Jeanette Morris and Free Books!

Sometimes pain opens the soul.

Before we chat with today's author, I want to announce that the winner of the free copy of Denise Weimer's romantic suspense novel, Traces, is:

lhanberry1@...

Congratulations! I'll be in touch with you via email, and we'll get your book right out to you. I encourage readers to keep commenting and/or subscribe at right (above my list of books) in order to learn about new releases! U.S. subscribers are entered in the drawings a second time when they comment.

And now let's meet novelist Jeannette Morris, author of the Young Adult novel, Her Shining Eyes, (Bold Vision Books, September 2019).

Jeannette is a freelance writer/editor, traveler, fisherwoman, missionary to Russia, wife, mother, grandmother, friend, voracious reader, and slow-but-sure knitter.

In her second-half adventure, she's writing novels, exploring the world, trying to stay fit and healthy, and letting go of past labels and failures. These may be her "golden years," but Jeannette believes the best is ahead. Her story is still being written!

Please tell us one random thing we might not know about you.

I stood beside Lynda Carter (Wonder Woman) in 1972 when she sang at my roommate’s wedding reception.

Beautiful woman. I see that Wonder Woman first aired in 1975, so that must have been right before her fame kicked in. You knew her when! 

Please tell us a bit more about the plot of Her Shining Eyes.

Fourteen-year old Irina Kotova’s life as a promising violinist collapses in sync with the demise of the Soviet Union. After her father is killed in a bar fight, her ailing mother is hauled off to jail without explanation. Now considered an orphan, Irina is forced to live in a boarding school where Russia’s throwaway kids are abandoned and forgotten.

Irina is constantly tormented by Vadim Solokov, a mean-spirited hooligan who takes great pleasure in reminding her that nobody cares about them. Irina is convinced he is right, and the not-so-mysterious theft of her precious violin seals her resolve to escape the school or die trying. Her despondency over losing her parents and bitterness toward Vadim threaten her very existence.

Only the kindness of Anastasia, an interpreter Irina met by chance, sparks a glint of hope that life could possibly be worth fighting for.

What is it about Irina that will make your readers care about her?

Irina is trapped inside a body she despises and in circumstances beyond her control. She is talented, thoughtful, and afraid. Irina wants to please others, but the path to belonging eludes her.

What is something you’ve thanked God for this week?

Losing another pound! And receiving an incredibly moving new endorsement for my book.

A good loss and a better gain. That's what I call a great day.

What is the last novel you read that you would recommend?

A Room of My Own, by Ann Tatlock. I found this compelling historical fiction novel to be a master class in story structure and characterization. I loved the protagonist, Virginia. She demonstrated both the angst of a teenager in a tough situation as well as the grit to follow her heart. The period of the Great Depression always strikes a note of sympathy with me as my parents were children during that time. They kept their stories a bit closer to their chests than I would have liked, but after reading A Room of My Own, I understood why.

Yes, my dad was a kid during the Great Depression. The hardships of that era created very strong but stoic people. 

Where else can readers find you online?

My author website is www.jeanette-morris.com. I’m active on Facebook (Jeanette Atwood Morris), Twitter (@jemorris1), Instagram (jeanette.a.morris.7), in the ACFW Facebook group as well as Avid Readers of Christian Fiction (also on Facebook), Goodreads (Jeanette Morris).

The book can be purchased online via the following button:



If you would like to read a sample from the book, you can find it HERE (scroll to "Look Inside")

Finally, what question would you like to ask my readers?

Dear readers! What draws you to stories set in foreign countries? Or, if you are not drawn to such stories, why not?

Thanks, Jeanette, for visiting and telling us about yourself and your book. Readers, Jeanette has offered to give away a free copy of her book. To enter, leave a comment and your email below in answer to her question, above. "Please enter me" won't get you entered. Remember that U.S. subscribers are entered an additional time in each drawing. The drawing is done by email, so leave your email address, like so: trish[at]trishperry[dot]com.

Only United States residents are eligible for the drawing, but anyone can subscribe to the blog posts via the GDPA-compliant Feedblitz box above my list of books, at right.

Also readers, I'd love it if you'd connect with me on Facebook. Just click on my name at the right of today's post title.

Annoying legal disclaimer: as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases; drawings void where prohibited; open only to U.S. residents; the odds of winning depend upon the number of participants. See full disclaimer, GDPA notice, and my Disclosure of Material Connection HERE