Welcome to Day 5 of the #RRBC March “SPOTLIGHT” Author Blog Tour! #JoyMLilley @JoyGerken @RRBC_Org #FigsVinesRoses #RRBC #RRBCSA

Today, I am delighted to welcome author, Joy M. Lilley to Robbie’s Inspiration with a post about her book: Figs, Vines and Roses: — A Family Saga.

About Joy M. Lilley

My pen name is Joy M. Lilley (aka Joy Gerken).  I am a writer and have been writing seriously since 2011 with seven books published to date. My previous career was as a trained nurse [R.G.N.] which I loved but it offered little time for me to write until my retirement.

I joined Rave Reviews Book Club (RRBC) almost 6 years ago and have been amazed by the friendship and support offered by all.

FIGS, VINES & ROSES was the first novel produced by me. I paid a considerable sum to have it edited at the time. This proved not to be adequate for a number of reasons.  Several folks in RRBC commented about the need for further editing, and when that number reached three people, I felt it necessary to do something about it.

It was recently re-edited by 4WillsPublishing.  Nonnie kindly offered to help me with the extra work at zero cost.  It’s been re-released on Amazon in Kindle and paperback formats. If you took a stab at the first version, I would appreciate it if you would reach out to Amazon for the updated version and give it another go.  

I promote my work via Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. I also pay for promotion. I am ever grateful for the amazing support given by the members of RRBC.

I enjoy audio recording short stories on my advanced home equipment, and I now offer voice-over work through Fiverr.

You can find Joy M. Lilley on Twitter here: https://twitter.com/joygerken

About Figs, Vines and Roses: — A Family Saga

The year is 1888, and eight-year-old Isabella (Issy) Merryweather lives a comfortable life in Cobnut Hall, Derby. Even at this tender age, her thoughts are focused on those less fortunate than herself, and she dreams of one day growing up to serve that population of people.

Sharing carefree summers with her brother, Clarence, her beloved dog, Molly, and cherished Grandma Ella, she enjoys the freedom of childhood innocence. But, as she comes of age, a move to Kent changes her life forever
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When Isabella meets Terence, a captivating boy from a poor background, an inseparable bond is formed in secret. But, after a heartbreaking turn of events, Isabella wonders how long secrets can stay secret before they reveal themselves?

This moving tale of love, loss, resilience, and redemption at the turn of the nineteenth century, is one that will linger in the minds of those who choose to ignore the hands of time and remain young at heart… always.

An excerpt

Chapter 8 Snippet:

The winter had been wet and cold and seemed to last forever, but everyone in the family was excited about spring being just around the corner. The world was good and there was no hint of what was about to happen.

Ella had developed a sudden and persistent cough that did not improve after several weeks, but by the spring, warmer weather had rolled in, and she was once again walking in her beloved garden, handing down instructions to the head gardener as to what she wanted done. She was more absent-minded than usual, but her aide was never far away, taking great care of her charge as she had always done. It was during one of these visits to the garden that Ella collapsed. Before help arrived and before they were able to bring her into the house, she died. They summoned the local doctor.

        “Well, she was a good age and quite healthy until the end. Many do not enjoy the flexibility of body that this old lady had, and what a good life she lived with her loving family around her,” he said.

Clarence and Isabella were called home from school. The sudden death of their grandmother came as a great shock to the family, for she appeared to be indestructible. She was seventy-five years old, in rude health and always ready to tackle her garden. Clarence seemed to take her death in stride, but for Isabella, it wouldn’t be that easy. She had always held a very soft spot in her heart for her grandmother, and the magnitude of her grief overwhelmed her.

 She reminisced with Sarah and her father about the times she had spent with her grandmother. Those memories she would never forget, for Ella had impacted her life greatly.

 For many months after, Isabella thought about her grandmother constantly, remembering her love for the finer things in life, and for the music she loved to play and listen to. She would miss the Christmas concerts and their family gatherings, but the thought of her grandmother never being able to tend her garden again, saddened Isabella greatly. Watching her grandmother nurture her garden always brought a smile to her face. To be able to plant and watch the fruits of your labours develop and grow, was to Ella, the most wondrous thing. The love of gardens was now deeply instilled in Isabella and would become one of the strongest motivators throughout her life.

 It was her grandmother who had taught her about the language of flowers:  snapdragon for presumption, honeysuckle for devotion, periwinkles for reconciliation, red roses for true love, and lilac for commitment, all of which had appealed to the young girl’s impressionable mind.

Purchase Figs, Vines and Roses – A Family Saga

FIGS, VINES & ROSES on Amazon:  https://www.amazon.com/Figs-Vines-Roses-Family-Saga-ebook/dp/B09SWR3D7Z

In conclusion

Thank you for your support of this author.  To follow along with the rest of the tour, please visit the RRBC “SPOTLIGHT” Author page on the RRBC site!