Scroll down for a chance to win a copy of Mindy Starns Clark’s book, My Daughter’s Legacy. Winner will be announced in the next Author Spotlight feature. Congratulations to last week’s winner of Unraveling, Deanne Patterson! Please e-mail your mailing address to my assistant Christen (christenkrumm@gmail.com).
A thrilling tale of two women longing to follow God’s leading, make the most of second chances, and find true love at last
Virginia, 1864
Therese Jennings cannot abide the thought of owning slaves. When her widowed mother inherits a plantation, Therese flees to Civil War Richmond, where she works as a governess by day and tends to wounded soldiers at night. But when trouble befalls her family, can she reconcile her obligations with her beliefs? And will love—whether with an old beau or a handsome new suitor—ever fit in her broken world?
Virginia, present day
Nicole Talbot’s life is back on track after years of substance abuse. Home from college for the summer, she’s finally ready to share a shocking secret, one that raises new questions about a traumatic childhood experience. But when facts she uncovers cast doubt on her family’s legacy, she must risk all that she’s gained—her fresh start, her family’s trust, and her growing relationship with a new man—to unlock the secrets of the past.
What part of the country do you consider home?
My husband and I live near Valley Forge, Pennsylvania, about halfway between downtown Philadelphia and Lancaster County.
Currently, how big (or small) is your household?
We have two daughters but both are grown and on their own. Fortunately, we’ve really enjoyed our empty nest, though of course it’s great when we can get together with the girls, which we’re able to do often.
What do you do when you’re not writing?
Hang out with my husband, go paddleboarding, read a lot, travel, go to the movies, visit my kids, play with my dog.
Is there any habit or hobby you have that might surprise readers?
I’m into felting, which is a type of needlework used to create little figurines. In my spare time, I’ve slowly been creating scenes for a children’s picture book, Little Ones of Lancaster County, which I’ll eventually publish but for now am just enjoying creating at my own pace.
You’ve just turned in your manuscript, and your editor won’t return it with revisions for at least a week or two. Where would you go for a vacation?
If money’s no object, I’d head somewhere warm with a beach and turquoise water—maybe St. John, USVI, which is my favorite island. On the other hand, if I’ve just turned in a manuscript, I’d more likely spend those two weeks cleaning the house, returning phone calls, cooking actual meals, hanging with my hubby, and generally catching up from the prolonged isolation and tunnel vision that finishing a book requires for me.
What’s your favorite ice cream flavor?
Pralines and Cream. Yum!
Are you a dog or a cat person?
Dog.
What does that tell us about you?
Probably nothing, I’m severely allergic to cats, so I really have no choice in the matter.
What was your favorite childhood book?
James and the Giant Peach
What made it so beloved?
I’m not sure, something about this poor little boy who found a fantastical way to escape a bad situation. It just captured my heart and my imagination.
How many unfinished book ideas or manuscripts do you currently have?
Oh wow, 600? 1000? 10,000? I’m an idea factory, there’s no way I could count all the projects, ideas, proposals, concepts, etc., that live on my hard drive or in the in the back of my brain. Sounds like a blessing but it’s also a curse because I can’t turn it off even when I want to.
What’s your favorite movie?
Babe.
Favorite TV show?
Of all time? Probably Northern Exposure. Currently, my husband and I have really enjoyed streaming Person of Interest.
If you were casting yourself in a movie, which actor or actress would you pick?
Not sure, maybe Melissa McCarthy.
Why?
Because she has a good sense of humor, lots of self confidence, and a happy marriage. Plus she cracks me up!
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Mindy Starns Clark is the bestselling author of more than 20 books, both fiction and nonfiction, with over a million copies sold. Mindy and her husband, John, have two adult children and live in Pennsylvania.
I loved the entire Cousins of the Dove series. The characters and their stories were fascinating, and the stories tied together from the different time periods were intriguing!
And I love your choice of ice cream. I don’t know if you’ve had Blue Bell Pecan Pralines and Cream, but it has to be a little taste of heaven!
Yes, that’s my favorite brand, actually. Blue Bell is really big in Louisiana, so I enjoy it whenever I go down there for research or to visit family. Yum!
Love your books!
Beth from Virginia