Award-winning author Catherine West writes stories of hope and healing from her island home in Bermuda. When she’s not at the computer working on her next story, you can find her taking her Border Collie for long walks or reading books by her favorite authors. She and her husband have two grown children. Catherine’s novel, Bridge of Faith, won the 2015 Grace Award. Her latest novel, The Things We Knew, released July 12th, 2016, through Harper Collins Christian Publishing. Catherine loves to connect with her readers and can be reached at Catherine@catherinejwest.com
Website – http://www.catherinejwest.com
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Welcome back to the blog, Cathy. I’m so honored to have you here today. Congratulations on your new release, The Things We Knew.
First of all, I have to say CONGRATS again on signing with Harper Collins! I have so enjoyed following your publishing journey. What’s something you’ve learned and will never forget about getting to where you are today in your career?
Thanks Savanna! It’s been an amazing journey so far, for sure! The most important lesson I have learned so far, and I’m still learning, is to trust God. There were several instances over the last several years where things just did not seem to be moving forward and I was so tempted to give up. My dream was always to work with a major publishing house, but at times it didn’t look like that would happen. I had to accept that if that was the way it would be, I’d be okay with it. But if God still wanted to work it out, that’d be good too. 🙂 I had a long season of waiting and really putting it all in perspective, which I believe placed me in a far better position to handle the pressures that come with a career in publishing.
What do you hope readers will take away from The Things We Knew?
There’s a real sense of family in this story and I hope readers enjoy The Carlisles as much as I do! Takeaways would be redemption, forgiveness and hope. Because even when things are at their absolute worst, we need hope. Each of my characters has to come to that realization, and forgiveness is also a huge part of their journey.
Any plans on how you will celebrate this special book release yet?
Actually, yes! My amazing husband surprised me by organized a book signing on Nantucket, where the book is set, so that’s how we’ll be celebrating. Once this posts it’ll be over, so I’m sure your readers will be able to check in on social media to see how it all went!
That sounds like such fun! Which of your books proved to be the hardest to write and why?
I’d probably have to say Hidden in the Heart. The story is loosely based on my own adoption search and reunion journey. All of the emotions that Claire goes through as she wrestles with the decision to first search for her birth family, and then deal with an impending reunion, are similar to what I went through. So although it was great to write a story that I hope will resonate with all readers, not just those who are part of the adoption triad, it was at times difficult to relive those memories.
Can you share with us a favorite Scripture verse that has encouraged you recently?
‘See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.’ Isaiah 49:19.
This verse really hit home for me after I’d been offered my contract with Harper Collins. The final offer came after a very hard season that I honestly wasn’t sure how I was going to come out of. It was like God saying, see, I told you it would all work out! Sometimes I really need to listen to God more, and not to myself! LOL!
Thank you so much for sharing with us today, Cathy! Is there anything else you’d like to add? Any upcoming projects you can share with us?
My next novel will release March 2017, and it takes place on a vineyard in Sonoma. Thanks for having me on the blog – I love hearing from readers so hope everyone will keep in touch, and let me know how you enjoyed The Things We Knew!
That sounds great! Looking forward to reading it. 🙂 Have a great summer, Cathy!
GIVEAWAY!!
Cathy has graciously offered to give away one copy of The Things We Knew to one lucky winner. Enter below and it could be YOU! 
Thanks for entering! Contest is open for US residents only. Contest ends July 26, 2016. The winner will be notified by email. Happy Reading, everybody!
The only book signing I’ve been to was one by Terry Brooks! He’s one of my husband’s most favorite authors, and he’s quite famous in the fantasy fiction world. I was on vacation visiting family, and my poor husband had to stay home and work, so he missed it! I gave him an autographed book for Father’s Day, though. 😉
As for me, I’d love to meet Becky Wade and Denise Hunter, or one of the great inspirational speakers like John Bytheway or S. Michael Wilcox.
Hi Karen! Awww, that’s too bad your hubby missed the book signing. What a neat idea for Father’s day, though. Bet he loved that!
I’d love to meet those authors you mentioned too. Love their books! Good luck in the giveaway. 😉
I have never been to a book signing, but if I could I would love to meet Francine Rivers, Liz Curtis Higgs and Tamera Alexander!! There’s so many more, but that’s the first ones that come to mind! Lovely interview 🙂
So glad you could join us, Diana. I would LOVE to meet those authors!! Maybe someday. 🙂
I have never been to a book signing but there are at least 50 I would love to see. Here are a few:
Sydney Tooman Betts, Anita Richardson, Murray Pura, Karen Kingsbury, Beverly Lewis ,Tracie Peterson Francine Rivers. Oh so many more.
Haha, I know… my list would be long too, Brenda. 😉 You mentioned so many great authors. Hope you get the chance to attend a book signing someday.
I’ve never been to a book signing, but if I would, I’d love to see Julie Lessman, Tamera Alexander, Becky Wade…Oh, there’s too many to choose from!
Yes, meeting those ladies would be SO much fun. Thanks for sharing, Kathryn!
This book is on my to-read list already, maybe I will win the giveaway! 🙂 I’ve been to many book signings for children’s authors but the one I was most excited about was a signing with Debbie Macomber, my all-time favorite author and inspiration. She was so wonderful and I was able to get a picture with her too. Very exciting for me!
That is so cool, Jennifer! How fun to have a picture to remember the moment too. 😉 Good luck in the giveaway!
I have never been to a book signing. Today’s choice would be Catherine West, but there are so many I would like to go to…a different author with each new book I read.
Haha, I know how you feel, Karen. 🙂 Hope you get to meet Catherine someday. She’s such a sweetheart!
I haven’t ever been to one, but I would like to!
Hope you get the chance to soon, Michelle. Thanks so much for visiting!
I have been to several children’s authors. Tomie de Paola, Patricia Pollocco, Barbara Robinson( Best Christmas Pageant Ever–she was really delightful. ), Scott Corbit, Mem Fox (not super friendly) Jean Fritz, Nancy Shaw(Sheep in a Shop.)
So much fun. Need to meet some favorite Christian Fiction Authors.
Thanks for the chance.
Becky
You mentioned many authors I’ve never heard of, Becky. That’s really neat you got to meet so many. Hope that list continues to grow. 😉 Good luck in the drawing too!
I have never been to a book signing. I would love to meet Melanie Dobson. I have really enjoyed the last two books of hers that I have read.
Yes, she seems like such a sweet lady. Hope you get that opportunity some day, Merry. 🙂
No. Any Amish author.
Joan
That would be fun! Thanks for stopping by, Joan.
Sounds great. I’ve never been to a book signing.
Good luck in the drawing, Kim. 🙂
A few years ago I went to an author meet and greet dinner and activities/book signing with a co-worker. The author was Marcia Lynn McClure. It was sooooo much fun!!!
And then last summer I attended the Vegas Valley Book Festival and got to attend panels and books signings for the followign authors: Melanie Jacobson, Sarah M. Eden, Julianna Donaldson, and Jennifer Moore. (Each panel had several authors and then a book signing that followed). That was a lot of fun too!! 🙂
I have lots of authors I still want to meet. I am attending CFRR this year though and will get to meet many of the authors I have been dreaming of meeting!!!
Oh wow, that sounds like so much fun, Sydney!! I so wish I could attend CFRR this year. If I wasn’t having a baby in August, I would have liked to join you all. 😉 Take lots of pictures and share on FB, ok?
I met Wanda Brunstetter a few years ago, and Beverly Lewis this spring!
How neat! You won’t forget that, I bet. 🙂 thanks for sharing, Barb!
I have never been to a book singing. I would live to meet Karen White and Mary Kay Andrews. They are two of my favorites. Of course there are many more.
Those are new-to-me authors, Dianne. I’ll have to look them up. Thanks for stopping by! Good luck in the giveaway. 😉
The only book signings I can think of that I’ve been to are at women’s conferences, where the speakers sell books they have written.
Yes, those are a lot of fun too. 🙂 Thanks for joining us, Kay!
I’ve not been to a book signing. I would like to meet an author of historical western fiction–Mary Connealy.
Yes, that would be such fun, Brenda! Love her books. 🙂
I have not been to any book signings, author Charles Martin has been here locally for a signing and I sort of regret not going.
Awww, that’s too bad you missed the signing, Patty. I’ve always been so nervous in the past to attend a book signing, but I’m always glad when I’ve gone. Hope you get another chance soon. 😉
No I have never been to a book signing. Oh which author? that is a hard one because I have so many favorites.
I know, right? It’s so hard to pick! Hope you get the chance to attend one, though, someday. They’re fun!
I’ve been to a book signing quite by accident. I’ve never been to a signing where it was an author I really wanted to meet!
That sounds like an interesting story, Dianna! 😉 I’m intrigued!
I have two signed books, but neither of them are from a book signing. I would love to have books signed by Charles Martin, Davis Bunn, and Janette Oke.
That is still cool! Ah, those authors would be so neat to meet, Amanda. 🙂 Someday, right?
Last year I had the pleasure of meeting Lynne Gentry. It was so much fun.
I think we need a girls trip to Bermuda! 😉
How fun! YES, a trip to Bermuda to see Cathy would be AMAZING! 🙂 Love it, Caryl!
I have been to one book signing. It was interesting. II a m not usually a person to attend one of the things because I forget that some oft books are signed when I donate them to the library or lend them to friends.
That’s really awesome you pass on your books, Sonnetta. I’m sure many readers are grateful to you. 🙂
I would like to meet Tamera Alexander or Debra Raney!
Me too, Joan!! I briefly met Debra Raney at an ACFW conference a few years ago, but didn’t get to visit for long. She was so sweet! 🙂