If you enjoy reading contemporary romantic adventures with great characters, humor, witty banter and dramatic conflict with a moving plotline and sometimes even a touch of intrique, you’re among friends. Grab a cup of your favorite beverage and spend a few minutes here. My debut novel, Awakening, released from Torn Veil Books in late 2010, its follow-up, Second Time Around, in September 2011, and now I’m thrilled to announce the third installment, Twin Hearts has just released in April 2012! As an “insider scoop” for visiting my website, I’ll tell you that Book #4, Daydreams, is scheduled for an early December 2012 release!
I’m so blessed that many readers wholeheartedly embraced and welcomed Sam (Lewis) and Lexa (Clarke) and their lively TeamWork crew into their lives. Sam and Lexa are my core characters, and they become mentors for other key members of their TeamWork Missions volunteer crew as well as three of Sam’s siblings. Throughout this long series, each book stands on its own, but familiar characters constantly weave in and out. It’s my prayer to eventually have them all published since they build on the next. Readers will have the opportunity to revisit old friends, renew acquaintances, make new friends and fall in love with at least one new couple, and sometimes more (plus it’s so fun when kids are added into the mix). The TeamWork crew is full of larger-than-life characters from all walks of life – publishing, cattle ranching, teaching, catering, advertising – there’s even a Wall Street broker, entrepreneurs, a politician, a spy and even a NASA shuttle commander! Their adventures will take you from San Antonio, to Houston, Massachusetts, Montana, Louisiana, Austin, Manhattan and even England, France and yes, the International Space Station. Love is everywhere with this bunch!
My books always feature characters who seek to honor the Lord by putting their faith in action. Of course, being human, they often stumble and fall in endearing and humbling ways. But they always pick themselves up, dust off and get on with the process of living. My couples often don’t follow the “formula” pathway to romance. I personally believe it’s a greater test of faith, devotion and commitment when a couple faces challenges together and works through difficulties or obstacles in order to find an enduring, lasting love. In other words, I don’t usually keep them apart with “cat and mouse” games and skirting around one another until near the end when they suddenly fall into one another’s arms with a chaste kiss, declare undying love and then ride into the sunset for their happily-ever-after. I want more pure romance in my stories, and that’s what I give my readers. But, trust me, my characters face roadblocks and obstacles along the way (and often butt heads). Sentimental moments are interfaced with one thing after another in my books, and you’ll keep turning the pages!
My teaser about Twin Hearts is this: what do guppy lips, frog legs and a gazebo have to do with anything? In this book, quite a bit! Here’s the back cover copy from the newest installment: (along with a photo of a lovely gazebo):
Joshua Grant is a man redeemed. He’s worked hard to put the past behind him. A mergers and acquisitions attorney in a prestigious Baton Rouge law firm, he pours his energies into his career, hurricane relief efforts, and numerous civic and charitable causes. A near-fatal event in the life of a fellow TeamWork Missions volunteer prompts him to make some apologies, starting with his friend and mentor, Sam Lewis, Domestic Missions Director for TeamWork in Houston. It’s been more than four years since the fateful events in San Antonio when Sam threw him out of the missions camp, and he’s still haunted by the bittersweet memory of his final meeting with another TeamWork volunteer. When he also seeks her forgiveness, Josh gets the shock of his life. Could turning his deepest sin into his greatest blessing be God’s answer for his hurting heart?
Rebekah Grant, Josh’s twin sister, is torn between two men. Adam, a dashing British aristocrat, offers her a world of exotic travel, socializing with royalty, fabulous couture and the life of leisure. Then there’s sweet Kevin, the strong, intelligent, faithful TeamWork member. Will the shy Louisiana lumber man ever take the step of faith to move their relationship to the next level? What Kevin lacks in terms of Adam’s style and panache, he more than makes up for with heart-stirring kisses and soul-searching conversation. When Rebekah suspects Adam is planning to propose a second time, she knows it’s time to make her decision. Juggling both suitors is wrong for so many reasons, but what’s a girl to do if she wants to marry and have children in her lifetime?
When family tragedy strikes, Josh and Rebekah learn the true meaning and value of love, loyalty and what’s most important in life. Leaning on the encouragement and support from Sam and Lexa Lewis and their TeamWork friends, both twins look to the Lord for His divine guidance. It’s up to them to stake their claim on love before it slips beyond their reach, which means it’s also time for a road trip from Louisiana to . . . the peace to be found in seeking and finding the sweetest desires of the heart.
Awakening, Second Time Around and Twin Hearts are all available from all major online booksellers in both paperback and electronic versions, including Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Smashwords and Fictionwise and in paperback from Christian Book Distributors. One of the ways you can help small-publisher authors such as myself is by spreading word of books and authors you enjoy, and if you’re so inclined, write a short review (4-5 sentences is all that’s needed). Most of all, thank you for visiting my website and keep reading Christian fiction!
Be sure and read more about my personal writing journey on the following pages. I think you’ll agree Sam and Lexa and all my TeamWork characters were destined to one day make their way onto the written page! Feel free to leave me a message via the “Contact” page or you can find me on Facebook. I’d love to hear from you! Blessings, my friends. Matthew 5:16
