"Those who don't know history are destined to repeat it."-- Edmund Burke; British Statesman and Philosopher who is generally viewed as the philosophical founder of modern political conservatism.


AmHis

The American Historical Christian Fiction blog hi-lights books by Christian authors who are led by the Lord to write about characters and stories set in America's past. They are exciting stories of romance, adventure and suspense, written to inspire and encourage.

If you're looking for a book for yourself, a loved one, or those who may need an uplifting message woven through an entertaining story, please consider new monthly releases in inspirational historical fiction found here--the kind that take you on a journey into our country's past (from early colonial times to WWII) and illuminates the trials, beauty and blessings of our great nation.

This week it's my pleasure to interview Author of the Week: Golden Keyes Parsons and to present her February release: "Where Hearts Are Free".




When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?

I grew up in a family of newspaper editors and authors, so writing was very natural to me. So I guess my answer would be that I've always written. I won some essays in high school and had some small pieces published here and there. However, I did not begin to try to get a book published until I started speaking professionally in 1996.

How did you prepare? College courses? Workshops? Books on Craft?

No college courses. I've availed myself of many workshops and seminars at writers conferences. I'm not very good at learning from books on writing. I need a hands-on type of learning experience.

Were you writing fiction before you got published?

Okay, true confessions time here. I wasn't even reading Christian fiction. I had read a lot of historical fiction as a teen-ager, but the Christian fiction I had picked up didn't hold my interest. When I was trying to get a non-fiction contract, I had a rather snobby attitude toward fiction writers. "Humph! They are just writing stories. I'm writing biblical truth!" And then the Lord reminded me that's how Jesus taught truth -- He told stories.

I realized that most non-believers would never pick up a Christian non-fiction book, but they might pick up a Christian novel. I was hooked.

Then I found the published genealogy of my family and wanted to tell that story. And here we are!

How many years/stories did you write before the first one was accepted?

Counting the non-fiction attempts, it took me about ten years and many, many rejections.

Why do you enjoy writing historicals? (and anything more you want to add to this--anything special about time/settings etc.)

I love history, and I always loved reading historicals and being swept away to another time. So I suppose it was natural that I would want to write historicals. And delving into the exciting history of my ancestors fascinated me. I cannot even imagine the courage it took for the French Huguenots in 17th century France to stand up to the persecution of the government of King Louis XIV. I love the research. I love seeing historical figures come to life in a story--moving from flat, dusty names on a page to vibrant, colorful characters in a book, or a movie. I love historical movies as well.

What's your next book/release date we can look forward to? (And maybe a quick sentence or two of what it's about to whet our appetites?:)

We are very excited about this next book. It is set during the Civil War in Texas, and is about torn loyalties. The female protagonist falls in love with a Union officer before the war when he is stationed near her home on the coast of Texas. Then the war comes and he leaves to fight for the Union, while her brother enlists in the Confederate Army. Can they overcome the formidable obstacles to their love? The title is His Steadfast Love and it will be out in the Fall of 2011.


Where Hearts Are Free
Author: Golden Keyes Parsons
Publisher: Thomas Nelson Publishing




Bridget is in love with one man … and promised to another. Amid the liberty and promise of the New World, Bridget Barrington and Philippe Clavell fall in love. But nothing about their love seems possible. To pay for the Clavell family’s passage from France, Philippe, a former member of French royalty, worked as an indentured slave to the Barringtons. Bridget is the heiress of the prominent plantation.

When Bridget’s parents discover the budding romance between their daughter and their servant, they quickly orchestrate her engagement to an older, more advantageous match. But Edward Moorehead has a secret. And he’s anything but a good match for Bridget.

Separated from her true love and in danger from her betrothed, Bridget must rely on God to deliver her from Darkness into Light.

Other Books by Golden Keyes Parsons:
Prisoner of Versailles




In the Shadow of the Sun King



Thank you, Golden for sharing some of the your experiences, and Blessings on your future writing endeavors!

Please leave a comment with your e-mail address for a chance at a giveaway of Golden's latest release, "Where Hearts Are Free."


Historic Flash Facts

Curious about what happened on your birth date one hundred years ago....(wouldn't it make a great theme for your birthday party?) Or are you searching for an historical event to include in a story you're writing? Check out Historic Flash Facts; new entries will be added weekly to keep you "up-to-date".

Feb. 6, 1911
Ronald Wilson Reagan, the 40th President of the United States was born in Tampico, Illinois.

Feb. 6, 1778
The United States won official recognition from France with the signing of a Treaty of Alliance in Paris.

Feb. 7, 1936
President Franklin D. Roosevelt authorized a flag for the office of the Vice President.

Feb. 8, 1910
The Boy Scouts of America was incorporated.

Feb. 8, 1693
A charter was granted for the College of William and Mary in Williamsburg in the Virginia Colony.

Feb. 9, 1861
Jefferson Davis was elected provisional president of the Confederate States of America at a congress held in Montgomery, Alabama. (He was inaugurated on Feb. 18.)

Feb. 9, 1870
The U.S. Weather Bureau was established.

Feb. 9, 1943
The World War II Battle of Guadalcanal in the southwest Pacific ended with an Allied victory over Japanese forces.

Feb. 10, 1942
The former French liner Normandie capsized in New York Harbor a day after it caught fire while being refitted for the U.S. Navy.

Feb. 10, 1949
Arthur Miller's play Death of a Salesman opened at Broadway's Morosco Theater with Lee J. Cobb as Willy Loman.

Feb. 11, 1861
President-elect Abraham Lincoln bade farewell to his adopted hometown of Springfield, Illinois, as he headed to Washington for his inauguration. The same day, The U.S. House of Representatives unanimously adopted a resolution guaranteeing non-interference with slavery in any state.

Feb. 11, 1812
Massachusetts Gov. Elbridge Gerry signed a re-districting law favoring his party--giving rise to the term "gerrymandering".

Feb. 11, 1937
A six-week-old sit-down strike against General Motors ended, with the company agreeing to recognize the United Automobile Workers Union.

Feb. 11, 1945
President Franklin D. Roosevelt, British Prime Minister Winston Churchill, and Soviet leader Joseph Stalin signed the Yalta Agreement during World War II.

Feb. 12, 1809
Abraham Lincoln, the 16th President of the United States, was born in present-day Larue County, Kentucky.

Feb. 12, 1908
The first round-the-world automobile race began in New York. (It ended in Paris the following July with the drivers of the American car, a Thomas Flyer, declared the winners over teams from Germany and Italy.)

Feb. 12, 1909
The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People was founded.




"May the Lord make His face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee: may the Lord lift up His countenance upon thee, and give thee peace." Num.6:25-26 (KJV)