Braving the Elements with Tonya B. Ashely

Let's give a warm Diamond Mine welcome to this week's guest Tonya B. Ashley. Tonya's newest release came out earlier this month. Romancing the Elements is a novella collection, so you get to read stories by four authors, including Tonya. And she's graciously offered to give one of this blog's readers an digital copy of the book.

About Tonya B. Ashley

Tonya B. Ashley writes stories of resilience wrapped in adventure, blending heart-deep faith with a quirky compass for navigating life’s shadows. Her characters often face hard places with a little too much baggage and just enough courage to try again. When she’s not writing, Tonya can be found hiking and exploring nature with family and friends, creating faith-infused junk journals, or experimenting with latte flavor combos that probably shouldn’t work—but somehow do.

Connect with Tonya: Facebook | Scrivenings Press | Amazon

Suzie: Thank you for spending some time with us this week, Tonya. We are excited to have you here. Tell us a little bit about yourself.

Tonya: I have loved the outdoors since I was a young child. A babbling brook or waterfall, a moss-covered rock face, a rotten log. I could never resist these things.

Nature is also where I discovered my fear of heights. I remember the first time I stood on a mountain trail overlooking a river valley. I was perhaps eight or nine. My breath caught in my throat, and my heartbeat pounded in my ears.

Since then, I have climbed many trees, rappelled a tower, and ziplined. I’ve sat atop rocky scenic

overlooks with the sun melting low in the sky. To some, it might appear I had overcome my fear of heights, but it’s still with me. I’ve learned adventure doesn’t mean fearlessness, but rather taking a deep breath and the next step forward. Stepping into my fear has often rewarded me with a fresh new perspective, whether a more magnificent view, a creative spark, or a greater sense of my Creator. And it has always been worth the trembling.

SW: I love it, and this explains how you painted such a rich setting in your newest release. Do you have a day job? If so, how do you find time in your day to write?

Tonya: I have a day job as a substitute teacher. I especially love encouraging students in reading, writing, and social skills. On more than one occasion, students have been so swept up in the excitement of revision and editing lessons with me that we’ve run long and forgotten to line up for an activity like music or P.E. It’s a beautiful relationship because my creativity feeds theirs, and their creativity feeds mine.

Serving as a substitute teacher allows some flexibility in my weekly schedule. I sometimes take days off to write. Occasionally, I’m able to write on breaks. I’ve even been known to turn on soft instrumental music and write with students during their writing time. There’s nothing like the smile of a child who has a story to share.

Suzie: It is so sweet that you get to share your joy and passion of writing with young minds. Are you a night owl or morning person?

Tonya: I’m more of a night owl. I enjoy the winding-down time of a household. I love to soak up the quiet moments when my boys seek me out for one last chat of the day before heading to bed. Our lab makes rounds to check on everyone before circling back to lie beside me. There’s a sweet silence after everyone else is tucked in and I have time to reflect, journal, write. It’s almost like my mind is a crockpot and the ideas spend all day on the back of the counter bubbling until they’re ready to be spooned out. In the mornings, I prefer quiet until after coffee. Unless I’m traveling. Then it’s like a switch flips, and I become a morning person, eager for the adventure.

Suzie: That crockpot analogy is great. Do you reward yourself when a book is finished? If so, what is your favorite treat?

Tonya: Yes, I do! Writing a story is like life. It’s a journey of ups and downs, joys and challenges. Writing requires a willingness to lean into emotions. It’s fun, but it’s also hard work. So I think it’s important to honor the milestone of completing a story.

 When I finished my first novella, a dear friend gave me a Beanie Baby “The End” Bear. So, I usually take Bear on a hike, or I’ll take it along on a girls’ dinner to celebrate. My oldest son gifted me a portable hammock stand for Christmas, so my next reward may be an entire day spent in a hammock with Bear…listening to other writers’ stories.

Suzie: Who was your favorite character to create?

Tonya: I dearly love creating characters. My most recent release is "Grace and Grit," a novella featured in the Romancing the Elements novella collection. It focuses on McKenna Carter, a counselor, and Rough Scott, a wilderness survival instructor. They take four women on a backcountry retreat. I’m always quite attached to my main characters, and McKenna and Rough’s story was so much fun to write. But CeCe, a supporting character, took me by surprise. She made me laugh more than I had anticipated. I never knew what she might pull out of her backpack next. She brings a touch of her wedding planner flair to her backcountry lean-to. CeCe has this city girl tough streak that adapts so well to the wilderness, even though she’s clearly out of her element. She’s a girly-girl with a lot of grit.

Suzie: CeCe was one of my favorite characters too. But I loved all of them by the ned of the book. 

How did you come up with the names of your characters?

Tonya: "Grace and Grit" features the natural element of fire. I knew I wanted the counselor to symbolize a cozy campfire. She had to be someone who could gather others and help them connect. The name McKenna, meaning born of fire, seemed a perfect fit, and so McKenna Carter stepped onto the page.

Rough Scott hails from Arkansas, the only diamond-producing state in the U.S. He is a diamond in the rough with the personality to match. Diamond in the rough is a nod to my grandfather and his military history. He was a great encourager of my writing and told everyone I was a writer long before I was brave enough to call myself one.

Suzie: So fun. McKenna and Rough were the perfect names for your hero and heroine in this tory. What are your three books on your current tbr?

Tonya: Hope Even After by Heather Greer—A story of addiction, healing, and hope. This book is on my TBR because so many lives are touched by addiction, and I’ve already heard how honestly and beautifully this story is written.

A Certain Mercy by Linda Dindzans. This will be my first time reading a story in the biblical fiction genre. A journey with Yeshua of Nazareth to His suffering on the cross will be a great read leading up to Easter.

Some Like It Scot by Pepper Basham. After some deep dives in reading, a grumpy/sunshine romcom sounds like the perfect way to come up for air.

Suzie: Sounds like you've got some great stories to enjoy ahead. What’s next for you as an author?

Tonya: I’m currently writing the last of a set of historical romance stories in The Lost and Found series. The Lost and Found stories are reverse treasure hunts: an object surfaces, and the owner must be found. But the main characters also find something they were missing in their spiritual lives.

After I finish my current project, I’ll begin work on a middle-grade series inspired by the students I work with. Fantasy stories with a hint of nostalgia and themes of resilience, hope, and imagination.

Suzie: I can't read to read you next book in your series, and the middle-grade series sounds like will be a lot of fun to write. How can we pray for you?

Tonya: The year 2026 is off to an overwhelmingly difficult beginning for my family, so sustaining prayers for endurance and wisdom are much appreciated. We are thankful for the goodness of God and His unfailing love, and for the love and prayers of others.

Romancing the Elements

When love is rooted in God, no force of nature can stand against it.

Four heartfelt novellas. Four forces of nature. One unshakable truth—faith-filled love can weather any storm.

Romancing the Elements brings together four uplifting romance stories where ordinary people discover extraordinary love when life pushes their comfort zones. From icy porches to coastal winds, rugged wilderness trails to unyielding stone, each story explores how faith, love, and surrender intertwine in unexpected seasons.

In this collection, readers will meet:

• A driven career woman and a gentle small-town engineer whose opposites-attract romance unfolds during an unexpected ice storm
• A television anchor starting over in a coastal city, learning that home—and love—may look different than she planned
• Two battle-tested veterans facing old wounds and new hope amid Montana’s untamed beauty
• A counselor and a survival expert leading a wilderness retreat where healing, faith, and love walk side by side

Blending small-town charm, emotional depth, and gentle humor, these novellas offer tender reminders that God often does His best work when hearts are stretched and plans are surrendered.

If you love the heartfelt faith, emotional warmth, and hopeful romance found in stories by Denise Hunter, Irene Hannon, or Becky Wade—settle in and let these stories carry you through every season of love.

Buy | Add to Goodreads

Giveaway

Enter to win an ebook copy of Romancing the Elements by leaving a comment and answering this question: Are you more of an adventurous outdoors type—or a cozy-campfire-and-book type? Winner will be chosen on March 6, 2026.

From City to Country, Beverly Varnado Lives Her Best Creative Life

 This week, we welcome Beverly Varnado to The Diamond Mine. Here is her official introduction:

Award winning Southern writer, Beverly Varnado, is a novelist, screenwriter, and blogger who writes to give readers hope in the redemptive purposes of God.

She has written a nonfiction memoir as well as several novels and screenplays, one of which was a finalist for the prestigious Kairos Prize in Screenwriting. The novella, A Season for Everything, is the third work in a series set in Worthville, Georgia. Previous novels set there are A Key to Everything and A Plan for Everything. Her work is also included in several anthologies and periodicals. As an artist, her work was recently chosen for exhibit at a State University.

She lives in Georgia with her husband, Jerry, and their chocolate Aussiedor who is outnumbered by several cats. Beverly is Mom to three children and Mimi to two grandchildren.

Readers may find me at One Ringing Bell, peals of words on faith, living, writing, and art at oneringingbell.blogspot.com. 

Also at www.BeverlyVarnado.com , on my Facebook author page https://www.facebook.com/BeverlyVarnadoAuthor, Twitter @VarnadoBeverly, or @ Beverly Varnado on Instagram. 

SW: Thank you for joining us, Beverly, we’re so grateful to have you stop in this week this week and share more about yourself. Let's get started with a couple “would you rather” questions.

Would you rather write in a rooftop garden surrounded by city noises — or in a quiet studio with cows as your neighbors? 

BV: I’m conflicted on that one, because I like both. In another career I spent much time in New York City, and I love the hustle and bustle and somehow can tune it out when necessary. But currently, my husband is pastor of a rural church which is surrounded by pastures and many cows and I love the setting. It’s a toss up.

SW: There are definitely advantages and disadvantages to either setting. Would you rather read a book with no page numbers or no chapter numbers?

BV: I think I could live with no chapter numbers, bit I’d have to have page numbers. 

SW: I agree with you. Alright, that’s enough of those. Tell us a little about you—family, hobbies, day job, or whatever you’d like to share that’s not in your bio. 

BV: I spend much time writing and painting in a little studio in our backyard.  I have also been a church musician since I was twelve years old, so the piano is big for me, and I sing with a symphony chorus.

For many years, my husband and I were involved in prison ministry, and we’ve traveled internationally on mission trips.

SW: You have a lot on your hands, but doing what you find joy in sure makes it all worthwhile, doesn't it? What are three books on your tbr?  

BV: My interests are varied. I’m looking forward to reading Ann Voskamp’s new book, Waymaker, a biography of Winston Churchill, and rereading Elizabeth Mussers’s classic, Swan House.

SW: I'm a fan of Elizabeth Musser. What does your writing space look like? 

BV: Though I have an office inside in a lovely sunroom, when the weather permits, I do prefer to be in my little studio in the backyard. I need ventilation when I paint so it works perfectly for that, and when I write, I have fewer interruptions. Here are a few shots.  My blog is called One Ringing Bell, so I love that vintage bell given to me by a neighbor. 

SW: What an inspiring space! Thank you for sharing the photos with us. Would you share with us a little about your road to publication?

BV: My passion for writing began at eight when I published my first magazine, which I sold door to door for a nickel. I also received a long awaited present of a journal for my birthday that year. The magazine folded in the first week, but the journal writing continues to the present day. 

So, though I’ve written since I was a child, it wasn’t until about twenty years ago, I began to sense God wanted me to devote more time to my writing and seek publication. I initially worked in non-fiction, but God led me to write a novel, which at the time, felt a bit like walking on water since I had always thought of writing fiction as doing the impossible. But somehow, through a lot of prayer and God’s help, I did it. 

I won a book deal in a writing competition for Give My Love to the Chestnut Trees, which was a semi-finalist for Jerry Jenkin’s Operation First Novel. My script for this story was a Kairos Prize finalist and was optioned for a film. I then indie-published Home to Currahee―a novel I wanted to dedicate to my father. He was in declining health, but blessedly, he saw it in print a short time before he died. Five years ago, a publisher contracted for a non-fiction book, Faith in the Fashion District, and at the same time I received a contract from Anaiah Press for The Key to Everything followed by A Plan for Everything and then the Christmas novella, A Season for Everything. I also have a blog, One Ringing Bell which has over 1000 posts, and I write for various print and online publications, as well.

SW: I love hearing how God led people to where they are in their writing journeys. Tell us more about your latest release.

BV: It is a Christmas novella, a sequel to the two other small town romances set in Worthville, Georgia that are  mentioned above. During these challenging times, I hope the readers of A Season for Everything take away hope and joy. My characters, Catherine and Collin, have recently faced major difficulties and wrestle with finding a new season in their life. The world is in such an upheaval at present, it’s sometimes difficult to imagine that life can look differently than it does now, but we have to keep up our hope. 

SW: Wonderful. Readers, there is more about A Season for Everything below. Which of your male characters (including works in progress) would you most like to go on a date with and which of them would you most like as your best friend?

BV: Most of my lead characters have at least one trait from my husband in each one, and he is also my best friend, so I don’t think I can answer that tricky question. 

SW: What are you currently working on?

BV: I’ve just finished an historical young reader that is under consideration and I’m also halfway through another romantic comedy that is a sequel to the Worthville smalltown romances. 

SW: We appreciate you taking time to share with us. Before we leave, how can we pray for you?

BV: Thank you for asking. Please pray that I would be faithful to use all that God has given me for His glory. 

Despite the glowing gas lights, festive wreaths, and holiday cheer that covers the town of Worthville, Catherine Todd is far from being in the Christmas spirit. She continues to wrestle with the losses that shattered her heart two years earlier, and while shopping for her kids, her overreaction to a disappointment confirms what she already knows―she’s stuck in her grief.

Children’s book author Collin Donnelly shows up in Worthville for a signing, but when an abrupt first interaction with local resident, Catherine, doesn’t go well, he wonders if he made a mistake coming to this small town. Eager to make amends, he soon learns they share a common interest in birding, and he invites her on an adventure that turns out to be filled with unexpected wonder for both of them. 

They soon find themselves working together to save an endangered bird, and the more time they spend together, the more Catherine is drawn to Collin. But there are forces mounting against them having a relationship, including Catherine’s reluctance to embrace the future, a difficult secret in Collin’s past, and an alliance Collin has with his agent, who clearly doesn’t want to remain his former girlfriend. 

Can they trust that, through God, there really is a season for everything?

Purchase your copy or any of Beverly's other books at AMAZON.

Meet Abigail Kay Harris, Debut Author

Today we welcome Abigail Kay Harris to the mine. I love it when readers like Abigail become authors. Her first novella arrives in just a few days (on Memorial Day). More about that later!

About the Author

Abigail Kay Harris is a daughter of the King with a personal degree in book-nerdiness. A sister to seven, her passionate love of the written word and deeper meanings hidden in normal things leads her to spend her time reading, writing, using sarcasm, and defining obscure words. When she's not chasing words, she enjoys watching shows, classic romance movies, tea, sunrises, and the outdoors, especially mountains, beaches, and forests.

Connect with Abigail:

Website | Newsletter | Facebook | Instagram | Pinterest | MeWe | Amazon | Goodreads

SW: Welcome, Abigail, we're elated to have you join us this week. Congratulations on your upcoming novella.

Let's play a quick round of "Would You Rather" as an ice breaker.

Would you rather have a rewind button or a pause button on your life?

AKH: A pause button, I wouldn’t want to rewind anything as I would lose the lessons I’ve learned in the past and I would prefer to know what I know now and see the mistakes and achievements I made in the past.

SW: Excellent answer! Would you rather be able to talk to animals or speak all foreign languages?

AKH: Oooh, this one is hard only because I would love to be able to speak to animals. They show you so much but that’s still not knowing what an animal is going through. However, I would pick to be able to speak all foreign languages, or at least be able to read them. I can read slight bits of Latin, German, and Dutch but have mostly forgotten what I played around with when in school.

SW: I'm waiver on that answer too, and it changes on any given day. Ok, one more: Would you rather be without internet for a week or without your phone?

AKH: This one hurts. I actually don’t have internet right now as my brother (family tech know-it-all) has been working on upgrades the past week, thankfully his laptop has internet and he’s kindly allowed for me to borrow it. Quite honestly, I would prefer not to have my phone for a week! I’ve done that many times as I seem to lose my phone often. The internet is a pain, and I am not so in love with the lack of ability to do everything I need to do to get ready to launch my book. It’s been fun and gut-wrenching for sure with several publishing deadlines! ;)

SW: Yeah, we do rely on both pretty regularly. 

Ok, let's go deeper. Tell us a little about yourself? Family? Hobbies?

AKH: I’m the oldest of eight kids, we’re the kids of a homeschooling stay at home small business owner mom, and an Air Force veteran dad. I’m a blogger and writer of nearly five years, a proud owner

of a hedgie, and lover of randomness. I love reading, writing, and especially love sharing books with others! I also love to be outside when it isn’t melting hot out. I’m normally reading or writing in my spare time, what else is needed as a hobby when I can read or write?! Another hobby of mine is researching and teaching myself everything I can learn/find about writing. I’ve always been interested in what goes into publishing a book and I’ve taught myself everything I’ve needed to write and indie publish my own book. The hardest of which was formatting and it turned out to be my second favorite thing about publishing a book. I also love graphic design and dabble in making covers for myself along with mock covers just for fun! I keep some of my favorites here!

SW: There is a plethora of things to learn about writing, for sure. And it changes often.

What drew you to writing?

AKH: I loved the idea of writing a book ever since I stopped hating reading in my preteens, in my midteens I had started a blog and was talking with lots of other writers. I thought it would be fun to publish as a young teen and didn’t really expect it to be hard… Which turned into a big joke when I started wanting to write just because I hadn’t finished a book yet and then I just couldn’t stop writing even when I wanted to give up.

SW: It definitely draws you in. I am acquainted with you from the book blogging world, so what are three books on your current TBR?

AKH: Oooh, I love this question because it has to do with books and I don’t have to answer an insane

question like what’s my favorite book. ;) I have some VERY different books on my TBR pile but right now my top next reads are In a Far-Off Land by Stephanie Landsem set around the Great Depression, a young adult spy-thriller called Deadlock by P.D. Atkerson, and finally a Marine romance by Jess Mastorakos A Match for the Marine is the first book in her series First Come Love.

SW: Yeah, I dislike that "What's your favorite book" question because I'm constantly adding favorites to my list. Can you share a little about your writing routine. 

AKH: I don’t have a set time to write lately. I mostly write every spare minute of the day I get! However, when I start a new story I take about two to four days to write out a VERY short draft around 2,000 words long by hand and then I break it up and put it in a doc to go back over each part making chapter breaks. I set it aside a while, around a week to a month, then I format it so I can make lots of notes, print it, do another round of rewrites, and do another write as I read my paper copy and type it into my laptop from anywhere to a week to a month depending on what other projects I do.

SW: Ah, another author who writes longhand to start. What have you learned while writing your first series?

AKH: That my writing style is weirdly different from any other writers and that that’s okay. I found my way of writing a story and it’s my way and that’s okay.

SW: Different is good! Tell us more about your Oh, the Brave series.

AKH: Ah, my current favorite subject. Haha, anyway, the Oh, The Brave series features four main books, one being my novella releasing on the 31st, followed by three novels each releasing on a holiday notable to military, military families, and Americans! Oh, The Lamented will release on November 11th (2021) in honor of Veterans’ Day, Oh, The Dwindling will release on the Fourth of July (2022) in honor of the 4th, and Oh, The Slain will release on September 11th (2022) in honor of 9/11. There are also going to be some shorter stories along the way or after the main novels are out because I can’t seem to leave these characters alone. The series was born out of a very short little flash fiction I wrote a while ago and I couldn’t be happier with how it is turning out.

SW: Readers have lots to look forward to from you over the next couple of days.

I saved the most important question for last. How can we pray for you?

AKH: That I would write what God wants me to and not be discouraged by the setbacks that happen sometimes, and that I would clearly show my passion for the subjects I’m writing about in a way that glorifies God.

SW: Thank you for taking the time to share with us, Abigail and the best of luck with your series. Readers, please tell us in the comments what intrigues you about the Oh, the Brave series or welcome Abigail. And now, let's here's the promised information about Oh, the Fallen, releasing this Memorial Day (5/31/21). You can pre-order the ebook for $0.99.

About the Book

In the cause of freedom, some will give their all.

When Matt Renicker joins the Army, he's determined to give his best for his country and his Lord, even if it means risking everything he loves most. But when tragedy strikes on a routine patrol, more than one heart is left shattered and lamenting.

In the wake of a terrible loss, will those left behind find the strength to go on? Or will the faith, family, and freedom Matt fought to preserve be broken beyond repair?

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