My guest today is Beverly Varnado, author of the contemporary Christian romance, A Plan for Everything. Beverly, I am so pleased to have you join me today. Let’s start by telling us a little bit about yourself.

I am a novelist, screenwriter, and blogger who writes to give readers hope in the redemptive purposes of God. I’ve written a nonfiction memoir as well as several novels and screenplays, one of which was a finalist for the Kairos Prize in Screenwriting. I also have pieces in anthologies and periodicals. I’m an artist, so when I’m not writing I’m working on a new painting. I live in Georgia with my husband, Jerry, and our chocolate Aussiedor who is outnumbered by several cats. I am Mom to three children and Mimi to two grandchildren.

What is your A Plan for Everything about?

Connie’s Coffee and Cones is thriving and owner Connie Spencer believes it’s because of her remarkable ability to plan. In fact, she thinks she has a plan for everything until Michael Cole appears in Worthville with an agenda of his own which threatens to derail all Connie hopes for professionally. Even so, Connie finds herself attracted to Michael, but the troubles mount as Michael carries a secret that could cause a backlash for them both. An accident on a rain slicked highway presents Connie with a dilemma she never saw coming and she begins to question if her plans are enough. As she searches for the answer, she must come to terms with her deepest hurt in order to embrace a higher plan for her future.

Who was your favorite character to create?

Connie Spencer showed up in the first book in this series, The Key to Everything. She was such an intriguing character, I wondered what her back story was. So I began to pursue that. My friend, Terry Kay, who wrote To Dance with the White Dog and The Valley of Light, both developed into Hallmark movies, says “We don’t write to tell a story. We write to discover a story.” The story I discovered when I began digging into Connie Spencer’s past was she carried a deep hurt―one that fueled so much of how she lived her life. This hurt is what brings her to a moment of decision.

What does your family think of your writing?

My family has always encouraged me. During the time I was struggling to be published, their belief in me never failed.

What book or author has inspired you the most?

Jan Karon’s Mitford series is at the top of the list. Jan Karon took the time to communicate with me at one point at the beginning of my writing journey and encouraged me to write, so she and her work will always be dear to me. I hope my readers can see a little of her influence in what I write. Karon has such an interesting personal story of perseverance despite overwhelming odds. I’d love to talk to her about what inspired her to keep pushing toward her dream of seeing At Home in Mitford published. I keep hoping I will meet her someday.

What’s next for you as an author?

I just received the exciting news that A Season for Everything, a Christmas novella I finished during the pandemic quarantine has been accepted and will release December 11. It is the third book in this series set in Worthville, Georgia.

Where can readers find you online?

My weekly blog, One Ringing Bell, peals of words on faith, living, writing, and art at oneringingbell.blogspot.com. Also at http://www.BeverlyVarnado.com , on my Facebook author page https://www.facebook.com/BeverlyVarnadoAuthor, Twitter @VarnadoBeverly, or BeverlyVarnado on Instagram.

Beverly Varnado’s Contemporary Romance Novels:

A Key to Everything: https://amzn.to/3639f9p

Available on Amazon / FREE with Kindle Unlimited

A Plan for Everything  https://www.amazon.com/Plan-Everything-Beverly-Varnado-ebook/dp/B082WK758L/

Available on Amazon / FREE with Kindle Unlimited

I’m excited to bring you the cover reveal for Dear Maddie, a contemporary romance coming in August from Anaiah Press:

About the Book

The public turns to her with their relationship woes, but does she really know anything about love?

“Dear Maddie – My boyfriend and I have been together for almost two years, but…”

Maddie never dreamed she’d be writing a newspaper column to the lovelorn. Her co-workers think her nights are filled with glamourous dates, but in reality, her life is boring. Until the day her boss insists on running a contest to win a dream date… with her.

Now Maddie is searching for someone genuine in the mountain of letters from fame- seekers, braggarts, mama’s boys, and stalkers. Does God’s plan include finding true love through a marketing stunt? Or will she only have more loveless fodder for her column?

About the Author

Gaynell Parker has been writing since she was 12.  When not writing, she’s painting, cooking and tries to read anything she can get her hands on.  She lives with her wonderful husband, assorted children and animals and loves to hear from her readers. 

Drum roll, please!

Cover reveal:

You can find the author at:

Email Paintingspaz@gmail.com  

Website   https://www.gparkerartwork.com/new-published-books.html

Blog  https://gparkerpencilandpaint.blogspot.com/

Joining me on my blog today is author Sara Beth Williams.

A Worthy Heart turns one this month.  I’m giving away a paperback copy of my book all month long! To enter to win, you must subscribe to my newsletter by JULY 31^st.  At the end of the month, I’ll draw one winner!

You can subscribe from my website here: http://www.authorswilliams.wordpress.com

Keep reading for more information about the book AND an excerpt.

A Worthy Heart: By Sara Beth Williams

Genre; Contemporary Christian Romance

Summary:

Joel Bennett has always known Serena Hayes as his sister’s gregarious best friend. In the three years since Lacey began college, Serena became a regular house guest, but lately, she’s absent more than not. When Joel discovers she’s in an abusive relationship, protectiveness from within roars to life.

With only a part time job to support her and nowhere to go, Serena fears leaving her current relationship would jeopardize her chances of graduating college. After a brutal attack leaves her no choice, she courageously moves out. On her journey toward regaining confidence, self-worth, and independence, Joel falls in beside her, encouraging her. The way he emulates Godly love and compassion draws her close—not just to him, but to the God who can satisfy her longing for love better than any man.

Attraction sizzles between them, but events from their pasts cast shadows of doubt.

When the unthinkable happens, can Serena open her heart to a second chance at love, or is she destined to be alone?

Set up: In honor of Independence Day in the U.S. and the accompanying fireworks we  undoubtedly witnessed over the weekend, I think you’ll enjoy this excerpt, even if it is New Year’s Eve instead of Independence Day. Ah, makes me miss traditional sky fireworks…

 Excerpt:

Joel stepped behind Serena as they walked up an incline onto the bridge. Metal beams strung with white lights towered overhead, illuminating the face of the crowd. With a gentle nudge to the small of her back, Joel guided her through the crowd. They positioned themselves near a thick rail alongside hundreds of others and stood in contented silence as conversation flowed around them like the dark river water below. Checking her phone, she noted they had five minutes to spare. A smattering of boats dotted the glistening black surface of the water. A chilly wind caused ripples below and tangled her hair.

The entire time they waited, Joel kept his hand at the small of her back, anchoring her in place.

Serena sucked in a gasp; the boom of the first explosion radiated deep in her chest. Joel’s palm pressed harder against her back, and he stepped a fraction closer. A hush fell over the crowd as music poured from loudspeakers, timed with explosion after explosion of exquisite, radiant colors—red fireballs, whistling golden shooting stars, beautiful bursting purple peonies.

“Amazing,” she murmured as canon boom after canon boom vibrated the air. Several more fiery beams launched into the sky, flaring into aerial shells, showering brilliant golden streams down into the water. More fiery streaks—green and red—rocketed high above the bridge. An explosion sent long, bright arches downward across a velvet sky. She turned toward Joel and studied his profile as the light of the fireworks danced across the angular planes of his face, illuminating the contented quirk of his lips. Good. I’m glad he’s happy again.

She leaned in close to speak above the music. “Thank you so much for inviting me.”

He grinned down on her. “I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

About Sara Beth Williams

Sara Beth Williams is a wife, mother of two daughters, and temporary caretaker of a lovable old lady pit and a spunky Pomeranian-Shih Tzu mix. She lives in Northern California and currently works as a teacher assistant and freelance publicist. When she’s not held hostage by the keyboard, she enjoys music, teaching, reading and spending time with her family. She is all about connecting with readers! Find her on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Goodreads, Bookbub and AllAuthor.

Visit her website and blog to find out more about her and her books.

www.authorswilliams.wordpress.com

Don’t forget to subscribe to my newsletter to be entered to win a paperback of A Worthy Heart!

https://271ed776.sibforms.com/serve/MUIEAFskvLS_XAdep2AnbBoLULkO9a15jtzfSPXsklKpR5yoR4lL0ynKV5EkvwwQLvrkE9ZdMfsIy-JPc_CKdOOrz_qgRcv0VGjYSSHItDcD-Di3sbQzQr9xa9MCBykT5E5JJf8FR1AI-hsZQ1iCRAR3Y-m_bSDjg0JUTiBZB-geA27T7XdUvgPNNRc8p5BqdfeA-4KF1Ow_QzJb

Wow! So it’s been a crazy few months. I don’t have to go into details about what I’ve been going through because we’ve all been living “it.” The threat of “it” hasn’t subsided yet. In fact, according to some sources, we’ll see another wave before long. The social isolation caused by the virus, along with the turmoil and unrest in in our nation, has brought on anxiety to many, including myself.

I’ve been waiting for things to get back to normal. In fact, there will be a new normal, and I will have to adjust some of the ways I’ve thought and done things in the past. One thing I am certain, God is good, and there are good people in this country. I will continue to rely on God’s grace to bring my loved ones and me through the storm.

“When I said, ‘My foot is slipping,’ Your love, O Lord, supported me. When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought joy to my soul.” Psalm 94:18-19.

In news closer to home, July came in with high temperatures. This wasn’t a great time for the air conditioning both in my home and in my van to give out, but it did. I should have both fixed soon, but not in time for this heat wave.

I recently started a new job after looking for a while. I started a few, only they didn’t work out. All along, God was designing the perfect job for me. I am thankful every day that I can spend time with some of my favorite people while earning a paycheck.

We’ve had several new additions to our household since last summer:

I guess it’s true that books and cats go together. 🙂

My novella, Angelica’s Christmas Wish, will be on sale later this month. One year ago, I submitted the story to Anaiah Press. I was shocked when they actually sent me a contract for it. Getting published has been a dream of mine for a long time.

I am currently on a deadline for edits on The Reluctant Billionaire, my contemporary Christian romance. The main characters, Liam and Jessica, have been in my head for over a decade. It’s exciting to finally be telling their story. The book is on target for being released in November.

Almost 11 years ago, my husband passed away days after a tragic work accident. Through the grace of God, the support of family and friends, and the passage of time itself, I have found healing for my grief. I still miss his presence, but knowing that Pat is in a far better place, and that I will see him again one day, brings me peace.

Last June, I started on a journey towards a healthier lifestyle. One year later I met all of my goals. I haven’t given up my efforts; instead, I am working harder to meet new goals by this time next year. Having hit the double nickel birthday in May, I’m happy to say that I’m in better health now than I was in my thirties.

I have plans for the month of July, but I know God directs my path. I pray that I will keep my focus on God, and His provision and grace, through any obstacles that come my way. I hope to finish this month strong in all areas of my life.