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Monday, May 14, 2012

Joan Hochstetler interview


Joan Hochstetler is the author of Daughter of Liberty, Book 1 of The American Patriot Series.

Published by: Sheaf House Publishers

Date: April 1, 2012

Joan is also the author of 3 other books, Native Son and Wind of the Spirit, books 2 and 3 of the American Patriot Series, and a contemporary novel, One Holy Night. Her website is http://www.jmhochstetler.com or www.theamericanpatriotseries.com


Joan, what got you interested in the colonial time period?

I was raised a Mennonite, and the history of the Hochstetlers is well known in the Amish and Mennonite community. You’ll find our family’s story on the Hochstetler History page on my author website. In 1757 my ancestors were caught up in one of the last Indian attacks on the border settlements in Pennsylvania during the French and Indian War. So that first drew my attention to the colonial era.

What really got me started writing about it however, was The Scarlet Pimpernel, a fabulous TV movie from 1982 starring Anthony Andrews and Jane Seymour. It was set during the French Revolution, and I absolutely adored it. ADORED it! I knew immediately that I HAD to write my own version of the story. Alas, I wasn’t in the least interested in the French Revolution, plus there was no reason to duplicate that setting. Luckily we had our own Revolution, and my hero turned out to be a girl. And so it began . . .

What inspired your latest colonial work?

My latest book, Crucible of War, Book 4 of the series, releases in September 2012, after the re-release of Daughter of Liberty and Native Son in the new Heritage Edition. In the course of researching the first volumes, I uncovered so much fascinating material that it quickly became apparent it would be impossible to do justice to our nation’s founding in only 2 or 3 volumes. Wind of the Spirit ends right before the crucial battles of Trenton and Princeton, which left that story yet to be told. And much, much more. That keeps me going. Every time I start to think I have to give up this crazy obsession, I look ahead to all the pivotal events still coming up, and I’m re-inspired. People today know so little about what our founding generation suffered and sacrificed, and I refuse to allow that legacy ever to be forgotten.



Do you have a favorite colonial place you like to visit and why?

Oh, Colonial Williamsburg, without a doubt. I’ve only visited there once in the flesh—someday I’m going to go back for sure—but I’ve been on their website many times. Living history just doesn’t get any better. The interpretation of the colonial and Revolutionary periods of this country is impressive. Every citizen of this country ought to take a pilgrimage there at least once in their lifetime.





If you care to say, you can tell readers where you live and what colonial places you have in your state or your home state if different.

I’ve lived in the Nashville, Tennessee, area for many years, and one of my favorite colonial/early American sites to visit is Rock Castle on the east side in Hendersonville. The home was built by Daniel Smith, a surveyor, captain in the Revolutionary War, United States Senator, and Indian treaty negotiator, among other accomplishments.

Joan also has a favorite colonial recipe she enjoys and would like to share with readers. It's called Iroquois Soup and you can find it Sunday, May 20, on CQ.

Thank you for being our guest today on Colonial Quills, Joan.
Thank you for having me! And, I’ll be giving away a copy of the new Heritage Edition of both Daughter of Liberty and Native Son.

Be sure to leave a comment to be included in a drawing for giveaways of Joan's books! They're available for purchase on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Christianbook.com.

46 comments:

  1. Thank you so much for the interview and giveaway! It is always fun to listen in on a conversation.

    I am fascinated by the American Revelution, too. Learning about history is so important. We can not forget the past.

    Thanks again!

    ks4readin (at) yahoo (dot) com

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  2. JOAN, I know PAT is supposed to be talking with you and ELAINE about a spinning wheel for the end of the month. I am looking forward to that. Thanks for sharing this interview with us! Blessings!

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  3. 4readin, It was a fascinating time, for sure. They handed down to us a truly precious heritage that I hope we never let slip out of our hands.

    Thanks for stopping by, and I'll put your name in the drawing! :-)

    Blessings,
    Joan

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  4. Carrie, I'll look forward to that! I'm going to be in my writers cave until the 23rd, but after that I'll be able to stick my head out and take a breath. lol!

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    1. JOAN, I hope my foot gets to feeling better and that way if you do get down to CW I can show you around, lol! You simply must return!

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  5. Joan, I love The Scarlet Pimpernel! Did you know there was a short series done on it. Wow. Think I'll go look it up now. And your book has just been bumped up on my to-read list. :)

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  6. Great post and thoughtful questions and answers! Joan's books are some of my very favorites - such quality and fine writing. History just doesn't get any better than her Patriot series!! Please don't enter me as I have all of her books on my keeper shelf. I'd encourage everyone to read them and soak up all the details, the romance, and more:)

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  7. Lynne, The Scarlet Pimpernel is a classic! I'm familiar with the movies, particularly the one with Anthony Andrews and Jane Seymore, but I didn't know there was a series. I'd love to find it if it's available online or as a DVD. Was the title the same. I'll have to see if I can find anything out on a search!!!

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  8. Bless you, Laura! You know I'm a great fan of your books and can't wait to read Love's Reckoning!!

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  9. thank you for doing this. i would love to win just as everyone else. lol.
    p_cowans@yahoo.com

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    1. Congratulations, Anonymous, you're the winner of the drawing for Daughter of Liberty and Native Son! I'll email you privately to get your address. I hope you enjoy the story!

      Blessings,
      Joan

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  10. I haven't read anything by Joan, but this interview definitely makes me want to read something by her!! Thanks for the interview and giveaway!

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  11. I 've read some of Joan's books would love to be included in this giveaway

    ABreading4fun [at] gmail [dot] com

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  12. Hey, ladies! I'm so glad you stopped by! You're all included in the drawing. I'll announce the winner a little later in the week.

    Blessings,
    Joan

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  13. Hi Joan--
    Just wanted to say how much I loved Joan's books--have them all! If anyone wants to know something about writing action/war scenes, ask Joan. Her stories & characters are great anyway, but she has a particular knack for putting you right in the middle of the tension & suspense, and she knows her stuff historically speaking!

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  14. Thank you so much for the very interesting and informative interview. Interviews like that really bring a story and characters to light for so many of us. I would feel very honored to be included in your giveaway of these gifts of talent.

    Bobbe
    oceanpearl@q.com

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  15. What an intriguing heritage, Joan, and then to be able to incorporate in your writing is fantastic. I do have Wind of the Spirit, I need the others ;)
    Thanks for the giveaway! marieburton2004 at yahoo dot com

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  16. Lovely interview, I can't wait to read the books that I won :)

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    1. You should review them for us, Faye! Congrats on your win!

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  17. Love the interview! Also LOVE The Scarlet Pimpernel!
    Wendy
    wdesirees(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  18. I visited Rock Castle with Joan a few years ago. It's was a fun tour, and such a rare treat for me to step inside an actual home from the time period that so fascinates us all.

    I hope more readers find your wonderful books, Joan. Your family history is the stuff of my writing passion. It was tragic, but epic, and so fascinating. I'll have to wonder but probably never know what sort of interactions across the cultural frontier my 17th and 18th century ancestors in VA and NC might have had. Although in researching my last novel I was tickled to run across mention of a second cousin six times removed, smack in the middle of the historical backdrop I was using to tell my characters' story, owning a tavern and trade store, and even running for political office.

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    1. Oh, Lori, how I envy you that trip with Joan. I would have loved to be a fly on the wall and hear your comments on that tour.

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  19. Pat, thank you for your very kind words! I sure do like to torture my characters. [wicked laugh]

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  20. Bobbe and Marie, I've put your names in the drawing. So glad to hear you have Wind of the Spirit, Marie! You definitely need the 1st 2, and if you don't win this time, watch my American Patriot Series blog (americanpatriotseries.blogspot.com) and Facebook page for upcoming drawings.

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  21. Faye, your set went out today so you should have them shortly. I'd love it if you'd review them--great suggestion, Carrie!

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  22. Lori, I remember our stop at Rock Castle very fondly. We had a lovely time, didn't we? I hope we can do it again someday!

    What fun finding that a cousin actually lived in the setting you're writing about! Delightful surprises like that make the research all the more exciting and satisfying. Maybe you can incorporate him in your story in some way. But be warned, I found it arouses unexpected emotions to do that when I was working on the fictional version of my family's story.

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  23. Great interview! Love The Scarlet Pimpernel movies. The clasic with Leslie Howard was great.
    Wendy
    wdesirees(at) yahoo (dot) com

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  24. Ooo, a new to me author :) I so enjoying discovering new authors. I would love to be entered in the giveaway.

    Beth
    bharbin07[at]gmail[dot]com

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  25. I thoroughly enjoyed your interview, and Joan, you are a new author for me also. I love historical fiction, and now I'm going to have to do some searching for your books! Thank you for this giveaway!
    Nancee
    quiltcat26@sbcglobal.net

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  26. Joan, you're such an awesome writer! I'm glad to hear that you are continually re-inspired!

    (No need to enter me in the contest; I have each of the books.)

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  27. Lovely interview, Joan. I'm so proud of you....

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  28. What a great interview! I love everything about the American Revolution and would love to win your books!!! ~Tracy (iwrite4jesus@yahoo.com)

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  29. Thanks for the interviews. I love learning about new authors and books that I had not discovered on my own!

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  30. Beth, Nancy, and Tracy, I'm always reinspired when I discover readers who love historical fiction and the Revolutionary era as much as I do! Thank you so much for stopping by! You're entered in the drawing, and if you don't win, be sure to check in on my blog and Facebook page for announcements about upcoming drawings. Well, even if you do win, I'd love it if you'd drop in on the blog and like my Facebook page. And of course, in September we'll have drawings for a copy of Book 4, Crucible of War.

    Blessings,
    Joan

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  31. Judith, it surely would have been lots of fun if you could have joined Lori and me for our tour. lol! I'm determined that someday we're going to meet face to face!

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  32. Hey, Kim! Your comment just popped up. If you'd like to be entered in the drawing, just leave another comment with your e-mail addy in the format the others are using so those web crawlers don't pick it up and throw a bunch of spam at you!

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  33. Kathy, you've been such a blessing and such an encourager to me! Can't wait to get a copy of your new release! I know it's going to be awesome--you are such a good writer!

    Blessings,
    Joan

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  34. Great interview!
    Many blessings to you and yours.
    Wendy
    wdesirees[at]yahoo[dot]com

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  35. Hi, Wendy! Thank you so much for stopping by! I've added you to the drawing list. :-)

    Blessings,
    Joan

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  36. Hi. What a great interview. I would love to visit Williamsburg. I was only there for a very short time (due to a rainstorm) and would love to return. I will have to check out their website. Thanks for the giveaway. Please enter me.

    sweetdarknectar at gmail dot com

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    1. I love CW and take my son there regularly and friends who visit from out of town. Fabulous place!

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  37. Hi, Amy! Thank you so much for stopping by! Williamsburgs is a must-do for anyone who's interested in colonial and Revolutionary era American, that's for sure. I hope you get a chance to spend some time there! To really savor the experience, you need spend a couple of days. :-)I've entered you in the drawing, which I'm going to do tomorrow, and I'll announce the winner late in the day.

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  38. This book sounds so interesting. I used to teach elementary American history and I loved it. I'm retired now and am reading as many books as I can!

    Thank you for offering this book to one of us.

    ddjordan_sbg_0803@yahoo.com
    Saved by Grace in 2003

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  39. Denise, I love it when I hear from teachers! One of my goals in writing the series is to make it not only exciting, but also accurate so it can be used as supplementary reading for students from middle school on up. Thank you so much for stopping by! I've added your name to the drawing and will announce the winner in a couple of hours.

    Blessings,
    Joan

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  40. I just did the drawing for a copy of both Daughter of Liberty and Native Son, and Anonymous (P Cowans) is the winner! Congratulations! I'll be in touch to get your address.

    Blessings,
    Joan

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