Middleview Interview with Debut Author Darlene Beck Jacobson

At Smack Dab in the Middle Blog today, I had the good fortune to interview Darlene Beck Jacobson, debut author of historical novel WHEELS OF CHANGE, released with Creston Books on 09/22/2014! I'm happy for Darlene's book to have arrived and I look forward to reading it soon. Here is a link to the feature article on authenticity in historical fiction that Darlene wrote last month for this blog:

AUTHENTICITY IN HISTORICAL FICTION by Darlene Beck Jacobson

Here’s a description of WHEELS OF CHANGE:

Racial intolerance, social change, sweeping progress. It is a turbulent time growing up in 1908. For twelve year old EMILY SOPER, life in Papa’s carriage barn is magic. Emily is more at home hearing the symphony of the blacksmith’s hammer, than trying to conform to the proper expectations of females. Many prominent people own Papa’s carriages. He receives an order to make one for President Theodore Roosevelt. Papa’s livelihood becomes threatened by racist neighbors, and horsepower of a different sort.  Emily is determined to save Papa’s business even if she has to go all the way to the President.

Here is an excerpt from my interview with Darlene. You can see the full Smack Dab interview by clicking on the WHEELS OF CHANGE book cover above. 

Smack Dab Middleview with WHEELS OF CHANGE author Darlene Beck Jacobson

1. In a nutshell, what does your main character, EMILY SOPER want?

Emily’s Papa owns a carriage business. Emily wants to spend her time in the carriage barn, helping Papa and hoping one day to become a blacksmith, like Papa’s beloved employee Henry. She adores this life and wants everything to stay just as it is.

2. What is in her way?

The proper expectations and roles for females in 1908 is one thing standing in her way. The other is the sweeping changes – personal, social, and technological – that threaten their safe and comfortable way of life.

Congratulations, Darlene! I wish you and your book the best.

10.13.2014