***This giveaway is now closed. Thank you to all who entered!***
I met Julie at a writer’s conference years ago and knew from that very first encounter that she’s a beautiful soul! I soon learned that she also is a generous and encouraging member of multiple writing communities, a beloved friend to many (including me), and an incredible author.
Please read my interview with her! Then leave a comment below to enter-to-win a copy of The Reluctant Pioneer or Shattered Peace. I’ll choose the 2 lucky winners on Thursday, August 21 and notify them by email. (US residents only please due to shipping costs.)
Tell us a little about yourself.
After working as a newspaper reporter and editor for two decades, I launched my personal history business, Chapters of Life, to help people record and preserve their life stories in books. I’ve also written a newspaper column every week for The Chronicle in Centralia since May 2007 highlighting local people, places, and events.
Tell us about your writing career and how you pivoted toward fiction.
Although I’ve written nonfiction for decades, I’ve always enjoyed losing myself in a good novel. At Oregon Christian Writers conferences, I often signed up for fiction workshops, primarily because I liked reading the novels of the instructors. Over time, as I published more than 75 books full of individual, family, business, community, and organizational histories, I wondered whether I could craft a fictional story.
Your first novel, The Reluctant Pioneer, is based on a historical figure, Matilda Koontz. What drew you to her story? What inspired you to turn her story into a novel?
While volunteering at the local historical museum during school tours, I spotted a small placard and read about a local pioneer woman who crossed the Oregon Trail in 1847 with her husband and children and suffered horrendous tragedy. I thought, Oh, my goodness, what would you do? So far away from home and family. How would you survive? So, in between personal history projects, I decided to find out just how she did survive. I spent five years researching her story, diving into newspaper articles and memorabilia at the museum, scanning diaries and letters at the Washington State Library, and admiring this woman’s courage, strength, and perseverance. I debated whether to write her story as fiction or nonfiction, but since it had never been told, I decided to publish the true account in Washington Territory’s Grand Lady, published in 2019. But more people read novels than nonfiction, and I thought her story deserved a wider audience, so I spent the next five years learning to write fiction by attending writers’ conferences and two fabulous critique groups. The result is The Reluctant Pioneer, published in 2024, which won a Will Rogers Medallion and was a finalist for the Western Writers of America Spur Award for Best Historical Novel.
Your second novel, Shattered Peace, is a dual-time story about veterans from World War I and the Iraq War. What compelled you to write about veterans from two different periods?
I’ve always had a heart for veterans. My father served in Korea, and my husband fought in Vietnam. Two uncles fought in World War II—one in the Navy, another in the Army Air Corps—and a great-uncle fought in France during World War I. Our community is home to a gem, the Veterans Memorial Museum, and when I heard how it started, I knew I needed to share that story in a book. I interviewed the founder, Lee Grimes, who shared how God called him to honor and remember the sacrifices of men and women who served in the military. In 2014, we published The Miracle Museum about creation of the building that bears a bronze plaque reads, “They Shall Not Be Forgotten.” When I’ve written about veterans who served in World War II, I realized many of veterans endured great hardship while young men, and those experiences can continue to haunt and shape their lives. While PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) is recognized and treated today, veterans from earlier years simply suffered in silence.
Shattered Peace is based on a historical event, the Centralia Tragedy that occurred on November 11, 1919, a violent and bloody incident that’s had a long-lasting effect on that community and that area of Washington state. What inspired you to research and write this story? What was the hardest scene to write? The most fulfilling?
I served on a committee to commemorate the event in 2019, but even then, we discovered differences in how to do so continued even a century later. The Industrial Workers of the World wanted a plaque bearing their logo and listing what they described as union victims of the conflict to counteract The Sentinel statue erected by the American Legion in 1924. Another group wanted to cast in stone one version of what happened even though the actual events had been debated for a century. We can never know exactly what transpired that fateful day, and I realized the best way to approach it might be through a novel, where I could explore the experiences of characters on all sides of the conflict. I found the historical story the easiest to write, perhaps because I’m a historian, but I struggled with the contemporary story and weaving it all together.
What’s up next as far as your storytelling?
My father told me about his great-grandmother, Maria McGuire, who was left behind in Ireland when her family emigrated because she had one brown eye and one blue one. He said she emigrated later as a teenager accompanied by an aunt. I don’t know that the actual facts line up with the family lore, but it makes a great story, so … that’s my next novel.
What do you hope readers will take away from your novels?
I hope people feel inspired when they read about the courage and tenacity of my characters and take away the assurance that we have a loving God who never abandons or forsakes us, who carries us through difficult times, who finds us in the darkest places and forgives us.
Thank you, Julie! I love you and your stories SO much! I’m a big fan of historical fiction so both of these novels thrilled me. As the daughter of a WW II veteran and the wife of an Afghanistan veteran, along with having written multiple dual-time novels, Shattered Peace resonated in a personal way. Julie deftly handled PTSD, the scars of war, and the uncertainty of those on the home front, along with weaving the contemporary and historical threads together (it reads as if it was done effortlessly). Bravo!
Readers, don’t forget to leave a comment below to enter-to-win the giveaway! And please visit Julie’s website for more information on her and her books!
They sound like really interesting books. Thank you for sharing.
Book looks good read would love to read a print copy to review it
enter me in giveaway
I love reading historical stories and particularly real people who lived during those times. I’m going to check out this author.
Oh what an interesting read. Thank you for sharing. I enjoy reading stories of the past.
Both of her books sound so interesting. Thanks for sharing the interview and the chance to win one of her books.
nice interview
I love historical fiction, especially the World Wars and I’d love to read your books. Thank you so much for the chance.
I love historical fiction. I’ve read many books regarding the settlers “out west” and I’ve really enjoyed them. I just become “lost in the moment” when reading. I also love books about those who served our country. My Daddy was in the US Navy and served during WWII. While in the service he married my Mama and also was still there for a little while when I was born. He would talk about his experiences. Like any young person I didn’t listen the way I should have. Now he’s been gone for 23 years and oh how I’d love a chance to just listen to him now. Would love to read these books.
Thank you for this interview. I think Maria McGuire will make a fascinating character in a book.
I would love to win her romance books on here.
Good morning, I enjoyed reading this interview, thank you for sharing it. Both books sound like great reads and both book covers are very Nice and intriguing! Thank you for sharing about your books. Have a great day and a great weekend. Thank you for the chance.
Thank you for sharing an author who is new to me.
The Reluctant Pioneer is the story I’d like to read most, I am fascinated with this Era of History.
Awesome interview. I loved this ❤️
The Reluctant Pioneer and Shattered Peace both sounds very good. Thank you for sharing.
What an interesting and diverse career! These stories sound fascinating! I am going to read them both (whether I win or not) and look forward to reading the story of your great-grandmother emigrating from Ireland because my great-grandmother and great-grandfather did, too! And their youngest son survived WWI only to return with the Spanish flu, along with his father, and both died as a result.
Great interview and I loved the story behind her stories. Can’t wait to read her novels!
Would love to win!
I’m REALLY interested in reading The Reluctant Pioneer! I love everything about pioneers! Great blog post.
Definitely going to check these out!
I love the question and answers from you both! So interesting and it makes it where we get to know more about the author and the journey of the books! Thank you!!!
I love reading historical fiction and split time books. It’s a great way to learn both about people and about events. Plus bith my dad and my uncle were veterans serving in France during World War 1. To find out what it was like for them is part of my history.
These books sound fantastic!! I love historical fiction. Can’t wait to read them.
Both of these books look very interesting. Hoping that I win the giveaway.
WWI and Iraq are not two wars I have seen used together before, and I read a lot of war historical fiction.
I enjoyed reading your interview with Julie. Historical fiction is what I enjoy reading the most. I’ve always been drawn to stories about the Oregon Trail, admiring the strength of those who persevered through so much hardship. I would love to read The Reluctant Pioneer.
How interesting that at one time you were a journalist! I live in New York City and for the past thirty years have been writing articles for my church newspaper. I have always dreamed of working for the New York Times.
I’d love to win either book!
Wow! These books sound incredible! Thank you for sharing. Great interview!
Both of these books sound very interesting and I’m sure would be wonderful to read. I am always impressed when I learn about all the research and time fiction writers spend to make sure that their stories are well grounded in reality.
These books sounds so amazing Thank you for the chance have a Blessed Day!
BOTH of these books sound fantastic! I would love either one.
A new author to me, hopefully I can buy or check my library if I’m not chosen to win.
I love reading about these times, thank you for my entry.
These sound like just what I’ve been looking for. My favorite time frame.
Thank You for the chance to win these interesting books.
Marion
I love historical fiction! I’d love to win either book.
They sound like good reads.
Julie has tackled lot’s of Lewis County history for her work. She is a fabulous writer and story teller! Not to mention a lovely woman,
I’ve known some some amazing women who trusted in God though terrible hardships. Julie sounds like an amazing woman herself. I look forward to reading her books.
I enjoyed the interview, and both of these books sound really good.
I love to read! I am taking care of 95 year old mother and while she rest I love to read. I would like to enter the give away. Thank you for the opportunity.
I love to read! I am taking care of 95 year old mother and while she rest I love to read. I would like to enter the give away.
I love to read!
I also like historical fiction, love inspired historical is my favorite genre, thank you for the chance to win these books!
These sound like books I would enjoy reading… thanks for this opportunity !!!
This is a new author for me and her books sound wonderful I really enjoy historical fiction. Yhanks
Is this the blog? Love your books I don’t have a web sight. Don’t understand this
Your books really intriguing!
I love the research you do for your books.
These books sound very interesting! Thanks for the chance to win one!
These stories sound completely captivating. Thanx for telling us about them.
Bravo! Julie’s first book, The Reluctant Pioneer, left me feeling as if I had just made the difficult journey on the Oregon Trail right beside her! Incredible story, so well-told – loved it! And coming from a family who also served our country in the Revolutionary War. War of 1812, Civil War, WWII and Vietnam, I share your sentiment about honoring those who have sacrificed for the freedoms we enjoy. God bless you!
These all sound so interesting!! Living in Lewis County I would love to read these!
The books sound interesting, especially the history. I’d like to read The Reluctant Pioneer. Nice to find new to me authors who are from the PNW.
What a great interview! I enjoyed learning about Julie’s writing history and about her books. Both books as well as her upcoming story idea sound wonderful. I’ve found a new author to follow and read. Thanks so much!
I have read The Reluctant Pioneer. I absolutely loved the book. I can’t wait to read The new book Shattered Peace.
I met Julie at a church library conference and loved what she had to share, both her books and her workshop on writing our own memoirs Thanks for this great interview giving more insight into her busy life in the writing world. She is such a gracious woman, makes one feel immediately like a dear friend.
Western romances are my favorite!
Thank you for sharing your passion! I am excited to read one of your books, as it is hard to find a Christian book that is well researched and well written by an author who is clearly passionate about their work.
I had the honor of being a beta reader for both of Julie’s novels. It’s fun to see each story in it’s final form, especially understanding how much research, writing, revising, and editing went into each one. I love how these books bring parts of Lewis County history to life. They are a gift to our local community. I tell everyone about them and have given away a few of Julie’s books as gifts, which is my plan if I am one of the lucky winners.
Thank you for sharing this interview with us. As a someday-will-be-a-writer, it’s encouraging to find that words don’t always just fly through our fingers on the keyboard and land in a bestseller. Research can be time consuming. Thank you for helping me see the need for endurance…also for the chance to win one of these books! 😉
Thank you for the interview, the books sound great!
I enjoyed the interview!
Comment
Thanks for sharing the interview with Julie and the backstory into her two books. It’s important to share historical stories (fiction or non-fiction) to pass on legacies as well as the passion of writing. It fascinates me!!
This was a lovely overview on both books.
I am so impressed by the amount of time spent researching for articles and books. I am eager to delve into both of these. Congratulations and thank you!
Your book topics are of interest to me, as to what’s up next in your storytelling, I’m shocked about a family member left behind in Ireland because one eye was blue, & the other brown… because my husband eyes have the same unique coloring. I will watch for it in the future.
I would love to read these books!
These books look really interesting!
Interesting
I would love Shattered Peace. I read The Reluctant Pioneer. It was a great book, hard to put down.
Thanks for the chance, sounds good!
These both sound wonderful. Thank you for sharing. Blessings
I impressed about how many years Julie did research to write these two novels! I would love especially to read about the pioneer woman that suffered tragedies and about her bravery in overcoming them. I too am the daughter of a WW ll veteran, but unfortunately he did not talk about feelings.
What a wonderful interview! Can’t wait to read these.
Can’t wait to read your books!
The Reluctant Pioneer sounds very good. Thanks for the chance to win one of her books. Have a good week.
Would love reading the pioneer book.
Looks good
They sound really good!
Thank you for this opportunity. I have not read any of her books.
Thank you!!!!!
Love clean fiction books😀
I, too, enjoy historical fiction – – even though I’ve only recently started reading it. It’s great to hear the back story and to hear directly from the author. Thanks.
These books sound like a keeper!! Thank you for the chance.
Thank you so much can’t wait to read 💗
Thanks for a chance to win!!! 🥰
Thank you…. Would love to win your book😀
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