Welcome: Author, Kathleen Friesen

I’ve invited author, Kathleen Friesen to visit my blog today. Kathleen lives in Canada and has been my critique partner for a while, now.

Let's start with a few quick get to know you questions: 

Coffee, Tea, or Water?

Yes! I drink all of them, but not together. :)

Do you have a favorite song?

It’s hard to choose, but the first one that came to mind is Great is Thy Faithfulness.

Do you have a favorite season?

Spring and Fall, but Summer in Saskatchewan is wonderful, too – not too hot, and we get to go camping.

If you could travel anywhere without worry about cost, where would you travel?

Health issues are an even bigger consideration than cost, but if neither were a problem, I would love to travel across Europe, to marvel at ancient, magnificent structures and enjoy the beauty of lands that have been inhabited for thousands of years.

What genre do you enjoy reading?

Christian Fiction is my favorite. Christian Romantic Suspense, Cozy Mysteries and intriguing non-fiction also draw me.

When you aren’t reading or writing, what do you like to do?

Interacting with family and friends, learning – especially digging deeper into God’s Word,
gardening and baking are great ways to spend time.

What is your favorite Bible verse? Why?

Depends on the need, but I often turn to Romans 15:13, because we so desperately need hope. God is the source of hope, and I’m forever grateful He chose me to be His child.

How can we pray for you?

I always need clarity of thought, wisdom and heaps of encouragement. That I would continue to be God’s vessel, whether in writing or anything else.

Kathleen's book Hearts Unbroken: embraces the aftermath of abortion in this story of faith, love, and abundant grace.

To Logan Rockwell, Paige Donnelly is his younger sister’s flirty friend—nothing more—until he rescues her from a horrific accident and yearns to be more than her hero.

Paige’s crush on Logan and dreams of catching his attention began years ago. Although the crash brought them together, her dreams died with a choice she’d made and would always regret.
Can Paige find forgiveness for what she feels is an unforgivable wrong? Can Logan be her forever hero, or will his ambition destroy their chance at lasting love?

Let’s talk about writing:

What has been the biggest challenge for you on your writing journey?

Discouragement, especially when it comes to marketing. The whole concept scares me!

How long does it take you to write a book?

Anywhere from one to five years. It depends of my health, physical and emotional, as well as the busyness of life. Sharing good stories is a passion but not my livelihood.

If someone were reading your books for the first time, which book would you recommend they start with?

Either Melody’s Song or Hearts Unfolding, since they each begin a series. Melody’s Song is followed by Nila’s Hope and Redemption’s Whisper.

I believe you have a new release can you tell us about it?

Hearts Unbroken, book 2 in the Rockwell Chronicles, is my new release, and it shares Logan Rockwell’s and Paige Donnelly’s story. Paige has had a crush on Logan for years, but a choice she made has destroyed her dreams of ever being worthy of love. Hearts Unbroken deals compassionately and honestly with the touchy subject of abortion and its aftermath.

Hearts Unbroken releases in e-book form July 1, 2022, and I hope to have the print version ready a month later. I’m also re-releasing the first book in the Rockwell Series, a second edition with a new cover. That’s supposed to happen this summer also. When they’re all ready to go, I plan to have a sale on both!

Do you find yourself returning to a similar theme in your novels or do you have a new message with each release?

In each of my books, faith, forgiveness and hope are vital, and I love watching my characters grow to realize that God is waiting to heal their brokenness.

Is there a certain Bible passage or verse that goes along with the theme of your book?

2 Corinthians 7:10 talks about the difference between a godly grief that leads to repentance and salvation and the worldly grief that can lead to death – such a vital difference! Paige needed to learn this lesson.

Ephesians 1:7 goes with the theme, too: In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace.

Did you enjoy creating one character more than another? If so, why?

Because Paige was a troubled character, I loved watching her grow, but I’d have to say I enjoyed Logan more. He appeared in Hearts Unfolding, and this story gave me the chance to get to know him better.

If you could be any of your characters, which one would it be? Why?

Tough question! I guess I’d love to be more like both Miss Glorie and Stacey Rockwell. Their wisdom and compassion inspire me.

 I have to say, I loved Miss Glory. She’s a dear character.

How do you select the names of your characters?

I look up baby names for the years they would have been born and try them out. Some I have changed mid-story, because the original names didn’t fit their emerging personalities.

Do you hide any secrets in your books that only a few people will find?

I never considered doing that, but it’s an intriguing idea!

Thank you for joining me today!

I’m excited about your book and can tell readers I enjoyed Hearts Unbroken. I love how Paige and Logan’s story begins and ends. The way God’s love and forgiveness works through Paige and Logan’s life is beautiful. Kennedy’s little boy, Levi, is a favorite of mine, he’s a sweet boy with a caring heart. Kathleen has written a wonderful story of forgiveness and starting over as Paige walked the path of grief and redemption.

Fiction Review: Love is in the Air: 5 Contemporary Christian Romances by Laura Hilton, Candee Fick, Kathleen Rouser, Kathleen Friesen, Tanya Eavenson

A while back I posted that Love is in the Air would be debuting May 1st. 
Since then, I have had the privilege to read and do an early review.

Book Description:

This collection of five brand new romances is sure to send your heart soaring.

First Class Wrong Flight by Laura V. Hilton:

Candi Walker is excited to attend her former college roommate’s wedding. At least it’s a direct flight across the country and the potential of messing up is next to impossible…until she crashes into a handsome pilot.

Alex Kuklewski has one last flight before he attends his stepsister’s wedding. Desperate to escape his tagalong ex-girlfriend’s clutches, Alex prays that his future wife would drop into his path. And she does.

Emotional baggage on both sides exceeds the weight limit. What will it take for them to launch true love into the air?

A Castle in the Clouds by Candee Fick:

Aspiring romance novelist Miranda Scott has her head in the clouds and her nose buried in a book. Raised by a single mother, extravagant trips to castles overseas are only a fairy-tale…until a co-worker’s accident has her boarding a plane to teach creative writing on an all-expenses-paid school-sponsored trip.

Family responsibilities kept Joshua Clark close to home, but it’s finally time for the history teacher to spread his wings. Hopefully his time chaperoning an overseas trip will reveal what the next chapter holds.

Flying Into Love by Kathleen Rouser:

Unable to say no when others need her, Talia Sampson took on her deceased aunt’s advice column and the care of her special needs niece. Then new veteran, Ben Tanner, shows up unexpected on her doorstep. Hurt many times, he wonders where home is. Talia isn’t happy finding a hot-air balloon with him. And Talia hates flying.

Will she trust God—and Ben—enough to go airborne?

Written in the Clouds by Kathleen Friesen:

A mysterious cloud formation, a nerve-wracking introduction for JR and Serena, an unexpected reunion for Jim and Blythe, a few traumatic memories, a pilot for the company plane, and another afraid of flying. Mix them together…and what in the world is God up to? Is it love at first flight?

To Gain Forever by Tanya Eavenson:

Karianne Bennett, small-town wedding coordinator, has always believed in happily-ever-afters. That is, for everyone but herself. Hope comes when she adopts a retired service dog and a newcomer catches her eye.

Trey Scott has been fascinated with fireworks since he was a boy. If he can land the account for a hot-air balloon festival in an out-of-state town, he’ll be that much closer to achieving his lifelong goal. But his dreams never included a beautiful dog walker who also happens to be the stranger he’s been praying over for years.

My Review:
I enjoyed this collection of sweet romances by these talented authors. Each writer took the theme of love in the air and created a unique story. I had a couple of favorites as every reader will. You'll enjoy the history of a hot-air balloon, a mix up at the airport, rekindled love in a small business plane, fireworks celebrating love, and a delightful literary trip to Europe. The couples in the stories span several generations, which adds a special touch. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

The Kindle version is available for pre-order at 99 cents. Quite a deal for five wonderful novellas. 

Coming May 2020—Love is in the Air

All you have to do is look up.

This collection of five brand new romances is sure to send your heart soaring. Journey from Canada to Georgia and Colorado to Paris by way of Michigan as these couples find love is in the air. All they had to do was look up.

First Class Wrong Flight by Laura V. Hilton:

Candi Walker is excited to attend her former college roommate’s wedding. At least it’s a direct flight across the country and the potential of messing up is next to impossible…until she crashes into a handsome pilot. Now it’s a dream-come-true or her worst nightmare.

Alex Kuklewski has one last flight before he attends his stepsister’s wedding. Desperate to escape his tagalong ex-girlfriend’s clutches, Alex prays that his future wife would drop into his path. And she does. Too bad he and Candi aren’t headed to the same destination.

Emotional baggage on both sides exceeds the weight limit, and the flight to happily-ever-after seems grounded. What will it take for them to launch true love into the air?

A Castle in the Clouds by Candee Fick:

Aspiring romance novelist Miranda Scott has her head in the clouds and her nose buried in a book. Raised by a single mother, extravagant trips to castles overseas are only a fairy-tale…until a co-worker’s accident has her boarding a plane to teach creative writing on an all-expenses-paid school-sponsored trip. Family responsibilities kept Joshua Clark close to home, but it’s finally time for the history teacher to spread his wings. Hopefully his time chaperoning an overseas trip and seeing history in person will reveal what the next chapter holds.

However, falling in love surrounded by teenagers was never the plan.

Flying Into Love by Kathleen Rouser:

Unable to say no when others need her, Talia Sampson took on her deceased aunt’s advice column and the care of her special needs niece. Then new veteran, Ben Tanner, shows up unexpected on her doorstep. Hurt many times, he wonders where home is. Talia isn’t happy finding a hot-air balloon with him, but she treasures the old journal with it. Ben hopes restoring her family’s antique will please her, until he discovers a secret that shatters his trust. And Talia hates flying. Will she trust God—and Ben—enough to go airborne?

To Gain Forever by Tanya Eavenson:

Karianne Bennett, small-town wedding coordinator, has always believed in happily-ever-afters. That is, for everyone but herself. Her fiancé’s alcohol-related death put an end to her own dreams and turned her career into a weekly reminder of all she’s lost. Hope comes when she adopts a retired service dog and a newcomer catches her eye.

Trey Scott has been fascinated with fireworks since he was a boy. If he can land the account for a hot-air balloon festival in an out-of-state town, he’ll be that much closer to achieving his lifelong goal. But his dreams never included a beautiful dog walker who also happens to be the stranger he’s been praying over for years.

Written in the Clouds by Kathleen Friesen:

A mysterious cloud formation, a nerve-wracking introduction for JR and Serena, an unexpected reunion for Jim and Blythe, a few traumatic memories, a pilot for the company plane, and another afraid of flying. Mix them together…and what in the world is God up to? Is it love at first flight?

Can love—for two generations—be written in the clouds?

Purchase this box set at:
Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B085TS7966
Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/love-is-in-the-air-25
B&N: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/love-is-in-the-air-candee-fick/1136645265

*I haven't read these yet. My friend Kathleen is one of the authors. I've read and enjoyed other books by Kathleen Friesen, Laura Hilton, and Kathleen Rouser.

Sisterhood of the World Bloggers Award

My new year started off with a pleasant surprise when Julie Arduini nominated me and other bloggers with the Sisterhood of the World Blogger Award.

Here are the rules:

1. Thank the blogger who nominated you.
2. Put the Award logo on your blog.
3. Answer 10 questions you’ve been sent.
4. Make up 10 new questions for your nominees to answer.

Here are the questions I was sent and my answers:

1. What’s the hardest lesson you’ve learned?

I believe it was letting go and letting God. For years I worried, fretted, and tried to control my life. When I realized that God was the one in control the worries melted away. There are still trials and troubles but now I pray first and trust in God’s wisdom.

2. What temptation is hard to resist?

Chocolate. I made a pan of chocolate walnut fudge for Christmas.  I’m pretty sure I ate most of it.

3. If you weren’t doing what you do weekdays, what would your life look like?

I work in an academic library as the technical services manager. When I retire I’d love to be a full time writer.

4. What book could you read over and over?                                              

For years I read Sue Hubbell’s A Country Year: Living the Questions every spring.  I’m thinking about reading it again this spring. I also love to read the Bible over and over.

5. What motivates you?

God motivates me. If I am doing something for Him, I don’t give up.

6. What are your pet peeves?

I don’t like it when cabinet doors or drawers are left open.

7. What are your goals for 2015?

I hope to complete the novel I started this month. It is a story set on an island in Lake Erie that features a young woman who needs to find peace. What she doesn’t expect is to find love.

8.  If you could travel anywhere, where would you go?

I’ve wanted to travel to Maine since I was in sixth grade. Last year my husband and I took a trip to Kelleys Island, Ohio. We fell in love with the island and the mainland around Marblehead. We plan to go back this year.

9. Would you rather stay in a five star hotel, a bed and breakfast, or a cabin?

A cabin would give us more privacy and autonomy. When I go on vacation I don’t want to be busy and trying to get from place to place. I want to relax and enjoy the journey. But then again, a bed and breakfast would be delightful.

10. What’s your favorite season? Why?

I love winter. The snow gives such a peaceful atmosphere. Winter is quiet and gives me a chance to reflect and regenerate. I love the way the snow sparkles and gives the earth a fresh, clean appearance.

Here are the questions for my nominees:

1. Do you have a favorite Bible verse you lean on? If so what is it?
2. What’s your favorite chapter book from childhood?
3. Do you enjoy cooking or would you rather eat out, order in, or nuke a microwave dinner?
4. Were you called to write or do you write as an offering to God?
5. What’s your favorite thing about blogging?
6. How long have you blogged and why did you start?
7. If you could have any pet, what would it be?
8. What’s your greatest accomplishment in the writing world?
9. What’s the best and worst about using social media?
10. Are you a country or city kind of girl?

I’m nominating Ane Mulligan, Sharon Srock, Nike Chillemi, and Kathleen Friesen! I enjoy your blogging!