Author Spotlight: Ann Marie Bryan
My Jamaican Vignettes is happy to host Christian romance author Ann Marie Bryan. Ann Marie Bryan is the first in a new series of author spotlight. Thanks so much Ann Marie for agreeing to be featured.
I met Ann Marie through Facebook and she was kind enough to send her book, Mirrored Hearts: Sealed By Fire for review. That book review will be published in the upcoming weeks. Today, Ann Marie shares her journey to publishing novels and how her Christian romance novel series has become her biggest evangelical testimony of her Christian faith.
Author Spotlight: Ann Marie Bryan
Ann Marie Bryan is the CEO and Founder of Victorious By Design (VBD). VBD is an organisation committed to providing professional writing services, along with comprehensive personal and professional development programmes. As a Christian fiction author, Ann Marie writes to educate, inspire and empower others.
Shades of the Heart is the first book in her bestselling, Encounters of the Heart series. Book two in the series, Mirrored Hearts: Sealed By Fire was released February 2016. Her new release, A Place For My Heart, is the highly anticipated third installment in the series was published in March 2017.
Ann Marie’s Writing Journey
What inspired you to start writing novels?
Writing a book was nowhere on my list of things to do. It never crossed my mind. While I enjoy reading, editing, and writing, I never thought of publishing a book.
I wrote my first novel to inspire and empower readers, especially for woman who are waiting on God for a most significant gift—a husband. I wanted to testify about the faithfulness of God who understands and meets all our needs.
Here is the background story.
After I got married, several of my friends and relatives wanted to know how I met my husband. I had to share my love story, over and over again. Of course, no one wanted to hear the short version of the story. Six months later, I was stretched out on the sofa at home on a Sunday afternoon, still recounting my love story. After hanging up from that call, it hit me – Write a book!
A long deafening pause followed. A book?
Every reason not to write this book came to mind. Yes, every reason. But, I knew that I had a story to tell. I also knew that if God called me to write this book, He would equip and surround me with wonderful, godly helpers.
So, like any well-thinking Christian woman, I took the matter to the Lord and felt the peace to proceed with this mission. This led to the publishing of my first book, Unforgettable, My Love Has Come Along in 2012.
Though the process of writing this novel, I have learned that God will use you when you make yourself available. I also discovered how much I like writing. Most surprising and delightful are the connections that I continue to make with amazing readers, authors and many others. I wouldn’t trade this experience for the world.
Tell us about latest your novel, A Place For My Heart.
A Place For My Heart is the highly anticipated third installment in the Encounters of the Heart series. It is an emotionally gripping account of the relationship between Chandler Peynard and Sabrina Benjamin. The central theme in this compelling story is God’s grace. In his darkest moment, Chandler discovers the Lord of all creation and becomes a witness that grace wins every time. Sabrina learns to place her confidence in God because He will keep His promises. Life-altering struggles are often the pathway to new beginnings.
How did the series come about?
I am a member of the Tallahassee Authors Network (TAN) Christian Sub-group and we decided to write an anthology about the consequences of sin. As I wrote my short story for the anthology, the story took on legs of its own, and became the first book in the Encounters of the Heart series. The series is based on Proverbs 4:23 (KJV) –“Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.”
Book 1 – Shades of the Heart is a novel about the courage to love in the midst of broken promises, and ultimately about the healing power of forgiveness.
Book 2 – Mirrored Hearts: Sealed By Fire is stirring and deeply satisfying new addition in the series. It details the struggles of two broken hearts, mended by enduring love and sealed by fire.
Book 3 – A Place For My Heart is an emotionally gripping account of a most unexpected love.
Although the books are in a series, they can also be read as standalone novels.
Chandler and Sabrina seemed to be total opposites. What made you create them this way?
It is more exciting to write about two people who are total opposites, because I have to take them out of their comfort zones and also find the common thread that will create harmony between them. In all of this, the characters have to remain true to their personalities yet be open enough to try and understand each other. The lessons learned are priceless.
Do you base any of your characters on real people?
No. However, Sabrina Benjamin has some of my personality traits. She loves the Lord and she is about living her life to the fullest in Jesus Christ. She is not afraid to love, but she knows that boundaries need to be established in a relationship. In addition, she is not afraid to speak her mind in a tactful way. She has learned to place her confidence in God because He will keep His promises.
Who is your favourite character and why?
I admire Chandler Peynard because in his darkest moment, he was brave enough to change his lifestyle. His life story reminded me that there is nothing too hard for God to do.
What was your hardest scene to write in A Place For My Heart ?
The hardest scene to write was the proposal, mainly because I did not want it to be the usual. I wanted the protagonist to propose in a way that was thoughtful and innovative. He had wined and dined her, and she was captivated by his love. Nevertheless, I wanted her to be blown away by his proposal.
What is next in your writing journey?
Currently, I am planning to write the fourth book in the Encounters of the Heart series. This novel will detail the story of Tyler and Madison. It will be released in early 2018. I am excited about my writing journey, and I am thankful for the opportunity to share with others. I believe in working together, the exchanging of ideas and sharing of resources, so I hope that my writing journey takes me all over the world to share at conferences, seminars and workshops.
The Latest Novel by Ann Marie Bryan
A Place For My Heart book summary
Crushed by heartache and desperate for an escape, he makes a life-changing choice. When Chandler Peynard staggers into Sabrina Benjamin’s life, he is desperate for an escape route. Battling feelings of isolation, he has erected barriers around his heart, often times leaving a trail of broken dreams behind him.
Sabrina’s happily-ever-after was ripped away months ago, but she hasn’t given up on finding love. Still, she is caught off guard by her feelings for Chandler, a man who could hardly be described as a model man of God. As an unexpected bond develops between them, she wants more—a lot more than Chandler is prepared to give, because falling in love and putting down roots are not a part of his plan.
Touched by Sabrina’s kindness and faith, Chandler makes a life-changing choice; however, complication is inevitable when the past he’d thought was long buried, pushes him to confront matters he would have given anything to forget. As he struggles to release himself from his past and embrace the future, he offers Sabrina a place in his heart, but she demands all of it.
In a season that has brought so many changes, Chandler longs for peace in his soul and yearns for love. Will he trust God with all of his heart in order to overcome his past? Will he be able to testify that God’s grace wins every time? Will he find the strength to take a chance at life and love with Sabrina?
Get To Know Ann Marie Bryan
Ann Marie is very active on social media, she host regular Facebook author chats and fun giveaways. You can stay connected with Ann Marie at:
Who Will Enjoy Ann Marie Bryan’s Books
If you enjoy contemporary romance novels, then you will enjoy the Encounters of the Heart book series. Also, I think Christian women, especially young ladies will love these books. There are real life scenarios, memorable characters, vivid descriptions, and romance along with strong themes of affirming the Christian faith.
Thanks Ann Marie was agreeing to be featured on My Jamaican Vignettes.
Next week I will be hosting Writerly Yours and Hope Pennington for a book blog tour of Hope’s novel, Fairytale.
Until then, happy reading!
Chantel DaCosta
Chantel DaCosta is a storyteller, editor and lifestyle blogger. She is passionate about mental health awareness and Jamaican women's own-voices stories.
2 Comments
Ann Marie Bryan
Chantel, thank you for this opportunity. May God continue to bless you in your endeavors.
Chantel DaCosta
And thank you Ann Marie! It was great connecting with you. Keep writing and publishing, keep inspiring.