The Authorized Version

A very wise and generous writer friend, Rob Walker by name, advised me, "Donna, your titles are extremely good. You should, one by one over a period of time, discuss how you arrived at the title of each of your books."

Because I am an only child I’m a knee-jerk obedient so I try only to listen to good advice. I think Rob’s suggestion qualifies, so here goes.

I start with my newest series to go up on ebook format The Daughters of Courage, beginning, logically with KATHRYN, Days of Struggle and Triumph, book 1 in the trilogy. I’m especially anxious to get the word out about this book since my publisher, at my request, has just lowered the price to 99 cents.

Since this story of an Idaho pioneer family is based on my own family history, I first wanted to name it ESTHER after my paternal grandmother. (I knew better than to suggest using my maternal grandmother’s name— Tennie.) But Esther was too Biblical sounding.

Perhaps I should explain here that authors do not have the final say regarding their titles. Since titles are a primary marketing tool, and marketing rules the universe, titles are the publisher’s call.

I next suggested MEREDITH because it is a strong-sounding name and a woman (actually a young girl when the story opens) pioneering in a rattlesnake-infested sagebrush desert needed to be strong, indeed. 

   Here's my grandmother Esther at about the age the story begins

Strong, maybe, my editor said. But not romantic enough. How about BRIDGET he asked? In the heyday of Bridget Bardot that was hardly the image I was going for. Too late I learned that my editor’s daughter was named Bridget. Oops.

When my editor suggested KATHRYN I happily accepted before I could get myself into more trouble.

That was many years before our son married his beautiful Catherine. Different spelling, of course, but every time I do an Amazon search and type in Kathryn, Crow I think of the new generations in our family.

It’s rare to find novels that combine a strong Christian ethic with such compelling story-telling.

Because these are real people and real events, the experiences of faith challenged and faith triumphant are all the more meaningful. I hope that Donna Fletcher Crow’s loving testament to her grandmother and mother and to the brave men and women who shaped our country will touch you as much as it did me.

Lenore Person, Guideposts Books