THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED. Thank you for participating! Mallori N is the winner of my bonus giveaway and has been contacted by email. Congrats! Welcome to the Christian Fiction Scavenger Hunt! If you’ve just discovered the hunt, be sure to start at Stop #1, and collect the clues through all the stops, in order, … Read More
What it’s like to live in a national park
Have you ever wondered what it would be like if you could live in a national park? Some parks offer housing to their seasonal staff, and you certainly can’t beat the location! I had the joy and privilege of living in the Sunrise area of Mount Rainier back when I worked as a seasonal park … Read More
Redwood National and State Parks: My Favorite Things
Every national park has its own unique spirit and will impact visitors in different ways. Redwood National and State Parks? They will change you–almost down to the core of your being. My 21-year-old daughter and I visited recently for book research and to try out our new camper van. As I stared up at the … Read More
New National Park Novels: You asked for them!
New National Park Novels are on the way! You guys ROCK! You made this happen by . . . Purchasing Requesting Reviewing and Recommending my most recent book, When Stone Wings Fly, and my three other national park novels. My publisher took notice. And because you made your voices heard (loudly!), I’ve been given a … Read More
Happy Birthday, NPS! Book Giveaway
The National Park Service was established on August 25, 1916, when President Woodrow Wilson signed the Organic Act. Now, 106 years later, our nation’s park rangers are still going strong. It was a huge honor for me to wear the green and gray uniform when I worked for the NPS back in the… well, a … Read More
Busiest and Least Crowded National Parks of 2021
The entire year of 2021 seemed crazy and unpredictable, but millions of people still looked for solace in nature, leading to some seriously crowded national parks. Are you curious which ones were the busiest? Which were the least visited? You might be able to avoid the crowds this summer, if you’re willing to trek to … Read More
“Hello, Weekend” Giveaway!
Let’s imagine you’re sneaking away to a cabin for a weekend of reading novels, including Karen Barnett’s new Smoky Mountains novel, When Stone Wings Fly. Ahhh, nice!!! Now, enter the Hello Weekend Giveaway and make it the coziest weekend ever!(Sorry, cabin not included!) Entry form below. “Hello Weekend Giveaway” items include: Tote bag, a paperback … Read More
Excerpt: When Stone Wings Fly
Nashville, TN. Present Day Four years of college and she was back to juggling plates? This was not how she pictured her life at twenty-seven. Kieran swung a purse over her shoulder and made for the diner’s rear door. “Can you use me on the breakfast shift, Ash? I need some hours.” Her friend, the … Read More
Visiting Mount Rainier: 7 Tips for a Great Trip
As an author who has written a novel set at Mount Rainier National Park (and a former ranger there, too), readers often ask me for suggestions on visiting one of the Pacific Northwest’s most beautiful parks. As I mentioned in my post about Yellowstone, these requests can be challenging. Everyone has different interests and goals … Read More
The Highs and Lows of Working as a Park Ranger
When readers learn that I spent several years working as a park ranger, I tend to get a lot of questions. “Where did you work? Was it the best job ever? How did you become a park ranger? What was it like?” I typically nod and agree, it was a dream job. But like any … Read More