Today we talk to an expert on Troubles of the Heart. Cardiologist? No. Betty Woods is the author of a series of books that take place in the Civil War era in the south. Listen in as we get some insight into how and why she writes these fascinating books.
Jenny: Hi Betty, Thanks for coming by to talk to our readers today. We’d like to know about your favorite authors. What have you learned from them?
Betty: I like so many authors it’s hard to pick. Lena Nelson Dooley will always be one of my favorite authors and people. She helped me learn to write well enough to submit my stories to agents and editors. Plus her books are wonderful. I like Kathleen Y’Barbo too. She’s a great writer and such a sweet, encouraging person. Molly Noble Bull is a fantastic writer. I learned so much about how to tell a good story well reading their books.
Jenny: That’s what it’s all about, right? Telling a good story and telling it well. When did you feel like a “real” author? In other words, when did you realize you had “arrived”?
Betty: I’m not sure I’ll ever feel as if I’ve completely arrived. Signing a four book contract for my Troubles of the Heart series was wonderful. A Troubling Suggestion that released this month is the second book in this series. So maybe I’m a little bit arrived.
Jenny: Releasing the second of a four book contract? I would say you are “official” now, LOL. Tell us a little more about your latest book. What was the inspiration for this story? Did anything from your own life prompt you to write this particular book?
Betty: I fell in love with Clarisse and Luke while writing Treasure and Trouble, the first book in the series They deserved their own story. Especially their own happy ending after what the two of them have been through.
Jenny: I identify with that. Sometimes, secondary characters have their own story to tell. What was the most interesting thing you learned while researching this book?
Betty: I didn’t realize how ornate some of the carriages could be at that time. General Jackson’s red carriage had tapestry-covered steps going up into it. The doors inside were upholstered with red velvet to match the cushioned seats. Also, Andrew Jackson didn’t want to be called President Jackson. He insisted on being called General Jackson. That’s why my characters refer to him as General Jackson even though he was president at this time.
Jenny: Yes, that sounds like quite a fancy carriage. I guess General Jackson still thought of himself as a General, even after he had “arrived” as President. What is the major takeaway you want your readers to get from this book?
Betty: God answers Luke and Clarisse’s prayers one small step at a time. Don’t give up on your dreams. God answers in His own time, and His time is always best. My ten year journey to publication had a lot of ups and downs. God placed my books with a wonderful publisher who is perfect for what I write. Scrivenings Press didn’t exist when my agent first started submitting manuscripts to different publishers.
Jenny: I understand long journeys and ups and downs! Scrivenings Press has been a great fit for me, too. Now, just for fun, tell us about your favorites.
Day of the week? Why? My husband and I are retired, so we have six Saturdays. The real Saturday is my favorite. That’s our family day when we spend time with our grown children and grandchildren.
Hot Beverage: I’m a chocoholic. So I love hot chocolate. Flavor it with peppermint or cinnamon. Add whipped cream. Or serve it plain. If it’s chocolate, I’m happy as can be.
Holiday: Christmas. I love to celebrate Jesus’ birth. I decorate all over our house. My nativity scene sets on the fireplace hearth. I have stockings hanging from the mantle for us, our kids, grandkids and great grands—18 in all this next Christmas. Also lots of bears. I love teddy bears. I have caroling bear placemats in the kitchen, caroling bears table runner in the dining room with a mini tree with bear ornaments. The Christmas Eve service at our church is a highlight of the holiday for me. The Christmas story in Luke is my favorite.
Genre other than the one you normally write: I enjoy reading Women’s Fiction.
Jenny: Do you have any parting words for our readers?
Betty: Thank you, thank you for reading our books. I write to entertain, but also to encourage readers. We all have hard times. God is always faithful, whether we can see Him working at that time or not.
Here’s a little more about this author:
Betty Woods writes heartwarming romance with a Southern accent. She’s an incurable history buff who was once mistaken for the tour guide at an historical site while answering her grandchildren’s questions. When not living in her make-believe nineteenth century world, she enjoys time with her family, especially vacations with children, grandchildren and sometimes great grands. Going on RV trips with her husband and Chihuahua to research information for books is another one of her favorite activities.
Look me up on my website bettywoodsbooks.com Find me on Facebook at bettywoodsbooks
On X(Twitter) @bettywoodswrite
My Amazon author page is amazon.com/author/booksbybettywoods
A Note from Jenny: Betty is giving you a chance to win a paperback copy of her newest book: A Troubling Suggestion. Just answer this question in the comments:
When has God answered your prayer in His own time?
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Want to know a little bit about A Troubling Suggestion?
Clarisse Matthews still grieves the tragic loss of her fiancé and doubts she’ll ever love anyone again. Particularly if she has to divulge the secret abolitionist ideas she keeps hidden deep inside that only her beloved knew.
After the lady Luke Williams loved spurned him and married another man, he will never risk giving his heart to another woman. Especially not to Clarisse who had to have known about her best friend’s ruse and helped the woman to conceal it from Luke. He doesn’t need a lady by his side to manage his family’s plantation or forge a path to become an attorney.
But when Luke’s cousin is deceived by a rogue, who only Luke and Clarisse know the whole truth about, they form a reluctant alliance to protect his cousin. Their feigned attraction grows into genuine love. But will the differences between them become a wall too tall to climb or can they find a way to go around?
Another note from Jenny: Doesn’t this sound amazing? Don’t forget to answer this question in the comments: When has God answered your prayers in His own time?
One lucky commenter will win a copy of this great book.
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