Welcome back to the blog, Katie! I am soooo excited to have you here and celebrate your upcoming release, A Flicker of Light.
We’re always asking what readers took away from a story. What you will you take away from writing this book?
This book was all about perseverance for me. It was so hard to finish. I was writing it during The Great Lockdown of 2020, during a long, Montana winter, when my whole family was stuck inside for weeks and it felt impossible to get any work done. But God is always faithful, and He multiplied what little time I was able to give to this story and turned it into something wonderful!
I imagine it was a challenge at times to write a book spanning 3 generations. Which character was the easiest for you to get to know yourself?
It was such a challenge, yes! I think Bea was the easiest for me to get to know because we have so much in common. I got married young, like Bea, and had to watch my grandma struggle with dementia, like Bea. But working out her relationship with her dad was tricky, because my dad passed away when I was 16.
I’m so sorry to hear that, Katie. My grandfather struggled with dementia too, for many years. I’m thankful authors draw from their real-life stories to create their fictional ones. It really makes the books come to life.
I absolutely love your cover! Can you share with us a few new book covers that have caught your eye lately?
Huge shout out to Susan Zucker, who designed my cover. I really love it, too! Recently, I’ve had my eye on the cover of After She Falls by Carmen Schober (I love all that red, it’s my favorite color!), The Girl Who Could Breathe Underwater by Erin Bartels, and Shadows in the Mind’s Eye by Janyre Tromp.
Okay, just googled those covers and Wow! Talk about gripping covers that make you want to know the story. Thanks for sharing! 🙂
I’m so grateful for great stories in a time like this. I know this year has been hard for so many. What’s something that’s given you joy, some blessing from God, big or small?
Yes, this year has been really, really hard. Our family has gone through some very difficult things. One of the things that has brought joy to our house the past year has been our two foster babies. They are 21 months and 4 months old right now, and they make us laugh and smile every day. I think God knew we would need to be reminded daily of what really matters. These babies have given us a new appreciation for family and for finding joy in the little things.
I’m sorry your family has faced such a difficult season. I smiled picturing these two precious little ones under your care, blessing you in return for you blessing them. Stopping to pray over you all right now!
Can you name a few things that inspire you as an author?
Other books! Reading the amazing work of other authors always inspires me and motivates me. Also, I love reading our small, local newspaper. There have been several times when a story or person from the paper has made its way into a story I’m working on.
Is there anything else you’d like to add? Any upcoming projects you can share with us?
I’m very excited to be able to tell you I have another book coming out with Bethany House next Fall! It doesn’t even have an official title yet, but it is another contemporary, small-town story about faith, friendship, and community. I also plan to start working on a new story soon, but the story is proving to be very slippery so far. I haven’t been able to nail it down. But I’ll keep trying!
And now through the end of September, I’m giving away my contemporary novel, Birds on a Wire, to new subscribers. Read below for more on the story and if you’re interested, you can SUBSCRIBE HERE.
Two mothers. One baby. An impossible decision.
Bri Marshall is an 18-year-old recovering addict determined to get her baby, Providence, back after he’s taken by CPS – and she’ll do it with or without the help of Providence’s father. Laura Gambler is the 39-year-old mother of three who takes the baby in – but she’s got mounting problems of her own.
Both women wrestle with doubts about the future and their ability to parent Providence, even as their love for him grows stronger every day. As their lives become irrevocably intertwined, the two very different women face the same impossible question: Who is the best mother for Providence?
That all sounds AMAZING, Katie. I am SO thrilled to hear another book of yours is coming our way next year. Congratulations! And thanks for the link to your free book as well. I’m so happy you could stop by and chat with us today. Wishing you a blessed year ahead!
GIVEAWAY!!
Katie has graciously offered to give away one copy of A Flicker of Light to one lucky winner. Enter below and it could be YOU! 😉
Thanks for entering! Contest ends September 28, 2021 . The winner will be notified by email. Happy Reading, everybody!
Great interview, thanks for the chance to win! I’ve found joy in the antics of my dog and in the beauty of an orchid I recently received.
Thanks for stopping by, Megan! I love dogs and orchids too.
So glad you could join us, Megan. I love to hear about your dog and your beautiful orchid. Such sweetness in both!
I got to spend my birthday week in August visiting my sister-in-law! We hadn’t been able to get together at all last year due to Covid, so it was a super sweet time of sisterhood. Very relaxing and full of laughter 🙂
I think anymore for me, time spent with loved ones is better than any material things. The older I get, the more I realize this truth.
What a wonderful interview & blog post today. Thanks for the giveaway chance to win a copy of “Flicker of Light”. I’m signing up for Katie’s newsletter because that story sounds good 🙂
God bless!
I agree about time spent with loved ones, Trixi! And thanks for the sign-up, I really appreciate that. I hope you enjoy the book!
Oh, Trixi, I couldn’t agree more. And I’m so thrilled that you were able to enjoy that family time recently. Such a blessing! Thanks for visiting with us today. Good luck in the drawing!
Thanks for doing this interview. I grew up on a dairy farm with cows, and do miss the farm life at times.
I’m glad you enjoyed it, Chelsie! I always enjoy visiting my Grandpa’s old farm, so I definitely can relate. There’s something special about farm life.
I miss it too! At least, parts of it. But there are some parts I won’t ever miss. Thanks for tuning in!
Great interview! I cannot wait to read this book! One thing that brought me great joy this year was my son’s marriage in June. They’re both 19 and it was so precious to see them pledge their lives to one another. I’m loving getting to know my new daughter-in-law better every day.
That is so special! I was 19 when I got engaged to my husband too, and we just celebrated 18 years of marriage. Thanks for tuning in, Melissa, and I really appreciate your enthusiasm for A Flicker of Light!
Awww, Congratulations to your family, Melissa. Sounds like you had a wonderful celebration. Love it! Thanks for sharing. 🙂
My great joy is visiting with my daughter after not seeing her for a few years.
What a wonderful thing! Thank you so much for sharing and for stopping by the blog, Roxanne!
Love this, Roxanne. Blessings to you both and good luck in the giveaway. 🙂
I have been able to spend quality time with my daughter and that has been a blessing. Thank you
I’m so glad you’ve had that chance, Linda. Family is so important. Thank you for stopping by!
I love how much visiting with family is a popular theme here. It’s hard to beat that these days. 🙂 Thanks for joining us, Linda.
I loved your interview. Your book sounds like a great read. My joy has been Good Health and being able to see family , I just need to see our son , his girlfriend and our grandson that we haven’t seen for over a year . My joy also comes from our dog, my husband and I take him on a walk every morning and every morning he does something sill and he always puts a Big smile on my face. Thank you for the chance. Have a great rest of the week and stay safe. God Bless you and your family .
I hope you get to see your son and his family soon, Alicia. It’s hard when you can’t visit. I love hearing about your dog! I love how God gave us fun and wonderful creatures to bring us joy. Thank you for stopping by!
Thanks for sharing, Alicia. There is so much to be thankful for! Hope you get to see your son and the rest of your family soon. Hugs to you and wishing you a blessed rest of 2021!
I found great joy in seeing a video of my cousin’s wedding.
Marilyn
Sometimes technology is a pain, but sometimes it is a real blessing! So glad that video was made so you could see it. Thank you for commenting!
Awww, that makes me smile. Such a gift that you could witness it through video. Congrats to your family!
It’s been hard this year taking care of my mom and her going to heaven in May, but I find joy in my garden and watching the birds and butterflies.
I’m so sorry to hear about your mom, Lucy. What a hard road you’ve been on! But there’s something about nature that is peaceful and healing, isn’t there? Thank you so much for commenting.
Oh, Lucy, I’m so sorry to hear about your mom. My heart grieves for your loss. Praying God continues to comfort you through His creation. Gardens and animals do have a way of brightening our spirits. Thanks for stopping by!
My grown son & I have become great friends. 🙂
What a wonderful thing, Nancy! A true blessing. Thanks for stopping by!
Love this, Nancy. What a treasure. 🙂
I got to see a friend from 40 years ago who has recently undergone treatment for leukemia.
Wow, what a reunion! I’m so glad you had the chance to see your friend again. Thank you for commenting!
Ohhhh, what a special visit that must have been. Thanks for sharing, Joan. It’s always nice to have you stop by.
I am blessed that my cancer tests have turned out well and also my aortic implant is doing well. I am blessed to still be here and spend time with my family.
You’ve been through a lot, Merry! I know your family is also very glad you’re still here to be with them. Thank you for stopping in!
I can’t wait to read this book!
I have been blessed by relatively good health for my age. No covid!
And when we can’t get to church, we can steam our congregation on TV.
I really appreciate your enthusiasm for my book! And I’m thankful for technology too, it’s amazing some of the things we can do on computers these days. Thank you for commenting!
Can’t wait for you to read it too, Paula! So thankful you’re doing well. Blessings to you!
I know that 2021 hasn’t been spectacular for a lot of folks, but we’ve received a heaping helping of blessings this year! It hasn’t all been sunshine and roses but after 16 years of marriage my hubby and I are stronger than ever, we’ve found (and are in the process of buying) a lovely home, our kids are healthy and happier than ever. There’s not much more that a mama could ask for.
I love what you shared, Teri! So happy for the blessings you mentioned. What joy-filled gifts. 🙂 I’m sure you’re savoring them. Good luck in the drawing!
You are a very blessed lady, that’s wonderful! Thank you for stopping by!