Interview with Kate Breslin | The Engrafted WordA Florida girl who migrated to the beautiful Pacific Northwest, Kate Breslin lives with her husband, John, and a very spoiled cat named Coco. Kate has written several travel articles, published award-winning poetry, and her first manuscript, a Scottish historical romance, was an RWA Golden Heart finalist. FOR SUCH A TIME is her debut novel.

Kate’s writing journey has been one of faith as well as success; after years spent writing novels aimed at the general romance market, she finally heeded God’s call to write stories of how His love brings two hearts together. When not plotting her next novel, she loves spending time with author friends, reading from her mountain of books, or watching anything Jane Austen on BBC. Kate’s also an avid gardener and enjoys taking long walks in Washington State’s many forests. A traveler as well, she’s toured most of the country at one time or another and also been abroad–Paris, Munich, Rome, Pompeii, Athens, even a day trip to Turkey. She’d love to hear from you so please stop by www.katebreslin.com and say hello!

“We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose.” Rom. 8:28 (NRSV)

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Savanna:  Welcome to The Engrafted Word, Kate! It’s wonderful to have you here!  And CONGRATULATIONS on your recent release!! 😉

I have heard so many wonderful things about your debut novel – For Such a Time. Can you share with us what it was like on its “Debut Day” and how you celebrated your first official book release?

Interview with Kate Breslin | The Engrafted WordKate: Thank you, Savanna, I would love to share my “Big Day” experience with you! I’d been writing for twenty years, trying to get published, so needless to say, all of my writing buddies were waiting for this day as much as I was! Add to that my family, friends, and neighbors, and there were about a hundred people that came to my book launch at our local Barnes & Noble bookstore. It was amazing! We held a fun WWII quiz, a drawing with prizes, and of course the signing of books. I was thrilled when B&N sold-out (60 copies) and had to reorder the next week—an author’s dream come true! 🙂 After the event, I hosted appetizers at a local restaurant while my guitarist husband played Electric Blues for our guests. It was a perfect day that I will never forget!

Savanna:  How fun!  What an unforgettable day, for sure.  With your own story so closely connected, do you have a favorite verse or section from the book of Esther in the Bible?

Kate:  Actually, there are several I love, but the one that resonates most is 4:14 “…And who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this?”(NIV 1984) This verse summed up for me the answer to the “why” of Hadassah’s journey through the story, and it can apply as well to our own lives today. God has a plan for each of us, even if we don’t immediately see or understand it.

Interview with Kate Breslin | The Engrafted WordSavanna: That’s one of my favorite verses from the book as well.  So what was your favorite thing about writing For Such a Time? And what was the hardest part about writing it?

Kate:  Being a prodigal daughter, I was very pleased to produce a fiction work that glorified God. I also really enjoyed writing the dialog between Aric and Stella (Hadassah,) and creating the boy, Joseph’s, character. The hardest part was the research. It was extensive and at times, emotionally exhausting.

Savanna:  You mention on your website how much you and your husband love to travel. Has there been a particular place you visited that really inspired your writing?

Kate:  Wow, living in the Pacific Northwest, we have so many beautiful spots to choose from. Two of my favorites where I do a lot of writing are Hoodsport, Washington, which is a woodsy area near the Olympic Mountains. I love the forests and so we camp there often. My other favorite, and quite different—is the high desert of northern Central Washington, near the Canadian border. It’s starkly beautiful and I enjoy being able to just sit and listen to the sound of the wind while gazing at the magnificent view of the Cascades!

Savanna:  What beautiful places to write! 😉 I also read you like to listen to music while you write. Can you name a few of the songs you play the most?

Kate:  I love almost all types of music, but for writing, I especially enjoy instrumental, since lyrics tend to distract me. Some of my favorite artists are (shameless plug) my husband, John Breslin’s instrumental CD, “Summer Rain,” and pianist Helen Jane Long’s CD, “Porcelain.” I also listen to Pandora Online Radio and love tuning in to artists like David Arkenstone, Windham Hill, and Enya.

Savanna: Many readers enjoy picking their favorite quotes from novels. Do YOU have a particular favorite quote from For Such a Time that you can share with us?

Kate:  It’s hard to choose a particular favorite, but I enjoyed this excerpt: “Stella forced herself to look in the mirror. Hadassah Benjamin, a Mischling, half Jew, bursting with a young woman’s exuberance, had ceased to exist. In her place stood Stella Muller, subdued Austrian bookkeeper and suitable stock for the Third Reich. A frail disguise comprised of no more than a scrap of official-looking paper, a red wig, and beneath her bruises, the inherent fair features of a Dutch grandmother…”

Savanna:  Oh, I can’t wait to read this book!  It’s been on my “To Read” list for quite some time! 😉  Thank you so much for being with us today, Kate. Is there anything else you’d like to add? Any upcoming projects you can share with us?

Kate:  Savanna, I’d first like to thank you again for hosting me today.  I’m very honored to share with your readers. And yes, I am working on the next novel for Bethany House. NOT BY SIGHT is another historical romance, this time set in Britain during WWI. It should release in summer of 2015.

FOR MORE INFO, BE SURE TO VISIT www.katebreslin.com.

GIVEAWAY!!

Kate has graciously offered one copy of FOR SUCH A TIME to one lucky winner!

Interview with Kate Breslin | The Engrafted WordHOW TO ENTER:

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