Author Abigail Wilson's Third Regency Waits in the Wings. . .

We're closing out one of the last weeks in December with Abigail Wilson, one of the Diamond Mine's favorite authors. She's turning out her third book and it's bound to be as exciting as the other two! May is just around the corner, (when her book releases) and I couldn't wait to don my white gloves and chat with her.

PT: Welcome back to the Mine! So, for the readers who haven't met you, tell us a little more about your genre, Regency.

AW: Thank you so much for having me back on the mine, Peggy!

The Regency era is by far my favorite time period in England and took place between 1811 and 1820 when George, Prince of Wales, governed the country as 'Regent' due to the madness of his father George III. Though the Regency period spanned only a few years, thanks to Jane Austen and the romanticized mix of honor, class, and societal expectations, it has sparked countless stories.

And, while balls and matchmaking mamas were giving their daughters seasons in London in hopes of snagging husbands of wealth and status, the Napoleonic Wars were raging on the continent, which provides a delicious mix of adventure and romance with which to set my own stories.

PT: Ahhh. The perfect backdrop. So share with us, when can we expect to see your book on the shelf and where is it set?

AW: My second novel Midnight on the River Grey

released in July 2019, and it is set on the southeastern coast of England where smuggling and spying with France flourished.

My next book Masquerade at Middlecrest Abbey will release in May 2020 in the same location.

PT: Smuggling, spying, gracious I must fan myself! Tell us, is your new book a standalone novel or part of a series?

AW: Each one of my stories are loosely connected but can be read as a standalones, including Midnight on the River Grey.

PT: Such an exotic location to build a story. Have you ever been to London/Europe or do you research extensively for your projects?

AW: Traveling to England continues to be a dream of mine. However, I like to say I’ve visited Regency England thousands of times in my imagination. Thanks to the popularity of the Regency time period, there are so many research options online as well as in books. And Google Earth is a huge help too.

PT: Virtual reality is an ideal way to travel, especially to us book worms! So go ahead, wow us with your favorite regency quip (using your best regency British brogue, LOL.)

AW: There are so many I can hardly choose. Here’s one that comes to mind:

“I daresay the boot is quite on the other leg.” (The situation is the reverse)

And in response, “Eh, wot?” (Right?!)

PT: Is there Biblical themes/lessons in your books?

AW: My books are considered crossover books, which means they are presented from a Christian world view with a strong moral message rooted in faith, but can be picked up by anyone in the general public.

PT: Favorite place to be? Favorite place to write? Tea, Coffee, or other for writing?

AW: One of my favorite places that I’ve ever been is Glacier National Park, gorgeous sweeping mountains and waterfalls.

My favorite place to write is anywhere comfy and quiet. Currently, while my kids are at school, I like to put up my feet in my recliner and type on my laptop.

And I absolutely cannot write without tea by my side, preferably chai tea.

PT: Name 5 things fast about Abigail Wilson that have nothing to do with writing.

AW: I love visiting the National Parks and plan to see every single one in my lifetime.

I’m addicted to Coca-cola.

My dog is trained to do all kinds of tricks.

I’m a mom of two crazy kids (One is a competitive diver and the other plays the French horn).

I’m always planning my next road trip.

PT: What’s your next project?

AW: Masquerade at Middlecrest Abbey will release in May 2020, and I’m so excited to get the chance to give Elizabeth Cantrell a happily ever after. Here’s the blurb:

When the widowed Lord Torrington agreed to spy for the crown, he never planned to impersonate a highwayman, let alone rob the wrong carriage. Stranded on the road with an unconscious young woman, he is forced to propose marriage to protect his identity and her reputation, as well as his dangerous mission.

Trapped not only by her duty to her country but also by her limited options as an unwed mother, Miss Elizabeth Cantrell and her infant son are whisked away to Middlecrest Abbey by none other than the elder brother of her son’s absent father. There she is met by Torrington’s beautiful grown daughters, a vicious murderer, and an urgent hunt for the missing intelligence that could turn the war with France. Meanwhile she must convince everyone that her marriage is a genuine love match if her new husband has any hope of uncovering the enemy.

Determined to keep her son’s true identity a secret, Elizabeth will need to remain one step ahead of her fragile heart, her uncertain future, and the relentless fiend bent on her new family’s ruin.

PT: And there you have it, dear readers! A chance to travel back to England and embrace the Regency time period. Merely pick up one of Abigail's books and off you go. Perhaps now, the boot is on the other leg! Simply click on here, and you can pre-order her new book or purchase her other ones. 
Otherwise, you can be entered to win Abigail Wilson's Midnight on the River Grey by simply commenting and leaving your email. Good Luck, and Merry Christmas!

Exploring Literary Mountains with Author, Joanne Bischof!

Greetings, readers! I've a mountain of a interview for you this week. I'm particularly excited to have one of my new favorite authors on the Diamond Mine, Joanne Bischof! Sons of Blackbird Mountain is one of the best books I've read in recent years, and now, she has a sequel, squee! Daughters of the Nouthern Shores.

So grab your mountain gear, and let's hike into getting to know Joanne!

 PT: Hello, Joanne. So nice to have you on the Diamond Mine. Let's start with the usual. What made you chose to become a writer?

JB: After writing a short story in the 3rd grade, my mom and teacher really encouraged me that they were proud of me. It was such a boost to my little 3rd grade heart that I stuck with it and kept writing. I am so thankful for the way they bolstered me and made me feel like they believed in me. I really think it made a difference, and it often reminds me to do the same with my children and what they enjoy creating.

PT: The readers would love to know more about you. Where did you grow up and what were some of your favorite memories of your childhood?

JB: I grew up in sunny Southern California – where I still call home. I have so many fond memories of swimming in the pool in the summer, eating fresh oranges out of our orange trees, and of beach days or bike rides. It was a fun place to grow up!

PT: Fresh oranges? That would be so tasty! So, expand a bit and tell us which genre(s) you write in and why?

JB: I’ve written in a few genres, including some YA and a little contemporary, but for the most part, I write historical romance. That’s the genre of my heart!

PT: Ahhh. Historical romance. You can't go wrong with that. Now, you set your books in the Appalachian Mountains but didn't actually visit there until later. When you visited there, what elements did you see that you might not have visualized as you wrote your books that might be included in future books?

JB: Ooh, great question. While I knew the mountains there were much more lush, I was surprised that they were a little lower than the ones in California. The mountain I live on has a peak of about 10,000 feet, so I think I always imagine mountains being really tall. But now, having been able to drive along the Blue Ridge Parkway with my mom, I have a much deeper appreciation for the unique setting and vistas. Its gorgeous country, and the people there are just as special. We met kindness and true hospitality every step of the way – which is also something a little different than California. As much as I enjoy my home state, there’s just something about Virginia and the surroundings states. People aren’t in as much of a hurry there and I love that.

PT: Oh my! That's a mountain indeed. Why did you choose Norwegian as a heritage for the Sons of Blackbird Mountain?

JB: I knew that I wanted to have a sailing and ice-cutting theme woven into the story at a later point, so that sparked the family to have a Norwegian heritage from the start. It was sort of a surprise way to go about it, but I am so thankful to have been able to learn more about the beautiful heritage.

PT: How did you settle on the names of your Norwegian characters?

JB: As I envision each character, I have them try on a few names for size. It’s how the names for the characters Thor, Jorgan and Haakon came about. They just sort of stuck! Also, Thor (or Thorald) is such a large man, that I knew he needed a name that really captured that. I couldn’t think of anything more fitting!

PT: And will there be a third book in the series of Blackbird Mountains?

JB: At this time, we just have the two books in the series, but I have a novella releasing later this fall that will circle back to some of the side characters, and will have a little cameo of Haakon as well.

PT: What is your favorite place/location to write?

JB: I write mostly at home, so tend to move around from room to room and my favorite cozy spots. There’s also a local coffee shop that has $2.50 Mocha Mondays (along with homemade whipped cream!) so when I’m in town there, I try and stop in and write for a few hours.

PT: So let's climb up to a few things outside of the writing world. Would you consider yourself a crafty person and what other things have you put your hands to?

JB: I’ve always loved crafting and have been making messes for as long as I can remember. Now my kiddos enjoy doing the same so we are always in supply with tape, markers, hot glue, fabric, and wood. They love creating things big and small, so it’s been fun to watch their creativity blossom.

PT: Name 5 things fast about Joanne Bischof that have nothing to do with writing.

JB: I love baking, partner dancing (swing and waltz), and I tend to get lost easily. Let’s see, that’s three so I’ll add that I enjoy the beauty of the landscape—trees, the sky, sunsets—and also going to the beach!

PT: I'm dying to know, as I know my readers are too, what book is next?

JB: I am really excited about cooking up an all new historical romance, but the next stories are still a secret :) It’s my hope to be able to share about them with readers soon, and always post bookish news my website, Instagram, and also on Facebook.

PT: Thanks so much for jaunting with us today! You can visit Joanne's website and keep step with her at https://joannebischof.com/. And if you want a great historical romance (or two!) to add to your TBR, click here, and you can browse Joanne's titles.

I am giving away one copy of Joanne Bischof's Sons of Blackbird Mountain to one lucky person who leaves a comment and an email! Wahoo! So don't miss out of that. And thanks for joining us here at the Diamond Mine, where we showcase the best in Christian Fiction.