Kate Breslin ~ For Such A Time

Please welcome fabulous, debut author Kate Breslin! 

Kate,  first I want to congratulate you on being one of Romantic Times Reviews' top pick in the historical category and after reading an excerpt I can see why. The story of Esther is one of my favorites in the Bible, why did you decide to rewrite this story set during WWII?

Christina, thank you so much! And I appreciate the opportunity to be here. Originally I got the idea to write For Such A Time while reading the Book of Esther from the Bible. I knew the Jewish people had suffered throughout history, and as I read, I began to see similarities between the wicked Haman’s plot to destroy the Jews and Hitler’s more recent Holocaust of WWII. I wondered if I might place the ancient Biblical account into this more modern venue, and so I began my research. I knew very little about the time period when I started, and so I was shocked to read first-hand accounts of Nazi brutality; I was also moved by tales of courage and faith-keeping in those who faced death, and stories of heroism in the face of insurmountable odds. The more I researched, the stronger my conviction became to write this story. And I strove to treat it with the sensitivity it deserved, while crafting a fiction romance novel.

As I was reading For Such A Time, I noted how well you depict the scenery. Is this area a place you’ve personally visited and researched, or was all your research done through other resources?

While I would like to visit Auschwitz, Dachau, and Terezin one day, I’ve never been to these places. Instead, I was able to “see” my story setting through reading, pictures, videos, and other imagery. The Internet is amazing! :)

I hope you don’t mind me asking, but I’m really curious, how much of your heritage plays a big part in For Such A Time?

I’m sure I do have a bit of Jewish ancestry (as most of us probably do) but I believe it was simply my Judeo-Christian faith that inspired the story, and my love of reading about Queen Esther!

Can you tell us a little bit about your writing journey?

The journey has been one of faith as well as craft. I spent many years trying to publish in the general romance market and while I got close, it never happened. And during that time, I wrestled with God, knowing that I should be writing for Him and not myself, yet still I stubbornly refused. Then one day, I finally reached an impasse and had to make a choice: to be Godly or worldly—and it was then I started writing inspirational fiction. I was fortunate to find success; yet either way, I know now that I’m where God wants me to be. And that’s a wonderful feeling.

I’ve noticed that God often gives us little nuggets of encouragement along the way. Can you give us one memorable nugget that just left you really smiling?

Wow, it’s difficult to think of just one, but I do recall a time several months ago when I was having one of “those days”—you know, when you’re feeling down and everything seems to be going wrong? It was raining buckets as well, and I remember my tears as I asked God to please help me out of this slump. Moments later, I turned to the window and saw the clouds had parted to reveal one of the most beautiful rainbows I’d ever seen. Of course, I cried harder, but then they were happy tears. :)

Who is your inspiration and why?

God inspires me first and foremost, but I’ve also been blessed with a mom who taught me to never give up, that I could become whatever I wanted to be in life. And she’s still an amazing woman!

What is next for Kate Breslin?

Right now, I’m having fun working on the next novel for Bethany House! It’s another historical romance, this time set in Britain during WWI. It’s scheduled for release in April of 2015.


Kate, thank you for being with us today. Much success and many blessings to you and your writing.

FOR SUCH A TIME

A young, bitter, Jewess-in-hiding must send her own people to Auschwitz in order to survive, or put her trust in God by giving her heart to the man responsible for their doom.

Powerful Retelling of the Story of Esther

In 1944, Hadassah Benjamin feels abandoned by God when she is saved from a firing squad only to be handed over to a new enemy. Pressed into service by SS-Kommandant Colonel Aric von Schmidt at the transit camp of Theresienstadt in Czechoslovakia, her Aryan-like looks allow her to hide behind the false identity of Stella Muller. However, to maintain her cover as von Schmidt’s secretary, she is forced to stand by as her own people are sent to Auschwitz.

Suspecting her employer is a man of hidden depths, Stella appeals to him on behalf of those in the camp. Aric's indulgence gives her hope even as she risks discovery with every attempt to help the prisoners. When her bravery brings her to the point of ultimate sacrifice, she faces an excruciating choice. God may have brought her to the camp for such a time as this, but how can she save her people when she cannot save herself?

BIO:
A Florida girl and former bookseller, Kate Breslin migrated to the Pacific Northwest where she lives with her husband and a spoiled cat named Coco. Kate has written travel articles, published award-winning poetry, and her first manuscript was an RWA Golden Heart finalist. FOR SUCH A TIME is her debut novel. Kate’s writing journey has been one of faith as well as success; after years spent writing novels aimed at the general romance market, she finally heeded God’s call to write stories of how His love brings two hearts together. When not plotting her next novel, she loves to read, take long nature walks in Washington's many beautiful forests, and travel to new places. Please stop by and say hello at www.katebreslin.com.

 "We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose." Rom. 8:28 (NRSV)