Welcome to the blog, Stephanie. I’m so excited to have you here today and talk about your new release, The Uncertainty of Fire. Everyone, this sweet woman is a local writing pal from the Ozarks with a big heart for Jesus, her family, and books. I’m so thrilled to have her join us today!

Thank you so much for inviting me to the blog, Savanna.

I’m so intrigued by this time period. What first drew you to set your story during the Great Chicago Fire?

When God first put this story on my heart, I knew that my main character would need to face some serious challenges. Since I lived in Chicago when I started this story, the city’s rich history and hands-on research within easy reach, made the Fire the perfect obstacle to put in her path.

What do you love most about your heroine, Whimsy?

I love her desire to help people, even though that sometimes doesn’t turn out as she plans. But she wants to see the best in everyone which often exposes her innocence and naivete. Although that sometimes makes me want to thunk her on the head, it’s not always a bad thing. We all could stand to see the world through innocent eyes for a little longer.

Sounds like someone we could all be a little more like. 🙂

I love that you’re writing clean historical fiction for teens. We need more stories like that! What’s another book you recommend for young adult readers?

I’ll mention a few Christian YA historicals I’ve enjoyed. A Strand of Hope by Amanda Tero, Follow the Dawn by Rachelle Rea Cobb, The Lost Girl of Astor Street and Within These Lines by Stephanie Morrill, and I love the historical aspects of Fawkes by Nadine Brandes, though hers aren’t strictly historical, but a combination of history and fantasy.

What do you enjoy most about offering your book through Kindle Vella? It’s such an exciting new option for readers looking to download individual episodes to read.

I think it hearkens back to the Victorian times when authors like Charles Dickens, Louisa May Alcott, Mark Twain, and others released stories in publications every week. In our busy world (I know for me at least) finding time to read a whole book can feel overwhelming, even when the story is compelling. This makes reading more manageable for busy schedules where readers can just access a story on their smartphones. I also love the opportunity to share in the Author’s Note at the end of every episode. It’s been fun revealing my inspiration for characters or scenes and what historical tidbit I learned while researching. I get to go into more detail than I would be able to include in a book.

I love this so much! I’m excited to try it out myself. 🙂

Who inspired you to start writing books?

I think the first time I ever realized that writing could be more than just a hobby was in my tenth-grade English class. My teacher encouraged us to build a writing portfolio and exposed us to all the different ways we could write for a career. The classroom was arranged to allow us to be creative. Tables along the walls, floor space if that’s where we’d rather write, writing prompts and photo inspiration pinned to the walls and a bookcase filled with great literature so that good writing could influence us. Once a week we’d have a sharing session where each of us could share what we wrote. And he encouraged us to pursue publication, which I did that year with a poem that was published in our school literary journal.

That’s wonderful. What a sweet memory and glimpse into God’s plan for your life. I love hearing about that.

Thank you for sharing with us, Stephanie. Is there anything else you’d like to add? Any upcoming projects you can share with us?

The Uncertainty of Fire is the first in The Uncertain Riches series. I’m working on Book 2 right now which will feature some of the characters from Book 1 (I can’t say who just yet because spoilers). Book 3 will have at least one character from Book 1. And then I’m considering one or two more featuring other side characters from the first three books. After that, I’m very excited about a historical fiction story inspired by (not based on) the life of Joseph but from younger brother Benjamin’s point of view. But the main character will be a teen girl with a slew of older brothers and may possibly be set in the years after the Civil War. I also still want to write a YA historical series set here in our beautiful Ozarks around the time of Harold Bell Wright’s Shepherd of the Hills.

Oh, I’m so intrigued!! I look forward to following your stories from here, my friend. Blessings to you!

GIVEAWAY!!

Stephanie has generously offered to give away one $25 Amazon gift card to one lucky winner. Enter below and it could be YOU! 😉

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Thanks for entering! Contest is open to US readers only and ends December 31, 2021 . The winner will be notified by email. Happy Reading, everybody!