Today I’m delighted to welcome author Kathleen Denly to share about her upcoming release, A Reason to Sing. Welcome, Kathleen!
Do you enjoy traditional hymns or do you prefer more modern worship songs?
Personally, I love both. Growing up I attended a variety of churches that sang a mixture of both. Some of my favorite childhood memories, however, are of the times when the older women in my extended family would gather around the nearest piano and begin singing hymns together. I wish we’d had smart phones back then. I’d love to have a video of those beautiful women praising God together in that simple way.
These spontaneous moments of worship from my childhood played a large part in the development of my novel, Sing in the Sunlight. Even as a child, I understood what a gift their voices were and as a writer I wondered what might have happened had one of them lost the ability to praise the Lord in this way. I considered writing a character who’d lost her voice, but that didn’t feel right for this story. So I continued playing with the idea. Eventually, I found my way to a character who didn’t lose her voice, but instead had lost her hope—her reason to sing.
This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine.
We all know that classic worship song, now a favorite in many Sunday School classes. In my novel, I explore the idea of what happens when a person’s light is hidden beneath the “bush” of tragedy, hurt, and confusion. When the singer believes God doesn’t care about them, what is there to sing about? Only when we are basking in the light of our heavenly Father’s love do we truly have reason to sing.
God has blessed me with many reasons to sing. One of those reasons is my daughter, Ava. We adopted her when she was sixteen months old, but before that Ava suffered a horrific tragedy. Not only did she lose her birth family, but an event transpired which left her with numerous scars. Many of those scars are on her arm and face. I’m grateful that she was too young at the time to remember what transpired, but being an author I wondered how her life might be different if the event (or something like it) had transpired at an age when she could remember. How might that have changed her life? When I combined this question with the treatment of visibly different people in the nineteenth century, I found the inspiration for my heroine, Clarinda.
By the grace of God, Ava, is a happy, healthy child who loves to sing, dance, and “make a joyful noise” with her Fisher Price piano, but Clarinda’s joy has been lost. So she seeks it in places she shouldn’t and encounters consequences she never anticipated. Thankfully, our Lord is loving and mighty and works all things together for good for those who love Him. So He sends a special man into Clarinda’s life to point her back to the One who’s been with her all along—to remind her of her reason to sing.
What are your reasons to sing? Do you prefer contemporary or traditional worship songs? Let me know in the comments below!
Giveaway
To celebrate the upcoming release of Sing in the Sunlight, the second book in her Chaparral Hearts series, Kathleen is offering a giveaway!
Enter the rafflecopter for a chance to win a digital copy of Waltz in the Wilderness (book 1 in the Chaparral Hearts series), a custom set of Sing in the Sunlight gold vinyl stickers and 2 bookmarks made and signed by Kathleen Denly.
Open to U.S. and International winners, void where prohibited. Entries open until midnight on January 19, 2021 Winner will be announced on Kathleen’s Facebook, Twitter, & Instagram accounts and must contact Kathleen with your mailing address within seven days of announcement.
About Kathleen Denly
Kathleen Denly writes historical romance stories to entertain, encourage, and inspire readers toward a better understanding of our amazing God and how He sees us. Award winning author of the Chaparral Hearts series, she also shares history tidbits, thoughts on writing, books reviews and more at KathleenDenly.com.
Find Kathleen Denly online at:
Website | Newsletter | Facebook | FB Reader Group
Instagram | Twitter | Pinterest
About Sing in the Sunlight
Richard Stevens isn’t who he thinks he is. Neither is the woman who now claims his last name.
Disfiguring scars stole Clarinda Humphrey’s singing career, her home, and her family, but she refuses to let her appearance steal her future. While attending The Young Ladies Seminary in 1858 Benicia, California, she finds a man who promises to love and cherish her. Instead he betrays her, leaving her with child, and Clarinda must take drastic measures to ensure her child doesn’t suffer for her foolishness.
Richard Stevens’s life hasn’t turned out as he expected, and when a shocking letter turns even his past into a mystery, he travels to San Francisco in search of guidance. On the way, he encounters a mysterious young woman hiding beneath a veil. That night he experiences a dream that sends him on a quest to find the bride God has chosen for him. He never imagines she’s already told everyone they’re married.
Unwilling to lie, nor accept a marriage of mere convenience, Richard wants the real thing. Yet Clarinda’s not interested in love, only a chance to save her child. Can he help her rise above the pain that runs deeper than her scars to accept a love worth every risk?
Watch Kathleen Denly read Chapter One of Sing in the Sunlight.
Sing in the Sunlight releases on 21 March 2021 from Wild Heart Books.
Pre-order Sing in the Sunlight at:
Ebook order links: Amazon | Apple Books | Barnes & Noble | Kobo
Paperback order links: Amazon | Books-A-Million | Barnes & Noble
Pre-order Bonuses
In celebration of this second book in her Chaparral Hearts series, Kathleen’s offering preorder bonuses. These include a set of exclusive coloring pages (hand drawn by Kathleen for this novel), and an MP3 recording of the hymn referenced in the book (God Moves in a Mysterious Way) performed by Kathleen’s wonderful mother.
Anyone who preorders Sing in the Sunlight no later than February 28, 2021 can register to receive their preorder bonuses. To register, email your proof of preorder purchase to kdpreorderbonuses@gmail.com
Please do not include any personal information such as physical mailing address or account numbers when submitting your proof of purchase. Preorder bonuses will be emailed on the day of the book’s release to all who register.
Kathleen Denly lives in sunny Southern California with her loving husband, four young children, and two cats. As a member of the adoption and foster community, children in need are a cause dear to her heart and she finds they make frequent appearances in her stories. When she isn’t writing, researching, or caring for children, Kathleen spends her time reading, visiting historical sites, hiking, and crafting.
