Mississippi Author Emerald Barnes

Welcome to the Book Loft, Emerald. Is there a story behind your new novella Before We Say I Do?

Yes. Before We Say I Do is the continuation of Entertaining Angels, and it keeps true to that story in that there’s a message to be learned. But in this one, we learn that forgiveness is the key to a healthier, happier life. It’s about learning that if we can’t forgive, God can’t forgive us. We sometimes like the idea of holding grudges and never forgiving what someone has done, but we can’t let resentment keep us from forgiveness because that keeps us from God.

  

Which character in your new release most interested you while you wrote?

Zach. He’s an angel, but he’s so mysterious. It was also difficult trying to keep true to the Biblical point of view of angels, but also making him human enough to help his human charges. He’s a sweet guy, and giving him a few human emotions was very interesting.

What distracts you from writing the easiest?

Hands down, my nieces and nephews. They are the cutest, sweetest distractions ever, but I find it difficult to write when they’re around because they always want my attention!

Now, let's have some fun. If you were a style of music, what style would you be?

Probably Christian music – specifically like the songs Francesca Battistelli sings. The reason I think that is because in most of her songs, she sings about the messages that I try and spread in my own writing and on social media. And I can see myself in a lot of the songs. Her style and the lyrics seem to fit me perfectly.

If you could paint or sculpt like a famous artist who would it be and why?

Van Gogh. I’ve always been a little obsessed with his art work, specifically The Starry Night and Starry Night over The Rone. With each twist of the stars, I feel like you can see exactly why he loved the night sky. I also love the way he painted the scenery, like with his Café Terrace painting. I don’t know why I love his work so much except that it speaks to me, and I wish that I had half of the talent to paint like he did. I barely can draw stick figures that look decent!

What is your favorite season of the year? 

Fall. I love the smell of the crisp morning air. I love college football, pumpkin patches, and sweaters. I love the red, yellow and orange leaves. I love the blueness of the sky as the sun becomes just a little further away from us. I love hot coffee on chilly mornings, and I love bonfires. Fall is simply the best time of the year for me.

  

What's your favorite meal with family and friends? 

As a Southern lady, I love fried squash and chicken and dumplings! It’s one of my family’s favorite meals as well. We always try to prepare chicken and dumplings around fresh squash picked from my grandfather’s garden.

Are there spiritual themes you like to write about? 

I love to write about how God loves us enough to send help (angels and humans alike). No matter what we go through, God is there for us, and I love to write about how He’s with us through thick and thin, through anything that we go through that is good or bad. God would do anything to prove how much He loves us, and that is something that I love to show to others.  

Could you share a verse or Scripture passage with us that is special to you? 

Psalm 27:14 is one of my absolute favorite verses because it shows how God is with us through everything we go through. Sometimes, we have to wait on Him, and that’s okay, because He gives us the strength to wait on Him. I think we forget that sometimes as we have to wait on Him. But this verse is always helps me have courage as I wait.

Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the Lord.

When is your next book due out and can you tell us about it?

If all goes well, the next Entertaining Angels book will be out next year. Here’s a working blurb:

Following the best-selling first book of the series, Entertaining Angels, comes Delivered by Angels.

Lexi Johnson is determined to escape her abusive father and drunk mother, and to escape her misery, she turns to the blade. But, that isn’t enough to end her pain. There’s something missing in her life, but she refuses to acknowledge what it is, determined she doesn’t need anyone in her life.

Roxy Taylor is the new girl in town, and when she comes waltzing into school, she tries to befriend Lexi. Lexi doesn’t trust her, especially when she teams up with DJ Tucker to try and break down the barriers that Lexi has put in place.

Little does Lexi know, there are greater forces at work trying to save her life from the dangerous path she’s on. And as Lexi begins to fall for DJ, she’ll see that she isn’t alone in this world.

Meanwhile, Zach Taylor is back, and he’s determined to make sure that Madison and Chase Sanders are on the path that God has chosen for them.

Thanks for sharing with us today!

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Emerald Barnes is giving away an eBook copy of Before We Say I Do. To be entered in the giveaway, leave a comment along with your email address. You can enter the book giveaway twice—once on each Spotlight post for the author.