Anna Lucia, Book 2 Casa Bella Chronicles

/ Gail Johnson / 6 Comments

Life hasn’t been kind to Lucinda Stewart. Unforgettable heartache, loss, and unspeakable violence mark her heart and her face. Twenty years have passed and she’s yet to put the fractured pieces together. Now a spinster without hope, Lucinda resigns herself to live a quiet life with her brother. For who would dare love a physically and emotionally scarred woman?

But when she and her brother travel to Italy, Lucinda’s life is hurled back in time. When they arrive at Casa Bella, she’s introduced to Vincenzo Castello. Something about the dark Sicilian haunts her. Memories dance inside the shadows of her mind, but never close enough to the light for her to remember. Is he a friend or a long lost enemy returned to finish her nightmare? Why should she trust him, a complete stranger?

Liz Galvano Book Meme

Vincenzo Castello is a God-fearing man haunted by the past. If he could go back… When Lucinda Stewart waltzes back into his life without a memory of that night, Vincenzo’s doesn’t know what to do.  Does he tell her the truth inside his heart and fill in the gaps of her memory? Will that truth set her free or tighten the chains that now hold her? Can he convince her to trust him and his God? Can he and the Castello family protect her from the one man threatening to take her life?

Liz Galvano transports her readers to faraway places through the lives of unforgettable characters. In her latest novel, Anna Lucia, Book 2 in the Casa Bella Chronicles, she shares her love of family, food, horses, and fencing. Yes, fencing! And she wraps it all up with God’s amazing gift of love and compassion for the hurting.

I give Anna Lucia five hearts because it is the story of two people overcoming the obstacles in this journey we call life. They have seen heartache, and still, they choose to trust a faithful God whose love never fails. The characters love hard and fight harder. Galvano doesn’t sugarcoat the war we must wage to become overcomers. It isn’t a short or easy read. But it is worth the time, belly laughs, and tears.

Happy reading!

What makes a good book for you?

I was given a copy of this book by the author and was under no obligation to publish a favorable review. All opinions are my own.

Share the Love ~ September

/ Gail Johnson / 18 Comments

Faithfulness to all generation Center of His Wheel
No matter the season we may be experiencing in our lives, we have the chance to declare God’s faithfulness to others. Today, I challenge you to look around, count your blessings, and share what God has done for you. Great is His faithfulness to all generations!

Reading

In the Stack and On the Kindle – Sandra Ardoin
Waiting for Butterflies – A Baker’s Perspective
Michelle Griep At Bleakly Manor – Inspired Prompt

Inspirational

God is a master at weaving the seasons of our lives together–the good, the bad and the ugly–and He knits them together with threads of grace.  – Lisa Preuett

And I was reminded that my true identity, and purpose, in life is found in the One who created me and gave me this gift: Jesus Christ. – Stacey Thureen

Failing to listen to God cuts me off from His springs of living water. The result is sadness and vulnerability to the fires of discontent and frustration. – Norma Gail Thurston Holtman

Photography

Is That Photo Copyrighted – Novel Rocket

Writing

Market Your Book From Inside Out – Novel Rocket
Why I Write – Cristian Mihai
Taming the Beast Called Time Management – Blue Ridge Conference 

Foodie

Indonesian Food Story in Melbourne City – Safiras Journey
Butterscotch Coffee Recipe – Amercia On Coffee

Women of Faith and Fiction ~ Jennifer Hallmark

/ Gail Johnson / 14 Comments

Hello! This morning I have the pleasure of introducing you to my friend, Jennifer Hallmark. Jennifer and I met when she invited me aboard the Inspired Prompts blog! She is a kind and thoughtful person, a wife, mother, grandmother, and an avid football fan. But I will hush and let her do the talking. Good morning, Jennifer! Please tell us a little more about yourself.

Jennifer Hallmark 2

I’m an introverted writer who loves God, my family and friends, church, books, and everything Southern. I could spend the day curled up with a cup of hot tea, some dark chocolate, and a great novel or non-fiction read. Over the years, I’ve discovered I know less than I thought I did, need more help than I ever imagined, and am loved in greater depth than I deserve. 😊

Ooh, sounds like a wonderful way to spend the day. I like everything Southern too! This month’s theme is faithfulness. Please share your thoughts with our readers.

Well, faithfulness to me is that quality of stick-to-it-ness. Someone who is faithful to me is there during the good and not so good times and loves me unconditionally. Although I have friends and family members who are faithful, no one is always there for me like God. My relationship with a loving Father is what keeps me going when I don’t feel like moving forward. His faithfulness is beyond what I can fathom, but I still try.

I agree, Jennifer. No one is there for us like the Lord. Next question. Life is a continual journey of learning, applying, and transforming. Have you ever experienced a season when you found it difficult to be a faithful friend? How did you overcome?

I don’t know if season is the word I’d use. With me, it’s more like cycles. At times, I get discouraged and this introverted melancholy turns totally inward. All I can see is how hard life is and that I need to make a plan or something to make life better. During these times, I tend to forget my friends and even family.

I can go days without calling or seeing another soul, and though I want to be, I’m not too good in the faithful department. Sometimes a family member or friend will call me out and tell me to snap out of it and that helps. Often, I’ll hear a word or read a scripture or listen to a song that points out what’s happening, and I repent and start again.

I’m really glad that God is faithful even when I’m not.

I can relate. I’m so glad He is a faithful God. Now tell us in what genre do you write and how does your faith influence your writing?

At the moment, I’m writing Southern fiction and am finishing edits on the first novel in a series. I also have written a fantasy novel combining the medieval times with a lot of allegory. And yes, they are two totally different genres but ones I enjoy greatly.

My faith in God wraps itself around everything I do and say. I don’t have a “normal” part of life and a “religious” part. It’s all totally entwined in my heart. I don’t think about faith when I’m writing. I just sit at the keyboard and tell God I’m ready and we write together. I’ll get excited when I write a good sentence and point it out to God and I feel like He smiles and high-fives me. (Even though He inspires it all) Does that make sense?

It totally makes sense to me! I believe it’s the only way to write. 🙂 Thank you so much for visiting and sharing your heart with us, Jennifer. I can’t wait to read your story!

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