Welcome to The Raven Saint month!

Every friday in December, I will post something about my upcoming release, The Raven Saint. All you need to do is leave a comment about the post and I will enter your name to win a free copy of the book. I will announce each week's winner the following Friday.

Simple Huh?

I'm very excited about this book! When I began the story, I thought it would be difficult to get into the heroine, Grace's character. Of all 3 sisters in the series, she was the sister I identified with the least! But as I progressed, I realized something very shocking. Some of Grace's worst qualities were also my own. Yikes. I wonder if you'll discover the same thing.

So without further ado, here's an in-depth look at Miss Grace Westcott.

Grace Westcott

Brief Description: At twenty years of age, Grace Westcott is the youngest of four sisters. With raven-colored hair and eyes a deep shade of emerald green, she’s been told she has beautiful exotic looks. But Grace closes her ears to such praises. Vanity only swells one’s pride, and pride goes before a fall. And she cannot allow such idle flattery to deter her from her mission to ensure her sister’s eternal salvation and attend to the poor in Charles Towne. Though not as petite as her sister, Hope, nor as tall as her sister, Faith, Grace tries to hide her medium, yet curvy, build beneath high-necked, loose fitting, plain gowns. There is no need to become a temptation to any of the men in Charles Towne. Not that she has received any unwanted attention—or any attention at all, for that matter. Besides, she is too busy aiding the poor and preaching to her sisters of the evils of sin, to have time for courting. If only they would listen to her, Grace is sure her sisters would save themselves a lot of pain and heartache. Yet despite Grace’s self-righteous attitude, she is a kind, generous lady who loves God and who would gladly give up her last meal to help someone in need.

Strengths: Self-sacrificing, Generous, Clever, Strong Faith, Confidence
Weaknesses: Judgmental, Idealistic, Lacks compassion for sinners, Nosy, Stubborn

Quirks: Grace wears a cross around her neck which is usually tucked within her bodice. When she’s nervous or upset, she pulls the cross out and rubs it. Also she throws a hand to her throat to cover up her exposed skin when she’s nervous. She says “Mercy me” all the time and is very outspoken about other people’s faults.

Inspiration: I love Grace’s character. I’ve seen her in so many people around me. She’s got a great heart, loves God, loves to help others, but she has one major flaw. She is too quick to judge everyone around her for any sin she sees in their lives. Since she has never had it rough in her life, since she’s always had a home and food and love, she cannot understand why people commit sin: why they steal or cheat or lie or are immoral. She only sees the sin, the top of the iceberg and refuses to look beneath. As a consequence, she comes across as being very prudish and self-righteous when in reality she only wants people to go to Heaven. More often than not, I find I can easily slip into this kind of attitude, judging the actions of others without truly knowing their heart. But wait until Grace runs into Rafe Dubois, the vile mercenary who kidnaps her from her home.