Author Interview – Barbara M. Britton

Welcome to the Blog Tour for Christmas at Whispering Creek by Barbara M. Britton, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

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ABOUT THE BOOK

Title: Christmas at Whispering Creek
Author: Barbara M. Britton
Publisher: Pelican Book Group-White Rose
Release Date: November 30, 2022
Genre: Christian Contemporary Romance

All Samantha Williams wants is to use her teaching degree to instruct a classroom of second graders. With a breast cancer diagnosis at the age of twenty-three, and failed reconstruction surgery, Sam finds herself without a job and temporarily living with her parents. This isn’t the life Sam expected. When a family friend dies and leaves Sam a house and land in Whispering Creek, Tennessee, Sam must decide if leaving Wisconsin for Southern living is in her lesson plans.

Nashville native, Cole Donoven, left his family’s electrical business to write country music. When Cole’s song writing partner and girlfriend dumps him for a country music star, Cole abandons Nashville to hold up in Whispering Creek and compose one more song. The last thing Cole expects to find in the sleepy small town is a deceased friend, estate squabbles, and a Northern beauty. Will the chaos in Whispering Creek help create a bestselling song for Cole and possibly help him find a life-long collaborator?

A book trailer for “Christmas at Whispering Creek.” Book Trailer

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

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR – Barbara M. Britton

Barbara M. Britton lives in Southeast, Wisconsin. She writes Christian Fiction from Bible Times to modern day USA. Barbara has a nutrition degree from Baylor University but loves to dip healthy strawberries in chocolate.

Barbara M. Britton lives in Southeast, Wisconsin and loves the snow—when it accumulates under three inches. She writes Christian Fiction from Bible Times to present day USA. Her Tribes of Israel series brings little-known Bible characters to light. Her novel “Christmas at Whispering Creek,” is a compelling, yet fun story, shining a light on breast cancer. Barbara has a nutrition degree from Baylor University but loves to dip healthy strawberries in chocolate. You can find out more about Barbara and her books on her website www.barbarambritton.com.

Connect with Barbara by visiting barbarambritton.com to follow her on social media or subscribe to email newsletter updates.

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An Interview with Barbara M. Britton

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

I had no idea that I would be an author. I enjoyed writing stories in high school, but I was never encouraged to pursue writing as a career. Of course, that was in the early eighties and times have changed for women in the publishing arena. Writing curriculum for chapel lessons is how I entered publishing. I needed to write more lesson plans, so I prayed for God to give me creativity. He did! I not only received ideas for Bible lessons, but I got a prompting to write a story swirling in my head. It took me a year, but I finished a sweet historical novel for teens. I wrote three more stories, and it was my fourth story that garnered a contract from a publisher—Pelican Book Group. Never give up on writing stories. You never know which story will catch an editor’s eye.

When you are not writing, what other hats do you wear? What do you do for fun?

I love to teach the Bible. When I’m not writing Christian Fiction, I teach and lead a Bible Study for women. I also continue to teach chapel for elementary students. 

Walking is how I get my exercise. Since I live in Wisconsin, I have to be creative on how to get my steps during winter. Writers sit for long periods of time, so getting exercise is key.

I’m a wife, mom, daughter, and sister. Relationships take time and it is fun to hang out with my family.  

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

Christian romance novels or sweet romance novels are my favorite genre to read. I like a happily-ever-after ending. I’m drawn to Westerns because I grew up in California. We were taught about cowboys, the gold rush, and mining in school. My mom and sister were skilled horseback riders, so having horses in a novel is a plus. I’m not a big fan of romantic suspense because I don’t like to be scared.

What is your favorite thing about Christmas? And why?

Talking about Jesus—the reason for the season—is my favorite part of Christmas. I grew up in a home that didn’t know about the birth of Jesus. I’m blessed to know about the true meaning of Christmas. In my book, I have Samantha talk about several ways that she uses a Christmas tree to tell the story of Jesus. I won’t give too much away, but think of light, gift giving, and the J-shape of a candy cane.

I do remember my mom baking gingerbread men every Christmas. My sister and I would decorate the cookies with icing and raisins, and we would wrap them and place them on the tree. My sister and I would sneak into the family room and eat the gingerbread men off of the tree. Very few cookies remained at Christmas.

What historical figure do you admire and why?

If we don’t include Jesus, I would say it’s a toss-up between George Washington and Abraham Lincoln. George Washington kept a rag tag army together in the cold of winter to defeat a majestic British army. He refused to take the name ‘King’ and all its trappings and became the first president. Abraham Lincoln presided over the Civil War to end slavery and to reunite the states. He came from humble beginnings to be elected president. 

As a former K-12 school librarian I have to ask – what is your favorite children’s book?

I have several, but two of my favorites are Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl and The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett. I am a huge chocolate fan and would love to go inside a whimsical chocolate factory. In The Secret Garden, Mary and her bold but caring nature intrigued me. I like how Colin becomes healthy and he and his father learn to live again. My novel Until June has shades of these themes.

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

Make a habit of writing. Write down your story ideas and the actual stories so you do not forget them. I immediately write down ideas because I find they may have vanished when I go back to retrieve them.

I wrote four books before I sold my first story. Being a published author can take time. Learn the craft of writing and the business side of writing as you create your stories.

It is difficult to make a living solely as a writer in today’s world. There are millions of books released each year. Many authors have jobs outside of writing. Learn to write well, and learn another skill, too.

Thank you Barbara. I was nice having this opportunity to get to know you. 

Thank you for asking these questions and having me on your blog.

TOUR GIVEAWAY

(1) winner will receive a Christmas at Whispering Creek book box filled with books and goodies!

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight December 6, 2022 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on December 13, 2022. 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. International prize, ebook only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to the policies found here.

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