Merry Christmas!

For those of you who follow my blog, you might have noticed that I've been absent the past few months. My family and I returned to the US in July for just under five months to help our oldest adjust to his first semester of university. Considering the fact that he moved to Africa when he was six, there's a lot of things he needed to adjust to as a third culture kid. Someone recently asked us if he was interested in doing a semester abroad through his college. Well, the truth is that for him this is a semester abroad!

While we were here, we were hoping to have a time of sabbatical rest after twelve years on the field. Well. . .that didn't happen. What did happen was homeschooling two kids, helping a third kiddo get settled into college, writing one book, seeing some beautiful sites while visiting supporters, friends, and family, and saying good-bye to two of our board members who passed away.

And now with New Years around the corner, we're actually extremely excited to get back to our own beds and routine and not live out of a suitcase anymore!

But in spite of the fact we're going home tired, we are grateful for the chance to see family (it had been three and a half years since two of our kids saw their grandparents!) visit with friends, and express our thanks to churches and individuals who have supported us so faithfully. 

Plus, we've been thrilled to hear about how the Christians are continuing the work while we've been gone. We can’t wait to jump back into the work and learn more about how God has moved while we’ve been in the US. These photos are of some special evangelism training that was taught by the leaders while we were gone.

My prayer for each of you is during this sometimes too hectic time of year, that you will find the true Reason for the Season in Him. 

"For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given. . .and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace."

Merry Christmas!

Lisa Harris

PS If you are someone you know gets an Ereader or Ipad for Christmas, be sure to take advantage of the free download of my award-winning romantic suspense novel DangerousPassage!

Happy Release Day!

Thanks so much to all of you who stopped by and shared about your fun park adventures. I loved reading the comments! A big congrats to Kelley who is the winner of my Heart of Africa giveaway, celebrating the release of Vendetta.

My honey and I are away for the week celebrating our 25th anniversary so I'm offline, but I wanted to remind you--if you haven't ordered your copy--that Vendetta is now available on line and at your local bookstores!

Happy reading!

Lisa

Amazon             Barnes and Noble     Christianbook.com

Behind the scenes with Nikki Boyd part two (+ a giveaway)

One of the things I love about writing is the behind the scenes research that goes into a story. Vendetta, book one in the Nikki Boyd Files, is one of those series that has given me a glimpse a completely different world. Between the setting of the stunning Smoky Mountains and Nikki's work on a missing person task force, I found myself completely pulled into both the tough terrain of the area and a look at how police work so hard to find those who have gone missing. If you didn't catch my part one of behind the scenes with Nikki Boyd, you can check it out here. Recently I was able to take a bunch of photographs when our family visited the park last month. One of the things our family did while we were there was white water rafting, which was a blast. 

Along with the gorgeous setting, Vendetta also deals with some tough issues about what happens with someone goes missing and how friends and family often respond. In Vendetta, this case ends up clashing with Nikki's past as she works against time to find a missing teenage girl. Nikki has a lot of motivation to do what she does because of the loss of her own sister which has shown her both the side of the authorities and as the victim. And with that the emotional pull she feels to bring justice to a sitaution isn't always easy.

“Sometimes there is nothing you can do to change your circumstances. Sometimes all you can do is hold on for dear life and pray that God will help you find a way through the storm. Sometimes he shows you a way to escape, and sometimes he walks through the fires with you.” (Nikki from Vendetta)

Sometimes my own spiritual struggles come to light in my books as I wrestle with the tough things I see around me. I've come to realize that because we live in a fallen world, life is hard, but even in the times when we feel as if there is no way out, He will walk through the storm with us.

On to the giveaway. . .

In celebration of the release of Vendetta--the kindle version comes out on Tuesday!--I wanted to have a fun giveaway. While I was at the park, I found a beautiful CD of music and mug that I'll be giving away. Leave a comment below with a way for me to contact you and while you're there, I'd love to hear about any memorable experiences you've had at a national park. Hopefully, none of them were quite as action packed and dangerous as Nikki's! Giveaway ends October 1st at midnight, EST.

Happy reading!!

Lisa

Official Rules for Giveaway: No purchase necessary. Giveaway is opened to U.S. residents 18 years and older. Odds of winning depend on number of entries. Total prizes: One CD and one mug valued at $25. Winner will be chosen by a random number generator and will be notified via email with instructions on how to claim the book. If the winner does not leave an email or meet the above criteria (US resident 18+), another winner will be selected. If a winner does not follow the instructions within 24 hours to claim the prize, no prize will be awarded. Void where prohibited by law.

Behind the Scenes with Nikki Boyd: Part One

Vendetta--hot off the press!

There's nothing quite as exciting as getting a copy of one your books hot off the press, except maybe the journey it took to get to this point. Vendetta, book one in The Nikki Boyd Files, hits stores in a couple weeks, while I'm actually working on book three.

Originally, when I presented my idea to my editor, I was going to focus on different people on a missing person task force for each book of the series. My editor came back to me and said that the publisher wanted me to stick to telling the stories from Nikki's point of view. Now that I'm writing book three, I'm actually so glad we decided to do this, because I love, love, love her story. Nikki's motivation to do what she does comes from the loss of her own sister who went missing a decade ago, and she's never been found. This makes Nikki's journey very personal. She knows what it's like to be on the side of the victims' family, and that knowledge motivates her to ensure that other families don't go through what hers went through.

Another decision that was made early on in the writing of the series was where it would be set. I wanted a southern setting, and for book one, I needed it to be in the mountains. So while Nikki's team is based in Nashville, Vendetta takes place in and around the Smoky Mountains.

Now one of the things I love to do is travel. And while a lot of the settings I use for my books I've actually been able to visit (like Paris for Taken, for example) I'd never had the chance to visit the Smoky Mountains. So instead, I did tons of research. Which is actually one of my favorite things to do. I love research and the chance to discover places I don't know much about. The Appalachian Trail was one of these fun discoveries for me. I was blown away by some of the stories I read about people who walked the entire, 2000+ mile trek. Let me just say that at first, the idea of walking the Appalachian trail seemed completely glamorous and romantic, but let's face it. . .2000+ miles isn't easy. At all. And it isn't for the faint at heart. . .uh. . .me.

Fast forward to a couple of weeks ago. Vendetta is written, edits, are done, and the books is about to be printed. We were staying at a missionary cabin in Tennessee, and when I realized just how close we were to the Smoky Mountains, and my wonderful husband agreed to take me there!

It was so much fun to finally visit the place I'd researched as I wrote Nikki's story. I ended up being the tour guide who know my way around even though I'd never actually visited! This area was even far more beautiful than I ever imagined. I was also able to visit some of the actual scenes from where the book takes place. And as crazy as it sounds, I kept expecting to run into Nikki! But my one goal for the trip-- since I couldn't see Nikki--was to see a bear. And we did! We saw a mama and a couple of cubs which was so amazing, but unfortunately those photos didn't turn out.

My son and I next to the Appalachian Trail.

Hope you enjoyed the photos! They're stunning, aren't they! Check back in a week or so for Behind the Scenes Part Two and a special giveaway!

Happy reading,

Lisa

Cover Reveal!

I'm so excited to share with you the cover of my next Love Inspired Suspense! Coming this September is Desperate Escape.

When Dr. Maddie Gilbert is kidnapped by rebel forces in West Africa, special ops agent Grant Reese races to rescue her. But the ruthless drug traffickers holding Maddie hostage have powerful connections--maybe even inside the US government. And they'll go to any lengths to silence her--permanently. Grant knows that getting Maddie free and safe is just the first step of this mission. Because he's fallen for the spirited beauty, and as her enemies pursue them, Grand must face a second battle--the one to win her heart.

Desperate Escape is available now for pre-order on line along with Vendetta, book one in another brand new series coming in October!

Happy Reading!

Lisa

TucTuc Taxi!

As many of you know, the ECHO Project was started to help address some of the many needs we encounter around us everyday here in Africa. ECHO stands for Education, Compassion, Hope, and Opportunity. While most of the monthly ongoing help the ECHO project provides is in the way of medical, housing, schooling, and food assistance, occasionally there is an opportunity for us to help with a business loan that will provide continuing support of a family.

Alex is one of the young men the ECHO Project has been able to help in the past. He started by supporting himself by making bracelets and earrings. He was faithful in his work and used the money to put himself through driving school so he could get a better job. He then found work driving a Tuc Tuc taxi in our town, but often had to work seven days a week. He recently approached us for a long so he could be able to work for himself, as well as teach in the village, and go to church.

This is a photo of Alex and his new Tuc Tuc! Please pray for him and the success of his new business.

Lisa

Adventura

It's a word we use a lot here. Adventura or adventure. Because I can honestly say that life is never dull. The past few months have been particularly busy with lots of changes.

 

The first big change is that our oldest son is graduating from high school next week! The missionary school where he has been attending ends a bit later than traditional schools in the US, but it's still hard to believe that he just has a few more days. We are so proud of him and excited as he will be starting University in the fall back in the US.

 Another change is that as a family we will be spending the rest of the year in the US so we can be closer to our son as he adjusts to university and life in the states for the first time since he was six. We will also use this time to report to churches, raise some additional support, and hopefully find some time to rest before returning to Africa in January.

 

The last change is that the house we began building three and a half years ago is almost finished. There has been delay upon delay and more stress than we ever want to experience again, but the majority of the work will be done before we leave which means we will be able to move in!

 Change and a bit of adventure is a part of a missionary's life it seems. We really do find ourselves often saying that it's just a big adventura with both the good and the frustrating. And knowing that nothing on this earth will last forever anyway, that's okay! 

Be blessed today!

Lisa

PS If you haven't read Dangerous Passage, book one in my award-winning Southern Crimes series, I just checked and it's still free as an ebook! And book two is only $4.99! Happy reading!

Free Ebook!

If you haven't had a chance to read my Southern Crimes series, now's the chance to grab your ebook copy for book one, Dangerous Passage! This is my book that won a Christy Award. It's currently free on Amazon and other online retailers.

On top of that, I just noticed that book two, Fatal Exchange is on sale for $4.99. I'm not sure how long this sale will continue, so grab it while you can!

Happy reading!

Lisa

Cover Reveal!

Wow. . .I'm not sure about you, but I have no idea how it's possible we're already into May! I know a lot of you are exited about the end of the school year and summer around the corner, but on our side of the world, I'm thrilled that the hot summer days are finally over. And while it doesn't get super cold here in our 'winter,' for me the weather's finally perfect!

So much has happened over the past few months, that I honestly haven't had time to keep up with blogging. Because of that, I've got a number of new photos to share in another post, but for today, I wanted to give you all a look at my next Revell cover for my brand new romantic suspense series I'm so excited about. Book one, Vendetta, releases this October, and you can preorder now!!

Let me know what you think about the cover!

Barnes & Noble  Christianbook.com  Amazon

Happy Reading!

Lisa

The Widow's Offering

One of the widowed women The ECHO Project is helping with a monthly food basket to help care for her orphaned grandchildren gave a gift of two roosters to our family and to David and Emily to show her gratefulness.

"While Jesus was in the Temple, he watched the rich people dropping their gifts in the collection box. Then a poor widow came by and dropped in two small coins.

“I tell you the truth,” Jesus said, “this poor widow has given more than all the rest of them. For they have given a tiny part of their surplus, but she, poor as she is, has given everything she has.” Luke 21:1-4

Taken Giveaway with a bonus!

I'm so excited to announce the release of my latest Love Inspired Suspense, TAKEN, (Feb 1st) and set in Paris, France! So to celebrate, I've planned an extra special giveaway.

For starters, four winners will receive a copy of Taken to read and enjoy!

And for the grand prize winner. . .one person will win a copy of Taken PLUS twelve stunning photo cards from France. Here's the cool thing. These cards are being sold as a fundraiser for a sweet seventeen year old friend of ours who is raising money in order to travel to Ethiopia with her parents to pick up her sibling(s) they are in the process of adopting. I'm so excited to be able to help support her for all of you to be involved as well.

I would like something from you as well, though. I'm currently working with my publisher on a possible brand new romantic suspense series set in different locals around the world. . .like Paris. So what about you? What would you pick as your top international local for a page-turning suspense novel?

Let me know in your comment below, AND please also be sure to leave a way for me to contact you to be entered.

Open to both US and international winners. Addresses outside the US will receive an ebook copy of  TAKEN. Drawing closes Tuesday, February 3rd, 12:00 am PST.

A bit more about TAKEN:

Kate Elliot's suburban life turns upside-down when her sister is shot and her niece kidnapped. Unsure of whom to trust, she turns to FBI agent, Marcus O'Brian. Against the handsome agent's orders, she tracks her niece to Paris, but the City of Lights quickly becomes a city of danger. When kidnappers demand a ransom, Marcus isn't sure how much longer he can keep Kate alive. Now Marcus has the next twenty-four hours to save a stolen child and the woman he's falling in love with.

Happy Reading!

Lisa Harris


Void where prohibited; the odds of winning depend on the number of entrants. Entering the giveaway is considered a confirmation of eligibility on behalf of the enterer in accord with these rules and any pertaining local/federal/international laws.

Feeling Grateful

We've been reminded again over this past week as we write up year-end reports of how grateful we are for those who have faithfully supported this ministry--both financially and through your prayers-- starting with Allen and Janelle Avery, through the continued work in Zambia and Zimbabwe, and now our family here in Mozambique. We are also grateful for all of you who have came and been a part of the work here. 

Thank you!