An Interview with author Sara Barnard

Today I am pleased to have author Sara Barnard with us on the Warrior Princess Romance Writer! Sara is one of my favorite authors in which I have the privlidge of working with on a daily basis. This talented woman is always on the go with her family, while writing a variety of historical books and childrens' books.  Please welcome Sara Barnard

What is your favorite thing about being a writer?

I was afraid when A Heart on Hold was complete, I would have no more ideas left to ever write anything ever again. My favorite thing about being a writer is that the complete opposite happened! A Heart on Hold turned into book 1 of a 4 (or maybe more) book series called An Everlasting Heart and really opened my eyes to the book creating process in general, and I fell in love. I love the ideas that come in the most odd of places, I love creating more, more, and more people, situations, and places that didn’t exist before (but could have!), and most of all, I love the people I have met along the way.

What do you hope readers take with them after reading one of your stories?

I don’t want any of my novels to be considered “fluff” reads just to fill an afternoon then forgotten. I want these characters -- their hardships, their ideals, everything about them – with them into their own lives. I want my characters to be remembered and their lessons applied to the readers’ own lives, just as I did (do) when I read anything by Lucia St. Clair Robson and Larry McMurtry. My novels are my life, my experiences, my everything -- written in the past with other people’s names attached to them. I want my words to have an impact on the readers’ hearts, their lives, and their souls.  

Is there a message in your novel that you want readers to grasp?

My message of perpetual hope, the possibility of eternal love, and of course faith. After all, isn’t it written somewhere that the greatest gifts we have as humans are in fact faith, hope, and love? I try to follow that in my work.

How long have you been a writer? 

How much time did it take from writing your first book to having it published?

What other careers have you had?

I have done quite a few things in my 30 years. My first job was working at a sno-cone stand, which was really cool (literally!) I have also spend many summers working with the U.S. Park and Forest Services all over our awesome country. My first forest service experience was cutting trail through the New Mexico backcountry – the Sangre de Cristo Mountains to be exact ... until I got sick from drinking unfiltered water from the river and had to be packed out on horseback. I also spent time at Carlsbad Caverns as a wildlife biologist intern catching and relocating rattlesnakes, counting bats (once, one caught me!), tracking mountain lions, banding cave swallows, researching solitary bees and carpenter ants, ornithological research, and flood irrigation research. That was an awesome summer! I also worked in Alaska and began training for my private pilot certification – I think I still have some gray hairs from that summer!! I have been an Army wife to the sweetest Infantryman out there, mother to the four best kids in the world, animal rescuer, and courthouse researcher.

Please tell us 5 miscellaneous facts about yourself.

None of my four children have been born in the same state.

I believe in miracles and have not only lived through some, but those I love have, too.

My husband is the main influence for Confederate Captain Sanderson Redding.

Not only do I write historical romance, but I also write children’s books, one of which is a bestselling nature book for kids.

I don’t have a thyroid. My experience with having that removed is chronicled in A Heart on Hold – you’ll know when.

Please share with us your future projects and upcoming releases.

COMPLETED WORKS COMING SOON:

A Heart Forever Wild (An Everlasting Heart, #4) – TBD 2013

Rebekah’s Quilt (Amish Romance)

Little Spoon (Children’s) – TBD 2013

Michaela de la Mer or Michaela of the Sea (Children’s Chapter) TBD 2013

The ABC’s of Texas Plants (Follow up to bestselling The ABC’s of Oklahoma Plants)

The Big, Bad Wolf Really Isn’t so Big and Bad (Children’s)

PROJECTS IN THE WORKS:

The Calling (Christian Western)

White Women’s Clothes (Western)

A Scottish Romance that chronicles how my family came to America in the 1700’s.

Prove it All Night (Possibly YA drama set during the 1950’s/Korean War)

Several children’s books, and one very special piece, Tobykins, about a boy with a language disorder which is based on one of my sons.

Please share any links you would like listed in the Interview. Website, Myspace, blog, facebook, yahoo group etc.

http://www.sarabarnardbooks.com – website

http://sarathreesuns.blogspot.com – blog

http://www.facebook.com/sarabarnardbooks -- author facebook page

I am also a member of the Western Writer’s of America. 

 Read a small excerpt from Sara's A Heart on Hold, from 5 Prince Publishing.

War. Devotion. Deceit. Death. How long can a heart hold on before it breaks?

Most women would carry on with their lives after being thrust into widowhood, but not Charlotte Adamsland. Upon learning that her husband, Captain Sanderson Redding, was killed in a botched escape from a Confederate prison in Illinois, she clings to his promise to return to her no matter what, and quickly heads north through a war-ravaged country with only her faith in God and her beloved horse to bring her Sanderson home – one way or another.

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EXCERPT

“Well, it’s about time you woke up,” Charlotte teased sleepily. Although worry strained her voice, she flashed him a smile. “Your color’s coming back, too. Rest and sunshine are good medicine.” The sunlight streamed in through the holes worn in the transparent linsey-woolsey curtain that she’d tacked up over the precious glass window. The small, muted rays appeared to have shone life back into Sanderson.

“What happened?” he asked as his fingers traced the curve of her face. He gave Charlotte his full attention as his hand meandered from her face to the back of her neck. As it nestled in her hair, Charlotte felt a rash of goose bumps crop up under his hand and spread up her neck. A blush colored her face, but she wasn’t rightly sure as to why.

It’s just Sanderson.

His free hand found hers atop the quilt. He fingered the delicate golden ring on her finger and smiled that impish smile, revealing the dimples that made the girls in town turn their heads just to watch him pass.

Just the most beautiful, astounding man to ever grace the earth with his footsteps.

Charlotte’s voice came out a bit shaky. “It, ah, seems that you were so happy to see me when you arrived that you fainted dead away and slept for two straight days before you could even kiss me hello.”

Sanderson pushed himself up in Charlotte’s bed. “We shall have to remedy that then, won’t we?” Grinning, he leaned forward and swept her into his arms, cradling her in his lap. “I’ve missed you, my darling Charlotte.”

She closed her eyes and let her senses soak up this moment. Sanderson’s warm breath was moist on her lips and his skin, though roughened by Army life, felt like sunshine wrapped in silk as it brushed against hers. His kiss fell upon her. His fingers combed through her hair as her arms tightened around his neck. Charlotte’s tell-tale heartbeat quickened to a gallop in her chest as Sanderson’s hand trailed the length of her tresses coming to rest over her pounding heart.

Unable to stay contained within the sumptuous arms of her love, she kissed Sanderson with such carefree enthusiasm that the moment escalated before either of them could escape the others grasp. Sanderson’s tender kisses found her neck as Charlotte grasped at his muscular biceps, her breath raspy and jagged.

 “I love you,” Charlotte whispered, her quiet voice cracking.

“And I love you,” Sanderson affirmed. “Coming home to you is what kept me going.” He pulled away from her, their bodies still curled as if around the other. “Thank you for waiting for me.”

 “Oh Sanderson, waiting for you is the easiest thing I’ll ever do.” A tear escaped and ran quickly down her cheek. “Worrying about you is a bit tougher, though.”

Sanderson’s eyebrows arched skyward. As he moved to brush away her renegade tear, his breath audibly caught in his throat. Charlotte saw his eyes widen in surprise when the air refused to follow through to his lungs. His body stiffened and with a gasp, and the coughing fit from the pneumonia began again.