Reader friends, I’m so excited today to introduce you to contemporary Christian fiction writer, Joanne Bischof!
What? You know of a historical writer by the same name? Oh, yes, she’s written historicals too, and they get nominated for awards a bunch, but now she’s written a lovely shorter novel (about 179 pages) with a contemporary setting.
A very contemporary setting. And man, is it good!
Here’s the back cover blurb for To Get to You:
To get to the girl he loves,
Riley Kane must head off on a road trip with the
father he never knew. Then pray for a miracle.
Most teens would love to have a pro surfer for a dad. Just not Riley. Abandoned as a kid, he hates the sound of the ocean and the man who gave himself to it.
When the eighteen-year-old learns that his best friend is stranded at a New Mexico hospital as her father fights for his life, Riley hits the highway to head east. But when his Jeep breaks down before he even leaves California, he must rely on the one man he despises to get to the girl who needs him the most. And when it comes to the surfer with the Volkswagen van and dog-eared map, a thousand miles may–or may not–be enough to heal the past.
First, let me encourage you Midwesterners like me or other land lubbers not to let the pro surfing thing scare you off. It’s so perfectly done that it — and the skateboarding aspect too (yes, those hooligans!) — did not throw me one bit. Surfing and skateboarding aren’t things you find in Christian fiction very often, if at all, but Bischof handles it so well that it’s a very natural part of the character. And Riley is so lovable that we accept every aspect of him.
What really touched me about the book was the way the characters were so real, relatable, and… (I’m running out of r words!) likable. I felt for every single one of them — for Riley who’s so young and trying to start life on his own, for Becca who seems like a sweet but somewhat lonely homeschooled girl, and for Jake who doesn’t really know how to connect with a son he left. There’s humor that made me smile and chuckle — and then the author would turn it around a few pages or chapters later and make that same bit of humor so poignant. This is one of those clean, wholesome, thoroughly entertaining books that suddenly dives deep and leaves you with a lump in your throat and lots of hope for the future.
Did I mention the book is good?
But enough from me. Here’s a quick interview with Joanne herself.
So, Joanne, very few CBA readers are into surfing or skateboarding. I think. Are you? Why do you believe this story will connect so well with today’s Christian fiction readers?
I love the way you get right to it, Sally! My dad is an old surf bum as were most of the men in my life. I never surfed myself, but our families always camped at the beach and my friends and I would ride around the campground on longboard skateboards. But other than that, I’ve never been a skateboarder. I think I’m much too clumsy!
By the time I was in high school, it was almost daily that our house was filled with skateboarders. A few of them were friends with my sister, and once these guys realized that my mom would feed them and my dad would sit and play the guitar with them – they multiplied. Friends of friends showed up and before long, I had inherited a lot of brothers that made our lives super colorful.
As for the second question – I honestly worried while writing this that because of the skateboarding and surfing aspects, the story wouldn’t connect with Christian fiction readers. It’s quite different for women’s fiction, but personally, I love reading about things that are new to me. My hope is that by these elements being woven in, they would add a fun level of adventure for readers to experience life through the eyes of a skateboarding teen and his professional surfer dad.
Well, I think you succeeded there, Joanne! The book is told from an eighteen-year-old boy’s point of view. Most of the book is spent with male characters, yet I thoroughly enjoyed every second with these guys and was seriously sad when it had to end. What do you think your reader is going to get from time spent with these fictional males?
I’m so glad you enjoyed it! Writing a book about three guys inside a VW van for several days was a huge hurdle. It was an adventure all its own and that’s what I tried to draw on — showing the fun side of things, and in several instances, digging down to the heart of the matter in a way I think women can appreciate. I love writing about the element of brotherhood. For Riley, as an eighteen-year-old on this road trip, it ended up sort of representing his right of passage. He’s a young, semi-lost teen, learning from the men who went before him. It’s a bond that I hope will encourage readers — and, with all the characters’ shenanigans, hopefully be lots of fun! It means a lot to me that you were sad that it had to end. I find that every time I get to the end of the road in the story, I tear up because while Riley’s goal—Becca—is the purpose behind the trip, it’s the journey with Riley’s dad and his dad’s best friend that really changes him.
Yes! That trip is the heart of the story, and I wanted them to keep on driving.
Becca and Riley are about as unlikely a pair as you can imagine, he of the surfing/skateboarding world and she of what seems to be the conservative homeschool world. Even their names portray their backgrounds. What do you think the challenges of such a couple would be? And why do you think God sometimes likes to bring together people who are so very different?
I think the biggest challenge they face is Riley being a new Christian. When the story starts out, he’s only been a Christian for a handful of weeks. Though he’s trying to start over in life, he has a rough past and even though he’s saved, it’s not a quick fix. He’s still navigating the ins and outs of this new faith. Still trying to get a grip on the fact that grace is given to him.
For Riley and Becca, each person sort of fills a void for the other. For Riley, Becca is his safe place. She and her family represent a strong, whole family which he never had. In his world, where people are always wanting to get a picture of him or ask what it’s like to be the son of one of the greatest surfers in the world, Becca and her family simply take him for who he is. His own individuality. I think that means a lot to him.
For Becca, Riley is her adventure. She lives a quiet, small life. Literally with her huge homeschooled family crammed into a trailer. Riley comes and sort of makes her world a little bigger, and a little more exciting. Becca and Riley knew one another as kids. While Becca may or may not remember, Riley has a memory of her in Sunday School and a moment of kindness that she showed him. I really wanted that to represent how God plants people in our path for purposes greater than we see just yet and that how we treat people always counts for something, even when we don’t realize it yet.
Most important question: I see that the cover shows that this is a Wild Air novel. I hope that means there will be more of Becca and Riley and his dad too?
Right now, I have three books planned in the series all with the same theme of the Emerson quote:
My hope with the Wild Air series is to encourage teens and young adults to dream up real-life adventures. To get them out of their bedrooms and school hallways, and into the great, beautiful world that God created for us to explore.
Each of the books in the series will focus on a new set of characters, but it just so happens that the next book will be partly in the point-of-view of Riley’s friend, Ramsey, who is mentioned a time or two. The third story will pass the baton in the same way. Which means that I’m really, really hoping Riley and Becca will be making cameos throughout the series. I don’t know what that will look like just yet, since I never plot anything :) . But this pantser promises that she’s going to try and get the characters of To Get to You into the pages of the rest of the series some way!
So there you have it, reader friends. I know I’ve done a lot of gushing here, but that’s because this book is so gushable! I’ll be giving a print copy away to someone who comments and tells me what in this interview has really piqued their interest. The winner will be announced in the Sunday edition.
In the meantime, do go pre-order the ebook on Amazon. It releases August 31st and will be a great way to spend your September 1st.
Sally Bradley writes big-city fiction with real issues and real hope. A Chicagoan since age five, Sally has been fascinated by all things Chicago (except for crime, politics, and traffic) for almost as long. She now lives in the Kansas City area with her family, but they get back to Chicago for important things -- like good pizza and a White Sox game. A freelance-fiction editor and former president of her writing chapter, Sally has won a handful of awards for Kept and another work-in-progress. Visit her online at sallybradley.com or on Facebook.
I am so excited for this book. You can bet I will be pre-ordering! I live in the Pacific Northwest where skateboarders, mountain bikers, and rock-climbers reign. I can’t say much surfing goes on, though. Washington’s coast doesn’t have the best surfing. All this to say is, all the Christians I went to college with were crazy fun and took advantage of the beauty around them. I also graduated with a degree in exercise physiology, so I encourage anything that keeps you moving. Much success with your new book, Joanne.
Thank you, thank you, thank you for the post with Joanne. I just love her writing. I can’t wait to read To Get to You. I’m happy to see here that there will be more in this series.
Congrats, Joanne, on the new release!
This story sounds great, though I’ve never been surfing (yeah, no thanks), and skateboarding is beyond my ability since I am quite capable of tripping over air.
Congrats on the new series, Joanne, and thanks for introducing her to us, Sally.
Looking forward to reading this story! I’m from Kansas, so I know next to nothing about surfing and was always too chicken to skateboard. It’s always fun to learn new things while reading fiction!
Thanks for visiting, Joanne! My son was a skateboarder in high school and college but eventually gave it up. Not before a few bones had been broken, though.
Sounds like a fun book. Is it aimed at a YA audience?
Sounds like a lot of fun! But what a challenge to write all those male viewpoints! I’m in awe!
Wow! Sounds like a fun adventure with boys. I raised 3 sons so, I can imagine the stink in that car! lol!! That being said, this book sounds great!
I love Joanne! This interview was great. I loved reading about all her new “skateboarding brothers” and I’m really excited to know that there are 2 other books planned in this series :)
Great interview! Looking forward to reading this book.
Oh your home sounds so much fun! I DREAM of seeing the Pacific Northwest and cannot wait for the day to finally get to travel through there. And thank you so much! I really hope you enjoy it. :)
Hi Amy!
So nice to see you here! And thank you bunches! :)
Ginger – You and me both! I’m deathly afraid of sharks and pretty much anything that swims. ;) Thanks for your sweet words!
I’m so glad to hear that, Katy! I always enjoy reading things about the Midwest. You should see how excited I get over a field of corn. ;)
Velerie, It’s such a joy! I was so thrilled when Sally asked me. Yes, this one is classified as YA so it’s a great fit for teens. I also tried to write it to be really adult friendly by making some of the older men MC’s and it’s been great to hear from some older ladies how much they enjoyed it. :)
I cannot wait to read this book! As someone who lives on the East Coast, I love novels that take place on the West Coast and the adventure they bring with this foreign setting. Add surfing, skateboarding, and a meaningful road trip and I’m hooked. I look forward to meeting the characters and am excited to hear it’s the first in a series based off a wonderful quote. :)
More books to come? That definitely peaks my interest! Hoping to win the paperback. I have an e-version, but I’m having trouble focusing on screens lately….so, I’ve yet to read it. I am such a fan of your books, Joanne, so you know that it’s killing me having to wait. But, no worries, I am patient “enough”.
This interview is awesome! Sally, you ask great questions! Fun memories were sparked as I read this!
tlrosado, I’m so glad this book resonates with you! Sounds like you’ll absolutely love it. And, yes, of course Christians are fun! :D That goes without saying, right?
Amy, I’m fairly new to Joanne. I’ve heard of her books for a couple years but hadn’t read any until this year. The nice thing about that is that there’s a bunch for me to binge read, right?
Yeah, the sharks have always kept me out of the deep water too, although we’re learning now they don’t need deep water, do they? Shudder!
Katy, I’m a Kansan too. Not native, but I’ve sure learned to love this state. It gets a bad rap, thanks to Dorothy, but is it gorgeous out here in the east. Love living here!
LOL, Joanne! You and my husband both. He used to be that way about cows. Major Chicagoan there who didn’t get out of the suburbs. Ever. Now he’s over it. :)
Valerie, it’s very adult friendly. While it is :YA, I do think it’ll really connect with fans of women’s fiction. And even romance some.
Lee, her male characters are excellent! I loved Saul and the depth he brought to Jake’s (Riley’s dad) characterization. I think it’d be a good book for writers who want to see men written right.
The stink the car… I had not thought of that. Dana, this book is so good. You’d love it!
Samantha, I hope you pick up a copy. I kinda feel like these guys are my skateboarding brothers now. They were just such real characters, you know?
Yay! I’d love to hear what you think of it, down the road when it’s out. Talking about great fiction is so fun, isn’t it?
That quote was new to me, but it is fabulous, isn’t it? Makes me almost want to go outside for a run… almost. ;)
And some books are just fun in paperback, right? That cover is so beautiful that I want to see it in print too. Thanks for commenting, Debbie!
I have to say this was an easy interview because I’d already read the book and fell in love with it. (Could you tell?) And how cool that it brought back some of your own memories. Were you a surfer? Skateboarder?
I have read one of Joanna’s historical books, so what has really interested me in this book is that this is a different writing style for an author I have read and I would love to see how that is developed. I like the surfing theme. My husband just took our 2 sons to Hawaii and they all learned to surf. Trying to mend a broken relationship is always a great story line. Also I think its great that this is a 3 book series so I know readers will have a chance to read about more characters and adventures in this series. To Get To You sounds like a wonderful book that I would love to read.
I am so there for the surfing and skateboarding! I grew up in a funky little California beach town and lived with these characters. Looking forward to reading the book.
Thanks Lee! It really was a challenge. ;)
Sally, I’m so glad you liked Saul. I keep hearing from readers about him (including a few crushes, LOL) which is a fun surprise.
HAHAHA!! I had thought the exact same thing as I was writing it. ;) My hubby who travels through different states with his hunting buddies sort of raised an eyebrow at the lack of bodily functions. I figured readers could use their imagination if they wanted on that one, LOL. ;)
Well thank you Samantha! Lots of love right back! And I’m so glad you enjoyed reading about those brothers. :)
Love it, Sally. That means a lot!
Ola – Thank you so much!
Ashley – I’m so excited to hear that! I really hope you enjoy a little virtual vacation with this one. Thank you for your sweet comment!
Debbie, Bless your heart. I so get that. My eyes have been bothering me lately and it makes looking at a screen very difficult. I’m glad to know you’re still a paperback girl. :) I hope to get this one on audio too one day, so hopefully another option will be there down the road. Hugs to you, my friend!
Maryann, That so neat to hear. I find that it’s tricky – and slightly intimidating – to switch styles. To my eyes and ears, the story still feels like anything else I would write, but I have a hunch that it would be a different experience entirely for readers. I’ll look forward to hearing your thoughts. :)
Ooh, high-five, Katie! :) The beach has always been my favorite thing about California. It’s funny, but I’ve never been terribly fond of CA – it’s so hot, dry and crowded – but writing this series really made me dig in deep and see the beauty around me and I’m grateful for that. Writing the book surprisingly had me falling more in love with this state.
I’m so glad to hear that, Janette!
Looks like an awesome book! I can’t wait to read it!
I can totally see people crushing on Saul. He needs a book. :)
I was referred to your book by Sally Bradley. I’m looking forward to reading your new book! Congratulations! Arleen :-)
Can’t wait to read your new book Joanne! I remember all those skater guys with guitars! Haha! Love the personal point of view! Sounds like a fun, fresh idea!
Another new author for me to read. Nice interview.
New author for me.