Welcome back, LuAnn. Why do you write the kind of books you do?
I enjoy reading many genres, but Christian romance remains my favorite. My current series, Love Comes Again, focuses on falling in love for the second time as both my heroine and hero have suffered the death of a spouse. Whether you fall in love once, twice, or more, each one is a unique experience. And when you fall in love with the Lord, that beats them all. Besides when you came to know the Lord, what is the happiest day in your life?
My wedding day is number one. My husband and I married forty-five years ago, and the love we had then has grown much deeper. He’s my inspiration and my encouragement. How has being published changed your life?
Being published fulfilled a dream I’ve carried for many years, but I don’t feel different or accomplished. My goal is to honor God with my writing, point others to Him, and share faith and hope. What are you reading right now?
A recent novella that I enjoyed was Love Accepted, by Pamela Ferguson. This is a story about family reconciliation and rekindled love. I’m also reading Self Editing for Fiction Writers by Renni Browne and Dave King. What is your current work in progress?
Book 3 in my Love Comes Again series is in the editing stage. I hope for an early fall release date. The current work I’m writing is a second chance at love novella. The hero and heroine meet up once again to give their relationship another try. What would be your dream vacation?
I love Hawaii. My husband and I have been there three times—three different islands. This past May, we planned to visit our fourth island, but Covid interrupted that dream. Another place I’d love to travel is the Mediterranean—specifically Greece and Italy. How do you choose your settings for each book?
My series takes place in Nashville, Tennessee, where I lived for several years and Albuquerque, New Mexico, where I now live. Two of my children still live in Tennessee, so I call them from time to time and ask them location questions for those things where my memory fails me and when I can’t locate the info on the web. That’s handy. If you could spend an evening with one person who is currently alive, who would it be and why?
Not one, but seven. Because I live 1200 miles away from my two oldest children, their spouses, and three grandchildren, I would like to spend an evening with all of them at the same time. We’ve lost two trips to Tennessee because of Covid. I miss my family. I can imagine. James and I are blessed that all our children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren live in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex where live. What are your hobbies, besides writing and reading?
I love to hike trails through the woods and along lakes, rivers, streams, and waterfalls. I enjoy taking pictures of the animals I encounter on those walks and the beautiful scenery. Other hobbies include traveling, crocheting, and jigsaw puzzles. I also enjoy baking and make bread most weeks. What is your most difficult writing obstacle, and how do you overcome it?
I’ll share two. A lot of talking going on when I’m writing distracts me. Soft music is okay, but I prefer quiet. I move outside on my back patio if the talking persists and if the weather’s nice. Another difficulty is sharing my completed manuscript with others—beta readers, writing coach, and ultimately with my publisher. Every time I read my work, I make changes, so I struggle in knowing when it’s ready for someone else to read. I felt exposed when I sent my first book to my beta readers. What if they laugh at me? That gets easier with each book, so I keep pushing forward. What advice would you give to a beginning author?
My advice for a beginning author is to attend writers’ conferences, join a writers’ critique group (you may need to start one like I did), and hire a writing coach. I’ve grown through each of these avenues. Learning is ongoing. Never stop.
Tell us about the featured book.
Book 2—Let Him Go released in early June. Keedryn wishes to pursue a deeper friendship with Blake but insists on taking things slow. After a romantic evening, trouble erupts at the office when rumors fly, and a new policy goes into effect that could destroy their budding romance. She’s falling for him, but his non-existent relationship with the Lord causes her concern. When a voice pounds in her head to let him go, their newfound love may not survive. Please give us the first page of the book.
Mid-November
Nashville, Tennessee
Blake Conner stood inside our office suite and near my desk when I arrived on Monday morning—our first day back in the office after a business trip together. A lovely mixed bouquet in a clear glass vase sat on my desk. “They’re beautiful.” I bent to smell them, straightened, and whispered. “Should you have sent these to me here? I thought we were going to keep our new friendship quiet?” He frowned. “They’re not from me. They were on your desk when I arrived.” He sounded frustrated. “I’d give you roses.” He crossed his arms. “Maybe they’re from Wes. I’ve expected as much.” I stepped over to our office suite door and closed it. “Wes is not your concern. I worked with him in the IT Department, and now we eat lunch together on occasion. That’s all.” Blake accused me of spending too much time with Wes in the past. I resented him bringing the topic up yet again. I shook my head. “Leave him out of this. They’re not from him.” Blake’s eyes narrowed. “How many other admirers do you have?” I responded in an irritated tone. “Perhaps I should open the card to find out.” I grabbed the note from its holder and read to myself. “Keedryn, would you agree to double with Jenny and her husband?” At the bottom, the man included his cell number. Careful not to react in front of Blake, I showed no emotion and said, “They’re from a man my daughter knows from her church.” Blake took a step closer, his tone filled with displeasure. “You dating him?” How can readers find you on the Internet?
To learn more about my Love Comes Again book series, please check out my website at www.luannkedwards.com. If you’d like to connect, I’d love to hear from you! Website’s contact page: https://www.luannkedwards.com/take-action Amazon author page: www.amazon.com/author/luannkedwards Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/luannkedwards Twitter: https://twitter.com/LuAnnKEdwards1 BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/luann-k-edwards Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/luannkedwards Thank you, LuAnn, for sharing this book with my blog readers and me. I’m sure most of them will want to read it.
Readers, here are links to the book.
https://amzn.to/31ERMU3 - Paperback https://amzn.to/2DC0mdQ - Kindle Leave a comment for a chance to win a free copy of the book. You must follow these instructions to be in the drawing. Please tell us where you live, at least the state or territory or country if outside North America. (Comments containing links may be subject to removal by blog owner.) 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. The only notification you’ll receive is the winner post on this blog. So be sure to check back a week from Saturday to see if you won. You will have 4 weeks from the posting of the winners to claim your book. If you’re reading this on Goodreads, Feedblitz, Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin, or Amazon, please come to the blog to leave your comment if you want to be included in the drawing. Here’s a link: http://lenanelsondooley.blogspot.com
Dear Readers, this is release day for In High Cotton. I’m thrilled to help promote it. I finished reading it this morning. It's a book that's hard to put down. I kept saying to myself, “Just one more page.” Then, “Just one more chapter.” Ane’s characters leapt from the pages right into my heart. And the storyline kept my heart racing. Drama, suspense, and romance filled every chapter. And the spiritual thread woven through brought hope in the face of hardships. I know every reader will be rooting for the characters as they face seemingly insurmountable odds.
Welcome back, Ane. God has really been moving in your writing life. What do you see on the horizon?
He has indeed. On the horizon I see two more books in my Georgia Magnolias series. This book is In High Cotton, followed by On Sugar Hill, which releases June 2021. Then I’m working on By the Sweet Gum, which will be the third in this series. I’m finding I love writing during the Depression era.
The Covid-19 pandemic has not caused too much difference for me, except I’m not able to produce the plays at our community theatre. We’re hoping to get back in November. So I’ve found more time to write and it’s made a difference in my writing. For that, if nothing else, I’m finding blessings in the quarantine.
I’ve seen a lot of good things happening during this time, too. Tell us a little about your family.
We have three children. The eldest two are my stepchildren, whom I love as my own. The third is Chef Greg. That should tell you a lot right there. My hubby is an artist, and he designs all the sets for our theatre. We live in Sugar Hill, Georgia, with a rascally Rottweiler, who is from the Smores line of Rottweilers. His father is the grand champion marshmallow.
Has your writing changed your reading habits? If so, how? Yes, definitely. I used to be able to read nearly everything my hands picked up. Now, studying the craft for so many years has made my inner editor very strong. Now, I stick to women’s fiction and historical.
What are you working on right now?
By the Sweet Gumis my current project. It’s placed in 1932 in a cotton mill town in central Georgia. My research is eye-opening. I had a plan in place, but my research revealed what I had for my main character’s family wouldn’t work. A major change was needed. When I made the changes, it opened a world of conflict for my characters. Sweet! A writer’s dream.
What outside interests do you have?
Community theatre. When I was a three-year-old, my parents took me to see Peter Pan onstage, with Mary Martin. I caught a fever that day, and I’ve never recovered. Stage fever. Now, I don’t act as much but I direct a lot. I’m also the managing director for the troupe. We’re a non-profit and it’s like running a business. I have greasepaint in my veins.
That passion works well with writing novels, and my writing has made me a better director. I find I can draw out characters qualities form my actors, using the same methods I do with my book characters.
Since I share the drama background with you, I totally understand. My books are better because of directing plays. How do you choose your settings for each book?
All my books take place in Georgia. There is one exception, When the Bough Breaks, which takes place in New York and Georgia.
Depending on the story, I find an area to place a fictional town or use Sugar Hill as my setting. The story will dictate the setting, and since all mine are Southern-fried, well ... Georgia is the best place for them!
If you could spend an evening with one historical person, who would it be and why?
Anne Boleyn. She fascinates me. Her story is a sad one. The court of Henry the VIII was ruthless. I think Henry truly loved her, as much as he was able, but he needed a son. And she paid the price for having a daughter.
What is the one thing you wish you had known before you started writing novels?
That’s not an easy question. I’ve loved every minute of this crazy writing world. I guess it would have to be knowing more about marketing.
What new lessons is the Lord teaching you right now?
Enjoy each day. I’m a true extrovert. I’m energized by being around people, but writing is a singular job. And without having my writing buddies to meet with, or my theatre pals to physically be with, it’s been hard. But God is showing up and He’s great creative company!
I’m like you, and that is so true. He’s been adding more depth into the book I’m writing right now. What are the three best things you can tell other authors to do to be successful?
Grow a thick skin. Understand critiques are of the work, not the writer. Don’t be afraid of the delete key. You can create another sentence as beautiful as that one. With this goes: only God’s words are sacred. Enjoy the journey. Don’t be in such a hurry that you miss the friends you meet along the way ... like you, Lena.
We do have a wonderful history, don’t we? Tell us about the featured book.
It’s about five strong women, who come together and use their wisdom and wiles to try to win against prejudice and greed. But it’s Southern-fried, so there is heartwarming humor sprinkled throughout. Here’s the back cover copy:
Southern women may look as delicate as flowers, but there’s iron in their veins.
While the rest of the world has been roaring through the 1920s, times are hardscrabble in rural South Georgia. Widow Maggie Parker is barely surviving while raising her young son alone. Then as banks begin to fail, her father-in-law threatens to take her son and sell off her livelihood—the grocery store her husband left her. Can five Southern women band together, using their wisdom and wiles to stop him and survive the Great Depression?
Please give us the first page of the book for my readers.
Sadie always says, "Southern women may seem as delicate as flowers, but we've got iron in our veins." And I believe her. After all, she's living proof—a lone Cherokee rose, whose thorns protect her better than any man could. Though older than my mama, she stepped into the role of friend the day I arrived in Rivers End as a new bride, and then later as mentor on the day my husband died.
I long to be like her, but figuring out how to work around the prejudice against women working is the pickle. Sadie says she overcame it by pure meanness and tenacity, and that I need more vinegar.
I thought it was iron.
She says I have the iron, I just need to pump some into my spine.
Now, in my own defense, I've done a respectable job raising Barry, my eight-year-old son, on my own while keeping Parker's Grocery afloat. Don't ask Big Jim for his opinion, though. My late husband's daddy is pigheaded when it comes to women working.
"Mama?" Barry pulls on my sleeve. "Can we buy these?" He bounces on his toes, his nutmeg eyes pleading with me over a pair of black high-topped, canvas athletic shoes.
I tousle his golden-brown curls, so much like mine, and pick up the price tag to consider. They're on sale, marked down from a $1.39, but the ten cents saved won't be enough. The grocery's bottom line hangs on a precarious black edge, teetering way too close to red for comfort.
I stroke his smooth cheek. "I'm sorry, sugar, you'll have to make do with the tennis oxfords for now. Look." I hold the tag for him to see. "They cost half of those, and with you growing so fast, they're all I can afford right now."
He nods and squares his small shoulders. "Okay, Mama. The oxfords lace up quicker, anyhow." My sweet boy puts the high tops back on the shelf and carries the canvas oxfords to Miss Ida Claire.
While she measures his foot, I wander over to the front of Mobley's Dry Goods and a display of aprons. I pick through them, looking for one with a little personality in a cheery yellow or bright red. In these dark financial times, a bit of color helps—lifts a gal's spirits like a new lipstick. A train-whistle blows and the wheels rumble on the tracks, vibrating the wooden floor. My heart skips a beat. Someday, I'm going to be on one of those, going somewhere. I turn to see if Barry heard it. He has and darts to the window. Anything to do with trains or airplanes draws him like a fly to butter.
"That's the ten-ten, Mama. Right on time." He peers past a set of fingerprints that are eye level with the dolls. I can't help but wonder if the little girl's mother felt like I do and stared at the dolls, knowing she couldn't afford one for her little girl's birthday.
"Is Miss Ida Claire finished with you, son?"
"Yes, ma'am. She's got 'em at the register."
How can readers find you on the Internet?
Thank you for letting me meet your readers, Lena!
And thank you for sharing this wonderful book with my blog readers and me.
Readers, here are links to the book.
In High Cotton - Paperback
In High Cotton - Kindle 
Leave a comment for a chance to win a free copy of the book. You must follow these instructions to be in the drawing. Please tell us where you live, at least the state or territory or country if outside North America. (Comments containing links may be subject to removal by blog owner.)
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.
The only notification you’ll receive is the winner post on this blog. So be sure to check back a week from Saturday to see if you won. You will have 4 weeks from the posting of the winners to claim your book.
If you’re reading this on Goodreads, Feedblitz, Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin, or Amazon, please come to the blog to leave your comment if you want to be included in the drawing. Here’s a link:
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Some people don't read the instructions of how to enter. Unfortunately, they don't have a chance to win. so next time you come and leave a comment, be sure to read all the instructions if you want a chance to win.
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Also, tell your friends about the book you won ... and this blog. Thank you.
Congratulations, everyone. If you won a print book, send me your mailing address:
Click the Contact Me link at the top of the blog, and send me an Email.
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Welcome back, Caryl.
Thank you so much for having me back, Lena! I love coming to visit with you!
You have a lot of books out now. What is your favorite setting to use in your books?
Yes, ma’am! At the end of 2020, I’ll have fifty-six titles published. Since 2015, I’ve averaged seven new titles a year. That’s a lot when you’re doing all the negotiating for covers, formatting, publishing and marketing by yourself . The only thing I have help with is, of course, the writing since Ron and I write together.
As for my favorite settings. That’s got to be Texas. Even my June 2020 release, KENTUCKY BRIDE, my heroine meets and falls for a Texas Ranger fighting for the Confederacy! I’m a true blue, loyal Texan by heart even though I was born in California.
My Texas Romances Family Saga is set in Clarksville, seat of Red River County where we live now. This area is so ripe with history; it lent itself as a wonderful setting. And we know the land so well. That series has ten full-length novels and six Texas Companion Books of those families’ ancestors and descendants.
My characters travel and some even move to both coasts—San Francisco and New York. Some even went to Alaska, but Texas is always home.
There’s about to be five titles so far in my new Cross Timbers Romance Family Saga where each of the novels has Texasin its title. Those families came to Texas in 1840 from Tennessee. They’ve done some traveling, too.
A NURSE FOR JACOB, we randomly set in New Orleansand the Touro Infirmary or Hospital now.
What do you look for when you’re shopping for a book to buy for yourself? I must admit, writing seven titles a year leaves little time for reading, but God is slowing me down. He keeps having me remove things from my plate. The only blog I have left is my own at my website which I haven’t written for in a long time.
Many of my author friends send me their books for endorsements, but if the stories don’t hook me right away, I don’t finish them. When one does, I can’t put it down and get so far behind! I cannot remember the last time I went shopping for a book. I truly hate saying that.
I do understand. With my newest 3-book contract, I don’t have many other activities. Give us a little tour of the setting for this book.
The book opens when Lydia Andres, freshly graduated from the Harrows School of Nursing, arrives at Touro Infirmary to begin her career. Ron and I have been to New Orleans once, and I don’t suppose we will ever go back. But it has been a setting where many of our characters go.
This is the first time a whole story—albeit quite short, the shortest we’ve written—is set there, but we don’t mention the seedy parts. Lydia meets her doctor and they start out being friends, going to the theatre and working together in New Orleans.
It's short because the authors who organized the collection set the lengths of the stories. When you sign up for a collection, you should adhere to the guidelines the leaders of that collection set. I prefer writing a long book.
What other books do you have coming out soon?
On September first, I’m quite excited to release TEXAS TROUBLES, book five in the Cross Timbers Romance Family Saga I mentioned earlier and, it’s also in the third annual Thanksgiving Books and Blessings Collection which as you know, I organize each year. I was blessed for you to be a part of it the first year with ESTHER’S TEMPTATION!
TEXAS TROUBLES covers the Civil War period. What an oxymoron to call that war civil in any world. It actually opens in the summer of 1860 before the war started with a true incident of Texashistory called Texas Troubles. Several towns burned on the same day: Dallas, Denton, and Pilot Point. Negro slaves were blamed and hung. Many say it was the beginning of the war.
The two young scallywag boys—if memory serves they were five and six in 1840, characters of GONE TO TEXAS, book one of the Cross Timbers series. Now they have grown into men, and they’re off to fight in the craziness—on opposite sides. It’s an epic story with two romances in its pages that is available on Pre-order nowhere: https://www.amazon.com/Texas-Troubles-Timbers-Thanksgiving-Blessings-ebook/dp/B08DJ7YKS8
Please give us a glimpse inside your home.
Ron and I built a metal home on 34 acres I call The Peaceable. We still had the four grandsons when we moved in July of 2013. There’s two bedrooms and two baths downstairs and four cubicles upstairs, one for each boy. The last one left in 2017, so at age 67, we became empty nesters!
We didn’t put central heat and air in the house. So now, we only cool one room unless company comes—our bedroom. It has both our computer desks, a comfy TV watching, nap chair for Ron, a fireplace, and our queen-sized bed. This is where all the writing is done unless we’re traveling.
Here’s a photo taken from the living room door into our room. I sit at the big armoire desk in the far corner, Ron’s desk is on the wall to the right.
We pretty much stay in there unless we’re eating or outside working in the yard. We eat in the dining room where I painted some fun woods with a deer, a couple of squirrels and a mama bird with a nest full of hungry mouths.
I’m trying to carve a yard out in the middle of The Peaceable’s woods. Ron wasn’t onboard at first. He liked the no-work “natural” look, but I kept working at it until finally, he agreed it was looking better and better and is helping me now.
After all, didn’t God first say to tend the garden?
Is this novel part of a series or a stand-alone book?
A NURSE FOR JACOB, for me, is a standalone story. It doesn’t have any of my other books’ characters in it. Even though I love doing that. It is a part of a multi-author collection, “Nursing the Heart” in which all the stories are standalone from each other. The connection is that all the nurses have just graduated in the same class at the fictitious Harrow’s School of Nursing.
Tell us about the story.
The jacket copy goes like this: Physician heal thyself.
While physical wounds heal with time, a special balm is needed to heal those sick of soul. In the Civil War aftermath, two such people’s paths cross.
Recent graduate of the Harrow School of Nursing first class in May 1868, Lydia Andrews arrives at the Touro Infirmary in New Orleans, hired on Clara Barton’s endorsement. There she meets Doctor Jacob Johnston, and both soon learn that love is the salve to soothe wounded souls.
Lydiahad gone with her aunt and mother to get men off the battlefield near their home. They did what was needed in the field then got the men back to their house where they nursed them. One she nursed, she fell in love with, but he went back to war and was killed.
That and the joy of helping those wounded caused her to love nursing and submit to the school for admittance.
Please give us the first page of the book.
New Orleans, May 4, 1868
Lydiaadmired the two-story building from the corner of Gaienne and Old Levee Streets, strode up the walk, then stopped at the Infirmary’s front door and adjusted her cap. She smoothed her apron, ready to open the portal to her new life. The attendant at the admissions desk eyed her a bit too hard, then stood.
“May I help you, Miss?” The old lady’s tone implied she hated surprises and had a strong desire to know it all. Perhaps she loved order above all else.
Hopefully, a smile would soften her.
“Yes, ma’am. Might you please direct me to the matron? I’m Nurse Lydia Andrews from the Harrow School of Nursing, graduation class of 1868, reporting for duty, ma’am.” She almost started to salute, but instead, just smiled.
The woman didn’t seem amused or impressed.
“I believe the matron is expecting me, ma’am. She’s discussed me coming with Miss Clara Barton herself.”
A feminine wailing came from down the hall to the woman’s right and drowned out her response. The lady shot a furtive glance in that direction then looked back. “Uh . . .”
Another scream, that one louder than the first and even more painful sounding, caused Lydiato take a step toward the commotion.
“Ma’am? Is someone with her? Should I go see?”
The receptionist shrugged. “She’s been like that for a while now. Doctor Johnston should be here any minute. I’ve already sent word upstairs.”
“I see. Thank you.” Lydia did a quick sidestep. “I’ll just go take a peek and see if perhaps I may be of assistance.”
Another scream threatened to pierce the air asunder. She picked up her pace then burst into the exam room. The extremely pregnant woman lay on the table, her husband holding her hand. He appeared as though he might pass out any minute himself.
Lydiagrabbed a stool, plopped down at the table’s foot, and threw the sheet back. The baby’s head had presented. Another contraction hit. The lady pushed, screaming again, but not as loud that time. The baby’s head didn’t move.
It took the poor woman three more contractions with Lydiahelping to get the baby out. She cleaned the child’s mouth then swatted the little one’s bottom, being rewarded with a nice, healthy, albeit plenty angry, cry. As precious as anything could ever be, the newborn boy had been through quite the ordeal himself! And he wasn’t one little bit happy about it. She laid him on his mama’s belly, tied off and cut the cord, then readied to receive the placenta. The afterbirth looked complete, but she saved it in case the doctor wanted to examine it. Another woman came in, took a quick look and ran out again. In mere minutes, she returned with water and towels.
It didn’t take long to realize the new mother was bleeding too much. The baby’s head had torn open a six-inch gash in the birth canal. Lydia’s eyes searched those of the woman.
“Where’s Doctor James?”
The other lady, maybe twice her age, only shrugged. “I’m sorry, I have no idea. Two hours ago, he was in surgery. Two gamblers got into it, and he was working on the loser. Haven’t seen him since then.”
How can readers find you on the Internet?
I wouldn’t imagine that would be any hill for a stepper! I’m all over the internet! I have author’s pages at Amazon, Simon and Schuster, BookBub, All Author, Book Gorilla, and Southern Writers Magazine! Plus, I participate in all the social media sites! Here are those links and others!
Author Pages:
(Hear Caryl sing her New Songs!)
Thank you again for inviting me, Lena! Blessings to you and James!
And thank you, Caryl, for sharing this new book with us. I know my blog readers are as anxious as I am to find out what happens next.
Readers, here’s a link to the book.
Leave a comment for a chance to win a free copy of the book. You must follow these instructions to be in the drawing. Please tell us where you live, at least the state or territory or country if outside North America. (Comments containing links may be subject to removal by blog owner.)
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.
The only notification you’ll receive is the winner post on this blog. So be sure to check back a week from Saturday to see if you won. You will have 4 weeks from the posting of the winners to claim your book.
If you’re reading this on Goodreads, Feedblitz, Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin, or Amazon, please come to the blog to leave your comment if you want to be included in the drawing. Here’s a link:
 Welcome back, Erica. How did you come up with the idea for this story?
The Gentleman Spy is the second book in the Serendipity and Secrets Series, and the idea came because I so enjoyed writing about Marcus Haverly in the first book. He was mysterious, helpful, knowing, and intriguing. He’s a spy for the Crown, a newly-minted duke, and a man in need of a wife. I knew I wanted to get to know him better and give him his own story.
If you were planning a party with Christian authors of contemporary fiction, what six people would you invite and why?
This is such a tough question. I have so many writer friends! I just know I will exclude someone…I do have some friends who are always up for a writer-dinner, so I’ll say Susan May Warren, Gabrielle Meyer, Ruth Logan Herne, Andrew Huff, Missy Tippens, and Katie Ganshert. (And a whole lot more who are welcome!)
Now let’s do that for a party for Christian authors of historical fiction, what six people would you invite and why?
I have even more friends who write historical fiction! I find it so difficult to choose…I’ll go with Mary Connealy, Julie Klassen, Michelle Griep, Jan Drexler, Vickie McDonough, and Amanda Barratt. That would be a historical fiction writer’s PARTY!
Many times, people (and other authors) think you have it made with so many books published. What is your most difficult problem with writing at this time in your career?
At the moment, it’s a bit of pandemic fatigue and struggling to concentrate! With all that was/is going on in the world, I’ve felt a bit of anxiety and lack of focus. It’s getting better, Praise the Lord, but it has been a grind this year so far.
I so understand. Tell us about the featured book.
The Gentleman Spy is book two of three in the Serendipity and Secrets series. Here’s a bit of information from the back cover:
He only wanted a duchess for a day—but she’s determined to make it a marriage for life
When his father and older brother suddenly pass away, the new Duke of Haverly is saddled with a title he never expected to bear. To thwart the plans of his scheming family, the duke impulsively marries a wallflower. After all, she’s meek and mild; it should be easy to sequester her in the country and get on with his life—as a secret agent for the Crown.
But his bride has other ideas. She’s determined to take her place not only as his duchess but as his wife. As a duchess, she can use her position to help the lowest of society—the women forced into prostitution because they have no skills or hope. Her endeavors are not met favorably in society, nor by her husband who wishes she’d remain in the background as he ordered.
Can the duke succeed in relegating her to the sidelines of his life? When his secrets are threatened with exposure, will his new wife be an asset or a liability?
Please give us the first page of the book.
He supposed that someday he would have to forgive the child for being a girl.
Marcus Haverly took one look at the squirming pink bundle in the nurse’s arms and sighed, the weight of the world threatening to push him into the ornate rug beneath his Hessians. He set down the book he’d been reading, his appetite for the written word evaporating as reality set in.
His mother dragged into the study, her shoulders slumped, her hands lax.
Who was more disappointed? He would hate to have to live on the difference. He rose, put his hands into the pockets of his breeches, and went to stand before the window, staring out into the night. Frost rimed the edges of the panes, and in the distance, black trees lifted skeletal arms toward the moon.
“How is Cilla?” he asked.
“The accoucheur has just gone. He says everything went well but that she needs rest.” Mother’s voice sounded as if she spoke from the bottom of a pit. “I can’t bear it. A girl.”
Marcus glanced over his shoulder in time to see her sink into a chair, the very picture of despair. The poor woman. All her hopes dashed in a split second.
How can readers find you on the Internet?
Don’t we all? Thank you, Erica, for sharing this new book with me and my blog readers. I’m eager to read it.
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