I am thrilled to be the second stop for the Preacher on the Run Blog Tour, which spotlights author Jayna Baas and Preacher on the Run, the first book in her For Liberty and Conscience trilogy.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Jayna Baas (pronounced as in “baa, baa, black sheep”) lives in northern Michigan with a great family of real people and the family of pretend people who live in her head. (Yes, she does know her characters are not real. No, she does not want you to tell them she said so.) She is notorious for working on several projects at once and writing her series in the wrong order. She hones her craft amid loud southern gospel music and an embarrassing number of composition books, and is convinced God wired her to write—she can’t not write, even though she believes German writer Thomas Mann was correct in saying, “A writer is someone for whom writing is more difficult than for other people.” She enjoys writing and reading in a wide range of genres, but her favorite story is this: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16)
Website: www.booksbyjayna.com
Email: booksbyjayna@gmail.com
YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC14TaaJzTh23lKyhcZ-f01w
Book Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mGbr9x2sCyU
Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/-/e/B0872HCZ2V
Newsletter Signup: https://forms.gle/cZXvq45Ubd6iiubLA
ABOUT THE SERIES
Preacher on the Run is the first book (hopefully!) of the For Liberty & Conscience trilogy, which combines North Carolina Revolution-era history with Christ-centered fiction: page-turning stories of Christian people living Christian lives in the daring era of America’s beginnings.
ABOUT THE BOOK
It’s 1771, and North Carolina preacher Robert Boothe has spent four years leading the tyrant-hating Regulators against the corrupt British government. All he wants is a safe place for his family and church to live and worship in freedom. But the established church wants him to shut up. The governor’s men want him dead. Colonel Charles Drake is on Robert’s trail, and that safe place is farther and farther away. You can run,
but you can’t hide . . .
____
I know I already posted the link to the book trailer, but guys… it’s just too good not to post again. So, here it is!
AUTHOR INTERVIEW
What is your go-to space for writing?
I carry a notebook everywhere, but most of my serious writing happens when I’m either sitting on my bed or sitting at my desk.
What munchies do you like to snack on while writing?
Coffee! I don’t usually eat while I work, but it feels wrong to sit at my laptop without a mug of coffee.
What is your favorite genre to read?
I like historical fiction (depending on the era), some contemporary/literary fiction, and some suspense/mysteries—nothing too gruesome. Christian romance, too, but only if I’m in the mood.
Words of wisdom for those who are just starting out on the path?
Don’t rush the process. If I could go back in time and give myself some advice, this would be it. I wrote so many things I was sure were best-sellers just waiting to be published! Now I’m really glad God didn’t open the doors until my style had been refined.
What is your least favorite part of the writing process?
Writing myself into a corner and trying to get back out.
What is your favorite part of the writing process?
Finding a way out of the corner I just wrote myself into!
Tell us a bit about your typical (if there is such a thing as typical) day.
I’m not very scheduled, but if it’s a “writing day,” I set aside a block of time in midmorning and work until lunchtime. I’m a night owl, so any other writing is generally last thing at night—which can lead to sleep deprivation. 😉 If I have something I absolutely have to get done (like doing interviews for blog tours!) I’ll work on it throughout the day as I have time.
You just finished your book several days before your deadline. How will you celebrate or reward yourself?
Deadline? What’s that? 🙂 Just kidding. When I finish a major accomplishment, I’ll call or text my “support team” and share the news. I might use it as an excuse to stop at the coffee shop for a latte.
Do you focus on one project at a time or do you have multiple projects going simultaneously?
Well, I try to focus on one. But sometimes it’s helpful to have something else to play with if I get really stuck. I only have one “official” project right now, but there are a few smaller things I like to putter on. I also have a bad habit of working on later books in my series before the first books are done.
What was your favorite subject(s) in school?
Creative writing (big surprise!), human anatomy/physiology, and a study of the United States Constitution.
Speaking of books, what is your favorite book of the Bible?
Ooo, hard question! Right now it’s probably the book of Ephesians, or maybe Colossians. But it changes quite often.
What project(s) are you currently working on?
The sequel to Preacher on the Run is getting toward the end of drafting, and I have a third book in mind to complete the trilogy. I’ve started rewriting some youth fiction I wrote several years ago. I’m also playing around with a story about a writer who gets hired to create six characters for a top-secret assignment, but that’s pretty low-priority right now.
How do you select the names of your characters?
Sometimes they just pop into my head and are an immediate fit. Sometimes they’re inspired by someone I know. I also read the baby name book a lot. Historical petitions, with their long lists of signers, are a good source for period names.
What one thing would you give up to become a better writer?
Reading authors whose writing styles have a negative effect on mine.
On average, how long does it take you to write the first draft of a book?
Some of my early fiction was drafted in a few months. But it also wasn’t very deep! Now it’s more like a year or two.
Has there been one particular person who has been a major source of influence for one of your characters?
I have a couple of favorite gospel singers who triggered my visualizations of Robert and Mitchell Boothe. Otherwise I don’t usually base my characters on real people.
How do you get inspiration to write?
Sometimes it comes through a particularly striking scene in someone else’s writing. Even a line or two may spark my imagination. I might listen to songs that seem to fit the theme of my project. Some of my best ideas have come while I’m vacuuming or doing other housework. I’m ashamed to admit, it took me a long time to realize I could pray for specific guidance on difficult scenes—after all, if God gave me the talent, He’ll help me
use it.
BOOK REVIEW
Title: Preacher on the Run: A Novel of the Regulator Uprising (For Liberty and Conscience #1)
Author: Jayna Baas
Genre: Christian Historical Fiction (not Romance)
Length: 326
Age Range: 13+ or parental guidance (violence)
Paperback (direct from author): https://www.booksbyjayna.com/bookstore
eBook (Amazon): https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0872FQL8G or search “Jayna Baas” on Amazon
About:
North Carolina, 1771
Robert Boothe has spent the last four years leading the tyrant-hating Regulators in standing against North Carolina’s corrupt British government. Just being an unlicensed dissenter preacher is enough to make Robert a target, but he refuses to back down from his conscience. Aside from a sympathetic court justice, the village of Ayen Ford has no other champion for its poor and defenseless.
Then Charles Drake, emissary of His Excellence William Tryon, comes to town with one ambition: winning the governor’s favor, no matter what it takes. And Robert Boothe just might be his last chance.
All Robert wants is a safe place for his little Baptist church to live and worship God. But the established church wants him to shut up. The governor’s men want him dead. And that safe place is farther and farther away.
You can run, but you can’t hide…
Positive Elements:
Characters do everything they can to help and protect others, even at personal risk.
Negative Elements:
None.
Spiritual Elements:
Characters are pastors; a character wants to live his life for the Lord; characters pray; there are multiple discussions about the Bible and God; the Bible is quoted; there is a strong salvation message; Baptism is explained; trusting God is discussed.
Violence:
Characters are arrested on false charges; characters are hunted; homes are ransacked; villages are destroyed; characters are physically harmed and ambushed; characters get in fights; it is insinuated someone is shot with an arrow; possessions are stolen; battles are waged; characters discuss their pasts; gunfire is exchanged; characters are shot; it is mentioned rebel leaders are hanged; a character kills another in self-defense.
Other:
Characters kiss.
Rating:
5 Stars.
Conclusion:
I love history, and was delighted when Jayna asked me to be part of the blog tour. Preacher on the Run can be intense at times as characters flee for their lives, fight injustices, and struggle to reconcile their desire for freedom from tyrannical leadership with their faith. Faith plays a colossal role, and gives Preacher on the Run a raw edge as characters are faced with the head knowledge that they’re supposed to trust God and the heart knowledge that it is not as easy as it sounds.
The banter between Robert and Mitchell was endearing, and something I, as the oldest sibling, could well identify with. And the history. Oh, the history. I knew about preachers and pastors who were hunted and punished by the state church for not registering and being beneath the state’s thumb, but I always thought of it happening primarily in Virginia and Pennsylvania. Reading Preacher not only advanced my knowledge of this rich historical period, but it reminded me how valuable our freedoms are, and how easily we can lose them.
Intense, delightful, raw, and emotional, Preacher on the Run is definitely on my TRA (to read again) list.
GIVEAWAY
To enter, go here.
BLOG TOUR ITINERARY
Week One
Yesterday (Nov 2): Leona @ Great Books for God’s Girls (http://www.greatbooksforgodsgirls.wordpress.com) Guest post, excerpt
Today (Nov 3): Madi @ Madi’s Musings (https://madismusingsblog.wordpress.com/) Book review, interview
Nov 4: Kaitlyn @ Maidens for Modesty (http://www.maidensformodesty.com) Book review, guest post
Nov 5: Laura @ Beautiful Things (https://beautifulthingsbylaura.com/)
Book spotlight
Nov 6: Malachi @ Brainstorms With Rain (http://brainstormswithrain.wordpress.com) Excerpt
Week Two
Nov 9: Abby Rose @ Photos by Abby Rose (https://photosbyabbyrose.com/) Book review
Nov 10: Kelsey @ Kelsey’s Notebook (https://kelseysnotebookblog.blogspot.com/) Guest post, excerpt
Nov 11: Lauren @ Novels That Encourage (https://www.novelsthatencourage.com.au) Book review, interview, exclusive ebook giveaway
Nov 12: Abigail @ Read Review Rejoice (http://readreviewrejoice.com/) Excerpt, book spotlight
Nov 13: Callie @ An Unfinished Story (https://anunfinishedstory.home.blog) Book review
Week Three
Nov 16: Tara @ Tower in the Plains (http://www.towerintheplains.wordpress.com) Book review
Nov 17: Kelly-Ann @ Musings of a Sassy Bookish Mama (https://www.musingsofasassybookishmama.com/) Excerpt
Nov 18: Kassie @ Soldier Girl Stories (http://soldiergirlstories.com) Book review
Nov 19: Natalie @ Kenmore Pines 1 (https://kenmorepines.wordpress.com/) Book review, interview
Nov 20: Michaela @ Tangled Up in Writing (https://tangledupinwriting.com) Book review, excerpt, guest post
Tour Wrap-Up
Nov 21: Giveaway winners announced in Rafflecopter widget and on Books by Jayna (https://www.booksbyjayna.com)
Madi's Musings 