Crow writes meticulously researched, entertaining novels of romance, history, adventure and mystery in an engaging you-are-there style that allows readers to live the history. Reviewers have compared her work with PD James, Dan Brown and Barbara Pym.
Award-winning author Donna Fletcher Crow has announced a new novel in the Monastery Mystery series, 'A Wind in the Hebrides'. This time she will reveal, in serial form, the stories behind the writing of the book, and the research that serves as the basis. In a recent blog post she announced the project, and stated in part:
"One could say this book has been almost 30 years in the making. I don’t remember exactly when a friend told me about the Hebrides Revival, but I know it was in the 1990s because our daughter, who is now a mother of six, was in high school at the time. I knew instantly, however, that this was a story I wanted to tell.
"I did the initial research in 2001 when my friend Evelyn Bennett and I set out on one of the first planes to leave Boise after 9/11 on the nearly 4,500-mile journey from Boise, Idaho, to Barvas, the Isle of Lewis, via London, Glasgow, Iona, and other stops. It was a wonderful trip that we still recall fondly. No book followed, however, as other projects intervened. At last, the time has come to tell the story.
"From the beginning of my 40-some year career my focus has been telling the history of British Christianity through the medium of mystery and romance novels. For the Monastery Murders my contemporary characters reveal the story through their travels. Father Antony Sherwood, a church history lecturer at a theological college run by monks in Yorkshire, loves to tell the colorful events of England’s saints and heroes of the faith. His impetuous American wife Felicity is the one most likely to learn how events of the past can impact today—especially when the couple are thrown into solving murders.
"A Wind in the Hebrides, book 7 in the series, finds Felicity curbing her rash instincts now that she has their five-year-old son in tow. The challenges to her new circumspection increase when Antony remains behind on the jewel-like Isle of Iona peacefully walking in the footsteps of Saint Columba with a group of students while Felicity and young Teddy go on to the Island of Lewis in the Outer Hebrides. Felicity is on assignment to learn about the Hebrides Awakening, but she is determined to make this a holiday for Teddy and a pleasant break for herself. After all, post-World War II events shouldn’t be that difficult to uncover. And what danger could there possibly be?"
"Well, that remains to be seen—and my plan is to let my followers see it all as Antony and Felicity's story progresses. As the plot unfolds, I will publish a blog every few weeks to give readers peeks at the adventure—literally, as I will include as many photographs from my research trips as I can.
"It is always my goal to tell my stories in a way that takes my readers along with me—and I never write about a place I haven’t been to myself. I am hoping that inviting you along as this story develops will add to the fun.”
The full text of the post is available at https://donnafletchercrow.com/p/512/A-New-Monastery-Murder-Progress-Reveal-for-A-Wind-in-the-Hebrides-Invitation-to-My-Research-Trip.
Donna Fletcher Crow is the author of 50 books, mostly novels of British history. She has taken a number of high-level industry awards for her work. Many of her books have been bestsellers in their categories, including 'A Most Inconvenient Death', which achieved #1 bestseller status in Christian Suspense. 'The Fields of Bannockburn', the epic from which The Celtic Cross Series, Part I: Scotland, The Struggle for a Nation is based, was listed as Fiction Bestseller by Christian Book Distributors and 'The Banks of the Boyne', the epic from which The Celtic Cross Series, Part II: Ireland, The Pursuit of Peace is based, hit #3 Best-Selling Fiction.
The Monastery Murders Series features atmospheric contemporary crimes with their roots buried deep in the middle ages. Books in the series include 'A Very Private Grave', 'A Darkly Hidden Truth', 'An Unholy Communion', 'A Newly Crimsoned Reliquary', 'An All-Consuming Fire' and the newly-released 'Against All Fierce Hostility.'
Her latest release is, 'Going There,’ Tales from the Riviera and Beyond. In the summer of 2021 amidst a world-wide pandemic, Donna, her daughter-in-law, and granddaughter managed to slip through a narrow window of calm for a remarkable journey to France and Switzerland. And much to Donna’s surprise and delight, she was accompanied on the undertaking by characters from her mystery series—who had adventures of their own. This book, scheduled to be available December 1, 2023, is an account of a memorable travel experience in the real world and the fictional. It takes the reader to places physical and imaginary.
The 10-volume Celtic Cross series covers the history of Scotland and Ireland. The leading historic figures of the day interact with fictional characters to bring the stirring events alive. Each epoch is tied to the series with the on-going events in the lives of modern young people as old wars and current conflicts keep them striving to find answers that provide hope for the future. The series is comprised of 10 novels. ‘The Keeper of the Stone,’ book 1 in the series was #1 on Amazon for Historical Scottish fiction.
The Daughters of Courage, 'Kathryn', 'Elizabeth' and 'Stephanie' is a pioneer family saga based on the stories of Crow's own family and other Idaho pioneers in the Kuna, Nampa and Boise area.
'Glastonbury' is her best-known book, which received the prestigious First Place, Historical Novel, award from the National Federation of Press Women. Readers and reviewers have raved about 'Glastonbury', calling it "The best of its kind," "richly fascinating," "beautifully researched," "gloriously evocative," and "panoramic." One Amazon reader said, "WHAT a work! Every reader can be enveloped in the sheer scope and quality, every historian be constantly nodding at the precise detail and accuracy, and every Christian can rejoice in the fullness of scripture. For me it is simply beyond descriptive praise. I would urge all who value truth to treat themselves to a feast."
The Elizabeth & Richard Mysteries is a literary suspense series using literary figures as background: Rudyard Kipling in 'The Flame Ignites', Dorothy L Sayers in 'The Shadow of Reality', Shakespeare in 'A Midsummer Eve's Nightmare', and Jane Austen in both 'A Jane Austen Encounter' and 'A Most Singular Venture'. Watch for 'A Prodigious Sum of Corpses: Seeking Sanditon at Jane Austen’s Seashore', which will take readers to all of Austen’s favorite seashore resorts. Accounts of Crow’s visits to these sites are available on her blog under the heading "Jane Austen Seashore Tour."
Where There is Love is a 6-book series of the enduring legacy of love and faith all based on historic people and events. The titles are: 'Where Love Begins', 'Where Love Illumines', 'Where Love Triumphs', 'Where Love Restores', 'Where Love Shines', and 'Where Love Calls'.
The Lord Danvers Victorian true-crime series is an Amazon bestseller in the British Detectives category. Books in the series include 'A Lethal Spectre', 'A Most Inconvenient Death', 'Grave Matters', 'To Dust You Shall Return' and 'A Tincture of Murder'. Donna provides a no-charge download of 'A Tincture of Murder' for those who sign up for her newsletter. More information is available at her website.
Donna Fletcher Crow's awards include:
The Dawning Of Peace, of Dreamers and Designers, Book Excellence Award 2023
Where Love Begins, Best Historical Romance, Pinnacle Awards 2019
A Lethal Spectre, Best Mystery, Pinnacle Awards, 2019
Glastonbury, First Place, Historical Fiction, National Federation of Press Women Award of Merit
The Banks of the Boyne, Silver Angel; First Place Historical Fiction, National Federation Press Women
The Fields of Bannockburn, First Place Historical Fiction, National Federation Press Women
Professional Achievement Award, Northwest Nazarene College
Juvenile Books Award of Merit, Idaho Press Women
Top Idaho Author
Pacesetter Award, Mt. Hermon Writers Conference
Outstanding Historical Fiction, Idaho Press Women, National Federation of Press Women,
Idaho Writer of the Year
Best Inspirational Novel, Finalist Romance Writers of America
Writer of the Year, Mt. Hermon Writers Conference
Donna is available for media interviews and can be reached by email at donna@donnafletchercrow.com. All of her books are available at online book retailers. More information, including a no-charge download of 'A Tincture of Murder', is available at her website at https://www.donnafletchercrow.com.
About Donna Fletcher Crow:
Donna and her husband live in Boise, Idaho. They have 4 adult children and 15 grandchildren living on 3 continents. Donna is a former English literature teacher and lifelong Anglophile. Idahoans with long memories will remember her as a former Queen of the Snake River Stampede, Miss Rodeo Idaho and runner-up for Miss Rodeo America. She is an enthusiastic gardener.
Contact:
Donna Fletcher Crow
donna@donnafletchercrow.com
https://www.donnafletchercrow.com
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