Today I’m pleased to welcome Cathy Bryant to my blog. Cathy hosted me over at WordVessel when my novel debuted, and I received such a warm welcome that I hope y’all show her an awesome welcome here too!
As usual, please leave your comments below with an email address for a chance to win a copy of Cathy’s book!
~*~
About Cathy
Cathy Bryant’s debut novel, Texas Roads, was a 2009 finalist in the American Christian Fiction Writers’ Genesis competition and is available wherever books are sold. A Texas gal by birth, Cathy lives with her husband in a century-old Texas farmhouse, complete with picket fence, flowers, butterflies, and late summer mosquitoes the size of your fist.
~*~
About Texas Roads
Dani Davis longs for a place to call home. With quaint country charm, quirky residents, and loads of business potential, Miller’s Creek, Texas seems like the perfect place to start over…except for the cowboy who gives a ride into town. Then malicious rumors and a devastating secret propel her down a road she never expected to travel.
~*~
What’s your latest book?
My latest book is TEXAS ROADS (published under my imprint, WordVessel Press, March 2010).
What was the hardest part to write?
The scene where Dani uncovers an age-old secret was very emotional. I can only speak for myself, but emotional scenes are exhausting to write. Sports writer Red Smith said: “There is nothing to writing. All you do is sit down at a typewriter and open a vein.” That’s what writing emotional scenes feels like to me.
LOL. What a fabulous analogy. I just nearly killed my heroine today (again–this chick has some bad luck!), so yeah. I get it. =) What do you hope your readers will get out of the story?
First of all, I hope they glimpse God’s goodness and sovereignty even in the midst of trying circumstances. I also hope as they visit Miller’s Creek, Texas, they feel they’ve arrived in a place that is both charming and vaguely familiar.
Oh, I love it when a setting becomes a friend. Is there a theme to this book?
Yes. The theme of the book is finding home, and comes from my own spiritual journey. For years it seemed my family and I were destined to be Texas nomads. Just about the time we’d start to put down roots, God yanked us up and transplanted us to yet another small Texas town. I longed for a place we could make home, but God had a lesson He wanted me to learn. No place on earth will ever truly be home for believers. Only God can fill that home-sized hole in each of our hearts. Only He was intended to.
This verse from John 14:23 became the theme verse for the novel: If anyone loves Me, he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him, and We will make Our home with him. Dani Davis, one of the main characters, takes the same spiritual journey I did a few years ago.
“Texas nomad”–I love it. And a fabulous lesson. Any funny family stories about living with a writer?
My hubby and I recently took a “Texas Roads” trip to see the beautiful bluebonnet display in the Texas Hill Country. We stopped at a convenience store in one small town. I stayed in the car while my husband went in. When he came out, he found me eyeing an older gentleman standing nearby. I nudged him and said, “That’s Bo Miller.” (Bo is one of the minor characters in the story.) A few minutes later, we stopped at the town’s Library. As we were walking in, we passed a lady dressed in pioneer attire. She sent us a sunny smile and a “hello.” We looked at each other and both said at the same time: “Mama Beth.” (Mama Beth is one of the main characters in the story, a wise old woman who serves as a mother figure for Miller’s Creek.) I love running into people that remind me of my characters!
And two in the same trip? Jackpot! LOL. What are you writing right now?
I’m currently working on book two in the Miller’s Creek, Texas series, tentatively titled A Path Less Traveled (and hopefully available in the Fall of 2010). Here’s the basic storyline:
Trish James is tired of being rescued. When a spooked horse claims her husband’s life, she determines to make a life for herself and her son without outside help. But will that entail leaving the place that’s etched on her heart?
Andy Tyler has had to struggle for everything, and starting a new law practice in Miller’s Creek, Texas is no different. Though prepared for business challenges, he’s not prepared for falling in love–especially with yet another woman who will probably abandon him for her career.
Will Andy and Trish be able to see beyond the obvious to take the path less traveled?
The story will feature Andy and Trish, but will also include the old friends from Miller’s Creek.
Sounds great! Is there another author who has greatly influenced your writing?
I would have to credit Francine Rivers for first drawing me into the world of Christian fiction. I remember sobbing (on more than one occasion!) as I read Redeeming Love. I knew then I wanted to touch people and make a difference in their lives through the stories I wrote.
~*~
Thanks for visiting, Cathy! Readers, don’t forget to check out WordVessel. You can purchase Texas Roads at Amazon.
Void where prohibited. Entry into the contest is considered verification of eligibility based on your local laws. Contest ends 7/29/10. Winner will have two weeks to claim book.
Roseanna M. White is a bestselling, Christy Award winning author who has long claimed that words are the air she breathes. When not writing fiction, she’s homeschooling her two kids, editing, designing book covers, and pretending her house will clean itself. Roseanna is the author of a slew of historical novels that span several continents and thousands of years. Spies and war and mayhem always seem to find their way into her books…to offset her real life, which is blessedly ordinary.
Looks like a great read.
~Steph
soklad[at]hotmail.com
fortheluvofsanity.blogspot.com/
Thanks for all the kind comments. I appreciate you all, and consider myself especially blessed to have friends like you.
Roseanna, thanks again for the wonderful opportunity to be on your blog. I enjoyed the visit! =)
Cathy is a special friend to me, and I enjoyed the interview very much. "Texas Roads" has been on my stack of "books to read" since it was publicized – and I'd love to win it on this round of giveaways. It would be so much more special to win a copy than to buy one..but of course I plan to do that anyway!! Thanks for the opportunity Roseanna, and for being introduced to you also.
Blessings in Christ,
Barb Shelton
Arlington, TX
barbjan10(at)tx(dot)rr(dot)com
I would love to win this book.
sonflower277(at)gmail(dot)com
I've heard alot of good things about this book.
nina4sm[at]gmail[dot]com
Sounds good! I'd love to enter!
kate[at]atentforthesun[dot]com
I enjoyed the interview! Would like to add this to my summer reading list. Please enter me in the drawing!
latawniakintz[at]gmail[dot]com
by the way Carmen sent me!
Great interview. Please count me in because I'd like win a copy this book. Thank you.
letrassantas at hotmail dot com
I so appreciate this interview and would love to read this book. vidomich(at)yahoo(dot)com
I love the story about how she spotted the characters from her book! Thanks for the interview and giveaway. This sounds like a great book.
peacelily_2006(at)yahoo(dot)com
Please include me.
lkish77123 at gmail dot com
Hi, hope it's OK to contact you here. We would love to include your blog on our giveaway search engine: Giveaway Scout ( giveawayscout.com). Have a look and if interested, use our online form to add your blog ( giveawayscout.com/addblog/ ). thanks, Josh
Hi everyone! Thanks so much for your kind words. I'm humbled and blessed. Can't wait to see who wins! =) Blessings to all!
I have been so anxious to read this book…please enter me! Thanks!!!
jackie.smithATdishmailDOTnet
We here so much about Texas these days. Would love to get some of the stories regarding life in Texas. Would love to win one, but if not will buy one. Thank you. Juanita Wickey
whisper97304[at]yahoo.com
We have just moved to Texas and am amazed at how friendly the people are here! I would very much like to read Texas Roads. Wonderful interview.
CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com
Cathy Bryant is one of my favorite authors. Cathy has a great blog at WordVessel. I would love to read Texas Roads. Thanks Roseanna for this interview.
Great interview, Cathy and Roseanna. Thanks for sharing a little of your writing journey. Best!
sunnebnkwrtr.blogspot.com
CB
Hi everyone! =)
Kim, I normally do a lot of research on names before I choose them for my characters, but this book was different. The character's basically introduced themselves–they came to the story, fully formed with names and personalities.
A character in the third book in the Miller's Creek series (still in the planning stages) did the same thing… *cue Twilight Zone music* =)
Great interview! Please enter me for a chance to win this book!
Carman sent me
Maureen
alekee02 at yahoo dot com
I think it is so cool that your ran into your "characters"! 🙂
I'm always curious about this-how did you pick the names for your characters?
Thanks for the opportunity to win your book!
God bless!
Kim
lonebanana(at)msn(dot)com
what a wonderful interview w/ cathy…thank you so much for the opportunity to read cathy's wonderful novel 🙂
karenk
kmkuka at yahoo dot com
Roseanna, thanks so much for hosting me here today. I look forward to dropping in throughout the day and chatting, and I thoroughly enjoyed the interview. Great questions!!!