Today I’d like to introduce my fellow CIR author, Tammy Sinclair.

Tammy Sinclair has loved writing stories from the time she was a small child. During her fifteen years of home-schooling her children, she had a non-fiction article published in Homeschool Enrichment magazine. A history buff and romantic at heart, she can be found enjoying the outdoors, cozying up with a good book or watching classic movies in her spare time. She resides in Oregon with her incredible husband and two amazing, young-adult daughters.

Welcome, Tammy!  Now, before we hear about your wonderful books, let me ask you three questions so we can get to know you a bit better. First, what inspired you to become an author, and how old were you at the time?

I think I started writing stories just as soon as I could pick up a crayon. In fact, to this day, I still have a little book I made when I was about seven! It’s just a couple folded sheets of pink paper with a story and illustrations, so it’s amazing that I managed to keep it through the decades!

I kept writing all through my life, though I didn’t always finish my stories. It wasn’t until very recently that I was finally determined to finish a complete novel and have it published. I suddenly realized that time was marching on and I needed to take action to help make my dream come true. I had stories that needed to be told!

These days, I’m inspired to write fiction that uplift and entertain, while hopefully pointing people to our loving God through the pages.

Well, I think we’re all glad you decided to take action! Now, next question, what was the inspiration for your latest book?

I have a novella soon to be launched, but my first and only novel recently published was a long-time labor of love for me! The Sentimental Journey is a Christian WWII romance with time travel.

WWII has always been my favorite era. From the fashions to the music and movies, it has always held a special charm for me. It was so much fun for me to live vicariously through Kara, the heroine in this story, as she gets to experience this special time in history.It was also a time of uncertainty and fear for the entire world. I think there is much to be learned from what the world faced during WWII, especially given our present circumstances.

I agree, absolutely. Though that era never interested me that much in the past, I’ve read a couple of books and seen a few series on television that have changed me. It was a hard time for all, indeed, and much can be learned from those times. One last question for you, what was the most challenging part of writing your recent novel?

I suppose the biggest challenge was not only engaging the reader with the characters and events, but aiming for complete historical accuracy. Because the 1940s had been my favorite era most of my life, I already knew quite a bit about this amazing era. Of course, I still had plenty to learn, though. I spent countless hours in research…ship building, overseas battles…right down to the exact dates of when specific songs and movies came out! It was actually a fun challenge, though. I think when we write about something we truly love, it tends to show through to readers in the final story.

I’ve not tried to write historical fiction, and I’m impressed that you’ve done it for your first novel! I recently read a book called Khaki Town, written by Australian novelist Judy Nunn, and I was impressed with the huge number of references she had for her research. Not an easy feat. So, let’s hear a bit more about this book of yours.

The Sentimental Journey is a Christian WWII romance with time travel. When a young woman finds herself suddenly on the American home front of 1943, a family is now residing in her house. Unaware of her secret, they take her under their wing…and soon their enlisted son returns before he’s to be shipped overseas. She finds herself instantly drawn toward him but doesn’t think their time together can possibly last.

Throughout the pages…throughout the tender romance she discovers…the theme of trusting God- no matter where we find ourselves, is woven throughout the pages.

Thank you for joining me here today, Tammy. Your book sounds wonderful. You can find The Sentimental Journey on Amazon, by clicking here.

Today I’d like to introduce my fellow CIR author, Kimberly King.

“The Trouble with Fairy Godmothers” was my first published book. This was a fun one to write, because it’s a modern-day take on my favorite fairy tale, “Cinderella.” In this book, Nikki Baker discovers she’s got a fairy godmother who’s willing to help her get her first kiss, but Nikki soon discovers her magic tends to have hilariously disastrous results.

“The Trouble with Prince Charming” is Book Two of the Magical Troubles series, full of memorable characters I hope you enjoy as much as I did!  Dating Ryker Stone is the happy ending Nikki has been hoping for, opening up the exciting new world of popularity. But dating a guy way out of her league presents a whole new set of problems she never anticipated. When a secret admirer comes to light, Nikki must decide which path to follow–and that means either betraying her fairy godmother or her own heart.

“Evan the Horrible” was my absolute favorite book to write. Evan Rice, a character from Book 2, is the textbook definition of class clown. He’s determined to make life as miserable as possible for everyone around him, especially after he finds a ring that grants wishes. From a school-wide food fight to a stink bomb not easily forgotten, Evan turns the school into his personal playground. But what he doesn’t know is that on the other end of his ridiculous wishes, something sinister lies waiting. Every wish he makes brings the mystery woman inside the mirrors closer and closer to getting out. It’s up to Jazzy Allen, a gothic recluse, to knock some sense into Evan before it’s too late. But what she doesn’t expect is to actually fall for the guy.

Today I’d like to introduce my fellow CIR author, Allistar Banks.

Ms Banks was born and raised in McCormick, South Carolina and is a graduate of Lander University in Greenwood, SC .

 She has been featured in the Index-Journal, The Press and Banner, McCormick Messenger, Lander University’s magazine, and interviewed on WZLA 92.9FM, and was recently a featured author at the Palmetto State Literacy Association Conference in Hilton Head Island, SC. Ms Banks is best known for her personal development books that teach young women how to have healthy relationships with others and food and also children’s books that teach new concepts and kindness. She is now honoured to be on a future broadcast with the CBS Sunday Morning Show for her children’s book called A Colorful Balloon Ride, which teaches one to five-year-old’s their colors by using objects of carnival food and nature on Mary and Emily’s hot air balloon ride around the County Fair with Mr. John.

Besides writing, Ms Banks loves to read, hike, do yoga and Pilates, hike, go bowling, watch comedy movies, see plays, go to the mountains, and spend time with family and friends.

Welcome Allistar. We’re anxious to hear all about your books, but first, three questions. What inspired you to become an author, and how old were you at the time?

I was in the fourth grade and I was nine-years-old. Our school had a story contest and my fourth-grade teacher Mrs. Jones at the time saw my ability to do storytelling and loved my fun and wild imagination I had for story book characters. I decided to write a picture book at the time called The Sorcerer and the Magic Pond where Henry learned to use his powers for good and not for evil. I loved fairy tale books at the time and how magic in Cinderella was used for good when Cinderella was given the chance to fall in love with prince charming.

I think I might have started writing a little older than that … perhaps ninth grade, but yes, the teachers who inspired us are worth their weight in gold. Next, what was the inspiration for your latest book?

The inspiration for my latest two books Girl Rise and Cracking the Happy Weight Code was I struggled with self-worth and body image and weight and insecurity. In Girl Rise, I found myself placing my identity in academics, extra-curricular activities, leisure things, and the societal status quo that was loved and accepted by my family being you have to go to school and make good grades and go to college and have the 9-5 job and be married by the time you’re thirty with children and have the house with the white picket fence and the dog. When I got older, I had four toxic love relationships that taught me valuable lessons at the time which were I can’t change who I am for someone else, I can’t fix somebody, you have to stand your ground and not allow someone to take advantage of your kindness, and know when to walk away from someone when they don’t value your time.

I tell my story through Alli Billings’ perspective and I use biblical principles to help and encourage women to take back control over food and life.

Many women have faced those same challenges, and I applaud you for weaving what worked for you into your stories. Now, one last question–what are your favourite books?

My favorite books are Sunday’s at Tiffany’s by James Patterson and The Help. I like how in Sunday’s at Tiffany’s Jane keeps a friend named Michael who only she can see and makes her feel less alone being single. The Help is absolutely hilarious as it tells a story creates three women named Skeeter, Minny, and Abileen who are determined to start a movement about the way women think about one another during the 1960s.

Okay–now lets hear a little more about your books.

The five books I have now published are Girl Rise, Cracking the Happy Weight Code, Spring Brings Summer, A Colorful Balloon Ride, and Lenny the Lizard and His Green Scarf. I am now honored to be on a future broadcast with the CBS Sunday Morning Show for my children’s book called A Colorful Balloon Ride, which teaches one to five-year-old’s their colors by using objects of carnival food and nature on Mary and Emily’s hot air balloon ride around the County Fair with Mr. John.

You can find A Colorful Balloon Ride, and all of Allistar’s other books on Amazon by clicking here.

Today I’d like to introduce my fellow CIR author, Dawn Cahill. Author Dawn V. Cahill writes “Stories of Victorious Faith for the 21st Century,” nearly always with a crossword puzzle, sudoku, or dark chocolate nearby. “The characters in my stories face situations that would have been unthinkable even 20 years ago. We live in a vastly different world than our parents did, and that’s the world I write about.”

Ms Cahill also blogs about single parenting, substance abuse, and puppies…sometimes all in the same day. She’s going to finish that novel she started at age 11 called Mitch and the Martians…someday. She has written several newspaper articles, five Christian contemporary novels, and more limericks than she can count. 

You lead a very interesting life, Dawn, but before we learn about your books, I have 3 questions for you. First, where are your books set, and have you been there, or spent significant time there?

My books are set in places I’ve lived, and have a certain familiarity with. For instance, I lived for five years in a town north of Seattle in the late 80s to early 90s, just before the explosion of grunge, Microsoft, and Starbucks.

My Golden State Trilogy is set in Marin County, across the Golden Gate Bridge from San Francisco. I lived in the northeast Bay Area during part of my childhood, and I still think San Francisco is the most dramatically scenic city on the West Coast, and even in the US. I attempt to capture some of the stark beauty of the area in my books.

Well, you’ve certainly got my attention!  I was born in San Francisco, and while I love living in Australia, there’s a part of my heart that will always reside in the San Francisco Bay Area!  Next question, what inspired you to become an author, and how old were you at the time?

From the time my older sister taught me to read (I was five), the fantastical worlds that books created in my mind captured me. Even at such a young age, I wondered if I could write a book as compelling as the ones I was reading. So I started small, with short stories—some okay, some embarrassingly bad—, then in college took a year of journalism before switching to the more lucrative business major.

But before I could get serious about writing that first novel, I had to finish raising my kids. It wasn’t until 2015 that I uploaded my first book, the novelette When Lyric Met Limerick, to Amazon Kindle.

Ah, yes, you had a job (raising kids) and I had a job (in the corporate world) to do before writing took precedence, but now that we’re there, there is no stopping us!  Last question for you, if you could trade places with any one of your characters, who would it be and why?

I would be Meg, my protagonist in Golden State trilogy. She was a single mom (like myself) who found a wonderful, godly man that offered her a second chance at happy marriage (unlike myself.) Meg can paint and draw, two things I’m woefully bad at, but wish I could do. She has to endure some terrible trials, but her faith in the Lord shines bright through it all.

It’s fun to think we could be one of our characters … I’d like some aspects of many of mine, but we all have our own paths to follow, don’t we. Now, let’s hear about these books of yours.

My books: Seattle Trilogy is my suspense/mystery series. These books feature identical twins Livy and DeeDee using their ingenuity to solve mysterious deaths/unsolved crimes/attempted murders. Threads of clean romance add spice!

My Golden Gate Trilogy I like to call Hot Topic fiction. These books feature modern-day, controversial issues that didn’t exist 30 years ago, proving gritty and clean can co-exist in the same book. If you prefer your clean stories gritty, not pretty, these are for you.

• Book 1, Paint the Storm, centers on same-sex marriage, yet with no sex scenes.
• Book 2, Paint the Desert, involves a school shooting, yet contains no explicit violence.
• Book 3, Paint the Sunrise, is currently under construction. It’s about the opioid/homeless crisis that has exploded in recent years.

You can find all of Dawn’s books on Amazon by clicking here.

Thanks for joining me today, Dawn. I look forward to checking out the series set in the San Francisco Bay Area!

Today I’d like to introduce my fellow CIR author, Jessica White.

Jessica, would you like to tell us a bit about yourself?

I’m a hobbit. I love nature, but don’t like venturing far from home. My office is filled with books, blue and green glass, and llamas. I’m a first-generation Texan married to a sixth-generation Texan, but we recently moved to Oklahoma City with our two daughters for my husband’s career. I have a degree in education, but my spiritual calling is to teach people how to create safe space for the hurting and lost and show them how to stand firm for equality, diversity, and justice.

That’s quite a noble career, but I’m guessing you also find time to write books! But before we hear about your books, I’ve got three questions for you. Firstly, what are three things you’d tell aspiring authors?

The three things I tell aspiring authors all the time are: To become an author you have to learn the craft, learn to finish, and never stop growing. Take your first few works and learn the basics of story structure, character arc, and point of view. Then learn to finish by starting with a strong premise and knowing where the story ends. Discipline in finishing is what makes a writer an author. Third, never stop growing. Writing is an art. You don’t want to be an apprentice your entire career. Study and learn from the masters, but find your own style, brand, and audience.

Great advice, Jessica. Now, next question, do you read the reviews that others leave for your books?

I love reading reviews, even the bad ones. Great reviews tell me how the story affected or changed them as a reader. Good reviews remind me that I have an audience. That gets me through the days when my word faucet dries up. Bad reviews often show me who my reader isn’t. For example, my historicals are very spiritually deep. So my friends who are less spiritual often left reviews that said, a little heavy handed. Bad reviews also tell you where you’re falling short on reader expectation. Sometimes a bad review is actually a great review. For example, for clean fiction, sometimes reviewers will say “great romance but I wish they’d been more physical”. Obviously they didn’t get what they expected, but as a clean fiction author your still being validated that your work is clean.

Yes, as gratifying as it is to get great reviews, I also try to learn from bad reviews–and sometimes it’s because we are reaching the wrong readers and need to change something in the book’s description. Now, one more question, are you indie published, traditionally published, or hybrid? And what are your thoughts on the whole indie vs. traditional topic?

I’m now officially a hybrid author. I started with Indie publishing because I knew my stories crossed the Catholic-Protestant lines in the traditional publishing world. Some characters convert, some lose their faith, while others are wholly devoted to their chosen path. While this fits my ideal reader in that I write for people of diverse backgrounds who believe that God calls different people to different walks, it does not work well in traditional markets that are niching their marketing to a specific audience.

But my critique group leader (who is multi-published) challenged me to write something contemporary. So I wrote what I love to read, a romantic suspense. I’d been reading through the Percy Jackson series and wished there was something with those iconic Greek myth personas for those of us who are now married mothers who love visceral real life stories. So I started plotting and praying and creating who I imagined the twelve Olympian gods and goddesses to be.

After writing Song in the Dark I knew the book had all the elements to be marketable. I took it to American Christian Fiction Writers’ Conference and decided to practice pitching to agents. I walked away with a request for a proposal and a month later had an agent contract. It took a year to sell the manuscript to a small but established publisher, and another year to get it out on the market.

Having experienced both sides, there are definitely perks to both. If you have strong business skills and can network and find your own editor who can challenge you to grow, a cover designer who knows the current market, a formatter that can put it all together professionally, and can afford to hire them, going Indie will allow you to make more money and have more freedom in what you put out and when. But if you don’t have the time to run a business, can’t afford that upfront cost, or just don’t have the connections, a traditional publishing path is better.

The biggest downside to being fully traditional is time. Most readers don’t want to wait a year for a book much less two or three if you change publishers or only get single book deals. Personally, I’ll probably stay hybrid to have the flexibility to put out books between my traditional books.

It’s great to hear of someone with hybrid experience. There’s a path for everyone who wants to write, they just have to find the path that works best for them so I’m glad you’ve found yours. Now, about your books.

I have a historical series set in the 1920’s called The Healing Seasons. The first two books are out and the third will be available this summer. The story centers around Abigail Morgan, heiress to a West Virginia coal fortune, and her struggle to honor her parents’ legacy to “do what is right no matter the cost” despite the injustices she experiences and witnesses. The ripple effects of her decisions bring her and her brother into the care of a rural doctor in Montana who is grieving the loss of his wife and failing at raising their son on his own. God brings these characters together to heal them and the communities they serve over the four book series. It’s available exclusively on Amazon in Kindle and Paperback as well as on Kindle Unlimited.

*The first book does have flashback scenes of physical abuse.

My latest book, Song in the Dark, is based on the Greek myth of Hades and Persephone. This book explores what it means to overcome our darkest struggles.

All of Jessica’s books can be found on Amazon, by clicking here.

Today I’d like to introduce you to my fellow CIR author, Hannah Ross. Hannah Ross wrote her first story at the age of six and hasn’t stopped since. Wishing to have a steady profession, she trained as a clinical nutritionist, but the writing bug was too strong and Hannah continued to write fiction in the form of short stories, novels, poetry and plays, as well as many non-fiction essays and articles.

Hannah enjoys a quiet life in the country with her husband, four children, two cats and a flock of chickens.

So, Hannah, we’re dying to hear about your books, but first I have three questions so we can get to know you a bit better. Here goes. First, you have written over a dozen books in the fantasy, sci-fi, historical fiction genres. That is quite a range! What attracts you to write in all of these genres?

I think that, as widely as my writing ranges, what all my books have in common is the element of escapism, of moving to a different reality for a bit, be it a modern research station in Antarctica, a village in medieval Ethiopia, or an entirely imaginary fantasy world. This creation and exploration of different worlds is what I love most about writing.

My books are clean of explicit scenes, but they do include violence and mild swearing.

Well, I think a bit of escapism is good for everyone, at least from time to time! Now, for the next question. What books most influenced your life or your writing?

That’s a tough one; there are so many books I love and admire, so many authors, both classic and contemporary, who have become mentors and friends. From Thomas Hardy to all the Russian classics, Ray Bradbury to J.R.R. Tolkien, and the more modern works of fantasy such as Harry Potter and A Song of Ice and Fire, I am thankful for these great minds and great books. But if you were to ask which books I reread most often, the answer would probably be everything by Jane Austen.

Wow, I have to agree with all those. I grew up on Ray Bradbury and Tolkien, and have read all the Harry Potter books at least once, and although the Game of Thrones books were toooooo thick for me, I watched the entire series … more than once!  Now, one last question before we learn about your books. What do you like to do when you are not writing?

Apart from writing and, of course, reading, I like to express my creativity in practical ways. Namely, I crochet clothes, toys, baskets, and home décor. I make soap, candles, and natural body care products. There’s nothing more satisfying than using a unique, quality product I have made myself. I love my garden and animals – we have two cats and a flock of chickens, which never fail to entertain us with their antics. I also enjoy taking nature walks with my children whenever I have the chance. All these low-tech activities help me decompress and reconnect with an island of inner peace within me. And I enjoy teaching my children in the process, too!
Sounds like you lead an ideal life. So, let’s hear about your books.

The Breath of Earth (the third instalment in The Frozen World series) is my most recent book.

The entire Frozen World series is in the sub-genre of what can be defined as environmental science fiction. It tells about a near-utopian society of the Anai, an isolated tribe living in a warm microclimate pocket in Antarctica. The themes, the universal questions of these stories revolve around humankind and its relations with nature. Namely, can people coexist with nature without despoiling it? Can the desire to do right and preserve the world we live in overcome greed and power struggles? What are some things one is never justified in doing, not even in the name of survival?

Sounds awesome, Hannah. Now, you can find this book, and all Hannah’s books, on Amazon.  Click here to be taken to her author page.

Today I’d like to introduce you to my fellow CIR author, Katherine Brown. Would you like to tell us a bit about yourself, Katherine?

Hi! I write cozy mysteries and a few children’s books under Katherine H. Brown, but friends and family call me Katie. I am a lover of words and find the challenge of creating something brand new for the imagination out of words to be the highlight of my job as an author. I’ve been “making” books since I was eight or nine out of anything – paper and cardboard stapled together, for example – and feel incredibly blessed to now be writing as a career. I’m a stay-at-home mom to an incredible stepdaughter and in the last trimester of my first pregnancy. Keeping up with writing during that first trimester was rough; I was exhausted and couldn’t make it through a day without a nap. Now, I’m happy to say that I’m back in the swing of things and looking forward to the challenge of working in writing around loving on my baby girl in a few months. (Ha – wish me luck and sleep, right?) I prefer to write accompanied by tea, chocolate, and quiet.

Well, we wish you all the best with the new challenge you’re undertaking! So, let’s hear a bit more about you, and to do so I’m going to have you answer three questions. First, if you could tell your younger self something you know now, with respect to your writing career, what would it be?

The biggest piece of advice that I would give my younger self is: DO NOT stop writing. I took a break for several years to get “a real job” because I didn’t have confidence in myself to make it as an author. Don’t get me wrong, income and bills paid and debts cleared because of that job were a necessity and I would do it again. But I never should have stopped writing in the meantime. If I could do it over, I would write at whatever pace was comfortable during those years and stockpile books and stories. Then, when I finally made the leap to publishing my books, I would have had a strong backlist of titles ready to go. Writing fast enough to keep up with reader appetites is very difficult when you also have to focus on the marketing, advertising, editing, etc that goes with this business.

Isn’t that the truth, and something I wish someone had told me to do as well. But, we do the best we can now, and keep looking forward. Next question, where are your books set? And have you been there, or spent significant time there?

My Ooey Gooey Bakery Mystery series takes place in a fictional town on the beach in Alabama. I prefer to use fictional places loosely based on trips I’ve taken or places I visit because getting to imagine and build all of the details myself is more fun, not to mention you don’t run the risk of describing something about a place inaccurately and upsetting a reader. The books spend quite a bit of their time in the Ooey Gooey Goodness Bakery, owned by main character Piper, and I like to think the bakery is a combination of how I would want to run a bakery as well as fond thoughts of a favorite place in my hometown where I go for cupcakes sometimes.

Yes, I too prefer to write stories in fictional settings, but they do drop into real places from time to time as well. Oh, and I also love cupcakes! Now, one last question and then we’ll hear more about your books. What makes you happiest as an author?

I love to hear from readers. It is so fulfilling to have my words in the hands of someone else. It is especially thrilling when they point out specific things they liked or related to in one of the books. Holding the paperback copy of my book for the first time on each printing is a close second. I mean, come on, how cool is that to have created an entire book that didn’t exist before?

Oh, I agree totally on both those answers. I love reader feedback, and having my books on my shelves is just sooo special. Now, speaking of books, let’s hear a bit about yours  and where we can find them.

As I said earlier, I have both cozy mysteries and a selection of children’s books available. My children’s books were where my publishing adventure began. You see, even though I knew I wanted to be an author, the thought of writing a “big” book was overwhelming at the beginning. That is a lot of words which translates into a lot of hours and when I started, I was also working a full-time job 55 hours a week already in the construction industry.  Nowadays, my cozy mystery stories are where I prefer to spend my time and energy. The first series I wrote is the Ooey Gooey Bakery Mystery Series, a collection of 4 full books and a short story so far. I love fiction, I never had any interest in reading or writing non-fiction, but when I began my cozies, I had a desire to write something not just entertaining but that could be beneficial. Something I could be proud of. With book 1, I introduced the problem of human trafficking throughout the storyline, expanding upon it in book 2. In the back matter of both books are resources for recognizing and reporting the signs of human trafficking. It is, unfortunately, a crime that is only spreading and many people don’t recognize that it has become a worldwide problem that absolutely ruins and steals lives. Sounds heavy, right? And I said these were cozy mysteries? Well, they are. They are clean, witty, I’ve been told satisfactorily suspenseful by several reviewers, and full of delectable descriptions of goodies baked up by the main character, Piper, and her best friend Sam. The human trafficking thread flows in a way that doesn’t appear to be the focus and doesn’t take away from the entertaining characters and their problems.

The first in the series is Rest, Relax, Run for Your Life.

You can find all of my books and a little more about me on my website http://www.katherinebrownbooks.com or my author page on Amazon: Amazon Author Page.

If you get the opportunity to read any of them, please consider leaving a review of your honest opinion. Those are so helpful to other readers and to myself in shaping the next books. You are also welcome to send me a little note through the contact page on my website; I love meeting new readers!

Today I’d like to introduce you to my fellow CIR author, Maria Farb. Maria, would you like to tell us a bit about yourself?

Ever since I climbed up to the rafters of our barn at age four, I’ve lived high adventure: scuba diving, hiking, climbing, and even riding a retired racehorse at full gallop–bareback. I love the thrill and joy.

Stories give me a similar thrill and joy. I love living through the eyes and heart of a hero who faces his internal demons and the heroine who fights her way free instead of waiting to be saved.

I create high fantasy, fairy tale retellings, and poetry. I live a joyful adventure with my husband and six children. I am a Christian and I love my Savior.

Wow, a racehorse, at full speed, bareback … or six children!  Wonder which is scarier? (I’m a horse person myself, but couldn’t imagine having six children when you only have two hands! Quite the accomplishment!)

So … before we hear about your books, I have three questions for you so people can get to know you a bit. First, how much time per week would you spend writing? Or are you a full-time author?

I’m a full-time homeschooling mother of six.

I write in the early morning before any one wakes up, sometimes in the afternoon when kids are playing, and in the evening when my husband plays with our kids. The early morning hours are my favorite and most productive writing times. On a good day I can get several thousand words before any one else wakes up.

I keep a notebook handy to capture ideas when I don’t have time to write. My rushed penmanship is near unreadable, even for me, so I type up all my notes each evening.

Ha Ha Ha! I have notes all over the place, but luckily, I can read mine! Second question, what inspired you to become an author, and how old were you at the time?

Some of my earliest memories are laying on the carpet listening to my dad read out loud. We explored the worlds of Narnia and Middle Earth. We cried with Corrie Ten Boom in The Hiding Place. We voyaged with The Kon-Tiki and to Grass Beyond the Mountains.

As a teen I made up stories to help my little sisters go to sleep. It backfired. We stayed up for hours continuing the tale. The King’s Trial was born in those late, whispered nights.

I started writing seriously when my youngest started sleeping through the night (two years ago).

Wow, I LOVED all the stories in Middle Earth, but didn’t discover Narnia until I was an adult. But I share your passion for fantasy of that type, and must indeed have a look at your books! Third and final question, what are some fun, random facts about you?

• As a child, I couldn’t walk across a room. I danced, spun, skipped, ran, or otherwise moved, but I couldn’t just walk.
• I took calculus at a community college at age 14. I planned to go to MIT and become an astronaut. Plans changed—in wonderful ways.
• I lived in St Petersburg, Russia for half-a-year teaching English to kindergartners. I learned to wash my clothes in a bathtub, filter and boil my drinking water, and love my sweet, crayon-eating, kids. My next book is based in Russia and on one of my favorite Russian tales—Vasilisa and Staver.
• I love reading to my children. We’ve enjoyed books from Dr. Seuss to Les Misérables. Maniac Magee is one of our favorites.
• I love climbing, rappelling, and horseback riding. But I hate roller coasters and bungee jumping.
• I’ve journaled almost every day since I turned seventeen. I capture conversations, descriptions, happenings, and quotes. I explore ideas. Through the years I’ve written well over a million words. It prepared me to become an author.
• I live with a vivid imagination. I dream in 3-D, technicolor, and occasionally with my eyes open. This is a bane when it comes to nightmares. I will not watch horror movies.
• I have an accent. People often ask me where I’m from. Maybe it’s my reader accent. I’ve read out-loud enough different books in character, that perhaps it stuck.

Well, it’s a shame we live so many miles apart (as given I’m in Australia, we’re no doubt far apart no matter where you live), as you sound like someone I’d love to meet in person! Thanks for coming here today to talk to us. Now, before we go, let’s learn a bit about your books.

In a land where stories of the Shadow Demon keep children shivering in bed and tales of the Yorel bring hope to the commoner, Yosyph is both the reason for their fear and their hope.

Find this book on Amazon, by clicking here.

What readers are saying:

One of the best books I’ve read with wonderful characters who grow on their journeys, stellar writing, fantastic world-building, and a twisty, nail-biting plot.- Katy Huth Jones, author of the YA-fantasy series He Who Finds Mercy

M.L. Farb has created a rich world with deep, relatable characters. – Carol Beth Anderson, author of the Sun-Blessed Trilogy

I wholeheartedly recommend this clean fantasy adventure! – Annie Douglass Lima, author of the Annals of Alasia and the Krillonian Chronicles

I was struck by the beautiful prose from the first page! – Kristin Fink (Amazon Reviewer USA)

Today I’d like to introduce you to my fellow CIR author, Wendy May Andrews. Welcome, Wendy. Would you like to tell us a bit about yourself, and your writing?

Thanks for having me, Sandy. I’ve been writing pretty much since I learned to read when I was five years old. Of course, those early efforts were basically only something a mother could love 🙂 I put writing aside after I left school and stuck with reading. I am an avid reader. I love words. I will read anything, even the cereal box, signs, posters, etc. But my true love is novels.

Almost ten years ago my husband dared me to write a book instead of always reading them. I didn’t think I’d be able to do it, but to my surprise I love writing. Those early efforts eventually became my first published book – Tempting the Earl (published by Avalon Books in 2010). There were some ups and downs in my publishing efforts. My first publisher was sold and I became an “orphan” author, back to the drawing board of trying to find a publishing house. It has been a thrilling adventure as I learned to navigate the world of publishing.

I believe firmly that everyone deserves a happily ever after. I want my readers to be able to escape from the everyday for a little while and feel upbeat and refreshed when they get to the end of my books.

When not reading or writing, I can be found traipsing around my neighborhood admiring the dogs and greenery or travelling the world with my favorite companion.

I agree wholeheartedly. I love for my readers to escape from the day to day world and I’m over the moon when I hear they’ve done just that.

Now, before we hear about your books, I’ve got three little questions for you. First, what was the inspiration for your latest book?

Friends of mine were adopting a little boy. They are a great match and I am thrilled for them. But I found the process heart breaking. There are so many children in need of good homes. I started researching the history of adoption. I came across the Orphan Trains and I just knew there were stories to tell.

Oh, that sounds wonderful. I’ll have to look at this series of yours, and I bet some of the readers of my blog will do the same! Now, next question, where are your books set? And have you been there, or spent significant time there?

I write Regency Romance and Western Historical Romance so my books are set in England and mid-west USA. I have traveled to several locations in England for research. It was wonderful. There is so much history in England, it’s around every corner. We’ve also traveled to some of the locations of my US set books, but not all of them – it’s a really big country 😉 Thankfully the internet has many resources like old maps and so much historical information. There are also some amazing museums. One really cool museum we visited to research my Orphan Train books was the Tenement Museum in New York City. They have some perfectly preserved tenement apartments from the 1800s. I loved those tours!

Wow, maybe I need to visit New York one day … as for England, Cornwall is one of my favourite places in the world! I’ve not set any books there, but how fun writing stories set in those beautiful places. Now, one last question. Are you indie published, traditionally published, or hybrid? And what are your thoughts on the whole indie vs. traditional topic?

I am a hybrid author. My first six books were traditionally published. It was a wonderful education. It really taught me all the steps that go into producing a good book. I think indie authors can produce as good or better books as traditionally published authors as long as they go through all the professional steps required. I love having the control as an indie author. I just don’t love having to do all the work 😀 But unfortunately, even traditionally published have to do more than just write, so I’ll take indie any day.

Interesting you say that … about the control. That’s what I love, not having to make changes unless you want to, and having full control over the end product. So, with all that said, let’s have a look at your books!

All of my books are Sweet/Clean Historical Romance. Half are set in Regency era England, the other half are Historical Westerns (circa 1855). There is zero violence or foul language on page. There is no sex in my books. All of my stories conclude with a sweet kiss and a happily ever after.

All of my books can be found online: Amazon

Orphan Train (4 book series)  

From Book 1: His pursuit of her threatens everything – except her heart:

Sophie Brooks has lived at the orphanage since she was ten years old. Now nineteen, she’s not only a resident, she works there as well. It’s the only true home she can remember and she’ll do whatever it takes to keep it safe.

When her budding relationship with the son of one of the orphanage’s benefactors threatens the charity’s funding, Sophie must choose between her loyalties and her heart.

The fourth book doesn’t show in the photo, so here is its cover:

Now, I’ve just noticed that the first book in this lovely series, Sophie, is just $.99 so grab a copy. I’ve read several of Wendy’s books, and I’ve never been disappointed!

Thanks again for coming here today, Wendy. I look forward to reading this series!

Today I’d like to introduce my fellow CIR author, Rebekah Lyn.

Rebekah is a Christian with a heart for new beginnings, and her desire is to reflect that in each of her books. She writes character-driven novels, which she hopes will engulf the reader in a great story and leave them stronger in their faith.

A sandal-loving native Floridian, Rebekah grew up on the Space Coast within sight of the Kennedy Space Center. She has fond memories of windows rattling and dogs barking as the big Saturn rockets or the Space Shuttles raced into the heavens. She will always be proud of America’s space program. With an eye upon her future, Rebekah received her Bachelors degree in Communications from Jacksonville University, Jacksonville, Florida. She has been employed for 20 years by a Fortune 500 corporation in Orlando and has a passion for travel. She has said, “Some of my best writing has been done on the balcony of a cruise ship.”   Another favorite spot for writing is on the back porch of her parent’s home in North Carolina, enjoying the peaceful surroundings away from her hectic life in Florida.

Well, there you go … writing on a cruise ship!  Hadn’t thought of that, but HOW FUN!!  Now, Rebekah, thanks for being here. I’ve got three questions for you, and then we’ll learn a bit about your books. Firstly, who are your favourite authors, and why?

Morgan Llewellyn and Eugenia Price are two of my all time favorites. They have written historical fiction novels that completely capture the imagination and transport me to the times and places they are set in. For my high school graduation, my mom and I went to St. Simons Island, GA to visit the places in Eugenia Price’s St. Simons Trilogy. A few years ago I discovered Patrick Taylor and his Irish Country doctor series, which I adore. I try to read them slowly to savor the experience, but some nights I just can’t put them down. My go to authors for action/thrillers are Brad Thor, Daniel Silva and Vince Flynn/Kyle Mills.

Those are all new authors for me … thanks for sharing them. Now, next question, where are your books set?

Six of my seven books are set in Central Florida, which is where I live. The Seasons of Faith books are set in Orlando and the Jessie Cole trilogy is set in Titusville, where I grew up, as well as Houston, Texas. I spent several days in Texas doing research for Destiny’s Call (which just released on November 6). Julianne, is set in coastal and mountain areas of North Carolina. I’ve been going to the mountains since I was a little kid for summer vacations and the spots I used in that book are well known to me. The coastal North Carolina town is a fictionalized version of Carolina Beach, Wilmington, and Southport. I spent almost a week, between two different trips, exploring these towns to get the flavors I wanted in the book.

Florida and North Carolina make lovely settings I’m sure, but I can’t speak for Texas as I’ve never been there. Now, one last question, do you write from your own experiences, or do you simply sit down and make stuff up?

I write a combination from my own experience and completely made-up ideas. Sometimes, even when I’m writing from pure imagination, I look back and find bits of my history in the details. Seasons of Faith has a lot of my experiences in the hospitality industry, Destiny’s Call has a lot of my personal knowledge of the Space Shuttle program, and Julianne was born out of my own desire to quit my job and follow a new calling. Part of what I love about writing is the research aspect. Working on Undaunted gave me a chance to get to know my dad better and learn about his experiences growing up in Titusville during the space race, which is something for which I will forever be grateful.

What a lovely idea … learning about a family member as part of your research. Hmmm … must try that she says to self!

Now, tell us a bit about your books.

I currently have seven books available: four in the Seasons of Faith Series- Summer Storms, Winter’s End, Spring Dawn & Christmas Vows; two in the Jessie Cole Trilogy- Undaunted and Destiny’s Call; and a stand-alone, Julianne. All are clean, with no foul language or violence, but Undaunted does deal with the effects of an alcoholic and abusive father. I know this can be difficult for some readers, but I’d like to assure you that there aren’t any graphic scenes, but rather discussion among the family of the abuse.  You can find all of my books on my website. (and they’re also available on Amazon.) I also have three other writers on my site you may want to check out while you are there. Rest assured they are all clean and range from sweet romance to non-fiction.

 Just two of the many books you’ll find by Rebekah.