My novella, Serena’s New Year’s Wish, will be released in three weeks on Friday, November 5.
I am so excited about this book! It’s a sequel to my Christmas Wish novella.
Serena’s New Year’s Wish will arrive just in time for the holidays.
Serena came to Chicago for a fresh start. She never imagined that her new boss was the father of the little girl she saved, or the man that she is falling in love with. Her heart has room for Mark and his daughter, but she wants more than he is willing to give.
Mark didn’t expect a second chance at love, but he is certain that he and Serena are a perfect match. Only they can’t agree on one very important thing. Is he willing to let go of his fear to give Serena the desire of her heart? Or will his decision to stick with his plan drive her away?
On Monday, November 8, I will be co-hosting a launch party with author Katy Eeten, who also has a Christmas novella releasing. We will have guest authors, games and prizes. Stay tuned for a Facebook invitation to the party.
For local readers, I will be giving a talk on Tuesday, November 9 and sharing my journey from the first story I wrote in second grade to the release of my new books. A Q&A will follow after the talk.
I will have print copies of my books available to purchase and sign at the event.
A second local booksigning is planned for later in November, which I will be co-hosting with another local author.
There are exciting things in store for my writing, and I can’t wait to share it all with you!
Coming November 5:
Serena’s New Year’s Wish
She found an unexpected love, but will she be able to give up her wish in order to keep the relationship alive
My guest today is Sharon René, author of the newly released YA dystopian novel, Hesitatnt Heroes. Sharon, welcome to my blog today. Tell us a little bit about yourself.
I was born in Mississippi and have lived in Texas, Louisiana, and Florida. I now live in Memphis, Tennessee. I am an only child and have always been very close to my parents. My father passed away years ago and my mother lives with me now.
I’vealways been very active in my church. I’ve taught in the youth department for over fifteen years. I’ve also participated in the drama, puppet and prison ministries as well as going on several mission trips.
I’m not married but share my home with my mom and one very spoiled cat named Libby Lou. Libby appears on Instagram just about every Saturday for #caturday.
What is Hesitant Heroes about?
When Christian students mysteriously start disappearing from campus, Jordan stumbles upon the shocking truth – `these students are pawns in a government plot, and she’s next on their list. Jordan and her friends journey from the European Alps to the jungles of Venezuela in a race to save the missing students and stop a political assassination. She will have to rely on her faith and friends to save the missing students and foil the evil government.
What is the inspiration behind your story?
In Hesitant Heroes a bunch of teens are placed in a dangerous situation and they must rely on God and each other to survive. The book of Esther is an inspiration to the group because they believe God placed them at their school “for such a time as this.”
The book also shows how each individual is important and can use their talents to help others.
Do you have a day job? If so, how do you find time in your day to write?
Yes, I have a day job. Have to pay the bills. I am a legal assistant at a large corporation.
It’s not easy to squeeze in time to write. I try to write on the weekends between housework. I also take my laptop to bed and get some work done that way. It’s a challenge.
Are you a plotter or a panster?
I am definitely more of a panster. I started out on Hesitant Heroes with the idea of Christian teens disappearing from their high school. A group of talented teens start investigating and get involved in a government plot. That was all I had when I first started. The story just carried me along. For the first half of the book I didn’t even know what had happened to the missing students. I didn’t know if they were dead or alive.
I did more plotting to write the sequel, Relentless Rebels. I never have an in-depth outline for any of my books, but I now work off a skeleton outline.
Are you part of a writing group?
Yes. I am a member of American Christian Fiction Writers national chapter. I am also a member of the ACFW local Memphis chapter. I love this group and have developed my writing skills since I joined them. I am in an ACFW critique group of young adult writers and we blog together on The Storyteller Squad blog.
Who was the first person you allowed to read your completed book?
My mother read parts of Hesitant Heroes as I was drafting it. I didn’t let anyone else read it until I joined the ACFW Scribes critique group. It was hard for me to put myself out there and let other people see my work, but the critique group was a wonderful experience.
Share your favorite excerpt from your book:
The dim light revealed several pairs of red eyes and four large shapes. Dogs, the size of wolves, filled the tunnel, blocking their path. Jordan huddled closer to Matthew and Timberlyn as the dogs stalked toward them. If they turned and ran, would the dogs chase them or allow them to flee? Jordan took in ragged breaths. She clutched Matthew’s sweaty shirt sleeve and held Timberlyn’s hand.
Hector had joked about facing zombies, but obviously, he hadn’t considered dogs and their higher body temperature. Hector kept his rifle pointed at the animals even though he’d said 186 HESITANT HEROES they couldn’t shoot. They might not have a choice. Jordan loved animals, but not enough to offer herself up as the dogs’ midnight feast.
“Victor, do you have any talent for wrestling wild animals?” Hector asked. “Let me try.”
Timberlyn stepped away from Jordan and walked slowly toward the creatures.
Hector jumped in front of the petite girl. “I was joking. You’ll get killed.”
Matthew raised his arm. “Let her try. She has a way with animals.”
Hector looked from Matthew to the snarling dogs then back at Timberlyn. He seemed to be stumped in his leadership role. Obviously, he wanted to keep them safe, and no one could believe Timberlyn’s gift until they’d experienced it. They were out of options, so Hector moved to the side.
Timberlyn stepped softly toward the growling beasts, her gentle voice filling the dark tunnel. The soothing African words sounded like a love song. The four dogs stared at her as she approached, their growls still deep and deadly. One lunged, and Jordan squealed, but it abruptly stopped before reaching Timberlyn. It shook its head, trying to decide if this human was a friend or enemy. Timberlyn continued to coo and whisper.
You’ve gifted her with taming wild animals, Jordan silently reminded the Lord. Please protect her now.
Timberlyn inched ever closer to the creatures. The growling stopped, but the dogs didn’t retreat. A spotted hound whimpered and stretched out on his belly. A drooling mutt circled her legs then lay down beside her. Timberlyn reached out her hand. The snarling dog who had lunged a moment before hadn’t yet made up his mind about the mysterious girl. He sniffed Timberlyn’s fingers, then opened his mouth. A slimy tongue extended through jagged teeth and licked her palm. The massive German shepherd lingering in the rear came and joined his buddies at Timberlyn’s feet.
“Great God in Heaven.” Hector made the sign of the cross.“That’s exactly right,” Jordan said as Timberlyn fell to her knees, petting and cuddling the once vicious beasts.
What’s next for you as an author?
Hesitant Heroes is the first book in a trilogy. Relentless Rebels and Defying Destiny will also be published by Anaiah Press. I’ll be working on edits for Relentless Rebels in the near future. I am also drafting a middle grade book about a group of middle grade girls who want to be detectives.
Back to school, football, hot chocolate and marching band. Those are what I think of when I think of September.
One of my favorite memories is going to the high school football games with my sister, who was older and in marching band. I’d buy hot chocolate and sit in the bleachers. I’d pretend that I was a high schooler. I loved the atmosphere, the chilly weather and hot drink, but it was the atmosphere that I liked the best.
When I got in high school, I hung out with my friends at the games. But none of those games holds the nostalgia that those early football games do.
As a parent, I watched both of my sons play football and my daughter play in the marching band. I went to the home games and enjoyed them. One year all three kids were in the homecoming parade, and that was a joy to watch.
Now that they are all grown and no longer in school or sports, I sometimes long for the days when I can sit in the bleachers and cheer on the games and the band.
Maybe that’s why my Hometown Pride series means so much to me.
The first book in the series is about the high school quarterback and the valedictorian who connect at their 15-year class reunion. Both widowed with children the same ages, they find more in common now than they had back then. And there is an undeniable spark between them.
May I have this Dance is the first book in the Hometown Pride series. Each Saturday, I will publish a chapter here on my blog, as I did the previous book.
You should know that this series is not Christian fiction. However, it is a sweet romance that doesn’t contradict my faith.
I hope you will stop by on Saturday, September 4 for the first chapter in
I spent a few hours over the weekend working in the deli where I previously worked. It was a seamless transition back into the job and with some of the same people from before.
I truly enjoyed my time there. It surprised me how much I liked hearing the other employees chatter while they work. I didn’t realize how much I’ve missed being around other people who talk and laugh and share their lives.
You see, since the pandemic started, I have isolated myself in my house. I’ve gone out to work, and to meet with my sisters now and then. But I’ve only gone to church a couple of times in the last 18 months.
I know I don’t need to go to church to be successful. God has seen to it that His purposes have been fulfilled in both my personal and public life. He’s brought me out of depression and given me hope, along with the blessing of seeing my writing career take off.
Yet, since getting out the past few days in a social environment, I realize that my spiritual well is starting to run dry. I’ve heard the expression, “you can’t pour from an empty cup.” My cup isn’t empty, but I do feel that it is becoming shallow.
I still do my devotions at home. I watch church services online, but not regularly. I need more than what I’ve been doing to firm up the foundation of my faith. Fellowship with other believers, worshipping in song together, and hearing the message from the pulpit, are all important elements in keeping the Holy Spirit flowing in my life.
Now I know what I need to do next in this journey of mine: to go back to church, and allow the fellowship with other believers and the live preaching of the Word to fill my spiritual well.
Since I struggle with social anxiety, it won’t be an easy road back, but I believe it will be worth it.
I sat back and read most of the weekend when what I really needed to do was write. I had my son set up my microphone/headset this morning and am going to try the dictation program again. It makes a lot of errors, but it is faster and easier to get into character when I’m talking through it instead of typing.
This morning I woke up grumpy. I wasn’t very nice to my kids. I didn’t know what was wrong with me.
Then, I did know.
GRIEF
It’s part of the grieving process to get angry, and for a short time this morning, the anger broke through the peace. I’m sure there will be more moments like that as I go through this week, feeling just a little off from what has become a peaceful and confident life.
This Monday starts a difficult week for me emotionally. Eleven years ago tomorrow, a coworker of my husband came to my door around 11 a.m. and told me Pat had been hurt and he was taking me to the hospital. He’d been electrocuted when the arm of a truck he was working on hit a power line. After a few days in the hospital, he passed away on 8/21/2010.
The rock that I had leaned on for the 20 years while we were married was gone, and I had to learn to live life, and raise my kids, on my own.
Yet I was never really alone. I had the amazing support of family and friends. Even people I didn’t know very well were praying for me. There were some rough patches, but through it all, God brought healing from the grief.
Still, even though the feeling of loss is most often not present, this week brings it all back.
This morning I take the time to honor a wonderful man.
I think I fell in love with him at first sight but managed to hide it for a few months (there’s a story there). When we did start dating, it didn’t take me long to realize he was the one. I bought a bassinet at a garage sale and started looking at wedding dresses.
We started dating in May, and by August we started talking about a winter wedding. He proposed the night before Thanksgiving, and I returned to work with an exquisite diamond on my hand and a permanent smile on my face.
We weren’t sure when to have the wedding. My grandma said February was a good month to get married because there was nothing going on in February. We planned a wedding around Valentine’s Day. I had stars in my eyes and my head in the clouds for those weeks leading up to the wedding. We decided to wait until our wedding night to become intimate, due to our faith and traditional values.
The night of rehearsal, we had a blizzard. The next day, our wedding day, was sunny and bright. We took a short honeymoon and I moved into his trailer, and we made a home.
It was a good life. Not perfect, but we loved each other. After we had our kids, there were some hectic years, but we still kept the romance alive.
When the accident happened, we were in a good place in our marriage. On Sunday mornings we enjoyed a cup of coffee together and attended a new church, where we’d decided to settle after years of searching.
Our sons were in football, our daughter was in marching band, and we were both working. Things weren’t perfect at our jobs, but we were getting through life the best we could.
When Pat passed away, he left life insurance. He was hurt at work, so there was compensation from that. We were pretty well set financially. I paid off the house and got some major work done while I had the life insurance money.
When it ran out, and my son aged out of the Social Security Survivor’s Benefit, I struggled financially. I had previously been unable to work, diagnosed with some mental health issues. I tried for disability but was denied every time. I got a job working as a caregiver to my cousin, but when she passed away, I had to start over again.
By God’s grace, a job opened up for me as a housekeeping aide for the Commission on Aging. I like what I do. I have met some amazing seniors with great stories.
The pay isn’t enough to meet my needs, however. This week I will return to the deli where I was working when my husband passed away, making salads and sandwiches and taking care of stock, for 6-10 hours per week. It’s four miles from home. The extra income will tip the scales to allow me to pay for big expenses that come up as well as save some money for the future.
With two books published and a contract for a third, I am living my dream of being an author. I have several future books in progress. And I haven’t forgotten about the Courage series, which was so popular when I was self-published.
As I take this moment and reflect back on what I lost, a good husband and my faithful partner in life, I also acknowledge what God has blessed me with:
Good friends, a supportive family, and a job that brings me peace of mind. I’m healthy and have a great future ahead of me. God will be with me every step of the way, and I praise Him for the work he has done, and will continue to do, in my life.
Inspirational Author 