#ThursdayThoughts Guest post with Emily Conrad!

Good Morning!

I can't even explain how happy I am to share today's guest! New to me and our blog, Emily Conrad is also new to Pelican Book Group and Justice is her debut novel. So please give her a huge welcome!

Take it away Emily....

My sister lived and worked in China for a few years, and toward the end of her time there, I made it over for a visit, not realizing the impact the trip would have on me.

The night I arrived in Beijing, rain washed the smog from the air, resulting in blue skies for the rest of my visit—a rarity according to my sister. Still, air quality was an issue as evidenced by the people who went about their business in face masks.

The writer in me was intrigued. What would it be like to develop a friendship with someone, never having seen half of their face because every time they left the house, they wore a mask? How special would it be when you finally got to see their smile?

At the time I was writing Justice. Set in a small city in Wisconsin, the novel wasn’t conducive to including a face mask. I could, however, have a character hide something about herself in the name of protecting herself.

Brooklyn, the heroine in Justice, is a rape survivor. Jake, the hero, has long admired her long, blonde hair. So, what if she wore it up every single day in an attempt to protect what she’s come to see as a vulnerability? What would get her to let her hair down again? And how special would it be to Jake when she did?

This element became an important part of Brooklyn’s journey.

I have the trip to China to thank for it. I also have that trip to thank for contributing to my and my husband’s decision to host a high-school-aged Chinese exchange student long-term. Travel really does impact our lives!

Have you been on a trip that impacted your life in a lasting way? Where did you go, and how did the journey change you or how you see the world?

Wow, Emily what a wonderful thing! Thanks for sharing. Isn't it amazing how parts of our life end up in our novels? I can attest to that in most of mine.

Emily Conrad lives in Wisconsin with her husband and two rescue dogs. She loves Jesus and enjoys road trips to the mountains, crafting stories, and drinking coffee. (It’s no coincidence her debut novel is set mostly in a coffee shop!) 
She offers free short stories on her website www.emilyconradauthor.com and loves to connect with readers on social media.facebook.com/emilyconradauthorInstagram.com/emilyrconrad
Twitter.com/emilyrconrad

Her debut novel, Justice can be found at Amazon and Barnes and Noble.

Jake thought he was meant to marry Brooklyn, but now she's pregnant, and he had nothing to do with it. Brooklyn can’t bring herself to name the father as she wrestles with questions about what her pregnancy means and how it will affect her relationship with Jake. If Harold Keen, the man who owns the bookstore across from Jake's coffee shop, has anything to do with it, the baby will ruin them both.
(I absolutely LOVE this cover!)


Hope you enjoyed today's post and that you'll drop by each week for Tuesday Treasures, Thursday Thoughts and Saturday Spotlight.

Until next time, take care and God bless.
PamT