Welcome to the blog, Karen. I’m so excited to have you here today! Congratulations on your upcoming release, Ever Faithful. I canβt wait to read this book!
What do you love most about your hero and your heroine in this story?
One thing I love about my hero, Nate Webber, is that he finds ways to turn weaknesses into strengths both in himself and those around him. In preparation for writing his character, I did extensive research into learning disabilities. I learned that dyslexic individuals are often gifted in other unique ways, such as reading faces or observing details in their environment. So even though heβs mortally embarrassed about his inability to read, these other abilities serve him well as he works with the Civilian Conservation Corps in Yellowstone. Elsie dreams of attending teacherβs college and helping Nate gives her the extra bit of confidence she needs to achieve it.
What do you hope readers will remember the most about Ever Faithful?
Not just with Ever Faithful, but my hope for all three of the Vintage National Parks novels is that readers would get a sense of how God puts his great love on display in our creation. We just need to open our eyes and hearts to see it. I included a John Muir quote at the beginning of the novel that really sums this up for me: βA thousand Yellowstone wonders are calling, βLook up and down and round about you.ββ
Β I LOVE so many of John Muir’s quotes! That’s a great one. π
What’s one of the strangest things you’ve had to research for a novel?
So many things! Iβve told my husband and kids not to look at my browsing history, because sometimes I end up in weird places on the internet. For the Golden Gate Chronicles series, I was reading all about brothels, opium, and the plague. When I traveled alone to Yellowstone to research Ever Faithful, I downloaded an audiobook to keep me awake on the long drive. What did I choose? Death in Yellowstone: Accidents and Foolhardiness in the First National Park by Lee H. Whittlesey. Thatβs rightβthirteen+ hours of someone reading to me about all the ways people have died in the park. I was pretty freaked out by the time I arrived.
Ha! I imagine so. π I would be too!
I read on your website that you used to be a park ranger. How cool! What is one of your favorite national parks to visit?
Okay, thatβs not a fair question. I love all of the national parks Iβve visited! Obviously, the three that Iβve written about are probably my top choices. Mount Rainier holds a piece of my heart, since I grew up nearby and had the opportunity to work there as a ranger. Yellowstone has absolutely incredible wildlife viewing and mind-boggling hydrothermal features. And Yosemite is about the most beautiful place Iβve ever seen. Outside of those three, Olympic National Park is also a favorite. It has everything: windswept coastlines, high subalpine meadows, and lush temperate rainforests. Plus, it has fewer crowds than some of the better known parks. Hmm, that was four parks. Sorry! You really shouldnβt get me started.
Β Those are all on my bucket list! π
Like you, I love going through history museums. What is something you saw in a museum that you wonβt forget?
Thereβs a history museum in the nearby town of Brownsville, Oregon, that has a display of Victorian hair artβintricate designs of human hair made to commemorate a beloved (living or dead). It was beautiful and creepy, all at the same time. I was writing Out of the Ruins at the time (set in 1906 San Francisco) and I thought about working that in, but decided to keep it to a tiny braid of hair hidden in a locket.
Wow, that is very unique, for sure! I’ve never seen anything like that.
Thank you so much for joining us today, Karen. It’s been a joy to chat with you. Is there anything else you’d like to add? Any upcoming projects you can share with us?
I have several exciting projects Iβm working on, but none area quite ready to be revealed yet. Iβll let you know! If anyone would like to stay updated on new releases, Iβd encourage you to sign up for my newsletter. You can find the subscription information at my website, http://www.KarenBarnettBooks.com. Thank you!
GIVEAWAY!!
Karen has graciously offered to give away a copy of her new book, Ever Faithful, to one lucky winner. Enter below and it could be YOU! π
Thanks for entering! Contest ends June 18, 2019. (US residents only, please.) The winner will be notified by email. Happy Reading, everybody!
I have only visited one national park so I guess by default it’s my favorite. π Seriously, Arches National Park in Moab, UT, is amazing!!! I loved it and would definitely go back. Reading Karen’s books has inspired me to try to see more parks in the future.
Hi Erin! I was JUST talking to my hubby this week about Arches. We put it on our bucket list of trips we want to take someday. It looks AMAZING!
I like visiting The Great Smoky Mountains National Park in N.C. It’s in my home state, so it always feels like home.
Ohhh, Connie, that’s a favorite of mine. I’ve been there several times and it never gets old. You’re so lucky to live nearby. π
We actually havenβt visited any of the big national parks but weβve visited the sites in NJ and NY. Will one day visit Yellowstone!
I haven’t visited too many either, unfortunately. Yet. π Hoping that changes for the both of us in the near future. So many beautiful places to see! π
The Smoky Mountains is the only 1 have ever visited. Beautiful in the fall of the year with all the color changes.
Definitely, Vera! My hubby and I honeymooned there during the fall and it was gorgeous!!
Hmmm, well I’ve only visited the Olympic National park in Washington and the Redwood Forest in California. They both are beautiful in their own way and I would love to visit them again sometime. I’d really love to go to Yellowstone one day!! π
Thank you for the fun author interview and giveaway chance, Savana!
Hi Trixi! I would LOVE to see those you mentioned. I’m dreaming of a west trip someday…. my list of stops is growing quite lengthy. So many sites to see… so much history… so much beauty. God is an amazing Creator!
I’ve not visited a National Park.
Awww, hope you get the chance, Caryl. Each one is so unique and worth the visit!
I love Yellowstone.
I really hope to make it there someday, Mel. Thanks for sharing!
My favorite National Park to visit is Mount Rushmore.
The first time we were there I got tingles all over just looking at it.
Years later, we went back for a visit.
I got the very same tingles.
So neat! That would be amazing to see. I’m glad you had that opportunity, Janet! π
We’ve been to so many! My favorites are the Redwoods and the Grand Tetons. My husband has a National Parks passport book and collects the cancellation stamps in it as well as a patch from each park we visit. He’s a teacher so we take a long road trip each summer. The past few years we’ve even brought along one of Karen’s Ranger Bears to take photos of him for her Instagram!
Awww, Heidi!! I LOVE your comments. How fun that you got to travel with Karen’s Ranger Bear too. π I long to see the Redwoods someday…. we don’t have much of those here in Missouri. π haha! And the Grand Tetons…. YES!!!
Yellowstone
A great choice, Tammy! π
Rocky Mountain National Park is my favorite so far! Grand Tetons and Yellowstone are coming up in September so that may change!
Ah, Joan!! I’m so excited for you. Be sure to take lots of pictures. Can’t wait to hear about it. π
Pictured Rocks in the U.P. of MI, but really there so many beautiful ones out there!
That’s a new one to me, Laura. Fun! I need to check it out now. π
Oh if you are ever this way you won’t be disappointed, it is beautiful in the U.P.!
I have visited Olympic National Park in Washington. It was beautiful and breath taking.
I’ve only seen pictures, Merry, and I’m sure they don’t do it justice. π
I only remember visiting The Everglades. Back in 1969, mu hubby was stationed at Homestead and we did a car tour which was loads of fun.
That does sound like fun, Paula. Thanks for sharing!
I only have visited local parks in my neighborhoods where I lived.
Marilyn
I love to hear that, Marilyn. There are so many nice local parks too. My daughter would go to the park every day if she could! π
Iβve only visited a couple of national parks. Iβve seen Valley Forge and Rocky Mountain. Rocky Mountain is gorgeous, and Valley Forge has such amazing history! I loved them both for different reasons.
How cool! I hope to see them both someday too. Love nature AND history! π