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About the Book
Book title: Seasons of a Life
Author: D.H. Barbara
Release date: May, 2017
Genre: Inspirational fiction, family drama, romance
Time passes with little regard of human perspective. At times painfully slow and often it slips past more swiftly than we’d like. Sammie Young is a testimony to the changing of life’s many seasons. As life deals it’s harsh blows, she stands strong. Now, with two of her five children left at home, change whizzes toward her at the speed of light. Frequently down, but never beaten, Sammie steps out in faith to face the new and exciting seasons awaiting her family.
Interview with D.H. Barbara
- Will you tell us about your books?
My Lakeville series is about the Young family who has overcome some hard things and how their faith impacts their lives. Sammie is the widowed mother and main character of Season of a Life. I plan on 8 books when the series is finished, but we’ll see how the Lord leads in that. I have a stand alone novel about an angelic encounter, sort of an homage to A Christmas Carol and It’s A Wonderful Life. I’ve been playing with another book featuring Clarion (the angel). I also have another series in the beginning stages about a pastor in an inner city mission, and a few others percolating. One of my favorites was writing a fan fiction of The Dragonriders of PERN.
2. Are you a plotter or a panster?
I’m probably more of a panster. I get an idea and just plop down and start writing. I was never a good note taker in school, and always failed outlining.
- Do you like to listen to music while you write?
Oh yes! Each Lakeville book has a page titled “The Song Behind The Story.” I listen to those songs over and over. Sometimes I’ll just put on some contemporary Christian music.
- If you could live in any time period, what would it be?
I am quite happy in the here and now, although I could totally live on board the Starship Enterprise.
- Who are some of your favorite authors? Why do they inspire you?
Good writing inspires more good writing, I think. J.K. Rowling’s wizarding world is incredible. Lewis’s Narnia, McCaffrey’s PERN. All amazing and intricate worlds. Steven King’s ability to get into your mind and scare you. John Jakes’s knowledge of history and how he projects his characters into it. It’s all inspiring in that the worlds I create, although not as sweeping or frightening, can draw others in. I love how Susan Sleeman, Colleen Coble, Chautona Havig and other writers of faith weave that aspect into their stories without slamming you in the head with a Bible. Every author I’ve read has inspired some aspect if my own writing.
- Will you tell us about your journey with Christ?
I was raised in a nominal religious home, where we did church because it’s what you did on Sunday morning. I became a loud and rebellious teen who found herself pregnant at 15. I chose to abort the child, knowing all along it wasn’t the right thing to do. After 6 weeks of depression and attempting to forget through more drugs and drinking, a girl at school reached out to me with the Gospel. I prayed with her standing outside the back of the school bus for the amazing, forgiving grace of God to wash me clean. The clincher is that I never saw that girl again. She was my very own angelic encounter! It hasn’t always been an easy walk, but it’s one I’m thankful to be on.
- What is your favorite food?
Oof! This is harder than the favorite author question! I grew up with an Italian mom who was a fabulous cook and wanted to attend cooking school myself. My all time favorite meal, though, is Thanksgiving Dinner.
- Do you like to travel?
Not really. We like day trips. My big travel adventure this summer was visiting my oldest son in Boston. They have excellent Italian food!
- Do you travel for research for your books?
Through Google!
- Why did you decide to become a writer?
I’ve been storytelling since I was a young child. I wrote a lot through middle and high school, lots of horrible angst ridden stuff. Hopefully I’ve outgrown that! I began seriously writing to publish about 2008.
- What are your hobbies?
Reading, cooking, trying out different planners, and being the only NASCAR fan in Colorado.
- Do you like to cook? Would you share with us a favorite recipe?
Love to cook! Here is my family’s favorite side dish.
Potato Stuffing
5 lbs russet potatoes, scrubbed
1 lb bacon, diced
1 lb country sausage (not breakfast)
1 large onion, diced
1-3 sticks butter
Salt, pepper, thyme
Cook the potatoes whole until easily pierced with fork. Drain and let cool to handle. Break into chunks in the pot you cooked them in.
While the potatoes cook, in a large frying pan melt 1 stick butter. Cook onions in butter till nice and golden. Add them to the big pot.
In same pan in remaining butter, start frying the bacon till crisp. I do this in 2 batches. Add to pot.
In same pan in all the good grease, fry sausage, breaking up as it browns. Toss it in with the onions, bacon and potatoes with any grease. (I did not promise this was low fat)
Toss all of this together with the salt, pepper and thyme. I eyeball it, but it’s probably 2 tsp salt, 1 tsp pepper and 1 tbsp thyme.
Turn on oven to 375*F
Transfer to a 9×13 pan. Dot top with another stick of butter. My hubby’s grandmother used this to stuff the turkey on Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Bake for 45 minutes covered with foil. Uncover and turn oven to broil for 5ish minutes if you want to crisp the top.
We rarely have any left over. It’s great with eggs the next morning.
- If you could pick any genre to write in besides your current genre, what would it be?
Science fiction. I love a good sci fi story!
- Can you tell us about your current work in progress?
I am working on the 5th and 6th books in my Lakeville series. One is the continuation of Tom and Sunnie’s story, and the 6th is a Christmas novella featuring Silas and Wynter.
- What is your favorite verse? Why does it encourage or comfort you?
I love the Psalms. David was an amazing author and songwriter. The Psalms are full of the comfort of the Holy Spirit in all circumstances. My favorite verse would have to be “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” Philippians 4:13 Paul, another amazing author and theologian, knew that verse so well.
About the Author
Writing and storytelling began in elementary school, including rewriting song lyrics. Often, I would rewrite them to God, and my favorite to sing was “You Are the Sunshine of My Life.” I told elaborate tales to my Barbie and Dawn dolls, stuffed animals and imaginary friends.
My faith is vital to me, and my writing. I write inspirational fiction and fantasy because, frankly, I can’t help myself. I have tried to write without the faith element and it’s next to impossible. I want my story to reflect faith and honest struggles. The plots appear in my mind as if I’m watching a full length feature movie. At times, it’s hard for my fingers to keep up with my brain. I’ve moved from my beloved yellow legal pads and Crystal Bic pens to a keyboard, but the process is the same. I start at the beginning, find a “soundtrack,” and start typing. In the back of my books you’ll find a section titled The Song Behind The Story. Many times, I find a worship or praise song that fits the story perfectly and that becomes the main track I listen to while writing.
If I’m not writing something, I’m reading a wide variety of fiction, nonfiction, theology and apologetics, to name a few. My favorite genres are, by far, science fiction and suspense. Some authors I enjoy are, in no particular order, Susan Sleeman, Anne McCaffrey, C.S. Lewis, Max Lucado, John Jakes, Stephen King, Robin Lee Hatcher, Chautona Havig, Frank Peretti, Randy Alcorn, Dr. Richard Mabry, Tess Gerrison, J.K. Rowling, Peter Tremayne, Elis Peters, oh, the list could go on and on and on! I have the immense pleasure of interacting with some of them online via social media.
Currently, I’m working on completing my Lakeville series. Lakeville is a fictional town in the southeastern corner of Pennsylvania.
Guest Post from D.H. Barbara
Blog Stops
August 24: A Baker’s Perspective
August 25: Proud to be an autism mom
August 26: The Power of Words (spotlight)
August 27: Avid Reader Book Reviews
August 28: Moments Dipped in Ink
August 29: Carpe Diem
August 30: Reading Is My SuperPower (interview)
August 31: Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations
September 1: Pause for Tales
September 2: Simple Harvest Reads (interview)
September 3: Quiet Quilter
September 4: Christian Bookaholic
September 5: Just the Write Escape
September 6: Mary Hake
Giveaway
To celebrate her tour, D.H. Barbara is giving away a Lakeville Beach Bundle tote/beach bag containing: 1 copy Seasons of a Life,1 copy of my book Angels Unaware (inspirational fantasy), 1 sun visor, 1 cold drink bottle, and 1 box of drink flavoring packets!! Click below to enter. Be sure to comment on this post before you enter to claim 9 extra entries! https://promosimple.com/ps/bd16
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