Shannon here: Diana Leagh Matthews shares the inspiration for her latest Women’s Fiction title, Forever Changed, along with a romantic excerpt, and chance to win a digital copy. Comment or answer the question in this post to enter the drawing. Deadline: April 26th, 11:59 pm central time. Here’s Diana:
Usually when writing, I ask a lot of “what if?” questions. Such as beginning with “what if you’re forced to raise someone else’s children” and “what if you’re saddled with an instant family.”
The story began as Danielle’s journey as she’s saddled with a sudden family and was written from my own desire for a family.
As I wrote the story, I realized that Danielle needed a counterpart. Someone who understood her desires but also had a heart for these children who have just lost their parents.
So with that, Caleb Donovan, was created, a composite of multiple people I knew growing up in the country.Over the course of the book, their relationship seesaws back and forth.
In Forever Changed, the story opens with Danielle Davis discovering her sister and brother-in-law have died in a terrible accident. She returns to her small hometown of Ninety Six, South Carolina to care for their large family.
When she lands at the airport, Caleb Donovan, is there to pick her up and drive her back to the farm. In the beginning, they seem like complete opposites and she barely acknowledges Caleb.
Excerpt from Forever Changed by Diana Leagh Matthews:
Caleb Donovan leaned against the wall and held up a sign with a name. He watched the luggage turn round on the conveyor belt. His best friends were gone. How had this happened? Caleb would never forget pulling their bodies out of the water after the accident. Upon receiving the phone call, he was among the first to arrive at the lake to assist with the recovery. A lump formed in his throat. Everything felt so uncertain now.
A woman caught his eye. She held her head high, but her eyes looked red. He assumed she was in her early-to-mid-thirties, around his age. She wore a designer dress, and her auburn hair flowed down her back. Way too much makeup. In his mind, she should be on a magazine cover.
She stopped to stare at a mirror and patted her hair.
Stepping forward, he held up the sign. “Danielle Davis?”
A child bumped into her. She jumped back and rolled her eyes. “Yes.” She plastered on a smile and gripped her suitcase handle.
“I’m Caleb Donovan. Trevor and I were best friends.” He could still picture his friend atop a horse, pushing back his cowboy hat. Trevor’s muscular build allowed him to easily commandeer the cows and other farm animals. “Welcome back to South Carolina. I’m so sorry for your loss.”
She spun around. “That’s nice. I need my luggage.”
Caleb grunted and helped her pull the indicated suitcases from the conveyor belt. Her baggage in tow, she followed him to his truck.
The drive would be long if she ignored him for the whole hour.
“Is there anything I can answer for you?” According to Meghan, her sister had never returned home after she left for New York.
She inspected her acrylic nails. “How long should I expect to stay?”
Caleb gripped the steering wheel. “Meghan and Trevor’s lawyer can answer that better. I took the liberty of setting up a meeting for tomorrow afternoon.”
Danielle nodded but never glanced in his direction.
“Trevor was my best friend. Anything I can do to be of assistance?” He had a feeling if she lost the synthetic accessories, she would be a real beauty.
“No. Thank you.” She stared at her phone before turning it over. “How much farther?”
Caleb kept his eyes on the road. “About forty minutes.”
She sighed and stared out the window at the trees and homes scattered along the highway.
Caleb tried several times to engage her, but she ignored him. Why had Meghan left the kids to this woman? At least, everyone assumed those were the arrangements Meghan had set up. She won’t last a week. If he were a betting man, he’d be willing to take bets. She’ll be overwhelmed with country life. The question was, what would happen to the children then?
Question for Readers: Would you be willing to raise someone else’s children? Why or why not?
About Diana: Diana Leagh Matthews has a heart for the hurting and shares God’s love through the written word and song. Her debut novel, Carol of the Rooms, was published in 2023 and was a Realm Award finalist and her second novel, Forever Changed, will be p published on April 15th. Leagh (pronounced L-e-e), who lives in South Carolina with her spunky Maltese. Learn more & connect:
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About the book – Forever Changed: 
At the pinnacle of her Broadway career, Danielle Davis is savoring her success. Just as her dreams are now within grasp, tragedy forces her to return home to South Carolina.
Following the untimely deaths of her sister and brother-in-law, Danielle discovers she’s now responsible for seven children, two grandmothers, and a farm she knows nothing about.
When a young woman from the 1930s begins making mysterious appearances to her, Danielle embraces her as an unexpected confidant and encourager.
Can Danielle find the healing and support she desperately needs in her new roles?
Caleb Donovan put his soaring music career on hold after making a terrible mistake.
Following the loss of his best friends, he now guides Danielle as she learns about running a farm and caring for a family. Can Caleb find his own place amid the chaos?
Will Danielle and Caleb be able to discover the career and relational paths meant for them?
Can they learn how to let go of their painful pasts, and find it in their hearts to forgive, and move forward into an uncertain future?
Can’t wait for the drawing? Worried you won’t win? Interestested in Diana’s other titles?
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Come back April 16th for Robin Caroll!
Could I raise someone else children? I sure could! First off we have an adopted at birth child after being told I couldn’t get pregnant for 6 years. Then when he was 6 months old, I found out lo and behold I was pregnant! We love our children the same unconditionally. We don’t make a big deal out of the fact he is adopted but if someone finds out they are always surprised by this information. Our children are now adults in their 30’s ….
Also I have done childcare in my home for many years and become so invested and involved with the families I have cared for that they become like family to us. So yes I could raise someone else children
I have a winner! Connie Sutphin won the drawing. I appreciate Diana for being my guest and everyone else for stopping by.