Interview with Best-Selling, Award-Winning Author Kate Breslin

It is my immense privilege and privilege to introduce Kate Breslin to our Diamond Mine audience!

Kate is the author of five WWI novels by Bethany house: Not by Sight, High as the Heavens, Far Side of the Sea, and her newest release, As Dawn Breaks. Her fifth and final novel in the connecting series is entitled In Love's Time and will be released in December 2022.

The novels can each be read as stand-alone, and include one main connecting character. In December, you’ll get to read about Captain Marcus Weatherford’s adventure in the year 1918 when he embarks on a critical mission. He travels first to Archangel, Russia, then to London, and finally to the pastoral beauty of Hampshire.

Don’t let England’s lush, tranquil countryside fool you—it’s a time of war, intrigue, romance, and danger!

I have always been impressed with Kate's talent for weaving a compelling romantic story. She masterfully weaves intrigue, history, and passion with artistry and grace. I was so excited when she agreed to an interview! I hope you'll watch to the end because Kate shares all her writing processes with us!

Do you have your spot o' tea?

Feet up? Enjoy!

I have started an Amazon Book Club and have chosen Kate's first book (not in this series), For Such a Time as This as the club's first read! I plan to read through all her books before the end of the year. Why not join me? You can join my club here: Karla's Amazon Book Club

KATE’S BIO
Former bookseller-turned-author Kate Breslin enjoys life in the Pacific Northwest with her husband and family. A writer of travel articles and award-winning poetry, Kate received Christian Retailing's 2015 Best Award for First Time Author and her first novel, For Such A Time, won American Christian Fiction Writers 2015 Carol Award. Kate's fifth novel, As Dawn Breaks released November, 2021. When she's not writing inspirational fiction, Kate enjoys reading or taking long walks in Washington's beautiful woodlands. She also likes traveling to new places, both within the U.S. and abroad, having toured Greece, Rome, Barcelona, and much of Western Europe. New destinations make for fresh story ideas. Please visit her at www.katebreslin.com

CONTACT INFORMATION

www.katebreslin.com

https://twitter.com/Kate_Breslin

https://www.facebook.com/KateBreslinAuthor

http://www.pinterest.com/katelbreslin/

https://www.instagram.com/authorkatebreslin

https://www.bookbub.com/authors/kate-breslin

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7115378.Kate_Breslin

https://www.linkedin.com/in/kate-breslin-87531b61

Karla Akins is the author of several books including A Pair of Miracles. She currently lives in Florida where she is so busy teaching and writing that she never gets enough time to read at the beach. But then, who really does?

Find Karla on the web:

KarlaAkins.com

Instagram: @LearnTodayCafe

Outschool Classes for Kids 18 and Under Including Kids with Disabilities & Autism

English Language Learning Classes

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links.

Award-Winning Hollywood Screenwriter, Movie Producer, Author, Brian Godawa

I am thrilled to introduce you to a new friend! His name is Brian Godawa, and he is a multi-faceted, talented, dedicated Christian creative. Not only is he an author of novels, but he is also an acclaimed screenwriter, movie creator, and engaging speaker.

His latest book, Moses, is absolutely enthralling. Godawa's writing style is fast-paced with tons of action gamers are sure to love.

Here's a small excerpt of Brian's Bio on his website, Brian Godawa:

"Brian Godawa is the screenwriter for the award-winning feature film, To End All Wars, starring Kiefer Sutherland. It was awarded the Commander in Chief Medal of Service, Honor and Pride by the Veterans of Foreign Wars, won the first Heartland Film Festival by storm, and showcased the 2003 Cannes Film Festival Cinema for Peace. He wrote and directed the documentary Wall of Separation for PBS, Lines That Divide: The Great Stem Cell Debate for CBC Network, and School’s Out: Political Correctness Vs. Academic Freedom for Boulevard Pictures. He also adapted The Visitation by best-selling author Frank Peretti for Ralph Winter (X-Men, Wolverine).

Mr. Godawa’s scripts have won multiple awards in such screenplay competitions as Carl Sautter, The Nicholl Fellowship, Austin Heart of Film, Fade-In, Worldfest, Writer’s Network, Chesterfield Writer’s Film Project, Columbus Discovery Awards and Reader’s Digest Screenplay Competition.

He gives lectures at high schools and colleges on screenwriting, as well as the art of watching and writing movies. He has had his articles on movies and philosophy published in magazines around the world, most recently winning First Place from the EPA for his article on the philosophy of The Matrix.

His book, Hollywood Worldviews: Watching Films with Wisdom and Discernment (InterVarsity Press) is in its ninth printing, and his new book Word Pictures: Knowing God Through Story and Imagination (IVP) addresses the power of image and story in the pages of the Bible to transform the Christian life.

Mr. Godawa is a member of the Studio Task Force at Biola University; a contributing writer for CRI Journal; a founding member of Arts & Entertainment Ministries, LA; and Senior Fellow of Film for the Center for Cultural Leadership, CA."

Brian generously spent time out of his busy schedule to talk to us. Kick back, put your feet up, and join us at the Writing Cafe!

Brian has a lot of great information on his website. He offers classes and services to help you polish your scripts. There is also a demonstration of his speaking gigs and endorsements from writers, producers, and CEOs of movie companies.

Sign up for his newsletters here: https://godawa.com/

You can follow him on Facebook here: https://www.facebook.com/brian.godawa.author

You can follow him on Twitter here: https://twitter.com/BrianGodawa

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/gowdawg


Karla Akins is an award-winning author and educator. She currently teaches writing classes and special

education online on Outschool and on Takelessons. Learn more about taking classes from Karla at her website at KarlaAkins.com

Follow Karla on these social networks:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/karlakakins/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/KarlaAkins

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KarlaKAkins/

Award-Winning Author, Barbara M. Britton: Bringing Bible Characters to Life

Barbara M. Britton is not your average author. Battling breast cancer at the same time her publishing career was launched is a story of grit, grace, and tenacity. When it comes to war, Barbara knows how to fight. 

Her latest book, Defending David, explores the unlikely friendship between one of ancient history's favorite kings and an obscure Gitite named Ittai. How does a Philistine giant end up joining King David in his later years and support him in battle? Who is this Ittai? Who has heard of him or remembers reading about him?

I had the privilege of spending some time with Barbara chatting about books, King David, and the  trials of this world that fight to silence us. This interview has some fascinating twists and turns. I'm fairly certain that this is the first time that King David and Bob Dylan have been mentioned in the same interview! 

I know you'll enjoy our chat. If you do, please let us know in the comments! What giants have you been fighting lately? Have any become your friends? Weigh in!

Barbara's Website: http://www.barbarambritton.com/books....

Barbara's Website: http://www.barbarambritton.com/books....

Karla's Website: https://karlaakins.com/

Karla's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/karlakakins/

Karla's Outschool - I can homeschool your kids! https://bit.ly/kakinsos

Karla Akins is an author, educator, and disabilities advocate. She is the author of A Pair of Miracles, the inspiring memoir of how God miraculously works through the lives of her adopted twin sons with autism. Karla has a Bachelor's Degree in Special Education, a Master's of Education in Learning and Technology, and a Master of Arts in English Language Learning. She teaches children with varying levels of ability all over the world.

Interview with best-selling author J'nell Ciesielski

One of the best things about being an author is watching fellow authors get their wings. I remember when I met this beautiful young woman in 2015 (see my interview here) with dreams in her head and words at her fingertips. And now, just look at her! All grown up in the romance book writing world and launching book after successful book. I couldn't be more proud to present this interview with the truly talented and lovely J'nell Ceiselski.

We share a mutual agent, Linda Glaz, of Hartline Literary Agency. And we both share a deep love of history.
J'nell is an impressive talent indeed. She is the winner of both the INSPY and Maggie Awards. She's also a Florida native (where I live now!) but now lives in Virginia with her husband, daughter, and lazy beagle.

J'nell states on her website:  

"If you love a good romance, high adventure, intelligent heroines who can hold their own, men to make your heart swoon and knees shake then you’ve come to the right place.

All my life I’ve surrounded myself with books and awesome stories, particularly ones set in a time long gone by. My passion has always been history, and its secrets open up a world of possibilities. Throw in a melting romance that ends happily ever after and I’m hooked."

 

Put your feet up and enjoy the video interview with this brilliant young mind!

J'nell's Books can be purchased here: Books By J'nell Ciesielsky

Social Media Links

http://www.jnellciesielski.com/

https://www.facebook.com/jnellciesielski

https://www.goodreads.com/jnellciesielski

https://www.pinterest.com/jnellciesielski/

https://www.instagram.com/jnellciesielski/

This interview by Karla Akins first appeared on The Diamond Mine of Christian Fiction blog. 

Karla Akins is an award-winning author, educator, and speaker. She hails from the Tampa area of Florida where she resides with her husband, Eddie, her naughty Boston Terrier, Bella

Rose, and her two self-important cats. Her twin adult sons with autism live with them, too. A Pair of Miracles is about their life. Karla is a full-time 5th-grade public school special education teacher in inner-city Tampa and an online instructor. To schedule tutoring or coaching sessions, go to KarlaAkins.com or to her Outschool platform.

Follow Karla on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/karlakakins/ 

Interview with Author and Agent Linda Glaz

Tell us when you first knew you loved books.

I've always read voraciously, and have had stories swirling in my head as long as I can

remember. (some people... er ... doctors, call that "Voices", I say stories...LOL)

How old were you when you started writing? 

13 and then seriously at 42

How did you first get published?

 I got two novellas published after writing for eighteen years. Yes, you read that right! 18!

What do you write? 

Historic romance, romantic suspense, and suspense

Where do you get your ideas? 

I can't look at almost any situation without seeing a story in it. I see a kid pulling against
the parent's hand, and my mind immediately wanders to trafficking, and I can hear a kid's
voice telling me his or her story...

What is your process? (SOP or outline?) 

Oh, Pantster for sure. I usually have an overall idea of the start and finish, but I let the
characters tell me who they are and where they are actually going. (There's that doctor
again!)

What made you decide to be an agent?

I'd been working for my own agent as an assistant for two years.
Then when an opening came up, he encouraged me to try out for it.
The boss said yes, and woohoo!  Here I am, loving it every single day.

What do you like best about it? Least about it?
What are you looking for now? 

I love to find amazing new authors and new works. I hate the part about saying no.
But that generally happens when folks don't know the industry well and send material out
WAY too soon. I don't really do much literary fiction, mostly genre fiction. And I handle most
genres, just not anything in the spec fiction realm. I don't handle much children's (really
prefer not to) and definitely not anything with graphic sexuality or swearing in it.
I do have quite a few nonfiction projects that are just downright awesome, but folks
need to realize how important platform has become, especially for nonfiction. Though it c
ertainly helps fiction as well.

How did it feel to win ACFW Agent of the Year? 

hahaha AWESOME!!! And to be considered alongside the wonderful agents that I was up
against was such an honor.

Who are some of your clients? How did you find them? 

Well, you know ONE of my clients VERY well. LOL Kate Breslin, J'nell Ciesielski,
Tom Threadgill, Karen Wingate, and so many other really wonderful folks who stuck
it out until we found them the exact right home. I could list every one of them, here, as they
work so incredibly hard and are constantly writing new material for me to shop around.

I meet most folks at conferences, but I do find a few through emails.

Anything else you want us to know? 

I simply LOVE love love to find new authors (they have my heart) and help them navigate
the industry until we find them a book deal.

Thanks so much, Linda, for joining us here on the
Diamond Mine!

Thanks for having me, Karla. I appreciate it!

Four New Members Join the Diamond Mine in 2019!

Happy New Year! I hope the year 2019 greets you with love and joy that lasts and blesses you throughout the entire year!

We here at The Diamond Mine are very blessed also. We are welcoming in four new writers who will be conducting new interviews of Christian Authors throughout the new year. Sadly we've said good-bye to several and we will miss them greatly. But, please help me herald in a new wonderful bunch of writers! Karla Akins, Crystal Caudill, Terry Palmer, and return blogger, Erin Unger!

Karla Akins

Karla Akins is the author of A Pair of Miracles, the story of raising her twin sons with autism. Akins is also the author of several history books for homeschoolers including O Canada Her Story, Sacagawea, and Jacques Cartier. Her work has also been published in The Old Schoolhouse Magazine and she currently writes for Spirit-Filled Woman Magazine. Her first novel, The Pastor’s Wife Wears Biker Boots includes a character with autism. Karla is a full-time special education teacher. She loves writing with her fur kids on her lap: a pug, a Boston Terrier, and two tuxedo cats. When Karla isn't writing she's dreaming about writing and making movies. Karla lives with her husband, twin adult sons with autism and her mother-in-love in rural Indiana.

You can connect with Karla at: KarlaAkins.com, https://www.instagram.com/karlaakinsspedwriter/, https://www.facebook.com/KarlaKAkins/, https://twitter.com/KarlaAkins.

Crystal Caudill

Crystal Caudill is a tea-drinking, book-hoarding, history nerd. Her parents had no idea what a monster they were creating when they took her to her first history museum. From that moment on, she has researched and crafted stories filled with danger, love, and history.

Her latest project won the 2018 RWA Wisconsin Fab Five, came in second for the 2018 RWA Touched By Love Contest, and was a finalist in the 2017 ACFW Virginia Crown Award.

You can connect with Crystal at: www.crystalcaudillwrites.com, https://www.facebook.com/crystalcaudillauthor/, https://twitter.com/ccaudillwrites, https://www.pinterest.com/crystalcaudillwrites/, Instagram:@crystalcaudillauthor, Newsletter: http://eepurl.com/c9n-7P

Terry Palmer

Author Terry Palmer lives in Rosemount Minnesota with his author wife Leann. Seven busy grandchildren are a constant source of amusement, source of stories, and source of mischief – like papa. No writers could be farther apart in style. Leann loves to write in her romance style, with the deeper feelings of life painted into her stories. Terry has to have some action/adventure, with disaster after disaster which makes the characters face those tough choices in life while on the run. But both are also the same. From separate points of view, our books bring the reader to one essential truth - ‘How to overcome adversity and darkness through a step of faith in Jesus Christ.’ You see…only by going through some tough challenges and finding out that it’s all about Jesus, about our worship and relationship with Him that makes the difference of either fear or peace, of either chaos or contentment. Last Christmas, Terry placed A Night to Remember into the market and ranked as high as #5 in the children’s Christmas books category. A Night To Remember is actually a gospel tract. The cute Christmas story leads right into ‘how to’ accept Jesus Christ as told by my characters. Right now Leann is trying to finish, ‘Strength For today’ in her romance voice and Terry is trying to get Shaken to market in his action/adventure voice.

So pleased to be part of the ‘Diamond Mine’.  Such a gathering of great voices for Jesus is like a literary choir of praise to Him and amen for that.

You can connect with Terry at: https://chroniclesoform.wordpress.com/.

Erin Unger

Erin Unger was raised in the hills of Virginia, exploring abandoned houses and reading the scariest books she could find. After marrying so young it would make a great romance novel, she has enjoyed an exciting life with her hubby. But her fast-paced life sometimes rivals the suspense in her books thanks to all her mostly grown children and a couple grand kids. She has won several writing awards. 2019 is a busy year for Erin. Several of her books are releasing. Her novel, Desolate Paths, releases January 11, 2019 and Practicing Murder, releases March 29, 2019. Be on the look out for a few other novels of hers next summer and fall.

You can connect with Erin at: www.erinungerwrites.com, https://www.facebook.com/ErinUngerWrites/, https://twitter.com/erinungerwrites, https://www.instagram.com/erinungerwrites/.

In celebration of inducting these 4 new Christian authors, we are giving away a $25 Amazon card. Please leave your email in the comments and become one our our readers to qualify. Welcome aboard authors and thanks for reading!