About Christy Brunke

Welcome, friends! I’m blessed to be a mom, a pastor’s wife, and the bestselling author of the fictional book, Snow out of Season. But my greatest claim to fame comes from being a child of the King. Because of that, I’m passionate about my family, unborn children, and God-written love stories. Though I used to live in China, now I love serving in ministry here in Maryland. Praying you’ll be blessed as you read my blogs, my story, and my award-winning novel!

Our Preschooler’s Best Quotes from 2015

It’s that time of year again when we look back at my preschooler’s best quotes from the year before! Our oldest daughter, Michaela, turned four in August. Here’s some of her sweetest, funniest, and most profound comments from January to December, many of them about her baby sister “Beanie” who turned one in June. 

Our preschooler best quotes from 2015 Michaela Brunke

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As I was getting the girls ready for bed one night, Angelina started fussing, and Michaela said, “Night-night’s almost done, Beanie. Mommy only has two hands.” 

In August, Michaela had nightmares about her baby sister. One night, she woke up yelling, “She’s got the cup without the lid!”  

One day, Michaela went to the doctor’s office with Grandma Angie. When the nurse left the room, Michaela said, “We have to tell her about the song that Daddy sings—the ‘Go Tell It On the Mountain’ song—so she can spread the word that Jesus Christ is born!” 

Auntie Faye, a sweet dynamo from our former church, gave Michaela lollipops with crickets and scorpions inside. As we were looking at them one day, I told Michaela that scorpions can sting people.  
 
“Crickets are the nicest bugs that you’ve ever seen so you can be their best friend,” she said. “But scorpions are the baddest bugs so you do NOT want to be best friends with them.” 

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Our preschooler best quotes from 2015 Michaela Brunke

www.stephaniekuecker.com/

When the girls got home from Grandma Necie’s house one morning, I commented on the cute barrette in Beanie’s hair.  

Michaela pointed a finger at me and said, “You cannot tell her, or she will know it is there!” 

“My words exactly!” Grandma Necie later said. 

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“Beanie, you can either give me the crackers or stop spilling them,” Michaela told her sister in the car one day. “Those are your options.” 

4

“Mommy, what was your favorite part of the day?” Michaela asked me at dinner one night.

“Snuggling on the couch with you and reading stories,” I said. “And making a cake with you—that was really fun.”

“No,” she said, holding up her finger. “You’re not supposed to do two things. Just one. Now we have to start over.”

3

“One day, Michaela was wearing a red Thomas the Train shirt with green lettering. “I wish you had a Thomas the Train shirt, so we could be best friends,” she said to me. “Do you have a red or blue or green shirt?”

“I think I have all three.”

“Great! Then tomorrow, you can wear the red shirt, then you can wear the green shirt, and then you can wear the blue shirt, so we can be best friends for a long time.”

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Four-year-old Michaela Lynn Brunke October 2015 at playground

Photo by Becca Ebersole Doring

“Where can we get a baby brother?” Michaela asked Mark one day.

“Mommy and Daddy and God can try to make one, and just like Mommy was pregnant with Bean, she’d try to have a baby boy.”

“Oh, yeah!” Michaela yelled, jumping on the couch. “Let’s do that.”

“Why?” Mark asked.

“Because we have three girls and one boy, and we need another boy.”

Mark grinned. “If we have another baby, we might find out it’s a baby girl.”

“Oh, no,” Michaela said. “That would be too many girls.”

1

One morning, I told Michaela about Pat Matthews, an amazing woman of God from our church who had just passed away. 

Later that day, Mark told Michaela they were going to a funeral. “Someone at our church, that I don’t think you know, died. That’s sad, right?”

Two-year-old Michaela Brunke with baby sister Angelina Brunke“No,” Michaela said. “That’s happy.”

“Why is that happy?”

“Because she gets to play with Jesus.”

Those are our preschooler’s best quotes from 2015! Which one’s your favorite? Comment below! Want more of our preschooler’s best quotes? Check out “Top Ten Michaela Quotes from 2014!”

Smart, Fun, Relatable Fiction: An Author Interview

At the Writer to Writer conference in Hershey, PA, I was thrilled to meet Clarice James–author of smart, fun, relatable fiction–and then discover we were both winners of the Operation First Novel contest!

Clarice, how did you feel when you found out you were a finalist? What about when Jerry Jenkins announced you won second place?
Jerry B. Jenkins Clarice G. James Christy Brunke

Me and Clarice James with New York Times bestselling author Jerry Jenkins.

Truthfully, I was thankful Jerry Jenkins planned to announce the winners in Hershey instead of Colorado because it’s a lot closer to New Hampshire! In 2011, I’d been an OFN finalist with my first novel, so this time I submitted my second novel, hoping for a different outcome.  To be honest, when my name was called, I was in a fog—mainly because I’d been sick that whole weekend.

Your winning novel is titled Double Header and the main characters include sports columnists and Red Sox rookies. I’m guessing you’re a baseball fan?

Living with my children (and now grandchildren) who are all avid sports fans, I didn’t have much choice but to join them.  Much of my info was gained through osmosis. But when you read Double Header, you’ll discover it’s not really about baseball at all.

Library Journal called Double Header “…a dramatic and tension-filled tale.” Without giving too much away, can you tell us about some of that drama and tension?

Double Header novel by author Clarice G. JamesThe drama appears when marketing executive and part-time sports columnist, Casey Gallagher, discovers her late father, whom she idolized, had a son even he didn’t know about.

She’s frantic to keep her father’s reputation from being tarnished. 

The mystery of who this brother is and why he hasn’t revealed himself brings in the tension.

So does both her husband and brother’s different opinions on how to handle it.

Is the relationship between Casey Gallagher and her father based on personal experience?

I loved my father, but I didn’t idolize him, especially not in the way Casey did.  When people do that, I don’t think it’s healthy. And because no one is perfect, they’ve usually set themselves up for disappointment.

I love your quote on your website: “First I change your name. Then I put you in my book. What happens to you next depends on whether I’ve had my coffee.” (Tweet that!)Are many of your characters inspired by real people?

I have to confess, they are. But one character may have the qualities of four or five people I know. Recently, three different friends told me they saw themselves in Casey—all for a different reason. I found that interesting.

Clarice James thank you so much for taking the time to share with us during this busy holiday season. I’m looking forward to reading Double Header soon. Where can readers go to learn more about you and your smart, fun, relatable fiction?
Clarice James, author of smart, fun, relatable fiction

Clarice G. James

Find me on my website at ClariceJames.com. I blog from there weekly, too. You can also catch me on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest. 

Thanks for the opportunity, Christy!  When the holidays are over, I look forward to reading your book!

Fiction fans and aspiring authors, want to read my Operation First Novel story? Check out “Birthing Two Babies.”

Linda Brooks Davis: An Author Interview

Hi, Linda! How did you feel when you won Jerry Jenkins’s 2014 Operation First Novel contest?
Linda Brooks Davis award-winning Christian historical fiction author

Linda Brooks Davis. Photo by The Salted Image.

Traumatic—in a good sense—would describe the experience of learning I had won. I wasn’t able to attend the conference where Jerry made the announcement, so I was at home watching TV with my husband.

Weeks earlier when I learned I was one of 11 finalists, I remember thinking, Good thing there were 11 and not 10 or I wouldn’t’ve made the list. I was so convinced I wouldn’t win that—honestly—I had halfway forgotten it.

A writer friend who was monitoring it online texted me that I had won. My first response was “That can’t be true. There’s been a mistake.” She insisted it was true, so I checked Facebook, and there it was.

My reaction was so out of the ordinary that my husband was concerned something horrible had happened. When I told him I’d won OFN he kept saying, “What does that mean? Settle down. Tell me what that means.” By then I was hyperventilating and weeping and stayed that way for several hours. Around midnight he asked if I would be able to sleep. “Honestly, I don’t know” was all I could manage.

Later I sat on the back porch in my coat—it was very cold for San Antonio that night. The sky was clear, the moon and stars bright, a perfect setting to offer up my thanksgiving.

Can you tell us about your award-winner and the story behind it?

    Linda’s grandparents Ella and Tribble Banks around 1910

From early childhood I heard stories from my mother and grandmother about life in Indian Territory prior to Oklahoma statehood and in the state’s early years. Times were hard but folks survived through grit and strong faith.

I couldn’t count the times I or another family member said, “Someone outta write a book about …” As it turned out I wrote a book about a fictional character whose story doesn’t mirror my ancestors’ lives but is chocked full of elements of their memories and my experiences.

Linda's grandmother Ella Jane at 13

Linda’s grandmother Ella Jane at 13

My grandmother was named Ella Jane, and so is my granddaughter, so it only made sense to name my heroine Ella Jane. My grandmother—Mama—was a far different sort of woman than Ella McFarland. My grandparents met and married in Indian Territory in 1904.

Mama had a third-grade education and never drove a car or voted. She was quiet, shy, and soft-spoken, but she had a strong faith and a will of iron.

I often wondered what shape the kaleidoscope of her life might have taken had it turned a degree or two in either direction. Wondering led to Ella McFarland’s story. I wrote it to honor Mama’s generation and to leave a legacy for her great-great-granddaughter.

Your website describes you as a storyteller. Have you always wanted to be a writer?

I have always been a voracious reader but not a writer. I think shying away from writing was based in insecurity. I was an over-achiever and found putting my thoughts to paper difficult to do in early school years because there was so much room for “red marks.”

It was during my first year away from home as a college freshman that I experienced delight in writing through the letters I wrote home to Mother and Daddy and little brother Dale. I could feel their vicarious enjoyment, and I feel the same about readers when I write today.

I’ve read that most published novelists debuted with their second, third, or fourth book. Was that true for you as well or was The Calling of Ella McFarland your first novel?

The Calling of Ella McFarlandThe ideas began percolating eight years ago, but this is a second version of the first novel I wrote in 2010 without having read a single book on novel writing or listened to a single presentation or tried my hand at it a single time.

The one and only critique of that first novel was from a major publishing house’s editor at a writing conference: “It isn’t well crafted enough”. I knew his job wasn’t to educate me as to what well-crafted meant, so I decided I had to learn on my own. That’s when I started searching for people, organizations, and avenues through which I could learn “the craft.”

The Calling of Ella McFarland has “morphed” over time, the plot changing directions here and characters disappearing and others appearing there, since 2010. But I started fresh by typing “CHAPTER 1” in April of 2014 prior to the September 2014 deadline for Operation First Novel.

Jerry Jenkins has sold 70 million copies of his 186 books. After reading your debut novel, he said, “Linda handles every nuance with the aplomb of a veteran . . . It’s her first, but I’m confident it won’t be her last.” How does it feel to have your book endorsed by a New York Times bestselling author?

The Calling of Ella McFarland Linda Brooks DavisSurreal: This comes from believing such a blessing is handed to someone else—not myself—especially at my age. I’m in my 70th year of life.

Humbled: This comes from knowing whatever words I strung together to create the story came from the Master Writer.

Responsible: A word used by others to describe me all my life. In my senior yearbook the yearbook sponsor used the phrase “with a deep sense of responsibility” to describe me. Having been blessed by the Lord and Jerry Jenkins Operation First Novel in this way, I feel responsible for representing both of them well.

Vulnerable: Many what-ifs …

Thank you so much for sharing your story with us today! Where can readers go to learn more about you and your romantic historical fiction?

Linda Brooks Davis award-winning Christian historical fiction authorI have revealed a lot about myself, my legacy, my characters, and Ella’s story at LindaBrooksDavis.com. I am currently working on a second in a series, this one centered on one of the characters in The Calling of Ella McFarland. Wonder who …

Update: Read my review of Linda Brooks Davis’s award-winning novel here!

Brandy Vallance, Operation First Novel Winner

I still remember the lovely dinner I shared with Brandy Vallance at the Writing for the Soul conference and the moment Jerry Jenkins announced she won the 2013 Operation First Novel contest. Today, I have the privilege of interviewing this award-winning, Christian romance author.

Brandy Vallance winning the Operation First Novel contest

Brandy Vallance receiving a $20,000 check for winning the Operation First Novel contest.

Hi, Brandy! Can you tell us about your journey from a girl with a dream to an award-winning author? How many years did it take?

Hi, Christy! Thank you for inviting me on your blog today. My journey to traditional book publication took fourteen years. There was a lot of learning involved and eleven drafts of The Covered Deep. I did freelancing for a time and had fifty articles published. The best part of the journey was all the friends I met along the way. And now that my first book has been published, the same holds true. I love meeting fellow writers and readers.

When someone connects with something you write, it’s magic. (Tweet that!) 

When you walked across the stage to claim your $20,000 check, you looked stunning. Did you have a feeling you were going to win or were you completely surprised? What went through your mind when they called your name?

Thank you, Christy! Wow. What a question. I dreamed a lot about that evening before it happened. I prayed a lot. I wanted it so, so badly. Because of all the other disappointments I had had, I was almost afraid to hope. I had mentally prepared myself not to win. That way, if I didn’t win, I wouldn’t be crushed.

However, I also prepared myself to win and took a big risk. I invited a complete entourage of friends who had been most influential in my writing journey. Going into it, I knew we’d either be celebrating or commiserating afterward in the parking lot. To tell you the truth, one of my primary thoughts that night was that I didn’t want them to be disappointed.

When Jerry Jenkins announced my name, everything just fell into place. I was really calm because even then the reality hadn’t hit me. It took a couple of days. Even now when I look at the cover it all seems surreal.

How did you come up with the story for your winning novel, The Covered Deep? Did you have a similar experience as the heroine (but, perhaps, not quite as dramatic)?

The Covered Deep historical romance novel Brandy VallanceAs I mentioned earlier, The Covered Deep morphed over eleven different drafts. Bianca started out as an English aristocrat, if you can believe that! Eventually, the bits and pieces of who she became all fell into place.

One day in a vintage photography store, I stumbled upon a photograph of a woman. It was like a lightning moment for me. I couldn’t stop staring. The longer I looked, the more she spoke to me. My imagination went wild. You can see the photograph on my Pinterest board.

I gave Bianca the hometown of Portsmouth, Ohio, where I lived for a little while. I spent some pretty magical summers around that area.

I stayed on my great aunt and uncle’s dairy farm, which included an old stagecoach halfway house. For fun, I’d jump off the stacked, high hay bales down to the hay piles below.

I’d roam the hills and visit the old cemeteries just to read the poetry on the headstones. My dad and I spent a lot of time driving through Shawnee Forest, which Bianca references in chapter one. There are also a lot of Indian mounds in that area, which Bianca talks about too. So, some of Bianca’s background definitely came from my experiences.

As far as the story, that evolved bit by bit. I knew I wanted the hero to be an Indiana Jones type.  I also knew I wanted him to be English.

The Covered Deep historical romance novel book quoteI started imagining interesting ways to place opposing characters together. I asked myself a lot of questions. What would happen if an Appalachian woman were thrown into the opulence of London? What if Bianca’s hero had a secret past?

With every question I tried to push the story deeper and explore more. I added the Holy Land to the story simply because I wanted to go there. In the end, that element added a lot to the motives and story arcs of the characters.

One of the best things about writing is when your subconscious clicks and the characters begin talking to you. In the end, I just had to write their journey—their struggles, dreams, and failures. A couple of times I rebelled against what they were saying because it was scary for me to write. It wasn’t until I let go of fear that I was really able to write The Covered Deep. I know that probably sounds strange to non-writers.

Ultimately, I think it’s about trusting ourselves. Many times we subconsciously know what has to be written. I have to remind myself of this every time I sit down to write. I always tell myself that if a scene or book doesn’t scare me, I haven’t done my job. When you get the feeling that you’re naked for the world to see, that’s the point when you’re starting to get it right. 

Did you get to travel anywhere exciting to do research?

I did go to England, Scotland, and Wales in 2011, but that was after I had already written The Covered Deep. It was a surreal moment to be able to stand in the British Museum in London where I had Bianca and Paul first meet. All the characters of The Covered Deep became so real to me that I could almost see them walking around London. Even now, hardly a day passes without me thinking of them all.

Thank you so much for taking the time to share your heart with us today! Where else can they go to learn more about you and your inspirational historical romances?
Brandy Vallance award-winning historical Christian romance author

Photo courtesy of relzreviewz.com.

Website: http://www.brandyvallance.com

Facebook Author Page: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorBrandyVallance/

Facebook Personal Page: https://www.facebook.com/brandy.colevallance

Twitter: https://twitter.com/BrandyVallance

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/brandyvallance/

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8035640.Brandy_Vallance

Readers, check out my review of the novel that won Brandy Vallance a publishing contract as well as a $20,000 check! Just click “The Covered Deep by Brandy Vallance!”

My Operation First Novel Story

Operation First Novel winner Snow Out of Season

My Operation First Novel Story

Have you ever had an impossible dream?

Ever since I won a Butterball turkey in a short story contest in sixth grade, I’ve dreamed of penning novels. But first I met other adventures.

I earned a degree in English and writing then moved to China to study Mandarin and teach at a university.

Two years later, I returned to the States where I attended seminary, taught music and drama, and fell in love with a zany youth pastor.

After I got married, I considered the unique gift God had given me and how different my life would be if Mark wasn’t in it. A story grew in my heart, one I felt compelled to share.

However, 98 percent of books submitted to publishers get rejected. And only 16 percent of traditionally-published writers were able to debut with their first book. Most wrote at least one novel before finally being able to get the second, third, or fourth published. Did this story even have a chance?

Birthing Two Babies

Two-year-old Michaela Brunke with baby sister Angelina BrunkeDespite the odds, I decided to pursue that long-delayed dream, knowing the faithful One who had called me was the God of the impossible. To learn how to write fiction, I took classes, attended conferences, and joined critique groups.

Last year, my second daughter was born on June 10th, but the deadline for the Christian Writers Guild’s Operation First Novel contest was September 10th. Between round-the-clock diaper changes, plus caring for my two-year-old, I finished my story and submitted it.

The next month, I was shocked to learn the Christian Writers Guild had closed. Was the Operation First Novel contest cancelled too?

A Desire Fulfilled

The following month, New York Times bestselling author Jerry Jenkins decided to continue the contest under his own name.

Jerry B. Jenkins Clarice G. James Christy Brunke

Me and Clarice James with New York Times bestselling author Jerry Jenkins.

That December, I discovered I was one of eleven semifinalists. The next month, at the Writer to Writer conference, Jerry announced I won third place. Snow Out of Season—that original story that wouldn’t let go—would be published!

From March to May, in-between moving, starting a new ministry, and trying to sell our house as well as buy another, I revised my story. Then I worked with Carol Kurtz Darlington from Mountainview Books to hone it more. Finally, my novel was off to the copyeditors and typesetters!

In October, Sandra Byrd, the bestselling author of To Die For and Mist of Midnight, read an advance review copy and said, “The story caught me with characters so real I feel I might see them on the street, and it held me with breathtakingly clever story telling.”

when Christy Brunke decided to become a writerIn November, Library Journal gave Snow Out of Season a starred review, calling it an “astonishing tale with a gratifying ending,” and named it their Christian Fiction Debut of the Month.

The book releases December 1, but I received my author copies yesterday. Words can’t express the feeling of finally holding my published book, the result of six years of prayer, perseverance, and birth pains.

What has God called you to? Put your little hand in His, and He’ll lead you on the adventure He has chosen, impossible or not.