Guide to Categories : Author Interview – an interview with an author, if there is no review from me, I have not read the book and cannot speak to its appropriateness for a school library

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About the Book

Book: The Missing Songbird

Author: Kathleen J. Robison

Genre: Christian Historical Mystery

Release date: May 7, 2024

Lina, after growing up in austere post-WWII Wales, only has one dream—to one day find love and sing on the stage in London. But when her father, her only champion, suddenly dies, that dream seems as far away as London itself.

When charming Captain Everette and his side-show come to town and offer a path to fame, it’s like all her dreams are suddenly coming true. It seems she’s willing to leave behind not only her hometown, but even the one man she’d always imagined marrying for this one shot.

But the path Lina has chosen turns rocky and treacherous, as everyone she meets seems to have their own plans for the beautiful, diminutive singer. Things turn awry when she finds herself suddenly imprisoned for a murder she didn’t commit. With no one to turn to and everything hanging in the balance, how will Lina trust God and His will for her life?

With an equally beautiful writing voice, Kathleen J. Robison draws in her readers with suspense, mystery, and romance.

 

Click here to get your copy!

 

About the Author – Kathleen J. Robison

Kathleen is an Okinawan-American. Born in Okinawa, raised in California, Florida, Mississippi, and Singapore. Her travels lend themselves to the settings in her books, and her large family provides fun fodder for her characters. She and her Pastor husband have eight adult children. Seven are married, blessing them with sixteen grandchildren, and more on the way! Her ethnically diverse family of 33 plus personalities presents many opportunities to write about God’s amazing love amid trials, tragedies, and blessings. He is the one true inspiration and hope for us all.

Author Interview with Kathleen J. .Robison

What is your favorite genre to read? What about that genre draws you?

I love historical fiction, but I rarely write it. The Missing Songbird is the first book I’ve written in that genre and it definitely won’t be the last. It’s set in 1947 rural Wales, and my travels there, along with current research swept me away. The story unfolded and took a direction I had no idea I’d be going. The loveliness of the times filled me with a longing to return to Wales, as when we visited it long ago, it felt as if time had stood still. Coupled with the rich cultural history and delightful characters, the story became the favorite of all my books. I’m so grateful the Lord inspired me to write it.

When a setting draws me back in time, I can’t help but become interested, immersed, and transported. I’m a dreamer, always have been, but whenever I wish I’d lived in the past, reality sets in. In my current state of life, if I did live in the past I wouldn’t be a privileged aristocrat but probably an abused, hard-working domestic servant! Still, nostalgia and history are my fantasy.

What is your favorite thing about this time of year?

Children! Summer and children go together. I have lots of grandchildren close by and more across the globe. Whether we’re all together or I get photos and videos of their summer fun, my heart leaps with joy. Something about the water just rings with delight. We live near the beach, which makes my whole being jump with splashes of fun. The spring in my step is diminishing with age, but my grands smiles energize me.

I also love summer vacation. When I was growing up, those three months when school was out were filled with road trips, bonfires, and body surfing. Summer brings on fun, nostalgic memories like no other season.

How does your faith play out in your writing?

The Lord God Almighty is everything to me. I couldn’t be more grateful for this time in my life when Jesus has revealed himself to me so that I can’t wait to see Him! Consequently, my heart’s desire is to share His hope, goodness, and glory with everyone. That’s the purpose of my writing, but through intriguing, real-life stories. I have to work hard at not being too preachy because the Lord permeates every aspect of my brain these days! I haven’t always been there, so I need to remember that in writing. My characters are all at different stages of faith, or lack thereof, so I hope to convey a realistic faith journey. Not everything comes up smelling like roses, and not everyone gets saved. But beauty is found in the ashes.

As a former K-12 school librarian (and since this blog is geared toward school librarians), I have to ask: What is your favorite children’s book?

Oh! I love Librarians. God bless you, and thanks for inspiring and leading our children to an unlimited world through books. I often get lost in the children’s section of the library without my grandchildren accompanying me.

I recently read a book by Rumer Godden. The Story of Holly and Ivy is now my favorite children’s book.  I’ve even taken notes, as I love the structure. But the heart of the story, wishing for love, so drew me that I’ve reread it over and over again. For a children’s book, I’m surprised at the mystery and intrigue!  

My all-time favorite book is one that I gift whenever a new child is born to our family and friends, which is quite a few. Favorite Parables from the Bible by Nick Butterworth and Mick Inkpen are simple retellings of Jesus’ parables and are just delightful. The illustrations are just as engaging as the stories, and I can’t stop enjoying them. When my sixth child was only two years old, we performed a reading of the Lost Sheep from the book at a church talent show! It truly is my all-time favorite children’s book. 

Young Author’s Days were an important part of my work as a school librarian. What advice would you give to a child or teen who wants to be a writer?

Write. Write, Write every day. Journal, keep a diary, write letters, and write down those stories and ideas floating in your head! Don’t let those characters escape and let no one can steal your dreams. 

Read. Read. Read. Always begin your day with the Bible. Old Testament and New Testament alike and read it over and over again. God’s inspiration is boundless. His love will guide you, and your passion for sharing Christ will fill your words with purpose. Read lots of genres. Poetry too! Read about authors and other interesting people. Even boring people have a story to tell. Look for the value in clean, healthy, happy, and sad redemptive words.

Learn. Learn. Learn as much as you can. Be a good student in perfecting the conventions of writing, but don’t let it stifle creativity. Thank heaven for editors, especially if proper writing is not your gift! So write freely and let your ideas and thoughts flow without worrying about orthography. But when in class, take seriously the writing lessons taught. Perfect your craft as much as you’re able. Discovering the craft of story structure is invaluable. For some, the story comes naturally, but I’m always studying how other authors create their books.

My sister is now a journalist and a published author, but she’s been writing since she was a little girl. She wrote stories for my sisters and me when we were young, and we’d sit by her typewriter waiting for her to finish a page! I’d always correct her spelling, and it infuriated her! However, as we grew up, neither of us graduated from college, but both became writers. She recently shared that when she first started writing seriously as an adult, she took a couple college writing classes and some on editing as well. She now edits my stories.

Jane, thanks so much for this interview. I loved the questions, and I enjoyed sharing how the Lord has blessed my life with this writing journey. 

Thank you so much for joining me today. We really enjoy getting to know authors.

Views expressed in this interview/guest post do not necessarily reflect the views of this blog host.

More from Kathleen J. Robison

The Missing Songbird is so dear to my heart. But do you want to know a secret? I never really wanted to write this book! Yet, God has a way of turning our “never” into always. I made the decision to write it because I felt God’s leading, and “always” is how I feel about The Missing Songbird now. I’ll always love that I was invited to join Celebrate Lit’s Ever After Mystery Collection, Fairy Tale retellings set in the 1940s. Of all the books I’ve written so far, it’s my favorite, and my husband’s too. I hope it will become yours.

Initially, my plan was to retell the children’s story, The Steadfast Tin Soldier. It was a tale that had always held a special place in my heart. I can still recall the bittersweet emotions it stirred within me as a child. I even have a faint memory of a black-and-white movie adaptation. So, I envisioned a unique twist, setting the story in Okinawa during World War II, with an Okinawan girl and a soldier. It was a concept that excited me, and I was eager to bring it to life.

My mother was a trained Okinawan folk dancer, so I thought it would be perfect. But another author had chosen that fairy tale, and after much deliberation and research, I chose Thumbelina. I came to find out that not many had even heard of the story. However, in Thumbelina, the numerous difficulties faced by a thumb-sized little creature provided me with lots of ideas, so my story was born.

The Missing Songbird revolves around Lina, a charming, talented little person who lives in the rural outskirts of a Welsh town. According to the Little People of America, adults under five feet ten inches tall may have a condition of dwarfism that includes both proportionate and disproportionate body types. My mother was only four feet, ten inches, and I’m four feet, eleven inches, so I can somewhat relate! It happens that Lina is proportionate, and her first love interest is not a little person, but of average height. Later on, you’ll meet Richard, the conflict in a love-triangle, who has disproportionate dwarfism.

I loved developing a beautiful love story between individuals who face many trials living as little people, especially so back in 1947. Although the story is not about Lina and Richard’s body types, it’s because of this that I found a way to share God’s redemptive themes of trust, love, and acceptance through difficulties in facing prejudice, bitterness, and pride.

I don’t remember why I chose to set the story in Wales, but perhaps a fairy tale’s lyrical prose tends to lend itself to ancient places. My husband’s grandmother was born and raised in Dowlais, Wales, and we visited her relatives back in the 70s. In my memories, I still envision the old coal mining town in black and white. It wasn’t till we toured the green, lush countryside that the beauty of the land transformed to living color. I felt like I stepped back in time.

Although I only met my husband’s grandmother here in the US after we married, her imposing figure made quite an impression both in person and through the many stories my husband shared with me. He was raised by a single-working mom, so his grandmother was prominent in his life. Food, customs, idioms, and her sing-song accent still fill my mind and make me smile.

As you delve into Lina and Richard’s love story, set in the enchanting world of Wales in 1949, I hope you’ll feel God’s presence weaving through their lives. I trust that, in some small way, The Missing Songbird will touch your heart, leading you to experience God’s love and His remarkable works in your own life. Thank you for embarking on this journey with me.

Blog Stops

Inspired by fiction, July 12

Locks, Hooks and Books, July 13

Stories By Gina, July 14 (Author Interview)

Texas Book-aholic, July 14

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, July 15

Connie’s History Classroom, July 16

Vicky Sluiter, July 17 (Author Interview)

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, July 18

Betti Mace, July 19

Library Lady’s Kid Lit, July 20 (Author Interview)

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, July 20

Simple Harvest Reads, July 21 (Guest Review from Donna Cline)

Holly’s Book Corner, July 22

Through the Fire Blogs, July 23 (Author Interview)

Inspired by fiction , July 24

Denise L. Barela, July 25 (Author Interview)

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Kathleen is giving away the grand prize package of a $25 Amazon gift card and copy of the book!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

https://promosimple.com/ps/2cd02/the-missing-songbird-celebration-tour-giveaway

Read more Author Interview posts

Get these Summer Reading Challenge Bookmarks in my printables Etsy shop.