Latest News
Available February 2015
Welcome to the Casa de Vida—eleven quaint bungalows located three blocks from the Pacific Ocean in tiny Seaside Village, California. Owner Liv McAlister never advertises vacancies beyond a small hand-lettered sign out front, preferring to trust that God will send the right tenant at just the right time. And He always does.
Heidi Hathaway’s life has been turned upside down. After an accident leaves her injured, unable to work, and incapable of negotiating the stairs in her multilevel oceanfront condo, she leases her home and moves into a cozy little cottage in the charming garden complex where her friend Piper lives. There she finds so much more than a place to rest and recover.
Piper Keyes knows Jared is not coming back from Afghanistan. After making it through the fifth anniversary of his death, she wonders if she’s at last ready to get on with life. She gingerly explores new avenues—photography, cooking, and buying her own boutique—and learns to open her heart again.
The most comforting thing about living at the Casa is that the women there become each other’s mentors and confidantes, learning from their own mistakes and arriving at new, healed places in their lives.
Available July 2014
Friendship Is Often Found
Where You Least Expect It
From Publisher’s Weekly:
“John (Heart Echoes) introduces the residents of Casa de Vida in the first volume of her new Family of the Heart series. A collection of 11 bungalows in the San Diego, California, neighborhood of Seaside Village houses an eclectic group of renters, but owner Olivia “Liv” McAlister has fostered a sense of community among them. Jasmyn Albright heads to California for a brief respite after a tornado destroys her Illinois home. After her rental car is stolen with all her possessions inside it, she becomes the newest member of the enclave. Like the other residents, Jasmyn is as much in need of a second chance as she is a roof over her head. When Liv suffers a heart attack, it’s up to the tiny band of misfits to pull together, not only for her but also for itself and the way of life that has become its safety net. All of the residents are complex characters as full of flaws and failures as they are of compassion and hope. John deftly weaves the theme of faith into the fabric of her story, and as her characters are inspired so, too, are her readers. A delightful read.”
From CBD catalog:
“Painting a warm portrait of community, John evokes the spirit of Mitford with her cast of quirky characters that reside in this picturesque corner of California. You’ll become a fellow boarder living in the motherly embrace of Liv… You’ll laugh with them over shared meals, grieve their losses, and rejoice as the walls around their hearts crumble under the protective care and faith of friends.
A visit you'll treasure!”
September 2013
Heart Echoes wins acfw 2013 Carol Award!
ACFWThe Voice of Christian Fiction
March 2021
Heart Echoes
In the aftermath of a massive Los Angeles earthquake, the perfect existence Teal Morgan-Adams has built begins to crumble. Teal’s daughter, Maiya, is determined to learn the identity of her biological father, despite the loving devotion of her stepdad, River Adams. But that’s a secret Teal hoped would remain buried forever. She has never shared the truth with anyone ... not her family, not River, not even Maiya’s father.
June 2011
Desert Gift
A story about the unexpected detours our lives can take, the lies we sometimes tell ourselves, and the hope that God is always at work, even in the desert.
"This thoughtful inspirational reminds readers that it's never too late for second chances"
Romantic Times, 4 1/2 star review
"A thoughtful and engaging novel."
Publishers Weekly
October 2010
It's a blog!
"Life in the Fiction Lane" are posts of my day-to-day process of writing a novel. It's the story behind the story.
July 2010
Ransomed Dreams
For every marriage that takes an unexpected turn.
Publisher's Weekly
"John sets her new novel in the world of diplomacy. A thoughtful and engaging novel."
"For anyone who thinks that fiction is simply an indulgence to escape reality, this book will be a huge surprise. The story will resonate with anyone who has ever found himself in the midst of unexpected and disappointing life circumstances and asked, "How did I get here, and how can I escape?" ... The story is dramatic and action-packed, but it is also full of life-changing truths. This is surely one work of fiction that will be worth your time!"
Posted by Miss Diagnosis
June 2009
Safe Harbor Series #3
A Time to Surrender
The Beaumont Family saga comes to a conclusion. Claire and Max Beaumont nearly lost it all, but their marriage and their homestead have now been restored. As they grow in love, they watch as their children feel the effects of their reconciliation: Their son Danny falls in love and lets go of his pride. Daughter Jenna lets go of preconceived notions about marriage when her husband, Kevin the marine, is injured in Iraq. All the Beaumonts ultimately learn that letting go is the best way to receive back healed relationships.
Re-Released July 2008
THE OTHER WAY HOME SERIES
The Other Way Home Series book covers have a fresh new look!
Harvest House Publishers re-released our all-time favorite Valley Oaks, Illinois, stories – now with “photos” of our all-time favorite folks on the covers. J
The stories have not been changed, but the covers are great fun with beautiful colors and hints of what’s inside. There’s Brady in his farmer’s cap with his truck. . .a really cute Tanner with his plane. . .Britte’s high school and Lia’s pharmacy resemble classic small-town America (in particular Orion, Illinois!). . .the “sigh” wedding kiss and “what’s ahead?” winding country road are still there. . .Gina, Isabel, Britte, and Kate wear smiles that perfectly reflect their characters and seem to say, “Come visit my life for awhile.”
Check out A JOURNEY BY CHANCE, AFTER ALL THESE YEARS, JUST TO SEE YOU SMILE, and THE WINDING ROAD HOME either at this website, at www.harvesthousepublishers.com, or online bookstores.
July 2008
THE BEACH HOUSE SERIES
BEACH DREAMS by Trish Perry
Julian and Zeke, our all-time favorite beach guys, and Faith Fontaine’s funky little beach house all return in Harvest House author TRISH PERRY’s BEACH DREAMS!
I highly recommend this moving story. There’s romance, interesting people of all ages and walks of life, old hurts addressed, God’s awesome healing touch, laughter, tears, and epiphanies alongside the Pacific Ocean. For Trish fans, there’s the bonus of watching her previous characters grow in their faith.
October 2008
SAFE HARBORS SERIES #2
A TIME TO GATHER
By Sally John and Gary Smalley
Yes, it is on the way! Watch for the release date of A Time to Gather at www.thomasnelson.com and online bookstores.
The Beaumont family saga continues. Claire and Max move into the Hacienda Hideaway and anticipate a renewal of their marriage vows in a “re-wedding.” Meanwhile their grown children are still reacting to the major upheaval begun in A Time to Mend. Two of the siblings – TV news anchor Erik and artist Lexi – take center stage. Pushed to the brink of personal disaster, they struggle to break free from the past. Complicating and ultimately complementing their journeys are grandparents Indio and Ben, along with two new intriguing women.
Max and Claire find this season of life is indeed a time to gather what has been sown, the good and the not-so-good.
A Time to Gather is another exciting story full of relationship: the stumbling blocks, the joys, the mysteries, and – as always – God’s faithful, healing touch.
May 2008
A Time To Mend was named to the Christian fiction best sellers list for May! It was also announced as a Christy Award finalist. Quite a month!
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Tim and I are preparing to move into a more permanent home, six months now after the fire. God has abundantly provided for all of our needs - and then some. Book 2 in the Safe Harbor Series is finished. \O/ Watch for A TIME TO GATHER, co-authored with Gary Smalley, late this summer. I'm very excited about it. You'll get to see how Claire and Max are doing as well as meet a couple of new characters and watch Erik and Lexi grow through some trials. =) Book 3 is in the works. If you'd like a personal reply, please contact me at [email protected]. Blessings.
July 2007
Sally has a short story featured in the newly released Not Safe, But Good, a collection of faith-based short stories written by renowned authors of Christian fiction and edited by New York Times best-selling author Bret Lott. Copies are available at your local bookstores and on Amazon.com.
September 2006
Joni and Friends International Disability Center has included In a Hearbeat on its recommended reading list! Joni Eareckson Tada founded the world-renowned Center in 1979 to encourage outreach to people affected by disabilities. Check out the Center's reading list at www.joniandfriends.org!
July 2006
Just released July 1st, 2006, Castles in the Sand is the final book in The Beach House series.
2006 Christy Award
Congratulations!! Sally's book Moment of Truth, part of the In A Heartbeat series, was one of the three finalists for the 2006 Christy Award for Outstanding Fiction, Contemporary Series division!!