About the Book

Book: The Angel of Second Street

Author: Barbara Tifft Blakey

Genre: Christian Fiction/Romance/Historical Fiction

Release date: May 1, 2025

How Can Compassion be Considered Wrong?

When life is weighed down by challenges, pillars of enduring hope and love are always waiting to be discovered.

Ida Dempsey has grown up in a privileged life of luxury thanks to her aunt and uncle. Although Second Street—where women of ill repute ply their wares—is off limits to respectable citizens, her heart of compassion compels her to frequent the area, hoping to make a difference in their lives. Ida has also befriended Qui Shau, a Chinese woman who keeps house for her family, but friendships between the whites and Chinese are taboo in Eureka. Ida tries to keep secret her forbidden compassion, but someone is watching and will use it against her.

When Blaine Prescott meets Ida at a church picnic, his parents warn him away from any relationship with the young lady who has been seen on Second Street in the company of a Chinese woman. But how could such a kindhearted, lovely young woman be anything but good? But when riots break out in Chinatown and Ida disappears, Blaine will do anything to find out where and why she has gone.

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Barbara Tifft Blakey lives in the Pacific Northwest on five wooded acres with Terry, her husband of forty-plus years. She is best known for her award-winning, literature-inspired, language arts program, Total Language Plus, which she created over twenty years ago, and is used by thousands of homeschoolers. Barbara teaches Sunday school and enjoys speaking on various topics to Christian women’s groups. She and her husband have four grown children and five grandchildren. She enjoys camping at the ocean and is an avid soccer fan. During the day-light challenged winter months, she reads, crochets, bakes, and plots her next novel.

More from Barbara

As the birthplace of my mother, Eureka, California holds a special charm for me intensified by my grandmother’s stories of the area. Every visit I’ve made has encouraged me to dig deeper, to learn more, to experience this small, coastal town’s magnetism.

Its history includes the Wiyot’s massacre on Indian Island which can be viewed from the harbor and the expulsion of the Chinese population from Humboldt County. Carson’s Mansion is the most photographed Victorian dwelling in California, and possibly the United States, built to keep the lumber baron’s loggers employed during a downturn in the timber industry. Because of the numerous brothels, an entire section of Second Street located in the heart of the community was deemed out of bounds for children.

Both hero and heroine in Angel of Second Street are fictional, but my cast of characters includes real-life people such as Reverend Huntington, David Kendall, and Wei Lum and real historical businesses such as Wells Drug Store and Kitty Farris’s Joy Emporium.

I first wrote a version of this story more than a decade ago, but who can argue with God’s timing? Events that happened over 150 years ago feel current in today’s political climate where fear tactics dominate debates and spur regrettable actions. I didn’t set out to make a political statement, only to tell an engaging, thought-provoking love story, but in the midst of relating historical events, a deeper truth emerged as relevant today as it was in the mid 1800s.

I pray you’ll journey with Ida and Blaine through the turmoil of their times and be enriched to face the trials of today with renewed hope.

Interview with Barbara

When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?  

A life long-dream, actually. When I was about 8 years old I rewrote Cinderella, giving the Prince the measles and postponing the ball. But I didn’t actually write a book until my children were grown.

How long does it take you to write a book?

I’m not fast. It takes me about 6 months to write a 75,000 word novel, but I’m working on ways to speed up the process.

What is your real-life work schedule like when writing?

I’m blessed with an office I can close myself off in (necessary because I have five grandchildren living on the same property and they run in and out all day). I usually get up around 6:30, but don’t make an appearance until 7:30 so I can begin my day with prayer and Bible reading. The little ones have breakfast with us, but around 8:00, I begin in the office (with my door open) by taking care of a business I own (I operate a small educational press that markets literature inspired study guides which I developed to homeschoolers and private Christian schools) for the next hour. After a break, I close my door and begin writing until noon. The afternoons are busy with errands, housework, grandkids, etc. until after dinner when everything settles down again and I return to the office (door closed) from 6:30 to 8:30. 

What are your favorite books to read? 

I love to read so much that even the back of a cereal box can hold my attention. I often choose a book based on my mood or the events of my life at a particular time. Lots of stress and activity will have me reading something light and easy such as The Number One Ladies Detective Agency or the Mitford series. When I’m writing historical romance, then that’s what I’m reading. And the classics. My shelves are filled with Jane Austen, Charles Dickens, Charlotte Bronte, Nathaniel Hawthorne, Tolkien, C. S. Lewis, etc. Because of my business, I read every Newbery winner.

When did you write your first book, and how old were you?

My first book was published by Kregel in 2008. I was 55 years old

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

Blocking out the noise of a busy house and separating myself from family.

What do you like to do when you’re not writing?

Read, hang out with grandkids, crochet, camp in my comfy RV. My husband and I spend a lot of time at Pleasant Valley Christian Camp where I volunteer in the kitchen. The kitchen crew are super about supporting my writing and I find the atmosphere conducive to writing–under the shadow of Mount Rainier in Washington state.

Do you base your characters on real people?

Yes. Every main character in my stories is inspired by a real person.

What was one of the most surprising things you learned in creating your books?

That characters sometimes have a mind of their own! Before I begin a book, I’ll know my characters well, but in almost every book, they’ll make a decision or do something I didn’t plan. I know it sounds crazy, but when it happens, I have to let go of my idea and go with theirs.

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

At my author page:  BarbaraTifftBlakey. On my website for my business:  totallanguageplus.com

Blog Stops

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, May 29

Pens Pages & Pulses, May 29

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, May 30

Locks, Hooks and Books, May 31

Texas Book-aholic, June 1

Stories By Gina, June 2 (Author Interview)

Mary Hake, June 2

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, June 3

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, June 4

Simple Harvest Reads, June 5 (Guest Review from Donna)

For Him and My Family, June 6

Becca Hope: Book Obsessed, June 6

Holly’s Book Corner, June 7

Pause for Tales, June 8

Cover Lover Book Review, June 9

Book Butterfly in Dreamland, June 9

Devoted To Hope, June 10

Bizwings Book Blog, June 11

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Barabara is giving away the grand prize of a $25 Amazon e-Gift card and a print copy of the book!!

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

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/00adcf54231