We want to hear about you and promote your new book that releases in April, For Such a Time. Hi, Linda, thank you for hosting me today. I am so honored to share my journey through this novel with you and others!
The holocaust is a tough topic, particularly today. What made you decide to do an historical on such a difficult issue? The idea initially came as I was reading from the Biblical Book of Esther. I knew the Jewish people had suffered at the hands of one society or another throughout history, and as I observed similarities between the wicked Haman’s plot to destroy the Jews and Hitler’s Holocaust of WWII, I wondered if I could superimpose Queen Esther’s story into this more modern venue. Yet I had no idea how emotional this journey would be for me. I knew little about the subject when I began my research, and so the stories of Nazi brutality versus the courage and faith-keeping of those who faced death moved me as nothing else could. Needless to say I had to write this story, and tread carefully with it; the Holocaust remains a sensitive subject and rightly so; I strove to treat it with the solemnity it deserved, while writing a fiction romance novel.
Let’s face it, your endorsement by Debbie Macomber, #1 NYT bestseller, is going to intrigue a lot of people and encourage them to buy your book. Why else should a reader pick up your novel and want to open it? I think many readers enjoy Queen Esther’s story from the Bible. It’s not only a love story, but Esther’s courage in the face of death is legendary—both ideals I think readers want to identify with. I also hope they are curious to know more about events that took place during the Holocaust (though my characters are fictitious) and ultimately to reaffirm that love, combined with faith in God is the most powerful force on earth; that with it nothing is impossible.
You are obviously drawn to historic detail. What started you down that road? That’s funny—I used to sit and daydream during history class in school. J But I have to thank the deft hand of those historical romance authors who rekindled my passion for the subject. As I read and got my history lessons (without knowing it) that passion became a determination to write my own historical novels.
You weave a strong romantic thread in your novel. Did you find that hard to do considering the topic? Yes, very difficult; I had to really climb inside my characters’ heads in order to make the events believable. I’ll just say at this point, there are no two-dimensional characters. Even the worst villain loves his mother.
Can you tell us something about you that we might not know or imagine? My writing career started very early; I wrote poems as a child—inside hand-made birthday cards, framed in pictures, or scribbled on sheets of notebook paper. If I misbehaved, I’d apologize by composing a poem for my mom and tuck it beneath her pillow so she’d find it when she awoke in the morning. That usually worked, too! J
What kind of time do you give your writing? Was this something you wrote over five years, or did the idea hit with a passion and let you go for it right away? This story was long in the making because of its nature; there was so much research, rewriting, revising, and it simply took years to accomplish. And I wasn’t always writing on it; oftentimes, I’d just sit thinking about how it might come together, making my characters and the entire event believable. Nowadays, with another story for Bethany House in the works, I try and write several hours each day during the work week and sometimes the weekend.
So…tell us. What’s up your sleeve for a future story? Ah, yes, I’m very excited about the next novel. It’s another historical romance, one which takes place in Britain during WWI. The current release date is April of 2015. Much of my research is finished, so I’ve dug in and am happily typing away!
Visit Kate on her site for more information:
http://www.katebreslin.com/
And don't forget to leave your email addy for a chance to win one of four ARCs . . . For Such a Time!
This is a sad but true topic. And it makes me sick that some are saying it didn't happen. I'm anxious to read this book Kate. Have you ever read The Hiding Place by Corrie tenBoom Kate/ That's what it is about but she lived it. Such a brave lady and spent the rest of her life witnessing for the LORD. It is a great book and she also has others. You might want to look them up. I sure would love to be one of the winners. Thanks to you and to Linda for this give-away.
ReplyDeleteMaxie mac262(at)me(dot)com
I would love to win a copy of this book. This is a much needed story to keep it in the minds of people so that humankind doesn't make the same mistakes. I'm so glad you wrote it, Kate! Linda, thanks for this awesome interview. kkakins at gmail dot com.
ReplyDeleteThis book sounds astounding. I stumbled on it months ago via Goodreads and have been waiting for it ever since. The Holocaust is a difficult subject to deal with, so you are very gutsy. Using the story of Esther is ingenious. Can't wait to read it.
ReplyDeleteveronicaleighbooks@gmail.com
I read the excerpt that was posted online and loved it! I can only imagine how difficult this book was to write. Thanks for sharing, Kate!
ReplyDeleteMaxie, thank you for sharing your thoughts. Yes, it's hard to grasp that despite the evidence and real life accounts, even the handful of survivors who still live among us--there are those who doubt the Holocaust ever happened. And I did have the opportunity to read The Hiding Place. What a heartbreakingly inspirational story!
ReplyDeleteKarla, thank you! History often repeats itself if a society becomes complacent, doesn't it? We see it happening daily. I share your hope that readers will learn from and remember this story so that it never happens again!
ReplyDeleteVeronica, thank you! I'll be honest, during my research I shed a lot of tears. I certainly hope you enjoy it! :)
ReplyDeleteTom, thank you! It was difficult to write, but a story I felt passionate about. I know now that God was leading me the whole time!
ReplyDeleteKate, I know already I will be a Kate Breslin fan! Linda, thanks for hosting Kate.
ReplyDeleteestock(at)fairpoint(dot)net
Wonderful interview! Kate, I had to laugh at your apology poems and how they worked. =] I'm really looking forward to reading this book and I'm so glad you wrote it! The excerpt is FANTASTIC. =] patterly {at}gmail{dot}com
ReplyDeleteA great interview, Linda and Kate. What I've read of "For Such a Time as This" is compelling, and as you say, a difficult topic to address. History does repeat itself, and if we don't learn from the past, we will likely repeat it.From the beginning, Satan has used man to destroy God's chosen people. I believe he is still at work trying to destroy the Jews, as well as the church. My concern is that our government may become complicit by failing to stand with Israel. I look forward to reading the rest of your story. JanetGrunst@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteCongrats from a fellow Hartliner!!! :) I read the first few chapters of your book online (through a link from one of your Facebook posts), and I cannot wait to read the rest!!! I love that you created such an impossible scenerio for a love story, and yet I can tell something great is going to eventually happen between these two. And I love the Esther thread--it's so perfect. I remember (it was a few weeks ago now) that it was so deeply written that I'd forgotten if it was from third or first person. I love when an author is able to do that. And it's so serious... another thing I look for in books.
ReplyDeleteDawnCrandallWritesFirst (at) gmail (dot) com
I agree, when I first started to read this, I wondered how she would pull this off. I have to say, it is a wonderful read!
ReplyDeleteSounds like a fantastic read!
ReplyDeletesamantha (dot) jmj (at) juno (dot) com
I love the story of Esther. Never imagined a setting of WW2. I bet it is a fascinating read. God's story is relevant no matter the time.
ReplyDeleteJanet don't forget to send your email addy!
ReplyDeleteIt IS, Samantha
ReplyDeleteThanks, Elaine! :)
ReplyDeleteThanks, Patty--and I have to tell you, my mom is probably my biggest fan. <3 Could she have known then what those "roses are red" poems would eventually lead to? :)
ReplyDeleteThe story of Esther is one of my favorites. I read the excerpt and it's quite good.
ReplyDeletecathyshouse (5) at aol
JLTHREAD at gmail dot com
ReplyDeleteSounds like a wonderful book and I would love to read it. Thanks for offering it as a give-away.
ReplyDeleteAnn Ellison
abilene_nana@yahoo.com
Thanks, all, for entering. You won't be sorry. It's an excellent read!
ReplyDeleteSounds like a book I'd love to read.
ReplyDeletetlw131 at gmail [dot] com
Janet, thank you! And I agree--we must be watchful; the adage that evil triumphs when good men do nothing is so true!
ReplyDeleteDawn and Linda, thank you, I'm so glad you "got into" it! There are bits of me in all of my characters--I think we writers must do this because we're also discovering as we write, and like the reader, seeking our own truth in each story we tell. Okay, that was deep LOL!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Samantha! I hope you enjoy it! :)
ReplyDeleteMe, too, Janet! And thank you--I honestly wondered if I could manage to write this, but as the idea grew and I began to see the scenes in my head, I knew God was leading me.
ReplyDeleteI do hope you enjoy the story!
Oh, Cathy, thanks so much. It's one of mine, too--what a love story!
ReplyDeleteAnn, thanks, I really appreciate your interest. I hope you get the chance to read it and let me know what you think! :)
ReplyDeleteTerri, I hope you enjoy it and thank you!!
ReplyDeleteLinda, thank you so much for hosting me this week--and for being a wonderful agent and friend, who saw my potential as an author and what this story could become!
ReplyDeleteThe holocaust was a horrible period in history. Would love to read your book.
ReplyDeleteForgot to put my email. Thereadmaster@me.com
ReplyDeleteCongrats, Virginia, Cathy, Terri, and Ann. I'll be contacting you about sending an ARC your way.
ReplyDeleteVirginia, yes it was. And it looks like you'll be getting copy! Please let me know what you think.
ReplyDeleteYay to the winners! Please let me know your thoughts when you finish reading the book. I'd love to hear from you!
ReplyDeleteKate - I am intrigued by your curiosity and perseverance to superimpose, as you say, Esther over the Holocaust. Remarkable and so believable. Kudos - and blessings - to you!
ReplyDelete