by Crystal Caudill | Aug 16, 2022 | Author Interviews
Today I get the pleasure of introducing you to my friend and fellow author, Grace Hitchcock. We met at the American Christian Fiction Writers conference a number of years ago, and it has been a huge blessing to watch her career blossom and grow. She is a fun and witty author with dashes of suspense depending on which book you read. She’s super talented and I’m so excited to have her on the blog this week.
Grace Hitchcock is the award-winning author of multiple historical novels and novellas. She holds a Masters in Creative Writing and a Bachelor of Arts in English with a minor in History. Grace lives in the New Orleans area with her husband, Dakota, sons, and daughter. Connect with her online at GraceHitchcock.com.
You can connect with her through:
Website | Newsletter | BookBub | GoodReads
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: Milk or Dark Chocolate?
GH: Dark chocolate!
CC: Print or E-book?
GH: Love the feel of a print copy in my hands and seeing it on my shelf! I recently got a paperwhite kindle and I have to admit, I love that I can read at night again!!
CC: Cat or Dog Person?
GH: I’m allergic to both sadly, so I’m more of a Holland Lop bunny person!
CC: Morning Person or Night Owl?
GH: Totally morning, which is great because my kiddos wake up before six most mornings haha!
CC: Spring, Summer, Fall, or Winter?
GH: Spring! Not only are the flowers bursting all around, but it’s King Cake season in Louisiana 🙂 And if you haven’t had a King Cake before, you should definitely order one! Heavenly.
Now for a couple of fun personal questions:
What are you reading right now?
GH: Currently, I am listening to Regina Jenning’s A Most Inconvenient Marriage and reading Gabrielle Meyer’s When the Day Comes. I recently finished Erica Vetsch’s The Gentleman Spy and LOVED it!!
CC: Oh girl. I can’t rave enough about The Gentleman Spy and The Debutante’s Code by Erica Vetsch! AMAZING. And Gabrielle Meyer’s is on my TBR. I haven’t read Regina’s but I know it is on my shelf. 🙂
What do you like to do when you aren’t reading or writing?
GH: I love to bake! I will take any excuse to make a pie or cake from scratch, or create new cookie recipes. I have been branching out into the pastry world and enjoy the challenge. In my current work-in-progress for Kregel Publication’s, the heroine is a baker, so I have the perfect excuse to try out her Regency recipes as well 🙂
CC: I am a baker as well, except my family rarely eats the types I like to make. LOL I cannot wait to read your book and maybe find a way to sneak to your house and try some of those Regency recipes.
What has been the biggest challenge on your writing journey?
GH: I’d say the biggest challenge is the ever-changing schedule of my writing days. With a Pre-K son, toddler, and almost-here infant, writing time happens in the little moments throughout the day and at night. Being flexible with writing time is difficult, but I’ve learned to focus during those spurts of time and have studied how to become more efficient with my writing speed while leaning heavily on the knowledge that the Lord will give me time and inspiration. I’m ever thankful to have a supportive husband who entertains the kiddos at the end of his work day and makes sure I have time to write each day if I wasn’t able to get to it.
CC: Having a supportive family is so huge, and I could definitely use some of your tips and tricks for focus during those snippets of time.
Let’s talk about your first indie release, The Finding of Miss Fairfield.![The Finding of Miss Fairfield: A Victorian Harvey Girls Romance (Aprons & Veils, Book 1) by [Grace Hitchcock]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51vvKAD2PdL.jpg)
When an engagement of convenience becomes anything but convenient . . .
Forced into a betrothal with a widower twice her age, Charleston socialite, Sophia Fairfield is desperate for an escape. But, while her fiancé is away on business, he assigns his handsome stepson, Carver, the task of looking after his bride-to-be. Much to her dismay, Sophia finds herself falling in love with the wrong gentleman—a man society would never allow her to marry, given Sophia was supposed to be his new stepmother. The only way to save Carver from scandal and financial ruin is to run away, leaving him and all else behind to become a Harvey Girl waitress at the Castañeda Hotel in New Mexico.
Carver Ashton has had his life planned out for him since birth, but when he encounters Sophia Fairfield, he glimpses a new life—apart from his overbearing stepfather’s business. But, when the woman he loves disappears before he can express his devotion, Carver abandons all to find her. However, his stepfather has other intentions for Sophia and will stop at nothing until she is his bride . . . even if it is against her will.
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo
CC: What was some of your favorite research in preparing for The Finding of Miss Fairfield?
GH: As an avid Harvey Girl fan, I read just about every Christian Historical Fiction work I could find as well as several non-fiction works on the subject. One of the craziest things I discovered while researching was that Fred Harvey originally had waiters serving in his houses, but one of his managers thought that if the houses were run by waitresses, the male guests eating at the Harvey House would be better behaved. Fred Harvey agreed and thus, the Harvey Girls were created!
CC: That is so cool. It is generally true that men behave better around women. Or at least that used to be true and is still true of my boys. But that may be that they just better behave FOR Mom so they don’t get in trouble.
How did this story affect you as you wrote it? Did God teach you anything through the writing?
GH: It is always funny to me that the themes written about in my novels are reflected in some form in my life. For The Finding of Miss Fairfield, the heroine deals with fear and I found as the release date for this novel approached, I was allowing myself to fall prey to fear as well. There is a healthy fear in writing in wanting to do your best and pushing yourself, but if that fear keeps you from taking a step that you know God has called you to take, there’s a problem. I had to laugh when it came time to send out my ARCs to my street team and NetGalley because I literally put it off for a few hours because I was so nervous about sending out my official first Indie published novel. Closing my eyes in prayer, I hit send. I’m praying the readers will find it entertaining!
CC: That fear can be a killer! You have not idea how proud I am of you for following God’s call and taking that step of hitting send.
How do you select the names of your characters?
GH: Usually I pick the names first and when I find the right name, I at once begin to see the person I am writing about. For this novel, I changed the heroine’s name several times to fit the woman she had become throughout my drafts. The hero’s name has stayed the same though 🙂 I use Names Through the Ages to pick accurate names for the region and the era. It’s an AMAZING resource!
CC: Oh girl, I am so excited about that resource! THANK YOU!!! I cannot wait to use it.
Thank you so much for joining me today and providing all of us with a wonderful distraction. As my final question, I have my usual “Fun Question”.
If you could travel anywhere without worry about cost, where would you travel?
GH: This is a hard one! I have several places on my travel list, but I’d have to say that I want to go back to Paris and from there, I’d take the train and visit all the palaces and castles I could reach, filling a journal of writing research as I went!
CC: Sigh. Paris! One day, and YES to all the castles. How much story fodder there must be in those places!
Thanks for getting to know Grace Hitchcock with me. Don’t forget to check out her book, Miss Fairfield, and answer the question below to let us know where you would travel. Don’t forget to enter the giveaway for an autographed print copy! (Sorry, open to US mailing addresses only.)
The giveaway runs until August 23rd at 11:59 EST. Open to US mailing addresses only due to the cost of shipping.
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by Crystal Caudill | Aug 9, 2022 | Author Interviews
As my reading has been sporadic and my ability to write book reviews has been limited, I am relieved that I can at least provide you with introductions to some great authors and characters. This week I have the privilege of introducing you to Rachelle Paige Campbell.
Rachelle Paige Campbell writes contemporary romance novels filled with heart and hope. She believes love and laughter can change lives, and every story needs a happily ever after.
You can connect with her through:
Website | Newsletter | 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 Rachelle with rapid-fire.
CC: Milk or Dark Chocolate?
RPC: Dark
CC: Print or E-book?
RPC: Print (I love bookstores.)
CC: Cat or Dog Person?
RPC: Dog
CC: Morning Person or Night Owl?
RPC: Morning person
CC: Spring, Summer, Fall, or Winter?
RPC: Summer
Now for a couple of fun personal questions:
CC: How can we pray for you?
RPC: I want to pray that we all recognize our similarities over our differences. Our communities make our country strong and we can’t be ripped apart from each other.
CC: That is definitely something our country needs in a big way. It has broken my heart to see our country so divide.
What is your favorite Bible verse? Why?
RPC: John 8:32. “You will know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” I feel this so deeply in my soul. When you are guided by Him, you can’t be dissuaded by (sometimes petty) other influences.
CC: Amen. It’s so important to stand firm with him. It makes things so much easier to deal with life, even when life isn’t easy.
What are you reading right now?
RPC: At the moment, I’m reading craft books as I edit two manuscripts. I’m looking forward to the next batch of Love Inspired suspense books.
CC: I have a soft spot for LIS. I have few waiting for me as well.
What do you like to do when you aren’t reading or writing?
RPC: I love to garden. I live in the Midwest so I have a limited season. I take full advantage of the warm days.
CC: I envy your ability to garden. I have a black thumb. Although, I am very proud of the ONE tomato I have. . . even if it isn’t really growing anymore or turning red . . .
When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?
RPC: I’ve been telling stories since I was a kid. It wasn’t until I had my first child that I decided to pursue my dream.
CC: I think storytelling just runs through must writer’s blood.
What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?
RPC: When I’m writing a first draft, I “see” the plot. I end up editing to make sure my readers can “feel” the book.
CC: That makes sense to me!
What is your writing Kryptonite?
RPC: The words “hey mom” snap me out of my writing groove in a second. It’s a little complicated writing over summer break but I figure it out.
CC: Boy do I feel that one. Interruptions are TERRIBLE.
What is your work schedule like when you are writing?
RPC: I do my best writing in the morning. Over my morning coffee, I review my notes for the next scene and think about it while I’m walking my dog. When I get home, I’m ready to dive in.
CC: Routine makes such a difference when you have the ability to write.
What has been the biggest challenge for you on your writing journey?
RPC: At the start, I wasn’t hitting goals as fast as I “thought” I should. Learning to embrace my process and my path has made so much difference in my mindset. I love the journey I am on and am so grateful for every step on the way.
CC: Learning what is realistic for yourself and your life is really key. I’m struggling to learn that one myself.
Let’s talk about your release, Love Overboard.
Forced to share a stateroom with her ex-fiancé, Caitlyn fakes amnesia to stay on board her dream Alaskan cruise. Torn over deciding his future, Cruise Director Gregory tumbles into helping her. As they grow closer, unspoken secrets threaten to rip them apart, for good.
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | iBooks | Google Play | Kobo
CC: Which character was the most challenging to create?
RPC: Caitlyn was a challenging character because she is shy. My dad is a very shy person. I’ve grown up watching people make assumptions about him based on his reticence. The opinions are always wrong so I wanted to explore shyness from the inside out.
CC: Having personal insight into that must have been helpful and helpful for understanding your father.
What was some of your favorite research you discovered while preparing for Love Overboard?
RPC: While writing Love Overboard, I discovered a slew of old travel videos available on Amazon Prime. I watched hours of Alaskan cruise videos from the 1980s and 1990s, produced by cruise lines. It was like traveling back in time to my childhood.
CC: Oh, that is fun. I didn’t even realize they had those!
How do you select the names of your characters?
RPC: When I’m selecting character names I first check to make sure I haven’t used the name already. I am not trying to create a universe populated with relatives across my non-series books. Then I figure out the year they were born and look up the popular names from that year on the social security database.
CC: That Social Security database is SO incredibly useful for that!
What was the inspiration for your story?
RPC: I have always wanted to take an Alaskan cruise (still dreaming about it). I have been lucky enough to take several Caribbean cruises. On one trip, my husband and I found a hidden room in a fake smokestack with a beautiful view and a baby grand piano. The discovery sparked a story (and you’ll see this in a scene).
CC: Oh that is cool! Now I’ll have to be searching for secret rooms if I ever make it onto a cruise!
What do you hope readers will take away from reading your story?
RPC: I hope readers will be encouraged to take the trip, take the chance, and fully embrace their lives.
CC: That is an exciting encouragement.
Thank you so much for joining me today and providing all of us with a wonderful distraction. As my final question, I have my usual “Fun Question”.
If you could travel anywhere without worry about cost, where would you travel?
RPC: Alaska is my dream trip and I hope to go one day.
CC: I am right there with you. It’s definitely on my bucket list.
Thanks for getting to know Rachelle Paige Campbell with me. Don’t forget to check out her book, Love Overboard, and answer the question below to let us know where you would travel.
Reader question:
What do you think about historical stories? Should they portray things with as much accuracy as possible to the time, or should authors make adjustments for today’s cultural perspectives?
by Crystal Caudill | Jun 7, 2022 | Author Interviews
It’s always fun for me to get to meet some of the authors I’ve met on Facebook. I’ve watched Pegg Thomas’s journey of making her wool shawls all the way from the beginning stages of sheering the sheep. How cool is that? Now it’s my pleasure to introduce you to her as an author.
Pegg Thomas lives on a hobby farm in Northern Michigan with Michael, her husband of *mumble* years. They raise sheep and chickens, plus keep a few barn cats and Murphy the spoiled rotten dog. Pegg is published in five Barbour historical romance collections, won the 2019 FHL Readers’ Choice Award, was a double-finalist for the 2019 ACFW Carol Award for novellas, and a finalist for the 2019 ACFW Editor of the Year. She was also a finalist in the 2021 FHL Readers’ Choice Award. Pegg spent 3 ½ years as the managing editor of Smitten Historical Romance. When not working or writing, Pegg can be found in her barn, her garden, her kitchen, or sitting at her spinning wheel creating yarn to turn into her signature wool shawls.
Connect with her through:
Website | Facebook | Instagram | MeWe | Amazon | BookBub | GoodReads
*Sign up for Pegg’s newsletter and be entered to win Abigail’s Peace shawl, handspun and handknit by Pegg.*
Now for the fun stuff! I have to admit I am partial to my Fast Five. 🙂 So settle in as I hit Pegg with rapid-fire.
CC: Milk or Dark Chocolate?
PT: milk
CC: Print or E-book?
PT: both
CC: Cat or Dog Person?
PT: dog
CC: Morning Person or Night Owl?
PT: morning
CC: Spring, Summer, Fall, or Winter?
PT: all of the above
Now for a couple of fun personal questions:
CC: What is your favorite Bible verse?
PT: “My sheep listen to My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me; and I give them eternal life, and they will never perish; and no one will snatch them out of My hand. My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand.” John 10:27-29
I raised sheep for 28 years, so Jesus as my shepherd is a power description to me.
CC: I can see how that would make you appreciate it all the more,
CC: What do you like to do when you aren’t reading or writing?
PT: My tagline is “Spinner of Yarns” for a reason. When I’m not writing and spinning a literary yarn, I’m working with actual yarn. I have tubs of sheep wool from my own sheep, four spinning wheels, and more knitting needles than I can count. My wheels include the one in my social media header, a Revolutionary War era great wheel. And it still works! I also have a 1830s flax wheel, a 1920s Hutterite wheel, and a 1990s modern production wheel. I use all of them for different projects. With the release of each of my books – or re-release of my novellas from Barbour collections – I give one shawl away to a subscriber to my newsletter. I did the first one sort of as a lark, but it was so much fun, I’ve kept doing it.
CC: THAT IS SO COOL!!! I admire your ability to do it. It’s so fascinating to watch your posts.
CC: What has been the biggest challenge for you on your writing journey?
PT: My biggest challenge in the past couple of years has been writing Colonial American historical fiction and historical romance in the age of woke. So many authors have been burned on social media for portraying history as it was – and not as our 21st Century sensibilities wish it would have been.
Portraying history is not the same as endorsing it or glorifying it. History was what it was. We can’t change it. We shouldn’t sugar-coat it. We absolutely need to learn from it. And while there are parts that are hard to revisit, much of it is fascinating, engaging, and peopled with characters to be admired.
My Forts of Refuge novels are set during Pontiac’s Rebellion in 1763 and are set at the three forts that did not fall to Pontiac’s combined forces, Fort Pitt, Fort Detroit, and Fort Niagara. It was a brutal time in history, following the end of the French and Indian War. My goal in writing these novels was to put ordinary people in the midst of of extraordinary circumstances and show how they survive and ultimately overcome. I had three first-hand historical accounts to guide me and keep the history as accurate as possible.
I hope readers will walk along with Sarah, Maggie, and Abigail and see their world through their eyes, being sympathetic to these 18th Century women who were products of their time – not ours.
CC: The woke culture has definitely made writing historical anything with accuracy really difficult. It’s hard to portray an accurate history when society often wants it white-washed or rewritten altogether.
Let’s talk about your release, Abigail’s Peace![Abigail's Peace: Forts of Refuge - Book Three by [Pegg Thomas]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51aNc0MTvzL.jpg)
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Abigail Aldridge’s life in Boston was difficult. Her inability to converse with the fluid grace of her societal peers made her an outcast, a spinster sister living with her step-brother and his wife. When she concocts a way to join her uncle at the British outpost of Fort Niagara, she has no idea what dangers lurk at the edge of civilization.
Working at the fort, Koyengquahtah, a Seneca scout for the British army known as Koyen, watches the white women carried ashore from the boat. Soldiers are one thing, but women mean families. Families that plan to stay on Seneca land. It sparks in him a rebellion against the changes threatening to overwhelm his people and their way of life.
When Abigail befriends the sisters of Koyen, their paths cross and their initial distrust of each other grows into a grudging admiration. But violence erupts as two cultures clash, fueled by the Ottawa leader to the west, Pontiac.
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org
CC: Which character was the most challenging to create?
PT: Koyen – Koyengquahtah which means Young King – was by far the most challenging. I spent a lot of time researching Seneca history and customs, including reaching out to the Seneca Nation in New York, so I could understand him better. The challenge of researching Native tribes is the lack of any contemporary written documentation. But I hope I was able to piece together a character that readers will be able to connect with.
CC: I am sure that readers will walk away with a better understanding, and God will fill in the rest.
How do you select the names of your characters?
PT: Koyengquahtah I found during my research, and Young King fit the character for many reasons. And it tickled my fancy. I had the British shorten his name to Koyen instead of Anglicizing his name because it let me play with the British biases. The soldiers will not call him Young King because they only recognize King George. 😉
For the British names, I looked up the 1790s census and picked last and first names that were found in that area of New York. I use census records for almost all my character names. Historical accuracy is very important to me, and I like using names that could have been there at that time.
CC: I am the same way. Historical names are so important, and research provides so much fodder for names.
What do you hop readers will take away from your story?
PT: That people are more than the sum of their backgrounds, their appearance, or their limitations.
That is such a great lesson that we all need to learn and relearn. 🙂
Thank you so much for joining me today and providing all of us with a wonderful distraction. As my final question, I have my usual “Fun Question”.
As a writer, what would you choose as your mascot?
PT: A horse – because history was achieved by the strength of the horse.
CC: I never thought of it that way, but absolutely!
Readers, you can purchase Pegg Thomas’s books at Amazon.
Reader question:
What do you think about historical stories? Should they portray things with as much accuracy as possible to the time, or should authors make adjustments for today’s cultural perspectives?
by Crystal Caudill | May 10, 2022 | Author Interviews
I always enjoy introducing other authors to my readers, and today is no exception. Virginia is a new author to me, even though she’s published 16 books with Love Inspired. I hope you’ll give her a warm welcome.
Virginia Vaughan is a multi-published author of inspirational romantic suspense. Blessed to come from a large, southern family, her fondest memories include listening to stories recounted by family and friends around the large dinner table. She was a lover of books even from a young age, devouring gothic romance novels and stories of romance, danger, and love. She soon started writing them herself. A former investigator for the State of Mississippi, Virginia utilizes her criminal justice background with her love of writing to transform words into powerful stories of romance and danger. Her sixteenth novel with Love Inspired Suspense, TEXAS KILLER CONNECTION, is now available.
Connect with her through:
Website | Facebook | Amazon | BookBub | Newsletter
Now for the fun stuff! I have to admit I am partial to my Fast Five. 🙂 So settle in as I hit Virginia with rapid-fire.
CC: Milk or Dark Chocolate?
VV: Definitely Milk Chocolate.
CC: Print or E-book?
VV: I love the convenience of E-books but there is nothing like holding a real book in my hand.
CC: Cat or Dog Person?
VV: I love both cats and dogs, but I do have a soft spot for rescue dogs.
CC: Morning Person or Night Owl?
VV: Definitely a night owl. I do my best work late into the evening when the house is quiet.
CC: Spring, Summer, Fall, or Winter?
VV: Fall is my favorite time of year. I love the cooler weather, boots, and football season! .
Now for a couple of fun personal questions:
CC: What is your favorite Bible verse?
VV: My go-to verse is Jeremiah 29:11. In my darkest days, this verse gives me hope that God has something planned for my life that is better than anything I can see.
CC: Amen. And I love how that promise is given with the knowledge that the Israelites are getting ready to walk some pretty dark days.
CC: What are you reading right now?
VV:Right now, I’m re-reading Patricia Bradley’s Natchez Trace Park Rangers series since I’m working on my own story featuring a Natchez Trace Park Ranger.
CC: Oh that is fun. I try to read books with similar settings to mine while writing as well.
CC: What do you like to do when you aren’t reading or writing?
VV: Lately, my free time has been spent babysitting my grandbaby, Izzy, when they need me and it is so hard to get back to work when all I want to do is love on her.
CC: Congratulations on the grandbaby!!! Baby snuggles are the best and definitely hard to break away from.
CC: What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?
VV: I write out of order as I’m writing. Sometimes, I can be working on a scene and not even know where in the story it takes place. After my first draft, I go back and put all the pieces together into a coherent story. It’s a crazy way to write but it works for me.
CC: That is a neat quirk that I only dip into when stumped. I can’t believe you can write an entire book that way!
CC: What is your writing kryptonite?
VV: Time is my greatest obstacle. I’m raising kids, homeschooling, and a caregiver for my mom so I have to be intentional with protecting my writing time.
CC: I’m a caregiver too and that can definitely be a huge challenge, especially on top of raising kids.
CC: What does your writing schedule look like?
VV: I’m not a great multi-tasker so when I’m writing a story, I tend to focus on getting words down as fast as possible.
CC: I am so similar. I think you and I need to do a little more chatting after this is over.
Let’s talk about your release, Texas Killer Connection
.
To catch a killer
they’ll need to find the evidence.
When the investigation into her look-alike cousin’s death stalls, former army intelligence officer Brooke Moore arrives in Texas searching for justice—and is thrust into the middle of a deadly conspiracy. Now she must turn to her cousin’s ex, FBI agent Colby Avery, for help. But with every clue leading them deeper into danger, they must uncover the truth…before they are buried with it.
CC: Which character was the most challenging to create?
VV: My hero, FBI Agent Colby Avery, was a difficult character to get to know. I’d gotten to know his siblings well in the previous books in the series, but Colby was always kind of stand-offish to me in the previous stories. So getting into his character in this book was almost like starting from scratch with a new character.
CC:Those silent stubborn types can really give us authors a run for our money to be sure!
What was some of your favorite research you discovered while preparing for this book?
VV: One of the scenes in TEXAS KILLER CONNECTION involved a bomb threat in a hospital. It was interesting learning about the different security codes facilities use to indicate trouble.
CC: My brother works in a children’s hospital and we had a discussion once about some of those topics. It really is fascinating how prepared they really are for such scenarios.
If you could be any of your characters, which one would it be?
VV: I loved my heroine, Brooke, and the way she was able to take care of herself. She’s strong, independent, and not afraid to take risks for those she cared about.
She sounds like an amazing heroine, and I can’t wait to get to know her more soon.
Thank you so much for joining me today and providing all of us with a wonderful distraction. As my final question, I have my usual “Fun Question”.
If you could have one superpower, what would it be?
VV: As a huge superhero fan, I’ve thought about this question a lot. My superpower would be to be able to fly or transport myself from place to place at will. No more driving for me! LOL
CC: Oh I so feel you on that one! My second job is an unpaid chauffeur. LOL
Readers, you can purchase Virginia Vaughan’s books at Amazon or at Harlequin’s website.
Reader question:
If you could pick a superpower what would it be?
by Crystal Caudill | Apr 26, 2022 | Author Interviews
It is my joy and pleasure today to get to introduce you to a debut author. Greta Picklesimer has written a historical romance titled Second Chance at Happiness that sounds like a sweet tale with one of my favorite tropes. You can find out more about her and her story below.
UPDATE: Greta is providing a special giveaway of her book Second Chance at Happiness AND a notebook with her cover on it. All you have to do is follow her Facebook page.
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Greta Picklesimer is Michigan born and raised by Kentucky-transplanted parents. She accepted Jesus as her Savior at age five and strives to live for him on a daily basis. Besides writing inspirational historical romance novels, Greta spends time working on her art journal, painting with watercolors and oil pastels. She is owned by one overly affectionate rescue cat by the name of Pearlie Blue who was named after one of her father’s favorite Bluegrass songs. By day, Greta works as an office assistant. At night, she writes.
Connect with her through:
Website | Facebook | Goodreads | BookBub | Twitter
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: Milk or Dark Chocolate?
GP: Milk chocolate every time, unless it isn’t available then dark.
CC: Print or E-book?
GP: Both I hoard books so it is best if I purchase books for my to-be-read pile in E-book format. If it is a non-fiction book used for research purposes, then I definitely want it in print.
CC: Cat or Dog Person?
GP: Cat person most definitely. I am owned by one rescued, love-starved cat by the name of Pearlie Blue. She loves to be cuddled, petted and fawned over. She loves to sleep in the crook of my left arm under the covers with me.
CC: Morning Person or Night Owl?
GP: Hmm. I’m usually chipper in the morning so morning person. I go to bed around 6 PM, take a nap and get up around 8 or 9 PM. Then it’s back to bed for me around 10. I sleep the night through from that point on.
CC: Spring, Summer, Fall, or Winter?
GP: I like the milder temperatures of Spring and Fall. I don’t like Winter even though I enjoy a good snowfall as I watch from the warmth of my house with a cup of hot tea in hand.
Now for a couple of fun personal questions:
CC: What do you like to do when you aren’t reading or writing?
GP: I enjoy working on my art journal. I have two so far. I love painting the pages with acrylic paints and then decorating the pages to match what I am journaling about.
CC: Painting is such a relaxing thing to do. I used to love it in high school so I can understand why you keep art journals now.
CC: When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?
GP: I first realized I wanted to be a writer when I was eight or nine-years-old. My eldest sister, Sandra Picklesimer Aldrich, brought over to my parent’s home a copy of a story she wrote for a magazine. I think it was called Grandfather’s Clock. I thought if she could do it, so could I. So, I started writing very short, one-act plays. They were poorly written, but first furrows into anything new usually is. I still have them. Later, I wrote stories about people who lived on the sun and about people who lived in sunbeams. In college I took journalism classes with photography and created my own program of photojournalism. I worked as a freelance photographer and writer (mostly photographer) for several small newspapers. When I landed my first full-time, staff reporter position, I found I loved to write feature stories over news stories. I decided to try my hand at a young-adult fantasy novel. It’s still on the shelf. I decided I wanted to write inspirational, historical romance novels after reading a contemporary romance taken from the community bookshelf at work. The book intrigued me. My thinking was if this author could do it, so could I. So, I did.
CC: Wow. That is quite the journey from journalism to ficiton novelist. I bet it was like learning a whole new skill set.
CC: What has been the biggest challenge for you on your writing journey?
GP: The biggest challenge on my writing journey is also my Kryptonite. If I start my writing time by saying, I’ll just check my email or Facebook or some other online platform I get lost in it. Writing time wanes. I get tired and go to bed instead of writing. But if I hop on the computer and tell myself I’ll write X amount of pages, words, etc. AND then check Facebook and email, I find I get a whole lot more accomplished. Recently, I participated in a Winter writing challenge through a writing group I belong to. I needed to write 20,000 words in one month. It surprised me how much I could accomplish when I set my mind to it. I wound up completing the first draft of the second book in the series. I was offered a contract for it today.
CC: Congratulations on the contract!!! That is so exciting. AND YES!! That is something I totally need to do better about too!
Let’s talk about your debut release, Second Chance at Happiness
.
After Catherine Reed’s husband dies in a tragic logging accident, Catherine and her four-year-old daughter, Clair, move home with Catherine’s mother and brother in order to accept a new position as the teacher for the town’s one-room schoolhouse. But Catherine carries a dark secret that she hasn’t even shared with her mother. Will she ever find forgiveness?
Samuel Harris has suffered his own loss, losing his wife and unborn child over a year prior. Although he is the town’s preacher, he struggles to trust God, blaming God for allowing him to be absent when his wife died. The guilt has burdened him ever since. But when his old flame Catherine Reed comes back to town, he wonders if they can find healing together.
Catherine believes that anyone who wants to learn should be allowed to learn, but she is quick to find a town divided on that issue. As she and Samuel set out to change people’s minds in a post-Civil War era, they find themselves drawn to each other over and over again. As they join together for the same cause, could they also find a second chance at happiness?
CC: Which character was the most fun to create? What makes them fun?
GP: I loved creating the anti-heroes in the novel. They were the most fun to create. Their actions and reactions surprised me. I just let them take the reins of the story when they showed up. They were most obliging and their antics did not disappoint.
CC: Anti-heroes are so fun to create.
Who was the most challenging to create?
GP: Catherine Reed, the heroine, was the most difficult to create because she had lost her husband when the story opens. She was numb from the pain and loss. If you’ve ever lost someone close to you, you know the soul-sucking void that is created when they are gone. I found her distant at first, which is exactly how I react to losing someone dear.
CC: Losing someone close is definitely difficult and life-altering. I can only imagine how it would be to lose my husband, and I’d rather not.
How do you select the names of your characters?
GP: The names of the characters just came to me. I didn’t struggle to find them. The characters told me what their names should be. One character has an odd last name. He insisted that that was his name. I stopped arguing with him about it and put it in the book.
LOL. Our characters can really be demanding and sometimes it is best just not to fight them.
What do you hope readers will take away from your story?
GP: My hope is that readers will understand that even though the characters were flawed that the Lord can forgive us and that he forgets our sin.
Thank you so much for joining me today and providing all of us with a wonderful distraction. As my final question, I have my usual “Fun Question”.
As a writer, what would you choose as your mascot?
GP: I would choose a cat as my mascot because cats have slinky bodies can contort. They are smart, interesting and if they are like my Pearlie Blue, loving and in need of love and attention.
CC: Oh to have a slinky body. Sigh. Thanks so much for joining us, Greta!
Readers, you can purchase Greta Picklesimer’s book Second Chance at Happiness at Amazon.
Reader question:
If you could pick a mascot for yourself, what would it be?
by Crystal Caudill | Apr 12, 2022 | Author Interviews
The Christian writing community is like family, and as such I get to meet and connect with lots of authors. Teresa Tysinger is one of those authors I’ve met through various online connections. It is my joy and honor to present her to you today.
Teresa Tysinger is an author of Southern Contemporary Romance inspired by grace. She writes on the fringes of being a wife, mom, and full-time communications and public relations professional. Teresa is a member of ACFW, the Association for Women in Communications, and the Religion Communicators Council. She loves coffee, traveling, and prides herself in knowing and loving almost every genre of music. Born in Hawaii, raised in Florida, and educated in North Carolina, she now resides in Texas with her husband, daughter, and dog.
Connect with her through her:
Website | Facebook | Instagram | Newsletter | Goodreads | BookBub
Now for the fun stuff! I have to admit I am partial to my Fast Five. 🙂 So settle in as I hit Teresa with rapid-fire.
CC: Milk or Dark Chocolate?
TT: The darker the better!
CC: Print or E-book?
TT: I love the feel of holding a book in my hands.
CC: Cat or Dog Person?
TT: I love both cats and dogs, but there is something so sweet and special about the bond between humans and dogs. It feels blessed somehow!
CC: Morning Person or Night Owl?
TT: The older I get, the more of a morning person I’m becoming!
CC: Spring, Summer, Fall, or Winter?
TT: I appreciate something about every season, but Fall will always have a special place in my heart. I love everything about it!
Now for a couple of fun personal questions:
CC: What is your favorite Bible verse? Why?
TT: When I was going through confirmation in the sixth grade, we had to pick a life verse. I chose Isaiah 41:10 but have no doubt that God gave it to me because He knew I would need it throughout my life. I struggle with fear and anxiety from time to time and this verse brings me such comfort: “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
CC: That is such a comforting verse, and it is so easy for us to succumb to the fears and anxieties this world brings.
CC: When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?
TT: I remember being a young girl, maybe ten or so, and reading Anne of Green Gables. I couldn’t imagine anything more exciting than using words to transport people to faraway lands and introduce readers to characters they’d otherwise never meet, just like L.M. Montgomery had done for me. It was thrilling! I started with small stories written in journals and dreamed of one day publishing something other people would actually get to read.
CC: And now you are there! What an exciting and wild ride.
CC: What has been the biggest challenge for you on your writing journey?
TT: I am constantly searching for ways to balance writing with all of life’s other tasks: my full-time day job, being a mom and wife, self-care, church and volunteering, etc. Some days I want to ignore everything else and just write without distraction, but those opportunities are few and far between. Honestly, every time I type The End, I’m amazed I was able to find time to do it.
CC: Amen. I’m convinced balance is a myth that we’ll never achieve.
Let’s talk about your debut release, Say It’s For Good, book 4 in the Laurel Cove Romance Series.
![Say It's For Good (Laurel Cove Romance Book 4) by [Teresa Tysinger]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41P5emcIEVL.jpg)
Is a decade enough time to heal old wounds?
Professional chef Leah Spencer is level-headed, responsible, and practical—making it an easy decision to move home to Laurel Cove, North Carolina to care for her ailing father. All he wants is for his only child to find love and partnership like he had with his late wife—before he leaves her all alone. Desperate to ease his worries, as well as her own, she breaks character and creates a fake relationship with the one man in town who likely wants nothing to do with her. And the one man she’s ever truly loved.
Ladies’ man Jasper Bowdon has successfully avoided commitment ever since his heart was broken a decade ago. Casual dating, however, had grown tiresome and he’d recently decided to take a break from women to finally figure out what he really wants. Why, then, does he agree to a pretend relationship with the very woman who’d ruined him in the first place? And why is he left wondering if it could all be part of God’s plan to heal them both?
Love and friendship get a second chance in this final installment of the Laurel Cove Romance Series. Books in this series are stand-alone and can be read and enjoyed in any order.
CC: Which character was the most fun to create? What makes them fun?
TT: It’s interesting to look back on my writing and realize that very often my favorite characters are those with supporting roles. The faithful aunt, the grumpy but wise neighbor, etc. In Say It’s For Good, this is definitely true with the heroine’s best friend Penny. For a while, I’ve wanted to write a best friend inspired by Suki from Gilmore Girls. Similarly, Penny is quirky, sharp-tongued and quick-witted, but compassionately honest at just the right times. I think she’s got some of the best lines in the novel and often says what I think readers will be thinking as they read.
CC: Oh that is too fun! Those side characters really do take on lives of their own at times.
How did this story affect you as you wrote it? Did God teach you anything through the writing?
TT: More than any other story I’ve written, I struggled with Say It’s For Good. I found myself trudging through, sometimes setting it aside for weeks, not sure if I was simply distracted by other obligations or uninspired. More than once, I questioned if maybe this story wasn’t meant to be. Was I forcing it? Should I start over and consider a new plot? Finally, thanks to support and prayers from many family and friends, I managed to finish and sent it off (with a bit of trepidation) to beta readers.
The first reader who responded with feedback shed light on a mind-blowing realization. She identified with Leah, the heroine, who struggles throughout the story with a sometimes crippling fear that gets in the way of receiving blessings and, ultimately, love. BOOM! It hit me that this is my own personal struggle and has been nearly my whole life. Anxiety has often left me frozen, unsure of how to proceed and, seeking shelter in situations and relationships I’ve labeled as “safe.” No wonder I struggled so much with writing this story, since its themes hit so close to home.
Because of this, I can’t help but wonder if the obstacles I encountered along this writing journey were the enemy’s way of blocking God’s truth of hope and grace and healing that I believe ultimately come through by the last chapter. Now, a book that felt like a chore to write feels more like an exercise in faith. More often than not, faith is messy and its trajectory is full of ups and downs. I’m so thankful for the journey through this particular story!
CC: What a powerful testimony to how God uses the stories to no just affect our readers, but us as well.
If you could be any of your characters, which one would it be? Why?
TT: I’d love to be Penny, Leah’s best friend! It would be fun to be a professional chef, but I also love that she always says what she thinks even if it might raise some eyebrows or get some laughs. She seems to instantly make friends and is unwavering in her loyalty to the friends she does have. As someone who has a very simple (okay, maybe nonexistent) style, I think it would also be fun to live in her quirky, colorful wardrobe for a while!
She sounds like a fun person to be for a while.
Thank you so much for joining me today and providing all of us with a wonderful distraction. As my final question, I have my usual “Fun Question”.
If you could travel anywhere without worry about cost, where would you travel?
TT: My husband and I recently added taking a tour of Christmas markets around Europe to our bucket list, including stops in places like Bavaria, France, and Germany. They seem to have the perfect mix of tradition, holidays, and fairytales!
CC: That might just have to be added to my want-to-do list. It sounds fascinating, and I adore Christmas.
You can purchase Teresa’s book at Amazon.
Reader question:
Where would you like to travel if you could do so without cost?
