Dear Readers, I have
been eagerly awaiting this day. Both Lisa and Lynne have been dear friends of
mine for years. I’ve been privileged by God to help each of them along their
writing journey, and both of them have an amazing writing voice. Together, they’re
more powerful. I’ve known about this book for a long time, and I knew it would
have to be published someday. That day is here.
Welcome, Lisa and
Lynne. How did this book come about?
LYNNE: Just over
a decade ago, a newspaper article featured a picture of a terrified albino. The
fear in his pale eyes caught my attention. As I read about the horrors these
fragile people faced in Africa , I couldn’t
believe such evil existed in the world. I contacted Lisa, who lives in Mozambique , and
asked her to investigate.
LISA: Until Lynne
wrote to me about the article, I’d never heard of these barbaric crimes. But
after doing some further research, I discovered that the atrocities against
albinos had been going on for years. Once we learned that the witch doctors
targeted the pale skin and hair of this minority to make good luck charms and
potions, we knew we had to tell their story.
Tell us about the
book’s cover and what makes it unique.
We were looking for something that conveyed both the medical
aspects of the story and its African setting. The heartbeat and the baobab tree
ended up being the perfect combination as well as setting the tone we were
looking for. And when you read the book, they will become even more
significant.
Please explain and
differentiate between what’s fact and fiction in the book.
While the actual story line is complete fiction, the things
that happen in this story could happen. Albinos really are hunted for the “magic”
in their skin. There really is a black market for organ parts. People really do
go to third world countries for transplants when they are out of options. We
took these facts, then weaved them into a medical thriller.
How much research did
you have to do for this book?
There was a long list of topics we had to delve into and
study: Albinism. The transplant tourism trade. Heart conditions. Pharmaceutical
testing. Piloting small planes. Organ transplants/rejections. American Embassy
procedures in an African country.
Neither of us were experts on any of this so we spent hours
tracking down people who were. It helped tremendously that Lisa lives in Africa . Her experiences in a third-world country lend a
tremendous amount of authenticity to the project.
What are some of the
most interesting things you found about this subject that you weren’t able to
use in the story?
While we didn’t shy away from our depiction of the gruesome
treatment of albinos, we spared our readers tons of the terrible details we
read on the subject. The power of superstition is strong. Only the power of
truth is stronger.
What inspired and
surprised you while you were writing the book?
We believe that beneath the color of our skin we are all
alike, but this belief was tested when we had to write from the POV of a
terrified mother of a cursed child. What surprised us was how much she was
willing to do to save her child. This realization really drove home the
platitude we spouted so easily and opened our eyes to the fact that you really
can’t know how another person is thinking or feeling if you’re not willing to
wear their skin, so to speak.
What do you hope the
reader takes away from the story?
Because while we live in a fallen world, we believe it is
possible to bring light into the darkness. The journey of these characters
challenged us, comforted us, and pushed us to live life more courageously. But
most of all, writing this story opened our hearts to wanting to do our part to
create a world that loves no matter what the color of our skin, education,
financial status, or nationality. And reminded us that God's light truly does
shine, even in the darkest places. We pray this story will do the same for each
person who reads it.
What is the next
project you’re working on?
LYNNE: I’m
finishing up the last book in my Mt. Hope Southern Adventures series. This
romantic comedy (Baby Shoes) wraps up
(for now) the quirky life of Leona Harper. After that, I’m doing edits on a
Young Adult sci-fi I can’t wait to release.
LISA: I’m
currently working on two novels. A Love Inspired Suspense set in Rio and the Amazon, and a new stand-alone suspense novel
for Revell. Both will be released next year.
What do you do when
you have to get away from the story for a while?
LYNNE: I have
several diversions – four grands under the age of four that I love spending
time with. I’ve also trained a medical therapy dog that I love to take to visit
the cancer wards at a major medical center.
LISA: I love hanging
out with my family, cooking different ethnic dishes, photography, and heading
into the African bush on safari.
That sounds like fun.
Please give us the first page of the book.
According to legend, their kind could never die. When they
grew old, they simply vanished from this world, like smoke from the cooking
fire that snakes above the spindly baobab trees and slithers away.
Or so Jeme prayed.
Squinting through the shimmering rays of the grueling
African sun, Jeme balanced the bowl of dried beans on her head and pressed
through the crowded marketplace. A maze of narrow paths twisted around her,
each lined with dozens of sellers who sat in cramped wooden shops displaying
wares on rickety tables.
The smell of curried meat roasting on the grills mingled
with the pungent odor of dried fish baking in the late afternoon heat. Jeme’s
empty stomach roiled as she hurried past piles of tomatoes, peppers, oranges,
and colorful bags of spices. If only she could escape the whispers competing
with the buzz of the buyers and sellers. Whispers that spoke of the magical
powers of albino blood spilled across the brown earth, and of potions that could
bring untold wealth.
I’m very eager to
read the rest of the book. I’ve only heard the half that Lynne wrote. How can
readers find you on the Internet?
LYNNE: I love
hearing from readers.
Website: https://www.lynnegentry.com/
Facebook AUTHOR https://www.facebook.com/Author-Lynne-Gentry-215337565176144/
FACEBOOK Personal https://www.facebook.com/lynne.gentry.7
Twitter https://twitter.com/Lynne_Gentry
LISA:
Website: www.lisaharriswrites.com
Facebook Author: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorLisaHarris
Twitter; https://twitter.com/heartofafrica
Pinterest: https://za.pinterest.com/lharriswrites/
Thank you so much for letting us stop by!!
Oh, girls. I’m so
blessed knowing both of you, and it’s a privilege to promote your books. I know
my readers will be as eager as I am to read the book.
Readers, here are links to the book. By
using one when you order, you help support this blog.
Ghost Heart: A Medical Thriller
Ghost Heart: A Medical Thriller
Leave a comment for a chance to win a free copy of the book.
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23 comments:
I would love this book, for sure! It sounds like a must read!
Melanie Backus, TX
Sounds like a great book! Shelia Hall sheliarha64@yahoo.com
Looking forward to this!
Elly -Indiana-
Thank you Lena, for your sweet words of encouragement and for letting us stop by and share about Ghost Heart! And thanks to all of you who've stopped by and left a comment so far! We are super excited about this story!
Thank you gor sharing a little about yourself and this book with us! I would love to read this! Westlake, Louisiana
Very interesting and good interview! Thank you for this giveaway - I very much would like to read this one!
Raechel in MN
Lena, you have always been such an encouragement to writers and I have been one of those writers who have benefited from your generous mentoring. Thanks for showcasing this book. We can't wait to get it into the hands of many readers.
I would love to win this book.The storyline intrigues me.
Connie L. in Texas
I don't usually post on the interviews, but I love both of these women so much. And this tory truly is a must-read book. If I could afford it, I'd buy each of you commenters one.
This book sounds absolutely fascinating. Thanks for the interview and the chance to win a copy.
Winnie T from Utah
This sounds like such an interesting and important book. Thank you for the chance to win.
Thanks so much to all who has stopped by, and Lena, for your precious words! Like Lynne said, I was so blessed to have you for my first mentor. You taught me so much and I'm truly grateful. And as you know, this book has been a long time in coming and definitely one of those stories from the heart.
I am especially interested in reading this book because in the latest story in my series (not titled, not published yet) a mixed race couple has twins of different skin tones. I would love to win this book!
Bonnie Engstrom
Arizona
This sounds wonderful and Lena's endorsement in the comments just make it a must-read for me! Thanks for this giveaway!
Connie from KY
cps1950(at)gmail(dot)com
A must-read, indeed!
Britney Adams, TX
Sounds good! I've read one of Lisa's books, and will definitely read more. Enjoyed this interview.
I saw this book on a different blog, too. I think it's a story I'd love to read!
Dianna in TN
I'm excited to read Ghost Heart! I love Lynne's stories. I've not yet read Lisa's.
Caryl K in TEXAS
Enjoying reading through your comments. Thanks so much to all of you who have stopped by!!
Enter me in your awesome giveaway!!
Conway SC.
Always love Lisa. Am anxious to read this . thank for the chance to win! Paula from MO.
Sounds like an interesting book. It is going on my wish list. Thanks for a great interview and chance to win!
Beth in Montana
Looking forward to reading this of course I love reading Lisa's books thanks for the giveaway.
Lourdes Long Island, NY
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