WITH A TRUSTING HEART - Dawn Kinser - One Free Book

Bio: Dawn Kinzer writes fiction because she believes in the power of story to comfort, challenge, and inspire.

Her work has been published in various devotionals and magazines. Dawn’s historical romance series, The Daughters of Riverton, takes place in the early 1900s. The setting and some of the characters were inspired by her rural Wisconsin hometown. Sarah’s Smile is the first story in the series, Hope’s Design is the second, and Rebecca’s Song completes the trilogy. She carries on the fictional town's legacy with her historical short story, “Maggie’s Miracle.” The romance With a Trusting Heart was inspired by events that took place during the 1909 Alaska-Yukon-Pacific Exposition—Seattle’s first world’s fair. Her two contemporary romances, By All Appearances and A Night Divine, are set in the Seattle area where she currently resides.

A mother and grandmother, Dawn lives with her husband in the beautiful Pacific Northwest. Favorite things include dark chocolate, cinnamon, popcorn, strong coffee, good wine, the mountains, family time, and Masterpiece Theatre.

Welcome back, Dawn. What are some of the spiritual themes you like to write about? Through story, I encourage readers to trust that God does have a plan for us, even when we can’t see it and things don’t initially make sense. We have a purpose, regardless of our season of life, and we all have God-given gifts that can and should be used. Forgiveness also seems to be a consistent theme in my books.

What other books of yours are coming out soon? I don’t have any upcoming releases, but I’m in the initial stages of conducting research for a contemporary romance.

If you could spend an evening with one contemporary person (not a family member of yours), who would it be and why? I think it would be fascinating to have an honest conversation with Stephen King about writing and how he views God and faith.

What historical person would you like to meet (besides Jesus) and why? Although she’s not famous and known as historical figure, I’d like to meet my great-grandmother. As a young woman, she traveled to this country from Norway by sailing on a ship. I discovered a small wood trunk covered with faded rose malling in my parents’ basement, and I was told that she could only bring what she could fit in that trunk. (Rose malling is the Norwegian art of painted flower motifs.) I would love to find out more about her, why she decided to move to the United States, and what her life was like after she arrived.

I understand that wish. I’d love to meet with my mother as an adult. She died when I was 7 years old. How can you encourage authors who have been receiving only rejections from publishers? It can feel discouraging to receive ongoing rejections. I get that! But consider that the rejection might have nothing to do with your story and skill as a writer. It might be a matter of timing, what is currently selling, and the number of books a publisher has room for that year.

It might even turn out to be a blessing if your manuscript isn’t ready to be sold. Learn from the publisher’s feedback and dig in again. Hone your skills. We don’t call them “rejections” in my local writers group. We call them “redirections.” They’re opportunities to refocus.

I encourage all authors to not get consumed in getting published. Work hard, but also trust God’s plan and enjoy the journey, regardless of publication. Over the years, other writers have become close friends, and they’ve greatly enriched my life.

Tell us about the featured book. My historical romance, With a Trusting Heart, was inspired by events that took place at the 1909 Alaska-Yukon-Pacific Expo—Seattle’s first world’s fair.

The exposition is taking place in Seattle with participants from all over the world when Lizzie Clark accepts a position at an orphanage in the city. After suffering heartbreak and loss, she is determined to make a life for herself independently.

Jack Butler’s mother abandoned their family when he was a young boy. Loyalty to his father cost him fulfilling his own aspirations, so Jack strives to take their family farm in a new direction.

A newborn is left at the orphanage with a note asking Lizzie to take care of him. Why did the woman abandon her child? And why is Jack, a handsome local farmer so interested in helping Lizzie search for the infant’s mother?

When shocking revelations disrupt their plans, Lizzie and Jack are faced with life-changing decisions.

Please give us the first page of the book.

Seattle, Washington

August 1909

Taking a firm stance, she raised her hands and aimed at the mess created that morning. If only the clutter would disappear with the move of her trigger finger.

Lizzie Clark dropped the imaginary pistols into the invisible holster hung around her hips and chuckled to herself. Perhaps she’d gotten too caught up in the excitement of several boys anticipating the Wild West Show later that day at the Alaska-Yukon-Pacific Exposition.

She assessed the stacked breakfast dishes on the kitchen counter, ready to be washed and dried. If she worked fast and hard enough, she might have five minutes to enjoy a cup of tea before tackling the next job on her list.

Helen Caswell, the head cook, nodded toward the pile of dirty plates, bowls, pots, and pans. “Taking on that job alone today was a kind thing to do.”

“It didn’t feel right to ask Emma to stay behind.” Lizzie picked up a dishrag and leaned against the sink. “The girl is only seventeen, and someone who works as hard as she does deserves a little fun. Besides, we won’t have as many to feed for lunch with the majority of Brown Hall’s residents attending the fair.”

Lizzie had already grown fond of the quiet young woman with blond hair, striking amber eyes, and a nose too large for her face. Emma Johnson worked in the kitchen as part of her training to leave the orphanage, and she hoped to find employment at a restaurant or with a wealthy family.

A meek soul, she rarely talked, but Lizzie and Helen were trying to instill confidence in her. Emma’s mother had died, and her father had lost his job. He’d promised to come for her once he got back on his feet, but in the five years Emma had lived at the orphanage, he’d never returned even once to check on her. No wonder she thought little of herself.

How can readers find you on the Internet?  I invite readers to visit my author website, but I can also be found on most social media platforms.

Author Website

Amazon Author Page

Facebook

Goodreads

BookBub

Instagram

Pinterest

Thank you, Dawn, for sharing your new book with my blog readers and me. I’m eager to read it.

Readers, here’s a link to the book.

https://www.amazon.com/Trusting-Heart-Dawn-Kinzer-ebook/dp/B09PJTH1HV/

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