Interview by Brock Eastman Featuring Secret of the Lost King Brock: How did you come up with the idea for this book? Shaun: I actually never intended Secret of the Lost King to become a book, let alone a series. It was actually first written as a stage play for a summer camp. A group of twelve actors brought the story to life over the course of a weekend. It was a lot of fun and after we finished I kept thinking, “You know, this would make a really good book.” So I sat down with the script and wrote book one out. And then I got ideas for a second book set in this world, and then a third, and now it’s expanding to a six-book series! Brock: That's awesome when God brings things together like that! Tell us about the main characters. Who are they? What makes them unique? Shaun: Jack is an orphan who has always wondered about what life would be like outside the confines of the orphanage where he lives. But he’s also afraid of everything. So when he has to leave his home in Secret of the Lost King, he’s afraid. And especially when he learns that he may be one of the only people in the kingdom who can end the evil emperor Morogh’s reign, he’s even more frightened. How could he ever live up to this task? What makes him so special? I love exploring these sorts of themes: the value in a person and the unique things they bring to the table in any situation. Brock: Give us one fact about each main character that no one else knows. Shaun: Molly, one of the other orphans who joins Jack on his journey, is actually an avid horse enthusiast, although she would never admit it to anyone. Disdain is one of her favorite emotions. Jack is actually an expert in horticulture, or the study of plants. Sounds boring, but definitely useful when you’re traveling through the woods and you’re just not sure which berries you really can eat. Brock: In three sentences what is this book about? Shaun: Secret of the Lost King is an adventure story exploring what it means to be a hero. Jack and his friends face an impossible task: find a missing king and discover the secret behind his disappearance. Along the way, they have to face one of the hardest questions any of us have to ask: what value do we bring to the table in any situation? Brock: Intriguing! Do you outline the entire book before starting, or do you write as you go and let the characters take control of the story? Shaun: When I sit down to write, I typically come up with the overarching story to begin with. I want to know where my characters start out and where they will probably end up. However, I have always said my “subconscious writing brain” is way smarter than I am, and as I write the story generally morphs a bit as my brain connects things together I never could have come up with on my own. I’m always amazed at the end of a book when I realize something and say, “I didn’t even plan for that to be connected! Crazy…” Brock: How do you believe this story relates to the lives of readers? Shaun: This book is a story about discovery. Jack is discovering who he is and what his life is all about. I think a lot of us ask those same questions: Who am I? Why do I matter? These fundamental questions are so important for us to explore. I believe that God has created everyone for a purpose. He loves each one of us and definitely has us where He wants us to be: sometimes in an amazing place, and sometimes in the valley of shadows. Whether we are on the mountaintops or down below, we can trust that God is with us every step of the way and will use what we experience and go through to impact more lives than we can ever imagine. Brock: Yes, that's a great lesson to live by. What is your favorite genre to write for? Shaun: I really love writing fantasy stories. The possibilities are endless and the journeys are always surprising. However, I also really love fiction that is introspective and explores the deep thoughts a lot of us have but are afraid to voice. Brock: What is the biblical background or basis for the series? Shaun: As I was planning the series, I came across this verse in the book of Joel: “‘And it will come about after this that I will pour out My Spirit on all mankind; and your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions. And even on the male and female servants I will pour out My Spirit in those days’” (2:28-29, NASB). I came up with this idea to match Jack’s journey with a story from the Bible -- someone else who had gone through the same struggles. For me it made total sense to match Jack up with Gideon, a man from Judges, who was afraid to be the hero God had called him to be. Brock: How many books are planned for the Thrones series? Shaun: Six. Along with a few side short stories. There are so many amazing characters in this world I want to explore I can’t leave it just at the six novels! Brock: Are you working on the next book in the series? Shaun: Yes! I am working hard on book number three, and I’m excited about where the story left off in Sword of the Broken Son. There are some fascinating revelations at the end of book two that are begging me to be explored this time around. Brock: How do you hope parents will use this book with their kids? Shaun: I am a huge believer in parents reading books to/with their kids. In 2013, School Library Journal asked families: How many parents read bedtime stories to their kids? According to the poll, about "two-thirds of parents don't read to their kids every night" (Bayliss, 2013). Bedtime stories were a huge part of my elementary years. I loved it when my parents would come and read me a story before I drifted off to sleep. Those times not only sparked my imagination, but gave me valuable face time with my parents. I love hearing stories of families reading this story together and diving deeper into the story of Gideon and what it means to be a hero in their home, school, and neighborhood. Brock: Where do you like to write? Shaun: I love coffee. Therefore, I love coffee shops. Therefore, I write in them. All the time. The atmosphere, the smell, the varied conversations around me all inspire me to keep writing. I actually find I don’t write very well when I’m at home. There are so many distractions! Brock: True! Expound on the spiritual themes in the Secret of the Lost King. Shaun: In Secret of the Lost King, I really wanted to explore the idea of what it means to be a hero. We talk a lot about superheroes and standing up for what you believe in, and I wanted to write a story that explored what it means to be a hero in God’s eyes. It’s not always flashy. It’s not always fun. Sometimes it’s extremely hard. But being a hero who follows God brings a lasting impact on the lives of people around us we can never even begin to measure. Brock: What are some of the strongest influences on your writing? Shaun: I love 1980’s films. They were my bread and butter when I was little. Films like The Neverending Story and Return to Oz and Star Wars and Indiana Jones fed my imaginative brain like crazy. When I started reading, I devoured books. I used to read a hundred books a year, constantly checking out large stacks from the library, and later on when I could buy my own books, building my library from our local used bookstores. Brandon Mull, Madeleine L’Engle, C.S. Lewis, L. Frank Baum, Robert Liparulo, and Melody Carlson have all had tremendous impact on my writing style. Brock: What was your favorite book as a teen or child? Shaun: I seriously devoured Oz books when I was little. My great-grandmother’s early 1900’s copies made it to our family and I ate those books up! In my teen years I discovered Ted Dekker and finally read the Narnia books by C.S. Lewis. Brock: What is the one author, living or dead, who you would co-write a book with? Shaun: Oh man, that’s definitely a toss up between Brandon Mull or E.J. Patten. Brock: In what ways does your faith impact how you approach writing? Shaun: I’m a Children’s Pastor in my other work life, so I am always thinking about how to communicate the truth about Jesus to readers. However, I never feel satisfied with stories that wrap up everything neatly because I don’t believe life wraps up neatly. I think life is very complicated and especially in today’s culture, we ask a lot of hard questions about faith and Jesus and church. I want to be the writer who is never afraid to tackle those hard questions and allow there to be no answers by the end of the story. Brock: Coke or Pepsi? Shaun: Coffee. Brock: Soft shell or hard shell tacos? Shaun: Coffee. Just kidding, soft shell tacos! Brock: Do you have a particular drink or food you consume when you write? Like coco, raspberry tea, animal crackers? Shaun: Coffee. Always coffee. I’m not addicted. I promise. Brock: Haha Do you have a favorite Bible verse? Shaun: Philippians 1:6 - “For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.” Brock: Do you listen to music while you write? If so, what are some examples? Shaun: I love listening to movie soundtracks while I write. I’ve actually got a pretty extensive collection by now, but some of my favorite go-to soundtracks are: Return To Oz by David Shire, anything by Hans Zimmer, and recently Dave Barry’s The Black Hole soundtrack. Brock: What inspires your writing? Shaun: All kinds of things, but typically my stories always begin with an emotional thread I want to yank on until it unravels completely. I love exploring difficult questions and feelings. For instance, with Secret of the Lost King, I wanted to explore the idea of discovering who we are. What is that journey like, how does it happen, how does it end? In Sword of the Broken Son, I wanted to explore the idea of rejection. What does it mean to be rejected? What do we do when we feel like God has rejected us? But as my wife will tell anyone, my brain is crazy and comes up with the most random ideas sometimes! Author Website: ShaunStevensonbooks.com
Author Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shaunstevensonbooks/ Author Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/shaunstvn Author Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/shaunstvn
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UPDATE: Read about her Book launch for Book 2 and Book 1 Interview by Brock Eastman Featuring Code Name Flood Perfect for fans of Jurassic Park and Jurassic World! Code Name Flood is the electrifying sequel to The Ark Plan, which School Library Journal praised by saying: “Nonstop action, marauding dinosaurs, and kids on the run: What’s not to like?” Last week, twelve-year-old Sky found a cryptic message from her dad, who mysteriously fled the safety of their underground compound five years ago. The note said the fate of the world depended on her going topside, to a lost world that’s ruled by dinosaurs. Today, after a treacherous journey through the wilderness, Sky and her friends have made it to their destination: Lake Michigan. There they discover a hidden underwater lab, and with the help of its scientists, Sky will finally learn the truth about her father’s secret mission. Tomorrow, it will be up to Sky and her friends to save humanity from the very edge of extinction. Readers who enjoy middle-grade adventures by Brandon Mull and Rick Riordan will love this action-packed story, which takes the premise of Michael Crichton’s bestselling classic to a whole new level, envisioning a post-apocalyptic future where cloned dinosaurs have taken over, and the world’s only hope is one group of courageous kids. Brock: What was your inspiration for writing Edge of Extinction series? Laura: While my inspiration for the entire series came from a visit to the New York Natural History Museum and their amazing dinosaur display, the idea for a large part of this book actually came from the New York Subway system. When I visited New York with my mom, I was amazed by the underground networks that crisscrossed and twisted underneath the city, and I wondered what it would look like if the human race had to live in those tunnels, instead of just using them to get from point A to point B. So when I was writing CODE NAME FLOOD, and I needed an East Compound, I put it in New York’s subway system. Brock: Tell us about the main characters. Who are they? What makes them unique? Laura: Sky, Todd, and Shawn are all back for book two, and I added a new character I think everyone is going to enjoy named Chaz. I don’t want to say too much about her and give away a big surprise in the story, but I think she is one of my favorite characters. She’s spunky and funny, and I think she is a great foil for Sky’s one-track determination, Todd’s humor, and Shawn’s seriousness. Brock: In three words, what is this book about? Laura: Sea Monsters, Determination, Friendship Brock: Do you outline the entire book before starting, or do you write as you go and let the characters take control of the story? Laura: My character’s are the boss, I just show up for work every day and do what they tell me. Brock: How do you believe this story relates to the lives of readers? Laura: My readers are usually middle school age kids, and while they crave adventure and excitement, but a lot of times they aren’t quite ready for the real thing yet. My book is an edge-of-your seat thrill ride from page one, and my readers get to LIVE all that danger and excitement from the safety of their couch! Brock: What is your favorite genre to write for? Laura: Science fiction and fantasy will always have my heart; since those are the genres I most enjoy reading. Besides, there is something intoxicating about building worlds and creating something that only existed in your imagination up until it hits the page. Brock: How many books are planned for this series? Laura: This is the second and last book in the series. CODE NAME FLOOD wraps up the mysteries and questions that were started in Edge of Extinction-The Ark Plan. That being said, I’d love to write another one. The world I created for Sky and her friends is just too much fun, so never say never! Brock: Any certain research required for the book, or is it all from your imagination? Laura: While book one required quite a lot of dinosaur research, Code Name Flood required research of a slightly different variety. You many have noticed the rather fierce looking creatures on the cover, well, those AREN’T swimming dinosaurs. They are ancient aquatic marine reptiles. Which is a mouthful to say and an even bigger mouthful to incorporate seamlessly into a story. Despite that annoying technicality, the research on creatures like the kronosaurus and elasmosaurus was incredibly interesting. There is just something about sea monsters that sends a shiver up your spine. I’m not so sure my characters would agree, as I unceremoniously dumped them into a lake swarming with the creatures, but it makes for a fun read! Brock: Why did you choose to focus on a female protagonist? Laura: My narrator, Sky Mundy, is a girl, which is funny since EVERY other book I’ve ever written has been from a male perspective. Please don’t ask me why, since I have no idea. In fact, the next series I’m pitching is written with a boy protagonist. I guess part of it is that I was never a girly-girl. I always hung with the boys (I was the only girl invited to many a boy’s birthday party in grade school), and I loved sports and being outside. So I guess I have an easier time seeing the world that way. My solution with Sky was to make her a lot like who I was at that age. She came out a very focused and driven character because that’s who I was! Brock: Are you working on the next book in the series? Laura: As I mentioned before, the Edge of Extinction series is done for the moment, but I do have other things in the works! I’m not at liberty to mention any of them yet, but I think they are pretty great! No dinosaurs this time though, sorry! Brock: Do you plot or outline the entire series before you begin writing, or do your books take on lives of their own? Or is there a combination? Laura: I should outline, but I don’t. I’ve tried it, and it never works out. (I’ve never been very good at following directions!) I’m what you’d call a “pantser” which means that I “fly by the seat of my pants” when I write. Some (my mother) would also tell you that I live a lot of my life that way. For better or for worse. I like having the freedom to take the story wherever it needs to go. Brock: If your book changed as you wrote it, how is it different than how you originally planned? Laura: A large part of this book takes place in the East Compound, which used to be the underground subway network of New York City. This was never in my original plans for the book, but when my original manuscript got split into two books, I loved the idea of taking the story into the subway network. Brock: How do you hope parents will use this book with their kids? Laura: I hope they use CODE NAME FLOOD in the same way that they used Edge of Extinction-The Ark Plan, to foster a LOVE of reading in their kids. I think we get really wrapped up (and I was guilty of this as a teacher) in worrying about what our kids are comprehending, deciphering, inferring, and predicting while they read, when really, we should be worried about fostering a love of reading in our kids. In handing them a great book and telling them they get to read in the same way we’d hand them a huge ice cream cone with sprinkles and tell them to enjoy. Brock: Are you a full-time or part-time author? Laura: I’m as full-time as being a stay-at-home mom to two small children allows…so not nearly as full-time as I would like some days! My writing time usually comes after my kids are in bed for the night and the house is quiet. It has been a huge blessing to be an author and a mom, and I have an incredibly supportive family who steps in if I need to do an author visit or a signing. It’s really the best of both worlds. Brock: Expound on the spiritual themes in the Edge of Extinction. Laura: I’m not sure if it counts as a spiritual theme, but there is definitely some biblical symbolism in both books. I wove references and symbols from the story of Noah’s Ark throughout both books, which is where the title CODE NAME FLOOD, came from. Brock: When did you realize you wanted to become a writer? Laura: I realized I wanted to be a writer the first time a book grabbed me and refused to let go until I finished it. It was an incredible experience to live in someone else’s world for a while, to be someone else. I put the book down and went, wow, I want to do this someday. Brock: What are some of the strongest influences on your writing? Laura: I mentioned in the first interview we did about Edge of Extinction-The Ark Plan, that I taught seventh grade language arts for six years before becoming an author, and I think the biggest influence on what I write are the kids that I taught. I had so many students who struggled to get engaged in a book, to really fall into a story, and every time I sit down to write, those are the kids I have in the forefront of my mind. I want to write a book that they can’t put down. I picture that student I had who told me that they didn’t like reading, and I imagine handing them my book and saying, “Oh yeah, prove it.” That may sound odd, the whole imaginary interaction in my head, but if you think about it…that is exactly what an author does for a living. Conduct imaginary interactions and then put them down on paper. So really, I’m not crazy, I’m just a professional writer! Brock: What is the one author, living or dead, who you would co-write a book with and why? Laura: I would give anything to co-write a book with Tamora Pierce. I’ve been reading her books ever since grade school, and I still buy everything she writes. Her books are the ones that I’ve read and re-read a million times, and that I re-buy when my copies get a little to beat up. I first fell for her Song of the Lioness series. Her protagonist, Alanna, was a spunky red-headed twelve year old with a will of iron, and I wanted to be her. So I guess it isn’t all that surprising that when I wrote my own book, I made my protagonist a red-headed girl! Brock: In what ways does your faith impact how you approach writing? Laura: I think my faith impacts my writing in the same way my faith impacts every aspect of my life. I am first and foremost a Christian, and I live my life that way. What I write, how I write, and who I write about is all a reflection of that. Brock: Favorite place to vacation? Laura: Ever since having kids, I don’t think vacation is a place anymore. Vacation is now going to the grocery store…alone. My husband and I had the house to ourselves for an entire Sunday a few weeks ago, and I think we enjoyed it more than most people enjoy sitting by the beach. I love my kids to pieces, but there is something about being alone, about remembering who you were before you were “mom”, that feels like a vacation. Brock: Favorite pasta dish? Laura: My mom’s spaghetti. It’s nothing fancy, just sauce out of a jar, but it always tastes better if my mom makes it. Brock: What is your favorite dinosaur? Laura: The Spinosaurus, which is why he got to be front and center on the cover of book one. I mentioned before that there really weren’t “swimming dinosaurs.” Well, there weren’t until they discovered the Spinosaurus. The more we find out about this terrifying guy, the cooler he gets, and I think he is eventually going to give the T. Rex a run for his money in the dinosaur popularity contest. Brock: What is your favorite thing about writing books? Laura: Getting to talk to the kids that have read them. It never gets old, and it’s such a thrill every time someone tells me they enjoyed my story. Brock: Be sure to check out Laura's newest released book in the Edge of Extinction series, Code Name Flood. You won't want to miss it! Author Website: LauraMartinBooks.com Author Facebook: @LauraMartinBooks Author Twitter: @LauraMartinBook Author Pinterest: Laura Martin Author Instagram @LauraMartinBooks Interview by Brock Eastman Featuring A Plague of Unicorns Have you ever heard read a book by Jane Yolen? There’s a good chance you have. The author of over 350 books and recipient of countless awards you’ve likely picked up or seen a Jane Yolen book while browsing your local bookstore. She’s been called the Hans Christian Andersen of America and the Aesop of the twentieth century. I’m honored to have had the chance to sit down and talk about her recent Zondervan release; A Plague of Unicorns. Brock: Jane, thanks for taking the time to share about A Plague of Unicorns with us. Can you first start with how you came up with the idea for the novel? Jane: The prosaic answer is that I was introduced to editor Kim Childress at the Texas Library Assn. Meeting two years ago and she said she was a big fan and would love to do a book with me. I knew ZonderKidz, but wasn't sure I had something that might work for them. But then I remembered a short story I'd published years ago in a book of mine called Here There be Unicorns. And when I told her [Kim] a bit about it, and how I thought it could be made into a middle grade novel, her eyes lit up. She asked to see the story and some idea of how I would turn it into a novel. The deeper answer: I have been fascinated by unicorns since a child. One of my first published poems was in my college magazine about unicorns. So to be asked to go back to engage, enlarge, and be enveloped one again in unicorns was a gift. Brock: She’ll probably be embarrassed I’m sharing this, but she’s my sister so it’s a brother’s right. When my sister was in grade school her room was decked out in unicorns for a good while, statues, bedspread, poster, curtains. Who are the main characters in the story? Jane: James, heir to the dukedom of Callanshire, who's father has not come back from the Holy Lands and is presumed hurt, imprisoned, or dead. He is a child who asks questions, though he seems rather more interested in asking questions than listening to the answers. His sister Alexandria who--for the medieval times--is a mighty strong young woman. And then there are the various monks and abbots who all stand for various minds of teachers. Brock: Jane, would you share one fact about each main character that no one else knows? Jane: James is rather like me at that age, and rather like my middle child, my son Adam. Alexandria is named after my oldest granddaughter Glendon Alexandria Callan-Piatt. I have the abbot's cider recipe but didn't put it in the book, nor will I give it out. Brock: A cider recipe you’re withholding. We’ll see if we can’t get it from you some time in the future. In three sentences what A Plague of Unicorns about? Jane: It is about unlikely heroes, faith and trust, learning to listen to answers--though they may come from some of the oddest places--and about how kindness towards an enemy or a presumed enemy can often overcome even the meanest of them. Brock: How do you believe this story relates to the lives of readers? Jane: Every reader brings a bit of themselves (their baggage if you will) to a story. And what they take out is unique to them. So that is something you will have to ask them, not me. Brock: Fair answer. What is your preferred genre to write for? Jane: Depends which day you ask. Right now it's poetry and fantasy because that's what I'm working on. Brock: Any certain research required for A Plague of Unicorns, or was it all from your imagination? Jane: As I had already written a number of short stories, poems, and even a novel (The Transfigured Hart) about unicorns, I didn't need to do a lot of research about them. Medieval abbeys/monasteries however. . .the summer I was working on the book I was in Scotland and visited a few ruins. It helped me visualize them. Brock: I’m sure that was fun and added more depth to the writing. Why did you choose to tell the story from this perspective? Jane: I tell the story that wants telling. In this case, it's about a younger brother/older sister (as I was to my brother Steve). But with sixty novels out, I have written from both boys’ and girls’ points of view. Brock: Is it difficult to be accurate to a Biblical perspective when writing fantasy fiction? Jane: The unicorn is seen in Christian terms as an avatar of Christ: pure, able to heal (with its horn), and in many of the stories killed and then resurrected in a garden. (See the unicorn tapestries.) But I decided to make them an inexplicable force of nature in this book, which the monks cannot conquer until it is done with gentle persuasion and a kind of love. Brock: Now let’s switch gears and learn about you as an author. Where do you like to write? Jane: Downstairs in my house, surrounded by photos of my children and grandchildren. Brock: Are you a full-time or part-time author/writer? Jane: More than full time. After all I have more than 350 books out! Brock: How long does it usually take you to write a single book? Jane: As long as it takes. I once wrote a picture book in three days, including all the revisions. But my picture book OWL MOON took fifteen years to write. Brock: When you write do you outline the entire story before starting, or do you write as you go and let the characters take control of the story? Jane: There are two kinds of writers--outliners, and those of us who fly into the midst. Of course in this book [A Plague of Unicorns] I already had an outline, the published short story. But I had to let quite a bit of it go! Brock: It sounds like you prefer to ‘fly into the midst.’ When did you realize you wanted to become a writer? Jane: As a child I was always writing. I thought I would be a poet for my heart and a journalist like my dad to make a living. I was a lousy journalist. Brock: What was your favorite book as a teen or child? Jane: I was such a constant reader, it continually changed. But some of my favorites were The Colour Fairy Books by Andrew Lang, any version of the King Arthur story, The Secret Garden, Little Women, James Thurber’s Thirteen Clocks, The Story of Ferdinand, and any horse and dog book. Brock: What are your hopes for your future as an author? Jane: I am about to turn 76. I still have many stories in me. I hope I can live long enough to write most of them. Brock: Now for some lightning round questions. Coke or Pepsi? Jane: Mineral water. Brock: Soft shell or hard shell tacos? Jane: Don't like tacos. Brock: Favorite place to vacation? Jane: Scotland. Brock: Favorite season? Jane: Fall. Brock: Do you have a particular drink or food you consume when you write? Jane: British decaf tea and dried dates. Brock: Favorite color? Jane: Wine. Brock: Do you listen to music while you write? Jane: Never. I am so musical, it would drive the story's rhythms rather than letting the story do that. Author website: JaneYolen.com Author Facebook: facebook.com/PictureBookBootCamp/?ref=page_internal Author Twitter: @JaneYolen The CoverBCCPerfect for fans of Jurassic Park and Jurassic World! Code Name Flood is the electrifying sequel to The Ark Plan, which School Library Journal praised by saying: “Nonstop action, marauding dinosaurs, and kids on the run: What’s not to like?” Last week, twelve-year-old Sky found a cryptic message from her dad, who mysteriously fled the safety of their underground compound five years ago. The note said the fate of the world depended on her going topside, to a lost world that’s ruled by dinosaurs. Today, after a treacherous journey through the wilderness, Sky and her friends have made it to their destination: Lake Michigan. There they discover a hidden underwater lab, and with the help of its scientists, Sky will finally learn the truth about her father’s secret mission. Tomorrow, it will be up to Sky and her friends to save humanity from the very edge of extinction. Readers who enjoy middle grade adventures by Brandon Mull and Rick Riordan will love this action-packed story, which takes the premise of Michael Crichton’s bestselling classic to a whole new level, envisioning a postapocalyptic future where cloned dinosaurs have taken over and the world’s only hope is one group of courageous kids. The InterviewBrock: How did you come up with the idea for this book or series? or What was your inspiration for writing this book or series?
Laura: While my inspiration for the entire series came from a visit to the New York Natural History Museum and their amazing dinosaur display, the idea for a large part of this book actually came from the New York Subway system. When I visited New York with my mom, I was amazed by the underground networks that crisscrossed and twisted underneath the city, and I wondered what it would look like if the human race had to live in those tunnels, instead of just using them to get from point A to point B. So when I was writing CODE NAME FLOOD, and I needed an East Compound, I put it in New York’s subway system. Brock: Tell us about the main characters? Who are they, what makes them unique. Laura: Sky, Todd, and Shawn are all back for book two, and I added a new character I think everyone is going to enjoy named Chaz. I don’t want to say too much about her and give away a big surprise in the story, but I think she is one of my favorite characters. She’s spunky and funny, and I think she is a great foil for Sky’s one-track determination, Todd’s humor, and Shawn’s seriousness. Brock: In three words what is this book about? Laura: Sea Monsters, Determination, Friendship Brock: Do you outline the entire book before starting, or do you write as you go and let the characters take control of the story? Laura: My character’s are the boss, I just show up for work every day and do what they tell me. Brock: How do you believe this story relates to the lives of readers? Laura: My readers are usually middle school age kids, and while they crave adventure and excitement, but a lot of times they aren’t quite ready for the real thing yet. My book is an edge-of-your seat thrill ride from page one, and my readers get to LIVE all that danger and excitement from the safety of their couch! Brock: What is your favorite genre to write for? Laura: Science fiction and fantasy will always have my heart; since those are the genres I most enjoy reading. Besides, there is something intoxicating about building worlds and creating something that only existed in your imagination up until it hits the page. Brock: How many books are planned for this series? Laura: This is the second and last book in the series. CODE NAME FLOOD wraps up the mysteries and questions that were started in Edge of Extinction-The Ark Plan. That being said, I’d love to write another one. The world I created for Sky and her friends is just too much fun, so never say never! Brock: Any certain research required for the book, or is it all from your imagination? Laura:While book one required quite a lot of dinosaur research, Code Name Flood required research of a slightly different variety. You many have noticed the rather fierce looking creatures on the cover, well, those AREN’T swimming dinosaurs. They are ancient aquatic marine reptiles. Which is a mouthful to say and an even bigger mouthful to incorporate seamlessly into a story. Despite that annoying technicality, the research on creatures like the kronosaurus and elasmosaurus was incredibly interesting. There is just something about sea monsters that sends a shiver up your spine. I’m not so sure my characters would agree, as I unceremoniously dumped them into a lake swarming with the creatures, but it makes for a fun read! Brock: Why did you choose to focus on a female protagonist? Laura: My narrator, Sky Mundy, is a girl, which is funny since EVERY other book I’ve ever written has been from a male perspective. Please don’t ask me why, since I have no idea. In fact, the next series I’m pitching is written with a boy protagonist. I guess part of it is that I was never a girly-girl. I always hung with the boys (I was the only girl invited to many a boy’s birthday party in grade school), and I loved sports and being outside. So I guess I have an easier time seeing the world that way. My solution with Sky was to make her a lot like who I was at that age. She came out a very focused and driven character because that’s who I was! Brock: Are you working on the next book in the series? Laura: As I mentioned before, the Edge of Extinction series is done for the moment, but I do have other things in the works! I’m not at liberty to mention any of them yet, but I think they are pretty great! No dinosaurs this time though, sorry! Brock: Do you plot or outline the entire series before you begin writing, or do your books take on lives of their own? Or is there a combination? Laura: I should outline, but I don’t. I’ve tried it, and it never works out. (I’ve never been very good at following directions!) I’m what you’d call a “pantser” which means that I “fly by the seat of my pants” when I write. Some (my mother) would also tell you that I live a lot of my life that way. For better or for worse. I like having the freedom to take the story wherever it needs to go. Brock: If your book changed as you wrote it, how is it different than how you originally planned? Laura:A large part of this book takes place in the East Compound, which used to be the underground subway network of New York City. This was never in my original plans for the book, but when my original manuscript got split into two books, I loved the idea of taking the story into the subway network. Brock: How do you hope parents will use this book with their kids? Laura: I hope they use CODE NAME FLOOD in the same way that they used Edge of Extinction-The Ark Plan, to foster a LOVE of reading in their kids. I think we get really wrapped up (and I was guilty of this as a teacher) in worrying about what our kids are comprehending, deciphering, inferring, and predicting while they read, when really, we should be worried about fostering a love of reading in our kids. In handing them a great book and telling them they get to read in the same way we’d hand them a huge ice cream cone with sprinkles and tell them to enjoy. Brock: Are you a full-time or part-time author/writer? Laura: I’m as full-time as being a stay-at-home mom to two small children allows…so not nearly as full-time as I would like some days! My writing time usually comes after my kids are in bed for the night and the house is quiet. It has been a huge blessing to be an author and a mom, and I have an incredibly supportive family who steps in if I need to do an author visit or a signing. It’s really the best of both worlds. Brock: Expound on the spiritual themes in the book/series? Laura: I’m not sure if it counts as a spiritual theme, but there is definitely some biblical symbolism in both books. I wove references and symbols from the story of Noah’s Ark throughout both books, which is where the title CODE NAME FLOOD, came from. Brock: When did you realize you wanted to become a writer? Laura: I realized I wanted to be a writer the first time a book grabbed me and refused to let go until I finished it. It was an incredible experience to live in someone else’s world for a while, to be someone else. I put the book down and went, wow, I want to do this someday. Brock: What are some of the strongest influences on your writing? Laura: I mentioned in the first interview we did about Edge of Extinction-The Ark Plan, that I taught seventh grade language arts for six years before becoming an author, and I think the biggest influence on what I write are the kids that I taught. I had so many students who struggled to get engaged in a book, to really fall into a story, and every time I sit down to write, those are the kids I have in the forefront of my mind. I want to write a book that they can’t put down. I picture that student I had who told me that they didn’t like reading, and I imagine handing them my book and saying, “Oh yeah, prove it.” That may sound odd, the whole imaginary interaction in my head, but if you think about it…that is exactly what an author does for a living. Conduct imaginary interactions and then put them down on paper. So really, I’m not crazy, I’m just a professional writer! Brock: What is the one author, living or dead, who you would co-write a book with and why? Laura: I would give anything to co-write a book with Tamora Pierce. I’ve been reading her books ever since grade school, and I still buy everything she writes. Her books are the ones that I’ve read and re-read a million times, and that I re-buy when my copies get a little to beat up. I first fell for her Song of the Lioness series. Her protagonist, Alanna, was a spunky red-headed twelve year old with a will of iron, and I wanted to be her. So I guess it isn’t all that surprising that when I wrote my own book, I made my protagonist a red-headed girl! Brock: In what ways does your faith impact how you approach writing? Laura: I think my faith impacts my writing in the same way my faith impacts every aspect of my life. I am first and foremost a Christian, and I live my life that way. What I write, how I write, and who I write about is all a reflection of that. Brock:Favorite place to vacation? Laura: Ever since having kids, I don’t think vacation is a place anymore. Vacation is now going to the grocery store…alone. My husband and I had the house to ourselves for an entire Sunday a few weeks ago, and I think we enjoyed it more than most people enjoy sitting by the beach. I love my kids to pieces, but there is something about being alone, about remembering who you were before you were “mom”, that feels like a vacation. Brock: Favorite pasta dish? Laura: My mom’s spaghetti. It’s nothing fancy, just sauce out of a jar, but it always tastes better if my mom makes it. Brock: What is your favorite dinosaur? Laura: The Spinosaurus, which is why he got to be front and center on the cover of book one. I mentioned before that there really weren’t “swimming dinosaurs.” Well, there weren’t until they discovered the Spinosaurus. The more we find out about this terrifying guy, the cooler he gets, and I think he is eventually going to give the T. Rex a run for his money in the dinosaur popularity contest. Brock: What is your favorite thing about writing books? Laura: Getting to talk to the kids that have read them. It never gets old, and it’s such a thrill every time someone tells me they enjoyed my story. Interview by Brock Eastman Featuring The Ice Child In this novelette, Sipp, a clockmaker’s apprentice, dreams of opening his own shop, but the people of Martigny believe he’s marked by the devil—all except for kind, independent Elise. As Sipp’s hope for the title of master craftsman fades, another destiny calls to him on the winter wind. But will answering that call mean leaving Elise behind forever? Evangeline Denmark's THE ICE CHILD is a captivating fairy tale with lyrical prose and memorable characters that can be enjoyed in one sitting, but read over and over again. I really fell in love with Sipp--a talented artist--as he learned to accept his vocation, no matter what others thought of him. This is the perfect story for an evening by the fire with a mug of hot chocolate, so grab your copy and enjoy Denmark's magical world! —Ashlee Cowles, author of Beneath Wandering Stars Brock: Nice to have you with us here today, Evangeline. Could you tell us how did you come up with the idea for The Ice Child? Evangeline: This story came out of some world-building I did for my novel, Curio, although there aren’t any discernable links to that book. It was just my imagination following a path that sprang up as I did background work. Brock: Tell us about the main characters. Who are they? What makes them unique? Evangeline: Since this is a novelette, there really is only one main character, Sipp. Sipp is a clockmaker’s apprentice, an orphan, and an outcast due to a strange mark he bears. He also had an incredible talent that he hides. Brock: In three words, what is this book about? Evangeline: Creativity. Prejudice. Acceptance. Brock: Do you outline the entire book before starting, or do you write as you go and let the characters take control of the story? Evangeline: I definitely let the characters take control. Brock: How do you believe this story relates to the lives of readers? Evangeline: I think we’re all tugged toward some creative pursuit, but it’s easier for some to pursue it than others. Sipp is afraid of the exposure his talent will bring because of cruel way he’s been treated by the townspeople. I hope that readers will feel emboldened to pursue whatever art beats away inside of them, and that they’ll give space and appreciation to others attempting to do the same. Brock: What is your favorite genre to write for? Evangeline: If I say fantasy, people automatically think of dragons and epic quests, and that’s not really what I do. But everything I write falls under the Fantasy umbrella. I just haven’t figured out the correct label. Supernatural? Paranormal? Magical? Out-of-the-box weirdness? Brock: Any certain research required for the book, or is it all from your imagination? Evangeline: Since this story is set in Martigny Switzerland in the 18th Century, I did have to do some research into what that region was like during that time period. I purposefully left the timing open because guilds are featured in the story, and they were in decline toward the end of that century. Brock: Why did you choose to focus on a male protagonist? Evangeline: For me Sipp represents boys that don’t fit into society’s expectations for the traditional male, which—to borrow a phrase from my grandmother—is stuff ‘n nonsense. Sipp is an artist; he’s gentle and kind, and sees the world differently. These are qualities to treasure in any individual they happen to show up in. Brock: Can you give us a hint at the next book in the series? Evangeline: I intended for this to be a standalone holiday story, but I have another adventure in mind for Sipp and Elise, so we’ll see if I can return to their world. Brock: That's how it works. Doesn't it? So, where do you like to write? Evangeline: I write in my very cold basement with a couple of sweatshirts on, fuzzy socks, and sometimes fingerless gloves—like Sipp wears! Brock: Are you a full-time or part-time author/writer? Evangeline: I’m a full-time writer. I’m useless at everything else. Brock: How long does it usually take you to write a single book? Evangeline: Depends on the length obviously. Novellas take around 3 months, and full-length novels around 6 months to a year. Brock: When did you realize you wanted to become a writer? Evangeline: Most writers realized they wanted to write when they were kids. Often they were bookworms and lost in their own worlds. I sort of came from a different angle. As a kid I was too busy talking to think much about writing, but I created story out of everything, including my vocabulary sentences. By the time I reached college I’d recognized my deep love for words and started to think about a career in publishing. Brock: What are some of the strongest influences on your writing? Evangeline: The Brontë sisters, C.S. Lewis, Anne Rice, my mom Brock: What was your favorite book as a teen or child? Evangeline: Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë Brock: What are your hopes for your future as an author? Evangeline: I hope I can keep telling stories about characters who are on the fringe and encounter things that stretch or reshape their understanding of reality. Brock: Coke or Pepsi? Evangeline: Coke Zero. I’m an addict. Brock: Soft shell or hard shell tacos? Evangeline: I believe all tacos should have an equal opportunity to be in my belly. Brock: Favorite season? Evangeline: Card-carrying, PSL-drinking, boot-wearing, leaf-loving fan of Fall. Brock: Do you have a particular drink or food you consume when you write? Like coco, raspberry tea, animal crackers? Evangeline: Trail mix, Coke Zero, COFFEE. Not tacos though. It’s really hard to write and eat tacos at the same time. Brock: Do you listen to music while you write? If so, what are some examples? Evangeline: I compile soundtracks to for all my books. I think you can listen to them if you follow me on Spotify. Of course they vary but a few bands always seem to make it on my lists—Snow Patrol, The Fray, Night Riots, The Airborne Toxic Event, Vampire Weekend, U2, blink-182, Green Day. Brock: The Ice Child is based on a fairy tale. Why do you think fairy tales have enduring significance? Evangeline: Fairy tales deal with problems and fears that we wrestle with as humans. That’s why we find versions of the same story in many different cultures. They’re breadcrumbs (yes, Hansel and Gretel reference intended) along our trail to confronting problems like injustice and fear of the unknown. The Ice Child folktales attempt to explain away infidelity and always involve the wife telling a lie and the husband getting rid of a child he doesn’t want. Awful, right? With my story I wanted to focus on that unwanted child and extend the conversation to include the incredible value of each individual. Brock: What are you working on now? Evangeline: Another Young Adult novel based on a folk tale, actually. But this one comes from Japanese culture. I’m loving the chance to examine some unfamiliar legends and folklore. Author Website: EvangelineDenmark.com Author Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorEvangelineDenmark/ Author Twitter: @EvangelineD Author Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/evangelineden/ Author Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/evangelinedenmark/ Written by Samuel Parker When a day trip out of Las Vegas with his wife takes a turn for the worse, Jack is sure that he has the ability to get them home. But he drove into something far beyond reason. Rescue comes in the form of a desert hermit, but hope fades as the couple realizes that the nomad has no intention of letting them leave. A chance encounter with a kidnapped runaway and her crazed abductor leads them all farther into the wilderness—and closer to the cold brutality that isolation brings. At the edge of his sanity, Jack begins to learn that playing by another’s rules may be the only way to survive. In a voice that is as hypnotizing as a desert mirage, debut novelist Samuel Parker entices readers down a dangerous road, where the forces of good and evil are as crushing as the Mojave heat. This is suspense in its purest, most unfiltered form. Fragments of Imagination There is a scene from the film adaptation of A River Runs Through It where the young Norman Maclean presents his father, his schoolmaster, with a piece of writing. Norman hands in his composition and his father marks it up with red, telling him “Again . . . half as long.” This happens several times until the writing is approved, thrown in the trash, and the boy runs off to fish. The Art of Brevity In a world where the mark of a “true” writer seems to be the word count tally of the day or week or month, brevity can be a sign of lack of discipline. However, brevity can be a valuable tool to wield and provide space for a reader to incorporate their own imagination into your story. One of my favorite chapters in my book Purgatory Road has only 48 words. It looks a bit odd in book form, taking up less than a half page. But I feel it is one of the more unique chapters in the book, as it conveys so much more emotion, context, and suspense than what would have been accomplished at 10 times the word count. (For context, the couple is stranded in the Mojave for a long while when we arrive at this scene.) 17 Morning light skirted the eastern ring of the valley as gently as an Easter sunrise. “Jack,” she whispered. “Yeah?” “Jack . . . water?” “No.” “It’s all gone?” “Yeah,” he said. “Oh.” “Sorry.” “Okay.” They drifted in a daze between waking and oblivion. “Jack?” “Yeah?” “I thought you left.” “Nope.” “Okay.” Brevity causes you to be confident in the words you have chosen, and confident that the reader will add what is flexible and implied, giving them more investment and bringing the story to life with much more vividness as it becomes laced with their own imagination and memory. One perfectly placed sentence can cut to the heart of a thought as quick as a Ginsu and with just as much ferocity. In fact, I think it can do more to impress on the reader the gravity of the story than burying them in superfluous prose. The Sound of Silence Music composition uses silence just as much as sounds. A pause or muted part allows the listener’s mind to wander, reflect, or ponder, as one writer said, “what it is that echoes in the silence.” [1] I would argue that sentence, paragraph, page, and chapter composition can accomplish much of the same effect. The problem that surfaces is our fear of trusting the reader to imagine our world in their own minds, to relinquish the keys of creation, and let a fragment echo in the silence and expand apart from the written word. In Purgatory Road, I use fragments to a level that caused my editor a bit of concern. Sentences are not supposed to look like this; even Microsoft tries to flag our attention and scream “This is wrong!” Below is an example of something I like to do in controlling the pace of a narrative with single words: Laura stared out of the windshield. The road ran off out of sight, disappearing into the horizon, mesmerizing in its seemingly magical disappearance. Alone. She thumbed her wedding ring in absentminded play, the sweat beginning to seep out of her skin, causing the band to roll freely around her finger. She looked at it, its jewel sparkling, shining in the rays streaming through the glass. The “Alone” gets grammatically flagged, but as read, it causes the reader to stop. A bullet. Even if it’s only for a fraction of a second, the reader has to contemplate that word in isolation. It’s more forceful than saying “she was all alone sitting in the car.” Alone. There is something slightly menacing in reducing the clutter and getting down to the raw bone of what you are trying to say. The world is not binary, so this bit of advice will not work for all occasions. Some things need explaining, some do not. But I would challenge you to look at your recent work, the one with the mega word count that you celebrated to your friends on Twitter about, and hear the voice of Norman Maclean’s father as you reread it: “Again . . . half as long.” You may surprise yourself by how a more direct and simple word choice cuts down to the marrow of the story you are trying to tell. [1] http://www.slate.com/articles/arts/music_box/2009/08/silence_is_golden.html. Interview by Brock Eastman Featuring Heir of Hope The great city of Thyra has fallen and shadows spread across the land. Rowen Mar, the last Truthsayer, is taken before the Shadonae. But the Shadonae are not who she thought they were, and now they want to claim her as their own. Caleb Tala, former assassin and prince, is now a Guardian of mankind. Exiled from his country, Caleb wanders the desert in search of his mother's past and clues to who he is. These are the last days of the Eldaran race. Rowen and Caleb must find their way along the dark path set before them by their ancestors: to heal what was wounded and love where hatred grows. But the road is narrow and the darkness beckons. If either of them fails, all will be lost... And the human race will be no more. Book three of the Follower of the Word series. Brock: Morgan Busse is the author of a great series from Enclave Publishing and I’ve asked her to give us some insight into the third book in the Follower of the Word series. What inspired you to write this series? Morgan: For many years my husband encouraged me to write, but I never saw myself as a writer. Then one day I walked into a Christian bookstore and asked to see their fantasy section (little did I know…). The lady gave me a strange look and pointed to a lone Frank Peretti book on the bottom shelf. I couldn’t believe there wasn’t any Christian fantasy! My husband pushed me again to write, but I still didn’t budge until a couple months later on a car trip to Seattle I had this idea about a young woman who—when she touched a person—could see inside their soul. When I arrived back home, I got on my computer and started writing Daughter of Light, the first book in the Follower of the Word series, and I’ve been writing ever since. Brock: Who are the main characters in the series? Morgan: The main character is Rowen Mar. After the death of her father, Rowen discovers she is not human, but the last of a race of beings called the Eldarans. More specifically, she is a Truthsayer, with the ability to not only see inside a person’s soul, but reflect back the person’s true nature. Of course, a power like this terrifies the people she is around, causing her to be banished from her village and live her life hiding the mark on her hand beneath a leather glove. Lore Palancar is the Captain of the Guard and the man Rowen serves under as a guard. It is her relationship with him that gives her the courage to finally follow the Word and be true to who He made her. Caleb Tala is a prince and a secret assassin. But his past deeds start to catch up to him in the form of nightmares and he is plagued by the realization that someday he will pay for all the lives he has taken. Nierne is a scribe dedicated to the Monastery and to the Word. When her city is taken over by powerful, evil beings, she embarks on a journey to find the legendary Eldaran race who have the power to save her people. Brock: Sounds like a great variety. What is something about each character that no one but you knows (Until now.) Morgan: Rowen loves to garden and enjoys watching things grow (something I hint at in Daughter of Light). Lore is the last and only son of the Palancar family. Caleb went on his first assassination mission when he was twenty years old. Nierne has no last name. When she joined the Monastery order, she gave up any family affiliations she had. Brock: In a sentence what is this book about? Morgan: That in darkness there is always light. Brock: How do you believe this story relates to the lives of readers? Morgan: Following God is hard. There are times He asks very hard choices of us, and sometimes we don’t understand why He lets bad things happen to us. I wrote the Follower of the Word series as an honest look at what it takes to follow God. Brock: What do you hope readers take away? Morgan: Courage to live a life for God and hope during dark times. Brock: What is your favorite genre to write for? Morgan: Fantasy. I have a feeling that no matter what genre I wrote in, some kind of fantastical element would make it into my story. Right now I’m working on a Victorian steampunk series and sure enough, a bit of fantasy is woven within the story. Brock: How many books are planned for this series? Morgan: Follower of the Word is a three book fantasy series. Heir of Hope, the last and final book will release at the end of March. Brock: Any certain research required for the book, or is it all from your imagination? Morgan: Even an imaginary world needs research. A lot of the countries and cultures in my series are based on real world places. This helps make the world feel more real and authentic in my opinion. However, the benefit to writing an imaginary world is I can tweak cultural/political/religious aspects to fit my world, unlike historical fiction where the writer needs to get all of his or her facts right. Brock: Is it difficult to be accurate to a Biblical perspective or Biblical facts when writing fantasy fiction? Morgan: I don’t find it hard to be accurate. I am a visual person, and so when I teach, I use visual ideas to help people grasp Biblical concepts. Naturally, that comes into my writing as well. I don’t preach in my stories, I show who God is, what sin is and what it does to us, and what sacrificial love is by telling a story. The great thing about fantasy is you can actually show it. For example, the assassin Caleb is shown the consequences of his sin by dreaming about his hands covered in blood. The only way he can finds forgiveness is by allowing the Word (God) to touch his hands and take the blood away. Brock: How do you hope parents will use this book with their kids? Morgan: The Follower of the Word series is for teens and up. For parents who are looking for a fantasy series that will share the gospel and show their teens who God is, this is the series for them. I do not shy away from the darkness, but it is not glorified either. I originally wrote this series to share my faith with my own children and open their eyes up to who God is. Brock: Are you a full-time or part-time author/writer? Morgan: I write part-time. As a mother and pastor’s wife, I have other responsibilities and so I’ve learned to take an hour or two a day to write, then I move on to being a mom and wife. I will always have my writing, but I won’t always have my kids, so I want to make the most of my time with them now. Brock: How long does it usually take you to write a single book? Morgan: I am a slow writer. Along with that, I am also a mother of four kids, so it usually takes me a year to take a story from outline to finished novel. Brock: Morgan, do you outline the book, or do you write as you go? Morgan: I outline the main parts of the story (the beginning, the main plot events, and the ending). But as I write, I discover more stuff and the story starts to come together. However, I cannot write until I know how the story is going to end. That is the target I am aiming for with the story. Brock: When did you realize you wanted to become a writer? Morgan: I never dreamed about being a writer. So it wasn’t until after the birth of my daughter and at the encouragement of my husband that I finally sat down and started writing Daughter of Light. Wow, I had no idea how hard it was to write! Next to parenting, it is the hardest thing ever in my opinion! But it is also very satisfying to hold the finished story in your hands and see your heart and soul poured out on paper, and to receive emails from people who were touched by your words. Brock: Favorite place to vacation? Morgan: That’s a hard question. It’s a tie between the coast (Oregon or Washington) and camping in the mountains. I love the outdoors and spend anytime I can in God’s creation. Brock: Favorite season? Morgan: Fall. I love the colors of the trees, the smells (like apple pie and spices), warm sweaters, lighting up the fireplace for the first time, and the way the air is crisp cold in the morning, but warm by afternoon. Brock: Do you have a particular drink or food you consume when you write? Morgan: I drink a lot of tea while I write. Earl Grey is probably my favorite right now! Brock: Favorite color? Morgan: Green. Green is the color of life and growing things. Author Website: MorganLBusse.com Author Facebook: facebook.com/morganlbusseauthor Author Twitter: @MorganLBusse Author Pinterest: pinterest.com/morganlbusse Listen to author Jack Hayes talk about getting published and working with Crimson Pulse Media! His story Silencing Void is featured in Nebula Chronicles: Endeavor. Interview by Brock Eastman Featuring The Huntress of Thornbeck Forest A beautiful maiden who poaches to feed the poor. A handsome forester on a mission to catch her. Danger and love are about to unite in Thornbeck Forest. The margrave owns the finest hunting grounds for miles around—and Odette Menkels spends her nights poaching his deer to feed the hungry orphans of Thornbeck. By day, Odette is a simple maiden who teaches children to read, but by night this young beauty has become the secret lifeline to the poorest of the poor. For Jorgen Hartman, the margrave’s forester, tracking down a poacher is a duty he is all too willing to perform. Jorgen inherited his post from the man who raised him . . . a man who was murdered at the hands of a poacher. When Jorgen and Odette meet at the Midsummer festival and share a connection during a dance, neither has any idea that they are already adversaries. The one man she wants is bound by duty to capture her; the one woman he loves is his cunning target . . . What becomes of a forester who protects a notorious poacher? What becomes of a poacher when she is finally discovered? “Ms. Dickerson deftly captures the flavor of life in medieval Germany in a sweet tale filled with interesting characters that will surely capture readers’ hearts.” —Kathleen Morgan, author of These Highland Hills series, Embrace the Dawn, and Consuming Fire. Across the header of Melanie Dickerson’s website you’ll find a message to what her stories are all about, “Medieval Fairy Tale Retellings.” As a guy this title doesn’t exactly grab my interest, but as a daddy of three girls, it’s all I need to know. A trusted author in the Christian marketplace Melanie continues to develop wonderful characters who take us on adventures never short of excitement. Her books are ones I will trust my daughters to sit down and read and have confidence they’ll be learning strong moral truths as they do. I had the chance to interview Melanie about her latest release The Huntress of Thornbeck Forest. “I have always loved all things Medieval, as it is such a colorful period of history and seems so full of adventure and excitement and romance,” Melanie says of what inspired her to write this tale. She goes on to explain that she’s always been intrigued with castles and knights, secret identities, damsels in distress, and courageous women triumphing in a difficult world. This combination of elements are what makes her writing so powerful and enjoyable. In her previous series each book was based loosely on a fairy tale. For this series she thought it would be fun to base each book on a mash-up of two or more familiar stories. Like myself, she’d always loved the Robin Hood story, she took that story and found a way to combine it with Swan Lake into one exciting, romantic novel. As for the main characters we meet in this story there are two. Odette Menkels was orphaned by the Great Pestilence, a.k.a. the Black Plague, and now lives with her uncle Rutger. Odette has a mind of her own. She remembers how she felt as a very young orphan, left with neighbors who treated her badly and where she often went hungry. She sees the plight of the poor and orphan children who live in Thornbeck and takes matters into her own hands. Good with a bow and arrow, she starts poaching deer from the margrave’s forest to feed the children. And then there is Jorgen Hartman, also orphaned as a child he spent time on the streets where he tried to protect and provide for his little sister, who ultimately died in an accident. He is later taken in and adopted by the margrave’s gamekeeper where he becomes the new forester—the person in charge of catching poachers and bringing them to justice. I asked Melanie to give me the story in three sentences, so here it is, “The Huntress of Thornbeck Forest is about trusting God to give you your dreams and to provide. Sometimes we try to take matters into our own hands, because we think we know what is best and right. But God always has a better plan.” With three books planned for the series I asked for a hint at what will be next in the second book. “The Margrave of Thornbeck lives in a castle in the forest outside the walled town of Thornbeck. He is the leader and ultimate authority in Thornbeck. He has to find a bride, fast, and he wants to make sure she has the same values he has, and that she will not turn out like his mother, who was bitter and hated his father. So he invites ten noble-born ladies from around the country for two weeks. His two-week-long party becomes a series of “tests” to show the character of these ladies. What he does not know is, the one lady he is attracted to is not the daughter of an earl, but she is actually that lady’s maidservant, sent to impersonate the real lady.” The second tale sounds a promising as the first book was to read. If you like fairy tales and medieval fantasy then The Huntress of Thornbeck Forest is for you. Brock: Do you outline the entire book before starting, or do you write as you go and let the characters take control of the story? Melanie: I don’t write an outline, but I know in my mind the gist of the story before I start writing. I know what my characters want, and I know certain key events that have to happen in the story. I also know (sort of) how it should end. This gives me a general map, but I sometimes “discover” my characters’ personalities and backgrounds, as well as many twists and turns of the plot, as I write. Brock: How do you believe this story relates to the lives of readers? Melanie: I believe readers will relate to the characters’ emotions of feeling conflicted—wanting to do the right thing but not always knowing what the right thing is. I believe many readers will relate to the struggle of wanting to get things done, striving and working hard, but seeing very little good come out of their efforts, and having to let go and let God work things out in his perfect way and his perfect timing. And with God, there is always an ultimate happy ending. Brock: What is your favorite genre to write for? Melanie: My favorite genre is historical romance, and Medieval historical romance is what I have the most experience writing. I love romance because it is exciting and a great symbol of God’s love for us, and it’s something we can all relate to wanting and caring about—or most of us! And historicals are just fun. It’s fun to imagine ourselves in another time period, to lose ourselves in a place and time so different from the familiar around us, and yet realize that people are people no matter where or when they grew up. Brock: How many books are planned for this series? Melanie: There are three books in this series. The second book is about the Margrave of Thornbeck, who must find a bride, and it is something of a “Beauty and the Beast meets Princess and the Pea” type of story. And the third book will be a “Goose Girl meets Prince and the Pauper” story. Brock: Any certain research required for the book, or is it all from your imagination? Melanie: I always try to make sure my Medieval details are sound, which involves some research, and I do a bit of research of the fairy tales my books are based on, which mostly entails reading the original fairy tale story and watching the Disney movies with my daughters. ☺ Brock: How do you strike the right balance in your book? Melanie: I like a little action-adventure with my romance. I also try to make sure my story plot is plausible and could have possibly happened in the time and place of my setting. All good fiction involves truth—true-to-life emotions and conflicts and motivations. Brock: What do your readers think about your latest series? Melanie: The fifth book in my current YA series just came last November, The Princess Spy. I get a lot of feedback from readers saying how much they love the way the stories are connected, and they get to see glimpses of the place, Hagenheim, and the characters from previous books. I’m hoping I can duplicate that in this new series about Thornbeck and its residents. Brock: Are you working on the next book in the series? Melanie: Yes, I am currently working on the margrave’s story. Brock: Can you give us a hint at the next book in the series? Melanie: The Margrave of Thornbeck lives in a castle in the forest outside the walled town of Thornbeck. He is the leader and ultimate authority in Thornbeck. He has to find a bride, fast, and he wants to make sure she has the same values he has, and that she will not turn out like his mother, who was bitter and hated his father. So he invites ten noble-born ladies from around the country for two weeks. His two-week-long party becomes a series of “tests” to show the character of these ladies. What he does not know is, the one lady he is attracted to is not the daughter of an earl, but she is actually that lady’s maidservant, sent to impersonate the real lady. Brock: If your book changed as you wrote it, how is it different than how you originally planned? Melanie: The heroine’s guardian, Rutger, underwent a major change during edits, but while I was writing, I was surprised by my hero’s personality and the things he liked to do and even what he was thinking. Originally, I wasn’t quite sure how it would end, so the ending kind of evolved as well. Brock: Were any scenes or characters cut from the book? Can you give an example? Melanie: Truly, my editors, especially Becky Monds, deserve a lot of credit for this book! Becky made tons of great suggestions. During edits, I actually got rid of the heroine’s mother. I also changed her guardian completely. He went from being an evil, manipulative villain, to being a normal guy with good traits and bad traits. I also changed several other characters. Originally my heroine’s best friend Anna was single, and in the rewrites I made her married. I deleted the scene in the original story where Peter asks Anna to marry him. (Sorry, Peter! You’re already married!) Brock: Is it difficult to be accurate to a Biblical perspective or Biblical facts when writing Medieval fiction? Melanie: The Medieval time setting presents its own challenges. In a way, it is helpful that practically everyone in that time period believed in, and feared, God, but most people had not read the Bible, and that makes it difficult for me. I try to be true to the time period, but since I am not Catholic, I am sure my characters sometimes come across as being more Protestant in their thinking. I do make my characters interested in reading the Bible, whenever feasible, and get them a copy of at least part of the Bible. They go to church and no one questions their reverent fear of God, since it’s true to the time period. So there are pros and cons. Personally, I find it freeing to write stories in a period when faith in God was never a question. Everyone believed and trembled. Whether or not they obeyed is another story. Brock: How much leeway do you give yourself with facts in a Historical Genre? Melanie: I don’t write about actual people, except to briefly reference the king, so I don’t have to worry about getting a person’s life story completely accurate to history. Also, I use fictional towns and places within the German section of the Holy Roman Empire, so I can make up those details as well. But I do try hard to make sure my characters aren’t using tools or items that did not exist in the day. The most difficult thing is trying to stay true to the mindset that was prevalent then. Although I think there was more variation than some people think, I do probably err a bit on the side of not making my characters’ attitudes toward women so very Medieval. Brock: Where do you like to write? Melanie: I like to write in my comfy chair in my study when I’m really into the story and know exactly where it’s going. But when I’m struggling to get words down, I like to go to a restaurant, coffee house, or the library to write. I am more focused with the activity and background noise around me, I don’t know exactly why. Brock: Are you a full-time or part-time author/writer? Melanie: I am a full-time writer. Brock: How long does it usually take you to write a single book? Melanie: It has been taking me about four months, and during that time I am also editing previous books. Brock: When did you realize you wanted to become a writer? Melanie: I wanted to be a writer probably around the time I was in the 6th or 7th grade. I started writing stories and passing them around to my friends to read. Brock: What was your favorite book as a teen or child? Melanie: Two of my favorite books as a teen were Gone With the Wind and Pride and Prejudice, so, you know, it was kind of inevitable I would become a historical romance writer. Brock: In what ways does your faith impact how you approach writing? Melanie: I pray. I pray that my stories will bring glory to God, and I pray they will affect my readers in the ways God wants them to. Also, I know Christians ultimately get the victory—every time. We get our happy ending. Anything less than that doesn’t seem realistic to me. Brock: Favorite season? Melanie: Spring! Brock: Do you have a particular drink or food you consume when you write? Like coco, raspberry tea, animal crackers? Melanie: Flavored green tea and dark chocolate! Brock: Favorite color? Melanie: Red Brock: Do you have a favorite Bible verse? Melanie: Ephesians 3:20-21 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. Brock: Favorite pasta dish? Melanie: Lasagna! Brock: Do you listen to music while you write? If so, what are some examples? Melanie: Sometimes I listen to Andrea Bocelli. He’s my favorite because his music is emotional, but he sings in Italian and so I don’t get distracted by the words, since I don’t know any Italian! I also listen to movie soundtracks like Jane Eyre and Last of the Mohicans, and classical music. Brock: Now that you are writing a new series, will you still be continuing your Young Adult fairy tale series? Melanie: Yes, I have a Rapunzel story, The Golden Braid, coming out in November. Even though it will be the 6th book in my YA series, all the books are able to be read as stand-alones, and you won’t feel like you missed something if you haven’t read all the previous books. Brock: How will the new series be different from your Young Adult series? Will your teen readers be interested in reading these new books? Melanie: The main difference is that the new series has slightly older heroines in slightly more mature situations. For instance, in The Huntress of Thornbeck Forest, the heroine is twenty-one years old and although she has a guardian, she isn’t exactly in a parent-child relationship with her guardian. He respects her opinions and her independence. But these books will also be “young adult-friendly” in that they should still be appropriate and relatable for my teen readers. Author Website: MelanieDickerson.com Author Facebook: facebook.com/MelanieDickersonBooks Author Twitter: @melanieauthor Interview by Brock Eastman Featuring Undercover Bride Pinkerton detective Maggie Cartwright has no intention of walking down the aisle. . . . But her current case has Maggie posing as a mail-order bride for widower Garrett Thomas, the prime suspect in the Whistle-Stop Bandit robbery. No sooner does Maggie arrive in Arizona Territory when she’s confronted by his meddlesome aunt who insists the two set an early wedding date. With the clock ticking, Maggie sets to work to uncover the truth. Maggie is nothing like the woman widower Garrett expected from her letters. But he’s immediately smitten with the blue-eyed beauty and feels the need to protect her, not only from his aunt’s critical eye, but also from the ugliness of his past. As the day of the wedding draws near, Maggie begins to panic. The investigation may be progressing, but the real problem is that the more she gets to know Garrett and his two charming children, the harder it is to keep up the deception. Can a man as kind and gentle as Garrett really be the Whistle-Stop Bandit? Or has the possibility of a home, family, and a handsome husband blinded Maggie from seeing the truth? Brock: How did you come up with the idea for this book? Margaret: The idea for my Undercover series came after I read the biography of Kate Warne, the first female Pinkerton detective. I was shocked to learn that she was hired by Allan Pinkerton in 1852. That's fifty years before the first policewoman was hired. He thought she was applying for a secretarial job but she soon relieved him of that notion. Oh, to have been at that meeting! Brock: Tell us about the main characters? Who are they, what makes them unique. Margaret: Pinkerton detective Maggie Michaels is working undercover as a mail order bride, a job that requires much courage on her part. Her "fiancé" is widower Garrett Thomas, suspected of being the brain behind the Whistle-Stop train holdup. He's a tinker by trade. How he learned the trade is pretty unique. While in the Andersonville prison camp he learned to make cooking and eating utensils for himself and the other prisoners out of canteens and brass buttons. Brock: Give us one fact about each main character that no one else knows. Margaret: Garrett sings off-key in the bathtub and Maggie keeps a stack of dime novels under her bed. Brock: In three sentences, what is this book about? Margaret: Posing as a mail order bride, Maggie Michaels has only a few short weeks to find the seventy-five thousand dollars stolen during a robbery. The clock is ticking. If she doesn't find the proof to put the suspect away, she could end up as his bride! Brock: How do you believe this story relates to the lives of readers? Margaret: A kindly minister saved my orphaned heroine from falling into a life of ill-repute. Instead of following in her father's criminal footsteps, she works on the side of law and order. While I was writing her story, it occurred to me how many wonderful people in my own past helped me become the person I am today. I hope the book will inspire readers to reflect on their own lives and the teachers, ministers and other counselors who helped them along the way. Brock: What is the biblical background or basis for the basic? Margaret: The basic theme relates to the Bible verse chosen for the book: Where there is no counsel, the people fall; But in the multitude of counselors there is safety. Proverbs 11:14 NKJV This theme plays out through the heroine's determination to help the paperboy Linc, whom she fears is on the wrong path and will one day end up as one of Pinkerton's most wanted. I believe we're all called to serve as counselors or mentors and to reach out to others. Brock: Any certain research required for the book? Margaret: Oh, my, yes. Years of watching Castle, CSI and Rizzoli and Isles had taught me a lot about modern day forensics (and how to solve a crime in an hour), but left me clueless when it came to plotting a mystery series set in the nineteenth century. Those old time sleuths had no fingerprints, video cameras or DNA, yet they almost always got their man (or woman) and that's pretty amazing. To find out how they did it I read sixteen books written by Allan Pinkerton and a few written by some of his operatives. Many of the investigative techniques Maggie uses in the book were actually devised by Pinkerton detectives. Brock: How do you strike the right balance in your book? Margaret: You're right, Brock, it is a balancing act. I think the trick is to know reader expectations. Since I write inspirational romance I know that my readers want to feel all the uncertainties and joys of falling in love, so that's always upmost in my mind. My trademark is humor so readers would be disappointed if I didn't make them laugh. My readers also appreciate a meaningful faith-based story that's not preachy. Many women share the same experiences I had in school, where history was taught from a male point of view—all those battles and dates! My female readers really enjoy learning about the past in a fun and entertaining way. As far as working in historical details sometimes less is more. Brock: Why did you choose to focus on male and female protagonists? Margaret: Since I write romance, I try to keep the focus as much as possible on the couple. I love writing romance because every possible theme and conflict can be explored through the relationship of two people falling in love. Brock: Can you give us a hint at the next book in the series? Margaret: I recently turned in the third and last book in the series. Calico Spy takes place in Calico, Kansas. Someone is killing off the Harvey Girls and undercover Pinkerton detective Katie Madison hopes to find the killer before the killer finds her—or before she burns down the restaurant trying. Brock: If your book changed as you wrote it, how is it different than how you originally planned? Margaret: I don't do much in the way of preplanning a book. All I need is an inkling of an idea and an opening sentence and I’m off and running. So I can't really say the book changes because I don't know where it's going in the first place. Brock: What was the biggest set-back you had as a writer? Margaret: I would have to say that flunking eighth grade English was my biggest set-back. My teacher told me not to even think about being a writer. The way I handled it was to give up my dream (big mistake!). It took years before I realize that God doesn’t put a dream into our hearts without also giving us the tools to pursue it. I just had to learn how to use those tools. I never did learn how to diagram a sentence but, with the help of a lot of dedicated editors, I learned how to tell my stories. Brock: What's next for you? Margaret: In addition to Undercover Bride I have a novella out this summer titled The Dog Days of Summer Bride, and as soon as I clean my office I'm starting a new series. Author Website: Margaret-Brownley.com Author Facebook: facebook.com/MargaretBrownleyAuthor Author Twitter: twitter.com/margaretbrownly Author Pinterest: pinterest.com/brownley1 Author Goodreads: goodreads.com/goodreadscommargaretbrownley Interview by Brock Eastman Featuring Edge of Oblivion A Forgotten Past. A Terminal Future. Earth has emerged from a cataclysmic dark age with little knowledge of its past. Aided by the discovery of advanced alien technology, humanity ventures into the stars, joining other sentient races in a sprawling, prosperous interstellar Confederacy. That peace is soon shattered. Without warning, the Confederacy comes under attack by an unstoppable alien force from the unknown regions. With hopes for civilization's survival dwindling, Commander Jared Carter is sent to pursue an unlikely lead: a collection of ancient alien religious fragments which may - or may not - hold the key to their salvation ... Brock: What was your inspiration for writing The Chronicles of Sarco? Joshua: I grew up with a real affinity for science fiction, both on television and in the written form, but I also realized that relatively little of what I watched and read dealt with faith in any substantive way. Isaac Asimov, who was not particularly religious, nevertheless lamented about the dearth of science fiction that explored the relationship between God and extraterrestrial life. Part of the reason is that so many science fiction authors were and are humanists, so their worlds marginalize religion as being anti-intellectual or just ignore the subject entirely. At some point I figured, why not try my hand at it myself? Why not see if I could craft a story that incorporated both faith and aliens? That’s where Edge of Oblivion came from. Brock: Tell us about the main characters. Who are they? What makes them unique? Joshua: The primary cast of Edge of Oblivion serves together in a sort of interspecies Navy. Their ship is a small interceptor called the Retaelus, and it specializes in rooting out the pirates that plague the trade lanes between planets. The captain and communications officer are both humans; the weapons officer, sciences officer, and engineer are all non-humans, extraterrestrials from other worlds. Part of the fun of the story is finding out both about the officers themselves and the alien races they come from. On one level, you learn about their cultures and distinct racial traits, but you also learn about the individuals – their pasts and hopes, their accomplishments and failures … and some of their secrets. Brock: Give us one fact about the main character that no one else knows. Joshua: The commander of the Retaelus, Jared Carter, is the epitome of the middle-of-the-pack leader. His career is a succession of respectable but forgettable posts. When it comes to really important assignments, he’s rarely anyone’s first choice, which gnaws on him at times, especially given that his father is a successful Earth politician. But he also is reluctant to engage in the sort of grandstanding and politicking that other officers do to climb the Navy ladder. So it creates a bit of a dilemma for him, and one that he struggles to resolve in his own mind. Brock: In three words, what is Edge of Oblivion about? Joshua: Epic. Space. Adventure. Brock: Do you outline the entire book before starting, or do you write as you go and let the characters take control of the story? Joshua: I outline the entire book before starting, but I’m not automatically rigid about it. There are times I will work out a chapter and then, as the book flows, decide that I’d like to take things in a little different direction. I do like to keep a clear end in mind, though; I almost always know where I want to end up. Sometimes, though, the road to get there may fluctuate a bit. Brock: How do you believe this story relates to the lives of readers? Joshua: Science fiction, I think, is appealing because it takes readers out of their own lives and into someplace different and fantastic. That said, the everyman nature of the crew – and the real problems that they deal with – are elements I think will resonate with readers. Yes, the crew has courage, and yes, they sometimes do courageous things, but they don’t do them because they have some crazy abilities. They do it for the same reasons we sometimes have to rise up in our own lives – because necessity demands it. Brock: What is your favorite genre to write for? Joshua: Definitely the one this falls in, science fiction. I love the idea of being able to create worlds outside of our own and explore them. Exploration is one of the underlying themes of this trilogy, and I hope readers are as excited to visit these new worlds as I was in writing them. Brock: How many books are planned for this series? Joshua: It’s a planned trilogy, which I’m also supplementing that with some prequel and interquel short stories that are and will be available through my author website. Some of the wheels in my head have already started turning with respect to going beyond that, but right now my primary focus is on the chronology of the three books. Brock: How do you strike the right balance in your book between plotlines and character development? Joshua: This is, I think, where beta readers and editors have been invaluable for me. In the plot and character spectrum, I lean more plot, but along the way I’ve had various people say, “Tell me more about this guy” or “Flesh her character out more.” That has been good for me. I mean, I did a lot of prewriting on my characters, but those suggestions really forced me to think more deeply about what makes my characters tick. I hope the end result is a book with good characters and a well-paced plot. Brock: How does it feel to have your work published? Joshua: Absolutely surreal. It’s been a succession of surreal moments. Getting the first request for a full manuscript, the phone call offering me a contract, signing the contract, seeing a book cover with my name on it, seeing an Amazon book listing … every step is something new in my life experience. And as hard as it’s been, it’s also been a real blast, to immerse myself in the way writing and publishing work, and to see how I can succeed there. Brock: Are you working on the next book in The Chronicles of Sarco? Joshua: And then some. Book 2 is in the hands of the publisher and I’m currently hard at work on Book 3. Brock: Are you a full-time or part-time author/writer? Joshua: Part-time. My day job is teaching high school history and government. There is a part of me that wouldn’t mind being able to write full-time, but I also think my day job is good for me; it gets me on my feet, away from my computer, and into life experiences that for me, personally, have been good for my creative process. Brock: What are some of the strongest influences on your writing? Joshua: Lots of names come to mind. Edgar Rice Burroughs did some amazing world building with the John Carter novels. Isaac Asimov’s books were grand and epic, and Robert Heinlein’s books were just really solid adventures, especially his earlier works. And as much as I talked earlier about science fiction being a humanist domain, Orson Scott Card and Frank Herbert have done some interesting things in exploring how faith fits in with science fiction. Brock: What’s your view on e-books and the new publishing revolution? Joshua: The history guy in me knows that every advancement comes with tradeoff. On one hand, I hear stories from established traditional authors about how things like book tours and publisher marketing campaigns are not what they used to be. Yet I’ve also read stories about how eBooks and the Internet have really democratized the process and allowed for more authors to carve out a space. I would like to believe that interest in books has grown, not shrunk, with the advent of eBooks, and in a world where so many things compete for our time and attention, that’s cool. Brock: What was your favorite book as a teen or child? Joshua: Really hard choice, so I’m going to cheat and name four … well, one series and one book, anyway. The series is Asimov’s Foundation books, which are both profoundly deep and broad, grappling with all kinds of issues across this astonishing timeline. The book is Robert Heinlein’s Tunnel in the Sky, which chronicles a young man stranded on an alien world with a group of other students. It’s a great survival-against-all-odds tale. Brock: What are your hopes for your future as an author? Joshua: You know, I’m not sure. I know I enjoy writing and I’m thrilled that I have the opportunity to showcase that work through a publisher, but I’m also trying to live in the moment and just enjoy the journey as it comes. My wife and I have talked some about where I would like to go with writing down the road, but at this point I’m simply taking things one day at a time. Brock: Coke or Pepsi? Joshua: Give me a Coca-Cola Classic and I’m in heaven. Brock: Favorite place to vacation? Joshua: My wife and I have a large 18x10 foot tent that we put to use each summer at various state parks in our region. I love pitching a tent on a warm (but not hot) summer day, cooking burgers over an open flame and hiking across quiet trails with my wife and daughters. Those memories are priceless. Brock: Do you listen to music while you write? If so, what are some examples? Joshua: I love epic ambient orchestral soundtrack music. Give me an Audiomachine marathon and I’m pretty much set. Brock: Have you done any other writing besides fiction? Joshua: Over the years I’ve done a fair bit of writing on other subjects. I’m a former senior editor and now contributor to Nintendojo, a fansite devoted to games for Nintendo consoles and handhelds. I once even got invited to demo Guitar Hero out in California, but I painfully had to turn it down because of the demands of my day job. I also chip in with some articles on parenting for a website called Mumbling Mommy, which my wife works for as an editor. Brock: What are your favorite nonfiction titles? Joshua: My degree is in history, so I’ve read a fair bit on that subject over the years. I enjoy reading up on American presidents, especially as historians re-evaluate their presidencies over time. I also love a good nonfiction adventure tale: one of my favorites is Alfred Lansing’s Endurance, an incredible and very true story of Ernest Shackleton, who led a crew though a series of harrowing ordeals in the Antarctic during the 1910s. Author Website: JoshuaAJohnston.com Author Facebook: facebook.com/joshuaajohnston Author Twitter: @jallenjohnston Author Goodreads: goodreads.com/joshuaajohnston Interview by Ashley Eastman Featuring Beautiful Star of Bethlehem When Memories Are Lost, Only Love Remains How did Arlene Santana—happy wife, successful business owner, young grandmother—get here, a rehabilitation center surrounded by old people? Her new friends make her laugh, and the days speed by, marked by holidays on which her two sons and their wives come to visit her. But when will her husband, whose love she feels every moment of every day, come to see her? Then one Christmas the confusing pieces of Arlene’s life start to click into place, but will she and her sons like the reality they face? Readers will treasure this poignant novella from bestselling author Lori Copeland. “Lori Copeland’s Beautiful Star of Bethlehem is a Christmas book I will never forget. From the stunning—and surprising—opening to the lovely and perfect ending, I fell into the tale and didn’t want to leave the friends I made there.” -Kathleen Y'Barbo, bestselling author of Firefly Summer and The Secret Lives of Will Tucker series Lori’s light as a powerful story continues in this latest novel; Beautiful Star of Bethlehem. A story that will grip each reader and make us more appreciative of the holidays and the moments with our family that surrounds. Ashley: What inspired you to write Beautiful Star of Bethlehem? Lori: The older I get the more time I spend visiting the elderly in nursing or assisted living facilities. The seed for this story sprouted many years ago and grew until I knew this was a story I needed to share. One of sadness, but encouragement, one of loss but having known a true, solid love of family and children but most of all, a story about how life can change swiftly at any age. Beautiful Star of Bethlehem is poignant, thoughtful—even humorous at times but isn’t all of life that way? Most of the book is a reminder that when something precious is taken another gift is given. Ashley: Who are Arlene and Jack Santana? Lori: Arlene Santana is a vibrant, loving mother-- and now first-time grandmother. She has a solid marriage, co-owns half of Santana Toys with the love of her life, her husband, Jack Santana. The late fiftyish couple has reached the pinnacle—the point in their life they can set back, enjoy the fruits of their labor and still be healthy, happy and alive. Ashley: What is unique about them? Lori: The unique angle is their world will end in less than two hours. Ashley: What is one fact about Jack and Arlene no one else knows? Lori: Jack loves chunky monkey ice cream. Chocolate gives Arlene hives. Ashley: In three sentences what is Beautiful Star of Bethlehem about? Lori: This book is about hope. This book is about survival. This story could happen to anyone. Ashley: How do you believe this story relates to the lives of readers? Lori: I can’t think of many readers who have not lived or cannot relate to this story. The book is poignant, honest, will make many flinch when they see themselves in this story, but the reader will come away with renewed faith and a sense of “doing better” toward the ones who sit in God’s Waiting Room. Ashley: How do you strike the right balance of themes in your book? Lori: I wanted to hit the balance of humor and humanness in Beautiful Star of Bethlehem. Only the reader will be able to tell me if I achieved my goal. Ashley: Can you give us a hint at the next book in the series? Lori: Well, I haven’t sold the book yet, but I would like for the title to be “God’s Waiting Room.” The story that I have in mind has nothing to do with living—or assisted living; rather the day we will all sit in God’s Waiting Room and listen to the conversations taking place around us. The incredulous and sometimes sound reasons the new arrivals feel they’ve made it thus far. Author Website: LoriCopeland.com Author Facebook: facebook.com/pages/Lori-Copeland/49638671412 GoodReads: goodreads.com/author/show/39205.Lori_Copeland?from_search=true&search_version=service Interview by Brock Eastman Featuring Joline’s Redemption Joline has fallen as far as any woman can. Jo’s lofty dreams of love and luxury evaporated when her ne’er-do-well husband left her pregnant and alone. After a series of increasingly bad decisions, Jo finds herself at a crossroads: swallow her pride and seek refuge at her sister’s home or risk losing her infant son. She chooses the first option, even though she knows the man she’s running from will come after her, and she needs to move farther away. To earn money for the journey, she goes to work for her estranged husband’s brother, Baron. But Jo has a long list of secrets she’s keeping from Baron—namely her son, Jamie. Jo intrigues Baron, and he finds himself falling in love with her. But when he discovers she’s his brother’s castoff, he closes his heart. Baron has been cleaning up his younger brother’s messes most of his life, and Jo is one mess he refuses to tackle. All too soon, Jo’s past catches up with her, and she realizes the disaster she’s made of her life. Is it possible that God can redeem a woman who has fallen as far as she has and give her hope and peace for a happy future? A historical romance that beckons to modern day issues. Vickie McDonough Brock: How did you come up with the idea for this book? or What was your inspiration for writing this book? Vickie: I was born and raised in Oklahoma and have long been fascinated with my state’s unique history. The part of Oklahoma that l live in was once the Creek Indian Nation. When the Indian lands in Oklahoma were opened for settlement by non-Indians, the government chose a series land runs as the means for deciding who got a homestead or town lot. The first person to the land won it. My series title is Land Rush Dreams, and it features the 1889 and 1893 land runs and the 1901 land lottery. Brock: Tell us about the main characters. Who are they? What makes them unique? Vickie: In book one of my series, Gabriel’s Atonement, the heroine has a rebellious, bratty younger sister name Joline aka Jo. Their parents died in a fire when the girls were young, and it really affected Jo. I knew the second book would feature her, and with all the bad choices she made, her life was bound to be difficult. She’s stubborn and tenacious, which is how she survives all dreadful things that come her way. The hero is Baron Hillborne. He’s the oldest son of a wealthy businessman who owns a chain of mercantiles. He has often been tasked with cleaning up the messes his younger brother, Mark, has made. When he comes to Guthrie to reopen the store that Mark started and then abandoned, he sees it as just another mess to clean up. Baron is the good son, patient and dependable, respectful, honest, and trustworthy. He’s the kind of man Jo thinks would never be attracted to her, especially when he learns that she’s just another one of Mark’s mistakes. Brock: Give us one fact about each main character that no one else knows. Vickie: Okay. Um…let’s see. The last thing Jo would ever do is return to her sister’s home, but for the sake of her son—did you know she had one?—she’ll do even that. Baron is partially colorblind, which can be challenging since he runs a store. Brock: In three sentences, what is this book about? Vickie: Joline has fallen as far as any woman can. She once had lofty dreams of love and luxury, but she made a series of dreadful decisions, leaving her bereft of all hope. Jo has a long list of secrets to keep and always has to look over her shoulder, as the man she’s running from may show up anywhere, anytime. Brock: How do you believe this story relates to the lives of readers? Vickie: People often feel that God can’t love them because of the things they’ve done. I hope to show them that isn’t true. God loves you no matter what you’ve done—no matter what bad choices you’ve made. Brock: Any certain research required for the book? Vickie: Yes, I had to research the Cherokee Strip land run. I knew quite a bit about the land runs, but when you write a book, there are many little details you need to know to make the book historically accurate and interesting. Brock: Are you working on the next book in the series? Vickie: Yes, I’m close to finishing Sarah’s Surrender. Readers first meet Sarah in Joline’s Redemption, when the half Cherokee/half Irish girl runs away with Jo from the place they are staying. Brock: If your book changed as you wrote it, how is it different than how you originally planned? Vickie: I did a lot of research, trying to find just the right Cherokee Indian name for Sarah. I settled on Chiyah, which means “in the shadows.” It was the perfect name for the quiet, little girl that Jo helps. During the editing process, my editor challenged me on whether the name was actually Cherokee. I looked it up again and was surprised to discover that the name is Cherokee after all, but a name from India. Somehow I missed that fact when researching. In the end, I deleted all references of Chiyah and settled on giving her a regular name. The Cherokees were part of the Five Civilized Tribes, and many had had English names for generations, so it wasn’t unbelievable for my character. I hated giving up the name that fit so well, but I had to be accurate. And besides, in Joline’s Redemption, Chiyah actually changed her name to Sarah when she became a Christian, so I just changed it sooner. Brock: Baron is an odd name for a hero. How did you come to choose it? Vickie: I’m kind of picky about my hero and heroine names. It has to be something I like and also one that was historically accurate. Baron is probably pushing the limits for that, but it seemed to fit my hero. How did I think of it? I had a friendly man come to my house to install a gas fireplace, and that was his name. I liked it and thought it would fit the hero in Joline’s Redemption. I even set up the story to show that Baron’s mother was fascinated with English aristocracy. Mark, Baron’s brother, was named Marquis, but he hated it and never used it. Brock: Can you tell us about the land lottery that is featured in Sarah’s Surrender? Vickie: After the craziness of the land runs where many people were injured and the many lawsuits concerning who owned certain homesteads, the government felt they needed a more organized and fairer way of deciding who won a homestead. They held a massive lottery in which tens of thousands of people signed up. Then there was a drawing for the homesteads. The officials numbered the envelopes as they were drawn, and on a later date, the winners, starting with the first name drawn, got to choose which section of land he/she wanted. It was much less hectic than the land runs and fairer for all who entered. Author Website: VickieMcdonough.com Author Facebook: facebook.com/VickieMcDonough?fref=ts Author Twitter: twitter.com/vickiemcdonough Author Pinterest: pinterest.com/VickieMcDonough/ Interview by Brock Eastman Featuring An Uncertain Choice Brock: What was your inspiration for writing An Uncertain Choice? Jody: I have three daughters. My two oldest daughters (twins) are in high school. They're starting to notice boys. And boys are starting to notice them. Okay, who am I kidding? My teen daughters have been paying attention to boys for quite a few years. Yes, they're human. But of course, up until now they've been a tad young to enter the world of dating. My husband would prefer that we have a family rule, "No dating until at least the age of 22." And he'll likely greet any boy that comes calling for them with a baseball bat in hand (wink!). But because we know that we can't beat away the boys forever, we wanted to have a tool that we could use for our daughters to help prepare them for dating. Let's face it, the dating world has become rather big and scary to many young people. And rightly so. Our modern culture, particularly social media, has changed the nature of dating. Cell phones, texting, Facebook, online dating services, etc. have all impacted the how's, why's, what's, and when's of dating. When I began to think about what kinds of dating experiences I wanted my daughters to have, I decided to write a book that models the purity, nobility, and courtly love that existed in the days of old, during the times of knights and their ladies, a time in history when chivalry was at its height. Thus, An Uncertain Choice was birthed. (Plus I'm a sap for a good medieval fairy tale!) Brock: Tell us about the main characters. Who are they? What makes them unique? Jody: The heroine is a beautiful and wealthy young woman named Lady Rosemarie. She's on the cusp of her eighteenth birthday and knows her destiny is to fulfill a vow made by her parents. In light of their infertility, her parents had promised to give their firstborn back to God for a life of service and celibacy when she turned eighteen. Now with only one month before her birthday, Lady Rosemarie receives the news that there is an exception to the Ancient Vow–if she finds true love and is married by her birthday, then she is exempt from having to become a nun. Faced with a growing loneliness and the possibility of losing control over the people she rules with compassion, Lady Rosemarie questions whether life in a cloister is really the best choice for her life. She agrees to allow the three handsomest and noblest knights in the land the chance to win her heart in one month. Enter on stage, the three heart throbs! Sir Collin, Sir Bennet, and Sir Derrick. Each one is completely honorable and noble in his own way. Lady Rosemarie will have a tough choice ahead of her. Now you'll have to read the book to find out who she chooses and why! Brock: In three sentences what is An Uncertain Choice about? Jody: One beautiful maiden. One month to decide her fate. The choice? Fall in love or become a nun. The prospects? The three of the handsomest and noble knights in all the land. As an unseen enemy threatens the competition, Lady Rosemarie's choices may be slimmer than she realizes. Brock: Do you outline the entire book before starting, or do you write as you go and let the characters take control of the story? Jody: I start out with a brainstormed list of plot ideas. I do my best to think of as many twists and turns as I can before I start writing the first draft. And I usually have a pretty good idea of how I want the plot to wrap up. But inevitably the story develops even more as I get into the meat of writing. I think that’s what makes writing so fun and what gives me such a rush—to see what new aspects unfold and where the story actually leads as I get to know my characters more intimately. Brock: How do you believe this story relates to the lives of readers? Jody: Young people today really enjoy reality TV shows, especially ones that involve contests. My teens love watching Survivor, The Amazing Race, and even American Idol. There's just something about real competition that attracts us. An Uncertain Choice is a little bit like reality TV, especially a show like Bachlorette (although a much sweeter and cleaner version!) where a young woman is presented with three really fantastic men. In some ways, she can't go wrong if she chooses any of the men. But readers get to join the adventure as she must narrow down her choices even as the clock ticks away to the day of her eighteenth birthday. Aside from the many issues related to dating and marriage, the book also tackles issues like chafing under too much supervision, learning to become a strong leader, and how to display courage in different ways. Brock: What is your favorite genre to write for? Jody: I'm currently writing in three similar but distinct genres: Historical Romance, Young Adult Medieval Romance, and then Historicals that are based on the lives of real people. I actually love writing in all three of the genres and am thrilled that I have three books releasing this year (one in each of the genres). In addition to An Uncertain Choice my YA medieval tale, readers can also look forward to a second historical romance in a lighthouse series that recently launched. And then in the fall I'm releasing a book called Luther & Katharina with Random House (Waterbrook) in October. It's a book based one of the greatest untold love stories: the courtship and marriage of the great reformer, Martin Luther to a runaway nun Katharina von Bora. He's a heretic wanted dead or alive, and she's a noblewoman without a family or home. Amidst the dangers of pope, princes, and revolting peasants, the two must wage war to find a love of their own. Brock: How many books are planned for this series? Jody: There are three total books planned in this series. As I mentioned, Lady Rosemarie, the heroine, is presented with three really fantastic men to choose to marry. In some ways, she can't go wrong with any of the men since they're all noble and swoon-worthy! But readers get to join the adventure as she must narrow down her choices even as the clock ticks away to the day of her eighteenth birthday when she must either marry or enter the convent and become a nun. Luckily If Rosemarie doesn't choose YOUR personal favorite knight, don't despair! The other two knights will get books of their own. And you'll be able to take a journey with them as they begin their own quests to find their places in the world, overcome shortcomings, and along the way find the woman that God has planned for them. Brock: Any certain research required for the book, or is it all from your imagination? Jody: Research is an integral part of my writing process. I usually spend approximately 4 weeks on initial research, reading biographies, getting a feel for the time period, and digging into the meat that will comprise the plot of my book. Once I start writing the first draft, I have to stop from time to time to do a little more research, particularly if I switch settings within the story. But usually, if I don’t know something, I’ll highlight it and then do more research during my editing phase. Brock: Are you working on the next book in the series? Jody: Yes! I'm already excited about the second book in the series. It's already written and I'm in the process of getting ready to turn it in to my editor in order to get her expertise feedback. As I mentioned it will involve another one of the three knights. But of course, I won't give away which of the knights until closer to the release of the book! (How's that for a tease!) Brock: How do you hope parents will use An Uncertain Choice with their kids? Jody: While the book is an exciting and entertaining story that young women will enjoy reading, it's also a book that I hope facilitates discussion about dating, love, and marriage. I've developed a downloadable discussion guide to correspond with the book chapter by chapter that will be available on my website. It's my desire that mothers (or grandmothers) will read the book as a disciplining tool with their daughters and then use the story and study guide as a way to talk about relationship issues that often get overlooked. An Uncertain Choice would also be perfect for mentors, small groups, youth groups, or Bible studies, where girls to come together to read and discuss the book as a way to spur thoughts about God's plans for dating. Brock: What do you hope kids take away from this book? Jody: It's my prayer that through An Uncertain Choice and its discussion guide readers will examine dating and be better prepared for the challenges that accompany it. Whether young women are brand new at dating or have been dating for a while, it's never too late to evaluate God's design and to set into place a solid foundation for relationships, particularly in preparing for marriage. Brock: How long does it usually take you to write a single book? Jody: My writing pace varies from project to project. On average, however, I would say that a book takes me about 4-5 months including the research, first draft, and then self-editing. Obviously, once I'm done and turn it into my publisher, there's still a lot more work that goes into getting the book ready for publication. But my first draft process usually encompasses about five months. Brock: When did you realize you wanted to become a writer? Jody: Like many writers, I’ve been writing since my childhood days. I always loved telling stories. When I was in junior high, I entered my first writing contest for a Biblical fiction story. And when I won, I realized God had indeed gifted me. I think that was when I became more serious about wanting to be a writer when I grew up. The passion followed me into adulthood. And after many twists and turns along the path, I’ve finally been able to channel that passion into a full time writing career. Brock: What are some of the strongest influences on your writing? Jody: My mom was the most influential person in my writing career. When I was young, she helped facilitate my love of writing by reading aloud to me, giving me good books to read, and providing the kind of environment that fostered my creativity (in fact we didn’t have a TV for a number of years). She always believed in me, encouraged me to pursue my dreams, and rode alongside me cheering me on. Brock: What was your favorite book as a teen or child? Jody: Anne of Green Gables was one of my favorites as a child because it played a role in developing my creativity as a writer. Followed closely by A Little Princess and Little Women because they also featured strong, creative girls. Brock: Coke or Pepsi? Jody: Diet Pepsi Brock: Soft shell or hard shell tacos? Jody: Soft shell loaded with all the toppings Brock: Favorite place to vacation? Jody: Dream vacation: castles throughout Europe Brock: Favorite season? Jody: All of them in their own time Brock: Do you have a particular drink or food you consume when you write? Like coco, raspberry tea, animal crackers? Jody: Coffee. Coffee. And more coffee. :-) Brock: Do you have a favorite Bible verse? Jody: One of the many verses I treasure is "I can do everything through Christ who gives me strength." Phil. 4:13 That verse has held me in good stead through many trials. Brock: Other than writing great novels, what other goals do you have for your life? Jody: Since I'm in the midst of raising a busy family of five children, I want to enjoy my family and raise my children to glorify God. That's a HUGE task right now and takes up most of my time and energy when I'm not writing. Someday I hope to be able to take naps again. But until then, I dream about the day! Brock: What hobbies do you like to do in your spare time? Jody: Spare time? What's that? *Grin* No, seriously. When I have a minute or two to myself, I love to read! I've taken to using audio books as a way to squeeze in more reading, especially as I'm doing house chores or exercising. Also, over the past couple of years I've taken up running. I've enjoyed getting in shape (even though it's been slightly painful for me!) Author website: JodyHedlund.com Author Facebook: facebook.com/AuthorJodyHedlund Author Twitter: twitter.com/JodyHedlund Author Pinterest: pinterest.com/jodyhedlund/ Author Goodreads: goodreads.com/author/show/3358829.Jody_Hedlund Interview by Ashley Eastman Featuring Pursued Praise for the Nikki Boyd Files “Christy Award–winning and bestselling author Lisa Harris puts readers right into the action in this fast-paced thriller that will have them turning pages long into the night.” —Fresh Fiction on Missing “Lisa Harris has quickly become one of my favorite romantic suspense writers, and she has penned another winner in Missing.” —Radiant Lit on Missing “With this explosive first book in the Nikki Boyd Files, Lisa Harris takes readers on a fast-paced pursuit of justice that will have them holding their breath until the heart-stopping finish.” —Christian Retailing on Vendetta “A thrill ride from start to finish, the first book in Harris’s Nikki Boyd Files series is filled with twists and surprises. This is exactly the kind of suspense novel that readers are looking for—one to keep them involved and intrigued throughout.” —RT Book Reviews, Top Pick on Vendetta “The story is fueled with misleading dangers, and the character is so fascinating that fans will be waiting impatiently to see what adventure Nikki Boyd will have next.” —Suspense Magazine on Vendetta “Readers will try to figure out who’s behind the crimes as they get to know Nikki and root for her to heal from her painful past and open herself to love.” —Booklist on Vendetta Nikki Boyd's flight into Nashville was routine--up until the crash landing at the airport. When the dust settles, Nikki discovers that the woman who had been seated next to her on the plane is missing--and no one will admit she was ever there. Erika Hamilton had been flying to Nashville with an air marshal as a key witness in an upcoming grand jury trial. When she flees from the crash, is she running from trouble or straight into it? Before Nikki can even see her family, she and her team are pulled into a missing persons case where the motives are as unclear as the suspects. Bestselling and award-winning author Lisa Harris has planted danger around every turn in this can't-put-it-down thrill ride that will leave readers stunned. Ashley: What was your inspiration for writing the Nikki Boyd Files? Lisa: Like with most of my stories, it began with a character that gripped my interest and whose story begged to be told. Nikki Boyd was one of those characters that I couldn’t stop thinking about. I always want to inspire with characters that are flawed and vulnerable and yet also show how God can use them. Giving Nikki her own series gave me the perfect combination. Ashley: Tell us about the main characters. Who are they? What makes them unique? Lisa: Nikki’s personal reasons for working on a Missing Person Task force intrigued me the most. She not only cared about the victims and their families, but she was the sister of a victim. This makes her not only good at her job, but her motivation keeps her intent on finding those she’s searching for. Tyler is the love interest in this series. To me he’s perfect for Nikki, though they don’t discover this right away. He’s been wounded—both physically in the military, and emotionally with the loss of his wife, and yet even as he struggles to get back on his feet, he becomes a source of strength for Nikki. Ashley: Give us one fact about each main character that no one else knows. Lisa: To be honest, I don’t interview my characters upfront like some authors do. I discover their likes, dislikes and quirks as I write. So all the facts I know about them I’ve already weaved into the series. Ashley: In three sentences words, what is this book about? Lisa: Pursued is a race against time to find a woman who disappears after a plane crash. When Nikki Boyd learns that Erika Hamilton is a key witness in a grand jury trial, she’s determined to do everything she can to ensure the woman is found. But someone will do anything to make sure she doesn’t testify. Ashley: Do you outline the entire book before starting, or do you write as you go and let the characters take control of the story? Lisa: I always start with a basic outline, then build on that as I write. With the twists and turns of romantic suspense, having a structure in place is extremely helpful for me as I write. Ashley: How do you believe this story relates to the lives of readers? Lisa: I believe that Nikki is a heroine we can all relate to. She’s vulnerable yet strong, and knows what it is to have to deal with a horrible loss. Ashley: What is your favorite genre to write for? Lisa: Definitely romantic suspense! Ashley: How many books are planned for this series? Lisa: Pursued is the third and last book in the Nikki Boyd Files, but I’m finishing up a book that is a tie-in to the series. Vanishing Point is the story of Sarah Boyd, Nikki’s sister who disappeared over a decade ago, and the Angel Abductor who readers will know about from the series. Ashley: Any certain research required for the book, or is it all from your imagination? Lisa: I always do a lot of research on a wide variety of subjects. I’ll research things like setting to add to the flavor of the book, police procedure, specific crimes that the case is dealing with, and much more. Ashley: Why did you choose to focus on a male and female protagonist? Lisa: Originally, I had planned for this series to highlight a different protagonist in each book. It was my publisher’s suggestion to make this Nikki’s series which I have ended up loving. The whole series takes place over a few short months, which allowed me to have a larger romance arc between Nikki and Tyler over the three books, as well as a second larger arc on Nikki’s search for her missing sister. For me it allowed me to bring a deeper depth to the series and make it very personal. Ashley: Are you a full-time or part-time author/writer? Lisa: I’m a full-time author working part-time hours. Or at least that’s what it feels like sometimes. I have discovered that in reality, the workload never ends, and like most people, I have many other responsibilities. So I’m constantly re-evaluating my schedule and time as I balance life in general. Ashley: How long does it usually take you to write a single book? Lisa: I’m comfortable with about six months, but I always end up with less time than that. Ashley: When did you realize you wanted to become a writer? Lisa: I always wanted to write, though I didn’t get serious about actually sitting down and finishing a book until I was in my late twenties. Ashley: Coke or Pepsi? Lisa: Neither Ashley: Soft shell or hard shell tacos? Lisa: Both Ashley: Favorite place to vacation? Lisa: Right now, I’d be happy to go anywhere on vacation!! Ashley: Do you have a favorite Bible verse? Lisa: It’s been a difficult year personally for our family, so I love holding onto this verse. “And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us.” Hebrews 12:1 Ashley: What do you enjoy doing when you’re not writing? Lisa: One of my favorite things to do is head to a nearby game park and drive through the bush looking for animals. There’s something peaceful about no cell phone or computers and all I can see is God’s incredible creation. It’s the one place I’ve found I can really get away from it all and take a deep breath! Ashley: Any hobbies? Lisa: I love photography, especially people and animals. We’ve finally put up some of our favorite animal photos—lion, leopard, rhino and more—in our house which has been fun. Author Website: LisaHarriswrites.com Author Facebook: @AuthorLisaHarris Author Twitter: @HeartofAfrica Author Pinterest: lharriswrites Interview by Brock Eastman Featuring Justice Delayed It's been eighteen years since TV crime reporter Andi Hollister's sister was murdered. The confessed killer is behind bars, and the execution date is looming. But when a letter surfaces stating that the condemned killer didn't actually do it, Detective Will Kincade of the Memphis Cold Case Unit will stop at nothing to help Andi get to the bottom of it. After all, this case is personal: the person who confessed to the crime is Will's cousin. They have less than a week to find the real killer before the wrong person is executed. But much can be accomplished in that week--including uncovering police corruption, running for your life, and falling in love. “Patricia Bradley has everything you’re looking for in inspirational romantic suspense—the perfect blend of mystery and romance. Her characters leap off the page and will stay with you long after you finish the book. Justice Delayed is one book I couldn’t put down until the very last page.” --Mary Ellis, bestselling author, Midnight on the Mississippi and the Secrets of the South series Brock: What was your inspiration for writing Justice Delayed? Patricia: I’ve wanted to write a book about cold cases for a long time, and since I grew up in Memphis, it was the perfect location, especially since I have an advisor who is part of the cold case team there. As for this particular story, when I wake up every morning, I spend a few minutes letting thoughts run through my mind. If I were writing, it would be called free writing, so I guess it’s free thinking. One morning I wondered what if someone on death row received a letter stating he had not committed the murder he was convicted of? And what if the letter writer had proof. But then the letter is stolen and the writer is murdered. And Justice Delayed went from there. Brock: Tell us about the main characters? Who are they, what makes them unique. Patricia: Will Kincade wanted to be a policeman since he was a kid along with his best friend, Brad Hollister. Andi Hollister is a TV reporter who drives her family and friends crazy with the risks she takes to get a story. Brock: Give us one fact about each main character that no one else knows. Patricia: Will is ashamed that he and Brad locked Andi in the shed when she was 10 and they were 12 so she couldn’t tag along with them. Especially since she’s now terrified of being in enclosed places. Andi is driven to prove herself, but no one knows how afraid she is when she interviews a dangerous person like the gang member. Brock: In three sentences words, what is this book about? Patricia: Diamonds. Deception. Justice Brock: Do you outline the entire book before starting, or do you write as you go and let the characters take control of the story? Patricia: I discover who my characters are, and then I usually plot out the end of Act 1 where something happens where the protagonist(s) is thrown into solving the crime, then in the middle of Act 2, my protagonist(s)learn something that changes everything. I also know what the black moment is and usually how the story ends. Of course, my characters may have other ideas about all this, and then I go with them. J I don’t always know who did it. I was writing this story one day and a character admitted to the murder. And I thought, so you’re the one who did it. Brock: How do you believe this story relates to the lives of readers? Patricia: My heroine deals with trust issues and my hero deals with unforgiveness. My hope is that readers will identify with how they resolve these issues. Brock: What is your favorite genre to write for? Patricia: I love to write Romantic Suspense. Brock: How many books are planned for this series? Patricia: Four initially, but it is set up to continue indefinitely. Brock: Any certain research required for the book, or is it all from your imagination? Patricia: I have the Memphis Cold Division on speed dial, and my detective there has been wonderful to answer questions. I also had to research maximum-security prisons in Tennessee. And how to cause a tie-rod to come loose. On that last note—I was in Gateway at 7 am one Saturday waiting for the mechanic to arrive so he could explain how to do that. I only wished I’d had a camera when I asked him. Brock: How do you strike the right balance in your book? Patricia: I lay down the suspense line first, along with a little of the romance and faith lines, then I go back and fill in those last two until I have the right balance. Brock: Are you working on the next book in the series? Patricia: I am working on the second book, Justice Buried. It’s a story set at the Pink Palace Museum, a famous landmark in Memphis. I was privileged to tour the Palace from the attic to the basement, and there are a lot of places to hide bodies there! I’m thinking about the third book that is about an Elvis impersonator killed fifteen years ago. Brock: Can you give us a hint at the next book in the series? Patricia: Justice Buried is set at the Pink Palace in Memphis and is about a security specialist who is accused of murder. She has to clear her name or her career is over, but her investigation draws her into the path of a killer, and she finds herself fighting for her life. Brock: Do you plot or outline the entire series before you begin writing, or do your books take on lives of their own? Or is there a combination? Patricia: I usually plot out the series, but then each book takes a life of its own and doesn’t even remotely resemble the outline and sometimes even has new protagonists. Brock: If your book changed as you wrote it, how is it different than how you originally planned? Patricia: Wait a minute and let me get up off the floor. J Something important always changes about my books. In Justice Delayed, I thought Andi was a newspaper reporter, but once I started writing, she let me know she was a TV reporter, and the murderer changed twice. Brock: Were any scenes or characters cut from the book? Can you give an example? Patricia: I am a very lean writer and scenes are rarely cut. If anything, I add scenes. Brock: Where do you like to write? Patricia: I love to write on my screened-in deck where I can listen to the birds sing. Brock: Are you a full-time or part-time author/writer? Patricia: I’m blessed to be a full-time author. Brock: How long does it usually take you to write a single book? Patricia: I like to have at least five months, but I have written one in four. Brock: What do you hope readers take away from the series? Patricia: I want them to take away hope. Brock: Expound on the spiritual themes in the Justice Delayed. Patricia: My books deal with problems Christians have in their lives—forgiveness, distance from God, guilt, trust issues, lack of faith—they’re all there. I hope the way my characters work out their problems will give hope to my readers. Brock: When did you realize you wanted to become a writer? Patricia: When I was 35 and these people came to live in my head. They wouldn’t go away until I wrote their stories. Brock: What are some of the strongest influences on your writing? Patricia: God first—sometimes I have to depend on Him for the next sentence, and He has been faithful to give it to me. Also, teaching I received from Susan May Warren and Rachel Hauck—they have shared their knowledge and encouragement to so many, and I was blessed to be one of them. I learned how to craft a story from them. Brock: What’s your view on e-books and the new publishing revolution? Patricia: I like e-books and believe they will encourage reading. As for Indie publishing, I have mixed feelings. On the one hand, it’s easier to get your book out there, but so many Indie authors don’t hire a good editor for their stories and a lot of badly written books end up getting published. But cream always rises to the top. I prefer to be traditionally published. Revell, a division of Baker Books, is the absolute best! They really invest in their authors, marketing their books and offering so much encouragement. Brock: What was your favorite book as a teen or child? Patricia: I read Exodus by Leon Uris when I was in the 10th grade and even now, that book impacts me. Brock: Describe your feelings when you opened the box and saw the first published copies of your very first book. Patricia: Actually, my editor sent my first book to me, making sure I received it on Christmas Eve. It was heart stopping when I tore open the envelope and realized it was Shadows of the Past. And I cried when I held it in my hands. Nothing will ever top that, but I was excited when the box of books arrived later. Brock: What are your hopes for your future as an author? Patricia: I have so many ideas for books in my head, and I hope I have a chance to write every one of them. Brock: In what ways does your faith impact how you approach writing? Patricia: I could not write a book without knowing God was there, giving me the gift of telling a story. Brock: Coke or Pepsi? Patricia: I rarely drink carbonated drinks, but usually buy Coke if I do. Brock: Favorite place to vacation? Patricia: I love to cruise the Caribbean and will take my third cruise in March. Brock: Favorite season? Patricia: I love the leaves and crispness in the air in the Fall. Brock: Do you have a particular drink or food you consume when you write? Like coco, raspberry tea, animal crackers? Patricia: When I’m writing, I consume hazel nut coffee by the gallon Brock: Do you have a favorite Bible verse? Patricia: I have 2 and I note them on each book I sign—Psalm 37:4, 7: 4:“Delight yourself in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart.” 7: “Wait patiently for the Lord to act…” Brock: Favorite pasta dish? Patricia: Anything Alfredo. Brock: Do you listen to music while you write? If so, what are some examples? Patricia: I listen to the light Classical Music channel except when I’m writing suspense, and then I listen to Batman Returns and The Phantom of the Opera. Brock: What is one thing most people don’t know about you? Patricia: I’ve been bucked off a horse two times, and one of those times, the saddle came with me. Brock: What was your day job before you quit to write full-time? Patricia: I taught abstinence and how to have healthy relationships to junior and senior high school students. It was quite an experience. Maybe I should have put that in the one thing most people don’t know about me. Patricia Bradley is the author of Shadows of the Past, A Promise to Protect, Gone without a Trace, and Silence in the Dark. Bradley received the 2016 Inspirational Readers Choice Award for the third Logan Point book, Gone without a Trace, and has been a finalist for the Genesis Award, a winner of a Daphne du Maurier Award, and winner of a Touched by Love Award. Bradley is cofounder of Aiming for Healthy Families, Inc., and she is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers, Romance Writers of America, and Sisters in Crime. Bradley makes her home in Mississippi. Learn more at ptbradley.com. Author Facebook: facebook.com/patriciabradleyauthor Author Twitter: @ptbradley1 Author Pinterest: pinterest.com/ptbradley #TQ4T readers, you'll want to look for yours truly. |
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