Dear Readers, Linda
Brooks Davis came on the writing scene a couple of years ago with an
award-winning novel I was privileged to read for an endorsement. The characters
were well-rounded and people with depth. Authentic scenes pulled the reader
into the story. She’s had two Christmas novellas published with some of the
characters of her first novel. A
Christmas Measure of Love is this years addition. I loved all three of
these books.
Welcome back, Linda. Why
do you write the kind of books you do?
When I was growing up and my parents’ families gathered, old
tales would be told and retold. Invariably, the stories involved hardship,
grief, and occasional shame, but they were always set alongside joy, faith, and
grit. Often a family member would say, “Someone ought to write a book about
that.” As a school child of the 1950s, I knew no hardship, grief, or shame.
Life was good. But my family’s stories about life in Indian Territory prior to Oklahoma statehood and in the southern tip of Texas in the 1920s and
1930s intrigued me. I wondered even as a child if I might be that someone and
how I’d go about it.
I’m glad you did. Besides
when you came to know the Lord, what is the happiest day in your life?
By far, the happiest day of my life was in the fall of 2004
when I learned my first grandchild was coming—in triplet form. When my daughter
called with the news, I was in my assigned spot on the second floor of an
office building, but every speck of inhibition flew out the window at the news.
I jumped and, as we say in Texas ,
whooped and hollered. I danced and shouted between others’ assigned spots,
announcing the unbelievable news to each astounded individual: My daughter’s
expecting triplets! When the occupants of the first floor of that particular
office building showed up wondering what in the world was going on upstairs, I
realized for the first time I might have overdone it a bit. Thankfully, my
co-workers understood and shared my joy.
How has being
published changed your life?
When I won the Jerry Jenkins Operation First Novel Award in
January, 2015, I was almost as astounded as that “day at the office” in 2004.
But when the excitement settled, I realized I felt vulnerable. And responsible
for handling myself in a way that would honor the Lord—and Jerry Jenkins.
When I received the ACFW Carol Award in August, 2016, the
Lord separated me from my vulnerability—and inhibitions—as far as the east is
from the west. That night was the time of my life. I’m 71 years old, and no
single event, other than the news I was to be a grandmother three times over in
one fell swoop, has affected me with such joy as that one.
That said … Being a published author has enlarged my circle
of acquaintances and friends. I love this aspect of being published more than
anything.
What are you reading
right now?
Dare I admit I read something other than Christian fiction?
I love legal, John Grisham-type suspense, but other than a handful of Christian
authors like Randy Singer and Robert Whitlow, whose books I’ve been known to
read twice, there aren’t many to choose from in the Christian market. I
recently finished Loving Luther by
Allison Pittman and was completely mesmerized by Allison’s depiction of the
life of Katarina von Bora—Martin Luther’s wife.
What is your current
work in progress?
I’m nearing completion of my second full-length novel. It’s
set in 1914 and follows the life of one of the secondary characters in The Calling of Ella McFarland, which is
set in 1905. A sequel to Ella’s story in novella form—A Christmas to Remember, which is set in 1908—released in 2016. A
prequel to my current work in progress, also in novella form—A Christmas
Measure of Love, which is set in 1910—released in October of this year.
What would be your
dream vacation?
If I possessed unlimited resources, I would travel around
the world to find where my ancestors lived and loved, died, and are buried.
Those sites would include Eastern Europe , Switzerland , Germany ,
Scandinavia , Scotland ,
Ireland , England , and France .
How do you choose
your settings for each book?
The settings for my books thus far have sprung from my
family’s old stories, but my imagination plays a huge role. For example, from The Calling of Ella McFarland and both
novellas that follow, as well as my current novel in progress, Glover County ,
Rock Creek, Needham ,
and surrounding communities, Broadview, the cottage in the woods, and the
McFarland farm are all imaginary. These environs develop as I imagine the lives
of the characters.
What are your
hobbies, besides writing and reading?
I love genealogy and my grandchildren. My love for both
knows no limits. I also enjoy painting pottery—nothing serious, mind you. I’m
not an artist. I just enjoy the peace that surrounds me when I’m painting a
piece of pottery. Invariably, it’s something for a family member, which could
be why I love it so.
I also love Bible study. I love theology and biblical
history and apologetic reasoning.
What is your most
difficult writing obstacle, and how do you overcome it?
Keeping my world in balance is my greatest challenge. I know
it’s not good for me to concentrate on research, writing, and social media so
much that I neglect other, more important aspects of life, but when I’m “on a
roll,” it’s very difficult to shut it down.
What advice would you
give to a beginning author?
Know why you’re writing. If you’re pursuing writing for
accolades or remuneration, you might want to consider another field.
Tell us about the
featured book.
A Christmas Measure of Love springs from words spoken by the
character Lily in The Calling of Ella
McFarland: Ma says love can’t be earned. Love’s immeasurability is the
heart of this Christmas novella.
Lily, a girl on the cusp of womanhood has learned to stand
as erect as her starched collar. Ma, a woman at the nadir of her life, is as
bent as a shepherd’s crook. Joined by blood and separated by circumstance nine
years prior, mother and daughter reunite.
What will Lily and Ma find in the old shack where their
sweat and tears once mingled? It’s Christmas 1910, and Lily’s in for a Yuletide
surprise she hasn’t reckoned for.
Please give us the
first page of the book for my readers.
August 1910
Other girls measure their heights, waistlines, and bosoms. I
measure my scars. And wonder why my pa never loved me.
Eighteen years old today, I’m perched alone on a parlor
settee reserved for the birthday girl. Adelaide Fitzgerald, my benefactor, has
invited Glover County , Oklahoma
Trouble is, when these precisely coiffed young women were
girls romping at garden parties, I was toiling in a cotton field across the
way.
These party guests boast fathers who are bankers and lawyers
and doctors. But I can claim naught but Walter Sloat for my pa—a scoundrel, a
criminal, a former sharecropper who never lifted a hand in the fields. He
expected Ma and me to do his share of the crop tending and accept his abuse
when we returned home.
How can readers find
you on the Internet?
Website: http://lindabrooksdavis.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/LBrooksDavis
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/ljbd1946/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lindadavis1321/
To purchase The Calling of Ella McFarland: http://amzn.to/2ixn4pe
To purchase A Christmas to Remember: http://amzn.to/2yxAk8h
To purchase A Christmas Measure of Love: http://amzn.to/2j3vwjK
Thank you, Linda, for
sharing this heart-warming novella with me and my blog readers.
Readers, 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:
