Catherine Richmond was working as an occupational therapist, helping patients set goals, find motivation, and overcome conflict, when a folk song planted a story in her heart. Nineteen years later, Spring for Susannah was published. The journey was long, but full of growth and blessings.
Visit Catherine Richmond online
Off the Ground
She wants to race Amelia Earhart. He's afraid of flying. Will their relationship ever get off the ground? As the Roaring Twenties come to a close, Mac McFarland falls head over heels for live-wire Corrie Tinley. Now that she’s graduated, they’re allowed to date. But before he can sweep her off the dance floor and into his life, her father gives her a winged death trap—a biplane. Refusing to stick around to see her crash, Mac leaves without saying goodbye. Corrie’s family treats her like a dumb Dora, but her former basketball coach is respectful and attentive. Mac has a noble air like Lindbergh and dark hair waving over his forehead like Gary Cooper. She can’t wait to take him flying in her new biplane, but he’s disappeared. If she can’t find him, is she destined to fly solo the rest of her life?
- ISBN: 0996588728
Interview with Catherine Richmond
As Catherine Richmond celebrates the release of her fifth novel, Off the Ground, she shares with us a peek into her passion for Christ and for her readers.
Welcome, Cathy. You have a tagline of “Ordinary People...Extraordinary Love,” and you speak directly to readers on your web site, encouraging them with the guarantee of God’s promises and truth, even amidst the lies of the world telling people they’re “not enough.” That being said, what specific message do you hope readers take away from this book, Off the Ground?
Desperation for her parents’ approval leads Corrie on a frantic path of achievement: perfect report cards, center on the basketball team, lead in the school play. She learns to fly before many women know how to drive. When the stock market crashes, Corrie’s airplane is repossessed. She questions her purpose, identity, and Mac’s love. I hope readers who’ve had similar rocky roads will learn Corrie’s lesson–God loves you no matter what you do.
You seem to have established a good flow for your books. With this 5th title releasing, what do you see as most significant to your publication journey? What would be the greatest moment of your writing/publishing career thus far?
I got "The Call" about Spring for Susannah in Central Park, New York City, at the memorial for John Lennon, a mosaic that says “Imagine.” The contract with Thomas Nelson was “immeasurably more than I could ask or imagine,” to paraphrase Ephesians 3:20.
How do your faith and spiritual life play into the picture and affect your storytelling?
Every story is a glimpse of a spiritual challenge I’m undergoing or a prayer of my heart.
Would you ever consider writing a series?
Many readers have asked for a sequel to Spring for Susannah, but I don’t have the story… yet!
So many reviews have touted your writing as captivating and exciting with enduring, memorable characters. What do you think makes your style of storytelling unique?
I throw my characters deep into history and watch how they overcome the challenges.
There are so many options out there when it comes to choosing a genre. What led you to the genre of historical romance or historical fiction?
Growing up in Virginia with a mother who’s a Virginia history librarian gave me a childhood steeped in history. While others studied presidents and battlefields, I wondered how women coped with societal restrictions and limited career options. How did they cook over an open fire while wearing long skirts and corsets? I tell you, our foremothers were survivors!
Every author has hobbies outside of writing, editing, and crafting stories. What do you enjoy doing when you’re not writing?
I love to hike and explore new places with my dog. Two years ago, I prayed for an opportunity to travel and got to visit Israel! This year I’m taking care of my grand-bunnies while my daughter’s on a mission trip to Thailand. And of course, I love to read!
Finish this statement: In the future, I will…
Follow Jesus!
Any parting words?
Off the Ground was such fun to write. 1920s slang was the cat’s meow. The Golden Age of Aviation produced gorgeous airplanes and daring pilots who set world records. And, last but not least, my grandfather and an unusual diamond play an important part in Mac and Corrie’s romance.
______________________________
Tiffany Amber Stockton has been crafting and embellishing stories since childhood, when she was accused of having an active imagination and a flair for the dramatic. Today, she has honed those skills to become an award-winning author and speaker who works in the health & wellness and personal development industries, helping others become their best from the inside out. She lives with her husband and fellow author, Stuart Vaughn Stockton, in Colorado. They have a daughter and son, and a Shiba Inu-mix named Nova. She has sold over 20 books so far, three of which have won annual reader's choice awards. She is represented by Tamela Murray of the Steve Laube Agency. www.amberstockton.com.
Welcome, Cathy. You have a tagline of “Ordinary People...Extraordinary Love,” and you speak directly to readers on your web site, encouraging them with the guarantee of God’s promises and truth, even amidst the lies of the world telling people they’re “not enough.” That being said, what specific message do you hope readers take away from this book, Off the Ground?
Desperation for her parents’ approval leads Corrie on a frantic path of achievement: perfect report cards, center on the basketball team, lead in the school play. She learns to fly before many women know how to drive. When the stock market crashes, Corrie’s airplane is repossessed. She questions her purpose, identity, and Mac’s love. I hope readers who’ve had similar rocky roads will learn Corrie’s lesson–God loves you no matter what you do.
You seem to have established a good flow for your books. With this 5th title releasing, what do you see as most significant to your publication journey? What would be the greatest moment of your writing/publishing career thus far?
I got "The Call" about Spring for Susannah in Central Park, New York City, at the memorial for John Lennon, a mosaic that says “Imagine.” The contract with Thomas Nelson was “immeasurably more than I could ask or imagine,” to paraphrase Ephesians 3:20.
How do your faith and spiritual life play into the picture and affect your storytelling?
Every story is a glimpse of a spiritual challenge I’m undergoing or a prayer of my heart.
Would you ever consider writing a series?
Many readers have asked for a sequel to Spring for Susannah, but I don’t have the story… yet!
So many reviews have touted your writing as captivating and exciting with enduring, memorable characters. What do you think makes your style of storytelling unique?
I throw my characters deep into history and watch how they overcome the challenges.
There are so many options out there when it comes to choosing a genre. What led you to the genre of historical romance or historical fiction?
Growing up in Virginia with a mother who’s a Virginia history librarian gave me a childhood steeped in history. While others studied presidents and battlefields, I wondered how women coped with societal restrictions and limited career options. How did they cook over an open fire while wearing long skirts and corsets? I tell you, our foremothers were survivors!
Every author has hobbies outside of writing, editing, and crafting stories. What do you enjoy doing when you’re not writing?
I love to hike and explore new places with my dog. Two years ago, I prayed for an opportunity to travel and got to visit Israel! This year I’m taking care of my grand-bunnies while my daughter’s on a mission trip to Thailand. And of course, I love to read!
Finish this statement: In the future, I will…
Follow Jesus!
Any parting words?
Off the Ground was such fun to write. 1920s slang was the cat’s meow. The Golden Age of Aviation produced gorgeous airplanes and daring pilots who set world records. And, last but not least, my grandfather and an unusual diamond play an important part in Mac and Corrie’s romance.
______________________________
Tiffany Amber Stockton has been crafting and embellishing stories since childhood, when she was accused of having an active imagination and a flair for the dramatic. Today, she has honed those skills to become an award-winning author and speaker who works in the health & wellness and personal development industries, helping others become their best from the inside out. She lives with her husband and fellow author, Stuart Vaughn Stockton, in Colorado. They have a daughter and son, and a Shiba Inu-mix named Nova. She has sold over 20 books so far, three of which have won annual reader's choice awards. She is represented by Tamela Murray of the Steve Laube Agency. www.amberstockton.com.
For more great interviews, visit our Author Interview Archives.