Interview with Cathy West!

Posted by abakersp in Spotlights / 2 Comments

 

 

I am so excited today my reader friends. Cathy West is here!! If you haven’t heard about her latest book, I think maybe you’re living in a hole. Just kidding. But really, if you haven’t heard of it, you need to. I mean, just check out the quote above from Katie Ganshert! I recently finished this book, and I when I got to the last page, I found myself in tears – both happy and sad tears. This book is emotional, it’s inspirational, it shows the love of God, and it is powerful. It’s definitely book hangover worthy, and to be honest I think this one is going to last awhile. I’m not sure how I’ll be able to start another book! Look for my review coming in a few short days. But, let’s get to the reason we are here today. To talk to the lovely and talented Cathy West.

 

Interview With Cathy!

Hi Cathy! Welcome to the blog today!! Anyone who knows you, knows that you live in beautiful Bermuda. What led you and your husband to Bermuda?

I was actually lucky enough to be born here! So born and raised, Bermuda has always been home for me. My husband’s father was a pastor, and he came to take a church on the island when my husband was 12, so he’s spent most of his life here too. We lived in Canada (Toronto area) for seven years after we were married, and both our kids were born there, but we moved back to the island shortly after our son was born, and have been here ever since.

 

Be honest…do you ever get sick of the sun!?

Believe it or not, yes. I find the heat quite uncomfortable at times, and I’m very thankful for air-conditioning! But there’s also nothing nicer than spending an afternoon by the pool. Despite having one of the most beautiful beaches across the road, we’re not really beach people. It is beautiful, but I like to be able to head inside easily when it gets too hot!

 

Heat and I don’t really get along either! Cooking is not your favorite thing to do, which is why it’s a good thing you married a man who loves to cook! Is there one meal that you really do enjoy cooking?

Ha, good question! I am very lucky! Hmm, I don’t think there’s anything specific that comes to mind. I do love Italian food though, so a nice gooey lasagna is always fun. If I’m cooking for myself I’ll tend to do more veggie dishes, so eggplant parm or roasted veggies with goat cheese over pasta is nice and easy for me. I do enjoy making soup though!

 

I love to make soup. Maybe we should get together and have a soup party!! People say that the loving grandchildren is totally different than loving your own children. Do you find this to be true?

Oh, this is absolutely true! And I don’t think it’s something you fully understand or appreciate until you do have that first grandchild. I think when you’re a new mum, you’re so busy and sleep deprived that things are pretty much a blur the first few years, at least that’s how it was with me. So when the grandchild comes along, it’s like reliving everything through new eyes. We can enjoy all the special little moments, and of course we get to spoil her, and then give her back to Mum and Dad at the end of the day!

 

While I don’t want to wish time away, I look forward to being a grandma for that very reason. If you weren’t writing, or taking care of that beautiful granddaughter of yours, what would you be doing?

Definitely something artistic. Either design or working in an art gallery or a bookstore or something like that! I almost got a job with a magazine once, I think that would have been fun. I have worked for a newspaper, so journalism would be something I think I might have enjoyed too, though more life interest stories rather than straight up reporting.

 

What is your favorite verse or portion of scripture?

Well, not very original, but it’s Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

I’ve found it so true, especially in situations where things seem so out of control and things are simply unknown. That’s where we really have to take our hands off and trust that God is going ahead of us, and will work it all out according to His will. He never wants to harm us, but often it’s hard to see the light at the end of those dark tunnels. It’s so important to remember that we aren’t in it alone.

 

I just featured that verse on the blog yesterday as my weekly encouragement post. I love it! Where do you find the inspiration for your stories?

I’m not sure I ever have a good answer for this question. I’m not really sure, to be honest. Sometimes I’ll start thinking about a certain location, or a story I’ve heard or read, and ideas begin to form. Other times, like with Where Hope Begins, the story just appears, as strange as that may sound! This one really did drop into my lap, and took me completely by surprise. Yet, I think it’s probably one of the best books I’ve written, and I loved it right from the beginning.

 

Yes, I would have to agree with you there! What book are you reading right now?

I just finished Susan Meissner’s latest, As Bright As Heaven. It was soo good. It was a straight historical, rather than time split, which is what she’s done in a few of her novels, but so well done, and I loved the story and all the characters. She’s definitely one of my favorite authors. Next up is Katie Ganshert’s No One Ever Asked, and it’s AMAZING! Everyone needs to read it!!

 

Oh my goodness yes. I loved that book! Such a powerful message and it really changes your perspective no some things. You’re visiting your home in Ontario and it’s snowing out. Time to curl up with your husband and watch a good movie. What one do you watch?

It depends who picks! We both love dramas, he enjoys war stories more than I do, and I enjoy rom-coms more than he does, so usually we try to find something in the middle. We tend to gravitate more toward series, so we have more to watch, and the latest one we’ve been enjoying is Victoria.

 

Can you give us a little clue of what to expect from you next?

I’ve taken a little break the past few months, and it’s been good and much needed. But I have an idea for a new story that will be partially set in Bermuda. I’ve never used my island home as a location before, so it’s kind of fun doing this. The story is slowly coming together, but I’m not very far into it, so I don’t really know too much about my characters yet! But I can tell you that it’s about family, discovering your voice, and finding where you truly belong.

 

I think I like it already 🙂 Thanks so much for taking time out of your busy schedule to talk with us today!

 

About Where Hope Begins

 

 

Sometimes we’re allowed to glimpse the beauty within the brokenness . . .

Savannah Barrington has always found solace at her parents’ lake house in the Berkshires, and it’s the place that she runs to when her husband of over twenty years leaves her. Though her world is shaken, and the future uncertain, she finds hope through an old woman’s wisdom, a little girl’s laughter, and a man who’s willing to risk his own heart to prove to Savannah that she is worthy of love.

But soon Savannah is given a challenge she can’t run away from: Forgiving the unforgivable. Amidst the ancient gardens and musty bookstores of the small town she’s sought refuge in, she must reconcile with the grief that haunts her, the God pursuing her, and the wounds of the past that might be healed after all.

Where Hope Begins is the story of grace in the midst of brokenness, pointing us to the miracles that await when we look beyond our own expectations.

 

 

Purchase Links

Amazon:                      https://buff.ly/2vhZI0d

Books-a-Million:          https://buff.ly/2EOnQY2

Barnes&Noble:            https://buff.ly/2EO4dzo

Christianbook:             https://buff.ly/2JOM8EQ

iBooks:                         https://buff.ly/2HBHU2I

IndieBound:                 https://buff.ly/2H5E1Ss

Kobo:                           https://buff.ly/2H35wwi

Lifeway:                       https://buff.ly/2JM7FOu

 

About the Author

 

 

Catherine West writes stories of hope and healing from her island home in Bermuda. When she’s not at the computer working on her next story, you can find her taking her Border Collie for long walks or reading books by her favorite authors. She and her husband have two grown children and one beautiful granddaughter. Catherine is the winner of the 2015 Grace Award (Bridge of Faith) and the Romance Writers of America’s Faith, Hope & Love Reader’s Choice Award (The Things We Knew). Her most recent novel, The Memory of You, released March 2017 and Where Hope Begins releases in May 2018. Catherine loves to connect with her readers and can be reached at Catherine@catherinejwest.com

 

Connect with Cathy:

 

Website – http://www.catherinejwest.com

Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/CatherineJWest

Twitter – https://twitter.com/cathwest

GoodReads – https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4715219.Catherine_West

Pinterest – http://www.pinterest.com/cathwest/

Google + – https://plus.google.com/u/0/108781711729974539211/posts

Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/cathwestwrites/

Amazon – http://www.amazon.com/Catherine-West/e/B004RWZUHK/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_1

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