This interview first appeared in my Substack newsletter on September 1, 2024.
Interview with Stacey Bartlett
I had the honor of interviewing author Stacey Bartlett about her upcoming book “Free Sings the Sea!” It is a book that I think you will all love. This book is about faith, family, and freedom – but more importantly – it’s about hope.
Bio from her website:
Stacey is a psychology major, homeschool teacher and mother of four children and two rescue dogs living in an old, white farmhouse in the beautiful mountains of Western North Carolina. Being an introvert through and through, she tries not to go out much, but if you spot her in the wild it will usually be in church, at the library, or cleaning other houses besides her own. She loves her kids, reading, vegan cooking, animals and Jesus.
Interview:
What inspired you to write Free Sings the Sea?
Free Sings the Sea is a story of faith, family, and freedom. The initial inspiration came to me when I suddenly visualized Free, the love interest in the story, working with a beautiful black horse in front of an old log cabin. Why was he there? The rest of the novel came to me all at once. Free was there to help save my protagonist, Shanna, and her family from the fists of her abusive stepfather and help them escape to the sea and freedom.
What do you hope readers will encounter in or glean from Free Sings the Sea?
What I hope readers will glean most of all from FSTS is hope. No matter how desperate a situation might seem, there is always hope for change and a much brighter future!
You grew up in Florida, what brought you to North Carolina?
We moved to North Carolina when my grandfather bought property in the mountains when I was young. I have lived in both states throughout my life, and I love them both! The ocean is my favorite place though, as you can probably tell!
You also have another book coming from Monarch early next year, would you like to tell us about it?
I’m very excited to have another book releasing with Monarch in February! It is a middle grade fantasy called Monster Mountain, about a twelve-year-old gamer, her brother, and her online bestie, who visit North Carolina and hike right through a magical portal onto Monster Mountain, where they must battle local legends and monsters successfully— or be trapped forever!
Favorite reading place (along with what you have surrounding you as you read) and why?
My favorite reading place is definitely a cozy corner of my couch! I usually have my children and my dogs with me, and there is no place in the world I would rather be!
You can find Stacey’s books available everywhere your favorite books are sold.
Until next time, keep reading and believing. You are magic!
Russell J. Fellows 
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