Tabitha writes stories with a touch of the fantastical for young women, and the not-so-young women, struggling to know who they are and what they are worth. She wants to help them discover their identity and live for their purpose on purpose.
Tabitha is also a wife, mom, pastor, and professed TV addict. It’s seriously a problem but she doesn't plan on getting help anytime soon, however, she’d be happy to talk about Supernatural or Buffy or just about any show with you. She loves good TV so much, mostly because she loves the stories. She can't help but get lost in the worlds created, and invested in the lives of the characters. She brings that same passion for the story and characters to her writing, whether it's slaying demons or dragons.
When she isn’t writing, Tabitha, her husband, and two beautifully sassy daughters desire to be Jesus with skin on for those around them. They live to love others...and for Marvel movies.
Visit Tabitha Caplinger online
The Castle Rose
Bastian Roux lived and died a hundred years ago. Kind of. He certainly feels like nothing more than a ghost as he haunts the abandoned Castle Rose Theatre, his only solace found in the notes of his piano. That is until Odette arrives. Odette Durand moved to New Orleans for a fresh start. The coffee-addicted local bookshop manager never expected to be pulled into something supernatural and she certainly doesn't believe in ghosts. But seeing a man no one else can see and hearing music that shouldn't exist makes a girl question her beliefs-and her sanity. With a mysterious and somewhat charming Southern gentleman thrown in the mix, Odette finds herself entangled in a century-old rivalry bound by a curse. If she's the only one who can see Bastian, is she also the only one who can break whatever is keeping him stuck in the realm between the living and the dead? As Odette and Bastian navigate the shadows of Bastian's past, they must grapple with the ultimate question: Will breaking the curse give Bastian his life back or take it away forever?
- ISBN: 1948449234
- Publisher: Blue Ink Press
Interview with Tabitha Caplinger
Congratulations on your newest release The Castle Rose! What are three things you’d like readers to know about this book?
Thank you! This book was so fun to write. It is full of witty banter and sweet romance. But it’s not just about the butterflies-in-your-stomach kind of love, it’s about God’s transforming, healing love.
I read The Castle Rose in one day. I loved the setting and the split-time aspect of the book! It has elements of fantasy, romance, mystery, and ghost story (although Bastian is clearly not a ghost!) What genre/subgenre would you say it falls under? Is it character-driven or plot-driven?
I’m so glad you enjoyed it! I’d call The Castle Rose a sweet paranormal/supernatural romance. I think the characters take center stage. It’s really about them, and their internal struggles more than just breaking a curse.
What message do you hope your readers take away from the story?
I always want my readers to find hope in my stories. For The Castle Rose in particular, I want readers to see that they are loved–no matter their past mistakes, or shortcomings–God loves them and His love is the only thing that can truly make them whole.
How important is it for you to weave faith into your stories, and why?
It’s definitely a priority for me. Not because I want to preach a message through my stories, but because my faith is central to who I am, so it becomes central to my stories as well. I always say that if our life is a pie, Jesus isn’t a slice of the pie, He’s the filling. My faith in Jesus–hopefully–flavors everything I do, including my stories, because I want my life to point people to His love and truth.
You have a lot going on in your life as a wife, mom of two girls, and pastor. How do you manage to also write? What does a typical writing day for you?
It takes balance. I’m big on finding rhythm in my life that makes space for all the things I have to do while also allowing time for rest. Most days that looks like waking up, walking my dog, and grabbing a cup of coffee. Then it’s time for homeschooling my girls. My afternoons are then usually earmarked for ministry work (I’m also a pastor), marketing, or writing. If it’s a writing day, I put on a playlist to help me get in the right headspace for my current project, and then I take a couple of hours to just write. I don’t write everyday, but my goal is usually to get in 2-5000 words a week.
Are you a plotter or a pantser? Has that changed since you wrote your first manuscript?
I am a flexible plotter. LOL. I usually start a project by making random notes, then researching the story world, and crafting my main characters. From there, I plot out the main story beats–usually using the Save The Cat beatsheet. From there I start writing and will only plot out the next 4-5 chapters in detail. Once those are written, it gives me a picture of where I am and where I need to go in the story and I will plot out the next few chapters. This leaves room for changes or additions to the plot while keeping me on the right path forward.
When things get tough in your writing life, what motivates you to keep going?
As with anything, my why is usually what keeps me motivated on hard days or in difficult seasons. Why do I write? I write because it’s a way to worship God. I write because it’s a way to connect creatively with my Creator. I write because I want to share His love and truth with others. I write because it brings me joy and I hope it honors Him. That doesn’t mean that some days…or weeks...I don’t set it aside when I need to. Sometimes I have to let a project sit for a little bit while I refresh my mind and heart. It can be difficult to be creative when I’m overwhelmed or anxious, so I give myself grace and space to pause and rest.
Do you have any advice for up-and-coming Christian authors?
Know your why. Why do you want to write? Why do you want to tell the story in your heart? As Christians, we all have a purpose—a why–to know God and make Him known–to love God and love our neighbor–that is part of everything we do including writing. Hold on to that. Writing takes a lot of hard work and patience and can come with negative reviews and rejection along the way. Sales may or may not meet your expectations. Being able to look at your purpose and be reminded that ultimately it’s about God can keep you going on the worst days, and keep you humble on the best days.
In your author bio on your website, you say you are a TV addict. What program are you currently hooked on?
Probably too many to list here. My daughter and I just binged The Way Home. Leverage and Stargate Atlantis are also comfort watches for me that I will randomly watch over and over again.
Your main character in The Castle Rose is a big coffee drinker. What’s your go-to drink while you’re writing?
When writing I usually just have coffee with cream and sugar. If I’m out and about I love a good mocha just like my MC.
If you could only read one work of fiction one more time, what would it be?
That is a tough one. I love stories and the fiction world is so diverse it’s hard to choose just one. But, if I must, I would choose The Chronicles of Narnia…which I will say is one work of fiction in total. LOL.
Is there anything you’d like to add (or wish I’d asked)?
I would love to let readers know that they are powerful, chosen, loved, and never alone. I hope my stories are a reminder of who they are in Christ and the purpose they have in and through Him. ????
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
At the age of thirteen, Kimberly Keagan discovered romance novels. Whenever possible, she ignored her chores in favor of a book she couldn't put down. In time, she earned a degree in accounting and enjoyed a brief career in investor relations, writing financial reports and press releases—terrific jobs, but not very romantic. By God's grace, she married her own handsome hero and raised two wonderful children, whom they homeschooled. Now, she is following her long-held dream of penning historical romance. Her debut novel releases in 2025.
Thank you! This book was so fun to write. It is full of witty banter and sweet romance. But it’s not just about the butterflies-in-your-stomach kind of love, it’s about God’s transforming, healing love.
I read The Castle Rose in one day. I loved the setting and the split-time aspect of the book! It has elements of fantasy, romance, mystery, and ghost story (although Bastian is clearly not a ghost!) What genre/subgenre would you say it falls under? Is it character-driven or plot-driven?
I’m so glad you enjoyed it! I’d call The Castle Rose a sweet paranormal/supernatural romance. I think the characters take center stage. It’s really about them, and their internal struggles more than just breaking a curse.
What message do you hope your readers take away from the story?
I always want my readers to find hope in my stories. For The Castle Rose in particular, I want readers to see that they are loved–no matter their past mistakes, or shortcomings–God loves them and His love is the only thing that can truly make them whole.
How important is it for you to weave faith into your stories, and why?
It’s definitely a priority for me. Not because I want to preach a message through my stories, but because my faith is central to who I am, so it becomes central to my stories as well. I always say that if our life is a pie, Jesus isn’t a slice of the pie, He’s the filling. My faith in Jesus–hopefully–flavors everything I do, including my stories, because I want my life to point people to His love and truth.
You have a lot going on in your life as a wife, mom of two girls, and pastor. How do you manage to also write? What does a typical writing day for you?
It takes balance. I’m big on finding rhythm in my life that makes space for all the things I have to do while also allowing time for rest. Most days that looks like waking up, walking my dog, and grabbing a cup of coffee. Then it’s time for homeschooling my girls. My afternoons are then usually earmarked for ministry work (I’m also a pastor), marketing, or writing. If it’s a writing day, I put on a playlist to help me get in the right headspace for my current project, and then I take a couple of hours to just write. I don’t write everyday, but my goal is usually to get in 2-5000 words a week.
Are you a plotter or a pantser? Has that changed since you wrote your first manuscript?
I am a flexible plotter. LOL. I usually start a project by making random notes, then researching the story world, and crafting my main characters. From there, I plot out the main story beats–usually using the Save The Cat beatsheet. From there I start writing and will only plot out the next 4-5 chapters in detail. Once those are written, it gives me a picture of where I am and where I need to go in the story and I will plot out the next few chapters. This leaves room for changes or additions to the plot while keeping me on the right path forward.
When things get tough in your writing life, what motivates you to keep going?
As with anything, my why is usually what keeps me motivated on hard days or in difficult seasons. Why do I write? I write because it’s a way to worship God. I write because it’s a way to connect creatively with my Creator. I write because I want to share His love and truth with others. I write because it brings me joy and I hope it honors Him. That doesn’t mean that some days…or weeks...I don’t set it aside when I need to. Sometimes I have to let a project sit for a little bit while I refresh my mind and heart. It can be difficult to be creative when I’m overwhelmed or anxious, so I give myself grace and space to pause and rest.
Do you have any advice for up-and-coming Christian authors?
Know your why. Why do you want to write? Why do you want to tell the story in your heart? As Christians, we all have a purpose—a why–to know God and make Him known–to love God and love our neighbor–that is part of everything we do including writing. Hold on to that. Writing takes a lot of hard work and patience and can come with negative reviews and rejection along the way. Sales may or may not meet your expectations. Being able to look at your purpose and be reminded that ultimately it’s about God can keep you going on the worst days, and keep you humble on the best days.
In your author bio on your website, you say you are a TV addict. What program are you currently hooked on?
Probably too many to list here. My daughter and I just binged The Way Home. Leverage and Stargate Atlantis are also comfort watches for me that I will randomly watch over and over again.
Your main character in The Castle Rose is a big coffee drinker. What’s your go-to drink while you’re writing?
When writing I usually just have coffee with cream and sugar. If I’m out and about I love a good mocha just like my MC.
If you could only read one work of fiction one more time, what would it be?
That is a tough one. I love stories and the fiction world is so diverse it’s hard to choose just one. But, if I must, I would choose The Chronicles of Narnia…which I will say is one work of fiction in total. LOL.
Is there anything you’d like to add (or wish I’d asked)?
I would love to let readers know that they are powerful, chosen, loved, and never alone. I hope my stories are a reminder of who they are in Christ and the purpose they have in and through Him. ????
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
At the age of thirteen, Kimberly Keagan discovered romance novels. Whenever possible, she ignored her chores in favor of a book she couldn't put down. In time, she earned a degree in accounting and enjoyed a brief career in investor relations, writing financial reports and press releases—terrific jobs, but not very romantic. By God's grace, she married her own handsome hero and raised two wonderful children, whom they homeschooled. Now, she is following her long-held dream of penning historical romance. Her debut novel releases in 2025.
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