CHRISTMAS AT BARNCASTLE INN - Darlene Franklin - Free Book

God has really been moving in your writing life. What do you see on the horizon?

I’m not entirely sure—my nose has been to the grindstone while I’m working on three manuscripts due by March 1^st! After that, I have nothing . . . and trusting God to open the right doors at the right time.

What I hope for is the opportunity to write more trade-length historical romance.

Tell us a little about your family.

My family has changed composition in recent years. I lost my daughter and then my mother; but my daughter-in-law has presented me with two beautiful grandbabies. That makes me, my son, his wife, and their four children. Nothing restores my spirits like Grandma time.

Has your writing changed your reading habits? If so, how?

It’s changed it a little. If I don’t watch out, I end up reading non-stop mystery/thriller fiction! So now I add in a healthy dose of historical fiction. So many wonderful authors—I feel so inadequate in comparison! I also read a lot of resource books in preparation for writing.

Then don’t compare yourself to them. God gave you different books to write. What are you working on right now?

I just finished the rough draft for A Bride’s Rogue in Roma, Texas, which will come out with Barbour next fall.  A straight-laced Victorian maiden inherits a steamboat—together with the resident gambler!  Now I’m working on five novellas—one Christmas novella (Merry Christmas, With Love, coming in Postmark: Christmas next year) and all four novellas in a collection called Calico Brides.

What outside interests do you have?

I’m involved with our local ACFW chapter. I play piano for our church choir. Aside from that, I keep busy writing full time.

How do you choose your settings for each book?

Sometimes the setting is suggested by the publisher or my agent. I have written several books set in Texas, because “Texas sells.” (Check any booklist and see how many are in the Lone Star state!) 

Christmas at Barncastle Inn is my fourth book with a Vermont setting. The other three short historical romances have been repackaged as Maple Notch Brides. Lynette Sowell and I roomed together at ACFW conference one year. We’re both native New Englanders (now living in the southwest) and loved the idea of a Vermont setting for a Christmas story. Lots of beautiful Christmas snow in the Green Mountains!

If you could spend an evening with one historical person, who would it be and why?

I greatly admire Eleanor Roosevelt, Jackie Kennedy, Martin Luther King, Jr.—if I could get over my awe of speaking with them. Eleanor Roosevelt lived what she believed, and made such a huge difference, in spite of personal tragedy. Jackie Kennedy raised two children who appear solidly grounded—in spite of the very public spotlight. And what can I say about King? He was God’s prophet to 20^th century America.

What is the one thing you wish you had known before you started writing novels?

That’s hard to answer. I have learned so much of what I know by doing . . . Perhaps I wish I had understood marketing better. The best approach, I believe, is to focus on a publisher and write with them in mind. But like most authors, I wrote what I wanted and then thought “who might like to buy this?”

In saying that, I don’t mean that I try to jump on trends. But if I have a choice of two subjects—one, say, of an alternate timeline when the South won the Civil War, and the second, a prairie romance—I work on the prairie romance, because that might sell.

What new lessons is the Lord teaching you right now?

Faithfulness in living with pain. Trusting His strength when I am so often weak.

What are the three best things you can tell other authors to do to be successful?

Learn your craft. Learn to write well.

Fellowship with other writers, through local or online critique groups, organizations such as ACFW.

Write regularly.

Tell us about the featured book.

You can experience Christmas during the time period of your choice—if you rent the entire Barncastle Inn of Vermont for the whole week of Christmas. When they first decided to do this, Jayne Barncastle is determined to prove to her parents it will work. Will she overlook her own chance for romance in the process? Will a World War II era White Christmas recreate a scene of forgiveness for an embittered couple? Can a pirate’s lair be the place of fun-filled reunion for old lovers? When coworkers assist in recreating the first Christmas for the inn, will they discover romance?

Please give us the first page of the book.

Lena, this is the first page from my story, First Christmas, which appears last in the book:

Waverly Coe peeked past the receptionist’s desk at the people and patients in the waiting room. Doc Alec devoted Thursday afternoons to small animals. His staff had scheduled shots for Mrs. Jamison’s yellow Lab puppy and an operation to prevent young Robbie’s Velvet from increasing the surplus population of cats in Bennington County. The doorbell rang and Waverly caught sight of a familiar angular face pushing a baby stroller. Was it that time of day already?

When the stroller came to a stop, Waverly heard smacking and whimpering sounds, accompanied by the yips of Mrs. P’s dachshund. If Waverly didn’t take immediate action, her baby Cinnamon would erupt in full-fledged cries.

Waverly went out to the waiting room. “Hi, Mrs. P. How’s she been today?”

“She’s been a doll, as always.” Mrs. Paulson, Waverly’s landlady, took care of the baby during the day.

Waverly bent over the stroller and looked at the auburn-haired infant, blue eyes scrunched together, chewing on the fist in her perfect bow-like mouth. What a miracle that God had allowed this miracle to come from her sin. “Hi there, Miss Sunshine.”

At the sound of her mother’s voice, Cinnamon slowly swiveled her head until she found Waverly’s face. She kicked, all arms and legs.

How can readers find you on the Internet?

I have a web page/blog at darlenefranklinwrites.blogspot.com. I’m also on Facebook.


Thank you, Darlene, for stopping by my blog.


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