Scotland ~ two broken hearts ~ and a mighty God
When American college professor, Bonny Bryant meets fellow professor Kieran MacDonell, neither expects the passionate love that develops as both heal from devastating loss.
A Home for My Heart Series
“Anyone can write a love story where the man and woman fall in love and live happily ever after. What Norma Gail wove together was a tale of deep commitment, of facing hardships and losses together, and triumphing over a myriad of tremendously difficult circumstances because of an abiding faith in Christ … There was beauty, intrigue, suspense, heartbreak, faith, and a deep abiding family love strewn throughout this amazing tale. I could NOT put it down!” – Amazon review
Christmas Special
Land of My Dreams and Within Golden Bands are available in print, Kindle. They can be purchased through Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Walmart, and BAM. Land of My Dreams is also available in audiobook form.
In a special, limited-number promotion, you can order autographed copies of both books direct from Norma Gail for $25, shipping included. Email to NormaGailwrites@gmail.com for details.
To receive signed bookplates for your print copies of Land of My Dreams and Within Golden Bands, email your address to Norma Gail at NormaGailwrites@gmail.com. No charge.
Land of My Dreams – Book One
The A Home for My Heart Series spans the distance between New Mexico’s high desert mountains and the misty Scottish Highlands with a timeless story of overwhelming grief, undying love, and compelling faith.
In Land of My Dreams, Bonny Bryant’s panicked escape from broken engagement has the potential to change her entire life, instead of just one year. Her desperate plan to leave the familiar behind leads her to a small Christian college in Fort William, Scotland where she is introduced to the equally struggling Kieran MacDonell.
As their relationship grows, Bonny returns to the faith she tried to leave behind but discovers that Kieran harbors a deep anger toward God. When Bonny’s former fiancé reenters her life, and Kieran’s loneliness draws him to a former student.
How will Bonny decide between her rivals? Can they set aside the past to make way for a future, or will it drive them apart?
Get your copy of Land of My Dreams today!
Praise for Land of My Dreams
Norma Gail’s debut novel shows a mastery of the craft and technique of writing, unusual in a new author. Land of My Dreams flows easily between crisp, nicely blending narrative, description, and dialog, making the story easy to read right from the start. ~ Michael Phillips, CBA Bestselling Author
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Norma writes with a flair that will wrap you in suspense and romance, transporting you into the setting of New Mexico and Scotland. If you need the place to escape to for a few hours, this is a wonderful book that will sweep you away. ~ Jennifer Hudson Taylor, award-winning author of the Highland series and The MacGregor Quest series.
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Land of My Dreams is aptly titled. The novelist, Norma Gail, drew me into the setting as a rich part of the story. With delightful descriptions, Scotland slipped into my mind in full-blown images. I truly did not want to stop reading, so smoothly did the story wrap around and through my imagination. Exactly what a book is supposed to do–transport me to another place and time without a recognition of the transplant. ~ Angela Breidenbach, author of A Healing Heart and Snowflake Tiara.
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Land of My Dreams is a winner in so many ways. That it is the debut novel of author Norma Gail makes it certain that it won’t be her last. The setting is spectacular, another character in this classic love story not only of Bonny Bryant and Kieran MacDonnell but also of God and His children. As Bonny and Kieran discover that God has ordained that beauty rises out of ashes, they rediscover the faith they had abandoned as a result of tragedy in their lives. Land of My Dreams is a truly satisfying read. ~ Marjorie Vawter, ACFW Genesis Short Novel Category Coordinator, Freelance Editor, CCWC & GPCWC Assistant to the Director and Appointments Coordinator, ACFW Central Zone Director
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Within Golden Bands – Book Two
Bonny and Kieran’s story continues in Within Golden Bands, with a story of love, longing, and the adjustments necessary when two people from very different backgrounds join their lives.
Bonny MacDonell finds the transition from American college professor to Scottish sheep farmer’s wife more difficult than she expected. When her miracle pregnancy ends in a devastating miscarriage, she fears her husband’s reaction will hurt more than the loss of their child.
But Kieran never shows up at the hospital. When found, he is beaten and unconscious. The only memory of his attacker is the words, “Get off my land.” Reeling from the threat to her husband and the loss of their child, Bonny struggles to hold her marriage together. When faith and love are not enough, where do you turn?
Get your copy of Within Golden Bands today!
Praise for Within Golden Bands
Tender love story and edgy romantic suspense all rolled into one, Within Golden Bands is definitely a compelling read! The characters were people I enjoyed getting to know, and the setting was a place I thoroughly enjoyed visiting, if only in my imagination. And of course, as an adoptive parent myself, I loved the story of the making of a family through adoption. This is another fine book from author Norma Gail.
~ Ann Tatlock, novelist, blogger and children’s book author
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Author of Land of My Dreams Norma Gail knits together an intriguing yet realistic love story set in the beauty of the Scottish Highlands. The reader can imagine hillsides filled with woolly sheep grazing on lush grass. As a shepherd, I fully appreciate the effort she made to ensure accuracy in the very detailed and not-so-easy-to-understand sheep production scenes, especially lambing descriptions. As an adoptive mother, I loved the way she portrayed the couple’s painful path through infertility and the eventual adoption of their child. A fine read!
~ Marilyn Bay, sheep farmer and author of All We Like Sheep: Lessons from the Sheepfold as well as historical fiction Prairie Grace and Prairie Truth
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While Within Golden Bands is the sequel to Land of My Dreams, it stands on its own. The story addresses the painful and emotional themes of miscarriage, infertility, and adoption. The author handles each topic in this touching story with sensitivity, honesty, and understanding. Some readers will easily relate to the MacDonell’s experiences, feelings, and attitudes. Others will gain a greater understanding of what those who have traveled this journey experience. And there is enough romance, action, and mystery to satisfy any reader.
~ Janet Grunst, Author of A Heart Set Free, A Heart for Freedom, Setting Two Hearts Free, and The Highlanders: A Smitten Historical Romance Collection
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This touching story especially resonates with those of us who have suffered loss and have felt the weight of grief test their faith. Within Golden Bands will take you on such a journey and then it will nestle into your heart where it will stay, as it did mine. At times the young couples’ faith wavers for they are flawed—like all of us—as they struggle to understand why the Lord has allowed such a horde of tribulations into their lives. Will they allow despair and fear to destroy their dreams or grow stronger because of it?
~ Carol Guthrie Heilman, Author of Agnes Hopper Shakes Up Sweetbriar and Agnes Hopper Bets on Murder
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Within Golden Bands is both a love story and a mystery and I was surprised and shocked at some of the revelations. This book isn’t always filled with happy circumstances. It is, however, a joyful story because, during their hardest times and their deepest hurts, Kieran and his wife Bonny remain committed to each other and to God. Through their worst times, they are able to display unwavering Christian witness to those around them. Happy? Sometimes. Hopeful? Always! Joyful? Forever!
~ Connie Porter Saunders, former public librarian, book blogger, and reviewer
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Masterfully written, Norma Gail takes on issues of heartbreaking losses, followed by wrestling with options neither husband nor wife anticipated. Gently and accurately dealing with infertility and the scant remaining choices, the story explores the option of life together as a couple or walking into the unknown world of adoption. Where to start? How does a couple move forward if they are not in agreement? Meanwhile, life gets complicated and messy. Here’s predicting that you will have a hard time trying to do a slow, easy read of Within Golden Bands. The story is action-packed, complex, with an unexpected ending…or is it a new beginning?
~ Mrs. Billye Coey, proud mama of seven, three adopted; Retired Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor; Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist; Licensed Master of Social Work;* and Adoption Agency Founder *All State Licenses are retired along with Billye
Sometimes the greatest blessings come when we leave the familiar behind and take a step of faith …
