Conversation with Kimberly Cash Tate

Kim I would like to thank you for taking the time to interview with us. I know you’re a busy person.

Kenyatta - Please tell our readers a little about Kimberly Cash Tate.

I grew up in the D.C. area, in Prince George’s County, Maryland, but I left after graduating from law school. I’ve lived in St. Louis for 9 years now. I’ve been married to my husband, Bill, for 18 years, and we have two teens, Quentin and our daughter, Cameron.

Kenyatta – Do you write full-time?

I do! I practiced law for several years, but left that career when my kids were toddlers. I didn’t know at that time that I’d be writing fiction, but God likes to surprise me. J

Kenyatta –I just finished Heavenly Places and Kim If I had your telephone number I may have called you in the middle of the night when I finished this novel. Please tell readers about your novel Heavenly Places.

Wow! I would’ve loved to hear your thoughts in the middle of the night! Heavenly Places is the story of Treva Langston, who has always felt inferior because of her darker complexion, thanks to her mother. She found her worth in a career, with success…until it was gone. Now her life has been turned upside down. Without her high-powered job, she returns with her family to her hometown and all the memories of heartache she’s fought to escape. Worse, she’s near her mother again, who hasn’t changed. She’s feeling unworthy all over again and filled with despair, until her sister coaxes her into a women’s home Bible study. Treva resists, doesn’t like the other women at first, and even quits a couple of times! But she comes to learn the importance of family, the blessing of friendship, and the powerful truth that conquers a lifetime of lies.

Kenyatta –This was a very compelling novel. Women to this day are still dealing with color complex issues, and comparing themselves or their lives to others so I was really happy to see a novel covering these issues. What inspired this novel?

I have to say it was totally inspired by God. I wasn’t thinking about writing fiction at all. But I had been seeking the Lord about what He wanted me to do, and one day, Treva’s story came to mind. It was so heavy on my heart and mind, and I ached for someone who would’ve been made to feel this way by her own mother. And yet, I knew it truly did happen in real life. I was moved to write a story that would show her life impacted by the truth of the Word of God as she came to know who she is in God’s eyes, not her mother’s eyes.

Kenyatta –I’m sad to say I have never attended a bible study class as an adult, but after reading Heavenly Places I’ve been inspired to attend. I know that this book was released a few years ago, but do you still receive THANK YOU emails from women who have been affected by this book?

I actually do still hear from women who have been affected by this book. In fact, just yesterday, someone let me know that she’d joined a Bible study that day because she was inspired by Heavenly Places. I’ve heard from women who’ve dealt with all kinds of inferiority issues—not just color—and who have been set free as a result of reading this book. I can’t tell you how my soul rejoices when I hear that feedback. I had prayed that the story would minister to women in a powerful way, so those messages are answers to prayer.

Kenyatta – Will we hear more from Treva, and her family? I know readers are interested in knowing how her mother is doing in her new walk of life.

As of now, there is nothing in the works to continue Treva’s story. But I still love her and all those characters! God just might bring her back around one day. J

Kenyatta – You have written a non-fiction as well as two additional novels correct? Please tell readers about your other work and where they can find it.

My first book was a non-fiction memoir, More Christian than African-American. My latest two novels are Faithful and Cherished. Readers can learn more about them at my website, http://www.kimcashtate.com/. They can also find my novels wherever books are sold.

Kenyatta – What would our readers be surprised to hear about you?

Hmm…they might be surprised to hear that I’m a huge fan of Christian rap. But the secret’s kind of out now because I feature a Christian rapper as a main character in my latest novel, Cherished. I’m really excited that award-winning rapper, Da’ T.R.U.T.H., recorded a song called Cherished, which was inspired by the book and written for his wife, on his recently released album. Readers can watch a video on my website, in which his wife hears the song for the first time. It was such a moving moment, because it captures the healing and restoration that God brought about in their marriage after he had an affair.

Kenyatta – What’s next for Kimberly Cash Tate?

I’m currently working on the novel that will release next June, Hope Springs. I also blog regularly at http://www.kimcashtate.com

Kenyatta – How can readers contact you?

Readers can connect with me on my blog. I love the fellowship we have there. They can also connect with me through Facebook or Twitter: https://www.facebook.com/kimcashtate and http://twitter.com/KimCashTate. My email address is: kimcashtate@gmail.com.