About the Book

Book: To Love A Falcon

Author: Nancy C. Williams

Genre: Christian Historical Mystery, Fairytale retelling

Release Date: November 7, 2023

When life already seems bleak, the Russians send her to Siberia.

Aircraft mechanic Katya Morozov longs for her beloved Mikhail, a Russian naval officer, to return from war. But when an unwanted work assignment takes her far from her home into remote Siberia, Katya faces threats—perhaps because she and her father were engaged in covert protection for persecuted Christians.

A chance encounter with charming test pilot, Yuri Sokolov, turns into more than a passing acquaintance…igniting the flames of a conflict between Katya’s faithfulness to Mikhail and her growing attraction to the enigmatic pilot. Will messages from a mysterious woman in the woods give her the wisdom and strength she needs?

Yuri, who has hidden battles of his own, must likewise make a decision—does he follow his dreams or pursue the lovely mechanic who has captured his heart?

To Love a Falcon, a retelling of the Russian fairy tale “Finist the Falcon,” takes readers into the intrigues of Russian operatives, the stark landscape of Siberian winters, and the courage of those who risk death for faith and love.

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Nancy C. Williams grew up on “Nancy Drew” books…and occasionally still tells people her middle name is “Drew,” just to get their reaction. Following in the steps of the intrepid sleuth, Williams is an adventure enthusiast who loves hiking, snow-skiing, taking photos, sharing a good laugh, and enjoying a good mystery. She’s a history buff, too, with an affinity for antiques and fascinating stories from the past. Her writing career began with five years in the “Mad Men” world of ad agencies, crafting ads and commercials for ceiling fans, soft drinks, and pest control, among others. Then, during nearly a decade of editorial work at Federal Express headquarters, Williams traveled the globe (often in FedEx jet cockpits) and collected memories of international cultures. She also taught PR at a Christian college for a decade, sharing strategies and practices to the next generation of professionals. These days, blogs and novels are at the top of her “fun stuff to-do” list. She’s serious, though, about serving Jesus Christ…as a prayer warrior and writing for God’s glory, striving to encourage others on their spiritual journeys. When she’s not writing, look for her on the Appalachian Mountain trails with her beloved husband and mini-schnauzer.

More from Nancy

Want to know more about the real-life murder of a Russian naval officer…during a top-secret World War II mission? It’s a fascinating story that sparks even more questions, such as, what if the slain officer had a fiancée back home who didn’t know he was killed?

“To Love a Falcon” is a historical fiction novel set against the backdrop of life in post-WWII Siberia, the persecution of Christians by an anti-religious régime, and the plight of loved ones left at home who waited for lost soldiers. There’s a dash of suspense, romance, and fairy-tale lore thrown into the mix, too!

My father-in-law, who served in the U.S. SeaBees for the top-secret mission, had shared some of the details about the murder…and, I knew an old Russian fairy tale called “Finist the Falcon” that would serve as the perfect template for telling his story. I have my own personal story from Siberia (my husband and I adopted our son from there in 1999), but I learned many more interesting facts during research about this mysterious, challenging place—still largely uninhabited to this day. Our son, who is now a pilot, also helped tremendously in delving into the MiG-9, the first jet-powered fighter aircraft developed in Russia.

I hope you’ll join me on this adventure into the risks of untested flight…the murderous threats of anti-religion zealots…the relationship between a plucky female aircraft mechanic and a charming test pilot…and the possibilities of love and forgiveness in a snowy wilderness. Maybe you’ll fall in love with Siberia, too!

Interview with Nancy

What would you say is your most interesting writing quirk?

One of my early jobs, while working in a Memphis department store, was wrapping gifts during the Christmas season. I learned how to properly fit paper to a box and tie it up neatly with a bow. One Christmas, I wrapped presents for Elvis! That gift-wrap experience has carried over into my writing—I like tying all the loose ends together into a pretty package at the end. I hate to leave readers hanging or wondering what happened when the story was done….

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

I really had no idea how vast the current publishing industry is for Christian fiction. For me, the surprising part is the number of opportunities available now that didn’t exist a decade ago—so many bloggers, podcasters, video influencers, and digital readers than I ever dreamed. It’s been a head-first dive (landing on my head, for sure) into a largely populated genre, but it’s exciting. I grew up as a mystery-reading junkie, and now I’m having great fun from the author side of the story!

What’s your favorite part about being a writer? Research? First Draft? Editing?

Research is definitely the most fun. It’s never boring because I usually find so many rabbit trails to explore—research uncovers new mysteries when you go delving into the past. I love looking through antique stores, old newspapers, and museum artifacts to dig up anecdotes about life before modern conveniences.

What do you think makes a good story?

Naturally, a good story starts with a problem that has to be solved. There’s no story in baking a batch of cookies…unless you burn all of them…and they were supposed to go to a special competition…that will take place in less than an hour. A really good story captures the listener’s attention with suspense, unforgettable humor, or some heart-tugging reaction. For me personally, the best stories are those with ordinary people thrust into extraordinary situations—where they succeed by the lessons and integrity they’ve learned from Jesus Christ, through the strength He’s given them in the midst of a crisis.

As a child, what did you want to do when you grew up?

As a child, I wanted to raise horses, live in a castle with a library (like Belle), and read books. As a young adult, I wanted to raise Christmas trees, live in a Victorian cottage, and teach from college textbooks. Now, as a senior adult, I’m raising apple trees, living in the mountains, and writing books. Dreams do come true, even if they change along the way! (I did teach college classes for 10 years, and I’m still reading books.)

Readers can find out more about my current novel, “To Love a Falcon,” through Celebrate Lit Publishing’s website (http://www.celebratelitpublishing.com/posts/book/to-love-a-falcon/) or by going to Amazon where it’s available on Kindle and in paperback. Readers can also follow my blog and news at my Lightbourne Creative website, https://lightbournecreative.com–I publish a weekly devotion blog to encourage other Christians in their daily life.

Blog Stops

Artistic Nobody, January 25 (Author Interview)

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, January 25

Gina Holder, Author and Blogger, January 26 (Author Interview)

An Author’s Take, January 27

For Him and My Family, January 28

By The Book, January 29 (Author Interview)

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, January 29

Library Lady’s Kid Lit, January 30 (Author Interview)

Locks, Hooks and Books, January 31

Simple Harvest Reads, February 1 (Author Interview)

Holly’s Book Corner, February 1

Texas Book-aholic, February 2

Tell Tale Book Reviews, February 3 (Author Interview)

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, February 4

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, February 5

Through the Fire Blogs, February 6 (Author Interview)

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Nancy is giving away the grand prize package of a copy of the book and a $25 Amazon card!!

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/29b03/to-love-a-falcon-celebration-tour-giveaway