The excitement never grows old. In less than two weeks, my newest novel, “Where We Belong” will be out in bookstores. This is book #25 for me (unbelievable!) yet its release is as exciting to me as book #1 was. I have spent a year working on this manuscript, researching, writing and rewriting, editing and revising. It has required a lot of hard work and many long, lonely hours. And now, readers will probably devour it in a week or two. But that’s okay. More than anything else, I want to give my readers an enjoyable story. Personally, I love to read a book that makes me laugh, makes me cry, and makes me think—don’t you? I hope this one accomplishes all those things.
Chapter One begins in the Sinai Desert in the year 1890. Here are the first two lines, just to whet your appetite:
“Rebecca Hawes lay awake in her tent, convinced that the howling wind was about to lift her entire camp into the air and hurl it to the far side of the desert. The desolate wasteland of the Sinai Peninsula lay beyond her tent door, thousands of miles and a world away from her home in Chicago.”
So, what is this book about? Here is a brief synopsis (without any spoilers. I hate spoilers!):
In the city of Chicago in 1890, the rules and expectations for Victorian women are strict, their roles in life limited. But sisters Rebecca and Flora Hawes are not typical Victorian ladies.Their love of adventure and their desire to use their God-given talents have taken them out of society ballrooms and delivered them to the Sinai Desert—and into the teeth of a sandstorm. Accompanied by Soren Petersen, their somber young butler, and Kate Rafferty, a plucky street urchin learning to be their lady’s maid, the two sisters are on a quest across the desert, chasing rumors of an important biblical manuscript. As the expedition becomes ever more dangerous and uncertain, all four travelers sift through memories and adventures of their past, recalling the events that shaped them, and the journeys and providence that brought them to this very time and place.
There is adventure and romance in this armchair journey into another era. But mostly it’s the story of two unique sisters whose faith leads them to follow God along a very unconventional path. Thirty-three years ago, my life veered away from the ordinary when I left my teaching career to write books. It was a risk I’m glad I took.
So how about you? Have you been on any unusual journeys as you’ve followed God? What risks have you taken?
Be sure to check my blog again in two weeks for a chance to win a free copy of “Where We Belong.”
Latest posts by Lynn Austin (see all)
- Can An Old Dog Learn New Tricks? - November 15, 2021
- A 1951 Christmas - November 1, 2021
- Researching? - October 18, 2021
I can’t wait, Lynn! The cover is just beautiful, too! Congrats on another new book. You’re right…it never does get old!
What a fascinating idea, Lynn! I’m sure it’s nothing like The Mummy (Ha!) but it reminds me a bit of the opening of that movie with the Victorian librarian on the hunt for artifacts. Love the idea!
The book sounds so exciting! I love reading about Victorian women who venture outside of societal norms.
I went back to college to finish my degree at the age of 45 and then taught school for 23 years. So glad I took that turn in my life.
Your new book sounds Amazing, just as all of your books I’ve read are! I have read all of your lastest books and I am working on the earlier books you wrote! I will definitely be purchasing this one as well!
As I read the long hours you out into this book, I feel bad that I will have it read in 2-3 days. But again, as with all of your books, I will keep this one to read again.
We as readers are so excited each month about the new books coming out that we sometimes forget the time and lonely hours authors put into their books to make them just right for us to read. I appreciate reminders, because it makes me appreciate you even more! I am that person who always, always reads author’s notes, about the author, anything that’s tells why and how the book came to be. Thank you! Without Christian fiction authors our lives would be so boring! Especially mine, because I am on disability and many days I can’t do anything except read!
Blessings! Joy
When we were newlyweds, my hubby was in the Navy. We got orders for Alaska, then they switched to Guam! There, we started working with church groups, which led to Bible School when he was discharged. We didn’t know what was going to happen but God did and He led us every step of the Way! Now we are retired but hubby still preaches when our pastor can’t ( he’s an Army reservist).
I love your books, and this one sounds delightful! I am adding it to my wish list!!! 😊 Blessings as you continue to write.