Land of My Dreams
Norma Gail
Norma Gail’s debut contemporary Christian romance, Land of My Dreams, is set in Scotland
and New Mexico and released in April 2014.
About the Book:
Alone and betrayed, American professor, Bonny Bryant longs for a
haven of peace. She accepts a position at a small Christian college in Fort
William, Scotland, craving escape from her painful past. The passionate love
which develops when she meets fellow professor and sheep farmer, Kieran
MacDonell, is something she never anticipated.
Kieran harbors a deep anger toward God in the face of his own
devastating grief. When Bonny’s former fiancé reenters her life, Kieran’s
loneliness draws him to a former student.
How will Bonny decide between her rivals? Can they set aside the
past to make way for a future, or will it drive them apart?
Land of My Dreams spans the distance between New Mexico’s high desert mountains and
the misty Scottish Highlands with a timeless story of overwhelming grief,
undying love, and compelling faith.
Buy the Book:
Brief Interview with Norma Gail
Norma, what do you love the most about Land of My Dreams?
Land of My Dreams is my debut novel. It is the fulfillment of a life-long dream to
see my name on a book. I love having told a story that ministers to the reader,
because I know God gave it to me. I have had so many comments about the book
touching people’s lives through situations they can relate to, and God’s
purpose for the things He allows into our lives. When someone says that your
fictional story taught them God is big enough to take our questions and doesn’t
send pain and hardship because we messed up or don’t have enough faith, it
takes your breath away. I love that people see themselves in the characters and
get lost in the setting, laughing, crying, getting angry, and ending up feeling
fulfilled. Reviews like that make all the hard work worthwhile.
What do you hope readers will tell other people about Land of My Dreams?
One reader recommended it to her sixteen year-old granddaughter to
help her learn what to look for in a relationship. She recommended it to people
who were planning to get married for the same reason. One reader said it is so
much more than a love story; that it will speak to anyone who has suffered
loss, pain, divorce or death. I hope readers tell their friends that it takes
them through the full range of emotions, makes them read with a Scottish accent,
hear the bagpipes, smell green chili roasting, and feel the raindrops on their
faces. I love to hear things like that.
What two things did you learn from publishing your first book?
I learned so much it is difficult to condense into two things.
1) It is so much more difficult than you ever imagined. It is
definitely not glamor and get rich quick. It’s hard work even after it is
released. It requires taking tough criticism, and working with many different
personalities. There are a lot of late nights editing and more social media
than anyone should have to learn, but in the end, you have something you always
dreamed of. It makes you a stronger person and teaches perseverance.
2) I learned that attending writer’s conferences is a necessity.
It is important to take workshops to improve your skills. Meeting other
writers, getting critiques and feedback on your writing, and meeting with your
publisher are valuable opportunities. If you work hard enough and show a
willingness to take direction, you can get a contract with a traditional
publisher. It takes time.
About the Author:
Norma Gail is a former Bible Study Fellowship discussion leader
who established the first weekly women’s Bible studies in her church in 2003
and continues to lead a weekly small group. Her devotionals, poetry have
appeared at ChristianDevotions.us, the Stitches Thru Time blog, and in “The
Secret Place.” She has led weekly women’s Bible studies for 19 years. She is a
member of American Christian Fiction Writers, FaithWriters, and the New Mexico
Christian Novelists. She is a former RN and homeschool/soccer mom who loves
family research, history, and Scotland. Norma lives in the mountains of New
Mexico with her husband of 38 years. They have two adult children.
Connect with Norma at:
