Tammy Barley’s trilogy, The Sierra Chronicles, consists of Love’s Rescue, Hope’s Promise, and, finally Faith’s Reward. Following Jake and Jessica through the trials of the Civil War era, the series’ conclusion involves an explosive conspiracy and illustrates how a God of love often provides above and beyond our greatest dreams.
WHAT LED YOU TO WRITE FAITH’S REWARD?
Originally, The Sierra Chronicles was one book. One very lo-o-ong book. So I divided it into the trilogy. The end of the Sierra Chronicles story had been in my mind all along. After I finished the second book, Hope’s Promise, I couldn’t wait to see all the trilogy’s story points finally come together.
STARTING OUT, WHO WERE THE AUTHORS WHO INSPIRED YOU? WHO INSPIRES YOU NOW?
Then and now: Kathleen E. Woodiwiss, Sydney Sheldon, Michael Crichton, Dean Koontz, and John Grisham. I love working twists and suspense into historical romance. These authors are (and were) masters of doing exactly that.
HOW DOES YOUR FAITH INFLUENCE YOUR WRITING?
Years ago, I had wanted to write for the mass market. But God and my faith kept popping into the story while I wrote. Then I finally realized that after decades of life experiences—and occasional miracles—that had built my faith, it was a part of me that couldn’t be held back.
Now when I begin each book, and while I write each book, I ask God, “What faith message would You have me share?” I love taking readers on armchair adventures, but I also love reminding readers that God loves each of them as if they were His only child, and that He is with them every moment, loving them and walking beside them through every obstacle they face.
HOW LONG HAVE YOU KNOWN YOU WANTED TO BE AN AUTHOR?
More than twenty years, since I heard God’s voice tell me that’s what I was supposed to do with my life. I can be slow to figure things out, so if He hadn’t told me, I’d likely still be a wedding coordinator, teaching ballroom dance, or sending people on vacations to Europe, wondering what I was really supposed to be doing.
WHAT DO YOU MOST HOPE THAT READERS GET FROM READING YOUR WORK?
A thrilling adventure, a heart warmed by an endearing story, a good laugh, and a faith that can move any mountain that attempts to stand in people’s way of being who God created them to be.