To celebrate her latest release, Myra is giving away one (1) copy of "Castles in the Clouds" (hard copy - US ONLY). To enter, go to the Rafflecopter box at the end of this post. The last day to enter is January 13, 2017. If you are the randomly chosen winner, I will contact you and then pass your information along to Myra. Good luck!
Q & A with Myra...
A: Our family Christmas traditions are fairly simple. Christmas Eve candlelight services (my husband and I both sing in the choir) then eggnog and cookies afterward. Christmas mornings vary, depending on whether we have kids and grandkids home for the holidays. This year we did — our younger daughter, her husband, and their four children (ages 14, 11, 5, and 3) – so it was a fun day!
This daughter and her family have served on the mission field in the Middle East, so one tradition they observe that we enjoy tagging along for is going out for Middle Eastern food on Christmas Eve. It's nice to imagine we're eating a meal similar to what people in the land of Jesus' birth are serving.
Q: That sounds like a wonderful way to spend Christmas! Castles in the Clouds was released last August. Can you tell me about the inspiration behind the story?
A: The story was partly inspired by my missionary daughter's experiences during a six-weeks-long college mission trip to Kenya several years ago. I always knew I wanted to include some of what she shared with us in a book someday. Then in 2013, when my husband and I traveled to Africa on a photo safari, our Kenyan guide related a little of the history behind the school system. As Larkspur's story developed, the idea of sending her to Kenya to work at a mission school took root.
Q: How much research went into this book?
A: Quite a bit. I had much to learn about life in rural Arkansas during the Great Depression and also how the school system developed in 1930s Kenya. A fun bit of research involved watching a YouTube video of a ship traversing the Suez Canal in the 1930s, much as my story characters would have done as they traveled from America to Kenya.
Q: What message do you hope your readers take away from the story?
A: One underlying message could be stated in the words of Proverbs 16:9 (RSV): "A man's mind plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps." We sometimes think we know exactly what we want from life, but no matter how hard we strive to make it happen, God may have something entirely different in mind. If we're not open to new possibilities, we may miss the special blessings God has planned for us.
Q: Oh, that's so true! And God's plans are certainly better than anything we can imagine :) What is the next project you are working on?
A: I currently have three new novels in various stages. Two are Love Inspired contemporary romances set in the Texas Hill Country, the first of which should release in September. I'm also preparing to release A Rose So Fair, book 3 in the Flowers of Eden series. Readers of Castles in the Clouds and the first book, The Sweetest Rain, will have met spunky Rose Linwood and her longtime friend Caleb Wieland. Their relationship will take them through many twists and turns before they find their happy ending. Watch for the book this spring!
Q: It sounds like there will be some great books to look forward to later this year! One final question. What are some of the books in your TBR pile?
A: Actually, I'm in the middle of a book that's going to take me a while to finish! A few years ago, for a change of pace, I tackled Ken Follett's epic historical novel The Pillars of the Earth. Later, I picked up a used hardback copy of Follet's World Without End, which takes place two centuries later. It sat on my TBR stack for a long, long time before I felt ready to dive in to another 1000+ page tome. It's an interesting foray into the history of England in the latter years of the Middle Ages, and definitely a departure from my typical historical fiction read!
Q: It certainly sounds like you will be busy :) Thanks so much for taking time out of your schedule to stop by and chat with me. I'm sure my readers will enjoy getting to know you a bit better.
My review...
Larkspur (“Lark”) Linwood’s visit to Professor
Keene’s office would change her life … in many ways. She agrees to travel to
Kenya to gain practical teaching experience as part of a mission program. While
there, she meets Professor Anson Schafer, but health problems cause him to
return to the United States earlier than anticipated. Lark unfortunately realizes
that things with the trip were not as she had been led to believe, so she
returns home. Her path crosses once again with Anson, who is looking to start a
program to help the uneducated in Arkansas. He wants Lark to help him. She
agrees, as it is an opportunity which will allow her to earn money to complete
her own education. Anson’s vision for a school to educate students of all
colors is not as well received as he had hoped, which will leave Anson and Lark
questioning whether they should follow their dreams or their hearts.
This is this second installment of the “Flowers of
Eden” series, and it is just as delightful as the first! Precise details
combine with touching scenes, and the book is topped off with a beautiful
cover. Johnson weaves in numerous historical facts and addresses difficult
topics, such as discrimination, in a sensitive manner. The author’s time in
Kenya adds to the realism of the story. She also provides historical details
related to the story which will educate the reader on things such as Jim Crow
Laws, the Dust Bowl, and the Great Depression.
I love the overall theme that satisfaction comes
from your heart’s attitude instead of what you are doing. While this book can
be read as a standalone, the reader will have a deeper understanding of and
appreciation for the family if the books are read in order.
One of my favorite lines is, “But if you’re too
focused on falling, it isn’t a leap of faith at all, is it?”
Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy, but I was not required to provide a review.
All opinions are my own.
Amazon purchase link...
About Myra...
About Myra…
Award-winning author Myra Johnson writes emotionally gripping stories about love, life, and faith. Her historical romance When the Clouds Roll By won the 2014 Christian Retailing’s Best award for historical fiction. Myra is also a two-time finalist for the ACFW Carol Award and winner of the 2005 RWA Golden Heart. Married since 1972, Myra and her husband have two beautiful daughters and seven grandchildren. They reside in beautiful North Carolina near four of their grandchildren, but as a native Texan Myra sorely misses real Texas barbecue and those gorgeous bluebonnets every spring! The Johnsons share their home with two pampered rescue dogs.
Readers can keep up with the latest by subscribing to my e-newsletter(http://myrajohnson.com/newsletter-signup/) or visiting me online at the links below:
Website: www.myrajohnson.com
Facebook Page: www.facebook.com/MyraJohnsonAuthor
Twitter: @MyraJohnson and @TheGrammarQueen
Pinterest: www.pinterest.com/mjwrites/
The Seekers blog: http://seekerville.blogspot.com/
a Rafflecopter giveaway
I do like historical fiction. My favorite is 1800s in America but I read a wide variety. jarning67(at)hotmail(dot)com
ReplyDeleteThank you, Joan! I'm enjoying history so much more as a novelist and reader than I did in high school. I think it's being able to connect with people (real or imagined) who lived through those times.
DeleteThanks for visiting my blog, Joan! Good luck!
DeleteI agree, Myra. I enjoy history much more now than I did in school.
I love historical fiction, but, as in genre, I can't possibly name a favorite! Whatever I'm currently reading about is my favorite--some may call that fickle, I prefer to think of it as a tendency to embrace many eras and fully enjoy than!
ReplyDeletePerfect answer!
DeleteI agree. It's a perfect answer! I have a hard time narrowing down my faves, too ;)
DeleteGood luck, and thanks for stopping by!
I cannot even imagine the amount of research that went into this book. And actually, while I read few historicals, this time period is one of the most fascinating..in the Arkansas and Oklahoma are. Totally enduring people living in harsh circumstances.
ReplyDeleteWill there be a follow up? A book three, maybe published independently? I'm doing those with one of mine where the story goes on....
Hi, Tina! Yes, it has been a valuable learning experience researching these novels. And yes, book 3 is in the works right now. Watch for A Rose So Fair, coming this spring!
DeleteTina,
DeleteThanks for stopping by.
It really is fascinating to think about how people lived in those days, the conditions, etc, especially in comparison to how things are today.
Which follow-up book are you publishing independently, Tina?
Myra, I can't wait for book 3 :)
Historical fiction is my favorite genre. I especially love the Regency period. It's so romantic!
ReplyDeleteDianna
Dianna,
DeleteYes, the Regency period is quite romantic :)
Good luck, and thanks for stopping by my blog!
Thanks for visiting, Dianna! I haven't read many Regencies lately, but I agree--very romantic!
DeleteGreat review, Leslie!
ReplyDeleteWow, the research Myra must have done ~ I'm sure having visited Kenya and experiencing the lifestyle there gave her so much insight.
We sponsor a little one in Kenya, and education is a supreme commodity. We take so much for granted here.
Since we live in the rural Ozarks (and a short distance from the AR line) Myra's setting intrigues me, as well. Coupled with the time period of the Great Depression and the spiritual elements, I look forward to reading Castles in the Clouds.
Thank you, Cynthia :)
DeleteI think her trip to Kenya added to the depth and realism of the story.
That's so wonderful that you sponsor a little one in Kenya. I agree that it's easy for us to take many things for granted.
Based on your proximity to the story location, I really think you'll enjoy and appreciate this book. Good luck!
Hi, Cynthia! Yes, our trip to Kenya was an amazing experience! We never imagined we'd actually have the opportunity, but our daughter and family were serving as missionaries in Ethiopia at the time, so we combined the church group photo safari with an extension to visit with them.
DeleteElizabethan era or Vivil War era.
ReplyDeleteThereadmaster@me.com
Thanks for stopping by, Virginia!
DeleteI haven't read many books on either of those eras. Are there any specific ones you'd recommend? I'll have to add them to my TBR list.
Good luck!
The Civil War era is really interesting, I agree! Thanks, Virginia!
DeleteI do love historical fiction. I actually will read anything but sci-fi. somi19ad(at)aol(dot)com
ReplyDeleteSherry, I agree. I like to mix in a little bit of everything. I haven't read much sci-fi, either.
DeleteGood luck, and thanks for stopping by my blog!
Hi, Sherry! I don't read much sci-fi, but I enjoy it on TV and at the theater. I'm a longtime fan of Star Trek and Star Wars.
DeleteI have grown to love historical fiction. For a while there I had this idea that it was like history class all over again, and then I read In the Shadow of Lions by Ginger Garrett and I was hooked.
ReplyDeleteI don't have a specific genre that I love though. If the story is good, I'll probably love it. :)
kellyblackwellwrites(at)gmail(dot)com
It's something that has grown on me, too, Kelly. I certainly enjoy it better than my high school history classes :)
DeleteI've never read that book by Ginger Garrett. I'll have to check it out. Thanks for mentioning it.
Good luck!
I agree, Kelly! Story makes any "education" easier to absorb! (Except maybe math story problems???)
DeleteI do enjoy Historical fiction.. all of it :)
ReplyDeletedkstevensne AT outlook(DOT)com
Thanks for stopping by, Deanna.
DeleteThis is certainly one to put on your list! Good luck.
Hi, Deanna! Glad you stopped in!
DeleteI really enjoy all historical fiction, and probably my favorite time period is during the western settlement and
ReplyDeleteCivil War span of time. The Great Depression into the WWII period is also very interesting and is being covered a little more in books now. Thanks for the opportunity to participate and learn. dixiedobie at yahoo dot com
Thanks for stopping by! The WWII period is probably my favorite, but I enjoy it all, too ☺
DeleteGood luck.
CC, one reason I got interested in the Great Depression was remembering some of the stories my mother told me about living through it.
DeleteThanks for visiting!
I love historical fiction! Usually my first choice is late 1800's - early 1900's American history.
ReplyDeletepattymh2000(at)yahoo(dot)com
Patty, there are a number of great books during that period of time.
DeleteThanks for visiting my blog, and good luck!
Hi, Patty! Nice to meet another fan of historical fiction!
DeleteI love historical fiction and the Civil War Era is my favorite. This is a new author to me and I would love to read.
ReplyDeleteLucy, thanks for stopping by. I do hope you will check out some of Myra's other books. I think you will really enjoy them.
DeleteGood kuck!
Thanks, Lucy! I appreciate your interest!
DeleteI'm a big fan of historical fiction. My favorite time period is the Antebellum South and the Civil War. I do enjoy other periods, it depends on what I'm reading at the time.
ReplyDeletediannekc8(at)gmail(dot)com
Dianne,
DeleteI understand. My favorite is often what I'm reading, too ☺
Good luck, and thanks for stopping by my blog.
Hi, Dianne! Clearly, the Civil War era remains very popular with readers of historical fiction.
DeleteI enjoy historical fiction! Each period has its own uniqueness to be enjoyed.
ReplyDeletepsalm103and138 at gmail dot com
I agree, Caryl. And I love it when I can learn a little about an era through a riveting story.
DeleteThanks for stopping by my blog, Caryl.
DeleteThat is a good point. Each period is unique, making it an fascinating genre to read :)
Good luck!
I love historical fiction. I don't think that there is a time period that I don't love.
ReplyDeleteCherylB1987 AT hotmail DOT com
Wonderful, Cheryl! Thanks for visiting!
DeleteCheryl,
DeleteThen I believe you'll certainly enjoy Myra's series :)
Thanks for visiting my blog, and good luck!