Why did you decide to write a series set in Africa?
Living and working within a culture different than my own has changed the way that I look at the world. It’s given me a greater understanding into the lives of other people and I love sharing what I’ve discovered—the people, culture, and setting. I believe that looking into the heart of other cultures can in turn change the way we look at the world in a positive way.
Can you give a brief overview of the series?
When I started writing the series, I wanted each book to be an adventure set against the backdrop of current issues that are facing the continent of Africa. Blood Ransom, the first book, looks at the problem of modern day slavery that still exists today. Blood Covenant, book two, takes place primarily in a refugee camp where hundreds of people have recently fled due to political upheaval in the country.
Is the setting a real place?
While the descriptions in Blood Covenant are very realistic in terms of what it is like in Africa, I did decide to set the series in a fictional country so none of the controversies pointed to any one country in particular. In the end, this turned out to be a lot of fun for me as I worked to create a believable setting, map out the country’s topography, and even throw in a few words of its language.
What inspired you to write this series?
As I’ve mentioned, living in Africa has made me look at the world differently. I’ve learned to enjoy a slower pace, less commercialism, and an emphasis on relationships. It’s also made me more appreciative of the opportunities and freedoms that I have. This series allowed me to take a suspense story I want to tell and combine it with an issue I feel passionate about and then set it in a place that I love.
Do you see your writing as a ministry?
I love the chance to write about my faith in my stories. A lot of times, what you see on the page of my books is actually my own personal struggles to figure things out in the world around me. My writing gives me another arena for me to share about Africa, which for me is important. And on a personal level, writing gives me an outlet for me to be creative and ‘escape’ to another world, something my husband believes helps keep me sane. LOL
How do you want your stories to move your readers?
Just as my stories challenge me as I write them, I hope they challenge my readers as well. I also hope that this story helps to expanded people’s worldview as well. I have no desire to make a reader feel guilty for what they have, but to make them more thankful for what they have and to hopefully inspire them to make a difference in people’s lives wherever they are. I want my readers to realize that they can make an impact on people no matter where they live. We are not all called to live overseas as missionaries, but we all can see but we all can see those living near us who need God’s grace, forgiveness, and love. It might be a hurting neighbor down the street, a lonely teen in your youth group, or a tired young mother in your apartment building. God can and does use ordinary people like you and me to do extraordinary things.