Interview with Harriet Bailey Knight: Main Character Monday and Giveaway

Interview with Harriet Bailey Knight: Main Character Monday

The Details

Welcome to another Main Character Monday and my interview with Harriet Bailey Knight. Harriet joins us from Borrowed Trouble by Shaen Layle. Borrowed Trouble is book 15 of 18 in the Mysteries of Cobble Hill Farm series. It is available in both paperback and eBook formats.

While today’s interview is with Harriet, I have had the pleasure of interviewing Shaen Layle. Stick around after today’s interview for the link to the author’s interview and a great giveaway opportunity. For now, let’s meet Harriet.

Interview with Harriet Bailey Knight

Harriet, for those who may not be familiar with you or this series, please, tell us a bit about yourself.

A year-and-a-half ago, I moved from Connecticut to England to take over my late grandfather’s estate and veterinary practice at Cobble Hill Farm. Moving was a risk but one I’m so glad I took. I love my community, my family and friends, and my new husband, pastor Will Knight (who I think is as handsome as any Jane Austen hero).

With such a glowing review, it sounds like Will is a swoon-worth match for you. Tell me something about you that readers may find surprising?

Mysteries seem to find me at every turn! In fact, Will and I had to put our honeymoon on hold so that we could uncover who stole my family’s antique endearment brooch at our wedding reception. Another fun fact? My first pet was a box turtle named Sheldon.

Those are two very different fun facts, and I know readers will appreciate that look behind the curtain at who Harriet Bailey Knight really is. Of course, I think our favorite scriptures give people a lot of insight into who we are as well. What is your favorite book of the Old Testament?

I’ve always loved the Psalms, specifically Psalm 148, which talks about all the creatures of the earth being created for God’s glory. Some psalms lift me when I’m discouraged, while others remind me to cultivate a grateful heart. No matter what I might face, I can find a remedy in Psalms.

The Psalms have something for everyone, don’t they? Is there a book of the Bible you have trouble getting through?

To be honest, Leviticus is difficult to wade through at times! It’s easy to get bogged down by all the details. But I know that every book of the Bible is purposeful and divinely crafted. I just need to continue studying and praying that God would reveal the message He wants me to receive from His Word. 

I have to agree with your assessment on all points regarding Leviticus, hard to read but has God-given purpose. If you could meet anyone from scripture, excluding Jesus, who would it be?

I’d like to meet Daniel. He was courageous in the face of adversity, loyal to God’s commands, and a person of steadfast faith. He leaned on God’s wisdom rather than man’s. I’d love to emulate his character and commitment to God in my own life.

He definitely lived life according to his faith. Jesus had twelve disciples. Which one are you most like?

I share some personality traits with Thomas. He was logical and needed evidence before he made decisions. I tend to be pretty practical, so Thomas and I have that in common. However, I also know that I need to balance that desire for knowledge with trusting God and His plans. It’s a work in progress!

Aren’t we all a work in progress? Jesus says we are to be His light in the world. What does this mean to you?

To me, it means that we have the privilege of sharing the hope that we have in Jesus with others. This message comes through in the way we talk, act, and conduct ourselves every day and should illuminate the dark corners of the world for His glory. 

If you could leave readers with one message, what would it be?

When God calls you to it, don’t be afraid to take a step of faith! If I hadn’t done that, I never would have moved to White Church Bay, reconnected with family and made new friends, or met my husband, Will. Sometimes the best plans are the ones that we never make at all!

That is a great message. Sometimes those faith steps are hard to take. But it sounds like yours ended up just the way God wanted it to. Now that we’ve seen a little more of who you are in the area of faith, I’d like to ask you some quick answer questions to get a look at the less serious side of Harriet Bailey Knight.

Just for Fun Questions

If you could have a superpower, what one would you choose?

The ability to heal anyone at any time. It’s why I got involved in medicine in the first place!

If offered the opportunity would you choose to travel in space?

I think I would. How amazing would it be to have a full view of God’s creation?

Dark or Milk Chocolate? Either one. I don’t turn down a dessert!

Roses or Daisies? Roses, like the ones that grow in the garden at Cobble Hill Farm

Salad or Soup? Soup (to ward off the coastline chill!)

And one final question for you today. This one is to give us a peek into the one who authored your story. If you only had three words to use, how would you describe Shaen Layle?

Bookish, mystery-lover, tea-drinker

I think those are great words. And if the cover of your story is any indication, I think they must be very fitting. I want to thank you for joining me today. And I want to thank Shaen Layle for this interview with Harriet Bailey Knight.

Readers, stick with me a little while longer. I have more about Shaen and Borrowed Trouble.

More About the Author

Shaen Layle is a USA Today Bestselling author and a Carol Award semi-finalist who writes
inspirational cozy mystery from her home in the Midwest, where she lives with her family and
their shelter pup, Violet. Trained as a literary novelist and with a decade of librarianship under
her belt, Shaen loves discussing all things bookish with her readers on her website and on social
media.

Website and Social Media Links – Shaen Layle:
Website: www.shaenlayle.com
Newsletter Signup: www.shaenlayle.com/newsletter
Facebook: www.facebook.com/AuthorShaenLayle
Twitter: www.twitter.com/shaenlayle
Instagram: www.instagram.com/shaen_layle
Pinterest: www.pinterest.com/shaenlayle
Goodreads: www.goodreads.com/user/show/69552794shaen-layle

If you’d like to know more about Shaen than what’s in her bio, you can check out my interview with her from earlier this year.

More About the Book

The wedding of Harriet Bailey and Will Knight has finally arrived. Friends and family of the bride and groom have gathered, and the celebration couldn’t be more perfect―until the power goes out during the reception. When the lights come back on, Harriet’s family heirloom is missing! Could one of their friends really have taken such a special item?

Determined to prove that couldn’t be true, Harriet and Will pause their honeymoon plans to search for the missing antique brooch. As they interview witnesses and possible suspects, they realize there is more history to the jewelry than they ever imagined. And what happens when other valuable items disappear?

Harriet and Will must map out the truth before their honeymoon road trip takes another detour.

Mysteries of Cobble Hill Farm brings you everything you want in a great cozy mystery: page-turning plots, hidden secrets from the past, faith-filled characters, clean, wholesome stories, and the heartwarming, fun antics of animals with a knack for sniffing out―and digging up―clues!

When veterinarian Harriet Bailey’s grandfather passes away, she accepts his bequest and follows her heart―with God’s gentle guidance―across the ocean to the charming town of White Church Bay in Yorkshire, England. Old Doc Bailey left Harriet not only a sprawling historic estate but also the Cobble Hill Farm Vet Clinic in the hope that she would continue his legacy. You’ll be captivated, just like Harriet, as she takes long walks along country paths, marvels at the gardens surrounding each cottage, and wanders through the ruins of old stone castles. Through the caring locals she meets and the precious animals in her care, she confirms that she is right where she belongs―especially when people and pets alike bring her mysteries from today and yesterday to solve!

Purchase Borrowed Trouble

Giveaway Opportunity

Want a chance to win a copy of Borrowed Trouble? Leave a question for Shaen or comment on this post by 11:59pm September 16th for an entry into the drawing. US entrants only.