Featured Interview With Author MJ Krause-Chivers
Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
I'm a second-generation Canadian originally from southern Manitoba but now live in Niagara, Ontario. My Mennonite grandparents were refugee immigrants from Ukraine during the Russian civil war (Bolshevik Revolution). I grew up surrounded by refugee stories and angst about Soviet Socialism. My philanthropic family embraced new immigrants and encouraged us to contribute to missions and help the needy.
I'm a former social worker and tourism operator.
At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
I've always loved books. As a kid, I was an avid reader. At age eleven, I wrote to a writing school for lessons. They kindly wrote back and told me to reapply when I was eighteen. I was crushed by the rejection. So I wrote for the school newspaper and in my diaries and basically hid my writing from the world. After high school, I became a legal stenographer where my writing skills came in handy. I married young and raised two children before deciding to go university and become a social worker. My career came to a sudden end when I was diagnosed with a terminal illness in 2002. The worst part of my recovery spanned ten years. During that time, I returned to my love of reading and writing. I published my first book in 2018 (Christian non-fiction.) Now I'm enjoying writing fiction. Self-publishing has given me the freedom to write without facing the pressure of traditional publishing deadlines.
Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
I'm an eclectic reader. Mostly, I read the historical fiction genre because that's why I write. Lately, I've discovered author Erin Litteken. My books carry similar tones and themes as Erin's work "The Memory Keeper of Kyiv."
For fun reading, I'll pick up a cozy mystery.
Tell us a little about your latest book?
Two years after publishing Katarina's Dark Shadow, I'm finally releasing Book Two — Katarina's Dark Journey. The book is pre-releasing in July, 2023 with delivery September 10.
I apologize for taking so long. Historical fiction requires much research and it's not easy to write. Because my story is based on real historical events, every detail must be examined for accuracy and experts consulted. But I promise you that the end result was worth the wait.
You will enjoy this suspenseful faith-based coming-of-age historical mystery. Set in war-torn Ukraine in 1918 with a parallel story based in post-war Munich, this epic saga offers a gripping exploration of family, survival, and the human spirit in times of war.
1918: Southern Ukraine. When the Bolshevik Army sets fire to the German Mennonite villages, seventeen-year-old Katarina and her wealthy pregnant sister, Anna, flee across the barren lawless steppes. Thrust into an adult world with sinister characters and a rapidly changing political landscape, Katarina learns to use her wits to protect Anna and her unborn baby. But the enigmatic environment forces Katarina to grapple with her pacifist beliefs and face the darkness within herself. When there’s nowhere to hide, can she trust God to save them?
1952/3: Munich, Germany. As Peter faces the scary prospect of becoming a father, he struggles with closure to his mother’s death. Fuelled by painful memories, he searches Katarina’s diaries for answers but finds more questions. Will Peter spiral down into the darkness of the past, or will the burgeoning new life bring hope for the future?
Connect with the Author on their Websites and Social media profiles
MJ Krause-Chivers Facebook Page
MJ Krause-Chivers Twitter Account
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