Welcome, Anne. Tell
us how much of yourself you write into your characters.
I’m not sure I write myself into the characters or that I
write how I would like to be into the characters. Not sure there were many
Biblical characters who would sit on their backsides and attack the keys on a
laptop. J
The good characters invariably have a
lot more stamina than I have, more stick-to-it-iveness, stronger moral fiber.
What is the quirkiest
thing you have ever done?
Being pretty much a devout coward, there aren’t many
adventurous things I’ve done. Although I did float a bit of the Salmon River
(the infamous River
of No Return ) in an inner
tube as a teenager. All I can tell you about that is it’s a good idea to lift
your backside up when you come to the riffles.
When did you first
discover that you were a writer?
While I was in school, my favorite assignment was always
writing stories. Not sure when the very first story was ever written, but my
first one I have memory of was an assignment to write a true story about
myself. I couldn’t think of anything interesting about me, so I wrote one about
my brother and I finding a hawk’s nest. It wasn’t exactly true. Then as now, I
preferred fiction, I guess. I would apologize to the teacher, but she has since
passed away.
Tell us the range of
the kinds of books you enjoy reading.
I like a wide variety of books, and most of them I also
review. Because my blog is Christian in nature, that means the books I read are
also Christian. I’m less fond of sci-fi or bloody stuff; but adventure,
romance, young adult, and fiction or nonfiction.
How do you keep your
sanity in our run, run, run world?
My run, run, run days are pretty much in the past. I don’t
have the energy, and too much stress makes me dizzy. I can’t say I never have
stressful times, but I try to limit those days.
How do you choose
your characters’ names?
For the Biblical novel, the Book of Numbers has more than
enough Jewish names. For Roman names I had to investigate online for ancient
names, ditto Greek. Although I have to admit, I chose to use my grandmother’s
name, Miriam, for the heroine of this first of the trilogy.
What is the
accomplishment that you are most proud of?
My three kids—although it was not all my own efforts. They
have had a lot of help from the Lord, from their father, and through their
choices. All three are the most wonderful kids a Mom could ask for.
If you were an
animal, which one would you be, and why?
When I was a kid, I daydreamed about becoming a black
panther. No, not the political thing, the cat-type thing. I’ve aged, so I think
now I would be a pampered cat. Or dog. I have one of each on each side of me
now, both of them smiling in their sleep.
What is your favorite
food?
Hands down: Fresh Maine
lobster.
What is the problem
with writing that was your greatest roadblock, and how did you overcome it?
Computer games. I’m a card-playing junkie, although I only
compete with my computer, not other players. I run into a brain gap and begin
playing Spider Solitaire or some such thing. I play only until I win, but
still, I’d be better off taking them off my computer entirely.
Tell us about the
featured book.
The Roman’s Quest, Book One of The Truth Trilogy. Julius is a
centurion stationed in Jericho .
He develops a fascination for a young Jewish woman, but her father has plans
for Miriam to marry a Jewish fisherman, not one of the hated Romans. Julius
witnesses Jesus being baptized and hears the Voice proclaiming Him as God’s
Son. He becomes a proselyte (a Jewish convert) at first to curry favor with
Miriam’s father, but continues because He’s found a real God. Will he also earn
a bride with his new-found religion?
Please give us the
first page of the book.
In the thirteenth year
of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, in the month of Marcius
Julius Saturnius stood in the mid-morning heat, droplets of
sweat trickling from the kinks of his hair onto his forehead and down the back
of his neck, watching and waiting. He’d been stationed in Jericho for a year. In that time, a young
woman had stopped some young boys from tormenting a dog, comforted a little
girl who had fallen, and given a loaf of bread to a beggar, but none of that is
what had captured his attention. Her wide expressive eyes and the supple grace
with which she moved had drawn him to watch for her daily.
Strange, but she reminded him a little of his mother, who
had also been a rescuer. Their spacious dwelling in Rome had always been filled with orphans and
pups.
The young woman had taken to walking to this spring with her
friends almost every morning. She never ventured here alone any more to this
place where the residents got their drinking water. An incident had occurred
here with a soldier named Brutus. To avoid what he’d saved her from, the women
were smart to come in groups. Still he found reason to be in this vicinity most
days, wishing she might set aside her fear and come alone so that he might
speak to her.
As if wishful thinking had made her appear, Julius
straightened as the girl and her companions made their way toward the spring.
Julius watched the young woman walking toward the well. He
wondered if she were married and whether she would smile on him even if she
were not. He heaved a sigh. She was a Jew; he was a Roman, and Jews hated
Romans. With good cause, sometimes. Brutus spent a month cleaning latrines for
what he had tried to do to this beautiful one. Did she know he had pulled
Brutus off her?
All his supplications and sacrifices to Venus, the goddess
of love, had gone unanswered. He chuckled to himself. He would ask Mars, but he
didn’t want to go to war with the beautiful young woman. He let out his breath.
Even Venus could never match this Jewess’ beauty and grace.
How can readers find
you on the Internet?
I can be found in several places.
A Pew Perspective (my blog): http://pewperspective.blogspot.com
On Facebook, LinkedIn, and Google Plus, I’m the only Anne
Baxter Campbell
On Twitter, I’m @Anne_Baxter_C
Or I can be emailed at anneb1944@aol.com.
Warning: I report and delete spam and ugly emails.
Thank you, Anne, for sharing your new book with us.
Readers, here are links to the book. By using one when you order, you help support this blog.
The Truth Trilogy Book One The Roman's Quest - AmazonThe Roman's Quest (The Truth Trilogy) - Kindle
Leave a comment for a chance to win a free copy of the book. Please tell us where you live, at least the state or territory. (Comments containing links may be subject to removal by blog owner.)
Void where prohibited; the odds of winning depend on the number of entrants. Entering the giveaway is considered a confirmation of eligibility on behalf of the enterer in accord with these rules and any pertaining local/federal/international laws.
The only notification you’ll receive is the winner post on this blog. So be sure to check back a week from Saturday to see if you won. You will have 4 weeks from the posting of the winners to claim your book.
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11 comments:
This is a book I would love to try, different from most I've read!
Donna, TX
Sounds like a great book!
Thanks for the Giveaway!!!
Sydney Harries, GA
The Roman's Quest sounds very interesting as it tells about a Roman soldier's quest for God. Love to win and read this book. sharon CA wileygreen1(at)yahoo(dot)com
This is going to be an amazing read.
Mary P
QLD AUSTRALIA
Sounds like a great book to add to my to be read pile. I love cover!
Amy C
VA
This sounds like a great book.
Susan
Texas
A Roman soldier and a Jewess is quite a controversial match-up and this book should be good as you explore where that relationship leads. sharon, CA wileygreen1(at)yahoo(dot)com
I'm reading The Robe right now. It's also about the Roman soldier who crucified Jesus and how he becomes a Christian. I always love books set in this time period and would love to read this book!
J.C. -Indiana-
Thanks, folks, for all the lovely comments; you're making my head swell! (Not to mention my heart swelling, too)
JC in Indiana--The Robe was a huge inspiration for me!
~Anne
I especially want to thank Lena for this interview. You are the best, sweet lady!
~Anne
This sound really different from what I usually read. But, it also sounds very interesting.
Tonja (Virginia)
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