About the Book

Book: A Deeper Love

Author: Heidi Gray McGill

Genre: Christian Contemporary Romance

Release Date: October 31, 2023

What was that movie line about relationships built on intense experiences? Oh, yeah. They never work.

I get paid to do my dream job, usually by wealthy men who thrive on adventure. But when their adrenaline rush is gone and vacation is over, I’m still here, on a tropical island, with people who mostly leave me alone. And I like it that way.

Except for this guy. Seriously, Dan is the last man I want to get involved with. If he got Decompression Illness, the doctors would likely call it Mercedes Bends. He’s privileged and entitled and would never leave his city life behind for the challenges of living on a remote island. Which is a total relief, I’m telling you.

Don’t get me wrong—he’s prime shark bait, but I’m not ready to fall deeply in love with someone who won’t stay. There’s no such thing as going “too deep” where spiritual things are concerned. But when it comes to relationships, I’ll stay at the surface and snorkel rather than dive into the depths.

Take a trip to the Suamalie Islands where palm trees sway, the sand and sea pulse with life, and the people will steal your heart.

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Whether historical or contemporary, you will find Heidi’s Christian Fiction works to be full of God’s redeeming love.

Everything Heidi writes is purposeful. She believes in bringing a reader into the awareness of who God is to them and how He interacts with them on a personal level. She does this by crafting characters so relatable you feel part of who they are.

Heidi reaches deep into the reader’s heart through masterfully written words and offers ways toward healing by seamlessly applying God’s Word throughout her stories.

Heidi and her husband of 30+ years live in South Carolina. Besides writing Christian fiction with relatable characters in life-changing stories, Heidi relishes time with family and friends. She enjoys scrapbooking, playing games, traveling, and building bridges with her grandsons that must fall with a loud crash and usually involve a monster truck.

More from Heidi

My husband and I are scuba divers. I prefer clear water, bright fish, live coral, and the gentle swells of the ocean. I also enjoy the peaceful cenotes of Mexico, where being above water is just as stunning as being under. My husband has taken me to some remote and beautiful places.

My favorite scuba trip was to the Island of Dominica in the Caribbean, where my parents served as volunteer missionaries. On that trip, I saw a baby octopus and felt the boiling water from the active volcano vents as it bubbled up from the ocean floor.

My husband prefers diving for shark teeth and treasure in murky, fast-moving, brackish water. He thinks running into alligators, catfish the size of large dogs, and snapping turtles is part of the adventure. He also is an extreme cave diver, relishing the challenge of seeing places few have ventured. Small places and dark water are not my thing.

Owning a scuba shop seemed like the natural choice for my main character in A Deeper Love. Being able to share the underwater world and beauty of a tropical island through words became my next challenge.

Alicia Garry, affectionately known as Algae, is as formidable as her military father. She’s adventuresome and intelligent unless it comes to love. Then, she lives up to her family name, which means watchful in French. Relationships with clients never end well since they always leave, so she keeps things professional with her customers.

That is until she meets Daniel McMaster. Like most of Alicia’s clientele, Daniel is a businessman who craves adventure from his dull life. He comes from money, makes and spends money, and is way out of her league.

When she has feelings for Daniel, she wonders if she’s swallowed a bit too much seawater.

In A Deeper Love, you’ll meet a boat captain with cheesy jokes, a kind neighbor child who melts hearts, and a God who knows the future. Throw in some Little Mermaid quotes and songs, and this story comes alive with romance and Algae’s desire to be part of Daniel’s world.

Book a trip today with Scuba Deux Adventures Dive Shop, where you’ll embark on an adventure far beyond the ocean’s depths.

My Interview

What inspired you to start writing? In March of 2020, our global world changed, as did my small section of the world. The platform I used to share Christ had been the English as a Second Language Ministry I founded and directed. With that gone, I needed to be creative. I’d been a beta reader for authors and decided to try writing. So, rather than inspiration, my writing journey started out of desperation. What kept me writing was sheer grit and the knowledge that God called me to share the gospel and reminded me it was my responsibility to follow through in obedience, no matter how challenging.

What advice would you give a new writer or someone just starting out? Every author should know their purpose for writing before they begin. For me, it sounds like this: Writing is my ministry, and it’s how I share Christ with those who may never pick up a Bible or step foot inside a church. I also write to encourage those in the Faith to live abundant lives—full of all God desires for us. Writing is also how I work through my heart’s questions and embrace God’s best for me. New and aspiring authors must know their purpose and give their ministry to the Lord because there will be days when they will question everything.

Charles H. Spurgeon, in All of Grace, says it best. “Begin as you mean to go on, and go on as you began, and let the Lord be all in all to you.”

What is the most difficult part about writing for you? My biggest challenge in writing is staying on task. I have difficulty shutting off my mind when I need to focus on something or someone. I’m easily distracted by things—even good things—like the laughter of my grandsons, the smell of dinner cooking, or the ping of my phone when I get a text. I’ve learned to put my phone aside, but I have to schedule a time to write when there will be minimal distractions to keep me in line.

Learning to say no to others when I’ve scheduled a specific time to write is another issue with which I struggle. Reminding myself this author gig isn’t a cute hobby, but a ministry means saying no when the need to complete a deadline is essential.

I’m an introverted extrovert. I need social interaction in small batches, and I cannot lock myself in a room for days to accomplish a task. Taking walks, stopping for healthy meals, talking to a friend, and planning activities with family help me stay true to myself. Keeping a color-coordinated calendar helps me see the balance between work, family, friends, church, and downtime at a glance.

 What is the definition of success as an author for you? I love this question because it reminds me of how I’ve grown. When I published my first book, Desire of My Heart, my emotions were all over the place—much like my sales and Kindle Unlimited reads. It was exhausting watching the graph dip and rise, then drop lower. My husband asked, “Why are you doing this to yourself? You don’t have to write.” I was quick to respond, “Yes, I do.” His “Just checking,” was my confirmation.

Success no longer means numbers; it means obedience. As long as I continue to do what I feel God has called me to do, I will be successful.

What is the most surprising thing you discovered while writing your book? When writing A Deeper Love, I realized how much I based my setting on the island of Dominica (a small island in the eastern Caribbean), where my parents worked as volunteer missionaries for eleven years after retirement. The Carib Indians my parents served inspired my island characters. The buildings, such as Alicia’s house and the church, were much like the home and the Bataca Church my parents built. The foods I mentioned were ones I’d eaten when visiting. The fictional Suamalie Islands came alive and reflected my precious memories of the Commonwealth of Dominica.

Can you share a snippet that isn’t in the blurb or excerpt? I’d love to share a bit. A Deeper Love is a fun read full of adventure and a happily ever after.

SNEAK PEEK! Here’s a portion of Chapter One of A Deeper Love to whet your appetite. Tug is the king of dad jokes. His odd sense of humor pops up at the most unique times in this story. To enter, share your best dad joke in the comments.

A Deeper Love

Chapter 1 – Alicia

“You’re as stubborn as your father, Alicia Garry.” My boat captain huffs and turns as I climb the ladder into the boat. His hat shakes in his trembling hand.

Puffs of air evaporate the words trying to escape my mouth. Tug hasn’t called me Alicia in years. He’s always called me Algae.

“You shouldn’t be diving alone,” he scolds as he takes my gear.

“Don’t even go there, Tug.” I squeeze the excess water from my ponytail, then pull the tab to unzip my wetsuit. “Today’s not the day.” My harsh tone sounds foreign in my ears.

Moments pass before his shoulders slump and a meaty hand runs over the leather-like skin of his neck. He turns back and fidgets with the brim of his now crumpled hat. “I’m just saying, diving is always better with a partner. I don’t like you charting unfamiliar territory alone. You need a dive buddy.”

His sly look makes me wary.

“It wouldn’t hurt you to go on a few dates here and there.”

“Are we talking diving or life partners?” Now I’m the one forcing air from my nose to keep the unkind words in. It doesn’t work. My mouth has a mind of its own. “You’re one to talk. When’s the last time you went on a date?”

Tug can slip a 40-footer into a dock sideways and never need a boat fender, but put him with a pretty lady, or at least one with all her teeth, and you’ll need to throw him a life preserver.

I shrug out of the neoprene and let the limp black sleeves dangle like my emotions. I wipe a drip of water from my eye and sigh. “I don’t know what’s wrong with me.” My eyes plead for forgiveness for my tone and harsh words.

He nods once. “The anniversary of your dad’s death is tough for both of us. Let’s start over. Put this little tiff to rest. Water under the boat.”

“I think you mean water under the bridge, but I get your drift.” I square my shoulders and take a deep breath, forcing cheer into my voice and a smile onto my face. Everything sets me off lately. Not just today. I work to find my usual easy-going demeanor.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐There’s more to this chapter. Be sure to get your copy of “A Deeper Love” today. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BLJ2CSNV

What do you hope your readers take away from this book? Everyone reads through a lens of past experiences. Many reviews of A Deeper Love focus on the way the reader was able to experience the underwater world with Dan and Alicia. But the comments that most thrill my heart are when readers mention how I seamlessly wove God into the story without it feeling preachy. I desire each reader to experience God in a new way through a character to whom they most relate.

Blog Stops

Where Crisis & Christ Collide, January 15 (Author Interview)

Lighthouse-Academy, January 15

She Lives To Read, January 16

Texas Book-aholic, January 17

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, January 18

Library Lady’s Kid Lit, January 19

Locks, Hooks and Books, January 20

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, January 21

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, January 22

Sylvan Musings, January 23 (Author Interview)

The Lit Lady, January 23

Simple Harvest Reads, January 24 (Guest Review from Donna Cline)

For Him and My Family, January 25

Holly’s Book Corner, January 26

Karen Baney Reviews, January 27

Gina Holder, Author and Blogger, January 28 (Author Interview)

 

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Heidi is giving away the grand prize package of a $25 Amazon Gift card and a copy of the book!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

https://promosimple.com/ps/2979f/a-deeper-love-celebration-tour-giveaway