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 the Author
- What literary pilgrimages have you gone on?
God has blessed me over the years with two annual writing retreats in the mountains of North Carolina, both of them with writer friends. The first is at a barn/lodge where I met prolific-inspiring-amazing author Chautona Havig, who encouraged me to write “To Love a Falcon.” The second is a personal spiritual retreat at The Cove, a training center created by evangelist Dr. Billy Graham, near Asheville. A friend and I go there annually to refresh our spiritual walks with Jesus Christ and plan for future writing. Also, my husband and I went to Israel in early 2023, which was a life-changing pilgrimage as well!
- If you had to do something differently as a child or teenager to become a better writer as an adult, what would you do?
I wish I had started prayer-journaling earlier in life. The exercise of writing daily (by hand) offers two benefits—brain stimulation and record-keeping for the future. During my morning quiet times now, I read through Scripture and write out prayers for my children, based on the messages in the verses of the day. It takes me about five years to read through the Bible while writing from it.
- What comes first, the plot or characters?
Definitely the characters. Once their images begin to crystallize in my head, I can lead them through their journey—which, of course, allows me to develop their personalities further and change them. It’s easier to add character eccentricities than create a cohesive plot line!
- Who is the author you most admire in your genre?
If you’re talking about romance stories, I really like all of the novels by Rachel Hauck—her characters are so likable and genuine, and she throws in little mystical elements that give her books a fairy-tale appeal. But the Christian fiction author I most admire is Chautona Havig…especially her quirky characters, her dedication to keeping her stories grounded in faith in Christ, and her willingness to address difficult issues that Christians face.
- If you could invite one person to dinner, who would it be and what would you cook?
That’s easy—Dolly Parton! She’s the patron saint of Tennessee, and she’s about an hour away from me whenever she’s in residence at Dollywood. Okay, here goes my invitation right now—“Dolly, I’d love for you to come on up to my house for dinner! I’ll fix you some cheese grits, fried chicken, home-canned green beans, homemade rolls, sweet tea, and peach-blueberry pie, with blueberries I picked here in our mountains. Come hungry! We can even do a little sing-along afterward and talk about your book-writing….”
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