Author Interview – Linda Thompson

Welcome to the Blog + Review Tour for The Mulberry Leaf Whispers by Linda Thompson, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

ABOUT THE BOOK

Title: The Mulberry Leaf Whispers
Series: Brands from the Burning #2
Author: Linda Thompson
Publisher: Mountain Brook Ink
Release Date: December 15, 2020
Genre: Christian Historical Fiction

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A WWII Japanese naval officer. The teenage daughter of a legendary Christian samurai. Three centuries separate them, but a crucial question binds their destinies together.

Which lives have value?

In the highly anticipated sequel to her award-winning debut novel, The Plum Blooms in Winter, Linda Thompson provides a riveting story inspired by true events.

“Splendid story!… Rivals Shogun with its sweeping story of passion and faith, of survival and hope…. Be prepared to be enriched, moved and deeply satisfied.” – Jane Kirkpatrick, award-winning author of Something Worth Doing

“Gorgeous… not-to-be-missed…” – Sarah Sundin, bestselling and Carol Award-winning author of When Twilight Breaks and the Sunrise at Normandy series

1587. Bartered off in a peace agreement to the ancient enemies of her illustrious house, is Sono a war prize, a hostage, or a bride? One hope sustains her. If she can provide an heir to the dashing husband she just met, she’ll ensure decades of peace for the beloved family she was forced to leave behind. But when a dark secret threatens her desperate bid to purchase their security, she must rise to a battle she never dreamed she’d fight.

1942. Akira Matsuura’s naval vessel explodes under enemy fire. Everything he has lived for disappears in flames with it. His command, his crew, his future—all lost. Worse, his honor is eternally decimated. A prisoner’s life is of value to no one. Least of all to himself. But a stunning twist reveals his family’s secret shame. Can a long-buried truth provide the vital spark that reignites his will to live?

Thrill to two poignant journeys of courage, duty, and sacrifice, deftly woven through the centuries to inspire with dynamic faith that conquers despair.

PURCHASE LINKS*: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository | IndieBound | BookBub

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Linda Thompson stepped back from a corporate career that spanned continents to write what she loves—stories of unstoppable faith. Her debut novel, The Plum Blooms in Winter, was a Cascade Award winner and a Christy- and Carol-Award finalist. Linda writes from the sun-drenched Arizona desert, where she lives with her husband, a third-generation airline pilot who is also her Chief Military Research Officer, one mostly-grown-up kid, and a small platoon of housecats. When Linda isn’t writing you’ll find her rollerblading—yes, that makes her a throwback—taking in a dramatic desert moonrise, or enjoying their first grandbaby.

CONNECT WITH LINDA: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

An Interview with Linda

When did you first know you wanted to be an author? 

My story might be a little backwards, compared to many other authors I know! The “bug” didn’t really hit me until later in life, and you can blame it on my husband. Michael, an avid reader, walked up to me one day with a World War II history book in hand. “Read this. This page right here.” And after I read the episode, he said, “There needs to be a book about that.”

He was right. I knew that instantly. But it took a period of praying and seeking to conclude that I might be called to write that book. The true piece of WWII history he introduced me to that day eventually became my debut novel, The Plum Blooms in Winter.

When you are not writing, what other hats do you wear? What do you do for fun?
I retired from corporate life to devote myself full-time to writing, so that’s mostly what I do. And honestly, it makes for some long (and pressured!) days. I’m a wife, a mother and grandmother to a very adorable two-year-old. My husband and I are also avid students of Bible history and prophecy, which we find stunningly relevant to the days in which we live.

What is your favorite genre to read? What about that genre draws you?

Historical fiction, without a doubt, although I also enjoy speculative tales. I’ve always relished a book that picked me up and carried me off to a world I couldn’t visit on my own.. Narnia, Rivendell, Tudor England, the cockpit of a WWII-era bomber… it all works for me!

What historical figure do you admire and why?
Jesus, of course, “the author and finisher of our faith,” “who loved us, and gave Himself for us”! After that, there are quite a few people I could pick out—men and women who followed Jesus with sacrificial abandon. Maybe I’ll name Corrie Ten Boom, who along with her Dutch family helped smuggle hundreds of Jewish people away from the Nazis. Corrie’s father and sister paid with their lives for that brave decision. The Hiding Place, Corrie’s soaring tale of faith in the face of losing everything she had for Jesus, is a true inspiration. 

Who did you have in mind as you wrote the book?

That’s an easy one in this case, since both my novels were inspired by historical people. The bomber crews in my first novel mixed real Greatest Generation heroes with fictional characters inspired by them. My second novel has a WWII timeline inspired by one Japanese officer’s actual journey, combined with a second timeline featuring a historic samurai-era heroine of the faith. It is an awe-inspiring privilege and responsibility to bring their stories to life for twenty-first century readers.

As a former K-12 school librarian I have to ask – what is your favorite children’s book?
That’s another easy one! I did not discover The Chronicles of Narnia until I was an adult, and a brand-new Christian believer. Although I write in a very different genre, C.S. Lewis and his clearly God-given gift for illustrating deep spiritual truths through story may well be the reason I’m an author today.

What advice would you give to a child or teen who wants to be a writer?

Well… write! But also get coaching on your writing. You wouldn’t expect to become a world-class athlete or a chart-topping musician without excellent coaching, and becoming a published author is no different. A degree in English or writing isn’t essential, but writing classes and conferences and organizations like American Christian Fiction Writers are good ways to meet fellow writers you can exchange critiques with. It can be a lonely journey, so insight and encouragement from other writers—ideally writers who are further along the path than you are—is vital!

TOUR GIVEAWAY

(1) winner will receive a copy of the soon-to-be-released audiobook for Linda’s award-winning debut novel, The Plum Blooms in Winter, her latest release, The Mulberry Leaf Whispers, in winner’s choice of Kindle or paperback format, plus a $10 Amazon gift card!

Full tour schedule linked below. Giveaway began at midnight January 4, 2021 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on January 11, 2021. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to the policies found here.

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Disclaimer – I have not read this book so I cannot speak to its appropriateness for a K-12 Christian School library. I encourage librarians to read the book before making a purchasing decision.

I choose to share it because it does sound interesting. If you read it, let me know what you think.