Friday Book Pick: With Every Letter by Sarah Sundin

September 28, 2012By Karen Barnett 2 Comments

I’m very excited to tell you about this new release from one of my all-time favorite authors, Sarah Sundin. With Every Letter is a fantastic addition to Sundin’s repertoire of World War II romances. In her original three-book series, the Wings of Glory, three brothers spend the war as B-17 bomber pilots, flying headlong into both love … Read More

Silk or mud? Let’s hear the real stories.

May 29, 2012By Karen Barnett 2 Comments

Many years ago, I remember wandering through the beautifully restored McCloughlin House which is connected with the Fort Vancouver National Historic Site. The volunteer tour guide pointed out the family’s belongings, sequestered behind velvet ropes. “Of course, only the Chief Factor’s family enjoyed this level of luxury,” the guide reminded us. “The officers and other … Read More

Why Pinterest is the best new thing for writers (and readers)

February 17, 2012By Karen Barnett 5 Comments

If you haven’t heard about the newest social networking craze, Pinterest, then you’re in for a treat. Yes, a time-consuming, addictive treat–but what treat isn’t? Pinterest is the new chocolate of the internet. It’s the best best new tool for writers and readers since Google. (And no, I don’t work for them.) What is it? Pinterest … Read More

What is a weekend? Downton Returns.

January 12, 2012By Karen Barnett 2 Comments

“What is a weekend?” Maggie Smith as Lady Grantham, the Dowager Countess. What makes Downton Abbey my favorite show? Oh, my…where do I begin? A unique time period. Beginning with the sinking of the Titanic and continuing through the first World War, the show embraces a period of massive change–both socially and technologically. Gorgeous sets … Read More

Ken Burns’ PROHIBITION is Coming!

September 29, 2011By Karen Barnett No Comments

(Photo courtesy of the Library of Congress) I am ridiculously excited about this upcoming documentary, set to air on PBS October 2nd-4th. Directed by Ken Burns and Lynn Novick, Prohibition is a three-part, five-and-a-half-hour documentary film series that tells the story of the rise, rule, and fall of the Eighteenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution and … Read More

Book Pick: BLUE SKIES TOMORROW by Sarah Sundin

August 1, 2011By Karen Barnett 1 Comment

The wait is over! Sarah Sundin‘s newest title, Blue Skies Tomorrow, releases today. I fell in love with Sundin’s writing with her debut book, A Distant Melody (see Book Pick, 4/8/2010). Her second book, A Memory Between Us, was equally good or better than the first (see Book Pick 9/17/2010). But this third book, Blue … Read More

Telling the story behind the story

July 7, 2011By Karen Barnett 1 Comment

On Tuesday, I shared with you my first attempt at using video content to improve my blog and to talk about my writing. Today, I’d like to share my second video with you. This one tells the story of why I like to write Christian historical fiction and how I first got the idea for … Read More

Exploring the world of video

July 5, 2011By Karen Barnett 2 Comments

I’m excited to begin adding some video content to my blog and have been playing around with editing software. So far, I have designed two short videos for my current (in progress) book, First Impressions. It feels a little silly making video content for a book that’s not yet complete, but it has been a great learning … Read More