Caprice Hokstad was born in San Diego, California and has lived in southern California for most of her life. She attended Baylor University in Texas. Caprice is married with four children ranging in age from 7 to 23. She shares a mobile home with her family of five people, a dog, a cat, two big pet rats, a tankful of fish, and a leopard gecko.
BRC: How would you describe your book?
It's sword opera fantasy. It's set in a place where our societal rules don't apply, but most of our physical laws do. I didn't use magic and sorcery very much, nor did I employ one of the genre's favorite tropes, the quest. The heroine is a peasant girl, the hero, a duke. It's adventure and mystery with a dash of romance.
BRC: What message do you hope it conveys?
I just hope it is entertaining. Any "messages" should be inferred by the readers, not imposed by the author.
BRC: What did you enjoy most about writing this book?
I enjoyed escaping to another world, conjuring all the details I needed to see even if I didn't include them in the plot.
BRC: What did you dislike most about writing this book?
The conflicting messages I got from critiquers. One would say to change something one way and the next person would say the exact opposite. It took me a very long time to trust my own voice and my own vision.
BRC: What inspired you to become a writer?
Hmm. Did I actually *become* a writer? I guess so, but I didn't set out to become something. I set out to DO something and that was to tell a story. I've told a few more since finishing The Duke's Handmaid and I hope I'll get more ideas for new stories when those are finished.
BRC: Tell us about your writing process.
I plan a lot in my head, but I don't outline much on paper. I edit as I go. I love the polishing stage more than the "get it out" stage, which is mostly a necessary evil, only done in order to get to the good part.
BRC: What are you working on now?
I had an idea for an undersea science fiction novel, and I started it during NaNo of 2008, but my characters are simply not working for me. I still am very much drawn to that setting but I recognize that I cannot move forward until I solve the character problem.
In the meantime, I am indulging my obsession with underwater settings by reading widely in the genre (everything from The Abyss to Hunt for Red October) and studying a lot of related non-fiction (oceanography, submarines, marine biology, ocean mammals). And I am indulging my muse by writing SeaQuest fanfiction. I have written two full seaQuest novels in the last year. They can't be published, of course, but they are getting very high marks with the readers and giving me a LOT of satisfaction. They are available free at UnderseaAdventure.net .
BRC: What books do you enjoy reading?
This is really hard to answer in a generic way. I'm rather picky about what I like and there's no good blanket statement that covers it. I like adventure, sci-fi, and fantasy. I like escape. I need to admire or identify with the main character or several minor characters. I get frustrated if they constantly do dumb things or act in a way that makes me want to slap them. I can put up with a little of that, assuming that the character is going to change, but if it continues, I usually set the book aside and never pick it up again.
I loved the Harry Potter series. Spent the two months before book seven came out re-reading Books 1-6 OUT LOUD to my kids, then read Deathly Hallows out loud in under three days. Talk about the Summer of No Voice. But I do read those books over and over.
Book Giveaway Drawing: Leave a comment to this post to be entered in the drawing for a free copy of THE DUKE'S HANDMAID. Please include a way to reach you online or your entry will be ineligible. Entries will be accepted until this Wednesday at midnight (Pacific Coast time/United States). The winner will be posted Friday. A link to detailed giveaway rules is located in this blog's footer.
Congratulations go to A J Hawke, who won a copy of "Legendary Space Pilgrims" by Grace Bridges. Thanks to all who entered the book giveaway drawing. To stay informed of future interviews, book reviews and giveaway drawings, if you haven't already done so, please consider signing up to receive posts by email or for feed delivery of this blog. Thanks for visiting Book Readers Central.
Meg Lindsay and her husband both come from typical dysfunctional homes. She has turned to God, her husband turned to science. After agreeing not to have children, Meg wants to adopt. The struggle the couple faces in their own relationship and with their families will tug at heart strings everywhere.
Lucky Baby weaves faith and fantasy in a way that gives you a clear understanding of what the characters are going through. This book will open the eyes of those who have a troubled relationship with their parents or with their children. Anyone who has adopted a child from another country can also understand the heart wrenching anxiety displayed in parts of this book.
I recommend Lucky Baby to anyone who is willing to weep while they read. This book is available at http://meredithefken.com/.
*The author provided a complimentary copy of this book to me for purposes of review.
Grace Bridges is a sci-fi author (Faith Awakened, first published in 2007, and Legendary Space Pilgrims, 2010) and owner of Splashdown Books, an independent publisher of inspirational sci-fi and fantasy. She's a Kiwi of Irish descent living in beautiful New Zealand, and a chocaholic cat-lovin' Trekkie, Jesus freak, web designer, and all-round DIY gal who also takes care of the Lost Genre Guild blog.
Dear Reader,
Hello folks! It's your friendly neighbourhood science fiction activist, happy to be Janalyn's guest today. So what is it about sci-fi that's drawn me in ever since childhood and the days of Star Trek reruns, Greatest American Hero, and Superman movies? Well, I think it's the limitless nature of the thing. In sci-fi, you can do anything you want to - call marvellous inventions into being to accomplish impossible feats, but also creating unheard-of conundrums for my characters. What would you do if you went sailing off into space in a tiny pod and you hated reading manuals? What if you had to gather supplies on a planet with very low oxygen? What if you suddenly discovered your culture is not the only one in existence?
These situations and many more what-ifs are waiting for you in the pages of Legendary Space Pilgrims. As you may have guessed by now, it contains echoes of Pilgrim's Progress, except that this journey is through space.
On a planet that has never seen the sun, a harvester hears a Voice from beyond. It's time to leave the oatfield. Mario and Caitlin escape the mind control of Planet Monday, following the Voice to unknown worlds where wonders and challenges await.
The transition from mind control to freedom is not an easy one for our escaped workers. Abusive situations abound in the real world, and I've certainly had my share - this story provides hope that there is a way to get past the hurt and grow into all you're meant to be.
Currently I'm working on Godspeed, the sequel to my first book, Faith Awakened: If you could end world hunger, you'd do it, right? What if governmental experiments caused your miracle fertiliser to become a weapon of mass destruction? Meet Naomi, the Belfast biologist forced to run from her own creation.
Then there's CyberDublin: Oodles rules the world. But when its global hyperweb network falls prey to sabotage, society spins towards chaos. In Dublin, the heart of the fallen cyberworld, an orphan rebel and her housemates face a reality far less virtual than they're used to.
And I'm also writing Comet Born at a rate of one chapter a month, as a serial which is appearing in "Digital Dragon" magazine. Gases from a comet's tail bestow superhuman powers on the babies born as it passes through Earth's atmosphere. As they grow older, they discover their talents, but there are those who wish to control them for evil purposes.
My favourite books include those by Stephen Lawhead, Frank Creed, Jeremy Robinson, Chris Walley, Amy Deardon, and of course C.S. Lewis. I also do a roaring trade in unpublished manuscripts, which I devour as often as I can - to find the best and offer them publishing contracts through my own Splashdown Books.
Click here for a history of all Grace's publications.
Book Giveaway Drawing: Leave a comment to this post to be entered in the drawing for a free copy of LEGENDARY SPACE PILGRIMS. Please include a way to reach you online or your entry will be ineligible. Entries will be accepted until this Wednesday at midnight (Pacific Coast time/United States). The winner will be posted Friday. A link to detailed rules for Book Readers Central giveaway drawings is located in this blogs footer.
SEEDS OF SUMMER will take you into the Flint Hills, one of the last tallgrass prairie regions in the world, for a touching love story. Rodeo Queen Natalie Adams tries to conquer adversity on her own when she suffers disappointment, tragedy and broken family relationships. Jared Logan only wants to help, and although Natalie views the handsome young pastor with suspicion, she's in no position to turn down a helping hand. When their attraction grows, Jared holds to his principles and Natalie faces the God she rejected to go it alone.
Deborah Vogts vivid writing brings to life the gentle hills covered in bluestem, the wide-open skies of Kansas and the melding together of two hearts. I couldn't recommend this book more for women who enjoy contemporary romance. I approve this book for teens because of its wholesome relationships and its honest portrayal of the temptations and challenges teens face.
Erin Rainwater probably should have been born in the 19th century but somehow got flash-forwarded into the 20th. There was never any question that she would be a nurse when she grew up, regardless of which century she was in. And beginning in about the seventh grade, there was no question that she’d launch that nursing career in the military. As an Army nurse during the Vietnam War era, and she was privileged to care for the bodies and spirits of soldiers and veterans, including repatriated POWs and MIAs. Her military experience has helped in writing parts of her novels. Her support of the military is ongoing, and one of her favorite pastimes is volunteering at the USO in Denver. She writes historical novels, the latest of which is Refining Fires, which takes place in the late 1950s, and is the story of a disfigured Korean War veteran and a nurse with a tainted reputation. It was released in July, 2010 by Torn Veil Books. Erin is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers and the Military Writers Society of America, who awarded her a 2009 Gold Medal in historical fiction. She lives in Colorado with her husband of 36 years. She has four children and, in her view, the four most adorable grandchildren on the planet.
Dear Readers,
What a great way Janalyn offers to get in touch with you, and I’m so appreciative for this opportunity to let you get to know me just a little bit. I call my web site my “virtual fireside,” and this feels like an extension of that. So go grab a frosty glass of iced tea, pull up a bear skin rug and let’s chat, although it looks like I’ll be doing all the chatting.
First of all, no, I’m not of Indian heritage. I inherited the name from my hubby, who is part Cherokee. As for me, I’m 100% Irish stock, born and raised in Pennsylvania. My heart and soul somehow always seemed to be drawn to the West. So now I’m a happy camper living in Colorado. But I absolutely love going back to PA to visit family and stay in the house where I grew up. The heroine of my Civil War novel grew up in PA, too. Come to think of it, so did the heroine of my Colorado western romance. Imagine that!
I’m not sure where the heroine of my current release, Refining Fires, hails from. But she, like the others before her, is what I like to call a strong-without-being-an-alpha-female kind of heroine. She has to be if she’s to survive the likes of Korean War veteran Peter Cochran, for whom she must work if she’s to get off the streets and get some food in her stomach. A week spent in his household has her mulling over whether food and a bed are overrated as basic necessities. Peter is disfigured, bitter and self-absorbed. But his anger is no match for his newly hired nurse’s pluck. Her determined efforts elicit renewed life from his body while evoking a raw yearning in his soul.
Theirs is quite a love story, but it’s only the beginning. Their story is the first of three parts in the book, and is called, similar to the title, “Refining Fire.” The second story begins ten months later, takes you to a remote mountain area, and introduces you to an exceptional little girl named Susannah. The love Peter and Clare share has an immense impact on this extraordinary child who is filled with “Blind Courage.” Then you’ll meet the “Kept Woman.” Kept by whom is the question of the day.
Refining Fires goes way beyond the boundaries of a simple romance novel. You’ll get to see how a couple’s love impacts the lives of others whom God brings across their path. My hope is always that the reader’s life will be impacted by my stories as well. Endurance and Perseverance are major themes in all of my writing. I always point to the Source of those characteristics in some fashion in my books.
Not many authors get to see their characters come alive on stage or screen, but I’m privileged with the opportunity to have a scene from my Civil War love story, True Colors, translated onto the stage in Pittsburgh this fall. It will take place on opening night of the Military Writers Society of America’s annual conference. So aside from working as a camp nurse this summer, I’ll be collaborating with the producer to translate that scene from page to stage. Exciting stuff for an author. I can’t wait to see my war-torn characters “come to life” before my very eyes.
I’m betting there are some of you who hold to the traditional way of reading a book, with paper pages and a binding in between. Then there are those of you more technical-minded folks who are all about the convenience of your electronic reader that takes up no space on your book shelf. That’s why I’m excited to be able to say that Refining Fires is out in both formats.
It’s been such a pleasure to chat with you today. If you’d like to learn more about me and my books, all of which are love stories, visit me at my virtual fireside at http://www.erinrainwater.com/. Be sure to shoot me an email from my website so you can have the chance to chat back at me for once.
K.M. Weiland writes historical and speculative fiction from her home in the sandhills of western Nebraska. She is the author of the historical western A Man Called Outlaw and the recently released medieval epic Behold the Dawn.
~ Interview with K.M. Weiland ~
BRC: How would you describe your book?
Behold the Dawn is a medieval epic, set against the backdrop of the Third Crusade at the end of the 12th century. It tells the story of Marcus Annan, a renowned competitor in the brutal tourneys—the huge mock battles that remained wildly popular despite being banned by more than one pope. Annan, haunted by the secrets of his past, is confronted by a mysterious monk who demands that Annan help him seek vengeance for a wrong committed sixteen years earlier. Against his will, Annan is drawn into the conflict, and he journeys to the Crusade in the Holy Land, where he rescues the widow of an old friend and attempts to deliver her to safety in Constantinople. But he soon discovers that the past he’s been running from is finally catching up, and if he hopes to survive, he has no chance but to face it.
BRC: What message do you hope it conveys?
It’s ironic (or maybe not!) how often God takes the themes I’m writing about and puts them to work in my own life at that same time. The theme of Behold the Dawn is finding the new beginning in each day. Life was a bit chaotic while I was writing Behold and I really did have to learn to take each day as it came. At one point, I was even questioning whether writing was something I was supposed to be pursuing at all. I just had to keep giving my writing to Him on a daily basis. And, day by day, He kept giving it back to me.
BRC: What did you enjoy most about writing this book?
I simply love the characters. Marcus Annan, my main character, dominated every page and absolutely took charge of the story. His strength, his courage, and his haunted past… he was a blast to write. In fact, he’s easily one my favorites out of all the characters I’ve ever written. And that’s saying something, because this story, in particular, gave birth to quite a cast, including Annan’s smart aleck servant Peregrine Marek, the fugitive countess Lady Mairead, a conflicted Templar named Warin, and a triad of very scary bad guys!
BRC: What did you dislike most about writing this book?
The beginning. The first fifty pages of any project is almost always the most difficult part for me. Even though I outline extensively, everything changes when I sit down to begin that first chapter. Acclaimed short story writer Josip Novakovich explains it well when he says, “The plot outline is like a game plan in basketball or football. It can look good on a chart, but once the ball flies, it does not suffice…. The plan is not sacred: it shifts, depending on the position of the players on the field and on the flight of the ball in the wind.” As my writing journal bears out by way of a whole month’s worth of disgruntled, frustrated entries, it took me awhile to settle into the story’s rhythm. For a while there, I even despaired of ever making it work. But, eventually, things started falling into place. Ironically, from about the fifty-page mark on, this was one of those stories that just flowed.
BRC: What inspired you to become a writer?
Stories have run amok in my brain for as long as I can remember. I started writing them down when I was eleven or twelve. Novels were just a natural progression. I’ve written hundreds of short stories, but I prefer the novel as a form, simply because it allows a longer, fuller arc. I wrote four truly horrible (although still dear to my heart!) novels before finally hitting a new stride and churning out my first published novel, A Man Called Outlaw.
BRC: Tell us about your writing process.
I write for two hours every day, usually from four to six in the afternoon. The first half hour of that time I spend “warming up”: scribbling in my writing journal, reading an article on the craft, and proofreading what I wrote the day before. Then I choose a soundtrack and start writing (which translates to “staring at the blinking cursor for at least ten minutes”).
My perfectionist nature forces me to edit as I go. If I know I have a plot problem in the previous chapter, I have to go back and fix it. Otherwise, it niggles in the back of my mind and drives me crazy. So I edit a page at a time, a chapter at a time, and fifty pages at a time. Once I’ve finished my first draft, I go over it thoroughly two or three times and then send it off to my first round of beta readers. I may go over the manuscript again after receiving their corrections, but then I’ll just let the book sit in the closet for a few years while I start the process all over again with a new project. I’ll pull the manuscript out every couple months and tweak it (or majorly overhaul it, as the case may be), but not until I’ve finished my next project will I have gained enough distance from Project #1 to really see its faults.
BRC: What are you working on now?
I have several projects in the works. I have a completed fantasy, Dreamers (about a man who discovers that his dreams are really memories of another world), waiting for another round of edits. I also just started the first draft of a historical novel called The Deepest Breath about the passion, betrayal, and vengeance that dog two men and the woman they both love through the trenches of World War I, corruption in colonial Kenya, and the criminal underbelly of London.
BRC: What books do you enjoy reading?
If it’s good writing, I’m interested in it, regardless of genre, but my tastes do tend to run to historical, literary, and speculative fiction. Patrick O’Brian and Orson Scott Card are perennial favorites.
Both Behold the Dawn and A Man Called Outlaw are available in hardcopy and ebook versions on my website or through Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Alibris.
Congratulations to 123isabella, who won a free copy of LOST ISLAND SMUGGLERS by Max Elliot Anderson. Thanks to all who stopped by Book Readers Central. Consider signing up to receive this blog's posts by feed or email. Watch for more great interviews and book reviews in the weeks to come.
The Last Prince of the Mexican Empire recounts the last days of the Empire that was established under Maximilian von Hapsburg. It is a historical novel based on fact, though embellished with the author's interpretation of events. Author C. M. Mayo shifts perspective through a whole cast of characters.
This book opens toa different view of what was happening in Mexico just after America's civil war. Even in Mexico, the empire appeared in different lights. Some people welcomed the French and others resented their occupation. I recommend The Last Prince of the Mexican Empire by C. M. Mayo to anyone curious about the history of Mexico. It is full of wonderful information about a vanished or little known culture that we don't hear a lot about.
Max Elliot Anderson grew up as a reluctant reader. After surveying the market, he sense the need for action-adventures and mysteries for readers 8 – 13, especially boys.
Using his extensive experience in the production of motion pictures, videos, and television commercials, Mr. Anderson brings the same visual excitement and heart-pounding action to his stories. Each book has completely different characters, setting, and plot.
Seven books have been published, with an additional twenty-eight manuscripts completed. Young readers have reported that reading one of his books is like being in an exciting or scary movie.
Dear Reader,
My wife and I are the parents of two grown children. When they were small, I used to tell them original stories nearly every night. I’d made up a couple of characters and called the stories "The Harv and Marv Dumb Guy Detective Agency." The trick was, Harv and Marv only pretended to be dumb, and that threw off the bad guys. The way Colombo used to solve his cases might make a good example.
But I grew up hating to read, one of my worst subjects was English, and my father published over 70 books during his lifetime. I never read any of them while I was growing up. So how does a guy like me end up writing over thirty-five manuscripts and publish 10 books? Read on.
The title of my new book is Lost Island Smugglers. It’s book #1 in the new Sam Cooper Adventure Series which was something new for me. I write action-adventures & mysteries for readers 8 – 13, especially boys, that girls love reading too. Sam Cooper is a true series, while all of my other manuscripts, and published books, each contain different characters, settings, and plots.
I’ve just submitted my second story to the Guideposts incredible prayer series. One of my stories, "Two Circles of Angels," was published in book #2 of this series. There will be two more books in the Sam Cooper Adventure series. The titles are Captain Jack’s Treasure and River Rampage. More stories are planned for the series.
A second publisher will release Barney and the Runaway later this fall. After that they plan to republish my first seven books which include Newspaper Caper, Terror at Wolf Lake, North Woods Poachers, Mountain Cabin Mystery, Big Rig Rustlers, Secret of Abbott’s Cave, & Legend of the White Wolf.
Following these titles, we’ve signed an option for another sixteen titles. So I’ll be spending a lot of time working on revisions.
As I indicated earlier, I grew up with little interest in reading. My work in film and video production have taken me down a path of more visual expression. I read for information, but I still don’t read much for enjoyment. I do read an occasional book so I can review it on my blog. Recent examples would include Big Nate, Horrid Henry, the Fred Bowen Sports Stories series, Hardboiled Detective by Nate Evans and others, Rime Soldiers by Robert Gould at Big Guy, Daniel X by James Peterson, and others.
For my own reading recently, I’ve finished Wild at Heart by John Eldredge.
Books can be purchased directly from me when readers are interested in autographed copies. Requests for more information should be sent to mander8813@aol.com My books are also available on Amazon and other online sites, and because they are distributed by Ingram, they are available in any bookstore, though they may need to be ordered.
Book Giveaway Drawing: Leave a comment to this post to be entered in the drawing for a free copy of Lost Island Smugglers. Please include a way to reach you online or your entry will be ineligible. Entries will be accepted until this Wednesday at midnight (Pacific Coast time/United States). The winner will be posted on this blog this Friday.
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Ronie Kendig grew up an Army brat, married a veteran, and now has four children, a Golden Retriever, and a Maltese Menace. She has a BS in Psychology, speaks to various groups, volunteers with the American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW), and mentors new writers. Her novels include Dead Reckoning, a spy thriller, and Nightshade, Discarded Heroes Book#1, and Digitalis, Discarded Heroes #2, (January 2011, Barbour Publishing). Ronie can be found at www.roniekendig.com or www.discardedheroes.com
BRC: How would you describe your book?
NIGHTSHADE is the story of a former Navy SEAL who is fighting a new battle—the home front. Filled with action and adventure, the book also touches on heart-rending subjects like PTSD in our soldiers/sailors, airmen, etc., divorce, terrorism, and is for the most part, an accurate portrayal of what our heroes go through. Howeer, it’s laced with faith and God’s mercy.
BRC: What message do you hope it conveys?
Hope. The whole mission of NIGHTSHADE is to open dialogue for our heroes, so they know they aren’t alone. But also to make others aware that our heroes need our support.
BRC: What did you enjoy most about writing this book?
Feeling passionate about the story, not only because I absolutely love writing, but because I strongly believe we need to rally behind our troops, support them abroad and at home.
BRC: What did you dislike most about writing this book?
The volatility of the character. I tend to feel what my characters feel as I write, so by the end of many scenes in Max’s POV, I was completely drained emotionally—and physically. Its also very hard doing research about PTSD and our heroes/vets, and reading stories of those who lost hope and committed suicide. It’s absolutely heartbreaking.
BRC: What inspired you to become a writer?
I’ve always loved writing and making up stories, but it wasn’t till my husband nudged me to get published that I braved a world filled with rejections to attempt to get published.
BRC: Tell us about your writing process.
I think my process is rather chaotic for some people. LOL It’s more a process of elimination. Here’s what I mean: Most of my stories start with a “what if” question. If he “what if” hooks me enough, I’ll write it down. From there, if it still grabs my attention a while later, I’ll do light research to see if FACT will support the idea. If it does, then I do a very skimpy story idea (for example: X finds out about something and then that leads to this, which erupts in everyone’s face because of X’s insatiable quest for the truth).
If I get to that point, I know I’m probably onto something. And typically at this point, I have a “first scene” that flickering through my mind. So, I’ll try to write it. If I can feel the characters, if I see the next chapter, then I keep going. After 3-5 chapters, I’ll stop and really flesh out the character using archetypes, personality profiles, etc.
Then, I’ll draft up a one-page synopsis that provides me enough of a skeleton story to proceed, but not too much to end up tying my hands creatively (I’m more a seat-of-the-pants writer than a plotter).
BRC: What are you working on now?
Right now, there are several irons in the fire—I am finishing up Discarded Heroes #3, Wolfsbane, writing two new series proposals to send to my agent, and fiddling around with a supernatural thriller that might—maybe, possibly—find its way to my agent some day. :-D
BRC: What books do you enjoy reading?
Some of my favorite authors include: Jim Rubart, Robert Liparulo, Vince Flynn, Stephen Lawhead, Kathy Tyers, TL Higley, Lisa Bergren, Ted Dekker, Bob Hamer, Wm. Boykin, Chuck Holton, Oliver North, J. Mark Bertrand. . .I know I’m missing people. LOL
Congratulations go to Connieed53, who won the giveaway copy of "Disciple" by E. G. Lewis.
Thanks, everyone, for stopping by Book Readers Central. Please consider subscribing to this blog's feed or to receive posts by email. Don't forget to check back for future giveaway drawings, author interviews and book reviews.
As the American Revolution draws to a close, Seth Braxton finds himself in a quandary. Should he return to England, the land of the enemy he just fought, at his sister's plea? Brotherly responsibility turns to sharp concern when Seth arrives in Devonshire to discover his widowed sister grieving the loss of her only son. Seth wants little to do with Ten Width, his new inheritance. He plans to return to America as soon as possible, but finds his heart ensnared by his sister's friend, Juleah. Treachery threatens as a sinister plot unfolds.
Rita Gerlach writes with fine skill and a touch of lyricism. Surrender the Wind gives us romance and adventure couched in history. Although the main character is male, I recommend this book for women who enjoy historical romance and historical fiction.
E. G. (Edward) Lewis was born and raised in Cincinnati, Ohio. He writes both Commercial and Christian fiction and has three published novels. A second mainstream novel set on the Oregon Coast, LOST, is currently undergoing final revision and he continues work on additional volumes in The Seeds of Christianity™ Series. A former newspaper editor and publisher, his articles have appeared in national and regional magazines. He has also written and directed corporate training films. Mr. Lewis earned a graduate degree in Economics from Ohio State University and worked in Planning and Corporate Management for many years before becoming a fulltime novelist. He and his wife, Gail, also a writer, live on the Southern Oregon Coast.
BRC: How would you describe your book? Disciple is Biblical Fiction…the second book in my Seeds of Christianity Series. I typically begin by explaining that Book One, Witness, told the story of Rivkah, a young shepherd girl, who was in the fields on that first Christmas and, years later, witnessed the crucifixion. Disciple picks up with Acts, telling the story of her family’s conversion, their persecution by Saul, and eventual move to Antioch where they help establish the church there. BRC: What message do you hope it conveys?
The series depicts day-to-day life as it was lived by 1st Century believers. I hope to convey their deep spirituality, steadfast commitment to life and devotion to the teachings of Jesus Christ.
BRC: What did you enjoy most about writing this book?
The research. The more I learn about the life and times of the early Church the more I stand in awe of those early Christians and all they accomplished. It’s been a faith journey for me.
BRC: What did you dislike most about writing this book?
I sometimes have a lot of balls in the air. As much as I love learning and sharing new ideas and insights, I never anticipated the demands on my time would be as great as they’ve become.
BRC: What inspired you to become a writer?
In one way or another, writing has always been part of my life. I’ve written for newspapers and magazines…even wrote and directed corporate training films. But the idea of writing a novel intimidated me. I imagined novelists as Ivy League types in tweed jackets. Eight years ago I succumbed to my wife’s persistent encouraging and haven’t looked back.
BRC: Tell us about your writing process.
I’m an organic writer, meaning I let the story flow rather than work from a detailed outline. I start each book with as much research as possible. Then I open a spreadsheet and block out the story in general terms. From there I follow my character’s lead inserting, re-arranging and modifying as the story progresses. It can be chaotic, but it’s the only way that works for me.
BRC: What are you working on now?
I’m deep into the third book, Apostle. The series was originally planned as a trilogy. When I completed Disciple I realized there was too much material left for just one more book, so we planned a fourth one. Apostle will focus entirely on events in the life of the Antioch Church.
BRC: What books do you enjoy reading?
Ironically, I have so much nonfiction reading to do for my research that I don’t get to read as much fiction as I’d like. My favorites have plots that revolve around historical settings.
BRC: Where can readers buy your book?
They can be ordered at any bookstore or through your favorite online booksellers: Amazon, B&N, Powell’s, Books-a-Million, etc., or through the publisher at http://www.capearagopress.com/.
BRC: Where can readers find you online?
I maintain a blog called Sowing the Seeds (www.seedsofchristianity.com/wordpress/). Its primary focus is the life and times of the Early Church. I also do occasional book reviews, along with Series updates and insights into the writing life.
~ Synopsis ~
When Rivkah and her family convert to The Way, prejudice forces them out their settlement near Bethlehem. They move to Jerusalem and quickly become ensnared in Saul’s persecution of the early Church. Forced to flee for their lives, they leave Jerusalem with Simon Peter to sow the seeds of Christianity in Antioch.
Experience life in the early Church through this well-researched and historically accurate novel: Watch the first Christians struggle to live out the teachings of Yeshua in an often hostile environment. Sit beside the twelve apostles as they partition the world and begin their mission of preaching and teaching. Encounter Saul of Tarsus, the scourge of the early Church…and Stephen, the first to die for his faith.
Stand beside Channah as she watches a mob stone the man she loves. Meet Pavlos of Antioch, the mute giant whose actions speak louder than words, and whose innate goodness created a ministry to the weak and helpless. Weep for Eleana, the young Parthian woman who was savagely attacked by a Roman soldier and must now decide whether to bear the child that must be his.
Walk with the early Disciples as they sow the Seeds of Christianity.
~ Chapter 1 ~
Rivkah’s skin prickled at the sound of their coarse laughter.
Tossing a damp towel over the dough she’d been kneading, she whipped off her apron and raced to the window. Ear cocked, she huddled beside the window’s hide covering listening.
The jumble of voices, though indistinct, grew steadily louder. Somewhere beyond the hill a rooster crowed and chickens squawked in fright.
The tromp of hobnailed sandals on the road winding through the cluster of small homes in their settlement made her heart pound. Rivkah strained to decipher their conversation. She caught a smattering of words and phrases. Among them meretrix, the Roman word for prostitute.
Expletives, grunts of acknowledgement and additional coarse laughter followed.
Soldiers. Roman soldiers on the march.
Why here? Why now?
Rivkah lifted the worn corner of the window covering. Peering through a green curtain of fig leaves, she watched six Legionnaires descend the hill toward her home. Six professional soldiers could decimate her small community much as they had when Herod the King sent them in search of infant boys. The memory made her shudder.
She eased back the hide cover and glanced into the sleeping area.
Though it was already mid-morning, her husband, Shemu’el, dozed on the bed. The night before he’d sprinkled medicine from the vase shaped like a poppy pod into his wine to help him sleep. His right leg, broken weeks earlier, remained encased in a heavy plaster cast. He sighed in his sleep, coughed, and brushed away a fly crawling on his forehead.
Rivkah waited until he resumed snoring then crossed to the front of the house. She pressed her back against the wall between the door and the front window and eased the bolt across the doorframe.
Shafts of sunlight cut through the clouds of yellow dust billowing around the soldier’s feet. Their insignias indicated they were part of the Jerusalem detachment stationed at Antonia Fortress, the military garrison adjacent to Herod’s Temple. But Bethlehem was miles from Jerusalem and this little shepherd’s settlement farther still.
Why were they so far from home?
The soldiers were 50 cubits from the path leading to their door and closing fast. She knew she had to do something…but what?
Carrying their arms loosely, they laughed and chatted as they walked. Their pace had the cadence of a drum roll. From long habit they maintained the Imperial standard of 3.6 Roman miles per hour regardless of the terrain.
So long as their swords remained holstered she allowed herself to hope they were merely passing through. Undefended women were at risk anytime soldiers moved through the countryside. Bad things happened to a woman left alone.
Despite his handicap, she knew Shemu’el would rise to defend her. Better he sleep undisturbed. On his best days, he could barely hobble on his walking sticks.
Rivkah ran her eyes around their modest home searching for a weapon, any weapon. She spotted a sickle hanging above the door. The week before her middle son, Yaakov, had sharpened its crescent-shaped blade in anticipation of harvest. Twisting to her left, she reached up and snatched it off the hook.
Her stomach lurched.
They were outside now. The men drew even with the path leading to her home and continued on without missing a beat.
Rivkah released her breath and, for the first time, relaxed a little. Sickle in hand, she ran to the window beside the bed. Her foot brushed the night pot as she passed and its white pottery lid clanked against the bowl.
Shemu’el woke with a start and glanced around. “Heh? Wha…”
The after effects of the narcotic he’d taken dulled his mind and slowed his reactions. Digging an elbow into the bed, he used it to leverage himself onto his side. His right leg, encased in a cast, thumped onto the bed.
Finger to her lips, Rivkah spun to face him. “Shhh!”
Shemu’el shook his head, clearing the fog in his brain. His brow knitted as he watched his wife crouch beneath the window clutching the sickle like a battle axe.
“What is going on?” he whispered.
She fluttered her hand at him and stared at the soldier’s backs until they marched out of the settlement.
Shemu’el, now fully alert, heard their footfalls fading in the distance. “How many?”
“Six.” She continued watching from the window. “Just passing through. They’re on their way out now.”
He grabbed her arm and jerked her around. “Why didn’t you wake me? What if they came to the door…broke into the house?”
Rivkah shrugged, trying to appear calmer than she was. “You and I both know there is little you could have done.”
He released his breath in a huff. “I am still the man of this house. You should have woken me.”
“Why? So you could challenge six men and be killed?”
Rivkah carried the sickle into the kitchen with her. Setting it aside, she tied on her apron.
“All I have are loaves left from last evening.” She pointed to the mound of dough hidden under the cloth. “The soldiers interrupted my baking.”
Rivkah filled a cup with warm apple peel tea, swirled in honey, and carried it to him.
Shemu’el took a sip and nodded appreciatively. “What is done is done. I know you’ve had to shoulder additional responsibility while my leg heals, but in another week or so all that will end.” He took another sip. “Fortunately, no harm came of it.”
In the kitchen Rivkah filled a plate with bread and soft cheese. She was stretching for a plum when a terrifying thought stopped her. Their youngest daughter had taken the sheep to pasture that morning. Channah was alone in the meadow and six soldiers were headed in her direction.
“Channah!” The plate slipped from Rivkah’s fingers and crashed to the floor.
“What about her?”
Ignoring the shards on the floor, she grabbed her veil and swept it over her head. “She is out with the sheep. I must find her.”
“You cannot go alone. Help me up.” Shemu’el waved his arm and rocked in the bed, trying to rise.
Rivkah snatched up the sickle and raced out the door leaving him to fend for himself.
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