Kristen and I “met” online a few years ago. These days, we’re represented by the same literary agent and have both worked with the same publishing company. It only seems fitting that we take some time to chat about some of her favorite books. Take a peek:

Thanks for being here! What was your favorite picture book as a child? What did you love about it?
Love You Forever by Robert Munsch. I still have the copy my mom gave me as a kid with her handwritten note on the front cover’s backside. This story shows a mother’s love for her child, and, once the child grows into adulthood, we witness the child’s love for his mother. It’s a simple but impactful story you never forget.

Where’s the most unusual place you’ve read a book?
For our 15th wedding anniversary a few years back, my husband and I went on an amazing Alaskan cruise. Our room had a balcony where I sat looking at the Alaskan landscape and glaciers while reading. Words cannot give its beauty the justice it deserves.

What was the last book you read that you couldn’t put down? Why?
Sky in the Deep by Adrienne Young. It surprised me! I typically do not love fantasies, and lean more toward contemporary stories, but I follow this author on Instagram and something about the fierceness of the girl on the cover (think young Viking warrior) drew me in. This proves why book covers are so important, right? Sky in the Deep mixes the right amount of love, fighting scenes, war, enemies turned allies, and strong family ties. All in a beautifully painted world you can envision perfectly. The tension amongst the characters and their circumstances starts at the beginning and doesn’t let up.

If you could have dinner with any fictional character, who would it be? Why?
Matilda. I loved this book as a child and her character popped into my mind. Matilda is strong, powerful (even supernatural), a genius, and extremely funny. It would be a joy to sit with her, pick her genius brain, hear about her triumphs, and laugh at her wittiness.

If you could turn any of your books into a movie, which would you pick? Who would cast as the main characters?
Honestly, I’d love to see my Young Adult novel, See You Monday, as a movie. It’s rich in characters of all ages and has a timely message, actually a few of them—racial justice and unity, God using us, His people, in miracles, and definitely the fact our choices create ripple effects. One right choice, where we do what God asks, can change everything.

The main characters in See You Monday are seventeen-year-old senior, Grace, and in the time-lapse, ten-year-old 5th grader, Sandy. The Fanning sisters, Dakota and Elle (maybe when they were a touch younger), would make great Grace and Sandy characters. An actress like Amandla Stenberg, from the movie The Hate You Give and Everything, Everything, would make a terrific Tiffany, Grace’s best friend. And the actress Maggie Smith absolutely must be Mama/Grandma Johnnie’s character. Johnnie wanted to be like Maggie Smith, so this would be the highlight of her life.

Who’s your favorite author and why?
My favorite author has changed over the years, but right now, I would have to go with Tara Johnson. She writes inspirational historical romance and I’m hooked with her Civil War era stories. Her characters are as well-developed as her settings. Her themes and messages fight for doing the right, noble, and good things in a war-torn land, and they stay with me long after I’ve read the last page.

Five books from my “To Be Read” pile…
All Through the Night, Tara Johnson
The Girl the Sea Gave Back, Adrienne Young
Fable, Adrienne Young
See the Stars Alight, Amanda Dykes
The Cousins, Karen McManus

Senior year. The homestretch.

Honor student, Grace Warner, had it easy. Popularity, friends, attention from her crush, even a soccer scholarship offer—if only she can figure out her senior project to graduate on time. Getting approval to write about someone’s life-changing event, Grace recruits her sassy grandma as her mentor who can’t wait to tell the crazy story from her childhood.

Events in the early sixties are words in history books to Grace, but her grandma lived them. She witnessed the civil rights movement in full swing, desegregation becoming a reality in her southern town, Martin Luther King, Jr. moving the country with his iconic speech, and the country coming to a halt when President Kennedy was assassinated.

Grace loves finding out her family history but didn’t know the project would have her noticing hardships and prejudices at her school she hadn’t before. When the homecoming court is announced and new kid, Jacob Horton, is nominated as a colossal prank, it brings Grace to a choice, much like her grandmother years before her. God is about to use her in a miracle if she chooses correctly. If she fails, a life could be lost.

Kristen’s passionate about storytelling and helping people take their next steps in their relationship with Jesus. She lives forty-five minutes outside of Atlanta, GA. where she served as a Children’s Ministry Director for many years. With the support of her husband and two children, she now stays home writing fiction and non-fiction. She also serves on the women’s leadership team at her local church and writes for Crosswalk and Wholly Loved Ministries. You can check out her latest articles as well as her upcoming Young Adult novel, See You Monday, at www.kristenterrette.com.

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