INTERVIEW: Getting to Know Kendy Pearson, the Author Behind the Series "West Virginia: Born of Rebellion's Storm"
- Book Nerd
- Jun 13
- 6 min read
After finishing a 45-day whirlwind of blog tours to promote the three novels that comprise the West Virginia: Born of Rebellion's Storm series, author Kendy Pearson talks with Booknerdia about her writing process, what's next, and more.
Kendy Pearson Mini Bio
Pearson spent 25 years teaching history to high schoolers, and when that chapter of her life closed, she turned to teaching music and freelance writing. During this phase of her career, she sold more than 200 articles and wrote children's curriculum and picture books.
Always trusting God to guide her footsteps, she followed her heart to begin writing the type of books she loved to read--historical fiction.
Equipped with extensive knowledge of history from her years of teaching, Pearson became keenly aware of all the missing stories from school textbooks. It's at this juncture where we find her mining the untapped lessons from the American historical landscape and spinning them into intriguing novels with a unique blend of fact and fiction.
Pearson's brand, Heart of History, weaves stories of well-developed fictional characters with historical truths that sweep readers through a rich saga of tragedy, secrets, regret, and triumph, culminating with God's unending grace.
When she's not writing novels, Pearson leads worship and does bookkeeping for her church. She also speaks to women's groups and teaches writing workshops at libraries and writers' organizations. When time permits, she enjoys quilting and playing her saxophone, fiddle, and piano along with hanging with her family and two miniature doxies.
Booknerdia's Interview with Author Kendy Pearson
BOOKNERDIA: By the end of Book 3 (In Tempest Winds), the Civil War is over, which brings the series (West Virginia: Born of Rebellion's Storm) to a satisfying conclusion. However, there are enough leftover threads that could be spun into another story. Will there be a Book 4 to continue the saga?
PEARSON: Yes and no. Readers will likely first see an unrelated stand-alone novel releasing in 2026. After that, though, they'll see a follow-up series to Rebellion's Storm with a different series name since it will likely reach beyond West Virginia. Readers are clamoring to discover what happens with the younger Dabney family members in the years to come!
BOOKNERDIA: Aside from the Civil War era, are there are other historical time periods that interest you enough to be novel-worthy for future releases?
PEARSON: Oh yes! The entire 19th century America is a field of fascination to me. I have a novel coming in the future about the Chinese purges up and down the West Coast in the 1880s. I'd like to tackle the Blue people of Kentucky or some of the Indian Wars. Immigration stories are dear to my heart because my great-grandfather came through Ellis Island and fought in the Civil War. The westward expansion is ripe with adventures just waiting for me to write them.
BOOKNERDIA: When doing research, what is the most interesting thing you've ever learned?
PEARSON: I learned how to see the forest for the trees. There is so much out there to research, that it is often difficult to narrow your focus. Once you narrow your research focus, then you expand it again within the smaller space and start researching individual people, local events, customs, dress, laws, etc. I've never met a historical author who doesn't enjoy the research more than the writing. It's the fun part where your thoughts take wing to be as creative as you want to be.
BOOKNERDIA: Do you miss teaching? What made you decide to become a writer?
PEARSON: I miss teaching every single day, honestly. But my husband says I'm still a teacher, just not to teenagers. While I was substitute teaching for a couple of years after retiring, I was asked to be on the worship team for a Christian writing conference. That was my first exposure to writing professionally. I dove in and worked as a freelance writer for two years with a lot of success before moving on to actual books. Historical fiction is my favorite to read and is definitely my favorite to write!
BOOKNERDIA: What is your favorite part of the writing process? How long did it take you to write In Tempest Winds?
PEARSON: My favorite part is creating the characters. The research took a couple of months or less since I already knew what I was going to cover in this book. I had unearthed much of what I needed during previous research. Writing the first draft took one month. I always take time to plot carefully before starting on the rough draft, allowing me to knock it out pretty fast. The editing takes way more time than the writing.
BOOKNERDIA: Your bio says you are an accomplished musician. Does this creative outlet influence or inspire your writing?
PEARSON: In When the Mountains Wept (#1 of the series), there was singing and harmonica music setting the scene on occasion. In When Heaven Thunders (#2), I had to indulge my love of music with my musical female protagonist. An important sub-theme in (#3) In Tempest Winds came from the lyrics of a popular contemporary Christian song from the 1990s. And playing and singing Civil War songs definitely influenced my desire to convey more of the personal and emotional elements of the war. Hymns were culturally important to people in that time, and I used them in each book of the series in a realistic way.
BOOKNERDIA: Your characters are so well-developed. Do they feel like real people to you by the time you're done writing? Is it difficult to let them go?
PEARSON: Oh yes! I adore bringing them along into other books and watching them grow in ways that might surprise a few readers. I've thought about writing a prequel to the series just because I didn't get enough of a certain character I killed off in book one. He became my own grandpa in many ways. I cried and cried when he died.
BOOKNERDIA: Who are some of your favorite authors?
PEARSON: Laura Frantz, Michelle Griep, and Jocelyn Green come to mind first, but there are so many wonderful Christian Historical authors out there today.
BOOKNERDIA: What is your favorite way to connect with fans?
PEARSON: I love it when I get an email or a message with a personal comment or thought. When I send out my newsletter, I often ask a question that spurs a string of emails from my readers, and that is so much fun! My absolute favorite is when I teach a workshop at a conference and I get acquainted with readers and spend time with them. Over the last year, it's been a real blessing to be able to call many of my readers friends.
Thank you, Kendy, for giving readers a peek behind-the-scenes of your author life. You are an absolute delight!
Check Out Kendy Pearson's Three-Book Series
If you enjoy historical novels that you can sink your teeth into that are engrossing, emotionally well-layered, poignant, redemptive, and resonate through the ages, be sure to browse Pearson's books on Amazon.
BOOK 1: When the Mountains Wept
BOOK 2: When Heaven Thunders
BOOK 3: In Tempest Winds
You can read Booknerdia's review of In Tempest Winds here.
Pearson is a gifted storyteller who never disappoints. She has a heart for God, and it shines brightly through her Heart of History brand.
Want to know more? Visit Pearson's website and stay in touch with her by signing up for her newsletter!
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Interview with author Kendy Pearson
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