Julie Morrill

Only one life, 'twill soon be past. Only what's done for Christ will last. "For me to live is Christ." Philippians 1:21 This poem and Bible verse lived on the wall of my home as a child, and with my mother's help, they were the very first words I learned to read as a toddler. The lines of poetry are attributed to British missionary and cricketer --C.T. Studd (Charles Thomas Studd, 1860-1931). Those lines and that verse have been my life verse and calling. But I have not always lived by them....

A broken gate, a stolen tool, a smashed mailbox, or a vehicle key-scratched overnight can make a person wonder if people used to be better than this. In Siskiyou County, California, we live among old stage roads, mining stories, and town names that still carry the sounds of another century. It's easy to look back at the 1890s and imagine a county full of handshake deals, unlocked doors, and neighbors who knew better than to take what was not theirs. But the past was not clean and innocent....

One of the things I love about writing historical fiction is discovering the real places that make a story come alive--like Forest House. When I lived in Scott Valley for over 15 years, I passed by this stage stop inn every time I traveled to and from Yreka. And, although I have not been inside this lovely historic building, I have personally toured the grounds. which was a treat. (Thank you to the owners!) While doing research for my current novel, Kita’s Courage, I made sure to include...