C. LaRene Hall: Author Interview and Book Giveaway

Today we have an interview with C. LaRene Hall, author of the children's historical fiction novel, Martha's Freedom Train. You can read my review of Martha's Freedom Train by clicking here.

C. LaRene Hall was kind enough to allow me to interview her, and, yes! offer an autographed copy of Martha's Freedom Train to some lucky reader of my blog at the end of our chat! So stick around and find out how you can win a copy of this book for your very own!

JDP: What did you find most fascinating about the time period of Martha's Freedom Train?

C. LaRene: The stories of the Utah Pioneers have fascinated me for as long as I can remember. There isn’t just one thing that stands out to me during that time period. I’ve always admired those people who had the courage to undertake such an adventure. If there hadn’t been any rivers to cross, I’d loved to have been in their shoes. Wearing the dresses, seeing Indians for the first time, and watching the buffalo would have been exciting. As an adult, I realize it wasn’t all fun and games, but for a child I think the entire journey would have been enjoyable.

JDP: I’m always interested in how authors research their historical novels. Could you tell us a little about how you researched the the historical background for Martha's Freedom Train?

C. LaRene: I read everything on line and in books that I could about the Underground Railroad, slaves, and pioneers. The last part of the book is taken from the journals of my own ancestors who travelled west in a wagon train to Utah.

JDP: What a fun source to have available to help you research your novel! Can you share with us your top three favorite research books or other resources?

C. LaRene:

1. Journals of the grandma and her son. I will not disclose the names because this is a work of fiction, and all names were changed. The grandma in the story is actually one of my great-grandmas. No, she didn’t have a colored girl travel with her, but since she was a very kind woman I’m sure she would have, if the opportunity had been available.

2. Green Flake – Black Pioneer.

3. Lds.org/churchhistory/library/pioneercompanysearch

JDP: Are there any historical figures from the era of Martha's Freedom Train who particularly intrigue you?

C. LaRene: In the front of the book I listed four historical people, who I greatly admire. My favorite is Allen and Barbara Mayhew. This couple put their own lives on the line when they willingly took slaves into their home to keep them safe.

JDP: What inspired you to write Martha's Freedom Train?

C. LaRene: While I was on a tour of the Mayhew Cabin, an Underground Railroad, the idea of this book came to me. I could actually picture the girl Martha and imagine her coming west with my own ancestors.

JDP: Visiting the Mayhew Cabin must have been a marvelous experience for you. Tell us a little bit about Martha's Freedom Train?

C. LaRene: Twelve-year-old Martha and her family escape slavery with help from the Underground Railroad. Because of her mamma’s poor health, Martha’s heart almost breaks when her papa sends her west with a wagon train of strangers. Along the way, she helps put out a fire, and after falling asleep beside the trail, they accidentally leave her behind. Upon reaching her destination, Martha wonders if she’ll ever see her mamma and papa again.

JDP: What would you most like readers to feel or learn when they read Martha's Freedom Train?

C. LaRene: There are many good people in this world – it doesn’t matter what color your skin is, it’s what’s inside that counts.

JDP: Are you working on any new projects?

C. LaRene: I am looking for a publisher for my book, Magical Journey to the Past. John and Mary discover an ancient home along with an old journal written by their very own Great-Grandpa. As they read the old-fashioned writing, and wish they can see where he lives something strange happens, the dugout whirls around them, and everything goes black. The pair arrive in North Carolina in the year 1813, during a war. The two children experience many adventures and learn to appreciate those people who protected our freedoms, as they search for their great-grandpa.

I have several children’s stories that I’m writing, but the main one I’m working on is the sequel to the Magical Journey to the Past. It takes place in Medieval Times at the Warwick Castle.

JDP: You can bet I'm gonna want to read that medieval sequel of yours! Where can readers obtain a copy of Martha's Freedom Train?

C. LaRene: If you live near Salt Lake I can get a copy to you. If not, you can order it from Amazon.com or Authorhouse.com.

JDP: Thank you for joining us today, C LaRene! You can read more about Ms Hall on her blog, C LaRene Hall.


Okay, now for the giveaway! How can you win an autographed copy of Martha's Freedom Train? By doing one, two or all of the following three things:


(1) Leave a general comment on this interview.


(2) Leave a comment telling me the name of your favorite children's book (other than Martha's Freedom Train!).


(3) Go find whatever book you're reading right now, turn to page 51 (I hope it has at least 51 pages!), then type the 7th sentence on the page into a comment, and include the name of the book and the author.


After you've done one, two, or all three of the above, please email me at jdipastena@yahoo.com WITH YOUR NAME AND MAILING ADDRESS telling me you've left comments so I can check them out. (And so I'll know how to contact you if you win!)


If you do all three of the above, you will be entered three times to win a copy of Martha's Freedom Train. DEADLINE FOR ALL ENTRIES IS MIDNIGHT PST, OCTOBER 18.


Have fun and good luck!