Shannon here: Leeann Betts shares her inspiration for her Mystery Novella, In Search of Christmas Past. Comment or answer the question at the end of the post to enter the drawing for a copy. Deadline: Nov 17th, 11:59 pm central time. Here’s Leeann:
What are You Looking For by Leeann Betts
As a writer of suspense and mysteries, my favorite authors include Agatha Christie and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. I love trying to figure out whodunit. And why. For me, the why is as important as the who. Structuring the mystery is critical to my stories.
When I came up with the idea of a scavenger hunt story, I knew there’d have to be a romance in there somewhere. My heroines, strong and gutsy, need a counterbalance in an equally strong but sensitive hero. In my world, that’s because no matter how much I might try to deny it at times, I cannot do it all myself.
I need help.
And whether that’s from my husband, a man of infinite patience who always has time for me, or from the loving God I turn to frequently when I come to the end of my rope, I need help.
It took me a lot of years to realize this. I grew up and came into adulthood at the peak of the feminist movement that tried to tell me I didn’t need anybody.
They were wrong.
Not only do I need help, I want help. I don’t want to travel this life by myself. As attractive as the pleasures of the world are, I now understand that they are as hollow as a balloon, and just about as fragile. It’s only when I turn to God, rest in His arms, and let Him take control that I truly achieve anything worthwhile.
Grace, the heroine in this story, thinks she can solve the mystery by herself. She’s convinced she doesn’t need anybody. But she’s wrong, too. She’s lived a jet set life and wants to settle down, but alone isn’t so appealing.
Luke, the hero, wants out. He’s done with family loyalty. Done with struggling on his own. He wants what Grace has—and she wants what he has.
But what Grace learns is that it isn’t what he has, but Who he knows that makes Luke different. Because this mountain boy has a relationship with the living God that she never knew possible.
Can they both figure out what they’re really looking for? Or are they destined to go their separate ways and keep searching?
About Leeann: Leeann Betts writes contemporary suspense, while her real-life persona, Donna Schlachter, pens historical suspense. She has released eight titles in her cozy mystery series. In addition, Leeann has written a devotional for accountants, bookkeepers, and financial folk, Counting the Days, and with her real-life persona, Donna Schlachter, has published two books on writing, Nuggets of Writing Gold and More Nuggets of Writing Gold, a compilation of essays, articles, and exercises on the craft, as well as a contemporary suspense, In Search of Christmas Past. She publishes a free quarterly newsletter that includes a book review and articles on writing and books of interest to readers and writers. All books are available on Amazon.com in digital and print, and at Smashwords.com in digital format. Learn more & connect:
Leeann’s Website: Receive a free ebook just for signing up for our quarterly newsletter.
About the novella – In Search of Christmas Past:
Grace Bellows, a senior in college, receives a Christmas card one month after her grandmother’s death, where her beloved Grammie challenges her to an old-fashioned scavenger hunt. Raised by her grandmother after her parents’ death in a car accident when she was eight, Grace has lived a jetsetter lifestyle with her wealthy grandmother. Now all she wants is to settle down and have a normal life.
Luke Fisher manages his family’s Christmas tree farm out of a sense of loyalty to his deceased mother because she gave up her dreams of being an attorney. He doesn’t want to live with any regrets, and longs to escape the confines of loyalty to live a life of adventure in the real world.
Can Grace and Luke solve the clues and uncover the truth about their real feelings, or will the tension and their differences in goals and faith drive them apart?
Can’t wait for the drawing? Get your copy now! Amazon
Question for Readers: What type are you? The jetsetter looking to settle down for a normal life or longing for an escape to adventure? Or somewhere in between?
Come back Nov 13th for Ane Mulligan!
somewhere in between
Thank you, Shelia, for posting. And good luck in the giveaway!
Shannon, thank you for having me on your blog.
Definitely some where in between, but it depends on the day!
I have a winner! Cindy won the drawing. I appreciate Leeann for being my guest and everyone else for stopping by.