2019 ACFW Carol Award WinnerAs I sit at my desk in my *almost* unpacked office in our new home, I’ve been reading emails from readers. Ten came in just this morning about The Mayflower Bride which releases officially today. I have to admit that they brought tears to my eyes.
Why? Well, one, because I love to hear from my readers. Any instance they sacrifice a bit of their time to let me know that a book I wrote touched them is priceless to me. And two, this book was extremely difficult to write and I’ve prayed and prayed that it didn’t… well, to be honest… stink.
Yes, we authors often wonder if our work is “good enough.” The Mayflower Bride was humbling to me because not only does it center around such a significant point in history–and I needed to honor that in the best way that I could–but I was recovering from three surgeries and weeks in the hospital. The research was often what I call “brutal” because the spelling of the day wasn’t standardized and reading the old journals was labor intensive. I searched for Mayflower historians and books and found that a lot of what I *thought* I knew about the Mayflower wasn’t true. There’s a lot of misunderstood history in this period and as stories have trickled down, not everything was accurate (or even true!)
So, I had spent months researching this book before I got sick. I’m sure I still don’t have it all correct – (in fact in speaking with one of my college professors on our book tour last week, I learned some things that I wish I could go back and put in the book now!) – but I was able to pour myself into the story as I recovered, just praying that I could write it true to history and inspirational for all of you. You see, it’s REALLY difficult to write something uplifting when the real circumstances were so horrific. But even though everything the passengers on the Mayflower faced seemed so grim, I was extremely touched by the spirit to survive. The Separatists’ unwavering fervor to start fresh and clean and to study the Scriptures for themselves was truly inspiring.
But I must admit to wondering if I would have been willing to do such a thing… with nothing waiting for me. No homes, no stores, no friends…
What a monumental decision! Would you do that? It makes you think, doesn’t it?
On this special day that is its official release, I just wanted to share from my heart. I’m excited to see how God uses this story and I offer it up to Him for His glory. I’m so thankful that I had the opportunity to write it, and frankly, I’m even more thankful that I was *able* to write it considering I had been at death’s door a few weeks prior. God is so good to use us in our weakness.
Tracie Peterson and I just finished up an incredible book tour and we shared about our book Out of the Ashes (just released in January 2018) and its significance because when we planned the series, we had no idea what would happen in our lives. We had been working on the first draft when I went into the hospital, and then Tracie’s nephew passed away. When the time came for edits, I was barely home and we often talked about how God used those circumstances in our lives to perhaps truly bring Out of the Ashes in its full depth to the readers because we had come out of the ashes ourselves.
It truly is a blessing to see what God does through the gift of story. I pray that you are blessed by the inspirational stories of The Mayflower Bride and Out of the Ashes – thank you for giving me the opportunity to serve you.
here’s links for CBD and Amazon and Barnes and Noble:
https://www.christianbook.com/the-mayflower-bride-1/kimberley-woodhouse/9781683224198/pd/224190?event=ESRCG
https://www.christianbook.com/out-of-the-ashes-2/tracie-peterson/9780764219245/pd/219245?event=ESRCG
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-mayflower-bride-kimberley-woodhouse/1126627892?ean=9781683224198#/
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/out-of-the-ashes-rachel-l-peterson/1126000813?ean=9780764219245#/
*** Interesting tidbit: I received an email from a reader the other day who told me that they were pretty convinced that the “Pilgrims” would have used the King James Bible. It made me giggle, because I appreciate the gusto she had for accuracy but she would be incorrect. The Separatists and others who came over on the Mayflower weren’t called “Pilgrims” until much later (William Bradford wrote it in his journal many years later) and the Separatists would not have used the version of the Bible named in honor of the very King who persecuted them. There are Bibles in the Pilgrim Hall Museum (two of which are believed to have come over on the Mayflower) which are Geneva Bibles (original version of 1560) – I mention this because quite a few readers have asked that same question since then. I put a lot of information in the Reader letters at the beginning of the book and at the end, but a lot of people don’t read anything but the story. So there’s your interesting history lesson for the day. 🙂
Comments 17
God bless you for allowing your gift to be used in the way that it has been. I was blessed to meet you and Tracie on your book tour! You two are both amazing ladies! I have added this book (and several of your others) to my “books to read” list. “In The Shadow of Denali” and “Out of the Ashes” were both wonderful reads. I couldn’t wait for Ashes to arrive at my house, so that I could dive in. There always seems to be at least one aspect, or character, that I feel like I can connect to. There is also always a call or encouragement to better myself, as your characters do. I can’t wait to read more of your works. God Bless You!
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Jessica Hembree » It was such a privilege to meet you too! I’m so glad you liked In the Shadow of Denali and Out of the Ashes. And it’s precious that you connected to the characters. God bless you!
WOW I remembered you had multiple surgeries and hospital stays. I didn’t realize you were writing TWO books in the process. You are AweMazing! Thank you for including the fact about the King James Version. I have wondered about that exact thing. If they were escaping the royal influence why would they love and attach themselves to his Bible. Now I know what they used instead. We Americans who have the lasting benefits of what the early settlers started romanticize what it took to build a country. Thank you for doing so much in-depth study to make your book authentic.
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Jane Anderson » Thanks for dropping by and for your sweet comments. I really appreciate you!
I always read the letters to the readers. The information in those is always handy and add to the story! Those poor people who miss that.
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Susan P » I do too! I’m so glad you read them. In a historical such as this one, it was desperately needed. Thank you!
This was such a good book. And I appreciate all the research you put into it. It makes it much more interesting when the historical facts are as accurate as they can be. I liked reading the scripture references from the Geneva Bible. There were a few subtle differences from the King James.
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Susan Johnson » thanks, Susan! I wasn’t too familiar with the Geneva Bible either and had to get scans of an original. It was amazing.
I received a complimentary copy from the publisher a few weeks ago. I loved the book and the early history of our country. I’m also a direct descendant of a couple Mayflower Pilgrims. (Francis Cooke and his brother) I sure do love to read about them. The Pilgrims were so brave to go into the unknown like they did. They put up with all sickness, cramped conditions, not knowing if they’d drown or make it to their destination. I might be a descendant of a couple of Pilgrims but, I’m not brave like they were.
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Beverly Duell-Moore » how fascinating! Who are you a descendant of?
Kimberly, I for one, always read both beginning notes a ending notes to the reader. I was especially thrilled to read yours at the beginning! Because I don’t know much about this time period it gave me a lot of perspective as to what the characters endured and how things were during their lifetime. For me, it brought this book to life for me 🙂
Such an enjoyable read! Even in the midst of tradegy, God was with them & I loved how Mary Elizabeth clung close to her faith through it all. Thanks for bringing a little known time period in history to life for me! God bless authors 🙂
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Trixi » God bless YOU! Thank you for that encouragement!!
I am amazed at how much I enjoyed The Mayflower Bride. I appreciated the background in the beginning of the book addressed to The Reader. Right after that is the Cast of Characters which at first I thought looked like too many for me to remember. But that wasn’t the case at all. I had no problems with the characters. In fact, the cast, both fiction and real were extremely interesting and captivating at times.
Mary Elizabeth Chapman, along with her family, endured so many trials and tribulations, which was an education for me since I never realized how terrible the journey was and the many that lost their lives due to sickness, mostly. William Lytton, who was orphaned as a baby, was on the journey to the New World also on the Mayflower and he and Mary Elizabeth had an immediate attraction to each other, a new feeling for them.
I learned a great deal from this story and it so well written. The heavy duty research is evident. It is an amazing book and so well worth reading!
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review. My 5 star rating is well deserved.
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Sally Davison » wow, Sally – thank you sO much!
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Sally Davison » and please stop by here anytime! It will be fun to stay in touch.
this book looks great and I would love to get a copy to read. I love the Mayflower story.
I was privileged to win a copy of this book in a Facebook drawing thru Christian Fiction. I found the book very factual and yet held my attention. ( one late night)