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A New Heart by Roseann McGrath Brooks

Writer's picture: Liz FlahertyLiz Flaherty

After nearly three years of living one day at a time in recovery, Nathan believes that any change of heart is possible. And maybe agreeing to Sofia's fake-dating scheme is one way to prove that to her. But Sofia has guarded her feelings for so long that she’s not sure what to believe. Is Nathan playing games or truly making himself vulnerable? Can Sofia risk her heart as well?


My latest book, A New Heart, is about just that: two people learning that they can, indeed, have a new heart to cherish and be cherished. Like the other books in the series, the tone is sweet, inspirational romance.


A New Heart is the fourth book in my Vacation Friends Romance series. Like most such series, the novels can be read independently. I thought you might enjoy reading how this series came about.


My husband, a (now retired) pastor, was asked to perform the wedding of Tara, a former youth group member. The fathers of Tara and the groom, Charlie, had been fraternity brothers, and after college graduation, the two men, along with several others from the frat, took their families on vacation together for two weeks every summer. As a result, the many children of these frat brothers saw each other each summer from birth to early adulthood.

Charlie was several years older than Tara, so he tended to hang around with a different group of the “vacation friends.” However, after they all grew up, Charlie and Tara reconnected, became friends again, and fell in love.


At the wedding, I thought, Who could make up such a romantic friendship-to-love story? The clincher was the speech given by the maid of honor, Tara’s older sister. She said, “I am in the unique position of having known my new brother-in-law longer than my own sister.” How lovely!


So, if Charlie and Tara could have such a romantic start, what could be the stories for the other children of these fraternity brothers? Thus was born the Vacation Friends Romance series.


All for Good, book 1, is Emily and Daniel’s story, a fictionalized version of the Charlie and Tara romance. Wonderfully Made, Midnight Clear at Christmas, and now A New Heart are each made-up love stories of the grown-up vacation friends. Three more novels are in the works.


I love telling each character’s romance and then interspersing them in the others’ stories. Readers often say, “I can’t wait to see So-and-So show up in this next story.”


If you’re new to this series, please check it out and let me know what you think. In my nonwriting life, I’m an editor, so I know how much feedback helps for future works. And check out my monthly grammar blog.


Roseann McGrath Brooks is a freelance editor and part-time college writing tutor, with a BA in English and French and an MA in Humanities. She and her husband live in really cool part of Chester County, Pennsylvania, and are thrilled that their son, daughter, and three grandchildren have also settled in suburban Philadelphia. It's a Philly thing.


Visit her at roseannmcgrathbrooksauthor.com, and sign up there for her monthly newsletter about words. Or check out Instagram: brooksrm2002.

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4 hozzászólás


Mary Schiller
Mary Schiller
febr. 03.

I loved hearing about the roots of your series! Best wishes for it and any other writing endeavors!

Kedvelés

Nan
febr. 03.

Roseann, all the best with this new book! Thanks for sharing how the Vacation Friends Romances happened and what a great story!

Kedvelés

Liz Flaherty
Liz Flaherty
febr. 03.

I'm so glad to have you here, Roseann!

Kedvelés
Roseann Brooks
febr. 03.
Válasz címzettje:

Thanks so much for having me!

Kedvelés

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