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.

Interview and Giveaway with Jae Blessing!

Hi guys! V. Joy Palmer here! Since we are all friends here, you guys can call me Joy. ; ) And since we are all friends, one of my favorite things to do is talk with my friends, family, the teens I mentor, and everyone else at coffee shops/bookstores. Books and yummy drinks are the perfect combination, after all. 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. ;-) 

Today we are prying into the private life chatting with Author Jae Blessing!

Jae Blessing has always enjoyed the creative process of writing.  One of her earliest memories of writing includes a free-style report she gave in second grade that had her classmates laughing by the end of her tale. Her very first Christian novel was On A Slow Boat To China, followed by her Western novel, Evergreen Tree. She now has plans to re-release Evergreen Tree in 2020 with updated content. In the meantime, her first novel and several of her short stories are available on her website for readers to enjoy! Jae's desire is that the people who read her stories are not only entertained but also blessed by them!

Visit Jae Blessing at her website(http://castleguardchristianfiction.com/Castleguardart.html) or send her a message at jb@castleguardchristianfiction.com!

Interview ~

First things first, would you order coffee, tea, or hot chocolate in our virtual coffee shop? Something else altogether? This is possibly the most important question... No pressure or anything. ;-)

Definitely tea. But if it’s warm out, it’s going to have to be unsweetened iced tea. And if it’s cool
out, a nice cup of hot tea— Irish Breakfast or English Teatime— with cream and sugar. It’s my
comfort drink.

Yummy! On to our second most important question: if you could order anything in the world to eat, what would it be?

Anything? Oh, wow, let me see... There are so many things to choose from... Hmm... Okay,
so, since I’m having tea of some sort whilst visiting with you, I would order a gorgeous cheese
danish (heavy on the cheese, please), or a great big beautiful bear claw with butter on the side.
Oh, why not? I’ll have both! ;)

Yum, yum, yum! Where is your favorite place to write? And why is that your favorite place?

I would like to say that my favorite place to write is in my wicker rocker next to a window that
overlooks a pine lined horse pasture as butterflies flit by and the bird song serenades me.
Unfortunately, it’s far less interesting, because when inspiration hits, just about any place will
do: Indoors, outdoors, table, sofa, floor, vehicle... It doesn’t matter as long as it’s somewhat
quiet. Shhhh! Writer at work!

Haha! "Writer at work!" should be a sign that we carry at all times! Do you have an odd habit that is only explained by your bookish, writer tendencies?

Hmm. I had to really think about this one and I kept coming up with zilch. So, I asked my Mom
and she came up with one in short order! ;) My odd habit would be that I cannot just give a
quick reply to emails or letters (what are those?). For instance, when I inquire about something
or other and the party in question replies, I can’t seem to just type out, “Thanks” and let it go at
that. No-o-o, not me. It will go something like this— “Hello ______! :) Thank you for your
reply and the information that you sent me. I’m sorry that I took so long to get back with you.
Thanks again for your time. Have a great day! :) Sincerely, blah blah.” I’ve also been told by
my brother that when I email a friend, it’s like I’m writing a book to them. In conclusion, I am wordy! It’s actually ironic that the majority of my books are short stories. Go
figure! :)

Haha! I can definitely relate to the wordy, long responses! What inspired you to write The Twelfth of Never?

Well, I believe that my Heavenly Father gives me the inspiration for every story I have written,
and He inspires me in so many different ways. For this story, it was a very particular section of
a piece of music from an old movie soundtrack. I heard the instrumental and with it started
coming these pictures (not from the movie, mind you!) or scenes, as if a teaser trailer was
playing in my imagination. Now, whenever I hear that piece playing, this story is all I see in my mind’s eye. That probably sounds kind of weird, but there it is.

I always LOVE hearing about the different things God uses to inspire a story! It's so cool! What led you to write in this genre?

I enjoy writing in a variety of genres, but for this book, the setting is a real location that I visited
with my family, more than once, many years ago. The Biltmore Estate in Asheville, North
Carolina. It is such a beautiful, grand old “summer cottage”. It was built in the late 1800’s and
the romance of that era permeates the entire estate. With that said, I just couldn’t imagine the
story being anything but Victorian.

I love the Victorian Era! *happy sigh* What message do you hope to convey to your readers?

I’m not sure if all writers are like this or not, but whenever I begin a story, I’m not even thinking
of a message that I could be conveying to a reader. All I’m doing is just writing what I would like
to see in a movie, or on TV, or in reality. But I’ve noticed that the farther I get into the story, the
LORD starts dropping in these life lessons that minister to me. By the grace of God, I always
come away from writing these stories stronger, I think. Wiser, and just— somehow better, you
know?

So, all that to say, I think the message in this book is: Take your time when answering
something as big as a marriage proposal— or anything else that can be life changing. Talk to
God and let Him show you what way to go, no matter how long it may take, and no matter how
much pressure there may be from whoever or whatever. It will be worth it.

Yes, seeking God's heart on those big decisions is always worth it! Can you tell us a little about your next project(s)?

Well, now that my wonderfully simplistic website is finished (visit me at
CastleguardChristianFiction.com or contact me at jb@castleguardchristianfiction.com), I can
get back to revising my previously published Western novel, Evergreen Tree. I have hopes of
re-releasing it in 2020 (even if it’s December 31, 2019 at 11:59 p.m.!). In the meantime, as the
Holy Spirit leads me, I will continue to grow my “Jubilee Series” and work on various other
writing projects I have going. That’s my goal for now, anyway. I’d also like to be able to
someday have my books available in print-on-demand, but until then, this is where I’m at.

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

I’d have to say that Paul’s Epistles to Galatia and Ephesus are my current favorites. Over the
past month or so, the main theme that keeps running through my spirit and soul is that we have
been saved by grace, and that we are not under the law of Moses, but rather the law of Love.
That it’s not religion, but a relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ. I heard a Bible teacher say
something like, we’re not in God’s Throne Room, we’re in His Family Room. I like that! :)

YESSS!!! I LOVE THAT!!! *clears throat after exuberantly shouting* ;-) What are you currently reading? Inquiring minds - mine - want to know. :-)

It’s actually been quite awhile since I read any fiction or non-fiction books. However, if you
would have asked me a few years ago, I would have given you a list like none other!

Sometimes life gets in the way of a bookworm's valuable reading time. So rude. Sigh.

Great chatting with you Jae! Thank you so much for answering all of my prying questions!

Giveaway ~

Jae Blessing has generously offered to giveaway a digital copy of The Twelfth of Never in pdf format to one winner!

The Twelfth Of Never

Summer 1896

Asheville, North Carolina

Spending a couple of relaxing months at her childhood friend’s new summer cottage in

Asheville, North Carolina, seemed to be exactly what Emerald Rose Lockheart needed as she

prayerfully contemplated accepting the proposal of marriage she had been given some weeks

earlier by her suitor. With the decision having been more confusing than anything, she

suddenly finds it not quite as difficult upon meeting one of her friend’s old school chums— the

gentleman cowboy, Edward Grayson.

Rules, Info, and Such ~

The author is giving away one digital copy of The Twelfth of Never in pdf format!

This giveaway will close on June 26th, 2019, at 12:00 A.M. for all the night owls.

A winner will be drawn within four days of close of giveaway. If the winner does not respond to our e-mails within one week of notification, then a new winner will be drawn in their place.

May the odds be ever in your favor. ;-)

Enter using the handy Rafflecopter here ~

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Thanks for stopping by, my writerly, bookish friends! <3 See you next time!

Hugs,

V. Joy Palmer 

V. Joy Palmer is the author of Love, Lace, and Minor Alterations and a member of American Christian Fiction Writers. She is also an avid blogger and co-founder of Snack Time Devotions. In her spare time, Joy is an unprofessional chocolate connoisseur/binger, and she loves acting crazy and drinking coffee with the teens she mentors. When Joy isn’t urging the elves that live in her computer to write, she’s hanging out with her husband, their adorable baby girl, and their socially awkward pets.

Connect with Joy on her website, personal blog, devotional blog, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram!