My new novella (really more of a short novel due to its length), Echoes of Edinburgh, releases tomorrow! I had so much fun writing this one. I’ll be honest: most publishers stay as far away as possible from a book set in a foreign locale. I love to travel; it’s one of my favorite things in life! I was blessed to have done quite a bit B.C. (in this case, “before children”). When I learned the publisher for my Christmas novellas, Pelican Book Group/White Rose Publishing, was launching a new line called Passport to Romance (romances set in foreign locations), I jumped on-board immediately. Let me give you a little background…
I’ve always said the best part of my college experience was the quarter I spent studying abroad in London instead of on the main campus. Earning a 4.0 for studying art at The Tate Gallery, attending productions at the Royal Globe (Shakespeare) Theatre, the opera, the ballet and listening to the London Symphony Orchestra—I ask you, what could be a better learning experience for a relatively sheltered 19-year-old girl from southern Indiana? What a blessing! My time in London opened my eyes to other cultures, customs, languages and proved one of the most fabulous times of my life. I also credit my London Centre semester for helping me become more independent and adventurous. During my ten weeks in London (followed by a three-week tour of the Continent), I embarked on a fun weekend jaunt with two roommates on the high-speed train from London to Glasgow, Scotland, and then traveled from there to Edinburgh. Although my time in Scotland was short, I fell in love with the beautiful countryside, in particular, and with the city’s rich history. 
The book is dedicated in part to my cousins, Terry and Lyntha Eiler, who have gone to Edinburgh for 30 years with photojournalism students from Ohio University. Terry and Lyntha were invaluable resources of viewing Edinburgh through the eyes of Americans abroad. They provided the type of “insider” tips only observed by those who’ve been to Auld Reekie and Athens of the North multiple times. While many aspects of the city have not changed, others have transitioned through the years, as represented by the recent vote by Scotland as to whether to secede from the UK (voted down).
Without wanting to sound like a travelogue of Edinburgh, I tried to incorporate a number of notable tourist sights in the capital city of Scotland as seen from the perspective of Americans—my heroine, Shelby Harmon, and her hero, Harrison (“Harry”) Reed—with a sense of humor, adventure and romance. Many of my readers may never personally experience Edinburgh, so I wanted to give them an idea of how fabulous it is! I’ll confess the one thing I didn’t love about Edinburgh was the food, which I incorporate with well-intentioned humor in Echoes of Edinburgh. As Harrison tells Shelby, the Scots have two favorite meals: breakfast and tea. I will confess that Shelby is more adventurous than I am when it comes to tasting the dishes indigenous to Scotland!
I also needed a place for my characters to attend a worship service. Imagine my delight in my research when I discovered Carrubbers Christian Centre, a non-denominational, evangelical church located on Edinburgh’s famous Royal Mile. Perfect! The photo on the left is a photo of this fabulous church which started as a mission in an alley in 1858 with the purpose of introducing children to Christ’s teachings. D.L. Moody helped raise money to build the church, and he preached at the laying of the foundation stone. It’s one of the original buildings on Edinburgh’s famous Royal Mile still used for its original purpose. Whenever I make it back to Edinburgh, I’m definitely going to pay Carrubbers a visit!
Let me tell you a bit more about Echoes of Edinburgh. The best way to do that is by giving you the “back copy” blurb:
To honor her dying father’s wish, Chicago stockbroker Shelby Harmon promises to hand deliver an envelope addressed to “Robert Nichols, Personal & Confidential.” Her quest to find Robert leads her to a most unlikely place—the Castlehill Gardens outside Scotland’s Edinburgh Castle. Who is this fiercely private man and what is his connection to Harmony Lane, her family’s horse farm in Lexington, Kentucky?
Harrison Reed cautions Shelby against dredging up hurtful memories for his close friend, Robert. As they explore the city together, Shelby and Harrison find themselves increasingly drawn to one another. When the contents of the mysterious envelope are revealed, the answer gives her hope for the future of Harmony Lane. Is the time spent in Edinburgh with Harrison destined to be nothing more than a beautiful memory? Did Shelby lose her heart in Edinburgh…or find her way home again?
One of the predominant themes in all my books is one of finding our true purpose and seeking God’s will for our life. Echoes of Edinburgh addresses this issue from both the perspective of my hero and heroine and told with humor and heart. I loved writing this book, and I hope you’ll take the opportunity to read it!
NOTE: Please leave a comment on this blog post about anything to do with travel, foreign or otherwise, and you could win one of two eBook copies of Echoes of Edinburgh!
Blessings,
~JoAnn
Matthew 5:16
USA Today bestselling author JoAnn Durgin is the author of over twenty novels since her debut, Awakening (Lewis Legacy Book 1), released in late 2010. Her books include the beloved Lewis Legacy Series, as well as its prequel, Prelude. She is also the author of Catching Serenity, Heart's Design, and Gentle Like the Rain, a sequel to Heart's Design. Other novels include Echoes of Edinburgh, The Wondrous Love Series, Perchance to Dream, and the popular Starlight Christmas Series. Her latest release is The Christmas Challenge and coming up next is Pursuit, the highly anticipated Book 8 in The Lewis Legacy Series. JoAnn lives with her family in her native southern Indiana and now enjoys writing full-time and spending time with her first granddaughter, Amelia Grace. Sharing the hope and joy to be found in a relationship with Christ is her passion, and JoAnn adores writing and reading Christian romance. She loves to hear from her readers via her website or her Author JoAnn Durgin page on FB!
Sounds like a great book, Joann. I love traveling to foreign countries…especially by boat. I just returned home from a cruise to Grand Cayman and Jamaica. I know your book is not about cruising, but it’s how I often see other countries.
Hi Terri and thanks for your comment. We’re having some technical difficulties here at InspyRomance, but bear with us. I’m glad you could see my post, although I can’t even read your comment in its entirety, unfortunately. We’ll figure it out, and we appreciate your faithfulness to our blog. Many blessings!
This sounds delightful, JoAnn! I can’t wait to read my copy. Alas, I don’t qualify to win one from you here!
Sounds wonderful Joanne. I dream of someday traveling to Scotland. Men in kilts. Score! Can’t wait to read this one. Keep the great books coming.
Sorry for adding an extra e to your name JoAnn.
Your post made me want to squeal in delight. Next Tuesday I’m off on my first international adventure to Ireland with my best girlfriend. I’m sure I’ll come back stoked to add some Irish to my stories!
How blessed you were to spend some time abroad during college! Awesome idea to put much of what you learned about the country, the scenery and the history in your new book! The book sounds fabulous. Thank you for the opportunity to win a copy of the e-book.
I have a friend who’s story is coming out through Passport to Romance. Your story sounds amazing and fun. I love to read novels set in Europe. I can’t wait to read it.
I’m at the American Christian Fiction Writers Conference in St. Louis and finally able to see your comment, Terri. Your trip to Grand Cayman and Jamaica sounds terrific. I’ve never been there, but my husband and I did take a cruise to the Caribbean last January and it was exactly what I needed to relax and unwind. So, going by boat is a great way to travel! Blessings.
Thanks so much, Val. I’m enjoying a really great book right now with the best of both worlds, historical and contemporary. Something about snowflakes and a tiara. Blessings. :)
Thanks for stopping by and commenting, Belle! No problem on the spelling of my name and most people add the extra “e,” anyway. I hope you’ll enjoy Scotland through the eyes of Shelby and Harrison. And be sure to catch the fun little scene where Shelby tries to convince “Harry” to get a kilt. Blessings! :)
Deb! I’m at the ACFW (hugged our cute photographer roomie from last year for you). Miss you, but someone here told me you’re off to Ireland next week! Christine’s Lindsay’s Londonderry Dreaming (another Passport to Romance) is a fun novella you might want to download for your trip! Have a fantastic time, and I hope to read about your travels in your future posts (and maybe a book!). Blessings. :)
Hi Faith, and thanks so much for your comment! Yes, I was incredibly blessed to have spent time abroad in college. In addition to all the fabulous places I visited, I became much more independent during that time and learned a lot! I loved everything about it. I had a ball writing Shelby and Harrison’s story, and I hope you get the opportunity to read it! Blessings.
Hi Erin! The Passport to Romance series is so much fun, and I’m thankful my publisher moved forward with this line. I’m sure to read your friend’s book. :) I love traveling abroad, and it also makes me appreciate my home country even more and all that we Americans take for granted. Blessing!
We do indeed take a lot for granted.
I have wanted to visit Scotland since I was a pre-teen! I’ve never flown, but I’d be willing to get on a plane to go there; of course, my hubby’s hand would be sore and bruised because I’d be holding it so tightly the entire time. Would love to win a copy of this. :)
I’ve traveled extensively in the US, but never off this continent. As an adult, most of my travels have been by motor home. I do love stories set in other countries. Just this year I really enjoyed a novel set in Scotland, Five Days in Skye by Carla Laureano. I’m looking forward to reading Echoes of Edinburgh.
Ah, Melanie, I hope you DO get to visit Scotland one day (and that your hubby will be there to hold your hand). Thanks so much for your comment and I hope you can “escape” with Shelby and Harrison’s adventures in Edinburgh. Many blessings to you and thanks for the comment! :)
Thanks so much for your comment, Kay! I just hugged Carla Laureano this morning, as a matter of fact (at a Christian writer’s conference in St. Louis, MO). She’s a lovely, lovely lady. I had a ball writing Echoes of Edinburgh, and I hope you’ll get the opportunity to read it! Traveling by motor home is pretty fun, too, and our country has so much to offer! Blessings.
Well, I just found out many things about you I didn’t know. What an interesting life you’ve had. I enjoyed hearing about it. Now, I want to read your new book asap…..and if I win it…I’ll be able to. Thanks for this giveaway and the opportunity to win a fabulous gift.
I apologize if this shows up twice, but I previously commented and it’s not showing up now. ?? I’m wondering if my browser isn’t working properly. Thanks for your comment, Melanie. Visiting other countries is definitely worth getting on a plane. Then again, I LOVE to fly. I hope you’ll have the opportunity to go to Scotland, especially, one day. I had such fun with Shelby and Harrison’s story, and until you can travel there, I hope you can “escape” in their adventures! Blessings, and thank you for the comment.
Hi Barb! Thanks for stopping by InspyRomance. We like to give away books here! The Lord has blessed, and I’ve was able to visit many countries (before marriage). Traveling is one of my favorite things in life, actually. Jim and I hope to travel together to Britain and Europe one day. It’s on our “wish list.” I hope you’ll have the opportunity to read Shelby and Harrison’s story soon. Blessings to you!
JoAnn, Echoes sounds like my kind of story and know you’ve made it a great one. I especially want to read it because I have so many Scottish ancestors. Wanderlust is my middle name also. Been privileged to have gone many places, but not Scotland-yet. Happy for all your success!
Many blessings to you also, as you continue writing Christian romance and living for Christ.
Hey, Jude! I just love saying that. :) Jim has some Scottish ancestors, as well, although I don’t believe I’ve even mentioned that in any of my blogs! Just don’t know much about them, although Sarah’s doing some family genealogy for a college course right now. Maybe she’ll be able to give us some more information. I use the word “wanderlust” quite a bit in my stories, you know. Hope you get the opportunity to visit Scotland some day, my friend. Until then, I hope you can enjoy Shelby and Harrison’s adventures in Edinburgh! Blessings, and thanks for the comment. :)
Thanks for all the lovely comments, everyone! Stay tuned soon for the announcement of the winners of the two eBooks! Blessings.
I am a little more than half way through this book. I am so engaged with the story line and the characters. Loving my trip to Scotland through you eyes and writing JoAnn!! <3
Ah, Elaine, THANK you so much! I’m so happy that you’re enjoying Shelby and Harrison’s adventures in Edinburgh. I cherish your friendship and am thrilled that you’re one of my very BEST readers. Many blessings, and thanks for the comment!! :)