About the Book

Book: The Missing Songbird

Author: Kathleen J. Robison

Genre: Christian Historical Mystery

Release date: May 7, 2024

Lina, after growing up in austere post-WWII Wales, only has one dream—to one day find love and sing on the stage in London. But when her father, her only champion, suddenly dies, that dream seems as far away as London itself.

When charming Captain Everette and his side-show come to town and offer a path to fame, it’s like all her dreams are suddenly coming true. It seems she’s willing to leave behind not only her hometown, but even the one man she’d always imagined marrying for this one shot.

But the path Lina has chosen turns rocky and treacherous, as everyone she meets seems to have their own plans for the beautiful, diminutive singer. Things turn awry when she finds herself suddenly imprisoned for a murder she didn’t commit. With no one to turn to and everything hanging in the balance, how will Lina trust God and His will for her life?

With an equally beautiful writing voice, Kathleen J. Robison draws in her readers with suspense, mystery, and romance.

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Kathleen is an Okinawan-American. Born in Okinawa, raised in California, Florida, Mississippi, and Singapore. Her travels lend themselves to the settings in her books, and her large family provides fun fodder for her characters. She and her Pastor husband have eight adult children. Seven are married, blessing them with sixteen grandchildren, and more on the way! Her ethnically diverse family of 33 plus personalities presents many opportunities to write about God’s amazing love amid trials, tragedies, and blessings. He is the one true inspiration and hope for us all.

More from Kathleen

More from Kathleen:

The Missing Songbird is so dear to my heart. But do you want to know a secret? I never really wanted to write this book! Yet, God has a way of turning our “never” into always. I made the decision to write it because I felt God’s leading, and “always” is how I feel about The Missing Songbird now. I’ll always love that I was invited to join Celebrate Lit’s Ever After Mystery Collection, Fairy Tale retellings set in the 1940s. Of all the books I’ve written so far, it’s my favorite, and my husband’s too. I hope it will become yours.

Initially, my plan was to retell the children’s story, The Steadfast Tin Soldier. It was a tale that had always held a special place in my heart. I can still recall the bittersweet emotions it stirred within me as a child. I even have a faint memory of a black-and-white movie adaptation. So, I envisioned a unique twist, setting the story in Okinawa during World War II, with an Okinawan girl and a soldier. It was a concept that excited me, and I was eager to bring it to life.

My mother was a trained Okinawan folk dancer, so I thought it would be perfect. But another author had chosen that fairy tale, and after much deliberation and research, I chose Thumbelina. I came to find out that not many had even heard of the story. However, in Thumbelina, the numerous difficulties faced by a thumb-sized little creature provided me with lots of ideas, so my story was born.

The Missing Songbird revolves around Lina, a charming, talented little person who lives in the rural outskirts of a Welsh town. According to the Little People of America, adults under five feet ten inches tall may have a condition of dwarfism that includes both proportionate and disproportionate body types. My mother was only four feet, ten inches, and I’m four feet, eleven inches, so I can somewhat relate! It happens that Lina is proportionate, and her first love interest is not a little person, but of average height. Later on, you’ll meet Richard, the conflict in a love-triangle, who has disproportionate dwarfism.

I loved developing a beautiful love story between individuals who face many trials living as little people, especially so back in 1947. Although the story is not about Lina and Richard’s body types, it’s because of this that I found a way to share God’s redemptive themes of trust, love, and acceptance through difficulties in facing prejudice, bitterness, and pride.

I don’t remember why I chose to set the story in Wales, but perhaps a fairy tale’s lyrical prose tends to lend itself to ancient places. My husband’s grandmother was born and raised in Dowlais, Wales, and we visited her relatives back in the 70s. In my memories, I still envision the old coal mining town in black and white. It wasn’t till we toured the green, lush countryside that the beauty of the land transformed to living color. I felt like I stepped back in time.

Although I only met my husband’s grandmother here in the US after we married, her imposing figure made quite an impression both in person and through the many stories my husband shared with me. He was raised by a single-working mom, so his grandmother was prominent in his life. Food, customs, idioms, and her sing-song accent still fill my mind and make me smile.

As you delve into Lina and Richard’s love story, set in the enchanting world of Wales in 1949, I hope you’ll feel God’s presence weaving through their lives. I trust that, in some small way, The Missing Songbird will touch your heart, leading you to experience God’s love and His remarkable works in your own life. Thank you for embarking on this journey with me.

Interview with Kathleen

What would you say is the most challenging part of writing a book?

For me, it’s getting to the middle right. When I sit down to write, I can pound out 50,000 words in a month. The beginning flows quickly, but by the time I get to the halfway point, I realize I can’t wrap it up yet. I sometimes tend to write the ending at that point. It’s more fun and rewarding but also helps me focus on the direction of the story. It’s where my plot twists and character transformations really take on depth. I credit the Lord for that. It tends to be when I cry out for guidance the most.

Do you base your characters on real people?

I have a few times. I often have a person in mind when writing my characters. As a placeholder, I’ll use their names to help me when crafting their personality. My goal is to change it in the redrafts. In my first book, I totally forgot, and after publication, a friend of mine brought it to my attention. She asked, “Is this the Mrs. Crowley we all know and love?” So, that person’s name makes an appearance in almost all my Bay Town Books.

Let Them Eat Fruitcake is a Bay Town Holiday book, and the spiritual mentor there is the namesake of another dear friend in heaven. She’s a pistol of a real-life character, and she was so touched that I wrote her into my book and kept her name.

In my Bay Town Series, Book Five, Shaded Goodness, due for a June 2025 release, one of my favorite people is the love interest of the main character. He’s now in heaven with the Lord, but I just couldn’t change his name. I checked with my nephew, his son, who said to leave it! So I’m so thrilled.

How many books have you written? Which is your favorite?

I have ten published books to date, beginning in 2021. But I’ve written too many books to count! Many are completed, and many are in various stages, just waiting in the queue.  The Missing Songbird is number nine, and it is my favorite book.

When Celebrate Lit Publishing first commissioned me to write it, I’d never had to follow anyone’s parameters before. A fairy-tale-inspired mystery set in the 1940s wasn’t too constricting, but I struggled. I told my critique group I’d never do this again, but two years later, the journey of writing The Missing Songbird proved to be one of my greatest endeavors. The Lord led me through winding paths with themes of pride, prejudices, and patience, and it was worth the toil.

Any current or upcoming projects you’d like to tell us about?

I’ve got two books in their final edits. Although Book Four, Ransomed Peace of my Bay Town Series, just released, I’ve already completed the first round of edits of Book Five, Shaded Goodness.

I’m working on an Indie project as well. Christmas Cookie Connection is the first in a series of Holiday Romances. God-willing, I’ll release that sweet, fun romance later this year in October, just in time for holiday reading.

Where can readers find out more about you and your books?

I have a newsletter that comes out once a month with the most up-to-date info. You can subscribe to my website, www.kathleenjrobison.com. I post most prolifically on Facebook, and I write often on my blog and website.

Here are my links to Facebook, Instagram, Amazon and Goodreads. I have a Book Bub account, but I am still managing that, so bear with me. Thanks for asking!

https://www.facebook.com/kathleenjrobisonauthor/

https://www.facebook.com/groups/3108667785916519

https://www.instagram.com/kathleenjrobison/

https://www.bookbub.com/profile/kathleen-j-robison?list=author_books

https://www.amazon.com/stores/Kathleen-J.-Robison/author/B08R23BC3X?ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1&qid=1718827145&sr=8-1&isDramIntegrated=true&shoppingPortalEnabled=true

It’s been a pleasure, Gina. I appreciate your interest in my writing and sharing my books with your readers. May the Lord bless your writing journey as well!

Blog Stops

Inspired by fiction, July 12

Locks, Hooks and Books, July 13

Stories By Gina, July 14 (Author Interview)

Texas Book-aholic, July 14

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, July 15

Connie’s History Classroom, July 16

Vicky Sluiter, July 17 (Author Interview)

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, July 18

Betti Mace, July 19

Library Lady’s Kid Lit, July 20 (Author Interview)

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, July 20

Simple Harvest Reads, July 21 (Guest Review from Donna Cline)

Holly’s Book Corner, July 22

Through the Fire Blogs, July 23 (Author Interview)

Inspired by fiction , July 24

Denise L. Barela, July 25 (Author Interview)

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Kathleen is giving away the grand prize package of a $25 Amazon gift card and copy of the book!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

https://promosimple.com/ps/2cd02/the-missing-songbird-celebration-tour-giveaway