I love Susie Finkbeiner and I’m THRILLED to have her on the blog today to chat about her brand new book (just released this week) All Manner of Things!
Susie Finkbeiner is the CBA bestselling author of A Cup of Dust, A Trail of Crumbs, and A Song of Home. She serves on the Breathe Christian Writers Conference planning committee, volunteers her time at Ada Bible Church in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and speaks at retreats and women’s events across the state. Susie and her husband have three children and live in West Michigan.
You can connect with Susie on her website, Facebook, YouTube, Instagram and Twitter.
GENRE: Inspirational Historical Fiction
PUBLISHER: Revell
RELEASE DATE: June 4, 2019
PAGES: 448
When Annie Jacobson’s brother Mike enlists as a medic in the Army in 1967, he hands her a piece of paper with the address of their long-estranged father. If anything should happen to him in Vietnam, Mike says, Annie must let their father know.
In Mike’s absence, their father returns to face tragedy at home, adding an extra measure of complication to an already tense time. As they work toward healing and pray fervently for Mike’s safety overseas, letter by letter the Jacobsons must find a way to pull together as a family, regardless of past hurts. In the tumult of this time, Annie and her family grapple with the tension of holding both hope and grief in the same hand, even as they learn to turn to the One who binds the wounds of the brokenhearted.
Author Susie Finkbeiner invites you into the Jacobson family’s home and hearts during a time in which the chaos of the outside world touched their small community in ways they never imagined.
Hi Susie! Welcome to the blog!
Susie: Totally depends on my mood! But if I had to pick one, it would be coffee every time.
Carrie: Isn’t that a prerequisite for being an author? 😉
Susie: Netflix! British Baking Show and Twilight Zone and documentaries! Oh my!
Carrie: I have heard so much about the British Baking Show that it’s almost worth it for me to get Netflix again just to watch it…
Susie: Mountains. Because sharks can’t survive there.
Carrie: I like your logic. You are not wrong 😛
Susie: Print, baby! Print! Ebooks just don’t smell as good.
Carrie: again with the marvelous logic! lol
Q: Around here I like to say that reading is my superpower. If YOU had a superpower, what would it be?
Susie: Can I pretty please call samesies here with you? Because reading is something that is so super special to me, too. Reading good books gives us the power to empathize with one another and to explore the world in ways we might never be able to otherwise. It can bring us closer to God and help us understand our place in His Kingdom in a new and unique way.
I promise, I’m not trying to be a copy cat. I just really love the power of reading!
Carrie: You can totally call samesies because a) it’s a superpower available to everyone and b) you’ve beautifully expressed some of the very reasons i love it so ♥
Q: Who is your favorite book character from childhood?
Susie: On my eighth birthday my grandma gave me a brand new copy of Ramona Quimby, Age 8. Do you know, I read that book until it fell to pieces? There was just something about Ramona and I felt a kinship to her. Still do.
Carrie: I. Adore. Ramona. She just makes me smile so much…
Q: If I sneaked a peek in your purse right now (which I would never do, I promise!), what would it tell me about you?
Susie: That I’m a hot mess! You’d find about five pens (one of which is broken and leaking into the lining of my purse), a tin of Altoids, tea bags, every receipt from every purchase I’ve made since 2015, a bouncy ball (this is not a joke), a mug that says “My Favorite People Call Me Nana” (also not a joke…it’s for my mom), lady products (ahem), and three notebooks. Oh, and about a hundred-fifty cough drops. You might find a wallet in there, but you’d really have to dig.
Carrie: i don’t think the fact that you have a MUG – and THREE notebooks – in your purse is getting the appreciation it deserves here. That must be an amazingly large bag. I want one. Think of all the BOOKS I could tote around!
Q: Were there any songs that inspired you as you wrote your book?
Susie: Oh, friend. If you only knew how much 1960s music I’ve listened to in the past year and a half … I’m talking Beatles, Aretha, Rolling Stones, Bob Dylan, Mamas and Papas, Kinks. And on and on. It was totally groovy, man!
Carrie: So… what you’re saying is … you got by with a little help from your friends? Just a little bit? You really got me. 😛
Q: Some authors like to hide little things in their stories. Is there anything you have hidden in your book?
Susie: I’ve got Easter eggs all throughout All Manner of Things. I don’t know if anybody will catch the references from my past books (there’s at least one egg from each book tucked away in this one), but they sure were fun to hide!
Carrie: Oh how fun! I love that! It makes me want to binge read your past books before I read this one lol
Q: What do you most want readers to take away from All Manner of Things?
Susie: The title of All Manner of Things is taken directly from a quote by Julian of Norwich, a mystic from the 14th century. The full quote is “All shall be well, and all shall be well, and all manner of things shall be well”.
As I wrote this story, I was keenly aware of the trouble we encounter in this world. Every generation has their variety of trouble, and the 1960s were no exception. This should come as no surprise to us. Jesus warned us about that.
But, in this trouble, the trial and pain and anxiety, we’re told to “take heart”. Why? Because Jesus has already “overcome the world”. No matter how difficult life gets, regardless of the hardships that come, all manner of things will be well.
Carrie: Yes. Amen. Beautifully said.
Thank you so much for taking time to talk with me! 🙂 Before we say goodbye for today, tell us what‘s coming up next for you.
Susie: By the time you read this, I will have turned in the manuscript for my seventh novel. Soon I’ll get to work on my eighth. But, for now, I’m going to enjoy the summer with my family, getting into all sorts of shenanigans with the kids, and (maybe) I’ll clean out my purse.
Carrie: well… let’s not go crazy 😉
I have an extra copy of All Manner of Things that I’m offering to one of you! (US only) This giveaway is subject to Reading Is My SuperPower’s giveaway policies which can be found here. Enter via the Rafflecopter form below.
What about you? What interests you most about this book?
I like the complexity of personalities that seem to be involved. Plus the estrangement adds another level of tension to a story. I think I would enjoy reading it and have heard good things about it on social media.
me too!
The plot sounds interesting.
Marilyn
First, because the book is by Susie Finkbeiner. Also, the 60’s isn’t a typical time period for new books but it was when I was growing up, so it makes it interesting to me. Thanks for the interview with Susie and the giveaway.
i’m intrigued by the 60s setting too!
It had me at “Susie Finkbeiner,” though the book description made it a read sooner rather than later. And also that it’s a story about family set in 1967, which was a very good year for my family, if I do say so myself. 😉
hahaha hmmm i wonder why 😛
I haven’t read a Christian book including the Vietnam War time period so that interests me.
i agree, Merry – it’s unique!
I love that the title inspiration comes from a centuries-old lovely quote and that the theme of the book is the 1960s, a decade under-represented in Christian fiction. So eager to read this one!
me too!!
I’m a child of the 60’s. I loved the references to the music!!!! I have lots on my iPod!
I like that this book is set in the 1960’s–I don’t know much about that time, so finding an exciting book like this will be extra fun to read.
It’s an amazing book! It was like going back into time for me, because I was in college during the Vietnam War. The draft was real. My brother-in-law enlisted since his draft number was one of the top numbers. He was able to become an officer and was in Germany during that time. Men (boys, really) I went to high school and college were drafted or enlisted–many gave their lives in service to our country. So it was a poignant, heart-wrenching read for me, but it’s also fantastic! If you haven’t read it, grab it!
I love any book by Susie, that is what interests me! Can’t wait to read it.
Family dynamics always makes for a good story!
Thank you for the interview with Susie Finkbeiner and for bringing “All Manner of Things” to my attention.
You have to love a gal who loves the mountains AND print books! 🙂
Enjoy reading inspirational historical fiction and this one sounds fabulous. Love the quote that the title came from. Can’t wait for the opportunity to read this book which is now on my TBR list.
Love reading your books..especially Pearls story. I grew up in the 60s and remember that time period well .And got to go find them Easter eggs .Thank you for the interview and giveaway.
P.S I shared this on my facebook page and hope i put in the correct link.
The story sounds really interesting and I love the cover!
So many things interest me. The time period, the stetting and most of all it has a christian message. I’m looking forward to reading it!
The 60s setting — when I was a kid! 🙂
I was young when this war happened and remember it.
This novel sounds captivating, and the storyline and characters are authentic.
I’m a child from the 60s!
The plot sounds good.
What intrigues me about the book is the time period. I haven’t read all that much about the 60’s, and although I was born then, I was too young to put it all in perspective. AND I’ve heard really good things about the book! Thanks for the chance!
The storyline and holding both hope and grief.