Sometimes I meet an author and I’m surprised to find out what they write. That’s not the case with Janet Grunst–her passion for history is evident, and she pours that into the pages of her much-beloved books.

Thank you so much for being here today! What was the first adult novel that you read (not “adult”, but not in the young adult section)? Did you like it?
 I was twelve when I first read Pride & Prejudice and I loved it for its history, well-developed characters, humor, and of course romance. I immediately purchased and read the rest of Jane Austen’s books and still have those little slightly yellowed Dell paperbacks published in 1959.

What was the first book you read that you couldn’t put down and why?
At thirteen I devoured and loved Désirée by Annemarie Selinko, a compelling fictional tale of real people during a fascinating historical period. I did extensive research into the characters and events discovering so much of what the author wrote was true.  

Have you ever finished a story and wish it had ended differently?
Gone With The Wind! I would have liked it to have ended with Scarlett O’Hara Butler’s redemption, for Rhett to forgive her, and for their marriage to be restored. Margaret Mitchell wrote another book but destroyed it before it was published. I often wondered if it was a sequel.

I never knew that! Would that have been wonderful? What about your own work, though—if you could turn any of your books into a movie, which would you pick? Who would you cast as the main characters?
A Heart Set Free ~ the first story in my Revolutionary War Series. I would cast some Hallmark actors as my main characters.  A blonde (Julie Benz or Nikki DeLoach) as Heather Douglas and Wes Brown or Christopher Russell as Matthew Stewart.

If you could turn any book into a movie, which would you pick? Who would you cast as the main characters?
A Town Like Alice ~ This phenomenal book by Nevil Shute was made into a movie in 1951 and a miniseries in 1981. It needs to be remade. I would cast Chris Hemsworth as Joe Harman and Jenna Coleman as Jean Paget.

Who’s your favorite author?
Jane Austen ~ She incorporates history, diverse and well-developed characters, humor, and romance in her books.

Which do you prefer: character-driven fiction or plot-driven fiction?
Character-driven fiction. I enjoy observing people’s history, what motivates them, how circumstances change them, and how they respond to trials, challenges, and other people.

Setting Two Hearts Free available October 2020.

Donald Duncan joined the Patriot cause for noble reasons, battling the British while enduring deprivation and hardship on every side. The war has changed him, and now the battle is internal. Returning home to Virginia is in sight where a new life and his Mary wait for him.

Mary Stewart spends the war years with her family at Stewarts’ Green, helping them operate their ordinary. Daily, she prays for Donald’s safe return, eagerly waiting for him … until that day the evil side of war touches her.

Two hearts changed by a war that dragged on for six years. Two hearts left hurting and struggling to find the love and trust they once knew. Is there a path for them to rekindle what was lost, Setting Two Hearts Free?

Janet is a wife, mother of two sons, stepmother, and grandmother of ten. She lives in the historic triangle of Virginia (Williamsburg, Jamestown, Yorktown) with her husband. Her debut novel, A Heart Set Free was a Selah Award winner. A Heart For Freedom was a Christian Indie Award winner. She also has a novella in The Highlanders: A Smitten Historical Romance Collection. A lifelong student of history, her love of writing fiction grew out of a desire to share stories that communicate the truths of the Christian faith, as well as entertain, inspire, and encourage the reader.

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