Writer’s Window: Nicole Baart
Joining us today for Writer’s Window is Nicole Baart, author of hope-filled literary fiction.
One lucky commenter* will win a signed copy of Nicole’s latest book, Beneath the Night Tree. Deadline for leaving a comment to enter the drawing is Friday. To enter the drawing, you must answer the question posed by Nicole at the end of the interview. Only one comment per person will count toward the drawing. You do not need to include your e-mail address in the body of your comment—just make sure it’s correct when you sign in to leave your comment. The winning name will be drawn and announced on Sunday.
- *U.S. residents only, void where prohibited. If you win the drawing, you will be ineligible for the next three drawings, though hopefully you will still come back and join in the discussion.
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I have thought about you every day for the past five and a half years. . . .
I’m sorry. . . .
Do I have a child?Julia DeSmit knew she would face the question eventually, but she didn’t expect it now that she is finally content with the way her life has unfolded. A single mother to her son and younger brother, she cherishes living with her beloved grandmother and is hoping to be engaged to Michael Vermeer—the man of her dreams—by year’s end.
Then a cryptic e-mail from her son’s father spins her world off axis. She hasn’t heard from Parker since he left her in a college parking lot without a backward glance. But one look at her son—the spitting image of his father—is enough to convince her that, for better or worse, Parker is a part of their story.
Faced with this new reality and the potential unraveling of her unorthodox family, Julia begins a tightrope walk between what was, what is, and what she hopes will be.
Welcome, Nicole!
What do you like best about being a writer?
- The money. He-he-he! I actually calculated the hours I spent and the amount I was paid for my last book and it worked out to less than minimum wage. So I guess I’m in this gig because I love to create imaginary worlds… I love to tell stories.
What do you like least about being a writer?
- The money. 😉 Again, kidding. I have a bit of a tough time with deadlines. I meet them, but it’s hard for me. Sometimes the creative process doesn’t follow a set schedule. I’d love to write at my own pace, but then I suppose I wouldn’t get contracts.
Pop, Soda, or Coke? What do you call it, and what’s your favorite variety?
- I call it pop, but I don’t drink it. I’ve always hated it! I keep trying sips of different varieties, but my reaction is always the same: yuck.
What’s your favorite dessert?
- Molten chocolate lava cake with vanilla bean ice cream. I have the most amazing recipe…
What’s the most fun/interesting/crazy/scary/unique hands-on research you’ve done for a book?
- Last year I went to Alaska to research my next book, Far From Here. It’s very loosely based on the true story of my dad’s best friend who went missing on a solo flight in Alaska. Consequently, I was terrified to go up in a Cessna over the Kenai Peninsula. But I did it! And I didn’t even get sick.
What’s your favorite movie from childhood?
- The Sound of Music. Thus my answer to the next question.
If you were to write a novel about what your life would have been like if you’d become what you wanted to be at eight years old, what kind of character would the story be about?
- It would be a story about a nun. I wanted to be two things when I was little: adopted and a nun.
What makes you happy?
- My children. Time alone with my husband. A good book. A long conversation. Hot showers. The smell of freshly laundered sheets. Sunshine. Long walks.
What makes you nervous?
- Deadlines. Bad reviews. Watching my boys play hockey.
What’s your biggest dream for the future?
- I want to watch my three sons (ages 7, 4, and 6 months) grow into kind, passionate, confident men of God.
Tell us about your newest release and what you’re working on now.
- My newest release is called Beneath the Night Tree and it’s the third and final book in my Julia series. It’s about parenthood, choices, love, and loss, and even if you haven’t read my first books I think you’d enjoy it. I’ve written all three books to stand alone, though the picture is definitely more complete when they’re read together.
Also, I just completed a book titled Far From Here. It centers around the story of a pilot who goes missing in Alaska, but it’s really about how his wife deals with his disappearance.
Where can people find out more about you/connect with you online?
- http://www.nicolebaart.com
http://www.nicolebaart.com/blog/
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Nicole-Baart/53232389209
http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/544250.Nicole_Baart
Now it’s your turn to ask the question. What question do you want to ask the commenters to answer?
- I’m in between books right now and looking for a good read myself. What’s the best book you’ve read recently?
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Nicole Baart is the critically acclaimed author of After the Leaves Fall, Summer Snow (a 2009 Christy Award finalist), The Moment Between, and Beneath the Night Tree (February 2011). She writes literary, hope-filled fiction about beauty in brokenness.
Nicole lives in Iowa with her husband and three young sons. She is passionate about global issues and is a founding member of One Body One Hope, a nonprofit organization that works alongside an orphanage in Monrovia, Liberia.
Comments are closed.
KayeDacus.com 
A book I really enjoyed was “Pearl in the Sand” by Tessa Afshar. Fabulous!
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Great interview, ladies! A recent favorite of mine is memoir, Summer at Tiffany by Majorie Hart.
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Great interview and Beneath the Night Tree looks fabulous! I read so many wonderful books, but one worth recommending recently is “Words” by Ginny Yttrup.
Blessings
Michelle V
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Great interview! The best book I’ve read recently is Here Burns My Candle by Liz Curtis Higgs.
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Boy, I just looked at my goodreads site, and it’s depressing how long it’s been since I’ve read any really excellent books. I think I’ll keep an eye on this page and take everyone’s recommendations myself!
I did enjoy “Reinventing Rachel,” which I just finished, and I also enjoyed “Pathfinder,” one of Orson Scott Card’s latest, which I read last month. He is a master world-builder and can write science fiction and fantasy so that it really doesn’t matter if you generally like those genres. This latest is extremely intelligent and fun to read even if only for the way he puts a new explanation on lots of old myths. (Be warned though, it’s the first in a series that doesn’t have any more installments yet.)
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Hi! I really enjoyed reading the interview. I’m most definitely interested in reading your books Nicole. I love Kaye’s books so if you haven’t read them, you are in for a great surprise. The latest book I read was Ransoms Crossings. It left me hanging–ready to ready the next one. : )
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Wow, Nicole! Your latest book sounds fabulous, as well as your next book. I don’t think I would’ve been brave enough to get into a plain over Alaska, though!
So far this year, I’ve read 2 really wonderful books–Paradise Valley by Dale Cramer and Courting Miss Amsel by Kim Vogel Sawyer. I love reading historical fiction, and both of these books were right up my alley. Hope you find a good book to read next! 🙂
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Would love to read your books….sound so great!! I have read 15 books so far this year..especially liked “The Preacher’s Bride” by Jody Hedlund and new in series by Deborah Raney “Almost Forever.”
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Thanks so much for all of your suggestions! I’ll definitely be heading to the library soon. I just finished the third book in the Hunger Games trilogy by Suzanne Collins and it’s haunting me… In a good way. Excellent series!
Kaye mentioned that some of you might like the link to the recipe I mention in the interview (Molten Chocolate Cake). Here it is in case you’re interested!
http://www.nicolebaart.com/blog/?p=1613
Blessings to you!
Nicole
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I recently finished reading a series by Terri Blackstock. It’s not a new series- in fact, a few years old, but it was such a captivating read. The series is called the Restoration Series. It’s a contemporary suspense series, made up of four books but captivated me so fast I read through them all at a lightening pace.
The books are:
1.Last Light
2.Night Light
3.True Light
4.Dawn Light
I fell in love with the characters right away and found myself thinking about them even after the book cover was closed. (to me, this is a sign of a great read!) If you haven’t read- I highly recommend it!
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correction…last book is called Dawn’s light. 🙂
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“Beneath the Night Tree” is on my Can’t Wait to Read list, Nicole, and I’ve thoroughly enjoyed all your previous novels.
As for favorite book lately? “The Miracle of Mercy Land” by River Jordan. It was a phenomenal story. River Jordan is an artist with words.
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Great interview! I haven’t read any deep books lately, but I just finished Save The Date by Jenny B. Jones and it was a super fun read. It had some depth to it and was laugh out loud funny. Enjoyable read.
I just got the Hunger Games today. It has been passed around at work and I just got it. I keep hearing what great books they are.
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I enjoyed Nicole’s book “The Moment Between,” that I read over a year ago. I read so many good books so the one I’ve last read is usually the best I’ve read recently. If you are in the mood for humor, read anything by Mary Connealy (I finished “Cowboy Christmas” a few days ago), if you want a can’t put it down suspense, read “Don’t Look Back” by Lynette Eason.
The last book I read was “The Healer’s Apprentice” by Melanie Dickerson. Though this is classified as teen fiction, and it’s been many, many years since I was a teen, I found it to be an enchanting story of God’s love and the wisdom of following His will. Sorry I couldn’t choose just one!
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It struck me funny that the two things you wanted to be when you were 8 were adopted and a nun! I remember watching “The Flying Nun” as a child, and “Sound of Music” has always been one of my favorites, too!
As for what I’ve read recently…If you want a fun read, I recently finished Janice Thompson’s “Stars Collide.” Very good read! I’m on the third in DiAnn Mills’ “Call of Duty” series now, and love the suspense!
Your books sound great, Nicole! I’m going to keep my eyes open for them!
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I would recommend A Place Of Abundance by Julie Bell…it has it all!!
I would love to read your book Nicole…thanks for the chance!
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