Christine is a small-town Michigan girl who has lived in every corner of the state’s Lower Peninsula. From a young age, she knew she wanted to do something in the arts. After trying her hand at music and art, she returned to her first love — story. She feels blessed to write Christian fiction and to be twice named a finalist for Romance Writer’s of America’s Golden Heart® award.
When not at the computer keyboard, she loves to hike and explore God’s majestic creation. These days, she and her husband, a Great Lakes ship pilot, split their time between northern Michigan and the Florida Keys. Visit her website here.
————————————————————————————————————————-
Savanna: Welcome to The Engrafted Word, Christine. Congratulations on your upcoming release, Love’s Rescue. I can’t wait to read it! 🙂 How is your character Elizabeth like you and how is she different?
Christine:Â Both Elizabeth and I have a heart for adventure, though she dives in a bit more readily than I do. Perhaps age does bring wisdom, or at least caution. She is very young and still doesn’t realize her mortality.
Savanna:Â Can you tell us what first drew you to writing Inspirational Historical Romance?
Christine:Â I have always loved historical romance, so naturally chose that genre when I first began writing. Faith was always an element of my stories, for it’s an essential part of life, however early on I wanted to bring the Christian message into the secular market. The Lord, however, had another plan in mind. After 15 years of trying to sell in the secular market, my first novel written for the inspirational market sold. God’s timing is absolutely perfect!
Savanna: On your website you mentioned you enjoy hiking. Me too! 😉 Do you have a favorite trail?
Christine:Â Based on frequency, it must be the Garden Wall trail in Glacier National Park (Montana). I have hiked it each of the five times I’ve visited the park. Other trails are special also, for different reasons. Some have taken my breath away. Others taxed me to my breaking point and then delivered a spectacular view. Then too, grizzly bears and fellow hikers have made for some memorable moments.
Savanna: Sounds like you could write a book just about your hiking adventures. 😉 Love the pic of you on the trail, by the way.
Describe your favorite place to write. What’s your ideal setting for inspiration?
Christine:Â I love a beautiful view of God’s creation. Vast panoramas definitely inspire me, but it can be as simple as the view from my office window. A small wooded area crowds close to the bay window, and I often see songbirds hopping from branch to branch. I have seen cardinals and orioles, but even a little sparrow or chickadee will brighten my day. Those moments always make me pause from my writing, for they are special gifts meant to be savored.
Savanna:Â I have a similar view outside my office window. My little birdies always make me smile.
What is a favorite Scripture verse you’d like to share with us?
Christine:Â “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.” Proverbs 3:5-6
Many scripture passages have meaning for me, but this is one I keep coming back to time and again. It is a challenging lesson to learn for someone with an independent streak!
Savanna:Â Great verse! Thanks so much for stopping by to chat, Christine. Is there anything else you’d like to add? Any upcoming projects you can share with us?
Christine:Â I am currently working on the second book in the Keys of Promise series. As with the heroine in Love’s Rescue, the heroine of the next book travels to Key West after suffering a great loss. There she hopes to remake her life with the man she loves, but two years apart have changed things in ways she cannot fathom.
You can learn more about all my books on my website. Thank you, Savanna, for inviting me to join you today. Thank you all for stopping by to visit.
GIVEAWAY!!
Christine has graciously offered to give away a copy of Love’s Rescue to one lucky winner. Enter below and it could be YOU! 😉
Thanks for entering! Contest is open only in the U.S. and ends June 2, 2015. The winner will be notified by email. Happy Reading, everybody!
Great interview and it looks like a great book!
Thank you for stopping by, Julie!
So glad you could join us, Julie. Good luck in the giveaway!
Thou wilt show me the path of life: In thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.
Psalm 16:11
Wonderfully appropriate scripture, Patty! Thank you for sharing.
I’ve always loved this one. It overflows with such peace and poetry. Thanks, Patty!
For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, to give you a hope and a future. Jer. 29:11
TY for the chance. Enjoyed the interview.
Glad you stopped in, Lucy!
That’s one of my favorite verses too, Lucy! Thanks for sharing. Good luck in the drawing too. 😉
Hey Savanna! Great interview with Christine. One of my favorite scriptures is Habakkuk 3:19 (AMP) The Lord God is my Strength, my personal bravery, and my invincible army; He makes my feet like hinds’ feet and will make me to walk [not to stand still in terror, but to walk] and make [spiritual] progress upon my high places [of trouble, suffering, or responsibility]!
I like that scripture verse too, Caryl.
That’s a beautiful one. I’m glad you stopped by, Caryl, as always. 🙂
All things are possible with God Mark 10: 27
Amen! I rely on that verse a lot!
And what a great reminder that is! 😉 Thanks for sharing, Tina.
Philippians 2:3-4
“3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, 4 not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.”
Love it, Amelia!
That’s a great one, Amelia. I appreciate you sharing it with us. Good luck in the giveaway!
That is one of my favorite scriptures too! So thankful for all the trials so I can learn to trust . . . which is really just surrendering to Him more and more . . . can’t really say I trust so I . . .I . . .I . . He is so faithful to me.. . His paths are the only way to go and I try not to move till he says go!; ) Thanks for the giveaway! I have read of the trials of many and then they are able to start anew. I am about to start the last half of my life in a new place doing new things and am definitely trusting/surrendering. Thanks! Blessings to you.
Blessings to you, Chris. Thank you for stopping by.
He is SO faithful! Praying the Lord blesses you and strengthens you, Chris, in this season – and every season. Thanks for joining us.
Love the scripture verse, we actually memorized that one as a church back in the day. I would say one of my favorites besides that one is: Train yourself to be Godly, for physical training is of some value but Godliness has value for all things, holding promise for the present life and the life to come. 1 Timothy 4:7-8
So true, Nicholl. That’s a great verse!
Memorizing Scripture is such a wonderful practice and blessing to the heart. Thanks for stopping by and sharing, Nicholl. Good luck to you!
Beautiful cove and I love faith based historical fiction, thank you for the chance to win a copy of your book Christine.
wfnren at aol dot com
Hi Wendy! The art department did a wonderful job with the cover. Such a blessing!
Hi Wendy! Glad you could join us. Good luck to you in the drawing. 🙂
My favorite scripture is Proverbs 3:5-6. I have been holding on to that scripture as a reminder that God knows all and that he is in control.
Yes, Sonnetta! I cling to that scripture too. It has been a theme in my life the last few years.
SO much wisdom in those verses! And strength for us too. 🙂 Thanks for visiting, Sonnetta!
I love hiking too! My husband loves to take our family to National Parks and we visited Glacier a couple years ago. Beautiful.
Hi Heidi! It’s great to meet a fellow hiker who has been to Glacier. We just love it and keep going back. Thanks for stopping by today.
National Parks are so much fun. Someday I hope to visit Glacier. 😉 Thanks for joining us, Heidi. Hope you’re having a great week!
Be still & know that I am God…
Enjoyed today”s post!
What a great reminder, Deanna. Thank you for stopping by.
Glad to hear you enjoyed the interview, Deanna. The verse you mentioned is one I often have to repeat to myself. It’s so hard to simply be still sometimes, ya know. 😉 Thanks for joining us for the interview.
My favorite verse has to be Proverbs 3:5-6, the last 6 months it’s become my rock verse!
Absolutely! I think those verses are engraved on my heart.
Hi Abby! Yes, that verse is a rock for all of us, I think. 🙂 Thanks so much for sharing it with us here.
Hi Christine, so lovely to meet you! I think you’d like it out here on the Oregon coast, there are so many hiking trails in so many beautiful places! One of our favorite drives is through the Columbia River Gorge area and especially Multonomah Falls. It’s been too many years since we’ve taken that drive! There are various trail heads along that drive. Not that I hike myself (I don’t), but it’s enough to satisfy the most avid of hikers 🙂 The husband and I love to take drives and stop at various places to explore. I just love all the waterfalls along the Gorge area, so beautiful and majestic! And you are right, even if you don’t get to those places, there’s still God’s beauty all around us, even in the sparrows and small birds outside our windows. I miss seeing cardinals, we don’t have them out here. But I did grow up in Illinois where there are plenty to see. We do have a vast variety here in Oregon and it’s so fun to watch them flit from bush to bush!
My verse is the same one you have: Proverbs 3:5-6. I guess I never thought of it as more challenging to those who tend to have an independent streak (guilty here)….because it really is! Having someone else have control (even the Lord) is a hard one, but I’m so glad that He is…because, after all, He knows what’s best for us.
Thank you for coming out to talk a bit about your book. Elizabeth sounds like a great character. I love what you said “perhaps ages brings does bring wisdom” and I really have to agree! I take life much slower than I used to as a young woman, perhaps I savor it more or just take more time to “smell the roses” if you will. Historical fiction is my most favorite genre so this one is already on my want-to-read list 🙂 Thank you for the chance to win a copy of “Love’s Rescue” I sure love that name, because love (God’s love) rescued me too!
And lastly, thank you Savanna for a wonderful author interview and a new book “talk”. Blessings to you my friend 🙂
Hi Trixi! I have to agree with you about Oregon. I visited many, many years ago. Your descriptions brought back memories. We went to the rocky seashore, climbed the dunes, saw the old lava fields and spent one frigid night camping in the mountains. I huddled in my sleeping bag with all my clothes on. We took the train there, and I remember the startling beauty of the Columbia River gorge. Though we didn’t hike there, it is now on my list of places to visit. We were so impressed with the beauty there. Thank you for sharing and blessings on your day.
I’ve only been to Oregon once, but I sure loved our time out there. Such a beautiful area, especially Multonomah Falls! 🙂 Thanks for joining us, Trixi, for the interview. Here’s hoping for a giveaway win to add to your reading collection. 😉 Have a great week, my friend!
Thank you for a wonderful interview and this great opportunity.
Thank you for stopping by, Melanie!
We’re glad you could join us, Melanie. Good luck!
fun interview
Thanks, bn100! Have a blessed day.
I’m glad you enjoyed it, bn100. Good luck in the giveaway.
My life verse:
Thy testimonies have I taken as an heritage for ever: for they are the rejoicing of my heart.
Psalm 119:111
I would like to hear about Love’s Rescue and would like to win a print copy! Thank you for offering and interview.
My husband and I also love to feed the birds and watch them. One fond memory I have is coming to a stop sign on a narrow business street early in the morning. Looking up above, across a power line little birds were hopping sideways in unison on the wire and back again. So delightful! Start to a new day, for sure.
Historical fiction is my very favorite genre ~ new author for me! Thank you. Kathleen ~ Lane Hill House
Hi Kathleen. What a wonderful moment to spot with those little birds hopping in unison. The Lord gifts us with so many precious little moments throughout our day. It’s pure joy to slow down enough to see them. Thank you for visiting.
A great verse and such a cute story, Kathleen. I’m so glad you could join us for the interview. Historical fiction is my favorite too. Hope you get to check out Christine’s book soon. 🙂
My favorite scripture verse is Phil. 4:13, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me”. I just put this book on my TBR list. Thanks for the interview and giveaway!
Hi Loraine! Yet another awesome scripture. I recite this one frequently…especially as deadlines approach. Thank you for sharing.
That’s a wonderful verse, Loraine. It’s so encouraging to read everyone’s comments and be uplifted by all the Scripture verses. Thanks for commenting.
Be still and know that I am God..
The stillness of the trail would bring that to mind also. I would enjoy reading Loves Rescue 🙂
Yes, the trail definitely brings that scripture to mind. Thank you for stopping in, Deanna.
So true! Great point, Deanna. 😉 Hope you get to read “Love’s Rescue” real soon!
Great interview, as always. Thank y’all for sharin’
Thank you for joining us, Robin!
We sure appreciate you stopping in, Robin. Hope you have a great week!
Love historical romance novels looking forward to reading the book. Thanks for a chance to win.
Thank you for stopping by, Kim.
Wonderful, Kim! Hope you get to read it soon. 😉
Psalm 121:1-2! I lift my eyes up to the hill where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of Heaven and Earth.
Amen! I love that verse and think of it when I look to the hills.
I LOVE that one too, Sierra! So beautiful. Thanks for sharing.
I enjoy sitting in my family room with my morning coffee and watching the birds eat from our bird feeder. They sing us beautiful morning songs and I never tire of it. Thanks for the chance to win your book and I am looking forward to it.
What a wonderful way to start the day, Rebecca.
What a peaceful picture, Rebecca. 🙂 I love how the little birds can bring such delight and company to us and they have no clue. 😉 Good luck to you in the giveaway. Thanks for stopping by.
Pickle Springs near Farmington, MO is a wonderful place to hike with beautiful rock formations. I believe the trail is only 2 miles long but you get a good workout…some hills!
Thanks for the tip, Joan. When I’m in MO, I’ll have to check it out.
I’ve not heard of Pickle Springs before. I’ll have to check that out and take a road trip with the hubby sometime. 😉 Sounds like fun! It’s great to see you, Joan!
I really like the picture taken from the Cliffside. I would enjoy having a view like that but I don’t think I would care for the drive up the mountain to get to a home there. I enjoy beautiful scenery but I like my house to be more accessible. Good interview!
Definitely not a place for a house, Edward. It can be super windy and very cold. I’ve experienced snow in August there. Brr!
Yeah, mountain roads can be a little nerve-wrecking at times, that’s for sure! 😉 Glad you enjoyed the interview, Edward. Good luck to you.
I love historical fiction. The cover of your book is so beautiful & intriguing and the the summary sounds so good…one I definitely am adding to my reading list. 🙂
One of my favorite verses is: “Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds.” ~Hebrews 10:23-24
Thanks so much for the opportunity of this giveaway!
Isn’t historical fiction great? 😉 So glad to hear you added Christine’s book to your reading list, Alison. Hope you get to enjoy it soon. Great verse, by the way. That’s a favorite of mine too.
Hi Alison! Glad you could stop by and share that wonderful verse from Hebrews.
So nice to “meet you”. Your book looks wonderful and I am looking forward to reading it soon,
My favorite scripture is Deut 33:12
Let the beloved of the Lord rest secure in Him, for He shields him all day long and the one the Lord loves rests between His shoulders.
This scripture is so comforting to me and has helped through so rough times,
Thank you for giveaway .
Hi Jackie! That scripture would be a great comfort. Thank you for sharing.
Hi Jackie! It’s great to see you here. I don’t remember reading that verse before… love it! We appreciate you visiting. Good luck in the drawing. Hope you’re having a great week so far. 🙂
Love Historical Romance too! Don’t think I’ve ever read an Inspirational one, look forward to reading this one.
Hi Dezi! Nice to meet a fellow historical romance lover. Thanks for stopping by.
Welcome to the blog, Dezi! Hope you get to read Christine’s story soon. 🙂
I enjoyed the interview. It’s nice getting to know of upcoming book releases.
This book sounds fantastic!
Have a blessed day
Thank you, Cathy! May your day be filled with blessings also.
It’s great to have you here, Cathy. Good luck in the giveaway! 🙂
Thanks again, Christine, for visiting my blog and taking the time to chat with all of us in the comments here. That means a lot to us. Happy writing!
Thank you for inviting me! It has been a pleasure chatting with everyone. I especially enjoyed reading everyone’s favorite scripture verses. Each one enriched my day. Blessings,
~Christine
This is a new to me author. I really enjoy the interview and learning more about her and her book. It sounds fabulous and I’d love an opportunity to read it. Thank you
Hi Deanne! It’s nice to meet you too. Thanks for stopping by.
Glad you enjoyed the interview, Deanne. I always appreciate you stopping by. Good luck in the drawing. 😉
Great interview, ladies! Thanks so much for the giveaway! 🙂
I’m glad you enjoyed the interview, Anna. Thank you for visiting.
It’s great to have you join us, Anna. Hope you get to read Christine’s story soon.
Oh looks wonderful! Would love to win. Love books in this time period.
This time period is fun, isn’t it? Especially the dresses!
Me too, Donna! 😉 Historical fiction is so much fun. Good luck to you!
Hi Christine! Wonderful interview! Congratulations on your release – it looks like such a good story and the cover is breath taking!!
Cheers,
Sue
Hi Susan! Thank you for the congratulations.
I agree, Susan. The cover is beautiful. Thanks so much for joining us for the interview. Have a great day!
I have lived in Michigan twice – I love the Great Lakes areas, and was blessed to live in an apartment overlooking Lake Michigan. I love traveling and exploring new places, however, am not physically able (nor courageous enough) to try hiking in some of the areas that Christine has.
I enjoyed the interview, Christine and Savanna, and would love to read “Love’s Rescue”!!
bonnieroof60(at)yahoo(dot)com
Shared post!!
Hi Bonnie! I am a little envious that you were able to overlook Lake Michigan. I grew up on the shores of that beautiful lake and miss the sunsets.
As for hiking, I feel incredibly blessed that I can still do this. The knees and feet are starting to show their age, but I will continue as long as I can. Thankfully there are other ways to explore, as you have discovered.
Thank you for stopping by!
Hi Bonnie! I’ve never been to Michigan, but it sounds beautiful. All this talk of pretty places has me longing to take another road trip. 😉 So grateful for your visit today, Bonnie. Good luck in the drawing and thanks for sharing.
I like that your novel is set in Key West, not the typical historical setting. It sounds very interesting. Thanks for sharing.
I would love to visit Glacier National Park! After seeing Yellowstone I want to go there! We enjoy visiting national parks.
Hi Nancy! And I would like to visit Yellowstone! You will enjoy Glacier. It is just gorgeous with a lot of wilderness. Do you have the passport book for the National Parks? I love collecting the stamps and hope one day to visit parks in all the regions.
Hi Nancy! Awww, I hope to see Glacier AND Yellowstone someday. There are so many National Parks on my bucket list. 😉 Thanks for stopping by for the interview.