Blog Archives
Sisters
The Pact follows two sisters and double tennis partners and champion athletes who have their relationship tested when one sister gets engaged. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
All of my novels are essentially about women and their relationships with others: family, friends, lovers, colleagues etc.
With The Pact, I specifically wanted to write about sisters. I’ve been fascinated by siblings, and my place in my own family since I was old enough to realize I had an older sister and a younger brother. I asked my parents a lot of questions. Why am I blonde? Why is my sister taller? Lots of questions my parents didn’t have answers for.
At school in biology, we studied genes, familial traits, and nature versus nurture. I was fascinated, and still am today. Why does my sister behave the way she does? Why do I? Is it because of our upbringing, or was she just born with an aversion to cheese?
I wanted to know the answers.
I chose tennis as the sisters’ job – professional double partners and champions. As partners, Annie and Samantha work together as a united team, but when their personal relationship falls apart and they embark on singles careers, the dynamic changes and they become competitive rivals.
Your characters are wonderfully emotive and relatable. Were you able to use anything from your own life to inform their character development?
Yes, definitely. Because I have a sister, I’ve always been keen to explore the sibling dynamic, especially looking at oldest and youngest personality characteristics, differences, and why they behave the way they do.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
As I mentioned, tennis is the vehicle used to amplify the usual sibling issues and also explore the sisters’ professional partnership and personal relationship –similarities, differences, motivation, competition, abandonment, and grief.
For example, how do the sisters respond to the stress of constantly being under the media spotlight? What happens when, at the pinnacle of fame, their relationship falls apart? With dreams shattered and egos destroyed, how do they cope?
It also deals with poignant themes, including the disappearance of the sisters’ mother when Samantha was 13 years old, and Annie was 11; and how they each handled her absence differently.
What is the next book that you are working on, and when will it be available?
My next book, Christmas Actually, will be released worldwide October 2, 2024.
Every picture tells a story, but it’s not always the one we expect, or remember, in this festive drama about family and forgiveness. Christmas Actually is a snapshot of modern family life; addressing Instagram to motherhood, and everything in between.
Author links: Instagram | X | Facebook | Website | Book Review
Samantha and Annie Callahan are successful doubles champions–the toast of the Olympics, Wimbledon and Flushing Meadow. But their partnership spirals out of control when Annie’s new boyfriend announces their engagement at the Australian Open.
Amidst rising anger and betrayal, Samantha does the unthinkable after a devastating Wimbledon loss.
The sisters must confront the past to take control of the present. But can Samantha and Annie both win?
Moving Forward
The Space Between Dreaming follows two women struggling to have a family of their own who meet at an art gallery and form an unlikely friendship. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
I had always wanted to write a story that featured strong friendships that was perhaps a bit unexpected. I decided to do this through friendships that spanned different generations and different circumstances as a way to show the strength we gain from women who are in our corner. Since I’m also an artist, I took a lot of inspiration from my own experience in showing in galleries and working at art fairs.
Grace and Jane are both relatable characters that readers are drawn to and want to help. Are there any emotions or memories from your own life that you put into your characters’ lives?
I used my real-life great-grandmother’s name for one of the characters, although the personality of the character is totally different. The character of Jane loves the Milwaukee Art Museum and has since she was a kid, which is something I took directly from my own life.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
My love of art and the power of expressing emotions through painting is something I wanted to convey. I wanted readers to feel how valuable the practice and appreciation of artistic endeavor can be in healing, decision-making, and everyday life. Also the theme of moving forward despite difficult circumstances was an important one to include. I wanted this to be an inspiring, hopeful book for someone to pick up.
What is the next book that you are working on, and when can your fans expect it to be out?
I just released an art book called Poetry and Paint. It features my original paintings and poetry. I’m also working on another novel, but I don’t have a date for its release yet.
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Grace and Jane both crave family but for much different reasons. Grace longs for the child she was never able to conceive and Jane for the new family she will have once she marries her boyfriend. They meet and become unlikely friends when Grace’s husband paints his masterpiece and Jane’s gallery represents him.
As they ponder their future, Jane’s meddling 80-year-old landlady helps them see the beauty in letting go of expectations. Grace and Jane each see something different in the painting, and it causes them to look beyond their stubborn dreams to a fresh reality that could hold the key to their happiness.
The Pact
In The Pact, Lisa Darcy masterfully explores the intricate bonds that tie family members together, set against the high-stakes world of competitive tennis. Sisters Annie and Samantha Calahan share more than just blood; they are doubles tennis champions, a force to be reckoned with on the court. Their success stems from a deep mutual respect and a seemingly unbreakable bond. However, when Annie’s boyfriend proposes, their once seamless partnership begins to unravel. Suddenly, the sisters find themselves at odds, and the rift between them threatens not only their personal relationship but also their dominance in the sport they love. As life pulls them in different directions, they must confront whether they can mend their fractured bond and return to their winning ways.
The Pact is a compelling blend of family drama and sports narrative, reminiscent of the tensions explored in the recent film Challengers. At its core, this novel delves into the forces that both unite and divide family members. Darcy paints a vivid portrait of the love and loyalty that define Annie and Samantha’s relationship while also shedding light on the unhealthy codependency that simmers beneath the surface. The introduction of Annie’s fiancé disrupts their perfect equilibrium, leaving Samantha feeling threatened and triggering actions that, while extreme, feel utterly justified from her perspective. As a family drama, Darcy’s novel excels, offering a nuanced depiction of the complex relationship between the two sisters. The more we learn about their dynamic, the more we see the layers of their symbiosis, making their eventual clash all the more poignant and emotionally charged. The sisters’ drive for success as elite athletes is as central to their identities as their bond, deeply affecting their conflicts on and off the court. Darcy’s skillful writing ensures that the story remains grounded in reality, never veering into melodrama. Instead, this book strikes a perfect balance, succeeding as both a gripping sports story and a richly textured family saga, evoking the intensity and depth of the Brontë sisters at their best.
The Pact stands out as a powerful exploration of family dynamics and the pressures of high-level competition. With its engaging narrative and well-drawn characters, it is a novel that will resonate with readers who appreciate stories of sibling relationships, personal growth, and the challenges of balancing love and ambition.
Pages: 354 | ASIN : B0CY97YHCH
Make Connections With Loved Ones
Bridges Between Our Hearts follows a woman on a journey to reconnect with family and friends in a post-pandemic world who struggles with complex relationships and finds solace in her writing. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
The inspiration for the story is that it is the third in a series that follows one woman, her family, and friends through the undulating journey of emotions while adjusting to the grief following a traumatic loss. I endured similar loss several years ago and the loving relationships of those around me, coupled with reflective writing brought me some level of solace. While I did not intend to write specifically about the pandemic, the logical sequence of time passing made it necessary. Ultimately, it provided an interesting backdrop for examining how relationships endure during the best and worst of times.
Larissa struggles to find her way in this post-pandemic world and has to look within herself to find answers. Were you able to achieve everything you wanted with the characters in the novel?
Most of the characters have been developing throughout the trilogy, but new ones were added in this book as well. Readers come to know them through Larissa’s interactions with them, as well as through her private reflections in her diary. I believe that the new characters, as well as the others aging and changing, make for deep, meaningful connections.
What is one thing that you hope readers take away from Bridges Between Our Hearts?
My hope is that readers appreciate the importance of finding ways to build bridges and make connections with loved ones, regardless of where they are and how much time lapses. There are far too many forces that tend to separate and divide people. I’d like for readers to consider that love does not die when people clash, or a child moves away, or when someone passes away.
What is the next book that you are working on, and when can your fans expect it to be out?
I’m working on a non-fiction book about people who find success in life, in spite of being told they most likely will not. Through interviews and story-telling, I hope to inspire those who choose an atypical path. The working title is Funny Thing About Luck… I expect it to be available sometime in mid-2025.
Author Links: GoodReads | X (Twitter) | Facebook | Website | Amazon
The Real Meaning of Change
My Year of Casual Acquaintances follows a recently divorced woman who lets go of everything from her past to start fresh and rediscover herself. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
Many years ago, after I quit my day job to work from home, a daily trip to the gym became part of my routine—not just to exercise, but also to socialize. I’ve met up with countless acquaintances at the gym—most of them casual, but some that have developed into close, enduring friendships. I’ve always been fascinated by the dynamics of gym relationships and thought that would make an intriguing premise for a novel. When I decided to write about a recently divorced woman looking to reinvent herself and avoid commitment, a gym seemed like the ideal setting.
I found Mar to be a remarkably well-written and in-depth character. What was your inspiration for her and her emotional turmoil throughout the story?
Thank you! I love stories about intelligent, quirky, opinionated women. I think Mar is all those things, yet I also wanted her to be caring and sympathetic. I decided she should be 50, which I find to be an interesting age. Mar exemplifies a modern woman in midlife—complex, layered, and fraught with contradictions. She’s independent but full of self-doubt, professionally confident but socially insecure, and decisive in her tastes but indecisive about her path in life.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
The main themes I wanted to address are the importance of human connection, the value of honest communication, and the real meaning of change and how to achieve it. At the beginning of the story, Mar is grappling with all three of these issues as she sheds her old life and tries to find a different and better one. She takes up with a new acquaintance every month in her episodic journey, and each person teaches her something about herself and how to correct course.
What is the next book that you are working on, and when will it be available?
My next book is The Unexpected Guests. It’s the sequel to My Year of Casual Acquaintances, and it will be published by Black Rose Writing on December 26, 2024.
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With each passing month, Mar goes from one acquaintance to the next. Among them: a fellow gym member down on her luck, a flirty hip-hop instructor, a bossy but comical consultant, a kindly older gentleman… and Charlie, a handsome best-selling novelist who wants more from Mar than she’s able to give. She learns something new from each encounter. But can she change enough to open herself up to happiness and true connection?
Surrounded by an ensemble of quirky, endearing characters, Mar follows a tortuous and unpredictable path as she navigates the first year of her reinvented life. My Year of Casual Acquaintances is packed with laugh-out-loud moments mingled with scenes of loneliness and self-doubt that will put a lump in your throat.
My Year of Casual Acquaintances
Ruth F. Stevens’ My Year of Casual Acquaintances is a captivating and heartwarming narrative that delves into the trials and victories of beginning anew. The protagonist, Mar Meyer, embarks on a transformative journey following a painful divorce. In a bold move to reclaim her life, Mar abandons everything she once knew—her home, friends, and even her identity—to seek out new experiences and adventures.
Mar’s story unfolds through a series of casual yet meaningful encounters, each contributing significantly to her personal growth. From a fellow gym-goer grappling with her own dilemmas to a charming hip-hop instructor, a humorous consultant, a benevolent older man, and Charlie, a charismatic novelist with a profound connection, each character imparts valuable lessons to Mar. These interactions, rich with humor, empathy, and insight, enable Mar to confront her insecurities and embrace the potential for genuine happiness and connection.
Stevens excels in crafting a diverse array of quirky and endearing characters who leave a lasting impression on readers. Mar emerges as a relatable and compelling protagonist—flawed yet resolute and refreshingly authentic. Her struggles and achievements echo the experiences of many women navigating midlife transitions, making her journey deeply resonant and engaging. The novel’s structure, characterized by a blend of laugh-out-loud moments and introspection, maintains a strong grip on the reader’s attention. Memorable scenes, such as comical goat yoga sessions, provide lighthearted relief, while Mar’s introspective moments lend the narrative depth and emotional weight. The brisk pace and witty prose ensure that the story remains absorbing and difficult to set aside.
One of the book’s most notable strengths is its exploration of second chances. Mar’s transformation from a woman shattered by betrayal to one who discovers strength and joy in her newfound independence is both inspiring and uplifting. The love story interwoven within the plot is beautifully articulated, adding another dimension to Mar’s evolution.
My Year of Casual Acquaintances is more than just a tale of starting over; it’s a celebration of human connections, self-discovery, and the courage to embrace change. Ruth F. Stevens adeptly captures the essence of rebuilding one’s life with sincerity and elegance. This novel is a delightful choice for anyone who has encountered significant life changes or enjoys a well-crafted story of personal growth and relationship dynamics. It is a journey of healing, forgiveness, and the realization that it’s never too late to begin anew.
Pages: 322 | ASIN : B0D43GW5XZ
Unwavering Love
Starting Over, a Father by Choice follows a couple who have been together since their teens and are now facing a crossroads that will determine the future of their relationship. What inspired the setup of your story?
I enjoyed Wanda and Randy’s romantic relationship. How did it develop while you were writing it? Did you have an idea of where you wanted to take it, or was it organic?
Let me address these first two questions together.
My characters talk to me and sometimes tell me which direction to take. I started out knowing what happened to Wanda that resulted in the birth of Carter and I knew she and Randy would eventually repair their relationship. Some of the scenes that helped them get there were not part of the original plan. For example, their participation in a living nativity was a sudden, unexpected inspiration. But it fit right in with another goal I had. I wanted to use their story, and Randy’s unwavering love for both Wanda and Carter, as a vehicle to explore the true meaning of family. That it goes way beyond DNA. This is part of my personal experience, as I claim two grandchildren who do not carry my DNA but were gifted to me by my daughter-in-law after my son died.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
My plan for all of my books (this series will have six when complete – then another series is floating around in my head) is that each will explore a real-life contemporary issue, as a strong protagonist (or protagonists) struggle to overcome personal trauma related to that issue. It is my hope that readers will learn something new and gain a better understanding of how that issue impacts individuals and communities, while enjoying an intriguing story. The first book in the Hidden Valley Series, New Tomorrows, explored the issue of domestic and sexual abuse. When Wanda, a strong supporting character in that story, publicly revealed that she, too, had been a victim, I had to tell her story, too. Other themes planned for the future are racial relations and healing, eating disorders, illegal dog fighting, and addiction.
I love the Hidden Valley Fire & Rescue series. What will the next book in that series be about, and when will it be published?
The next book (which will be released late summer or early fall this year) is Tillie’s story. In No Turning Back: Marching Toward Freedom, you will meet her when she is a young teen and follow her life from the 1950s to the early twentieth century. During that time span she leaves Hidden Valley to go away to college where she becomes involved in the Civil Rights movement of the sixties. She eventually (and reluctantly) returns to Hidden Valley following a series of difficult life events. It is a story that explores racial relationships and healing, as a strong woman with a mountain heritage finds her personal freedom to define who and what she is. And perhaps, finds an unexpected, late-in-life romance. There is some historical family saga in her story that goes back to Civil War times.
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Wanda Marlow and Randy Sullivan fell in love when they were young teens, both involved in the volunteer fire and rescue company of their remote valley home in Virginia’s Appalachian Mountains. They are sure their relationship as a forever couple will survive being apart while Randy pursues a carpentry apprenticeship out of state and Wanda goes away to college. However, at the end of her freshman year, Wanda comes back to their Hidden Valley home pregnant and holding onto a big secret about the father of her child.
Wanda feels shame over the circumstances of her son’s conception and blames herself for betraying their love. She keeps trying to push Randy away, but they have never stopped loving each other. When her son Carter is only three months old, Wanda and Randy agree to start over as a couple, but the secret still lies between them.
Randy’s greatest fear is having Carter’s father show up one day to claim the child he has come to love as his own. As Carter grows, he begins to ask questions about his father. Once the secret begins to hurt Carter, Wanda and Randy know the truth must be revealed. But what is the truth? Is it what Wanda believes? Or is it something entirely different? Their search for the truth leads them on a path to solve an unexpected mystery about Carter’s biological father.
Carter becomes convinced that Paws, his pup since they were both babies, can help solve the mystery. In a drama-filled scene, Paws must help Randy rescue the nine-year-old from the danger he finds himself in as a result of that belief.
Told against the backdrop of the Hidden Valley Fire & Rescue company, this story is filled with a unique cast of characters you will come to love and want to visit again. This closed-door romance is more than just a happily-ever-after love story. It’s a story of family and friendship, community and compassion, and finding strength to overcome personal trauma.
You can read this book as a stand-alone, but you will enjoy a richer experience by reading the books in the Hidden Valley Fire & Rescue series in the order published.
Starting Over: A Father by Choice
In Starting Over, a Father by Choice by Ann Heap, readers are drawn into the lives of Wanda and Randy, a couple whose longstanding relationship since their teenage years faces its toughest test. Heap intricately explores the dynamics of love and commitment through the lens of this pivotal incident that promises to either solidify or unravel their bond.
Wanda, traditionally a diligent and sensible individual, finds herself at a crossroads after a transformative event, prompting readers to ponder the resilience of her character and the future of her relationship. Randy’s enduring affection for Wanda is portrayed with depth, challenging him to redefine acceptance and support in the face of unforeseen changes. Heap crafts a cast of well-rounded characters, from Wanda’s blend of intelligence and vulnerability to Randy’s unwavering support. Additionally, Carter adds a touch of charm and spontaneity, while Tillie emerges as a wise and enigmatic figure whose timely interventions often carry a touch of mystique.
The narrative balances light and dark tones effectively, ensuring a compelling read. Dramatic turns, such as a character’s sudden disappearance, are handled with a flair that grips the reader. The portrayal of firefighters weaves in a layer of heroism and sacrifice, enriching the storyline with a realistic glimpse into their courageous lives and the personal stakes involved in their profession. Heap also addresses the complex theme of adoption with sensitivity and insight, providing a thoughtful commentary on its challenges and emotional journey.
Starting Over, a Father by Choice is a captivating and enjoyable read, deftly combining elements of romance and drama with a realistic portrayal of life’s unexpected twists and the enduring power of love.
Pages: 250 | ASIN : B0CJQQS3G8
LITERARY TITAN 