Welcome back, Cathy. What
are some of the spiritual themes you like to write about?
I write about characters, like us, who break the chains that
bind—those chains forced upon us and the ones we forge ourselves—to triumph
over adversity through faith. I also write about forgiveness—received and
given. Neither come naturally to us. Both need our surrender, and Divine
intervention.
What other books of
yours are coming out soon?
My next novel, currently titled The Medallion, will release in June 2019. Inspired by true accounts
of Poland’s darkest days and brightest heroes, The Medallion is the illuminating story of the separation and sacrifice
of two couples—one Jewish and one Gentile—whose lives are ravaged by Hitler’s
mad war, yet eventually redeemed through the fate of one small child.
Sounds interesting. If
you could spend an evening with one contemporary person (not a family member of
yours), who would it be and why?
I would love to spend an evening with the author, B J Hoff. BJ’s
lyrical prose, strong characters and well drawn tales of the Irish and Irish immigrants
in America
have long inspired me—even before I believed I could write a book. The
beautiful hearts of her main characters make me feel as if we might be kindred
spirits. I just read her new release, Harp
on the Willow, and thought again how very much I’d like to sit with her and
share a steaming pot of tea, scones with jam and Devonshire cream, and talk
story shop.
What historical person
would you like to meet (besides Jesus) and why?
I’ve always said that the historical person I’d most like to
meet is William Wilberforce, who championed the end of slavery in Great Britain .
And I would still love to meet him, but lately I’ve come to think a lot about
John Sherrill. John and his wife, Elizabeth, co-wrote The Hiding Place with Corrie ten Boom. Not only did that inspiring
book (and the movie Billy Graham produced by the same title) greatly impact my
life when it was first released, but Corrie’s story was a big part of my own
writing of Secrets She Kept.
Beyond that, John’s story of his journey to faith in Jesus
Christ while going through a frightening cancer diagnosis meant a great deal to
me as I battled my own cancer. At a very low point in my chemo treatments, I
realized that if John had never given his life to Christ and if he’d never
survived cancer, he would not have gone on to write that amazing book. It gave
me courage to continue my own fight with a surrendered heart and trust that the
Lord might one day again use me to write stories that matter, stories that
glorify Him and encourage others. I never contacted John while he was living to
let him know how truly he had blessed my life through his faith and work. I’m
sorry I did not, but look forward to doing that in the ages of eternity.
How can you encourage
authors who have been receiving only rejections from publishers?
First, embrace the harsh reality that there are few
publishing spots for the many manuscripts sent to publishing houses, and
acknowledge that rejection of a manuscript is not personal. Those things simply
mean there is more work ahead to reach one’s goal.
Second, ask yourself, and if possible, ask your agent, the
publisher who rejected the manuscript (if feasible), or a mentor why they
believe your manuscript was rejected. Do your best to correct any mistakes and
strengthen portions of your story that you believe may have adversely affected
the outcome. Make your manuscript the strongest you possibly can.
Make certain you are submitting to the right agents or
publishing houses—agents or publishers that champion and publish the type of
book you’ve written.
In the meantime, continue to read, read, read and write,
write, write, honing your craft. Study the work of authors you admire and break
down their story and yours, seeing how both are put together from the ground
up.
Consider employing a professional editor to help you see
what you need to do to improve your story. Be willing to edit and rewrite, and
know that sometimes we simply need to set a story aside for a time and tackle a
new one.
All very good advice.
Tell us about the featured book.
For American Claire Stewart, joining the French Resistance
sounded as romantic as the storylines she hopes will one day grace the novels
she wants to write. But when she finds herself stranded on English shores, with
five French Jewish children she smuggled across the channel before Nazis
stormed Paris ,
reality feels more akin to fear.
With nowhere to go, Claire throws herself on the mercy of an
estranged aunt, begging Lady Miranda Langford to take the children into her
magnificent estate. Heavily weighted with grief of her own, Miranda reluctantly
agrees . . . if Claire will stay to help. Though desperate to return to France
and the man she loves, Claire has few options. But her tumultuous
upbringing—spent in the refuge of novels with fictional friends—has
ill-prepared her for the daily dramas of raising children, or for the way David
Campbell, a fellow American boarder, challenges her notions of love. Nor could
she foresee how the tentacles of war will invade their quiet haven, threatening
all who have come to call Bluebell Wood home and risking the only family she’s
ever known.
Set in England ’s
lush and storied Lake District in the early days
of World War II, and featuring cameos from beloved literary icons Beatrix
Potter and C. S. Lewis, Until We Find Home is an
unforgettable portrait of life on the British home front, challenging us to
remember that bravery and family come in many forms.
Sounds like a
wonderful read. Please give us the first page of the book.
May 1940
Lightning crackled, splitting the night sky over Paris , illuminating
letters painted on the bookstore window across the street: La Maison des Amis
des Livres. Driving rain pounded the loose shutters of Shakespeare and Company,
making them rattle so that Claire Stewart dropped the heavy blackout curtain
into place.
“It sounds like cannon bursting, like the end of the world.”
Thunder boomed again. She tugged the belt of her trench coat tighter.
“You must go,” Josephine insisted. “The lorry driver won’t
wait. This is his last run to Calais .
He’s running on nerves, even now. Arnaud told you—”
“Arnaud promised he’d be here. I won’t go without him. I
don’t even know our British contact.”
“You know Arnaud. He’ll meet you if he can— last minute, no doubt.”
Josephine Ganute—one more aspiring writer, another tumbleweed to make her home
amid the burdened shelves of Sylvia Beach’s American bookstore— grunted and
gently, firmly pushed Claire toward the door. “This is the last group, and the
last driver willing to go. He’s insane to try. The roads must be packed with
people fleeing the city.
How can readers find
you on the Internet?
Contact me through my website at http://cathygohlke.com and on Facebook at
CathyGohlkeBooks. I’d love to meet you there!
Thank you so much,
Cathy for sharing this new book with us. I’ve loved every one of the books of
yours I’ve read. I’m eager to get this one. And I know my readers will be, too.
Readers,
here are links to the book.
Until We Find Home - Christianbook.com (Best Price today)Until We Find Home - Amazon Paperback
Until We Find Home - 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 or country if outside North America . (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.
If you’re reading this on Goodreads, Google+, Feedblitz,
Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin, or Amazon, please come to the blog to leave
your comment if you want to be included in the drawing. Here’s a link:
30 comments:
Sounds like a wonderful read! Melanie Backus, TX
sounds wonderful! Shelia from Mississippi
This sounds like a very moving story and one I would like to read. Vivian Furbay of CO
WOW yes please!!!!!!! I'd LOVE to read and review thus!
Many Blessings, Amada (pronounced: a.m.a.th.a), NM
amada_chavezATyahooDOTcom
I've been wanting to read this one!
Caryl K in TEXAS
I would love to read Cathy's book. The story is one that intrigues me.
marypopmom (at) yahoo (dot) com
Maryann in New York
Thank you, Lena, for your warm welcome and wonderful words of encouragement! It's always a pleasure to visit with you. God's blessings for you, my friend!
Thank you, Melanie, Sheila, and Vivian! I hope you enjoy Until We Find Home. God bless!
Amada, Caryl and Maryann--you're all so encouraging! Thank you! I so appreciate your desire to review Until We Find Home, Amada. May God bless each of you!
Love her books.....please count me in for this one!
Jackie in GA
I love that the author included cameos of such noteworthy people. Sounds like a great book!
Dianna (TN)
Loved this interview and your inspiring words Cathy! Thank you Lena for this post,giveaway,and for sharing a segment of this book! It sounds like a great story!! Lynne from Sandusky,Ohio
Sounds like a good read. Lincoln Nebraska.
I've read Cathy's previous books so know her books are always very good. UNTIL WE FIND HOME has been on my "wish list" for awhile. Thanks for the chance to win a copy here.
pmkellogg56[at]gmail[dot]com
Kansas
There were so many both tragic and touching stories from WWII. My parents were just out of high school during that time period; they and their peers were heavily affected. They used to tell me many stories. I always enjoy Cathy's books with their excellent research. Thank you! Jane in TX
Thanks for the fun spotlight/interview. I've heard so many wonderful things about this book and Cathy's writing. I'd love to win a copy.
Winnie T. from Utah
Thank you, Jackie, I'm so glad you've enjoyed my books! Dianna, I love including real people from the past in my books, especially those who have blessed me through their lives or writing. It's a privilege to research and write about them! So nice to see you here, Lynne! God's blessings for each of you!
Kim and Pam, I hope you enjoy Until We Find Home. It was such a pleasure to write this book and to explore the setting of the Lake District. Jane, I can imagine you have lots of WWII stories from your parents--what a treasure trove! Yes, the war affected our parents' generation mightily. My parents, aunts and uncles shared some of their experiences with me, too. It was such a devastating time all over the world. I'm thankful to have heard some of their stories.
Winnie, you are very encouraging. I hope you enjoy Until We Find Home!
Thanks for the review and giveaway. I haven’t read any books by Cathy Gohlke yet but I’ll be remedying that soon.
Mindy from NJ
Thanks for sharing this first page and your thoughts. I am adding Until We Find Home to my TBR list.
Connie from Kentucky
cps1950(at)gmail(dot)com
We have Cathy's books in the church library.
If I win this book, it will be going to the library in Memory of Gayle Sumner.
Gayle loved to read Cathy's books. Gayle's name would always be first in line when we'd buy one of Cathy's books.
Janet Estridge
von1janet(at)gmail(dot)com
Florida
Mindy, I hope you enjoy by books, and am so glad to know you'll be giving them a read. Connie, I hope you enjoy Until We Find Home! Thanks so much, ladies, for stopping by!
Janet, alias Library Lady (I love that name!), I am truly honored that if you win you will put Until We Find Home in your church library in honor of Gayle Sumner. To know that she loved reading my books makes my heart sing. Thank you for sharing that! God bless you!
Enter me in your awesome giveaway!!
Conway SC.
Thanks so much for stopping by, Sharon! God bless!
Thank you for your kind words, Cathy. I hope it's no secret that I've loved all your books--wonderful stories, each one of them! I confess I haven't read your latest yet, but it's on order, and I'm so looking forward to enjoying another of your creations. And after hearing a description of your next--well, to say I'm impatient for this one as well is an understatement!
God bless you and your wonderful works!
BJ Hoff
You are so kind, BJ Hoff. I've loved your books for years, and really do hope we can meet in person one day.
God bless and keep you, and keep you writing!
Cathy
Thanks for the great interview, Cathy and Lena! I always enjoy learning more about an author. I love reading historical Christian fiction, and 'Until We Find Home' sounds sooo good! I have had it on my wish list :) Thank you for the chance to win a copy!
~Alison from MI
nj(dot)bossman(at)gmail(dot)com
I'm a newer reader to Cathy Gohlke and have only recently enjoyed Promise Me This and Band of Sisters. A good friend has been prompting me to read Saving Amelie and she doesn't have to tell me again. I'm already sold after those first two. I'm looking forward to getting to all her books.
Terrill - WA
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