I’ve been thinking about earthquakes a lot lately. It’s a hot topic in Oklahoma where we’ve had an outbreak of them. Sometimes we have several a day, which is unusual, but for the most part they don’t do any damage. Still, it’s unsettling to know that we could be working up to the big one. 

So instead of sitting around imaging how bad that could be, I thought I’d read a book on it – specifically Karen Barnett’s Out of the Ruins. Thank goodness we’re not in San Francisco and this isn’t 1906, because not only did the residents have to deal with the collapsed buildings, they also were faced with massive fires thanks to the broken gas lines across the city.

Out of the Ruins is a wonderfully researched story that involves turn-of-the-century medical research, a bustling coastal city and one of the largest natural disasters in our history.  Fast-paced action and unforgettable characters make this book shine.

And I have a copy to give away! If you’d like to be entered for the random drawing, please comment below. Tell me what’s the scariest natural disaster/weather event you’ve lived through. I hope to hear from some of my tornado neighbors on this one.

(If you’d like to read my Earthquake Post from a few years ago, click here.)

The winner will be announced Friday, July 25th. US addresses only, please.

And here’s more about Out of the Ruins:

While her sister lies on her deathbed, Abby Fischer prays for a miracle. What Abby doesn’t expect, however, is for God’s answer to come in the form of the handsome Dr. Robert King, whose experimental treatment is risky at best.

As they work together toward a cure, Abby’s feelings for Robert become hopelessly entangled. Separated by the tragedy of the mighty San Francisco earthquake, their relationship suddenly takes a back seat to survival. With fires raging throughout the city, Abby fears for her life as she flees alone through burning streets. Where is God now? Will Robert find Abby, even as the world burns around them? Or has their love fallen with the ruins of the city?

The post When Your World is Shaken… appeared first on Author Regina Jennings.

That’s why I wrote Sixty Acres and a Bride. In thinking about the story of Ruth, I wanted to imagine how she felt going to Boaz in the dark and putting her reputation at stake.

I set the story in Texas and placed Ruth and Boaz in the more recent past, which made their decisions seem more weighty. Putting the couple into an era that we’re familiar with made it easier to relate to their story.

So you can imagine my excitement when I heard that Kate Breslin had done something similar with the Biblical story of Esther. For Such a Time is set in Nazi-controlled Czechoslovakia. When Stella is unexpectedly snatched from a concentration camp she fears the worst. Why would a SS Kommandant move her to his private residence? There’s no answer that she can live with.

Aric von Schmidt, a decorated soldier, knows how to set his opinions and emotions aside for the glory of the Fatherland. He doesn’t enjoy the brutality that takes place in his camp, but people die. That’s what war is about. He’ll follow orders as long as he and his household are safe.

If you’re familiar with the story of Esther, you’re probably getting twitchy. King Xerxes wasn’t a Nazi. Nazis were the most evil people ever. They tried to commit genocide. They were brutal…  Oh, yeah. Remember why Esther had to hide that she was a Jew? Do some of those details get lost in the glamour of the beauty pageant scene?

But that’s why I love For Such a Time. It takes the remote and puts it into a setting we’re more familiar with. The drama becomes fresh again, shocking us with the relationships Esther had to maintain, and the strength that was required of her.

Which brings me to my favorite part of For Such a Time. It’s a romance. The romance is difficult and complicated, yet Kate wrote it so well that I still understood why Stella and Aric needed each other. Stella’s love isn’t easy, but it’s true. And so is Aric’s fear that he’s being manipulated into ruining his career. The research and details that fill the pages give a strong sense of setting and keep the plot believable, and don’t be thinking you can predict the finale. For Such a Time keeps you reading way past bedtime.

So I highly recommend this book on its own merits. Plot, characters, setting, romance–every standard is met. But besides the enjoyment you’ll get from reading For Such a Time, you might just come away with a fresh understand of a heroine Queen whom you thought you knew inside out.  And that’s the greatest reward of all.

Would you like to win a copy of For Such a Time? Comment below and I’ll randomly choose a winner on April 4th. Anyone can comment, but I’ll only choose from U.S. residents because of shipping fees. Thanks! 

The post For Such a Time – Book Review appeared first on Author Regina Jennings.

 Bailey Craig vowed never to set foot in Yancey, Alaska, again. She has a past, and a reputation – and Yancey’s a town that doesn’t forget.

If you haven’t read Dani Pettrey’s book Submerged you should. It’s a page-turning, heart-racing read. And as thrilling and fast-paced as it is, it takes the time to fully explore the main characters’ inner conflicts and faith journey.

When you read Submerged you are instantly sympathetic to Bailey. She made many mistakes as a partying teenager, but after she moved away from Yancey she turned her life around…or rather God turned her around…and as a respectable professor, Dr. Bailey Craig wants nothing to do with her past. Unfortunately a close family member’s death makes a trip to Yancey necessary and Bailey must face a reputation that she’d rather forget.

Reading this book reminded me of the Apostle Paul’s experience. Paul was notorious for persecuting the Christian church. He worked to obtain letters authorizing him to arrest any Christ-followers he could find, but on the road to Damascus he had a divine encounter that immediately changed him. No longer was he hunting Christians, he was one. He had changed, but people weren’t accepting of his transformation. He had ridiculed them. He had persecuted them. He’d done violence against at least one of their leaders. It was a hard resume to live down.

Bailey is in the same boat. Although she didn’t kill anyone, there are many who want to remind her of her failures. Many looked down on her in her youth and don’t want to acknowledge the changes she’s made. Dani does an excellent job setting up Bailey’s dilemma and taking us through her struggle as she deals with the pain of belated judgment.

The best books are those that cause you to reflect on your own experience. Good fiction reveals to us flaws and conflict in our own world, and although Submerged is first and foremost a suspense, it produced some conviction in my heart, as well.

How many times have I protested when people tried to change? It’s so easy to tease someone who’s made a new resolution. People are easy targets when they start a diet, try to stop smoking, or decide to live on a budget. If we’re so quick to make observations on small steps like this, it’s no wonder that many people don’t have the courage to completely reject the chains that once bound them. What’s the use of being free when everyone wants to treat you as a prisoner?

So bravo, Dani, on a fantastically entertaining book, but even more I appreciate the message at the heart of Submerged. While we are busy forgetting those things which are behind us we might also consider forgetting the things behind others as well.

The post Decrease Your Memory appeared first on Author Regina Jennings.

2/14/12 – Historical Stories Close to Home – What’s the editorial process like? How many people does it take to fix my grammar?

2/13/12 – Valentine’s Meet and Greet – How did I meet my husband? I’m embarrassed to admit it.

2/10/12 – The Literary Mama – A guest post for Preslaysa Williams’ Fiction Friday. A Rosa is a Rosa is a Rosa – considerations to be made as you name your characters.

2/9/12 – FamilyFiction – This is an interview that my publisher passed on to me. I didn’t know where it would show up, or when. Thank you Family Fiction for sharing!

2/9/12 – Books by Sherri – Sherri Wilson Johnson is offering a FREE copy of Sixty Acres as well as a fun interview. I can’t believe that there are two homeschooling moms in America that took this same dance class (in different states, alas!).

2/8/12 – PenTalk Community – Here’s an article on different methods of handling stories that are inspired by Biblical or historical events.

2/7/12 – Legacy of a Writer – Katie McCurdy asks “Who would you want to play Weston and Rosa in the movie?” Plus a Sixty Acres and a Bride GIVEAWAY.

2/6/12 – Lighthouse Academy Blogspot – Thanks to Laura Hilton for this interview. My favorite question – “If you could spend an evening with one person who is currently alive, who would it be and why?”

2/6/12 – Operation Encourage an Author – Casey Herringshaw certainly encourages this author with her review of Sixty Acres. We also discuss “Why Write Historical Fiction?”

2/3/12 – Our Journey Home – I guest blogged on Melanie’s Brasher’s site. Please visit for a chance to win a FREE copy of Sixty Acres.

Thanks!

The post On the Virtual Road This Week appeared first on Author Regina Jennings.

I collected my material, found a design I liked and even cut out pieces. I had enough for a few squares when I realized – I’m cutting fabric into tiny pieces, only to sew it back together again. If I needed a blanket wouldn’t it be more practical to sew together the biggest pieces of material I can find? Or even better, go to Target and buy one?

Such thoughts reveal my absolute lack of craftiness. I don’t get it. So, with a heavy heart I marked quilting off my bucket list and decided to read a book instead.

Falling to Pieces by Vannetta Chapman is about Callie Harper, pharmaceutical rep from Houston, who inherits her aunt’s quilt shop in Shipshewana, Indiana. Callie knows less about quilting than I do, but the Amish women in town rely on the shop to sell their quilts to the tourists on market days. Completely unfamiliar with the Amish, this thoroughly modern, conceal-and-carry approved woman (if you don’t know what that means you aren’t from Texas) is surprised to find herself accepted into the community. She’s just beginning to fit in when she gets crossways with some residents for selling the quilts on the internet.

And this is where Vannetta Chapman really gets crafty.

This isn’t your typical agrarian book where the women stay in the kitchen and on the farm. No, these Amish ladies are entrepreneurs, and when someone is murdered they turn into amateur detectives.

How do the peaceful, non-violent Amish deal with a murderer in their midst? How do they handle neighbors who don’t share their ways? I think one of the reasons this book appeals to me is that it shows the cooperation between the Englishers and the Amish. In Chapman’s Shipshewana there’s no artificial division between Christians. Everyone functions as part of the community.

Although the mystery is solved by the end of the book, I wasn’t ready to leave Shipshewana. Thankfully, two more books are planned in this series. Isn’t that wunderbaar?

So maybe someday I’ll give the quilting another go, but until then I’ll content myself with appreciating other people’s talents. Besides, as long as I can curl up with a good book, I don’t care what the blanket looks like.

How about you? What craft have you mastered? What have you always wanted to try?

(It’s come to my attention that the FTC wants bloggers to disclose any connection between themselves and the product being reviewed. I bought this book for full cover-price even though there was a 20% off sale on Saturday. I was that impatient. Vannetta is a friend of mine. We ate lunch together once, but we went Dutch. I’ll keep you posted on any other potentially scandalous connections.)

The post A Crafty Lady appeared first on Author Regina Jennings.

10. Elsa Anders – The Captain’s Bride by Lisa T. Bergren

Calm, brave and put to the test, Elsa is the backbone of The Northern Lights series. Her good-for-nothing sister, Tora, isn’t invited – not until the third book. I’d serve fresh shark steaks marinated in lemon juice.

9. Captain Matthew Bryant – The Girl in the Gatehouse by Julie Klassen

He tries so hard to impress people who aren’t worth impressing. I’m going to tell him,  “You’re good enough, you’re smart enough, and doggone it, people like you.” Tea and scones.

8. Vashti Edwards – The Blacksmith’s Bravery by Susan Page Davis

#1 – She totes a gun. #2 – She’s determined to succeed. #3 – She’s named after a rebellious Queen. What’s not to like? Boarding House Roast and corn bread.

7. Prince Aethelbald – Heartless by Anne Elisabeth Stengl

He’s not bald, but even if he were, he’s that good. Mutton in savory mint sauce.

6. Haley Farrell – Design on a Crime by Ginny Aiken

The best thing about Haley is watching her maneuver through the crazy people around her. When Haley comes over she better bring her elderly wanna-be detective neighbor with her. Lasagna, garlic bread and fresh spinach.

5. Nick Polchak – Nick of Time by Tim Downs

Unintentionally hilarious. We’d need to have a table full of people and watch good old Nick “The Bug Man” gross them out. Steamed vegetables since I won’t be eating anyway.

4. Captain Daniel Holcombe – Love’s Pursuit by Siri Mitchell

Rebelling against legalism is good, right? Captain Daniel (The Captains are well represented on this list) has a bad boy reputation in this Puritan community, but he’s the good guy. And brave. And needs Susannah to cut his hair. Stew and biscuits made from the mother dough.

3. Essie Spreckelmeyer – Courting Trouble by Deeanne Gist

Essie probably wouldn’t want to sit down to dinner. I’m thinking football or rollerblading. Of all the historical heroines I know, Essie is the one who’d be the most comfortable hanging out with my girlfriends. Pizza and brownies.

2. King Hezekiah – Gods and Kings by Lynn Austin

Since we might actually get to eat dinner with King Hezekiah in the sweet by and by, let me say that I know he’s not fictional. His story is full of sorrow, danger and triumph, and it’s true. Of course, Lynn Austin uses her skill to create an unforgettable hero. This is an excellent series that I recommend often. Lamb and figs.

1. Hadassah – Voice in the Wind by Francine Rivers

What a role model. Hadassah doesn’t just serve her unworthy Roman masters, she serves them in love. And even when her love for the young master grows, she doesn’t let it stand in the way of following her true Master. If Hadassah was coming over, I’d podcast every minute of her visit. Turtle cheesecake – saving the best for last.

So who did I miss? What characters would you want sitting across the table from you?

The post 10 Fictional Characters I’d Invite to Dinner appeared first on Author Regina Jennings.

Oklahoma is great to sing about but not many people set their books here, especially historical fiction. That’s one reason Anne Mateer’s book Wings of a Dream caught my attention. Not only does it begin in Oklahoma, it’s also set during WWI. No, that’s not a typo of Wii, kids – it means World War One, a neglected portion of our history that’s full of dramatic potential.

And Anne Mateer finds some drama, no doubt about it.

Her heroine, Rebekah Hendricks doesn’t stay in Oklahoma for long, but goes to Texas to help her widowed aunt. Her sacrifice is bearable since it places her near her aviator sweetheart’s training base. (The question is, had he not been a thing of beauty, would she be swayed by quite as keen a sense of duty? – Name that musical.)

Rebekah arrives at her aunt’s to find the town devastated by the Spanish flu epidemic. Not only is Aunt Adabelle deathly ill, but Rebekah discovers that Aunt Adabelle is the sole caregiver of four motherless children and until their father returns from the war, Rebekah is the only one able to care for them.

Now, if you’re like me, you already see the potential. Fancy flyboy, war-weary father, and I didn’t even mention the kind-hearted Sheriff with big dreams who helps Rebekah hold it all together.

If only the story had stayed in Oklahoma… But hey, I can’t throw stones. My first three books are set in Texas. I confess the guilt is unbearable, especially now at the cusp of football season, but Texas has done a better job at PR. Until a few years ago our licenses were adorned with the motto “Oklahoma is OK”. Please tell me the Tourism Department had nothing to do with that.

So how about your state or region? Have you read any books set at your location? Were they realistic? If you write, how do you decide the setting of your books? Where’s your next one going to be?

The post Location, location… appeared first on Author Regina Jennings.