Wednesday Writers–Interview with Mary Ann Diorio, author of Miracle in Milan

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author interview, Christian fiction, financial suspense, Italy setting, Mary Ann Diorio, Miracle in Milan, romantic suspense, Wednesday Writers

Welcome to Wednesday Writers! Today we have an author interview with MaryAnn Diorio and an excerpt from her newest release Miracle in Milan. Thanks for being with us today, Mary Ann!

Please tell the readers about the book that is being showcased today.

Miracle in Milan is the story of a young, female auditor who discovers evidence that the man she loves is an embezzler and who must choose between ruining him or ruining herself.

Amy Torelli, Chief Auditor for New York City-based Enson Pharmaceuticals, is assigned to audit the books of Enson’s Italian branch in the enchanting city of Milan, Italy. Having made an inner vow never to trust a man again because of her father’s betrayal, Amy finds herself falling in love with Enson Italia’s American-born Vice-President, Ted McMasters. Will Ted be the one to cause her to break her inner vow?

Ted McMasters is on the run. A run from rejection. From himself. From God. Having been wounded by a father who made him feel worthless, and having been dumped by the woman he wanted to marry, Ted is determined to keep all women at bay. But will Amy be the reason he changes his mind?

How did you come up with the concept for this book?

The Lord gave me the idea for this story several years ago. Italy has always intrigued me, especially since my mother was born and raised there. Having lived and studied in Italy, I wanted to write a story set in that beautiful, romantic country. Interestingly, I ended up first writing my trilogy titled The Italian Chronicles, based on the life of my paternal great-great grandmother. But I knew that another story set in Italy lay dormant within my heart. That story was Miracle in Milan.

 Setting is important in books. I noticed that your story is in set in Milan, Italy. Were you inspired to set the book in Italy because of a visit to the country? If not, tell the reader why this setting inspired you.

As mentioned, I have close ties with Italy through my Italian mother. While a student there, I had occasion to visit Milan, the financial and business capital of Italy. When it came time to writing a novel based on financial intrigue, Milan seemed to be the natural choice.

What genre is this book, and why do you like to write in this genre?

Miracle in Milan is a novel of romantic suspense. Actually, this is the first novel I have written in this genre. My main character is a young American woman who works in New York City for a global pharmaceutical firm. The story flowed organically out of who she is and the lie she believes, a lie that has stood in the way of her fulfilling God’s call on her life. I enjoyed writing in this genre and look forward to writing more romantic suspense.

Do you write in more than one genre? If so, why?

Yes. I started out writing historical women’s fiction with an element of romance. Three of my novels–The Madonna of Pisano, A Sicilian Farewell, and Return to Bella Terra–are all historical women’s fiction set in Italy and America during the late 19th century and early 20th centuries. My novel titled In Black and White is a historical romance set in the 1950s, in the United States and Ghana. I also write fiction for children.

While I particularly enjoy writing historical fiction, I like to use the genre that best fits my character and story. When a character emerges in my heart, she emerges within a time period. I instantly know what century she lives in and, in most cases, what decade. The time period has a lot to do with making my character who she is in the natural and in the supernatural.

Do you have a day job? If so, what is it?

I am blessed to be able to write full-time. I used to have a day job as a university professor of foreign languages.

Name three interesting things most people don’t know about you.

• My mother tongue is Italian.
• I play the mandolin, an instrument my maternal grandfather used to play.
• I am also a visual artist and paint in oils and acrylics.

What’s next for you? Are you currently working on something new?

I’m working on a novella titled The Captain and Mrs. Vye. Summary: When a young widow inherits an oceanfront inn upon her husband’s death, she receives more than she bargained for as a whaling boat captain becomes her first tenant and disrupts her heretofore peaceful life.I am also writing a middle-grade novel titled Dixie Randolph and the Secret of Seabury Beach, the first novel in a six-book series for eight-to-twelve-year-old children.  

It’s been a pleasure having you here today. As you say goodbye, can you leave the readers with an encapsulation of your life’s philosophy? (a quote, a Bible verse, a precept you live by or have tried to instill in your children?)

There is nothing more important in life than accepting Jesus Christ as one’s Savior and Lord and living for Him. This is what Jesus meant when He said in John 3: 3 that a person must be born again in order to experience eternal life. One may accomplish great things in the earth, but, ultimately, unless one knows Jesus, everything else is meaningless. While one’s name may be listed in many records of earthly accomplishments, all that matters in the end is that one’s name be listed in the Lamb’s Book of Life.

There are four quotes on which I have based my life:

1) John 8: 32 – “You shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”
2) Philippians 3: 10 – “That I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings….”

3. “Only one life; ’twill soon be past. Only what’s done for Christ will last.” ~ Charles Studd

4. “The true success of my life will not be judged by those who admire me for my accomplishments, but by those who attribute their wholeness to my having loved them, by those who have seen their true beauty and worth in my eyes.” ~ David Grant.

Years ago, I created a mission statement by which I have lived and written. It is this:
To create works of art that communicate Christ’s love and connect people to Him.
CREATE. COMMUNICATE. CONNECT. This is what I’m all about.

Thanks for being part of the blog, Mary Ann. It’s been a pleasure to host you. Good luck with your book. It sounds intriguing!

Thank you so much for featuring me, Catherine. I trust that I will bless your readers.

MaryAnn

Miracle in Milan

By Mary Ann Diorio

When young, female auditor Amy Torelli is assigned to audit the books of her company’s Italian branch in Milan, she discovers convincing evidence that the man she loves is an embezzler.

Excerpt:

      “This way, Ms. Torelli.” Giorgio led her into his private office and shut the door. It was a modest office, as far as offices go. Nothing like Mr. Conklin’s plush space in the downtown Manhattan headquarters. A medium-sized window overlooked a narrow street with another office building on the opposite side. In one corner of the office space stood a large plant about the size of a small fig tree. On a credenza behind the desk was a picture of two small children sitting on either side of a lovely woman who looked to be in her late thirties. Very likely Giorgio’s wife and children.

          “Please, sit down.” Giorgio pointed to a small sitting area in the opposite corner furnished with two barrel chairs and a small coffee table.”

          Amy took the chair to the right and sat down. Her muscles tensed.

          Bassetti sat down in the chair across from her, crossed his legs, and folded his hands in his lap. “First of all, I want to thank you for making the long trip to Italy to help us.”

          Dare she say she’d had no choice but to lose her job if she’d refused? “I’m glad to do what I can.”

          Bassetti cleared his throat. “I don’t know how much you know, but Enson Italia is on the verge of bankruptcy.”

          Amy nodded. “Yes, Mr. Conklin explained as much to me.”

          “Then you know that we are in a precarious situation. The future of our Italian operation depends on your discovering what is going on.”

          Amy stiffened. There it was again. The burden of responsibility resting squarely on her shoulders. A burden she didn’t like at all. She hated having the ball in her court “Yes, I understand.”  She squared her gaze on him. “So, what are your thoughts on the problem?” She loved to toss the ball back to where it belonged.

          Bassetti shifted in his chair. “Frankly, I don’t know.”

          Amy sensed he was lying. “But surely, from your perspective as president, you have some idea, do you not?” His dodging annoyed her.

          Bassetti squirmed. “All I can say is that we have discovered some expenses that do not align with our expenditure categories and that seem to have no correlation with our normal business expenses.”

          “Has anyone investigated those unusual expenses?”

          Bassetti’s eyes narrowed. “That is what you are here to do.” His voice was curt.

Want to read more? You can find Miracle in Milan at  My Book Table  Amazon (affiliate) Print:  EBook:  and Universal Link:

About the Author:

MaryAnn Diorio is a widely published, award-winning author of fiction for both adults and children. Her stories are powerfully moving and deal with the deepest issues of the human heart.
MaryAnn resides in New Jersey with her wonderful husband of 51 years. They are the blessed parents of two amazing daughters, a very smart son-in-law, and six rambunctious grandchildren. You can learn more about MaryAnn and her writing at maryanndiorio.com.

Connect with MaryAnn on her Website: Facebook: Amazon Author Central: BookBub

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Wednesday Writers–Living Water by Allison Wells

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Allison Wells, Christian fiction, Living Water, redemption, Wednesday Writers

Welcome to Wednesday Writers! Today’s guest author is Allison Wells who will be sharing about her book Living Water, a modern retelling of the Bible story of the woman at the well. Welcome, Allison!

Living Water is the story of a wallflower in a family of prize-winning roses. Based on the story of the Woman at the Well in John 4, Roxie DePrive only wants one thing – to be loved unconditionally. That desire leads her to get married fresh from high school to the first boy who pays her attention. But when that marriage is short lived, she marries again, and again. She gets married five times in all, just like our Samaritan woman in the New Testament.

I’ve always wondered what led that woman to be married so many times. Was she five times widowed? Did her husbands leave her? What happened in her life? We know that because she went to get water at mid-day, she was not a popular woman in town. Most of the village women would have gone to the well early when it was still cool. They would have traded gossip and laughs as their children ran around playing. This is a big social time for the women of the village.

But not our dear girl, she was excluded from that. She did not walk with the other women, she did not trade recipes and stories. She was likely the story on everyone else’s lips. A woman fallen from grace for some reason or another.

So I wrote her story in a modern era. Starting with her high school years in the 1990s (anyone who came of age in the 90s will love the references) and carrying Roxie through to the 2020s, we see her transformation from senator’s daughter and a first time bride to social pariah who is rumored to be a man stealer. Roxie is pushed away from polite society after her five marriages.

Just like the woman in the Bible, Roxie is at an all time low when she meets Jesus in the form of a kind pastor who offers her living water. Neither woman understands what that is until it’s explained. And then, oh, then how their lives change. In John 4 we see the woman put down her water jar and run back to town to tell everyone about the Messiah.

Y’all. The social pariah of the town literally ran to those who scorned her to tell them about Jesus. That’s powerful stuff there. She was the first evangelist. That’s the power of Jesus coming into your life.

Roxie’s life is strife with sin and condemnation. But because someone believed in her and encouraged her, she turned her life around. I do love a good story of redemption and this is a big one. No matter how many times you stumble, God will always be there to pick you up. He guarantees it in Psalm 37:24.

I hope and pray that this story of redemption will resonate with all readers. No matter your past, you have a future with God in the Kingdom of Heaven.

Living Water

By Allison Wells

As the lackluster youngest daughter of a U.S. Senator, Roxie DePrive spends her life thirsting for one thing: to be loved unconditionally.

So, when her first boyfriend turns into her first marriage, Roxie’s life undergoes a drastic change. And when that first marriage doesn’t work out, she marries again.

And again.

Until Roxie marries five times.

The first marriage is puppy love, then dangerous love, convenient love, wishful love, and one that might possibly be the real deal.

And yet, none of the men she marries can quench the thirst she feels in her heart. It’s only when she meets a man who knows her entire life and all her mistakes that Roxie learns the power of something else-the deep and abiding peace of Living Water.

A modern retelling of the Woman at the Well in the New Testament, Living Water shows us that no matter our past, it’s God’s love that truly quenches the thirst of our souls.

Excerpt:

Remi came into the restaurant mad as a hornet. He was muttering and sputtering what I could only figure were expletives in French.

“What’s the matter?” I asked as I chopped peppers across from him. There had been no hint of anger when I had left our apartment an hour before. I wondered what would cause such a change in demeanor so quickly.

“Stupid government,” he said before ranting again in French. “My visa has expired. I have to go back to France.”

I stopped my knife mid-chop. “Go back? Why? Can’t you stay here?” I knew Remi had his own life, but I was asking for purely selfish reasons. Remi had been such a wonderful friend to me. I didn’t want to lose him.

“I have tried to extend it, but it’s been denied. I will be deported within the week,” he said, throwing his hands up in the air. “I don’t want to go. I don’t want to leave this restaurant and you, cherie. And I cannot leave Becca.”

I began chopping again, hoping the repetition would help me think. An idea came to me immediately. “I know! Why don’t you and Becca get married?”

Remi’s face softened and he looked at me. “Ah, Roxie, I wish it could be. But est impossible.”

I came around the table we were working on and took his hands. “But why? It would allow you to stay here. And I admit, Remi, I need you. You’ve been such a great friend to me.”

“Roxanne,” Remi sighed. “We have not told you and Erin the whole truth. Becca and I are in love, yes. But the reason she moved in so fast is that she is trying to get a divorce from her husband. So we cannot get married because she already is married. He is what you say about Josh – a bum.” Remi looked down at his shoes, embarrassed.

“I had no idea,” I whispered. “My divorce was over pretty quickly. But we had an annulment. Can’t she do that?”

He shook his head. “No, apparently not. I see no way through this. But it kills me to think of leaving Becca. I was going to propose to her and everything. You know, after the divorce was final.” He pulled a little ring box from his pocket and showed me a modest, but dazzling, little engagement ring. I shook my head at the shame of it all.

Surely there was an answer somehow. Later that day as we were preparing for dinner, several men in black came to the restaurant asking for Remi. Chef Tallant burst through the kitchen doors from the front room in a tizzy. “Remi, you need to go. Immigration is here!” Chef Tallant was a hard boss, but he treated his employees like family and he had grown increasingly fond of Remi. He pushed Remi’s arm in an effort to slide him out the back door.

“What do you mean immigration is here?” he asked, his voice high. “I thought I had more time!” Remi looked from Chef to me, his eyes pleading.

Thinking quickly, I stood next to Remi and dug into his pocket. I opened the ring box and put it into his hand and shoved Remi down on his knee. The door burst open and three men in suits stood in the doorway just in time to see my fake excitement at a wedding proposal that had not actually happened.

The men looked at the scene before them. Chef Tallant stood mouth agape. Remi on the floor before me with a ring extended. The rest of the kitchen looked shocked. Hopefully this plan would work.

“What’s going on here?” asked the one in front. His eyes narrowed and his mustache twitched.

“Shh,” Chef said, waving a hand at the man. “Do not interrupt this beautiful moment.” He had caught on immediately.

Remi looked distressed, so I quickly piped up, “Yes, I will marry you!” I grabbed the ring and put it on my finger. I was relieved it fit. I bent down and hugged Remi, helping him back to his feet. Quietly I whispered, “Play along.”

Once he understood what I was doing, he jumped into the role. “Oh, cherie, I am the happiest man today!” And he kissed me. It was probably the most dramatic kiss I had ever received in my life; I had to stifle a laugh.

Once the moment was over, everyone in the kitchen applauded. Everyone, that is, except for the three uniformed men who had intruded. “What the devil is going on?” the first one asked again.

“Don’t you see? They are in love!” Chef exclaimed, shaking his round body before him. “I will make you the best wedding cake! I will make all the food for your wedding!” He came over to us and kissed us both on the cheek.

“Remi Bonhomme? You will have to come with us,” the man with the mustache said. He took two huge steps toward us.

I cozied up to Remi and batted my eyelashes at the men. “You can’t take him, we just got engaged!”

Want to read more? You can find Living Water at Amazon,  Barnes and Noble, and monsterivy.

About the Author:

Allison Wells is an author, avid reader, and sweet tea addict. She graduated from Clemson University and began writing books as a way to escape the doldrums of newspaper reporting. Allison is married to a wonderful man and they are raising one red-headed teen daughter and three wild boys in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Check out her daily adventures on social media. Her motto is, “Life is Short, Eat the Oreos.”

Connect with Allison on Facebook: Instagram: Goodreads: and YouTube

Wednesday Writers, Allison Wells, Living Water, Christian fiction, redemption,

A Writer’s Garden–Bugs and Blessings by Susan Miura

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A Writer's Garden, Bugs and Blessings, Christian fiction, Garden blog, garden photography, Surviving Carmelita, Susan Miura

Welcome to A Writer’s Garden where writers who are gardeners or just love gardens will be sharing their garden and flower stories, as well as a bit about their writing. Today’s writer/gardener guest is Susan Miura who will be talking about one of  most gardeners’ least liked subjects: Bugs…with a twist. Welcome, Susan!

How did creepy, slimy garden creatures transform from “enemy” to “blessings” in my gardener’s heart? Years ago, as a little girl picking vegetables for dinner in our backyard, I dreaded the emergence of buggish things: the spider descending down a kohlrabi, a beetle skittering along an eggplant, bees hovering over cucumbers, and the worst of the worst…the big, fat, terrifying hornworm poking it’s head out of a tomato. It was truly the stuff of nightmares.

Fast forward a few decades and the little garden girl is a wife, mom, and author with a passion for nature photography. Over the years, those creepy crawlies have been the subjects of Creation lessons as I worked with my children among the flowers and veggie plants, talking about God’s amazing design of our world and all living things, and the science behind what they do and why. They’ve also been the focal point for many nature photos. But it was when I got a macro lens that everything, truly, came into focus. (See what I did there?)

Through the magic of my lens, I was able to observe what the naked eye could not, and even after years of using it, the images never fail to take my breath away. To see the tiny dot indentations on the beetle’s wings or the individual hairs of a pollen-dusted bee is nothing short of miraculous.

Even that scary tomato worm, artistically patterned with its dots, lines and a row of spots that resemble eyes, is both exquisite and whimsical when magnified 100 times.  And spiders? Their intricate designs are the stuff of art museums.

But it wasn’t only insects that emerged into things of beauty, it was the plants themselves. No one would be surprised to hear that flowers look downright otherworldly through a macro, but even simple vegetable plants transform into something mystically marvelous.

• 

• 

As a gardener and photographer, I eagerly anticipate the planting and photography that comes with spring. And as an author, I can’t resist infusing some of my characters with my passion for nature, in all its forms.  

About the Writer/Gardener:

Susan grew up in an Italian-American family where much of the backyard was used for growing vegetables, with one circular area dedicated to flowers. She worked side-by-side with her father planting onions, eggplant, tomatoes, zucchini, and other Italian favorites. Her passion for nature, writing, and photography lead her to travel, write books, and create presentations using her nature and travel photos.

Susan worked as a Chicago-area newspaper reporter, then as a television reporter in Albuquerque before returning to her home state of Illinois. She currently works in public relations, teaches writing workshops, and gives travel presentations throughout the Chicago suburbs. She is president of the American Christian Fiction Writers Chicago chapter and a member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators. Her young adult novels have won the Readers’ Favorite, Moonbeam, Illumination, StoryMonsters, and Best Book awards, and her new release, Surviving Carmelita, is her first inspirational women’s fiction.

Connect with Susan on her Website: susanmiura.com  Instagram: susanmiura1  Facebook: susanmiurawrites  Twitter: miura10

Surviving Carmelita

by Susan Miura (publisher: CrossRiver Media)

 Where do you run when your world implodes?

“Mom?” Ashley’s shakes can be heard in that single, whispery word. “Mom, what happened?”

I take a breath, unable to turn my head. Unable to move at all. “I don’t know, Ash.” But somehow I do know, beneath skin chilled by the breath of demons, that whatever just happened will change everything.

It was Josie’s hands on the wheel, her foot on the pedal. Her fault. Now, sweet, beautiful Carmelita will never see her fifth birthday. Where do you run when the world implodes and you can’t even function as a mom? Josie leaves her Chicago suburban home to stay with a cousin in Key West, unaware her journey is guided by an unseen hand. Unaware that a trailer park pastor, a battered horse, a pregnant teen, and a mysterious beachcomber might just set her on the path toward an inconceivable hope and redemption.

Includes a recipe by cookbook author Nancie McDermott.

You can find Surviving Carmelita at Amazon Barnes and Noble and CrossRiver Media

Tasty Tuesdays–My Nan-Nan’s Special Coffee from Bonnie Engstrom…and a Giveaway!

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Bonnie Engstrom, Christian fiction, Clean fiction, giveaway, Natalie's Red Dress, recipe, Sweet romance, Tasty Tuesdays

Nan-Nan and Pap-Pap lived in a small house on the back of our half-acre property. Pap-Pap and his son, my Uncle Jimmy, were master carpenters who built the small house so we could be close. As a child I often wandered to visit Nan-Nan, especially because I knew I would get a coffee treat. At eight years old coffee was a special big deal.

Nan-Nan had a special trick that I still use today when I make real coffee. Back then she filled a rose-patterned cup with lots of milk and then elaborately added coffee – probably two teaspoons! Plus a lot of sugar. Finally she took her kitchen salt shaker and shook it over the brew.

What she told me when I grew up and graduated to real coffee has become a ritual to me. Scoop the grounds into the filter. No there were no paper filters in her day! No electric coffee pots, either. But every night when I prepare my pot for the next morning I take a big pinch of Kosher salt and sprinkle it over the grounds.

Does it make a difference? Does it enhance the flavor of my Starbucks coffee grounds? I think so, but maybe it’s my imagination or embracing a memory. Try it. Can’t hurt. If you like it please say, “Thanks, Nan-Nan, for the tip.” Enjoy!

Coffee plays a big role in my CANDY CANE SERIES. Seven women meet at a Starbucks in Newport Beach, California where they pray for each other, and two of them fall in love there.

ABOUT THE CANDY CANES

Twenty years ago six high school freshmen in Newport Beach, California formed a swim team that became legendary. They won the state relay swim championship four years in a row. In addition to their skill and devotion to daily practicing, they prayed together and vowed to be sisters forever. Another thing that set them apart was they chose their own swimsuits making them a team within a larger team. They chose red and white diagonally striped swimsuits and thus, became known as the Candy Canes. They always will be.

There are nine books in the series. Each book is written as a standalone, although the stories begin when the women are in their twenties, they build on each other as the women progress in age. Each book touches on a social situation: abuse, alcoholism, interracial marriage, infidelity, serious disease. Finally, after being forgiven by Doreen for causing the accident that altered her life and her leg forever, Melanie is accepted into the group and has her own stories.

NATALIE’S RED DRESS is Book Nine, the final story in the series. It is about a life-threatening disease and a sensitive subject. Please read with an open mind.

Will Natalie, the one whose friends call “the tough girl,” overcome her fear with the help of her best friend, Melanie?

Maybe Alan’s impromptu proposal will boost her morale when nosy neighbor, Gladys, accuses her of being a loose woman.

Natalie’s group of friends, the Candy Canes, gather to pray for her at their favorite Starbucks and even have a silly, unconventional pizza party with crazy ingredients to cheer her up. But stubborn Natalie doesn’t cheer up easily.

Hoping a change of attire from everyday gym clothes to something fancy will calm her fears she goes on a rare shopping spree. The effusive saleswoman persuades her and she splurges on an elegant RED DRESS. So not Natalie! When and where would she ever wear it? Unless, maybe, she invites a special man to dinner. But will he accept? What if he really loves someone else? Could he love a deformed woman?

A SPECIAL SALE ANNOUNCEMENT!

The entire Candy Cane Series goes on sale next week for only one week as an eBook Boxed Set Collection for only $9.99. But you have to wait until Monday, April 26. Sign up for my newsletter so you will be sure to get the link. I promise you won’t be disappointed.

Some readers like to read the last page of a book first. If you are a last-first reader and want to read NATALIE’S RED DRESS first it is on sale for $3.99 at Amazon

GIVEAWAY FROM BONNIE!

Have a read or a cuppa coffee on Bonnie!

“I would love to give away an eBook of NATALIE’S RED DRESS and a $5 Starbucks gift card,” Bonnie says.

To be entered in the drawing leave a comment for Bonnie on this post. The winner of the book and the winner of the Starbucks gift card will be randomly chosen from the commenters next Monday 11 p.m. EST. Winners names will be announced Tuesday in the comment section of Bonnie’s Tasty Tuesday post. Be sure to check back to see who wins these great prizes!

About the Author Bonnie:

I’ve decided I don’t like impersonal bios written in the third person. I would rather explain who I am since I know best who I am.

I am a wife, mother, mother-in-law and grandmother who goes by the moniker Grammy. My husband and family are my life. But Jesus is first. He has led me down many paths from PTA volunteer, newspaper columnist, online prayer chain moderator and author. Each path has been lined with wonderful treasures of love. But the best path has been and still is the Grammy path.

I love the image in Exodus 17:12 of Aaron and Hur lifting up Moses arms. I am blessed to have many Aarons and Hurs holding me up when I get tired. To see six of mine and the one who has held me up for almost 56 years go to my website link below.

Life has taken me from Pittsburgh to Ohio to Washington, D.C. to Los Angeles to Newport Beach and finally to Scottsdale, Arizona living on a lake as I’d dreamed of for years.

Dogs are part of my life. Lola, the scruffy one, is on the cover of Melanie’s Blue Skirt. Lucy and Sam have cameo appearances in Cindy’s Perfect Dance and Melanie’s Ghosts respectively. Jake, our precious Min Pin on the cover of Connie’s Silver Shoes, is in doggy heaven. Sweet Arthur on the cover of Doreen Finds Her Groove was lent to me for the story by my friend Lisa. Sandy, the Golden Retriever on the cover of A Winning Recipe, is a characterization of Almond Roca, my friend Dorothy’s dog who jogged with me for many years.

Cats have always been important members of our family. Mr. Sunday was first. My mother named him because he came to our door on Sunday. Spats was a rescued laboratory cat when hubby was in grad school. He was super smart and could fetch and play tennis with a ping pong ball. Our kids had Licorice, Mudball who swallowed a needle, Dr. Pepper who insisted on jumping on all laps, and Aphrodite who lived to be 21 and a half. Our own children now have Blackey, Vader, Loco, Poco and Bingo – all black!

Now you know who I am. And maybe more about the stories I write. I hope you like the stories and will read them and post reviews on Amazon and Goodreads. Please check out the links below to contact me. I love to hear from my readers.

Thank you for supporting my books!

Connect with Bonnie on her FB author page : Website/Newsletter sign up : Book Bub  and Amazon author page to see all my books: 

Wednesday Writers-Interview with Alice K. Arenz, author of A Question of Survival

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A Question of Survival, Alice K. Arenz, book excerpt, Christian fiction, faith, hope, interview with Alice K. Arenz, spousal abuse, suspense, Wednesday Writers, Women’s Fiction

Today’s Wednesday Writers guest is author Alice K. Arenz. Today I’m talking with Alice about her latest release, A Question of Survival. Be sure to read to the end for an excerpt from this Women’s Fiction Suspense.

Welcome, to the blog, Alice, and congratulations on finishing a book that was 40 years in the making. I recently read A Question of Survival, and although it deals with spousal abuse and other heavy issues, I feel it is a well-written, thoughtfully constructed story that can help bring these issues to light. It certainly touched my heart.

Hi, Catherine! Thank you so much for having me on your blog today. AND, for the compliment. You’ve made my day!

1. I know from reading other blogs about your book that A Question of Survival started with stories of your family’s exploration of the snowy Colorado Rockies where you stayed in the car with your 6-month old and waited for their return. Having read the story, which, by the way, kept me up way past midnight, I’m wondering, given the many starts and stops you’ve described, which part of the book came first: the winter storm story or the heroine Jessica’s domestic abuse story?

Sorry about keeping you up—though that, too, is a compliment! 🙂

You’re right, there were a lot of starts and stops through the years—but the answer to your question is an easy one: the original novella started with Jessica snowbound on a mountain pass with the why of how she got there told in flashbacks. I always knew the story wasn’t as complete as it should’ve been, and that haunted me. But, no matter how much I wanted to “finish” her story, something held me back. I believe it was God telling me it wasn’t the right time. Till now.

• From my own experience in writing dramatic scenes I can easily weep at the typewriter. You deal with some heavy social issues in the book—spousal abuse, suicide, miscarriage, and betrayal—how did those affect you while you were writing them?

There were a lot of tears, frustration, headaches, and even more prayer. Every time I tried to return to Jessica’s story, I thought I’d prepared myself for the onslaught of emotions. Needless to say, I never succeeded. It wasn’t until last January when the manuscript came out of the closet once again, that I really listened to God’s leading in finding the light at the end of the proverbial tunnel. And with the COVID pandemic, that wasn’t always easy. But He reminded me that until Jessie’s story was completed, she remained in limbo. And, in many ways, so did I.

• You write across the spectrum of genres: Mysteries, Cozy Mysteries, Suspense, Romance, Romantic Suspense. How hard was it, aside from the long writing time, to switch gears and write a Women’s Fiction about abuse?

To be honest, I don’t really think about it. I fully believe that God just takes over. I get hints now and again, like a person’s name, maybe a location (almost always fictional), but that’s about it. When I’ve tried to “go it alone” so to speak, I don’t get very far. Even when signing up to be part of a novella set, I wouldn’t commit until I felt His leading. Most people would think I was nuts for saying this, but it’s true. Hopefully, not the part about me being nuts…

Okay, let me give you an example. When I was about two-thirds into The Case of the Bouncing Grandma, I wanted to know how all the mysteries were going to wrap up, how the manuscript would end. I kept praying for the answer, kept writing what I was given each day, but really, really wanted the answer. I didn’t have a clue! After a day of rapid-fire typing at the computer, I asked God for a hint, something that would show me the end of Glory’s story. In the middle of my shower that night, He finally answered—with one sentence: “And then he kissed me.” A month and a half later, it was, indeed, the end of the book!

You know, when I first started writing Survival, I’d never heard the term “Women’s Fiction.” There was a story that demanded it be told, a young woman whose life was in shambles, and the perfect setting. The moment I saw the vista from that backcountry location in Colorado, shut inside my brother-in-law’s Bronco with my six-month old daughter, I KNEW something powerful had taken hold of me.

• One more question about the book, before I ask some more generic questions. I’m dying to know if you did any tromping around in the snow so you could accurately describe the heroine’s winter snow experiences.

I spent a lot of time on sledding hills in Alaska when I was a kid. 😉 Later, as an adult, I tromped through plenty of snowdrifts, chasing after my kids in Missouri. Once you’ve navigated knee high—and higher—snow with varying degrees of “hardness,” the experience stays with you.

.

• Keep reading because Alice has an excerpt at the end of the interview. You won’t want to miss it! Now on to some fun questions–What snacks, if any, are in your office right now?

I write in the kitchen, so that’s kind of a loaded question. However, if I were in my old office, there wouldn’t be any food around. Only water. Food’s a distraction.

• Are you a morning writer, afternoon, evening, or midnight oil writer?

Any and all of the above. It all depends on how urgent the need to write happens to be.

• What’s the first book you ever remember reading as a child?

I had what I called record books, where you listen to the record—actually a vinyl 45—and follow along with the Little Golden Book. I loved Cinderella when I was very small. Once I learned to read, I devoured anything I could get my hands on.

• What’s the book you are reading now?

Actually, I’m not reading anything. Taking a break. I’ve watched a lot of Hallmark Christmas movies, though.

• Name three interesting things most people don’t know about you.

I love lighthouses, butterflies, and the idea of a unicorn.

1. Is there anything I haven’t asked about your book that you’d like the reader to know?

Um… the subject matter is difficult, yes, but there’s something upon which I focus more attention. I look at A Question of Survival as a story of hope in a future beyond a damaged past. Faith, hope, and determination are all part of Jessica’s story.

I imagine that’s what everyone who deals with a damaged past hopes for, too. Thanks for being part of the blog today, Alice.

Now on to the excerpt!

A Question of Survival

by Alice K. Arenz

Excerpt

Chapter 1

He knew exactly how to hurt me so it wouldn’t leave any marks—at least on the outside. Would I ever be capable of doing the same to him?

I asked myself that question every time he abused me. It didn’t matter whether it was through careless words or deeds… or with his hands. Oh, the hands stung more, but the words stayed with me long after the redness of the slap or the bruises faded away. The comments were like barbed wire poking and sticking me, a constant reminder of all the ways I could never measure up to his level of perfection.

The rhythmic tick of the ceiling fan and clicking of the pull chain from each revolution pierced my brain in much the same way as the harsh hundred-watt bulbs in the light—all things to his specifications.

Too much illumination, too much sound, too many thoughts, too many emotions…

Huddling in the corner where I’d sought solace, Domino, my one true companion, inched forward on her belly. Even my little dog knew to fly under the radar when Jonathan was in one of these moods. Something that happened more and more frequently.

Domino crept onto my lap and whimpered. It was a soft cry, barely audible, something only we could hear—a cry from the heart between the two of us.

I hugged her to me, holding back tears that threatened to fall. Jonathan hated when I cried. Since it would only make him angry and more disagreeable, what was the use?

Burying my face into her soft fur, I thanked God for my little dog and her companionship. I’d never been allowed a pet, wasn’t allowed friends that weren’t preapproved by Jonathan. But even he couldn’t dismiss a gift from my formidable grandmother.

Drawing a deep breath, I peered around the dresser and wished for a way to be absorbed into the wall behind me. A nice thought, but imagination didn’t count when dealing with Jonathan. Once you were in his reality, that’s where you remained.

He’d gone into the bathroom to shower after the … encounter. He’d expect me to be ready by the time he was finished.

You can find A Question of Survival at Amazon.

A note from Catherine:

As someone who has read several of Alice’s books, if feel this is a must-read novel from this author. She handles not just one tough subject, but several, with great care and in a clean, non-graphic manner. Even though I was certain the heroine would find her way out of her situation,  Alice’s writing drew me into the story and had me rooting for Jessica as she suffered and grew and learned how to deal with her fears and trials. I became so emotional invested that I wanted to reach into the pages and throttle Jessica’s abusive husband. Although the story may be hard to read at times, the hope that lies in the book makes it worth the read.

About the Author:

Mysteries, Cozy Mysteries, Suspense, Romance, and Women’s Fiction–writing across the spectrum with a Pinch of Humor and a Twist of Faith.

Alice K. Arenz has been writing since she was a child. Her earliest publications were in the small, family-owned newspaper where her articles, essays, and poems were frequently included. A member of American Christian Fiction Writers, Arenz is a Carol Award winner and two-time finalist. She writes “clean” fiction as well as Christian fiction in a variety of genres and lengths.

Follow Alice at: Amazon: BookBub: Goodreads

Wednesday Writers–Saving Grace by Amy R. Anguish

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Amy R Anguish, Christian fiction, Saving Grace, Sweet romance, Wednesday Writers

Welcome to Wednesday Writers. Today’s guest is Amy Anguish, who will be talking about “falling in love” or more precisely about whether or not one can fall in love. Welcome, Amy!

 

This may sound a bit crazy coming from a person who writes romance novels, but I firmly believe you can’t actually fall in love.

Falling in love is a myth.

Mostly.

I’m talking about how love is a choice. And while the hormones and feelings that come with the first blush of a romantic relationship are wonderful, you can’t base a marriage on them. Not really.

Why?

Because when the going gets tough, warm fuzzies aren’t going to get you through it. Instead, you have to have trust in each other, a deep knowledge of who the other person is, and you have to want to make it work even through the hard times. So, when we base our relationships on feelings, which sometimes change more often than a preschooler’s favorite color, that relationship isn’t going to last.

In my newest book, Saving Grace, I play with this concept a bit, but with a twist.

Michelle and Greg have been best friends their whole life. When someone points out that she and he should get married, she scoffs and says he’s like a brother. But as the book goes on, she grows more confused. Can a relationship be possible without the romance?

Her mom gives her the following advice.

“Love.” Mom set down her mug with such force that some of the remaining liquid sloshed out. “Do you even know what truelove is? If you’re looking for what they get in the movies or books, you won’t find anything close to it.”

Michelle raised an eyebrow. Well, that was disheartening.

Mom leaned forward and looked her square in the eye. “But if you want real love, well, that’s the kind of love that gets you through those weeks when there’s not enough money to buy groceries. So, you just eat whatever’s in the pantry, even if that means boxed macaroni and applesauce as your whole meal. Love is when you take care of your sick spouse even when you came down with the exact same thing and are just as miserable.

“Love means supporting each other through the good times and the bad like Phillip and Darcy are doing. It isn’t butterflies and lightning. It’s something you can count on. It’s trust and support and reliability.”

“But don’t you and dad have butterflies and lightning sometimes too?” If those weren’t important, there wouldn’t be so many novels discussing such things, right? “Isn’t that at least part of it?”

“Sure. I had butterflies all over when I first met your Dad.” Mom squeezed her arm. “But over the years, I’ve come to appreciate the other kind of love more. It’s what keeps those flutters alive.”

 

This is my personal opinion, obviously, but maybe if more marriages started out based on thinking like that, they’d last longer and be richer.

What do you think? Do you prefer books where the characters fall in love, or do you like the kind where a relationship is based on something more?

Saving Grace

by Amy R. Anguish

What if saving Grace doesn’t mean what she thinks it does?

Michelle Wilson’s one goal in life was to become a top journalist at the local paper back in her hometown of Cedar Springs, AR. But on the way to bringing that dream to reality, a life-changing wreck interrupts Michelle’s plans and adds an orphaned baby into the mix. Now, she has tough decisions ahead—did God put her in that accident to save baby Grace? And if so, why is it so hard to convince everyone else she should be the baby’s new mommy?

Buy Link

 

About the Author:

Amy R Anguish
Author of An Unexpected Legacy, Faith and Hope, and Saving Grace

Amy R Anguish grew up a preacher’s kid, and in spite of having lived in seven different states that are all south of the Mason Dixon line, she is not a football fan. Currently, she resides in Tennessee with her husband, daughter, and son, and usually a bossy cat or two. Amy has an English degree from Freed-Hardeman University that she intends to use to glorify God, and she wants her stories to show that while Christians face real struggles, it can still work out for good.

Follow her at http://abitofanguish.weebly.com or http://www.facebook.com/amyanguishauthor

 Or https://twitter.com/amy_r_anguish

Learn more about my books at https://www.pinterest.com/msguish/my-books/

And check out the YouTube channel she does with two other authors, Once Upon a Page (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEiu-jq-KE-VMIjbtmGLbJA)

Catherine’s Comments–When Valleys Bloom Again/ Book Review by Catherine Castle

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Book Review of When Valleys Bloom Again, Catherine's Comments, Christian fiction, clean romance, Pat Jeanne Davis, Sweet romance

WHEN VALLEYS BLOOM AGAIN

BY PAT JEANNE DAVIS

Forced to leave her parents and home before WWII breaks out in England, Abby Stapleton is ripped away from family and friends she loves and sent to her aunt’s home in America.

Feeling isolated, angry that God allowed her parents to send her away, and worried about her loved ones facing mortal danger in London, Abby wonders if she’s losing her faith along with her family. Just as she begins to adjust to her new normal in America Pearl Harbor is attacked.  The U.S.A. enters the war and Abby’s world is turned upside down…again.

Author Pat Jeanne Davis paints a great historic picture of WWII, in both England and America. The details of events showed the author had done her research. Battle scenes were intense without being over the top or graphic. I loved the touch of the censored letters from the battlefields. It gave a measure of the frustration family at home must have felt when precious words from their loved ones were blacked out in their correspondence.

The antagonist is very sneaky and evil. He had me on the edge of my seat as he tried to sabotage Abby’s relationships and life. I anxiously awaited his demise, wondering how he was going to get caught.

Although listed on Amazon as Christian fiction, the book was not preachy at all. Given the subject matter of war and worrying for your loved one, the faith element was naturally woven into the story.  I think even non-Christians would enjoy this book

The one thing that bothered me was that I wanted to see the plot thread between Abby and her aunt tied up, but maybe the author has another book planned for that. I’ll wait and see.

All in all this was an enjoyable read, clean of language and sex, and suitable for YA and adult readers. The author has a nice writing style, making the book easy to read. I received a complimentary copy and was under no obligation to leave a review. I just liked the story so much I wanted to tell others about it.

Great job. Pat!

ABOUT CATHERINE

Multi-award winning author Catherine Castle loves writing. Before beginning her career as a romance writer she worked part-time as a freelance writer. She has over 600 articles and photographs to her credit, under her real name, in the Christian and secular market. She also lays claim to over 300 internet articles written on a variety of subjects and several hundred poems. In addition to writing she loves reading, traveling, singing, theatre, quilting and gardening. She’s a passionate gardener whose garden won a “Best Hillside Garden” award from the local gardening club. She writes sweet and inspirational romances. You can find her award-winning Soul Mate books The Nun and the Narc and A Groom for Mama, on Amazon and Barnes and Noble.

Follow her on Twitter @AuthorCCastle, FB or her blog.

Musings from a Writer’s Brain–The Orphan Heart by Rhonda Dragomir

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Christian fiction, essay, Excerpt from The Orphan Heart, Musings from a Writer's Brain, Rhonda Dragomir, The Orphan Heart

The Orphan Heart

by

Rhonda Dragomir

Graeme tightened his grasp to the point of pain. Cecily flinched, and his grip loosened. But he scooted closer. “And what of ye, Cecily? Who will keep ye safe? Surely you have not mistaken Morley’s interest for anything but what it is. He means to seduce ye.”

Seduce? Perhaps. However, Morley already had a beautiful mistress, so he would soon lose interest in a lowly servant. In the meantime, Cecily would find a way to divert him. Morley did nothing to conceal his lust, and Graeme must think her dimwitted if she didn’t perceive it. She bristled at the insult.

“Morley only needs a new lass to serve drinks in his fine castle. Nothing more will happen. I can handle myself.” She extricated herself and stepped adroitly around Graeme. Picking up her belongings, Cecily headed for the door. “Now, if you please, I mustn’t be late.”

Graeme grabbed her hand once more. “Don’t be a fool.”

Cecily stamped her foot and froze Graeme with an icy glare. “I’m nobody’s fool, Graeme. Not Mabel’s, not Morley’s, and certainly not yours. Unhand me!”

“I’m sorry.” Graeme complied with Cecily’s command, and she shivered from the loss of warmth. “I’m just aware of things you don’t know.”

“Are you willing to disclose these things?”

“I cannot.”

“Then I have no reason not to make my own way. I’m alone in this world, Graeme. I know how to take care of myself, and I don’t need you to tell me what to do.”

*          *          *

All fiction writers reach deep inside their souls, dredging up personal experiences to find themes that resonate with readers. For some it’s unrequited love. Others choose untimely death or thwarted justice. The excerpt above, from my first novel, reveals an inner demon I’ve wrestled—an orphan heart.

“Poor thing,” you say. “Reared with no mother or father.” Not true. My parents lived well into my adulthood, and they were wise, loving, faith-filled people. I suffered no Oliver Twist moments in my very happy childhood.

How did I develop an orphan heart? I don’t know. I became a spiritual orphan through no great crisis or rejection by God. Slowly, inexorably, the child-me made little decisions.

I did a bad thing, now I don’t deserve to be loved.

She got what she wanted, but I didn’t. God must not love me as much.

If I try harder to be good, God will love me more.

This mindset culminated in a 31-year-old “me” who was physically ill and heartsick. But one night, God met me in a miraculous way, confronting me that I didn’t believe He loved me as much as he loved other, “better” people. When I acknowledged that truth and whispered, “Lord, I receive your love,” He flooded me with an assurance of being His beloved child despite my flaws.

I’ve never felt orphaned again.

Oh, I’ve had problems—big ones. But now my formerly-blinded eyes see the blessings, too. My Heavenly Father has continued to shower me with His love, just as He always did. The difference? Now I revel in the rain.

My God-given mission is to reach others who are still trapped by orphan heart attitudes and communicate God’s love to them, whether through the written or spoken word.

How do I recognize them? People with orphan hearts are jealous when others succeed. They serve God to feel better about themselves instead of from a sincere desire to be a blessing. The find identity in possessions rather than in Christ. They are fiercely—and sometimes unwisely—self-reliant. They do not trust easily, and often assume people are against them.

So—I write. I tell Cecily’s story—and Mia’s and Catherine’s. All the heroines in my historical romances struggle with orphan hearts. But each one eventually comes face-to-face with a God who loves them and always has. It is my prayer that readers will see their choices and attitudes reflected in the lives of these women, and contemplate the possibility—no matter how remote it seems—that God truly, sincerely, deeply cherishes them as his beloved children.

When we embrace the Heavenly Father’s love and cast aside our orphan heart attitudes and behaviors, we can exult in the showers of God’s blessings.

“For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, ‘Abba, Father.’ The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children.” —Romans 8:14-16 (NIV)

 

About the Author:

Rhonda Dragomir lives in Wilmore, Kentucky. A graduate of Asbury University with a degree in Social Work, she is a committed pastor’s wife and Bible teacher. Rhonda is also an award-winning writer, with published works in Chicken Soup for the Soul anthologies and Spark magazine. Rhonda was named the 2019 Writer of the Year by Serious Writer, Inc., and she is a semi-finalist in the Historical Romance category of the 2020 ACFW Genesis Contest. Read more about Rhonda on her website: http://www.rhondadragomir.com/.

Social Media Links:

Website:  Instagram:  Facebook author page

 

To see excerpts of Rhonda’s books go to her website.

RAVENWOOD

by Rhonda Dragomir

 

A Writer’s Garden–Gardening Starts in the Window by Pegg Thomas

Tags

A Writer's Garden, Christian fiction, Christian short stories, clean romance, hostorical romance, Pegg Thomas, planting, seedlings, Sweet romance, The Blacksmilth Brides

Gardening Starts in the Window

When you live in the far northern reaches of the U.S., you have to adapt your gardening techniques to accommodate the late spring. We generally have snow on the ground well into April. It’s a rare year that we can get into the garden before Mother’s Day, and usually we don’t transplant the seedlings out until after Memorial Day. I know! Half of you are almost done gardening by then! But we soldier on.

My planting schedule looks like this:

1^st Wed. in March – plant the sweet peppers and cayenne peppers

3^rd Wed. in March – plant tomatoes, cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, Brussel’s Sprouts, and celery

2^nd Wed. in April – plant the cucumbers, pickles, zucchini, and winter squash

1^st Wed. in May – plant the pole beans and dill

 I start the plants in my living room bow window which—thankfully—faces south. As soon as most of the snow clears and it’s staying above freezing during the days, I set up my portable greenhouse with a heat lamp inside and move the plants out. I run the heat lamp on a timer to come on at dusk and turn off a couple of hours past dawn.

 I will transplant my tomatoes and peppers at least twice in this time period, moving them into larger pots and strengthening their root bases. I’ll transplant the cabbages, other brassicas, and celery once. The rest I start in their individual pods because they don’t like their roots messed with.

Rattlesnake beans

 By the time I move my plants into the garden, the tomatoes are usually in blossom, the pole beans are sending out their shoots, the vine crops are ready to trellis, and the cabbages and other brassicas are well into their 4^th or 5^th sets of leaves.

Cauliflower

I come from a long line of farmers—not my parents, but my grandparents on both sides—and I think gardening is in my blood. I can’t imagine not spending those hours with my fingers in the dirt, coaxing little plants into rows of canning jars or layers of freezer bags come fall.

About the Writer/Gardener:

Pegg Thomas lives on a hobby farm in Northern Michigan with Michael, her husband of *mumble* years. They raise sheep and chickens, plus keep a few barn cats and Murphy the spoiled rotten dog. A life-long history geek, she writes “History with a Touch of Humor.” Pegg is published in five Barbour inspirational historical romance collections, won the 2019 FHL Reader’s Choice Award, was a double-finalist for the 2019 ACFW Carol Award for novellas, and a finalist for the 2019 ACFW Editor of the Year. Pegg also works as the managing editor of Smitten Historical Romance, an imprint LPC with Iron Stream Media. When not working or writing, Pegg can be found in her barn, her garden, her kitchen, or sitting at her spinning wheel creating yarn to turn into her signature wool shawls.

https://PeggThomas.com

https://www.facebook.com/pegg.thomas

https://www.bookbub.com/authors/pegg-thomas

 

The Blacksmith Brides: 4 Historical Stories

Hearts Are Forged by the Flames of Gentle Love in 4 Historical Stories

Worth Fighting For (1774—Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) by Pegg Thomas
Talk of war has surrounded Meg McCracken, including her father and four brothers. Alexander Ogilvie doesn’t care about the coming war; his plans are to head west. When Meg comes to his smithy, sparks fly off more than the forge. But can they build anything during unstable times?

 

 

Buy Link  Amazon

 

 

Wednesday Writers–When Life Goes Viral by Mary Gant Bell

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book excerpt from When Life Goes Viral, Christian fiction, clean romance, humor, Mary Gant Bell, sibling relationships, Wednesday Writers, When Life Goes Viral

 

 

Today’s Wednesday Writers guest is Mary Gant Bell with an interesting take on how the muse inspired her book, When Life Goes Viral. Welcome, Mary!

 

 

 

What Inspired the Novel When Life Goes Viral?

The day I needed tags for my car was an ordinary day. Not a day I wanted to stand in line at the Department of Motor Vehicles, but sometimes we have to bite the bullet and get things done anyway. The first employee I encountered didn’t even greet me. The initial words out of her mouth were excuses about why she couldn’t do her job. So I went to another office and waited in a second line to watch the employees drink their morning coffee by the copy machine. I had plenty of time to daydream, as authors are prone to do. So I let my mind wander (because my feet certainly weren’t moving.)

Greta, the main character of When Life Goes Viral, was born in line at the DMV. I entertained myself by imagining what I would do if laws and socially acceptable behaviors had never been defined. How could I vent my frustration at this disorganized bureaucracy and apathetic staff? What does a childish temper tantrum look like in an impatient adult?

Obviously, there was no way I could do any of the things that came to my mind. But Greta could. Main characters act with impunity and confidence. Real life doesn’t always permit us to choose the consequences of our actions. But as an author, I could control not only Greta’s actions, but their consequences as well. So while I controlled my body parts and my mouth muscles, Greta went wild. Right there in the DMV. Greta let loose on the temper tantrum to top all tantrums.

I smiled as the scenes came to life in my head. By the time I had the car tags in hand, Greta and I were best friends. She’s strong and courageous with a layer of crazy covering it all, like frosting on a cake. She’s also very loyal and protective of her sister, Tricia. Tricia wasn’t with us at the DMV that day, but Greta told me all about her. I like her, and I think you will, too.

When Life Goes Viral is the story Greta gave me that day. It recounts what would have … could have …. happened if I had done what I really wanted to do while standing between the crowd-control ropes.

Because Greta is such a loyal sister, she asked me to make her story book one of a series. I agreed and am working on her sister’s book, When Love Unites, now. The third book will uncover the sordid past of their mutual friend, Sandy. Greta will introduce you to Sandy in chapter one of her book. Spoiler alert: You’ll like Sandy, too. She’s really sweet (or at least that’s what she wants you to believe.)

If you enjoy romance or stories about the rocky relationships between sisters, When Life Goes Viral is perfect for you. All of these stories are clean of both sexual content and vulgar language. Greta and her friends are all Christians, struggling to apply Biblical principles to their everyday lives and actions. Some are more successful than others.

I look forward to hearing your thoughts about Greta and her circle of friends. Follow the link below to order your copy today.

 

 

WHEN LIFE GOES VIRAL

Mary Gant Bell

Genre – Christian Romance

 

What really happens when a video featuring something you regret goes viral?  All Greta wanted was an ice cream sundae. Instead, she became an overnight sensation. If she weren’t such an extreme introvert with severe OCD issues, it might have been funny. But it’s not.

The woman who barely leaves her apartment, let alone town, finds herself escaping on a cruise ship. It’s the only place she can think of that doesn’t have internet access or perpetual news coverage. It’s the only place she can avoid seeing her own face every three seconds.

When John literally bumps into her, his attraction is instantaneous. But is he attracted to her or her fame? Is it true what they say? Can love really overcome all things? Even the fame caused by one viral video?

When Life Goes Viral is book 1 of the series.

Excerpt

When the employee behind the counter caught his eye, the man yelled, “This is a hold up. Put your purses and wallets on the table. Jewelry too. And … and the cash register. I’m taking that, too.”

Through the haze of people screaming and chair legs scraping the floor, Greta’s anger boiled to the surface faster than a frog’s tongue grabs a fly. Her body did not consult her brain. It stood on its own and shouted. “Not today! You picked the wrong day to mess with me!”

The man’s head jerked in surprise, and he pulled a gun from his coat pocket. He walked to Greta and pointed the gun in her face, its barrel inches from her nose.

“Your purse and jewelry, lady! Now! Don’t think I won’t use this thing.”

Greta’s hand sliced through the air and sent the gun flying. In one fluid motion, she grabbed his pinkie finger and bent it backward. Three more millimeters and the bone would snap. Greta used this surprise to twist the man’s arm behind his back. In the process, he tripped on the table leg, hitting his chin as he collapsed on the floor.

Greta’s fury dated back to the days when everyone called her Maggie. The time before the crash. It was too late to stop it now. Greta unleased every ounce of penned up rage onto this man.

Hint: You can read all of Chapter 1 by visiting my website https://marygantbell.com/

Buy link

 

About the Author

Mary Gant Bell began her writing career about fifteen years ago to give voice to the ideas rattling in her brain. She started with genealogy books and later Christian fiction romance novels. She married a man who craves adventure. Together they parent one daughter and a gaggle of attention-seeking cats. When Mary is not writing, she quilts or cleans seashells from her latest trip to the beach. She never learned to cook, so don’t show up at dinner time. She’d much rather chase her characters from chapter to chapter than preheat the oven.

Social Media  Facebook:  Instagram: mary_gant_bell_author  Lulu Author Page: