Our Own Carrie Walker Releases Her Newest Book!

Ah, readers. Take a break from snow, sleet, and sub-zero temperatures, (as I write this, it is 2º F outside my window)~even if you're only looking at pics of all that wintery stuff in someone else's yard!

Because this week, I'm highlighting one of The Diamond Mine of Christian Fiction's very own, Carrie Walker! Her second book Right Before Their Eyes released just two days ago. Wahoo! We're all so proud of her accomplishment and here is where you get the scoop on Carrie and her newest release.

PT: Welcome Carrie. You're usually behind the scenes here at The Diamond Mine, but now you've released your second book this past Monday. Tell us all what started your writing journey?

CW: It was my first book, actually. J I always loved reading and would often think “what if I wrote a book” but I never sat down to actually do it, until God gave me a story. Once I had the story idea of a baby that doctors deemed “incompatible with life” living to change the life of a troubled teen, I had to figure out this writing thing and realized I loved it.

PT: You have seven kids, correct? How you manage to squeeze in time for writing and share the coolest thing about a big family.

CW: Yes! Seven kids definitely keep me busy. The ages of my kids are 20, 20 (they aren’t actual twins, my eldest we adopted at the same time I was pregnant and they are 6 months apart), 18, 15, 13, 10 and 7. It’s an interesting balance, squeezing in writing, but I feel like God carved out that time with my first book when I really needed time to learn what I was doing. Now, I don’t let any open time go unused. It’s not unheard of for me to be typing in the car while waiting for one of my kids to come out of an activity!

PT: I think a lot of moms squeeze in me-time that same way. What’s the most fun place you and your family ever visited and why it is a favorite?

CW: Oh, that’s a tough one. I love to travel with the family, and I always want to pick somewhere new because there are so many amazing places to see. I would say one of the most memorable would be the Grand Canyon.

One of the most fun was an Airbnb we stayed in while in San Diego. It was 107 year old house that had a real tree house in the back yard. So fun for the kids.

PT: A little bird told me that you love snow, right? How much snow did you get this year so far and your favorite snow activity?

CW: I just love snow, and especially the first snow. It’s so magical to see the world covered in a blanket of white. We have gotten disappointedly little the last few years (this year included so far), but I’m anxiously awaiting making a snowman with the kids. I really want to take them sledding too. We got new sleds two years ago and haven’t been able to use them yet.

PT: Let’s get down to writing. What’s your favorite writing aspect: idea creation, character creation, writing, editing, marketing, or in-person book signings?

CW: I love the brainstorming phase with ideas and characters. It’s so fun to start to feel a story come together in your mind and see that vision and realize “yes, there’s a story here.” With writing and editing, I like whichever one I’m not doing, LOL. If I’m writing and get stuck, I dream of the day I’ll be editing. And then when I’m editing and can’t get it figured out I wish to be drafting again. The grass is always greener I guess.

PT: So let’s talk about your newest release. Where did the idea come from for Right Before Their Eyes?

CW: I always envisioned Emma’s Hero to be the first book of a 3 book series, in that we can see Mason’s character grow from a troubled teen into adulthood with an underscoring glimpse of how this baby, that doctors counted out, changed the world—even years later. So, for this book, Mason walked on the page already telling me where he was at in his life, struggling with love and deciding on medical school.

But the cross-over storyline of a foster teen who lost her foster home and is transferred to a group home definitely was an inspiration. I knew that Clare would be a social worker, but then the thought of showing this subplot through the eyes of that teen really felt right. I wanted to walk through this trying time with her and learn.

PT: Do you use any real-life scenarios from your own life in your books?

CW: Not always, but this book does have a nugget from real life. There is a story that Grandma Dottie tells Mason at a time he’s struggling to make a decision that is a true story from my own grandparents. Every time I hear it, I smile…and I hope you do too.

PT: Inquiring minds what to know who your favorite character is in Right Before Their Eyes, and which character is most like you?

CW: I just love Mason. He’s so real to me, the way he’s trying to seek God and do what’s right, but struggling with his own weaknesses and being bold. I feel there are so many times his struggles are so relatable and it’s so easy to cheer for him when he succeeds. The character most like me, would probably be Clare. I often bite off more than I can chew in life, and with it all being good things it’s hard to say “no” to them, and so I can find myself having to figure out how to do it, and needing to find the help God is providing for me.

PT: Drum roll…tell 5 things about Carrie Walker that have nothing to do with writing:

CW:     I love playing board games.

            I have a pet Labrador-Retriever Mix.

            I love to travel.

            I love old houses.

            I met my husband when I was fourteen (started dating when I was fifteen).

PT: On to the future. What’s the next book idea or direction?

CW: The third book in the series Someone to Lean On will release in the spring of 2026, so I’m working on the edits for the final story in the Faith Endures Series along with drafting a new story that isn’t tied to this series.

PT: And that wraps it up. Now, if you can stand the wait to see if you win our drawing~please leave a comment and email or leave your info on our contact form to enter~BUT if you can't bear to wait, go, GO, GO right now to this link to support Carrie and get her newest release Right Before Their Eyes.

Thanks Carrie for the peek into your family and writing world!

Want to know more about Carrie? Of course you do!  Read on and check out her links:

LINKS:

www.carriewalkerwrites.com

www.facebook.com/cwalkerauthor

www.instagram.com/cwalkerauthor

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/48336857.Carrie_Walker

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/48336857.Carrie_Walker

https://www.amazon.com/author/cwalkerauthor5.10

BIO

Carrie Walker lives in Michigan with her husband and seven children. From her ten years serving as a high school youth minister, adventures around the globe, and raising a family, many stories have been knit within her heart.

As an avid reader she pens what she loves to read, contemporary stories that bring hope to a hurting world. Weaving romance among story lines of characters in struggle, she aims to show God working in all situations. When she’s not playing board games with her husband, shuttling kids in the Walker bus or wishing for snow, Carrie can be found at the keyboard bringing those stories to life.

Carrie’s writing has been recognized in many contests. Her debut novel, Emma’s Hero, won the IAN Book of the Year for Christian Fiction, placed in the International Book Awards, ACFW Crown Award, Monroe Walton Center for the Arts Award, and won the 2020 ACFW First Impressions Contest.

Laura Thomas on Writing Tribes, Inspiration, and the English Countryside

Hello, miners! Welcome back. I am excited to introduce Laura Thomas today. Her novella Snow Globe Secrets just won the FHL Reader's Choice Award for novella.

First, here's a little about Laura

A published, award-winning Christian author, Laura writes heartwarming encouragement for your soul—especially in her numerous romantic suspense novels, as well as her teen fiction, marriage, and children’s books. Laura is a hope*writers certified writing coach, a book-loving chocoholic mom and nanny, and is married to her high school sweetheart. Originally from the UK, they now live the empty nest life in Kelowna, British Columbia, with their French bulldog! 

Find all her books, blog, bio, and writing coaching, and sign up for her free monthly newsletter at: www.laurathomasauthor.com

Connect with Laura: Website | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest | Goodreads | Bookbub | YouTube

Suzie: Welcome to the Diamond Mine, Laura. We are happy you took some time out of your day to visit
with us. Let's start with some easy get-to-know-you questions.

What is your favorite summertime refresher?

Laura: I may be English, but I’m coffee over tea any day of the week, and my beat-the-heat favorite is a tall, iced, skinny caramel macchiato!

Suzie: Yum. What are three books on your TBR right now?

Laura: I just checked my Goodreads, and I could actually name over 300 books on TBR! I’ll choose an eclectic mix: A Stranger’s Game by Colleen Coble, Every Time We Say Goodbye by Natalie Jenner, and The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame!

Suzie: That is an eclectic mix, but some good reads. Where is your favorite place to write? Why?

Laura: I do almost all of my writing in the peace and quiet of my home office. It’s bright and pretty and has become the place where I can focus and be inspired, surrounded by my best friends (shelves of books!) with Lulu my Frenchie curled up on her fluffy bed next to my feet. Or situated on my lap, which makes typing tricky…

  

Suzie: I have the same trouble with my cat. She always wants to cuddle when I need to work. 

Who makes up your writing tribe? 

Laura: This is a great question! A writing tribe is vital, and my people currently consists of my critique partner, local writing group, literary agent, publisher, editor, publicity manager, my amazing book launch team, several online writing groups, writer friends, and the support mentally, emotionally, and financially of my phenomenal husband! 

Suzie: Love that you are surrounded by so much support. What inspired you to write Captured in Frame?

Laura: I often find inspiration on my travels, and the initial spark for Captured in Frame came in January 2019 when I was visiting my family back in England (hence the English setting!). I was staying with my sister and her family in a charming little countryside village and thought it would make a delightful backdrop for a story. But I write suspense, so … one dark, rainy evening I saw (in the figment of my overactive imagination) a huge, drenched, grizzly man lit up by a flash of lightening outside my sister’s French doors. I freaked my poor sister out, but suddenly I had a character who would invade the serenity of this quaint country village in my future novel! Ta-da! 

Suzie: LOL. And your sister now has a story to tell about her crazy author sister. What led you to write romantic suspense?

Laura: Honestly, when I started my writing journey, I wanted to write for children and never dreamed I would write novels for grown-ups! However, I absolutely loved READING Christian romantic suspense—I was obsessed with Colleen Coble, Dee Henderson, Terri Blackstock and the like for years. I appreciated the blend of a love story with spine-chilling suspense, and marveled that at the end of the

book I had a spiritual take-away, even if it was subtly woven through the story. But God had plans in mind for me and my writing— and after my Christian teen fiction trilogy was published and I’d written some other stories for children, we were on vacation in Jamaica when I had the nugget of an idea for The Glass Bottom Boat, which ended up being my first published Christian romantic suspense novel. After that, there was no turning back…

Suzie: Isn't it amazing how God sometimes leads us to things we've never imagined. What message do you hope to convey to your readers?

Laura: My ultimate desire in writing all my Christian fiction books is to encourage and inspire readers in their REAL lives with compelling stories of hope, leaving no shadow of doubt that they are loved by God. Always. 

In Captured in Frame, the overarching theme is one of forgiveness and the beauty of second chances, and as my characters deal with all kinds of insecurities and trust issues, I finish the book with this beautiful quote by C.S. Lewis, which sums up my heart behind the message: 

“Though our feelings come and go, God’s love for us does not.” 

Suzie: What a terrific message. Can you tell us a little about your next project?

Laura: I would love to! I have another romantic suspense novel set in the English countryside—The Final Word is book 2 in the Bite of Betrayal series and is scheduled to be published by Mountain Brook Ink in June 2025. It continues on from Captured in Frame but, as is the case with all my novels, it can be read as a stand-alone title. In this one, I had fun incorporating some of my favorite things: Paris, writing, baking, opera, the city of Bath, a cool sports car, and some definite Cinderella vibes … I can’t wait to share it!

 Suzie: Sounds like a fun read! Before we wrap up, how can we pray for you?

Laura: That’s so kind—thank you for asking. I would be grateful if you would join me in praying that by God’s grace my books would get into the hands of readers at the perfect time for them to be encouraged. Also, that I would have patience and wisdom and courage as I continue on the writing journey—for His glory. Amen. 

Suzie: Amen. Thank you again for spending some time with us this week.

About the Book

“In an idyllic village nestled in the English countryside, photographer Georgia Brooks is desperate to begin a new chapter in her life. Bramble Cottage was supposed to give her space to heal and hope again after suffering betrayal and rejection by the only man she ever loved. This was Georgia’s chance to rekindle her faith and reconnect with her sisters in a place that held sweet childhood memories—not expose herself to the ugly underbelly of the art world and put her family in danger.

Local pediatric surgeon, Doctor William Hughes, is captivated by the Canadian beauty with a camera over one shoulder and the weight of the world on the other. After suffering his own tragic loss and balancing a demanding career with raising a toddler, he recognizes the heaviness of grief . . . and the burden of guilt.

When Georgia discovers she could be in possession of incriminating evidence to frame a criminal ring, she needs to trust someone. She chooses Will. Postcards, photographs, paintings—something about Bramble Cottage is worth killing for. Can Georgia uncover the truth in time?”

Amazon | Goodreads

Head of the Class with Patricia Lee

Good morning class, ahem, readers! Today we are meeting with Christian author, Patricia Lee, and her book Kite on the Wind, the third book of the Mended Hearts Series. The heroine in this novel is a teacher who—well, you'll get to read the blurb below. There may be a quiz. (wink) I've had the privilege to meet this fine author at a writer's conference and am eager to introduce you to. . .Patricia Lee.

PT: I always want to ground my readers, so let's launch into your background and why you write.

PL: I have had a fascination with words and what they can do since I wrote my first short paragraph at the age of six. I don’t remember the content of my story, but my teacher became excited at what I’d done. “Obviously,” I thought, “words made people happy.” The teacher gave me a Psalm 23 bookmark and her written words on the back: “Keep writing, Patty.” In acknowledgement of my teacher’s influence on my life, I have dedicated my newest release, A Kite on the Wind, to the woman.

I have written as a stringer for a local newspaper during my middle and high school years representing the school's news to the community. I received my B.A. in Journalism from the University of Oregon, then went on to work as a tabloid newspaper editor at a local church.

After I married, I began my freelancing career and sold to various publications, including Expecting, Moody Monthly, and Power for Living. More recently I have published in two anthologies, Cup of Comfort Bible Promises and Heavenly Company, as well as featured articles in Focus on the Family's Clubhouse magazine. An Anchor On Her Heart, my debut novel, released in July, 2017. Love Calls Her Home, the second in the Mended Hearts series, released March 1, 2018. The third novel, A Kite on the Wind released October 1.

I live with my husband and a handful of furry friends in the Pacific Northwest. We have two grown children.

PT: Wow! That is a brand-spanking new novel! Readers, you might want to add that to your notes to look up later. (Link below.) Now, I love conferences, personally. And I loved meeting you at one a few years back. How do you think writing conferences help authors? 

PL: I attended Mount Hermon Christian Writer’s Conference in 1982 and received encouragement from the editors there, but I wasn’t ready to write fiction. I joined Oregon Christian Writers and met with a critique group. I sold several magazine articles during that time.

 My husband and I began our family a year later and I homeschooled my children. In 2009 I went back to Mount Hermon with a manuscript in hand and a determination to write. I connected with several editors and other writers. Shortly after that I joined American Christian Fiction Writers and spent the next four years traveling to writer’s conferences. I learned something new at each one and made many more contacts. After traveling to Dallas, St. Louis, Indianapolis, San Jose and Seattle, I decided to concentrate on one conference a year and chose the OCW summer conference in Portland, Oregon which was near my home. Airports can be tiresome.

Conferences are important to a writer’s growth. They not only expand your numbers of professional contacts, they bring new perspectives to your writing ability and improve your craft.

PT: Tell us a little about A Kite on the Wind.

(Click here to buy!)

PL: Left waiting at the altar, Claire Simpson has buried her past and moved on, carving out a life for herself as a teacher on the Oregon coast. When her former fiancé appears, he threatens to unravel the peaceful independence she has worked so hard to achieve after their relationship failed.  Though Claire believes she has forgiven him, she discovers forgetting him is not as easy as it seems.

Montgomery Chandler has moved to NOAA headquarters in Newport, Oregon to make new, happier memories for his children after his wife died of a lingering illness. Their home in Seattle held nothing but the whispers of their earlier lives. Starting over will help all of them heal, but Monty is resolved not to risk love again. 

When the handsome widower enrolls his hurting children at the school where Claire teaches, her determination to remain uninvolved vanishes at the whim of a snowstorm. This family needs her expertise. Can she help them without losing her heart?

PT: How did you conceptualize the Mended Hearts Series and what is the theme of each book?

PL: I believe people in all walks of life carry hurts, scars, and secrets from past experiences—baggage that clouds their thinking and drags them down in their present life. But with God’s overwhelming love and persistence, they can overcome their past mistakes and broken feelings and move forward to healthier and happier futures. Mended Hearts addresses this through the vehicle of story.

In An Anchor on Her Heart, McKenna Nichols struggles to believe in her marriage, a relationship that has been challenged by the introduction of a disabled child. Her husband  works away from home and has used his job as a reason to be gone, rather than facing the realities of rearing his daughter. Though she is tempted by the attentions of a stranger, McKenna believes God ordained marriage and she clings to the hope that God will make things right in the end.

In Love Calls Her Home, Lissa Frye has vowed not to put a man through the trauma her father faced when her mother developed and died from ovarian cancer. When her sister tests positive for the gene, Lissa must face her fears and make the decision whether to keep her vow and break off the relationship with her love interest, or take a chance on love.

In A Kite on the Wind, Claire Simpson must learn that forgiveness doesn’t just come from the head, to be real the heart needs to be involved as well.  That is the greater challenge.

PT: Tell us about your travels/favorite dishes/pets/recipes. #prettymuchanythingyoulove.

PL: My husband and I love the Oregon coast. We have camped there with our family and spent several anniversaries traveling Hwy. 101.  The settings in my books reflect that love of the  Pacific.

I like to cook, and finding a new recipe and tweaking it to fit my family is a pastime my husband appreciates. He loves anything Italian or Mexican so I have perfected my garlic enchiladas, and often make lasagna from scratch for him. I have several cookbooks with recipes from past generations in them and have wowed my family with broiled coconut oatmeal cake and a chocolate chip torte that I only make for Christmas. 

We’ve had a menagerie of pets at various times. Cats rule here. We’ve also had tropical fish, rabbits, and urban chickens.

PT: Do you have a favorite Bible verse that is your guiding mantra right now?

PL: “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze”. Isaiah 43:2

PT: Give 5 things fast about Patricia Lee that have little to do with writing.

PL: 

1. I’m a pianist (who should practice more)

2. When I graduated from college and worked as an editor for my church’s publications, I sang with the Voice of Calvary Singers for about three years.

3. I won a set of copper bottomed Revere Ware cooking pans for submitting a recipe I’d tweaked in a contest. I also won a refrigerator when my husband and I bought our first house and couldn’t afford the appliance. That was a God gift.

4. I grow dahlias. My husband and I share a love for the flowers and have often had as many as thirty varieties and colors in our summer garden.

5. I am allergic to avocado.

PT: Tell us what goal you’re working toward right now in terms of writing.

PL: I grew up with stories of the adventures of my great-great grandfather who crossed the plains in 1847 to prove up a donation land claim in Oregon’s Willamette Valley. When I began writing I wrestled with an urge to write a fictionalized account of his adventures and to discover more about his wife, of whom I knew little. I’m now realizing that dream. The story will be a time slip where the twenty-first century heroine discovers her ancestor’s past. 

Well, you heard it here first! Now, check your notes and prepare for a pop quiz. No, wait. That's not right. Book giveaway! Yes, that's what we always line up after a great interview like this! Patricia is giving away an eBook of A Kite on the Wind. Please leave your email below to be entered into our weekly giveaway! 

Thanks for being with us today, Patricia. If you'd like to find her on the web, you can go to: www.authorpatricialee.net.