Hi Janice, welcome back.
Let’s remind everybody of your background.
I grew in the eastern part of the North Carolina mountains. I often joke that I write a lot of historical fiction because I grew up much like people did in the 1800s, however, there’s also some truth in that statement. As an only child in a rural setting, I developed a vivid imagination early. This gave me a foundation to dabble in many arts and crafts, and especially storytelling. I’d began writing my own stories by the time I was in third grade, and I’ve never stopped.
What do you do for fun?
I find so many things fun that it’s difficult to list them all. I love reading and writing and spend most of my time doing those. I enjoy travel, history, arts & crafts, theater, folk studies, nature, decorating, etc.
Who or what inspires you the most?
The Bible and my walk with God.
If you had a tagline, what would it be?
“And the greatest of these is love.”
What other writers/people do you consider inspirational?
I’m an avid reader, reading almost 300 books a year besides all the writing I do. I love many authors. Some of my favorites are Francine Rivers’s earlier works, some of Lynn Austin, Tessa Asfar, and Kate Witemeyer, just to name a few. There are many others. I like writers who pull me into the story, and I live it with the characters. That’s the type of writer I try to be.
What got you into writing?
That’s a good question. I think I had stories within me begging to be told. I began to write as soon as I learned enough in elementary school to know how. At first, I wrote short stories, but I was never satisfied with them. I always thought they needed more. When I taught school, I wrote for magazines because they were shorter projects that I could fit into my busy schedule. But looking back, I think God may have been molding me all along for the writing I’m doing now. I just didn’t realize it at the time.
What is your writing process?
I’m a more of a pantser. I have multiple ideas in my head at any one time. The ones that stick and don’t fade away, I write. I live with my characters in my head for a long time and know them well. I know my setting and vaguely where the story will end up. I write to see how it gets there. Because of this, if I can find the time, I write fast, just like I read, because I want to see what happens. I have published 30 books in 5 ½ years.
When do you consider a work complete?
I put each rough draft aside for a month or more before I edit it, and I may edit it several times. I send it to beta readers and reedit and revise from their suggestions. I submit it to my editor (sometimes two editors) and make any needed changes. Then, I publish.
About When Winter Is Past
Pennsylvania 1739
Stanton Klein’s father had given up on life after his wife died and left Stanton orphaned to live with his grandparents. He decided he would never love like that. He and his first wife had fared well together, but she’d died in childbirth. Now he’s decided to find another woman to marry. After all, a farmer needs a wife and sons. However, with the changes come important lessons and dangers that Stanton never imagined.
Beth Evans has taken care of her father, since he fell from a barn roof and can no longer walk. People, like Fiona, have always made fun of her, because she has a limp. When Stanton befriends her, she’s wary but also intrigued. Her father encourages her to give Stanton a chance, but how can she be sure what’s best?
Are there any deep themes or messages in the book the readers should be aware of?
Love is one of God’s special gifts.
What gave you the idea for this book?
Like most of my books, the idea just came to me. If anything triggered it, I don’t know what it was. However, I chose the setting because I lived in Pennsylvania for three summers and studied much of their rich colonial history. I went also went back later for additional history seminars.
How long did the book take to write?
It took about 3 months to write the rough draft. However, it took much longer to get through all the editing, etc. I didn’t keep track of how long the complete process took.
Who designed the cover?
I designed the cover. I have a background in art, and I enjoy the design process.
Do you write in other genres?
I mainly write Christian romance, but my books have varying degrees of romance – some with very little, and others with more. I also have two Christian non-fiction books (On the Road to Jericho and From the Top of the Mountain to the Bottom of the Sea: Lessons from Elijah and Jonah).
Tell us about one other book or series and why it’s important to you.
Tara Kildare’s sister gives her a cruise so she can escape her troubles for a while. Her husband had become abusive but was killed in Iraq. Now his parents are trying to gain custody of her son, Ricky. Tara knows she’ll never trust another man, but would a husband help her court case as her lawyer says, and would she do even that to keep her son?
Sean Murphy might be impulsive, but he’s also an optimist. He’s had about enough of sailing around the world, and Tara might just be the woman to give him the home and family he wants. She’s certainly captured his interest and then his heart. Now he’ll need to convince the stubborn woman that they were meant for each other.
Although When Winter Is Past is a historical novel, and With Summer’s Songs is more contemporary, they have a slight connection. Tara in With Summer’s Songs inherits Stanton’s farmhouse from When Winter Is Past and finds Beth’s journal.
If you could go anywhere for a special vacation, where would you go?
I’ve traveled extensively, going to all 50 states, and 45 other countries. The next place on my list is Australia and New Zealand. I would love to fly down and cruise around them. I actually have a good number of readers and fans from Australia.
What’s the most adventuresome thing you’ve ever done?
I’m not sure. Would it be when I rode the elephant in India, handled the snakes (non-poisonous, of course), hiked the mountain by myself in Alaska, or went to the Philippines by myself to fill in for a missionary for a semester? There are also many others to choose from.
How do we reach you?
Website: https://janicecolehopkins.blogspot.com
https://www.facebook.com/JaniceColeHopkins/ (Author’s page)
https://www.facebook.com/Appalachian-Roots-1560747940894713 (Book series page)
https://twitter.com/J_C_Hopkins (Twitter)
Thanks for stopping by again.
Audiobook Promotions …
Many of my 42 audible titles are listed on Audiobooks Unleashed.
Whether you’re looking for mystery or suspense or fantasy, I’ve got a title for you. Free codes are probably on audiobooks unleashed.
Normal links go to audible. *The Amazon labeled links are affiliate links. That means I get a very small payment from Amazon if you go through with a purchase.*
Note: Filter by US if you’re looking for those codes as many titles are out.
Ones I think may still have US codes: Reshner’s Royal Ranger, Never Again, Innova, The Golden City Captives, The Holy War, Reclaim the Darklands, Eagle Eyes, Treachery Makes it Tense, Ashlynn’s Dreams Shorts, The Dark Side of Science, Ashlynn’s Dreams, Nadia’s Tears, Malia’s Miracles, and Varick’s Quest
There are plenty of UK codes, but not many US ones left.
Redeemer Chronicles (Fantasy)
Awakening – Redeemer Chronicles Book 1, MG fantasy (Amazon) (free codes)
The Holy War – Redeemer Chronicles Book 2, MG fantasy (Amazon) (free codes)
Reclaim the Darklands – Redeemer Chronicles Book 3, MG fantasy (Amazon) (free codes)
River’s Edge Ransom – Prequel to Redeemer Chronicles (Amazon) (email devyaschildren @ gmail.com for free codes)
Devya’s Children Series Links:
Ashlynn’s Dreams Shorts – short stories featuring Jillian. (Amazon) (free codes)
The Dark Side of Science – official prequel to Devya’s Children; Genetically altered kids fight for the right to live. (Amazon) (Please email devyaschildren @ gmail.com for free codes)
Ashlynn’s Dreams – Genetically altered Dream Shaper learns her gift. (Amazon) (free codes)
Nadia’s Tears – Jillian tries to awaken her sister, Nadia, from a coma. (Amazon) (free codes)
Malia’s Miracles – Jillian and her siblings try to save a friend’s mother. (Amazon) (free codes)
Varick’s Quest – Jillian and Danielle get kidnapped. Nadia’s also in trouble. (Amazon) (free codes)
More Scifi:
Reshner’s Royal Ranger (epic sci-fi) just made it there. (Amazon) (free codes)
Guardian Angel Files:
Spirit’s Bane – Allister and Mina are training to be Guardians. Satan’s out to get them. (Amazon) (free codes)
Kindred Spirits – Mina’s exiled to Earth. Allister’s stuck in the Heavens. (Amazon) (free codes)
