New Release: Hope Between the Pages

Tell us a little about your new novel.

Clara Blackwell helps her mother manage a struggling one-hundred-year old family bookshop in Asheville, North Carolina, but the discovery of a forgotten letter opens a mystery of a long-lost romance and undiscovered inheritance which could save its future. Forced to step outside of her predictable world, Clara embarks on an adventure with only the name Oliver as a hint of the man’s identity in her great-great-grandmother’s letter. From the nearby grand estate of the Vanderbilts, to a hamlet in the Lake District, England, Clara seeks to uncover truth about family and love that may lead to her own unexpected romance.

Tell us a little about your main character(s).

Since it is a dual time-line story, there are two main heroines. My historical heroine is Sadie Blackwell, who is the library maid at the beautiful Biltmore estate in Asheville, NC. Her great granddaughter, Clara, runs the family bookshop that has been passed down to Clara from Sadie (whose past is a mystery). Both women discover their strength in this book.

If a film were made of your novel, who would you cast in the leading role(s)?

I have a photo of Sadie of a stock photo model without a name. Clara would be played by Felicity Jones.

What was the spark of your story? A plot point? A character? A place? Something else?

The setting was definitely one of the sparks in this story for me – both the USA setting and the UK one, but I’m always drawn in by characters. Oliver glowed from the first time he stepped on the page and Max completely surprised me. I had NO idea he was going to be the wonderful person he turned out to be.

Did you have to research anything new for this novel?

Well, I did a lot of research on the exact place I wanted to use in the Lake District. I live near Biltmore, so it was an easy place to pop over to and gain some new insights as well.

What do you hope readers will take away from this story?

Hope. In a world where there is so much conflict, anger, and uncertainty, I want readers to turn the final page of this book with an awareness that hope is still permeating every scene in the stories of our lives. If we believe in the truth of the Bible, then hope is the endgame. The final point. And every struggle, sting, heartache, wound can be brought to the God of all Comfort who knows us by name.

Why did you start writing?

I’ve always written. It’s just been a part of me for as long as I can remember.

Which aspects of the writing process do you enjoy most? Which are most challenging?

I love creating and researching – especially places. Editing isn’t my favorite 🙂

What writing resources have been most helpful to you?

Other authors, and I have a few books that helped me learn some of the basics. I’m also a big fan of screenwriter Michael Hauge’s lectures.

Do you use any writing software?

Not at this time. I’ve thought about it, but haven’t really been diligent enough to stick to it, I guess.

What is your writing process like?

Well, my writing is kind of strange. I usually start out with a general idea of the main characters and a general idea of where the story is going and then…I’m surprised a lot along the way 🙂 I also write out of sequence.

If you could be any book character for a day, who would you be and why?

Hmm, I’m not sure. Maybe Lucy Pevensie so I could go to Narnia.

Who are your favorite authors?

Mimi Matthews, Siri Mitchell, Denise Hunter, Roseanna White, Laura Frantz, and Elizabeth Peter (and many more, but those might be the top).

Anything else you want to share?

I love connecting with readers! FB and IG are the best ways. I also have a fun “traveler” group that Laura Frantz and I run together on FB called The Armchair Traveler. My personal reader FB group is called Blame It On A Basham Book. Thanks so much!