Interview and giveaway with author Barbara Britton!!

 

Thanks for having me on The Diamond Mine, Nancy. November has me thinking about being thankful, and I am thankful for Jesus.

Amen to that!!

It's a pleasure to welcome you to The Diamond Mine, and to let our readers know that they can win a free copy of Across the Lake if they leave a comment after the end of the interview. So, here we go!

Discover the life-changing power of Jesus in six short stories from the Gospel of Mark. The miracles of Jesus will leap from the page in a Biblical Fiction story, author reflection, and relatable study.

Travel with Jesus as he calms a storm, heals a desperate woman, raises a dead daughter to life, sends His disciples on a minimalist mission, feeds thousands on a hillside, and shows compassion to a persistent mother.

A perfect study for your small group, personal or family devotions, or book club.

If you know Jesus, fall in love with Him all over again. If you haven't experienced Jesus' power and love, jump in His boat and engage with the Creator and Savior of the world.

What inspired you to want to write this story?

My husband and I traveled to Israel in March of 2023. We took a bus tour around the Sea of Galilee before being called home for a medical emergency. While I was sitting on a boat on the Sea, I felt compelled to write about the love and power of Jesus displayed in the small towns in Galilee.

I cover six accounts from the Gospel of Mark that show Jesus performing miracles and revealing who He is—the Son of the Most High God.

Sounds like you received some powerful inspiration!

What made you decide to be a writer?

I had no plans to be an author. I was teaching Bible stories to elementary students in chapel and needed to modify my curriculum and write new lesson plans. I prayed to God for creativity, but I wasn’t specific that I needed help with only my chapel lessons. After the prayer, I had a prompting to sit down and write sweet historical stories. I finished three books before I started writing about little-known Bible characters. I should have started writing about what I was teaching each week. I guess I’m a slow learner.

I love writing about people in the Bible that many Christians haven’t met. It surprises me how many stories are new to me, and I have been a Christian for a long time. “Across the Lake” was my first foray into non-fiction. I combine Biblical Fiction short stories, my reflections from visiting the Sea of Galilee, and discussion questions for a small group. You can also use it for personal devotions.

It sounds so wonderful, Barbara!

What is the biggest challenge for you in being a writer?

When I started writing, the internet and social media weren’t invented, or were in their infancy. I didn’t have to balance my writing time with building a social media platform. My family responsibilities and my church ministries haven’t changed, but now I need to find time to write posts and snap pictures and comment on friends’ stories. It can be distracting to have dings going off when you’re trying to concentrate.

That's for sure!

This year, I have had some family medical issues happening, so I have been squeezed for time to write. I pray 2027 is a less stressful year. 

Personally, I like to have blocks of time to write, but those can be hard to find. Going to a local coffee shop and leaving the house behind makes it easier to get words on a page.

Yes. When you're home, there are always things that can take your focus off writing!!

Do you write from an outline, or just from inspiration, or both?

With Biblical stories, I have a ready-made outline to follow. The challenging part of writing about the Bible is handling Jesus. I didn’t add any words to what Jesus said, and I didn’t give him a personality. I used secondary characters to make the story come alive. But even limiting Jesus from an author’s perspective, He still shines bright.

I also had theologians read my book to make sure the theology was sound. I felt the pressure to get everything right about the stories and about Jesus. 

That's a wonderful approach. I bet the writing was a blessing for you, as I'm sure it will be for the readers.

Do you have any underlying themes that you want your readers to come away with?

In “Across the Lake,” I hope that long-time Christians will learn something new about the Scriptures. I also hope that readers who don’t know Jesus might place their faith in Him.

I wanted readers to experience the amazing power of the Son of God and bring His compassion to a new crop of readers.

All my stories could have the same theme. I like to write stories that show God is in control even in the chaos of life.

And those are admirable and edifying themes. You are doing such good, needed work!

On a different topic, do you have a pet? If so, tell us about them.

We have a spoiled orange Tabby cat named Ginger. She is a big girl and weighs fourteen pounds. We need to get her slimmed down a bit.

Recently, she brought me a prize--a dead mouse. I discovered I had mice in my kitchen. I set traps and now I am mouse-free. I hope that’s the case. I can always tell if I have a mouse in the house because Ginger goes on sentry duty staring at where she thinks the mouse lives. I wish she could dispose of the traps for me. Yuck!

Agreed! Yuck!

If you could leave a legacy of your life and writing, what would it be?

I am blessed that my family knows Jesus as their Lord and Savior. I pray my writing encourages believers or reaches those who need to know Jesus personally.

There is a lot of darkness in the world, and I pray my books bring light into the world. My stories, especially “Across the Lake,” showcase the light of the world—Jesus Christ. 

A friend at church came to faith because she read a Christian Fiction book and wanted a relationship with the God in the story. Amen to that blessing.

That's awesome. Thank you for doing what you do and helping to shine His light!

What are you working on now?

I’m working on a devotional and drafting a contemporary Christmas story. I enjoy writing about Christmas and the joy of the season. 

Thank you for having me back on the Diamond Mine. I am thankful for you ladies and all you do to showcase Christian Fiction and Christian authors.

Right back at you! We're all so blessed to know Him and to testify of His goodness! It's been an honor to interview you!

Now readers, here are some facts about Barbara, and also her contact info. If you want to have a chance to win a free copy, then click on the comment button, and leave a comment and your email and you'll be entered in the drawing!

Barbara’s bio:

Barbara M. Britton not only loves to write about the Bible, but she has also taught Bible stories for over thirty years. She is multi-published in Christian Fiction where she brings little-known Bible stories to light, or she makes you swoon with her sweet romances. She has a nutrition degree from Baylor University but loves to dip healthy strawberries in chocolate.

 
Barbara lives in Wisconsin with her husband of almost four decades and an indulged cat. Her sons are grown but they still come home and request their favorite recipes. You can find out more about Barbara and her books on her website, barbarambritton.com. 

You can connect with Barbara on her website, Twitter, Facebook, Goodreads, Instagram or BookBub.

You can purchase “Across the Lake” on Amazon or wherever books are sold.

Two Sides to Every Story: Meet Debut Author Karen Mains Procopio

We have another debut author visiting us this week. I'm thrilled to introduce Karen Mains Procopio. The first book in Karen's Lake Tearas Trilogy, Finding Me, released earlier this month. Settle in, learn more about Karen, and get some insider information into this book.

About Karen

Hi, I’m Karen Procopio—educator, journalist, and award-winning short-story author.

As a child, I was enamored with books, often reading late into the night until my eyes blurred. I devoured everything I could get my hands on—Roald Dahl, Frances Hodgson Burnett, Jane Austen, Charlotte Brontë, Liliana Heker, Margery Williams, and Mildred Wirt Benson, better known by her pen name Carolyn Keene, whose Nancy Drew mysteries I tore through—sometimes two in a single day. But my favorite was a coming-of-age story called Cammie’s Choice by Jane McIlvaine, about a girl adjusting to life in the Virginia countryside by befriending a horse. As a ten-year-old who had just moved from Massachusetts to Michigan, I connected deeply with Cammie’s struggle to find her place in new surroundings. I checked that book out of my junior high library again and again, always eager to climb onto Corinthian’s back and race through the lush countryside.

That early passion for stories eventually grew into my own journey of the written word, working as a journalist for a magazine and two newspapers during college. Yet even as I reported on real lives and events, fiction remained my true love. I was endlessly curious about people and their stories. What motivates us? How do our past experiences—hopeful or hurtful—influence the choices we make and the people we become? These questions inspired my short stories and now, my newest project, The Lake Tearas Trilogy, a contemporary women’s fiction saga. Through each book’s dual POVs and timelines, I explore the moments, choices, and connections that shape our lives. I believe storytelling has the power to help us understand ourselves and each other—and maybe even to forgive and heal. 

When I’m not writing or imagining story scenes unfolding in my mind, you’ll likely find me swimming laps, riding my bike, or spending time with my grandchildren. 

Connect: website | Facebook | Instagram | X

Suzie: Welcome to the Diamond Mine, Karen. Let's get started. Tell us a little more bit about yourself.

Karen: I'm a musician. I play the clarinet and bass clarinet, and I'm currently rehearsing for a community college production of She Loves Me. I performed regularly throughout high school and college, but eventually, life got busy and music took a back seat.

Now, after all these years, I'm rediscovering that part of myself. There's something wonderfully exciting about making music again!

Suzie: I love that you're rediscovering something you once loved. Let's talk about your new release. What is the inspiration behind your story?

Karen: I've always believed there are two sides to every story. Two people can see the same situation differently, yet both believe they're right.

I think much of life's conflict comes from failing to consider another person's perspective. We're quick to judge without understanding the fears, pain, or circumstances behind their decisions. 

That's what I wanted to explore in Finding Me. If we saw situations through another's eyes, would we judge less and forgive more?

Understanding doesn't mean approving, however. We can recognize a terrible decision while having compassion for the person who made it. Understanding doesn't erase consequences, but it allows us to see the person behind the choice.

These ideas became the foundation for Finding Me and the entire Lake Tearas Trilogy.

Suzie: I think we could all use that reminder. What was the catalyst for your interest in writing?

Karen: I've been enamored with storytelling for as long as I can remember. When my sister and I were little, we'd sit on our backyard swing set, making up stories and singing songs. I also loved to read. One of my favorite childhood memories is the day I received my first library card. It was like being handed the keys to the universe! I couldn't check out enough books. I also loved attending school book fairs, if only to crack open a new book and breathe in the scent of its pages.

But one moment stands out above all the others. I was in eighth grade when my English teacher told me she believed I would become a published writer someday. I remember floating on a cloud for the rest of the day. Her confidence in me meant more than she could possibly have known, and her words stayed with me for years.

As a young adult, I happened to run into her. I proudly told her I'd become a published journalist. She smiled and said, “I knew you would.”

I've never forgotten that moment. Sometimes, all it takes is one person who believes in you to give you the confidence to believe in yourself.

Suzie: I love that someone encouraged you, and now you have a published book and two more on the way. Do you have a day job? If so, how do you find time in your day to write?

Karen: I'm retired now, but I wrote Books 2 and 3 of the Lake Tearas Trilogy while teaching full-time. I squeezed writing into whatever spare moments I could find. I wrote while sitting in parking lots waiting to pick up my daughters from ballet or during my son’s musical rehearsals. I even wrote on my phone while standing in line at the grocery store!

As a teacher, I had summers off, which gave me longer stretches of writing time. Sometimes I'd stay up all night working on a manuscript and finally crawl into bed just as my husband was getting up to start his day.

One thing I learned is that there's never a perfect time to write. Even when I set aside an entire afternoon, interruptions always seemed to find me. Protecting my writing time was one of my biggest challenges. I had to help my family understand that writing wasn't simply something I did when I had nothing else to do. It was important to me, and I needed them to respect the time I devoted to it.

Ultimately, I discovered that if I waited for the perfect opportunity to write, I'd never finish a book. Sometimes, you have to create those opportunities yourself.

Suzie: Boy, isn't that the truth! Were there any surprises that came up as you wrote your story?

Karen: Absolutely! The biggest surprise was discovering that Finding Me wasn't a standalone novel. As I developed the fictional town of Lake Tearas and its residents, I realized that several secondary characters had stories of their own worth telling.

What began as Cate and Susan McDermott's story grew into a trilogy about three generations of people whose lives intersect in unexpected ways.

Another surprise was how emotionally attached I became to my characters. I know they're fictional, but after spending years with them, I sometimes feel as though I could drive into Lake Tearas, stop at the Lake Market, and visit with a few old friends.

Suzie: I'm sure your readers feel the same way about your characters. If you didn't write books, what would you do for a living?

Karen: I retired from teaching early so I could finish my trilogy. If I hadn't retired, I'd probably still be teaching, but I also thoroughly enjoyed working in technology!

Before becoming a computer science teacher, I worked as a network administrator, and I absolutely loved it. I enjoyed building computers, setting up school networks, and especially troubleshooting hardware problems.

Whenever a teacher called me into a classroom to repair a computer, I'd bring it back to my workbench in the server room, which I affectionately called “Santa's Workshop.” I loved the challenge of figuring out what had gone wrong. Was it a bad power supply? A faulty processor? Something else entirely? I'd take the computer apart, diagnose the problem, replace the defective components, and put everything back together again.

There was something incredibly satisfying about taking a computer that didn't work and bringing it back to life. I loved the problem-solving, the hands-on work, and the feeling of accomplishment when I got it running again.

I also earned my CompTIA A+ certification at a time when women were still relatively uncommon in the IT field. There was something empowering about working in a traditionally male-dominated profession and knowing I had the skills to do the job well.

I suppose that's one thing technology and writing have in common. Both require creativity, persistence, and a willingness to take something apart, figure out what's wrong, and put it back together until it works!

Suzie: I'm sure there are plenty of authors who would disagree with you about technology, lol! What's next for you as an author?

Karen: Preparing the second and third books for publication.

Finding Me is the first book in the Lake Tearas Trilogy.

The second book, Finding You, is scheduled for release on April 20, 2027. It follows Aimee Jones and Andrew Worthingham, two siblings separated during childhood who have spent years searching for a place to belong—and, ultimately, each other.

The third book, Finding Ours, is scheduled for December 14, 2027. It brings the trilogy full circle, with Brandi Hutton and Gertie McDermott taking center stage.

Although each book focuses on different characters, the stories are interconnected, and readers will encounter familiar faces throughout the series.

I've spent so many years with these characters that it's difficult to saying goodbye to Lake Tearas ... which is why I'm planning six follow-up novellas, two per book. The town has a few more stories to tell!

Suzie: As most small towns do!

Before you go, how can we pray for you?

Karen: First, please pray that God will use these stories to touch the hearts of readers who may be struggling with broken relationships, painful memories, or the need to forgive someone—including themselves.

Although my novels aren't overtly religious, they are written from a Christian worldview. I believe grace, forgiveness, reconciliation, and redemption are powerful themes, whether or not characters explicitly talk about their faith.

I'd also appreciate prayers for wisdom and discernment as I navigate this new chapter of my life as a published novelist. There's so much to learn about publishing and marketing.

And, of course, prayers for my family are always welcome. They're the most important people in my life.

Suzie: We will be praying for you, Karen. Thank you for taking some time out of your busy release schedule to share with us this week. I'm looking forward to returning to Lake Tearas soon!

About the Book

She went looking for the family she never knew. She may lose the only one she has.

Eighteen-year-old New Yorker Cate McDermott has always believed family means two people: herself and her fiercely driven mother, Susan.

Then one argument changes everything.

Cate has a grandfather. He’s alive. And for eighteen years, Susan has kept him a secret.

Against her mother’s wishes, Cate travels to the lakeside town of Lake Tearas, Michigan, determined to uncover the truth about the family Susan refuses to discuss. But the grandfather Cate hoped would welcome her shuts the door in her face, and the old family home holds far more secrets than answers.

The deeper Cate digs, the more the past collides with the present—and every discovery puts her relationship with her mother at risk.

How much truth can a family survive before there’s no going back?

For readers who enjoy the family secrets and emotional depth of A Week at the Shore, the search for truth in The Last Thing He Told Me, and the hope and healing found in Karen Kingsbury’s family-centered fiction.

Finding Me is emotional women’s fiction about family drama, mothers and daughters, forgiveness, and discovering that home may be found in the most unexpected place.

Goodreads | Amazon 

Welcome Contemporary Romance Author, Emily Conrad, to the Diamond Mine!

Join me in welcoming a contemporary romance author many of us know and love. Emily Conrad, to the Diamond Mine! Emily's stories have grit and heart and sweet romance. If you haven't had the chance to read one, do yourself a favor and check out one of her many amazing series. I can't wait to hear about her new book today. Without further ado, here's Emily! 

Emily Conrad writes contemporary Christian romance with emotional and spiritual depth from her home  in Wisconsin, which she shares with her husband, their coonhound, and two lop-eared rabbits. Though she likes to think her husband and her heroes are pretty great, the ultimate hero of her story is Jesus. 

Thanks again for visiting the Diamond Mine. I’m so excited to get to know you better!

I’m excited to be here! Thank you for inviting me to visit today!

First let’s learn a little bit about you. Can you share a few things about yourself that have nothing to do with writing?

A lot of elements of my life away from writing end up getting worked into stories, but let’s see if I can think of some things that haven’t made it into my writing . . . I am raising some swallowtail caterpillars. Here in Wisconsin, they overwinter in their chrysalises, so I’ve got them in an enclosure outside, where they will be protected and still get the environmental cues about when to emerge in spring. I enjoy growing things, so I have lots of houseplants, a garden that’s bigger than I realistically need, and love the portions of the year when I can grow my own bouquets to bring in the house.

Oh, I wish I could grow things! How fun :) What drew you to write?

I’ve always loved writing. Starting in middle school, I began writing about more challenging topics. I’m drawn to explore those through fiction because when I do, I feel like God shows up. Writing helps me grow and connect with Him in such a special way. But I also enjoy the escape and entertainment of a story, especially a romance.

I love how your stories do exactly that, explor challenging topics but also show us exactly how God can show up. What’s your writing process? 

I start out by thinking about who my characters are and what their goals and motivations are, as well as what will stand in their way. I usually know where I want them to end up. Over time, I’ve gone from being a discovery writer who didn’t plan much in advance to being more of a plotter. I will at least plan major plot points, but sometimes I even write a full synopsis before I start. I still end up running into problems and having to change the plan, but I write my way into fewer dead ends when I spend more time plotting in advance. I’m still not a fast writer, but at least this way, I can use most of what I do get on the page!

Our writing processes sound very similar!! Those characters have a way of goofing up the plan sometimes haha. How do you come up with your story ideas?

Left to my own devices, one story will often grow out of a previous one. A character who’s mentioned or is a minor character will step forward as the main character for a future book. It’s why my Rhythms of Redemption Romances characters have ended up in the background of my newer Many Oaks Romances.

That's so cool (And fun for us readers who don't want to let characters go). Tell us about your most recent book. 

I have a book releasing November 2nd called Lost Without You. It’s a romance set in northern Wisconsin where a sunshiny photographer and a grumpy park ranger are thrown together by a blizzard. She’s trying to cross the northern lights off her bucket list. He’s trying to save some at-risk land (and the lynx who’s recently moved in) from a mining operation. At first, their goals don’t seem to align very well, but they eventually discover how much they can help each other out. And maybe they even have chemistry, but she’s not planning to stay and he’s certainly not leaving the land he loves. 

If you like a protective hero, an independent female lead, wildlife, and the northern lights, I hope you’ll love your time spent in Chimney Creek, Wisconsin, where the story is set.

It’s part of a loosely connected series where the past couple doesn’t actually show up on the page, so you can read it as a stand alone.

Ooo. Sounds so interesting! Are there certain themes explored in the story?

Foster care and adoption impact the story in major ways, so the themes of home and how to show up for the people we love are important to the story. The story also explores God’s presence with us through hardship.

Do you have any favorite characters in your books?

Sure, lots of them! In Lost Without You, I’d have to say Luke, the hero. He can be grumpy, but he knows his strengths and he’s dedicated to using them to protect the people and places that he loves. And he’s willing to apologize when he gets it wrong. He was such a fun character to tag along with into Wisconsin’s Northwoods. 

There's something about grumpy characters that love their people that just tug at the heartstrings. What are you working on now?

A secret project! I’m not sure what’ll come of it yet, so I’m not sharing details. But I’m also working on a critique for one of my writing friends and finalizing the release that will happen after Lost Without You. It’s been fun to have a few projects overlapping—thankfully, in a low pressure way.

When you’re not writing, what do you enjoy doing?

My husband and I walk the dog every day, and we enjoy that steady part of our routine. I’m also a reader, so in the evening, I like to save time to sit with a book and my two lop-eared bunnies. They aren’t cuddly, but they will often sit near me so I can pet them while I’m reading, which is sweet.

Thank you so much for having me on the blog today! Reflecting on questions like these helps remind me why I do what I do, and I hope it’s been encouraging for your readers too.

Thanks so much for joining us!

Pre-Order Lost Without You

To save the land beside Chimney Creek State Park from a mining operation, jaded park ranger Luke Fielding must show the Wisconsin legislature the property's value. The federally threatened Canada lynx that treks through might help him turn skeptics into allies, but the animal proves elusive and the legislature demands evidence that might not exist to find, even for a skilled outdoorsman like Luke.

Photographer Bailey Sterling is broke, but with her upbeat attitude, her camera, and her teardrop camper, she's set to camp out in Chimney Creek State Park until she can earn some income from the local tourism board. While there, she'll cross the northern lights off her bucket list, thanks to the park's famous overlook. Or so she hopes until a Northwoods blizzard brings trouble even the grumpy park ranger, who tried to convince her to leave before the storm, failed to predict.

Forced together by the storm and duty, Luke and Bailey soon discover they need each other, and not just to salvage her assignment and protect the land he loves. But claiming a future together would mean doing something neither is ready for-admitting they'd each be lost without the other.

Preorder: https://a.co/d/0foZkTaJ

Connect with Emily

www.emilyconradauthor.com

https://www.facebook.com/emilyconradauthor

https://www.instagram.com/emilycornadauthor

Donna Mumma Talks Hurricanes, Vintage Covers, and her New Release!

 Are you in for a treat??!! I think so! I've got Donna Mumma here talking about her new vintage release Dressed for Success…Turned out for Murder. It's all about a retro department store, murders, and a group of ladies that…well, I can't tell you everything! Wanna know more? Keep reading…and don't forget to stay for the book giveaway!

PT: Welcome to the Diamond Mine, Donna.  What set you on the path of writing?

DM: I have always loved stories. I can remember my mom reading fairy tales to me when I was very young. My sister also read Alice in Wonderland and The Wizard of Oz books to me long before I was able to read them myself. I grew up in a household where reading, storytelling, and imagination were a big part of life. Though I love books, I love movies a tiny bit more, and this planted the desire to write and create worlds and characters of my own. When our boys were very small, my husband encouraged me to write as a way of keeping my brain active after caring for small kids all day. I had an idea for a story, and he surprised me with a computer and told me to write the book. I dedicated my first published book to him, because he always believed I could become an author.

PT: It’s great to have your husband’s support! So where do you hail from?

DM: I am a Florida native. I grew up in what used to be a rural area in the center of the state and now live on the West Coast in the Tampa Bay area.

PT: Now, you grew up on a dairy farm. Did you manually milk cows or was it all automated?

DM: My dad used automatic milkers that had to be put on by hand. Not as much work as hand-milking but still required a lot of tiring labor. I had four older brothers who did that work. My chores were much lighter, like feeding newly weaned calves and helping my mom around the house. When my brothers were older and moved out, I did work at the dairy barn, but I washed the cow’s udders before the milkers were applied. I learned fast how to dodge cow-kicks and being smacked in the face by dirty tails.

PT: I so understand. I used to hand milk! Could you tell some things you learned from growing up on a farm?

DM: When you grow up on a farm, you learn very early that good and bad situations come along and you have no control over either one. When things go wrong, you don’t have time to despair. Cows still need to be milked and fed, fields need to be plowed, crops need to be planted or harvested. Farms are great teachers of how to live on faith and trust in God because trouble and tragedies come very quickly. If you’re going to make it, you have to take on a “these things happen but tomorrow is another day and God’s in control” kind of attitude. That has stayed with me my entire life, though I have to remind myself who’s in control.

PT: What a great Biblical analogy! Since you were in Florida, were you ever caught in a hurricane?

DM: Many times. Growing up in the interior of the Florida peninsula, we would get the heavy winds and rains, sometimes tornadoes that spun off from the hurricane, and you weathered through, then cleaned up once the storms passed. Now that we live on the coast, we’ve been through several, but it is a very different situation. We must deal with flooding, far greater wind damage, and long-term power outages. If the storm is in the stronger range, we evacuate to family members who live further north and inland in Florida. The flood damage from Helene and Milton was the worst we’ve ever seen in our area. Milton hit in the night, and even though we were inland, I’ve never in my life heard winds scream and blow like that. We didn’t sleep much that night.

PT: Oh, my! But God protected you through it all. Let’s get to books. Do you like writing historicals, contemporaries, or mysteries? Or something else?

DM: I once declared that I would never write a historical because I didn’t want to do all the research. But, God has a sense of humor, and here I am writing my fourth historical mystery in the series. I’ve had more fun than I ever thought and have thoroughly enjoyed the research journey. The very first book I ever published was a contemporary seasoned with suspense, and I have ideas for others set in current times. I also have an idea for a book about spies working during the Cuban Missile Crisis that I hope to write someday. My imagination enjoys the challenge of writing and creating an adventurous mystery.

PT: What genre do you enjoy reading? Favorite place to snuggle up and read?

DM: I don’t have a favorite genre but pick books on how much the premise catches my interest. I like crime thrillers, true crime, mysteries, women’s fiction, and action-adventure/science fiction or spy thrillers. As far as where I like to read, anywhere that’s comfy, quiet, and comes with a fuzzy blanket will do.

PT: A quiet spot and fuzzy blanket is a must! Do you have a current favorite hymn and Bible verse?

DM: My favorite hymn right now is It Is Well With My Soul. I love so many of the old ones I grew up on, and my favorite tends to change according to what is going on in my life at the time. My favorite Bible verse is Hebrews 12 :1.

“Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,” King James Version (KJV)

PT: I love the 1950s vintage look of your new book Dressed for Success…Turned out for Murder! Where did you get the concept of the book and what Biblical truths are intertwined?

DM: The idea for Dressed for Success…Turned out for Murder, along with the other two books in the series came from my being captivated by a picture of two stunning models dressed in 1950s style dresses, hats and gloves that I saw in the dressing room of a store. I immediately began think about who were these two women, what did they do, and where did they get those beautiful clothes? Later, when I was researching for book 1, The Women of Wynton’s, I discovered that the picture I’d seen was actually a cover photo for an issue of Vogue magazine from the 1950s. From there, I started thinking about what if there were four women, and they worked in a department store, didn’t like each other much, and they somehow got caught up in a murder that forced them to come together in order to solve it? The idea grew from there. In this current book, we focus on one of the women of Wynton’s, Mary Jo Johnson, a young wife and mother who wants nothing more than to quit working at Wynton’s and return home to take care of her family full-time. Just when it seems her dream is coming true, tragedy strikes, and she must stand tall and fight for what she loves most, with the help of her friends.

The Biblical truths I tried to weave in came from Proverbs 31, as well as our being called to stand by friends when they are going through tough times, sharing their struggles and uplifting them whenever we can. There is also a character in the book who was meant to be a great example of why no one should be like the quarrelsome spouse mentioned in Proverbs.

PT: You have me intrigued! Gives us a hint of the most exciting scene in Dressed for Success…Turned out for Murder.

DM: There are a couple of scenes that I think would fit this. In one, the ladies have banded together to search for a piece of vital evidence. This search takes them deep into the wilds of Florida where they happen upon an active moonshining operation. The owners of the still show up, and the ladies must deal with the situation while avoiding being the next names listed in the daily obituary column in the local newspaper.

PT: Ah, readers, this sounds like a book we won’t want to miss! Now my favorite part. Tell 5 things about Donna Mumma that have nothing to do with writing.'

DM:

        1. My favorite breed of dog is a rough collie, like Lassie. We currently have a handsome white and sable boy named Duke.

        2. I do not drink coffee.

        3. I love classic Christmas movies and start watching them Thanksgiving night.

        4. I play two musical instruments, piano and saxophone.

        5. I think soup and French fries make a perfect meal combination, second only to tomato soup and grilled cheese.

PT: Do you have another 1950s vintage book in mind or are you heading in a different direction for you next book?

DM: I’m currently writing the final book in The Women of Wynton’s series, titled A Bad Penny Returns. It is set in 1958, and centers around the character Gigi, who is dealing with the reappearance of her ex-husband plus the death of one of her beloved cosmetics clients. Mayhem and murder abound, causing Gigi to be the most likely suspect. Her friends jump to her aid to prove her innocence while searching for the truth. The ladies are also seeing the beginnings of the civil rights movement in Florida as Wynton’s Black employees decide to stand up to the unfair system going against them at the very store they all work for. These characters are also witnessing the first great development boom in Florida, and all the swindlers who turned up to take advantage of those looking to move to a tropical paradise. The winds of change are beginning to blow at Wynton’s Department store, and each of the ladies finds herself in a new situation none of them ever imagined.

PT: Now that’s a hook right into a reader’s heart! Thanks so much for being on The Diamond Mine of Christian Fiction, Donna. We can’t wait to dive in to Wynton’s tangled mystique! Want to know more about Donna? Keep reading!

Donna has graciously offered not one, but two books! Both Women of Wynton's books,  First Comes Marriage...Then Comes Murder and Dressed for Success...Turned out for Murder are being offered as giveaways! Leave your name on the contact for or leave a comment with your email to be entered!

Donna Mumma perfected storytelling in her first grade classroom, spinning tales exciting enough to settle a roomful of antsy six-year-olds. She is an award winning author of both fiction and nonfiction who loves to blend history, mystery, and a touch of faith in her stories. A native Floridian, she now lives on the Sunshine State’s west coast, sharing life with her family, and her energetic collie, Duke.

Visit her at www.donnamumma.me

Donna Mumma's Links For Dressed for Success...Turned out for Murder

Amazon

https://www.amazon.com/Dressed-Success-Turned-Out-Murder/dp/B0GK5SXKR3/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3T6PVWPD96A75&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.me9Ny_IdmE-AzNoKtb_5Ai9 

Donna's website and newsletter-

www.donnamumma.me 

Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/donna.mumma.3

Author page

https://www.facebook.com/donnamummawriter/

Instagram

Donnamumma_writer

Interview with Author Rachel Chamberlayne!

Hi, guys! V. Joy Palmer here! Since we are all friends here, you guys can call me Joy. ;-) And one of my favorite things to do is talk with my friends at coffee shops, then head to the bookstores. Yes, plural. After all, books and yummy drinks are the perfect combination! So consider this our virtual coffee shop. I'll wait a second for you to get your warm drink and a fuzzy blanket before we chat with today's guest. <3

Today we are going to pry into the private life of CHAT with author Rachel Chamberlayne!

Rachel is a Christian romance writer who lives in the heartland with her husband and two children. With a Bachelor's degree in English and Creative Writing, Rachel loves crafting love stories that will make you swoon, sigh, and give you all the butterflies. When she's not daydreaming about her book characters, you might find her reading, writing poetry, or spending time with her family. 

Connect with Rachel on her website or her Instagram @authorrachelchamberlayne!

Interview ~

This may be the most important question I ask -- no pressure or anything, LOL! 

*drum roll*

What are you drinking in our virtual coffee house? Coffee? Tea? Hot chocolate? Something else altogether?

Coffee all the way!

Welcome, friend! ;-) If you could order anything in the world to eat (we can dream, can't we?), what would it be?

Sausage and pepperoni pizza :)

Classic! Where is your favorite place to write, and why is that your favorite place?

Anywhere! As long as I get to write.

Truth! Do you have an odd habit that is only explained by your bookish, writer tendencies? Safe space. ;-)

I like to chew on highlighters while I write. I don’t know why, but it helps me stay focused.

That's a new one, and I love it! What inspired you to write It's Only Ever Been You?

I wanted to write a story about the raw, realistic struggles of a Biblical marriage. Marriage is often depicted as the happily-ever-after in romance, especially Christian romance (and it is to a certain degree). But it is hard, too. I wanted to explore that from a Biblical perspective with my favorite characters.

They say time heals all wounds, but some wounds have left scars that refuse to fade for Genevieve Wright.

Despite their rocky beginning, Brandon and Evie Wright found their happily ever after. But when a very beautiful reminder of Brandon’s promiscuous past pops the bubble oftheir newlywed bliss, Evie must confront an insecurity that’s rooted in her childhood—her fear of abandonment.

After all, Brandon left once before. What makes her think he won’t do it again?

It’s Only Ever Been You is a fade-to-black/closed-door companion novella to Brandon and Evie’s stand-alone Christian romance novel, It’s Always Been You. Physical intimacy between a married couple is implied.

Nice! What led you to write in this genre? 

It was natural! I have always wanted to write romance, and after I became a Christian, I couldn’t separate my faith from my writing. It all happened organically.

Love it! What message do you hope to convey to your readers?

My hope is that readers see themselves in my characters. Not just the good parts, but the messy, raw, relatable parts, too. The parts that aren’t talked about, especially in Christian spaces. I like to shed the light of Christ in dark and taboo places.

Love that! Can you tell us a little about your next project(s)? 

I am currently writing a story about a woman named Daisy who loses her husband unexpectedly early in their marriage. Her late husband’s estranged twin moves back to town after his death, and as former childhood best friends, their messy past is unraveled as they spend more time together.

Sounds interesting! Do you have a favorite Bible verse or story that inspires you on a soul level? 

Psalm 73:26. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. This verse reminds me that I don’t need to be perfect, or do things perfectly all the time to be called His, which tends to be my heart’s default setting. This verse reminds me that He is my strength, and He will never forsake me.

So true! What are you currently reading? Inquiring minds -- mine! -- want to know. ;-)

I am currently reading We Drank the Dawn by Ashley Dill, and I am about to start Stay With Me by Becky Wade. :)

Awesome! Thanks for answering all of my prying questions, Rachel! 

Check out Rachel's other books! 

See you next time, and God bless you guys!!!

Hugs!

~V. Joy Palmer

V. Joy Palmer loves to write romantic and comedic stories that proclaim God’s deep love for us. In her spare time, Joy loves to sing (especially Disney songs), drink large quantities of coffee, and create aesthetic content for Bookstagram. When Joy isn’t fighting with fictional people, she’s hanging out with her husband and their adorable daughters. Connect with Joy via www.vjoypalmer.com!

Connect with Joy on her website, Facebook, Instagram, and Amazon Author Page!