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!

Congratulations to. . .

Thanks so much to everyone who stopped by and  commented on my Heart of Africa giveaway!

A huge congratulations to the winners!

Africa gift package: Debbie W.

Hidden Agenda: Doris B.

Hidden Agenda: Nancy

Wishing you all a very merry Christmas and a Happy New Year from the Heart of Africa!

Lisa

Heart of Africa Giveaway!

 Every year I love giving away something special. . .straight from the Heart of Africa. While this year has been a bit of a whirlwind--meaning I haven't had the chance to blog as often--I appreciate so much those of you who continue to faithfully follow our life and take the time to pray for our family and ministry. 

Thank you!

I think I'm thankful most this season for having at least part of my family home. With my kids in boarding school, holidays have become extra special and never long enough! We are really enjoying the time we have together.

What about you this holiday season?

I’ve been thinking lately in particular of several friends who have really struggled this year. When life hits hard, it can be difficult to stop and remember what we are thankful for. But God has continued to show me that even when things seem the darkest He is light!

I’d love to hear about what you’re thankful for this holiday season. Leave a comment on this post and you’ll be automatically entered. I will draw three names on December 20th. Drawing will end at midnight, PST.

One winner will received the ‘Mug with coffee and tea from Africa’ gift. Two other names will receive—hot off the press—a copy of Hidden Agenda. Winners outside the US will receive an ebook copy. (Sorry, but the Africa gift set can only be delivered to a US address.)

*Please leave your email so I can contact you if you are one of the winners!*

Merry Christmas!!!!

Lisa Harris

PS Both Hidden Agenda and Taken will be released in the next few weeks. If you haven’t pre-ordered your copy, you can do so at these links!

Hidden Agenda is book three in my Southern Crimes series and Taken is romantic suspense set in my favorite city. . .Paris!

“A non-stop chase that is constantly set on high-gear, fans of Lisa Harris will revel in the constant race from one place to another. Readers will most definitely be unable to catch their breath before the fantastic ending is revealed.” Suspense Magazine on Hidden Agenda

Giveaway is 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.

African Safari!

On our way back from picking up the kids from school, we drove through Kruger. Here are some of the highlights from driving in the bush!

I also posted a couple updates on The ECHO Project FB page here. God is so faithful! Be sure and check it out as well.

Enjoy!

Lisa

PS I'll be posting my yearly Heart of Africa Christmas giveaway later this week, so be sure and stop back by!

Recipe for Chocolate Mint Ice Cream. . .African Style!

A couple weeks ago someone out in the village gave Amber a couple of coconuts. It's getting pretty hot here, so we got the brilliant idea to make sorbet. We made our own coconut milk/cream, added lemon from our tree and some fresh squeezed orange juice, and we had some pretty good sorbet. 

The only problem was the recipe we used called for way to much sugar. So we really needed to try making it again to see if we could perfect the recipe. Amber graciously volunteered her chocolate chips (yes, we ration those out here!) and we decided this time to make chocolate mint with coconut milk.

Fresh from the market, the mint is on the right. We also bought basil, coriander, and spring onions that day.

Here are the two coconuts we bought off the side of the road. Because neither of us need to be using a machete (trust me on this one), we had the lady cut off the tops because we needed to save the water.

Once we got home, we poured out the coconut water. Next step. . .

. . .crack open that coconut. Thankfully no fingers or toes were lost in this attempt!

But you can tell I'm being very careful. How someone can chop open a coconut open in their hand with a machete,
I will never know! (or try!)

Amber takes a whack at it.

Voila! We can now get to the coconut meat!

Next you scrape out all of the coconut flesh.

And in the meantime, make a syrup with sugar and water. . .

. . . and our mint leaves!

We added the coconut water to the coconut flesh. . .

And blended it up.

This time it came out a bit more watery than the first time, but we still ran it through a sieve, and came up with. . .

Really smooth coconut cream!!

Not wanting to be wasteful, Aria got in on the action and was grateful for the husk.

THIS is what was left when she was done with it!

Once everything was mixed together, we put it in the freezer.

Once it was pretty frozen we added those chocolate chips. . .and. . .

Here is our chocolate mint ice cream Africa style!!!

Now this is perfect for a hot Africa summer day! We've decided we still haven't quite perfected the recipe, but that just means we'll have to do a bit more experimenting! When we cut down on the sugar we should have cut down the water as well, because this time it's a bit more icy and less creamy, but we're not complaining at all. It's so yummy and refreshing. We also learned that using real mint leaves and not just a flavoring definitely gives you a different 'mint' taste, but in a good way!

Happy summer from our side of the world!

Amber and Lisa