Elizabeth Camden is a college librarian by day, and a writer by night. Her first historical romance, The Lady of Bolton Hill, will be released on June 1 by Bethany House.

Elizabeth lives in central Florida with her husband, Bill.

When did you first fall in love with books? What sparked your desire to write fiction?

Have you ever fallen in love with an art form so badly that you wanted to go beyond simply enjoying it, and start producing it? I think this is how most artists, musicians, and writers get lured into their craft, and it was the same for me. Reading has always been such a significant part of my life that I got to the point I wanted to try producing the kind of novels that had such a major impact on my life.

You are a “night writer.” Like many authors who also work outside the home, you write during the evening and on the weekend. Do you have a special routine for refocusing from work and family time to writing time? What is your favorite writing space?

I am a librarian at a college library and spend around two hours each day commuting. This is actually when I do my best work. I tune into some wonderful, evocative music and ponder a plot twist or character trait, so when I finally get home, the writing part comes easily because I know where it is going.

I don’t think I could ever quit my day job. Not only do I love being a librarian, but it provides me with the fuel I need to be creative. Some days I help students research the arcane details of a renaissance court case or the symbolism in a Matisse painting. Other days I am dissecting the migration patterns of sea birds or how cheese is made. All of this helps trigger ideas that I can pump into my writing.

How does your faith play into your writing?

Well, I am one of those terribly introverted people who have a hard time opening up to others. Writing is my cure for that. I have found that writing is one way I can share my faith with others without the mortifying fear that comes along with public speaking or talking about my feelings. Writing is a very reflective process, and I have the time to delve into faith issues and express them in the way which is most comfortable for me.

Has God ever provided an unexpected “detour” in your life that turned out to be positive?

Not in a dramatic way, but my life has not turned out the way I always thought it would. As I was growing up, I assumed I would be a housewife and a mother. I come from a pretty traditional family and those were the role models I saw, so I wanted to follow the same path. Life doesn’t always work out the way we plan it. I simply never met the right man until the opportunity to become a mother had passed me by.

So I found a career I love and set about building life as a single woman. I met my husband when I was in my mid-thirties. Bill came with two young daughters who I helped raise. Those girls are the closest thing I’ll ever have to children, but I am not their mother….rather, I am more of a big sister. I can’t really go into details, but suffice to say, those girls were in need of some positive female role models. Filling that role has been one of the most positive things in my life. I think I did good work there.

Let’s talk about your debut book, The Lady of Bolton Hill (Bethany House, June 1, 2011). Please tell us about it.

The Lady of Bolton Hill is set in gilded age America. Daniel and Clara were quite young when they met and shared an intense, immediate bond because of their mutual love of Chopin. Music certainly can have that sort of pull for teenagers, can’t it! They were separated by Clara’s disapproving father, and the novel begins when Clara returns to the United States after more than a decade abroad. The chemistry between Clara and Daniel immediately blazes back to life, but they have followed such wildly divergent paths that they don’t know if they can find a way back to each other, even though they both crave it.

I adore a good turbulent story with love, betrayal, heartbreak, all punctuated with periods of soaring joy and utter delight. That is what I aimed for with The Lady of Bolton Hill. I’ll be curious to hear from folks if they think I got it in the ballpark.

Besides entertainment, what do you hope readers will take away from it?

A big theme in the book is the distinction between justice and vengeance. I think most of us have had to wrestle with justifiable anger at some point in our lives. Perhaps it stemmed from career disappointments, a divorce, being victimized by crime, or any of the thousands of misfortunes that come from leading a fully engaged life. The world is not always fair, and a mark of character is how we cope with these tragedies. I hope The Lady of Bolton Hill helps shed some light on the nuances involved in justice, forgiveness, and healing.

A few fun questions…

When the words aren’t flowing—or when you want to celebrate if they are—what is your favorite comfort food and why?

Ramen noodles! For me, ramen noodles are the ultimate comfort food…a cross between chicken soup and pure, salty indulgence. I am a health nut 99% of the time, but every couple of days my Ramen Noodle monster needs to be fed. My favorite meal of the week!

This website features musicians as well as writers. Do you have musical, as well as literary, talent?

Other than a single, disastrous year in the high school marching band, I have no musical experience. I am one of those people who struggle with memorizing music, and flute players can’t use one of those clip-on marching lyres, so they must memorize the music. I couldn’t. It was awful!

But I have a profound respect for the power of music and how it can draw people together. When I was in college, I found myself paired with a roommate who was my complete opposite. She was a city-girl with a Brooklyn accent so thick it was hard to understand her. I was tidy, she was messy. I was quiet, she had a laugh loud enough to be heard in the next county. We had absolutely nothing in common except we both adored an extremely obscure folk band from Ireland (The Pogues, in case anyone is interested). In an instant, all the differences were swept aside and we immediately bonded over a mutual love of a band no one on this side of the Atlantic had heard of.

I drew upon that unlikely friendship to form the initial flare of attraction between Daniel and Clara in The Lady of Bolton Hill. They have wildly divergent temperaments and upbringing, but they both adore the deeply romantic music of Frederic Chopin, and that bond serves as a foundation upon which a magnificent romance ultimately blossoms.

If you were a song, what kind of song would you be?

A tragic one, because they are more interesting! Actually, my life has been quite blessed, so I have no cause for complaints, but who doesn’t love a good mournful tune.

Are you a major or a minor chord?

Minor!

In the story that is your life, are you the strong, female lead; the girl next door; the mysterious woman behind dark glasses; the super heroine; or the little girl trying to walk in high heels?

Come on, I’m the librarian! Hair in a bun, pointy-glasses I wear on a chain around my neck, the whole nine yards. It is the role I was born to play, and I have no qualms about succumbing to the stereotype.

I’m a dog lover. Please tell us about your pets, if any, or your favorite pet as a child.

Pets? I’m scared of them! I had a hermit crab as a child, and I was scared of it, too. Although I wish I was a dog person. When I go jogging in the park I see people playing with dogs that are bursting with joy and good-natured energy. I love that! I wish I was the type who wanted to toss a frisbee to some gorgeous golden retriever and roll around on the grass with him…but as soon as a dog comes bounding my way, some ancient defense mechanism goes on high alert. I think dogs can sense that, and they don’t seem any more comfortable with me than I am with them.

Thank you, Elizabeth! It’s great to have you as a guest at DivineDetour!

~ ~ ~

For more information about Elizabeth, visit her website at www.elizabethcamden.com and/or her blog at http://elizabethcamden.com/blog.

To purchase The Lady of Bolton Hill logon to:

Christy award-winning author Andrew Peterson has just released the third book of his Wingfeather Saga series. The Monster in the Hollows, a young adult fantasy, continues the escapades of Janner Wingfeather.

Also an acclaimed singer-songwriter, Peterson began his career in 1996, signed with his first label, Watershed-Essential records in 1999, and received his first Dove nomination in 2004. His debut project for Centricity Music in 2008, Resurrection Letters, Volume II, became the highest Billboard charting album of his career at that time. His latest CD is entitled Counting Stars.

It seems apparent when listening to your music and/or reading your prose that you love words and the art of expression. When did you first realize that you wanted to pursue a career in music?

Sometime in high school I fell in love not just with music, but the making of it. I felt stirrings in my spirit when I listened to certain songs—songs by Pink Floyd and Tom Petty and James Taylor—and I was always trying to recreate that stirring, trying to get to the bottom of the spell I was under. It never occurred to me that Jesus was behind it all. Not until I heard the music of Rich Mullins the year after high school. His music pulled back the curtain and showed me the great love that I was looking for (and the love that was calling to me). I had played in bands and stuff, but it wasn’t until then that I told God in my heart that I wanted to tell His story with my gifts.

What sparked your desire to write a children’s fantasy series?

I wanted to write stories before I ever picked up a guitar. After a decade or so of playing music I read The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe to my children, and that old love of storytelling—a part of me that had been sleeping—woke up. Suddenly I wanted to tell stories that woke other people up, too.

How does your faith play into your work?

I think the biggest way my faith in Christ plays into my work is that I believe I know the source of creativity itself. That doesn’t make the creative act any easier for me, of course, than for someone who isn’t a Christian. But it does mean I have a name for that mighty fire that sparks the imagination. It means the creative act is also a kind of communion. It means I approach the work with some fear, some humility, and also the boldness of an adopted son of the king of creation.

Has God ever provided an unexpected “detour” in your life that turned out to be positive?

Yeah. Again and again. So many it’s hard to know where to begin. The demise of my first band, which led me to a friendship with the guy who gave me my first Rich Mullins album, which led to me going to Bible college on a whim, which led me to my wife, who talked me into singing the songs I was writing, which led me to Nashville. The arrivals of each of my three children were jarring and frightening and joyful, and of course they’ve led to the richest part of my life. Nowadays I welcome the detours even as they scare me silly, because I’m finally convinced that the worst of them yields the best fruit.

Let’s talk about your new book The Monster in the Hollows (Rabbit Room Press, May 2011). Please tell us about this, the third book in the Wingfeather Saga series. What is the targeted age group for the series?

The Monster in the Hollows is the third in a four-part saga, and is written for children (and adults!) age ten and up. I know of a lot of families who read them aloud to much younger children, but as the series grows, so does the peril. But they’re not just for kids—C.S. Lewis said that any book worth reading as a child is worth reading as an adult. I happen to agree.

Besides entertainment, what do you hope readers will take away from the book?

I remember all too well how scary it is to be a kid. Childhood is as full of frights as delights. We homeschool our children, but I’m careful to point out that we’re not doing it out of fear or over-protection. Yes, there are things we hope to protect our children from, but I can’t shield them from the truth that the world is fallen. It’s a broken place, and kids know that as soon as they’re old enough to know anything.

One of the biggest blessings of art is that it reminds us that we aren’t alone. I believe that if I can tell my story (even my made-up fantasy story) well, then I’m also going to tell your story. And when readers experience that moment of “Ah! All this time I thought I was the only one,” then we’re comforted and encouraged. We soften our hearts to the possibility that there’s more to this world than what we can see, and that can lead us to faith, and belief, and a childlike trust that there’s a great good in the world that’s stronger than all the evil that ever was.

G.K. Chesterton said that fairy tales don’t teach children that dragons exist; children already know that. Rather, fairy tales teach children that dragons can be beaten. That’s the kind of story I want to tell. And the only way to do that is to acknowledge the hurt that’s a part of our existence from the beginning, then to demonstrate through the quickness of pulse, the flutter in the stomach, the joyful goosebumps that tell us our hearts need healing—and that Christ, in whom all things hold together, can heal the most broken and bleeding hearts that ever beat.

Please tell us about your latest CD, Counting Stars. What was your inspiration for the project?

Counting Stars is my favorite of my albums. Everything—from the sound of the instruments to the lyrics to the songs to the collaboration with my dear friends and bandmates Andy Gullahorn and Ben Shive—came together in a way that fills me with gratitude. The songs are about family and community, heaven and earth, and most of all about the triumph of hope over despair. The title is a reference to God’s promise to Abraham that his descendants would outnumber the stars. If you think about it, those of us in the Kingdom are the fulfillment of that ancient covenant. That means our hope, however hard it is to hold, is not in vain.

A few fun questions…

What is your favorite comfort food and why?

Apple crisp. I don’t know why, but ever since I was a kid I’ve delighted in the crunchies.

Are you a major or a minor chord?

I’m going to be wondering how to answer that question for the rest of the day. Maybe for the rest of the week. Ouch! My brain!

In the story that is your life, are you the tall, dark stranger; the romantic lead; the mythical warrior; the mad scientist; or the child in an adult’s body?

I’m the child in an adult’s body. I feel most alive when I remember what it’s like to be ten years old.

I’m a dog lover. Please tell us about your pets, if any, and/or your favorite pet as a child.

I love dogs, too! Ours, Moondog, is a giant Great Pyrenees who keeps a close watch over our little corner of Tennessee. I’m pretty sure he descends from a line of kingly canines. He and I spend a lot of time walking the woods around our house, and he makes a magnificent pillow for our children. We have a few cats and chickens, too, but Moondog rules the property.

Thank you, Andrew! It’s a pleasure to have you as a guest at DivineDetour!

~ ~ ~

For more information about Andrew Peterson, visit his website at http://www.andrew-peterson.com/index.php. For additional information about his Wingsfeather Saga series, visit http://wingfeathersaga.com/.

Visit The Rabbit Room website at http://www.rabbitroom.com/.

To purchase The Monster in the Hollows and/or Andrew’s CDs, logon to:

By Linda Cox

The smile on Daddy’s face said it all. He and two of his shipmates from World War II were sitting on a sofa in the lobby of the Charleston, South Carolina, Holiday Inn. They were reliving time spent on their ship all those years ago, fighting for our country’s (and the world’s) freedom. I felt privileged to accompany Daddy to his reunions and spend time with men from the “greatest generation.” They sacrificed so much for us, yet to them it was simply an honor to serve their country.

As we waited that morning for the rest of our group to join us, a young man walked past with his wife and children. He paused and quietly listened for a few minutes to the men talking, then walked over to the sofa where Daddy and his friends sat. He apologized for interrupting them, asking if he could shake their hands. As he did so, he thanked each for serving our country and told them what an honor it was to meet them.

As I watched Daddy and his friends, there were tears trickling down the faces of those “old salts” even as they smiled with joy and pride. Such a simple gesture from this young man, yet it meant the world to them.

As Memorial Day approaches, why not take a break from the usual backyard cookouts, boating adventures, or various sporting events to remember the brave men and women who serve or have served in our military. Attend a Memorial Day service hosted by a local veterans’ group. Stop by a nursing home and visit with some of the veterans there. If you see a man or woman in uniform, shake their hand and say “thank you for serving.” In some way, let them know we appreciate the sacrifices they make for us.

In Daddy’s WWII version of the Lutheran Service Prayer Book, Psalm 91 is listed as a Psalm of Trust. Today many call it “The Soldier’s Prayer.” May we make this our prayer for them as well.

He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High

will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.

I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress,

my God, in whom I trust.”

Surely He will save you from the fowler’s snare

and from the deadly pestilence.

He will cover you with his feathers,

and under His wings you will find refuge;

His faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.

You will not fear the terror of night,

nor the arrow that flies by day,

nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness,

nor the plague that destroys at midday.

A thousand may fall at your side,

ten thousand at your right hand,

but it will not come near you.

You will only observe with your eyes

and see the punishment of the wicked.

If you make the Most High your dwelling—

even the Lord who is my refuge—

then no harm will befall you,

no disaster will come near your tent.

For He will command His angels concerning you

to guard you in all your ways;

they will lift you up in their hands,

so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.

You will tread upon the lion and the cobra;

you will trample the great lion and the serpent.

“Because he loves me,” says the Lord, “I will rescue him;

I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.

He will call upon me and I will answer him;

I will be with him in trouble,

I will deliver him and honor him.

With long life I will satisfy him

and show him my salvation.”  (NIV)

To all who have served and are serving now, thank you. May God bless you always!

On May 6, the Christy Advisory Board announced nominees in nine categories for the 2011 Christy Awards for excellence in Christian fiction. Awards will be presented at the twelfth annual Christy Awards dinner to be held at The Hyatt Regency Hotel in Atlanta, Georgia, on Monday, July 11.

Keynote speaker for the evening will be Randall Wallace, an American screenwriter, director, producer, songwriter, and New York Times best-selling author who came into prominence by writing the screenplay for the 1995 film Braveheart. New York Times best-selling author, Liz Curtis Higgs, will emcee. For additional details visit www.christyawards.com.

Special congratulations to Rusty Whitener and Chris Fabry, whose nominated books were recently featured on Divine Detour. Click the book covers to the right to read their respective interviews.

A complete list of nominees is listed below. Congratulations to everyone nominated!

CONTEMPORARY ROMANCE

Blood Ransom

Lisa Harris (Zondervan)

Indivisible

Kristin Heitzmann (WaterBrook Press)

Sworn to Protect

DiAnn Mills (Tyndale House Publishers)

CONTEMPORARY SERIES, SEQUELS, & NOVELLAS

The Reluctant Prophet

Nancy Rue (David C. Cook)

The Thorn

Beverly Lewis (Bethany House Publishers, a division of Baker Publishing Group)

The Waiting

Suzanne Woods Fisher (Revell Books, a division of Baker Publishing Group)

CONTEMPORARY STANDALONE

Almost Heaven

Chris Fabry (Tyndale House Publishers)

Lady in Waiting

Susan Meissner (WaterBrook Press)

A Season of Miracles

Rusty Whitener (Kregel Publications)

FIRST NOVEL

Crossing Oceans

Gina Holmes (Tyndale House Publishers)

Heartless

Anne Elisabeth Stengl (Bethany House Publishers, a division of Baker Publishing Group)

A Season of Miracles

Rusty Whitener (Kregel Publications)

HISTORICAL

Chosen: The Lost Diaries of Queen Esther

Ginger Garrett (David C. Cook)

For Time & Eternity

Allison Pitman (Tyndale House Publishers)

While We’re Far Apart

Lynn Austin (Bethany House Publishers, a division of Baker Publishing Group)

HISTORICAL ROMANCE

The Girl in the Gatehouse

Julie Klassen (Bethany House Publishers, a division of Baker Publishing Group)

She Walks in Beauty

Siri Mitchell (Bethany House Publishers, a division of Baker Publishing Group)

Within My Heart

Tamera Alexander (Bethany House Publishers, a division of Baker Publishing Group)

SUSPENSE

The Bishop

Steven James (Revell Books, a division of Baker Publishing Group)

The Bride Collector

Ted Dekker (Center Street)

Predator

Terri Blackstock (Zondervan)

VISIONARY

To Darkness Fled

Jill Williamson (Marcher Lord Press)

Konig’s Fire

Marc Schooley (Marcher Lord Press)

The Last Christian

David Gregory (WaterBrook Press)

YOUNG ADULT

The Charlatan’s Boy

Jonathan Rogers (WaterBrook Press)

The Healer’s Apprentice

Melanie Dickerson (Zondervan)

Motorcycles, Sushi, and One Strange Book

Nancy Rue (Zondervan)

Tessa Stockton worked in the Christian performing arts for more than twenty years as a choreographer, dancer, and musician. Now retired from dance, she enjoys crafting novels and is devoted to offering spiritual comfort to those who battle an assortment of ethics. Of German and Jewish descent, Tessa’s upbringing filled her with many questions, but through it all she came to a very real understanding of who Jesus is, what He came for, and why.

Originally from the Pacific Northwest, Tessa now resides in the Southeastern U.S. with her husband and son.

Your start in the creative arts began with dance and music. What was your impetus to begin writing?

I’m an avid reader. I’ve always devoured books. I think it was just a matter of time when I’d pick up the pen to jot down my own stories. The interest grew while in high school. Later, I wrote when I could, but was very busy traveling and doing productions. Then a door opened for me to write and edit articles for the ministry I served with, and after that in a few political circles. I could always see in my mind’s eye, the second chapter of my life as a novelist (dancer being the first). When the time came, I went after it. It didn’t happen overnight, but the journey was worthwhile.

How does your faith play into your work?

I find it almost impossible not to thread a novel I’m writing with elements of faith. In fact, I’m not sure I’d even bother. It’s a calling. While I was a child I felt the Lord beckon me into service. I’ve sought it throughout my entire life, in just about every endeavor. While I was immersed in the secular political arena, it was more difficult for me to share ties of faith, and I think that’s why I stepped away from it. Everybody is wired differently, each of our paths are unique. Some people are more subtle in their representation of faith in fiction. Some boldly proclaim his or her individual path with God noticeably placed at the lead. But it’s all good. We can’t all reach the same people in the same manner. Like parts of the body, we work together yet operate differently.

Has God ever provided an unexpected “detour” in your life that turned out to be positive?

Having a child, because it was completely unexpected, thought impossible, and occurred during a time that required serious adjustment. Everything as I knew it ceased, and I underwent a drastic change. Now, besides glancing at my handsome little “wild child,” I can testify of amazing things through that transformation. I guess God really does know what He’s doing, especially in the timing department!

Let’s talk about your new book, The Unforgivable (Risen Books, April 1, 2011). Please tell us about it.

The Unforgivable is a contemporary love story, set against the backdrop of Argentina’s Dirty War—a military dictatorship that took place during the years 1976-1983. It’s about a Christian woman from Sweetwater, Tennessee, who travels to Buenos Aires for a trade show, then unexpectedly meets and falls in love with an ex-Navy officer whom she discovers is accused of war crimes.

Besides entertainment, what do you hope readers will take away from it?

The message of God’s grace that no matter what someone has done or seen forgiveness is all-inclusive. No one is beyond redemption. I wanted to challenge readers by providing a scenario which encourages introspection and response regarding clemency.

A few fun questions…

When the words aren’t flowing—or when you want to celebrate if they are—what is your favorite comfort food and why?

If I’m feeling unenthusiastic, I seem to favor salty things such as chips. Celebratory moments call for sweets. A slice is nice…of cake, that is.

Were there skills and/or disciplines you learned in music and dance that you were able to apply to your writing?

Dance is excellent in the aspect of discipline. I have no problem tackling even those things I dread. I attribute that to dance training. It’s the ability to focus with intensity and work straight through something, even if it’s unpleasant or painful.

If you were a song, what kind of song would you be?

An adagio…in fact, one of my favorite pieces of music is Samuel Barber’s Adagio for Strings. It’s considered “The saddest music ever written”—not that I’m a sad person, but sad music stirs something inside of me. I create best when influenced by such passionately heartrending and emotive works. But then I also like European Techno-Pop!

Are you a major or a minor chord?

Minor.

In the story that is your life, are you the strong, female lead; the girl next door; the mysterious woman behind dark glasses; the super heroine; or the little girl trying to walk in high heels?

Good question. I think it changes. In fact, I think I might be the mysterious, high-heeled little girl next door, trying to be the strong heroine by just attempting to walk straight without stumbling while seeing through dark glasses. Yeah, I can’t fool anyone.

I’m a dog lover. Please tell us about your pets, if any, and/or your favorite pet as a child.

I have a black cat named Hemingway who is a regular booklover and my comrade in fictive crime, and a 90 lb. white lab/German shepherd mixed dog named Reba who is getting old but who surprises me daily with her agility. I love animals and have owned anything from goats, guinea pigs, to mice. My favorite as a child was an ornery horse named Tilly. In fact, I’ve had horses most of my life, but no longer, since about five years ago. I often miss the equine world. A long time ago, I trained in cutting (sport), but then found my real love in competitive trail riding. I miss racing through the mountains, jumping over logs, and running through creeks. It was an exhilarating diversion. I miss the nostalgic smells in the barn, the hay, the oats, yes—even manure, and the sweet smell of sunshine lingering on a horse’s coat underneath the mane. Maybe another day….

Thank you, Tessa! It’s great to have you as a guest at DivineDetour!

Thank you, Kathy! It was great to be here. What excellent questions you ask! I appreciate the opportunity.

~ ~ ~

For more information about Tessa, visit her website at http://www.tessastockton.com/.

To purchase The Unforgivable logon to:

Meg Moseley has worked a variety of jobs, from candle making to administrative assistant at a Christian college, but writing has long been her passion. Her debut novel, When Sparrows Fall (Multnomah Books), released on May 3.

Growing up in California, Meg moved to Michigan, and then finally settled in Georgia near the foothills of the Southern Appalachians, where she enjoys motorcycle rides in the mountains with her husband. While sitting on the back of his bike, she prays, takes in beautiful scenery, and plots her novels. She is a former homeschooling mom to their three children, the youngest of whom graduated from high school two years ago.

You’ve had several different careers. What sparked your writing journey?

Since I was small, I knew I wanted to be a writer like my grandmother, who helped keep food on the table through the Great Depression by selling her writing. I dabbled in poetry, short stories, and short nonfiction pieces for years, but I didn’t start writing novels until my kids were old enough to function without me while I disappeared into my fictional worlds for hours at a time.

How did you go about learning the craft of writing?

I joined local writers’ groups, found good critique partners, went to writers’ conferences, read dozens of how-to-write books, and read hundreds of novels. And I wrote. My first half-dozen novels will never see the light of day, but they weren’t a waste of time. The process of writing is an education in itself, and I don’t regret any of those early attempts.

Have you had any special mentors along the way?

I certainly have. My first mentor was Sherrie Lord, who responded when I emailed to say I loved her novels. She was kind enough to critique some of my early work. Since then, we’ve become great friends and critique buddies. Deeanne Gist is another special mentor. We connected through a writers’ forum online, and she has taught me so, so much about writing and about the business. Cindy Woodsmall has also shared her hard-gained wisdom with me, and of course I’m indebted to my agent and my editors who’ve taught me so much.

Has God ever provided an unexpected “detour” in your life that turned out to be positive?

Yes, too many to list. One of them was our move to Georgia when my husband’s job was going to be phased out. We went from rural isolation in Michigan to the hustle and bustle of metro Atlanta. Within a short time I’d found my first writers’ group and a stint as a community columnist for a suburban section of the Journal-Constitution. Of course I still could have pursued writing fiction if we’d stayed in a tiny town, but it’s easier to make connections in a city.

How does your faith play into your writing?

Writing is part of my worship. As imperfect as it is, my writing is an offering that I place on the altar of God. Even when I write something that doesn’t have an explicitly Christian message, I write as a Christian.

Let’s talk about your new book, When Sparrows Fall (Multnomah Books, May 3, 2011). Please tell us about it.

When Sparrows Fall is the story of an isolated homeschooling widow who’s desperate to break free from a cultic and patriarchal group. Her sidekick is an outspoken professor who helps in her hour of need but challenges her choices at every turn. If anyone would like to read the first chapter or two, an excerpt is posted at the WaterBrook Multnomah site. (Click the book cover at right to view.)

Besides entertainment, what do you hope readers will take away from it?

I hope readers will take away a fresh look at the grace of God. Christianity shouldn’t be about formulas and rules that would lead us away from what Michael Spencer in his book Mere Churchianity calls “Gospel honesty.” All the rules in the world can’t help a sinner, but Jesus can and will. It’s that simple.

A few fun questions…

When the words aren’t flowing—or when you want to celebrate if they are—what is your favorite comfort food and why?

Chocolate, preferably accompanied by a cup of coffee, black. My current favorite is the Cinnabon Cinnamon Mousse Pecan Cluster. I wouldn’t have thought of combining chocolate and cinnamon, but it’s a luxurious combination.

This website features writers as well as musicians. Do you have musical, as well as literary, talent?

I was a teenager during the height of the Jesus Movement in California, so guitar-playing and songwriting were de rigueur. Sometimes I relive the excruciating memory of singing one of my own songs at a coffee house and forgetting the lyrics.

If you were a song, what kind of song would you be?

Hmm…maybe an Irish tune that can’t decide if it wants to be melancholy or happy.

Are you a major or a minor chord?

Major. Most of the time, anyway.

In the story that is your life, are you the strong, female lead; the girl next door; the mysterious woman behind dark glasses; the super heroine; or the little girl trying to walk in high heels?

The girl next door. Barefoot, in jeans and T-shirt, reluctant to get dressed up to go anywhere.

I’m a dog lover. Please tell us about your pets, if any, or your favorite pet as a child.

I love dogs too, as long as they belong to other people. I grew up with cats. Our household currently has two, a brother and sister named Hobbes and Priscilla. Hobbes is short-haired and cantankerous. Priscilla is long-haired and clingy.

Thank you, Meg! It’s so nice to have you at DivineDetour!

Thanks for having me!

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For more information about Meg, visit her website at http://www.megmoseley.com/ or her blog at http://megmoseley.wordpress.com/.

To purchase When Sparrows Fall logon to:

Karen Witemeyer believes the world needs more happily-ever-afters. For her historical romance novels, she combines a love of bygone eras with a passion for helping women mature in Christ. Her debut release, A Tailor-Made Bride, won honorable mention in the 2010 Best Western Romance contest. To Win Her Heart, Karen’s third book for Bethany House, released May 1.

Karen grew up in California but moved to Texas to attend Abilene Christian University, where she earned a master’s degrees in Psychology. Now a deacon’s wife, she and her husband, along with their three children, make their home in Abilene.

What sparked your interest in writing and, specifically, historical romance?

I’ve always been an avid reader, and historical romance was always my genre of choice. As I grew up from the Little House series through the Anne of Green Gables books on to more sophisticated romantic fiction, I’d always been drawn to stories set in the past. It’s a true escape, a place for dreams. When I decided to try my hand at writing my own stories, there was no doubt in my mind about what genre to choose. Historical romance is my passion.

You hold a masters degree in Psychology. Did you have other career aspirations?

I planned to be a school psychologist once upon a time. However, in the middle of grad school, I realized that despite my strong desire to help others, counseling was not the career for me. I finished my degree anyway and worked for a couple years at the university before becoming a stay-at-home mom. After five years, I found myself back in the workforce again, this time as a Testing Coordinator, giving ACT exams, CLEP tests, etc. I still work full-time in this capacity. Writing is my second career. My ambition and passion are deeply invested in my writing, but I love the stability of the steady paycheck from my day job. For now, it’s a combination that works well for me.

Has God ever provided an unexpected “detour” in your life that turned out to be positive?

More than once! In 2003, I was at home with my three kids thinking I’d be a stay-at-home mom for the next fifteen years. Then my husband came home with the news that his position was being eliminated and in six months he’d be out of a job. Panic! We prayed, and prayed, and prayed some more, and in the process, I realized that if I was ever going to try my hand at writing, I better do it now. At the time I thought it would be a way to help generate income while I stayed at home with the kids. Obviously, a successful writing career doesn’t spring up overnight, though. I eventually took that Testing Coordinator job, but in the meantime, the writing bug had bitten hard, and I was wading into the depths of learning the craft. Six years later, in January 2009, I signed my first book contract. I truly believe that if my husband had never gone through the loss of his job, I never would have found the impetus to start writing. Praise God for detours!

How does your faith play into your writing?

Faith plays a vital role in my writing, both in my stories and in the actual process of putting words on the page. Writing Christian fiction is my way of giving back to a God who has blessed me beyond measure. I long to spread that blessing to others through stories of faith. I pray daily, asking the Lord to provide the creativity and ideas I need to pen a compelling tale as well as wisdom to incorporate nuggets of truth that will encourage readers’ spirits. I feel His direction as I write and know that without His assistance my writing would be meaningless.

Let’s talk about your new book, To Win Her Heart (Bethany House, May 1, 2011). Please tell us about it.

Having completed his sentence for the unintentional crime that derailed his youthful plans for fame and fortune, Levi Grant looks to start over in the town of Spencer, Texas. Spencer needs a blacksmith, a trade he learned at his father’s knee, and he needs a place where no one knows his past. But small towns leave little room for secrets. . . .

Eden Spencer has sworn off men, choosing instead to devote her time to the lending library she runs. When a mountain-sized stranger walks through her door and asks to borrow a book, she steels herself against the attraction he provokes. His halting speech and hesitant manner leave her doubting his intelligence. Yet, as the mysteries of the town’s new blacksmith unfold, Eden discovers hidden depths in him that tempt her heart.

Levi’s renewed commitment to his faith leads Eden to believe she’s finally found a man of honor and integrity, a man worthy of her love. But when the truth about his prodigal past comes to light, can this tarnished hero find a way to win back the librarian’s affections?

Besides entertainment, what do you hope readers will take away from it?

The underlying theme of this book is one of forgiveness and of learning to view others through God’s lens instead of our own. Just as Jesus encouraged the Pharisees to only cast a stone if they were without sin, we must learn to set aside our self-righteous pride in favor of mercy and forgiveness. It is human nature to keep records of wrongs and to view others through our own hurts and prejudices. Our God is certainly concerned with justice, but when one of His children repents, His mercy and forgiveness know no bounds. We must learn to exhibit the same grace to our brothers and sisters in Christ, extending them the mercy we ourselves would wish to receive. After all, love keeps no record of wrongs.

Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. (1 Peter 4:8)

What advice would you offer to writers—young or older—who are just starting out?

Spend time mastering the craft of fiction writing. Attend workshops and conferences, find a critique partner whom you respect, enter contests, get to know your market, and open yourself to constructive criticism. The biggest recommendation I have, though, is to be patient and wait on God’s timing. There is so much to learn and so many skills to polish and, even when you are ready to submit, the waiting can seem endless. Remember that we are called to “run with perseverance the race marked out for us.” Never give up.

A few fun questions…

When the words aren’t flowing—or when you want to celebrate if they are—what is your favorite comfort food and why?

I will sometimes use a cup of hot chocolate when I need a short break from writing. It warms me and gives me something sweet, which helps banish the sour taste of frustration when the words won’t come. When I’m celebrating, though, it is definitely with chocolate chip ice cream. Love that stuff! Can you tell I have a sweet tooth?

This website features musicians as well as writers. Do you have musical, as well as literary, talent?

Music has been and continues to be a huge part of my life. I’ve always been a singer. I love singing in church, in the choirs I joined while in college, and even in an adult classical chorus that my husband and I sing with off and on. From fifth grade through my first year in college, however, I was a band geek, playing flute. When I met my husband, he convinced me to switch to choir, but I still love band as well. Now my daughter plays my old flute in the junior high band, and I get to relive my glory days.

If you were a song, what kind of song would you be?

This is a tough one. Part of me is very classic and traditional and would lean toward the music of Mozart or Beethoven. Part of me is very fun-loving, leading me in the direction of those great oldies from the 50s and 60s. Then, of course, there is my hopeless romantic side which would steer me toward the love ballads of Josh Groban. And I can’t forget my deep love of hymns, reflecting my relationship with the Lord. Is there a way to combine those four? If so, that would be my song.

Are you a major or a minor chord?

I’m definitely a major chord. I like to be pleasant to the ear and rarely buck the system. However, I admit to being dearly attracted to the haunting beauty of minor chords. There are certain hymns, like Flee as a Bird, that resonate with me because of their minor chords. And Christmas carols like I Wonder as I Wander, linger with me long after the season is over. I think I’m a major chord who secret wants to be minor.

In the story that is your life, are you the strong, female lead; the girl next door; the mysterious woman behind dark glasses; the super heroine; or the little girl trying to walk in high heels?

I’m your friendly, neighborhood girl next door. Wholesome, compliant, eager to please, low maintenance. Pretty much what you see is what you get.

I’m a dog lover. Please tell us about your pets, if any, or your favorite pet as a child.

As a kid, we had a Dalmatian for a pet. She was a sweet dog and one of the prettiest Dalmatians I can remember seeing. She was show quality in looks but deaf in one ear. That didn’t matter to me, though. I thought she was wonderful. I even got to name her. Remember my affinity for chocolate chip ice cream? Well, when we sat around the supper table and discussed names, it occurred to me that her white body with black spots looked just like my favorite dessert. We christened her Chocolate Chippy, but we all just called her Chippy.

Thank you, Karen! It’s so nice to have you at DivineDetour!

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For more information about Karen and her books, visit her website at http://www.karenwitemeyer.com/.

To purchase To Win Her Heart, logon to: