Interview with Kellyn Roth

Those of you who know me and follow my personal blog know that Kellyn Roth is one of my absolute favorite authors - on top of her being a fabulous person, homeschool graduate, and strong Christian, of course. I am so privileged to get to share about her latest release, Beyond Her Calling, which is a truly God-honoring historical romance that speaks of forgiveness, redemption, trust, and purpose! You can learn more about the book and about ways to win this lovely novel (and some other amazing prizes) in this post...but first, I'd like to introduce you to Kellyn herself!

Thank you so much, Kell, for allowing me to interview you (again!) and for sharing about your writing journey and how your faith entwines!

When did you first feel God calling you to write?

I'm not entirely sure the exact moment, but it was some time after I started reading Christian fiction. I was a Christian, of course, but I frankly had no idea that Christian themes and messages could be included in a story except in a preachy way, or in a vague way as in The Chronicles of Narnia.

However, after I started reading Christian fiction, I realized that, without sacrificing the quality of the story or making the entire novel nothing but a gospel message, it was totally possible to include Christianity. I was probably around fifteen at this point. However, this desire took a while to develop.

How has He guided you along the way?

In a number of ways - mostly by growing me as a person! After all, you can't write great Christian fiction without learning and growing through God.

What inspires you the most?

A mix of things, but mostly people. Talking about my stories with my friends is probably the biggest thing!

What is the hardest part of writing Christian fiction?

Probably not being too preachy. I lean that way, and yet, I don't want to go on too long. Once I start rambling, though, I can keep going about some random facet of theology for forever!

Have you ever endured any discouragement for writing Christian fiction?

Yes, quite a bit - though mostly because I put myself in sticky situations. Namely, I write negative reviews of popular books. I can't count the number of times I've been told I'm not a Christian/shouldn't write Christian fiction/am a horrible person because I didn't love Grapes of Wrath!

However, specifically for just the act of writing Christian fiction, I haven't gotten a lot of bullying. Occasionally a reader will find me who was not looking for that genre and leave a negative review, but that's just the nature of writing.

What Christian books have impacted your life?

There are a number of them - a few authors who generally inspire me 99% of the time due to the care they put into all their works include C.S. Lewis, Elizabeth Goudge, Sarah Sundin, Kristi Ann Hunter, and Gene Stratton-Porter.

What advice do you have for aspiring Christian writers?

Don't worry about your impact. God will take care of that. Worry instead of writing the very best book, craft-wise, you possibly can. And don't be afraid. In this world you will have trouble, but God has overcome the world.

Can you tell me a little bit about Beyond Her Calling and what inspired it? Well, it's my first Scottish historical romance, and I had a lot of fun with it. I'm basically telling the story of two of my favorite characters falling in love and resolving to make their relationship work. It's a story inspired a little bit by my best friend, Bailey, a little bit by another dear friend, Aimee, and even a bit by my own struggles with sin, with despair, and with feeling like I was never going to have a future (which is an outright lie). Nothing in BHC wasn't inspired by something from real life - but breaking it down would be impossible. I guess, really, it was all God's fault. :P

Meet the Author

Kellyn Roth is a historical romance & women’s fiction author who writes about the empty places where hope has the most room to grow. Her novels include the inspirational Victorian family saga, The Chronicles of Alice and Ivy, and the Kees & Colliers series, which follows a broken family in the tumultuous years of the first half of the 20th century.

Kellyn is a student of the Author Conservatory and a writing coach. When not building her author career, she is likely getting lost somewhere in the Pacific Northwest with her friends, watching period dramas and facetious comedies, or spending time with her husband.

About Beyond Her Calling

Ivy Knight feels that her life may never start. Though her loving family assures her that her place in the world is close to home, she still feels a push to move out of her comfort zone. Hoping against hope, she travels to her old friends at McCale House, seeking a purpose.

Jordy McAllen has just returned to Scotland after his education in London. He fears that what everyone has always said about him may be true: he can’t be a good doctor, let alone a good man. Determined to prove himself, Jordy snatches up the opportunity to become the doctor in the village of Keefmore near his parents’ farm.

When an old friend decides to travel to Keefmore and visit a relative, Ivy follows. She soon finds herself drawn to Jordy, but as their attraction grows, they both face doubts. A relationship between the two of them feels improbable—and might just require a step of impossible faith.

This novel is the fourth book in The Chronicles of Alice and Ivy, a historical family saga.

View on Amazon

Enter to Win!

Kellyn is hosting a pretty awesome giveaway I know you won't want to miss! Enter HERE for the chance to win Beyond Her Calling in paperback, the first three Chronicles of Alice and Ivy novels in Audible format, an ornament by Painted Prose Designs, and tea!

The Hunt is On!

Collect the clues at each post in the tour to enter the scavenger hunt giveaway of a $25 Amazon gift card, the first four novels in The Chronicles of Alice and Ivy in paperback, and bookish socks! All you have to do is...

Begin at Stop #1 and continue on to the final post. At the end of each post, you’ll find a CLUE and a LINK to the next stop. Progress to each stop in order.
Collect all the clues and submit the full phrase at the last blog stop via the linked form to enter the giveaway.
While you’re at each stop, be sure to comment, as each comment wins you another entry in the Blog Tour Giveaway.
Deadline for entries is Monday, January 31st, at 10 AM Pacific Standard Time.

This post's clue is...