Meet Jen Turano
Jen Turano is a USA Today Best-Selling Author, known for penning quirky historical romances set in the Gilded Age. She’s been a finalist twice for the RT Reviewers’ Choice Awards, had two of her books named top ten romances from Booklist, and was named One of the Funniest Voices in Inspirational Romance by Booklist. When she’s not writing, she spends her time outside Denver, CO.
Tell us about your newest book.
Out of the Ordinary, released yesterday and is the second book in the Apart from the Crowd series.
Miss Gertrude Cadwalader hoped her position as the paid companion to Mrs. Davenport would be easy. But as she becomes acquainted with her employer, she realizes the wealthy Mrs. Davenport has a strange tendency to be a bit light-fingered with other people’s trinkets. Gertrude is relieved when Mrs. Davenport decides to have a quiet summer away from the social scene—until the woman changes her mind in order to help a young socialite launch into society.
When Gertrude is caught in the act of trying to return one of the trinkets by Mrs. Sinclair, the mother of shipping magnate Harrison Sinclair, the woman jumps to an unfortunate conclusion. Harrison is determined to mend fences with Miss Cadwalader, but he’s unprepared for the escapades a friendship with her will entail.
What genre do you focus on and why?
I write historical romance set in the Gilded Age, having fallen in love with that time period after reading about Alva Vanderbilt’s famed costume ball of 1883. I’ve always been drawn to high society, and the New York Four-Hundred as it was called was filled with so many outlandish members that I have enough fodder for stories for years to come.
Why do you write? What drives you?
I’ve always had stories in my head and I’ve always had a knack for the written word—it just took me a long time to figure that out. As for what drives me—deadlines drive me these days. As long as I keep my writing steady, I can normally avoid chaos, but I have to maintain a pretty strict writing schedule in order to keep my sanity.
Who is your main character, and how did you choose that name?
Miss Gertrude Cadwallader is my heroine. I found her name in a book about the New York Four-Hundred and knew I just had to have her in a story.
What does a day in your writing world look like?
I’m normally at my computer around 7:30. I take a five-mile walk before that, which seems to get me settled for the day. And then I work until I meet my word-count or chapter goal—which means I do about a chapter and a half a day—sometimes more, sometimes less. When I’m doing a content edit—that’s what I get after I’ve turned in the story and my editors go through it and make…suggestions, my days are a little different and are usually a lot longer. Last week I worked one day from 6:00 am until after midnight because I was on a roll and didn’t want to lose that momentum.
What is the hardest part of being an author? Why?
First drafts—facing those pesky blank pages is a little daunting day after day.
What’s the best part of your author’s life? Why?
The readers—I never even thought about how many people I’d come to know by being an author. But I’ve made wonderful friends with so many readers, and that’s just been the coolest thing ever.
What are you most proud of?
My son.
What is your favorite pastime?
Al (husband) and I love to socialize with our friends.
Do you have other books? We’d love to know.
I do have other books, thank you for asking. From earliest release date to latest –
First Series – Ladies of Distinction – In order
(Gentleman of Her Dreams – e-book only – free novella)
A Change of Fortune – book one
A Most Peculiar Circumstance – book two
A Talent for Trouble – book three
A Match of Wits – book four
Series Two – A Class of Their Own
After a Fashion – book one
In Good Company – book two
Playing the Part – book three
Series Three – Apart from the Crowd
(At Your Request – e-book only – novella – free download)
Behind the Scenes –book one
Out of the Ordinary – book two – releases November 7, 2017
Caught by Surprise – book three – releases late spring 2018
What are you working on now?
I just turned in the content edits for Caught by Surprise, so I’ll be returning to a first draft of my next series come Monday. That series is sort of an American Heiress gone rogue thing—the first book is Miss Isadora Delafield’s story—and the story concept came about with a What If —What if Consuelo Vanderbilt flatly refused to marry the Duke of Marlborough even though her mother was threatening her with dire consequences if she didn’t marry the man—we’ll see how it goes.
Website: www.jenturano.com
Link to book: http://bakerpublishinggroup.com/authors/jen-turano/1761
Social media links: https://www.facebook.com/jenturanoauthor/
Twitter – JenTurano@JenTurano
Goodreads – https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5765468.Jen_Turano
Meet Carrie Fancett Pagels
Carrie Fancett Pagels, Ph.D., is the award-winning author of fifteen Christian historical romances, including ECPA bestsellers. Twenty-five years as a psychologist didn’t “cure” her overactive imagination! A self-professed “history geek,” she resides with her family in the Historic Triangle of Virginia but grew up as a “Yooper,” in Michigan’s beautiful Upper Peninsula. Carrie loves to read, bake, bead, and travel – but not all at the same time! You can connect with her at www.CarrieFancettPagels.com.
Tell us about your newest book.
My latest novel is My Heart Belongs on Mackinac Island: Maude’s Mooring which earned a Romantic Times Book Reviews Top Pick in July, when it released! This story I consider a legacy book for me. It is set on Mackinac Island, which I love, at the turn of the century (in 1895) a time period I really enjoy, and I had the privilege of researching at the Grand Hotel, a gorgeous place! The hardcover releases from Thorndike in October!
My upcoming novella, “Love’s Escape” is in The Captive Brides Collection (Barbour Publishing, October, 2017). This is a freedom story, with my heroine, Letitia, being conducted north on the Underground Railroad. Unfortunately, poor Lettie starts her journey in a coffin!
What genre do you focus on and why?
Christian Historical Romance. I love history, love romance, and love a spiritual story arc in fiction.
Why do you write? What drives you?
I write because God has called me to do so, and I do it to please Him. And, thankfully, He has given me joy for the journey! I was a psychologist for 25 years until my Rheumatoid Arthritis disabled me. I pictured myself writing after retiring when I was maybe 70 or so, but that timeline got moved up when I could no longer work.
Who is your main character, and how did you choose that name?
Maude Welling is named for my grandmother, Maude Carrie Williams Fancett, who was born in 1895 (which is why I picked that year for the story.)
What does a day in your writing world look like?
I have this habit of running laundry while writing – like almost always. I prefer to write outside on our deck. Since I live in Virginia, where I can do this for many months of the year, that’s my favorite place to write, at our picnic table! With my physical impairments, I can only write for short periods of time. So, I’ll write for maybe two half hours sessions in the morning and the same later in the afternoon, maybe three days a week. Any more than that and I’m risking increased pain. I also blog and of course have to respond to writerly things, so I’m on the computer for other things, too, in between and usually on alternate days.
What is the hardest part of being an author? Why?
There are so many authorly things I’d like to do that I’m physically unable to do. But I’ve been trying to work my way around them with God’s help. For instance, two years ago I tried doing a research, book signing, research, and library speaking trip in just over a week and it nearly did me in! So, this past July, I promoted Maude’s Mooring on Mackinac Island and in Northern Michigan and in the Upper Peninsula, but we stayed the whole month so that I could rest between speaking engagements, research, and book signings. That was much more manageable. And I do enjoy traveling for research.
What’s the best part of your author’s life? Why?
I’m a history geek and especially if it involves traveling to my home state of Michigan.
What is the craziest thing you’ve experienced as an author?
Crazy, in an excellent way, was having a planned single book signing at the Island Bookstore morph into three signings and eleven cases of books signed! That was amazing in the extreme!
What are you most proud of?
I’m very pleased with this novel! I thank God for my “Problem Child” manuscript turning out so beautifully in the end!
What is your favorite pastime?
I like to do beadwork. I also enjoy listening to audiobooks. And baking. And visiting cool places.
Do you have other books? We’d love to know.
Yes, I have eleven other books (novels, novellas, short story) in print and another upcoming four releases in collections (all from Barbour). I also have contributed to a nonfiction book and have an award-winning short story in a collection from Family Fiction.
What are you working on now?
I am writing “The Sugarplum Ladies” a novella in A Victorian Christmas collection which will release from Barbour in 2018.
Website: www.CarrieFancettPagels.com
Link to book: Links to purchase My Heart Belongs on Mackinac Island: Maude’s Mooring (Barbour Publishing, July 2017)
Barbour Publishing http://www.barbourbooks.com/product/My-Heart-Belongs-on-Mackinac-Island,14733.aspx?Tab=Books&sj=0
Social media links: Website: www.carriefancettpagels.com
Blogs: Overcoming With God and Colonial Quills
Meet Nancy Mehl
Nancy Mehl is a best-selling, award winning author who lives in Missouri. She’s authored almost thirty books and is currently writing a series for Bethany House Publishing based on the U.S. Marshals. She is also working on a new cozy mystery series for Guideposts, The Mysteries of Martha’s Vineyard.
Readers can learn more about Nancy through her Web site: www.nancymehl.com. She is part of The Suspense Sisters: www.suspensesisters.blogspot.com, along with several other popular suspense authors.
Tell us about your newest book.
Dark Deception: Book Two – Defenders of Justice Series is a story about Kate O’Brien’s quiet life in small-town Shelter Cove, Arkansas is shaken when her past suddenly comes roaring back to life. Four years ago, she and her twin sister were attacked by an elusive serial killer. Only Kate survived, and she’s been in witness protection ever since.
When new evidence arises to suggest the convicted man wasn’t the murderer, she’s subpoenaed to testify in the new trial. Afraid to go back into that world, Kate only agrees if Tony DeLuca, the deputy Marshal who protected her during the original trial, escorts her to St. Louis.
Tony readily takes on the assignment; Kate’s beauty and inner strength made more of an impression on him than he expected. But when Kate’s safety is threatened, Tony must race against the clock to keep her alive and put this ugly case to rest before anyone else gets killed.
What genre do you focus on and why?
Mystery and suspense. I’ve always been drawn to mysteries. When I was a kid, I had all the Nancy Drew and Hardy Boys books. That passion has never left me.
Why do you write? What drives you?
Deadlines. Publishers get upset if you ignore them. LOL! Just kidding…kind of. Actually, I love writing. Like breathing. I have no idea what I’d do if I couldn’t write. I believe it’s my calling.
Who is your main character, and how did you choose that name?
My main character is Kate O’Brien. If I’d had a daughter, I would have named her Kathleen after my grandmother. And I would have called her Kate. That’s the reason I chose the name for this book.
What does a day in your writing world look like?
Up around six a.m. Breakfast, Bible teaching from TV, Bible reading, prayer. By 8:00 a.m., I’m in my office. I spend the morning writing. Then I have lunch and come back to do the “other things” writers have to do. Mondays, however, I don’t write. I work on my blog, the Suspense Sisters, and organize my week, clean my office, etc.
What is the hardest part of being an author? Why?
Staying on schedule. Life gets in the way sometimes.
What’s the best part of your author’s life? Why?
Hearing from readers who really love one of my books. Especially when it touches them in some way. I will never forget the woman who said my books got her through chemotherapy. That kind of feedback keeps me going.
What is the craziest thing you’ve experienced as an author?
Wow. Too many things to mention. Some of the strangest come from reviews. Like the woman who decided I hate Canada because of something I wrote in an acknowledgement to one of my editors. It was just crazy. Or being slammed for using profanity. Something I’ve never done and never will do. There are some strange people out there…and they read. LOL!
What is your favorite pastime?
I love going to yard sales! It’s like a treasure hunt. I also do some embroidery. Very relaxing.
Do you have other books? We’d love to know.
Yes, too many to mention here. You’ll find most of them on my website.
What are you working on now?
Something very exciting. A new series based on the FBI. It’s something I’ve wanted to write for years. Now I get the chance to do it. I hope readers like it.
Website: www.nancymehl.com
Social media links:
Suspense Sisters: www.suspensesisters.blogspot.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Nancy-Mehl-Fan-Page-124075957622557/
Meet Megan Alexander
Megan is a correspondent for “Inside Edition”, the longest-running tv newsmagazine. She covered Thursday Night Football for CBS for two years. She is an author, speaker, producer, actress, and married mother of two.
Tell us about your newest book.
“Faith in the Spotlight – thriving in your career while staying true to your beliefs”. This is my motivational guide to this next generation of ambitious women. Its very practical and talks about things like negotiating a contract, climbing the ladder, body image, marriage, mentors, and more.
What genre do you focus on and why?
There are very few books for the young business woman of faith. Go to any bookstore and you will see plenty for MEN- but virtually none for women. Instead, women are given books by Bible study teachers or on being a wife and mother. I was starved for this kind of book and I think others are, too. The church has not done the best job supporting Christian businesswomen.
Why do you write? What drives you?
The need for this book. Every day I work in a busy newsroom in New York City. The secular work is FULL of opportunities for ambitous women, but not the church. I finally stopped looking for answers and decided to write about the solution, myself. I also collected insight from major influencers in culture – people like Roma Downey, Kirk Cousins, Gabby Douglas, and more.
Who is your main character, and how did you choose that name?
The main character is me. I received an email from a church in Seattle. The pastor wrote to me and said he has a church full of young, ambitious women of faith. They have big career goals and dreams, but they are worried they will need to compromise their values to get ahead. He said “ I have few role models to point them toward, but I know of you. Will you come speak to us?” I knew I needed to do more. This book is my story, but it is also motivation for every young women.
What does a day in your writing world look like?
I commute every week from Nashville to New York, so I wrote this book on my lap top, on the plane. It took about two years.
What is the hardest part of being an author? Why?
There is not enough room to always share everything you want to.
What’s the best part of your author’s life? Why?
Learning that your book has inspired another person – that is the greatest gift!
What is the craziest thing you’ve experienced as an author?
It’s not crazy, but men tell me they are inspired by my book. As a mother of two young boys, I love that!
What are you most proud of?
I wrote this book myself. A lot of people have co-writers or ghost writers. I did not.
What is your favorite pastime?
Working out, eating and traveling with loved ones.
Do you have other books? We’d love to know.
I am working on a children’s book!
Website:www.MeganAlexander.com
Link to book:www.FaithInTheSpotlight.com
https://www.amazon.com/Faith-Spotlight-Thriving-Staying-Beliefs/dp/1501143050
Social media links:
Twitter: MeganAlexander
Facebook: Megan Alexander
Instagram: @MeganJAlexander1
Meet Marilyn Turk
Marilyn Turk writes historical fiction set around lighthouses or the coast of the United States. She is the author of Rebel Light, a Civil War love story on the coast of Florida, A Gilded Curse, a historical suspense novel set in 1942 Jekyll Island, Georgia, and Lighthouse Devotions – 52 Inspiring Lighthouse Stories, based on her popular lighthouse blog (@ http://pathwayheart.com). She is also a regular contributor to Guideposts magazine and the Daily Guideposts devotional.
Tell us about your newest book.
The most recent book published book is Rebel Light, a Civil War romance set in 1861 on the coast of Florida. Rebel Light focuses on Kate McFarlane, who tries to run away from the war but ends up in the middle of it. After Florida’s secession from the Union, neighbors choose sides and sometimes it’s difficult to tell who is a friend and who is an enemy.
What genre do you focus on and why?
Historical fiction because I’ve always wondered what it was like to live in another time.
What drives you?
Commitment is important to me, and I’ve always believed that you should do what you say you’re going to do. I see my writing as a commitment to God to put forth those ideas He’s given me. I believe writing is my mission field, and God wants to use it to share His truth through the stories of everyday people.
Who is your main character, and how did you choose that name?
My main character in Rebel Light is Katherine (Kate) McFarlane. I researched names that were popular in 1861, especially names from Scottish descent.
What does a day in your writing world look like?
I wish I could say I’m consistent, but it depends on what I need to do, whether it’s to write a new book, edit one already written, or write a blog post. If I’m focused on my story, I write for hours. When I have trouble focusing I set a timer and make myself write for 15 minute increments without going on a rabbit trail, then I reset the timer for 15 more minutes, etc.
What is the hardest part of being an author?
Focus and Confidence. Why? There are so many distracations – from social media to family life – that can take our focus off our writing. And I’ve heard that every writer struggles with confidence, whether what we’re writing is worth reading. For someone like me who thrives on affirmation, I need positive reviews to encourage me. Also, it’s difficult to see how well other authors do without comparing ourselves. I have to remind myself that God has made us all different and gifted us in different ways, so my writing journey is not the same as anyone else’s, it’s only mine.
What’s the best part of your author’s life?
Knowing someone else read your story and liked it. Why? As I said before, affirmation is important to me, and I like to know my writing conveyed the story it was meant to, that readers understood it and hopefully, were inspired by it.
What is the craziest thing you’ve experienced as an author?
I have two stories, but maybe they’re not so crazy as amazing to me. One is that I received an email from a man from Colorado who bought my Lighthouse Devotions book at the Currituck Lighthouse book store on the Outer Banks, and wanted to let me know how much he liked it. Also, because I wrote a blog post about a woman lighthouse keeper in New Orleans, I was invited by the Coast Guard to attend the commissioning of a Coast Guard cutter named for her. That was really cool!
What are you most proud of?
Being one of God’s children and part of His plan to inspire, encourage and enlighten others through my writing. Also, I’m very pleased with the way our first year of the Blue Lake Christian Writers Retreat that I directed turned out. All the attendees loved the retreat and want us to do it again, so we will, next year in May 2018!
What is your favorite pastime?
I have several, but tennis is tops. I also enjoy boating, kayaking, and of course, visiting lighthouses!
Do you have other books?
We’d love to know. Yes! My book of Lighthouse Devotions which is about to enjoy a revision. And my novel The Gilded Curse, which was published in 2016. The Gilded Curse won a Silver Merit award at the Golden Scrolls Awards Banquet this year, so I’m very pleased about that.
What are you working on now?
I’m currently working on the edits for Shadow of the Curse, the sequel to The Gilded Curse, which will come out in 2018.
Website: www.pathwayheart.com
Link to book: https://www.amazon.com/Gilded-Curse-Marilyn-Turk/dp/1938499115/
Social media links: email: marilynturkwriter@yahoo.com
Twitter: twitter.com/@MarilynTurk
Facebook: marilyn.turk.9
Meet Anne Mateer
A lifelong reader, writer, and lover of history, Anne Mateer is the author of four historical novels and one historical novella, as well as several short pieces in compilation publications. Her book At Every Turn was a 2013 Carol Award finalist. Anne and her husband, Jeff, have been married 30 years. When not traveling to visit their adult children or to tour historic sites, they are happily living their empty nest adventure in Austin, Texas.
Tell us about your newest book.
My newest release—my first in three years!—is a historical novella set amid the Great Gale of 1815 in Providence, RI. Here’s a little about the story: Thirty-year-old Remembrance “Mem” Wilkins loves her solitary life running the farm and orchard she inherited from her father and has no plans to give up her independence. Especially not for the likes of Mr. Graham Lott. But when Mem is unable to harvest the apples on her own, she accepts the help of the man she despises.
Fresh off a boat from Ireland with his four-year-old son in tow, Simon Brennan secures a building in which to ply his trade as a cobbler. Still healing from the grief of his wife’s death a year earlier, he determines to focus only on providing a good life for his son. But when he intervenes in an argument on behalf of the intriguing Miss Wilkins, he suddenly finds himself crossways with his landlord, Mr. Lott, and relieved of his lease and most of his money.
With no means of support, Simon takes a job helping Mem with her harvest, but their growing attraction to each other makes them both uneasy. Mem gladly escapes to town when her sister begins labor, and Simon, believing it best to distance himself from Mem, takes his son and leaves. But neither anticipates the worst gale New England has ever seen—or that the storm will threaten all they hold dear.
What genre do you focus on and why?
I focus on historical fiction for two reasons—first, because I believe we have a lack of understanding of history and how people grappled through their own times, and second, because I believe reading a story that involves internal issues but is set in a different time and place can allow us to see things in ourselves we cannot see when confronted in our present moment.
Why do you write? What drives you?
I think the greatest thing that drives me to write fiction is that I can name far more novels that have impacted my life deeply than any other kind of book (other than the Bible). I learn through story. I see myself in story. And I think others do, too. Story allows us to see in others—in the characters and their reactions and decisions to people and situations—either what we desire to see in ourselves or what we don’t want to see in ourselves.
What does a day in your writing world look like?
I have a hard time writing all day long, so I usually try to get in a focused couple of hours mid-morning and mid-afternoon. In between those times I schedule my workouts or errands or time with friends or other appointments.
What is the hardest part of being an author? Why?
For me, it’s balancing work life with relationships. I have a tendency to prefer retreating into my imagination instead of engaging with the people around me. And yet I know I need people. And I know they need me. While writing is part of the reason God put me here, it is not the only or even the most important reason. But I struggle to get the priority right sometimes.
What’s the best part of your author’s life? Why?
Being flexible to travel with my husband. For the past few years he’s traveled a lot with his jobs, and I feel very blessed to be able to do my work anywhere!
What is the craziest thing you’ve experienced as an author?
It wasn’t something that happened to me as an author so much as it happened because I am an author. A couple of years ago I participated in a reader’s convention and ended up having a spontaneous lunch one day with three other authors—one of whom was Francine Rivers. I was calm, cool, and collected on the outside, but oh, so fan-girl on the inside. She is such a gracious and kind lady, everything I hoped she’d be. Definitely a crazy, never-in-a-million-years-thought-it would-happen moment.
What are you most proud of?
Perseverance. Writing and publishing are not quick or easy. You have to keep pushing forward and be determined not to give up when it gets long or hard. I didn’t really know if I had that kind of strength. And truly, I didn’t. Perseverance is one of the things the Lord has grown into me during my writing journey.
What is your favorite pastime?
Reading! I honestly consider myself a reader first and a writer second.
Do you have other books? We’d love to know.
Yes! I have four traditionally published novels, all set in the WWI or pre-WWI era: Wings of a Dream, At Every Turn, A Home for My Heart, and Playing by Heart. You can find them in print and ebook on all platforms.
What are you working on now?
I am currently working on my second historical novella as well as a full-length novel that will feature one of readers’ favorite characters from my debut novel, Wings of a Dream.
Website: www.annemateer.com
Link to book: http://bit.ly/nosmallstorm
Social media links: www.facebook.com/AuthorAnneMateer