THE ROMAN'S QUEST - Anne Baxter Campbell - One Free Book

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 - Amazon
The Roman's Quest (The Truth Trilogy) - Kindle

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