FEATURED BOOK AND INTERVIEW: A Home of Her Own by Keli Gwyn

A Blossoming Love 

Becky Martin knows that she can't stay at James O'Brien's apple farm forever, but she wishes she could. After her brother framed her for arson, she flees Chicago, traveling cross-country to California and finding work caring for James's ailing mother. Beneath the apple blossoms, it's almost as if she has a real family…but her secret won't stay buried forever. 

James, scarred from an explosion, didn't expect to connect to the pretty young traveler. Could she really love someone damaged like him? He knows she's hiding something. If only she'd trust him. Can she let go of her past and believe in the possibility of a future amid the apple trees?

INTERVIEW: 

How exciting to have Becky Martin, the heroine from A Home of Her Own by Keli Gwyn, a March 2016 release from Love Inspired Historical, pay us a visit.

1. Becky, tell us the most interesting thing about you.

I don’t think I’m all that interesting, but I do have a fondness for words. My most prized possession is my dearly departed mother’s dictionary. I read it all the time and love adding new words to my vocabulary.

2. What do you do for fun?

I spend much of my time caring for James’s ailing mother, but when I get a few minutes to myself, I love to visit James’s apple orchard and learn more about the trees and what goes into caring for them. I enjoy reading, too, and am delighted that he said I could read any of his books.

3. What do you put off doing because you dread it?

I dread telling James about my brother and why I ran away from my only living relative. Dillon accused me of starting a fire at the small factory where we both worked back in Chicago, even though he’s the one who set it. When I stood up to him, he said awful things and tried to hurt me, but I escaped before he did too much damage. I don’t know why he dislikes me so much. I’ve tried hard to be a good sister to him, but for some reason he feels a great deal of rancor toward me.

I just learned that fancy word for bitterness or resentfulness when I was reading Mutter’s dictionary this morning, and I wanted to use it right away so I remember it. I used it correctly, didn’t I?

4. What are you afraid of most in life?

I’m terrified Dillon will find me. I didn’t tell him where I was going and took steps to keep my destination from him, but I know my brother. If he wants to find me, he’ll do whatever it takes to make that happen.

5. What do you want out of life?

That’s easy. I want a home of my own where I’m safe and loved. Since I will have to keep moving from town to town so Dillon can’t find me, I will never have that, though.

6. What is the most important thing to you?

Education. I had to drop out of school when Mutter’s consumption got so bad. Caring for her was a labor of love, but I had hoped to resume my education one day. That never happened.

7. If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?

Dillon says I’m slow. I don’t think I am, but I wish I were smart like James. He’s a college man and sounds so intelligent when he speaks. Don’t tell him I said so, but I love listening to him talk. And looking at him. He’s quite handsome.

8. Do you have a pet? If so, what is it, and why that pet?

When I met James, I was chasing after a stray dog. The poor fellow was a mess, and I felt sorry for him. Spitz—that’s what I call him—followed me to James’s place, but my new employer doesn’t want another animal to care for. I save the table scraps, though, and take them out to Spitz when no one’s around, but I have to send him away after he’s eaten. James is kind, though, so I like to think he’ll change his mind and let Spitz stay.

9. Can you tell us a little interesting tidbit about the time period you live in?

We have a railroad in place now that can take a person all the way across this wonderful country of ours. I rode the train from Chicago to California and loved watching the changing scenery out the window.