Good morning, dear reader! Welcome to Women of Faith and Fiction Tuesday. Today, we’re talking with Carole Brown. Carole’s latest release is A Flute in the Willows, Book Two of The Spies of WWII. Let’s begin…

Good morning, Carole. Please, tell us about yourself.

Personal

Here’s my official bio:

Besides being a member and active participant of many writing groups, Carole Brown enjoys mentoring beginning writers. An author of ten books, she loves to weave suspense and tough topics into her books, along with a touch of romance and whimsy, and is always on the lookout for outstanding titles and catchy ideas. She and her husband reside in SE Ohio but have ministered and counseled nationally and internationally. Together, they enjoy their grandsons, traveling, gardening, good food, the simple life, and did she mention their grandsons?

What a fantastic life, Carole. Congratulations on the ten books! Let’s talk about the professional side of your life. Where did you get the idea for your latest WIP or your current release? And what inspired you to choose the setting of your story?

Professional

Two things gave me the idea of writing A Flute in the Willows, Book Two of The Spies of WWII.

First, my mother’s pictures and tales of living through WWII. These piqued my interest and steered me in the direction of writing a novel set during this time.

Second, we had an older gentleman friend who’d written a book about a civilian spy. It was always rumored that he was that spy, but he never confirmed it. That thought encouraged me to write my own take on spies.

I lived in Cincinnati, Ohio for a brief time, working there, before I was married. I liked that city, and when deciding on the setting, I knew it would fit perfectly. And, of course, Germany was a major player during WWII. How could I not bring touches of it into the books?

The story sounds intriguing. Readers, don’t forget to check out A Flute in the Willows to find out what happens to the hero. Carole, what is your favorite thing to do when not writing?

I shared my official bio above, but here are a lot more personal items that would fit in this bracket:

• I love being with my family. Whether on vacations to the beach or mountains, whether just a brief stop-by visit or a dinner at home or out somewhere, we so enjoy it all.
• I love sharing laughter and quiet fun times with my hubby. He’s not only my hero, my best friend and lover, he’s also a wonderful Christian man with a big heart.
• I adore living in the country with my own hot tub, our animals, my water garden, fireplace, the view, and I like the quiet. Most times. 🙂
• I love traveling with hubby and family. Though we’ve visited so many states and a few countries, there’s much more to see and do!
• I love being a child of God. He’s our best source of strength and encouragement and the greatest leader of life I could ever ask for.

 
I enjoy living in the country too! Here’s a fun question. Please share a writing quirk—a ‘must have’ or a ‘must do’ to get words down on paper.

Quiet. I like quiet when I write. Sometimes I will have soft music in the background, but not often.

Amen. Some days you just need peace and quiet. Next question… This year’s theme is First Things First. Setting our priorities is a must if we’re to be about our Father’s business. What advice would you offer someone struggling to spend time with Him? And, how has spending time with Him changed your life?

Inspirational

• Be serious about this decision. Easier said than done, I know. But it’s the one thing that will help you make the decision and to keep at it.
• Study your daily activities. Is there an allotted time when you’re more liable to be free? Can you get up fifteen minutes or a half hour earlier? Being faithful, I think, is more important than the length of time. God knows us, the intent of our hearts. Tell him about your difficulty in doing this and listen to what he has to say.
• Remember, a verse a day, a five-minute sincere prayer, a few moments of contemplation or listening to what God wants to say to you: these are a start in the right direction. We’re not all made alike, but in God’s likeness, so our times of devotion may all be different to fulfill our spiritual needs. Be diligent, and God will reward you with His sweet presence.

As far as I’m concerned, I’ve found through the years that to stay close to God is a great advantage to me. When others are gone or don’t understand, or whatever, God knows. He is so whatever-I-need, yet he’s also faithful and true to rein me in or correct me when needed.

Working in ministry along with my hubby has taught me too that hard times come. Discouraging. Depressing. Tough I’m-not-going-to-make-it times. Somehow God pulls me through, and I feel stronger and more confident that He is, oh, so sufficient!

Well said, Carole. Thank you so much for joining us today. I’ve enjoyed getting to know you better!

Readers, Carole is giving away a digital copy of A Flute in the Willows to one commenter. Leave a comment to have your name entered in the drawing.

Click to Tweet: It was always rumored that he was that spy, but he never confirmed it. That thought encouraged me to write my own take on spies. #Women of Faith and Fiction #interview

Bio

Besides being a member and active participant of many writing groups, Carole Brown enjoys mentoring beginning writers. An author of ten books, she loves to weave suspense and tough topics into her books, along with a touch of romance and whimsy, and is always on the lookout for outstanding titles and catchy ideas. She and her husband reside in SE Ohio but have ministered and counseled nationally and internationally. Together, they enjoy their grandsons, traveling, gardening, good food, the simple life, and did she mention their grandsons?

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