This is a sweet, Christian Historical Romance set in the same world as my characters in The Grumpy Guardian’s Redemption.Vadom Stancher travels to the Poconos with only his extraordinary gift for working with horses and a dream of owning his own ranch. He finds his chance—and his heart finds the daughter of a wealthy rancher. But when tragedy strikes, his grief leads him down a path of poor choices that will echo through years to come.
Amanda Devoe, the preacher’s daughter, sees past Vadom’s wounded spirit. One night of comfort becomes a secret she’ll carry alone to Georgia, where she builds a new life as a schoolteacher. But some secrets can’t stay hidden forever.
With God’s guidance, can two hearts find their way back to each other? Or will the past keep them forever apart?
I’m here today with Sara J. Walker. Can you tell us a little about yourself?
My name is Sara J. Walker, and I've been a First Coast Romance Writers (FCRW) member for eight years. It took me seven years to learn how to write Romance stories and publish my first books, “The Grumpy Guardian's Redemption” and “Scooter’s Heart.” I’m also published in seven FCRW Anthologies. My background is in Journalism, writing for newspapers and magazines. Before joining FCRW and enrolling in workshops and conventions like the one the Georgia Romance Writers put on in Atlanta, I had no idea how much I didn’t know about novel writing.
The monthly meetings with FCRW are educational, but working with the yearly anthology projects has taught me the basics of publishing a book. The members of our group encouraged and patiently helped me grow into becoming an author. I am grateful for their friendship and don’t believe I would be published today without them.
What kind of books do you write?
Most of my books are Sweet Christian Historical Romance. I also have a few anthology stories that are sweet contemporary. The stories I write come from my life's journey. As a child, I idolized my father, Jeofry Jones, who the whole family called Papa. He loved the outdoors and spent a great deal of time studying the past and walking in the footsteps of Native Americans to learn how they lived. He spent several weeks living off the land in the Okefenokee Swamp and loved to tell stories about the snakes and alligators that ‘almost’ got him. Papa was a Boy Scout leader, and even though I was a girl, he let me tag along on some of the adventures when I was small. Papa also kept a small herd of eight or more horses just for pleasure riding.
My mother grew up in the depression, and she stressed the importance of education and faith in God. She also never threw any food away. Although my older sister, Linda Lou, was my idol, I might have been a thorn in her side growing up. We were close in recent years. Our little brother was Papa’s sidekick until he joined the Marines right out of High School. He was a great friend and treasured brother.
Why do you write historical romance?
I credit my mother with inspiring me to look to the past. She was native to the mountains of Tennessee, and every year, the whole family packed up and went on a relative tour near the homeplace in Pigeon Forge. She took us deep into the mountains, and we saw the struggles faced by those people we encountered. We traveled the winding roads to visit relatives whose lives had been affected by hard times. These trips gave me insight into how blessed I was. God had chosen my family, and I didn’t have those same struggles to survive.
Where did you get your education?
The University of Georgia. Go Dawgs!
Attending the University of Georgia was an eye-opener for this small-town girl. I had been a big fish in a small town and was now a tiny guppy on the vast campus in Athens, GA. I joined Alpha Chi Omega Sorority, which helped me adjust to being away from home. In my junior year of college, I discovered the School of Journalism and knew I’d found my calling. I was one of the first women’s editors for the Red and Black Newspaper while in school, and after graduation, I was hired to be the Woman's Editor for The Macon News. A year later, I met my husband, Ray Walker, a local banker, and we’ve been married for over sixty years.
Why wait all this time to start writing?
I didn’t wait, actually. I’ve been writing since grade school; I just had no idea how to publish anything. Also, I put my writing goals aside to raise a family and ended up with various office manager jobs.
I’m eighty-four years old and fulfilling my dream of being an author. I have stories to tell and love to hear from readers who enjoy my writing and offer suggestions for individual characters. I have three books planned for next year—two are completed and need editing, and the third will combine all my short stories from the anthologies I’m published in.
My daughter, Leah Miles, is my champion for writing. We joined FCRW when her youngest child went to college to give us a challenge in life. She excels at writing, editing, and correcting mistakes like timelines, descriptions, etc. I wouldn't be writing if she wasn't here to encourage me. She writes Romantic Suspense using a lot of Navy SEALS. I thank God for her.
God has blessed me all through my life. I know He's laughing at this older, small-town girl with big ideas and goals.
His gaze drilled into her, and Amanda thought her knees might buckle. Vadom was so handsome and masculine and so very unacceptable. He was one of those camp people—like that witch, Celienna. But she couldn’t resist when he tugged her closer and spun her around the dance floor.
The first few steps are awkward and disjointed, but they quickly found a rhythm. Then, pure magic. Amanda giggled with the joy of it and leaned a little closer than necessary to catch his fresh, soapy scent. This was no soft businessperson who sat behind a desk all day. No. Vadom was hard muscle from head to toe. She desperately wanted to run her hands over his broad chest.
He tilted his head to whisper, “This might be the best night of my life. You’re like a breeze over summer grass, barely ruffling the surface.”
Her fair skin heated at the compliment, and she feared her face was turning red. Working to keep her expression neutral, she replied, “Fancy words from a cowboy.”
He burst out a laugh.
She had no idea what was funny. Her words had been an insult. “What’s funny?”
“Amanda Devoe, you are perfect from your golden curls to your tiny feet. That is all I meant.” Grinning, he spun them in a few looping turns, wrapping one arm around her waist to dip her scandalously over his bent knee.
“Stand me up,” she stuttered, and when he did, she quickly lost track of time as they danced one song and then another. But on the final notes of the second or third song, raised voices could be heard across the crowded room. Amanda tried to see what was happening, but Vadom curled around her protectively and shifted his body, so he was in front of her.
“It is truth!” yelled a man.
Not any man, but her father, and he sounded out of his mind with anger. Oh dear. Amanda peaked under Vadom’s arm and saw her father in his typical black suit and tie. Only his face was puce red as he pointed and shouted at someone who had drawn his ire. It was dangerous to anger the Reverend Devoe, as he had a great deal of power as the spiritual guide of their community.
“Just because you say it loudly doesn’t mean it’s the truth,” a woman replied calmly.
Oh no. That’s Vadom’s cousin, the witch Celienna.
The Grumpy Guardian’s Redemption, a sweet, historical Christian romanceEnter Millie Norton, a resilient woman with a heart untouched by love. She can see beyond the surface and realizes the patient in the house is not the only person needing care. Together, Liam and Millie embark on a journey of shared challenges as they care for the woman and work a change in their community. Somewhere along the way, the English recluse and the mountain spinster forge an unexpected bond of love.
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Thank you for posting about my books.
ReplyDeleteSounds wonderful,I really like the story line.
ReplyDeleteGreat series of books. Vadom is my favorite.
ReplyDeleteI liked the excerpt.
ReplyDelete