The celebration continues into this new season of autumn. I’ve been impressed by the number of debut authors who have contacted me about their books. I love the writing community – especially the Christian Fiction writing community – because we all have the same goal, and don’t mind promoting each other.
Today, I’m happy to host Christina Lourens, author of The Calm I Seek.
CHRISTINA LOURENS, inspirational romance
DEBUT TITLE: The Calm I Seek
DEBUT RELEASE DATE: November 26, 2020
PUBLISHER: Pheasant Hill Press
With love, betrayal and grief disrupting her perfectly peaceful life, will she fight for the happiness she deserves?
After the violent death of her husband, Rebecca Holmes is content leading a quiet life spending time with her sisters and niece. When her younger sister Hannah asks her to plan her wedding, Rebecca discovers her friends and family all think her life is empty. Determined to prove them wrong, Rebecca takes up salsa lessons where she meets the charismatic salsa teacher, Gabriel Rodriguez.
Falling in love is the last thing Rebecca wanted to do, but she is inexplicably drawn to Gabriel. Opening her heart again is terrifying, especially after what happened with her late husband. With the help of the local vicar, Rebecca starts to believe that maybe she deserves a happy ending after all.
Just when she’s decided to give her heart to Gabriel, a betrayal brings back demons from the past. Heartbroken, Rebecca closes herself off again, but when disaster strikes her family, she is forced to confront her past actions. Can there be redemption for her and can she forgive those who betrayed her?
The Calm I Seek is a heartbreaking novel about forgiveness and redemption.
ASKING CHRISTINA
What is the most challenging part for you, of the writing to publication process?
Every part of the process felt the most challenging when I went through it. Writing a 100,000 word novel takes a lot of time, energy and organisation, especially when you also have a full time job and have to raise children. Once the book was written, I really struggled with the editing process, which seemed to go on forever. Then trying to publish it, working on getting a good cover, formatting the book. By the time the novel was finally published, I felt worn out and the enthusiasm for having a book published had almost worn off. (Almost, because I was still very happy that my dream of publishing a novel had finally come true.)In hindsight, the most challenging part is still ongoing and that is selling the actual book. It’s very hard to continue marketing the book and drive up sales when I’m also trying to write another novel (which isn’t going as well as I’d hoped) and doing everything else I need to do in my life. I wish books would just sell themselves!
Do you have a “go-to” author to read?
My favourite authors are Terry Pratchett and P.G. Wodehouse, but they are both sadly deceased, so there won’t be any new books coming out by them. At the moment, I try to read as diversely as possible so I don’t get stuck in a rut reading the same books and authors.
Are you a snacker when you write, and if so, what do you snack on?
Yes, I do snack. I’m terrible and love to eat candy when I write. I love Dutch liquorice but if I’m not careful, I’ll eat a whole bag when I’m writing. M&Ms are also a big favourite. Mind you, when I’m really into the flow of words, I don’t snack, or even eat or drink, but those times are rare these days.
About Christina
Christina is an avid reader; there isn’t much that she doesn’t read, although romance has her preference. Time to read is scarce, though, as she is busy with a full-time day job, her husband and kids, and her dog. Oh, and on top of that she also writes both short stories and novels.
To find out more about Christina and her books visit her WEBSITE