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On today's episode of A Baker's Perspective Podcast, Jessica talks with Kelly Borjas about her debut novel, High Exposure, the first book in the Jagged Edges series. Kelly shares how she approached the villain’s point of view, why she opened the book with so much tension, and how she builds the Haskins family arc across the series. They also talk about buddy reading, debut-author nerves, writing from personal experience, and what readers can expect from the next books in the series.
Kelly is giving a copy of High Exposure to one lucky listener! Enter the giveaway here!
Jessica issued a challenge on today's episode as well. Take note of an unsung hero in your community and be sure to thank them for their service! And try to be your own unsung hero! Comment here and let us know what you did :)
Chapters:
00:00 — Meet Kelly Borjas
01:01 — Should suspense include the villain’s POV?
02:38 — The Haskins family and the story’s premise
04:21 — How the buddy read works
06:12 — Why the opening chapter hits hard
07:29 — Building tension, grief, and chemistry
09:35 — Grief, failure, and hope
11:12 — The impact of unsung heroes
16:12 — Amy’s storyline and a possible love triangle
17:19 — Graham’s love interest and book two
19:14 — What’s next for the series
20:38 — The experience of launching a debut novel
23:41 — Fall reading rituals
24:21 — Coffee and cozy reading habits
25:38 — Colorado roots and story settings
26:23 — Books that shaped Kelly’s childhood
27:08 — Kelly’s fun fact
28:47 — Kelly’s message to readers
29:24 — Where to find Kelly and The Lit Ladies
31:19 — Closing thoughts
Connect with Kelly:
Website
Facebook
Instagram
Connect with me:
Website
Instagram
Show notes are available at www.abakersperspective.com (within a week of the episode going live)
Jessica welcomes author Jessie Mattis to discuss A Mess of Dreams, the first novel in her Middle Fork series. Jessica and Jessie explore how historical fiction can challenge readers to look beyond stereotypes and see the person behind a label. They also discuss Lorene's friendship with Ruby, Amos’s difficult family choices, and the book’s moving message about trusting God through pain.
Jessie is giving a copy of A Mess of Dreams to one lucky listener! Enter the giveaway here!
Chapters:
(00:00) Introducing Jessie Mattis
(02:00) The premise of A Mess of Dreams
(03:31) How readers can connect with a teenage protagonist
(06:52) Amos, his father, and the German POWs
(07:58) Generalizations, judgment, and seeing people as individuals
(11:45) Jessie’s research into German soldiers and prisoners of war
(13:11) Lorene and Ruby’s friendship
(16:50) Amos’s difficult decision
(19:34) A moving passage about grief and trusting God
(28:59) A preview of A Breath of Hope
(32:54) Fun questions for Jessie
(36:46) Where to find Jessie and sign up for her newsletter
Connect with Jessie:
Website
Facebook
Instagram
Pinterest
Connect with me:
Website
Instagram
Show notes are available at www.abakersperspective.com (within a week of the episode going live)
Cathy Gohlke is on the podcast today to talk about her historical novel Every Given Day. This story is a story inspired by the discovery of insulin, Cathy’s granddaughter’s type 1 diabetes, and the faith journey of learning to surrender. We talk about how real history can spark a novel, why family stories stay with us, and how Cathy brings historical research, romance, and faith together on the page.
Cathy is giving a signed copy of Every Given Day to one lucky listener! Enter the giveaway here!
Chapters:
00:00 - Introducing Cathy Gohlke
04:07 - Historical fiction based on history versus inspired by history
08:25 - Family stories that become part of a novel
10:41 - The history behind insulin research
13:19 - The starvation diet and the search for a cure
15:10 - Purified insulin and the first children treated in 1922
18:06 - Balancing history, medicine, romance, and faith
26:29 - What's coming next from Cathy
30:15 - Fun questions for Cathy
39:09 - Where to find Kathy online
Connect with Cathy:
Website
Facebook
Instagram
Pinterest
Bookbub
Goodreads
Connect with me:
Website
Instagram
Show notes are available at www.abakersperspective.com (within a week of the episode going live)
Chatting with USA Bestselling Author Tamera Alexander was like chatting with someone I've known since elementary school! We laughed, shared stories, and had so much fun. Tamera talks about the importance of staying true to history in her novels, how she weaves in figures like Jack Daniel and the suffrage movement, and why she believes fiction should tell the truth about history rather than smooth it over.
Grab a cup of coffee and join us for this delightful conversation!
Chapters:
00:00 – Introducing Tamera Alexander and In These Hills
04:42 – Why real history takes time to write well
07:17 – A childhood trip through Europe that sparked a love of history
11:52 – Why historical fiction helps preserve real history
16:20 – The reality of suffrage protests and why Josephine is strong
20:35 – What Alexander hopes readers gain from Josephine’s story
21:56 – Using real words from Susan B. Anthony in the novel
23:51 – Faith without preachiness
25:12 – Why changing history in fiction would dishonor real people
29:31 – Writing enemies-to-lovers without losing believability
32:35 – Why character foundation and spiritual growth matter in romance
36:43 – What Alexander learned about surrender and God’s care
40:06 – Her next novel
42:09 – Favorite romance tropes and fall drinks
45:50 – The first books Alexander remembers
47:29 – A memorable childhood basketball fail
49:16 – Where to find Tamera Alexander online
50:10 – A reading challenge for listeners
Connect with Tamera:
Website
Facebook
Instagram
Pinterest
Bookbub
Goodreads
Connect with me:
Website
Instagram
Show notes are available at www.abakersperspective.com (within a week of the episode going live)
In this episode, Lori DeJong shares insights into her romantic suspense novels, the importance of organic faith integration, and tips for writing believable small-town suspense stories.
Chapters
00:00 — Meet Lori DeJong and Sanctuary and Sabotage
02:11 — A female bodyguard in a male-dominated field
06:12 — Secrets, protection, and rising stakes
07:26 — Writing realistic faith in suspense
08:52 — Making faith feel organic to the character
11:12 — Can this book be read as a standalone?
13:27 — How reader response builds an author’s confidence
17:12 — What makes Trevor a swoony hero
21:40 — Creating believable small-town suspense
23:33 — Revealing secrets without relying on misunderstandings
27:04 — Who will enjoy Sanctuary and Sabotage?
28:53 — Balancing romance and suspense
33:47 — Fun questions for Lori
42:38 — Where to find Lori online
Connect with Lori:
Website
Facebook
Instagram
Bookbub
Goodreads
Connect with me:
Website
Instagram
Show notes are available at www.abakersperspective.com (within a week of the episode going live)
In this episode, author Sharon Wilharm shares insights into her historical novel The Amazing Crab Alley Revival, her research process, and her passion for storytelling that weaves together history, faith, and female friendship. Discover how her background in filmmaking influences her writing. We even chat about restoring old houses!
Chapters:
00:00 Introduction
01:57 Setting the Story in 1897 and Historical Context
03:52 Researching Old Houses and Historical Accuracy
04:58 Using Quotes to Set Chapter Themes
07:11 Book Cover Design and Visual Inspiration
07:57 Creating Ensemble Casts and Female Friendship Stories
09:47 Humor and Drama in Church and Community Settings
10:57 Messages and Takeaways for Readers
13:00 Upcoming Projects and Future Books
14:59 Favorite Bible Verse and Personal Faith
16:03 Personal Interests and Fun Facts
Connect with Sharon:
Website
Facebook
Instagram
YouTube
Thank you to our sponsor for this week - Charity Henico! If you're looking for a professional, amazing narrator for your next audiobook, I highly recommend Charity! I am not a fan of audiobooks at all, but I could listen to hers all day long!
Connect with me:
Website
Instagram
Show notes are available at www.abakersperspective.com (within a week of the episode going live)
In this episode, Jessica chats with author Laura Thomas about her writing journey, the importance of marriage in storytelling, and her latest romantic suspense novel, Ribbons of Guilt.
Chapters:
00:00 Introduction to Laura Thomas and her latest book
01:57 Laura's journey from childhood dreams to published author
04:02 The significance of marriage in her stories
07:00 Writing from both POVs: Harriet and Leo
09:30 The theme of being seen and vulnerability
12:00 Why we wear masks and the importance of authenticity
16:05 Her connection to ballet and its influence on her writing
19:04 Upcoming books and series in her writing career
21:02 Her favorite Bible verse and spiritual insights
22:56 Fun facts
Connect with Laura:
Website
Facebook
Instagram
YouTube
Thank you to our sponsor for this week - Reason to Be! If you're looking for a great book club read, or a Thelma & Louise vibe, you'll want to check out this book by Melissa Davis!
Connect with me:
Website
Instagram
Show notes are available at www.abakersperspective.com (within a week of the episode going live)
In this episode, Jessica chats with indie author Rachel Blanchard about her journey in Christian romance writing, the importance of sharing good books, and balancing motherhood with a writing career. They explore themes of faith, character flaws, and the future of Christian fiction.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Rachel Blanchard
00:50 Why sharing books is a Christian duty
03:04 Inspiration behind The Rancher's Reason
03:58 Rachel's experience with horses and rural life
05:30 Why romance readers love stories with flawed characters
06:59 The significance of secrets and redemption in her stories
09:21 The importance of clean, faith-based books for young readers
11:00 Resources for Christian fiction readers and writers
12:47 Upcoming projects and audiobook releases
16:52 Rachel's favorite romance trope and writing style
18:40 Balancing motherhood and writing
29:22 Connecting with Rachel online and future plans
Connect with Rachel:
Website
Facebook
Instagram
YouTube
Tiktok
Thank you to our sponsor for this week - The Charlie Kingsley Mysteries! If you love twisty cozy mysteries similar to Agatha Christie and that take place in the 1990s in small town Wisconsin with quirky characters, pets and a slow-burn romance, you might want to check out Charlie Kingsley Mysteries today!
Connect with me:
Website
Instagram
Show notes are available at www.abakersperspective.com (within a week of the episode going live)
In this episode, Christine Hill Suntz discusses The Heiress and the Woodsman, a historical fiction novel set in 1830s Canada. She shares what inspired the story, why she chose this era and setting. She even talks about her life on her hobby farm!
We cover:
Chapters:
00:00 Exploring Historical Fiction's Untapped Periods
02:57 Setting the Scene: The Canadian Wilderness
05:56 Researching the Wilderness: A Personal Journey
08:41 The Allure of Forbidden Love
11:42 Class Struggles and Social Dynamics
14:39 Character Development and Unexpected Twists
17:34 The Meaning of Home
20:38 Looking Ahead: Future Projects
22:58 The Journey of Writing and Upcoming Projects
24:34 Exploring Historical Recipes
27:39 Life on the Hobby Farm
30:28 Literary Influences and Childhood Reads
33:40 Guilty Pleasures
38:01 Connecting with Christine Online
Connect with Christine:
Website
Facebook
Instagram
Thank you to our sponsor for this week - Charity Henico! Authors if you are looking for an amazing narrator for your audiobook, I highly recommend Charity! She is a delight to work with, and the finished product is something you will be proud of! Contact her today to talk about your next audiobook production!
Connect with me:
Website
Instagram
Show notes are available at www.abakersperspective.com (within a week of the episode going live)
In the podcast's first bonus episode, historical fiction author Jenelle Hovde discusses her novel The Light of Stars, exploring themes of faith, identity, and the Regency era's allure. She shares insights into her writing process, the significance of the book's title, and more in this short episode.
Be sure to share what you think of the bonus episode format! If it's a hit, there will be more to come.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Jenelle Hovde
01:45 Premise of 'The Light of Stars' in four sentences
02:15 Describing the book in five words
03:11 Why some might not enjoy the book
04:13 Significance of the title The Light of Stars
05:12 Themes of trust and trusting God's plan
08:13 Appeal of the Regency era to modern readers
09:47 Favorite social class to imagine living in Regency
11:19 Experiences with Regency-themed events and costumes
12:11 Where to find and purchase Jenelle Hovde's books
Connect with Jenelle:
Website
Facebook
Instagram
Connect with me:
Website
Instagram
Show notes are available at www.abakersperspective.com (within a week of the episode going live)
From the publisher's feed