Interview with author Brenda B. Taylor

Angela here, and I get to introduce you to author Brenda B Taylor today! Here is a little about her:

The desire to write historical fiction has long been a passion with Brenda B. Taylor. Since elementary school, she has written stories in her spare time. Brenda earned three degrees: a BSE from Henderson State University, Arkadelphia, Arkansas; a MEd from Sam Houston State University, Huntsville, Texas; and an EdD from Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas; then worked as a teacher and administrator in the Texas Public School system. Only after retirement could she fulfill the dream of publication.

Brenda and her husband make their home in beautiful East Texas where they enjoy spending time with family and friends, traveling, and working in Bethabara Faith Ministry, Inc. She crafts stories about the extraordinary lives of ordinary people in her favorite place overlooking bird feeders, bird houses, and a variety of blooming trees and flowers. She sincerely thanks all who purchase and read her books. Her desire is that the message in each book will touch the heart of the reader as it did hers in the writing.

Welcome, Brenda! We're so glad you could visit us today. What made you decide to become a writer?

Having a great imagination and enjoying reading, I began writing my own stories in the third grade. I wrote a story about a horse similar to Black Beauty.

What is your favorite thing about being an author?

I love getting into the plot and characters. When I am writing, I must get into the head of the Point of View character to understand his/her actions and words. My characters take on a life of their own and sometimes go a way I didn’t have planned. Usually they work through the plot with a happy ending. I wrote A Highland Emerald in first person which took much soul searching into the heroine’s inner most being.

Where did the inspiration for your latest book come from? 

The inspiration for my latest book, A Highland Emerald, began with family genealogy research. I discovered my connection to Clan Munro in the Scottish Highlands and made a trip to Scotland searching out family members. I found a Munro relative who is a tour guide in the Highlands. He guided my husband and me through Ferindonald, the Munro clan lands. I fell in love with Scotland and decided to write a historical fiction novel about the clan of my heritage.

How does your faith and spirituality work in with your writing? 

My books have a Christian world view and I hope are inspirational to all who read them. Each story is laced with the threads of enduring love and faith.

What do you want readers to come away with after reading your books?

I want readers of my books to come away with strengthened faith and belief in the Lord.

What is one of your favorite scenes in A Highland Emerald?

One of my favorite scenes in A Highland Emerald is the scene when William declares his love for Aine.

When you are stressed, maybe a deadline’s approaching too fast, what is your favorite snack food? Or so you have another way to cope?

When I’m stressed, I like to sit in my favorite writing chair, sip coffee or hot chocolate, and meditate.

If time and money were not a concern, what one skill would you like to learn?

If time and money were not a concern, I would learn more about writing by engaging in research, especially through traveling to the locations of the stories.

What is your favorite thing about where you live?

I live close to a large lake in a beautiful wooded area of Texas. My husband and I enjoy water sports, and he especially likes to fish. We’ve had a wonderful life living close to the lake.

What are you working on next? 

I will probably write two stand alone novellas in the Highland Treasures series and another novel in the Wades of Crawford County series.

Wonderful! Thank you for visiting with us today!

Aine MacLean is forced into an arranged marriage with Sir William, Chief of Clan Munro, yet her heart belongs to a handsome young warrior in her father’s guard. She must leave Durant Castle, the home of her birth on the Isle of Mull, and travel across Scotland in a perilous journey to her husband’s home on Cromarty Firth. William agrees to a year and day of handfasting, giving Aine an opportunity to accept him and his clan. He promises her the protection of Clan Munro, however, Aine experiences kidnapping, pirates, and almost loses her life in the River Moriston. She doubts the sincerity of William’s promises and decides to return to Durant Castle when the handfasting ends. William determines to win Aine’s heart. Will the brave knight triumph in his fight for the bonnie lass?

A Highland Emerald is the third book in the award-winning Highland Treasures series. It tells the story of Aine MacLean and William Munro, and is the prequel to A Highland Pearl.

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