Meet and Greet Monday: Kathleen Y'Barbo

Kathleen Y’Barbo first discovered her love of books when, at the age of four, she stumbled upon her grandmoher’s set of World Book Encyclopedias. Letters became words, and words became stories of far-away places and interesting people.

As she grew up, Kathleen learned that her love of story could carry her off to places far beyond her small Texas Gulf Coast town. Soon she hit the road for real, earning a degree in Marketing from Texas A&M before setting off to such exotic destinations as Jakarta, Tokyo, Bali, Sydney, Hong Kong and Singapore.

Eventually, the road led back to Texas and a career in writing. Within a decade, Kathleen became a best-selling author of more than thirty award-winning novels, novellas, and young adult books. In all, more than 950,000 copies of her books are currently in print in the US and abroad. Soon Kathleen will be adding nonfiction books to her credits as well.

Kathleen is a member of the Authors Guild, Advance Writers and Speakers Association, American Christian Fiction Writers, Romance Writers of America, Words For the Journey Christian Writers Guild, Daughters of the American Revolution, and the Texas Bar Association Paralegal Division. She holds a BBA from Texas A&M University’s Mays Business School, as well as a certification in Paralegal Studies. A tenth-generation Texan, Kathleen Y’Barbo has a daughter and three sons.

Dear Reader,

I’ve been a fan of all things western for as long as I can recall. However, my fascination with John Henry “Doc” Holliday began in 2007 when longtime friend and fellow Waterbrook author Tracey Bateman convinced me to slip away from the International Christian Retail Show and take a taxi down to Peachtree Street and the Margaret Mitchell House.


There, in the front parlor of the historic home, I first heard the details of the story behind the story of Gone With the Wind. The tale of Ashley and Melanie becomes all the more poignant when set against the backdrop of the truth of the real-life family members that Margaret Mitchell used as models. The character of Ashley Wilkes was inspired by Doc, her cousin by marriage, while Melanie was based on Margaret’s third cousin (and Doc’s first cousin) Mattie “Sister Melanie” Holliday.

Because the church refused marriage to first cousins, Doc and Mattie’s love was not to be. Doc went out West, some say as much to heal his heart after the loss of Mattie as to heal the lungs that had been scarred by the disease that ravaged them. Word eventually reached Doc that Mattie had joined a convent. Throughout the remainder of Doc’s life, he wrote letters to Mattie. Upon Mattie’s death, those letters were burned by a family member so no record of what Doc and Melanie shared remains.

It is in this void of information that I set Anna’s story. While I made every attempt to check every

detail against the known history of the outlaw dentist, there are also gaps in time where Doc is unaccounted for. In addition, there are instances where only a second (or possibly third) man could have committed the crimes for which Doc Holliday was accused.

Like Anna Finch, I hope you find Doc Holliday unforgettable.

I'm excited to tell you that up next in the Women of the West series is the tale of Charlotte Beck. Readers came to know Charlotte as Daniel Beck's darling daughter and Gennie Cooper's worst nightmare in The Confidential Life of Eugenia Cooper, currently a finalist in Romance Writers of America's RITA competition. She's tamed her wild ways a bit for her appearance in Anna Finch and the Hired Gun, but can she keep her penchant for petty larceny under control? Here's a teaser for Charlotte's story, title TBA:

From pampered princess to bartered bride, Charlotte Beck’s plan to relieve her best friend Augusta "Gussie" Miller of the duty to wed is a smashing success. Unfortunately, now Lord Evan Hambly, second son of the Earl of Farnsworth and the jilted groom, is insisting Charlotte join him in a mutually beneficial ruse that will allow Charlotte her freedom while bolstering the Viscout Hambly's family fortunes. Their marriage of convenience soon becomes quite inconvenient when the starry-eyed astronomer falls in love with the bride who has stolen not only his heart but his pocket watch.

Did I mention there are connections to the Royal Observatory at Greenwich, a mysterious comet, and Buffalo Bill Cody and his Wild West Show? So sit back and read Anna Finch and the Hired Gun knowing the adventure will continue next year when Charlotte's tale debuts in June 2011. A bit of insider knowledge: I've been informed by my editor that the phrase Marriage of Inconvenience may be included in the title.

Until then, happy trails, readers! I'll see you out west!
 
Kathleen Y'Barbo


http://www.kathleenybarbo.com/

http://twitter.com/KathleenYBarbo

IN STORES NOW:

The Confidential Life of Eugenia Cooper -recipient of 4.5 Stars from Romantic Times Magazine!-2010 RITA FINALIST!


Beloved Counterfeit - -recipient of 4 Stars from Romantic Times Magazine!


Cajun Hearts - August 2009


The House is Quiet - Now What? Surviving the Empty Nest- November 2009


Anna Finch and the Hired Gun - Coming in June 2010-recipient of 4 Stars from Romantic Times Magazine!

Whistlestop Wednesday Book Review: STRAIGHT FOR THE HEART

Sarah Oakley and her young siblings flee from their outlaw uncle and hope to find a better life. Things go from bad to worse, however, when Sarah is arrested as an outlaw herself. The men of the wild west town of Medora, North Dakota want to lynch her, that is unless one of them doesn't up and marry her first. Enter Quinn McFarland, a handsome rancher who needs a wife, if only to stop his grandmother from sending for any more mail order brides for him. While marriage to Quinn might solve Sarah's immediate problems, she can't help longing for true love.

The plot for this light historical romance delivered no surprises and suffered at times from believability. However, the colorful characters, authentic details and accomplished writing engage the reader throughout the story.

I recommend this book for women who enjoy historical romance.

Meet and Greet Monday: Gina Holmes

In 1998, Gina Holmes began her career penning articles and short stories. In 2005 she founded the influential literary blog, Novel Journey. She holds degrees in science and nursing and currently resides with her husband and children in Southern Virginia. Her debut novel, Crossing Oceans released April/May 2010 with Tyndale House Publishers. To learn more about her, visit: http://www.ginaholmes.com/ or http://www.noveljourney.blogspot.com/

A Conversation with the Author

Your blog, www.noveljourney.blogspot.com, grew out of your own journey to become a published author. How many books had you written before Crossing Oceans? How long has your “novel journey” taken?

Thanks for mentioning Novel Journey. It has been a labor of love, not just for me, but for the whole Novel Journey team. It’s a great place for readers to discover new authors and for writers to connect and learn. And unlike most things in life, it’s a completely free resource. It really is the Novel Journey team’s desire to spread the word about the tremendous choices and talent available today in the realm of Christian fiction, so forgive us if we unashamedly plug it. We’d love the whole world to discover the great Christian novelists there are to choose from—Francine Rivers, Charles Martin, Lisa Samson, Claudia Mair Burney, Frank Peretti, and on and on.

But to answer the question you actually asked, I’ve written four books that haven’t been published before this one, Crossing Oceans, was contracted.

I’ve been writing toward the goal of publication for something like ten years. I’ve had lots of rejections and near misses along the way, but I’m so grateful for all of it. Crossing Oceans is my best piece of writing to date and a story I’m so very proud to debut with.

How much of Jenny did you draw from yourself?

Friends could probably be more objective in answering this question than I am. The honest answer would be maybe a little, maybe a lot. Each of the characters is drawn from parts of me, the good guys and the bad. I’ve got enough attributes and flaws to go around! Mostly the characters are their own creation though. They borrow a little from me, a little from others, and each takes on their own persona as well. It’s a combination.

Probably the one who’s most based on myself is Bella. She’s the glue that brings the two families together. I’ve always been a mediator type of person. I think most middle children probably are. However, I was more like Eeyore as a child than Isabella’s sunshiny self.

As you reviewed novels and talked to a lot of novelists who have had varying degrees of commercial success, was there ever a “dark night of the soul” where you decided this just wasn’t what you thought it was going to be, just wasn’t worth pursuing?

Not worth pursuing? No way! There are so many worthy stories to tell, and it’s my burning desire to do that. Not to say that I didn’t have fleeting moments of despair along the way, particularly when I came close to getting a contract, only to see it fall through at the last minute. But those moments really were fleeting, and I knew God’s timing would be perfect … and it was.

You have written several as-yet-unpublished novels, all of them in a completely different genre—thriller/suspense. Crossing Oceans is quite a departure. Do you prefer or find your voice more easily in one or the other?

I grew up reading suspense, so naturally that’s what I thought I should write. I did okay with it and got some recognition in a contest and came close to getting contracted, but ultimately none of those suspense novels ever sold. Then I started reading some really amazing novels outside the suspense genre, and it was like another world opened up to me. It was no longer a thriller I longed to write, but a story that would change lives the way the books I read had changed mine. When I started Crossing Oceans, I presented it along with a suspense novel I was working on to my agent, Chip MacGregor. I asked which one he thought suited me better. He told me both were good, but that Crossing Oceans seemed more like my true voice, or something to that effect. It turned out to be a turning point and absolutely the right advice. I’m now writing what comes naturally and absolutely loving it. Chip’s a genius.

How did the idea for Crossing Oceans come to you?

I’m not exactly sure where the idea came from, but when I write, I’m usually working out something in my personal life, past or present. Often it’s not until the story is done that I figure out exactly what. I think with Crossing Oceans it probably was my relationship with my parents. They divorced when I was a baby. For the first years of my life, I was with my mother, and then when I was in second grade, I went to live with my father. I know what it’s like to be torn, like Isabella, between two families who don’t always like each other but who all love the child they share. Then again, maybe I wasn’t working out anything! Maybe I just fell asleep watching something about a dying mother, and woke up thinking I had a brilliant idea.

King Solomon wrote, “My child, let me give you some further advice: Be careful, for writing books is endless, and much study wears you out” (Ecclesiastes 12:12). What’s your perspective on the flood of new books you see each season?

Honestly, I’d rather see two books released that are fantastic than a hundred that are just okay. There are great books that often don’t get the attention they deserve because they’re buried in an avalanche of new releases. Of course, tastes in literature are as different as in clothing, food, and anything else. One of my dearest friends has raved about books I thought were just okay and vice versa. So, who’s to say which two books are the great ones?

Do you ever find your Christian worldview a challenge to convey in your writing or as you communicate with other novelists in the industry?

It’s not difficult to convey in my writing, I don’t think. At least not today. Hey, I’m a sinner. I wish I wasn’t and I try not to be, but I always seem to fall short. It’s the same for my characters. The thing with me, and them, is we get back up, dust ourselves off, and try to do better next time. My faith, in all its imperfection, isn’t lip service. It’s who I am. What I believe. That comes out in my conversations, my choice of clothing, music, friends, and in my writing. It’s very natural for me.

As far as other novelists go, I guess it’s not a challenge. I’m a Christian and not everyone’s going to agree with what I do, or what I write, or what I believe, and that doesn’t matter. My mother said when I turned forty that I would stop caring so much what people thought and really start being who I am. I’m almost there and, as usual, she was right. I would say that in my personal life, everyone who truly knows me is well aware that I’m a Christian. I don’t hide it in my professional life either.

Finish this sentence: “I will know that I have totally arrived as a novelist when . . .”

I don’t think any of us ever “totally arrive” at anything. I’m a good mom, but have I arrived as a mother? No, I’m still learning and growing and trying to do better. It’s the same with being a novelist. If I win a Pulitzer, that would be great—okay, really, really, really great!—but that still won’t mean I’ve arrived. I’d still need to be learning and trying my best to improve with each book. I think once people start telling themselves they’ve “arrived”, they start getting lazy and proud. Ultimately they become less than what they could have been had they remained hungry to improve. Only when I’m entering heaven’s gates will I finally allow myself to say, “Now, you’ve arrived!”

And We Have a Winner!!!

Congratulations to Janet, who won THEY ALMOST ALWAYS COME HOME by Cynthia Ruchti in a Book Readers Central giveaway drawing this week.

Thanks to all who came by and read her interview. You can stop in again for more giveaway drawings in future weeks.

Whistlestop Wednesday Book Review: THE SILENT GOVERNESS

Author Julie Klassen loves both Jane Austen and Jane Ayre -- and it shows. Her new release, THE SILENT GOVERNESS, creates a world redolent with mystery and drawing-room intrique that hearkens back to the gothic romances of yore. The story opens as young Olivia Keene flees through a forest which is anything but safe. Circumstances thrust her into life at Brightwell Court and into the hands of inegmatic Lord Bradley. The plot unfolds in layers, like an onion, each deeper and more complex than the last. Nothing is as it seems and yet, in the end, we discover each riddle has an obvious answer.

This book is well plotted and written in an engaging style. Although I did find several plot points and aspects of characterization less than believable, such a compelling story made it easy to overlook a few minor flaws.

I recommend THE SILENT GOVERNESS for women who enjoy historical romance.

Click here to learn more.

*A complimentary copy of this book was provided to me by the publisher for purposes of review.

© 2010 Janalyn Voigt

Meet and Greet Monday: Cynthia Ruchti

Book giveaway drawing! Read the details, below.

Cynthia Ruchti writes stories of hope that glows in the dark. She writes and produces The Heartbeat of the Home, a syndicated drama/devotional radio broadcast, and is editor for the ministry's Backyard Friends magazine. She also serves as current president of American Christian Fiction Writers. Cynthia married her childhood sweetheart, who tells her his own tales of wilderness adventures.

BRC: How would you describe your book?
The tagline for the book is “She’d leave her husband…if she could find him.”

When Libby’s husband Greg doesn’t return from a two-week canoe trip to the Canadian wilderness, the authorities write off his disappearance as an unhappy husband’s escape from an oatmeal marriage and mind-numbing career. Their marriage might have survived if their daughter Lacey hadn’t died and if Greg hadn’t been responsible. Libby enlists the aid of her wilderness-savvy father-in-law and her faith-walking best friend to help her search for clues to her husband’s disappearance. What the trio discovers in the wilderness search upends Libby’s assumptions about her husband and rearranges her faith.

It’s my prayer that this fictional adventure story and emotional journey will reveal its own hope-laden clues for those struggling to survive or longing to exit what they believe are uninspiring marriages. How can a woman survive a season or a lifetime when she finds it difficult to like the man she loves?

BRC: What message do you hope your book conveys?
THEY ALMOST ALWAYS COME HOME will resonate with women who thought they’d never consider divorce but can’t stomach the pain and distance that mark their marriage relationship. From the newly married to the long married, women readers will identify with unmet expectations and the discovery—both unnerving and endearing—that their husband is not at all who they thought. And neither are they. They’re stronger, more culpable, more courageous, and more vulnerable than they knew.

Also key to the story is the unfolding of a deeper faith (If God is here in my pain, why haven’t I felt Him) and the power of female friendships as evidenced through Libby’s relationship with her comforter-but-truth-teller friend, Jenika.

BRC: What did you enjoy most about writing this book?
I’m hard-pressed to think of any part of this process that I didn’t enjoy. Hard work? Definitely. But laced with joy all along the way.

BRC: What did you dislike most about writing this book?
It was good for me but unnerving to have to confront attitudes in my own heart in order to write Libby’s story with authenticity and empathy. I grew. Growing pains are no more comfortable at this age than when I was ten.

BRC: What inspired you to become a writer?
My journey toward a lifetime of writing began by reading books that stirred me, changed me, convinced me that imagination is a gift from an imaginative Creator. As a child, I read when I should have been sleeping…and still do. I couldn’t wait for the BookMobile (library on wheels) to pull up in front of the post office in our small town and open its arms to me. Somewhere between the pages of a book, my heart warmed to the idea that one day I too might tell stories that made readers stay up past their bedtimes.

BRC: Tell us about your writing process.
I’m a “snatch” writer and a “cranny” writer. A file of ideas for future projects bulges with 80 or more one-liners, Scripture verses that could spawn a novel, or intriguing concepts. For me, a novel often begins with a snippet of conversation, a snatch of a phrase, a title, a single word. It’s fleshed out in crannies of time bolstered with occasional glorious longer stretches. After writing myself into corners, I’ve now changed my tactic to include a little more preplanning and a rough outline. My characters and storylines sometimes rebel against the constraints of the outline, and usually win. Discovering where they wanted to go is half the fun of writing.

BRC: What are you working on now?
One of the stories I ache to tell pierced my heart in a single, poignant moment. I still have difficulty talking about it without a catch in my throat. During a sweet time of communion with a wafer in one hand and a miniature cup of grape juice in the other, I heard those familiar words of Scripture read yet again: “On the night He was betrayed, Jesus took the cup and—”

Not just any night. Not on a night following a breakthrough moment when His disciples finally understood what He’d been telling them. No.

Jesus declared His love in unprecedented extravagance on the night He was betrayed.

The thought took my breath away. I haven’t regained it. The storyteller in me asked what that extravagance might look like in a marriage. I’m working now to finish the story ON THE NIGHT HE WAS BETRAYED. Where does a relationship expert turn when his wife leaves him and takes a tiny heartbeat with her?

Another project waiting to connect with readers is ALL MY BELONGINGS. The main character’s father killed people as his community service project. No wonder she changed her name and her path. His reputation threatens to undermine her attempts to find a place to belong and a legacy worth repeating. ALL MY BELONGINGS explores the difference between what we want to believe and what we do believe regarding end of life issues. What do we do if that gap is wider than we thought?

BRC: What books do you enjoy reading?
My bookshelves—don’t ask how many!—hold a wide variety of genres. The collection expands faster than a good yeast dough. I’m a mood reader, grabbing a light comedy one day and a literarily rich work the next. Although I appreciate well-written nonfiction, I gravitate toward an emotionally engaging contemporary women’s fiction story.

BRC: Where can readers buy your book?
THEY ALMOST ALWAYS COME HOME is available at cokesbury.com, Amazon.com, christianbooks.com, and your neighborhood bookstore.

BRC: Where can readers find you online?
http://www.cynthiaruchti.com/ or http://www.hopethatglowsinthedark.com/

They can also connect with me through Facebook, Twitter, and Shoutlife.

Book giveaway drawing: Enter for a chance to win a free copy of THEY ALMOST ALWAYS COME HOME by leaving a comment on this post. Entrants will be accepted until this Wednesday at midnight, US/Pacific time. The winner will be announced on this blog on Friday. For more detailed rules, click on the link in the right sidebar of this blog.

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Whistlestop Wednesday Book Review: WILD AT HEART by John Eldredge

This book's premise is that a man needs to be allowed freedom to be wild at heart, to be the warrior God wants him to be -- even if becoming that warrior means dealing with the pain of the past.

This book is aimed mostly at men. While I enjoyed reading WILD AT HEART, I was at times frustrated because as a woman I cannot relate to everything the author talks about. It does make an excellent read for today's Christian man. A man who is not saved or who is just saved would not understand its full message.

I have already recommended WILD AT HEART to many. It is a good choice for a church library and for the personal libraries of Christian men and boys.

* A complimentary copy of this book was provided to me by the publisher for purposes of review.

Meet and Greet Monday: Gail Sattler

Author Gail Sattler lives in Vancouver, BC, where you don’t have to shovel rain, with her husband, sons, dogs, lizard (who is quite cuddly for a reptile), and bass guitar.

BRC: Tell us a little about yourself and how you got started writing.
I say on my blog that I’m a wife, mom, writer, musician, dog owner, and lizard lover. I haven’t written a story about my lizard yet, but my first published book was inspired by my first dog, who has now gone to that great doghouse in the sky. I’d sent a photo of my dog to the art department at Barbour so they would get the dog right for the cover, and they ended up giving me the original artwork. The dog is perfect except for some reddy-brownish color on her beard (it’s a Schnauzer), which was not in the photo. My husband laughed at that, and said it was okay, the dog had obviously got into the spaghetti (my dog’s favorite meal) and it would just wash off. That painting is framed and still hanging above my writing computer. Spaghetti sauce and all.


BRC: That’s funny. I’m sure many authors have stories about the cover art of their books that readers would love to hear. Do you have any interesting stories to tell us about the cover of your new book, The Narrow Path?

I’m glad you asked, because there is a very interesting story behind the cover of this one. Because of the Mennonite characters my editor wanted something featuring the hat worn by the hero, which in turn made me want to see the hero wearing the hat. But because of the modern heroine, the cover wouldn’t be a true representation of the book just to show the Old Order hero. So I wanted to show both. However, they needed two models, and they’d run out of time for their deadline. But that problem was solved when two people who work in the office at Abingdon posed for the cover.

BRC: That’s different. It obviously worked, the cover is quite intriguing. How did they make that work?
Michael and Christa were really good sports. The whole office helped, too. Everyone helped to collect all the accessories we needed as mentioned in the book – they had the hat, but needed suspenders and a leather-bound Bible for Ted. We needed a red cell phone for Miranda, as that phone plays into the story, and someone in the office actually owned a red cell phone. Together, they got everything needed that was specifically mentioned in the book - the red t-shirt, red nail polish and lipstick, and even red earrings for “Miranda”, except with Christa’s long hair, you can’t see them in the pose they used for the cover. And then there was more accessories to hunt and find, for the book trailer.

BRC: You mean there’s more? Tell us about the book trailer.
It is very special that the people on the cover are the same people who are in the book trailer. Not many authors can say they have their hero and heroine from the cover in their book trailer, but I do. Again, Michael and Christa graciously posed for the photos in the book trailer, and again, the ladies in the office gathered the accessories needed – again including the red cell phone, but also the iPod, mints, lipgloss, and Abingdon provided the program disk for her Bible, which she has installed on her cell phone. Someone even had a red purse, which was an added surprise. I just love that purse! I want one of those. Then they took everything outside and took the photo in someone’s car, because the scene was to portray the way Miranda spreads everything out in her car, when she’s back at home in Seattle, sitting in traffic. Aside from those, everything in the book trailer is directly or indirectly somewhere in the book.

BRC: Readers can view that book trailer, below. It’s been great having you visit with us.

Thanks. It’s been fun.

BRC: How can readers find out more?

• Email Gail Sattler at mail@gailsattler.com
• Find out more about me at http://www.gailsattler.com/
• Learn more about The Narrow Path, read the opening chapter and view the book trailer at http://www.mennonitefiction.com/
• Read the first three chapters online, viewing it as a PDF Flipbook at http://issuu.com/abingdonpress/docs/the narrow path

BRC: Where can readers purchase The Narrow Path?

They can find it at any Christian bookstore or online at:

• christianbook.com
• barnesandnoble.com
• amazon.com
• cokesbury.com

Whistlestop Wednesday Book Review: "Creede of Old Montana" by Stephen Bly

Hold your horses, Pardner! Don't start this book at bedtime or you might just sacrifice a night's sleep. With page-turning action, pithy dialogue and a fine sense of the ridiculous, ex-cavalry soldier Avery John Creede fights for right (and dear life) as he faces danger head-on. A beautiful blonde girl in a yellow dress, appropriately nicknamed "Sunny," enters the picture with gun in hand and turns Avery's life upside down, although his heart belongs to well-bred Carla. And then there's Ace, green but learning fast from his Uncle Creede. While other less stout-hearted folk flee, they stand together against the Rinkman gang.

Stephen Bly's stunning writing style brings the Old West to life. With deft skill, he sustains a fast pace but doesn't sacrifice characterizations or setting. My only mild quibble with this book is that the humor, while standing on its own merits, sometimes does cross the line of believability to set up "gags." I'm not a regular reader of Classic Westerns, however, so I don't know what's acceptable within the genre.

I highly recommend "Creede of Old Montana" to those who enjoy Western fiction and even to those who might not normally read them. In this world today, we need more heroes. Stephen Bly helps us find them. And that's worth losing a little sleep over.

*I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author for purposes of review.

Meet and Greet Monday: Deborah Vogts

Deborah Vogts and her husband have three daughters and make their home in Southeast Kansas where they raise and train American Quarter Horses. As a student at Emporia State University studying English and journalism, Deborah developed a love for the Flint Hills that has never faded. In writing this series, she hopes to share her passion for one of the last tallgrass prairie regions in the world, showing that God’s great beauty rests on the prairie and in the hearts of those who live there.

BRC: How would you describe your book?
Seeds of Summer is the second book in the Seasons of the Tallgrass series. It’s a heart-warming contemporary romance set in the Flint Hills of Kansas where a former rodeo queen abandons her dreams in order to care for her deceased father’s ranch and her two half-siblings, only to realize with the help of a young new pastor that God can turn even the most dire circumstances into seeds of hope.

BRC: What message do you hope it conveys?
I’d like readers to remember how important family relations are and that we can get through our difficulties if we remember to love and forgive each other. I also hope to give my readers a taste of the Flint Hills and of how God’s beauty rests on the prairie and in the hearts of those who live there.

BRC: What did you enjoy most about writing this book?
I really enjoyed writing Natalie’s story and trying to get her through the difficult family problems she had to face. She is a very strong character with an interesting twist in her story—she’s a former Miss Rodeo Kansas AND the first runner up Miss Rodeo America. I don’t want to give away any of the plot line, but I can say that much of my research involved studying the rodeo queen pageants.

BRC: What did you dislike most about writing this book?
For the longest time, I didn’t know how to end my story. Then about a month before my deadline, it came to me like a clanging cymbal. Also, there were a few plot twists created by my secondary characters—Libby and Tom—who never wanted to go in the direction I’d outlined for them. I don’t want to give away the story, so you’ll have to read the book to find out. J

BRC: What inspired you to become a writer?
I wanted to write books since high school and studied English and journalism in college, but it wasn’t until 2002 that I began taking serious steps to get to the goal. Basically, I felt God prompting me to use the gift I’d been given or it might be taken away from me. So, I jumped in with both feet. I joined a local writer’s group and ACFW, (an online writing organization). I also joined a critique group, started reading writing how-to’s and attended writing conferences. I met my first agent at the ACFW Nashville Conference in 2005. We hit it off at our meeting, and she gave me some tips on making my book series “bigger.” I did that and submitted my idea to her, and she took me on. We shopped my Seasons of the Tallgrass series for a year and had a few bites (one of them Zondervan) but no sale. In the end, she released me, which was a real heart breaker. However, we don’t always see the big picture like God does, and six months later I signed with agent, Rachelle Gardner with WordServe Literary, and we had an offer from Zondervan three months after that in May 2008.

BRC: Tell us about your writing process.
When I begin a new book, I like to start off with my characters. I will interview them and create character worksheets for them. It’s a fun process and really helps me to get to know them. After that, I’ll start working on a plot outline, which may be very vague at the beginning. From there, I’ll form a short and long synopsis of the story that will be used for marketing. Once all of these steps are done, I’ll start writing. The plot might change, and the characters may go through transitions along the way, but it’s always fun to see how the story progresses and eventually ends.

BRC: What are you working on now?
I’m currently finishing up the third book in the series, Blades of Autumn, which is the story about Clara, the owner of Clara’s Café. Here's a brief description:

With a café to run and three children to raise, Clara Lambert doesn’t have time for men or loneliness, despite what her heart might tell her. When two handsome cowboys vie for her attention, one of the brothers proves to be her soul mate, but at what cost? Will it tear the brothers’ relationship apart or is blood really thicker than water?

BRC: What books do you enjoy reading?
I enjoy reading contemporary and historical Christian fiction, particularly those with a western, country or small town setting.

BRC: Where can readers buy your book?
Readers may find my Seasons of the Tallgrass series books in all fine bookstores as well as at their favorite online store. Seeds of Summer will be released the end of May but is available for preorder at the following links:

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Seeds-Summer-Book-Seasons-Tallgrass/dp/031029276X/ref=pd_sim_b_1

ChristianBook: http://www.christianbook.com/seeds-of-summer-seasons-the-tallgrass/deborah-vogts/9780310292760/pd/292761?item_code=WW&netp_id=683685&event=ESRCN&view=details

BRC: Where can readers find you online?
My website: http://www.deborahvogts.com/
    My blog: http://www.deborahvogts.blogspot.com/

Plus, Country magazine (Reiman Publications) interviewed me for their April/May issue, which was an incredible blessing and honor, as I’ve been a huge fan of their publications for years. If you go to their site, you can read a sample from the first chapter of Seeds of Summer as well as enter your chance to win one of my books. This drawing ends May 31. - http://www.country-magazine.com/

BRC: Thanks for stopping by today and letting us get to know you.
Thank you for hosting me on your blog, Janalyn. I’ve enjoyed this time together and look forward to getting to know your readers!

"Snow Melts in Spring" by Deborah Vogts

And We Have a Winner!!! "To Darkness Fled" by Jill Williamson

Holly Heisy won the blog giveaway for one of Jill Williamson's books in the "Blood of Kings" trilogy. "By Darkness Hid" or "To Darkness Fled." Holly indicated in her comment that she would like to receive "To Darkness Fled."

Thanks to all who stopped by Book Readers Central this week. Stop by in future weeks to meet more interesting authors and to enter more book giveaways.  You can subscribe for the feed or sign up to receive this blog in your inbox by email in the left sidebar.

Whistlestop Wednesday Book Review: "Sense and Sensibility" (Insight Edition)

In this sensitive and romantic tale by Jane Austin, we follow two unlike sisters in their quest for love. Set against the backdrop of England in the early 1800's, this beloved classic brings to life a time of strict cultural mores and societal roles. Jane Austin's wit and keen insight into human nature enlivens her characters and endeared them to me.

Bethany House's "insight edition" of  Sense and Sensability includes annotations in the margins with historical and cultural details, illuminating facts from the author's life, notes from film versions, the book's spiritual themes, comments on points within the story, and editors' personal opinions. While all of this sounds good, I did not always enjoy having such a constant "companion" to my reading.

I found the location of the notes in the magins drew my eye and made it difficult to ignore them. I understand the intent was to make them easy to find and read, but they distracted me from the story, especially since nearly every page contained one or more notes. The notes sometimes annoyed me for just when I would pause to make my own observations, someone else's thoughts would inject into the equation, sometimes with small spoilers. For me, it was something like sitting through a movie with someone who talks all the way through. Perhaps if the notes had been placed in a footer and edited to decrease the quantity and remove personal opinion and spoilers, I might have enjoyed this edition more.

*A complimentary copy of this book was provided to me for purposes of review.

Meet and Greet Monday: Jill Williamson

Book Giveaway Contest!
See the details, below.

Jill is the author of By Darkness Hid and To Darkness Fled, the first two books in a medieval fantasy trilogy. She has worked as a freelance editor and published numerous articles. VOYA magazine named By Darkness Hid as one of the Best Science Fiction, Fantasy, and Horror novels of 2010.



Jill grew up in Alaska with no electricity, an outhouse, and a lot of mosquitoes. Thankfully it was the land of the midnight sun, and she stayed up late, reading by the summer daylight that wouldn’t go away. But in the winter, there was nothing better to do than daydream. Both hobbies set her up to be a writer.

Jill has served alongside her youth pastor husband for the past twelve years and loves working with teenagers, especially to encourage young writers. (http://www.teenageauthor.com/) An avid reader, she started Novel Teen Book Reviews (www.novelteen.com) to help teens find great books to read. She lives in Oregon with her youth pastor husband and two book-loving children. Visit Jill at http://www.jillwilliamson.com/.

BRC: How would you describe your book?To Darkness Fled is the second book in the Blood of Kings trilogy. It’s about Achan, a young man who wanted to become a knight, and Vrell, a girl who is dressed as a boy to hide from the man who wants to marry her. Book two picks up where By Darkness Hid left off.

Here is the back cover copy for To Darkness Fled (Blood of Kings, book 2):

They have no choice. Chased by an evil prince, Achan, Vrell, and the Kingsguard knights flee into Darkness. They head north, for Tsaftown and Ice Island, where they must free an army that can help them fight for Er’Rets.

Darkness sickens Vrell. How long can she keep her secret without being caught? Achan already suspects her of lying. If she is not careful, he will suspect her of treason as well. She hopes he will let his suspicions go until they reach her home.

Achan wanted freedom, but this new journey has bound him more than ever. Sir Gavin’s claims are so far fetched. First, that there might only be one God, and second, that this God chose Achan to push back Darkness, the magnificent curse of Er’Rets. Him. Achan. Barely a man himself.

Each setback Darkness brings seems minor compared to the one choice only Achan can make. What will he choose?

BRC: What message do you hope it conveys?
From Achan’s journey: That there is only one God and that he is the desire of Achan’s heart. No matter what Achan faces, knowing God will make life more worthwhile. God created Achan for a purpose. If Achan wants to fulfill that purpose, he must discover who God really is.

From Vrell’s journey: That the truth will set her free, but there are still consequences to sin. Vrell may try to hide from those consequences, but she cannot hide forever. She must embrace who she is and confess what she has done if she is ever to be truly free.

BRC: What did you enjoy most about writing this book?I loved slowly revealing Vrell’s secret here and there. Vrell is a girl, but in the first book, she is in hiding, dressed as a stray boy to avoid having to marry the evil Prince Gidon, who only wants her inheritance. Then she meets up with Achan, who thinks she’s a scrawny boy. It was so much fun to dangle Vrell’s secret out there to be nearly discovered time and again, only to save her at the last minute each time. But the secret does come out in this story, and that was a fun scene to write too.

BRC: What did you dislike most about writing this book?
It was a challenge to write a book where much of it takes place in pitch black darkness. You can’t describe people or surrounding so easily without light. I had fun at first, but it was hard to keep it up for most (of) the story. There are lanterns and torches and candles used sometimes, but often, they travel in darkness so that no one will be able to track them. That was tough to write.

BRC: What inspired you to become a writer?
I wanted to speak to teens. I discovered that sometimes, people hire speakers based on articles written by the speaker. So I looked into writing articles. Then the new Harry Potter book came out, and a new barrage of debates within the church community flared up as to whether or not the books were evil. The debate inspired me to write my own teen novel that all Christians would love. Yes, I was a bit naive. I have since learned that no one likes every book. But that’s how I got started. I was inspired to try and write blockbuster-style stories that glorified God.

BRC: Tell us about your writing process.I start by brainstorming a premise, characters, and a basic plot. I need to know where the story is headed before I can write too much. I also need to know how each main character’s story will end. For this book, I use a spreadsheet, since I have two point of view characters. I write Achan’s scenes in one column and Vrell’s scenes in the next column so I can see how their journeys will mesh. Once I feel good about where I’m headed, I start writing. I try to write the whole book as quickly as I can—in a month, preferably. Then I go back and edit, rewrite, and add or cut scenes if necessary.

BRC: What are you working on now? 
I'm working on From Darkness Won (Blood of Kings, book 3).

BRC: What books do you enjoy reading? Books by Ted Dekker, Eric Wilson, Frank Peretti, John Olson, Bill Myer, Anthony Horowitz, Jane Austen, Jenny B. Jones, Lisa Samson, Francine Rivers, Megan Whalen Turner, and Cathy Gohlke. I enjoy stories that make me laugh, cry, or stay up all night because I can’t put the thing down.

BRC: Where can readers buy your book?
Online you can go to Amazon.com, BarnesandNoble.com, or MarcherLordPress.com. You can also buy an autographed copy from me through my website. You can special order my book at your local bookstore by giving them the name and author. Also, many libraries have my first book, and if they don’t, they would likely order it if you ask. Print out a couple reviews from the Free Download section of my website and take them to the library with you when you ask so that they know my book is a good one for their library.

BRC: Where can readers find you online?
My website is http://www.jillwilliamson.com/. I’m also on Facebook, MySpace, Shoutlife, Shelfari, GoodReads, Twitter, Amazon… On top of that, I run two blogs. The first is Novel Teen Book Reviews at http://www.novelteen.com/. It’s a website that reviews clean teen fiction. This is a great resource to see what books are available in the Christian market for teens. The other blog is for teen authors, though adult authors may find some useful tips too. http://www.teenageauthor.com/.

BRC: Thanks for visiting Book Readers Central today.
Thanks for having me! J




Book Giveaway Contest: Limited to entrants with mailing addresses within the United States. Please leave a comment to this post to enter. The winner may choose either By Darkness Hid or From Darkness Fled. A link to the full giveaway contest rules is provided in a sidebar of this blog.

WINNER!!! "Rooms" by James L Rubart

Congratulations go to Janet, who won James L Rubart's "Rooms."

Thanks to all who participated in the giveaway, and to those who visited Book Readers Central. Please stop by again next Monday to meet another author and for a chance to win another great book. You can sign up for the feed or to receive this blog by email in the left sidebar. Have a wonderful weekend.

Whistlestop Wednesday Book Review: "The Bridegrooms" by Allison Pittman

Four very different sisters grace Allison Pittman's The Bridegrooms, a book that analyzes what love is -- and what it isn't. Vada, the oldest, has an understanding with sensible Garrison but longs to be swept away by passion. Ungainly Hazel writes letters to men she's never met in hopes of securing a husband. Quiet, elegant Althea writes her heart out in poetry she shares with an unconscious man. And Lisette, far too spoiled and beautiful, tells off the young ball player who follows her around like a smitten puppy.

Lurking in the background is the shadow of the mother who abandoned them as children. Unspoken hurts lie at the heart of this small family. Very much in the foreground is the servant, Molly, a strident Irish woman who each weekend drinks her paycheck away and seems as given to blister the girls with verbal abuse as to bless them. Their father, "Doc," a physician, although kind-hearted, seems a bit clueless in a household of girls.

The plot revolves around an event which occurs when the Brooklyn Bridegrooms, a baseball team, comes to town to play the Cleveland Spiders. During a game, a line drive knocks out a spectator and the unconscious man is placed in Vada's bed to regain consciousness or die.

With memorable characters and an exquisite writing style, The Bridegrooms entertains well. Still, I question some of its concepts. The characters are sometimes quite harsh with one another, and Molly's tirades, while meant to amuse, did not. The book seems to confuse love and infatuation while attempting to define them as separate. Also, telling four separate stories within the limitations of a single book proves problematic. Its author did well at weaving the stories together, but there simply wasn't enough space to delve too deeply into each character's emotional complexities.

Beyond these quibbles, this story will stay with me. I was sorry when the book ended. Women who enjoy historical romance will enjoy Bridegrooms.

Click for more information.

*This book was provided to me by the publisher for purposes of review.

Meet and Greet: James L Rubart

 Author James L. Rubart lives in the Pacific Northwest and describes himself as a water skier, guitar player, dirt biker, cliff jumper, husband to his amazing wife for almost 24 years, and dad to two awesome sons, 17 and 14. His day job is helping authors and businesses market themselves through his company Barefoot Marketing. His debut novel, Rooms, just released with B&H Publishers and has already reached the top position in  the Amazon sales list.

BRC: How would you describe your book?
A story with all the boring parts taken out. Smile. Rooms is the story of a young Seattle software tycoon who inherits a home on the Oregon coast that turns out to be a physical manifestation of his soul. If you’re saying, “Ooooooo,” then I think you’ll like it. If you’re saying, “Huh?” then the jury is out. J If you took It’s a Wonderful Life, Disney’s the Kid, The Shack, The Screwtape Letters, Field of Dreams, Wild at Heart, some romance and mixed them all together you’d have Rooms. The headline on the back of my cover conveys the story pretty well: “What would you find if you walked into the rooms of your soul? One man is about to find out.”

BRC: What message do you hope it conveys?
That there is incredible freedom and healing in Jesus. And people can step into their destiny, even if they feel like they've missed it their whole lives.

BRC: What did you enjoy most about writing this book?
As I say in my dear reader letter, I needed this book for my own healing and freedom. It was a story I wanted to read, so I loved watching the ideas flow from the imaginings God gave me onto paper and into my heart.

BRC: What did you dislike most about writing this book?
I think the book will set some people free. It’s the theme I keep hearing from people who have already read it. And freedom is vehemently opposed by the enemy of this world. So there were definitely times I had to push through that were tough. Times I was tempted to give up where my amazing wife pushed me to press on through the oppression coming at me.

BRC: What inspired you to become a writer?
Christmas ’72. My mom gave my sister and me The Chronicles of Narina. At nine years old I was sucked into that world and never wanted to leave. Through C.S. Lewis’ brilliance the bug bit hard and never let go. Ever since I’ve wanted to try to do for others what Clive Staples did for me.

BRC: Tell us about your writing process
These days—with as crazy-busy as I am—I tend to write in batches. I'll take a weekend and write eight hours a day for two and half days, then might not write again till three days later.

BRC: What are you working on now?
Book of Days which will release in January 2011. It’s the story of a man who goes on a quest to find God’s Book of Days—described in Psalm 139—that has recorded the past, present, and future of every soul on earth. Also, I’m working on The Chair which will release in the fall of 2011. And in the land of surreal, a number of film production companies are interested in both Rooms and Book of Days, so we’re starting to explore possibilities there.

BRC: What books do you enjoy reading?
Everything. Bios, fiction, non-fiction, magazines … I always have five or six books going at the same time.

BRC: Where can readers buy your book?
Amazon, as well as Barnes & Noble, Books A Million, Amazon, Family Christian Stores, LifeWay, CBD, etc.

BRC: Where can readers find you online?

• http://www.jimrubart.com/ 
• http://www.barefootmarketing.com/Home/
• Facebook: James L. Rubart
• Twitter: @jimrubart
• e-mail: jim@jimrubart.com

Book Giveaway Contest: Leave a comment on this interview to enter. Entrants are limited to those with mailing addresses in the United States and will be accepted until midnight on Wednesday (Pacific Time). The winner will be announced on this blog on Friday. For complete contest rules, click the link in the right sidebar.