About the Book

Book: Presence-The Story of Adel

Author: Lana Wetzel

Genre: Inspirational Fiction/Women’s Fiction/Religious Romance

Release date: April 27, 2021

Adel Davis knows something has to change. Living with her parents after her husband left isn’t working out, especially where her son Noah is concerned. Ever since he arrived eight months earlier, Adel has been longing for space and independence. She longs for the family that God has written on her heart.

When Adel learns that she has inherited her grandparents’ old apple orchard in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Georgia, she knows exactly what she wants to do. She and Noah leave her parents’ home in San Francisco to discover a new life at Sweet Valley Farms.

What will she find when she gets there? Will living alone on a rural apple farm be more than Adel can bear? What about the attention she begins to receive from a few local men? As Adel learns what it means to run the orchard, she also discovers what it means to have a people, a place, and a home. A girl can start a new life; she just can’t do it alone.

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

As a writer of inspirational fiction and singer/songwriter, Lana offers a unique gift in service to her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Characterized by her experiences growing up in rural Northeast Georgia and now as a wife and homeschool mother of four, her works reflect an honesty and a gentle natural beauty that is often missed and sorely needed in a culture saturated with transient entertainment and consumerism. Whether making meals, lesson plans, story arcs, or song lyrics, Lana is listening for the still quiet Voice to draw her nearer to where even messiness and failure can become a redeemed work of art.

More from Lana

When the pace of life is set at break-neck speed and the pressure is on to sacrifice self and family for the sake of achievement, I find joy in writing stories that show a hint of something else: something simpler, something slower. A world where people stop and get to know one another (and themselves). A world where people literally “stop to smell the roses”. Where they hear the birds sing and notice the flowers bloom in the springtime. A world where family and friends and place matter. Where traditions yield comfort and joy. Where home means more than just a house you return to at the end of a long day. Where delight and wonder can be found in the commonplace of everyday life. Where friendships flourish and love blossoms. A place where life happens, and it’s never boring!

In “Presence – The Story of Adel”, Doris Jones takes Adel under her wing and teaches her about life. One of the special memories they share is making blueberry muffins together. Here’s the recipe:

Doris’ Blueberry Muffins:

½ cup butter

1 cup sugar

2 eggs

1 tsp. vanilla

½ cup milk

2 cups flour

2 tsp. baking powder

½ tsp. baking soda

½ tsp. salt

2 tsp. cinnamon

1 ½ cups blueberries, fresh or frozen

2 Tbsp. sugar (for sprinkling on top)

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

In a large mixing bowl, cream together butter, sugar, eggs, and vanilla. Gently blend in the milk. In a separate bowl: mix flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon. Add blueberries and stir only until well dusted. Fold the flour mixture into the sugar mixture with a spoon and place into muffin cups or a well-greased muffin tin. Bake 10 minutes then sprinkle extra sugar over the tops. Bake 10 more minutes or until golden brown. Enjoy!

Author Interview with Lana

• What was one of the most surprising things you learned in creating your book?

One of the most surprising things I learned while writing Presence was that my husband is also a storyteller! Writing was not something we’d discussed much in the eleven years we’d been married. As I went to him for opinions and advice while working on Presence, we found that he has a gift for writing and storytelling and I am encouraging him to write his own story one day!

• How do you overcome writer’s block? Do you have any advice for others in finding their process to overcome it?

When I feel writer’s block coming on, I move to a knew location. Sometimes just changing my setting and taking a breather for a few moments is just what I need to get going again.

• Do you read the genre you write? Why or why not?

I tend to read mostly classics, but I do love many Christian Fiction authors. Janette Oke is one of my main inspirations!

• How did you come up with the title for your book?

I had the subtitle “The Story of Adel” since day one, but “Presence” didn’t come until I was in the editing phase. It just clicked that the story was about Adel being “present” in the life of her son, about the “presence” of the new friends in her own life, and especially about the “presence” of God, who was always with her, despite her troubles.

• What’s your favorite writing snack, drink, and/or music?

My all-time favorite writing drink is a special black tea called “The Rabbit Room Brew” by the British Bee Tea Company. Soooo good! But any tea will do in a pinch. My favorite writing snack is popcorn.

• What is the most valuable piece of advice you’ve been given about writing?

This advice actually came about song writing. Andrew Peterson once said that he received the advice to “write the bad songs too.” You have to start somewhere, and the only way to improve is to practice! That means that some of your stuff, especially your early stuff, may not be the best, but keep at it! Keep practicing and you will improve your craft. I am trying to apply this to my own life, in writing both stories and songs.

• Do you participate in writing challenges on social media? Why or why not?

I haven’t yet, but it sounds fun!

• How did publishing your first book change your writing process?

I think that getting in a rhythm with the modern writing format has made writing my second novel, Wild at Heart, so much easier. I am able to relax and focus more on plot and character development and worry less about what punctuation should go where. I also feel more confident that it will actually make it to the printer one day, so I’m not as anxious. I feel like I have been able to relax and enjoy the experience more!

• Is your writing space pristine or organized chaos?

Depends on the day!! 😉 As a homeschooling mama to four littles, my life can go from neat and tidy to chaos in a matter of minutes! My writing space also shifts, depending on the day. Sometimes it’s the passenger seat of the car while waiting for the kids at one of their activities, sometimes it’s our dock in the early morning, sometimes it’s my actual writing space, which is a desk set up in our sunroom. I enjoy the flexibility.

Blog Stops

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, May 14

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, May 15

Texas Book-aholic, May 16

Inklings and notions, May 17

lakesidelivingsite, May 18

Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, May 19

Pause for Tales, May 20

For Him and My Family, May 20

deb’s Book Review, May 21

Locks, Hooks and Books, May 22

Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, May 23

Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, May 24

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, May 25

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, May 26

Guild Master, May 27 (Author Interview)

Miriam Jacob, May 27

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Lana is giving away the grand prize package of a $50 amazon gift card with a hard 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/1db4e/presence-the-story-of-adel-celebration-tour-giveaway