Meet Blair Emerson from Echoes of a Silent Song by Amanda Wen

Meet Blair Emerson from Echoes of a Silent Song by Amanda Wen

by | Oct 14, 2025 | Character Interview

I’m delighted to have Blair Emerson from Amanda Wen’s Echoes of a Silent Song with us today for a fun and intriguing interview. There’s nothing more fun than meeting a character and then getting sucked right into the drama of their story as you get to know them. Be prepared, because that is what’s about to happen. And just so you know, Amanda Wen is generously giving away one print copy of Echoes of a Silent Song to one U.S. Resident. Be sure to find all those details at the end of this post.

Before we dive into our interview, let me introduce you to the story that Blair Emerson takes part in.

Echoes of a Silent Song by Amanda Wen

Genre: Split Time

When a choral composer and conductor falls victim to creative block, he resorts to his fallback plan of teaching high school choir. Callum Knight’s goal at Peterson High is simple: rediscover his muse, extract himself from teaching, and get back to Boston as quickly as possible.

As the long-suffering accompanist at the high school, Peterson-native Blair Emerson has watched the revolving door of choir directors and their negative impact on her choirs over the last few years. She is less than impressed when a disheveled Callum stumbles in on his first day.

But then they discover an unsigned, unfinished, and handwritten choral composition by a clear musical genius. Blair recalls rumors of Iris, a Peterson student from the 1970s who composed music but was found dead during her senior year. Blair and Callum work to determine if the piece is hers, and the truth they uncover shakes both of them to the core.

With rhythm and flair, Amanda Wen takes readers on an unexpected journey into the depths of a small town’s history in this riveting first book in the Melodies and Memories duology.

 

Purchase Links:

Amazon  |  Baker Book House  |  Christianbook  |  Parable

 

Now it’s time to jump into our interview with Blair!

CC: Blair, would you please introduce yourself to my readers? How would you describe yourself?

BLAIR: Yikes…usually my fingers are dancing across a piano keyboard instead of a computer keyboard. Whose idea was this, anyway?

Okay, moving along…my name is Blair Emerson, and I’m the collaborative pianist for Peterson High School. (For the non-musicians out there, this means I play piano for the choirs. While they’re learning their parts, I usually play those parts right along with them, then gradually transition to playing the accompaniment part, if there is one, or letting them sing on their own if it’s unaccompanied.)

I’ve been here for several years, first as a student and then as a staff member, and I love every minute of my job. Okay, most minutes. Working with students is sometimes a challenge for a type-A uber-planner like myself, but they’re absolutely worth it. Working with a different choir director every year, though? I’m about to pull my red hair all the way out. Since Vic Nelson retired, we’ve cycled through five? Six? I’ve lost count. And the new guy who just took the job looks like he’ll be a real peach to work with. He’s obviously falling back on his fall-back plan, so doubtless he won’t stick around, either. Sigh. At least I’ve got my best friend, Joy, in my corner.

CC: Yikes! I hate when there is a revolving door of changing employees. That must be so hard to deal with. I’m so glad you have Joy in your corner. Oh, and bless you for working with students. They are a joy . . . and a challenge.

So what is it that you want?

BLAIR: What I want more than anything is for the Peterson High School choral program to be restored to its former glory. Vic Nelson was the director for thirty years, give or take, and during that time the choir consistently achieved anything a high school choir could. But since he retired, it’s been a revolving door of choir directors. Nobody sticks around longer than a year, for a variety of reasons. As a result, interest in the program is dropping. Kids find other classes they want to take instead of choir. And the ones who do stay, about half of them are obviously disinterested; they just want a class they think is an easy A where they won’t have any homework.

My heart breaks for the kids who really do want to sing, and for the program in general. Its reputation is slipping, the quality of music is dropping, and if I could change that myself, I would. But I can’t do that by myself. I need a director. One who’s competent, experienced, qualified, and as passionate about those kids as I am. One who’ll put down roots and stick around and get this program headed in the right direction. But with each passing year, the flame of hope that this will actually happen starts to flicker and dim…

CC: My heart breaks for those students too. It makes all the difference in the world when they have a teacher who wants to be there and invest in them.

If you had time to read a book, what would you pick up and why?

BLAIR: Reading is one of my favorite after-school activities! I usually read biographies of famous choral composers or pianists. I have neither the desire nor the realistic expectation of fame, but I always love learning about other musicians and getting the stories behind their music. To me it gives me a fuller and richer understanding of the music we perform and the creative process itself! I’m not a composer at all, but I’ve always thought it would be fascinating to meet one.

CC: Biographies can be so intriguing, and I’m right there with you about them adding depth to the music you listen to when you know the story behind them.

Who do you interact with in the story that confounds you?

BLAIR: Early in the story, Callum and I find a handwritten, unsigned, unfinished piece of music in the choir library, stuffed in with another title, almost like someone was trying to hide it. My hunch is that the piece may have been written by Iris Wallingford, a student at Peterson High who died in 1970 during her senior year. Iris was said to have died by suicide, but Callum thinks the music contains too much hope, too much optimism, to have been written by a suicidal person. As much as I’m disinclined to agree with Callum on anything, it does seem to be written by someone who loves the life they’re living. So what changed in Iris’s life? Why didn’t she finish this brilliant piece? Has she written anything else? What could she have become had she lived? And–perhaps most confounding of all–why would Vic Nelson, who was in her graduating class, claim to not know her at all?

CC: Now that is REALLY fascinating. Now I am confounded by Iris and Vic as well. I must know more.

Who is the most difficult character for you to interact with in the story?

BLAIR: That would be one Callum Gamaliel Knight. (His middle name really is Gamaliel; his diplomas are hanging on the wall of the choir office, and of course, I took a peek.) He’s our choral director of the year, and based on our first impressions, I don’t need to bother bonding with him, because he’s already told me he’ll be out of here as soon as the bell rings on the last day in May. He’s using Peterson High as a stepping stone to get his composing/conducting career back on track, and that really gets my hackles up. These kids deserve more than to be stepped on. They deserve someone who’ll care about them, who’ll see the potential they have and do whatever it takes to bring that out of them. And it couldn’t be more obvious that Callum Knight is not that person. He’s sloppy, disheveled, and oozes arrogance, like this job is way beneath him. I’m sure there’s a story behind this, some tragedy he refuses to talk about, but that doesn’t give him an excuse to be a jerk. I can’t believe this, but I’m already looking forward to whoever takes the job next year, because whoever they are, they’ll be far easier to work with than this entitled, elitist, mess of a human.

CC: Ouch. That’s quite the poor impression of the man. I can see what he is the most difficult person for you to interact with.

What do you think about love and marriage? Do you have a particular love interest in mind?

BLAIR: Most of the time, I’m content to be single. I’m pretty introverted, and being around hundreds of high school kids all day every day leaves me craving a quiet corner with my cat, Walter, and absolute silence. I like being able to come home after school and recharge for the next day. I can take my time cooking a healthy meal, I can read a book or watch a movie, I can practice, and I can go to sleep whenever I want without anyone interfering or interrupting.

But my best friend Joy has such a full life. Chaotic, for sure! But full. She has a husband and kids and multiple pets, and her house is always full of noise and laughter and mess and fast-food wrappers and things I never thought I wanted…but she’s so happy. So fulfilled. And I can’t help but think I’ve missed out on something by devoting my whole life to the piano. Joy clearly found the right guy, though, and I…haven’t. I thought I had, but I proved sadly mistaken. After that heartbreak, I suppose it’s no wonder I’ve walled myself off and prefer curling up in a corner to actually getting out there and trying to meet someone.

CC: Bad breakups can really mess with a person. You’re still young yet, though. So it’s not too late. Not that there is anything wrong with being single, mind you.

If there is one thing you could tell the reader, what would it be?

BLAIR: I’ve always known, as someone who works with kids, that sometimes people turn out to be different than you think they will. Sometimes the laziest, most underachieving student goes on to do great things, while the straight-A overachiever sometimes flames out in college and goes adrift trying to find themselves. Turns out the same is true for adults. Two adults in particular. One of whom I thought the best of, and one of whom I thought the worst of. God has a particular way of turning our expectations upside-down.

CC: That is a hard lessong to learn, but God is all about teaching us the things we need to know for our own good.

Unfortunately, it’s time to rap up, so here’s our last question, and it’s always a fun one. Which part of the roller coaster would you ride in: the front, middle, or back? Why?

BLAIR: If I, for whatever reason, was absolutely required to ride a roller coaster, and all my attempts at pleading, begging, or bribery had failed, I would take a seat in the middle, then close my eyes, grip the bar tight, and pray for it to be over as soon as possible. 

CC: I can definitely tell you are NOT a roller coaster kind of gal. LOL I’m not anymore, stupid motion sickness, but there was a day that I’d be right there in the front or the back. 

That’s it for now. If you liked getting to know Blair Emerson, I highly recommend you go check out Amanda Wen’s Echoes of a Silent Song. 

Amanda Wen is a multi-award-winning author of inspirational split-time women’s fiction. Awards and honors include the ACFW Carol, the Selah, and the Foreword Indies Gold Award, and she is also a three-time Christy Award finalist. In addition to her writing, Amanda is an accomplished professional cellist and pianist who performs frequently with orchestras, opera and musical theater companies, and her church worship team, as well as serving as a choral accompanist. A lifelong denizen of the flatlands, Amanda lives in Kansas with her patient, loving, and hilarious husband, their three hilarious teenage Wenlets, and a snuggly Siamese cat.

You can connect with them at:  Website  |  Newsletter  |  Facebook  |  Instagram  |  BookBub

Giveaway Details

Here’s your chance to win a copy of Echoes of a Silent Song. Comment on the blog and enter using the Gleam Widget for your chance to win! Entries close at 11:59 p.m. EST on 10/21. Open to legal U.S. residents. See Giveaway Policies for more details.

 
Print Copy Echoes of a Silent Song

Interview with Mara from A Certain Man by Linda Dindzans

Interview with Mara from A Certain Man by Linda Dindzans

by | Sep 24, 2025 | Character Interview

I have been blessed to get to know Linda as a prayer warrior and a fellow author over the last year or so. It’s my honor to introduce you to her and to her heroine of A Certain Man, Mara. Linda is being EXTREMELY generous and is giving away a print copy AND TWO e-book copies of her debut Biblical Fiction novel. Here’s a bit about the book, then check out the interview before entering for your chance to win a copy of A Certain Man.

Version 1.0.0

A Certain Man by Linda Dindzans

Two lovers torn apart. A world on the brink of divine revolution.

In first-century Samaria, where traditions run deep and tensions run deeper, Mara’s heart belongs to Samuel—but her father has other plans. When he promises her hand to the cruel son of a High Priest, Mara dreams of love crumble. But fate has a darker twist in store: her betrothed’s mysterious death forces Samuel to flee for his life, leaving Mara behind in a world growing more dangerous by the day.

Their love story unfolds against the explosive backdrop of history’s most pivotal moment. Through the opulent courts of King Herod to the scheming chambers of Pontius Pilate, Mara and Samuel navigate a landscape where politics, religion, and power collide with devastating consequences.

But there’s another figure rising in Judea—a mysterious teacher from Nazareth whose radical message is setting hearts ablaze and threatening the very foundations of society. As Mara and Samuel’s paths intersect with destiny, they find themselves pulled into events that will not only transform their lives but will be remembered for millennia to come.

Perfect for fans of “The Red Tent,” “The Chosen,” and Francine Rivers’ “Mark of the Lion” series, this masterfully crafted tale weaves together forbidden love, political intrigue, and spiritual awakening.

Walk the ancient streets. Feel the passion and peril of a love that defied all odds. And witness the moment when divine intervention changed everything.

Purchase Links: Amazon

Now for our interview with Mara.

CC: I am excited to introduce you to my readers –but I was expecting Mara, the heroine of the story. You are a young woman barely past girlhood. Who are you?

Yonah: I am called Yonah which means Dove.

CC: So Yonah is not the name you were given at birth?

Yonah: Yonah is a fitting name since I was sent in secret to Shechem to be the Dovekeeper for the High Priest of Samaria.

CC: You do not carry yourself like a lowly Samaritan woman, even though you are dressed as a commoner. I will speak with you, but I must confess I am disappointed that the heroine has not come.

Yonah: Mara says that the ways of HaShem, our One God, are mysterious and my role was pivotal in her reunion with Samuel after seven years of many trials and separation.

CC: You are Mara’s friend?

Yonah: Yes, though when she first caught sight of me following Samuel with his daughter Lyra in my arms, she thought I was his wife. She had resigned herself to become a humble second wife.

CC: Tell me how you helped Mara and Samuel find one another again. Why were you sent to Shechem?

Yonah: My mad ramblings at court were treasonous and if overheard would have me, my mother, and anyone who harbored us, executed. I can see you look confused. Let me go back to the beginning. My mother lost favor with King Herod who has been known to plot the deaths of relatives, even previous wives. All my mother’s attempts to regain Herod’s attention, failed. Desperate to secure our survival, I danced for her life and mine at King Herod’s birthday celebration. That dance returned my mother to favor but it was both a curse and a blessing.

CC: How was it a curse?

Yonah: Because of that dance, The Baptiser was beheaded. At the horrific sight, Zosi, a beloved slave went into early childbirth of Samuel’s daughter, Lyra. Zosi died there on the throne room floor. Because of that dance, Herod called me to his chambers for one night. From that night forward, my reason left me rambling treasonous foretellings. The only thing that would calm my ranting was caring for Lyra––the baby I now saw as my own.

CC: How could the dance that caused the death of the Baptiser, a prophet from our One God, and the death of a beloved slave ever bring blessings?

Yonah: Because of that dance, my rantings put my mother and I at risk again. The calming effect of Lyra on me sparked my mother’s cunning. She sent Samuel home to Shechem to hide me. Who would ever expect a Jewess from Herod’s court to live as a humble Samaritan? Because of that dance, Samuel and Mara were reunited and married.

CC: You do not rant now, your reason seems to have been restored.

Yonah: Yes. Both Mara and Samuel, each in their own time came face to face with Yeshua of Nazareth and came to believe He was the Promised One. Their testimonies brought many in Shechem to faith. I was one. And my reason returned.

CC: When was this?

Yonah: Before Yeshua set the political, religious, and spiritual landscape on fire. And before all three of us were immortalized in the Gospels.

CC: You are a beautiful young woman. Did you ever marry?

Yonah: I am in love with Ozri an apprentice at Samuel’s woodworking shop. Perhaps he will find the courage to ask my mother for my hand in the next book A Certain Mercy.

CC: Will you share your birth name with us now?

Yonah: It is not safe to reveal. My name is gleaned from historical documents outside the Bible. It is thought that I married Philip the Tetrarch, but I did not. Another one of my mother’s cunning ploys you will discover in A Certain Man. In book 2, A Certain Mercy, my story continues, and the uncovering of my true identity is threatened by another famous Jew hiding as a Samaritan.

CC: Our readers pose no threat. Will you share any other clues?

Yonah: Throughout history down to your time, operas, paintings, literature, and films have been inspired by my story. Perhaps your readers would care to guess my name? They can leave it in the comments below.

Yonah: READERS I HOPE YOU WILL COME TO KNOW MARA AND SAMUEL, THE HEROINE AND HERO OF MY STORY WHEN YOU READ A CERTAIN MAN AND CONTINUE WITH ME, AS I CONTINUE MY ROLE IN THE STORY OF ZERA, A NEW HEROINE IN A CERTAIN MERCY TO BE RELEASED DECEMBER 2025

 

About Linda Dindzans:

Linda Dindzans, M.D. is a writer with the heart of a healer who offers readers stories of redemption and restoration. Though her compelling characters inhabit the treacherous times of the Bible, Linda believes there is nothing new under the sun. The struggles of her characters still speak to hearts today. Only a profound encounter with the Son transforms her characters from victims to victors.

Connect with Shawna: Website  |  Facebook  |  Instagram  |  X  |  GoodReads

 

 

Giveaway

Here’s your chance to win a copy of A Certain Man. Comment on the blog and enter using the Gleam Widget for your chance to win! Entries close at 11:59 p.m. EST on 10/1. Open to legal U.S. residents. See Giveaway Policies for more details.

 
A Certain Man

Meet Sir Bertrand Thorndike from A Scheming in Parliament by Erica Vetsch

Meet Sir Bertrand Thorndike from A Scheming in Parliament by Erica Vetsch

by | Sep 9, 2025 | Character Interview

I think by now we all know what an Erica Vetsch fan I am, and I am just SOOOOOO excited to get to steal away Sir Bertrand Thorndike from Erica for just a little while. I mean, who doesn’t want to spend time with a member of the House of Commons who moonlights as a spy? Before we dive into talking to Bertie. Here is the smashing blurb for book 2 of the Of Cloaks and Daggers series, A Scheming in Parliament. Oh, and by the way, Erica is generously giving away a print copy of the book to one lucky U.S. resident. Check out the details at the end of this post!

A Scheming at Parliament by Erica Vetsch

Evil is masquerading in the halls of Parliament, and Sir Bertrand Thorndike is tasked with investigating from the inside. With his new position as a member of the House of Commons, he has access to the power brokers of English government. His tactic is to listen and learn, careful not to reveal his true motives, and he’s quickly inducted into the mysterious Theban Club.

Miss Philippa Cashel’s mission, the Princess Charlotte Eleos School for Women in Need, is thriving with donations, and the students are learning skills to help them earn their livings in honorable ways. But when a dear friend’s past is revealed by blackmail, Philippa must wrestle with the question, Is it ever right to do the wrong thing?

 

Bertie’s and Philippa’s missions collide when Bertie uncovers a dangerous plot involving vulnerable women. He and Philippa join forces against the corruption threatening to topple England’s government, all while navigating their outward reputations and inward feelings for each other.Purchase Links: Amazon  |  Baker Book House  |  Christos  |  Kregel Parable


Now for our interview with Sir Bertrand.

 

CC: I’m so excited to get to introduce you to my readers. Would you mind telling them a little bit about yourself?

SBT: I suppose you could say I am the hero of the story, though it seems odd to consider myself such. I’m the second son of an earl, knighted by His Majesty for contributions to the kingdom, a newly elected Member of Parliament for the borough of Southwark. But my most important job is as an agent for the Crown.


CC: Oh you are most definitely a hero, and I’m so excited to spend some time with you. 

Since you are an agent for the Crown, what is it that you are searching for and what is standing in your way?


SBT: Currently, I want to discover and root out corruption in British politics. There is skullduggery afoot in the House of Commons, and I have been tasked by my supervisor to identify it and the culprits perpetrating it.

 

CC: I adore that word skullduggery, it’s such a perfect description of what troubles surround you. I don’t suspect you have much time to just relax and read a book, but IF you did, what would you pick up?

  

SBT: I mostly read the newspaper and the reports that come across my desk, though now that I am an MP, there seems to be nothing but reading! If I was to pick up a book there are a couple that are getting a lot of attention at the moment…written by “A Lady.” Sense and Sensibility and Pride and Prejudice seem intriguing. My supervisor’s wife has read them and highly approves.

 

CC: Ah yes. That “A Lady” is quite the writer, though I imagine the number of men who would say they enjoy her writing are far fewer than the women. LOL I assume that growing up to be an agent for the Crown wasn’t something you were aware of as a possibility. Was there anything else you ever wanted to be?

  

SBT: As the second son of an earl, my options were somewhat limited until I learned of the family business. I come from a long line of spies for the Crown. After I became aware of my heritage, there was no question but that I would join their ranks. Though before that time, when I was a boy, I dreamed of being a pirate, a soldier, and oddly enough, a pie man. When we would go to London, I loved buying a pie from a costermonger’s cart, and I thought if I became a pie man, I could have all the pies I wanted.

 

CC: LOL, oh if only we could eat all the pies we wanted, even as a constermonger. You sound like the typical boy, and I bet you were adored by your family.  Although things can change. How do you think others view you? 

SBT: Until recently, most would have viewed me as an idle dilletante who had a fondness for drink. This was a persona I cultivated in my work as a spy. People are less careful about what they say to someone they believe is sotted beyond what they will remember on the morrow. Very useful in my line of work. However, lately, I have been encouraged to clean up my reputation, stand for Parliament, and even to cast about for a wife. Neither of these personas are the ‘real me’ but they are what I present to the world. I am not bothered about what people think about these fictional characters I play. I find them a good way to keep people at a distance and from knowing the person behind the facade.

 

CC: Living a facade must get tiring though. I imagine you wish that one day there would be someone who would see you and love you for the real you. What do you think about love and marriage? IS there a particular woman you have in mind for a future?

  

SBT: If you had asked me a few months ago, I would have said love and marriage were fine for other people, but I was not tempted in the least. However, lately, there is one certain young lady who has caught my eye. It’s only too bad that she is even more averse to marriage than I was not long ago. Winning her would be an uphill battle for sure.

 

CC: Ah, but hard-won loves are the best in my opinion. I can’t wait to see how this uphill battle goes for you as you bring an end to all skullduggary and villains. LAST question, do you have any phobias? 

  

SBT: Heights, spiders, tight spaces, having to eat seafood…


CC: Oh dear. If ever you have dinner at my house, I’ll have to keep that in mind. We are big seafood fans.

Readers, I hope you will get to know Sir Bertrand better yourselves by diving into his latest adventure, A Scheming in Parliament by Erica Vetsch.

 

About Erica Vetsch:

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. You can connect with her at her website, www.ericavetsch.com and you can find her on Facebook at The Inspirational Regency Readers Group where she spends way too much time!

Connect with Erica: Website  |  Newsletter  |  Inspirational Regency Readers Group  |  Instagram  |  BookBub

 

 

Giveaway

Here’s your chance to win a copy of A Scheming in Parliament. Comment on the blog and enter using the Gleam Widget for your chance to win! Entries close at 11:59 p.m. EST on 9/16. Open to legal U.S. residents. See Giveaway Policies for more details.

 
Erica Vetsch – Print copy of A Scheming in Parliament with some swag US only

Meet Wolf from Future Published Author, Linnae Klutchko

Meet Wolf from Future Published Author, Linnae Klutchko

by | Jul 8, 2025 | Character Interview

Not too long ago, I had the privilege of meeting YA fantasy writer Linnae Klutchko at a writing conference. Linnae does character interviews at her blog Fable Features, where she interviewed Lydia Pelton earlier this year. Fable Features interviews authors from all types of genres and backgrounds, including secular and Christian. It provides an excellent opportunity to reach readers who wouldn’t usually even be aware of Written in Secret. Now it is my joy to return the favor and share with you about an author on her way to publication and her YA Fantasy book called Flight through the eyes of one of her characters, Wolf. Before we dive into meeting Wolf and learning about Linnae, let’s have a quick discussion about Christian fantasy and her book.

I love that Christian Fantasy has become a growing genre and is reaching new readers who might not otherwise pick up a Christian story. It’s been interesting to watch these stories develop and see young readers being pulled out of the dark YA material and drawn toward the Light in a way they didn’t expect. Linnae’s work-in-progress, Flight, is one of those stories where Christian elements are subdued in the background but clearly there for God to work with.

Flight pulls on the Israelites’ slavery and exodus. There is a promised land that the characters are trying to get to called the Land of Green and Gold. In this world, God is referred to as the Great Elder. Then there’s also the battle of good versus evil, or light versus dark. I know there can be mixed feelings about fantasy and magic in Christian-themed books, but I encourage you to consider it through the lens of reaching readers that blatant Christian fiction may not appeal to. Remember, we are all parts of the same body, but each of us has a different part and role in this body.

About Linnae:

Linnae is an editor by day and a fantasy writer by night. She wrote a serialized middle grade fantasy story for Hudsonville Living Magazine and is now working on finding a publishing home for her debut novel, a YA fantasy book called Flight. When Linnae’s not writing or editing, she likes to play soccer and paint.

Connect with Linnae: Website  |  X  |  Instagram  |  Newsletter & Freebies!

Not an Official Cover

Flight by Linnae Klutchko (Book 1 of The Shadow Weaver Trilogy)

Escape. That had been Max’s goal since the day he and his little sister, Lucy, had been torn from their mother and sold to a new master. One day magic—something humans had stifled long ago—returns, and all Elder are given the mysterious command to travel to the unheard-of Land of Green and Gold. Max and Lucy plan their escape as well.

Night comes, and everything goes wrong. To Max’s horror, Lucy is randomly selected to be beaten by the humans—a warning to those Elders considering flight. Max is forced to leave Lucy behind and escapes with his friend, Mary. They embark on a journey to learn their magic and find their way back to family–to Lucy.

Unfortunately, lack of magical knowledge is not Max’s only obstacle; a cold-raking fear of the taskmaster hunts him. The taskmaster’s hunt creeps into his nightmares and disconnects him from the shadows he should be able to control. And no magic means no way to save Lucy. As the nightmares grow worse and the arrival of a serial killer further complicates things, Max fights to grow in his powers and overcome the hunting fear. He will save Lucy. Even if it costs him his life.

Now for our interview with Wolf.

CC: I’m excited to introduce you to my readers, Wolf. Would you mind telling them a little bit about yourself?

W: Hey there! My name’s Wolf. I’m a sylph–got gray feathery wings and magic that’s compatible with the element of wind and all that. I lead a group of fugitives called Moonlight Band and mentor the newbies on how to use their magic.

CC: Leaders have great power in stories, especially when they become mentors to others. So what is it that you want as a leader? Is there anything standing in your way?

W: I…I made a mistake a couple years ago. It sounds kinda stupid now that I’m saying it out loud, but I’ve been looking for books on resurrection magic. Which probably doesn’t even exist, but so much was lost since the Great War, so maybe it’s possible? I guess I’ve also taken up the task of teaching the new fugitives how to use their magic. The biggest obstacle to that, other than them knowing next to nothing, is that a dangerous serial killer has been seen in the area. I’m worried he’ll target us specifically.

CC: Oh, a leader who is looking and searching for answers to things lost long ago . . . and a leader who also has to worry about a dangerous serial killer getting in the way. Books on resurrection magic have me wondering . . .

How would you describe your relationship with God? 

W: God? I assume you mean the Great Elder. I don’t know. It’s complicated, I guess. That teacher I mentioned–Kenami? Yeah, she hated him. My mom did too. Something about him being the reason we lost the war. Haze gave me some different insights not too long ago, though. Haze follows him–says the Great Elder even guided him to find me, if you can believe it. I think I’m starting to believe it too.

CC: That’s hard when you have people in your life who hate someone or something and try to pass that hate onto you, then you learn there is a different perspective. It challenges you in ways you never thought possible. Your whole world gets turned upside down. I imagine through the course of this series you may find out a great deal about this Great Elder . . . and maybe his plan for you.

When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?

W: My childhood was very different from most people’s, including Elder (my own people). Instead of a typical enslavement after the war, my family was forced to fight other Elder for the sake of entertainment. I was young and didn’t really understand all that, but I liked the recognition and really wanted to become the sole Champion of the ring. And it did happen. But I wish it didn’t. I’d…rather not elaborate if that’s cool.

CC: We all have our secrets and things we feel ashamed of. No need to continue on with that now, but I’m sure readers will find out eventually. Speaking of childhood:

If you had time to read a book, what would you pick up and why? 

W: Most of my reading has been grammar lessons with my teacher, Kenami, but she did let me read a few books she’d hidden during the war. I think I would like to read Ankgïr uun la Sanji-Garha again. Or in the common tongue, Ankgïr and the Violet Cave. It’s about this warrior who stumbles across a strange cave that houses a different kind of magic–one that is wild and unpredictable. I’ve always liked the main character and how brave he is.

CC: Those brave characters can really be an inspiration to us during our hardest times. And sometimes those hard times are created by difficult characters. 

Who is the most difficult character for you to interact with in the story?

W: Ah, that would be Haze. Another sylph like me–but with red wings. And double my age. He’s a great guy, but he makes me face a lot of hard truths. And I hate that he’s always right.

CC: Ha! Those people in our lives that speak the hard truths are both amazing and awful at the same time. They are critical for helping us grow, but growing can be so painful.

What do you think about love and marriage? Do you have a particular love interest in mind? 

W: You know, I’ve never actually thought much about it. I think it would be nice to have a girlfriend. Right now I’m kinda living vicariously through this couple who just joined my band. They claim they’re not dating but they seem close. Veeery close. And I saw the look of jealousy on the guy’s face when Spark made the girl laugh. I’m calling it now–they’re gonna end up together.

CC: Oh, sounds like there might be a bit of a romance in this challenging world you live in. I hope it turns out well in the end.

If there is one thing you could tell the reader, what would it be?

W: Power is a dangerous thing. Certainly helpful, yes, like needing to stop a serial killer or finding the confidence to face your fears. But just as easily as it can help, it can also corrupt. So be careful and make sure you have good people in your life to keep you accountable.

CC: Those are wise words. No wonder you are a leader. Now before wrap up completely, I have one last question for you.

Which part of the roller coaster would you ride in: the front, middle or back? Why?

W: Hah, this is a fun question. I think I’d be right up front screaming my head off. I’ve never been on a roller coaster before, but it sounds amazing.


CC: I’ll let you set up front while I watch from the ground! LOL I used to love them, but motion sickness has made it a less-than-pleasurable experience over the years. 

Readers, thanks for tagging along in learning about this new YA Fantasy world coming to you one day in the future. If you were interested in Wolf’s and Linnae’s story, follow her on social media and be sure to sign up for her newsletter, where you can also grab some freebies, like a collection of exclusive character interviews from the novel.

Readers: If you read fantasy, what elements do you enjoy most? 

Meet Emily Windsor from Hearts Aweigh by Shannon Sue Dunlap

Meet Emily Windsor from Hearts Aweigh by Shannon Sue Dunlap

by | Jun 24, 2025 | Character Interview

Shannon Sue Dunlap is a fellow Kregel author, and it’s always fun to have my fellow authors stop by for a visit . . .  especially when it’s their characters that come to visit. I’m looking forward to introducing you to Emily Windsor from Shannon’s newest release, Hearts Away. In fact, before we meet Emily, let me share about the book. Oh! And don’t forget to check out the bottom of this post where Shannon is offering a chance to win a signed copy of Hearts Aweigh to one contiguous U.S. resident.

Hearts Aweigh by Shannon Sue Dunlap

Cheeky septuagenarian matchmakers, the “Shippers” are on a mission to secure a dreamy Mr. Right for Abby O’Brien, a sunny, optimistic childcare worker for Monarch Cruises. She loves her job looking after the children of vacationing parents, but harbors one unfulfilled desire: to be a wife and a mother.

With his shy five-year-old daughter in tow, divorced elitist lawyer Spencer Randolph Masterson has anything but romance in mind. His goal on the MS Buckingham is to persuade his mother, Daisy, to leave her ridiculous cruise ship lifestyle and return to New Orleans. But Daisy isn’t interested in life on land. Besides, she and her matchmaking posse have a marriage to arrange.

When a secret from Daisy’s past surfaces and threats of blackmail start flying, the Shippers must protect their own while attempting to convince Spencer’s scarred heart to weigh anchor and boldly set sail for a future with Abby.

Purchase Links: Amazon  |  Barnes & Noble  |  Books-a-Million  |  Parable Book Store

Now for our interview with Emily Windsor.

CC: I’m so excited to get to introduce you to my readers, Emily. Would you mind telling them a little bit about yourself?

EW: Hello, dear. My name is Emily Windsor. At seventy-eight years old, some of you might expect me to stay home and knit, but I’ve got no time for that. God assigned me a special mission for this latter part of my life. If you’ve had trouble finding love, I can help. Come aboard the MS Buckingham cruise ship, where I live with my three friends Daisy, Althea, and Gerry. We’ll give you a thorough interview and track down just the right special someone.

CC: Oh my! That sounds like hoot with lots of potential for trouble. Sounds just lovely. So now to hit you with our questions.

What is it that you want, and what is standing in your way?

EW: I want to help everyone find a love as sweet as my own. Not every story has to have white horses and fancy balls. Sometimes it’s just looking out from the church choir loft and spying a handsome sailor walking in the back doors. God writes the love stories, but I want to be the pen He’s holding. Unfortunately, the main characters don’t always cooperate. Our current hero is a bit of a stick-in-the-mud. Poor Spencer hasn’t experienced a lot of love in his life. I guess that’s why he struggles to show it, even to his own adorable little daughter. But he keeps trying, God bless him.

CC: Oh that poor man. And you must have had a beautiful marriage for you to want to share that sort of love with so many. I’m sure Spencer won’t know what hit him once you’re through with him. Are you still married? Is he on this ship with you?

EW: My husband’s name is Bill, and he’s the one who showed me how good married life can be. Fifty-one years just wasn’t long enough. We’re living apart for a while, but I’ll see him again someday. I imagine he’s helping the Good Lord get my room ready. He always was handy with a toolbox.

CC: Aww. That can be so hard. He sounds like a handy man with a big heart of love.

If you had time to read a book, what would you pick up?

EW: I’ll leave the reading to my friend Gerry. No matter how convoluted the match or dangerous the situation, she makes room in the schedule for her TBR pile. I’m too busy drafting battleplans, compiling candidate profiles, and ensuring our pairs are working out. But I always start my mornings with the Good Book, no matter how chaotic life gets.

CC: That is definitely one book everyone should make time for.

Who do you interact with that confounds you the most?

EW: My dear friend Daisy is making life quite difficult these days. I suppose it’s because I want to set her son Spencer up with one of the Buckingham’s childcare workers. He and Abby O’Brien would be amazing together, but Daisy claims she’s reluctant for Abby’s own sake. If you ask me, Daisy and Spencer could use a little family counseling. She’s one of our matchmaking crew, but her heart isn’t in it lately. It probably doesn’t help that someone is blackmailing her. When I get my hands on that wretch, I’ll make him wish he’d never left dry land.

CC: Oh dear! That makes me wonder what Daisy did worthy of blackmail . . .

Who is the most difficult person for you to interact with?

EW: You might expect me to say Spencer or Abby since their romance is giving us such trouble. Or Daisy because she’s against the match. Or even the blackmailer who’s wrecking our peace of mind. But perhaps the most difficult character to manage is the fourth member of our Shipper posse, Althea. I could set an alarm on every clock on the ship, and she would still be late. Especially if there’s a Bingo game going on anywhere.

CC: LOL I can identify with being late . . .  and I know how that can annoy others.

How do you feel about this journey you’re going on this time?

EW: As the spouse of a Navy captain, almost my entire life has been a journey. I’ve lost track of how many places we were stationed, but I loved the adventure of it all. A few years ago, a little health scare left me in a nursing facility for two months while I recovered. The moment I was healthy enough to stand on my own two feet, I walked out the doors and never returned. My greatest fear is that they’ll put me back in one of those prisons. I pray every morning that God will allow me to drop in the harness. I want to keep sailing the world and making matches until the day I see Bill again.

CC: Awww. I don’t blame you. As a caregiver, I pray fervently that I’ll never have to be so confined and cared for.

Let’s wrap up with one more question, but just for fun.

Do you have a criminal record?

EW: Of course not! One night in the brig doesn’t count, does it? Technically, it wasn’t even a full night. Mr. Everson, the ship’s head security guard, is something of a stickler, and he didn’t appreciate us snooping around the staff offices. Someone should find him a wife.

Oh dear. I would totally have been in that brig with you.

Readers, if you like a story with a good laugh, matchmaking little old ladies, and romance, be sure to check out Hearts Aweigh. And don’t forget to check out Shannon’s giveaway.

About Shannon Sue Dunlap

Shannon Sue Dunlap lives in hot and humid Houston, Texas where she writes books with a dose of laughter and a spoonful of love. One of the greatest compliments you can give her is saying her stories made you laugh-out-loud. She likes traveling around the world, singing tunes from classic musicals, and drinking Dr. Pepper. Shannon is a die-hard fan of happy endings and believes God has designed one for each of us.:

Connect with Shannon: Website  |  Amazon  |  Facebook  |  Instagram  |  GoodReads  |  BookBub

 

Reader Question: If you could go on cruise anywhere, where would you like to go?

Giveaway Info

Here’s your chance to win a copy of Hearts Aweigh. Comment on the blog and enter the Rafflecopter for your chance to win! Entries close at 11:59 p.m. EST on 7/1. Open to legal U.S. residents. See Giveaway Policies for more details.

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Meet Kaitlyn Montgomery from A Steadfast Heart by Martha Hutchens

Meet Kaitlyn Montgomery from A Steadfast Heart by Martha Hutchens

by | Jun 10, 2025 | Character Interview

I always love a good character interview. Today I have the treat of introducing you to the heroine of my friend’s debut novel, A Steadfast Heart. Before we dive in though, let’s learn about the story.

A Steadfast Heart by Martha Hutchens

When his family legacy is on the line, rancher Drew McGraw becomes desperate for someone to tame and tutor his three children. Desperate enough to seek a mail-order bride. But when the wrong woman arrives on his doorstep, Drew balks.

Heiress Kaitlyn Montgomery runs straight from the scandal chasing her toward a fresh start on a secluded ranch. She strikes a bargain with Drew—a marriage convenient for both of them.

But the more Kaitlyn adapts to ranch life and forms a bond with Drew’s children and their enigmatic father, she realizes that this ranch is where she is meant to be. And then her past catches up with her…

This sweet historical romance is perfect for fans of the following tropes:

*ready-made family
*nanny/tutor
*single dad
*fish out of water

Purchase Links: Amazon  |  Barnes & Noble  |  Sunrise Publishing

Now for our interview with Kaitlyn.

CC: I’m so excited to get to introduce you to my readers, Kaitlyn. Would you mind telling them a little bit about yourself?

KM: My name is Kaitlyn Montgomery. Yes, that Kaitlyn. The one all the newspapers have as a topic of gossip. But I didn’t do any of things they say. My brother made them all up, so that no decent man would look at me, and I would marry his vile friend. But I’ll do anything to avoid that fate, even take a train west to marry a stranger.

CC: The manipulations of others on our lives is never a good and almost always a recipe for danger and adventure. I have a pretty good guess from what you said above, but what is it you want and what, or rather who, is standing in your way?

KM: My half-brother, Michael, is my greatest enemy. To the world, he shows the image of a caring brother, while at home, he manipulates people and situations to his own advantage.  I want to get away from his control, because he only cares about finding a way to get my inheritance. Unfortunately, my father made my brother my guardian until I am twenty-five, and that is still two years away.

CC: Two years is a long time to try and evade your brother’s machinations. How has that affected your relationship with God?

KM: I don’t understand why God would put me in a family that considers me easily discarded. Does He think I have no value? That isn’t what the Bible says, but it sure has been my experience. At least so far.

CC: It’s so hard to see God and feel loved when all we feel is attacked by others and ignored by Him. I know you took things in your own hands and ran off only to end up in a marriage of convenience with Drew McGraw. What is it that confounds you the most about him? 

KM: I just don’t understand it. Drew loves his family so much but doesn’t know how to tell them that.

CC: Oh that can be so hard, especially on his children. Speaking of children, who’s the hardest one for you to interact with?

KM: Jo, Drew’s middle daughter, is very difficult. She doesn’t want me here, and I don’t know why. All I know is that she does everything she can think of to make things difficult enough for me to leave. Still, she may be stubborn, but I am more so, and I’m going to prove it to her.

CC: Two stubborn mules butting heads? Oh that is sure to make for an interesting read even if it isn’t pleasant for you. Speaking of children, when you were a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?

KM: I wanted to be a scientist because I wanted to learn how the world worked. I became a teacher because I needed a job that would allow me to support myself until I was old enough to access my inheritance. 

CC: At least with teaching you can use your interest in science to spark the interest of others, even if it hurts to have that lost dream. Since you’re a teacher, I bet you like to read. On the off chance you actually get to sit down, what would you read?

KM: I love anything written by Mark Twain because I love his sense of humor. The world can be a dark place, but laughter brings light.

CC: I’m definitely a fan of his satire and humor. Sometimes the only way to face life is with humor. In fact, let’s end this interview with a fun questions. Which part of the rollercoaster would you ride in: the front, middle, or back? Why?

KM: Front, because I like to see where I am going.

CC: It’s definitely a relief to see what’s in front of us. Well, at least most of the time. Sometimes when I see those really big loopty-loops coming, my stomach roils even before we reach them.

Readers, I highly recommend picking up Martha’s book. You’ll be able to read my review of A Steadfast Heart at the end of this month’s reading challenge. I’m looking forward to reading Kaitlyn’s story this weekend. Happy reading, y’all!

About Martha Hutchens:

Martha Hutchens writes faith-filled Historical Romance with heart, hope, and a touch of small-town charm. A Golden Heart® Award winner and retired homeschool mom, she draws on her love of history and storytelling to craft rich, inspiring tales set on the American frontier and during World War II. She lives in the Ozarks with her husband and a bossy miniature poodle.

Connect with Martha: Website  |  Free Book with Newsletter Signup  |  BookBub

 

 

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