Today, we're celebrating the October release of LESSONS ON LOVE, the latest Barbour Novella Collection! To do so, I'm chatting with our own Inky Author - Susanne Dietze.
Deb: What was the most interesting thing you learned while writing this story?
Susie: Since the hero, Kristofer, is Swedish, I enjoyed researching his history and traditions. Sweden endured a terrible famine in the late 1860s, and families like Kristofer's suffered when their crops failed and livestock died. I learned that families ate bread made of tree bark in order to fill their stomachs, which broke my heart. I'm well-fed, but if my children were hungry and hollow-cheeked, would I fully trust God, or would I falter in my faith? I explored this question through Kristofer, so in that way, I learned about myself, too!
Deb: And you did a lovely job of it!
If you woke up in your story setting, what would you most like about the time and setting?
Susie: As a fan of history and historical fiction, I've always admired many things about the era: the clothes, the civility and manners, and the way a community could pitch in to help each other. Right now, on a hectic autumn day, I'm drawn to the notion of spending a quiet evening with my heroine Mary's family. Gathered in the parlor by the fire, we would chat, read, knit--relax.
Deb: What would you least like?
Susie: Hmm...the weather! The story begins on a dark, wintry afternoon, and in such cases, I'd prefer to be curled up with a book, a blanket, and a mug of something hot--not out running errands, like Kristofer and Mary both were that day.
Also, while women were allowed to teach (like Laura Ingalls Wilder), theirs tended to be short term positions, and the vast majority of schoolteachers were men. If a woman was hired for a teaching job, she had to abide by strict rules of behavior. It was quite the double standard.
And as always, I would miss some of my favorite comforts: ibuprofen, hot showers, and Indian food. (Ok, just saying that, now I really want Indian food.)
Deb: Absolutely agree. Plus decent dental services...
What story is coming next from you?
Susie: Next up is a novel called The Blizzard Bride, part of the Daughters of the Mayflower series from Barbour Publishing, coming in February of 2020. It takes place in Nebraska, 1888, centered around the historical storm now known as the Children's Blizzard. Like Mary in Love in Any Language, the heroine of The Blizzard Bride, Abby, is a schoolteacher. She faces backlash as a woman in her profession, loves her students fiercely, and the story is also set during the winter. The similarities between these two stories end there, however. Abby is involved in a secret mission for the federal government, and not everyone in her new Nebraska town is who they claim to be!
Deb: Thanks so much for answering my questions, Susie. I really loved this story and this couple. You're a very popular author with Barbour and it's easy to see why. Lovely detailed, emotional stories with just the perfect touch of spirituality!
Buy LESSONS ON LOVE at:
Amazon
Christianbook.com
Susie: Since the hero, Kristofer, is Swedish, I enjoyed researching his history and traditions. Sweden endured a terrible famine in the late 1860s, and families like Kristofer's suffered when their crops failed and livestock died. I learned that families ate bread made of tree bark in order to fill their stomachs, which broke my heart. I'm well-fed, but if my children were hungry and hollow-cheeked, would I fully trust God, or would I falter in my faith? I explored this question through Kristofer, so in that way, I learned about myself, too!
Deb: And you did a lovely job of it!
If you woke up in your story setting, what would you most like about the time and setting?
Susie: As a fan of history and historical fiction, I've always admired many things about the era: the clothes, the civility and manners, and the way a community could pitch in to help each other. Right now, on a hectic autumn day, I'm drawn to the notion of spending a quiet evening with my heroine Mary's family. Gathered in the parlor by the fire, we would chat, read, knit--relax.
Deb: What would you least like?
Susie: Hmm...the weather! The story begins on a dark, wintry afternoon, and in such cases, I'd prefer to be curled up with a book, a blanket, and a mug of something hot--not out running errands, like Kristofer and Mary both were that day.
Also, while women were allowed to teach (like Laura Ingalls Wilder), theirs tended to be short term positions, and the vast majority of schoolteachers were men. If a woman was hired for a teaching job, she had to abide by strict rules of behavior. It was quite the double standard.
And as always, I would miss some of my favorite comforts: ibuprofen, hot showers, and Indian food. (Ok, just saying that, now I really want Indian food.)
Deb: Absolutely agree. Plus decent dental services...
What story is coming next from you?
Susie: Next up is a novel called The Blizzard Bride, part of the Daughters of the Mayflower series from Barbour Publishing, coming in February of 2020. It takes place in Nebraska, 1888, centered around the historical storm now known as the Children's Blizzard. Like Mary in Love in Any Language, the heroine of The Blizzard Bride, Abby, is a schoolteacher. She faces backlash as a woman in her profession, loves her students fiercely, and the story is also set during the winter. The similarities between these two stories end there, however. Abby is involved in a secret mission for the federal government, and not everyone in her new Nebraska town is who they claim to be!
Deb: Thanks so much for answering my questions, Susie. I really loved this story and this couple. You're a very popular author with Barbour and it's easy to see why. Lovely detailed, emotional stories with just the perfect touch of spirituality!
Buy LESSONS ON LOVE at:
Amazon
Christianbook.com
Thanks, Deb and Susie! This sounds like a fun novella collection! I've read most of the Daughters of the Mayflower books, Susie, and your upcoming one sounds so intriguing.
ReplyDeleteHi Winnie! You are so sweet. I can't wait for you to read Blizzard Bride. I'm so honored to be included in that wonderful series. The other authors blow me away!
DeleteCongratulations, Susie! This sounds wonderful.
ReplyDeleteI love historical fiction, but I love my modern conveniences and comforts too much to really live there. :D
Thanks, DeAnna! Yeah, I like my toothbrush, allergy meds, kleenex, toilet paper...the list goes on. I'll stay in my own timeline, thank you very much! LOL
DeleteCongratulations on your New Release, your book sounds like a very good read. I love the cover, it is Beautiful! I enjoyed reading the author interview and what the book is about. Have a Great weekend. Thank you so much for sharing this.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Licha! I hope you enjoy the books. The other stories are just wonderful.
DeleteHave a good week!
I enjoyed this interview so much. Thanks Deb and Susie!
ReplyDelete