An Extremely Versatile Author

 

Rayanne Sinclair (Anne Ball) spoke about her books in October to a Seattle-based Book Club. The series has four titles: Steal Away (set in Scotland); Beso Dulce (set in Mexico); Page Turner (set in a Midwestern University), and Flight Risk (set in Alaska). Talk about versatility!

Click on the links to read reviews. 

Anne's most recent book, The Companion, is a novella that pulls the heartstrings. It is published under the pseudonym Pad Brotherton because it is as unlike the first four books as the sun is from the moon. 

The protagonist is Libby Stamas, a wealthy Colorado Springs widow, who hires Will Westfall, a graduate student, to visit with her several times a week. In addition to learning about Libby’s painful life history, Will finds there is something else quite unusual about her. She has vision into the spiritual realm―what she calls “the other side.” What starts as a side job to pay the bills turns into a life-changing experience for Will, the companion. He is at first skeptical, then intrigued, and, ultimately, a believer in more than just Libby’s abilities when one of her visions portends his premature death.

A story deeply focused on the single relationship between Libby and Will, The Companion raises questions about how people deal with the past and present in light of the future. It presses readers to consider contemporary social constructs in new ways as Libby’s painful life story becomes a springboard for Will to grow and identify his own needs.

Readers from all walks of life will enjoy these novels. I know I did!

Alice C. Linsley

Rayanne Sinclair's Flight Risk

Rayanne Sinclair's latest novel Flight Risk is a dramatic story of crisis in the air and on the ground set in Alaska in the mid-20th century.

This is a compelling story of committed love between a beautiful Nuxalk woman of the Bella Coola Valley of British Columbia and a manly bush pilot who grew up in Alaska. They meet during an aviation crisis and their relationship grows stronger as they face one crisis and challenge after the other.

As an anthropologist, I was especially interested in the excellent details the author provides about the native cultures of the Pacific Northwest and Alaska. It is evident that Rayanne Sinclair did her homework!

The characters are well drawn and the plot moves quickly. The book is full of good news, especially for women who have reason never to trust men.

If you know someone like that, give them the book as gift. They will thank you one day. Trust me.

Alice C. Linsley


Other books by Rayanne Sinclair:

Page Turner
Beso Dulce
Steal Away

Review of Page Turner

Rayanne Sinclair

Page Turner is the second book by Rayanne Sinclair that I have read, the first being Steal Away (which I adored). This book, however, is officially my favorite. I loved the story from the beginning all the way to that beautiful, but ever so heartbreaking epilogue. I have never really loved epilogues so much before.

Page Holden was such a good character and so was Professor Weiss. From the first few scenes they had together, I wanted them to happen as a couple. Rayanne really knows how to write su Page Turner is the second book by Rayanne Sinclair that I have read, the first being Steal Away (which I adored). This book, however, is officially my favorite. I loved the story from the beginning all the way to that beautiful, but ever so heartbreaking epilogue. I have never really loved epilogues so much before.

Page Holden was such a good character and so was Professor Weiss. From the first few scenes they had together, I wanted them to happen as a couple. Rayanne really knows how to write such sweet romance that even I can feel the bubbly emotions from reading those cute moments. Now I just really want my own Weiss.

I also thought how interesting it was that Professor Weiss was a Jew and how his and Page’s relationship had progressed the way it did. It could have gone another way with John, had he been more receptive to faith.

Overall, I loved everything about Page Turner. It is a sweet Christian romance that stirs the emotions, even with some sadness.

Reviewed by Christina

Related reading:  Interview With Rayanne Sinclair; Review of Steal Away; Review of Beso Dulce: CWA Focus of Steal Away; Twitter - Rayanne Sinclair; Facebook - Rayanne Sinclair

Interview with Rayanne Sinclair

Rayanne Sinclair has done it again! Her third novel is well crafted and inspirational. Page Turner came to market earlier than planned due to Rayanne's “semi-retirement” last August. Though she continues with consulting assignments, she appreciates the extra time to write and she has started her fourth book. The four books will be available as a boxed set for the Christmas holiday.

Rayanne Sinclair

What was the inspiration for this book?

I must admit that my stories are “given” to me – from beginning to end.  As you know, I’ve not spent a lifetime dreaming about becoming an author – and certainly not an author of fiction.  I often don’t see the purpose behind these stories until they are completed in first draft. That can be frustrating, but I actually think it forces me to simply trust that the Lord has some intention with the books that I may never know or understand this side of heaven.

As with all my novels (genre: new adult inspirational romance), I’m trying to project role models for today’s young women in my female leads. They are young but they are also clear about who they are, what they want, and what they stand for. I seek to display them as strong and feminine. I also want strong male characters because all too often the romance genre creates paper doll images of men. They are predictable and one-dimensional when they need to be authentic. Finally, my main inspiration for these books is to lift up traditional and covenantal marriage – a theme of “biblical” proportion.

As for Page Turner specifically, I find the greatest inspiration in the statement made by the Methodist pastor when he observes: The pastor then marveled aloud that a Jew could more readily come to Christ than a man raised in the church. “We just don’t know the plans and timing of God, yet we must trust him wholly. For in the end, he only and always does what is just and right.”

Many relationships are presented in this novel. There are father-son relationships: Pastor and his son; Page's father and his son.  In the first case, religious commitment comes between the father and the son, and in the second case, their relationship seems to be stronger because of their faith commitment. Any comments?

As you know, the genre is almost always written from the female POV, but these father/son relationships end up adding texture to the story.

There are mother-daughter relationships: Page and her mother have a good relationship. Page seeks her advice and trusts her.  Any comments about this?

Though it’s clear that Page has been raised with plenty of father-love from which she derives her confidence and drive, it’s also clear that she takes most of her “messages” from her mom. And Mrs. Holden is full of Godly wisdom as she draws Page to the right conclusions without being preachy. 

There are mother–son relationships: Gavi’s mother and her son are estranged and Gavi’s decision to be with Page makes the estrangement worse.  The reader senses that the estrangement extended to the deceased father also, someone who was too harsh with his son.

The reader should have no doubts that Gavi was driven hard by demanding parents who may have been seeking a “prize” rather than a relationship in their son. Despite that, it’s also clear that Gavi tries hard to be a good son to his mother. It was also important to the story line that he be uncompromising about leaving and cleaving – i.e., his declaration of love and intent to marry Page.  Gavi’s heart is changed by Christ such that he ultimately chooses to leave behind the bitterness that his parents (especially mother) held onto.

Religious commitment plays a role in all these relationships. Can you speak about this?

The faith commitment of the first character one meets on the first page in all my books (Anne in Steal Away, Kat in Beso Dulce, and Page in Page Turner) lays down the marker for what will be fundamental in all her choices/decisions. They all take what some might consider to be “risks in relationship,” but they are guided by a faith that God will confirm for them what is right.

At the end of the novel, you pull together many threads by posing the story of widows: Page’s mother and Page herself. If we add in the account of Gavi’s mother, we have a story about three widows. I was reminded of the book of Ruth, which is about three widows facing life decisions. Two decide to follow move on, following their faith. Page’s mother begins a late in life career. Page moves from being a small town girl to a world traveling pianist. Gavi’ mother resists change and decides to “stay in Moab.” Did you have the story of Ruth in mind?

No, but I’m glad you saw that story there!

This novel has an important message for young women who are hoping to find their life partner.

Exactly. That message should be “know who you are in Christ first – and be ready (prepared/decided in advance) to give an answer for the hope that lies within you when that’s tested.” In other words, don’t compromise or settle.

Your experiences of the Vietnam era and Ohio State University lend strong background to this novel. Any thoughts about why you chose this time and setting?

I enjoyed my college years at OSU, but also wanted to frame the female lead in small-town America. I also prefer to write about places I have seen/visited.  Lastly, I love college football! It seemed like a perfect match. (You’ll note on the acknowledgements page that I give a hat tip to the OSU Buckeyes football national championship victory. I wrote that acknowledgement before the game took place because I had a clear sense that despite – or perhaps because of – their challenges this past season, I knew they would prevail.)

As for Page’s brother and his service and ultimate sacrifice in Vietnam, I felt it was simply something that could not be ignored when writing in this era. With more than 50K troops lost over such a long period of time, it had to be memorialized.

END

Related reading: Review of Steal Away; Review of Beso Dulce

Rayanne Sinclair's Third Novel is Out!

Rayanne Sinclair has done it again! Her third novel is out just in time for Valentine’s Day.


Page Turner came to market earlier than planned due to Rayanne's “semi-retirement” last August. Though she continues with consulting assignments, she appreciates the extra time to write and she has already started her fourth book. The four books will be available as a boxed set for the holidays.

Here are reviews of her other novels:

Steal Away
Beso Dulce

Beso Dulce - Rayanne Sinclair's second novel

Title: Beso Dulce (Sweet Kiss)

Author: Rayanne Sinclair

ISBN: 978-0-9897502-2-6

Hopetoun Publishing

Edmonds, Washington

197 pages

Review by Alice C. Linsley


Beso Dulce is Rayanne Sinclair’s second novel. This love story is as compelling as her first novel Steal Away. The main characters are Katarina Steiner (“Kat”) and Juan Diego Alvarez (“JD”). As a couple, they strike a contrast. Kat is a stunning model with blonde hair and blue eyes. JD is a tall, muscular, and swarthy Mexican rancher. Their romance sparks from their first encounter standing before Canova’s famous sculpture of Psyche Revived by Cupid’s Kiss in the Louvre.

Disillusioned by the shallowness of the fashion industry, Kat seeks a new direction in her life. She plans to open an art gallery in Seaside, California. Still reeling from the tragedy of her parents’ death, Kat seeks solace in the beauty of great art and by visiting family in Vienna, Austria. Her visit to the Louvre in Paris is pivotal to events that follow. The scenes with her family are endearing, as is Kat’s relationship with a long-time family friend, Larry Barnes, a wise older man.

This novel is rich in scenery. The reader is taken on a grand tour of Monterrey, Paris, Vienna and “the sleepy little town of Todos Santos” in Baja California. The cast of characters includes the warm and colorful staff at Juan Diego’s ranch, and the complication of Jason, a handsome old flame from Kat’s university days. There is an intriguing relationship between Kat’s best friend, Barb, and JD’s younger brother.

The plot deepens as the relationship between Kat and JD deepens. They discover that their attraction has a spiritual dimension. Despite their cultural difference, they are well suited. They learn more about each other when Kat visits JD’s ranch. Seeing JD in his natural setting stirs Kat’s heart, and her life takes a dramatic turn. The closing scene of JD riding his Arabian stallion on the beach at dusk is spectacular. This novel makes the heart race, and were it to be made into a film, it would be a cinematic success.


Beso Dulce Now Available

Rayanne Sinclair's Beso Dulce Now Available

Dear Friends and Readers

http://goo.gl/ogPwy1   

Eight months ago my sister published her first novel Steal Away and today her second book – Beso Dulce - appeared. She did the background research in Sur Baja Mexico where much of the story takes place. If you haven’t read the first book - Steal Away - now is your chance to grab both.

The eBook version of Beso Dulce is available now. The paperback edition will appear on the Amazon pages soon.

Also, please write a review! Reviews are essential to an author being recognized by the larger publishing houses. Either leave a comment at Amazon, Goodreads, Barnes and Noble, or leave a comment at Rayanne's website or her Facebook page.

Thanks!

Alice C. Linsley



Related: Another Great Review of Steal Away

Another great review of Steal Away!

Here is the first Amazon.UK review of Rayanne Sinclair's first novel Steal Away.

"This little gem of a book is a bittersweet telling of love separated by distance and secrets. Beautifully written, the characters really came to life for me with the author capturing her setting in vivid detail. I particularly loved the dialogue and the fact the two loves came from distinctly different backgrounds which made their relationship all the more plausible and absorbing." (From here.)

Steal Away is available in paperback or e-book. If you have read it, please take a moment to write a review at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Goodreads, or on the author's Facebook page. If you haven’t read it, what are you waiting for?

http://rayannesinclair.com/

https://www.facebook.com/RayanneSinclair

https://twitter.com/RayanneSinclair


Related reading: Interview with Rayanne Sinclair; Poem by Rayanne Sinclair

Toast To A Friend

(Adapted from the Skene Manuscripts from the early 1600’s)

By Rayanne Sinclair



Fill to me the parting glass, to be a friend is all I asked.

I lift the cup to wish you best, as you move to life’s next test.

Your feet be blessed as you depart, may all you meet bring cheerful start.

But friends forever then as now, may we still share as oft allows.

Fill to me the parting glass, goodbye and joy to all we pass.

Other poems and works by Rayanne Sinclair:

Steal Away (novel)
Interview with Rayanne Sinclair
Espíritu (poem)

A Poem by Rayanne Sinclair

Rayanne Sinclair is a novelist who includes poetry in her works. This poem is published with the author's permission.

Espíritu

By Rayanne Sinclair

Beneath the grassy berm, alas her spirit rises.

It’s love she seeks tonight, enclothed in her disguises.

Finding a lonely drunkard, streetlit face turned frown.

She appears a friendly visage, determined and unbound.

Take me home the whisper, I’ll be good company.

Arm in arm they stumble, off to his destiny.

Before the glint of dawn, she has devoured him whole.

Back underground is she, beneath the grassy knoll.

Follow Rayanne Sinclair:

http://rayannesinclair.com/

https://www.facebook.com/RayanneSinclair

https://twitter.com/RayanneSinclair

Related reading: Steal Away: A Great Christmas Gift!; Interview with Rayanne Sinclair

Steal Away: A Great Christmas Gift!

Alice C. Linsley

My sisters and I come from a family of writers and each of us writes for publication. Ten weeks ago my younger sister had her first novel published.

Steal Away is a love story set in Scotland and a perfect gift for the holidays. The characters are well drawn and the background realistic. The author traveled to Scotland to research the sites mentioned in the story.

Steal Away is available in paperback or e-book. If you have read it, please take a moment to write a review at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Goodreads, or on the author's Facebook page. If you haven’t read it, what are you waiting for?

http://rayannesinclair.com/

https://www.facebook.com/RayanneSinclair

https://twitter.com/RayanneSinclair


Related reading: Interview with Rayanne Sinclair; Poem by Rayanne Sinclair