John and Jenny Fulton

Welcome Wednesday: A Family Legacy with Victoria Medina Baker

Author: Victoria Medina Baker

Genre: Historical Fiction

Book: Into the Canyon

“Into the Canyon” follows Izrael Kammer and his family as they uncover long-kept secrets in a beautiful mountain valley and demonstrate the strength and values of family. #HistoricalFiction

A Family Legacy

Interview by Jenny Fulton

Victoria Medina Baker is a New Mexican historical fiction author and writing coach with a background in health management. Her first book, Into the Canyon, was released in March of 2023. But her interest in writing began long before then.  

“My love of writing is where this book started many years ago when it felt mostly like a place to be creative,” Victoria shared. “I enjoyed getting lost in the story as it unfolded before my eyes. The fact that it turned into a true novel takes my breath away. God’s hand is all over it, as I could never have done this without Him leading me, page and after page.”

Inspiration and Impact

Into the Canyon was inspired by a ranch in northern New Mexico where Victoria spent much of her time when she was young.

“I have a deep love for the land. The memories flood my mind every time we are there.”

Victoria pulled from those memories as she immersed herself in the story. In addition to allowing her to connect with her family’s legacy, writing the book offered her a space to be creative and became an outlet during a stressful time.

“My parents were living with us and needing full-time care. I could escape ‘Into the Canyon’ and feel respite. Finishing the book changed me forever, as I began to believe I was an author.”

Best Experience since Publishing

“Hands down, physically holding my book for the first time.”

Book Themes

Some of the themes of Into the Canyon include family bonds and the power of family in the midst of past secrets.

An Author’s Hope

As people read this story, Victoria hopes they are reminded of their own families and the special memories from grandparents and other important people in their lives.

An Author’s Gratitude

“I have been blown away by the support and positive feedback from family and friends. I also have been pleasantly surprised by friends of friends purchasing my book.”

What’s Next

With her first book published, Victoria is hard at work on books 2 and 3 in the series.

“After that I have a few ideas,” she shared.

Book Blurb for Into the Canyon

Somewhere in the midst of a beautiful and serene mountain valley resides a community of ranchers and farmers. Generation after generation, families support and rely on one another as troubling times whistle through the mountainsides. The Kammer family is no exception, though there are always a few who blow in with the breeze.

Into the Canyon follows Izrael Kammer, a high school senior who resides on his family’s ranch in the valley. The family of seven’s simple way of life is disrupted when a girl moves into the area and takes a liking to Izrael-but she is quick to betray his trust and disrupt the peace of the valley. While lies threaten his future, family secrets reveal themselves, and Izrael fights to break the curse that began with his grandfather. With his family and friends steady by his side, Izrael searches for a way to clear his name and move toward the future waiting for him after graduation.

Into the Canyon is the first book of the trilogy following the Kammer family. After spending much of her life at her family’s ranch, the same ranch her father was birthed,  Baker was inspired to put her passion for writing, her love for the mountains, and her commitment to family unity into words. The Kammer family resembles the quaint, tender, and hardworking existence of farmers and ranchers everywhere.

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