Happy Wednesday, Inspy Romance Readers! I’m Becky Doughty – thanks for having me.
I’m often asked where I get my ideas. Sometimes a story is sparked by a setting, a snippet in the news, or a random anecdote or conversation I overhear. Other times, I cull things from my own experiences and work them over until they become someone else’s story altogether.
Such is the case with my book, All the Way to Heaven.
As a missionary kid, I grew up traveling the globe, but I’d never been to Italy. Unfortunately, my husband loathes flying, and the ten-plus-hour flights to get there and back were a major roadblock for us taking a romantic getaway to Italy together. So a friend and I went on a girlfriend getaway instead.
Like Ani Tomlin in All the Way to Heaven, we boarded the wrong train out of Pisa and lost much of our first afternoon in Italy. When we finally arrived in lovely Lucca, we were greeted by Fabio, our ebullient guesthouse owner, who delivered us to our rooms above a pastry shop. And each morning, like Ani, we were awakened by a gregarious Romanian woman, Georgiana (Madalina in the book), who woke us with her beautiful singing while she set up tables on the cobblestone sidewalk beneath our window. (And like Ani, we too, caught a glimpse of a rather amorous couple through the open window across from ours….)
Lucca, Italy (photo from Deposit Photos)
We rode bicycles around the city ramparts, climbed the 230 steps to the gardens atop the Guinigi Tower, ate candied almonds and gelato, practiced our terrible Italian on patient shopkeepers and baristas, bought locally-made silk scarves—Lucca is famous for their silk merchants—and wandered the streets just drinking it all in. Every moment of our time in that city was glorioso!
It was at our next stop that I received one of those dreaded phone from home—my beloved father had suffered a terrible stroke. I got to speak briefly with him by phone—such a gift. I told him I loved him, that I was on my way home. We scrambled to get any available flights, but it still took us almost three days to get back, and in the end, I arrived too late to say goodbye in person.
In my grief, I tucked away the memories of those lovely days in Lucca and buried them somewhere at the back of my heart. For the longest time, I couldn’t talk about the trip, couldn’t look at photos, couldn’t unpack my bag of souvenirs.
Then one October morning seven years later, I came awake to the echoes of Georgiana singing at my window, her voice drifting out of my dreams with me. I lay still, tears seeping from the corners of my eyes, and allowed myself to be swept back to Lucca where I’d awakened on a glorious Tuscan morning to that same haunting voice.
I knew then that there was a story to be told, and in the telling of it, I’d find some long-overdue closure. Like Fabio says to Ani at the beginning of All the Way to Heaven, “Lucca is full of light and joy. If you look for it with open eye and open heart and open hand, you will find happy here, okay?”
So that’s what I did. I opened my eyes, my heart, and my hands, and found light, beauty, and joy in my memories of Lucca. And in so doing, I found a happily-ever-after romance for Ani, too.
I call this a “beauty from ashes” book (Isaiah 61:1-3). God turned my Italy trip from bitter to sweet in the process of writing All the Way to Heaven!
Over the summer, an idea started percolating for a second “trip to Italy” romance, and although All the Way to Heaven is a standalone novel, I’m happy to announce that Sunlight on my Shoulders, A Tuscan Romance Book 2, is coming this fall!
To celebrate, I’m giving away one paperback copy (Continental US only – sorry!) of All the Way to Heaven, and two digital copies (worldwide). Have you or has someone you know had a “beauty from ashes” experience? Leave a comment below to be entered in the #giveaway!
Ani is finally on her dream trip to Italy, but boarding the wrong train on her first day derails her idealistic plans, and things just go downhill from there. When a bicycle accident in the medieval city of Lucca lands Ani in the care of the bighearted Lazzaro family, she gratefully accepts their invitation to recover at the family’s Tuscan country villa. Surrounded by ancient olive groves, vineyards, and sunflower fields, Ani finds healing for her heart as well. Just as she’s getting back on her feet, an unexpected turn of events leave her doubting the very existence of happily ever after.
Becky Doughty writes inspirational fiction overflowing with love, friendship, humor, and lots of family drama. And usually a dog or two. She’s also the voice behind more than a hundred “family-friendly” audiobooks.
Becky is married to her champion of 30-plus years. They have three adult children and a growing brood of delicious grandchildren. They share their lives with too many animals, a couple of riotous, rambling gardens, and a house that’s alive with music at all hours.
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Valerie Comer is a USA Today bestselling author and a two-time Word Award winner who writes where food meets faith and fiction. She injects experience laced with humor into her green clean romances. Her life on a small farm in western Canada provides the seed for stories of contemporary inspirational romance. Like many of her characters, Valerie and her family grow much of their own food and are active in the local foods movement as well as their church. She only hopes her creations enjoy their happily-ever-afters as much as she does hers, shared with her husband, adult kids, and adorable granddaughters.
Hi there! This book sounds lovely, it is a dream of mine to go to Italy, all of my grandparents were born there before coming to the US as children!
Your book sounds beautiful. My sister-in-law was in Europe when her dad died and it took forever to get the message to her to come home. She was in her 20’s. It was many years before she could travel again but she loves to now. My nephew was supposed to go to Italy this summer for a delayed honeymoon. The good news is that they will put that money towards a house.
Many condolences, Becky, on your loss. God is so good to allow us to find the beauty in ashes. I’m querying my book that takes my childhood abuse & turns it into a story of life & second chances. I’m excited to read your book!
The book sounds good! I haven’t been called home from a trip for an emergency, my family emergency happened before I left to go on a trip. Also, my whole work family was effected one time by a co-workers death. He and his significant other had gone to Germany for vacation, and one morning, after they’d had breakfast, they were getting ready to go on their tour for the day, when he had a massive heart attack and died. We were all devastated. It was an ordeal trying to get his body back to FL.
Hi Paula – Thanks for stopping by! How lovely is it that you have such strong connections to Italy! It really is a country with a unique and rich history, and if you ever are able to “get back to the homeland” then I highly recommend it.
Becky
Lori – thanks for stopping by today. My heart aches for your sister-in-law even now, but I’m so glad she was finally able to get her travel bug back. I hope her traveling has been cathartic for her. And how wonderful that your nephew and his bride are looking at the current upheaval in a positive way – good for them! Italy will be waiting for them when they’re ready, right?
Becky
What a beautiful story, this book sounds lovely. I’ve had a situation where I felt God wasn’t providing what we thought we needed when we thought it should happen, but when He did provide it it was so much better than if it had been in our timing. Thank you for sharing and for the chance to win!
LeighAnne – Thank you for your kind words. Yes, He does specialize in healing and restoring, doesn’t He? I’m glad you’re finding your way through your own painful journey, and that you’re planning to share it with others. What a gift.
Enjoy All the Way to Heaven!
Becky
Trudy – We are going through a series in our church called “Disrupted” and it’s all about this very thing, when life doesn’t go the way we planned and we do the scramble dance – or when there’s pain and loss, the staggering-blindly-through-the-murky-places dance. But God is the ultimate dance partner, isn’t He? We just have to learn to let Him lead – something I struggle with on a daily basis!
Thanks for stopping in today!
Becky
Oh Megan – I can totally relate. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve asked for the patience to wait for HIS timing, not mine, because I know HIS plan is always much better than mine, even when I can’t see it clearly. But man-oh-man, do I want to help Him out sometimes! I mean, I’m Rosie the Riveter, a “Git ‘er done” kinda girl, and although I have yet to actually snap my fingers in God’s direction, I have been known to mutter under my breath, “Come on, come on, come on!” a time or two…kazillion.
Thanks for stopping by!
Becky
Thanks for having me here today, gang! I’m loving your “beauty from ashes” stories and I appreciate you sharing. I’m excited to be able to share All the Way to Heaven with you, and I can’t wait to find out who gets copies!
Becky D
What a beautiful story!
My first book was a bit of a “beauty from ashes” story, too. I had just started writing it when I got word that my sister had tried to commit suicide. I couldn’t continue working on the fluffy romance story. But the next year, after my sister got counseling, anti-depressant medicine, and came back to God, I was able to incorporate some of her story in the book and use it for good. One reader has already contacted me that the story parallels hers quite closely and helped her deal with hers. God is so good to turn our ashes into something beautiful, isn’t He? <3
Don’t enter me in the giveaway, since I already have, and have read, All the Way to Heaven. I think I’ve read most of your books!
We were in Cambodia 7 years ago when we got word my father had died. We knew he was having more and more health issues, but he insisted we go on the trip. We had been able to have a long phone conversation with him just a few hours before he went to heaven, and the Lord comforted us. It sure helps when the loved one knows Jesus!
This sounds wonderful. I haven’t had this to happen to me, but a friend of mine was vacationing in Florida with her son and his family when they got word that her mother had suffered a massive stroke. She did make it back before she passed, but her mother lived for nearly a week, unresponsive. It was hard, but the family pulled together so beautifully at their mother’s deathbed, and I think we were all blessed by not only their mother, but by the rest of the family, as well! God DOES bring beauty from ashes!
I don’t have a beauty from ashes story but I would like to be entered into the contest. My only concept on that is My house burned about 15 years ago. It was my childhood home. I was there at the time of the fire and barely escaped with some pets. I found help from family and friends. I am now retired in my little home on the property. I am happy here.
Lila – wow! What a wonderful redemption story. Thank you for sharing. I love that your sister’s journey got to be part of your first novel – what a treasure.
Thanks for sharing!
Becky
Margaret – Yay! I’m so glad you stopped to share anyway.
What a precious gift from your father – to encourage you to go on that trip. And that you were able to communicate with him before he went on his own trip Heavenward! Isn’t it good to know that we will see our loved ones again?
Now that’s a precious gift, isn’t it?
Hugs,
Becky
Regina,
I think that is a perfect example of God taking a terribly difficult situation and turning it into something redemptive and healing. How wonderful that her family was able to come together that way. I think we often look at funerals as a dismal dark affair, but I like to picture them as send-offs for a loved one getting to go on the trip of a lifetime! We get to stand on shore and wave them off, knowing that one day, we’ll be reunited again.
Thank you for sharing,
Becky D
Connie – Yours is (quite literally!) a TRUE beauty from ashes story! That you could lose so much in a fire, escaping with little more than your lives, but find help and comfort in your family and friends… then to get to retire in a little home there? I love this story so much!
Thank you for sharing,
Becky D
I can’t imagine getting a call like that while being so far away. I so enjoy traveling and while I was in Rome I had the best pizza ever. Still think about that little tucked away shop.
Jennifer – I’m not big on thin crust pizza here in the US, but I’m telling you, the crusts at the little pizzerias we visited were amazing! We never saw a “thick crust” pizza anywhere.
Glad you stopped by – made me hungry for pizza! Hee-hee!
Becky D
Becky, how wonderful that you have finally gotten to come to visit! I keep touting your books here. Not to mention all the audio books you’ve done for Valerie Comer. Well, I did mention it , didn’t I? I want to thank you again for the email prayers you have offered for my wife and me. You have truly been part of our ongoing journey from ashes to beauty.
I just read All the Way to Heaven a few weeks ago and enjoyed it thoroughly. I look forward to #2!
To all my fellow IR readers: if you do not already know Becky and her wonderful stories, you NEED to read Elderberry Croft, The Gustafson Girls and the Seven Virtues Ranch series as well as All the Way to Heaven. Her gift of storytelling is amazing and worth every moment you spend with her books.
Thanks again, Becky.
Lincoln Clark
Lincoln – thank you for your kind and lovely words about my books. It’s nice to connect with you here! I think of you and your wife and her mother often – I continue to pray whenever the Lord puts you on my heart.
You brought a big smile to my face today – thank you.
Becky
My husband and I have lived out of state from our parents for the last 15 years. Thankfully, we have been blessed to be able to make it home to both of my parents and his dad before they passed away. Those times were the absolute hardest to go through, not knowing if we would make it in time. And the grief afterwards, wondering if we had made the right decision for our family by living so far away from our loved ones and not being there for them at the end, has been difficult. They all three though knew why we did move away and always supported us, but it’s still hard to think about at times.
Becky, you are a new author to me as of a few weeks ago. So far, I have enjoyed everything I have read from you and I’m looking forward to reading this book.
Thank you for sharing. Yes, I have experienced a beauty for ashes time in my life.
Hi Becky, my sincere condolences to you and your family.I am happy to hear that your book was a big help for you. Your book sounds like a beautiful read. I love the title of your book and your book cover is Beautiful! I cannot imagine your deep hurt of having lost your dad while you were so far away. I lost my dad 15 years ago and my mom a year and a half ago, but I was very fortunate that I had been with each of them when they passed away. Have a Great rest of the week and stay safe. God bless you and your family. I bet Italy is beautiful.
Joy – Thank you for stopping by and for sharing your story here. Yes, it certainly helps knowing our family is supportive and with us in spirit when the miles separate us physically. I’m glad you were able to make those trips in time – what gift.
I’m so glad to hear you’ve discovered my books – I hope you continue to enjoy them for a long time to come!
Becky D
Lucy – thanks for stopping by. Those beauty from ashes experiences are precious, aren’t they?
Becky Doughty
Alicia – It’s been almost eleven years since that trip, but sometimes, I have to admit, I still get a flood of emotion when I remember. But you know what? Because of that trip, I got to say “goodbye” to my father even before it was his time to go. He made a special trip to my house the night before to love on me and pray over me for safe travels and he even tucked a $20 bill in my pocket and told me to have a pizza on him. Of course, neither of us had any inkling of what that goodbye would translate into, but I cherish that short visit all the more for it.
Thanks for stopping by – and yes, Italy is beautiful!
Becky
What a wonderful premise for a “beauty out of ashes” story.
I think we all have a rising from the ashes story, some are more profound than others.
Denise – Thank you. And yes, I believe that, too – that everyone has one, big or small! And they’re one of my favorite kinds of stories, too.
Thanks for stopping by!
Beck
God has taken many bad things that happened in my past and made His own “beauty from ashes” story. He has made me the kind of person I am even though I went through those things, and I believe He’s made me stronger because of them. Though not at all pleasant to go through, I know God had a purpose and a plan for those times….even today :-) I can see His hand in it all and how He’s molded me. I know there have been times when I’ve been able to minister to someone who’s gone through similar things because I understand what that person can be feeling or thinking. God has given me the words to say or just simply lending my listening ears to the person. God ALWAYS uses the ashes of our past to give us beauty!
I love the premise of your story! I’m just sorry that you lost your dad just before this, how hard that would be to go through.
Trixi – Thank you for your kind words. It’s true what you say – I think if we look around us, we are presented with opportunities left and right to find both beauty in the ashes, and also to BE the person who might help bring about that beauty in the form of the love of Jesus into the lives of those around us.
Thanks for stopping by!
Becky D
Becky,
My mom died suddenly during our family vacation yrs ago. We, too, hurried home just arriving in time for her funeral. I cannot recall that vacation without thinking, “the trip when mom died …” and the bittersweet memories of a location we’ll not be revisiting and the official ending of a childhood.
I’m glad your own memories were turned into something positive and good by writing about it and the passage of time together bringing healing.
I don’t have any stories like that. I wish I did. But, I’d love to read your book. The cover is beautiful. It makes me smile.
Penelope – Thank you for sharing your story. The ache of it never really goes away, does it?
I’m sending understanding hugs your way,
Becky D
Linda – what a lovely compliment! I love the cover, too! It makes me want to go out and buy a bike, but there aren’t great places to ride one where I live, so it would probably turn into a coat rack or a spider web frame….
Thanks for stopping by!
Becky D