Monday, September 28, 2015

Interview with Inspirational Author Kathryn E. Jones

Kathryn has been a published writer since 1987. Her first piece, a short article for a national magazine, got her on the publishing road. She published many short pieces after that, and worked as a journalist for many years. In 2002, her first book was published, but it wasn't until 2012, some 10 years later, that Kathryn decided to make book writing her profession.

Welcome back to my blog, Kathryn. Please tell us about your new book: The Gift: A Parable of the Key.

The gift is the third and last book in the Parable series. Virginia and Richard have lost their only daughter to crib death, and now must go on without her. But the going isn't easy, and when Joy, a young homeless girl (now teen) comes back into their life, they wonder if she's the answer to their emptiness.

What are the “five stones” mentioned in this book?

The five stones represent Listening, Trust, Optimism, Tenacity and Constancy, and were given to Virginia by God in book one (Conquering Your Goliaths: A Parable of the Five Stones) to see her through her difficulty of getting a new job. Virginia uses the five stones through each of the 3 books as she journeys through pain and ultimate discovery.

Where did you get your inspiration for this series?

I was only going to write the first book. It was to be a stand-alone book, but one day, the idea came for book 2 (The Feast: A Parable of the Ring) and I had to write the story of Virginia's marriage to Richard. As book 3 began, I realized that, for Virginia, her journey wasn't over, she yet dreamed of having a child - no matter how difficult having a child was. You could say the books are three different levels of learning. God shows Virginia how to tackle the smaller things in book 1 before the larger challenges come in book 3. And they do - come.

Please tell us about one of the main characters in this story and what you like about him or her.

I like Richard. He is the best husband for Virginia - oh, she's all over the place 'emotion' wise, and he's the rock star. Sure, Richard gets discouraged, but he is also there for Virginia. He loves her no matter what. And he doesn't give up, at least not for long, because he sees that things will always get better.

Your story sounds wonderful. Where can my readers find you online?

Please visit me at: http://www.ariverofstones.com. From there you'll be able to connect to all of my other fun haunts.

Thanks for this awesome interview, Kathryn. I hope my readers will check out this series.

14 comments:

Sonja said...

This sounds really nice. I haven't read your works yet, Kathryn and would love to. Much success with your book!

Melanie Backus said...

The Gift sounds wonderful!

Kathryn Elizabeth Jones said...

Thank you, Sonja and Melanie. Remember, Conquering Your Goliaths: A Parable of the Five Stones is the first book in the series.

Library Lady said...

Your book, "The Gift" sounds like it would be a wonderful gift for our Church Library. I for one can't wait to read it.
Janet E.
von1janet(at)gmail(dot)com

Judy said...

The Gift sounds like a book that I would enjoy reading. I also have a lot of friends who would enjoy reading this also. I will have to put your books on my TBR list and check them out!! Thanks for the participation in the giveaway.

Shirley said...

This sounds like a wonderful book. Thank you both for the giveaway. Thank you Linda for bringing another author to the spotlight for us.

Shirley said...

straitfromthehive (at) gmail (dot) com

see comment above

Kathryn Elizabeth Jones said...

Janet, I would love for my book to be in your church library. And Judy, I always welcome the idea of sharing a book with friends.

Shirley, I'm always happy to share with readers my newest work in contests like this. Thanks for taking the time to read the interview.

Nicole The Reading Rebel said...

I really love the idea of the 5 stones. This book sounds really good. Thanks for the giveaway.
betta_grl(at)hotmail(dot)com

LAWonder said...

I have the Parable of the Ring...I never realized there were more!
I really enjoyed the Interview. I like that she used the Conquering Your Goliaths theme throughout the rest of the series.

I have gotten granddaughters to read the first book. I really think this theme is needed by society.

Sydney said...

Wow, great interview. Loved reading it!
Gorgeous cover. Looks/sounds like a good book!

Kathryn Elizabeth Jones said...

Nicole, Thank you for your comments. I also love the idea of the 5 stones and what they represent for each of us as we work through our personal goliaths.

LAWonder, So glad you discovered the series! Yes, the theme is so important! Life can get difficult, real difficult, but with God all things are possible. I am also glad your granddaughters have read the first book and I hope you'll pass along the second and third.

Cindy, I'm glad you enjoyed the interview and thought the cover was "gorgeous." I'll tell you a little secret about this cover, and most of my other ones. My husband does them. I knew what this particular cover was supposed to look like months before the book was finished. The day of the photographing, I wrapped up a box, used a Christmas ribbon that had come from a gift my mother had given me last year for Christmas, used an antique looking key I have hanging on my wall, and my husband took pictures in the kitchen using white paper as the background. We have a lot of fun working on my book covers, and they always have a story of their own to tell, so I'm glad you like it.

bn100 said...

interesting about the stones

bn100candg at hotmail dot com

Linda Weaver Clarke said...

Congratulations to Library Lady. You are the winner of this awesome book. I hope you enjoy it.