It’s Saturday! We’ve made it to the last two mini interviews that I conducted with nearly all of the 2020 ACFW Carol Award Finalists! Today I’m starting with Rachel Scott McDaniel and her Carol Award finalist book Above the Fold! You can check out a list of all the finalists HERE.
Make sure you’re following me on Instagram as I’ll be posting the winners there tonight starting around 5:30pm Eastern, or shortly thereafter.
ABOVE THE FOLD
GENRE: Inspirational Historical Romance
PUBLISHER: Smitten Historical Romance
RELEASE DATE: December 3, 2019
PAGES: 255
After losing the love of her life to a big city journalism job, Elissa Tillman pours herself into the suffragette movement and her secretarial work helping keep her father’s Pittsburgh newspaper afloat.
Cole Parker returns to the steel city with the phantom failures of his past nipping his heels. All he asks of the future is a second chance with the woman he once spurned.
The murder of a millionaire offers the perfect chance for Elissa to prove to her father and the world that she’s a serious journalist. But there’s a catch—she has to compete for the story. Against none other than Cole Parker, the very man who shattered her heart.
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Also available to read for FREE with Kindle Unlimited
Hi Rachel! Welcome to the blog!
Q: How has Christian fiction impacted you personally?
Rachel: This is a great question! There has been many times when life would just get too much, and I’d need an escape for a while. Christian fiction has offered me this outlet. Is there anything better than diving into an amazing story that both entertains the mind and strengthens the spirit? That’s what I love about Christian fiction—it bolsters the soul!
Carrie: yes & amen!
Q: When you’re not writing your next award-nominated book 😉 who are your fave authors to read & why?
Rachel: Oh wow, I can go on and on about all the fabulous storytellers in our midst! I am a fan of Regina Jennings, Pepper Basham, Denise Hunter, and Becky Wade’s stories! They are filled with humor, heart, and amazing kissing scenes!
Carrie: hear, hear! You know we’re fans of amazing kissing scenes here on RimSP 😉
Q: Do you have any strange writing habits/quirks?
Rachel: Hmm. Now that I think of it, I’m not sure! I don’t eat a certain snack or sip a particular beverage. Wait! I *did* listen to Pride and Prejudice soundtrack on repeat when writing my last story. Does that count?
Carrie: I think a case could at least be made for it being a ‘quirk’, yes. haha!
Q: Which of your characters has really stretched you as a writer?
Rachel: My heroine, Elissa, in Above the Fold was tricky to write. She’s determined to prove her worth as a female journalist in a male-dominated profession, but she also struggles with her failures of never measuring up. It’s as if she’s learning to toe the hazy line between breaking free from convention and yet, wanting the approval of others.
Carrie: that would be tricky to write – yet, i imagine it goes hand in hand a lot in real life.
Q: What’s the weirdest thing you’ve googled lately while researching a book?
Rachel: I googled what mash from a moonshine still smells like. Which then…umm…led me to all these articles on how to make homemade whiskey. Not saying I’m an expert or anything, but I sure did get an education.
Carrie: lol!!! I bet you did 😛
Q: What is something God taught you while you wrote Above the Fold?
Rachel: I love this question! For me, it was that my worth is completely independent of my failures or my triumphs. God solely defines me. In Him, I am enough.
Carrie: amen, my sweet friend!
Q: What is one of your favorite quotes from Above the Fold & why do you love it?
Rachel: “Seems to me…you can’t value the beauty until you understand the journey.” In context, my hero, Cole, is talking about the bouquet of flowers that Elissa is admiring. He explains how in order for the plant to become beautiful, the seed had to be broken. Had to fight its way through the darkness until it found the light. We should never undervalue our journey toward the light. The journey is just as beautiful as the destination because it shapes us into who we are.
Carrie: i love that – yes!
I am offering one reader any TWO books (print copies) that finaled in the 2020 Carol Awards! (open internationally as long as Book Depository ships to your address) 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 makes you want to read the debut novel Carol Award finalist Above the Fold by Rachel Scott McDaniel & what did you enjoy about Rachel’s answers?
Elissa sounds like an interesting character.
I enjoyed the interview! I liked her quote from the book about valuing the beauty until you understand the journey.
The book sounds great.
I love historical fiction, especially a jouralist in what is perceived to be a man’s world! And I love all the knowledge the author got on making homemade whiskey.
“Seems to me…you can’t value the beauty until you understand the journey.” YES!
I love her comments about the seed needing to be broken before the beauty in the plant can be viewed. And once again, the names Denise Hunter and Becky Wade!
This book is fantastic!!!
Sounds like a good read.
Such a fun book! Can’t wait for her next one.
Ooooo I loved this book! Rachel’s sweet spirit comes through her excellent writing!
I’m really enjoying these interviews and learning about so many great authors.
i’m so glad! 🙂
I agree that Christian fiction both entertains us and bolsters the soul! Also I agree that God defines us–not our successes or our failures, and the journey is valuable on the way to our destination. I’m eager to read Above the Fold.
I like second chance romances. This one has the added obstacle of their competition as news reporters. It will be interesting to read how the hero and heroine get past it and arrive at their HEA.
Very pretty cover. Thanks for the chance.
I’ve heard so many great things about this book. It’s on my TBR list
The suffragette movement is always fascinating to read.
Haven’t read this one yet, but I’m putting it on my list! Great interview!
I was privileged to be on Rachel’s street team! This is a great book. Rachel is a special lady!
i love her!
Nice cover. It sounds like an interesting book. Thank you for sharing.
Wow! Such a great God lesson while writing the book, and such a great quote! Thanks for sharing the interview!! 🥰📚
This book sounds really good, I would love to read it.
Intriguing cover!
I love that quote! I always enjoy stories about strong women trying to break out of the mold they are put in; I can’t wait to read this book!