I’ve always been a fan of KyLee’s books, and today I’m excited to interview one of her characters, Clara Alexander. I just love a good story about a reformed convict. There is something about overcoming the past and living in a new life that Christ gives that makes me give a happy sigh.

KyLee is graciously giving EVERYONE who signs up for her newsletter, she has a free ecopy of her short story, The Debutante’s Revenge.

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

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

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

Clara: I would describe myself as intelligent, attuned to the needs of others, and—if I’m being honest—a tad bit impulsive. As for my role in the story, I suppose I am the star—well, with dear Beau, of course. You see, I came west to Virginia City to live with my father and his new family after finishing school. By then, I believe that happily ever afters were about as realistic as Tommy knockers and Father Christmas, so I determined that rather than catch an eligible husband—like many of my friends—I would rely on my God-given intelligence.

I love to write, and in the West, there seems to be a certain bending of social norms, so I hoped I might begin my career as a journalist there. Then I ran into Beau in the mine, and one thing led to another. The next thing I know, we are trouncing around Virginia City, reporting on shootings—and did I mention there was a murder?

CC: The West is definitely a good place to escape when you don’t fit the social norms. It sounds like it’s been an exciting time.

What is it that you want? What’s standing in your way?

Clara: I want to make a difference—to prove myself worthy of love because I am clever, not merely beautiful, as my mother was. So, as I mentioned, I pursued journalism. I also long to be part of my father’s family again, though that may be even more challenging than establishing my career. You see, my stepmother was once his mistress before my mother passed away, and I struggle with what I believed were well‑deserved feelings of bitterness.

As for my writing, the obstacles are many: the editor at the Territorial Enterprise, other journalists, and those who insist upon protecting me. The world is not a gentle place, and people—Father among them—wish to shield me from its uglier corners.

CC: It’s hard when people want to protect us, but we don’t want or feel we need their protection. And what a hard family dynamic!

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

Clara: I used to read Emma with my mother! Honestly, she and Emma have some similarities. I love all manner of writing, though—including poetry. Poe’s melancholy and moral tension speak to something in me—the grief I still carry, the bitterness. His shadows feel familiar. But then there is Wordsworth, whose stillness and spiritual quiet remind me of the peace I keep chasing. Between the two of them, I suppose you could chart the whole map of my heart.

And of course, I love my hymns. Wycliffe gives me the ancient, doctrinal backbone I cling to when the world feels unsteady. Fanny Crosby offers the tender devotion of my own century—simple, heartfelt truths that settle into my soul. Those hymns remind me of who I long to be, not who I fear I am becoming. 

Then there is the Bible—my compass. When life feels muddled and gray, Scripture allows me to test the black and white of things, especially within myself.

Little Women is another sort of scripture to me. I long for the closeness the March sisters share—something I lost when Mother died and Father remarried. That book feels like the home I wish I had known.

I suppose I read to understand myself—and to imagine who I might yet become.

CC: Oh! I love that. You read to understand yourself and who you might yet become. That is truly beautiful.

What was your childhood like? How has that influenced who you are today?

Clara: My childhood was happy—mostly. I spent a great deal of time with my mother back East. Father fought in the Civil War, and it was during that time that my mother developed tuberculosis. I began to feel as though our roles had reversed. I became the caregiver, the strong one, and she was the one in need. We never truly switched back.

My family followed my Uncle Titus and Aunt Melanie out West, and in the drier climate my mother’s condition improved. We were happy for a time. Then everything fell apart. My mother became very ill again, my father was unfaithful, and our family unraveled. Mother died, Father married his mistress, and a few months later my little brother was born. I thought matters might improve then, but instead Father sent me away to a finishing school back East.

Suffice it to say, that was the end of my childhood.

[sighs softly] It is a sorrowful tale, I know. But do not trouble yourself. By the end of my book, Beau and I have our happily‑ever‑after, and my family finds healing as well.

CC: Finding that healing must have been quite the journey!

If you could ask God a question and have it answered, what would it be?

Clara: Honestly, I didn’t consider questioning God until the end of the book. He is sovereign and allows both good and bad things to happen. It is His good and perfect will. I suppose I believed in the sovereignty of God to such a degree that I never thought to question Him.

At one point, though, I believed that while God was good, He did not necessarily protect His children from harm or hurt. I rather felt as though He were far away in His Heaven and did not need—or truly mind—me, so long as I didn’t do anything too terribly wrong. If I could just stay out of His bad graces, I thought I would be safe. But there came a moment in my story, when I realized I loved Beau—but that there was no possible way we could be together—when I finally asked God why He had brought him into my life. And what I discovered was that God meant to show me not only the truth of His love, but that He is real and active in my life, even when I cannot see it.

CC: That is definitely hard to wrestle with. Sometimes He feels so far away and like He doesn’t specifically care about us as long as we stay out of trouble. Praise the Lord, that is not an accurate view of him.

You risked your reputation, your safety, and your father’s goodwill to write for a newspaper under a false name. Was it worth it?

Clara: [a soft laugh, then she straightens her posture]

“Worth it.” That is a most curious phrase. Worth, as I understand it, speaks to value—what something costs, or what one is willing to pay. And that, I suppose, was precisely the matter at hand: my value. What I was worth in the eyes of the world.

Everyone seemed to have an opinion on that subject. Mr. Goodwin believed my worth extended no further than a society column and perhaps a recipe or two. Theo valued me only so long as my words bore his name. Even Father—dear as he is—thought it more worthwhile to send me to finishing school than to allow me to remain and grieve my mother properly.

[her voice softens]

But here is what I learned while crawling through a mine shaft with nothing but a rat for company: one’s worth is not determined by what others assign. It is what God Himself placed within you before your first breath.

So yes—every muddy hem, every false mustache glued to my face, every argument with Beau about the dangers of trousers—worth it. Not because my name appeared in print, but because Mr. Rankin was freed. Because Mr. Peterson’s murderer was brought to justice. Because Maudy Jane McCready found a good man and a clean life.

[she touches the red scarf at her neck, smiling]

Scripture tells us that wisdom cries aloud in the streets. I believe the Lord intends truth to be spoken boldly, even—perhaps especially—by those whom society least expects to speak it. I am merely attempting to be obedient.

And if Beau happens to think the result is magnificent… well, that is a blessing I shall not pretend to mind.

CC: It sounds like you lived quite a life, and I look forward to diving into the details as I read the book.

Unfortunately, it’s time to wrap up, so here’s our last question, and it’s always a fun one. What is the weirdest thing on your bucket list?

Clara: [she blushes, then laughs softly]

Well, I suppose that depends upon what one considers “weird.” I have no desire to jump from cliffs or ride in hot‑air balloons or any such nonsense. But I *do* have one ambition that most ladies of my acquaintance would find quite shocking.

I should like to ride the Virginia & Truckee locomotive — not in the passenger car, mind you, but up front with the engineer. I want to see the firebox, feel the heat of the boiler, and watch the great wheels catch the rails beneath us. There is something thrilling about all that power harnessed for purpose. It reminds me of what words can do when set in motion.

I suppose it is an odd wish for a lady. But then, I have never been particularly good at being only what a lady is expected to be.

[she smiles, a little sheepishly]

Besides, Beau says he will arrange it someday — provided I promise not to leap off the engine in pursuit of a story.

CC: Oh! That does sound like fun!

That’s it for now. If you liked getting to know Clara, I highly recommend you go check out Kylee Woodley’s The Convict’s Courtship. 

KyLee Woodley writes inspirational historical romance with a pinch of adventure. A cheery romantic, she loves to evoke bygone days and heartwarming love stories. KyLee teaches preschool at a lab school in Texas, where she lives with her husband and their three teenage children. Historical Bookworm Show—a steadily growing podcast for history lovers and fans of historical fiction. Raised in the Pacific Northwest and now rooted in Texas, KyLee carries a deep respect for American values and the power of redemption. She began ministering to the homeless and addicted as a teenager, and that compassion continues to shape her stories—loving the unlovely is a timeless theme.

In her spare time, she cares for a rescue dog named Lucky, a feisty feline named Hazel, and two adorable Boston Terrier puppies. She listens to contemporary Christian, country, and early‑2000s rock, visits bookstores and coffee shops with her teens, and watches adventure movies with her husband, who might resemble Superman.

You can connect with her at:  Website  |  Newsletter  |  Facebook  |  X  |  Amazon 

*One thing you’re going to notice this year is fewer posts. I’ve decided to only do one interview and the reading challenge post per month. I might have some months where more pop up, but in order to provide myself more time for writing and other pursuits, I’m reducing the amount that goes up. Thanks for understanding, and I hope you still enjoy the interviews and reading challenge!*

Now onto THIS month’s character interview.

I had the privilege of being introduced to Heather Taber’s writing through her debut novel, Their Burden to Bear. It was such a wonderful read that I am eagerly looking forward to getting my hands on her newest book, In Books & Battlefields. Today, I am blessed to interview the heroine, Isabella Ruth Pearson. In addition to that treat, Heather is graciously giving away one e-book copy of In Books & Battlefields. Regardless of if you win a copy, Heather has a free short story for anyone who signs up for her newsletter. You can find all the details for that and the giveaway at the end of the post. Before then, we have an interview!

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

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

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

Isabella: Thank you so much for taking a break from your busy day to read this. My name is Isabella Pearson. I’m a volunteer librarian serving the brave men at Camp Sheridan who will soon be sent overseas. Originally from Philadelphia, Denver has been my home for the past few years, and I miss my family there terribly. But, I love when I can put my love of literature to good use. As the main female character in this story, I’ve had to navigate a new way of life in a new part of the country, surrounded by a sea of men (which is, ironically, the last thing I’d ever want.) My personality is a bit paradoxical–I’m equal parts outgoing and reserved, brave and scared, headstrong and… okay, well, I’m always headstrong.

CC: LOL. I’m beginning to wonder if all we women are headstrong. LOL So tell us a little more. If you don’t want to be around a sea of men, 

What DO you want? What’s standing in your way?

Isabella: What I want is to avoid marriage and to use my love of books and my skills as a librarian to serve our nation. Unfortunately, all these lovesick men keep getting in my way.

CC: I imagine you are quite the attention getter for these men who have left every female they know behind and are facing a deadly war overseas.  I bet it is impossible NOT to be flirted with.

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

Isabella: I love Anne of Green Gables, but Anne of the Island is my favorite in the series. I’m a romantic at heart, even if I don’t want a marriage of my own. Hmm.. that’s not entirely accurate. I should say I’m a romantic at heart, even if marriage is off the table for me. I’ve also recently read a manuscript by a young soldier who writes under the name F. Scott Fitzgerald. His work is fascinating!

CC: Oh, I’ve not read that series, but I can vaguely remember sitting in my grandma’s living room and watching all the Anne of Green Gables movies with her. And to read F. Scott Fitzgerald’s work must have been amazing. I would love to see how his stories started versus how they ended.

What was your childhood like? 

Isabella: I have been blessed more than I deserve with loving parents and an adoring big brother who is also my best friend in the world. I’ve been afforded every luxury, from a carefully cultivated education to the finest dresses in Philadelphia, but my mother’s humility and compassion have taught me that these things do not matter nearly as much as a winsome personality, the ability to be a blessing to others, hard work, and making others feel valued. I aspire to be more like her every day.

CC: She sounds like an amazing woman.

Who or what scares you the most?

Isabella: Men scare me, which makes it ironic that I fought so hard to work among them at Camp Sheridan. God certainly has a sense of humor! I had a…difficult…encounter with a man in my past that has taught me that other than my father and brother, men cannot be trusted, no matter their upbringing.

CC: It sounds as if you have good cause to be wary of men. It’s always wise to evaluate a person and their character before giving them your trust, but at some point you do have to take that leap of faith that they are worth trusting.

How do you feel about this journey you are on?

Isabella: Some days, I still cannot believe I was brave enough to get on that train and devote myself to working here at Camp Sheridan, Alabama. I’m worried that I will hurt one of the men who have made their intentions toward me known. I cannot be who they want me to be. I cannot give them what they want most of all, and I worry that I will hurt them in the process of being their friend. But I do enjoy my work here. I especially love teaching the soldiers to read and helping many of them send letters home.

CC: It’s hard to be that balance of friend with guys without indicating you want more or encouraging them. I’m glad you love your job and what you’re doing to support the war effort. 

If you had to choose a difference career path, what would you choose?

Isabella: I’d love to be an author. It sounds silly, but I’ve read so many books, I think it would be fun to try my hand at writing a love story of my own. Maybe then I could live out the life I dream of but will never have.

CC: Should I warn you to not do it? LOL Writing is so much fun, it’s just all the other parts of being an author that maybe aren’t AS fun. Of course, in your day, authors weren’t expected to market, so that was definitely the golden era to write, at least in that respect.

Unfortunately, it’s time to wrap up, so here’s our last question, and it’s always a fun one. If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go?

Isabella: I’ve done a great deal of international travel, and I have to say that, given the opportunity, I’d return to Paris in a heartbeat. In fact, I wanted to serve at the American Library in Paris, but Mother nearly fainted at the thought. I speak French fluently and feel like Paris is my home away from home. I would love to return there someday soon.

CC: Knowing what I do of history, maybe not TOO soon . . .

That’s it for now. If you liked getting to know Isabella, I highly recommend you go check out Heather Taber’s In Books & Battlefields. 

Heather Tabers writes Historical Romance, Children’s Fiction, and encouragement for weary souls. Although she can’t always recall the dates of famous battles or list the world’s great leaders, Heather treasures history for something far more meaningful—the way stories from the past stir our hearts today. She’s a hope-filled romantic who believes in second chances and redemptive love. Her own love story proves that life can be messy and beautiful at the same time, which is why she enjoys writing stories that show the goodness of God’s grace.

Heather resides in sunny Central Florida with her husband and hero, Robert, whom many of her MMCs are inspired by. She’s also a veteran homeschooling mama of five (mostly) grown kiddos whom she loves with her whole heart, a dog mom, clay jewelry designer, virtual author assistant, digital product designer, and a pursuer of whatever new idea strikes her fancy.

You can connect with her at:  Website  |  Newsletter  |  Instagram

In the Shadow of Sacrifice

With World War II brimming in the background, Louise leaves everything she’s ever known in Colorado to support her family by working in her brother’s diner in St. Louis. Harboring secret pain from her past, Louise meets Dude and her “I don’t need a man” mentality begins to shift. Together they uncover danger, heartbreak, and sacrificial love.

Get your free copy of In the Shadows from Heather here.

Giveaway Details

Here’s your chance to win an e-book of In Books & Battlefields. Comment on the blog and enter use the Google form below for your chance to win! Entries close at 11:59 p.m. EST on 1/20. Open to legal U.S. residents. See Giveaway Policies for more details.

‘Tis the season for character interviews! LOL This week, I get to introduce you to action thriller heroine, Alexandra Romanova, from Taylor Newport’s Line of Fire, book one of the Dauntless Defenders. Taylor is generously giving away an e-book to one person (U.S. resident OR International). All the details are at the bottom of the post.

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

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

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

Alexandra: Hello, my name is Alexandra Romanova. I am a prisoner, forced to fight for a cause I don’t believe in. My task is taking down a man for my evil boss, but my target doesn’t seem to be what I’ve been told.

CC: Intriguing. A prisoner and warrior for a cause you don’t agree with. While I think I can guess . . . 

What is it that you want? What’s standing in your way?

Alexandra: I want freedom, but I am a prisoner to a rogue CIA agent. It has never seemed in reach since I am always monitored by agents and am never given an opportunity to go out alone.

CC: That sounds incredibly tough. I can’t imagine not having the freedom to go out alone. I’m rooting for you to find that freedom.

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

Alexandra: I’d love to read a book about the Romanov Family since everyone seems to think that I am related to them.

CC: Ha! Ha! I understand getting all those type of questions. We have a common last name for our area, but we have no connection (that we know of) to anyone with the same last name.

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

Alexandra: As a child, I wanted to be a world traveler. In a way, that did happen. But not as I expected.

CC: Yeah, being told where to go and when isn’t how I’d expect to travel either.

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

Alexandra: My target, Tyler Reid. Everyone tells me he’s dangerous, but for whatever reason, he keeps protecting me.

CC: Oh, how intriguing. Maybe there is something more than we know.

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

Alexandra: My boss, Slade Nixon. He is ruthless and threatens his operatives to get what he wants. He’s not afraid to shed innocent blood either.

CC: He sounds like a very dangerous guy.

How would you describe your relationship with God?

Alexandra: I was raised as a Christian, but I’m afraid my faith wavered some during my various struggles. I know that God is the only reason I am still alive though.

CC: Praise the Lord for that. I hope that your faith will grow and you feel steadier in it as the story progresses.

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

Alexandra: Things are never quite as they seem. Dig for the truth, even when the lies are more popular.

CC: Digging for the truth in today’s world is SOOOOO hard, but so necessary.

Unfortunately, it’s time to wrap up, so here’s our last question, and it’s always a fun one. What are your phobias?

Alexandria: Heights. I can’t stand tall balconies, and I hate flying.

CC: The older I get, the more queasy heights make me.

That’s it for now. If you liked getting to know Alexandra, I highly recommend you go check out Taylor Newport’s Line of Fire. 

Taylor S Newport is an up-and-coming Christian author. Four years of research have brought her to release her first high-octane novel to the world. In 2024, she placed as a Finalist in the ACFW Genesis Contest. Currently, she resides in the beautiful state of Texas with her family and Dire Wolf, Timber, probably writing her next novel.

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

Giveaway Details

Here’s your chance to win an e-copy of Line of Fire. Comment on the blog and enter using the Google Form for your chance to win! Entries close at 11:59 p.m. EST on 12/23. Open to legal U.S. residents. See Giveaway Policies for more details.

Today, I have the privledge of introducing you to a character from one of the books I’m hoping to read during my writing sabbatical, Girl Lost by Kate Angelo. If you like romantic suspense, you’re in for a treat. Kate Angelo and I “met” through a Discord group where we sprint (write as many words as we can in a timed period). It’s been wonderful to get to know her and see how her writing brain works. And boy, can that girl write! Kate is generously giving an audiobook or ebook to one lucky commenter (international included!). You can find all the details at the end of this post. 

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

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

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

Luna: I’m Luna Rosati, though for most of my adult life, I lived behind other names. Marine Intelligence. CIA Counterintelligence. Those worlds demanded reinvention. New faces, new identities, new versions of myself designed to survive whatever the mission required. After enough years of deception, the truth felt foreign. Easier to bury. Easier to avoid.

Now I’m back in Millie Beach, trying to remember what it feels like to live as one person instead of a collection of aliases.

If you’re asking how I’d describe myself… well, I’ve got dark hair, darker eyes, and hands marked by calluses that never quite fade. I grew up learning how to fight for myself, and later, how to fight for others. I can drop a man twice my size with a wrist lock and disappear into a crowded street without breaking stride. But the real battles—those are internal ones. The kind God keeps guiding me through, piece by piece. After everything I’ve survived, He’s teaching me that strength isn’t just grit and instinct. Sometimes it’s surrender. Sometimes it’s trusting Him with a past I’ve avoided for far too long.

My role in the story began with one purpose: find the daughter I put up for adoption eighteen years ago.

I didn’t come home for nostalgia. I came for answers. Specifically one from the only man who had it. Stryker King, my mentor, the one person I trusted to tell me the truth. But moments before we were supposed to meet, he was violently kidnapped. His disappearance ripped the ground out from under me.

That’s when everything got… complicated.

Because to find Stryker, I had to work with the last person I wanted to see: Corbin King. FDLE agent. Stubborn. Sharp. And the father of the daughter I’m searching for.

The same man who broke my heart years ago when he said he wasn’t ready to be a father.

I shoved all of that aside—my resentment, my fear, the truth he still doesn’t know—because finding Stryker mattered more than reopening old wounds. Corbin thinks I’m helping him because I’m a former intelligence officer with useful skills, and that’s true. What he doesn’t know is that this investigation is tied to the biggest unanswered piece of my life.

So here we are, working together, chasing down leads, infiltrating dangerous places, uncovering things neither of us saw coming. And every step we take, God keeps nudging me to face the truth I’ve spent eighteen years running from.

CC: Wow, Luna! When you answer a question, you’re very thorough. But I suspect that comes with the territory of your job. You need to know everything inside and out. You’ve got a lot of things to wade through, and I’m here to see it.

What is it that you want? What’s standing in your way?

Luna: What I want is simple—and impossibly complicated.

I want to find the daughter I gave up eighteen years ago. I’ve lived with that ache my entire adult life, and I’m finally ready to face it.

What’s standing in my way?

A kidnapping, a criminal network that keeps growing darker by the day, and the one man I least want to confront—Corbin King. He has the skills to find the answers I need and no idea how personal this is for me. And until I find Stryker, I can’t tell him the truth.

CC: Everything is so much more complicated than we imagine it will be. At least that is my experience, and it seems to be yours as well.

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

Luna: When I was a child, I wanted to be a wife and a mother. That simple. I wanted the kind of home I never grew up in—stable, safe, filled with people who stayed.

Did it happen?

No. Life unraveled fast. Survival became the priority, then training, then missions. Somewhere along the way, I stopped believing I was meant for a family.

And now… I don’t know if that dream is still possible. Not with everything standing between Corbin and me. Not with the truth I’m still carrying.

CC: The secret truths we carry can be so hard to bear. 

How would you describe your relationship with God?

Luna: My relationship with God has been… strained. Not because He left, but because I did. For years, I relied on instincts, training, and aliases—anything but Him. Trust felt dangerous.

But lately, I’ve started to see Him working in ways I can’t chalk up to coincidence. Bringing me home. Forcing me to face the truth. Putting people back in my life I never expected to see again.

It scares me, honestly. But it also feels like a lifeline I didn’t know I still needed.

CC: I love God with all my heart, but sometimes when He is at work, it is some of the scariest stuff I’ve every dealt with. Yeah, it makes me lean ever more into Him and cling to that trust I say I have, but scary is an apt description of the experience.

How do you feel about the journey you are going on?

Luna: How do I feel? Torn. This journey is forcing me to confront things I’ve run from for eighteen years. I’m scared of the truth—about the kidnapping, about the criminals we’re facing, about the daughter I’m desperate to find.

I’m enjoying the momentum, though. The work. The clarity that comes in the middle of danger. And I hate admitting this, but… I’m enjoying seeing a different side of Corbin. One I didn’t expect.

I’m worried the past will repeat itself. That I’ll lose the people I’m trying to protect. And that when I finally get answers, they won’t be the ones I hoped for.

CC: Torn seems like the perfect description and my heart goes out to you.

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

Luna: One thing I want readers to know? This isn’t just about danger, lies, or chasing criminals. It’s about finding what you’ve lost—whether it’s a person, a truth, or even a piece of yourself—and having the courage to face it, even when the path is terrifying.

CC: I once heard that courage isn’t about being unafraid but about doing what needs done even when afraid. It sounds like you display a lot of courage in this story. 

Unfortunately, it’s time to wrap up, so here’s our last question, and it’s always a fun one. What is the weirdest thing on your bucket list?

Luna: I want to take a month and learn something totally useless—like sculpting or ballroom dancing—just to prove I can do it without it saving a life or cracking a case. A skill that doesn’t serve a purpose… for once.

CC: A useless skill sounds absolutely delightful. 

That’s it for now. If you liked getting to know Luna, I highly recommend you go check out Kate Angelo’s Girl Lost.

Bestselling and award-winning author Kate Angelo once sold a lion to a circus in Shreveport after her mom realized lions weren’t great house pets. Growing up, she was a bookworm, dog groomer, exotic pet wrangler, horse trainer, cowgirl, and teenage pool shark. After aging out of foster care, she cultivated her inner computer nerd and worked as a web programmer, but during a visit to Australia, she encountered Jesus and left the corporate world to pursue a life in ministry.

She is an author, minister, and public speaker from Southwest Missouri who works alongside her husband championing stronger marriages and families. She serves as Vice President and cofounder of their nonprofit Vanguard Marriage and Family Advocates. As Mom to 5 adult children, she’s fluent in both sarcasm and eye rolls. Kate is a coffee addict, tech enthusiast, productivity guru, expert knitter, summer fanatic, prayer warrior, dog lover, avid reader, and a bigtime klutz—just ask her doctor.

Having aged out of foster care and into her own found family, Kate brings a unique perspective to her writing, breathing life into flawed characters who find hope and healing amidst danger.

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

Giveaway Details

Here’s your chance to win an e-copy or audiocopy copy of Girl Lost. Comment on the blog and enter using the Google Form for your chance to win! Entries close at 11:59 p.m. EST on 12/16. Open to legal U.S. residents. See Giveaway Policies for more details.

I am so excited about this interview! I was blessed to read and endorse Their Burden to Bear by Heather Tabers. You can read my review here. Today, we get to speak with the hero who opened a whole new world of history for me. This book is all about the men who carried the unknown soldier to his tomb, so in honor of Veteran’s Day, you can purchase a print copy of Their Burden to Bear for only $11.11. Heather is being generous and providing an e-copy to one winner, U.S. or international resident. You can enter at the end of the blog post.

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

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

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

Phillip Pierce: My name is Sergeant Phillip Pierce. I serve the United States Marine Corps Commandant at Washington Barracks in Washington, D.C. Elsie would call me the “swoony hero” in this story, but I assure you, I’m more qualified to serve as comedic relief or perhaps as the subject in a Shakespearean tragedy. I was selected to be a Body Bearer for the Unknown Soldier in 1921 and am simply performing my duty to my country.

CC: First off, thank you for your service. I am so grateful for all our military and their families. And I know you see it simply as duty, but it is appreciated more than you know. So let’s dive in. 

What is it that you want? What’s standing in your way?

Phillip: If I could truthfully answer that question, I wouldn’t find my heart in the predicament it’s in throughout the book. I was perfectly content serving in the USMC until I met Elsie, then I found myself imagining a future with her. Do I WANT to spend the rest of my life with this quirky, feisty, resilient woman? Of course. Do I want to protect her from her ogre of a father? Completely? But do I also want to protect her from myself and my past? I do, and that conflicts with everything else I want.

CC: That is a difficult place to be, and I love how you care for her on all sides of it. 

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

Phillip: When I was a child, I simply hoped to survive to adulthood. Once I did, I had no idea what to do. The military offered solutions to my problems, and I’ve never looked back.

CC: I’ve always loved how the military has provided that opportunity for people. It was an option my own mom took and it led to her marrying my dad.

Who do you interact within the story that confounds you?

Phillip: Elsie’s father confounds me from the very beginning. How could a colonel in the Army Quartermaster Corps have such little regard for his daughter’s and grandson’s well-being? He acts like his reputation is of the utmost importance to him, then he single-handedly destroys it himself. 

CC: I really struggled with him myself. Elsie and her nephew were so wonderful, and he just didn’t understand what he had in them. My heart broke for them.

How would you describe your relationship with God?

Phillip: I owe everything to God. He’s met me right where I am in some very dark places and forgiven me of things I don’t think I could forgive others of. The fact that He loves me at all is a miracle. I’m as unworthy as they come, and I just want to serve Him and others, not that I could ever repay Him for what He’s done for me.

CC: Amen. It’s wonderful to have a hero of such faith in a story.

How do you think others view you?

Phillip: The Corps has made me out to be a hero, and that title doesn’t sit well with me. I did what needed to be done, just like everyone else. I’m fortunate to have survived Belleau Wood when so many around me did not make it out of that forest. I don’t like the attention and would have never volunteered to be a Body Bearer for the Unknown Soldier if my country had not called upon me to do so.

CC: You are a humble man, and you may have done what you did out of duty, but you are indeed a hero. While there are others who would have done what you did, there are many more who would not.

What do you think about love and marriage?

Phillip: I fell hard for Elsie St. Clair, right from the start. I tried to push back my feelings for her, or at least I told myself I was trying. Really, all I did was make a mess of things with her. I knew she deserved better than me, but I also felt this strong desire to protect her. Protecting her opened doors of opportunity to grow closer to her, and even though I tried to keep my heart from her, I’m quite certain it was always meant to be hers.

CC: That is so beautiful. As far as I know, most (if not all) women love a man who is protective when they are protective in a way that reflects Christ. While you’re not perfect, I think you do a wonderful job.

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?

Phillip: I would ride in the front. I’m much better at facing physical challenges head-on than I am matters of the heart.

CC: That is definitely something I can see!

That’s it for now. If you liked getting to know Phillip Pierce, I highly recommend you go check out Heather Taber’s Their Burden to Bear. 

Readers, be sure to comment below with your answer:

What do you know about the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier? (Or, what part of the roller coaster would YOU ride?)

Heather Tabers writes Historical Romance, Children’s Fiction, and encouragement for weary souls. Though she can’t always recall the dates of famous battles or list the world’s great leaders, Heather treasures history for something far more meaningful—the way stories from the past stir our hearts today. She’s a hope-filled romantic who believes in second chances and redemptive love. Her own love story proves that life can be messy and beautiful at the same time, which is why she enjoys writing stories that show the goodness of God’s grace.

Heather resides in sunny Central Florida with her husband and hero, Robert, whom many of her heroes are inspired by. She’s also a veteran homeschooling mama of five (mostly) grown kids whom she loves with her whole heart, a dog mom, clay jewelry designer, virtual author assistant, digital product designer, and a pursuer of whatever new idea strikes her fancy.

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

Giveaway Details

Update: Winner is Bridget G. Email has been sent.

Here’s your chance to win a copy of Their Burden to Bear. Comment on the blog and enter using the Google Form for your chance to win! Entries close at 11:59 p.m. EST on DATE. Open to legal U.S. residents. See Giveaway Policies for more details.

 

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.

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

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.

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A Certain Man by Linda Dindzans

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