Rachel Fordham: Mom life, Fostering, Writing, a Giveaway and More
I’m excited for you to hear from Historical Romance author Rachel Fordham today about her life, writing, and most recent book, Where the Road Bends, which just released June 7.
Rachel has offered any one of her previous novels as a giveaway. To enter, simply comment on this interview by June 14!
Welcome, Rachel! I’d love to start off learning what you wanted to be when you grew up.
I found one of those Kindergarten questionnaires not long ago and where it asked what I wanted to be, I put a mom. I know I dreamed of other things too, but most of those dreams didn’t stick as well as being a mom did. I have a houseful of kids and we also foster and I treasure my time with my kids. (I do the bookwork for our business and write, but being a mom is my favorite job.)
Being a mom is the most important job we have! How and when did you start writing?
A few years ago, I was feeling like I needed something else, that was just mine. I needed a creative outlet. My husband said, “You read so much, why don’t you write a book?” I haven’t stopped since!
Supportive husbands are the best. Who was your favorite book character as a child and why?
I have always been an avid reader and as a child had a huge list of characters I adored. One of my favorites was Anne of Green Gables. I loved her stubbornness, zest for life and I have always (even as a child) had a soft spot for orphans.
God planted those seeds in you even then. What advice would you give an aspiring author?
If you put words on the page, you are an author, so don’t let doubts about whether you are a “real” author hold you back. Just keep writing!
Great advice! If you wrote in a different genre than your current one, which would you choose and why?
I adore historical and hope to always write in that genre, but I also love contemporary. I would love to write stories with modern characters wrestling with life and love.
I would read those! What does a typical day in your writing life look like?
With a house full of kids, there is no such thing as a typical day! I tend to write in big spurts when there is time and then set it aside when there is something more important that needs my attention. It’s not an ideal set up, but somehow the books keep getting written.
Whatever works, right? How long, on average, does it take you to write a book?
It varies! I wrote a solid rough draft in twelve days once and other books have taken four or five months. Obviously, editing drags the process out. I enjoy seeing how each book takes form!
Twelve days?? Wow. What did God teach you through the writing of Where the Road Bends?
The pandemic had just begun when I wrote this book. We were living in uncertain times just like my characters were. As I was writing characters who have to trust and believe that their hard things could be worked for their good, I also had to accept that our time of uncertainty could produce good things if we looked to the one true source of hope and peace. I’ve always known this, but my understanding of it deepened.
That’s a great lesson. What do you hope your readers take away from Where the Road Bends?
I hope they close the book with a happy sigh and feel that they have been entertained and swept away by these characters. I also hope they reflect on how often we judge others without knowing the whole story. I hope they will be a little braver and stand up for people when they are being judged.
Foster care has been eye opening for me, as my life has become more and more entwined with people who are living very different lives than I am. I don’t always agree with their choices, but I am keenly aware that they each have a story that led them to where they are.
So true. We never know what people have endured or are currently dealing with. How many unpublished and unfinished manuscripts do you have? Any plans to pursue publication for any of them?
Let’s see- I have the very first manuscript I wrote. It’s historical and a storyline I love but it would need significant editing since I knew so little about writing when I wrote it. I also have two complete contemporary novels that I would like to publish someday and another complete historical that I feel like has so much of my heart in it.
Lots of options! What do you enjoy most about being a writer?
I love that the words and stories I write and love so much connect me with people all over the world. I love thinking that a message in my books that affected my heart is also touching someone else. I may never see them, I may never know, but these words can go far and I love that.
That’s beautiful. I, too, love how God uses the power of words, even fiction, to touch hearts and change lives. What a privilege to be part of that miracle.
Thanks so much for sharing with us today, Rachel. I pray God continues to bless you as you write for Him and take care of all those sweet babies He brings into your life.
Join the Conversation. Do you enjoy reading Historical Romance? What time period is your favorite? Do you have any experience with foster care, or like reading books dealing with the topic? Any questions for Rachel?
Be sure to comment by June 14 for a chance to win one of Rachel’s previous novels! Keep scrolling to find the comments section.
Where the Road Bends by Rachel Fordham
Click the book cover for purchase link
Can a Man with Nothing and a Woman in Dire Need Make a Life Together?
For Norah King, her family land is all she has left—and she can’t lose it, even if it means marrying someone she doesn’t love. Days before the wedding, she discovers a badly injured man on her property and chooses to take him in—a decision she could live to regret.
Norah’s nursing does more than aid Quincy Barnes’srecovery; it also awakens his heart. But as a penniless man with no home of his own, Quincy has nothing to offer her. The honorable choice is to leave and let her marry her intended. The only problem is that when he leaves, he inadvertently takes something that doesn’t belong to him—something that will change both their lives forever.
When their paths cross next, Quincy sees firsthand the consequences of his actions and will go to great lengths to set things right, but will it be enough?
Can Quincy come clean to Norah and make amends? Or will their future together be ruined before it has even begun?
Rachel Fordham is the author of The Hope of Azure Springs, Yours Truly, Thomas, A Life Once Dreamed, and A Lady in Attendance. Fans expect stories with heart and she delivers, diving deep into the human experience and tugging at reader emotions. She loves connecting with people, traveling to new places, and daydreaming about future projects that will have sigh-worthy endings and memorable characters.
She is a busy mom, raising both biological and foster children (a cause she feels passionate about). She lives with her husband and children on an island in the state of Washington.
Please share this interview on social media to help spread the word about Rachel’s new book!
If you missed last week’s interview with Christina Sinisi, find it here.
Deena Adams
As a Jesus girl for more than thirty years, Deena Adams understands how important hope is to daily life, which fuels her passion to inspire others through hope-filled fiction based on true to life stories. She is represented by Tamela Hancock Murray of the Steve Laube Agency and is a multi-award-winning writer, an active ACFW member, and ACFW Virginia president. Connect with Deena through her website, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
21 Comments
Deena Adams
Congratulations to Laura Westall, the winner of one of Rachel’s books! Look for an email soon.
Teresa+Moyer
Now I need to read the book to see what was taken LOL. Great interview 🙂
Deena Adams
Haha, Teresa. I’m sure you’ll enjoy the book when you get the chance to read it. Glad you enjoyed the interview!
Lynn Moore
Rachel……how full your daily life must be! Blessings to you…as a Mom, wife, writer, and all the gifts & talents you share with others!🌺
Deena Adams
Rachel amazes me, Lynn, as do all the authors who are young moms with full lives. Especially when they produce the stellar stories Rachel does. Thanks for reading and commenting!
Rachel Fordham
Thanks so much for having me on the blog. I had horrible internet when this was published but enjoyed all the comments.
Deena Adams
Happy to host you, Rachel!
Laura Westall
Thank you for this interview. A few thoughts to chew on!
Deena Adams
Thanks for stopping by, Laura!
Julia N. White
All I wanted to be was a mom. I felt that! I always answered the same when asked that question. God hasn’t blessed us with a child yet but I trust in his timing 💖
Deena Adams
Hi, Julia. I pray God will answer your prayers for a child and make your dream of being a mom come true. Thanks so much for reading Rachel’s interview and joining the conversation.
Patty
I love historical fiction! America post Civil War, especially in the west is a favorite of mine, but I also enjoy regency fiction.
I don’t have any experience with foster care. I didn’t marry until I was 41, and my husband is older than me. We’ve talked about foster care/adopting but at our age I don’t think a baby is in the cards and I worry about dealing with the issues older kids might have.
Deena Adams
Hi, Patty. My husband and I also considered foster care/adoption and had the same concerns. I’m not sure I have what it takes to deal with the deep issues so many of the older kids have. Praise God for people like Rachel who are willing to step into that role and minister to these hurting kids.
Erica
I just recently joined the Avid Readers of Christian fiction on Facebook and I am so glad I found you. I love historical fiction and am always looking for books to share with my 81 year old widow mother.
Deena Adams
Hi, Erica. I love the Avid Readers group! It’s amazing. Hope you enjoyed Rachel’s interview and get a chance to read her books. She’s a wonderful historical author. Thanks for stopping by!
Lual Krautter
I enjoy historical, especially if there’s a litlle romantic suspense as well:) Would love to win a print copy! Thanks for the opportunity!
Deena Adams
Hi, Lual. I enjoy romantic suspense, too. Always adds another layer to the story. Thanks for reading and commenting!
Lynsay Forsyth
Love reading historical and I don’t have a favorite time period.
I have no experience with foster care and I do like reading stories that deal with it or some form of it.
Deena Adams
Hi, Lynsay. I enjoy a variety of historical fiction time periods, too. As long as it’s a good story, I don’t care when it’s set. Ever since I served as a court-appointed special advocate volunteer, I’ve been even more drawn to stories about foster care. My heart goes out to those kids who just need to know they are loved and people care about them.
Heidi Mitchell
Interesting interview! I love reading anything historical and don’t have a favorite era. I read a medieval historical fiction and thought it was going to be terrible (not a big medieval fan) but I actually enjoyed it. I don’t know how you accomplish so much, Rachel, but hats off to you! I think you and Katie Powner have hearts of gold. Blessings!
Deena Adams
Hello, Heidi! I totally agree with you about Rachel and Katie. I so admire those who are foster parents and pour so much into others. It’s such a beautiful picture of God’s heart. I’m amazed at all they are able to accomplish with such busy lives. Thanks for stopping by!