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Chautona Havig

Chautona Havig

Using story to connect YOU to the Master Storyteller

Why This Author’s Authentic Historical Fiction Is So Well Loved

by Chautona Havig · 2 Comments

Jane Kirkpatrick does it again with a beautiful story of music, justice, and the determination of one girl to preserve history and culture. via @chautonahavig

Beloved Christian historical fiction author, Jane Kirkpatrick, tells the stories of historical women we might otherwise never have known about. Instead of fiction set in historical times and including historical people we all know about, Jane writes about real people whose lives we know little of and fills in gaps history has lost.  It’s fiction, but it’s so much more.

jane kirkpatrick

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Why This Author’s Authentic Historical Fiction Is So Well-Loved

When author Jane Kirkpatrick decided to write biographies of women who inspired or intrigued her, she didn’t expect to discover so little information about the women. The first book she wanted to write was about a woman who shared quite a few similarities with her. Of course, they were separated by nearly a century. The problem was, most of what she found were only references to being the wife of someone else. That and an obituary. But further search and research finally produced enough information to create a spine for a story she’d have to fill in with how, as Betty Smith put it in A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, “It should have happened.”

With over thirty fiction and nonfiction works, Jane Kirkpatrick offers a look at the strong, resilient women of American history and explores their stories or the stories that might have been. Those rich nuggets of fact woven into the stories gives these novels an authenticity not always found in Christian historical fiction.  Perhaps that’s why I love her books so much.  Even when I don’t like how things happen, it’s because Jane Kirkpatrick didn’t get to orchestrate the whole story.

But we discussed more than just the stories she creates.

We also discussed the issue of who should tell a story. The accusation of cultural appropriation, or even simple “best choice” can leave an author wondering if a story is “theirs to tell.”  Jane and I also explored that idea and agreed that because one person tells a story, doesn’t mean someone else can’t. Better that someone who doesn’t “get” a culture tells the story than it be lost completely.  And how better for someone to learn to appreciate another culture or belief system than to research and write about it? Why not preserve that story to intrigue someone else in the future and see where that person’s research takes it?

Ultimately, Jane Kirkpatrick writes about real people, in real times, and explores the reality that was their lives through the lens of history… and with a fictional pen.  That perfect blending offers so much more than mere facts or imaginative fiction. It blends them both into a beautiful harmony of words, events, and stories.

When not writing or researching, books Jane loves to read include historical fiction by authors such as Susan Meissner and mysteries by authors such as Louise Penny, Alan Bradley (the one she couldn’t remember), and Donna Leone. I enjoyed discovering she reads one of my favorites–Jacqueline Windspear

The Healing of Natalie Curtis by Jane Kirkpatrick

Classically trained pianist and singer Natalie Curtis isolated herself for five years after a breakdown just before she was to debut with the New York Philharmonic. Guilt-ridden and songless, Natalie can’t seem to recapture the joy music once brought her. In 1902, her brother invites her to join him in the West to search for healing. What she finds are songs she’d never before encountered–the haunting melodies, rhythms, and stories of Native Americans.

But their music is under attack. The US government’s Code of Offenses prohibits America’s indigenous people from singing, dancing, or speaking their own languages as the powers that be insist on assimilation. Natalie makes it her mission not only to document these songs before they disappear but to appeal to President Teddy Roosevelt himself, who is the only man with the power to repeal the unjust law. Will she succeed and step into a new song . . . and a new future?

Award-winning author Jane Kirkpatrick weaves yet another lyrical tale based on a true story that will keep readers captivated to the very end.

You can find out more about Jane and find links to her social media on her WEBSITE.

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Comments

  1. Ava says

    November 7, 2021 at 7:26 pm

    I’ve only read a few of Jane Kirkpatrick’s books (since maybe 20 years ago), but I have enjoyed every one that I have read. She has a unique voice and style and perspective — kinda like you, actually!

    Reply
  2. Cindy Davis says

    November 6, 2021 at 8:38 am

    I have not read anything by her yet…so many good books…good authors…but someday! I do like the sound of how she writes her books, very interesting!

    Reply

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The Because Fiction Podcast

The Because Fiction Podcast
The Because Fiction Podcast

Taking the pulse of Christian fiction

Episode 217: A Chat with Biblical Fiction Author, Terry Garner
byChautona Havig

Terry Garner joined me tonight to chat about his fascinating Biblical Fiction series, Magi Journey. Starting way back in Assyria, through Babylon, and into Persia, the series chronicles two timelines–first that of the Israelite kings, and then of a fascinating family back in Persia… Listen in to see the hope this Magi family found in Scripture and how it led them to Bethlehem. 

Note: links may be affiliate links that provide me with a small commission at no extra expense to you.

This isn’t just another “traveling to Bethlehem with gold” story of the Magi. No, Terry Garner links the Israelite kings from Ahaz through the destruction of the temple and into captivity with a family who discovers that God has promised redemption for those outside Israel as well. Follow a physical and a faith journey across the ages all the way to the hope of an age.

With extensive and meticulous research, Terry Garner looks at Scripture and compares it with historical secular accounts. Even more exciting, however, are the things he discovered along the way. He talks about Jewish historians discounting Scriptural accounts of historical events to explain away the supernatural as if God Almighty… isn’t!

And then, Terry explains how he’s also writing a nonfiction book to help readers pull all the pieces from Scripture and see what God has promised us… so that we may know His plans. I’m excited about that book, but I confess, learning he’s working on a spinoff of the Magi series excited me even more. EEEP!

Terry Garner has all his books on sale right now!

The paperbacks are on sale for 9.95 and the box set (also available on Kindle Unlimited) is on sale for 4.99!

Magi Journey by Terry Garner

A sweeping historical saga from the courts of Tiglath-Piliser III in Assyria to the sleepy town of Bethlehem. History is seen through the eyes of the Magi as they journey from 734 BC to -0- AD.

Explore with the Magi the prophecies of Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Daniel. Witness God’s judgment on Israel, Assyria, and Babylon. And rejoice in the redemption of Israel and the coming of the Messiah.

Join the Magi as they answer the question that is critical to every man and woman, “Who Is This Messiah?”

Learn more about Terry on his WEBSITE.

Like to listen on the go? You can find Because Fiction Podcast at:

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  • and more!
Episode 217: A Chat with Biblical Fiction Author, Terry Garner
Episode 217: A Chat with Biblical Fiction Author, Terry Garner
March 31, 2023
Chautona Havig
Episode 216: A Chat with Jaime Jo Wright
March 28, 2023
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Episode 215: A Chat with Henry O. Arnold
March 24, 2023
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Episode 214: A Chat about After the Shadows with Amanda Cabot
March 21, 2023
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Episode 213: A Chat about Daughter of Eden with Jill Eileen Smith
March 17, 2023
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Episode 212: A Chat about Code Name Edelweiss with Stephanie Landsem
February 28, 2023
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Episode 211: A Chat with Lynn H. Blackburn about Under Fire
February 24, 2023
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Episode 210: A Chat with Jennifer Deibel about The Maid of Ballymacool
February 21, 2023
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Episode 209: A Chat with Tracie Peterson about Remember Me
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Episode 208: A Chat with Author, Hallie Lee
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