London in the Dark Anniversary Tour | Interview + Giveaway

Hello Friends!

I know.  I'm here on Friday again.  =)

Today a writing friend is celebrating her novel's one year birthday, and I have the privilege of joining her!  Although I haven't read London in the Dark yet, I've been inspired by Victoria and hope you will be as well.

London, 1910

Budding Private Detective Cyril Arlington Hartwell has a conundrum. London is being ravaged by the largest run of thefts in recent history. His hunch that it is all tied together may put him and those he loves in more danger than he could have reckoned.

Olivia Larken Hartwell is just home from boarding school for the summer anticipating time with her adoring parents. She misses her absent brother, Cyril, hoping for the day he will finally come home. But tragedy strikes, causing upheaval for all concerned and changes her life in a way she never could have imagined.

Olivia, Cyril, and their friends must bring the hidden to light, seek to execute justice, and dispel the darkness that hovers over London… and their hearts.


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Interview:

Hello Victoria!  I'm glad to have the chance to learn more about your novel!  Can you describe London in the Dark in one sentence?

A blend of mystery and suspense without being fully either, with an endangered sibling relationship and loveable characters. :D 

What inspired you to write this novel? 

I am a huge Anglophile, and I was really in love with mystery stories at the time. The thought that really got the wheels turning was “what would it be like if someone such as Sherlock Holmes had a sister?”  That got it all going. 

What were the biggest challenges you faced in plotting/writing/editing London in the Dark, and how did God work through them? 

It was a challenge to write every day, but I am grateful for that habit that I formed. In the editing process, I had quite a few setbacks with deadlines. Each stage took longer than I thought and I ended up having to push publishing farther than I wanted to, but God really taught me to rely on Him through those disappointments and it ended up being the perfect timing in the end. 

What made you decide to begin your writing career, and what have you learned through the experience? 

I had the sudden realization that this was something I could do. So I went for it. I had a lot of friends who encouraged me along the way, and it was a very lesson filled road. Since I did nearly everything myself, I had to learn everything from the ground up. If there is one thing I’ve learned it’s that the Indie community is incredibly welcoming, encouraging and helpful as a general rule. I had several authors who took the time to answer my questions in detail and that forever blessed me beyond words. 

What piece of advice would you like to share with future (or current) Christian writers? 

Can I pick two things? The first would be to stay true to who you are and not let reviews shake your confidence. The other thing would be to make time for your writing. It is important, and you have something special to share. If it is something that you see yourself doing and something you are passionate about, take the time to do it and do it right. :D 

What are your next steps in writing? 

I am nearly finished with a modern suspense that has taken me the last few months to create and I am super excited to finish that rough draft! Next up is simultaneously finishing the half-complete first draft of London’s sequel, Shadows in London, and editing a novella that will be announced shortly! If you want to keep up to date with new books being published, be sure to follow along at my blog, Ruffles and Grace. 

And now for the giveaway...

a Rafflecopter giveaway

About the Author:

Victoria Lynn is in her 20s and if she's not writing, she is probably sewing, singing, playing the piano, washing dishes, creating something with her hands, or learning something new. She has a passion for serving her Creator, encouraging others and being creative. She blogs at www.rufflesandgrace.com about writing, fashion, modesty, her walk with God and life. She lives in Michigan with her parents and 8 siblings.

Links:

Blog     Amazon     Facebook     Instagram     Pinterest

Facebook party for London in the Dark

~♥~

A Newborn Miracle

Some of you remember the miscarriage my family had a year and a half ago.  This month, our little boy should have been turning a year old.  His first year alive with all the beautiful memories - first smile, first step, first word.  We'd know his eye color, see his face convulse when we gave him his first bite of ice-cream.

But God had different plans.  And they were even more beautiful. 

On Friday, God blessed my family with the arrival of a tiny princess.  I was able to watch her open little, dark eyes for the first time and see her head-full of silk-black hair.  And through the experience, I saw the beauty of life born in a perfectly formed, newborn baby.

God had a perfect plan all along.  I now have two babies - one waiting in heaven and one here in my arms.

He gave us our beautiful Breeze Rejoice - an immensely loved, peaceful girl who fills our home with joy despite her soprano cries.  She's a tiny human with a wonderful story that God's writing; He knew the number of her days before she was even conceived.

Breeze's tender body reveals the truth that there's a God who loves us.  How else could such a treasured individual enter the world?!

(and yes, I'm in love)

My mom is doing well and resting after the long nights with an active baby.  And Breeze herself will never know what it feels like to be out of someone's arms.  She's constantly in demand with 9 loving siblings.  On her first day home, we actually had a holding list, so we could wait in line for our turn to cuddle her.  (10th borns sure are spoiled!)

But you want pictures, yes?

above:  Breeze at 6 hours old

below:  first photo-shoot by her big brother

For You formed my inward parts;
You covered me in my mother’s womb.
I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
Marvelous are Your works,
And that my soul knows very well...
Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed.
And in Your book they all were written,
The days fashioned for me,
When as yet there were none of them.

- Psalm 139:13-14, 16

~♥~ 

Vlog Post | Book Projects + a Baby!

Hello sweet readers!

I'm here today with a quick vlog post featuring three of the book projects I've been working on and an exciting announcement about our new precious baby on her way!  Enjoy!

Video credits: Josiah Chad.

(view in a different screen here)

Thanks for watching!  (you did watch it, right?)  =)  Do you have any questions about the writing projects I'm working on or want to share what you've been doing in the writing world?  Let me know below!

And, as promised, here's the link to a NEW writing blog by my friend J.M. Ivie!  The blog not only has some helpful writing advice but also reveals an exciting novel that is coming out soon.  Keep your eyes open for Alvar: Battle for the Realm!  (you can also check out J.M. Ivie's Facebook page here)

My friends, never forget that you're following an incredible God who is writing the story of your life.  I'll slip away with some verses from Ephesians, but I encourage you to read the rest of the passage,

Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.

- James 1:12

(ps) as I'm writing this post, we're preparing to drive off to the hospital!  We are very excited about welcoming a new sister into the world and appreciate your prayers.  I'm thankful for you!

~♥~