Introducing Tracy Traynor and Grace in Mombasa

By Tracy Tranory @tracy_traynor

Hello, my name is Tracy Traynor. I’m an indie-author and I love to write stories.

From a very early age I used to spend immeasurable amounts of time day dreaming; now I spend every minute I can at the computer putting day dreams to paper and creating stories, which I hope people will enjoy reading.

Grace in Mombasa is fictional, but was inspired by a woman I met in Kenya called Moira Smith. I met Moira twice in 1991, and she made such an impact on me I have not been able to forget her, and over the years I began to imagine what her life might have been like. I would be driving to work and suddenly she would appear in my mind and I started to create a fictional life for her.

I did a lot of research and the book is filled with facts, at the end of the book I mention the things that happen in Grace’s life that were the real things that happened to Moira.

This is a life – and therefore a story in two halves. The first half of her life was spent in England, and so the book’s first part is her life during World War 2 in England. The second half of the book is set in Mombasa.

Moira was an amazing woman who dedicated her life to helping the Kenyan people who came into the Coast General Hospital in Mombasa, a place where people believed they only went to die. She inspired me, and I hope I have done her story justice so that it might inspire others.

To continue with Moira’s good works for the people of Mombasa, I have hooked up with Barnabas Trust Outreach Mombasa, and I am donating 50% of all sales to them.

Sean McIntyre Missionary to Kenya with Barnabas, and minister at AOG Colchester, gave me this endorsement:

The story of Grace captures the experience of many others who, though quite ordinary by themselves, find that the love of God propels them towards quite extraordinary endeavours. Tracy is the author of Grace's story but the inspiration was Moira Smith and the author of her story was none other than God himself, described in the Bible as the 'author and finisher of our faith'. I commend Tracy's book "Grace in Mombasa" to you in the hope that, inspired by the story of Grace and Moira, you will become hungry for a story of your own and that you will turn to the great author of all our lives. He already has a story prepared for you!

The first person to read the book, besides the editors, is Wendy H Jones, Author and member/webmaster of the ACW Scotland – Association of Christian Writers. Here is her endorsement:

Tracy Traynor’s writing transports you from World War 1 and 2 England to the courts of heaven, via Mombasa. With characters which pop off the page and straight into your heart, this is a book you will remember for a long time.

To tempt you to buy the book, please find the blurb below.

Inspired by true events. Grace in Mombasa is an intriguing historical saga of betrayal and loss, romance and heartbreak, and one woman’s journey in faith.

From the day she was born, Grace Clifton has navigated a life of loss and heartbreak, without a mother to guide her and through the ravages of two World Wars. With England in the midst of a Second World War, Grace, experiences the excitement of love and romance, but all too soon it turns to heartbreak. Through it all, Grace is sustained by her unwavering faith in God, but when all she holds dear is ripped away from her, Grace is left devastated and doubting everything she’s ever believed in.

As the world slowly recovers from war, Grace too begins the process of healing from bitterness and the deep wounds inflicted by life. However, her steadfastness to God is lost and she determines never to pray again. When an unexpected opportunity comes up in Kenya, Grace seizes the chance to escape the memories, hoping to find a purpose and build a new life for herself. In the city of Mombasa, Grace soon begins to realise she can’t ever distance herself from life’s complications, but if she’s prepared to open her heart, maybe her shattered faith will once more bring her hope, love and the healing that she desperately needs.

Grace in Mombasa is a story about a woman with amazing faith that is shattered when her life falls apart, but will God simply let her go? If you like heartfelt dialogue, stories seeped in fact and history, and memorable characters, then you’ll love Tracy Traynor’s moving and inspirational novel.

You can find Grace in Mombasa online at:

Amazon US | Amazon UK | Amazon Australia | Amazon India

About Moira Smith ... the inspiration behind Grace

Moira Smith was born in 1912, in England. On 25th July 1953, aged 41, she boarded the ship SS Uganda and set sail for Mombasa, Kenya.

She spent her years on the island helping people who came to the Mombasa Coast General Hospital, in any way that she could - and by taking every opportunity to spread the gospel. She never got to retire in the convent. She died in the hospital in the mid 1990s, where her last action was to give away the medicine that people brought in for her to the other patients.

Moira's ashes are buried in the compound of St Peter's Church, Nyali, Kenya.

Find Tracy Traynor online at:

Website | Facebook | Twitter

Wandering Wednesday: Discover Brazil with a giveaway!

By Lisa Harris @heartofafrica

In my last Wandering Wednesday post, I mentioned how one of the things our family has been blessed to do is travel together, especially while our kids were growing up. Today, I'm sharing a few memories from our time in Brazil back in 2008 and 2009. (Wow. . .has it really been that long?)

And since this blog is all about books, I also have to share the with you about the novel our time in language school inspired. No Place To Hide releases from Love Inspired Suspense this Sunday, and I'm so excited to share it with you! (Keep reading for a chance to win a copy.) 

Now while our time in Brazil was a bit of a rollercoaster for me--I was homeschooling for the first time, finishing up a novel, AND trying to learn Portuguese--my hero and heroine in this book have it a whole lot worse! She's a witness to murder. . .now running for survival. Thankfully nothing like that happened to us while we were there! Instead, we came to love the country and made friendships that have lasted for all these years!

I'll share a bit more about the book in a minute, but first, here are some highlights from our time in Brazil. We were able to take two short trips--we decided we had to see some of the beautiful country--so these photos are from Rio and the Amazon.

RIO

My hubby snuck me away for an overnight trip to Rio, which ended up being so much fun! One of the best ways to see Rio's spectacular views is from the cable car that transports you to the top of Sugarloaf Mountain. From there you can see the stunning Guanabara Bay, Rio, and the Atlantic Ocean spread out beneath you. 

We spent time browsing through seller's stands till midnight and walking along Copacabana Beach. 

Christ the Redeemer, the 125 foot famous statue that sits on top of the Corcovado Hill, is another incredible place to see the city of Rio. 

THE AMAZON

Our whole family flew into Manaus where we saw from the air the 'meeting of the waters.' 

Here the dark Rio Negro meets the pale Amazon River (Rio Solimões). Here the two rivers run side by side without mixing because of the differences in the waters temperature, speed, and density. After landing, we took a boat up the river a couple hours to our rustic hotel.

One of the favorite things our kids did was fish for piranhas--and I admit it was pretty fun! The cooks prepared them for our dinner and they tasted like chicken. And yes, they have very powerful jaws!

Another favorite thing was swimming with the pink dolphins. Definitely one of 

those experiences you never forget!

NO PLACE TO HIDE:

And now for another fast-paced romantic suspense novel. . .Former navy diver Ryan Kendall’s father sent him to Brazil with a simple assignment: extract compromised witness Ellie Webb. But with Ellie determined to trek into the Amazon, following a lead on her father’s murder, Ryan must protect her. As cartel members and pirates chase them, though, can they survive the dangerous jungle…and take down a killer?

*You can pre-order your copy now and it will be released on Sunday, July 1st!!*

Amazon                            Barnes & Noble                        Christianbook.com

GIVEAWAY:

I'd love to give away an ebook of No Place to Hide. To enter, please leave a comment on this post with a way for me to contact you. I'll pick a random winner from the comments on Friday, July 6th at Midnight PST.

LISA HARRIS is a Christy Award finalist for Blood Ransom and Vendetta, Christy Award winner for Dangerous Passage, and the winner of the Best Inspirational Suspense Novel for 2011 (Blood Covenant) and 2015 (Vendetta) from Romantic Times. She has over thirty novels and novella collections in print. She and her family have spent almost fifteen years working as missionaries in Africa. When she's not working she loves hanging out with her family, cooking different ethnic dishes, photography, and heading into the African bush on safari. For more information about her books and life in Africa visit her website at www.lisaharriswrites.com

Bookish Tuesday: Affinity by Dianne J. Wilson

Affinity released on the 8th of June, but it has been brewing inside of me for many years. Pegged as a YA urban fantasy novel, it is a breathless dive into the spiritual realm off a diving board of 'what if'?

What if... we could see into the spiritual realm? What would a Believer look like? What would a non-Believer look like? Our natural and spiritual giftings... what form would they take? And what if we could see brokenness, and know just how to fix it?

Here is the blurb: 
'Kai was born with the ability to see brokenness and to fix it. But when a freak accident leaves him trapped in the spiritual realm, he discovers a sinister side to being gifted—much darker than he'd ever imagined. With Affinity Recruiters hunting him down, Kai has to learn how to stay alive, use his gift to save his friends, and stop the flood of evil threatening the world. Can he do it before time runs out?

Why did I write Affinity?
Our teenagers are inheriting a broken world. A minute of scrolling through any social media feed will prove it. The facts are clear - no country, race, age or gender will guarantee immunity.

Tackling life in this mess is nothing short of impossible and many young people are struggling against a deep sense of hopelessness. As a mom to two teenagers and one pre-teen, I have a steady stream of teens through my car and home. It doesn’t take much listening to hear their hearts.

Life is tough, yet with God all things are possible.

He has woven gifting into our DNA and given us access to a full arsenal of spiritual weapons to bring healing to the brokenness. My hope for each reader of this series is awareness.

~    Awareness of the reality of the spiritual realm.

~    Awareness of the fact that the enemy is already defeated and disarmed. The only power he till wields is the power of deception.

~    Awareness of the potent gift inside each one waiting to be unleashed that will see prisoners set free and hope restored despite the state of our world.

'For what is seen is temporary, what is unseen is eternal.'

2 Corinthians 4:18 

Dianne J. Wilson writes novels from her hometown in East London, South Africa, where she lives with her husband and three daughters. She is writing the third book in YA series, Spirit Walker, with Pelican / Watershed. Book 1, Affinity released on the 8th of June. Resonance (book 2) will be released in October 2018.

Finding Mia is available from Amazon, Pelican / Harbourlight, Barnes & Noble and other bookstores.

Shackles is available as a free ebook from Amazon & Smashwords.

Find her on Facebook, Twitter and her sporadic blog Doodles.

Bookish Tuesday: Food, Glorious Food

by Jeanette O'Hagan

I WANT TO EAT MAIZE-BREAD!
But seriously, everyone in Akrad’s Children eats it and it sounds delicious.  

Michael, Goodreads review.

I had to chuckle when I saw this review on Akrad's Children - not because seeing new reviews brings a smile of pure happiness to my face (mostly); okay not only because I love seeing new reviews, but because it was such a great way to start a review. And it got me thinking about memorable mentions of food in books I love.

After all, food tells us so much about the characters, the setting, the occasion. It grounds us in the story, gives us warm feelings and makes our mouth water (or our stomach curdle).

One of my short stories starts this way:

Dana snatched a food packet and shoved it into the rehydrator, keying in the sequence.

Not a mouth-watering meal perhaps, but in one sentence we've learnt something about Dana, about where she is likely to be, about the genre of the story.

Are you surprised to learn the title is Space Junk* and that this is a science-fiction story?

So what are some memorable food moments in literature that you remember?  Here are some of mine.

Blueberries in The Palace Thief, Ruhanna's Flight and other stories

Oliver Twist 

Who can forget in the book and the film, when Oliver draws the short straw.

"Please, sir, I want some more."

With only three small bowlfuls of oatmeal gruel per day, an onion twice a week and a bread roll on Sunday, the boys in the workhouse are ravenous. The empty bowl; Oliver's pale, wane face; the outrage on the well-fed master's face says it all. We feel Oliver's hungry and wonder how anyone could treat children this way. (Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens) 

Anne of Green Gables

Do you remember Marilla's famous raspberry cordial which poor Anne (unaware that it's alcoholic) gives to her best friend Diane in a wonderful tea party full of cake and cherry preserves. The results are catastrophic. Diane greedily guzzles three glasses and goes home tipsy. Her mother is rightly incensed and bans her daughter from ever seeing Anne again. Anne learns a hard lesson, but luckily for the bosom friends, Mrs Barry eventually relents. (Anne of Green Gables by L M Montgomery)

Lucy Pevensie in Narnia

Two food scenes stays with me in C S Lewis' The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe  - one is Lucy's brother Edmond gobbling down the wicked White Witch's enchanted Turkish Delight. Her flattering words, false promises, his own jealousies, and the addictive sweetmeat all lure him into betraying Aslan, his siblings and all of Narnia.

In contrast, there is the cosy meal Tumnus the fawn offers Lucy- lightly boiled eggs, sardines of toast, honey on toast, sugar-topped cake. While this did seem a bit ordinary to my seven-year old self (but probably not to war-torn rationed Brits), I loved the homeliness of the meal. For sure, Tumnus was attempting to lull Lucy to sleep so he could hand her over to the White Witch, but he repents and he risks his life to save hers.

Two meals, two temptations, two different outcomes.

Hobbits and Elves

As a teen devouring J R R Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings, I loved the idea of Lembas - the Elven waybread (a gift to Frodo and his companions from the Lady of Lothlorien). It was wrapped in leaves, nutritious, long-lasting, and delicious - and sustained Frodo and Sam on their epic journey into the horrors of Mordor in their quest to save the world. The gifts of friendship and fellowship make their heroic deeds possible.

And then there is the feast Bilbo unwillingly provided to his unexpected guests of twelve dwarves and Gandalf at the start of The Hobbit. Bilbo's pantry seemed endless, full of cakes, and cold meats, and tasty delights, though by the end of the night, it was pretty much empty - and Bilbo found himself going on an adventure into the unknown. The hilarious scenes tells us a lot about dwarves - and hobbits - and the need at times to let go of our familiar comforts.

Mina Improvises

In Stephen Lawhead's Skin Map (Bright Empire series), Mina is separated from Kit Livingstone and is lost in an alternative earth, in seventeenth century Bohemia. Fortunate for her, she meets up with a baker and together they create the best (and only) coffee shop in Prague with delectable pasties. While her talents languish in the ordinary world, the new situation brings out her ingenuity and grit.

Ruhanna's Flight

And before I leave, I'd love to share another food scenes from my recent release Ruhanna's Flight and other stories.

In the first story Ruhanna's Flight* - Ruhanna prepares for her father's homecoming with a gift - and a special meal.

From the little kitchen came tantalising smells fit for the palace in Silantis. Mariam had surpassed herself with Baba’s favourite dishes—turtle and seaweed soup, baked fish, baby tomatoes and sea-sage, oysters and rock crays with a creamy dill sauce, stuffed quails and fresh wave-berries with yarma cheese to finish off. Everything was ready by late morning.

Ruhanna sank down on a cushion in the reception room, stroking the carved albatross on Baba’s box, and waited.

I have fun thinking up food appropriate for the different people and places in my fiction.

What meals do you remember in your favourite books? I'd love you to share them in the comments.

* Space Junk - first published in Mixed Blessings: Genre-lly Speaking (Breath of Fresh Air Press, 2016), also included in Ruhanna's Flight and other stories.
* Ruhanna's Flight first published in Glimpes of Light (edited by Jeanette O'Hagan and Nola Passmore: By the Light Books, 2015), and also included in Ruhanna's Flight and other stories.

Giveaway  Ruhanna's Flight and other stories

Ruhanna's Flight and other stories by Jeanette O'Hagan (By the Light Books, 6 March 2018)

Tales of wonder, romance, adventure - dip into the world of Nardva with this exciting collection of stories. It includes Ruhanna's Flight,  Before the Wind, Heart of the Mountain, The Herbalist's Daughter, Moonflame, Rendezvous at Alexgaia and many other stories. A delightful introduction to Jeanette O'Hagan's fantasy world of engaging characters and stirring adventures.

Available from amazon.com

Jeanette O'Hagan is giving away a e-book copy of Ruhanna's Flight and other stories. To enter the giveaway, on this post and/or ICFW's March New Releases post on March 19. Receive two entries in the drawing by commenting on both posts. I'll draw a winner from the comments on Saturday, March 30.

Jeanette recently published a collection of fantasy and sci-fi Nardvan stories, Ruhanna's Flight and other stories. She started spinning tales in the world of Nardva at the age of eight or nine. She enjoys writing secondary world fiction, poetry, blogging and editing.

Her Nardvan stories span continents, time and cultures. They involve a mixture of courtly intrigue, adventure, romance and/or shapeshifters and magic users. She has published numerous short stories, poems, two novellas and her debut novel, Akrad's Children.

Connect with her: website | facebook | pinterest | twitter

Vanishing Point - meet author Lisa Harris + Giveaway

Many romantic suspense readers have loved the NikkiBoyd series in the past couple of years. Our very own Lisa Harris is the author of this tremendous series.

The fourth instalment in the series launches TODAY and Lisa was kind enough to respond to a few questions I posed her about the series.

ICFW: Vanishing Point is the 4th in Nikki Boyd series. Would you mind briefly summarising each of the novels.

Lisa: VENDETTA is the first book in the series where we are introduced to Nikki Boyd, her work as part of a missing person task force, and a possible romance with a close friend of hers. We also learn the motivation behind her career change—her own sister who went missing ten years ago--but it isn’t long before the connection between the case she’s working and her own missing sister collide.

MISSING, book two in the series, is a brand new missing person case Nikki and her team have to deal with involving a missing couple, but it also continues with a possible romance between Nikki and Tyler as well as Nikki’s continued search for her sister.

Book three, PURSUED, jumps into the action with a plane crash and a missing woman as her romance with Tyler continues to develop.

The last book in the series is really being marketed as a stand alone for a couple reasons. While the first three books are all told in Nikki’s point of view, VANISHING POINT is her sister Sarah’s story and is from the point of view of the investigators that first took on her case before Nikki was even a police officer. While it was really hard to write—the story stretches over ten years—I think it ended up being the perfect conclusion to the series and hopefully will satisfy readers who want to know what happened to Sarah.

ICFW: I can’t wait to get my hands on it, Lisa. When you conceived the series, or did you conceive it as a series, how many stories did you have at the beginning?  

Lisa: I pitched it to my publisher as a three book series, though wouldn’t have minded writing more. :-) In the end, I was able to write this last story that really wraps up the series, which I loved being able to do.

ICFW: I really like Nikki Boyd, she’s gutsy but vulnerable, is a fighter for the truth and loves the Lord. Was there someone you had in mind when you created Nikki?

Lisa: I’m so glad you like Nikki! She was so much fun to write. I really didn’t have anyone in mind when I created her, but I like writing about women who are like you said, gutsy, but vulnerable. Ordinary people who God can use in ways they never imagined.

ICFW: Your romance is suspenseful. Your stories always have great pace from the first page. For those of us who want to be able to write suspense what’s a tip you have for creating it and then maintaining it?

Lisa: It’s hard, I’ll confess. Part of it I think is writing until it feels right. Maybe that’s vague, but I always seem to know in my gut when something is off, even when I’m not sure what is wrong. And I always listen, which means working to fix what’s wrong—even if it means lots of rewriting. That’s not easy, but worth it. I also try to have every chapter end with a hook. I actually had someone give me a bad review because I do that, but that’s okay. If it’s suspense, there has to be a lot of twists and turns, right? I also love it when I’m writing and a twist comes up that I didn’t see. (My husband thinks that’s a bit crazy) But when I surprise myself, I figure I’ll also surprise my readers!

ICFW: Is Vanishing Point the end or are there more Nikki Boyd stories in the pipeline?

Lisa: This is it. Part of me has been sad not writing anymore, because I spend a couple years writing her stories, but I’m on to something new which I’m also excited about.

ICFW: As sad as I am that we won’t get to read more Nikki Boyd, I’m excited to hear more of your next project. You’re currently on furlough with your husband, back in your homeland. Besides your kids, family and friends, what's something you were hanging out to do when you got back to the US? And have you done it yet? 

Lisa: One of the best parts of being here has been having all my kids together under one roof with me, even if it was short. We’re all spread out again, but at least we’re on the same continent! So that is a family thing, but that’s really what I’ve been most excited about. :-) Other than that I have to say a few good Mexican meals are a must, and I’ve already enjoyed a couple.

Thank you so much for having me stop by, Ian! I appreciate it!

Thanks, Lisa. Enjoy these next few launch weeks.

If you're a keen romantic suspense reader and you haven't read any of the Nikki Boyd series I'd encourage you start from the beginning with Vendetta and read all four. You won't be disappointed.

We’re excited to be able to give a copy of Vanishing Point away to one lucky reader. If interested, leave a comment and an email address where you can be contacted. I’ll contact the winning reader over the weekend 11/12 November.

BIO: LISA HARRIS is a Christy Award finalist for Blood Ransom and Vendetta, Christy Award winner for Dangerous Passage, and the winner of the Best Inspirational Suspense Novel for 2011 (Blood Covenant) and 2015 (Vendetta) from Romantic Times. She has over thirty novels and novella collections in print. She and her family have spent over thirteen years working as missionaries in Africa. When she's not working she loves hanging out with her family, cooking different ethnic dishes, photography, and heading into the African bush on safari. For more information about her books and life in Africa visit her website at www.lisaharriswrites.com

Everything is Fodder — even Cabbages!

Sometimes it may seem as though I am randomly surfing. Okay, I probably am randomly surfing! I scroll down my Facebook newsfeed and sometimes a video or an article catches my eye. Please tell me this happens to you as well!

I can’t even tell you when it was that an article about a girl named Katie came to my attention. It could’ve been four or five years ago. This nine-year-old girl in Memphis was part of a class project where they planted seeds, took them home, and planted them. Katie grew a cabbage that was over forty pounds! Can you just imagine!

This young girl took her cabbage to a homeless shelter in Memphis. If I’m remembering correctly, the workers made cabbage rolls out of it. This one cabbage impacted Katie’s life and gave her a passion for people in need. She began to plant gardens and grow vegetables for soup kitchens… and mobilized other children to do so, as well.

A year ago, I was looking for inspiration for my part in a multi-author series. Each of the six authors came up with premise for a mini-series with in the grander scope of the overarching Arcadia Valley Romance series. This memory of young Katie drifted into my mind and lodged. What if a girl about Katie’s age came across a pair of abandoned greenhouses? What if she somehow was able to spearhead the program and get a bunch of grownups onboard? What if the project came complete with funding?

In that moment, Maisie Felton was born. Though I pretended she had been a friend of Katie’s back in Memphis, the reality of the timeline doesn’t match. In the first installment of my series, the elderly man who formerly owned Akers Garden Center offers his property to Grace Fellowship in a living trust. His grandson Grady helps direct the real estate consultant tasked with finding a use for the derelict greenhouses. It isn’t until Maisie stops by on her bicycle and sows the idea does this story really get going. (Spoiler alert: they fall in love!)

That story, Sow in Love, released in January as part of Romance Grows in Arcadia Valley. Sprouts of Love, my first full-length novel in this series, releases today. It’s the story of Maisie’s mom, who became the director of the Grace Greenhouse project, and Ben Kujak, the manager of the soup kitchen in Arcadia Valley.

Little did I know when I first saw Katie’s story that it would be the inspiration and foundation for an entire series of romance stories!

About Sprouts of Love:

Single mom Evelyn Felton takes on a third part-time job managing a greenhouse and garden project for Grace Fellowship. Formerly homeless, she’s thrilled to offer truckloads of fresh produce to the Arcadia Valley food bank.

If only Ben Kujak weren’t running Corinna’s Cupboard single-handedly, he’d be delighted to be on the receiving end. But Evelyn and her dynamo daughter, Maisie, won’t take no for an answer, even if it means restructuring Ben’s charity.

Soon Ben finds himself wishing they’d transform his personal life, too, but can true love sprout when their pasts collide with the present?

Sprouts of Love is available for Kindle, Kobo, Nook, and iBooks and will soon be available worldwide in paperback. Click here for more information and buy links.

Tell me about a random news item or article you’ve read that offered inspiration for a story you’ve written!

Interested in reading Sprouts of Love? I'm offering one reader a copy (e-book only, worldwide). If you'd like to put your name in the hat, please add your email address with your comment before Monday, May 21, 2017, replacing @ with (at) and .com with (dot) com.

"Void where prohibited; the odds of winning depend on the number of entrants. Entering the giveaway is considered a confirmation of eligibility on behalf of the enterer in accord with these rules and any pertaining local/federal/international laws."

Valerie Comer's life on a small farm in western Canada provides the seed for stories of contemporary inspirational romance. Like many of her characters, Valerie and her family grow much of their own food and are active in the local foods movement as well as their church. She only hopes her creations enjoy their happily-ever-afters as much as she does hers, shared with her husband, adult kids, and adorable granddaughters.

Valerie is a USA Today bestselling author and a two-time Word Award winner. She writes engaging characters, strong communities, and deep faith as she injects experience laced with humor into her green clean romances. Visit her at ValerieComer.com.

Spring Fever e-Giveaways: 1 Box Set, 1 eBook

By Marion Ueckermann

This morning I walked outside, carrying my bowl of rice crispies, and breathed in the awesome freshness of the changing of the seasons as we slowly creep into autumn. Normally my mornings are rushed—once I’m dressed it’s a dash to the car (no time to stop and smell the roses, or the morning breeze), drive to work with my nose stuck in my laptop (no, I’m not driving, hubby is), and then a dash inside the building where I worked. Stay there until 6pm and repeat the sequence in reverse. So I savored the time this morning, because today feels like the first day of the rest of my life—my life as a full-time author.

But, this blog is not about that journey. This blog is about the abundance of spring happening in the northern hemisphere. Love Blossoms is a collaboration by 7 authors from all corners of the globe, bringing readers 7 spring-fresh romances in one neatly packaged box set. And this weekend, this amazing collection went on sale for just $0.99c (an 80% saving off the normal price). But hurry, sale ends today though. If you haven’t yet bought your copy, you can do so now by following this link.

On Friday the authors ran a Bookbub ad, and when we quickly got the Amazon orange ribbon—No. 1 Bestseller—and placed No. 1 in all three categories the set was listed in, the weekend was spent watching the Amazon author rankings for Religion and Spirituality. I started Friday off not having seen the Amazon Top 100 for some time. By Saturday, we were all in the top 18, with five making it to page 1 (top 10).

Forget about spring fever ... we were all Bookbub frenzied. It was so exciting.

But, besides Love Blossoms, I had more spring fever happening last week when I released Spring’s Promise. And to share the fever, I’m giving away one copy of Spring’s Promise, and one copy of Love Blossoms. Leave a comment to be in the draws (and if you only want to be in one draw, please state so in your comment).

1972. Every day in Belfast, Northern Ireland, holds risk, especially for the mayor’s daughter. But Dr. Olivia O'Hare has a heart for people and chooses to work on the wrong side of a city where colors constantly clash. The orange and green of the Republicans pitted against the red and blue of those loyal to Britain. While they might share the common hue of white, it brings no peace.

Caught between the Republicans and Loyalists’ conflict, blue-collar worker Ryann Doyle has to wonder if there’s life before death. The answer seems to be a resounding, ‘No’. His mother is dead, his father’s a drunk, and his younger brother, Declan, is steeped in the Provisional IRA. Then he crosses paths with Olivia O’Hare.

After working four days straight, mopping up PIRA’s latest act of terror, Olivia is exhausted. All she wants is to go home and rest. But when she drives away from Royal Victoria Hospital, rest is the last thing Olivia gets.

When Declan kidnaps the Lord Mayor of Belfast’s daughter, Ryann has to find a way to rescue the dark-haired beauty, though it means he must turn his back on his own flesh and blood for someone he just met.

Void where prohibited; the odds of winning depend on the number of entrants. Entering the giveaway is considered a confirmation of eligibility on behalf of the enterer in accord with these rules and any pertaining local/federal/international laws.

MARION UECKERMANN's passion for writing was sparked when she moved to Ireland with her family. Her love of travel has influenced her contemporary inspirational romances set in novel places. She now lives in South Africa in an empty nest with her husband and their crazy black Scottie, Wally.

You can connect with Marion in the following places:

Website / Amazon / Facebook / Twitter / Pinterest

The Dog with No Name

This week my writerly self has been very busy! I've been trying to crack the book marketing code for years, and this new venture represents an important new experiment for me.

Imagine with me if you will: a chilly spring night in the suburbs of Belfast, Northern Ireland. Drips from a recent rain fall from roofs while a man and his dog wander the streets aimlessly. So far, everything is normal.

Except it's not. In 2079, government experiments have caused the terminator gene to run rampant: nothing grows any more, and food is in short supply. When we enter the scene, curfew is near, but the dog's master is beyond caring.

Follow along and experience Belfast through a dog's eyes as he faces the biggest decision of his life in just a split second.

And best of all? It's free on Kindle until the end of today only, at http://getbook.at/DogNoName.

I've known for a long time that a series is the best way to gain visibility as an author. While my novels are still stewing, I decided to release monthly short stories set in the same world. Each month, one of the stories will be free. You can go here: http://eepurl.com/bm-bc5 to subscribe to updates when the story is available at no cost.

There's also a companion story, Mothers of Belfast. Later, in the opening pages of the upcoming novel Mariah's Dream, the dog will meet the mothers. In the meantime, writing these "prologues" is giving me a ton of new material and background knowledge about my characters, both major and minor.

Suspense in Cornwall

 I went to my local Christian bookstore to support a group author book signing, but most of what I saw was prairie romance—not my favorite genre. And then, up a few steps into the card section, I discovered Julie Klassen. The slender woman with long blond hair was promoting her first novel—The Maid of Milkweed Manor, about the consequences of an unwanted pregnancy in Jane Austin’s England. Yes, there was a bit of romance, but it was much more about the characters caught in that time and place—my kind of fiction. I bought it, loved it, and I’ve been a fan ever since.

Julie joins us today to talk about her latest novel, The Tutor’s Daughter, releasing this month. It appears to be more of a romance than her first, but I have no doubt that it will continue her usual high quality of writing and depth of character development. The setting is a manor that may be haunted on the windswept coast of Cornwall.

Here’s the blurb:
Emma Smallwood, determined to help her widowed father when his boarding school fails, accompanies him to the cliff-top manor of a baronet and his four sons. But soon after they arrive and begin teaching the two younger boys, mysterious things begin to happen. Who does Emma hear playing the pianoforte at night, only to find the music room empty? And who begins sneaking into her bedchamber, leaving behind strange mementoes?

The baronet's older sons, Phillip and Henry Weston, wrestle with problems—and secrets—of their own. They both remember the studious Miss Smallwood from their days at her father's academy. But now one of them finds himself unexpectedly drawn to her....

When suspicious acts escalate, can Emma figure out which brother to blame, and which to trust with her heart?

Julie, I would have described your previous books as dramas and character studies. This sounds more like romantic suspense, even gothic with the suggestion of the supernatural. What led you in this direction?

Julie Klassen: This book does have more of a gothic feel to it--a little more suspense a la Victoria Holt. My editor is a big fan of hers, so she had a hand in leading me in this direction. However, the book still has all the elements readers expect from me: drama, history, character development, faith and romance.

LH: I believe all your books have been set in England. What do you especially like about that setting?

JK: I have been drawn to England ever since reading The Secret Garden and Jane Eyre as a young girl. I have also greatly enjoyed the books of Jane Austen (and movies based on them). My husband and I have been able to visit England twice now in person, and we are both taken with the rich history, beautiful landscapes, and friendly, interesting people with delicious accents.

LH: So what do you like best about Jane Austen's writing?

JL: I admire her dry wit. She was a keen observer of people and her varied and compelling characters reflect this. And of course her heroes are unforgetable: Mr. Darcy, Captain Wentworth, and Mr. Knightley, just to name a few.

LH: Who or what (besides Jane Austen) has had the biggest impact on your writing?

JK: I have always wanted to be a writer--I believe God wired me for this from a young age. But certainly working at Bethany House Publishers (sixteen years altogether, first in advertising then editorial) taught me a great deal not only about writing but also how to go about crafting an entire novel, which is a lot more work than I ever imagined! It was a great privilege to work with talented authors and editors over the years and I doubt I would be where I am today without that experience.

LH: You are a committed Christian and a sensitive writer. How do you find the balance between message and story?

JK: I believe that a novel must first of all be a good story. I strive to entertain readers and keep them guessing (and hopefully turning pages). Yes, I want my novels to have depth and lasting value. Yes, my deepest hope is to glorify God. But I don't believe issue-driven, "message" fiction is the way to accomplish this--at least not for me. I do hope to incorporate Christian content and inspirational themes, but hopefully in a way that is interwoven and natural--not tacked on or preachy. Granted, this is diffucult to do well. Many authors I know struggle to find the right balance for them. There are readers who want more, and readers who want less message. So the challenge is to find the right balance for your audience. I find myself asking God what He wants me to communicate through my stories. No doubt I still have a lot to learn.

LH: Many of our readers live outside the US and want to write about their own cultural heritage. Do you have any advice for them about selling to a US audience, the biggest buyers of Christian fiction?

JK: I recently had the privilege of traveling on a mini-book tour in the Netherlands and Germany. As you probably know, Christian publishers in those countries publish both translations as well as original fiction. One editor told me something along the lines of, "America has a strong tradition of storytelling. American authors know how to tell stories. But not everything "translates" well to our country. So, we are publishing more of our own authors as well." So the only advice I can offer is to read well-crafted American Christian fiction and learn what you can from it, but then write the story of your heart, bringing to life your own culture.

LH: Some of our readers participated in NaNoWriMo last month. Did you? How useful is something like that to you as a professional?

JK: I have participated in an unofficial writing challenge during the month of November for the last few years. I find the accountability and encouragement of fellow writers to be helpful in keeping me on track. I would recommend such accountability (whether official NaNoWriMo or not) for any writer who'd like to increase her output.

LH: What's next for you?

JK: I am working away on my next novel, also set in Regency England. It's premature to give a title, as those sometimes change, but Lord willing, it will come out a year after The Tutor's Daughter. Thanks for asking!

LH: I thought the model in the trailer her publisher put together looked a lot like Julie, but she assures me it's not. Sigh. Wouldn't it be fun to dress up like this and pretend to be your character? 

 

Thank you for joining us today, Julie. I know I'm not the only one looking forward to The Tutor's Daughter.

___

LeAnne Hardy loves the wind-swept cliffs of Cornwall, which she visited one Christmas while living in Berkshire and nearly got blown off into the sea. LeAnne's novels for children and young adults reflect the various places she has lived. Learn more at www.leannehardy.net .