About the Book

Book: When Heaven Thunders (West Virginia: Born of Rebellion’s Storm #2)

Author: Kendy Pearson

Genre: Christian Historical Fiction

Release date: October 1, 2024

When the devil wears Blue and Gray,

doing the right thing can be a thorny matter.

His family is missing. Bushwhackers are sleeping in his bed. This war just got a heap more personal for Union Sergeant Fin Dabney.

Fighting guerillas in your own neck of the woods comes at a high price. Neighbors, kin, and even Fin’s best friend are on the wrong end of a rifle. But not all battles are fought amid smoke and blood. When Fin faces a murderer from his past, flesh and spirit collide, but only one can prevail.

Melinda Jane has waited a lifetime for Fin to declare his intentions. But now she has moved on to other interests—with disastrous results. Her choices have cost her Fin’s love and possibly her life.

Why was it he could draw down on the enemy and look death in the eye, but he could not bring himself to deal plainly with Melinda Jane?

He never told her how he feels. Now he may never get the chance.

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About the Author

Kendy Pearson is a worship leader, Bluegrass fiddler, and Civil War reenactment enthusiast. As a veteran high school teacher, she loves to discover a pocket of American history missing from the schoolbooks and turn that pocket inside out. Her novels lead fictitious characters through historical events and settings, engaging with period personalities. And she always includes a romantic thread to warm the heart. Every story is a journey through tragedy, secrets, regrets, and God’s undeniable grace.

She has received multiple lit awards and enjoys public speaking and teaching writing workshops. When she’s not clicking away on the computer or scaling mountains of research, she relishes ice cream, snowy days, fireplaces, and maple trees. Kendy is the mother of four grown children and lives with her sweet hubby and two amusing miniature dachshunds.

More from Kendy

Research and writing are so much fun! I always have some kind of theme in mind for every book I write. In keeping with my brand, Heart of History, I am turning two history pockets inside out with this second story of the “West Virginia: Born of Rebellion’s Storm” series. When Heaven Thunders is the eldest Dabney sibling’s story and brings two factors to light that are not commonly known about the Civil War.

First, Fin, the hero, faces various moral dilemmas just trying to carry out orders. He witnesses historically accurate atrocities and unfair tactics perpetrated by both Union and Confederate commanders and soldiers. Fin is in the thick of rooting out bushwhackers and guerillas who bring the battle to not just the soldiers, but to civilian homes and families, including his own.

Fin is a moralist, working desperately to find a way to do the right thing even when all his choices seem so very wrong. Can you imagine meeting your best friend on the battlefield and he’s the enemy? I tried to wrap my mind around the idea of neighbor against neighbor and lawless vigilantes molesting plain folks in the name of a cause. “We are in a war, yes, but it needn’t strip a man of his humanity or God’s favor.” (Col. Joseph Lightburn, Fin’s commander)

Secondly, Melinda Jane, the feisty family friend (who definitely wants to be more than Fin’s friend) represents another little-known pocket from history. I took a bit of my own heritage to heart for her background. For most of my life, I definitely resembled my kin of Irish ancestry. However, like Melinda Jane, I have Native American and African American genes also. We don’t think much about mixed race nowadays—it’s the fabric of our wonderful country! Unfortunately, many folks were not as accepting during the Civil War period. At that time, a variety of ethnicities were actually enslaved, which we seldom see represented in Civil War movies and stories.

My second main character’s “secret” lends to her heart of gold and a compassionate nature that shines through everything she does. “Izzy taught me we’re all born into bondage. It matters not a whit what color a man’s skin is or the color of his horse or house—we’re all in shackles and only Master Jesus holds the key.” (Melinda Jane)

Oh boy, did I enjoy working with Fin and Melinda Jane—and watching sparks fly! I hope they’ll make you smile as well.

Blessings from the Heart of History, my friends!

Kendy

Author Interview

What is your favorite genre of books?

My favorite genre is Christian Historical Fiction.

Why?

I fell in love with this genre back in the 90’s when my sister introduced me to books by Bodie Thoene. I gobbled them all up as fast as I could! The weaving of history, real and imaginary people, and God’s finger in it all—was just too intriguing to put down.

Are you a one project at a time author or do you have multiple projects going at once?

I am definitely a linear thinker, and I admire authors who can write more than one book at a time. I can’t even read another novel while writing the first draft of my own. Even if I am editing for someone or reading for endorsement, it has to be between writing my own initial drafts. I fall asleep with a pad of paper to jot down thoughts because I am pretty much consumed with my story world, characters, and a myriad of details. I do write that first draft in a flurry of long hours during a single calendar month, though, so it is doable.

How has your life experience helped in your writing journey?

I used to love writing poetry as a teenager. As a musician, writing songs, and then stories flowed from that creative bent. I think what prepared me most were the years I taught history in Christian high schools using Christian curriculum. I became fascinated with the way God’s hand has worked throughout America’s history. I honestly do not expect to leave exploring that specific topic in my future novels.

Do you have extensive outlines when writing or do you write a book as you go?

I have a semi-extensive outline, at least so I know what I need to accomplish in each chapter. I start with a three-part (act) structure and define what needs to happen in each part. Then I roll up my sleeves, go through all my notes, timelines, and character profiles to fill out a sentence for each chapter before I dive into that rough draft.

What do you need in your writing space to help you stay focused?

I need silence! No alerts or dogs barking or phones ringing. I clean my space before writing a book (the only time it really gets done, I confess). Clutter can distract me when I am needing to focus. And a window. I love gazing out the window as my fingers turn my imagination into words on the screen. For my view, God gifted me tall trees and a lovely meadow, with an occasional cat or deer. I feel like the beauty feeds my creativity.