Vadom's Journey - Release Tour and Giveaway

1925. His dream is to build a horse ranch in the Poconos.
​ Her dream is him.
God's plan is bigger than them both. 

Vadom’s Journey
The Heart’s Journey Series Book 2
By Sara J. Walker
Genre: Sweet Historical Romance 

​This is a sweet, Christian Historical Romance set in the same world as my characters in The Grumpy Guardian’s Redemption.

1925. His dream is to build a horse ranch in the Poconos. Her dream is him. God’s plan is bigger than them both.

Pennsylvania, 1925

Vadom Stancher travels to the Poconos with only his extraordinary gift for working with horses and a dream of owning his own ranch. He finds his chance—and his heart finds the daughter of a wealthy rancher. But when tragedy strikes, his grief leads him down a path of poor choices that will echo through years to come.

Amanda Devoe, the preacher’s daughter, sees past Vadom’s wounded spirit. One night of comfort becomes a secret she’ll carry alone to Georgia, where she builds a new life as a schoolteacher. But some secrets can’t stay hidden forever.

With God’s guidance, can two hearts find their way back to each other? Or will the past keep them forever apart?

Vadom’s Journey is a tale of second chances and the healing power of God’s perfect timing—perfect for readers who enjoy historical romance with themes of faith and forgiveness.
 

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​

​His gaze drilled into her, and Amanda thought her knees might buckle. Vadom was so handsome and masculine and so very unacceptable. He was one of those camp people—like that witch, Celienna. But she couldn’t resist when he tugged her closer and spun her around the dance floor.
The first few steps are awkward and disjointed, but they quickly found a rhythm. Then, pure magic. Amanda giggled with the joy of it and leaned a little closer than necessary to catch his fresh, soapy scent. This was no soft businessperson who sat behind a desk all day. No. Vadom was hard muscle from head to toe. She desperately wanted to run her hands over his broad chest.
He tilted his head to whisper, “This might be the best night of my life. You’re like a breeze over summer grass, barely ruffling the surface.”
Her fair skin heated at the compliment, and she feared her face was turning red. Working to keep her expression neutral, she replied, “Fancy words from a cowboy.”
He burst out a laugh.
She had no idea what was funny. Her words had been an insult. “What’s funny?”
“Amanda Devoe, you are perfect from your golden curls to your tiny feet. That is all I meant.” Grinning, he spun them in a few looping turns, wrapping one arm around her waist to dip her scandalously over his bent knee.
“Stand me up,” she stuttered, and when he did, she quickly lost track of time as they danced one song and then another. But on the final notes of the second or third song, raised voices could be heard across the crowded room. Amanda tried to see what was happening, but Vadom curled around her protectively and shifted his body, so he was in front of her.
“It is truth!” yelled a man.
Not any man, but her father, and he sounded out of his mind with anger. Oh dear. Amanda peaked under Vadom’s arm and saw her father in his typical black suit and tie. Only his face was puce red as he pointed and shouted at someone who had drawn his ire. It was dangerous to anger the Reverend Devoe, as he had a great deal of power as the spiritual guide of their community.
“Just because you say it loudly doesn’t mean it’s the truth,” a woman replied calmly.
Oh no. That’s Vadom’s cousin, the witch Celienna.
​

The Grumpy Guardian’s Redemption
The Heart’s Journey Book 1 

​The Grumpy Guardian’s Redemption, a sweet, historical Christian romance

This is a heartwarming Christian tale of redemption and love that touches the souls of two lonely people in the mountains of 1920s Tennessee.

Set in the mountains of Tennessee in 1925, Liam McCord treasures his solitary existence until a chance encounter disrupts his peace. When he discovers a battered young woman near his cabin, he’s compelled to shelter her until help arrives. As a solitary fifty-two-year-old man, he can’t care for her alone, so he enlists the help of a local spinster.

Enter Millie Norton, a resilient woman with a heart untouched by love. She can see beyond the surface and realizes the patient in the house is not the only person needing care. Together, Liam and Millie embark on a journey of shared challenges as they care for the woman and work a change in their community. Somewhere along the way, the English recluse and the mountain spinster forge an unexpected bond of love.

This heartwarming Christian story of redemption, healing, and the transformative power of love will leave you feeling uplifted and inspired.
 

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​

Liam walked home from the general store with only a few pieces of peppermint in his pocket. He hoped to sweeten Millie up a little with the candy.
When he got back to the house, he decided to draw up some of his plans to show Sheriff Smith. At the table, he spent the next few hours outlining everything he had in mind: the school building, housing for a teacher, school supplies, how to approach the people so as not to offend them, along with separate lists for each heading. By the time he finished his notes, he had a terrible headache.
“Millie,” he called.
“Yes?” She stuck her head out from the kitchen.
“Do you know what I should take to get rid of a headache?”
“You shouldn’t be working so hard with that pen. You aren’t accustomed to labor, so you must be exhausted,” she said, her scolding ruined by a teasing grin. “Let me get you some tea and a wedge of sweet cake. That will be just the thing.”
He chuckled, thinking he’d planned to sweeten her with peppermint, and she seemed to have the same idea. “Are you bribing me with sweets?”
She smirked and disappeared into the kitchen.
He checked the time on his pocket watch. Scooter should be returning soon.
Millie reappeared with a tray and deposited it on the table at his elbow. “There you go.”
He looked from her to the tray. “Tell me the truth. Will this help my headache?”
“Eat the cake, drink your tea, and get some rest in your chair. Take a little nap, so I can have some peace in the house.” Her tone was chiding, but she gently brushed some lint off his shoulder as she spoke. He enjoyed the contradiction. She fascinated him. ​
​

Longtime puppeteer and dramatic story teller, Sara loves both the spoken and the written word. She has two grown children and resides with their husband of 57 years in a small Georgia town.
 
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​I’m here today with Sara J. Walker.  Can you tell us a little about yourself?

My name is Sara J. Walker, and I've been a First Coast Romance Writers (FCRW) member for eight years. It took me seven years to learn how to write Romance stories and publish my first books, “The Grumpy Guardian's Redemption” and “Scooter’s Heart.” I’m also published in seven FCRW Anthologies. My background is in Journalism, writing for newspapers and magazines. Before joining FCRW and enrolling in workshops and conventions like the one the Georgia Romance Writers put on in Atlanta, I had no idea how much I didn’t know about novel writing. 

The monthly meetings with FCRW are educational, but working with the yearly anthology projects has taught me the basics of publishing a book. The members of our group encouraged and patiently helped me grow into becoming an author. I am grateful for their friendship and don’t believe I would be published today without them.

What kind of books do you write?

Most of my books are Sweet Christian Historical Romance. I also have a few anthology stories that are sweet contemporary. The stories I write come from my life's journey. As a child, I idolized my father, Jeofry Jones, who the whole family called Papa. He loved the outdoors and spent a great deal of time studying the past and walking in the footsteps of Native Americans to learn how they lived. He spent several weeks living off the land in the Okefenokee Swamp and loved to tell stories about the snakes and alligators that ‘almost’ got him. Papa was a Boy Scout leader, and even though I was a girl, he let me tag along on some of the adventures when I was small. Papa also kept a small herd of eight or more horses just for pleasure riding. 

My mother grew up in the depression, and she stressed the importance of education and faith in God. She also never threw any food away. Although my older sister, Linda Lou, was my idol, I might have been a thorn in her side growing up. We were close in recent years. Our little brother was Papa’s sidekick until he joined the Marines right out of High School. He was a great friend and treasured brother.

Why do you write historical romance?

I credit my mother with inspiring me to look to the past. She was native to the mountains of Tennessee, and every year, the whole family packed up and went on a relative tour near the homeplace in Pigeon Forge. She took us deep into the mountains, and we saw the struggles faced by those people we encountered. We traveled the winding roads to visit relatives whose lives had been affected by hard times. These trips gave me insight into how blessed I was. God had chosen my family, and I didn’t have those same struggles to survive. 

Where did you get your education?

The University of Georgia. Go Dawgs!  
Attending the University of Georgia was an eye-opener for this small-town girl. I had been a big fish in a small town and was now a tiny guppy on the vast campus in Athens, GA. I joined Alpha Chi Omega Sorority, which helped me adjust to being away from home. In my junior year of college, I discovered the School of Journalism and knew I’d found my calling. I was one of the first women’s editors for the Red and Black Newspaper while in school, and after graduation, I was hired to be the Woman's Editor for The Macon News. A year later, I met my husband, Ray Walker, a local banker, and we’ve been married for over sixty years. 

Why wait all this time to start writing?
I didn’t wait, actually.  I’ve been writing since grade school; I just had no idea how to publish anything. Also, I put my writing goals aside to raise a family and ended up with various office manager jobs. 

I’m eighty-four years old and fulfilling my dream of being an author. I have stories to tell and love to hear from readers who enjoy my writing and offer suggestions for individual characters. I have three books planned for next year—two are completed and need editing, and the third will combine all my short stories from the anthologies I’m published in.

My daughter, Leah Miles, is my champion for writing. We joined FCRW when her youngest child went to college to give us a challenge in life. She excels at writing, editing, and correcting mistakes like timelines, descriptions, etc.  I wouldn't be writing if she wasn't here to encourage me. She writes Romantic Suspense using a lot of Navy SEALS. I thank God for her.

God has blessed me all through my life. I know He's laughing at this older, small-town girl with big ideas and goals.
​

Follow the tour HERE for special content and a giveaway!
​ 
Dec 17
kickoff at Silver Dagger Book Tours
Craving Lovely Books
Trixie Reports Books
 
Dec 18
Romance Novel Giveaways
Introvert Booklover
Word Processor, Romance, Cats, Kids and Creed
 
Dec 19
The Book Junkie Reads . . .
Jody's Bookish Haven
J.M. Northrup
Country Mamas With Kids
 
Dec 20
Webs and Blogs For Writers
Book Reviews by the Reluctant Retiree
Lisa Everyday Reads
 
Dec 21
☼  A Place In The  Spotlight ☼  with M.C.V. EGAN
Painting With Words
 
Dec 22
Midnight Book Reader
Royally Insane Books
 
Dec 23
FUONLYKNEW
All The Write Stuff
Momma Says: To Read or Not to Read
 
Dec 24
M.C.V. EGAN ❧Defining Ways❧
Books all things paranormal and romance
Girl with Pen
 
Dec 25
Bedazzled By Books
Insane Books
The Scratching Post
 
Dec 26
Book Review Virginia Lee Blog
Wine Cellar Library
Inside the Insanity
  
Dec 27
Ellwyn's Blog
C.A.Milson
Literary Gold
  
Dec 28
Tina Donahue - Heat with Heart
Scrupulous Dreams
  
Dec 29
Book Bites....with a side of coffee
Twisted Book Ramblings
 
Dec 30
ⒾⓃⓉⓇⓄⓈⓅⒺⒸⓉⒾⓋⒺ ⓅⓇⒺⓈⓈ ASTROLOGY
Celticlady's Reviews
Sylv.net
  
Dec 31
Stormy Nights Reviewing & Bloggin'
The Book Dragon
The Bookshelf Fairy
  

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