by Crystal Caudill | Nov 12, 2024 | Author Interviews
It is an honor to introduce you to Christy Award winner, Katie Powner. I met Katie for the first time a few years ago at a reader event, and her down-to-earth manner struck me. She is a fantastic author, foster mom, and Christian. I am so blessed to get to have her here today for an interview. Katie is graciously offering a copy of The Wind Blows in Sleeping Grass, her latest Christy Award finalist novel, to one lucky person. Check out the details and restrictions at the end of this post. Before we dive in, here is a bit about her.
Katie Powner is a Christy Award-winning author who lives in rural Montana, where cows still outnumber people. She writes contemporary fiction about redemption, relationships, and finding the dirt road home. She’s a mom to the third power (biological, adoptive, and foster) who loves red shoes, Jesus, and candy–not necessarily in that order. Learn more at KatiePowner.com.
You can connect with her through: Website | Newsletter | Facebook | Instagram | X | BookBub | GoodReads
Now for the fun stuff! I have to admit I am partial to my Fast Five. 🙂 So settle in as I hit Katie with rapid-fire.
CC: Pineapple pizza or candy corn?
KP: The two absolutely worst things I can imagine.
CC: Test the waters or dive in the deep end?
KP: Dive in, baby!
CC: Guacamole or salsa?
KP: I love guac too, but I have to go with salsa because there are so many varieties and it has way fewer calories, haha.
CC: Silly hats or silly socks?
KP: Socks
CC: Passwords or secret handshakes?
KP: What?! Is this something people are doing? I feel like I’m missing out, I want both!
Ha ha! Yeah, I don’t know anyone who actually uses secret handshakes outside of elementary school, if they even do it there now. And I’m so with you on the guac. I love it, but not the calories.
What fiction book has most impacted you?
KP: Summer of Light by Dale Cramer changed the trajectory of my life because it showed me there was room in Christian fiction for a wider variety of stories than what I had been exposed to. When I read Summer of Light, I suddenly had hope there were publishers out there interested in writing voices like mine.
CC: Oh, I’ve never heard of that one. I’ll have to go look it up.
When did you first realize you want to be a writer?
KP: It’s all I ever wanted to do. Aside from briefly entertaining the idea of becoming a naturalist when I was in fifth grade, all I’ve ever wanted to be was a writer. I never imagined myself as a nurse or ballerina or astronaut or whatever. Writing was it for me.
CC: I love how you had that yearning from the very beginning!
How have you seen God work through your writing journey?
KP: Here’s a funny thing. I always knew I wanted to be a writer, but I figured it would happen after my kids were grown up. I wanted to give my time and attention to them, and I figured writing could wait. But here’s what God knew that I didn’t: Writing makes me a better parent. Having a creative outlet and a way to set personal goals for myself, as well as a way to have success and identity outside of my children, allows me to find greater joy in being a mom and gives me more energy and life to pour into parenting.
CC: Oh wow! I love that. I’d actually never thought of it in that context, except that writing saves my family’s lives sometimes. LOL
Do you have any advice for those who want to write their own stories?
KP: The one piece of advice I always give to people just starting out or thinking about starting out is WRITE THE SECOND BOOK. I’ve seen too many people write one story and then spend years and years revising it, passing it around for feedback, revising it again, and basically just fiddling around with it forever when they should be working on their next story. Yes, take all the time you need to write your book. Yes, revise it and get feedback and revise it again. But then submit it and move on. Start something new. Don’t get stuck on one story for ten years.
CC: That is very sage advice. It’s easy to get hung up on perfection. We grow and change with each book we write.
I’m so thrilled to get the chance to talk about your book that is currently up for a Christy Award, and even more thrilled I’ll get to cheer you on in person! Before we talk about it, here’s what it’s about:
The Wind Blows in Sleeping Grass by Katie Powner
Purchase your copy at Amazon | Baker Book House (30% off and free shipping!) | Barnes and Noble | Books-A-Million | Bookshop | Christianbook
CC: Where did you get the idea for the story?
KP: My brother drives the garbage truck for the city of Cut Bank in northern Montana. He would tell me sometimes about things he would observe while driving the truck and things he learned about people based on their garbage. I found that fascinating and that’s where The Wind Blows in Sleeping Grass was born.
CC: That is so cool! I never thought about that aspect of his job.
Which character was the most fun to create?
KP: Pearl the pot-bellied pig was really fun to write because pigs are such smart and unique and curious creatures. Also because she was always getting into mischief and revealing people’s true character.
CC: Ha! I love it when animals bring more to the story than just being there for the main characters to love on.
What was some of your favorite research while preparing for the The Wind Blows in Sleeping Grass?
KP: I learned that pot-bellied pigs are good at recognizing danger and have been known to save lives. They’re so much smarter than people realize!
CC: I’ve heard that pigs are extremely intelligent, but I’ve never put a lot of thought into what that might look like.
What do you hope readers will take away from your story?
KP: That everyone has value and their value is determined by the Creator, not by the world. Not based on human standards.
CC: Amen. That is such a hard thing to learn and hold on to, especially with our world and society’s pressures.
I always like to end with a fun question so . . .
You find a genie in a lamp. What three wishes would you make?
KP: I wish ice cream was a low-calorie food. I wish it was easier to go to bed before 10:30pm (It’s not. It’s impossible). And I wish my chickens would stop laying their eggs beneath their roost.
CC: ha ha! I can commiserate with the first two, but I don’t have chickens. However, my brother does, and I’m sure he can agree on that third wish!
Readers, I hope you’ll check out The Wind Blows in Sleeping Grass and then leave a review on Amazon, Goodreads, and/or BookBub. You wouldn’t believe how important that is to an author.
Giveaway
Katie is graciously giving away a print copy of The Wind Blows in Sleeping Grass to one lucky U.S. resident, 18 or older. Entries are collected until 11:59 p.m. EST on 11/18/2024. The winner will be contacted by email.
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*Contiguous U.S. residents only, 18 and older. Void where prohibited or restricted.
Reader, what is something the garbage man might learn about you when they see your trash?
by Crystal Caudill | Jun 5, 2024 | Author Interviews
I love getting the chance to meet new-to-me authors. This interview was one such blessing. Not only does Dr. Lisa L Dorsey have a thrilling split-time debut releasing this month, but she also has a Bible study in the works called The Making of Deborah. I encourage you to check out her website to find out more. Today we’re focusing on her and Petra: An Unbroken Legacy. If you order your copy of her book from www.petraanunbrokenlegacy.com, you will get a personalized signed copy of the book and a free bookmark.
Now allow me to introduce you to this woman who is passionate about God’s word and the stories He’s given her to write.
Dr. Lisa L. Dorsey has extensive experience in business and ministry and is accomplished in academia with two earned doctorates. She developed a passion for reading, writing, theater, and the arts in early childhood. She now combines her expertise, experience, and passions to write compelling stories that reveal the saving grace of Jesus Christ, building a spiritual legacy grounded in God’s Love, Word, and Wisdom. She resides in California with her husband and has four children, one daughter-in-law, and four adorable grandchildren.
Connect with her: Book Website | Author Webite | Facebook | Instagram | YouTube
Now for the fun stuff! I have to admit I am partial to my Fast Five. 🙂 So settle in as I hit Lisa with rapid-fire.
CC: Pineapple pizza or candy corn?
DrLD: PIneapple Pizza
CC: Test the waters or dive in the deep end?
DrLD: Test the Waters
CC: Guacamole or salsa?
DrLD: Guac
CC: Silly hats or silly socks?
DrLD: Silly Socks
CC: Passwords or secret handshakes?
DrLD: Secret Handshakes
I see we have a lot in common. I’d answer nearly identically.
What book has most impacted you?
DrLD: Pearl in the Sand by Tessa Afshar. This was one of the first biblical fiction books I read that impacted me to the point that I became obsessed with this genre. At the time, there were not enough books in this genre for me to devour. I would have to wait months before the next book came out. I would search hours on Amazon and other book sites for similar books. As a result, I now write in the genre I have come to love so dearly. I read voraciously because, at the time, it was my escape from a very demanding life. I would get lost in the biblical stories and characters and learn ways to navigate the stress in my life. It also fueled my love of the Bible, and I found myself fact-checking everything, and as a result, I became a self-made historian.
CC: I love how fiction can really change the direction of our lives. It’s such a beautiful ministry, and how cool that Tessa Afshar’s book was that for you.
What is one book you think everyone should read (aside from the Bible)?
DrLD: A Tale of Two Cities. I fell in love with this book in middle school because of the paradoxes it portrayed. It fueled my love of reading and thinking outside the box and beyond the mundane. Life is not always linear. It’s messy, chaotic, convoluted, and everything is not always as it appears. I began to formulate this concept of multiple perspectives and the best way to describe this is by quoting the Apostle Paul, “I have become all things to all men, that I might by all means save some.” 1 Corinthians 9:19-23. We are each created uniquely in the image of God and I strive to see the good parts of people that show glimpses of our Heavenly Father, even when outwardly they show us their worst.
CC: That is beautiful, and you are so right. Life is not linear, and it can be soo hard. I love that you practice seeing the good parts of people as a reflection of our Heavenly Father.
How have you seen God work through your writing journey?
DrLD: When I retired from the business world I planned to travel the world and enjoy the latter years of my life in retirement. The Lord had other plans. I received the first ten thousand words of my manuscript for “Petra: An Unbroken Legacy” in a series of dreams right down to the names of key characters. There was an overarching theme, or more like a clarion call to bring to the forefront the importance of building a spiritual legacy for our families grounded in God’s Love, Word, and Wisdom. There was a second call to the care of the human soul.
At first, I had difficulty finding the connections to my writing fiction. Over time the connection came like an “Ah ha” moment. I began to formulate character profiles and take key characters through a journey of healing or “soul care” tending to the issues of their heart, mind, and will or decision-making based on the issues that flowed from their heart and thought life. This has been an amazing process because I believe the novel will draw the reader into the narrative and the biblical stories, bringing the Bible alive and off the pages and into the minds and hearts of the readers. The personal trials and journeys of the characters will resonate with the reader’s own experiences of adversity, disappointment, resilience, and hope.
CC: It sounds like God has gifted you not only with a powerful story, but the journey in writing it that has drawn you closer to Him and deeper in understanding.
Let’s go ahead and talk about Petra: An Unbroken Legacy.
“Petra: An Unbroken Legacy” is a gripping tale of intrigue, adventure, and romance, set in a dual timeline that transports you to a realm where history and destiny collide in the heart of Petra. Follow the compelling journey of Kasim and Issa as they navigate a world of ancient secrets, where faith, love, and legacy intertwine to create an epic saga with twists and turns that will keep you on the edge of your seat.
Kasim, the inheritor of a profound heritage steeped in first-century Christian tradition, holds the keys to ancient secrets that need protecting. Issa, a renowned archeologist, joins Kasim on a quest to unveil centuries-old mysteries.
Kasim bears the weight of his family’s destiny, wrestling with the conflicting demands of duty, faith, and love. Issa grapples with loss, loneliness, and insecurity and struggles to find her place in Kasim’s world of wealth, power, and prestige. Some in Kasim’s family see Issa as a threat, yet they need her expertise to unearth the lost letters written by the Apostle Paul to the Arab Christians to validate their legacy.
As their journey unfolds, danger and hardships test their love and faith. Issa must have faith in God’s love to sustain her and trust His will for her life. Kasim must learn that trusting in the Lord means leaving Issa in God’s care, even if it means losing her. Together, their journey through biblical narratives and personal trials will resonate with the reader’s own experiences of adversity, disappointment, resilience, and hope.
Purchase your copy at Amazon | Book Website
CC: What about this story drew you to it?
DrLD: What drew me to the story was the diversity of people and groups who were present on the Day of Pentecost, and the Arabs were one of them. They appeared to be Jewish proselytes as they were gathered with Jews from every nation. The fact that there were Arabs who were converted to Christianity in the first century and that there are still Arabs who are dedicated to the Christian Faith today is no coincidence, given the unrest in the Middle East today. This leads to the deeper question as to what their role could be in opening dialogue and peaceful resolutions in times of great unrest.
CC: That is definitely an inspiring concept and so neat to see God’s faithfulness, even in areas of unrest.
What was some of your favorite research you discovered while preparing for this book?
DrLD: There were two interesting historical facts I discovered. The first is the findings at Tel Dan that were made by Dr. Avraham, whose name I maintained as a charcter in the book. There was a stela found during an archeological dig revealing the first evidence of the house of King David from the Bible. Second was the differing scholarly views of what the Apostle Paul did during his time in Arabia. The Bible only states he spent time in Arabia but we do not know what he exactly did during that time. I chose to align with the theory of Dr. Ben Witherington III that Paul had a life in Arabia.
CC: Fascinating. Now I want to go do some of my own research to learn more.
Which character do you resonate with the most?
DrLD: Like my protagonist Dr. Issa Stevens, I love all things ancient, especially when it relates to Biblical stories. I believe that history guides our path to truth and wisdom so that we cultivate the best of it while learning not to repeat its mistakes. As such, I believe Biblical fiction is where the past meets the present, and it speaks to the deepest parts of the human soul and offers hope in God. I also resonate with Dr. Issa’s past childhood experiences that have shaped her present insecurities, including self-doubt, perfectionism, and imposter syndrome. I take the readers on a journey with Dr. Issa as she navigates through life, learning to trust the Lord’s plans for her even in her darkest hours. Issa must have faith in God’s love to sustain her as she learns that her life is hidden in Christ and her identity and purpose are forged in the One who created her and He has given her a voice of hope.
CC: I can tell from what you’ve said that she must be a very deep and realistic character. Those are some hard things to overcome.
Which readers will be the ones who most love this book?
DrLD: Readers who like intrigue, adventure, and romance will love this book. “Petra: An Unbroken Legacy” has something for everyone. This dual timeline novel portrays real-life characterizations of the human soul with all the emotions and struggles we face as human beings. The historical component adds depth for the reader as the novel spans time, generations, and cultures exploring the depths of faith, family, legacy, and the pursuit of truth. Through the intertwined destinies of its characters, from Jerusalem to the ancient Arabian desert to the modern-day Middle East and beyond, the narrative captures the essence of the human soul and its resilience, and the impact of history on present-day life.
CC: Well, there you have it! If you’re that kind of reader, this is a book you’ll want to check out. Now It’s time to wrap up our interview with a fun question.
What animal is most like you?
DrLD: A Chihuahua. They are good companions and love hard, but don’t rub them the wrong way because they can be quite feisty.
CC: LOL We have a fifteen year old mix and I can testify to this.
Readers, I hope you’ll check out Petra: An Unbroken Legacy and then leave a review on Amazon, Goodreads, and/or BookBub. You wouldn’t believe how important that is to an author.
Reader, do you have any family legacies? Or perhaps things you hope are passed down through the generations?
by Crystal Caudill | May 21, 2024 | Author Interviews
I have had the blessing of knowing Grace Hitchcock almost from the very beginning of my writing journey. I have loved her stories, from her novella collections to her American Heiress and Aprons and Veils series, and now I’m in LOVE with her new Regency series, Best Laid Plans. To Catch a Coronet, book one in the series, is available wherever books are sold beginning TODAY. How incredibly exciting, and now I get to introduce you to the author herself.
Oh, and before the introductions, I wanted to let you know that Grace has graciously offered 2 autographed paperbacks of The Finding of Miss Fairfield. You can enter the giveaway for those at the bottom of this post.
Now let me introduce you to this wonderful author and friend.
Grace Hitchcock is the award-winning author of multiple historical novels and novellas, including the American Royalty, True Colors, and Aprons & Veils series. She holds a Master’s in Creative Writing and a Bachelor of Arts in English with a minor in History. Grace lives on the Northshore of New Orleans, with her husband, Dakota, sons, and daughter in a cottage that is always filled with the sounds of sweet little footsteps running at full speed. When not writing, or chasing babies, she’s baking something delightful and can usually be found with a book clutched in her fist.
You can connect with her through: Website (Download a free novella while there) | Amazon | BookBub | GoodReads | Instagram | Facebook
Now for the fun stuff! I have to admit I am partial to my Fast Five. 🙂 So settle in as I hit Grace with rapid-fire.
CC: Pineapple pizza or candy corn?
GH: Candy corn, 1000%
CC: Test the waters or dive in the deep end?
GH: Test for sure. You never know what is in the water (pool or rivers) in South Louisiana!
CC: Guacamole or salsa?
GH: Guacamole!
CC: Silly hats or silly socks?
GH: Silly socks. I love collecting bookish socks!
CC: Passwords or secret handshakes?
GH: Secret handshakes.
Yeah, I wouldn’t dive into Louisana waters either. LOL I’m no alligator wrestler. However, I’m not going to let you test the waters now. Let’s dive right in.
What book has most impacted you?
GH: I feel like every season, there is a novel that touches me. The one that stuck the longest has to be Tracie Peterson’s Westward Chronicles (a Harvey Girl series). They are moving, unique tales that inspired me to write my own Harvey Girls stories! I re-read them every few years.
CC: How fun to have them inspire your own series. I am totally with you on each season having its one novel that touches me.
When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?
GH: When I turned twelve, I began to read pretty exclusively Christian Historical Fiction and read pretty much every book our local library had to offer! I loved the romantic element that long gowns, courting, and etiquette lent stories. When I encountered stories that ended with the heroine marrying the wrong guy (in my opinion haha), I would re-write the endings in my head and eventually, decided to try my hand at writing a novel and I was hooked by the genre!
CC: I love it! If you can’t find what you want, write it!
What is your writing Kryptonite?
GH: Exclamation points!!!! Apparently, I’m a very excited writer in the first draft. Every time I finish writing the first draft, I text my mom and have her guess how many I used in a 330 page novel. She is generous and usually guesses lower than the count on the last book I wrote . . . but the count is always high no matter how mindful I think I am being while writing. I usually have about 200+ exclamation points for the 330 pages. I weed them down to 40 at most!
CC: Ha! Ha! I can totally see that fitting your personality. Now I will look at every story and wonder which ones were exclamation points before you changed them.
Speaking of stories, let’s talk about your debut Regency novel, To Catch a Coronet.
Sometimes the only way to outsmart a scandal is to find a crown big enough to silence it…
Muriel Beau, country baker turned heiress, can’t stop instigating outrage. She discards two arranged engagements, then further antagonizes Kent society by publicly proposing to a baron at a ball. His rejection leaves her with no choice but to flee to the city and to secure a coronet so splendid that her peers will forget her debacles. The glitter of the London courts convinces Muriel that it’s possible to find the future she dreams of, until she finds herself entangled in yet another escapade–one that may cost her more than her crumbling reputation.
After years of serving as a privateer under an assumed name, Captain Erik Draycott, heir to Draycott Castle and soon to assume his uncle’s title of Earl, returns to his London home to find it in disrepair thanks to his longtime nemesis. A staunch bachelor intent on returning to his ship, the captain is shocked when his mentor encourages him to take a wife. But while his alleged pauper status causes the potential London brides to turn their noses up at him, the ladies of Kent have no such qualms and are eager to fill his coffers with their fathers’ wealth.
Caught in a whirlwind of high society and high seas, Muriel and Erik navigate a risky undertaking that threatens their futures and creating stakes that soar above the masts of Erik’s ship. Will Muriel’s bold charm and Erik’s daring bravery be enough to outsmart the scandal and secure a future as glittering as the crown Muriel seeks?
Purchase your copy at Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Autographed Copy
CC: What about this story drew you to it? Does this story have any special meaning to you?
GH: I first had this idea when I was watching a Hallmark about a girl who proposes to a guy and it goes totally wrong. And the “what if” train of thought led to Muriel, a baker turned heiress during Regency England. The baking element is pretty special to me. After a devastating miscarriage, I needed a distraction, so I decided to bake my way through a Christmas baking magazine. I had my family mark which recipes they wanted to try, and I just baked and baked for two months. It was great therapy as God healed our hearts and I knew that my character, Muriel the baker, would use baking as her therapy too.
CC: So many hugs, my friend. Baking truly is one of the best therapies in the world. . . even if it isn’t great for a waistline.
What was some of your favorite research you discovered while preparing for this story?
GH: Oooh this was a goldmine to research! I bought so many great resources that Erica Vetsch so kindly recommended. My favorite discovery while researching was Vauxhall Gardens, a pleasure gardens in London that I had no idea existed. I, of course, had to add it to the book, To Catch a Coronet! And I have pics on my pinterest page if you want to see the gardens for yourself: https://www.pinterest.com/grace_hitchcock/to-catch-a-coronet-by-grace-hitchcock/.
CC: Erica is the best for sharing what she knows. And I loved getting to visit Vauxhall Gardens in your story.
What do you hope readers will take away from your story?
GH: I want them leaving feeling like they have met new friends that they want to visit again, had an adventure, visited castles, laughed until they were breathless, and looking forward to the next story!
CC: I can confirm that you achieved that! I loved To Catch a Coronet and even was ready to read it again only a couple months later! Now it’s time to wrap up our interview with a fun question.
You are in the back of a police car on your way to jail. What did you do? and is anyone with you?
GH: I was found after hours inside the Biltmore because I accidentally got lost in time and thought, exploring the titles in the library. My husband would be with me because he is all for a great adventure!
CC: That library is amazing, and how awesome that your husband would join you!
Readers, I hope you’ll check out To Catch a Coronet and then leave a review on Amazon, Goodreads, and/or BookBub. You wouldn’t believe how important that is to an author.
Giveaway Info
Grace Hitchcock is graciously providing two U.S. residents, 18 years and older, with a signed copy of To Catch a Coronet. Use the Rafflecopter below to enter. Entries open until 11:59 p.m. EST on May 28.
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Reader, have you read Regency stories before? Which ones are your favorite?
by Crystal Caudill | Apr 23, 2024 | Author Interviews
I had the blessing of Janyre Tromp being my editor for my Hidden Hearts of the Gilded Age series. Through that partnership, she became a dear friend. Her debut novel Shadows in the Mind’s Eye blew me away and I am chomping at the bit to read this newest release, Darkness Calls the Tiger, when it releases in just a few short weeks. If you preorder her book from the Faith and Life Bookstore, you’ll receive 25% off, as well as bookmarks and bookplates. If you preorder from Baker Book House, you will receive 20% off, as well as bookmarks and bookplates.
Janyre is also graciously giving away one signed print copy of her new release to one U.S. resident. You can enter by visiting the Rafflecopter at the end of this post.
Now let me introduce you to this stunning author, amazing editor, and wonderful friend.
Janyre Tromp is an award-winning and best-selling writer and editor with a deep love for history. If she isn’t editing or reading, most of the time you’ll find her writing mid-twentieth century historical novels with a healthy dose of deliciously creepy suspense. But she’s also a mom, wife, award-winning editor, and wrangler of all things, who hunts for beauty even when it isn’t pretty. Her books include Darkness Calls the Tiger, Shadows in the Mind’s Eye, O Little Town, and Lovely Life.
You can connect with her through: Website (Download a free novella while there) | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter/X | BookBub | GoodReads
Now for the fun stuff! I have to admit I am partial to my Fast Five. 🙂 So settle in as I hit Janyre with rapid-fire.
CC: Pineapple pizza or candy corn?
JT: Candy corn. There is no reason to put fruit on a pizza
CC: Test the waters or dive in the deep end?
JT: Dive in. I can swim like a fish 🙂
CC: Guacamole or salsa?
JT: Guacamole all the way. On chips, on rice, on chicken.
CC: Silly hats or silly socks?
JT: Bring on ALL the silly in all the places. I’m currently wearing an Edgar Allen Poe pop art T-shirt.
CC: Passwords or secret handshakes?
JT: Since I write suspense, let’s go complicated with password coded in a secret handshake. We’ll use Morse code tapped on the hand. And a random note, one of the missionary families I studied for Darkness Calls the Tiger is related to the guy who invented Morse code.
That is so cool! And I love the idea behind your complicated handshake password. LOL
What book has most impacted you?
JT: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe by Lewis was one of the first novels I ever read on my own. I love the imagination, the layers, the themes, and I’m pretty sure there’s a lot of Lucy in me.
CC: That was actually one of my favorite books to do a unit on with my fifth graders when I was a teacher.
What is one book you think everyone should read (aside from the Bible)?
JT: The Body Keeps the Score Bessel van Der Kolk, M.D. Even if you never experienced Trauma, chances are someone close to you has. This book shows the science behind how trauma literally changes our bodies and our minds and gives us the beginning tools to reclaim our lives.
And then, if you have trauma (big T or little t), follow that up with Try Softer by Aundi Kolber, which will give you hands on tools to do something real to help yourself. My copy is dog-eared beyond recognition.
CC: I can vouch for Try Softer. That book really, truly has impacted my life in ways I cannot fully express.
When did you first realize that you wanted to be a writer?
JT: I think I’m a little unusual. I didn’t get the itch to start writing until I was in my late 20s. I was always a storyteller and I loved reading. I wrote short pieces and marketing copy and just somehow never thought I could be an author.
I worked for a publisher in the marketing department and did work here and there for the editorial department. The managing editor is the first person who told me I should try my hand at writing a whole book.
And I did. Then fell in love with it.
CC: I love how story has always been a part of your life and that the push of colleague provided us with a glimpse into your wonderful gift.
What is your writing Kryptonite?
JT: All my stories have romance elements. I, in fact, won the Carol for a romance story. But romance is so incredibly hard for me to write. I often wireframe them and save them for last so that I’m not distracted by wanting to write the intrigue or suspense.
CC: LOL. We are definitely alike on that!
How have you seen God work through your writing journey?
JT: Patience is not one of my strengths.
I tend to have very good reasons for why I want something and when I want it. But sometimes it’s good for me to wait.
I finished writing Darkness Calls the Tiger seven years ago . . . and all the agents and editors raved about how well it was written, but told me they couldn’t sell the concept of a WWII book in a country no one knew anything about.
And so I set it aside. And about a year later . . . about the time the book would have released if I’d found a publisher, my daughter ended up in the hospital fighting for her life . . . and then a few months later the CRUDE hit the world.
If I’d gotten a contract originally, the timing would have been horrific. Not only that, but because I was determined to keep moving, I kept learning and moving and watching. In that way, I released three stories in the meantime and learned techniques that made the book even better.
AND the market has changed so that there’s more interest in WWII Asian stories.
SO . . . if there’s something out there that you’re stretching for and it is just out of reach, don’t give up. Maybe pull back, but don’t be passive. Work on something else, but keep your eyes open. And know that I see you.
CC: What a powerful story in God’s providence and timing and your obedience. I cannot wait to read this story.
Now I’m excited to talk about Darkness Calls the Tiger.
“Evocative and transportive, filled with nuance and spiked with the violence of war, Darkness Calls the Tiger is a story of redemption in the midst of hopelessness.” –Tosca Lee, New York Times best-selling author
After the attack on Pearl Harbor, Imperial Japan devours the southern portion of Burma, intent on taking over mainland Asia. Unaware of the coming darkness, Kailyn Moran drifts in her role as the only daughter of a widowed missionary. As whispers of war snake through the Kachin mountains, Kai’s father is convinced God will protect the mission. He entrusts the village to her and the kind yet inexperienced new missionary, Ryan McDonough, while he makes routine visits to neighboring villages.
War descends like a tempest upon the mountain peaks, and an unbreakable bond forms between Kailyn and Ryan as they unite to provide solace to both villagers and the flood of refugees. Despite their tireless efforts, a brutal enemy shatters almost everything they love, pushing Kailyn to embark on a path of unrestrained vengeance.
Afraid he’s losing the woman he loves, Ryan fights to protect Kai from the deadly consequences of her choices. But in the face of destruction, can he convince her of the power and freedom of forgiveness?
Purchase your copy at Amazon | Baker Book House | Faith and Life Bookstore
CC: Where did you get the idea for Darkness Calls the Tiger?
JT: I was looking for an unusual WWII story to tell. My mom told me that a friend of a friend’s parents were in India and did something with the Allies during WWII. I scoffed a little because I thought India was far from the fighting during WWII and then quickly realized Mom was right.
So I did what any self-respecting history nerd does—I researched. And y’all, there are SO MANY stories from the China-Burma-India theater.
But then I stumbled on the story of Father James Stuart, who literally stepped into the dirt path and convinced the Japanese soldiers to go away and not destroy a village. And then the Morse family whose young teenage sons hiked the very dangerous Himalayan mountains to save downed Allied airmen. They were all from the same basic area of Burma. That gave me the beginning part of the story.
From there I read the biography of an American soldier attached to the OSS Detachment 101 (these teams were the genesis of the US special forces tactics) and I knew I had my middle and end of the story.
CC: Seriously, the more I learn about this story, the more anxious I get to read it. I love little-known history stories. I’m not much of a WWII reader, but your stories are so unique that I can’t help but be drawn in.
What was some of your favorite research you discovered while preparing for this story?
JT: The coolest part of my research was stumbling on the main metaphor for the book. That way cool tiger on the cover? It comes from real mountain legends.
Some backstory first: The Hukwang Valley (where Darkness Calls the Tiger takes place in Northern Burma) is, in modern times, home to the largest tiger sanctuary in the world.
Because tigers are so much part of their culture, all the people groups in the area have legends about tiger-people. There’s different versions—some saying people become actual tigers and some saying people become tremendous, tiger-like warriors (kind of like berserkers).
So in the story, the traveling storyteller is a bit spiteful toward the missionaries and basically curses Kailyn Moran when she is a girl and tells this horrible tale of the world falling to pieces and Kai becoming this vengeful, angry tiger-person who burns to ash and dies alone.
It’s the perfect metaphor for a story about forgiveness, and that cover image is spot on for where Kai is in the middle of the book.
CC: That is so cool. I can imagine how riveting and hard it was to pull away from the research to actually write the story.
How did this story affect you as you wrote it? Did God teach you anything through the writing?
JT: This story is ultimately about the choice we all have when faced with hard things. We can try to take revenge or we can forgive. Despite the fact that Kailyn Moran has lived in the mountains for all twenty of her years, she’s an American and has always felt like an outsider.
Just as she’s beginning to find her way, the Japanese destroy her village and she has a choice to make. Much like we all have choices to make. When a doctor misses a diagnoses, when a coach bullies our kid, when our boss undermines us . . . we have a choice on how we react.
And it’s simple—not easy, but simple—We can trust, forgive, and find freedom, or we can burn to ash in our own quest for revenge. It’s crazy how often my characters say something that I need to hear. And let me tell you, Kailyn and Ryan preached a sermon to me through the whole book.
CC: I know you’ve walked a lot of those roads, just as I have. And man. You are right. It’s simple, but not easy. What a powerful message and reminder for us all.
What do you hope readers will take away from your story?
JT: Hope.
My books are heart-shattering books. But they are also always hope-filled.
Because I know the power of story to help us not just learn but also experience truth, I explore hard things because life is hard. BUT I also know that God is good. And if we can find our way through the darkness in the safe space of story, it makes us a map for how to find the light in real life too.
CC: I love how powerful fiction is. What a blessing and beacon of hope that God uses to reach so many who otherwise would not pick up their Bibles. It’s time to wrap up our interview with a fun question.
What animal is most like you?
JT: An otter. I’m a water rat. I LOVE being in, on, and around the water. I’m also driven to do what needs doing, but you better believe that all that work is done with a side of goof ball.
CC: Otters are so cool and fun to watch! Great choice.
Readers, I hope you’ll check out Darkness Calls the Tiger and then leave a review on Amazon, Goodreads, and/or BookBub. You wouldn’t believe how important that is to an author.
Giveaway Info
Janyre is graciously providing one U.S. resident, 18 years and older, with a signed copy of Darkness Calls the Tiger. Use the Rafflecopter below to enter. Entries open until 11:59 p.m. EST on April 30.
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Reader, what do you know of the Asian front during WWII? What things interest you about this story?
by Crystal Caudill | Mar 5, 2024 | Author Interviews
This week’s author interview is the wonderful Danielle Grandinetti. I’ve known Danielle for quite some time now, and it’s such a pleasure to know her. I love her unique time frame of the 1930s and her mix of history with romance and suspense. AND Danielle is generously doing a giveaway for a paperback copy of Refuge for the Archaeologist AND Relying on the Enemy (paperback, US only; ebook international). So make sure to go down to the bottom to participate.
Danielle Grandinetti is an inspirational romance author fueled by tea and books, and the occasional nature walk. An award-winning author and FHLCW Reader’s Choice Finalist, her stories span from the Great Depression to present day. Originally from the Chicagoland area, she now lives along Lake Michigan’s Wisconsin shoreline with her husband and their two young sons. Find her online at daniellegrandinetti.com.
You can connect with her through: Website & Newsletter Signup | Website Store | Book Blog | Amazon | BookBub | GoodReads
Now for the fun stuff! I have to admit I am partial to my Fast Five. 🙂 So settle in as I hit Danielle with rapid-fire.
CC: Pineapple pizza or candy corn?
DG: Pineapple Pizza
CC: Test the waters or dive in the deep end?
DG: Test the waters
CC: Guacamole or salsa?
DG: Both!
CC: Silly hats or silly socks?
DG: Silly socks
CC: Passwords or secret handshakes?
DG: Passwords
I’m a huge silly socks fan. It’s the only socks I can almost guarantee my kids won’t steal. LOL So let’s dive in deep!
When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?
DG: I’ve loved writing stories since I was in early grade school. I vividly remember writing my first short story in 3rd grade after hearing an author speak in Assembly. It has led me to believe that there’s nothing like the power of story to change lives, including my own.
CC: Amen. The power of stories never fails to amaze me.
What is your writing Kryptonite?
DG: Funny thing, description is my kryptonite. Though it’s one of my favorite writing skills to teach, I don’t write it naturally. Instead, I have to layer it in after I’ve set the scene. I suspect that’s because I’m a math nerd, albeit a romantic one, at heart.
CC: Ah. So you are one of the rare birds who is both a writer and a math nerd. 😉 I must admit, I like my spreadsheets. LOL
How have you seen God work on your writing journey?
DG: My characters’ spiritual struggles lead me to the Bible so I can offer them guidance in order to help them grow—whether through their own interaction with God or through the voice of another character. In turn, I am challenged as I write those scenes, and I hope those truths touch the hearts of my readers, too.
CC: I think that is one of my favorite parts of writing–seing how God uses my own story to grow me.
Now I’m excited to talk about your newest release, Relying on the Enemy.
She’s protecting her children. He’s redeeming his past. But there’s nothing convenient about saving their patchwork family.
Wisconsin, 1931—All widowed mother Marian Ward wants is to provide for her girls. However, she faces the dead of winter with no income and dwindling resources. Then she overhears a nefarious conversation, putting her life and that of her children in immediate danger.
Aiming to make amends to the Wards, Gilbert steps in when the threat to Marian escalates. It costs him dearly. Either lose his career or marry her, and be tied to his past until death do them part.
He leaves the decision to Marian, who will do anything to protect her girls, even marry the son of the man who ruined her family. How will their fledgling trust prove strong enough to fulfill their vows as winter tightens its grip and desperation stalks at the door?
Welcome to Crow’s Nest, where danger and romance meet at the water’s edge.
Purchase your copy at Danielle’s Website and other retailers.
CC: What readers will most love Relying on the Enemy?
DG: If you love marriage of convivence tropes, then I hope you’ll love this story! And, doubly so if you also love Gilbert Blythe from Anne of Green Gables.
CC: You know, I’ve never read or seen Anne of Green Gables, but I’ve heard so much about Gilbert. He must be real swoon-worthy if this story has some connections to him.
What was some of your favorite research tidbits for this story?
DG: I love scouring old newspaper archives! And I found a gem of an article that provided a major scene in the story. On January 18, 1931, the first big snowfall of the year occurred. According to local newspapers at the time, it was a twenty-four-hour snowfall dropping six inches of blinding snow followed by cold weather.
CC: Oh my! That must have been something, and definitely a challenge for those who lived through it. (And I’m a huge fan of scouring old Newspaper archives too!)
Relying on the Enemy is book four in the Harbored in Crow’s Nest series. Can this story be read as a stand-alone?
DG: Yes, with a caveat.
All the books in the Harbored in Crow’s Nest series are stand-alone romances, meaning each book focuses on just one couple and their happily ever after. However, each book’s plot does build on the events in the previous one, though I do my best to avoid spoilers.
That said, this book is one that has a major spoiler. Gilbert is the son of the man who ruined Marian Ward’s family. Notice that I don’t use Gilbert’s last name. That’s because it’s a spoiler for events that happened to Marian’s brother-in-law in Refuge for the Archaeologist.
While you don’t have to read Refuge for the Archaeologist (book 2) before reading Relying on the Enemy, it is where you meet the Ward family, especially Marian’s two precocious little girls. And, it will help you understand why Gilbert could be seen as an enemy.
CC: Good to know! I have a few stories like that myself.
What do you hope readers will take away from this story?
DG: The verse I chose for the front of the book is “As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good.” Genesis 50:20a (KJV). That theme permeates this story. God can redeem. He can take awful circumstances and redeem them for His children. It might not always look the way we think it should, and we may not see the fruit of it as soon as we think, but I pray this story will offer hope.
CC: What a sweet and important nugget to walk away with. As always, I love to end off with a fun question.
What animal is most like you? Why?
DG: A golden retriever. Their personality seems so similar to the way other people describe me. 🙂
CC: LOL They are a man’s best friend, and you are a wonderful friend. So I definitely say that fits!
Readers, I hope you’ll check out Relying on the Enemy and then leave a review on Amazon, Goodreads, and/or BookBub. You wouldn’t believe how important that is to an author.
Giveaway – A copy of A Refuge for the Archaeologist and Relying on the Enemy (print US, ebook for International) Ends at 11:59 p.m. EST on 3/12/2024.
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Reader, what animal best describes you?
