Novelist Barbara M. Britton has been a guest on this blog several times. It’s always fun to learn what’s next for Barb. Especially since her genre-hopping proves her versatility. She’s just as comfortable writing Biblical fiction as she is writing contemporary or historical romance. 

I’M RUNNING A GIVEAWAY OF BARB’S NEW BOOK–SEE BELOW.

Besides featuring Barb’s recent release, I want to share her other writing endeavors. I’m particularly grateful to her for endorsing my novel, A Hundred Magical Reasons, which will be published by Scrivenings Press in January 2025.

Teaser for A Hundred Magical Reasons

Most fairy tales have happy endings, but is it too late for this one?
After all, Mrs. Gordon is 88.

This split-time historical fiction encompasses . . . 

• A child’s unlikely friendship with The Wizard of Oz author, L Frank Baum, & his influence across 4 generations
• A young woman following a risky dream
• An old woman haunted by regret as she reveals her past
• 1980 and the early 1900s in southwestern Michigan

This is a temporary book cover. I’ll share the real one when it’s ready.

Barb’s endorsement of A Hundred Magical Reasons:

Read more and watch the book trailer here.

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Now I want to put the spotlight back on Barb. Escape to Whispering Creek, the ebook version, released on September 27, 2024. The paperback comes out on October 31.

Blurb

Emma Uranova enjoys her office job until her boss disappears with the investors’ money. To avoid the media storm and false accusations, Emma flees to Whispering Creek, Tennessee to live on her best friend’ s secluded property. When a temporary position opens up in Nashville, Emma leaves small-town anonymity to pad her depleted bank account. With a handsome new boss and a steady income, Emma believes life is looking up… until she discovers she has transported the scandal in her backpack. Where is God when her life is falling apart?

Wade Donoven is recuperating from a crash that sidelined him from the family electrical business. Worse yet, his prodigal younger brother is getting the glory for Wade’ s accomplishments. Desperation, and physical setbacks, have him agreeing to let Emma help him manage the business office. But when trouble follows her to his doorstep, Wade must make some difficult choices. Sending Emma back to Whispering Creek may unknowingly place the woman he’s come to love in danger.

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My Thoughts

If you smell the lingering scent of candles while you read Escape to Whispering Creek, it’s no mistake. That’s the lively prose and vivid imagery of Barbara M. Britton’s sweet romance. Her similes pop and crackle, as do the witty dialog and chemistry between Wade and Emma. You’ll find yourself rooting for them while wondering how it’s ever going to work out in the web of job complications, danger, confusion, and self-doubt. Additionally, if you like a strong faith thread, you’ll find it here.

Watch the trailer by Maddy Goshorn here. 

Barb’s other books

The Tribes of Israel series began with:

• Providence: Hannah’s Journey, based on II Kings 5
• Building Benjamin: Naomi’s Journey, based on Judges 19-21, set during the time of Israel’s war with the tribe of Benjamin
• Jerusalem Rising: Adah’s Journey, based on Nehemiah 1-8, which recounts the rebuilding of Jerusalem’s wall after Israel’s captivity

The Tribes of Israel series continued with the Daughters of Zelophehad, books 4 – 6:

• Lioness: Mahlah’s Journey
• Heavenly Lights: Noah’s Journey
• Claiming Canaan: Milcah’s Journey

Ones I’ve featured on the blog:

• Building Benjamin: Naomi’s Journey — Tribes of Israel series (June 11, 2018)—on my Journey to Imagination blog
• Lioness: Mahlah’s Journey — (March 8, 2022) — The oldest daughter of Zelophehad summons all her courage to ask Moses for their dead father’s land. Based on Numbers 27.
• Defending David — (March 1, 2022) — The tale of the Ittai the Gittite who aided King David during Absalom’s rebellion. Derived from II Samuel 15-19:8.

Barb took a detour to write Until June, set in the aftermath of World War I in Alaska.

Here’s my review of Until June:

Ms. Britton gives just enough setting details to picture Alaska in 1918, through Josephine’s eyes. Not to mention the challenge of taking a job caring for a WWI vet who repels her at every turn. But she needs the money.

Of course, going into this book, we know it’s a romance, but it begs the question—how in the world is that going to happen with this unlikely pair? On top of Geoff Chambers’ physical limitations and temperament, these two people exist in different social strata. Yet Ms. Britton makes it believable with a variety of well-chosen scenes and situations.

The relationship dynamics are further challenged by visits to the mine that Geoff manages; Josephine’s mom, sister, and sister’s fiance; the boat captain who brings the mail; and Geoff’s snobbish friend who scorns Josephine.

Something I appreciate about Ms. Britton’s writing style is the fresh similes and metaphors she employs to fit the emotional tone of each occasion. No hackneyed, moth-eaten phrases here. 

Certain expectations arise when reading stories in the “Christian” romance category. One is reading without fear of encountering graphic sex scenes, which is good. But I also appreciate the lack of prudishness. There’s a realness, an earthiness, in Ms. Britton’s romance novels.

All in all, “Until June” is a very satisfying read.

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Barbara’s dive into contemporary romance started with Christmas at Whispering Creek, which I featured on the blog in 2022. Samantha, a young teacher, is dealing with the aftermath of a mastectomy. 

Now Barb has followed that up with Escape to Whispering Creek, starring Samantha’s best friend Emma. If you read Christmas at Whispering Creek, you met Emma already.

The thread that ties all of these together is romance. And writing that sparkles. Plus a strong faith thread–for readers who relish that. Whichever book you pick up, you’re in for a treat. 

REPLY IN THE COMMENTS BELOW TO POSSIBLY WIN A PAPERBACK OF HER NEW RELEASE! (YOUR COMMENT MUST PERTAIN TO HER BOOKS.)

Join me for some Q & A with Barbara Britton.

Questions about Escape to Whispering Creek:

What was your inspiration for writing this story? Had you always planned to write a sequel to Christmas at Whispering Creek?

Emma was the energetic best friend of Samantha in Christmas at Whispering Creek. Emma was Sam’s sounding board, and she tells it to you straight. Emma was such a fun sidekick that I knew she would have her own story.

When I was pitching Christmas at Whispering Creek, an agent advised that I write story blurbs for two more books set in Whispering Creek. That was wonderful advice. I created two more story blurbs, and the second blurb became Escape to Whispering Creek.

How did you create your heroine, Emma, and your hero, Wade? How well did you know her (or other key characters) when you started out?

Since this was the second book set in Whispering Creek, and both Emma and Wade had ties to my main characters in the first book, I knew them pretty well.

I had to understand the backstories of Emma and Wade and bring those to the forefront of this story. Wade was in a hospital bed in the first book, so I had to discover who this man was when he was healthy.

Emma is such a powerhouse of bold truth that I had a better understanding of her personality. My job as an author was relaying to the reader how she grew to be this young woman.

Did Emma and Wade hijack the story or did you have full rein?

Emma always hijacks a story (LOL). She and Wade are opposites when it comes to personalities. What they both discovered is that they had similar backgrounds and goals in life. I had a vague understanding of their similar backgrounds, but I became more aware of how they would bond as I wrote the story.

As an author, the most difficult and rewarding scenes to write are the scenes where the action takes a break, and the characters talk to each other. During these “sharing moments” a friendship forms that grows into a love connection.

Just for fun—what would Emma have to say about you?

Wow! This is a revealing question. Emma would tell me that I have to work less and enjoy life more, especially with summer budding in Wisconsin.

Authors have a lot of responsibilities placed on them these days. With a book launch, the amount of work doubles. I have to tell myself to slow down and pray about my stories. God is in control, and He doesn’t want me to sacrifice my time with Him to do book tasks. When I remember that wisdom, I am able to have a better perspective on life and enjoy the publishing business more.

What’s the most unusual thing you had to do, learn, or research to create this story?

Escape to Whispering Creek is a romance, but there is a light suspense thread. I had to research how a bullet would affect skin and clothing.

My characters also deal with attorneys. My son graduated from law school last year, so I discussed procedures with him and his lawyer friends.

Will you continue with contemporary romance or are you returning to Biblical fiction? 

I love writing in both genres. Currently, I am working on a biblical project. Earlier, you probably caught that I have a third book blurb that takes place in Whispering Creek. I may return to Tennessee in the future. Can you guess who the heroine and hero would be?

I enjoy writing under the Christian Fiction umbrella because it allows me to write stories in several genres. The only drawback is that some readers won’t crossover and read an author who sets a book in a different time period or style.

Writing the story that God places on my heart is how I approach my writing life. When I finish a story, I look at all the pages that I have written, and I wonder how I was able to finish a book. I can only do it with God leading me every step of the way.

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Barbara M. Britton Bio

Barbara M. Britton lives in Southeast Wisconsin. She writes Christian Fiction from Bible Times to present day. Her Tribes of Israel series brings little-known Bible characters to light. She also authored a WWI Historical set in Alaska. Barbara has a nutrition degree from Baylor University but loves to dip healthy strawberries in chocolate. Find out more about Barbara’s books on her website, Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.

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Join me next time for a visit with author Amanda Cox.

Meanwhile, have you read Escape to Whispering Creek or any others by Barbara Britton? Do you know other authors who write in multiple genres? Answer in the comments below.

COMMENT BELOW ON BARB’S BOOKS FOR A CHANCE TO WIN A PAPERBACK OF HER NEW RELEASE!

Ever reading,

Laura

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