Writer Ada Brownell On Reading

Ada, welcome to Writers on Reading! Your historical romance, The Lady Fugitive, was chosen as one of three Laurel Award Finalists. You also have a YA fantasy and several nonfiction books. So I’m curious over what you read. Do you find one theme more repeatedly snags your attention as a read? Is there something special you seek when selecting your next reading adventure?

 

Christian historical romance is my favorite genre. I like a story with significant problems, urgent goals, and a spiritual take-away. Humor is an extra treat.

I don’t classify my YA book, Joe the Dreamer: The Castle and the Catapult, as fantasy, although the robots do have almost human capabilities. But that decision is left for readers, which range from mid-grade through adult, to decide. The creator of the guard robot said, “Why did I upload the whole dictionary into his system?”

I seldom read fantasy. In addition to fiction, I love biographies and inspirational books

such as, Your Legacy by Dr. James Dobson; The Circle Maker by Mark Batterson and Life to the Max by Max Lucado. I read it straight through.

I’d like to read The War Room; Oliver North’s The Jericho Sanction; and perhaps The Last Lion: Churchill.

What was the most out-of-character book you’ve recently read, and what led to your choice?

The Methuselah Project by Rick Barry. I chose it because I purchased his first book, Gunner’s Run, a World War II suspense that features a young pilot. I bought it for my grandsons, and I read it before I sent it. I’d identify the The Methuselah Project as speculative or fantasy, and I don’t usually read those. It’s full of suspense, great descriptions, and has a spiritual payload, however. It also is a World War II book.

Rick’s a fun book, and that’s a great recommendation! As a writer, you should know better, but as a reader, you know we all do it…so, when did you last “judge a book by the cover”? How did it work out?

I always judge a book by its cover, especially romance. If the cover depicts a couple in a tight embrace and kissing, I never read it. Although I like good clean love stories, there must something greater to capture and hold my attention.

I completely agree. Having published so many books do you find time to read during the months you spend writing or with deadlines ahead is it either/or for you? If so, what did you read

while working on your last book? If not, what did you read when you finished this one?

I almost always have fiction and nonfiction I’m going through. Fiction I complete fast. Nonfiction a little at a time so I can learn and retain. That’s the way I’m reading the Bible through now, and there is so much more in those Old Testament books than I expected. When you read through slowly, making notes, aw it’s deep and rewarding. I read every night to relax me before I go to sleep. It’s easy to read novels on my Kindle because it doesn’t disturb my husband. I read one or two novels a week and it helps clear work and worry from my brain.

What was the last book you absolutely couldn't put down? Why?

City of Angels by Tracie Peterson and James Scott Bell; and The River Girl’s Song. Both were full of suspense, making me want to read into the night.

Is there a book you are looking forward to rereading?

In His Steps.

If Jenny (antagonist/protagonist in one of your books) were to pick a book from today’s shelves, what do you think it would be?

Swept Away by Mary Connealy or Prairie Rose by Catherine Palmer. Jenny is an elocutionist, writes poetry and songs, but she still loves a good story. I’ve read Prairie Rose at least a half dozen times, loaned the book, a Prairie Rose triology, and now it’s gone. I probably will buy another.

Ada, I love that! I’d say you found a perfect fit for Jenny. Sorry you lost the book, but I’m sure someone else is enjoying it too. Thanks so much for visiting and letting us get to know you better as a reader, Ada! Folks, you can continue to connect with Ada—and find out more about her acclaimed The Lady Fugitive and other books!—at the links below.

BIO:

PURCHASE AND CONNECTION LINKS:

MEET ADA BROWNELL

Ada Brownell is a retired reporter for The Pueblo Chieftain who also has written for Christian publications since age 15. She is author of six books, two fiction and four nonfiction: The Lady Fugitive (historical romance); Joe the Dreamer: the Castle and the Catapult (Inspirational suspense fiction for all ages); Imagine the Future You (a motivational Bible study for youth and family worship); Swallowed by LIFE: Mysteries of Death, Resurrection and the Eternal (Evidence you are more than a body); Facts, Faith &Propaganda, (a book to sustain and strengthen faith in God); Confessions of a Pentecostal, (Listed by The Library Thing for many years as one of the 10 best books on Pentecostalism. Out of print but now available for Kindle.)

Ada still writes newspaper op-ed pieces, and articles for Christian publications.

Read the first chapter of The Lady Fugitive, a finalist in the Clash of the Titles Laurel Award, here: http://ow.ly/QzlIP Jenny Louise Parks escapes from the coal bin, and her abusive uncle, a judge, offers a handsome reward for her return. Will Jenny avoid the bounty hunters? Can she forgive the person who turns her in?

#Review The Lady Fugitive. You’ll laugh, bite your nails, wish you had a gun to help

Ada’s Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/author/adabrownell

Ada's Barnesandnoble.com Author Page http://ow.ly/PUWHO

Her blog: http://www.inkfromanearthenvessel.blogspot.com