Interview with Cathy Marie Hake

Cathy Marie Hake is a California native who met her husband in the church high school department. As a cancer nurse, Cathy injured her back on the job. God redirected her--opening the world of writing fiction for Him. She also teaches Lamaze and breastfeeding. Cathy and Christopher live with their two adult children in a home where love and humor go hand in hand.

Tell us a bit about your newest release. What led you to choose to write this story?

My latest release is Whirlwind. It takes place in 1892, starting in England, brings characters through Ellis Island, and into Texas. Mid-Atlantic, a woman from steerage becomes nanny for a clueless widower. When life deals them both some very unexpected blows, they are forced to make a whirlwind choice--but hasty decisions can have huge consequences.
Ellis Island intrigues me. I've been there a handful of times, and I'd love to go back a few hundred more. The hallways echo with thousands of stories of hopes, dreams, and even despair. So many of us owe what we have and who we are in great part to our ancestors who came through those very gates, and I wanted to write a story that paid homage to the new lives they established.

What would you like readers to gain from reading your book?

One of the messages of this story is that God's lovingkindness to us is beyond measure. He knows our needs and cares about them. As His children, we often miss out on blessings because we fail to see what He's set before us or we don't ask because we feel our needs and desires are inconsequential or that we're unworthy. Because He is our Father, anything in our lives matters to Him and Jesus paid the price for us, so worthiness isn't an issue.

What events in your life influenced you to write historical fiction?

I was doomed to write historical fiction! Some of my earliest memories are ofmy parents hauling us kids into every antique store along the way on family vacations. It wasn't long before the odd items fascinated me and the history behind them came alive. Living in the concrete jungle by Disneyland, there are times I long for a simpler, quieter life. Stepping back in time and writing where there are trees, an endless blue sky, and friendly neighbors hold a lot of appeal to me.

What is your most memorable or humorous moment as a published author?

A humorous moment? Oh, man. I was going to do a live telephone interview one morning. My throat had been scratchy, so I got up early and popped a cough drop in my mouth. I didn't realize my watch had stopped, so I thought I had plenty of time. I didn't. The phone rang, and I thought, "I'll just bite this thing and it'll be gone." nope. My top and bottom teeth were stuck together!

Now that you're a multi-published author, what lesson have you learned that you wished you’d known early on?

I wish I would have kept my research and the bibliographic citations for each book at the end of each manuscript. Doing so saves the editorial staff from having to do fact checking, and it allows me to re-establish facts for future works.

What types of books do you like to read for pleasure, when you’re not researching your genre or era?

I read almost anything! Mayonnaise jar labels, clothing care labels, and nursing magazines. As far as pleasure reading goes, I gravitate toward romance and women's fiction. I love some awesome new authors--Julie Lessman, Julie Klassen, (amazingly similar names, aren’t they?!) and Kathryn Cushman.

Do you think your novels reflect your entire personality? Is there a hidden side of you that would surprise your readers?

Come back tomorrow for the answer and part two of Cathy's interview! And don't forget to leave a comment for your chance to win Whirlwind.