Author Interview – Karen Baney – historical romance
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
Welcome to the Blog Tour for the Desert Manna series by Karen Baney, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!
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About the Books
Title: Beauty for Ashes
Series: Desert Manna #1
Author: Karen Baney
Publisher: Desert Life Media
Release Date: March 7,2022
Genre: Christian Historical Romance
Uplifting Historical Christian Romance Fiction set in Prescott, Arizona in 1871.
As a widow who lost her husband in Sherman’s fiery march to the sea, Rebecca Elliot struggled to provide for her son. When she hears from her brother in Prescott, Arizona, she makes the journey west to start over. An unexpected tragedy on the last leg of her travels changes the trajectory of her heart and life as she never could have imagined.
Perry Quinn finally said goodbye to his late wife when his life is turned upside down. When he loses everything that he worked hard to accomplish, he must humble himself and start over while trying to find the answers to why he lost everything. Along the way, a kind woman steals his heart and reminds him that there is beauty in the middle of the ashes of his life.
Will he let go of his grief to find true love?
If you like these authors, you’ll enjoy this book too: Tracie Peterson, Tamera Alexander, Karen Witemeyer, Lacy Williams, Jodi Hedlund, Misty M. Beller
PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | BookBub
Title: Joy for Mourning
Series: Desert Manna Series #2
Author: Karen Baney
Publisher: Desert Life Media
Release Date: April 25, 2022
Genre: Christian Historical Romance
Historical Christian Romance Fiction set in Prescott, Arizona in 1872.
Grace Talbert spurns every suitor her father finds. She longs for the spark of romance and is unwilling to settle for something less. Her passion is running the Women’s Aid Society, which organizes many charitable events to help the poor and the Indians. When a trip to deliver goods to the reservation leaves her stranded with a handsome stranger, she discovers the love she longed for.
After many years of wandering and building up his freight business, Joshua Harrison decides to return to Prescott. As bachelor, he is ill-equipped to raise the orphaned daughter of a friend. He hopes the stable life of a small town will bring what he needs to become a good father. Having failed at love twice, he is afraid to try again, until he is stranded with the unconventional and beautiful Grace Talbert.
Can he move past his heartache to open himself to love again?
If you like these authors, you’ll enjoy this book too: Tracie Peterson, Tamera Alexander, Karen Witemeyer, Lacy Williams, Jodi Hedlund, Misty M. Beller
PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop | BookBub
Title: Oaks of Justice
Series: Desert Manna Series #3
Author: Karen Baney
Publisher: Desert Life Media
Release Date: June 24, 2022
Genre: Christian Historical Romance
Gripping Historical Christian Romance Fiction set in Prescott, Arizona in 1873.
Mel Larson is used to being underestimated as a female attorney. When her life is threatened, her mentor takes her home to Prescott. As the defense attorney for her innocent client who is on trial for murder, she goes head-to-head with the new District Attorney. When she apologizes to him for using some unconventional tactics, sparks fly, and she finds a love she had not been looking for.
Alex Glassman was ready to settle down but after a failed courtship, he doubted if he would ever find the right match. When a major court case falls into his lap, he is unprepared to argue the case against a fiery red headed woman. When the case is over and he humbles himself to admit his mistakes, his heart is captured, and he dares to hope that she could be the one.
When Mel’s life is threatened, can Alex save her in time?
If you like these authors, you’ll enjoy this book too: Tracie Peterson, Tamera Alexander, Karen Witemeyer, Lacy Williams, Jodi Hedlund, Misty M. Beller
PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop | BookBub
Buy the Complete Series in One Volume
About the Author – Karen Baney
Karen Baney is passionate about writing stories full of flawed characters. She enjoys weaving together stories of second chances, redemption, and overcoming personal trials. As a transplant to Arizona, she loves researching the state’s history and finding ways to seamlessly incorporate real history and real settings into her novels. In addition to writing and speaking, Karen works as a Software Development Manager for a Christian ministry.
Her faith plays an important role both in her life and in her writing. Karen and her husband, Jim, make their home in Gilbert, Arizona, with their two dogs, Bella and Daisy. Both Jim and Karen are active at Rock Point Church in Queen Creek, Arizona.
Connect with Karen by visiting karenbaney.com to follow her on social media and sign up for email updates.
Author Interview – Karen Baney
When did you first know you wanted to be an author?
In 2010, I experienced a crisis of faith following a minor surgery on my hand. Once I healed from it, I asked God what He wanted me to do since I was not called to be a mom. Through much prayer and searching, I felt the tug to write. A short time later, I wrote A Dream Unfolding, my debut Christian historical romance novel.
And I haven’t stopped writing. Today, I have released 24 novels spanning several genres including: Christian historical romance, contemporary Christian romance, and contemporary Christian western romance.
When you are not writing, what other hats do you wear? What do you do for fun?
During the day, I work full time as a Software Development Manager for a Christian ministry. My primary writing time is evenings and weekends.
For fun? I love to read stories in the same genres that I write in. I also enjoy spending time with my hubby and two dogs.
What is your favorite genre to read? What about that genre draws you?
Right now, I’m very hooked on contemporary Christian western romance. Even though I live in the Phoenix metro area, I grew up in small towns in the Midwest. When I moved to Arizona, I fell in love with it and the wild west. Toss in a strong Christian theme and sweet romance and I’m a goner.
How does your faith play out in your writing?
My faith is critical to writing. I pray over every novel and seek to write stories that point people to some characteristic of God, Jesus, or the Christian life. It’s not all sunshine and roses, but God is good and faithful. He never leaves us alone.
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?
I think my favorites were the Arch Books. I remember one where the moral of the story was: “Do your work for the Lord and all will be well.” I think it came from Sir Abner and His Grape Pickers. My mom’s narration of it was probably the main reason I enjoyed it. She had an amazing gift of making up different voices for each character, and her facial expressions made the stories come alive.
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?
If you want to become a writer, start writing now. Don’t wait for “someday”. Write about anything and everything. Explore different styles. Learn about ways to build characters, plots, and more. A big part of writing is editing and rewriting, so don’t worry about getting it down perfect the first time. It won’t be. Adjust and refine as you re-write. Don’t be afraid to be bold. Write what is on your heart and what God inspires you to write. And never give up—no matter how hard it seems. The things in life that are most worth doing are HARD.
Views expressed in this interview/guest post do not necessarily reflect the views of this blog host.
Tour Giveaway
(2) winners will each win signed copies of all 3 books in the Desert Manna series plus a $25 Amazon gift card!
Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight May 6, 2024 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on May 13, 2024. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.
Giveaway is subject to JustRead Publicity Tours Giveaway Policies.
Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!
Read more Author Interview posts.
The books sound great.
This looks like a great novel. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you so much for the great interview and for sharing my series with your followers.
Happy to host you!
lovely interview! thanks for being on the tour 🙂
You are welcome. I enjoyed it.
Great interview.
Sounds like a book I’d be interested in!
The interview was very interesting. I appreciate the author’s faith and how she prays over her writing.