Celebrating a New Release and Free Novellas

This week I’m celebrating the release of my friend Shirley Gould’s book, The Sahar of Zanzibar. Shirley and I first met in 2015 at a Christian writers’ conference in St. Louis, MO. At the time, I was considering leading a short-term mission team to Africa. I really did not want this responsibility. Even though I’d been a member of mission teams to Niger, Africa, I’d never been the group leader.

I’m like Gideon in that when I feel the Lord asking me to do something that I don’t want to do, I ask for signs. In this case, I asked God to send me a billboard if I was to lead a mission team to Kenya. I lacked the skills to prepare the group and the funds to pay for the airfare.

Among the hundreds of attendees at the conference in St. Louis, I ended up sitting next to Shirley at lunch. When she said she had served as a missionary in Kenya for eleven years, my heart sank. I didn’t mention my prayer. Instead, I squirmed in my chair.

The next day, I scanned the ballroom of round tables covered in white linen and chose a table in the back corner. Of course, Shirley stopped by my chair and asked if the seat next to me was taken. I gave a half-smile.

Finally, I squared my shoulders and shared my burden with Shirley. She offered a sympathetic smile and said, “I wish I lived closer to you. I could help you prepare the team, but I live in a little town called Cross Plains, TN.”

I almost spit my tea across the table as I choked. Cross Plains, TN is just across the state line from my hometown of Franklin, KY; it’s about a twenty-minute drive.

Shirley visited my home and helped prepare the team, and God also provided the funds to pay for the trip. While we were in Kenya, over sixty people professed faith in Christ. I am thankful God was patient with me as I resisted His request. God is so good to me.

My spirits always lift when I remember God introducing me to Shirley, and it thrills me to celebrate the release of her book this week, The Sahar of Zanzibar. It is an answered prayer.

From the Back Cover

In a scary case of mistaken identity, Olivia Stone is threatened by Aga Kahn, a powerful Indian ruler, because she could pass as the twin of the missionary’s deceased wife. Kahn calls her the Sahar of Zanzibar who has returned from the grave to torment him and demands that she leave the island or face his wrath. She’d come to exotic Zanzibar in search of adventure, but she experiences much more.

A handsome widower, Missionary Eli Deckland, steps between Olivia and the angry Indian, rescuing her. There’s an instant connection between Olivia and Eli that escalates when he comes to her rescue again and again. Amid the chaos, Eli tries to prove Kahn murdered his late wife. After several attempts on Olivia’s life, she’s kidnapped. Eli joins the police to find her before it’s too late.

As every moment passes, Olivia’s life is in more danger… Will she be saved in time? If she is rescued, would it work between her and Eli? With an ocean keeping them apart, will their feelings fade? The answer is in the African skies…