Welcome to Novel PASTimes! We are pleased you stopped by today.
Thank you for having me! I’m looking forward to meeting your readers.
Tell us something about where you live.
Well, I grew up in New York City, in a lovely little brownstone with my parents. But after my mother died when I was 14, my father decided he had the flexibility to travel for work. But now, he’s looking to settle down somewhere and seems to have chosen this little town in Montana called Kalispell. So far it seems all right, but I’m a bit unsure about putting down roots here.
Is there anything special about your name? Why do you think you were given that name?
Nothing too special. Although my mother liked to call me Ellie. My father will call me that from time to time, but I really don’t like anyone else calling me that.
Do you have an occupation? What do you like or dislike about your work?
I have traveled with my father, Samuel Briggs, for years now. I write notes about his work and organize engagements. I’m also privileged to attend important meetings where he is able to influence donors, congressmen, even the President, about preserving the land of our glorious nation.
Who are the special people in your life?
My mother was the dearest woman to me. My life turned upside down when I lost her. I love my father fiercely but it seems as if we are growing apart a bit. I don’t quite know how to deal with that. That’s it really. I’m an only child, so no siblings.
What is your heart’s deepest desire?
That’s a bit of a personal question. One that I would have to think about for a minute. I think I would like peace the most right now. I didn’t realize how much the travel around the country, though oh-so-grand, has worn me plumb out. There is a restlessness in me that I can’t describe or pinpoint. So peace would be a great relief.
What are you most afraid of?
Death. And I hate talking about it. Because I watched my mother die the most agonizing death one could imagine. I’m often terrified thinking about my own fate. Though I haven’t met many who aren’t. Except my hosts, the Ashburys. They have an incredible confidence and the aforementioned peace. One of the items on my current to do list is to talk with Mrs. Ashbury about that.
Do you have a cherished possession?
I suppose it would be my journals. They hold thousands of notes about meetings with interesting and influential individuals around America. There are many fond memories tucked in those pages. Oh! And my bicycle. That wonderful contraption gives me a profound sense of freedom no matter where we travel.
What do you expect the future will hold for you?
More travel I suppose. I’m not really sure. As I mentioned earlier, Father is talking about settling here in Kalispell. It seems to be a thriving community, even though there is a bunch of hullabaloo about the railroad right now. I’m sure if you asked my hostess, Mrs. Marvella Ashbury, she would say my future holds marriage. But I’m not ready for that yet.
What have you learned about yourself in the course of your story?
I am learning that Jesus can actually be trusted. My mother was a woman of deep faith. She trusted the Lord with her whole heart. But when He didn’t hear my prayers to save her, I fell into a deep depression and spiral of unbelief. It was hard to see that about myself. I can be so very stubborn and hardheaded. But I’ve learned that I am capable of changing my mind, and that I don’t always have to be right. Nor am I!
Is there anything else you’d like people to know about you?
I truly love our great country and would love to see the lands preserved better for future generations. But I also see the value of our farmers and ranchers who own vast swaths of land and use that to feed citizens. I would love to see better harmony between these two groups of people because I think both are important to the flourishing of our country.
Thanks for allowing us to get know you a little better!
Thank you for your questions – I am delighted to share a bit of my story. And I hope my journey encourages and blesses someone else who has struggled with fear and grief and knows that Jesus wants to bring them out the other side into life.
With Each Tomorrow by Tracie Peterson & Kimberley Woodhouse (The Jewels of Kalispell #2)
May 21, 2024; ISBN 9780764238994; Ebook ISBN 9781493446537; $17.99; Paper
Eleanor Briggs travels to Kalispell, Montana, with her conservationist father to discuss the formation of Glacier National Park, and sparks fly when she meets Carter Brunswick, despite their differences. As the town fights to keep the railroad, the dangers Eleanor and Carter face will change the course of their lives.
Tracie Peterson (TraciePeterson.com) is the bestselling author of
more than one hundred novels, both historical and contemporary,
with nearly six million copies sold. She has won the ACFW
Lifetime Achievement Award and the Romantic Times Career
Achievement Award. Her avid research resonates in her many
bestselling series. Tracie and her family make their home in
Montana.
Kimberley Woodhouse (KimberleyWoodhouse.com) is an award-
winning, bestselling author of more than 40 fiction and nonfiction
books. Kim and her incredible husband of 30-plus years live in
Colorado, where they play golf together, spend time with their kids
and grandbaby, and research all the history around them.
Novel PASTimes 