B.J. Robinson Interview

I'm happy to welcome B.J. Robinson to The Borrowed Book today.

B. J. writes inspirational romantic suspense from her home in Florida, where she lives with her husband and pets. Visit her here and sign to follow her blog for an opportunity to win free novels. She's a member of Christian Writers Guild, graduate of Long Ridge Writers, and friend of American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW).

Welcome, B.J. You've just had a book release. Please tell us the title and give a short blurb about the story.

The title is Southern Superstitions. Prayer versus Southern superstitions when a woman's husband mysteriously disappears in the swamp on a deer hunting trip. As steamy as the hot, thick, sticky heat of Louisiana, this page-turner will keep readers in suspense, as the author spins a tale of love, loss, superstitions, pain, heartache, and faith in God. God and the power of prayer versus Southern superstitions. Through belief, faith, hard work, the power of prayer, and God's help, this powerful,moving story is a thought-provoking Christian romantic suspense about a young couple who fall in love, but have to change her mother's mind in more ways than one if their relationship is to survive. Can Andy convince June there's more to their relationship than friends? Will he win the approval of Mrs. Myrtle,her mother, and can love survive strawberry season and an April flood? Will June be able to give Andy a child?

I grew up in the South and have lived here all my life. The title of your book intrigues me. What made you write about the superstitions that abound in southern society?

I grew up in the South with a superstitious mother who reared me on Bible verses and superstitions. While there are the traditional ones you've probably heard like black cats being bad luck, opening an umbrella inside a house being bad luck, and walking under a ladder, Mom had a few that I've never heard before. I was surprised to learn that black cats are considered good luck in England, I think it was. A reader told me she was surprised they were considered bad luck here.

I read that this novel began as a short story before you rewrote it into a full length novel. How did that change come about?

It won first prize in college fiction-writing competition, and I thought what better way to begin a novel than with a prize-winning short story. So, I did. Also, I liked my characters and wanted to keep writing about them instead of ending it as a short story. I love generational family sagas, and I thought about writing one and perhaps later turning it into a series.

Youre heroine June sounds like many women I know. What has happened in her life to make her a woman of deep faith?

Her mother reared her on Bible verses, and she lost her father as a child. She discovered she still had a heavenly Father.

Your hero Andy disappears on a deer hunting trip. Describe what kind of person he is.

Andy is a hard worker, fun loving, adventurous, and madly in love with June. But, he loves the woods and deer hunting. Andy loves nature and falls for June he discovers she also loves it, and she's not afraid to tromp through the woods with him.

Strawberries seem to play a role in your story. How does strawberry season and a flood impact the story?

They earn their living as honest, hardworking strawberry farmers. The flood destroys a crop and ruins vehicles, farm equipment, and property.

What are you working on now?

I'm working on my first YA novel titled One Rainy Summer, and it releases October 15. Whispering Cypress has to go through edits and will release August 15. So, I'm writing one book while I'll edit another.

What words of hope would you like to leave with our readers who may be facing a crisis of faith in their lives right now?

Trust and have faith in God, not superstitions. Sometimes it's when things seem worse when your faith will deepen when you call on God for help, and He answers. If you need help, ask God. Pray. He answers prayer.

Very true words, B.J. Thanks for being a guest on The Borrowed Book today. We wish you well with Southern Superstitions.