Dear Readers, this is
an interesting new kind of collection. I love the writings of both of these
authors, and Darlene Franklin is a long-time friend. We’ve been in collections
together before. I’ve spoken to the ACFW chapter near where she lives and we’ve
attended special writing retreats and conferences at the same time.
Welcome back,
Darlene. How did this collection come about?
Love’s Compass combines two of three books written back in
2013. The three original titles, Shadowcatcher’s
Daughter, Pride’s Fall, and Almost Arizona , captured the history of the Four Corners National
Monument through events happening in three of the four corner
states (New Mexico , Colorado ,
and Arizona ).
We only included three states because Barbour liked to
publish trilogies of Heartsong books. Our books never made it into a trilogy.
Susan Page Davis’s book (Almost Arizona)
was republished as Desert Moon earlier
this year.
My story, Pride’s Fall, was added as a bonus
to Love’s
Compass, the new title for Carla’s story.
Are these stories
connected in some way?
Both stories have at least one scene at the point of the
future national monument. In Carla’s time (1875), they were just surveying the
boundaries. By the time of my story, a small concrete marker had been placed at
the exact connection point. Aside from geography, the stories aren’t connected.
Who chose the setting
for this collection?
I did. The Four Corners region has drawn my attention ever
since I was a child studying the map of the United States . Living in Colorado only increased
my interest. I have driven over the border from Colorado
to New Mexico and from Utah
to Colorado .
Artificial lines, perhaps, but it’s like moving between different worlds.
I’ve love the place
where the corners of four states meet, but I’ve never been there. Would love to
sometime. What did you want the reader to take away from your story?
Do they have issues—like pride—that come between them and
God?
Readers want to get
to know the authors they read. Can you tell us three things my readers probably
don’t know about you?
Although a New Englander by birth and a westerner as an
adult, I lived in Alabama
at the time of the Montgomery Bus Boycott. In fact, I appear to have deep
family roots in Georgia , South Carolina , and Kentucky . Unfortunately, I don’t know those
sides of the family well.
I learned how to play the clarinet before I started to play
piano.
I don’t like lasagna.
Please give us the
first page of your story.
June, 1899
Standing Corn waits at the entrance to her home on the
cliff, gazing across the valley floor, looking for a sign that her promised,
Killdeer, has returned from the hunt. She hears the call of the horn,
announcing his return. Three short blasts followed by three longer blasts
announce a successful foray, with plenty of food. The tribe will eat well
tonight.
She rushes to the circle of elders to celebrate Killdeer’s
return. The women of the tribe grab bells and drums, and together the people go
out to meet the men returning from the hunt.
Standing Corn sees Killdeer, the skin of the mule deer
draped across his shoulders, leading the hunt party. The remaining hunters
carry poles loaded with deer and pheasant and other trophies of the hunt. The
juice of berries runs down Killdeer’s beardless face.
Killdeer stops the procession in front of Standing Corn. He
points to the bounty of the hunt, brandishing his bow and arrow. She lays an
admiring hand on his muscled arm before she clasps her hands together and lifts
them to the sky, showing her appreciation for his process. The expression on
his face doesn’t change, but he opens a pouch around his neck and hands her a
necklace made of the teeth of a wolf. She clasps it to her breasts and holds
them high for everyone to see. Cheers erupt from the crowd.
So far, so good. Rex Pride had climbed to the second level
of dwellings built into the side of the cliffs. From here he could see the panorama
of action taking place before him. He had never worked with untrained extras
before, let alone a group of Indians. They found their marks; it should work on
film.
Where can my readers
find you on the Internet?
Twitter: @darlenefranklin
Thank you, Darlene,
for sharing this collection with us. I’m eager to read it.
Readers,
here are links to the book. By using one when you order, you help support this
blog.
Love's Compass - Christianbook.comLove's Compass: Also Includes Bonus Story of Pride's Fall by Darlene Franklin - Amazon paperback
Love's Compass: Also Includes Bonus Story of Pride's Fall by Darlene Franklin - Kindle
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18 comments:
I love collections and I love Darlene's work. Thank you for sharing!
Melanie Backus, TX
Why, thank you, Melanie! Good luck!
I miss this collection of Darlene's and it looks and sounds fascinating to read. I love reading Darlene's books. Thank you for sharing your talent, Darlene.
Barbara Thompson (LA)
barbmaci61(at)yahoo(dot)com
Darlene is such a delight! I enjoyed this interview and would love to win a copy of this collection!
Britney Adams, TX
Barbara, God blessed me with an abundance of publications in May, so I haven't spoken much about this book with Carla. But it was a wonderful group to work with and great stories to share. I appreciate your interest
Britney, I'm a delight? You'll give me a big head if you keep that up, lol. Good luck with the drawing.
I love Darlene's books and Carla Gade is a new author to me. I would love to win a copy. Thank you for the chance.
Blessings,
Cindy W. from Indiana
Cindy, Carla's written a great book. Thanks for your kind words and good luck!
Our church library readers love Darlene's books. This ones looks like a keeper.
Janet E.
von1janet(at)gmail(dot)com
Florida
Wow, Janet, that's exciting! Good luck.
This sounds like an interesting Western story. I haven't read many Indian stories lately. I always thought it would be interesting to visit the 4 Corners area.
Brenda W in TN
Brenda, Carla did an amazing job with her mixed-raced hero. I believe you would enjoy this book. Good luck!
Enter me in your awesome giveaway!!
Conway SC.
Sharon, Thanks for your interest, and good luck!
This one looks really good! I'm from MO!
Hi Paula! Thanks for stopping by.
Fun interview, Darlene! Book sounds terrific, of course :-)
Trixi in OR
Hi Trixi! Glad you enjoyed the interview. This book was a lot of fun.
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