I write
contemporary inspirational romance because I’m a huge fan of new beginnings and
happy endings. How does the inspirational part fit in? God invited me to be
part of His story so I can’t leave Him out of the ones I write!
I love that thought. Besides when you came to
know the Lord, what is the happiest day of your life?
Oh, wow.
It’s impossible to choose only one! As a writer, it was opening my email one
morning and finding out The Soldier’s
Newfound Family made the USA Today
Bestseller list. As a wife and mom with grown children who are scattered across
the United States ,
I would have to say it’s any time our entire family is gathered together under
the same roof.
How has being published changed your life?
Becoming a
published author has definitely forced me to become more disciplined. Sometimes
I have to say “no” to things—good things—because I’m on a deadline. It’s also
nudged me out of my comfort zone. I didn’t realize that the people who read my
books would occasionally invite me to talk about them! Like a lot of writers,
I’m an introvert, so accepting speaking engagements used to be a little
terrifying (okay, it’s STILL a little terrifying) but I’ve discovered it’s also
a lot of fun.
What are you reading right now?
Right now
I’m halfway through Cold Shot by Dani
Pettrey and my non-fiction read is The
Legacy Journey by Dave Ramsey.
What is your current work in progress?
I’m
working on the second book in my Castle
Falls series for Love
Inspired. It’s about three brothers who run an outfitter business in Michigan ’s Upper Peninsula .
What would be your dream vacation?
Remember,
you’re asking someone who lives in northern Wisconsin ! My dream vacation would have palm
trees and sunshine and I wouldn’t have to put on a coat, boots, and mittens
before I step outside the door.
How do you choose the settings for your books?
I took to
heart the advice every aspiring writer hears at some point along the journey. Write
what you know. Most of my books are set in small, Midwestern towns because
that’s my world. I can write about the changing seasons and quirky things like
“Take Your Tractor to School” Day because I’ve actually witnessed them. In a
way, the town becomes almost like another character in the story. . .one I hope
that readers will fall in love with, too.
If you could spend an evening with one person who is currently alive, who would it be and why?
Ann
Voskamp, the author of One Thousand Gifts.
Her book changed the way I think about grace and suffering and thanksgiving and
how those things link together in a believer’s life.
What are your hobbies, besides writing and
reading?
A few
years ago, I discovered container gardening. We started out with a big garden
but it started to produce more guilt than, um, produce (refer to Question 3,
“How has being published changed your life!”) so I decided to scale back.
Container gardening is great because it’s low maintenance. I can pull weeds
while I talk to my kids on the phoneJ
What is your most difficult writing obstacle,
and how do you overcome it?
I love to
write and I know God called me to write, but I still struggle with maintaining
balance. There are choices I have to make and I’m constantly asking God for
wisdom and guidance because I never want writing to become an idol in my life.
What advice would you give to a beginning
author?
You can
dream about writing, talk about writing, and take online classes to learn the
craft of writing but at some point, you have to sit down and WRITE. And even
though you’re gifted, called, passionate, etc. about your story doesn’t mean
there won’t be days when you’re tempted to quit. Don’t. Because while you’re
working on plot and characterization and conflict, you discover that God is
working in you and through you and you want to show up for that.
I would
also encourage beginning authors to join an organization like ACFW (American
Christian Fiction Writers). They have tons of resources and the support system
and opportunities are amazing. Not to mention that writing can be very
isolating and it’s comforting to know there are other weird people out there
just like you.
Tell us about the featured book.
After The Dandelion Field came out last year,
I got the impression that readers had mixed feelings about Evie Bennett so I
decided it was only fair to tell her story, too. Here’s the blurb!
Widowed at
the age of twenty-five when her firefighter husband was killed in the line of
duty, Evie Bennett has spent the last thirteen years raising their son, Cody,
in the tight-knit community of Banister
Falls . As the women’s
ministry director of her church, Evie encourages women to boldly pursue God’s
plan for their future while she is content with her memories of the past. But
Evie’s well-ordered life begins to change when she meets Jack Vale.
As Evie
gets drawn into Jack’s world—a world that isn’t as safe and predictable as the
one she’s worked so hard to create—he challenges her to open her eyes to the
problems in the community. . .but will Evie open her heart to love again?
Because even though Jack isn’t anything like her late husband, he just might be
everything she needs.
Please give us the first page of the book.
“You’re up
next, Evie! Then you can check karaoke off your list.”
Evie
Bennett had a lot of lists. Karaoke wasn’t on any of them. Neither were
bachelorette parties, and yet here she was, watching Raine and Ginevieve
Lightly strut around the living room of their trailer, belting out the lyrics
to Taylor Swift’s
“Shake it
Off.”
Gin had
shown up at the door that morning while Evie was bundling Jordan almonds
and mints into little bags made of cream-colored tulle. The firefighters at
Second Street Station had decided to host an informal get-together for Cody, so
Gin thought it would be nice if she and Evie did something special for the
bride-to-be too.
Evie had
hesitated, wondering how she could possibly squeeze one more thing into a day
already packed with last-minute wedding details.
“What did
you have in mind?” she’d asked cautiously.
“Oh, the
usual.” Gin shrugged. “Texas
Hold ’Em. Jell-O shots.”
Five
months ago, Evie might have believed her.
Raine
bounded over to the karaoke machine, her loose-fitting sundress no longer able
to disguise the rounded curve of her belly. “Eighties or golden oldies?” She
shot a mischievous grin over her shoulder. “Wait, isn’t that the same thing?”
It was one
of those moments. When Evie understood why Cody, her sensitive, serious son,
had proposed to this girl.
She just
wished they were. . .older.
I love to
hear from my readers! You can visit my website at www.kathrynspringer.com (and sign up for my newsletter while you’re
there!) or find me on Facebook at kathrynspringerauthor.
Thank you, Kathryn, for sharing this new book with us.
Readers, here are links to the book. By using one when you order, you help support this blog.
The Hearts We Mend - Christianbook.comThe Hearts We Mend (A Banister Falls Novel) - Amazon
The Hearts We Mend (A Banister Falls Novel) - Kindle
Leave a comment for a chance to win a free copy of the book. You must follow these instructions to be in the drawing. 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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17 comments:
This sounds like a great read!
Connie from KY
cps1950(at)gmail(dot)com
Count me in on this one, please, Lena. Sounds like a good one!
Melanie Backus, TX
would love to win. angela in ky
This sounds terrific. I'd love to read it.
Linda in CA
lkish77123 at gmail dot com
A lovely interview thank you.
Mary P
QLD AUSTRALIA
The Hearts We Mend is one of the few books that I have highly anticipated reading this year. The Dandelion Field was one of my favorite books from last year.
Terrill - WA
I absolutely love the cover of this book and would love to win a copy. Thank you for the chance.
Cindy W. from Indiana
Love the cover. It sounds like a great series to read. I'm in KY.
Sounds like a great read! Love the cover! Thanks for the chance to win!
Beth in Montana
Nice interview. This looks and sounds like a wonderful book. I've heard good things about it. I'd love to win a copy.
Winnie from Utah
Nice interview. north platte nebraska
I love 'happily after' stories. From this sweet cover I would say there's happiness there. Am looking forward to reading "The Hearts We Mend." Would love to win a copy.
Brenda in VA
This looks great! Enter me.
Blanch NC
Enter me in your amazing contest!!
Conway, SC.
I'm always on the lookout for good contemporary inspy romances. I don't think I have read anything by Kathryn before.
Patty in SC
I enjoyed The Dandelion Field and I know I'll love this one too!
Beth from IA
I'm just getting ready to start The Dandelion Field so I will be ready for the next book. Would love to win The Hearts We Mend!
Pam in OH
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