Erica Vetsch is a transplanted Kansan now residing in Minnesota. She loves history and reading, and is blessed to be able to combine the two by writing historical fiction set in the American West. Whenever she’s not following flights of fancy in her fictional world, she’s the company bookkeeper for the family lumber business, mother of two terrific teens, wife to a man who is her total opposite and soul-mate, and avid museum patron.
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Savanna: Welcome to The Engrafted Word, Erica. I’m so glad to have you here today! Congratulations on your upcoming release, Colorado Dawn. I LOVE the cover! 😉
As you wrote about these three Colorado couples, what became the overall theme of the book you’re excited to share with your readers?
Erica: Thank you! The cover artwork is amazing, isn’t it? I have a friend who recently returned from Rocky Mountain National Park, and she took a picture of one of the mountain lakes on her vacation, and it turned out to be the same lake from about the same angle as on the cover of Colorado Dawn. 🙂
The theme for each of the stories in Colorado Dawn is centered on how God guides us. We aren’t given to know the total of the journey, and often God only gives us enough light to see that next step, asking us to trust Him not to lead us off a cliff. In the first story, Before the Dawn, my heroine jumps ahead of God’s plan with a rash act, trying to fix a situation. She has to be reminded that God has a plan that she can trust, and if we run out ahead of Him, we suffer consequences that could’ve been avoided. In Light To My Path, a young woman appears to be completely out of options. She has nowhere to go and no way to get there, but at every turn, God provides a way. He is never stymied by circumstances or depleted of resources. And in Stars in Her Eyes, the hero has a life-changing choice to make. Both paths he could opt for are good things, and there are valid reasons to go either way. He has to trust God to show him what is the best way, the way of obedience.
Savanna: I’m intrigued already! Can’t wait for the release. 😉
Your website calls you a History Museum Addict. What’s your favorite one? And what was the last fascinating detail you were surprised to learn there?
Erica: I am such a museum addict. How could I possibly choose a favorite? Right here in Minnesota is the best state historical society I’ve come across—and I’ve visited MANY state historical society museums. I love all the MNHS sites. This past summer I visited the Chickamauga and Vicksburg battlefields, the site of Andersonville Prison, the Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum…I love the Field Museum in Chicago, the Fort Larned National Historical Site in Kansas, the Argo Gold Mine in Idaho Springs, CO…so many museums!
I haven’t yet been to the East Coast. I want to someday see the Smithsonian, Gettysburg, Boston, Richmond…
Savanna: Wow! You’ve seen some incredible places. Many of those are on my “To Visit Someday” list as well. 😉
What has been the most memorable book you’ve read so far this year?
Erica: Whew, that’s a tough one. I just started reading Lee Child’s Jack Reacher series, and I can already tell I’m falling in love with his writing style. I have very eclectic tastes when it comes to fiction. I love mysteries, thrillers, cop dramas, romance, military/techno thrillers, historical mysteries, sweeping sagas.
Savanna: If you had to pick just one historical figure from the past, who would you enjoy meeting in person and why?
Erica: You know, my go-to answer for this question for years has always been Winston Churchill, because he lived during such tempestuous times and saw and affected so much of the history, not just of Britain, but of the world, but lately I’ve been thinking I’d really love to sit down and talk to Wyatt Earp. Not only for the remarkable life he lived, but all the interesting people he knew, like Bat Masterson, Doc Holliday, Luke Short, Charlie Bassett and more.
Savanna: Out of all the books you’ve written through the years, is there a particular hero and heroine that still stand out to you the most?
Erica: Hmm, that’s like asking which of my children I love the best…I tend to be obsessed about the couple I’m writing about at the moment, so right now, I would say Bear and Emmylou McCall are looming the largest. Bear is a mountain man who inherits his cousin’s three little girls and marries a jilted mail-order bride to help him out. When the girls’ birth-father shows up, Bear and Emmylou have to decide if they will let them go or if they will fight to be a family. A Bride for Bear will appear in the Convenient Bride Collection, coming in June 2015 from Barbour Publishing. 😉
Savanna: You’ve participated in many contests and won multiple writing awards. What has been one of the greatest lessons and fondest memories you’ve taken away from those experiences?
Erica: I think the friendships I’ve made along the way. The first time I finaled in a contest was the 2007 Genesis. I met one of the other finalists in the hallway at the contest, and she said, “I’ve been praying for you since the finalist list came out!” That was so humbling and encouraging. I’ve been friends with Carla Stewart ever since. I’ve found that the awards are nice, but the people are even nicer.
Savanna: What a great memory. I know the writers I’ve met are some of the greatest bunch out there! 😉 Is there anything else you’d like to add? Any upcoming projects you can share with us?
Erica: 2015 is shaping up to be a busy year for me. I have several new releases.
A Palace on the Plains in The Homestead Brides Collection releases in February, 2015.
The Archaeologist’s Find in The Most Eligible Bachelor Collection releases in May, 2015
A Bride for Bear in The Convenient Bride Collection releases in June 2015
And The Cactus Creek Challenge, a trade-length novel releases in July 2015.
Savanna: That’s exciting, Erica. Hope 2015 is a blessed year for you! Thanks again for joining us. I can’t wait to read your next stories.
Readers, be sure to connect with Erica on her website: www.ericavetsch.com
GIVEAWAY!!
Erica has graciously offered a copy of Colorado Dawn to one lucky reader! Enter below and it could be YOU! 😉
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Thanks for entering! Contest is open only in the U.S. and ends December 3, 2014. The winner will be notified by email. Happy Reading, everybody! 😉
I had so much fun a couple of years ago visiting St. Augustine, esp during Christmas . . . loved the Fort. I also got to go see Daniel Boone’s replica fort . . .so great! I want to go To Fort Saratoga in NY and on my way see the Holocaust Museum in Washington, DC and the Creation Museum in Ky. Yep a road trip. I would enjoy doing a Lighthouse tour of Florida’s lighthouses, I have seen 4 so far! Love all of Erica’s books!
I want to visit St. Augustine too, and the Holocaust Museum. 🙂 I did get to see the Creation Museum this past summer. It was a lot of fun.
Hi Chris! Thanks for stopping in and sharing. Sounds like an awesome road trip! 🙂 Good luck in the giveaway.
Savanna, thank you for the wonderful interview with Erica! I would love to visit Israel. Colorado Dawn sounds like a fantastic story. 🙂
I subscribe to The Engrafted Word….
I would love to visit Israel, too. I think I would be overwhelmed walking along the Sea of Galilee.
Can you imagine, Caryl? Israel would be an incredible place to visit. So glad you could join us again for another great giveaway. Good luck to you!
I’d like to win!
🙂 I hope you do! 🙂
Hi Joan! Hope you get to read Erica’s book as well! 😉 Have a great week and good luck in the drawing.
Fantastic interview! I would love to visit the Smithsonian. Hopefully, one day I will be able to go and visit this grand place. Love your books.
Barbara, the Smithsonian is on my bucket list, too. I would have to block off about a week though, to see it all.
Glad you enjoyed it, Barbara. 😉 Me too! My hubby and I hope to visit the Smithsonian one of these days. 😉 So many fun places to visit and good books to read!
I wouyld love to visit the Smithsonian Museum also the Postal Museum, the Native American Museum and any home of former underground railroad activities.
Aprul, I’d love to visit some Underground Railroad museums as well. That’s a fascinating part of our nation’s story.
Great mentions, Aprul. You’re right, those sound incredible too. Love that history. Thanks for visiting!
Great interview. I love learning about authors new to me. Thank you for providing such interesting interviews. Would love to have a book by Erica Vetsch.
Robin, thanks so much for your comment! Happy Thanksgiving!
Hi Robin! So glad you enjoyed the interview. Erica is such a sweet author friend. Hope you get to enjoy many of her books in the future! 😉
Israel would be awesome place to see, but since I live in Nebraska maybe Fort Larned National Historical Site in Kansas, would be a good road trip 🙂
The Fort Larned site is amazing! I grew up not too far from there. 🙂 Recently I visited the Stuhr Museum in Grand Island, NE, and it was fabulous.
Both sound interesting to me, Deanna! Any road trip is worth taking, in my book. 😉 Thanks for stopping in and sharing. Good luck in the giveaway!
I love historical museums and sites. Growing up my parents always took us museums. Sturbridge Village is great. Indiana History museum, Kansas old west towns, and Lexington & Concord were wonderful.
Becky
Yay for history-minded parents!!! I have a friend who lives in MA, and when I visit her, we’ll be headed to Sturbridge Village for sure.
I agree with Erica. I love to hear of parents taking their kids to historical sites. Hope the fun travels continue for you, Becky. Good luck in the giveaway!
I would love to visit many historical places in Europe, and also historical sites in American cities like Washington DC, Philadelphia, and Boston.
Scotland is on my to-do list, and the British Museum. Then there are all the castles in Germany, the art museums of Vienna…so much to see! 🙂
Definitely Europe and yes, many places back east for me as well. I really want to see Virginia one of these days. 😉 Good choices, Heather! Glad you could join us for the giveaway.
I’d love to visit all the historical sites in the Boston area!
I want to walk the Freedom Trail, too! 🙂
Oh, I’d love to see Boston too, Heidi! Great pick. Thanks for stopping in. It’s always nice to have you here. 😉 Good luck in the drawing.
I just want to add another round of thanks to our special guest this week. It means a lot to us, Erica, for you to share with us and also take the time to add to every reader’s comments below. Have a great Christmas season!! Blessings to you, friend!
It has been my pleasure! Thanks so much for hosting me! Have a blessed Christmas season. 🙂
I’d love to visit Colonial Willamsburg, it sounds fascinating.
Merry, that’s another good one! The list of what I *must* see is growing all the time. 🙂
Oh, me too, Merry!! That one is definitely on my list. 😉 Good luck in the giveaway. It’s always great to have you visit.
I have always wanted to visit London!
That would be an incredible trip, Cheri! So many things to see! 😉 Thanks for stopping in. Have a great week!
Love reading time periods and some new authors for me to check out.
Hi Kim! We’re glad you could join us. I hope you get to read Erica’s stories soon. They look like so much fun, don’t they? 😉