Historical Bookworm KyLee Woodley and Darcy

Joanna Davidson Politano joins us for a chat about her favorite writing stages, being a mom, silent films, and her latest release The Elusive Truth of Lily Temple. Don’t forget to enter to win a copy of this great book! 







About the author















Joanna Davidson Politano is the award-winning author of Lady Jayne Disappears, A Rumored Fortune, Finding Lady Enderly, The Love Note, A Midnight Dance, and The Lost Melody. She loves tales that capture the colorful, exquisite details in ordinary lives and is eager to hear anyone's story. She lives with her husband and their children in a house in the woods near Lake Michigan.







Author questions







Let’s start with something light. We’re recording this when the weather is still cold and gray, but listeners will be joining us in April









What is your favorite thing about spring? (And least favorite if you have something that drives you nuts about the season!) ;)







Your bio mentions how you love to hear anyone’s story. Can you share about a time that someone sharing their story had a strong impact on your life?







After publishing half a dozen novels, what would you say is your favorite part of bringing a story from a tiny idea to an adventure in the readers’ hands? Your least favorite part?







Is there anything especially interesting that you haven’t covered in other interviews that you could share with us or perhaps there is something God has laid on your heart that you would like to share with your readers? 









About the book: The Elusive Truth of Lily Temple















Peter Driscoll, an underground investigator to the wealthy, has never met anyone like Lily Temple. The beautiful silent-film actress spins fairy tales and plays frivolous roles in front of the cine-camera, but beneath the costumes and stage makeup is a woman with a quick wit--and a murky past.







Peter has been tasked with locating the legendary Briarwood Teardrop, an exquisite sapphire, which Lily wears beneath her gown. In order to stay close to her and hopefully unravel the mystery of her story--and the sapphire--Peter employs Lily's help on a case, which leads to a useful partnership. But as they are investigating together, Peter is also investigating Lily. The closer he gets to the truth, the more danger they face. And the closer he gets to Lily, the clearer it is that he needs her even more than she needs him.







Award-winning author Joanna Davidson Politano whisks you away to Edwardian England in 1903 for a whimsical and layered tale that treads the crooked line between real and make-believe.







I love so much about this blurb–a heroine with two very different sides, a turn-of-the-century setting when so much was changing in industrial countries, and perhaps most of all–a hero who doesn’t seem to think the worst of Lily for hiding this highly sought jewel!

About the author















ERIN BARTELS writes character-driven fiction for curious people. Her readers know to expect that each of her novels will tell a unique story about fallible characters so tangible that it’s hard to believe they are not real people. Whether urban, rural, or somewhere in between, her settings come alive with carefully crafted details that engage all the senses and transport the reader to a singular time and place. And her themes of reckoning with the past, improving the present, and looking with hope to the future leave her readers with a sense of peace and possibility.







Author questions









After all those years in the big city, what’s your favorite thing about living in a small town, and is there anything you miss?







Other than reading, what are some of your hobbies and favorite ways to relax?







What is the thing you collect, and what’s the story behind it? (Like some people collect teacups, or some people collect anything with a turtle on it, or things like that.)







Is there anything especially interesting that you haven’t covered in other interviews that you could share with us or perhaps there is something God has laid on your heart that you would like to share with your readers? 









About the book The Lady with the Dark Hair.







A charismatic man with a legacy that long outlives him. A forgotten woman whose fate is forever tied to his. And the family whose history is still being written.















Toulouse, France—1879







Catalan orphan-turned-fugitive Viviana Torrens has found sanctuary serving in the home of an aging artist in Southern France. It is in his studio that she meets Francisco Vella, a Gibraltarian merchant who sells artists’ pigments. When her past catches up to her, she is compelled to pose as Vella’s sister and join him on his travels or be deported back to Spain to stand trial. Along the way she will discover that the many parts she has been playing in order to hide her identity have far-reaching implications she never could have foreseen.







East Lansing, Michigan—Present Day







Esther Markstrom and her artist mother have always been proud of their ancestor, painter Francisco Vella. They even run a small museum and gallery dedicated to raising awareness of his scandalously underappreciated work. But when Esther reconnects with her former art history professor, she finds her once-solid family history on shaky ground as questions arise about Vella’s greatest work—a portrait entitled The Lady with the Dark Hair.







This dual-timeline story takes you on a captivating journey across time and continents, where past and present converge in a relentless search for truth, identity, and the freedom to follow one’s dreams.







This time period is interesting–Victorian years, but not set in England–and I love the premise of exploring the world of art in the 1800s. And way to plunge us into some deep themes and dangerous intrigue!









Viviana is the heroine of the historical timeline, but the blurb doesn’t tell us overmuch about who she is. What else can you share about her? (Without giving too much away, of course.)







The cool thing about split-time fiction is how directly it explores the way the past touches us today. Why is reckoning with the past an important theme for you personally to weave into your stories?







Did you learn anything surprising about nineteenth century France or Spain while you were researching for the historical timeline?

Kimberley Woodhouse joins us for a chat about the Bone Wars, crafting, music, and her latest release Set In Stone. Don’t forget to enter to win a copy of this great book! 







About the author















Kimberley Woodhouse is an award-winning, bestselling author of more than forty fiction and nonfiction books. She has won The Carol Award, The Reader’s Choice Award, The Holt Medallion, and has finaled in the Selah Awards and the Spur Awards. She is passionate about Bible study, reading, music, cooking, and pretty-much-all-things-crafty. Kim and her incredible husband of thirty-plus years live in Colorado, where they play golf together, spend time with their kids and grandbaby, and research all the history around them.







Author questions









What crafty project have you been into lately?







Your website mentions that you are a third-generation Liszt student. Obviously, you are a lover of music, so why the composer Franz Liszt in particular?







As a reader, what is one of your favorite tropes? Least favorite?







Is there anything especially interesting that you haven’t covered in other interviews that you could share with us or perhaps there is something God has laid on your heart that you would like to share with your readers? 









About the book















A dangerous scheme could bury their long-held dreams forever. . . .







From the time she was little, Martha Jankowski has been digging in the dirt, much to the dismay of her mother. Now she dreams of being a paleontologist and is determined to make her parents proud by uncovering the next big discovery. When Martha finds what she hopes to be a fully intact dinosaur skeleton--one that could win her an acclaimed exhibit--she learns another team is competing against her and could steal her chance at being recognized for this momentous discovery.







Paleontology student Jacob Duncan has fulfilled his dream of digging for dinosaur bones at last. In a race against time, he and his team are bent on unearthing a complete skeleton to claim a museum exhibit with their names on it. But when Jacob meets their charming competitor Martha and uncovers foul play within his team, love and danger grow hand in hand until a menacing ruse threatens to destroy it all.







Book questions









This is the second book you've written set during the Bone Wars of the late 1800s. Could you tell us a little more about this specific piece of history?







Working in paleontology as a woman is still a challenge, let alone in the 1800’s. Can you tell us more about Martha and what drives her in such a male-dominated field? 







The blurb doesn’t tell us much about Jacob except he’s still a student in his field. Who is he personally?







What’s next for your writing?









Connect with Kimberley Woodhouse at her website, newsletter, YouTube, BookBub, Amazon,

Tracie Peterson joins us for a chat about leaving a legacy, Cheyenne history, a fun day in her life, and her latest release A Love Discovered. Don’t forget to enter to win a copy of this great book! 







About the author







Tracie Peterson gave her life to Jesus at the age of six. Tracie knew at an early age that God was calling her to ministry, and writing for Him has allowed her to offer the Gospel message and encourage people to hope in the Lord.







Her motto in writing, as well as all other aspects of life is Soli Deo Gloria—For God Alone the Glory. Often called the “Queen of Historical Christian Fiction,” Tracie Peterson is an ECPA, CBA and USA Today best-selling author of more than 110 books, most of those historical.







Author questions







This is the third time you have been on the show, and it is always such a joy. Your writing career is highlighted by books that minster and your willingness to mentor other writers.









Your motto for life is For God Alone the Glory. What kind of legacy do you hope to build in the Christian book industry? 







What does a fun day look like to you?







With all the historical novels you’ve written, you’ve likely done a lot of research. What is something that was most fascinating or shocking to you?







Is there anything especially interesting that you haven’t covered in other interviews that you could share with us or perhaps there is something God has laid on your heart that you would like to share with your readers? 









About the book A Love Discovered.







Invited by a friend to trek west and help establish the newly formed town of Cheyenne, Edward Vogel is prepared to leave the haunting memories of his wife and son’s deaths behind him. The only problem is the corrupt new railroad town wants family men who can establish law and order, and desperation leads Edward to his friend Marybeth with a proposition of marriage.







After her father’s death leaves her with no means of support, Marybeth Kruger is in danger of having her two-year-old half sister taken from her. So when Edward Vogel, the widower husband of her late best friend, offers her a marriage of convenience to escape both their troubles, she has no choice but to accept.







Life in Cheyenne is fraught with danger, but will this arrangement be enough to save Edward and Marybeth from the pasts they tried to escape? Or will life with each other put them—and their hearts—-in more danger than ever?







Book questions









What about such an arrangement is different than the popular love of first sight we often see in entertainment today?







What kind of place was Cheyenne in the time period your story is set in?







A Love Discovered is the first book in THE HEART OF CHEYENNE series. What is the connecting element for all of the books in this series?







What’s next for your writing?









Connect with Tracie Peterson: Newsletter, Amazon, Facebook, a href="https://www.goodreads.

Amanda Wen joins Darcy for a chat about music, history, family, and her latest release The Rhythm of Fractured Grace. Don’t forget to enter to win a copy of this great book! 







About the author















Amanda Wen’s novels have released to both reader and critical acclaim. Her second novel, The Songs That Could Have Been, won both the Selah and the Carol Awards, and her debut, Roots of Wood and Stone, was a finalist for the Christy Award. In addition to her writing, Amanda is an accomplished professional cellist and pianist who frequently performs with orchestras, chamber groups, and her church’s worship team, as well as serving as a choral accompanist. A lifelong denizen of the flatlands, Amanda currently lives in Kansas with her patient, loving, and hilarious husband, their three adorable Wenlets, and a snuggly Siamese cat.







Author questions









You are a musician. What is your favorite song to play, and what is your favorite to listen to? 







How does music play a part in your writing life?







Is there a common theme you find evolving in the books you write?







Is there anything especially interesting that you haven’t covered in other interviews that you could share with us or perhaps there is something God has laid on your heart that you would like to share with your readers? 









About the book The Rhythm of Fractured Grace







When a new customer brings a badly damaged violin into Siobhan Walsh’s shop, it is exactly the sort of challenge she craves. The man who brought it in is not. He’s too close to the painful past that left her heart and her faith in shambles.







Matt Buchanan has had a rough start as the new worship pastor. A car accident on his way into town left him with a nearly totaled truck, and an heirloom violin in pieces. When he takes it to a repair shop, he’s fascinated with the restoration process–and with the edgy, closed-off woman doing the work.







As their friendship deepens and turns into more, they both discover secrets that force them to face past wounds. And the history of the violin reveals more about their current problems than they could have ever expected.







On the nineteenth-century frontier, a gruesome tomahawk attack wiped out most of Deborah Caldwell’s family. Her greatest solace after the tragedy is the music from her father’s prized violin. Given her horrendous scars, she’d resigned herself to a spinster’s life. But Levi Martinson’s gentle love starts to chip away at her hardened heart, until devastating details about the attack are revealed, putting their love–and Deborah’s shaky faith–to the ultimate test.







Full of forgiveness and the message that no one is too damaged for God’s healing touch, the final book in the split-time Sedgwick County Chronicles will thrill fans of Rachel Hauck, Lisa Wingate, and Kristy Cambron.







Book questions









The blurb says “nineteenth-century frontier” so can you share a little more about the time and place where Deborah lives?







Just from the tiny bit the blurb shares, I think I’m gonna love Levi Martinson, but could you give us a more thorough introduction to him?

Angela Bell joins KyLee and Darcy for a chat about her favorite characters in historical fiction, her dream to be a prima ballerina, The Nutcracker, and her latest release A Lady’s Guide to Marvels and Misadventures. Don’t forget to enter to win a copy of this great book! 







About the author















Angela Bell is a twenty-first-century lady with nineteenth-century sensibilities. She resides in Texas with her charming pup, Mr. Bingley Crosby. One might categorize her books as historical romance, but Angela likes to describe them as “a cuppa Victorian whimsy” because it sounds so much more poetical.







Whenever you need a respite from the modern-day hustle, you’re welcome to visit her parlor at AuthorAngelaBell.com, where she can be found waiting with a pot of tea and a great book.







Angela, welcome to the Historical Bookworm Show.







Some of you might not know, but even though this is Angela’s debut novel, she had been on the show before. That’s right. Angela is part of our Historical Bookworm Team, the only member who comes on the show to record her reviews!







Author questions









Your bio describes you as a “twenty-first-century lady with nineteenth-century sensibilities.” Are there any traditionally historic practices or traditions that you enjoy on a regular basis?







If you could step onto any book and visit with the characters for 30 minutes, which book and why?







As a debut author, what advice can you give aspiring writers?







Is there anything especially interesting that you haven’t covered in other interviews that you could share with us or perhaps there is something God has laid on your heart that you would like to share with your readers? 









About the book: A Lady's Guide to Marvels and Misadventure.















When Clara Marie Stanton's ex-fiancé begins to spread rumors that her family suffers from hereditary insanity, it's all Clara can do to protect them from his desperate schemes and society's prejudice. Her family may be eccentric, yes, but they certainly aren't insane. Then Clara's Grandfather Drosselmeyer brings on an apprentice with a mechanical leg, and all pretense of normalcy takes wing. 







Theodore Kingsley, a shame-chased vagabond skilled in repairing clocks, wants a fresh start far from Kingsley Court and the disappointed father who declared him dead. Upon returning to England, Theodore meets clockmaker Drosselmeyer, who hires him as an apprentice, much to Clara's dismay. When Drosselmeyer spontaneously disappears in his secret flying owl machine, he leaves behind a note for Clara, beseeching her to make her dreams of adventure a reality by joining him on a merry scavenger hunt. Together, Clara and Theodore set off to follow Drosselmeyer's trail of clues, but they will have to stay one step ahead of a villain who wants the flying machine for himself--at any cost.







Book questions









What drew you to write about Clara from The Nutcracker?







When Drosselmeyer disappears, Clara must follow a scavenger hunt to find him. What inspired you to use a scavenger hunt?