Deborah Heal's Blog, page 27

Why I Want a WABAC Machine

All that history seeped into my bones as I grew up there in Woodburn. It’s no wonder that when I began to write historical fiction it all came spilling out. And though I never have been able to acquire the means for time travel myself, I am a generous creator and allow my characters to go back to discover what the olden days were really like.

Book Giveaway Ends July 31

Unclaimed Legacy, the sequel to Time and Again is due out September 1, 2012.  To celebrate I am offering a drawing for a set of both books. Enter to win three ways. (Do all three to increase your chances of winning.) 1. Leave a comment on any of the blog posts on this website. 2. [...]

Editing Is Nearly Finished

Writing is a Process No one turns out a good book without going through the blood, sweat, and tears of revision. Even the Literary Great Ones do the nitty-gritty work. I love this quote attributed to Samuel Johnson (and also to Mark Twain and probably Abraham Lincoln as well):  “I did not have time to write [...]

Homeschool Connection

Study Guide Available When I was a homeschool mom, I always looked for interesting ways  to make subjects come alive for my three children. And the more integrated the  subjects, the more I liked it. Time and Again:Charlotte of Miles Station has connections with: History/Social studies  Politics  English/Grammar Health Math (believe it or not)       But don’t [...]

Out of Time by Caroline B. Cooney

This is the second book of her trilogy, and again I loved it. I read it through in one night! At the end of book one, when Annie leaves Strat’s 1880 world to return to her own a century later, she has no idea that he will be charged with insanity because of openly discussing [...]

Both Sides of Time by Caroline B. Cooney

Annie is a “romantic in the wrong century,” but her boyfriend is more interested in his old cars. But one day at the derelict mansion outside of town, when “something was wrong with the day, or something wrong with her” she falls back one century and falls in love with Strat, a boy who is [...]

Angel Eyes by Shannon Dittemore

Expect More by Dittemore! I didn’t know until I’d finished reading Angel Eyes that it is Shannon Dittemore’s first novel. All I can say is Wow! I can’t think of a reason anyone—male or female; old or young; Christian or not—wouldn’t like this story. Ms. Dittemore gives a nod to Stephenie Meyer’s Twilight: Her main [...]

Readers Prefer Picture Books

No not books with pictures. Books that help the reader form pictures. Fuzzy Memories Jack Handey made his career as a humorist by being vague. Here’s an example of one of his “Fuzzy Memories.” When I was a kid, the people next door had this little yappy poodle that I used to make fun of all the time. I [...]

Hello and Welcome to My Blog

I am the author of the Time and Again mystery series. The first book, Time and Again: Charlotte of Miles Station, introduces Abby Thomas, a young woman on a college service project with 11-year-old Merrideth. Abby's boyfriend John helps out in book two, Unclaimed Legacy. Currently, I am working on book three, in which Abby’s college roommate Kate enlists her help solving a family mystery.

I live in Waterloo, Illinois, where (when I'm not writing) I enjoy reading, gardening, and learning about southern Illinois history. I am married and have three grown children, three grandchildren, and canine buddies Digger and Scout (a.k.a. Dr. Bob). 

You can read descriptions of my books below. And after that is my blog where I post articles about the writing experience,  the history behind the stories,  and my reviews of books I've enjoyed. Subscribe to my blog to get the latest updates. I'd love to get to know you, so feel free to post your comments. 

 

Time and Again: Charlotte of Miles Station

Abby expected to spend the summer in the dilapidated old house in Nowhereville getting to know
her student Merrideth.

She didn't expect to get to know Charlotte Miles, the girl who had lived there 160 years before.

She planned to tutor Merrideth in math and English--not history. But that's before the freaky program on her new computer started waking her with its invitation to "take a virtual tour."

It turns out a lot of stuff happened in that old house. . .and most of it never made it into the history books.

Time and Again is a story told in the past and in the future.  A story of three girls and their journey of self-discovery and faith.

 

What people are saying about Time and Again:

By  Tiffany A. Harkleraod TOP 1000 Reviewervine Voice


 


 Let me start off by saying this book had a very unique premise to me, sort of a "Back to the Future" meets virtual reality, with a little dash of "Seventh Heaven" thrown in. I loved the idea of this book being focused on several generations of women. Abby and Merrideth are wonderfully developed characters, and I loved watching them bond over the history behind the house and its previous inhabitants. . . 

 I felt like this book had two distinct storyworlds, one in the present, and one in the past, and both were developed in rich detail. The historical aspects of the story were particularly fascinating to me, and I really loved learning the backstory to the house and town. I liked how real historical facts were woven into that backstory as well.



There is a definite Christian flavor to the book, without being preachy or over the top. Abby's character is a Christian, though she has her flaws, and there are some scenes where biblical principles are discussed, but I think that the book still has secular appeal. The book is actually appropriate for both young adult and adult readers. All in all, I found this an engaging, entertaining read, and I hope that there are more stories to follow.

 

Unclaimed Legacy

“I call it time-surfing,” Abby said. “It’s like being there except no one can see or hear us.”

  “Whatever you call it,” John said, “that was crazy—what we just did. Beyond realistic.

 I mean, I was in that guy’s head and knew everything he was thinking.”

 

Abby’s weird computer program is working again. And it comes in handy when they agree to help the Old Dears next door with their family tree. Except Abby and John learn more about one of the ladies’ ancestors than they ever wanted to know. Convicted in 1871 of murder and arson, Reuben Buchanan is a blight on the family’s reputation. But was he really guilty? Abby and John get inside the mind of a murderer to find out. But while they’re rummaging around in the Old Dears’ family history, they discover the truth of God’s promise to bless a thousand generations …

… and a legacy waiting to be reclaimed. 

 

What people are saying about Unclaimed Legacy:

In this sequel to Time and Again: Charlotte of Miles Station, we revisit Merri and Abby who have come across quite an unusual computer program… With it, they can log into the program in old homes and take a virtual trip back into time and view what life was like for the people who lived in that particular home…

…The reader is taken on a fiction time travel of sorts where the author, Deborah Heal, has taken pieces of real live history and woven them into the story to create a fantastic story geared to keep the reader entertained and on the edge of their seats through the whole book. I’ve been delighted to be given a sneak peek into this sequel … and have to say I adored every single bit of this. . . . read more here.

 

New Book Celebration Contest

I am proud to announce the title and cover of my new book.

Drum roll, please. Book two in the Time and Again series, the former Honor at Stake, is now titled. . .Unclaimed Legacy. The cover was photographed and designed by my talented son Caleb Heal. The Abby on the cover really is an Abby--my niece Abby Steingrubey.

 

“I call it time-surfing,” Abby said.   “It’s like being there except no one can see or hear us.”

  “Whatever you call it,” John said, “that was crazy—what we just did.  Beyond realistic.   I mean, I was in that guy’s head and knew  everything he was thinking.”

 Abby’s weird computer program is working again. And it comes in handy when they agree to help the Old Dears next door with their family tree. Except Abby and John learn more about one of the ladies’ ancestors than they ever wanted to know. Convicted in 1871 of murder and arson, Reuben Buchanan is a blight on the family’s reputation. But was he really guilty? Abby and John get inside the mind of a murderer to find out. But while they’re rummaging around in the Old Dears’ family history, they discover the truth of God’s promise to bless a thousand generations …

… and a legacy waiting to be reclaimed. 

 

 

To celebrate my new title and cover, I am offering a drawing for a set of books one and two. There are three ways to enter. Do all three to increase your chances of winning. The prize will be awarded as soon as the new book comes off the press. Good luck!