Take a trip to the Suamalie Islands where palm trees sway, the sand and sea pulse with life, and the people will steal your heart.
I'm so excited to be a part of CelebrateLit's Suamalie Islands series! My contribution, Tropical Target, will release September 26, 2023. But Tropical Target is just one of many great stories that take place on the Suamalie Islands.
This is where you will find everything related to Suamalie Islands: Book news, giveaways, blog posts, fun facts, and more!
I'm so excited to be a part of CelebrateLit's Suamalie Islands series! My contribution, Tropical Target, will release September 26, 2023. But Tropical Target is just one of many great stories that take place on the Suamalie Islands.
This is where you will find everything related to Suamalie Islands: Book news, giveaways, blog posts, fun facts, and more!
Rekindled friendships.
In The Title Wave, Ezra and Henri were friends for a long time (each actually really cared about the other but never said anything). But after eight years apart, they have to rediscover each other and their friendship... or more.
The youth leader from my teen years turned into my best friend. I graduated high school and moved away. We lost touch. When I moved back to town I had a husband and newborn daughter. I returned to the church and found her. She had a daughter a little over a year older than mine and she was due with her second daughter a few months later. We lost touch again but then three years later I was drawn back to that church. And she was still there. Our friendship grew and we were eventually best friends and have been since. Our girls grew up together and her youngest graduated with mine. We have celebrated with each other and cried with each other. God definitely blessed me with a best friend like her.
Click here for your chance to win an ebook copy of The Title Wave and a $5 Amazon giftcard.
In The Title Wave, Ezra and Henri were friends for a long time (each actually really cared about the other but never said anything). But after eight years apart, they have to rediscover each other and their friendship... or more.
The youth leader from my teen years turned into my best friend. I graduated high school and moved away. We lost touch. When I moved back to town I had a husband and newborn daughter. I returned to the church and found her. She had a daughter a little over a year older than mine and she was due with her second daughter a few months later. We lost touch again but then three years later I was drawn back to that church. And she was still there. Our friendship grew and we were eventually best friends and have been since. Our girls grew up together and her youngest graduated with mine. We have celebrated with each other and cried with each other. God definitely blessed me with a best friend like her.
Click here for your chance to win an ebook copy of The Title Wave and a $5 Amazon giftcard.

The Title Wave by Chautona Havig releases April 25, 2023
All he wants to do is help people, but local women want to help themselves… to him!
When Henri Tupuola returned to Suamalie to open his holistic mental health clinic, he had no idea what he was getting into. After ten years in Australia getting his degree and practical experience under his mentor, the locals had all but forgotten the quiet “boy” who had always made them feel like he could see right through them.
Not anymore! The ladies of Lafoina are eager to meet the island’s therapist and spend hours staring deeply into his eyes on their weekly dates… ahem, sessions.
Desperate for relief, he hightails it down to The Title Wave and begs Ezra to order him a couple dozen copies of his own book. Yes, author copies would be cheaper, but he needs these things fast. Maybe if he hands out his book like an old-time quack handed out pills, the ladies will get the hint and leave him alone.
But when he tells his troubles to Ezra (who’s the therapist now?), and she jokes at how much her father would love to have people flocking to his “sessions” so to speak, Henri gets an idea that could save his sanity… if only Ezra will agree.
Take a trip to the Suamalie Islands where palm trees sway, the sand and sea pulse with life, and the people will steal your heart.
All he wants to do is help people, but local women want to help themselves… to him!
When Henri Tupuola returned to Suamalie to open his holistic mental health clinic, he had no idea what he was getting into. After ten years in Australia getting his degree and practical experience under his mentor, the locals had all but forgotten the quiet “boy” who had always made them feel like he could see right through them.
Not anymore! The ladies of Lafoina are eager to meet the island’s therapist and spend hours staring deeply into his eyes on their weekly dates… ahem, sessions.
Desperate for relief, he hightails it down to The Title Wave and begs Ezra to order him a couple dozen copies of his own book. Yes, author copies would be cheaper, but he needs these things fast. Maybe if he hands out his book like an old-time quack handed out pills, the ladies will get the hint and leave him alone.
But when he tells his troubles to Ezra (who’s the therapist now?), and she jokes at how much her father would love to have people flocking to his “sessions” so to speak, Henri gets an idea that could save his sanity… if only Ezra will agree.
Take a trip to the Suamalie Islands where palm trees sway, the sand and sea pulse with life, and the people will steal your heart.
Mentors
In Wheeler's Design, Sabrina Wheeler starts her own mobile pottery studio, inspired by a high school art teacher who encouraged her follow her dreams.
There have been several people in my life that have helped me along the way. Whether it’s spiritually, academically, emotionally, with raising kids, or in other aspects of my life. So many people I can think of. My mom, my husband, a certain coworker, and my former youth leader turned bestie are just a few.
Right now in this season of my life, I’m working on becoming a better writer. And my friends and family have supported and encouraged me along the way.
Right now, Lisa Phillips is mentoring me in my writing journey. What started off as a mentor/mentee relationship quickly developed into besties. I’m not kidding, we are like bestie soul mates.
She is an uber talented amazing author and she’s slowly guiding me in her ways. If you haven’t read any of her books you’re missing out. Go read them all now. I’ve let go of my pantsting ways and I’m slowly turning into a plotter. I want to be Lisa Phillips when I grow up.
Seriously though, I can tell that my writing has grown so much with her help. And I’ll forever be grateful for her help but most importantly her friendship!
Click here for your chance to win an eBook copy of the book and $5 Amazon card!
In Wheeler's Design, Sabrina Wheeler starts her own mobile pottery studio, inspired by a high school art teacher who encouraged her follow her dreams.
There have been several people in my life that have helped me along the way. Whether it’s spiritually, academically, emotionally, with raising kids, or in other aspects of my life. So many people I can think of. My mom, my husband, a certain coworker, and my former youth leader turned bestie are just a few.
Right now in this season of my life, I’m working on becoming a better writer. And my friends and family have supported and encouraged me along the way.
Right now, Lisa Phillips is mentoring me in my writing journey. What started off as a mentor/mentee relationship quickly developed into besties. I’m not kidding, we are like bestie soul mates.
She is an uber talented amazing author and she’s slowly guiding me in her ways. If you haven’t read any of her books you’re missing out. Go read them all now. I’ve let go of my pantsting ways and I’m slowly turning into a plotter. I want to be Lisa Phillips when I grow up.
Seriously though, I can tell that my writing has grown so much with her help. And I’ll forever be grateful for her help but most importantly her friendship!
Click here for your chance to win an eBook copy of the book and $5 Amazon card!

Wheeler's Design by Rachel Skatvold released on March 28, 2023
Clay is messy and so is Sabrina’s life sometimes, but will God mold it into a work of art?
Sabrina Wheeler, single mom and business owner, won a scholarship to expand her pottery studio on Luamua Island. Now, she can finally have the career and life she’s been praying for. The scholarship includes a mentor, and Sabrina is anxious to make a good impression.
For Chad Berkley, an impromptu business trip to the Suamalie Islands couldn’t have happened at a worse time. Aside from it triggering his OCD personality, he also has important obligations in Yorkshire, and being absent for a month was not in his plans. The new assignment is an honor, however, and a huge step up in his career. He can’t risk disappointing his boss now.
But then he sees Sabrina. After their brief meeting at the business conference, he hasn’t stopped thinking of her. How had he missed that she is the business owner he’s been sent to mentor? Talk about distractions on his first big assignment. Will he be able to push his personal feelings aside and keep his focus on business?
Take a trip to the Suamalie Islands where palm trees sway, the sand and sea pulse with life, and the people will steal your heart.
Clay is messy and so is Sabrina’s life sometimes, but will God mold it into a work of art?
Sabrina Wheeler, single mom and business owner, won a scholarship to expand her pottery studio on Luamua Island. Now, she can finally have the career and life she’s been praying for. The scholarship includes a mentor, and Sabrina is anxious to make a good impression.
For Chad Berkley, an impromptu business trip to the Suamalie Islands couldn’t have happened at a worse time. Aside from it triggering his OCD personality, he also has important obligations in Yorkshire, and being absent for a month was not in his plans. The new assignment is an honor, however, and a huge step up in his career. He can’t risk disappointing his boss now.
But then he sees Sabrina. After their brief meeting at the business conference, he hasn’t stopped thinking of her. How had he missed that she is the business owner he’s been sent to mentor? Talk about distractions on his first big assignment. Will he be able to push his personal feelings aside and keep his focus on business?
Take a trip to the Suamalie Islands where palm trees sway, the sand and sea pulse with life, and the people will steal your heart.
Vacation Time!
In Amanda Tru’s Where Treasure lies, the main characters arrive in the Suamalie Islands thirty years apart, but they both have epically lousy first days on the island paradise. Nothing goes according to plan. But sometimes even the worst travel woes can end in our greatest blessings! Have you ever experienced any ridiculous, hilarious, or just plain bad travel luck? Did your story have a silver lining?
I’ve vacationed to several places over the years. I’m not sure that I’ve ever had a vacation experience that included ridiculous, hilarious and bad luck. Although, I’ve had vacations that have had at least one.
I’ve vacationed in Arkansas, Texas, California, Colorado, Missouri, and spent the spring break of my senior year in France. I’ve seen the woods, the beaches, and the mountains.
Vacations are for memories. Some are better than others.
France was amazing. A dream come true. I got to visit the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame, Sacre Couer, the Normandy Beach, the Normandy American Cemetery, and more. It was a whirlwind seven days. The food was great. The jetlag not so much.
Our Texas beach vacations tend to have a little of the not so fun memories. Like the time a jellyfish stung me. It must have been a little one because it didn’t look too bad, but boy did it burn. Then there was the time we were in a car wreck that totaled my mom’s car and stranded us in Texas a couple of extra days.
We vacationed in Colorado as a child, visiting the Royal Gorge, Pikes Peak, Cave of the Winds, and more. In 2017, my husband and I took our children and visited some of those same spots. It started as a bittersweet goodbye and moved into a great family vacation. Did you know the Arkansas River begins in Colorado? I remember my dad stopping at the beginning of the Arkansas River and collecting a jar of water and carrying it back home to Arkansas. And the beginning of the Arkansas River is where we released my father’s ashes. Not exactly the same spot, but close. That was also the vacation my son saw an ironing board and excitedly yelled “Look, a surfboard!” What does that say about my domestic abilities?
In the years down the road after vacations, you might vaguely remember the not so pleasant moments but you’ll cherish the great memories you’ve made.
In Amanda Tru’s Where Treasure lies, the main characters arrive in the Suamalie Islands thirty years apart, but they both have epically lousy first days on the island paradise. Nothing goes according to plan. But sometimes even the worst travel woes can end in our greatest blessings! Have you ever experienced any ridiculous, hilarious, or just plain bad travel luck? Did your story have a silver lining?
I’ve vacationed to several places over the years. I’m not sure that I’ve ever had a vacation experience that included ridiculous, hilarious and bad luck. Although, I’ve had vacations that have had at least one.
I’ve vacationed in Arkansas, Texas, California, Colorado, Missouri, and spent the spring break of my senior year in France. I’ve seen the woods, the beaches, and the mountains.
Vacations are for memories. Some are better than others.
France was amazing. A dream come true. I got to visit the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame, Sacre Couer, the Normandy Beach, the Normandy American Cemetery, and more. It was a whirlwind seven days. The food was great. The jetlag not so much.
Our Texas beach vacations tend to have a little of the not so fun memories. Like the time a jellyfish stung me. It must have been a little one because it didn’t look too bad, but boy did it burn. Then there was the time we were in a car wreck that totaled my mom’s car and stranded us in Texas a couple of extra days.
We vacationed in Colorado as a child, visiting the Royal Gorge, Pikes Peak, Cave of the Winds, and more. In 2017, my husband and I took our children and visited some of those same spots. It started as a bittersweet goodbye and moved into a great family vacation. Did you know the Arkansas River begins in Colorado? I remember my dad stopping at the beginning of the Arkansas River and collecting a jar of water and carrying it back home to Arkansas. And the beginning of the Arkansas River is where we released my father’s ashes. Not exactly the same spot, but close. That was also the vacation my son saw an ironing board and excitedly yelled “Look, a surfboard!” What does that say about my domestic abilities?
In the years down the road after vacations, you might vaguely remember the not so pleasant moments but you’ll cherish the great memories you’ve made.

Where Treasure Lies by Amanda Tru released on February 28, 2023.
Two stories…thirty years apart. Will solving the mystery of the past provide the key to the present?
Scott Connelly arrives in the Suamalie Islands determined to acquire property for his father and leave as soon as possible. But he doesn’t count on the animosity of the residents, the fascinating local legend of a sunken Spanish treasure ship, or the highly unavailable waitress who comes to his rescue. The fabled treasure promises to buy his freedom, but even seeking it may be a dangerous risk.
News of her father’s death precedes Tavia Connelly’s arrival in the Suamalie Islands. Despite the hatred of the island residents, Tavia’s determined to settle her father’s affairs and return immediately to assume her role as head of the family company. But her father’s wishes require her to find out what happened long ago, given only Scott’s mumbled clues, crazy rumors, and a centuries-old fable.
Tavia should be safe after all those years, but her presence attracts a lot of resentment, and the ghosts of Scott’s enemies may still lie in wait for someone to come searching for a treasure that may have never existed.
But what if it did?
Two stories…thirty years apart. Will solving the mystery of the past provide the key to the present?
Scott Connelly arrives in the Suamalie Islands determined to acquire property for his father and leave as soon as possible. But he doesn’t count on the animosity of the residents, the fascinating local legend of a sunken Spanish treasure ship, or the highly unavailable waitress who comes to his rescue. The fabled treasure promises to buy his freedom, but even seeking it may be a dangerous risk.
News of her father’s death precedes Tavia Connelly’s arrival in the Suamalie Islands. Despite the hatred of the island residents, Tavia’s determined to settle her father’s affairs and return immediately to assume her role as head of the family company. But her father’s wishes require her to find out what happened long ago, given only Scott’s mumbled clues, crazy rumors, and a centuries-old fable.
Tavia should be safe after all those years, but her presence attracts a lot of resentment, and the ghosts of Scott’s enemies may still lie in wait for someone to come searching for a treasure that may have never existed.
But what if it did?