Thank
you, LeighAnne, for sharing your story and your heart with us.
My
name is LeighAnne Clifton, and I want to thank Kathy for inviting me to join
y’all today.
Yep,
I said, “y’all.” I’m a Southern girl, born and raised! Originally from the
beautiful city of Ocala, Florida, I’ve called South Carolina home for many
decades now. My degree is in chemical engineering, and I worked as an
environmental engineer for over 30 years. Between that, two kids, and my
husband, I managed to keep very busy.
In
December 2020, though, I hung up my engineering hat, retired, and started truly
focusing my energies on writing Christian fiction. Now, before you start
thinking I’m some flighty, irresponsible, spur-of-the-moment kind of lady, just
wait. I’m far from it!
The
writing bug bit me when I experienced the thrill of publishing a children’s
book, The Little Vessel, in 2018. I’d already been growing weary of
workplace politics, and, even though our kids are grown and on their own, it
became increasingly difficult to devote enough time to my writing. Then… I
signed a contract for the publication of my first novel! So, after much prayer,
I took the leap into retirement.
My
first novel, All Your Heart, was published by Pen It! Publications in
March 2021. Allow me to give you a glimpse into Alex’s world.
All Your Heart
Alex
has a full scholarship, earned through her tireless work ethic, that she hopes
will propel her across the country from her workaholic mother. However, a prom
night incident leaves Alex pregnant, confused, and unsure of her next move.
Forced to alter her well-crafted plans, she considers abortion after fleeing
her small town where everyone knows everyone else’s business. Her trip changes
course, though, when an accident strands her and she encounters Miss Matilda,
care-taker and care-giver at Together for Good, a home for ladies facing a
crisis pregnancy. Miss Matilda welcomes Alex, showering her with love,
kindness, and Good News.
While
living at the home, Alex finds a dusty old diary and reads the confidences
penned within it. The secrets Alex discovers change not only her life, but also
the lives of Miss Matilda and her nephew Terry, who’s become Alex’s new
business partner. Alex must decide if she can let go of her own secrets, grasp
the revelation of newly-discovered family, and allow her budding romance with a
local businessman to fully bloom.
My
Spirit-led goals in writing this book were three-fold:
1. reach
people with the gospel of Jesus,
2. highlight
the sanctity of life, and
3. remind
readers of God’s sovereignty.
As
I continue to write the next books in this series, these fundamental themes recur,
in addition to some other important concepts, such as forgiveness and patience.
The
inspirational and foundational Scripture verse for All Your Heart is
Proverbs 3:5, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own
understanding.” So much truth is packed into those few words, and the verse has
carried me through many tough times. Similarly, Alex and her friends learn how
to let go of their own plans and fully trust God with everything, even when
obstacles seem insurmountable. Spoiler: God’s plans are ALWAYS better (even
when we don’t recognize it)!
The
next novel in the Together for Good series, Ready to Forgive, is under
contract, although a release date is unknown at this time. If you’d like to
know more about All Your Heart and keep up with Ready to Forgive
on its journey to publication, sign up for my biweekly (every other week, not
twice a week) newsletter at LeighAnne
Clifton Book News! | (alive-leighjourney.com) .
Readers
may purchase All
Your Heart and The
Little Vessel (a modern-day parable about God’s perfect
and unique purpose for each of us) online.
All
Your Heart:
https://www.amazon.com/All-Your-Heart-Leighanne-Clifton/dp/1954868073/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1778DW6V6IRPA&dchild=1&keywords=all+your+heart+clifton&qid=1624456923&sprefix=all+your+heart+%2Caps%2C172&sr=8-1
The
Little Vessel:
https://www.amazon.com/Little-Vessel-Leighanne-Clifton/dp/164140485X/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=the+little+vessel+clifton&qid=1624456971&sr=8-1