I’m pleased to welcome debut author Heather Smith, who will describe her first novel for us. As you read on, you’ll see she’s offering a giveaway to a commenter, with a little twist. And I have to say, Heather, I love the sight and scent of lavender, so your cover is beautiful!

My debut novel Grace & Lavender has many themes, and I’m excited for readers to see how they all fit together. I’d love to know which ones appeal to you!

Cooking

My main character is an excellent cook. She’s even written a cookbook, which makes her a bit of a celebrity in her small town. It’s the love of cooking that helps Colleen first connect with a teenage orphan named Grace.

I’m not much of a cook, but I do okay keeping my husband and three children fed. I enjoyed coming up with the dishes that Colleen and Grace make together in the story.

Foster care/adoption

This is one of the most important “take-away” themes of my book. Through my characters’ stories, I want to encourage readers to consider making foster care and adoption part of their stories, too.

My family was licensed as a foster family in October 2018, and we are currently waiting on our first placement.  I look forward to seeing how God grows our family through foster care, and possibly adoption, in the future.

Soap making

The art of making soap plays a big role in my story. It was so fun to research the craft. There were lots of methods to learn about—hot process, cold process, melt and pour, glycerin—and I’ve considered trying it, if I ever take a break from writing.

The meaning of names

Throughout Grace & Lavender, we see that Colleen Hill places a lot of value on having a good name—a name that has meaning. That makes her the perfect person to explain to Grace what her name really means. But it’s both Colleen and her daughter Melody who are eventually able to demonstrate that meaning for her.

Purpose and possibilities

Colleen and Melody both seek to live out God’s purpose for their lives, though they go about it in very different ways. But they both discover unexpected possibilities through faith in these verses:

• In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. Proverbs 3:6
• And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28

As I think about the themes of Grace & Lavender, I think about my life. When all is said and done, may this be my theme: “I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified.” 1 Corinthians 2:2

What’s your life’s theme?

 Thanks so much Heather – readers, please include your life’s theme in your comment, which qualifies you to win the free copy of Grace and Lavender Heather is giving away this week. .