Fayla Ott Interview

Today I am pleased to welcome author Fayla Ott to Interviews & Reivews. Fayla crafts faith-filled historical fiction and suspenseful southern tales. With a voice that doesn’t shy away from the hard things, she brings to life characters who wrestle with the broken and the haunted, always leaving room for hope and grace to shine through. Today she is here to talk about her latest book A Bridge to Die On and she is giving away one print copy to a lucky winner in the U.S.!

Fayla, welcome to Interviews & Reviews!

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Can you please provide a brief summary of your book.

A Bridge to Die On is a dual-timeline supernatural suspense novel centered around a “haunted” bridge in Mississippi that holds more than just local legend. In the present, Reese Hayden inherits her uncle’s home and despite the need for renovations, she hopes for a fresh start, only to discover something dark still lingers at the bridge. In 1858, Catherine Porter faces isolation and unrest as strange events begin to unfold in her own time. As both women are drawn into the same spiritual battle across generations, the story explores how faith is often forged in the darkest places, and how even in those places, hope is there for those who reach for it.

What do you hope readers will gain from reading your book?

I hope readers walk away feeling both unsettled and encouraged.
Unsettled, because the story does not shy away from the reality of evil, and encouraged because it reminds us that darkness does not have the final word. Even when something feels overwhelming or unseen, there is still a greater power at work through Jesus. 

The story also explores the danger of isolation and how easily we can become vulnerable when we try to carry things on our own. We were not meant to walk through life or faith alone. We need spiritual community, even when it is difficult or imperfect. More than anything, I want readers to feel that faith is not fragile. It can stand even in the middle of fear (and maybe sleep with the lights on).

Do you travel to the places you write about?

Yes, whenever possible. I visited Stuckey’s Bridge in Meridian, Mississippi while researching this novel, and standing there in person added a layer of atmosphere that is difficult to replicate otherwise. For my earlier novel Afflicted, which is set during the
Salem witch trials, I also traveled to Salem, Massachusetts. Walking those streets and experiencing the setting firsthand helped me capture the tone and historical weight of the story in a more authentic way.

What do you do when you aren't writing?

When I am not writing, I teach full time as an associate professor of English. I work with students in composition and writing, which keeps me constantly engaged with language and storytelling in a different way. Outside of that, I enjoy reading, spending time with
my family, traveling, church activities, hiking, and just everyday life experiences, which often end up inspiring my stories more than I expected. And when my characters act up, it is usually because they are taking notes from me.

What is your favourite Scripture verse and why?

My favorite Scripture is Isaiah 41:10. It has been my life verse since childhood and has carried me through many dark and uncertain seasons. It’s a reminder that I’m not alone, even when life feels overwhelming. The promise that God strengthens, helps, and upholds us has been something I have returned to again and again, both in my personal life and in the themes I write.

When is your next book due out, and can you tell us about it?

My next release is a WWII-era novel titled To Fly on Broken Wings, which will release early summer. It follows a young woman who believes her husband has been lost in the war, only to rebuild her life and face an impossible situation when he returns. It is a deeply emotional story about love, loss, and the kind of choices that do not have easy answers.

How can readers connect with you?

Readers can find me at my website, www.faylaott.com, where I share updates, books, and behind-the-scenes content. I am also active on TikTok and Facebook, where I talk about faith, fiction, and the deeper themes behind my stories. I love connecting with readers on those platforms. It feels more like a conversation than just promotion. I have not started dancing on TikTok yet, but I suppose there is still time.

Thank you for sharing with us Fayla! And now Dear Readers, if you would like to win a copy of A Bridge to Die On, and you are a resident of the United States, simply fill out the form below! This giveaway will end April 16, 2026 and winners will be notified via email and the announcement will be posted here and on Facebook.

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Congratulations Katie S!
You have won a copy of a Bridge to Die On. Expect an email from us!

Two timelines. One haunted bridge. And a chilling reminder that some evils refuse to stay buried.

When Reese Hayden inherits her late uncle’s home on the banks of the Chunky River, she’s hoping for a fresh start. But the eerie rope hanging from the beams of Stuckey’s Bridge and the strange figure haunting its banks suggest that some histories refuse to stay hidden. As Reese navigates the pain of betrayal and isolation, she discovers the bridge holds more than local legend—it holds power.

In 1878, Catherine Porter struggles to find acceptance in a town where her past and present seem to make her invisible. Yet, as unsettling whispers and unexplained disappearances begin to surround Stuckey's Bridge, Catherine is drawn into a confrontation with darkness she never anticipated.

Across two timelines, Reese and Catherine face the same chilling evil, one that feeds on isolation and fear. With spiritual battles waging unseen and the bridge at the center of it all, both women must confront the terrifying truth—that some evil is ancient, persistent, and closer than they think.

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