A NOT SO PEACEFUL JOURNEY - Sandra Merville Hart - One Free Book

Welcome back to my blog, Sandra. How did you come up with the idea for this story? A Not So Peaceful Journey is Book 3 in my Second Chances series. John and Cora Welch were fourteen-year-old twins when we first met them in A Not So Convenient Marriage, Book 1. Cora’s story is told in A Not So Persistent Suitor, Book 2, and John plays a supportive, protective role in that book. Though there were many characters to choose from for Book 3, I chose to tell John and Rennie’s story in A Not So Peaceful Journey.

When I originally wrote the first book, I had no idea that John’s secret dream was to become an author in the manner of Mark Twain. The twins work at a train meal stop when we first meet them and their lives dramatically change for the better by the end of Book 1. What I didn’t know was that train eating stations would play a role in Book 3—a nice surprise for me as an author as well as for readers.

John played such a strong, supportive role in the lives of his family. He’s loyal to those he loves. It was his turn to search for his dream that he’d long put aside for the sake of his sister. John must go on a journey to find his dream yet doesn’t feel supported by his girl.

In fact, Rennie doesn’t support any career that won’t provide a steady income for their future family. She fully expects him to propose and forget this nonsense of a Western adventure. It builds a chasm between them. Can she build a bridge before it’s too late?

If you were planning a party with Christian authors of contemporary fiction, what six people would you invite and why? After writing for several years, I have many Christian author friends so this isn’t as easy as one might expect to narrow down. For my party, I’ll imagine that distance is not a hindrance to attendance. I’d invite Deborah Sprinkle, Ane Mulligan, Eddie Jones, Lisa Carter, Jodie Bailey, and Starr Ayers. I’d love to see each one again and catch up!

Now let’s do that for a party for Christian authors of historical fiction, what six people would you invite and why? The same rules apply as for Question 2. I’d invite Pegg Thomas, Ann Tatlock, Cindy Sproles, Misty Beller, K. Denise Holmberg, and Linda Dindzans. They’re all talented writers and I’d love to visit with them all again. Pegg Thomas was my editor on three books and I’ve never met her in person.

So much of an author’s work requires sitting alone in front of a computer. A party with author friends sounds amazing. Of course, you must come to both parties, Lena!

I would love to attend. 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? Meeting my writing deadlines and goals while balancing time for family and friends has been a struggle. Every good opportunity also comes with a cost—the days and weeks it will require to accomplish the task. Praying for guidance along the path is essential.

Tell us about the featured book.

Dreams of adventure send him across the country. She prefers to keep her feet firmly planted in Ohio.

Rennie Hill has no illusions about the hardships in life, which is why it’s so important her beau, John Welch, keeps his secure job with the newspaper. Though he hopes to write fiction, the unsteady pay would mean an end to their plans, wouldn’t it?

John Welch dreams of adventure worthy of storybooks, like Mark Twain, and when two of his short stories are published, he sees it as a sign of future success. But while he's dreaming big with his head in the clouds, his girl has her feet firmly planted, and he can't help wondering if she really believes in him.

When Rennie must escort a little girl to her parents' home in San Francisco, John is forced to alter his plans to travel across the country with them. But the journey proves far more adventurous than either of them expect.

Please give us the first page of the book.

FRIDAY, JULY 4, 1884, HAMILTON, OHIO

Rennie Hill picked her way across tufts of grass in the churchyard toward the Great Miami River at John Welch’s side, one hand firmly tucked in her beau’s arm and the other holding a colorful quilt. For an hour, she’d waited outside the church in the hot sun with her family for him to arrive from Cincinnati. She’d worn her favorite peach gingham dress with a bustle and small puffs at the shoulders leading to tight, elbow-length sleeves. He’d often complimented her on it. As he had when he’d arrived today.

 “I know it doesn’t seem like it, but my job was done today in record time.” John carried the basket as he maneuvered them around families and couples who’d already picked their spots for the Fourth of July picnic. His new brown suit enhanced his dark good looks.

Children dangled their legs over the riverbank or climbed trees while indulgent mothers emptied food onto blankets beside plates, utensils, and bottles of tea or lemonade. Men,

How can readers find you on the Internet? I’m happy you asked! I love to connect with my readers in the following ways:

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Thank you, Sandra, for sharing A Not So Peaceful Journey with my blog readers and me. I love reading your books.

Readers, here’s a link to the book.

https://www.amazon.com/s?k=A+Not+So+Peaceful+Journey&i=stripbooks&crid=248NY4AX0UKE6&sprefix=a+not+so+peaceful+journey+%2Cstripbooks%2C111&ref=nb_sb_noss

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