Even if I didn’t like historical romance novels, the cover of Patti Stockdale‘s newest book is so pretty that I’d buy it for the cover! Turns out she’s a pretty talented writer too, so there’s more to her book than a pretty cover. And there’s more to Patti than just writing!

Thanks for being here today! Let’s start with: what was your favorite picture book as a child?
My favorite childhood book was Teena and the Magic Porridge Pot. It belonged to my grandma, and she probably read it to me one-hundred times. I loved how the porridge bubbled over the pot’s rim and streamed into the village, providing a hearty meal for everyone in town. How perfect is that?

What was the first novel that you read? What did you like about it?
When I was in junior high, I checked out Gone with the Wind from the library. Scarlett, although passionate, was too selfish for my taste. Looking back, I’m sure I was much too young to grasp the book’s finer points.

Have you ever had a book recommended to you that you didn’t like? What didn’t you like about it? (No names, please!)
I never finished reading one of the most popular books in Christian fiction. It made me too sad, and I couldn’t force myself to keep turning the pages. The older I get, the more I prefer books that make me happy.

If you could be part of any fictional family, which would you pick?
Since I’d love more sisters, I’ll join the March family in Little Women. It’s hard to beat forever friends with lifelong ties.

If you could visit any fictional place, where would you go?
I pick Pemberley, Fitzwilliam Darcy’s fictional home in Pride and Prejudice, as my go-to place to visit. I’d love to stroll the halls with Elizabeth Bennet until Darcy catches us gawking at the grounds. Then, I’d step aside and watch the fireworks between those two.

Who’s your favorite author?
Deeanne Gist ranks high on my list of favorite authors. Her pretty prose and humor charm my socks off. When I read her books, I can’t stop smiling.

Which do you prefer: character-driven or plot-driven fiction?
I vote for character-driven fiction. If I don’t connect with at least one character, I find the story superficial. The following quote holds a prime spot on my bulletin board: “What makes a plot memorable isn’t the action, but what the action does to the characters.” Amen!

One forbidden love. Two broken hearts. Three little things.

Hattie Waltz should forget the troubled neighbor leaving for boot camp in 1917. He forgot about her ages ago. It had always been the Waltzs verses the Kregers, his family pitted against hers. When she hands him a farewell gift, a chemistry lesson unfolds. The good kind.

Arno Kreger can’t leave Iowa or his old man fast enough. He’s eager to prove his worth on the battlefield and stop blaming himself for his brother’s death. Before entering the train, he bumps into Hattie. He’s loved her forever, always from the sidelines, because nobody crosses Hattie’s pa.

One innocent letter soon morphs into many. Arno and Hattie share three little secrets in each letter and grow closer together. But he’s on his way to war across the ocean, and she’s still in her father’s house. Their newfound love will need to survive dangers on both fronts.

Patti Stockdale loves hope, history, and a good happily ever after. She can’t remember numbers, so she married a statistician. Thanks to him, she’s lived all sorts of places and worked all sorts of jobs. While employed by an NFL team, she once answered the phone by the wrong team name. She doesn’t work there anymore. For 11 years, she directed the programming at a nonprofit senior center and hosted an annual talent show, rocking a Dolly Parton wig, Annie Oakley boots, and a sweet—although snug—Batman costume. She no longer works there either. These days, Patti writes books and occasionally educational assessments and magazine articles.

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https://goodreads.com/author/show/5103193.Patti_Stockdale