Christmas at Whispering Creek by Barbara M. Britton

Welcome Barbara M. Britton and her new release Christmas at Whispering Creek. Hello Barbara tell us about you and your new holiday story. How did you come up with your title? This was one of the easiest titles to create. I placed the holiday and location in the title. "Christmas at Whispering Creek"…

Welcome Barbara M. Britton and her new release Christmas at Whispering Creek.

Hello Barbara

tell us about you and your new holiday story.

How did you come up with your title?
This was one of the easiest titles to create. I placed the holiday and location in the title. "Christmas at Whispering Creek" was born. The only hard part was creating a fictional town readers would want to visit.
Tell us about your hero and heroine. What makes them likeable?
Samantha Williams loves to teach children. An honorable calling. Sam is always thinking how to present facts to kids in a fun way. She has had her share of troubles in life, but she trusts God to direct her steps.

 

 

Cole Donoven followed his eyes and hormones and jumped into a relationship focused on what man thinks is great, but God warns us about in His Word. Cole gets his heart broken, but he finds a woman who loves Jesus. Cole realizes he has to get back on track with God and Samantha Williams is the woman who can help with his journey.

What makes this book special to you?
I made Samantha Williams a breast cancer survivor. I am also a breast cancer survivor living with "storm damage." Sam has lost a breast and must decide whether to reconstruct (again). Sam realizes that God loves us no matter what our bodies look like. God looks at our hearts, but young men are a different story. Can Sam find a love who values her after cancer scars her body? I live with the scares from cancer, and I feel fully loved–by God and my family and friends.

What makes this a "must read" and why?
Cancer is a difficult subject to tackle. I think I made the struggles real and added enough humor and romance to keep the story light enough for a wide audience to enjoy. Both Sam and Cole encounter people who do not value them. Their past relationships shed light on some of the mistakes we make when we shift our gaze from God. God shows up in a big way in this novel and reminds Sam and Cole that in troubling times, we shouldn't be anxious because God will lead us and guide us. God also brings mentors into our lives that makes us wiser about God's ways. RIP Mr. Ted!

In no more than
Ten (10) words, what is the spiritual takeaway for your reader?

Do not be anxious about anything. Pray!!!
Is there anything edgy/possibly controversial in your book? If so tell us what that is in
Twenty (20) words or fewer.

Cole had slept with his former girlfriend.
What is your hero's main character flaw?
Cole didn't keep God at the center of his life. He also didn't deal with hurt from his family and let resentment settle in his heart.
What is your heroine's main character flaw?
Samantha is dealing with self-esteem issues after her cancer and treatment.
What can readers learn from your villain?
Jillie Lynn places a dream of stardom ahead of the people in her life. She hurts people and doesn't care about the trauma. We see selfishness and self-absorption on display. God has no place in her life. She grasps for the gold rings that don't have eternal value.
What makes your hero heroic?
Cole reaches out to help those in need. He respects his parents and his elders. he realizes that God needs to direct his steps, not man.

what makes your heroine heroic?
Samantha holds fast to God and His Word. Though, she feels less-than after her loss of a breast. She has to remember that God loves her no matter what she looks like. Sam is a good friend, and she cares about the needs of others.

Meet Samantha – from Christmas at Whispering Creek.

 

Tell us your name and a little bit about yourself
Would you like a sticker? I happen to have a few in my purse. I might have one that says, "I heart teachers." I have a degree in elementary education, and I love to teach energetic children. Oh, I guess I should tell you the name on my teaching certificate. It says Samantha Williams, but my friends call me Sam.
Where do you live, and why do you choose to live there?
I grew up in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Recently, I received a phone call from an attorney in Tennessee. My dear friend Mr. Ted died, and I have to go to Whispering Creek to see what Mr. Ted left me in his will. It's December and I am looking forward to experiencing some warmer weather.
What is a quirk of your personality that people don't know?
Quirk? Most people clean out their closets and donate all the old toys, but I love old toys for use in my classroom. An unused Candyland game will make my week soar.
Who chronicled your story, and why do you think he/she picked you?
Barbara M. Britton chronicled my journey to Tennessee. She and I are breast cancer survivors. We are missing body parts from that experience. I mean, I tried to reconstruct my breast, but an infection threw a wrench into that plastic surgery. Mrs. Britton is breast free. You'd never know it because she wears prosthetics. I do too, but well, that secret was revealed in front of my new friend Cole. How embarrassing!
What obstacles did you overcome in order to reach your happily-ever-after?
I wasn't looking for love when I went to Tennessee. My boyfriend had just dumped me and then I got the call about Mr. Ted dying. I felt like I had a rain cloud above my head. When I arrived in Whispering Creek, that rain cloud erupted. One trial after another waited. God was faithful and got me through the struggles. He also brought Cole into my life. Cole had his own issues and one of them was a doozee. Cole kept saying, "I can do everything through Christ who gives me strength." (Philippians 4:13) Cole and i claimed that verse.
Tell us about your special romantic interest. What makes them so special?
Cole is a believer who needed to be reminded not to put God on the back burner. He is so handy–I mean–to have around the house. He's an electrician and enjoys yard work. He even writes songs. Cole didn't treat me different after I told him that I had cancer. I could call him Cool Cole after my revelation that one of my breasts was fake.

The first time you saw your special person, what did you think? Was it love at first sight or did they have to grow on you?
Cole arrived in a whirlwind of trouble. I thought he was a police officer and so did my attorney and neighbor. Cole sure looked fine in jeans and a black shirt. My friend Emma said that if Cole had a Stetson, she'd run to Tennessee. Knowing Emma, she'd wear out sneakers to do it. Needless to say, Cole grew on me and so did these strange sayings that sounded like country songs.

 

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