Dear Readers, The Lord works in mysterious ways, doesn't he? The guest author scheduled for this week didn't respond to my emails--and at the same time, I received an email from Kendy asking to be a guest on my blog. So, it all works out! By the way, check out the detail in her covers!
I hope all of you are doing well. Thinking of and praying for you!
Now, let's get to know our guest...
I’m Kendy Pearson, veteran high school teacher, musician, dog-lover, and Christian Historical Fiction author. I’m an auburn-haired, 2nd gen American, and Midwest girl transplanted to the Pacific Northwest, hoping to move back to my roots again. And for some reason, I’m always feeling like I’m 17 on the inside. Odd, that.
Tell us about your book—title and back cover blurb.
In April, the first of my award-winning series, West Virginia: Born of Rebellion’s Storm released. When the Mountains Wept is an emotion-filled Civil War novel inspired by historical events. Here’s a bit about it:
WESTERN VIRGINIA'S KANAWHA VALLEY IS A HOTBED OF REBELLION TENSIONS AND MIXED ALLEGIANCES.
Amid talk of war, Augusta Dabney tends her younger siblings and dying father. But when hatred sparks tragedy, peace is but a shattered memory. Heartbroken and desperate, Augusta searches for a way to protect all she holds dear.
Defying family and friends, Dr. James Hill declines a prestigious commission in the Confederate Army to join the Union cause as a Regimental Surgeon. When the Dabney farm becomes a crossroads of colliding forces, Major Hill commandeers their barn for a hospital.
He is running from his legacy, seeking penance for his past.
She is desperate to preserve hers, at any cost.
As a wise, former slave nurtures James’s battered faith, cynicism crumbles, and James discovers grace and belonging with Augusta and her family unlike any he’s ever known, even as he must face the horrors of war and the evil it breeds.
But when James comes face to face with his past, secrets unravel until deception ends in disaster, leaving Augusta with only one option. And it is unthinkable.
Book two of the series, When Heaven Thunders just released last in October!
Share one thing that you found difficult or challenging about writing this book.
I think the most challenging part of writing this book was realistically depicting the hard things. Every time a character died, I wept. I found so much in the course of my research that I wanted to use. I wanted to plunge the reader into this unique, heart-wrenching time in our history. I refused to sugar-coat it. I wanted the reader to feel what I felt as I studied the documented accounts of real people going through the very things I put my characters through.
Another difficult thing was making sure the reader could see that God was there even in the ugly, gut-wrenching loss—that faith will carry you through the worst this world can throw at us. And that love always prevails.
As I am editing book three (May 2025) of the series, I find myself in tears often, thinking of my two veteran sons and what they endured in Iraq and Afghanistan as my 19-year-old hero walks through his story. These are hard reflections for any mother to think on. But throughout all my books, as the mom of three sons, I always seem to find a way to interject humor. Tears and laughter need to balance each other. Don’t you think?
Ask the blog reader a quirky question or two. I want to encourage comments and engagement. An example might be their best or worst Christmas memory. Share your answer and then look for theirs.
One of the things I loved about writing this series is learning about dialect. We are such a diverse group, we Americans. One person says “pop” in this state, while another says “Coke” here, and yet another says “soda” over there. I’ve learned a little about where a person was raised by the words they use. What words do you use that are different? Is it because you are a transplant like me, or your parents were from somewhere with different dialect choices? I’d love to hear your answers. (Is it a fire fly or a lightning bug? Is it a creek or a crick?)
Share your social media and buy links!
BUY LINKs:
A link for the first 5 chapters of When the Mountains Wept:
Thank you, Kendy, for stepping in and I wish you all the best with your writing! Blessings, Christina
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I love to read, and historical fiction is one of my favorites. Both of these books look amazing. I would love to read them.
Title draws me in! Intriguing ❤️
This book sounds good, and I would like to win a copy. I enjoy reading Christian fiction. Thank you for the opportunity.
I grew up in Kentucky and have lived in New England, Minnesota, South Carolina, and now Iowa. Somedays I can't remember the "correct" word for cola--I've used Coke, pop, and soda. LOL. My favorite memory is when we first moved to Minnesota and was told we were going to have "barbecues." I immediately thought of pulled pork like we had in Kentucky, and was thrilled, since I hadn't had any while living in New England. I was so disappointed to find out it was only Sloppy Joes.
Kendy, our mutual Iowa friend shared this with me, and I'm looking forward to reading your books and maybe meeting you someday. 8-)