Joyce Hope: Joy Comes in the Morning
Book Club Discussion

Book Club Discussion: Interview with Joyce Hope

This was such an amazing story. Each character had such depth. Clarissa was extraordinary at what she did with her herbal, natural remedies. Is this something that you believe in - natural remedies rather than pharmaceuticals?

I'm a great believer in trying to use as many herbals as possible. Most drugs actually contain poisons. They may help the specific malady for which it's intended, but the severity of the long list of possible side effects makes me wonder if I would rather forego the drug and just suffer. TV drug advertising always makes me laugh. Sometimes the list of side effects seems more detrimental than the actual illness. And ED drugs? Hilarious! The side effect of 'a drippy nose' would certainly kill any romance. Maybe that's why the couples in the commercials are sitting in separate bathtubs. :D

God made one form of healing remedies, man, the other. God is perfect, man isn't. But there is no denying that God gifted so many in the scientific research and invention realm.

My husband suffers from severe migraines. A good dose of standardized Feverfew, before bedtime, has cut the number of incidences down tremendously. Prescription drugs did nothing for him. Vinpocetine, derived from the Vinca plant, is another good herbal that delivers oxygen to the brain. Who knows...it may help to prevent Alzheimer's. There are no side effects or drug interactions that might cause other medical problems.

Book Club Discussion: Interview with Joyce Hope

I loved Vie! She was wise beyond her years. What made you include her in this story?

Men who interact well with children are VERY attractive to me. There is always a child in my stories. Their presence acts as a sort of catalyst. Justin's tender relationship with Vie shows the reader a vital part of his disposition and wisdom. I have six very small grandchildren. A couple of them have such adorable ways of expressing themselves. I wanted to inject their speech patterns into Vie.

Book Club Discussion: Interview with Joyce Hope

Can you explain what the title means to you? How did you decide upon it?

The title is taken from the Bible verse, Psalm 30:5- "Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning." It's a testament of faith. God allows trials to strengthen us but, through faith in Him, He promises that we'll find great joy when our trial is over. And hopefully we'll have learned something beneficial through it. The verse hit me as the perfect title the very second I heard it spoken by a pastor.

Book Club Discussion: Interview with Joyce Hope

Why did you use the trial of Henry Wirz as the historical aspect of the story?

When I began to write my book, I never thought of Henry Wirz. I was watching a TV Civil War documentary that described his situation as exactly opposite of a movie I had seen decades ago. The horror of that movie seemed to stick with me, for some odd reason. I began to research, and found that his trial began on the day after the date when my story begins. The infuriating injustice of his trial forced me to change Justin's career, and build my story as far more than just a romantic tale. Recently, at a Civil War reenactment, I was told that Wirz had been exonerated. I researched, and found several sources that told me he had not. I even received an email from the great grandnephew of Wirz, from Switzerland. It seems that exoneration only gratuitously pardons. It doesn't change the charge. Personally, I believe Wirz was used as a pawn, and his 'guilty' charge needs to be stricken from all records.

Book Club Discussion: Interview with Joyce Hope

The parable of the Good Samaritan is so evident in this story. What made you choose this particular reference?

Because all of my stories are inspired by biblical concepts (a verse, relationship, parable, etc.), I purposely chose the perfect parable that fit poor little Libby's circumstance.

Book Club Discussion: Interview with Joyce Hope

Can you tell us what you are working on next? Will it be the story of Will and Julia?

I just completed a contemporary love story inspired by the Song of Solomon and its theological parallel, Christ's relationship with His church. Keeping it well within the boundaries of the Christian readers' market, I worked at creating a deeply sensual story without having to add any gratuitous sex. My goal was to renew Christians' relationships with Christ, and to fall in love with Him all over again. It's also a great marriage manual for husbands, because it helps men to understand what it is that a Christian woman wants—complete, undivided devotion, open honest communication, and a deeply spiritual intimacy.

I've also completed a shorter, contemporary love story to be added to two more short stories, for a three-in-one novel. The theme is forgiveness from God, as well as forgiving one another. It's all about human behavior, and how it's similar to the idiocies and little habits of animals - cardinals, sugar bears, goldfish, and others - all taking place in the Smoky Mountains.

Right now, I'm halfway through writing a contemporary love story of redemption, inspired by the Bible book of Ruth, and have just begun a Revolutionary War story, inspired by the relationship between Abigail and David, as told in the Bible book of 1st Samuel.

Will and Julia will have to wait. Their names will always be on the roster of the Titanic.