CFBA Blog Tour - Julie Klassen and The Silent Governess

This week, the
Christian Fiction Blog Alliance
is introducing
The Silent Governess
Bethany House; original edition - (January 1, 2010)
by Julie Klassen

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

JULIE KLASSEN says: My background is in advertising and marketing, but I am blessed with a dream job—working as an editor of Christian fiction. I have been writing since childhood, but Lady of Milkweed Manor was my first novel. It was a finalist for a Christy Award and won second place in the Inspirational Reader's Choice Awards. My second novel, The Apothecary's Daughter, was a finalist in the ACFW Book of the Year awards. I am currently writing one novel a year.

I graduated from the University of Illinois and enjoy travel, research, BBC period dramas, long hikes, short naps, and coffee with friends.

My husband and I have two sons and live near St. Paul, Minnesota.

THE SILENT GOVERNESS
by Julie Klassen
Published by Bethany House

ABOUT THE BOOK

Olivia Keene is fleeing her own secret. She never intended to overhear his.

But now that she has, what is Lord Bradley to do with her? He cannot let her go, for were the truth to get out, he would lose everything--his reputation, his inheritance, his very home.

He gives Miss Keene little choice but to accept a post at Brightwell Court, where he can make certain she does not spread what she heard. Keeping an eye on the young woman as she cares for the children, he finds himself drawn to her, even as he struggles against the growing attraction. The clever Miss Keene is definitely hiding something.

Moving, mysterious, and romantic, The Silent Governess takes readers inside the intriguing life of a nineteenth-century governess in an English manor house where all is not as it appears.

If you would like to read the prologue and first chapter of The Silent Governess, go HERE. You can also sign up as a Follower when you get to that page, and get announcements of the first chapters for all the great books we tour!

Readers, buy your copy of The Silent Governess today!

AUTHOR INTERVIEW

1. What gave you the inspiration for this story?

The original idea for this novel was inspired by Mahler’s Third Symphony, which I heard on a long, solo car trip. Even though I rarely listen to classical music, that day as I did, whole scenes spun forth like a movie in my mind. Also, I have been intrigued by English governesses ever since my 6th grade teacher read Jane Eyre aloud to the class (with real emotion and even mascara-tears). My research into real-life governesses also inspired and shaped The Silent Governess.

2. How much of your own experiences influenced your characters? What aspects became traits that were theirs and theirs alone?

I intentionally try not to write about myself. I don't want all my characters to sound and think like me. However, an occasional anecdote from my childhood might sneak in from time to time. Also, I seem to like to give my heroines traits I wish I had. Lilly Haswell (The Apothecary’s Daughter) has a nearly flawless memory (I don't), and Olivia Keene (The Silent Governess) is a genius with numbers. Given complex arithmetic problems, Olivia instantly "sees" the numbers and solution in her mind. Wouldn't that have been nice back in school!

3. If your hero/heroine were an ice cream flavor, what would he/she be and why?

Olivia Keene would be something British (English Toffee? Currant & English Walnut?) with many hidden ingredients, because there is more to her (more depth, more secrets, more capabilities) than initially meets the eye.

4. Are there any themes in The Silent Governess that you hope the reader sees? Are there any themes that weren't overt but developed as the stories progressed?

One theme relates to identity--that we would all do well to ground our identity in our relationship with God, and not on someone or something else (family, profession, status, church). I also hope that readers who grew up with less-than-ideal dads will realize anew that, unlike imperfect earthly fathers, our Heavenly Father is just, yet merciful and endlessly loving.

5. What were your most difficult parts to write? Your favorite?

I struggled with several scenes that involve inheritance laws of the day, since I had to search out antiquated laws, navigate parliamentary procedures, and try to decipher unfamiliar legal language. "Legalese" is not a modern invention! But with help from some learned writer-friends, I hopefully managed to get the facts straight.

I really enjoyed writing the romantic scenes, of course, and scenes with the children (especially the boy, who was inspired by two rambunctious boys of my own). But, unexpectedly, my favorite scenes feature the book’s most curmudgeonly character. I hope readers will enjoy them as well.

6. When is your next book coming out and what is the story?

My next book is contracted and scheduled to come out in December 2010 (Lord willing). I have begun working on it, and can tell you that it is set in early 19th-century England as my other novels have been. I haven’t settled on a title yet, but will post more information on my web site (www.julieklassen.com) when I can.

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Thank you, Julie, for being in the spotlight.

Readers, leave a comment for your chance to win your choice of a FREE autographed copy of The Silent Governess.

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