As many of you know, I write Historical Christian Romance stories, and my first novel should be out in time for Christmas if all goes well.
I have begun writing my second novel and yesterday, when I met with my critique partner, I asked her a question. You see, I began my new novel with Chapter 0, which is sort of like a Prologue. It’s a scene from my main male character’s back story. Yesterday, I had Chapter 1 ready to give to my critique partner, and she gave her critiqued copy of my Chapter 0 back to me. I asked her what she thought about the fact that I began this novel with a scene from the back story of my main male character and had written Chapter 1 about my main male character in the actual time period of the story.
Why did I ask her that question? Because I had been told when writing my first novel that you cannot wait until you’re too far into the story to introduce the lady who will be the main male character’s love interest. Or rather, both the male and female, who will fall in love, must both be introduced early in the story.
On another note, I had also been told that my male character should not be the main character. I was told that romance readers wouldn’t like it. That it didn’t fit the formula. I’ve been a romance reader for many years. When I first began reading romance stories, I read a lot of Harlequin Romance stories. However, after awhile, I grew tired of the fact that I found them to be so predictable. I felt that the stories had different characters and were set in different places, but the story lines were all basically the same. So, I branched out to read other romance stories.
I have found throughout the romance genre that generally, the formula is boy meets girl and, though they are attracted to one another, something or, sometimes, more than one thing, keeps them apart until the last third or quarter of the book.
My novels do follow that basic formula. However, I choose to make my main character the male, at least in these first two novels. However, once the male and female begin interacting more, I change scenes or chapters back and forth between his point of view and her point of view, so really, my novels really have a male and a female main character throughout the majority of the novel.
One more thing I find odd, is that when you submit a query or a novel to an agent or publisher, they almost always ask you, what makes your story different from the other stories that are out there in your same genre. Why do they want to know what makes it different, if it’s not supposed to be different?
All that being said, I would like for you, Romance readers, to please answer the following questions in the comments below: 1) Do you prefer your romance stories to be predictable? 2) Would you be willing to read Romance novels that begin with a main male character? 3) Do you find it refreshing to find new twists in the Romance genre and look for books that offer something new or do you prefer to stick with the same old, same old?
I appreciate you taking the time to answer these questions.
I do not read very many nonfiction books, as I’m sure, if you follow my blog and book reviews, you already know. However, the book I’m going to review today is the one nonfiction book I have been waiting for. You see, Joan Patterson is a member of the same local Christian writers’ group that I’m a member of, and I have helped critique chapters of A Matter of Faith. I have also seen Faith and watched her in action.
Enough with the introduction, let’s get down to the book review:
A Matter of Faith by Joan Patterson is Joan’s first book, and it’s an easy read. I read it rather quickly, then passed it on to two friends to read, and they both read through it very quickly, so that it is in my possession once again. The three of us, in total, finished reading this book in less than two weeks!
Anyway, A Matter of Faith is a wonderful book. It is the true story of how Joan’s life drastically changed when she was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis and found herself in need of a wheelchair. In addition to shaking her self-confidence, her faith in her loving, caring God was also shaken. After all, she was an educator, wife, and mother. Would she still be able to fulfill these roles?
That’s where her service dog, Faith, came in. This book, A Matter of Faith, is a wonderfully delightful story about how Joan and Faith built a strong bond, and how much Joan came to depend on Faith. Faith, an intelligent, specially trained Labrador Retriever became Joan’s constant sidekick. In A Matter of Faith, each chapter focuses on a different aspect of Joan getting to know and learn how to work with this dog. The chapters continue to tell of their life together, once Joan had gone through an initial training period with Faith.
If you don’t know anything about dogs that are trained to be service dogs and the things they are capable of, you will be amazed at the things you read in this book. As you read about Faith and the relationship between Joan and Faith, you will come to love this intelligent, skilled dog.
In addition to telling the story of her life with Faith, Joan ends most chapters with a paragraph about a lesson she learned, through her relationship with Faith, that also taught her something about how that very lesson can be applied to our relationship with God. Therefore, even though, this book isn’t written as a devotional book, you could use it as one, as you consider the lessons Joan points out as she points you to the Father.
For anyone who loves dogs, you’ll love this book. Also, anyone who loves great nonfiction stories about the life and struggles of someone and how they deal with those struggles, you’ll love this book.
I highly recommend this book, and I hope Joan will continue to write more books for us to enjoy.
I give A Matter of Faith by Joan Patterson a 5 star rating.
Today is the day! Wooing Gertrude, Book 3 of the Burrton Springs Brides series by Jodie Wolfe is available for purchase today! Grab your copy now!
Blurb
Enoch Valentine has given up finding peace for his past mistakes. He throws everything he has into being the new part-time deputy in Burrton Springs, Kansas while maintaining the foreman position at a local horse ranch. But when trouble stirs on the ranch, he questions whether he’s the right man for either job.
Peace has been elusive for most of Gertrude Miller’s life, especially under the oppressiveness of an overbearing mother. She takes matters into her own hands and sends for a potential husband, while also opening her own dress shop. Gertrude hopes to build a future where she’ll find peace and happiness.
Will either of them ever be able to find peace?
Tagline
The seamstress with a knack for trouble wasn’t who the deputy envisioned.
It’s great to be here, Kelly. Thanks for having me.
Hello Jodie, It’s been three years since I last interviewed you for the release of Taming Julia, which was the first book in your Burrton Springs Brides series. It released on Valentine’s Day of 2020. I’ve also read and reviewed two of your books, To Claim Her Heart (https://kellyfbarr.com/2018/05/14/to-claim-her-heart-a-book-review/) and Taming Julia (https://kellyfbarr.com/2020/04/06/taming-julia-by-jodie-wolfe/). It’s a pleasure to interview you again today as Book 3 of the Burrton Springs Brides is about to release.
Q: You published your very first book independently in May of 2016. You now have an upcoming book, Wooing Gertrude, to be released in just a couple weeks on September 15th. So, how many books, in total, will you have published when Wooing Gertrude comes out?
A: I guess technically ten books. 😊 I have two indie fiction books. Wooing Gertrude will make my sixth traditionally published book. I also indie published a short etiquette book that coincides with To Claim Her Heart. I participated in a devotional book for homeschool moms, writing five devotions for it.
Q: As I said, your very first book was independently published. Wooing Gertrude is being published by White Rose Publishing. Can you tell us a little about White Rose Publishing and when you began working with them?
A: Taming Julia was my first book with White Rose Publishing. They have been a real blessing to me. It’s like being part of a family. We support each other in our writing, but also are a prayer support for whatever is going on in our lives.
Q: How is publishing with a publishing company different from independently publishing, and what do you see as the benefits of each of these publishing options?
A: There’s a lot of freedom with independent publishing, but all the aspects of the project fall completely on you to take care of. While working with a traditional publisher, I feel like I have a team behind me. They work hard to make sure we create the best product and assist with the marketing and getting the finished product into the hands of more people.
Q: The line at the top of your website says, “Stories Where Hope and Quirky Meet”. Do you consider that your tagline or brand? Why did you choose that particular line?
A: That’s my brand. I try to write stories that always have hope no matter what my characters are going through. I try to throw in quirks because they are what make life fun and interesting. 😊
Q: Now, let’s talk a little bit about your upcoming release, Wooing Gertrude. According to the back cover book blurb, your main female character, Gertrude, sends for a potential husband. Is that a twist on the Mail Order Bride idea?
A: It is. Although it was something that some women did, it wasn’t very often. Most times it was the male sending for a bride.
Q: The back book blurb of Wooing Gertrude also asks whether or not either of the main characters will find peace. So, is peace the theme of the story, and what made you decide on that theme?
A: Yes, the main theme of the book is finding peace. The themes I pick for my books are usually something God has recently taught me or is in the process of teaching me at the time. I often learn more about the topic along with my characters.
Q: The first book of the Burrton Springs Brides series was published February 14, 2020, the second one on November 12, 2021, and the upcoming third book will be out on September 15, 2023. So there was a little more than a year between the first and second books and there will be almost two years between book 2 and book 3. Do you set goals and shoot for a certain amount of times between books or how do you determine how long each book or series will take?
A: While this is a longer gap than I hoped for, sometimes life gets in the way of deadlines – self-imposed or otherwise. I’ve had a rough couple years with family situations, which is why it took me a while to write Wooing Gertrude. I recently turned in the final book in the series, which will hopefully be Convincing Lou.
I typically can have a book written within a few months and then a couple months for edits. When I turn the book in to my publisher, they typically take six months before I hear back from them and then we go through the editing process. Once I sign a contract, the book is usually out within about nine months or so.
The Burrton Springs Brides Series originally was only going to have three books in it, but as I wrote Wooing Gertrude, I knew I needed to have a book for a character I introduced in Taming Julia and has been mentioned in each of the books in the series.
Q: Will there be more books to the Burrton Springs Brides series, or is Wooing Gertrude the final book of the series?
😊 As I mentioned, there will be one more book in the series – Convincing Lou.
Q: Out of all the books you’ve written, which book is your favorite and why? And, which character is your favorite and why?
A: This is always a hard question to answer for authors. It’s like asking, which one of your kids is your favorite? 😊 If I had to narrow it down, I would say my favorite is Taming Julia because Jules was such a fun and unpredictable character to create. She’s totally different from me.
On a personal note, To Claim Her Heart is also a favorite because it includes true stories of some of my husband’s family who participated in the Cherokee Strip Land Run of 1893. It’s a book my mother-in-law was passionate about. Unfortunately, she didn’t live to see it published.
Q: Is there anything else you’d like to share?
A: I had fun researching the possibility of including some furry creatures in Wooing Gertrude that quickly steal her heart. You’ll have to read the book to find out what they are. 😊
Thanks for having me here today!
It was my pleasure. Best wishes on Wooing Gertrude and your future writing!
Here is Jodie’s Bio and information where you can find more about her books and connect with her: Jodie Wolfe creates novels where hope and quirky meet. She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW), and Faith, Hope, & Love Christian Writers (FHLCW). She’s been a semi-finalist and finalist in various writing contests. A former columnist for Home School Enrichment magazine, her articles can be found online at: Crosswalk, Christian Devotions, and Heirloom Audio. When not writing she enjoys spending time with her husband in Pennsylvania, reading, walking, and being a Grammie. Learn more at www.jodiewolfe.com.
Kelly F Barr 