Send to Kindle

Today I’m pleased to welcome Cathy West!

Welcome, Cathy…

  Tell us a bit about yourself beyond who you are as a writer.

I was born and raised on the beautiful island of Bermuda, where I still live. Being a small island, it tends to get a little too small after a while, so I do love to travel. I’m a wife, married 25 years to my pediatrician hubby, and I’m Mom to two wonderful children who are sadly away at college, so I don’t get to see them nearly as often as I would like. I’m a dog lover and own a three year-old border collie named Noah, who really keeps me busy! I love gardening and hanging out with friends and family.

How did you come to be a Christian writer?

I started out writing for the secular market. I didn’t really even know that Christian fiction existed. I think the first Christian book I ever read was Deb Raney’s A Vow To Cherish, and it was shortly after that when I re-dedicated my life and knew that I wanted to devote my talents to Him, so it was pretty much a no-brainer. It hasn’t been an easy road but I’m learning (slowly), that it was the right decision for me, and writing for the CBA is where I am meant to be.

 What has been your greatest challenge in life so far?  How did you handle it?

Hmm. Aside from my mom dying, which was incredibly difficult, but expected and a blessing in many ways, as she was quite ill, I think my greatest challenge was deciding to search for my birth family. I really didn’t know what I was getting into, so of course I proceeded with much prayer and went forward with the support of my family. It was a very difficult time in my life and I went through enormous emotional upheaval, but God was faithful and He brought me through it all. I learned to rely fully on God and ‘lean not on my own understanding.’ I believe my faith is much stronger because of this experience. He also performed a couple of miracles along the way and gave me a sister whom I am blessed to have a wonderful relationship with, so it all worked out well in the end!

That’s awesome!  So what do you like to read?  What are some of your favorites that you have read?

I love to read! I read mostly romance and women’s fiction, CBA and ABA, and lately I’ve read a fair bit of historical fiction, which I’m enjoying. I recently finished The Language of Flowers, by Vanessa Diffenbaugh, which was really good. And Heiress, by Susan May Warren, LOVED that book and can’t wait for the next in the series! All time favorites would have to be Gone With The Wind, by Margaret Mitchell, all the Barbara Taylor Bradford books, The Forgotten Garden, and The House at Riverton by Kate Morton (love her), and anything by Jane Austen.

Do you have a quote or saying that’s extra-special to you?

‘I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me.’ Philippians 4:13.

This is a scripture my mother used to say over and over as I was growing up and it kind of stuck. I was shy and insecure as a child, and had pretty low self-esteem, so she was always trying to boost me and get me to believe in myself. As I matured and grew in my faith and really laid claim to this, I realized how true it was. I can certainly try it on my own, but I always fail. 🙂 Knowing who I am in Christ gives me a whole new perspective. I think she’d be proud of the things I’ve accomplished – unfortunately she passed away before I was published, but I know she’s looking down with big smiles.  🙂

What projects are you working on right now?

I’m working on putting together a plot for a new story. This is always the hardest part of writing for me. Once I get something cohesive written down, it seems to come together. I’m also doing some revisions on a manuscript that my agent will be shopping in the near future, called Reprisal.

Cool.  So what other projects do you have already out?

My debut novel, Yesterday’s Tomorrow, released in March 2011, through OakTara. I have a second novel, Hidden in the Heart, which will release this year, also through OakTara. I recently began a new blog venture called This Is A Blog About Books, where the focus is on…what else…books! It’s a place where I hope readers, writers and reviewers can gather and learn and share with one another. I hope  you’ll check it out!

Also check out the trailer for Yesterday’s Tomorrow: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vVQUMRlYhkM

Where can readers find you on the ‘net?

Website: http://www.catherinejwest.com

Blog: http://www.thisisablogaboutbooks.wordpress.com

Twitter: @cathwest

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/CatherineJWest

Book Review of Yesterday’s Tomorrow, by Michelle Sutton – http://healingheartsseries.blogspot.com/

This review is going to be difficult for me to condense into a few paragraphs. There were so many things I loved about this book. I was talking to my aunt about how I was alive during the Vietnam War, but it wasn’t talked about much when I was growing up. It was like people wanted to forget it ever happened. I’ve met a number of Vietnam Vets and none of them wanted to talk about their experiences either. So while I wasn’t sure if I’d like this book or not because of the subject matter, I decided to try it anyway because it was a debut novel. Well, I am so glad I did because it far exceeded my expectations.

I’ve read a few other books set during the Vietnam war era, but none of them were as detailed and compelling as this story. I felt like I WAS Kristin and that I was in Vietnam with her. I rarely have an experience that is so enthralling that I forget I’m reading and my mind goes to the place where I’m reading about. I felt that connection with this story. I read a lot of books so I know exceptional writing when I read it. Why was this story so amazing? I’ll tell you…

When I read a book I want to get lost in the story. This book did that for me. When I read a book I want to care about the characters. This book did that for me, too. I loved the people and the relationships between them. I loved the emotion and the fact that the author wasn’t afraid to let her characters deal with some difficult challenges. I got tearful a number of times and had to refrain from crying in the airport (I didn’t want people to wonder why I had tears rolling down my cheeks.) All I wanted to do was read the book until I finished it, but I had to go out of town, so when I got a chance to finish the story I picked it up again and stayed up until I read THE END.

Did I mention that I loved this book? My emotions soared. I felt like I understood the characters when they had PTSD symptoms. I don’t want to give away any spoilers, but toward the end I was practically biting my nails wondering what would happen to them. This novel satisfied me in every way. I never thought a love story set in Vietnam would have such a powerful impact on me that I would keep thinking about the story even after I finished it. There were so many good nuggets of truth in the story. The faith message was believable, and the love story was incredible!

I am definitely going to read another book by this author. Not only is her prose beautiful, but her pacing is perfect and her romantic tension is written exactly the way I like it. A very satisfying read, and just edgy enough to be compelling without being overly done. In fact, though I really hate to part with this book, I told my aunt she MUST read it because I can guarantee she will not only love it, but will spread the word about the story, too. This book is worthy of that kind of buzz.

Yesterday’s Tomorrow was published by OakTara and released in March 2011.

*~*~*~*

Educated in Bermuda, England and Canada, Catherine holds a degree in English from the University of Toronto. When she’s not at the computer working on her next story, you can find her taking her Border Collie for long walks or tending to her roses and orchids. Catherine and her husband live on the beautiful island of Bermuda, with their two college-aged children. Catherine is a member of Romance Writers of America, and American Christian Fiction Writers, and is a founding member of International Christian Fiction Writers. Catherine’s debut novel Yesterday’s Tomorrow, released in March 2011 through

OakTara Publishers. Catherine’s next novel, Hidden in the Heart, will be available in the near future, also through OakTara.

Website: http://www.catherinejwest.com

OakTara Website: http://www.oaktara.com

Blog: http://www.catherinewestblog.blogspot.com

Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vVQUMRlYhkM