by a ghost story??? I would never have guessed!!! LOL
Who do you think will be the readers who most love this book?
JJW: Readers who love creepy, mysterious thrillers but without outright horror and gore. I call it “Edgar A Poe meets Scooby Doo”.
CC: As much as I love Edgar Allan Poe and Scooby Doo, I really need to pull up my big girl panties and read your books. This sounds like a fun one to start with too. That being said, I always like to wrap my interviews up with a fun question, so . . .
What animal is most like you? Why?
JJW: A cat. Because they sleep a ton.
CC: I love that. I wish I could sleep a ton. Although, lately I have been sneaking a nap in every day . . . And just because you are too fun not to ask . . .
If you were a pirate, what would your nickname be?
JJW: Whiskey Jo. I don’t know why. It just sounds fun.
Readers, I hope you’ll check out The Lost Boys of Barlowe Theater and then leave a review on Amazon, Goodreads, and/or BookBub. You wouldn’t believe how important that is to an author.
Reader, how do you feel about books that are compared to Edgar Allan Poe and Scooby Doo? Have you read any of Jaime’s books? Which one would you recommend to a first time reader?
