Featured Book: Out of the Ruins

From the back cover:

 

“God, save her. I’ll do anything. Just make her better. And You’d better be listening, God, because if You dare take her away . . . I’ll never speak to You again.”

Abby Fischer doesn’t know if God will answer her prayer for her dying sister. She doesn’t know if miracles really happen. And she certainly doesn’t know if the handsome Dr. Robert King, with his risky experimental treatment, is the one to remedy her doubts. When tragedy strikes and the mighty San Francisco earthquake shatters what is left of her heart, Abby wonders if God will hear her as she flees alone through burning streets. What will it take to show her that the One she doesn’t want to love is the One whose love will save her?

 

An interview with author Karen Barnett:

 

Finish this sentence. Inspirational fiction is . . .

sharing the transformational power of God’s love through story-telling.

   

What is one of your favorite scenes in Out of the Ruins?

That’s like being asked to choose your favorite child! Even though the book is filled with emotionally challenging scenes, I am drawn to the light-hearted moments. One of my favorites is when no-nonsense Abby is forced to don one of her sister’s fashionable gowns, complete with ruffles, lace, and an embarrassingly large bow on her rear end.

 

Oh, yes. I loved that scene. Are you anything like Abby Fischer, your main character? 

I based Abby on a much younger version of myself. Just like Abby, I was awkward, clumsy, and painfully shy. I envied my outgoing friends and dreamed of being a cheerleader or the lead in the school play. When I needed extra courage I’d ask, “How would ______ act in this situation?”

 

If you could cast her in a movie, whom would you choose?

It would be difficult to choose an actress. Perhaps Keira Knightley? I recently saw her in Begin Again and she gave a remarkable performance.

 

Describe Dr. Robert King. What actor would you hire to play him?

Robert is a young and ambitious doctor who dreams of curing cancer. He’s fascinated by puzzles, so when he meets shy Abby he’s immediately intrigued. I’m not sure which actor would portray him today, but he was at least partially inspired by Jonathan Crombie who played Gilbert Blythe in Anne of Green Gables and Anne of Avonlea. The fact that the character went to medical school is no coincidence!

 

What do you want your readers to take away from this novel?

I think we’re often tempted to push God away, either because of anger or guilt. I hope readers connect with Abby’s story and come to understand that no matter how alone we may feel, Jesus never leaves our side.

 

Do you have another novel in the works? Tell us about it.

Yes! Out of the Ruins is the first in a three book series called the Golden Gate Chronicles. Book two, Beyond the Ashes, releases in June of 2015. I am absolutely head-over-heels in love with this story. Ruby King Marshall (Robert’s sister) is a young widow trying to put her life back together. Where better to do that than a city in the midst of rebuilding? She travels to San Francisco to help earthquake victims, and instead finds romance with cancer researcher, Gerald Larkspur. When Gerald develops symptoms of the disease he’s striving to cure, will Ruby risk love—knowing time might be short?

 

I loved Out of the Ruins and look forward to Beyond the Ashes. It sounds wonderful! For fun, what do you like to snack on while you write?

Coffee and peanut M&Ms. J

 

Any fun hobbies?

I play several instruments—guitar, mandolin, Irish tin whistle, and hammered dulcimer. I also love to decorate elaborate birthday cakes for my kids. I’ve done everything from ballet slippers to a Doctor Who TARDIS with a working light.

 

How awesome. I bet your kids love your cakes!  Thank you, Karen, for stopping by.

 

Thanks, Sherry! I enjoyed chatting with you. J

 

Karen is offering a copy of Out of the Ruins to one of you. Please answer the following question in the comment box along with your e-mail address so that I can contact you if you’re the winner, which I will randomly choose Thursday, August 21st.

Here’s the question. Karen asks:

Sherry asked which actors would portray my main characters. I’m curious—if your life were made into a movie, who would play YOU?

 

About the author:

Karen Barnett is the acclaimed author of Mistaken and has also been published in Guideposts magazine. She lives in Albany, Oregon, with her husband, two children, and a dachshund named Mystery.

You can learn more about Karen and her books at: http://www.karenbarnettbooks.com

 

 

Next week: Sarah Sundin and her book In Perfect Time