Do you want to know a secret? Yes? Come closer so I can whisper in your ear.
I fall in love…often. With different men.
Shocked? Don’t be. I promise my husband knows about every one of them, and he’s not threatened by my love interests. Why? Because they aren’t real and because I have to love them. I mean, if I can’t fall in love with each of the heroes I create, how can I expect my readers to fall in love with them? It’s crazy, just when I think I couldn’t love another hero more, the next one comes along and sweeps me off my feet again.
In my forthcoming Inspy blogs, I plan to tell you a little bit about these ‘other’ men in my life. Some are ready to meet you. Others are anxiously waiting to make their entrance into readers’ worlds.
Today I’d like you to introduce you to my newest hero who will make his appearance on cyber bookshelves on June 23rd when the boxed set SPLASH! releases.
This hero is dear to my heart for several reasons. He’s had to deal with the terrible loss of his wife and has risen to the challenge of raising his infant daughter on his own, and my, has she turned out cute. He also lives in a place so dear to my heart—the country of my birth—Zambia.
When Autumn Macarthur approached me earlier this year to write a novella set in Africa that had to take place in summer and on or near water, I knew there was no other place to write this story than along the mighty Zambezi River. Because I’d visited there, had ridden on a majestic African elephant, and knew a little of the plight of not only African orphan children, but orphaned elephants, too, it didn’t take long before widower Simon Hartley was born, along with his orphanage of infant elephants. Isn’t he simply yummy? He’s actually also charming and witty. For me, however, Simon’s brokenness and hesitance to move into a relationship, even though his wife’s been gone for over five years, is even more attractive than his looks. But will his heartache keep Simon’s heart orphaned? I hope you’ll feel the same tug at your heartstrings from this elephant whisperer’s tragic tale when you read Orphaned Hearts.
‘I can tell you what will get your thumbs up … cute little five-year-old, Chloe (named after her mother).
If you’re more of an animal lover, however, you’ll definitely love this feller—Shumpa. He’s Chloe’s little guy.
I can’t wait to share Simon’s story with you, and so I’m going to give you a tiny taste of his story from the Prologue.
Simon swallowed hard as he shook his head, the enormity of it all syphoning his very breath. There is no life in death. For years he’d believed there was, but with Chloe’s death, his beliefs changed. Simon could no longer place his faith in a God of mercy and love. How could he when that same God would allow a young mother to die as she kissed her newborn with her last breath? The same newborn she’d waited years to conceive, never doubting that her prayers would be answered.
How could this be love?
How could this be grace?
Orphaned Hearts is but a small part of an exciting line up of summer romances from eight other awesome authors—the perfect pool, river or seaside companion on hot, lazy days.
Before we part ways again, I’d love to hear whether you find yourself falling in love again and again when you’re lost in a good book with a dashing hero. (You can whisper in my ear if you don’t want anyone else to hear.)
When his wife dies in childbirth, Zambia conservationist Simon Hartley pours his life into raising his daughter and his orphan elephants. He has no time, or desire, to fall in love again. Or so he thinks.
Wanting to escape English society and postpone an arranged marriage, Lady Abigail Chadwick heads to Africa for a year to teach the children of the Good Shepherd Orphanage. Upon her arrival she is left stranded at Livingstone airport…until a reluctant Simon comes to her rescue.
Now only fears born of his loss, and secrets of the life she’s tried to leave behind, can stonewall their romance, budding in the heart of Africa.
Orphaned Hearts is available from June 23 in SPLASH! ~ 9 Refreshing Romances Filled with Faith. 99c Limited time offer eBook boxed set. Pre-order on Amazon.
USA Today bestselling author, MARION UECKERMANN’s passion for writing was sparked when she moved to Ireland with her family. Her love of travel has influenced her contemporary inspirational romances set in novel places. Marion and her husband again live in South Africa and are setting their sights on retirement when they can join their family in the beautiful Cape.
Orphaned Hearts sounds wonderfully romantic…and adorable. Did you say orphan elephants?? I won’t be able to resist the book!
I had the privilege to review Splash and Orphaned Hearts was one of my favorites.Thanks for painting a beautiful picture of Africa.
Love this! I’ve also had the pleasure of reading Orphaned Hearts. Fans of Inspy romance will delight in this beautiful story and a chance to see Africa from the virtual pages of this novella. Well done, Marion.
Marion, I love this story. And you’re right about falling in love with the heroes we’ve created and those that draw us deeply into a mesmerizing book. Great post.
I love this story. Every time I see pictures of elephants on FB I think of the picture you painted with this novella.
Great post indeed, I have fallen in love with the story already. It is a master piece!
Sweet! I can’t wait to get to your story in Splash and meet Simon :)
Sara, those orphan elephants are so adorable I went and adopted one :) Hope you get to read the story.
Linda, thanks for the great review of Splash! and Orphaned Hearts. So glad that you enjoyed your time along the Zambezi with Orphaned Hearts.
Heidi, thanks for taking the journey with me.
Johnnie, you’ll remember me falling for one of your heroes, too … a certain dashing English Captain :)
Janet, thank you for helping me paint the picture. And the ellies were certainly great characters to work with, too.
Thank you, Bambo. Hope you get to read Simon’s story.
LOL, like I said Autumn … I should have written under my maiden name. You would have gottten to M far quicker than that U :) But, I guess being last does have other benefits.
Marion, great post! You’ve reminded me of a conversation with one of my beta readers where we were talking about the hero in one of my books. A third person joined the conversation and thought we were gushing over a real person, lol. Our poor husbands will just have to cope :)
LOL, Narelle, that is so funny. But yes, our heroes and heroines really do become so real to us. I always joke that I will never be lonely because I have the people in my head to keep me company :)
Whispers in your ear “I fall in love with many men too…on a frequent basis”……..
But it’s okay, it just makes me fall more fuller in love with my wonderful husband because all the qualities of each hero I have met in a book are exactly the ones I see in him! If an author can do that for me, then I know that’s a good writer :-)
“Orphaned Hearts” sounds like a great book! I enjoy reading about a widow or widower who finds love again when they weren’t looking. Because it happened to my husband….he has me :-) God can mend a wounded & hurting heart after tragedy and I love to seeing it unfold in a story. This little excerpt seals the deal for me, I need to buy “Splash” just so I can read more about Simon & little Chloe….and of course Shumpa!
I should add to this…..as well as reading all these wonderful authors books….I don’t wish to exclude any of them :-)
Psst, Trixi, I won’t tell a soul :)
How wonderful to hear a little of you and your husband’s story.Thank you for sharing. I’ve no doubt you’re going to find him in Simon, too.
And yes, Splash! has been compiled by great authors. You’re going to love the set.