Our dear friend, Linda Thompson, recently released her first book: The Plum Blooms in Winter. You can find Linda’s website here.

We first met Linda years ago while on tour in Maricopa, Arizona. However, it was not until she accompanied us to England in 2015 for a mission trip that we really got to know her.

We became inseparable on this trip as we all wanted to soak in as much of England as we could. While the rest of the group took naps we kept going.

Our first stop was Creation Fest UK in Wadebridge. We all explored Wadebridge together and found that we had a lot in common. So we hatched a plan to take the South Devon Railway back to Exeter.

The scenery along the sea wall was spectacular. We spent nearly the whole afternoon exploring Dawlish. Having our first proper round of Fish & Chips, buy some art at a local art show, and experiencing heaven in the form of Thunder & Lightning Clotted Cream Ice Cream.

The result. Memories. From the coast of Devon to a mad dash through London.

Our day with Linda in London was magical. While our other journeys were taken with time leftover after our mission work. London was a day and a half of exploration before flying home.

We saw the Tower Bridge, Parliament, Big Ben, Buckingham Palace. All while taking hop on hop off buses all over London.

The best part of the day was when Linda treated us to a ride on the London Eye. Followed by dinner along the Thames.

At the time we knew Linda loved literature and had a dream of one day becoming an author. However, we never would have dreamed what would transpire in the coming years

The Plum Blooms in Winter

We had seen the social media postings leading up to the November 2018 release of Linda’s debut book, The Plum Blooms in Winter.

While we knew we wanted to support our dear friend the way she has always supported us. Holidays, family, life happened. Kaci and I did not purchase our copy until January 2019.

On tour we read a lot. There is a lot of downtime.

As we left for our February 2019 tour to Arizona and Mexico we packed our copy of the book. I began to read it in the Nashville airport as we waited for our flight.

I was finished two days later completely in awe of how good this book is!

Our third daughter, Emma, who was 14 at the time picked up the book and also read it in two days.

Yes, I could tell you about the book but I don’t want to spoil anything. Instead go to Linda’s website and read the synopsis of the book there. Then go out and buy a copy online!

One of our tour stops was Prescott, Arizona. Who did we see in attendance? Our dear friend Linda and her family.

After lunch we had Linda autograph our copy of her book. It is a treasure we will carry with us through life.

Encouraging words

People like Linda are a rare find. Yet they are all around us. We only need to stop, open our eyes and look beyond ourselves.

While Kaci and I were on a short outing in Wadebridge in August 2015 I spotted an old, classic Jane Austen book. One of Linda’s favorite authors. It was not a thrift find. Actually I knew that by buying this gift for our friend that we would have to forego some souvenir shopping.

Without hesitation I purchased the book and presented it to her when we got back to the fairgrounds where Creation Fest UK was being held.

I don’t remember what I said to Linda in that moment. However, I can tell you that over the years I encouraged her to follow her dreams. To write. That one day I would be purchasing her books and asking for her autograph.

If ever you learn anything from me, learn this. Build up those around you. There are plenty who will be in their path telling them, “you can’t”.

It brings me great joy to tell you that that did indeed happen. She did write a book. I do have an autographed copy.

What brings me greater joy is when I tell you, in all honesty, that I count Linda’s talent in the realm of the greats. If you like writers such as J.K. Rowling (also goes by the pseudonym of Robert Galbraith), Lee Child, Clive Cussler, Tom Clancy, and others of that caliber. You will love Linda Thompson’s first book from the Brands From the Burning series: The Plum Blooms in Winter.