Beauty in the Binding: Heather Norman Smith

Tuesday, March 31, 2020

Author Interview & Giveaway: Shenanigans by Heather Norman Smith

Welcome to the Blog + Review Tour and Giveaway for Shenanigans by Heather Norman Smith, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

ABOUT THE BOOK

Title: Shenanigans
Author: Heather Norman Smith
Publisher: Every Season Books
Release Date: April 1, 2020
Genre: Inspirational Contemporary Fiction

You're never too old for fun, faith, or love.

Lavinia Lewis is a wealthy southern widow who enjoys a good prank. But when a resident at her posh retirement community in Southport, North Carolina gets sick at a potluck, Lavinia's reputation as a jokester lands her in big trouble. How can she clear her name when her own daughter doesn't believe she's innocent?

Neville McGrath is a long-in-the-tooth lawyer, afraid of being put out to pasture. Torn between his nephew's offer to move to Maine to live with him and his desire to keep working, Neville discovers other options when he takes Lavinia's case.

The jokes keep her young, but Lavinia remembers the true source of joy as she faces criminal charges. Can she help Neville find his faith for the first time, and can they both find love at eighty-years-old?

A humorous and inspirational story with lovable characters, a beautiful setting, fun mystery, sweet romance, family drama, and an ending that will leave you sighing in satisfaction.

PURCHASE LINKS*: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Heather Norman Smith is a Christian Fiction and devotions author. Her goal is to use the written word to entertain and encourage while illuminating the redemptive love of God. She is proud to be a life-long North Carolinian and also aims to present the beauty of the Tar Heel State in her fiction. Heather's home is just outside Winston-Salem, NC, where she lives with her husband, their four children (currently including a foster son,) and several very spoiled pets. In addition to writing and spending time with her family, Heather enjoys singing about Jesus. Her "day job" is in the Information Technology field, and she is also involved in youth ministry with her husband. Heather's other novels include Grace & Lavender and Where I Was Planted.

CONNECT WITH HEATHER: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

AUTHOR INTERVIEW WITH HEATHER NORMAN SMITH

Would you share your inspiration for Shenanigans?

Heather: This book began with the title. My family was headed down the road in our minivan when my husband made some passing comment about my mother and her “shenanigans.” I don’t remember the context, but it was a light-hearted statement. We all laughed because the kids call her “Nana,” and it sounded like a play on her name. Tying the two together, I immediately started dreaming up a story about a prank-playing grandmother.

How long did it take you to write this novel?

Heather: The bulk of this story was written between May 2018 and November 2018, so around six months. A lot of editing and re-writing happened early this year, though, as I prepared to publish it.

Do you have a favorite character in Shenanigans?

Heather: Of course, I love the leads, but the supporting characters were a lot of fun to write. Lavinia’s neighbors at the retirement community make me happy—her best friends, Sylvia and Henry, and her next-door nemesis, Gordon Proctor. Also, Neville’s secretary, Shirley. The minor characters help drive the story quite a bit.

Do you have a favorite quote from this novel?

Heather: It may be a bit of a spoiler, but this quote drives at a theme of the book: “I don’t know how someone just forgets God, like He’s not the One in control of us livin’ and breathin’ and movin’ around on this earth. I don’t know how the most important thing became so unimportant to me. I know it doesn’t make sense, but it happened. And I wanna fix it. I wanna make things right again. I remember who God is now.”

What do you hope readers take away from this novel?

Heather: There are many take-aways, but the tag lines sums it up best: You’re never too old for fun, faith, or love. Portraying senior characters gave me the opportunity to show that God is waiting to welcome us into His family, even if we’ve spent a long time running from Him. The conversation about age also drives at the fact that ALL life is precious and valuable to God.

Can you share a book you are currently reading or have read recently?

Heather: I am currently reading a great romantic suspense called A Firm Place to Stand, by my friend Lori Altebaumer.

Who is an author that you would recommend to anyone and everyone?

Heather: Although not Christian Fiction, an author that I love and who inspires me with her humor and great characters is Fannie Flagg.

What hobbies do you enjoy when you aren't writing?

Heather: I have four kids (three biological and one foster who we are in the process of adopting), so my non-working, non-writing time is pretty much spent doing whatever they want or need to do. I love those rare days of nothing scheduled when we can just be together. We enjoy exploring outdoors on pretty days. We also have two dogs, two cats, and a tank of fish that I enjoy.

TOUR GIVEAWAY

(1) winner will receive a print copy of Shenanigans and a story inspired glass ornament! Plus (1) additional winner will receive a print copy of Shenanigans!

Be sure to check out each stop on the tour for more chances to win. Full tour schedule shown below. Giveaway will begin at midnight March 30, 2020 and last through 11:59 PM EST on April 6, 2020. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US mailing addresses only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to the policies found here.

ENTER GIVEAWAY HERE

Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!

*NOTE: This post contains affiliate links.

Monday, December 2, 2019

Book Spotlight & Giveaway: Where I Was Planted by Heather Norman Smith

Welcome to the Blog Tour & Giveaway for Where I Was Planted by Heather Norman Smith, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

ABOUT THE BOOK

Title: Where I Was Planted
Author: Heather Norman Smith
Genre: Historical Fiction
Publisher: Ambassador International

In the spring of 1961, ten-year-old Nate "Weenie" Dooley has a revelation-his father is not a good one.

Inspired by National Geographic, his favorite thing next to the Bible storybook his mother gave him before she died, Nate plans to leave his father and their home in the Smokies to set out on an adventure.

When he discovers that his father has left him first, it will take the help of a stray dog, some kind neighbors, a one-man-band, letters from a long-lost-aunt, and a new understanding of God to figure out he isn't really alone.

Will he find that Copper Creek is where he's always belonged? Or will his wanderlust keep him from ever coming back?

In her second novel, Heather Norman Smith demonstrates that love makes a family, and that while fathers may leave, our Heavenly Father is faithful, and He has a plan for all of us.

PURCHASE LINKS*: Goodreads | Amazon | B&N | Book Depository | Christianbook

EXCERPT

I’ve spent a lot of time thinking about weeds. Not just the dandelion and chickweed that pops up uninvited in people’s vegetable gardens. I’m talking about the kind of weeds that squeeze themselves up through the tiniest of cracks in sidewalks, and in roads and parking lots, and in little crevices in rocks. They’re unattractive to most people, but I think these plants are remarkable. Shallow soil, short roots, and trampled on by every pair of feet that happens their way—not to mention tires. But still they manage to keep growing, or at the very least, sprout up a little and stay green. I reckon most people have never even thought about it, how special they are. But I’ve thought about it a lot…because I’m one of them.

I figured it out on a Saturday afternoon, in the early spring of my fifth-grade year, at Susie Pennywell’s eleventh birthday party. I hadn’t laid eyes on Bert in three days, as he came and went mostly while I was at school or asleep, so it seemed okay to go without asking his permission.