Who would have thought that 2018 would bring about such wonderful growth for Higher Ground Books & Media! At the beginning of the year, I had a couple of goals for our little publishing company. One, I wanted to sign two new authors. Two, I wanted to publish at least five new titles. These were fairly conservative goals and I wasn't sure we would be able to accomplish either of them. Things were slow at the beginning of the year. Lots of starts and stops. A few sour grapes along the way. Some unfortunate incidents with less than reputable individuals who were not dealing above board. And a few months of weary soul-searching about whether or not it even made sense to keep going. And then, suddenly...a breakthrough. I prayed and prayed for God to help me figure out the direction I needed to take. And He delivered the most awesome message to me. He said, "Trust Me." And in the midst of conflict and disappointment, I handed it all over to Him once again
By Rebecca Benston As a mystery writer, I'm always trying to come up with new ways to surprise my readers. After ten books with the same character, it's possible that I may be running out of ideas. Most of my favorite mystery authors have written the same characters for twenty or more books and they are still kicking. Sadly, my favorite author, Sue Grafton, passed away this year before being able to pen the 26th installment of her alphabet mystery series. I'd been following this series for the better part of twenty years and so, I'm a little sad that we'll never have closure for her characters. In answer to this sadness, my mind started going about a million miles an hour with some new ideas for my own character, Rona Shively. I've done almost everything imaginable to this character. I've put her through a number of trials including losing her parents and even losing a child. She's experienced more grief than any person should experience.