Author Interview with Kellyn Roth (+ my review of “Like a Ship on the Sea”!)

THIS BOOK IS SO BEAUTIFUL AND SWEET AND PRECIOUS!!!!!!!!!!!! I NEED MORE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

You know how I have to get these things out of my system. 😆

I loved Courage to Stay in Kellyn Roth’s recent anthology Springtime in Surrey AND I’ve heard a ton of good things about her family saga series, so I knew that I’d at least enjoy this book. Suffice it to say, I enjoyed this so much I read the entire novel in about two days. (Which is quite a feat when I have a novel, a novella, and blog posts to write, a vacation to pack for, a hundred emails to sort through, and all my favorite songs on hand to with which to procrastinate. 🤪)

The first thing that drew me in was the prose – the character and life in it. For one thing, the vintage flair felt both appropriate to the genre and setting and felt natural, as though no other style would quite fit the story. And it also flowed in a rather stream-of-consciousness way full of such life and color!

So yes, I absolutely loved the writing. But what kept me scrolling pages?

(Don’t tell me I’m the only one who reads ARCs as PDFs in a browser. I still need to get a Kindle. 🤣)

THE CHARACTERS. Oh my goodness, they captured every bit of my heart. Patrick is a sweet, protective older brother who never turns down a chance to hold a cuddly little baby. What’s not to love? The dynamic between him and his sisters Lore and Winnie is HILARIOUS and feels so realistic. Another thing I noted is that his POV felt distinctly masculine. I know that sounds strange, but what I mean is the author knows how to write a guy’s perspective very believably. Patrick’s such a sunny, endearing fellow, and his conflicts were relatable – the way he just settled in his rut in life, complacent and unwilling to face the fact that God was leading him down a different path. His arc demonstrated the theme of following God’s calling OVER the pressure and desires of anyone else – even parents. That’s incredibly brave. He wanted so badly to obey his parents and do what they wanted, but it wasn’t right. And even when he did stand up for himself, he was respectful about it.

But he wouldn’t have done any of that without the relentless prodding of dear Cassie. She was so sweet and full of life, with a fun sense of humor. I found her incredibly relatable when it came to her reticence in conflict and her fear of disappointing people, and how she always tries not to show her anger outwardly. (And I’m just now realizing how subtly similar she and Patrick are. O_O I mean, she’s a little more fiery, but neither of them are comfortable with conflict.) Even so, she knew how to take a stand and fight for what she believed in.

All the rest of the characters, who I know earlier books have been written about, felt so familiar and lived-in, even though this is my first full-length novel I’ve read by Kellyn Roth. (I will definitely read her other books, I promise; but this is a book that can stand on its own. After all, it is the first in a separate series of its own. Though yes, I went into it knowing I would be running into spoilers for earlier connected books. *hides*) I love how I could immediately tell how closely Roth knew her characters – they genuinely feel like real people you could expect to meet around the corner any day.

And the mentor characters were flat-out awesome. Just had to say that.

*scrounges through my notes* Ah yes. The characterization was incredible. Roth masterfully employed the use of subtle expressions to communicate volumes – like the look Patrick’s father sends him when he looks overlong at Cassie. Little things like that – movie-worthy things that can be hard to describe, they’re so subtle.

SPOILER ALERT (highlight it to read it fully)

(Or unexpected reactions. Like when Patrick had a laughing fit at Blanche’s confession of her betrayal, I DIED. That was so unexpected and so perfectly Patrick and so genius of the author. That’s what I’m trying to say: she knows her characters SO WELL!)

SPOILER END

The dialogue – especially the banter – was so lively and entertaining!

The romance is DARLING. Cassie and Patrick are perfection together…once they work through all their problems, that is. I love love love how inane and slightly awkward Patrick was in his first conversation with Cassie. Saying a bunch of generic things, over-analyzing what he said. I was grinning the whole way through that. And it was the way it was written, not just the dialogue itself, that made it so engaging – the character thoughts and Patrick’s reactions to his own words.

Not only was their chemistry beautifully written, but I love that Cassie is honest with him and said incredibly truthful things he needed to hear, even if they sounded shockingly rude in the moment. They grow each other, and that’s the mark of a solid relationship. (I think so, anyway.)

*wonders what Patrick and Cassie’s ship name is*

The faith aspect of this story SHONE. It’s not “preachy,” if you’re taking that to mean sermons in a fiction book. It’s faith meeting real-world issues like suicide and miscarriage and struggling to follow where God is leading and feeling lost and not knowing where to turn to. It’s powerful, and I think every reader will find something to relate to and gain encouragement from.

There are a lot of heavy themes discussed but handled in a Biblical, real way. And the “discussions of a sexual nature” were handled as tastefully as they possibly could’ve been. In fact, the romance too was written in such a wholesome way. The few kisses weren’t described at great length, though they were still satisfying and the physical attraction was unmistakable. Think Jane Austen + an explicitly Christian worldview + Kellyn Roth’s penchant for blunt straightforwardness in otherwise-thought-of-as-delicate subjects. It’s quite refreshing. 😀

Overall, I loved this dear story and am quite ready to dive into the rest of Kellyn Roth’s family saga! I recommend this to readers who love (and can handle) raw, gritty subjects, an unashamedly Christian worldview, sweet and character-driven romance, sibling relationships, and Victorian-era women’s fiction.

FAVORITE QUOTES

“Every older sibling has a certain degree of irrationality.”

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Hopefully God would be a decent, proper distraction. [This is for those who’ve read the book, because only make sense in context. XD]

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He’d rather implied he was better than them, but that was beside the point. He was the older brother. Of course he would make that implication whenever he could.

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“Actually, it was my idea.” Peter slipped onto his seat. “Anyway, I didn’t think you would wait. I left a note.”

Alice raised her eyebrows. “We determined that either you were going for a walk or that you were journeying to the center of the earth. Your handwriting allowed for either interpretation.”

_

That was true. Yet even that seemed unfair. “I don’t want to give him false hope.”

“Romance is nice that way, because it’s all about giving hope—and it grows you whether your hope is rewarded or not.” Mrs. Strauss laughed. “Though I don’t want anyone to get a broken heart, a childhood infatuation going awry has trained more souls than many a larger tragedy. This is not to say you should allow his advances if you know he has no chance, but perhaps it’s good for both of you to put out a fleece, if you will. Allow God to show you both how best to serve Him—and if that be together or separately.”

_

It would be all right. She’d keep looking into his eyes, and it would be all right.

_

He laughed. He couldn’t help it. He was full of joy, and everything seemed worth laughing about.

Disclaimer: I received this book free from the publisher/author. The opinions I have expressed are my own, and I was not required to write a positive review. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

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In Which I Interrogate the Author

Hey Kellyn! Congratulations on your incredible new release, Like a Ship on the Sea!

 Thank you, Saraina! And thank you for hosting me here!

If you can describe it vaguely enough *winks*…what scene in the book was your favorite to write, and why?

 Hmm, well, I honestly really like that first scene where Patrick and Cassie are talking in the garden. It helped me figure out their dynamic, but I also just think it’s cute and reveals a lot about their personalities.

I’m also fond of the epilogue …

Which character is most opposite from you? Were they harder to write because of that?

Hmm, I’m not sure. Each of the characters have little ways where they’re like me and little ways where they’re not. I’d say I’m very unlike Lilli Strauss (Mrs. Strauss), but I don’t struggle to write her because she has such a fun (in my opinion) personality.

Who are the authors that have been an inspiration to you?

Well, when I started writing, I was super inspired by Maud Hart Lovelace, Gene Stratton-Porter, the Brontë sisters, and Jane Austen. After I’d been writing for a while, I started being inspired by authors who are still alive, such as Sarah Sundin, Carrie Turansky, Julie Klassen, and Joanne Bischof! But the thing is, now I know a ton of authors personally, and they’re all an inspiration to me. Shout-out to Victoria Lynn, Faith Blum, and Kara Swanson!

What’s your advice for Christian authors who feel called to address heavy topics in their stories, but are nervous to write about them?

Trust the Lord. He’s not going to lead you to something that you aren’t able to do. Really. He’s not that way. He cares about you so tossing you off a cliff is not His idea of a casual Friday.

That said, this whole “He’ll only give you what you can carry” nonsense is as inaccurate as “nonsense” implies. No, instead, He’s way stronger than any burden you may ever bear, which means with His strength, you can move mountains.

A few things to keep in mind other than the overwhelming love and wisdom of the Lord are … Christian culture has gotten a little silly about certain heavy topics. It’s made taboos of things that are only harmed by the hiding of them, such as mental health topics … and more! But don’t let the world (even the Christian world) stop you from doing what God wants you to do. Obey Him first.

What romantic trope is your favorite to write?

Oh, I don’t know. I honestly feel like my books always ramble along too much to actually fit into tropes despite the fact that I really love those nice, neat labels. I think maybe friends-to-lovers, especially if the friendship is super intellectual. I also find myself really enjoying writing arranged marriage/marriage of convenience romances.

What theme in the story did you find resonating most with you?

I think Cassie’s bold choice to simply live for the Lord in the day to day. I struggle with that, sometimes. I’m one of those people who does great in an emergency but sometimes struggles with everyday life. It’s a challenge for me to choose to simply pursue God with no extra frills or laces attached, no “grand calling” to pursue. Just God. That’s it. And Cassie does a way better job of that than I do!

What do you love most about writing in the era Like a Ship on the Sea was set in?

The Gilded Era in America is so fantabulous! I think I enjoyed slipping in a few details about shipping companies, as that was a rapidly expanding industry in the era, but the whole concept of Old/New Money, traveling Europe as fashionable Americans, et cetera, is something that has been embedded in me since the first Henry James novel I read. It’s a little silly, it’s very “Gilded,” and it let me dig into the American tourism culture of the era (so much better than modern-day), which was just … so much fun.

Finally, I must bring up how much I adored the emphasis on sibling relationships! Tell us about the inspiration behind that!

Well, siblings are one of the most amusing dynamics to write! I honestly just did it because it’s a blast. Patrick, Lorelei, and Winnie are the classic “like to bicker and boss each other around but would kill for their sister or brother” siblings. The inspiration? Well, I dedicated this book to my brother, for one. I do have five siblings total, but I’m really only close to my two younger brothers. 🙂 Which is fine, but I always thought it would be fun to have even more siblings who I could be comfortable around … and so I include siblings in my books every chance I get!

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About the Book!

If God asks you to confront a storm, how dare you stay in the harbor?

Lady Mary Cassidy O’Connell has a dream that can be summed up in three connecting a loving husband, adorable children, and a home of her own. Her mother’s lack of care makes life difficult for Cassie, and an escape is necessary. The plan? Marry Aubrey Montgomery, the man her parents have chosen for her, and find the peace she craves.

Unfortunately, Cassie is uneasy about marrying Aubrey. Her apprehension grows as she witnesses her dearest friend’s loving marriage take place. At this wedding, she catches the eye of Patrick Hilton, son of a wealthy American. Like Cassie, he’s also set to marry a woman chosen by his parents—only, Patrick claims, he is content with this choice.

Torn between her desire for happiness and the knowledge that God is leading her in a different direction, Cassie confronts the impossible decision. Is a loveless marriage of obligation better than being alone, or will she set sail on a voyage without a safe harbor?

Like a Ship on the Sea is the first novel in The Hilton Legacy, a stand-alone trilogy featuring characters from the author’s first series, The Chronicles of Alice and Ivy.

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Title: Like a Ship on the Sea

Series: The Hilton Legacy

Genre: Christian Historical Romance

Subgenres: Women’s Fiction / Victorian-Era Romance / Gilded-Era Romance

Launch Date: Tuesday, September 5th, 2023

ISBN: 978-1-7341685-9-4

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About Kellyn Roth!

Kellyn Roth is a historical romance & women’s fiction author who writes about the empty places where hope has the most room to grow. Her novels include the inspirational Victorian family saga, The Chronicles of Alice and Ivy, and the Kees & Colliers series, which follows a broken family in the tumultuous years of the first half of the 20th century.

Kellyn is a student of the Author Conservatory and a writing coach. When not building her author career or her indie-author-helping business, Wild Blue Wonder Press, she is likely getting lost somewhere in the Pacific Northwest with her friends, watching period dramas and facetious comedies, or spending time with her husband.

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Visit Kellyn’s blog here!

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Have you read anything by Kellyn Roth? What era fascinates you most? Do you love family sagas? If so, what’s your favorite? Do you often tackle heavy topics in your WIPs? What’s your favorite romantic trope?