Welcome!

I'm a newly published author who has loved reading as long as I can remember. One of my family's regular outings was a trip to the library. We lived in a small town in southern New Hampshire that boasted a one-room public library. I especially enjoyed the Black Stallion, Nancy Drew, and the Bobbsey twins.

Today my favorite authors are Brock and Bodie Thoene, Lauraine Snelling, and Jan Karon. The Thoenes and Ms. Snelling write historical Christian fiction, which is my favorite genre. My favorite classics are Little Women and Ben Hur.

But let me tell you more about the birth of Such a Time as This.

I began writing Such a Time as This when I stopped working to stay home with my first child in 1998. When child number two arrived in 2001, her crib soon took over our office, so I couldn't write when she was sleeping. But there were plenty of days when my two pre-schoolers were sick and I couldn't go anywhere, so I cheered myself up by working on my book.

When I finally finished my story about Queen Esther, I had difficulty finding a publisher who would accept an unsolicited manuscript. When I discovered in 2003 that a third child was on her way, I put my book on hold once again.

In 2005, I participated in a Bible study and was challenged by our group leader to set and reach goals. I decided to revise and submit my book, so I submitted it to a web service that screens authors for Christian publishers. For months I waited expectantly to be contacted by a publisher, but had given up hope when I finally received an e-mail in January of 2007 from OakTara.

After reading my entire book, the editor was excited by how I brought Esther to life! So I signed a contract with OakTara, and my book was finally published in December 2007. Now I'm working on a sequel set in the time of Ezra's return to Jerusalem.

About Our Publisher - OakTara

OakTara OakTara was founded in 2006 by two veterans of the Christian publishing world, Jeff Nesbit and Ramona Tucker, to promote and encourage fiction by both new and established authors. They publish only inspirational fiction (for adults, teens, and children) including allegory, biblical, contemporary, fantasy, futuristic, historical, mystery/suspense, romance, and science fiction.

Recommended Authors

L.D. Alford, author of Aegypt among others.